Mountain Christmas Brides

by Mildred Colvin

  “I beg your pardon?” Emma asked as the sound of Frederick’s voice drew her from her thoughts.

  “I asked if you’d like to have lunch here. It is highly recommended by Mr. and Mrs. Wilkin.” Frederick motioned to the hotel they were standing in front of.

  He was so handsome. Emma’s breath caught in her throat and for a moment she was unable to speak.

  The aroma of fresh beef roasting caused her mouth to water. The cold biscuits she had eaten that morning weren’t sustaining her. “I think that would be delightful.” She gave his arm a squeeze.

  After they had eaten their lunch, they walked up the hill leading to Frederick’s childhood home. It wasn’t much to look at. A medium-sized house with a towering redbricked chimney and a lovely rose garden along one side and a vegetable garden on the other. Frederick chatted about the place as if it were Buckingham Palace. Emma’s thoughts drifted as he rattled on about the boyhood pranks he’d pulled.

  Emma finally understood Frederick’s enthusiasm. It wasn’t the clapboards and bricks that made this house so wonderful to Frederick. It was special and cherished because he spent a happy childhood there.

  A barb of pain jabbed at Emma’s heart. How comforting it must feel to have had been raised in such a home. She vowed if she ever had children of her own, they would not be privy to the horrors she had witnessed as a young girl.

  On the way back down the hill, Mr. and Mrs. Wilkin interjected with some rather wonderful news. Their friends in town had offered to take them all out for dinner that night.

  “This is such a delightful little town, Frederick. The people are generous in spirit and kind to one another.”

  “Yes, and Lord willing, it will stay that way.”

  Excitement flooded Emma’s heart, and she fairly burst with gratitude for such wonderful friends as the Wilkins. They had provided this adventure for her, and she knew she would never forget it.

  The next afternoon, they boarded the train for the ride home. Emma had enjoyed the trip so much and was glad she had gone. She was thinking of the Lord and His promises while standing next to Frederick on the passenger car’s loading platform. Was it really possible for God to heal her deepest hurts and provide her with a husband someday?

  The sun was still shining in an iridescent sky, colored with streaks of gold and purple. A cool breeze wafted across the platform as Emma listened to the birds calling to each other. Finally, the whistle blew, signaling their impending departure.

  A near frenzy ensued as the locomotive lurched to life and ladies waved handkerchiefs and men hollered good-bye. Conductors busied themselves with ticket collecting and shouts of “All aboard!”

  As Emma gazed up into Frederick’s tanned face, her heart pounded harder in her chest. The intense gleam in his eyes mirrored a passion that burned in her veins. His strong calloused hands wound their way through her hair and caught on a few strands.

  Frederick wasted no time in tilting her head back and placing his lips on hers. For a moment, time seemed to stand still. Emma drank in the warmth of his kiss as her knees went weak. Her heart opened a slight crack and feelings of love for Frederick poured in.

  “Oh Emma,” he whispered in her ear with a husky voice. “Please forgive me if I’ve been too forward.” He pulled back and stared deep into her eyes as if to search for some flicker of emotion.

  “Please forgive me, Frederick, if I’ve been too forward.” Emma sighed after finding her voice. He simply pulled her closer and held her as the train departed and made its way north to Tumwater.

  When the town of Tumwater came into view, Emma excused herself to the powder room to freshen up. She’d cringe and wither away if Abigail saw her in a disheveled state and made fun of her. Especially in front of Frederick.

  Chapter 8

  Emma held Frederick’s hand as they disembarked Inferno later that evening. Her dress would need a good washing, but she didn’t care. She’d had a wonderful time, and her feelings for Frederick were blooming like fresh apple blossoms under the warmth of a spring sun.

  As they walked back to the camp, Emma was about to ask where her brother was when a frantic shout rose above the commotion coming from the bunkhouse.

  “Dear Lord, Emma Pearson, there you are,” a logger exclaimed as he bolted toward her.

  Emma’s blood flowed like cold stream water through her veins. Her heart threatened to stop beating but pounded in her chest regardless. Air came in ragged gasps. No, not the last blood relative she had left on this earth.

