“I’m so sorry that happened to you, Martha. That’s awful,” Andrew replied.
“Thank you for understanding,” Martha said. “I’ve been afraid to tell anyone about my past. I’m worried that when people find out where I come from, they’ll think that I’m like that, too.”
“Please don’t think that, Martha!” Andrew said quickly. “To me, it sounds like you grew up in a very difficult situation. In a way, it sounds like the orphanage was the best place for you.”
Martha nodded. “I can never repay Edna Petunia and Cletus for what they’ve done for me. I never expected I would end up in another home, and I never knew I’d be in one that was as safe and nice as the Sanders’ house.”
“It is a very nice house,” Andrew admitted.
“Have you been there?” Martha asked, confused.
“It’s a long story,” Andrew said.
“I’ve got time. I just told you a long story,” Martha pointed out.
Andrew laughed. “Maybe another time. For tonight, I want to make sure you are all right.”
Martha looked up at him. “I’m all right.”
Andrew squeezed her hand. “Good. Since you were so open with me, I want to be honest with you. Gerald Sibley has been after me for weeks to try to get me to propose marriage to his daughter, Mary.”
Martha sighed. “I know.”
“You do?” Andrew asked.
“Nowhere is a small town. Word travels fast,” Martha explained.
“So it does,” Andrew mused.
They were silent for a moment. Finally, Martha asked a question that had been on her mind. “What do you intend to do about Mary Sibley?”
Andrew sighed. “I don’t have any feelings for her. I don’t even know her! I was just trying not to offend Mr. Sibley.”
“So you don’t plan on courting her?” Martha asked.
“No. I only want to court you, Martha.” Andrew smiled at her.
Relief flooded through Martha as she realized that Andrew didn’t want to be with Mary Sibley.
“Well, what do you say?” Andrew stared at Martha expectantly.
Martha was lost. “What do I say to what?”
“Can I court you?” Andrew asked.
Martha thought about this for a long time before speaking. She still felt vulnerable and exposed after sharing such a personal story with Andrew. She wanted to go on a date with him and learn more about his background and values, but part of her was scared. Did she really deserve to be with someone as kind and loving as Andrew? Martha took a deep breath. “I think I’d like that. If we can take things slowly.”
Andrew nodded eagerly. “Of course, Martha. We can take things at exactly the pace you’re comfortable with.” Andrew lifted his arm and wrapped it around Martha’s shoulders.
Martha stiffened at first, then relaxed in Andrew’s embrace once she realized that it felt comfortable and easy. She settled into him, pressing into his chest, and inhaled, enjoying his strong, earthy scent.
“Just so you know,” Andrew went on, “my offer still stands. When you’re ready, I’d like to marry you.”
A thrill coursed through Martha’s body. She couldn’t believe that strong, strapping Andrew Ford wanted to marry her. Part of her still felt scared, but with Edna Petunia’s pep talk and Andrew’s support, she felt like she could face her fears. Still, she didn’t want to rush into anything. “Thank you. It’s a big decision, and I need to think it over.”
“I understand that. And in the meantime, I hope I can court you properly,” Andrew said.
“I think I’d like that,” Martha said. “But is it all right if we keep things between ourselves for a bit? It’s still hard for me to share my feelings, and I think if everyone knew about our relationship, it would be overwhelming.”
Andrew nodded. “Of course, Martha. Whatever you prefer.”
Martha tried to smile, but she was still lost in her thoughts about her childhood.
“What’s wrong?” Andrew asked.
“I’m just thinking about all of the bad memories I have from my past and all the things I’ve forgotten because they were so terrible. It scares me,” Martha admitted.
Andrew turned and pressed his forehead to Martha’s. “Together, we can make new memories, Martha.”
Martha’s eyes welled up with tears again, but this time, they were tears of joy.
Chapter 9
Martha wiped a rag over the staircase banister in the main house, her thoughts occupied by Andrew Ford. Ever since the evening where she had opened up to him, he had been the only thing she could think of.
