by Annie Boone
Once on board the train and in her compartment, Gillian’s knees were knocking together as she removed her hat and patted her hair to make sure it was just right. She had a long journey ahead of her. She was still nervous, but she was at peace with her decision.
Her parents crossed her mind and she hoped they would forgive her. She knew as soon as she arrived in California she would have to confess the truth. She just prayed that along with her confession she could tell them wonderful news as well. Only time would tell.
Chapter Four
Marcus Edwards was there to greet her at the station as he had promised. He was just as he looked in his picture and Gillian breathed a sigh of relief. She had worried that it would all be a prank. She had no idea what she would do if a toothless, burly man was waiting for her instead of the attractive rancher from the paper.
But Marcus was even more ruggedly handsome in person than he was in his picture. Gillian breathed a sigh of relief and then beamed a smile at him when he first removed his hat and shook her hand.
“Mr. Edwards, it is so nice to finally meet you.” She was surprised by how steady her voice sounded. Inside she was trembling.
“Please, call me Marcus. There’s no need to be formal around here.”
“Very well, Marcus.” She smiled nervously, “Then I must insist that you call me Gillian.” Marcus didn’t reply just nodded and returned his hat to his head, then looked around the platform.
“Best get your luggage before the train pulls away.”
When Gillian showed him the three trunks she had sitting on the platform, his mouth twitched. She felt her cheeks flush in embarrassment and turned away to hide her blush. She was about to live a simpler life. Why on earth had she packed three trunks? She was ashamed of herself. But she needed it to look like she was really staying with Harriet, and her mother wouldn’t have believed her had she only left with one bag.
“My wagon is over here,” he said as he pulled one of the trunks behind him. “I’ll have to make a couple of trips to get all your things.”
He led the way and she followed looking at everyone on the platform as she passed by them. Realizing she was ridiculously overdressed, she was embarrassed that she had not thought about the casual nature of where she was going. She had longed to make a good impression, but admittedly she felt foolish in her elaborate gown and string of pearls.
The part that almost made her laugh was that this dress wasn’t nearly as nice as anything she would have worn to dinner back in New York. It was appropriate for travel, but after seeing the dust that caked Marcus’s trousers she realized it clearly wasn’t suitable for the wife of a rancher.
He offered her his hand so she might step up onto the seat beside him. Once she was settled, he snapped the reins and the horses began to pull the wagon home. It was quiet for a while and Gillian was disappointed that Marcus hadn’t asked her anything about her journey from New York. He hadn’t asked anything at all, for that matter.
She imagined if the men she knew from home could see her now they’d all have a good laugh. I’d be the new joke. The story meant to amuse the crowd. She thought, sadly. They would all wipe their brow in an exaggerated manner to prove just how lucky they were to get away from the possibility of marrying her. She would be seen as a disgrace to the name Sinclair, and if her parents knew the truth, she imagined they’d disown her.
“Almost there,” Marcus said rather gruffly. She nodded, not knowing what else to do. She just tried to relax and be comfortable for the last part of the trip so she leaned back and allowed the clomping of the horse hooves to soothe her.
“So… you like horses?” Gillian didn’t respond at first. She was so startled that Marcus had actually taken the initiative to talk to her.
“Y-yes. They’re exquisite.”
“Humph. Let me know if you feel the same way after a day of cleaning out stables.” At first Gillian thought he was teasing her, so she automatically laughed. But when he didn’t flinch or join in her laughter, she realized how serious he was.
“I bet you have fancy people who clean your house.” It wasn’t meant to be mean, she could tell by his tone, but the reality of his words felt like a slap across her face.
“My parents do have a few people who work for them, that’s true. I think it’s common to get the help of competent people, isn’t it? You must have extra help on your ranch.”
Marcus scrunched up his nose and squinted his blue eyes as he shook his head, clearly not agreeing with her point. “Running a ranch and running a home are vastly different.”
Gillian swallowed, thinking of something else to say. She didn’t want to start an argument with this man almost as soon as they met. So she didn’t address his last comment directly. “Who else lives at the ranch?” she asked.
“My father and my sister, Jenny. She’s a real good cook.” Suddenly Gillian felt relieved. She never thought about the reality of having to cook for the family. A weight she didn’t even know she had was lifted by his words. “She’s good with the horses too, you’ll learn a lot from her.”
“I can’t wait to meet her.”
“Yeah, it was Jenny’s idea to put an ad in the paper. She said I was getting too old to be without a wife.”
Gillian knew from the ad that Marcus was only twenty-eight, nine years older than she was. She didn’t mind the age difference, though. Her father had introduced her to men in their thirties, there presence and gawking stares were far more uncomfortable than this ride with Marcus. What ever this was.
