Cheyenne Mail Order Bride (Mail Order Brides Book 13)

by Susan Leigh Carlton

  The porter did not look at the bill. “Thank you, Cap’n. I appreciate it.”

  Cal held Jennie’s hand to steady her as she stepped from the train. “Welcome to Cheyenne, Honey.”

  “Thank you. She looked around. “Everything looks almost new.”

  “It is. It’s less than ten years old,” he said. “It started up when the railroad was coming through.”

  “It’s already larger than Yorkville,” she exclaimed.

  “It had a lot more people when all of the gold miners were here,” he said.

  “There’s Clay. He came himself,” Cal said and waved.

  The lean cowboy whom Cal had pointed out, tugged at his Stetson, and walked over to them. “Welcome back, Boss. Nice trip?”

  “The best,” Cal said. “Jennie, this is Clay Terwilliger, the best foreman in the Territory of Wyoming. Clay, this is my wife, Jennie, and her son Chris.

  Jennie smiled, shook his hand, and in her soft voice said, “I’m pleased to meet you. Cal has told me a lot of good things about you. Chris, this is the ranch foreman, Mr. Terwilliger.”

  They shook hands.

  “I’m surprised to see you. I expected you would send one of the hands. Should I read anything into that?

  “No, we needed a few supplies and I figgered the ride would be peaceful. I brought the wagon, Johnny’s at the mercantile, getting the supplies loaded up. I’ll ride back with him.”

  “Okay, good. Thanks Clay. That was thoughtful,” Cal said.

  Their trunk was on a freight dolly “Chris, give me a hand with the trunk, please.”

  “Yessir,” Chris said.

  With the trunk on the back of the carriage, and their bags alongside, they were all set. Would you like to walk and stretch your legs before we leave?” he asked. “It’s about an hour’s ride to the ranch.”

  “I would like to go on now, if it’s okay with you,” Jennie said.

  “Me too,” Chris said.

  “Home it is, then,” Cal said.

  “I can see why you like it here so much. It is really beautiful,” Jennie said.

  “The winters are pretty cold, and we get plenty of snow, but it makes for good grass come spring,” Cal said.

  Cal clucked to the horses, and flicked the reins, and they were on their way home.

  chapter Twenty

  The Circle CP

  When they crossed a creek, Cal said, “That’s Crow Creek, We are now on Circle CP land.”

  “Well that didn’t take nearly an hour,” Jennie said.

  Cal chuckled. “We’re not there yet. We’ve still got a ways to go.”

  Fifteen minutes later, he pointed to a line of trees off to the northwest. “Our house is in those trees,” he said. “The mountains there are the ones I told you about.”

  “It’s so pretty, I don’t see how you get anything done. I’d just want to sit and look.”

  “I do that sometimes, when I begin to think about how lucky I’ve been,” he said.

  “Papa always said the harder you work, the luckier you get. I think that’s true,” she said.

  “I did work hard. I do work hard, but discovering the gold was luck. I washed a lot of sand before I hit it big,” he said.

  “Would you show me how to do that?” Chris asked.

  “I’ll do that. It will be fun to try it again. There were a lot of claims back along the creek at one time. Some people got rich along Crow Creek,”

  “Is this where you found it?” Chris asked.

  “No, I hit mine down on Cripple Creek near Denver. I worked it for over three years, and sold the claim and headed for Virginia City where they were taking a lot of gold from the ground. It played out, and I came on over to Cheyenne and fell in love with it.

  “I went down to Texas and bought a herd and hired Clay to drive it up here. While it was on the way, I bought the land and started the buildings. I made a lot of money off those cattle, got lucky and hired Clay.

  “I looked around one day, and realized how lonely it was around here, so I bought a newspaper and found you two. Now that was pure luck. I struck it big when I found you.”

  Jennie leaned her head on his shoulder. “We all struck it rich that day.” she said.

  She suddenly sat up and pointed. “Is that our house?”

  “That’s it,” Cal said. The barns are out back and the bunkhouse is over to the side.”

  “It’s so big. It’s larger than any house in Yorkville. I don’t know how I’m going to take care of that much house.”