  “Is it Jake?” Emma blurted.

  “Yes, he’s got a nasty gash on his head, and the doctor thinks his leg is busted.”

  The man’s voice sounded as though he were speaking the words into an empty barrel.

  “No!” Emma shrieked as she lifted her skirts and sprinted toward the bunkhouse.

  When she burst through the door, she saw Jake lying on a bed with a bloody bandage wrapped around his head. The doctor pulled the bandage away for a moment, and Emma became light-headed at the sight of so much blood. His shirt was stained red and his eyes were closed. He looked dead. If Frederick’s strong arms hadn’t circled her waist and supported her, she’d have slid to the floor in a faint.

  “Oh Jake, you promised you wouldn’t leave me all alone in the world.” Emma stumbled forward, laid her head on Jake’s shoulder, and wept.

  “Get this hysterical woman out of here!” the doctor barked. Frederick grasped her by the shoulders and escorted her from the room.

  The night crawled on, as if it were passing by on hands and knees. Frederick brought Emma a warm blanket as the chilly night air set in. He held her hand as the minutes ticked past. Without saying a word, his presence radiated strength, and Emma found no shame in leaning into it.

  Bacon’s warm body lay at her feet, his occasional grunts and snorts telling her he was comfortable. Jake hadn’t made a sound.

  When the last of the crew members left Jake’s side, Frederick reluctantly had to leave Emma alone. She understood the impropriety of his staying in the room all night with her. He left a lamp burning on the table for Emma’s convenience. She sat back in her rocker and thanked God for his care and concern.

  Orange rays of the sun finally crept over the horizon and soon morning followed. With sore aching muscles, Emma shifted in her chair. Jake had survived the night and for that she was grateful. But how had the accident happened?

  A crew member walked in. “Morning, ma’am,”

  “Good morning,” Emma mumbled, running her hands over her brother’s chest, reassuring herself that he still breathed. She looked up at the man. “Do you know how the accident happened?”

  “Stanley and Jake were out on a day that we were supposed to have off,” the man explained. “According to Stanley, Jake cut down a tree and didn’t jump out of the way soon enough. He got caught in the branches.”

  The details didn’t matter to Emma. She was just praying that Jake would wake up. A moan escaped from her brother’s bruised lips and drew her attention to the present.

  “Jake, it’s me, Emma. Please wake up.” She grasped his strong calloused hand in her own. Relief flooded through her when he slit his eyes open.

  “Emma, what happened?” Jake’s hoarse whisper caused her to flinch. He was alive, for now, and that’s what mattered.

  “There was an accident. You were hurt, but you’re going to get better now. I’m here, and I’m going to take care of you.” Emma choked back tears as she brushed her fingers through the few wisps of hair not wrapped in bandages. Jake smiled back at her and then, by the time the doctor was summoned, he drifted back to sleep.

  The doctor did a thorough examination.

  “I think he’s going to be fine, but he’s not out of the woods yet. He needs some time to recuperate and much rest.”

  “Thank you.” Emma turned back toward her brother, her mouth dry as she wrung her hands with anxiety.

  “I’m going to get some coffee and some breakfast. I’ll check back in an
hour or so. You should get some rest yourself, young lady.” The doctor yawned.

  Frederick came through the door a few minutes later, and he brought Emma a cup of coffee.

  “You look worn out.” He plopped down on a straight chair beside her.

  “I am.” She stifled a yawn and took a sip of the warm, invigorating coffee. The aroma alone was comforting, or was that Frederick’s presence?

  “You know, if there’s anything I can do to help, all you have to do is ask.” The sincere look in Frederick’s eyes made Emma feel more secure, but the future still held many questions she didn’t have answers for.

  “Thank you,” she replied. “Now if you’ll excuse me, I’m heading off to my room to try and get some rest.” She finished her coffee and stood to leave. She was exhausted and was unsure if her world would ever be the same.

