“Mr. Fields, I am not prone to being unpleasant. However, you leave me with little recourse. You have yet to explain yourself and, other than the apology which I have not accepted, I feel as if there are things left unsaid.”
Letting out a long breath, he nodded and looked down to the ground before lifting his gaze back to her. “As I started to explain,” he began. “My mother is quite...overwhelming at times. I didn’t want to expose you to any sort of ill treatment upon arriving.”
Sarah considered the snoring man who’d crushed her most of the trip and the woman who’d sat on the other side of him. She’d not been able to pay much attention to the woman, but remembered her harsh tones and constant complaints. Just considering that person would be her mother-in-law, she could not stop a shudder that traveled through her.
“I traveled with your parents. From your mother’s conversation with one of our traveling companions, she seemed to be of the belief you’d not marry anytime soon. Does she not know about me?”
Once again, he looked away, his cheeks coloring just enough to let her know it was not an easy conversation for him. “No, she does not. I was waiting for her to return to discuss it. I wasn’t sure when you’d arrive. I did not receive a letter from you.”
Sarah considered it had been almost three weeks since she’d written him. “I assume the letter I wrote would get here before I did.”
As he continued looking away, it gave her the opportunity to study him. He had long, tapered fingers, was tall and broad shouldered. Although he wore a jacket over his shirt, it was easy to tell he was not a thin man, nor was he too large.
“Will you accept my apology and my marriage proposal? I promise you, Miss Michaels, it was my intention to spare you from an embarrassing moment. I didn’t handle it well. Come with me this evening to my family’s home and meet them. My parents are settled and will be more receptive to the news.”
Somehow, the fact he’d not changed his mind settled her some. Although she’d agreed to marriage prior to coming, now it was daunting. Sarah considered for a moment that he seemed to be preparing her for a somewhat disagreeable moment.
“Where do you live?” Her stomach tumbled at considering she’d be living with this man she’d only met a few moments ago. How did the other mail order brides cope? It was a most strange situation to say the least.
“Currently in the family home. My house...our house was just finished. The furnishings will be done soon.”
When her cheeks heated, Sarah pressed both hands to her face. He intended on following through. Dismay, combined with another emotion she could not identify, filled her.
“Miss Michaels, are you all right?” He placed a hand on her upper arm, sending tendrils of heat down her spine.
“Ah…yes…yes. I’m fine. I didn’t know this would all be so difficult. So strange, this marrying so soon. We’ve only just met,” Sarah stated the obvious.
He nodded. “I certainly understand how you feel.”
In spite of the situation, she smiled. It was nice for him to admit to also being overrun by emotions. Somehow, she doubted his mind went into the many directions hers did. Unlike her, he was in familiar territory.
She could accept his offer, marry him and move forward.
There was another option. She could put Robert Fields off and attempt a life on her own while allowing him to court her.
Then there was a third option.
Return back to Pennsylvania and the familiar.
He held out a beautifully embroidered handkerchief. “This is for you. It’s something small I know, but I hope you like it.”
Chapter 5
When Sarah nodded in agreement, Robert let out a breath of relief. He was prepared to push for a hurried marriage and hoped she’d not rebuff him. It was preferable they be married before the evening meeting with his parents.
“I met with the pastor last week. He is prepared to marry us upon your arrival. I assumed you’d not want to remain in the hotel for more than one night.”
Her eyes widened and she searched his face for a moment. Protectiveness surged and he wanted to pull her close and reassure Sarah all would be well. This woman was to be his wife. The person he’d spend the rest of his life with and he was glad to find not just the need to protect, but also that attraction swelled within him.
“May I hug you?”
Once again, she nodded and leaned over, falling against his chest. When she let out a sniffle, his heart tightened at realizing how much harder the situation was for her than him. “Don’t cry. I know it’s all so much at once. But we’ll work things out. You’ll be fine. I will ensure it.”
Once again, she sniffed. Her body shuddered. He wrapped his arms around her and kissed the top of her head. “We can go to the mercantile. Mrs. Sullivan always has fresh flowers from her garden.” Robert struggled to come up with a way to distract her. “I’m sure you can also find some sort of veil or whatever it is women wear for a wedding.”
She straightened, a wan smile on her lips. “A veil?”
“Isn’t that what that thing brides put on their head is called?”
It was nice that, although she sat straighter, her shoulder remained against him. “I don’t think I need a veil. Flowers would be nice. Can we go to the hotel so I can inform Lilah and Judge and Olive Withers? I’d like to invite them and Lilah to our ceremony.”
Thankfully, she didn’t ask if he wanted his parents present. He would have had to make up some type of excuse.
When they neared the hotel, his father stood next to the door. The dogs were at his heels as he absently looked at his watch.
“Ah, there you are, Robert,” his father greeted him with a crooked grin. “I closed the bank as I needed to attend a meeting.” He looked to Sarah and then back to him. “Pardon me, Miss.” His father tapped his hat. “Bernard Fields at your service.”
“Father, this is Sarah Michaels, my soon to be wife.” Uttering the words, Robert stood straighter as he waited for his father’s reaction.
