by Annie Boone
“There’s something that people, especially miners, don’t seem to understand,” Levi explained, “The miners are just gambling with fate.” He shrugged, “Some of them strike it rich, sure. Then they end up wealthier than I will ever be. However, the majority of them spend every cent they have in pursuit of this silly dream that never happens. What’s that worth to anyone?”
Lucy shrugged, trying to see his point of view. She didn’t have much of an opinion about those who traveled west to find gold. It was more just something that a few people she knew did. Unfortunately, she never heard from most of them, so she had no idea whether they made it or not.
“It’s not worth anything, because they generally succumb to the elements or at the very least, bury themselves in debt which they never could repay; sometimes even if they do strike gold.” He was holding a knife, and he tapped the handle of it on the table for emphasis as he talked.
He shook his head and added, “But the people who survive and also sustain what they already have are the ones who make it worth the sacrifices. Some people find a way to build a life in this time of uncertainty, even with all of the perils of the West. Those are the ones who end up with something sustainable.” Lucy looked over at him. He was starting to sound a little like a preacher. She was intrigued and also a little amused. She smiled slightly to encourage him to continue. She didn’t dare interrupt.
He had stopped for a breath, and now he picked up where he’d left off. “Instead of searching their entire life to find something that the good Lord may never help them find, create something new that is uniquely your own. That is why the general stores and towns, although scarce, are functioning and still continue to be built. I own a ranch. I am self-sufficient, and when people need something that I have, I am the only supplier. The same goes for the inns, taverns and merchants that have made this strip of the prairie their home. That is why we are growing and expanding into the Louisiana territory so quickly, because people are settling, not because people are striking gold.”
Lucy nodded and smiled. Even though they just met, she could not help feeling proud of him for being one of the intelligent people that was able to figure that out. “How did you learn that? Did you initially come out here to mine?”
He shook his head, “No ma’am. I came out here to be a rancher. Since the West was made available to us, I was always fascinated with ranching. At an early age I wanted to do something worthwhile. It’s important to me to contribute to the community where I live. So as soon as I could I left my parents home and planted my roots when my cart broke down. I figured it was a sign from the Almighty that I was meant to be here.”
He smiled and looked deep into her eyes, before he added, “That’s kind of how I chose you, I suppose. Your letters seemed to be a sign because you were confident enough share your faith with me.”
Lucy beamed and blushed, feeling slightly embarrassed from all of the attention she was receiving from him. “Thank you, Levi. I always got the sense that you were a deeply God-fearing man, and that was what I wanted. I have a strong faith as well, and I could just tell that I was making the right choice by corresponding with you.”
They were quiet for a moment, but the silence wasn’t anything that seemed out of place or heavy. It was a comfortable silence that Lucy didn’t mind at all.
However, after a little while went by, she asked, “Where will I be staying, Levi? I realize we have to court long enough to be comfortable with a marriage so I’ll need a place to stay until then.”
Levi seemed proud of this question, and he answered quickly, “I have arranged for you to stay at the inn. You will have your privacy when you want it and during the day, I want to show you the ranch.” He shrugged one shoulder before he continued, “I would like for you to know for sure what you will be getting into before either of us make this permanent. And you should know that if we do decide to wed, it will be permanent.”
“I have as much time as you need, Levi. I feel the same way about marriage being a lifetime commitment, so we agree on that point.” She answered honestly.
He then shook his head, as though he feared something he had said had come out wrong, “Don’t worry, that you possibly made this journey for nothing. I believe we have much in common and that we can have a pleasant relationship.”
Lucy wasn’t sure if she should be happy or sad at that moment. Was this his way of expressing that he wasn’t attracted to her and that he was okay with just a friendly marriage? Or was he simply putting her at ease that she hadn’t wasted time coming there? Did he have hopes that they would fall in love? Did a marriage of love matter to him? At this point, she had more questions than answers. She decided the best thing to do was to let the situation play out. She could decide as she learned more about him what she needed to do.
Levi continued explaining how he wanted her first days in Nebraska to go. “I think we should start by getting you acclimated to the ranch and the town. That will help you see if you’ll be able to adapt. It is quite different out here than it is back East in the city.”
Lucy nodded her agreement, though she didn’t speak. She gave him a weak smile and took a bite of dessert.
He looked at her with urgency as he continued. “Lucy, I want you to be happy here. I want you to know what you are getting into with me, just as much as I wish to have an idea of what I should expect from you as my wife. Letters are one thing, but I have come to understand, that there is nothing like true, genuine, unabridged human connection. Out here, there are fewer people to interact with and it’s sometimes difficult to tell who is sincere.”
“Forgive me, but you are very openly thoughtful, especially for a man,” She answered and then was quick to explain, “I like it. It is just not something I am used to.”
He chuckled, as though this wasn’t the first time he’d heard a comment such as this. “Yes, if anything, my head is in the clouds. I always try to show my feelings, though, even if they don’t always come across exactly right. I promise I will open up to you more as we get to know each other better.”