  Every evening when Frederick was finished with his shift, he went to visit Emma. For three days she stayed by Jake’s side caring for his every need. Much as he hated to admit it, a part of him longed to be cared for by her with the same concern she showered on her brother. And he desperately wanted to let her know how much she meant to him.

  One night on his way to the bunkhouse, he heard voices coming from behind the boss’s office. He slowed down and listened, straining to hear their words.

  “Stanley’s been untruthful and negligent in his work, and he’s the one who’s responsible for Jake’s injury.”

  “Yeah, but what can we do about it? Who’s going to believe us over the boss’s son?”

  Jake recognized the voices—they were two of the newer crew members. He didn’t want to believe what they said. Was the boss aware of Stanley’s guilt? If so, then why wasn’t he doing something about it? These questions haunted Frederick, and he debated whether or not to broach the subject with Emma.

  What he needed was some solid proof, but that might be hard to come by. Then he could approach the boss, and then the boss could break the news to Emma. But how would Emma react when she knew her brother had almost lost his life and his livelihood because of negligence on someone else’s part? It would infuriate her. Frederick sure didn’t want to see her get so upset that she did something rash and lost her job. And what would happen if she thought he went behind her back?

  “Lord, give me wisdom in knowing how to handle this,” Frederick prayed.

  If he knew exactly how the accident had happened, he’d have a better idea about how to proceed. The crew boss, Mr. Wilkin, would have the best guess as to what happened out there that day. Without wasting more time, he decided to speak with the man and see if he could find out a thing or two. This teetered on gossip, but the boss needed to know the truth, considering what was at stake—the lives of the crew.

  On the fourth night after Jake’s accident the full moon cast a romantic light over the quiet and still earth. The stars shimmered in the heavens and the crickets chirped in blissful-sounding harmony. Emma began to believe her brother would live—probably with a limp in his leg for the rest of his life—but at least he would live. Mrs. Wilkin’s sister had come out from town to help for a week or so, and they seemed to be doing fine without Emma’s help.

  Frederick brought dinner to the bunkhouse for Emma and Jake and asked if she wanted to go for a walk afterward. She agreed. With a sparkle in his deep blue eyes, he took her by the hand and led her down to the creek.

  Emma chuckled at Bacon, who trotted alongside her on their late-night stroll. Frederick talked of his day at work, but Emma, so enthralled at being by his side, her hand clutching his strong arm, hardly noticed what he said.

  Frederick paused to run his strong hands through her long dark hair and laid a tender kiss on her eager lips. Emma responded by leaning into the kiss, as if to absorb some of his strength.

  “Tomorrow’s Saturday and we usually have the afternoon off. Let me take you into town and get you away from this for a while,” Frederick said between kisses to her forehead. Emma sighed. She didn’t want to leave her brother until he was at least able to get up and about.

  “As long as I know Jake will be taken care of.” Jake had been through so much, and if she left him and something terrible happened again, she’d never forgive herself.

  “I’ll ask Mrs. Wilkin to keep an eye on him,” Frederick suggested.

  Emma saw hope in his eyes, so she conceded.

  The next afternoon she rode into town on Inferno with Frederick at her side. He didn’t seem to go all that fast, and she wondered why everyone made such a fuss over what a reckless driver he was. Then it occurred to her he was probably being extra cautious with her along.

  When they got into town, she held his arm as they strolled in front of the shops. He escorted her down the road that led to his father’s house. Much larger than the one in Toledo, it gave off an aura of grand elegance, with a porch swing and tall white columns.

  “It really is lovely,” Emma said, leaning against his strong shoulder, wishing she could do more for him. For a short minute, she understood how her mother must have felt at times. She was learning to praise God even in the face of imminent hardship.

  “I made some extra money selling a share of the land, and along with my savings we made a large payment to the bank. If Pa takes in boarders for about a year, he can pay off the house, and the bank will hand him the deed.”

  Emma couldn’t help but notice how much straighter he stood, obviously proud of himself. “It’s not as grand as the Whitworth mansion, but it’s Pa’s home.”

