McKenzie

by Penny Zeller

  Dearest Mother,

  I hope this letter finds you well. Things are going much better here. I am enjoying meeting new people and have found friends in many of the women in town. Even Lucille, whom I once thought to be a busybody, has become very dear to me. I have even joined a quilting circle, and, although I have been only twice, such experiences have given me a fresh outlook on Pine Haven and what it has to offer. I am also learning how to cook. Please don’t think of me as being improper. I’m actually enjoying the ability to concoct different dishes—with Rosemary’s help, of course! Rosemary helps around the ranch. She is the closest thing to a best friend I have here. Never have I met a more capable and patient woman! I endeavor to become just like she is.

  I hesitate to tell you this, Mother, but I must let you know that Pine Haven is not as bad as I once thought it to be. Please don’t fret about the conditions here, or about my welfare. Even the ranch, as outlandish as I once considered it, has potential.

  Zach and I traveled to Canfield Falls a few weeks ago in an attempt to locate Kaydie. Although we were unsuccessful, we did learn that she has been spotted, and for that, I give our Lord praise. It’s not known where she has gone, only that she and Darius have traveled farther west. Zach and I have placed advertisements in several Montana Territory newspapers in hopes of finding a lead. We will also be traveling to some other nearby towns once the busy ranching season is completed. I will keep you updated.

  I was wondering if you would agree to ask Nellie to ship several of my early readers. Davey, Zach’s son, will be learning to read soon, and I would like him to have the same opportunity I had to delight in using his imagination while reading. Because of Pine Haven’s small size and limited resources, such opportunities are not readily available. What a grand thing it would be for him to read the same books I read at his age! I hope someday you will have the opportunity to meet Davey. He is a precious little boy with so much energy. He has truly stolen my heart. Next week, he will be five years old, and I hope to give him a harmonica I purchased in Boston before my trip.

  This letter is much longer than I first anticipated it would be, so I had best say farewell for now. Please let Father know that I am fine. Would you also please say hello to Nellie, Biddie, and Helen for me?

  Most sincerely,

  McKenzie

  Hesitating three times before placing the letter in an envelope, McKenzie finally decided to seal it. Yes, her mother would be shocked, but it was necessary to let her know that things had taken a turn for the better. She also wanted to update her on Kaydie, as well as ask about the books for Davey. Davey…. McKenzie thought of the youngster who had found a place in her heart. How would she tell him that she wasn’t staying in Pine Haven when the time came for her to leave? As quickly as the disturbing thought entered her mind, she dismissed it. The day was too fresh and full of possibilities to settle on unwelcome thoughts. Besides, she had work to do.

  ***

  Zach finished hitching up the wagon for McKenzie and Rosemary to leave for town. “You seem quiet today,” Asa said, breaking Zach’s concentration.

  “I was just thinking about McKenzie.”

  “Oh? Anything bothering you?” Asa asked.

  Zach sighed. “Do you think she will ever love me the way Rosemary loves you?”

  Asa chuckled. “You could have asked Rosemary yesterday, and I’m not sure she would have said she loved me then.” He tugged at his beard. “I had promised to take her on a picnic after church and then forgot and went fishing, instead. I praise the Lord I married a forgiving woman!”

  Zach nodded. “But, still, she does love you, Asa, even if you are forgetful at times.”

  “Ah, that she does, and McKenzie will grow to love you in that way, as well. Remember, Zach, it’s in the Lord’s hands.”

  “I know that, Asa, but it’s been so difficult for her to become accustomed to the way things are in Pine Haven. I had no idea the adjustments would be so hard.”

  “Ah, you thought she would come to Pine Haven, marry you, and the two of you would live in wedded bliss for the next fifty years. Is that it?” Asa put his hand on Zach’s shoulder.

  “Something like that,” Zach said.

  “I believe she at least likes you. That’s a start.”

  “I’m being serious, Asa,” Zach said.

  “And I am, as well. Give her time. She’s been here all of two months. True love doesn’t happen in a day. Your courtship with her was not as most courtships go. You married her without even really knowing her.”

  “I wonder if that was a mistake,” Zach said. “Maybe I should have suggested she live in town while we courted so we could know each other better before the wedding.”

