Mail Order Compromise (Kansas Brides Series #5)

by Barbara Goss

  “Oh, really! What sort of liberties?”

  “Here’s my favorite liberty,” he said. He pressed her closer to him. Her head came to just beneath his chin. Resting his chin on her head, he held her close. Then he bent down and kissed her. This time, putting all the passion he felt for her into the kiss, and she returned it until they were breathing unevenly.

  “Oh, Sarah!” he exclaimed. “I love kissing you.”

  “Then, if that’s the case, we should do it often. I love it, too.”

  Brock wasn’t sure how he could get her to say she loved him. But like Martha had said, he should say it first. For he was aware if he said it now, she’d not believe him. It was all too soon.

  “I really care for you, Sarah. More than I thought I could ever care for anyone.” he said.

  Sarah put her hands around his neck and pulled him into her lips. He loved that she was the aggressor. He’d never experienced a woman initiating the kiss before.

  “I feel the same,” she said when the kiss broke. “How soon can we marry?”

  “The sooner the better. I’m sure as I can be that I want to spend the rest of my life with you,” he said.

  “I am, too. But some changes will have to be made, Brock.”

  “Changes?” he whispered, and he bent down for another kiss.

  “You’ll have to fire Martha,” she said

  He jerked away from her. “I can’t fire Martha. She’s been with our family for years.”

  “I want to care for my own family,” she said, looking up at him with her expressive eyes.

  “How about we just keep her until my father returns from his vacation. He can use a good maid.”

  Brock hugged her to him. He loved the feel of her in his arms. She was a perfect fit. He liked that she wasn’t bone thin, but was soft and felt so heavenly against him. She was padded in all the right places.

  “I’ll tell you what,” he said. “We’ll decide on these things later. When would you like to marry?”

  “Saturday,” she answered without hesitation.

  “Saturday, it is then.” Brock kissed her again and again until he felt he’d explode with the passion building within him. Never in his life had he felt like this. Then he realized the time.

  “We have to go,” he told her. “It’s a long way home and I’d like to drive it in the daylight.”

  “One more kiss,” she pouted.

  “Oh, so you like kissing as much as I do,” he said with a chuckle.

  “I can’t get enough of them,” she said, breathlessly.

  Pete came into the house after leaving the constable’s office for the day. Elaina ran to meet him, throwing her arms around his neck and she hugged him.

  “Welcome home, Pete.” She kissed him quickly.

  “I’ve brought you a present,” he said.

  She stepped back and looked at him. “I don’t see one.”

  “It’s outside. C’mon,” he said opening the door.

  What Elaina saw caused her to gasp. “What is that?”

  “Not what, who?” Pete corrected. “Meet Killer.”

  “Gracious, where will we put him?” she asked.

  “In the barn. He’s your watchdog. No one will get past Killer. If you ever feel threatened—just open the barn door,” he said.

  Elaina walked around the dog, at a safe distance. He was black and didn’t really look mean, just big. She stepped up and put her hand out to pet him but he snarled, showing his teeth. She jerked her hand back.

  “No! Elaina. He’s not a pet. I got him from old man Schmidt, who used him to guard his chicken coop from foxes. He got rid of all his chickens when his wife died, so he let me have Killer.”

  “But if we put him in the barn, we can’t go in there either,” Elaina said.

  “Our horses and vehicle go in the stable, and the only things in the barn are tools and our wagon. He and I have come to an agreement of sorts. As long as I feed him, he lets me touch him.”

  “Well, I do feel safer, especially with that Lowery fella on the loose. Thank you, Pete.”

  “I’m not sure if Lowery came to Hunter’s Grove looking for his cousin and the rest of his gang, or if he knows I arrested them and gave them to the Federal Marshall, and he’s here to even the score.”

  Elaina shivered.

  Chapter 4

  Edna tried to awaken Sarah for church, but she simply rolled over and groaned, “I don’t do church, Edna.”

  “You don’t do church?” Edna asked in surprise.

  “No. I’m not a churchgoer.”

