by Annie Boone
“Mr. Powell?” She called out. “Mr. Powell, sir?”
The man turned, and it wasn’t him. He was thicker and shorter with a handlebar mustache. Susannah stopped as he eyed her warily. “Mitchell? He’s over thataway. With the tan hat.” He gestured vaguely. Susannah turned, squinting until she finally saw it.
“Mr. Powell!” She hollered, and waved a hand in the air as she headed towards him. A few of the horses were near, but they stayed out of her path. Susannah was thankful for that, since she wasn’t about to touch another horse, especially one she didn’t know. A light brown one ran past her and she jumped, a hand over her heart.
Someone grabbed her when she stumbled. “Careful, ma’am.”
To her great relief, it was him. “Mr. Powell,” Susannah sighed in relief. “There you are. I need to speak with you. It’s about Christina Bristol.”
“Christina?” He fixed his hat, ducking his head. “Well, I, uh… I haven’t seen her. We don’t talk much, I’m afraid.”
He was walking away before she could pull herself together. Susannah frowned in confusion, wondering what piece of the puzzle she was missing. The young girl had told her that he didn’t want to have anything to do with her. She just had the nagging thought that something wasn’t right here.
“Why not? That wasn’t the case until quite recently.” She demanded. Picking up her skirts, she made it through the grass and followed him. “What are you talking about? Miss Bristol is leaving town, and she’s not coming back. It doesn’t make sense. You need to go stop her, Mitchell. I know she’ll listen to you. Please, you have to. She needs to stay here. She’s been happy and she belongs here.”
Looking up, she realized he was tending to a horse’s hoof. Susannah stopped short and gripped her skirts hesitantly. Deep breath, she told herself. “Please, Mr. Powell,” she repeated. “You need to stop her from leaving before it’s too late.”
Shaking his head, he concentrated on the horse. “I’m sorry, but I can’t help you.”
The horse huffed and Susannah jumped. “What? Why not?”
“She has the right to go if she wants,” he muttered. “I can’t make her do anything.”
Susannah gaped at him in disbelief. Why were men like this? Why did they need to be so stubborn at the wrong time? “But… but she doesn’t really want to go! She wants to be here. Christina loves this place, she loves Rocky Ridge. And most importantly, she loves you.” The words came out more tentative than she had intended but they were true all the same.
He paused, and she grew hopeful. Susannah took a tentative step forward, but then he returned to his work. “Believe what you will,” Mitchell told her gruffly, “but that’s false. She wanted nothing to do with me.”
“What?” Susannah slumped. “Why would you say that?”
Mitchell Powell gave it a final stroke on the neck before untethering the horse. Free, the horse glanced at them and broke away to go be somewhere else. “I’m saying that I couldn’t do anything to stop her. She wouldn’t—”
“Care?” She finished for him when he hesitated. Susannah crossed her arms and glared. He was taking too long and they didn’t have time for this. A little voice told her now that nothing had happened. It was just that the two of them had let anxieties interfere without talking to each other. They’d made fearful decisions to avoid the possibility of getting hurt.
“Did she tell you that? I don’t think she’d say that because it simply isn’t true. Christina Bristol loves you, Mitchell Powell. She told me herself that she had never met anyone more kind or more generous or more caring. I don’t know what has gotten into you, young man, but that young lady wanted to marry you and the only thing standing in the way now is you. What on Earth is wrong with you?”
16
Mitchell
It was a shock he’d never experienced before.
It’s not possible that she feels like I do, he told himself. But then he thought about it and realized something. She’d never turned away from him in disgust, and never shied from his touch. Mrs. Jessup was convinced Christina loved him and the woman wasn’t a liar. Could she be correct? Christina Powell was a beautiful woman, and she loved him. In that moment, that light-hearted feeling returned, where he felt like he was walking on air.