  “Ah. Ecclesiastes tells us, ‘To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven.’ No use in living in the past. What is, is, and you need to make the most of it. Lord willing, you will have the rest of your entire lives to get to know each other, and, trust me, it will take that long. You will delight many times throughout those years learning new things about McKenzie—her likes and dislikes. Why, I just learned that my Rosemary hates cherries. I have been married to her for a long time yet never knew this. I brought her back a basketful after the fishing trip I took yesterday, and she informed me that cherries did not top her list of things she liked to eat. Granted, it could have been because I’d forgotten about the picnic, but, ah, well.

  “Give McKenzie time, Zach. You have been the kind of husband who makes our Lord proud. You have been giving and loving. You have put her needs first and have been patient with her as she’s adjusted to a new home and new friends. You have shared your life, your home, your son, and, most important, your quiet times with God with her.”

  “You’re right, Asa,” Zach said, thankful for his friend’s wisdom. “I need to be patient.”

  “Patient and ever prayerful. Remember, First Thessalonians tells us to ‘pray without ceasing.’ I still pray for my marriage every day.”

  “Thank you, Asa.”

  “I am always here for you, Zach—you know that. Anytime I can offer my wise counsel, I would be happy to do so,” Asa said with a hint of sarcasm.

  “And wise counsel it is,” Zach agreed.

  “Now, tell me, where are the womenfolk going today?”

  “McKenzie mentioned that she and Rosemary were going to town to fetch some supplies, and they’re going to take Davey with them.”

  “Ah. You see there? This is the first time McKenzie has wanted to do that. Sure, she’s gone to town to attend a meeting of the quilting circle or a church service, but to fetch supplies? See, Zach, you be patient. Your McKenzie is adjusting just fine to her new way of life. I need to finish some chores now, but don’t you worry. Things will work out fine.” With a wave of his hand, Asa turned and left the barn.

  “I suppose he’s right,” Zach said to no one in particular. Still, there was an unsettled feeling within him that things wouldn’t turn out as well as Asa was confident they would.

  CHAPTER TWENTY-EIGHT

  Davey!” McKenzie called. “Davey! It’s time to go to town!”

  “I’m coming, Ma!” Davey ran out from behind the barn and came hurtling toward the wagon.

  McKenzie watched Davey as he ran toward her. Only ten minutes ago, his clothes had been clean and his hair combed. Now, mud from last night’s rain covered the knees of his trousers, and his hair was in complete disarray. In Boston, his appearance would never be proper for public presentation. McKenzie shook her head and smiled in spite of herself. Davey wasn’t in Boston any more than she was, and it was unlikely that anyone in Pine Haven would think the less of him for the condition of his pants and hair. “Davey, where have you been?” McKenzie asked, putting her hands on her hips.

  “I have somethin’ for you, Ma,” he said, keeping one hand behind his back. “Close your eyes.”

  McKenzie noticed Zach watching from the doorway of the barn before she closed her eyes and held out her
hands and felt something lightweight settle in her palm.

  “You can open your eyes now,” Davey said.

  McKenzie opened her eyes and saw a delicate, wild daisy, white with a yellow center. “It’s for you, Ma. I picked it myself.”

  Davey’s thoughtfulness stirred her heart, and she fought to keep the tears away. “Davey, this is very sweet of you.” She reached for him and hugged him tight.

  Davey returned the hug and placed a kiss on McKenzie’s cheek. “Do you like it, Ma?”

  “No, Davey—I love it,” McKenzie said.

  “That’s why I was keeping you and Rosemary waiting. It was ’cause I had somethin’ real important to do. I had to go through a lot of mud to get that flower. There were other ones, but this one was the best.”

  “Thank you, Davey. I shall treasure it.”

  “It’s kinda like you could have any son, but you picked me, right?” Davey pulled away from her and stared up into her eyes.

  McKenzie crouched down to Davey’s height. She hadn’t given much thought to the truth of his statement before. “You’re absolutely right, Davey. I did pick you. I am the most blessed mother in the world to have you. You’re very sweet, thoughtful, and handsome.”

  Davey laughed. “As handsome as Pa?”

