A Groom's Promise

by Ruth Ann Nordin

  Winifred took the baby and caressed the tender body in her arms. Tears filled her eyes. “Oh Opal, she’s as light as a feather.” She glanced at the child’s tiny fingers. As the baby cradled in her lap, Winifred placed Vivian Louise’s little finger inside hers. The touch’s warmth spread throughout Winifred’s body, and she smiled.

  Opal glanced at her sister. “You look lovely holding her.”

  “I can’t wait to get married and have one of my own.” She laughed. “But I’ve got to find a fella first.”

  “What about Hugh, Winifred? He’s quite taken with you. I can tell.”

  “I guess he is, but Papa promised me to Hamilton Flavell, although he hasn’t started courting me as of yet.” Her lips curved up into a snarl. “But it’s difficult to do that while I’m here.”

  Opal gasped. “Hamilton Flavell! Pa didn’t accept him courting you?”

  Taking her gaze from Opal’s, she looked down at the sweet creature. She rocked the child frontwards and backwards. “Well, it’s what Papa wants. He thought Mr. Flavell could provide me a good living.”

  “But Winifred, his face looks like a crunched pear. You couldn’t marry him, could you?”

  “I admit I don’t want to; however, there are obligations.” The chair creaked on the wooden planks.

  Oh no, she’s really considering this. “Winifred, you can’t sacrifice your happiness for a man like this.”

  “I suppose,” she mumbled.

  “Suppose? Please don’t even think of doing this. Promise me,” pleaded Opal. The baby whimpered again.

  Winifred did not answer for several moments then maneuvered the child from her lap to her chest before patting Vivian Louise’s back. “I can’t promise you, but what I can say is leaving here is the last thing I want to do.”

  “I’m glad to hear that.” Although Opal wished her sister would reject the idea out of hand, she was happy to learn of her sister’s reluctance to return home. Opal swallowed the lump in her throat then asked in a timid voice, “What are your feelings toward Hugh?”

  Face strained, the younger sister responded, “He’s a little clumsy.”

  “Is that all?”

  “Well, he’s also nice.”

  Opal leaned forward and clutched her hands together. “Don’t you also think he’s handsome?” she asked, clutching her hands together.

  “Yes.”

  At least, she admits she’s attracted to him. I knew it, and I know he’s got feelings for her. Opal snuck a peek at the little one in her sister’s lap. A surge of warmth spread through her as she observed her daughter’s closed eyes. Oh, what a wonderful life I have with the addition of this angel, Alex’s children and my beloved husband. I want the same for you, Winifred, and I’ll do whatever it takes to help make that happen.

  Chapter Nine

  Hugh stepped into the bunkhouse. His brother followed. “I’ve got to get out of this suit,” Hugh said as he took off his coat then stripped each garment off until he stood in his long johns. He opened the potbelly stove’s door to stoke the fire. The embers reignited.

  Jack threw in a piece of wood to keep the fire burning.

  “Thanks Jack. The nights are getting cooler, and this bit of heat helps.”

  Jack sat down on a wooden bench in front of the fire. He smiled at Hugh. “Glad to have you back.”

  “It’s good to be here.” Creaking the cast-iron door closed, Hugh settled himself on the seat beside his brother. He might as well approach the subject. Swallowing the lump in his throat to steady his nerves, he said, “Jack, have you ever been in love with a woman?”

  “Yep, there was Millie. I asked to court her but she preferred you. Women just don’t go for men like me.”

  “Jack, don’t believe that.” Hugh jabbed his brother on his upper arm. “There’s a lady out there for you. Even old Mr. Brown, who smelt to high heaven, chewed tobacco all the time, and walked with a limp found that homely woman, Daisy, to marry. Remember nothing is impossible with God.”

  Jack chuckled. “You’ve got me with that one. Still, I don’t know who would want me.” He glanced down at his ripped red-and-white plaid flannel shirt, then his gaze went to his torn blue jeans. “I’m not much to look at.”

  “But Jack, you’re fixing this and repairing that. Your clothes are bound to have holes.” The fire crackled in the background and made the perfect time to talk, but the comfortable setting also made Hugh tired. He yawned. “It’s been a long day.”