Until he grew nauseous. “Then I should go get her,” he murmured, and she gave him a stern look. Immediately he ran towards the barn. “Thank you!” He shouted over his shoulder and never stopped.
“You’re welcome!” She hollered, and there was a pause. “Send her back to our home, please!” He could have sworn she laughed. Mitchell leapt over the fence to the barn where he found his horse.
“Come here, Rascal,” he opened the gate and swung right onto him. He didn’t need a saddle to ride and there wasn’t any time to get it anyway. The animal still wore his rope harness and he clung to that and the mane as they tore through the yard. His hat flew off before he had a chance to pat it down, and he glanced back to see it float down.
But there wasn’t time to stop and pick it up. Gritting his teeth, he shook his head. Mitchell took a deep breath and focused on the road. The night was growing late and the evening train would be there soon. If anyone had a chance of getting there on time, it was Rascal. Desperately Mitchell tried to understand what had happened, how he had let Christina slip through his fingers. He just hoped that the train hadn’t arrived yet. And he hoped she’d hear what he had to say when he found her.
He was in luck. His horse was still slowing down when he jumped off and left him by the trough. Mitchell was breathless as he climbed the steps to the station, looking around wildly for that familiar head of beautiful rich, dark hair.
“Christina!” He shouted when he saw her and ran over breathlessly. The young woman had set her bag down and was watching the train tracks with her arms wrapped around her body for warmth.
She had heard and turned around. Confusion spread across her beautiful face. “Mitch—I mean, Mr. Powell. What are you doing here?”
“I had to come see you. I mean, stop you. Mrs. Jessup said that you were here, and I…”
The woman took a step back as she dropped her arms at her side and shook her head. “So? And what, you just decided that I can’t leave? After you ignored me? After you shunned me?” A hurt expression crossed her face and settled on her pouty lips.
A moment of silence settled between them. He stared at her, wondering if he had heard her right. This wasn’t the reaction that Susannah had hinted at. “But I only thought that you deserve—”
“Why would you do this?” Christina wouldn’t let him finish and she leaned forward, splaying out her hands. “You can’t just ignore someone and then come here when I’m leaving. I waited for you. After all our walks and our suppers, you just brushed me off, Mitchell. No explanations. No care for me at all. Who acts like that?”
He nodded, accepting that it had been his fault. He’d been a fool, and now it was time to fix that mistake. “I know, I know. I made a mistake, Christina. A big, foolish one. Please, I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have treated you that way.”
“You’re right,” Christina huffed, and angrily rubbed a hand across her cheek. “You shouldn’t have. It was cruel and unnecessary. If you had a problem, any problem, you should have told me. if you didn’t want to be around me, then you should have said something. But of all the ways you could have left me behind, your actions were deplorable. And hurtful beyond words. I have been trying so hard to change everything, and to be happy. I have been working and learning, and I thought we were, at least, friends.”
He opened his mouth to try to respond, but she held up a hand to stop him. She shook her head and continued.
“Granted, I haven’t had many friends in my life so I may be at fault here as well. I’m not completely aware of all the ways friends help each other. Do things usually go well and then suddenly go bad? Do people usually tell each other their secrets only to never speak again? Because if so, I guess I missed the whole purpose
of friendship,” she drawled angrily, throwing her hands up in the air. Mitchell stepped back hastily.
When she paused to draw in breath he thought she was slowing down. But he was wrong, and Christina spent another minute talking to him angrily. Though he attempted to apologize and clear up the mistake several times, she wasn’t having it. People were watching them by that point and he couldn’t decide whether he was angry also or just wanted to laugh. But another minute later, Mitchell had had enough.
The next time she put out her hands, he grabbed them and looked into her eyes, “I love you!” Mitchell caught her gaze as she froze. Her eyes widened into warm dark pools that felt like they were drawing in his very soul. It was a sensation he had nearly forgotten about and the feeling sent tingles through his body. From the top of his head to the tips of his toes, the young man was wrapped up in a feeling that made him feel invincible.