  McKenzie could feel her face turn red; she could tell that Zach was still watching and probably listening, too. “Almost as handsome as your Pa,” she whispered in Davey’s ear.

  Davey giggled. “Do you have any other children, Ma?”

  McKenzie shook her head. “You’re my only child, Davey. But, I do have a nephew named Nate in Boston. He will be nine years old next month. I hope you will meet him someday.”

  “Maybe I will. Does he live on a ranch, too?”

  McKenzie chuckled and shook her head. “No, he lives in the city—actually, at a special school he attends, just for boys. It’s called a boarding school.”

  “He doesn’t live with his ma and pa?” Davey sounded close to tears, and McKenzie thought of the contrast between Davey and Nate’s upbringings. Davey had a father who loved him and allowed him the freedom to be a little boy. Nate had parents who loved him, too, but seemed bent on molding him into a businessman by the age of ten. They were far too busy with their own lives to be bothered with the needs of his. “I will tell you all about Nate someday, but, right now, we need to go to town.”

  “Yes, ma’am,” Davey said, then climbed into the back of the wagon.

  McKenzie rose from her crouched position and locked eyes with Zach. She wondered what he was thinking. So often, his quiet demeanor left her curious about the thoughts that filled his mind—thoughts he seldom expressed. “We’ll be back soon,” McKenzie called with a wave.

  “Have fun!” he called back, returning her gesture.

  She couldn’t wait to see the look on his face when her surprise was revealed.

  ***

  “Good morning,” Lucille greeted McKenzie, Rosemary, and Davey when they entered Granger Mercantile.

  “Good morning, Lucille. How are you today?” McKenzie asked.

  “Doing very well. What can I do for you ladies—and gentleman?”

  Davey smiled at her remark, then set off toward the toy section, where he usually entertained himself while McKenzie and Rosemary made their selections.

  “We’re looking for some fabric for curtains,” McKenzie replied.

  Rosemary leaned closer to McKenzie. “Have you thought about my suggestion?” she whispered in her ear.

  McKenzie nodded. “Oh, and we’ll need some calico for dresses,” she added.

  Lucille arched an eyebrow. “Dresses for whom?”

  McKenzie should have known she’d ask. “Rosemary made the thoughtful suggestion that I sew some new dresses for myself. The frocks I brought from Boston aren’t exactly suitable for daily life in Pine Haven.” She looked down at her pleated velvet dress. Had Rosemary made that suggestion two months ago, McKenzie would have had the mind to let her know just how she felt about it. Now, however, having lived on the ranch and partaken of the day-to-day work, McKenzie saw the wisdom in Rosemary’s idea. “Now, Rosemary,” McKenzie said in a whisper to avoid Lucille’s attentive ears, “I insist on purchasing some fabric for a new dress for you, as well.”

  “Oh, that’s not necessary, McKenzie,” Rosemary whispered.

  “I insist, and it’s not polite to decline an insistence,” McKenzie said. “Now, please pick which print you like best.”

  Rosemary looked shocked. She was probably wondering if this was the same McKenzie who, just a few weeks ago, had arrived from Boston and immediately treated her as a servant and acted ungrateful with Zach. Thank You, Lord, McKenzie silently prayed, for changing my heart.

  “Now, just what are you two whispering about?” Lucille asked. “You know I can’t bear to be left out.”

  “This print looks lovely. May we have six yards of it, please?” McKenzie asked, hoping to divert her attention.

  “That is a lovely print. It’ll look enchanting with your coloring,” Lucille said, carrying the bolt of fabric to the counter, where she began to measure it.

  “This one, too,” McKenzie said. “And we’ll also take some of this for the curtains. Twelve yards should be enough for now. Rosemary?”

  “Six yards of this, as well, Lucille,” Rosemary said, albeit hesitantly, holding up a bolt of lavender fabric with tiny yellow flowers.

  “Will this be on Zach’s charge account? Oh, forgive me—I should say, the Sawyer family account?” Lucille asked.

  “Yes, thank you,” McKenzie said.

  Lucille nodded as she tallied the purchases. Then, she looked at McKenzie and cleared her throat. “I probably shouldn’t tell you this, and I’ve tried with all my might to keep it from you up until now, but….”