  “I really was worried about you when you didn’t come back.”

  “I know.” Hugh inhaled the smoke swirling around them. Some way he would have to direct this discussion to Maybell. He scratched his scalp a moment, pondering the matter until he blurted out, “What do you think of Maybell?”

  “Well,” Jack gulped. He crossed his legs. Face blushing, he gradually turned to his brother. “She reminds me of Ma. Awfully nice, and she’s even prettier than Millie.”

  Hugh smiled. At least, his brother recognized some of her good qualities. That was a good sign. Now, if he could just urge Jack to go to the square dance and take Maybell, this would solve his problem. He could not tell his brother about his agreement with Archie, especially when it included his pledge to marry Maybell. Glancing at Jack, he realized he was not bad looking. People just did not see that because they focused on his awkwardness and stuttering.

  Perhaps he could encourage Jack to give the flowers and mislead Archie into believing they came from him. His eyes began to droop. He straightened in his seat to keep himself awake. I’ve got to think of something before I fall asleep. Jumping up, he stood in front of his brother. “Jack, do you know how to get a woman’s attention?”

  “No, I haven’t thought about such things,” he said in a low voice.

  “Well, women like flowers, and I bet Maybell would, too.”

  Jack’s brow furrowed. “Flowers? Maybell?”

  “Uh-huh.”

  He studied Hugh. “I – I don’t know. What if she rejects me?”

  “She won’t.” He grinned. “Look, there are some mums blooming outside the house. We’ll pick those then we’ll give them to Maybell with a note from you.” He stopped a moment to gather his thoughts. “And, I’ll get one of the crystal vases from the buffet. That way you don’t need to worry about breaking anything.”

  He hesitated.

  “Come on, Jack. You won’t know unless you try.”

  “Alright. I’ll do it in the morning.”

  Hugh released a long breath. Things were looking up, and he praised the Lord for that.

  ***

  Hugh glanced down at the rain sprinkling the flower leaves. He inhaled the moist air. The early-morning sun warmed the back of his neck.

  On his knees, Jack bent over the mums. He studied one of the lemon-yellow blossoms.

  “Does that one meet your approval?” whispered Hugh, who stood behind his brother.

  “This flower is wilted. It’s not right for someone as sweet as Maybell.”

  “You’re right. She deserves the best, just as you always strive to do your best.”

  “Thanks. I do always want to do a good job.” Smiling, Jack snipped the next bloom. Then he placed them into the old newspaper drenched with water. He proceeded to his left until he had gathered six yellow and orange mums. “I think this makes a nice bouquet.”

  “Yes, I’m sure she’ll appreciate it.” Hugh grinned. Then, he took the flowers from his brother.

  Jack rose to his feet. He twiddled his thumbs then presented his words to Hugh. “I hope it sounds alright.” His jaw clenched. “I’ve never done this before. Would you read it and see what you think?”

  Hugh examined the paper and read his brother’s words: “Dear Maybell, The sweet fragrance of autumn, as signified in this bouquet, has arrived, and there’s no one I’d rather share this splendor with than you. Fall is the time before this type of beauty goes to hide. But your sweetness lasts forever. Your admirer, Jack Warren.” Hugh could not believe
his brother could write something this wonderful. Maybe Jack’s clumsiness and stuttering exterior hid a thoughtful soul. Shaking his head a moment, his gaze met his brother’s.

  Jack stroked his chin. A robin’s staccato melody rang in the distance. “Um, Um. It’s not –

  “This is beautiful,” Hugh chimed in, adding, “She’s going to love it. I couldn’t have written anything near as grand as this.”

  “I’m glad to hear that.” Jack grinned before he trudged toward the bunkhouse.

  Folding the newsprint tighter around the flowers, Hugh slipped the love note into his overall pocket. Hugh dashed to the kitchen door, opened it, and snuck into the dining room. From a rear bedroom, the creak of springs reached his ears. He gulped. He could not tell if this noise came from Archie or Maybell’s room. He could not let Maybell see them, or she would think the flowers were from him.