“What did you say?” Christina squeaked softly.
Grinning in relief, he tugged her to him. Mitchell felt the soft fingers entwined with his and his heart pounded. Christina was inches away now and all he wanted to do was wrap her in his arms.
“I want to talk now,” he requested gently. “I have some important things to say.” He spoke softly now, for he didn’t want the rest of the world to know what was going on between them, especially since he was trying to figure that out as well. “Christina, I… of course I care for you, deeply. I’ve enjoyed every minute of your company and I look for you everywhere I go.”
She gulped and took a shaky breath, her strength fading. Mitchell raised one hand and wiped away another tear that escaped down her cheek. “I wanted to ask for your hand,” he admitted after a minute. “I had it all planned. But I stopped when I… I was certain you would reject me if I told you any of this. I hadn’t asked to court you, and I was afraid I had been imagining what I hoped you felt for me.”
She furrowed her brow and tilted her head to the side. She squeezed his hand but let him continue without being interrupted.
“After all, why would anyone accept me?” He offered a pained smile and looked into her eyes before he looked away. “I had my heart set on you even though I was sure it could only lead to pain. People can’t look at me in the street, Christina, and I don’t look at myself in mirrors. I can’t help the way my face is, and I was afraid… Well, I was sure you’d feel…” Ashamed, he couldn’t look her in the eye. “How could I ask someone as wonderful as you to marry a man like me?”
She slipped her hand away and brought it up to his imperfectly perfect cheek. Mitchell winced, expecting her to flinch. But she didn’t pull away or frown or recoil. She cupped his face in her delicate hands. He had to close his eyes to gather his resolve and only opened them when he felt her lips on the cheek he hated so desperately.
Drawing away, Christina had a serious expression he couldn’t read. She looked him in the eyes and finally smiled. “Mitchell, you are the most handsome man I’ve ever met. Most importantly, you’re the kindest man I’ve ever had the pleasure of spending time with. Don’t you dare doubt that for a moment. It’s my decision about who I spend time with and who I don’t.”
Looking into the sincerity in her eyes, Mitchell felt a weight slip off his shoulders and his heart broke free. It was more than just her warm eyes that melted away the pain of the past. It was more than just her touch that made the lifetime of hurt and rejection fade away. It was her faith and her courage and her tenderness that made him whole in a way he had never been.
For the first time in his life, Mitchell was speechless. Taking a deep breath, he tried to think of something and found the only solution to thank Christina for this gift was to take her in his arms and kiss her. She wrapped her arms around him in response, smiling.
“Christina.” And he grinned when she didn’t respond, so he tried again. “Mahpiya?”
“Hmm?”
He smiled against her lips. “Will you marry me? Please say yes.”
Her giggle tickled against his cheek. “It’s about time you got around to that. Yes, I’m honored to marry you.”
In just about an hour, everything changed for Mitchell. Though he’d been sadly resolved to the idea of a lonely life, that evening he escorted Christina back to the Jessups and returned to the Connors as a new man. A man with a life of love and an amazing woman who would soon be his wife.
He felt joy and hope he’d never known before. He believed in God, though his faith was quiet but steady. Praising Him as he settled in for he night, he said a brief prayer of thanksgiving because he had no doubt God had led Christina to him.
17
Christina
Christina and Mitchell shared their happy news with the Jessups and Connors the following day after all the confusion had been made right. Christina wrote to her aunt and uncle immediately to share the story of her upcoming nuptials and her newfound happiness. Not knowing if they’d be able to make the trip or not, she invited them anyway. She prayed they’d be able to make the journey and was delighted to get a quick response.
Aunt Ruby and Uncle Michael were thrilled with her news. And she was beside herself with joy that her only family in the world would be with her when she married Mitchell, her true love.
Now that they knew when her aunt and uncle would arrive, they set the date for the following month. Life turned into one happy blur. Mitchell worked harder than ever to save up for a small cottage for the two of them and Christina helped sell more pies so they could furnish their home.