She was, however, disappointed to discover that it wasn’t so much Marcus that desired a wife, but his sister just looking out for him. Gillian had to remind herself once again that everything happens for a reason, and perhaps all he really did need was a little nudge in the right direction. Perhaps Jenny was his little guardian angel, the way the servants were mine in this game of matchmaker.
The ranch was coming into view. It was a compound with a big red barn and a whitewashed main house in a valley at the edge of a meadow. Gillian drew in a breath at how beautiful it was. There were at least six horses out in the field, grazing and roaming free. “Is all that land yours?” she asked in awe.
For the first time since they had met, Marcus looked proud. He stopped the wagon so she could get a better view, his chest swelled with pride. “Yes ma’am. Been in our family for three generations, now.” He pointed ahead to the white house with the dark gray trim. It wasn’t a big place, but it was certainly adequate and well kept. “That’s our home, there. It has three bedrooms. One for me, one for my father, and then the one you’ll be sharing with Jenny.”
Gillian was relieved that she wasn’t expected to sleep in the same room as Marcus. She assumed if they ever did get married then she would have to move, but for now she was content sharing with Jenny. Gillian had never shared a room before. Not even when her cousins visited. Their house in New York was so large there were plenty of bedrooms. She wondered if it would be awkward, waking up beside a stranger. Then she imagined herself waking up beside Marcus and once more felt her face flush scarlet.
“You okay?” he asked.
“Oh. Yes, I’m fine.” Gillian forced herself to smile even though she felt completely flustered. “Just need some water. That’s all.”
He snapped the reins again and directed his horses down the hill toward the place he called home. Soon she would call it home, too. “Water we got plenty of. Hold on.”
Chapter Five
Jenny was a lovely girl with a bright smile and she was eager to lend a helping hand when they pulled up to the house. Where her older brother was quiet and subdued, she was chatty and full of bright energy. She helped carry the trunks up to her room, and immediately began bombarding Gillian with questions. “How was your trip?”
Gillian untied her hat and placed it on top of Jenny’s dresser. “Long. But the view was beautiful. The mountains are spectacular!”
“I can imagine. So different from the big city, right?”<
br />
“Oh, my. Yes. Very.” Gillian folded her hands and walked around the room, hearing how her skirts swept across the bare floors. Jenny noticed it too.
“Your dress is lovely.”
“Thank you.” Gillian looked down then shook her head in dismay. “I fear nothing I brought is appropriate for ranch life, but it’s all I had.”
“Don’t worry, I have extra clothes and before long the rancher lifestyle will seem second nature to you.”
Gillian smiled in reply. She did relish in the idea of being with the horses, but was worried her lack of experience would be disappointing to the entire family.
“I’m going to set the table for supper.”
“Oh, let me help you.”
“Nonsense! You freshen up and relax. You’ve had a long hard journey. There will be plenty of time to work, tonight is not the time to get started on it.”
“Thanks Jenny.” Gillian gave her a smile, already grateful for her new friend, and perhaps one day her sister.
Jenny gave her a big hug. “You’re family now. Take your time, do what you need to, and come downstairs when you’re ready. I know your head must be buzzing. My brother isn’t exactly the most talkative guy. But he's got himself a good heart.”
Jenny left the room, closing the door behind her. A good heart, Gillian thought to herself. Perhaps that’s what she had been unknowingly searching for.
***
Supper was delicious. After the terrible food served on the train of dry sandwiches and thin-broth soup it was nice to have a hearty stew and crusty bread to fill her belly. Gillian noticed when Marcus ate, he dipped his head low and his beard collected most of his meal. It was rather offensive. Normally she was used to men with good table manners. He was shoveling his dinner into his mouth like it was the last scrap of food for miles. Jenny must have noticed Gillian’s disappointment for she kicked him under the table.
“Ow! What was that for?” When he spoke, food flew out of his mouth in all directions. Mr. Edwards laughed.
“I’m sorry, Gillian. My sweet wife passed away when the kids were little. I did my best, but only Jenny was able to grasp table manners.” Now it was Marcus who was blushing, his blues eyes set on his meal as he wiped his mouth with the back of his hand.
“I didn’t realize I was so offensive,” he said brusquely.
“No need to apologize. I didn’t notice a thing,” Gillian lied, but the damage had been done, and Marcus stormed out the front door.
“Oh. don’t you mind him. He’s full of too much pride is all. He hates being corrected. Especially in front of a pretty lady such as yourself.” Mr. Edwards winked at Gillian.
“Should I go to him?” she offered.
“You’ll do no such thing!” Jenny piped in. “Let him be all huffy by himself. I’m about to serve apple pie. He’ll come back in when he smells it. He loves dessert.” She smiled and resolutely nodded her head to the other two at the table.
But Marcus didn’t return and Gillian didn’t see him again before she went to bed that night. She felt badly about it and guilty that she had hurt his feelings enough to make him leave his own house.