  “Does Brock know about this?”

  Sarah groaned and sat up. “Why does he need to know that?”

  “Because church is a big part of his life.” Edna gave her a few tsk tsks, before leaving the room.

  While Edna was at church, Sarah cooked a nice meal for her to come home to. She had the impression that Edna wasn’t pleased that she wasn’t a churchgoer. Perhaps a nice chicken dinner would help her to get over it.

  Edna claimed that church was a big part of Brock’s life. What did that have to do with her? She wouldn’t stop him from going. Why was it so important to tell him about it? What was the problem?

  She knew she was a good person. She didn’t steal, lie, or cheat. She might engage in a bit of gossip now and then, but she considered herself a better person than some of the churchgoers she knew, her own mother, for one.

  Yet she wouldn’t have a problem talking to Brock about it when she saw him next. He’d told her he’d stop by later.

  She’d just taken the roast chicken out of the oven when Edna returned.

  “I’ve made our dinner,” Sarah said proudly.

  “Goodness. You can cook! That looks and smells delicious,” Edna said. “What a nice surprise. I’ll just wash up.”

  When Edna sat down to eat, she said her usual prayer, and out of respect Sarah always bowed her head with her.

  “Brock was asking where you were this morning,” Edna said. “I wasn’t sure what to tell him since it isn’t up to me to tell him you’re not a believer. So I told a slight fib and said you were tired this morning. It really wasn’t a lie, since you were hard to awaken.”

  “I never said I didn’t believe in God. I just don’t recognize Him, since He has never recognized me,” she said. “I’ll talk to him, Edna. I won’t ever stand in his way or hinder him from going to church. A person’s religion or lack thereof is a personal matter, but I’ll talk to him.”

  “That would be ideal,” Edna said. “I have to say, this chicken is delightful. Thank you, Sarah.

  “Oh,” Edna said, wiping her lips with her napkin. “I almost forgot the most important message. Brock said he wouldn’t be able to stop by today since he has an elders meeting and afterwards, a men’s Bible study. He said to tell you, he’d be by tomorrow after work to take you to dinner.”

  Sarah was disappointed as she’d looked forward to seeing him. What would she do with herself for the rest of the day?

  “What’s an elder?” Sarah asked.

  “It’s a highly respected member of the church, appointed by the minister. He has many duties but his most important is to lead a life that is a good example. A nonviolent person who is gentle and kind, and a person who is able to minister to others,” Edna said. “There are more qualities, but those are the only ones I can think of offhand.”

  “So a stellar of the community type person?” she asked.

  “Yes, definitely.” Edna got up to clear the table. “Thank you for cooking this delightful meal.”

  “If Brock won’t be coming over today, what is there to do here?” Sarah asked.

  “Do you read?” Edna asked.

  “I do like to read. Do you have any books?”

  “I have a whole shelf of them in my room, help yourself, dear,” Edna said. “And since it’s a lovely fall day, you might enjoy sitting in the backyard on the swing.”

  Pete brought Elaina into town with him in the morning. He dropped her
off at Edna’s to spend the day with Sarah. He didn’t want to leave her home alone with Lowery on the loose.

  He’d just started on his paperwork, when in walked Brock. After their mutual greetings, Brock sat down in front of Pete’s desk.

  “I think I’m in love,” Brock confessed.

  “Glad to hear it,” Pete said, and was relieved since he still became jealous whenever Brock came to visit Elaina.

  “We plan on marrying next Saturday, and we’d like you and Elaina to stand with us as witnesses.”

  “We accept!” Pete exclaimed. “I hope you two are as happy as Elaina and I are. I love being married. We had a few obstacles in the beginning, but we found a way to solve them. Love does conquer all.”

  “Do you mind me asking what your obstacles were and how you overcame them?” Brock asked. “Unless it’s too personal.”

  “No, not at all,” Pete said, leaning back in his chair. “Elaina hated the house, especially the stove. She’d been brought up with a controlling mother and had never learned to cook or clean. I was disappointed. I assumed when I married her that all women knew how to do those things. Then to top it off, we had chickens, a large garden, and a cow to milk.”