Their wedding was on a beautiful, cloudless Wednesday morning, and Christina Bristol dressed in a pretty pale blue dress that she knew matched his eyes. Her aunt and uncle cried joyfully when they were pronounced husband and wife. Christina clung to him, happy and hopeful for their new life together.
She’d expected to get emotional and nostalgic when she became Mitchell’s wife. She’d taken care to have a white lace handkerchief tucked into her sleeve just in case she needed it. The tears never came, though. While she wished her mother and father could be with them and meet the man she loved with all her heart, she knew that God’s will was being done. All things happened in His own time and she accepted that.
After the ceremony, their family and friends were invited to the newlyweds’ new home for supper. It was a bold undertaking for Christina to cook a meal on the same day she became Mitchell’s bride, but she was overjoyed to do it. Cooking was one of her loves and she wanted to share something special with the people who’d helped her find her perfect match.
On the ride home, Mitchell drove with Christina snuggled next to him. She knew she’d never get tired of having his arms around her and feeling close to him. She felt safe and cherished and she never wanted this feeling to go away.
When they all pulled up outside the Powell cottage, everyone waited for the newlyweds to get down and lead their first guests into their home. Mitchell took Christina’s hand and started to lead everyone into the house.
“Wait!” Matthew called before they got inside. “Not just yet!” When he hurried around the other side of the house, Mitchell and Christina glanced at each other in confusion and then to Eleanor. She was helping Susie off the cart and holding her other child on her hip.
“Don’t look at me,” she grinned. “I wanted to give you a quilt for your wedding present.”
“Oh, but I—” Susannah started and fell quiet, glancing up at Lucas who shrugged impassively. An awkward silence surrounded them and Christina slipped her fingers through Mitchell’s just as Matthew called for them.
Everyone turned to find Matthew leading out a small gray horse with one white stocking. Immediately Mitchell recognized it as one of the few horses left from the herd that hadn’t been purchased. Most of the buyers were men on the trails and often overlooked the smaller ones though they were often faster. He looked at his boss’s delighted expression and made the connection.
“Oh, she’s lovely,” Christina pulled him towards the animal, greeting it gently. “Mr. Connor, is th
is one yours? Though she’s young, I think she’ll be an excellent horse. But why is she here?”
Laughing, Matthew set the reins in her hands. “She’s a wedding present! Your home has already been stocked with most of your needs, and I thought this might be the perfect gift. We all saw you learning to ride with Mitchell’s help and we saw how much you loved it. Besides,” he added most softly, “I don’t think she could do any better than live with the two of you.”
Everyone cheered as it dawned across Christina’s delighted face. “Oh!” She hugged Matthew and then Mitchell before turning back to the horse. Mitchell watched with pride as she ran her hands across the beautiful creature before meeting his gaze again. The two of them loved horses, and it brought joy to his heart knowing she understood them like he did.
Holding the reins, she returned to Mitchell’s side. “Thank you,” they chorused to Matthew. “I’ll put her away,” Mitchell offered. “Why don’t you take our guests into the house and start dishing up that special roast beef feast we’ve been hearing about, my love?”
With a wink, she nodded. Mitchell led both horses to the pen for their oats and water. Once they were settled, he returned and stepped into the house. He went right to Christina’s side as if he couldn’t stand being away from her for another moment.
Standing near Susannah and Luas, Christina watched how they interacted. Clearly they were deeply in love. She looked up at Mitchell with a quirky smile as they overheard the conversation.
“I’m glad it worked out,” Susannah was telling her husband as Eleanor was passing their baby boy over to Lucas. “I was required to stay out of the way for the most part, I know, but I believe I’m really getting good at this matchmaking.”
Lucas chuckled and teasingly elbowed her. “You didn’t do anything, dear. You can’t take any credit for this one.”