His father studied a wide-eyed Sarah for a few moments. “Well, I’m glad to see my son found you. You are quite a beauty. Welcome to the family, young lady.” The man seemed anxious to get to the barbershop, where Robert was sure Bernard and his friends were to spend the afternoon playing cards. His father looked in that direction.
“Father, we will be getting married this afternoon. Would you care to attend?” Robert wanted to laugh when his father frowned at the possible change in plans.
“I would...I think I should.” Bernard’s shoulders fell. “Are you heading to the chapel now?” There was expectancy that it would be over shortly and he’d still have time to join his friends.
Sarah was bent over, patting the dogs’ heads and speaking softly, so he leaned to his father’s ear.
“Meet us at the chapel in an hour. Please don’t say anything to anyone just yet.”
Bernard gave him a knowing look. “She will be most unpleased.”
Yes, his mother would, no doubt, claim him to be a horrible son and possibly faint. But he’d rather that than have her show up and ruin everything.
A boy was dispatched to the chapel after Robert and Sarah joined the mayor, his wife and Lilah Adams. The men drank coffee and the woman tea. Flowers were sent over from the mercantile as Robert had asked the boy to stop by and ask for them to be delivered right away to the hotel.
An hour later, the group arrived at the chapel.
Upon entering, a familiar voice rang out and Robert froze. His mother sat inside the entrance with a group of women surrounding a table. Bibles were spread open next to cups of tea.
He’d forgotten about bible study.
Camilla Fields took in the group and, at once, Robert’s stomach sunk. Her narrowed gaze focused on Sarah and a furrow formed between her brows. The only saving graces at the moment were his mother’s friends surrounding the table. Hopefully, their presence would hold his mother back from making a scene.
“What in th
e heavens?” Standing now, Camilla looked once again to Sarah and Lilah, not recognizing them. “Is something about to happen?”
The door opened behind him. Dogs raced past them to the interior, much to the horror of the women at the table who exclaimed their displeasure with gasps. They demanded his father take the dogs out at once.
Seizing the opportunity, Robert took his mother’s arm and pulled her aside. In a lowered voice, he spoke close to her ear.
“I am about to marry Sarah Michaels, the woman with the darker hair. She is my mail order bride. You will act pleasant or may leave if you wish.”
With a tight jaw, his mother slid a glance toward Sarah, who watched them with ill-concealed curiosity.
“Was I not to be invited?” Camilla replied with gritted teeth.
“No.”
Robert returned to the group, not particularly caring at the moment what his mother did. “I believe the pastor is waiting.” He took Sarah’s elbow and guided her further inside.
They hesitated at the table where four women stood, their gazes locked on him and Sarah. They seemed to have forgotten about the dogs, one of which snatched food from the table and dashed underneath it to devour his treat.
“Ladies, may I present my soon-to-be wife, Sarah Michaels?” The women were struck silent, every set of eyes moved from Sarah to his mother who remained transfixed at the foyer doorway.
Finally, everyone settled at the front of the chapel. Robert, with Sarah beside him, stood along with Lilah Adams and his father on either side of them as witnesses.
On the front bench, his mother sat ramrod straight, the four women split on both sides of her, showing solidarity by the matching unpleased expressions. Judge and Olive Withers sat on the bench on the other side of the aisle.
Beside Judge and Olive were his father’s dogs. The dogs were comically sitting on the bench, seeming interested.
The pastor scanned the room. His gaze stopped at spotting the dogs, but he said nothing.
“Are you sure about this?” Sarah leaned to him and whispered. “This is most awkward.”
Robert smiled, noting she pressed her lips together not to do the same. “I think my father’s dogs would be disappointed if we cancel.”
When a giggle escaped her, he laughed out loud. Having obviously overheard, Lilah Adams also giggled. They quieted at the pastor’s throat clearing.
Thankfully, the vows were exchanged without interruption. Upon being pronounced husband and wife, Robert leaned forward and pressed a chaste kiss on his new bride’s lips.
His mother sniffed loudly and one of the dogs snored.
“Let’s celebrate,” his clueless father announced. “I’ll see about getting one of Eudora’s delicious cakes.”
“What did I miss?” Amelia, his cousin, stood at the doorway, bible in one hand and a small reticule hanging from the other. “Did someone get married?”
The dogs livened up at the sound of her voice. Tails wagging, they rushed to a bewildered Amelia, who screeched at the sight.
“What is happening?”
Chapter 6
The entire wedding audience reconvened at the Fields’ home. The house, a two-story, wooden structure with a wide porch and well-maintained exterior spoke of financial security.
Sarah had to admit the cake was, indeed, delicious. More shocking was the fact she had an appetite at all. It had been the most trying day and it was still only afternoon.
Her husband refused to leave her side as if protecting her from his mother’s wrath. Unfortunately, there was little he could do to block the angry glares shot in her direction at every available moment.
Still surrounded by her bible study group, her mother-in-law seemed to enjoy the attention and spoke in low tones to her companions. Every once in a while, Camilla Fields would lift a handkerchief to her eyes and dab at invisible tears.