  “Honey, we have a housekeeper that takes care of the house and does the cooking,” Cal said.

  “And to think, I was afraid to take the step. I agonized over that decision. If you hadn’t come to me…

  “I know you did. When I got your letter, it broke my heart. I showed it to Clem. He read it and pointed something out to me I had missed. There were tear stains on the paper. You were crying when you wrote the letter. I had to come get you. There was no other way for me to go.”

  “I was crying,” she said. “I think we were meant to be together.”

  “So do I,” he said.

  He pulled into the yard between the house and the barn, and jumped down from the wagon. He gave Jennie his hand and she stepped down. Chris was out, already.

  A young man about twenty years old, wearing jeans, a long sleeved shirt, with skin tanned by long days in the sun came from the corral by the barn.

  “Welcome home, Boss,” he said.

  Thank you, Curly. It’s good to be home. Curly, this is my wife, Jennie and her son Chris. This is Curly, he’s been here since we started.”

  “Nice to meet you, Curly,” Jennie said.

  Curly touched his fingers to the brim of his hat, and said, “Ma’am. Chris. My pleasure.”

  “Curly, would you give us a hand with the trunk, and when the men come in, let me know. I want to introduce them.”

  “Sure thing, Boss. They’re out in the north pasture. We’ve been moving them. My horse throwed a shoe and I came in to change mounts.” He hoisted the trunk to his shoulder and asked, “Where do you want this?”

  “Just put it on the porch. Chris and I will get it inside. Thanks for the help.”

  “It’s beautiful, Cal. Never in my life did I ever think I would live in a home as nice as this. She drew him into an embrace, and kissed him.”

  “Hey, what is this?” he said, brushing away a tear that had spilled out of her brimming eyes.

  “I’m being silly. I can’t help it. I’m so happy, I can’t tell you,” she said.

  “Chris, our bedroom is downstairs; you can pick either of those upstairs. Let me know if there is anything you need.”

  “Yessir.” He turned and went up the stairs.

  A voice came from behind them. “Señor Cal, you’re back. Welcome home, Señor.”

  The short, ample sized Hispanic woman hugged him. “Jennie, this is Angelina Martinez. She takes care of me.” Angelina, this is my wife, Jennie, and her son Chris.”

  “Señor Cal, la es muy hermosa.”

  “Don’t let her fool you Honey, she speaks better English than I do,” Cal said.

  “Thank you, Angelina. You must teach me some Spanish, “Jennie said.

  “Come on, and let me show you around,” Cal said. “Let me remind you, the decorations are non-existent. You can do anything you want. Everything will have to be ordered in, probably from Saint Louis. My decorating runs to the basic. You sit on a chair; you cook on the stove, and eat at the table and sleep in the bed.”

  She laughed. “I have no more experience than you. There was never any money for more than the basics. You saw Mama Bess and Papa Clarence’s place. They didn’t decorate either. Some of the homes of the ladies I made dresses for were decorated, but not much more than nice curtains, nice furniture; and family pictures on the mantle and walls.”

  “Anyway, this is the dining room. I don’t know that I’ve used it for eating at all. I usually eat in the kitchen. The living
room, I mostly sit in over an evening. It’s where I read your letters. There are two bedrooms upstairs. I haven’t been up there more than once or twice since the house was built.”

  “Down the hall here is my play room,” he said.

  “You have a playroom?”

  “I do indeed. It hasn’t been used for that, but I expect to change that right away.”

  He opened the door, and stepped back to let her go in. She looked around, and burst out laughing. “You dirty old man,” she said. “Well, I agree with you on one point. We will change that right away.” The bed was oversized; there was a dresser with a large mirror, and a chest of drawers. A night stand was on each side of the bed.

  “A closet and a toilet. I intend to have a toilet put in as soon as they become available for homes.”

  “I am overwhelmed,” she said. “It is huge, and everything is spotless.”

  “You can thank Angelina for that,” he said.

  “I want to be kissed in my bedroom,” she said.

  “Whatever the lady wants, the lady gets,” he said.