  “What did you do?” Brock asked.

  “I hired a maid and eventually sold the house to you, and built a new one. We get along just fine now, and I love her, really love her, Brock. So I was willing to do whatever it took to make her happy.”

  “I’m glad you were able to solve the problem. I think I may have a reversal to your dilemma,” Brock said.

  “How so?”

  “Are you sure Sarah is Elaina’s best friend?”

  “Of course she is,” Pete said.

  “Well, as it happens, Sarah loves the farmhouse and wants me to fire the maid. To top that, she wants to get chickens,” Brock said.

  Pete threw back his head and laughed. “You must keep in mind that Sarah was supposed to be my bride, I think we would have hit it off in that way. But I think God knew better.”

  “I’m sure He had it all under control. Perhaps He’s showing us that earthly things don’t matter, it’s what’s in a person’s heart that counts.” Brock said.

  “So, what did you mean you think you’re in love?” Pete asked. “Are you or aren’t you? And you had better know for sure come Saturday.”

  “I still need to find out a bit more about her. Does she want children? What are her hopes and dreams? That kind of stuff,” Brock said. “There is a strong physical attraction, but a marriage needs more than that.”

  “That’s true,” Pete said. “You have to like her in the daytime, too!” He laughed.

  Brock threw his head back and laughed with him.

  At about the same time, Sarah was asking Elaina to stand up with her on Saturday.

  “I’d be honored,” she said. “So Brock’s the one, huh?”

  “Yes. I really and truly feel in love. I can’t wait to see him again, and I love being with him. We get along so well. He’s so easy going and relaxed that he removes any anxiety I might feel about things. Not to mention he kisses divinely.” Sarah rolled her eyes.

  “I’m so happy for you, Sarah.” Elaina hugged her friend.

  “What will you wear?” Elaina asked.

  “Come into the bedroom and I’ll show you.”

  Promptly at six, Brock picked Sarah up for dinner. She wore a white blouse and a navy blue skirt with a red belt, and a red ribbon in her hair. As he helped her into the buggy, he wondered again, how he’d gotten so lucky to have found Sarah.

  He wanted to take her to the fancy, elegant restaurant in the next town, but he didn’t yet want to hint at his wealth. As soon as she used the word love, he’d tell her.

  He cringed inwardly at the thought of dining at the eating-house, but that was the only place in Hunter’s Grove to eat.

  When they were seated, he ordered for them and as they sat waiting for their food, Rusty brought them over a pot of tea and two cups.

  “It’s so good to see you, Sarah, and you look lovely in that outfit,” Brock said.

  “Thank you. It’s good to see you, too.”

  “I asked Pete if he’d stand with us on Saturday and he was thrilled to oblige,” Brock said.

  “Elaina reacted the same.”

  “So, tell me Sarah, what are you dreams for the future?”

  “Let me see,” she placed her finger to her chin in thought. “I want children, and a big family. My dream has always been to have a warm, loving family. I suppose because my own family life was so full of friction and fighting. No one was ever happy.”

  “I’m sorry, Sarah. I hope I can make that dream come true for you. I think I can. How many children were you wanting?”

  “Eight would be nice, don’t you think?”

  “Eight!” he nearly choked on his tea. “Seriously?”

  “Yes. And when they grow up they’ll bring the grandchildren over and we’ll have huge, happy holiday dinners and—”

  “Seriously? Eight?” Brock laughed.

  “If you think that’s too many, I’ll compromise,” she said.

  “I do think it’s a bit much.”

  “I’ll settle for six, then.”

  He laughed and said, “Well, the fun will be in the making of them, so I won’t complain, besides it’ll all be up to God in the long run.”

  She blushed and laughed along with him.

  Their food came then, and they enjoyed a delicious dinner.

  “What would you like to do when we’re done eating?” Brock asked.