  “I heard there’s a party at one of the hotels in town right after Thanksgiving to celebrate Elisha Ferry being sworn in as governor,” Emma said, to change the subject.

  “I’d like very much to escort you to it,” Frederick said.

  “I’d love to, if it’s okay with Jake.” Emma’s hand rested in the crook of his arm, and he patted her hand with his. The gesture brought comfort to her.

  On their way back into town, they stopped in at the post office. There was a letter for Jake and Emma from a man they had lost contact with for more than a year.

  “It’s from Uncle Irving!” Emma exclaimed, clapping her hands. She’d assumed the old man had died, and she was delighted to know he still lived. “I can’t wait to tell Jake when we get back to camp. He’s going to be thrilled.”

  “I take it Jake and this man were very close.” Frederick smiled down at her.

  “Oh, they were, and once Jake speaks with Uncle Irving, maybe he’ll invite us to live with him in Chicago.” Emma dreamed of getting away from the dirty camp. This would be a perfect opportunity.

  Frederick’s expression indicated he was less than pleased and she understood why. They had begun an earnest courtship, but was she falling in love with him? She didn’t know for sure. She couldn’t help but wonder what would happen now.

  Frederick stormed across the lumberyard the next day, full of gruffness.

  “What’s wrong?” E.V. asked, his eyebrows raised in question.

  “After all this time of guarding my heart, I think I’m falling in love.” Frederick scratched his chin with the back of his hand. Knowing E.V. understood, Frederick explained the new developments in Emma’s life.

  E.V. placed a hand on Frederick’s shoulder and gave a reassuring squeeze. “If you really love her, you’ll want what’s best for her.”

  “I do,” Frederick groaned. “That’s why I know I’m going to lose her.”

  “Just keep praying about it.”

  “I will,” Frederick replied before his friend walked back to the sawmill office.

  When the load of lumber was stacked and ready for the saw, Frederick boarded Inferno and steamed back to the landing for another load of timber. The entire time, he talked to the Lord, asking for direction and guidance. Soon he felt God’s peace and he began to relax.

  That didn’t last long however, as he pulled into the loggers’s landing to find it in utter chaos. Had someone gotten hurt again or was something else terribly wrong? Was Stanley to blame th
is time as well?

  Chapter 9

  Emma bolted from the bunkhouse with anxiety and heartbreak making chase behind her. Their uncle from Chicago had offered Jake a well-paying job, and it didn’t matter if he walked with a limp. He’d offered to provide Emma with employment, too.

  But Jake wanted to leave her behind. If Jake thought he could run off to Chicago while she stayed behind in this God-forsaken mudhole, he was sadly mistaken! He knew her worst fear was being all alone in the world. After walking off her temper, she returned to the bunkhouse to present her case to him.

  At last, after some heated discussion and much pleading on Emma’s part, Jake agreed to take her with him as soon as his leg mended enough for him to travel. She blew her breath out in a tired sigh and tramped to the kitchen to help Mrs. Wilkin peel a mountain of potatoes for dinner that night. Now if only she could find a way to tell Frederick she was leaving.

  Bacon grunted and lay down in his usual corner.

  “Emma, is everything all right?” Frederick asked, mopping his forehead with his customary red bandana.

  She hadn’t seen him approach.

  “Yes, everything is fine,” she said. Later she’d ask God to forgive her for leaving this wonderful man who had done nothing but show her kindness.

  “I have something I need to speak with you about.” The serious expression clouding his features caused the hair on her skin to tingle. A niggling intuition told her it had something to do with her brother’s accident. She knew Frederick wasn’t entirely convinced they knew what had happened out in the woods that day.

  “I spoke with Mr. Wilkin, the crew boss, the other day. He examined the logging equipment after Jake’s accident. He believes it wasn’t an accident. He thinks Stanley neglected to set the safety, and that’s what caused that tree to roll over your brother.”

  Emma clenched her teeth to keep from screaming aloud. How could someone be so careless when working with such dangerous equipment? Wasn’t it dangerous enough just to be a logger? “I see,” she managed to mutter with her jaw set. “Just what do you intend to do with this information?”