That night she changed into her night gown and said her prayers quietly by candlelight. Dear Lord, she prayed, help me figure all this out. Help me be what I need to be in this place, with these people. If I’ve made mistakes, please forgive me and show me where I’ve gone wrong. Help me make those wrongs right. Amen. Oh, and bless Mother and Father. Amen, again.
She sat on the edge of the bed and thought of her bedroom back home. It felt like forever since she had been there. She was intently trying to picture the room perfectly in her mind when Jenny entered. Gillian jerked her head up and away from her memories.
“Sorry, there. I didn’t mean to startle you.” Jenny knelt beside the bed and said her prayers quickly, then pulled back the covers and got into bed. Gillian blew out the candle and got into the bed beside her. She was surprised by how small the bed became now that two grown women were in it. This was an uncomfortable moment for her because she was not used to sharing a bed with anyone. Especially a stranger.
“Good night Gillian,” Jenny said and Gillian could swear she could feel her smiling in the darkness.
“Good night, Jenny,” she replied. She tried to breathe quietly and get comfortable quickly so that she wouldn’t disturb Jenny. She wasn’t sure how she would manage in the future, but she hoped it would get easier.
“Gillian?”
“Yes?”
“I’m glad you’re here. And although he doesn’t show it, Marcus is glad too. One day you’ll believe me. You’ll be a good match. I promise.” Then Jenny turned on her side with her back to Gillian. After a few moments she could hear Jenny’s deep breaths of sleep.
Gillian listened to Jenny’s deep breathing and thought about what she had said. She wished she could believe her. From what she could tell, Marcus really didn’t care if she was here or not. She also wasn’t sure she wanted to be with a man who was as rough as he was. She wasn’t sure this was going to work. She lay awake long into the night listening to Jenny sleep and wondering what she should do next.
Chapter Six
Gillian always thought she was an early riser. Life on the ranch soon cured her of that ridiculous notion. Jenny was up before the sun, collecting eggs from the hen house and milking the cow. Then she began cooking breakfast for everyone. By the time Gillian stumbled out of bed there were steaming cups of coffee, pancakes, eggs, and crispy bacon waiting for her.
Normally Gillian ate one poached egg over a slice of toast and some fresh fruit. This was far too much food. And it was hearty food, at that. But not wanting to offend anyone she sat down and dove her fork into the hearty goodness that Jenny had whipped up. Every bite was delectable, and Gillian feared she would soon lose her waistline if she continued to eat like this.
After breakfast the men got up to go straight to work. They left the table a mess for the women to clean up. She started clearing the dirty dishes away and glanced at Marcus. He was getting ready to walk out the door.
“Marcus?” she asked more tentatively than she’d meant.
He looked back over his shoulder at her and raised his eyebrows in answer.
“After the kitchen is clean, I’ll have free time. What can I do to help out today?”
He looked her up and down and she was sure he was noticing her fancy dress. She hadn’t known what to wear and this one was the simplest dress she owned. He looked annoyed but she didn’t know him well enough to be sure.
“Well, I reckon you can help Jenny darn some socks. There might be more that needs mending. I wouldn’t want you to get any dirt or smudges on your fine city clothes.”
“I don’t mind a little dirt,” Gillian argued, but Marcus was already out the door. He never heard her response.
Jenny laughed at their one sided exchange. “Don’t mind him. Come on, let’s find you something more suitable for this place.”
Half an hour later Gillian entered the stable looking less like Gillian and more like Jenny. She had on a much less fussy dress, a long apron that covered everything, and high boots. Her feet would be well protected from the mud and muck she would encounter. Her hair was usually intricately pinned up, but now it had been woven into an unpretentious braid that hung down her back.
Marcus didn’t even notice her when she first entered the stable. He was engrossed in the brushing of his horse. She smiled and assumed he thought she was his sister.
“Hi Marcus, Jenny sent me down and said to see what I could help you with.” Marcus spun around, his eyes wide when he took in this plainer version of Gillian. “She doesn’t really need help with the mending. She said she got it done a few days ago.”
“Uh. Sure, then. You can sweep out the stables. Mind where you step.”
His warning to watch her step turned out to be an important thing to remember. There was horse dung everywhere. Gillian refrained from wrinkling her nose at the stench, wanting
desperately to belong to his world. She kept stealing peeks at the horse that Marcus was grooming. It was chestnut in color and rather magnificent.
“What’s his name?”
“Oh him? This is Sam. He’s our stud.”
Gillian smiled. “I can see why. He certainly is handsome.”
Marcus nodded in agreement. “Yes, but he’s gotten older this year. He wears out much easier. You should have seen him in his prime. Won best-in-show five years in a row at the fair.”
Gillian could hear the pride in his voice as he talked about the gorgeous Sam.