It occurred to Sarah that if the roles were reversed, she’d be just as upset if her son married without consulting or even informing the family.
As a matter of fact, she planned to say so to her new mother-in-law as soon as the moment was right. Even if Robert considered his mother to be difficult, the situation seemed to have been made worse by him not informing her of his plans.
The afternoon seemed to drag by. Once the cake was eaten, and tea and coffee drank, people lingered only just a bit and then, one by one, trickled away.
When the women who’d been at bible study with Camilla Fields stood as a group to leave, it was obvious by their lingering gazes toward Sarah, they wanted to witness more. But they were forced to go as the conversation could not be drawn out any longer.
Sarah wondered about the night ahead. Not about her first night with her new husband, but more about where they’d sleep. From what he’d said, the new house was complete, albeit without furnishings. Her belongings remained at the hotel, which was an option. Although, the single bed would not allow two people to lay side-by-side.
A grandfather clock’s bells sounded loudly and Lilah turned to her. “I best head back to the hotel. I will be going to supper with the Withers’ and, tomorrow morning, Mrs. Withers will be taking me to the cottage and schoolhouse.”
Sarah wished to walk out with Lilah, who hugged her tightly. “Promise to come visit me as soon as you can.”
“I will, I promise,” Sarah replied with a hitch in her voice. “I’m so glad to have met you.”
The Withers’ were next to step up to say their goodbyes. Sarah immediately loved both and was excited to get to know them better. Olive Withers smiled at her warmly and leaned forward into Sarah’s ear.
“Robert will make you a wonderful husband. Focus on that.”
The couple insisted she and Robert join them for dinner the following week.
After the Withers’ farewells with the rest of the Fields, the house became starkly silent.
“Well, this was certainly an eventful day. I think I will help with straightening up.” Amelia, Robert’s cousin, rushed away, giving them one last glance over her shoulder.
Camilla Fields’ expression had not changed since her friends had gone. With a stone façade of displeasure, she narrowed her eyes to Robert.
“How dare you make a fool of me in that manner?”
Her son did not seem at all taken aback by the remark. Instead, he lowered to sit next to Sarah. “If I had informed you of my plans, you would have found a way to intervene.” His shrug made Sarah’s eyes widen and she looked to her mother-in-law.
“Bernard, do you not have something to say?” Camilla gave her husband an impatient glare.
Mr. Fields frowned and scratched his jaw. “Dear, there isn’t much to do at this point. We must accept our son’s decision and welcome sweet Sarah to the family.”
By the lack of response, her mother-in-law did not appreciate her husband’s answer.
Robert looked to the ceiling and then to Sarah. “We can go to the hotel for the evening since your things are there.”
“Absolutely not!” Camilla exclaimed, hand flattened on her chest. “What would people say? You will sleep here. Send for her things to be brought.” Her eyes practically bulged from their sockets.
Sarah looked to Robert, hoping to convey it was best for him not to aggravate his mother. “Your mother is right. We should remain here.”
Seeming convinced the situation was settled, Camilla Fields got to her feet. “I will rest a bit before dinner is served.” Lifting her nose in the air, the woman left the room in the same direction Amelia had gone.
Sarah wondered where the bedrooms were. At the moment, she wanted nothing more than to sleep. Too exhausted to say anything, she leaned back and closed her eyes.
“Why don’t I show you to my bedroom? You can rest while I go see about your things.”
When Robert uttered the words, she wanted to kiss him with gratitude. Instead, she smiled up at him. “Thank you, I would love that very much.”
The smell of food jostled Sarah from her nap. It was dim outsi
de when she opened her eyes and took in the unfamiliar room. She’d slept so hard, she’d not heard anyone enter or leave. Stacks of things were on a chair and on the floor. Her suitcase and other items had been deposited in the room without her waking.
Her face warmed at the idea anyone had spied her sleeping. Wondering where her husband was, she slid from the bed and listened for any conversation. Just as she finished brushing her hair and splashing water on her face, the door opened and Robert walked in.
Immediately, his lips curved and he met her gaze with warmth.
Her heart flipped and her stomach dipped at what would transpire between then in but a few hours.
“I came to wake you,” he said. Then he motioned to her belongings. “Everything is here. I ensured to check and double check.”
She’d noticed not only were her belongings there but also, on top of her satchel, was a doily, which belonged to the hotel. She made a mental note to return it.
“Thank you so much.”
They made their way to the dining room. Already seated, her mother-in-law and Amelia both looked up as they walked in. In contrast to Camilla Fields’ lack of enthusiasm, Amelia waved Sarah over to sit next to her.
The young woman was pretty, in a no-nonsense kind of way. She immediately liked Amelia, the type of woman everyone felt comfortable with.
Just as Robert settled across from her, Bernard bustled in, the dogs on his heels.
“Must those infernal animals be constantly underfoot?” At her mother-in-law’s question, the dogs rushed to her and began hopping up and down yipping.
To Sarah’s surprise, Camilla petted their heads before waving the dogs away. “Go on now”
Perhaps, the woman was not as unfriendly as Sarah thought.
Sarah, A Festive Bride Page 3