  Hugh hastily glanced inside the china cabinet. Heart pounding, he reached for the first vase he saw. He rushed into the kitchen to pump water into the wide-topped vase then put the flowers in it. Soft footsteps approached. It must be Maybell getting up to make breakfast. A second set of bed springs squeaked. It had to be Archie. Water jiggled from the container. He had filled the vase too full. As he raced back toward the dining room, droplets fell to the floor. Oh, what a mess he was making, and he did not have time to clean it up. He slowed his pace a little to stop the water from dripping.

  A sharp pain pierced his gut. He eased the vase to the middle of the table, glad no more droplets fell as he did so. Footsteps echoed on the floorboards. He glanced at the dining room’s entrance and spied Maybell rubbing her eyelids. Could she see him? Taking a deep breath, he rushed from the room. He reached the kitchen in time to hear Maybell say, “Pa someone left me flowers.”

  “Who are they from?”

  “I don’t know. There’s no card or anything.”

  Hugh gently pushed the back door open and ran toward the bunkhouse. In the future, they would need to get up earlier. This was too close. He slapped his pocket, hoping he did not lose the paper in his haste. Thank God. He pondered Jack’s note, and how to get it to Maybell without Archie finding out about it. A smile crossed his face. He would give it to Maybell privately. In that way, Archie still would think he was pursuing her. His throat constricted. It was not right to be deceitful, but his and his brother’s lives depended upon it.

  ***

  Nerves on edge, Hugh could not enjoy the usual savory breakfast. The egg stared up at him as if it had devil horns. He forced himself to cut into it.

  Maybell directed her attention to Hugh. “It sure is nice for you to be here. Breakfast didn’t seem the same without you.”

  “Thanks. I missed all of you, too.” He put the piece of egg to his mouth. It roiled inside there a moment before he gulped it down with gusto. Even when anxiety filled his being as today, he always could eat, like the time his pet frog died when he was nine.

  Archie clanged his fork onto his plate. He patted his belly. “Good breakfast as usual, Maybell.” Glancing from her, he met Hugh’s gaze then winked at him. “By April, the weather will be warm enough to start building a house on your plot of land.”

  Hugh nodded.

  Archie grinned at Hugh. “Of course, if things go well, you might not even have to worry about building that house.”

  Hugh’s jaw clenched. He peered over at Jack’s gray face. Hugh could tell by his brother’s countenance that he wondered what Archie meant by that. Jack will be asking questions. I’m going to have to avoid him for a while.

  Archie presented Hugh the paper.

  Taking it from his boss, Hugh studied the list of supplies. Jumping up, he gazed at Archie. “I hate to rush, but I need to feed the pigs before I go to town.”

  “You go right on ahead.”

  Jack stayed behind.

  Hugh dashed from the room and hurried to the pigsty to dump slop from his bucket into the hog trough. The pigs squealed as they gathered around to slosh up the mushy mash of rotten potatoes and peels, tomatoes, and the ends and guts of squash and pumpkins as well as leftover soapy water used for Monday’s wash. Even after tending to hogs ever since he was a child, he could not get over the way they gobbled up this disgusting mixture. He stared at them several minutes. His brother approached then faced him. Hugh took a deep breath.

  Face grim, Jack huffed, “You mind telling me what Archie meant when he said you might not have to worry about building the house we agreed to have out here?”

  “It’s not important.”

  “Not important? Half of my money went into that parcel of land.” When Hugh didn’t respond, he grabbed his arm and turned him so he had to face him. “What’s going on, Hugh? What aren’t you telling me?”

  Shaking his head, Hugh shifted his gaze from his brother to the oinking hogs. He emptied the rest of the slop contents into the wooden trough. I can’t tell you. I can’t. Or, you won’t go through with the courting of Maybell, and I’ll end up losing Winifred. “I’m not doing anything bad, Jack. You need to trust me.”

  “Trust you?”

  “Have I ever done anything bad to you before?”

  “Well, no, but you never kept any secrets from me either.”

  “I don’t have time to talk about this. I have to change then go to town so I can get there and back before it gets too dark.” Taking off his soiled, wide-brim farmer’s cap, he wiped the sweat from his brow. “We’ll discuss this later.”