“Nonsense,” She replied, “I think you are doing a remarkable job.”
“Well, I greatly appreciate that, Lucy.”
Lucy was happy that she was at least attempting to start a new life. She was concerned that her potential husband didn’t find her attractive. She was sure he expected her to be prettier or smaller than she was. She didn’t know how this would go, but she was determined to be the type companion that he would fall in love with in spite of her weight. She only hoped that he would be able to look past her bigger body and see her heart.
Chapter Four
When the couple went to the ranch, there was a carriage parked in the long, dusty driveway. Automatically, she felt a sense of dread encompass her.
Noticing his confused expression, Lucy questioned, “Are you expecting visitors, Levi?”
“No,” He answered, “I had planned a quiet afternoon for the two of us to get to know one another better, without any distractions.”
When the carriage that they were traveling in stopped, he told Lucy, “Wait here,” then looked at her apologetically and added, “Please.”
Lucy nodded, “Of course.”
Levi got out of the carriage and made his way up to the vehicle that was already in place.
Lucy peered on as a knot of nervousness, which had just begun to subside, quickly inched its way back through her insides.
She wasn’t quite sure what to expect, but she knew when she saw it that the person who got out of the carriage was the last thing she expected. As Lucy observed, an absolutely gorgeous woman stepped out to meet Levi. She greeted him as though she knew him. Her heart plummeted, and she was sure that she was about to be sick.
The two of them interacted for a moment before the woman got back into the carriage and drove away. Levi waited until the vehicle was out of sight and then, he returned to Lucy.
As he put out his hand for her to get down, Lucy asked, “If I migh
t be so bold, who was that?”
Levi sighed and answered, “That was another woman with whom I was corresponding.”
Lucy narrowed her eyes, and she replied, “I was under the impression that I was the only one that you invited here.”
“You are,” He answered as she stepped down and turned to face him. He looked slightly ashamed as his eyes drifted away from hers, before returning and telling her truthfully, “I didn’t tell her to come here, although I did converse with her. In our last correspondence, she had blatantly asked me if I intended to invite her here and I didn’t respond directly to her question.”
He seemed to need a moment to gather his thoughts but then he continued. “I had a stronger feeling about you and she revealed some aspects about herself that I do not find admirable.” His eyes then wafted away from her again, before he admitted, “However, in my last letter back to her, I suppose I should have been clearer. The way I glazed over my thoughts about a future with her, along with her self-absorbed attitude, I presume, she took it upon herself to come here.”
“So, what are you going to do?” Lucy asked, afraid of the answer she was going to receive. Her palms were sweating because of the panic that was rising inside her. She tried to dry them by wiping them on the sides of her skirt and hoping he didn’t notice. “Did you send her away?”
“Yes,” he replied, but then quickly changed the subject. “Okay, well. Might I show you around the ranch so that we can get to know each other better? And you also need a chance to start learning more about your possible new lifestyle better, don’t you?”
Not wanting to pry, Lucy nodded, “That sounds like a lovely idea.”
So, the two of them did their best to make their way around the ranch. It was broad and seemed to go on forever. She was almost overwhelmed with the realization of the heavy responsibility that came with running the operation. She believed that Levi would help her learn everything she needed to know to do her part. And she was looking forward to it, as odd as that seemed for a city girl like herself. She wouldn’t let Levi down.
However, there still was the looming question of the woman. She thought a lot about this as Levi showed her the ranch. Why was she here? What had Levi said in his letter that had led her to believe that he wanted her to fund her trip here? Then again, if she could afford a trip here, then why did she want to come so badly? She had to know that she wasn’t a sure thing, but then again, that means that neither am I.
The thought that she was in a competition scared her to death. She was never the first choice of any man, so why did she even think there was a miniscule chance that this would work out in her favor? She tried not to think about it, but she couldn’t help herself.
Everything seemed to take her back to that conclusion, and that was something that terrified her. She had no reason not to trust Levi. It was possible that there was a miscommunication, and if the woman was as self-serving as Levi let on, she could understand how the woman would shamelessly refuse to take no for an answer.
Something about it just didn’t feel right. However, wanting to give Levi the benefit of the doubt, she decided that there was no use in accusing him of something when she had no proof. After all, she didn’t want to set any negative precedent for their marriage. There was time enough for that, and she wanted to hold off for as long as she possibly could.
And so she enjoyed the tour of the ranch and tried her best to get to know Levi. She did her best to ignore the persistent bad feeling about the presence of the woman.
Everything seemed to be going well. When the two of them made it to the inn, Levi walked her into the lobby. They sat quietly together for a few more minutes in a small parlor area in the back of the lobby. He assured her he would be back first thing in the morning to pick her up and teach her more about how his ranch works.
“That sounds lovely,” She answered, “Thank you for everything that you have done for me so far,” She answered.
“Of course,” He replied as he took her trunk into the room. When he came back out to the door, he asked, “Is there anything else that you need?”
Lucy shook her head and answered that she would be okay.