  He took her into his arms, lowered his mouth to cover hers, and kissed her soundly. She pressed herself against him. “Not bad for the first one,” she said. “Not bad at all.”

  She sat on the bed. “I need to sit for a minute. You left me a little weak in the knees.”

  He sat beside her on the bed, and put his arm around her. She leaned her head on his shoulder. Chris found them this way when he knocked on the door.

  He looked around the room. “This is a big room,” he said. “We could all live in here.”

  “No we couldn’t,” Cal said.

  Chris was embarrassed. “I didn’t mean…

  “I know what you meant,” Cal said.

  “Señor Cal,” called Angelina.

  He stood and said, “That’s probably the men. I asked Curly to bring them over so I could introduce you and Chris.”

  They went to the back porch. Clay and Johnny had just arrived. The men unloaded the wagon and put part of the supplies in the kitchen. The rest were for the bunkhouse cook.

  “Fellows, thank you for watching out for things while I was back East gallivanting around. This is Jennie. We were married last Sunday in South Carolina. Worth the trip, don’t you think?”

  There were a few whistles. “This handsome young man is Jennie’s son, Chris.”

  The men came around and welcomed Jennie and Chris to the Circle CP. Most mentioned it would be nice to have a woman’s touch around the house. Jennie thanked them and they began to break up and return to the bunkhouse or what chores still needed to be done.

  At supper, Chris asked, “What do you want me to do?” he asked Cal.

  “I’d like for you to learn what goes on, what has to be done, and about ranching in general. I don’t expect you to work like a laborer, but I would like for you to learn. Then when it’s time for school, I would like for you to finish your education. I would like to see you go to college, but that’s up to you. High school at least.”

  “Jennie, are you crying again? You are the out cryingest woman I have ever seen.”

  “You are being so good to us. It’s more than I can take,” she said.

  “I might as well go the rest of the way. If it wouldn’t offend you, I would like to call Chris son.”

  “He’s never had a father. Christopher was gone before Chris was born.”

  “He has one now, if he wants.”

  “I do,” Chris said. He came around the table and hugged Cal. “Thank you… Papa.”

  Tears streaming down her cheeks, Jennie made it a group hug. She kissed him several times on the cheek.

  “Chris, let’s go talk to Clay.”

  “Yessir.”

  When they left the room, Angelina came and sat in the chair next to Jennie. “You are happy, no?”

  “I am happy, yes,” Jennie said. “He is such a good man. I don’t know why God has blessed me so.”

  Señor Cal is a good man. He is a strong man. No one cheats Señor Cal, He loves you, Señora. We will take good care of this man.

  chapter Twenty-one

  A Blessed Event

  Three months later…

  Cal had just come from some early morning chores. He washed his hands and sat in the chair next to Jenny. Angelina loaded a plate with chorizo and eggs and set it in front of Cal. She turned to get the coffee pot just as Jennie bolted for the back door, with her hand over her mouth.

  Cal immediately followed, and found her leaning over the railing, retching. “Are you all right? Honey, what’s wrong?

  Jennie pushed him away with her hand and continued retching. Her stomach was past empty, but the dry heaves continued. When it finally stopped, she had both hands on the railing, leaning over. Cal put his arm around her, “Honey… Jennie, what’s wrong.”

  Angelina had come to the door and stood watching. Cal hovered. “Do you need to go to the doctor?” he asked.

  “I’m all right now… I think,” she said.

  “What happened? Is this the first time you’ve had this?

  “Tres,” said Angelina.

  “Tres, three times, this happened twice before?”

  “Señor Cal, the Señora esta embarazada.”

  “There is nothing for her to be embarrassed over,” he said.

  “Señor Cal, esta embarazada… she is with child.

  He looked at Jennie. “We’re going to have a baby?

  Jennie looked at him with a wan smile. “I think so.”

  “We’re going to have a baby,” Cal repeated.

  Cal insisted on taking Jennie to the doctor in Cheyenne for a checkup. After a thorough exam, he pronounced her to be in excellent health.