They hadn’t been able to go on a date yet due to their work assignments, but Martha knew they would go as soon as they were able.
“Martha!” Penny’s sharp voice snapped Martha to attention. “Why do you keep polishing that same spot over and over again?”
Martha smiled sheepishly. “I suppose I’m a little distracted.”
“A little distracted?” Penny laughed. “Even Robby noticed. He said you stopped reading to him in the middle of a book. Twice!”
Martha blushed. She wanted to tell Penny what was going on with her, but she wasn’t sure if Andrew had told Tom yet. She decided to ask Andrew about it the next time she saw him. As she thought of him, a dreamy expression spread across her face.
“All right, Martha Sanders, that’s it. You need to tell me what’s going on with you!” Penny demanded.
“It’s nothing!” Martha yelped. “I almost forgot, I left some laundry hanging on the clothesline outside, and it’s about to rain! I must go.” She put the rag away with the other cleaning supplies and raced out of the house toward the clothesline.
Penny shook her head. She knew something was going on with her sister, and she would find out what it was. Penny knew everything about every man, woman, and child who lived on the McClain Ranch. It was only a matter of time before she figured out what was going on with Martha.
Outside, Martha rushed toward the clothesline. There were a few of Penny’s blouses and her nephews’ pants hanging on the line. She took them down and folded each one neatly, then carried the stack of clothes back into the house.
She put the clothes away and decided to check on Robby. His leg was healing nicely, but he was still staying in the cabin. She walked out to the cabin and opened the door.
To her surprise, Andrew was reading to him even though it was the middle of the day.
“What are you doing here?” Martha asked.
“I decided to come here instead of taking a late lunch,” Andrew explained. “After all, Robby was waiting to see how the book ended!” He held up the children’s storybook he was reading from.
“Keep going, Mr. Andrew!” Robby urged. “Hi, Aunt Martha. You can stay, too, as long as you’re quiet!”
Martha chuckled, and Robby hushed her. Martha took a seat on the cot and listened as Andrew continued to read.
When he had finished, Andrew closed the book and patted Robby on the head. “That’s all for now. I have to get back to work. Get some rest, Robby.”
“What about one more?” Robby grinned mischievously at Martha.
Martha looked at Andrew. “How many stories did you read to him?”
“Three,” Andrew confessed.
“I think three is plenty for the middle of the day!” Martha pronounced. “You stayed up very late last night because you convinced me to read you a few stories before bedtime, so you must need some sleep. Why don’t you take a nap?”
Robby protested, but she could tell he was growing tired from the way his eyes kept fluttering shut. She helped fluff the pillows and pulled the covers up around his chest and shoulders. She kissed Robby on the forehead. “Rest now, little one.”
Once she saw that he was breathing evenly, his eyes fully shut, she motioned to Andrew to leave the cabin. She held the door open and shut it as softly as possible.
“Thank you for spending time with him,” Martha said. “It shows me that you’ll make a wond
erful father one day.”
Andrew grabbed Martha’s hands. “I’m so glad to hear you say that. That’s all I want. I hope I won’t have to wait too long before that day comes.” He looked at Martha expectantly.
Martha’s face fell.
“What’s wrong?” Andrew asked. “What have I said to upset you?”
“I’m sorry. I’m not used to this—to having someone else depend on me for a decision. I think I still need a little more time,” Martha confessed.
“Of course, Martha. I didn’t mean to pressure you in any way.” Andrew leaned down and whispered into Martha’s ear. “I hope you don’t blame me for being anxious to marry you.”
Martha felt her cheeks flush bright red. Andrew made her body feel things she’d never known were possible. She felt too excited and anxious to speak.
Andrew pulled back and continued speaking in his low, deep voice. “I’ll wait for you as long as it takes, Martha. But I pray to God it won’t be too long. A man has certain needs and urges.”