Still, before he left, he placed a few dollars in her hand, “This is if you need anything at all. I do not want you to feel stranded here. I know you don’t know anyone, so this way you can get anything you need quickly. Just ask and if you need me, everyone in this town knows who I am. I will be here within an hour.”
“Thank you, Levi, but I do have money. I saved up to make this trip. I don’t want to be a burden,” Lucy answered, handing the money back to him.
“I insist,” he said quietly and replaced the money in her hand.
Lucy felt her cheeks reddening again, and she just smiled at him as he turned to leave.
Chapter Five
Lucy had been able to push her fears aside for a while in her time with Levi. She realized that she liked him in person even more than she liked the man she was writing letters to.
After he left she was feeling like a stroll around the inn would help her sort out her thoughts and get comfortable in her new surroundings. As she wandered around, she saw a woman sitting alone at a table.
She was beautiful and at first, Lucy thought that was why she thought she recognized her, but when she looked her way, she was sure that she had seen her before. She dug into her memories to see where their paths had crossed.
Then it hit her. The woman sitting at the table was the woman who had shown up at Levi’s ranch. The hopeful and positive feelings she had worked so hard to bring to the front of her mind were now gone.
Did he lie to me? She thought, feeling a deep-rooted, familiar stab of betrayal, stinging her right to her very core.
Keep calm. Lucy thought, trying to figure out how to get to the bottom of all of this in the most ladylike way possible. Perhaps she is just trying to enjoy herself here or find another admirer so that she did not have to waste the trip.
Still, Lucy knew that she would not be able to rest until she knew what the woman was doing – or scheming. So, she made her way over to her and asked sweetly, “May I sit with you?”
The woman looked at her with a slightly snooty glare, eyeing her up and down judgmentally. She finally nodded her assent.
Lucy sat down and smiled at her, “Thank you.” Then, after a long moment, she asked, “Are you here with someone?”
“Not exactly,” She answered as her nose rose up in the air, “Not yet, anyway.”
As she spoke, Lucy tried to feel encouraged by what she was saying, but that was hard, as she gazed upon her perfect features.
How could Levi possibly turn this gorgeous woman away? Why would he choose me over her? She thought, but still, the idea that he was trying to let her down easy hurt far more than it should have at this point.
“Are you enrolled in the mail order bride program?” Lucy asked.
The woman shot her a look, as though trying to seem to be looking down on her before she answered, “Yes, in fact, I am. How did you know?”
Lucy thought about telling her that she was also in the program, but she decided against it, to approach the situation from a more practical standpoint, “Forgive me, it was just a guess. You are dressed your best out here.”
“Oh, darling, please.” She responded condescendingly. “This is hardly me dressing my best. If I did that, I surely would not be able to stave off any of these hungry men. I would be getting a proposal from every one of them…They would be murdering one another just to prove their loyalty to me.” She laughed as her perfect face showed the kind of confidence that Lucy wished she had. However, even if Lucy had the looks to warrant such comments, she knew that she could never be so callous.
“Well, in any case, you look lovely and you are here alone.”
Her eyes then brushed over Lucy, and she interrupted her again, “If you thought I looked my best, then I could say the same thing about you. I’m guessing that is your best dress. From the mere f
act that you have opted to speak to me, rather than a man, I would wager a guess that you are also in the program.”
She nodded, feeling that there was no sense in being dishonest, “Yes, I am.”
“Are you still waiting for your man to arrive? He’s probably sleazy if he is meeting you at an inn. Poor girl.”
She shook her head, now slightly insulted by the woman’s impudence, “No, I’m not waiting. I have already met him. We are courting.”
The woman sneered, as though she was trying to hold back from voicing a comment, before she answered, “Well, I wish you the best of luck.”
“Are you waiting for your man here?” She asked, trying to pry just enough so that she can figure out if Levi was being honest with her or not.
“No. I just got back from an outing with him,” Her eyes looked a little wild as she added, “He took some convincing. I even had to pay my way, the miser, but now that he has met me, I am sure that he will have no intention of sending me away. He is going to pick me up tomorrow afternoon. We are supposed to have a date at his ranch.” Her eyes raised, and she looked Lucy directly in the eyes. “He might be a miser to start, but I have a feeling that once I win him over, he will prove to be more than generous.”
Lucy wanted to be angry, but she also did not want to let on that she knew what was going on and so, she managed to keep her composure. She smiled at the woman and answered, “I wish you the best of luck. I hope all goes well for you tomorrow, but I will let you go now. I am sure you would prefer to get your beauty rest, instead of speaking to me.”
As Lucy stood up, the woman cackled in a most unladylike laugh. “In this town,” she responded, “with these ravenous men, I don’t need luck. Considering my competition, I’m sure to win this rancher over.” She paused for a moment to let her words sink in. She continued, “And yes, l would prefer to be alone right now.”
Lucy nodded, trying to ignore her horrible attitude and her obvious jab, replied, “Well, good evening, then.” She quickly left the restaurant and went to her room where she collapsed on her bed.