  “No running, or jumping. You can ride, but no galloping. Come back to see me in three months, or sooner if you have any problems.”

  “I can’t believe I’m going to be a papa again,” he said.

  She looked at him, her face a puzzle. “Well, there’s Chris, and now our daughter.”

  “How do you know it’s going to be a girl?” she asked.

  “Well, why wouldn’t she be a girl? Look at her mother. She’s a girl all right,” he said,

  “What if I want a boy?” she asked.

  “You’ll just have to have another. This one is a girl,” he said, absolutely positive.

  The morning sickness lasted for two weeks, Jennie’s appetite returned. Cal was the biggest problem. He watched her like a hawk, concerned she might hurt herself or the baby.

  “Cal, women have been having babies since God created them. The doctor said I’m healthy. I’m not going to do anything to cause problems,” she said.

  “You are my world now. I love you so much, I couldn’t bear it if anything happened to you,” he said.

  “That’s the first time you’ve told me you love me. I know you do, but you’ve never said it before.”

  “I love you, Jennie. I’ve loved you since I met you. You’ve made me the happiest man in Wyoming.”

  Seven months later…

  After her initial bouts with morning sickness, Jennie had a trouble free term. The doctor had seen her at six months, and then each month after. He pronounced her the picture of health. The baby’s heartbeat was strong, and everything was normal.

  Now the time had come. Jennie sat on the side of the bed, and put her hand on Cal’s shoulder. She shook him, “Cal, wake up.” She shook him again. “Cal, I think my labor’s started.”

  Fully awake now, he said, “I’ll get Angelina, and Sadie.” He left the room, and went to Angelina’s room behind the kitchen.

  He knocked on the door. “Angelina,” he called. “Angelina.” He knocked harder. The door opened. “Si Señor Cal?”

  “It’s Jennie’s time. Will you go to her while I get Sadie?” Sadie Calder was a local midwife recommended by the doctor. She had been staying with them for the past week, sleeping in an upstairs bedroom.

  Cal knocked on her door. “Mrs. Calder?” He
knocked again, and called out, Mrs. Calder?” Why is everyone so hard to wake up. He raised his voice. “Mrs. Calder, Jennie is in labor. Can you come now please?” He heard a rustling sound from the room. “Mrs. Calder, it’s Jennie’s time.”

  Five minutes later, Angelina was sitting beside the bed. When the short, gray haired women came hurrying into the room, carrying a small black medical bag. She immediately took charge. “Mr. Pierce, would you please leave the room while I examine your wife? I’ll come get you when I’ve finished.”

  “Mrs. Calder…”

  “Mr. Pierce, you’ll only be in the way. Now shoo, let us take care of your wife.”

  With visible reluctance, Cal left the room. He went to the kitchen, got a fire going, and put some coffee on.

  When he was allowed back in the room, Mrs. Calder told him, “It’s going to be several hours. She’s fine, but her labor has just started.”

  “Should I send for Dr. Murphy?” he asked.

  “That’s up to you, but I don’t see any problems. The baby is in a good position. It should be a normal delivery. Besides, I’ve delivered more babies than he has,” she said with a smile.

  He pulled a chair to the side of the bed, and held Jennie’s hand. He put her hand to his mouth and kissed it. “Can you believe it? We’re going to have a baby today.”

  “I can believe it,” she said. “I can believe it.

  Ten minutes past twelve, Cal was asked to leave the room for the fifth time. Mrs. Calder said, “She’s doing fine. It won’t be much longer now.”

  At five minutes past one, Cal was pacing the hall outside his bedroom, and heard a grunting sound from within followed by “Push Jennie. Push.” The next sound he heard was a cry from his daughter making her noisy entrance into the world.

  “Señor Cal, you have a baby girl. La perfecto!” Angelina said.

  “Can I come in,” he asked.

  “In a few minutes, Señor. We must take care of the baby first.”

  Sadie Calder came to the door. Mr. Pierce, you have a daughter. She is perfect. Your wife did very well. You can come in and meet your daughter now. He grasped her hands, “Thank you, Mrs. Calder. Thank you.”