Martha nodded. She knew from her married sisters exactly what would happen if she and Andrew were married. Before she’d met him, she had always been afraid of the activities they’d described. Even though her sisters seemed to enjoy them thoroughly, she had always thought something might be wrong with her because she didn’t have any desire to do that. Now, however, that she had met Andrew Ford, she found herself curious about exploring those types of wifely activities. Her face felt even hotter as she imagined Andrew’s strong body against her own.
“What are you thinking about?” Andrew asked with a wicked expression. It was almost as if he had known exactly what was on her mind.
“Nothing!” Martha lied. She looked at the ground, feeling mortified. Then she remembered that if she and Andrew were to become husband and wife, they needed to be honest and open with each other. She took a deep breath. “Actually . . . I was thinking about you. And what might happen if we did marry.”
A huge grin spread across Andrew’s face. “I’m so happy to hear that, Martha. I’m going to be late getting back to work, so I should go now. But I’m so happy I got to see you.”
Andrew bent down and pressed his lips against Martha’s before she could stop him. When he was done, he twirled around and rushed off toward the stables, leaving Martha reeling. She leaned against the wall of Robby’s cabin, trying to catch her breath. She always felt dreamy and strange after seeing Andrew, and today was no different. She wondered if the bubbly feeling in her stomach would ever go away. It made it hard to concentrate on anything else.
Still tasting Andrew’s lips on her own, Martha walked back to the house to start preparing dinner. She knew Penny would want to get started right away, since it was already late in the afternoon.
As she walked toward the main house, she noticed a loud commotion coming from the front door. Martha approached the house, feeling uneasy.
When she got closer, she saw that Gerald Sibley was pacing back and forth on the front porch. Penny was patiently talking to him, but Martha couldn’t hear what she was saying. She rushed up to see if Penny needed any help.
“Where is he? You have to tell me where he is!” Gerald Sibley shouted.
“I don’t know,” Penny said with forced politeness.
Just then, Tom rode up on horseback. He calmly dismounted, tied the horse to a post, and walked up to the porch. Gerald Sibley stopped in his tracks. “What’s going on here?” Tom asked, putting an arm protectively around Penny.
“I need to speak to one of your men. Andrew Ford,” Gerald said.
“He’s at work,” Tom said. “You can talk to me instead.”
“But—that’s not—I need to speak to him. It’s urgent!” Gerald sputtered.
“I have it on confidence from Andrew that he sent you a letter, Gerald. I think he’s said everything he needs to say to you in that letter,” Tom said, refusing to budge.
Gerald pulled a letter out of his pocket. He unfolded it. “He’s not a man of his word! My wife and I made all the arrangements for him to marry our daughter, and he refuses!”
Tom sighed. “I don’t appreciate that you’re spreading lies about one of my most trusted associates without him here. Penny, Martha, will you go in the house? I’d like to speak to Gerald alone.”
Martha followed Penny into the house. She wanted to hear what they were saying, but she couldn’t.
“We should fix supper,” Penny said. “That was odd, wasn’t it?”
All Martha could do was nod.
Outside, Tom was getting frustrated. He was normally a patient, good-natured man, but something about Gerald Sibley’s attitude was grating. “I think it’s best if you leave now.”
“I’m not leaving until I speak with Andrew Ford,” Gerald said obstinately.
Tom sighed. “Follow me.”
He led Gerald on foot to the stables, where Andrew was cleaning out the stalls. “Andrew, someone’s here to see you and won’t leave until you speak with him.”
Andrew looked up in surprise. “Mr. Sibley?”
“I invited you to my home for dinner! Not only did you not show up, but then you sent me a letter informing me that you have no intentions to pursue my daughter’s hand?” Gerald shouted angrily.
“Should I round up the other men and ask him to leave?” Tom asked Andrew.
Andrew put a hand up. “No, I’ll speak with him. But this is between Mr. Sibley and me. Would you excuse us?”