  “I’d like to be alone with you for a while,” she said, smiling at him shyly.

  “I agree! See we do have something in common.”

  “Where can a betrothed couple be alone in Hunter’s Grove?” she asked.

  “We could go to my house…that is if you’d like to. Martha’s there but she can make herself disappear.”

  Sarah covered his hand with hers. “You mean our house? I’d love to.”

  Brock smiled and ate a bit faster. He was surprised that the stew was the best he’d ever eaten, even better than the stew in those fancy, expensive places. He’d underestimated Rusty’s Eating-House.

  When they pulled up before the farmhouse, Brock seated Sarah on the sofa. I’ll find Martha and make her become invisible for a while.

  He returned and sat beside her. “That was easy. She’s in bed already, reading.”

  “So,” he said. “Here we are, all alone.”

  He pulled her closer, and she laid her head on his shoulder while he had his arm around her.

  “I love being with you, Brock.”

  “I love being with you, too.”

  She looked up at him with those big blue eyes and his heart melted. He pulled her onto his lap and kissed her passionately. He couldn’t help kissing her again and again.

  “There’s something I need to talk to you about,” she said after the kisses ended. “I hope it won’t change things, because I really care for you.”

  He pecked her neck. “I doubt there is anything you could tell me that would quench my thirst for you, Sarah. I’m crazy about you…in fact, I love you.”

  Had he really said that? He hadn’t planned on it, but it had to be said, and maybe she’d follow suit. He waited.

  She initiated a long passionate kiss and then whispered, “I love you, too.”

  There. It was done. Now he could tell her everything. He was elated.

  “However,” Sarah said. “Edna thinks what I have to say is important, but I don’t see how it can affect us at all.”

  He kissed her again and felt the strongest urge to break all the rules and make love to her right then and there. He’d never been so worked up in his life. But what she said next put his fire out quickly.

  “I’m not a churchgoer, and I don’t recognize God.”

  Chapter 5

  Brock’s passion fizzled out like a candle in the wind. He gently pushed Sarah off his lap and held his face in his h
ands.

  “What?” Sarah asked. “What’s the problem? You can go to church and worship. I won’t hinder your beliefs at all. It’s a person’s prerogative to choose religion or not. I chose not to recognize an entity that never recognized me.”

  “We can’t marry.” He felt sick, disappointed, hurt, and shocked.

  “Why not?”

  “It’s against the Bible, for one thing. It’s called being unequally yoked. For another, I’m an elder. I can’t be married to an unbeliever. I’m to be an example for people to follow, and minister to. It just can’t be, Sarah. I’m so sorry.”

  Sarah stared at him as if in disbelief. “I believe God exists, but since He doesn’t believe I exist, I don’t feel like worshipping Him. I didn’t think it would matter. I had no idea.”

  “It matters. I love you, but I love God more. I’m sorry, Sarah.”

  “I am too. Maybe if you’d had my home life and experiences, you’d not want a thing to do with religion either,” she said.

  “Perhaps. Would you consider changing?” he asked hopefully.

  “No. I’ve seen too many churchgoers who were less than Christian, Brock. I don’t like hypocrites. My mother was a faithful churchgoer, she made us kids go to church every Sunday, and when she came home, she got drunk, screamed and yelled at us kids so bad we locked ourselves in our rooms. She slept with other men while my father was out of town, but she never missed church.” Sarah stood and paced. “You wouldn’t understand.”

  Brock grabbed her hand and held it. “Maybe I do understand. You’ve had a rough life, but it isn’t God’s fault. Your mother had an illness. When people drink too much they lose control of their brain cells, and it opens the door for Satan to enter. He stays in there because he loves to turn people away from God. Satan gives drinkers the cravings to want to keep drinking so he’s being fed constantly.”

  “When mother took her boyfriend in, after my father left, the whole church turned against me. I went to church looking for comfort and they turned away from me instead. They gave me dirty looks and shunned me, all because of my mother. I did nothing to them. That’s how Christians should act?” She sighed. “I think you should take me home now.”