  “When?”

  “Later.” He hated to put his brother off like this, but his happiness hung in the balance and Jack’s too.

  His brother opened his mouth to protest.

  I hate not telling you. It’s not fair to you but there’s no other way. Taking a long step to move away from his brother, he sprinted toward the bunkhouse to clean up before heading to town.

  ***

  Winifred pulled apart the formal parlor’s embossed rose-patterned lace curtains to peek outside. Her heart sank. No Hugh today. Footsteps creaked on the wooden planks. Winifred dropped her hold on the soft material, which swung back together.

  “What are you doing?” teased her sister.

  Face growing warm, she turned to Opal. “Just seeing what’s going on outside.”

  “I bet.” She laughed. The late morning sun shimmered on the sisters’ shoulders as they stood in front of the windows. A whiff of cool air floated around them from the narrowly opened windows. “It’s a little chilly.” Gazing at her sister, Opal said, “You close that one, and I’ll shut this one.” The sashes creaked shut simultaneously. “Now, you tell me what you really were looking for.”

  “I guess I did kind of wonder if he would come by today.” Winifred clutched her hands together. “It’s been since yesterday morning.”

  “That isn’t that long.”

  “I know. It just seems like it.”

  Opal giggled. “You’re in love if you’re counting the days he’s gone.”

  “I – I wouldn’t say that.” Winifred bit her lip then studied her sister, noticing her haggard eyes. “You’re tired, Opal. Are you getting enough sleep?”

  “You’re not going to change the subject, Winifred. We were talking about Hugh.”

  “We were?”

  “You know we were discussing him. You keep trying to avoid the topic, but I’m not going to let you get by with that.” Opal inched toward a plush chair. Winifred followed then settled in a seat beside her sister.

  Winifred scratched the back of her neck. “I really can’t be taken up with him, anyway.”

  “Taken up with him. What do you mean?”

  “Drawn to him. I can’t be. After all, Pa accepted Hamilton’s courtship.”

  Opal’s jaw clenched. “We talked about this before. You cannot do this.”

  Silence filled the room a minute. In the background, the copper teakettle whistled. Winifred cleared her throat. “It sounds like Mr. Crowley is making tea for us.”

  “Yes,” Opal snapped, “bu
t I’m more concerned about you doing the wrong thing.”

  “I want to do the right thing, myself.” Winifred paused and examined the wool rug with chocolate-brown fringe. Her thoughts rambled from wanting to do what was right for her Papa to a surge of warmth from images of Hugh. His infectious smile came into view and those brawny shoulders. Her heart skipped a beat. She sighed, knowing full well she had fallen for him. I’ve got to say something. “I promise you, Opal, I won’t make a decision until after the square dance. Hugh already asked me to go with him, and we’ll go from there.”

  Opal smiled. “Well, at least that’s something. Remember to think of your future. I can plead your case as I did mine.”

  Oh Opal, I wish you hadn’t said that. Your decision devastated Pa. She shifted her attention to the windows where she saw through the glass the shadow of a squirrel running across a tree’s bark. Well, she had made her commitment to her sister and would stand by that even though her answer lay tucked inside her heart.

  ***

  Hugh jumped onto the buckboard’s seat and grabbed the reins to urge the horses forward. His ride to town would be a lonely one. He really hated not to tell Jack about his agreement, but he couldn’t betray his boss’ trust. His suspenders tugged at his waist as the wagon bounced down the dirt road. He placed his hand on top of his wool pocket and smiled, glad he did, indeed, remember to remove the note from his overalls to his suit trousers. He would present it to Maybell when he returned. She needed to know how Jack felt about her.

  He envisioned his hand clasped over Winifred’s tender fingers and guiding her around the dance floor. Grinning, he stared at the road. Beside the roadway, a wild turkey strutted then spread his feathers into a fan. The rattling of the wagon must have spooked the bird. He steered the rig around a curve before entering a straightaway to town. A thought glimmered inside his brain. Could he sneak over to Winifred’s before he needed to go back to Archie’s? It was not far from town. He shouldn’t, but his pounding heart crushed his normal dictates.