  McKenzie eyed Lucille warily. As much as she liked the woman, she knew that not every word that escaped the lipsticked lips of Lucille Granger was to the benefit of her listeners.

  “I’m…well, I’m the one who suggested that Zach place an advertisement for a mail-order bride in the first place. I suppose I can tell you this now, since things seem to be going so well. I wasn’t going to say a word if the two of you disliked each other, or if you weren’t suitable for our Zach, but….” Lucille flicked her wrist. “Since the two of you seem so compatible, I insist on taking a bit of the glory for arranging your marriage.”

  “Now, honestly, Lucille,” Rosemary said, rolling her eyes.

  “Well, it seems only fitting. I helped him write that first letter, too. Not that any of that matters now, mind you, since the marriage vows have been declared. Nevertheless, I do deserve some of the credit for the happy union.”

  McKenzie began to laugh. Had she ever met anyone as forthright as Lucille in all her life? Pine Haven would lack much of its charm if it weren’t for the woman who insisted on receiving credit for arranging the marriage of the town’s most eligible bachelor.

  “Is that funny?” Lucille asked.

  “It’s just that….” McKenzie began to speak but found herself giggling too hard to complete her sentence. Before long, Rosemary and Lucille joined in the laughter, and tears soon ran down the women’s cheeks.

  “Grandpa Asa was right when he said women sound like a bunch of hens when they laugh,” Davey said, approaching the group of women.

  “Grandpa Asa said that, did he?” Rosemary asked. “Well, we’ll just have to have a little chat with him about that!” She began to laugh again, making no attempt to control the fresh tears that streamed down her face.

  “Before I forget,” Lucille said, turning to McKenzie, “your canvases came in yesterday.”

  “Wonderful!” McKenzie exclaimed. She hadn’t been sure if her request would be shipped in time for her plan to take shape.

  Lucille reached under the counter and produced three one-foot squares of canvas. “Here are the frames, also,” she said, adding three wooden frames to the pile.

  After Fred had loaded their p
urchases in the wagon—with Davey’s help, of course—McKenzie, Rosemary, and Davey began their return home to the ranch, Lucille’s glory-seeking not far from their minds.

  “Ma?” Davey said when they were halfway home. “Will you bake me a birthday cake for my birthday in four days?”

  McKenzie turned to look at Davey. His face was bright with expectation.

  “I would like a chocolate cake with some of those pretty bits of crushed candy on it, like the one I saw in Lucille’s store.”

  “I don’t know, Davey….” McKenzie had never made a cake before. What if it tasted terrible? What if she burned it? Her own mother had never made her a birthday cake.

  “Please, Ma?” Davey pleaded, pressing his chubby hands together.

  Rosemary leaned closer to McKenzie. “I would be happy to assist you in making Davey the best birthday cake ever,” she said quietly.

  “I’ve never made a cake before, Rosemary,” McKenzie whispered.

  “I know that, but you’ve made other things. As a matter of fact, your biscuits are right delicious, if I do say so, myself.” Rosemary winked at McKenzie.

  “You promise to help me?” McKenzie asked.

  “I promise, but I’m sure you’ll have no trouble.”

  “Please, Ma?” Davey begged again.

  “All right then, Davey, but I must insist on one minor change to your plans,” said McKenzie.

  “What’s that?” Davey asked.

  “I must insist that you let me put something on the top of the cake along with the bits of crushed candy that I brought from Boston, special just for you.” McKenzie thought of the swirly sucker that had traveled hundreds of miles with her.

  “Really? Thank you, Ma!” Davey reached over and wrapped his arms around McKenzie’s neck. “You’re the best!”

  McKenzie smiled to herself. Thankfully, she had no one to compete with in the area of being Davey’s mother. It scared her to think about how she’d fall short in comparison to someone else if she did.

  ***

  McKenzie spent the next three days sewing curtains for the house. Hiding the evidence whenever Zach ventured into the house was proving to be a chore, but she knew surprising him would be worth it. Putting her entire heart into each seam, McKenzie pieced together pieces of fabric for each window. Soon, the house would look nothing like it had when she’d first seen it. After that chore was completed, she would focus on sewing her new dresses from the patterns Rosemary had given her to use.