“Happily,” Tom replied. He walked back toward the main house to retrieve his horse.
Inside the barn, Andrew stopped shoveling. “Mr. Sibley, I meant what I said in the letter. I understand that you wanted me to court your daughter, but that’s not what I want.”
“I don’t understand why you wouldn’t want to marry my daughter! She’s beautiful, intelligent, and has lots of friends. She’d make an excellent wife. Why wouldn’t you want that?” Gerald asked. His voice was wavering.
Andrew realized that Gerald wasn’t actually angry. He was hurt and disappointed. “Gerald, I’m sorry if I wasn’t forthright with you. I can see that any man would be lucky to have your daughter as a wife. However, I have my eyes on another young woman. It wouldn’t be fair to her or to your daughter if I tried to pursue Mary.”
Gerald’s jaw dropped. “But who? There aren’t very many women who aren’t already married!”
“I can’t tell you that yet. But if everything works out, you’ll find out in a few months’ time,” Andrew said. “For now, I need to respect her wishes.”
Gerald let out a long sigh. “I understand. I didn’t know. But why couldn’t you have just told me that in the first place? I made a fool of myself in front of my family waiting for you.”
“You’re right. I should have been more forthright and direct. In my defense, sometimes it’s hard to get a word in edgewise when talking with you,” Andrew said.
Gerald chuckled. “I can’t argue with that.”
“Please accept my apology for not being more honest with you from the start,” Andrew continued. “And the night I was supposed to come over to your home for dinner . . . let’s just say, certain circumstances arose to prevent me from getting to your house. It wasn’t for a lack of trying. As soon as I got home that evening, I sent my letter.”
Gerald nodded. “I appreciate you being candid with me now. I still think you’re a fine man. I can’t say I’m not upset that you won’t be my son-in-law. But I hope you’ll be very happy with whoever this young woman is that you have your heart set on.”
“Thank you, sir.” Andrew stuck his hand out, and Gerald took it. They shook solemnly.
“I suppose I should be going now,” Gerald said.
“I’ll see you out.” Andrew walked Gerald to the entrance to the barn. From there, Gerald could see the wagon he’d driven from his home. “I’ll see you at church next time we go to Nowhere for services.”
“Yes, Andrew. Take care,” Gerald said in a small voice.
Andrew wa
tched Gerald walk away. He was glad that he had been able to tell the truth and that Gerald had understood. He hoped Mary Sibley would fall in love with a young man who was a perfect match for her—just the way he hoped that he was a perfect match for Martha.
Tom trotted up on his horse. “How was that?”
“Fine, Tom. Just taking care of a few loose ends,” Andrew explained.
Tom smirked. “I know you won’t tell me, but does this have anything to do with Martha Sanders? I’ve seen the way you two look at each other.”
“I don’t know what you’re talking about,” Andrew said with a confident grin.
Tom shook his head and nudged the horse, taking off toward the main house. He knew it was only a matter of time before his hired hand and his sister-in-law announced their courtship.
Martha stared out the window as she peeled potatoes.
“Martha!” Penny cried.
Martha blinked. “What?”
“You’ve been peeling the same potato for five minutes,” Penny complained. “What is going on with you?”
“Nothing,” Martha said quickly, then realized that she had nothing to hide from Penny.
Penny waited patiently.
“It’s Andrew,” Martha confessed.
“I knew it!” Penny said happily. “Tell me everything!”
Martha sighed. “He’s asked me to marry him.”
Penny shrieked. “He proposed? I can’t believe it!”
Martha nodded, blushing.
“Oh, my. We’ll have to find you a dress, and the catering, and the cake, and flowers—” Penny began to pace, completely forgetting about the pan of pork chops in front of her.
“Penny! The chops!” Martha pointed out.
“Oh, right!” Penny flipped the pork chops over with a pair of tongs. She pressed the tongs into the pork chops until they sizzled. “Almost done.”
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