by Kit Morgan
“What kinds of things?” Ebba asked as she headed for the door. She knew they couldn’t linger for much longer. It was her wedding day, after all.
“The little ones, they hide my shoes. The older boys, they put frogs in my bed and pepper in my tea. Buon Dio omnipotente!”
Ebba tried to imagine the patience the girl must have. “Don’t Calvin and Bella discipline them?”
“Bella is busy with her children. Calvin is out working all day. That leaves me to look after them,” Rufi concluded tiredly.
“What about school? Lessons? Doesn’t that occupy most of the day?”
“It would, if there was someone to teach them.” Rufi’s eyes drifted to the floor. “I can teach a few things but … I don’t read and write as well as I should.”
“I’m sorry, Rufi. I didn’t realize the burden you had with them. Maybe I can help.”
“But of course you will. Calvin and Bella said so.”
“They … did? What did they say?”
“That you’re going to teach me and the others how to read, write and speak better English.”
“What?” Ebba said and took a step back. “When did she tell you that?” And why didn’t they tell me that, she added mentally.
“After Daniel told Bella what you put in your letter, that you could read and write well and do your numbers.” Rufi’s eyes went to the floor again. “I’m not very good with numbers at all. But you’ll help me, won’t you?”
Ebba saw the starry expression on Rufi’s face. She shook herself as the girl’s words sank in. “I’ll have to speak with Calvin and Bella about this. No one told me I was expected to be a school teacher.”
Rufi’s face fell. “You mean, you didn’t know you were going to be our new teacher?”
Ebba closed her eyes at the first sting of anger. “Let’s not talk about it right now. I’ll discuss it with Daniel later.”
“You look upset,” Rufi pointed out.
“I’m … let’s just not talk about it right now.” Ebba continued downstairs, fuming. First the size of the family, then Nellie Davis’ insinuations, and now this. What else had Daniel not told her?
* * *
The rest of the morning was a blur. Ebba barely knew if she was coming or going. She knew she needed to talk to Daniel – about a lot of things – but wasn’t sure when she’d have a chance. Everyone was busy preparing for the ceremony, including her. How was she going to get this straightened out before they said their vows?
The more she thought about what Rufi said, the more upset she became. Daniel hadn’t told her about his family, about doing farm work, about having her step in as a schoolteacher, about … whatever Nellie Davis thought. She hadn’t gotten the truth from him about a lot of things. Who knew what else had “slipped his mind”? Did they expect her to deliver the mail to the Gunderson stage stop too?
“That’s it,” she said to herself. “I should write a letter to Mrs. Pettigrew and tell her what’s going on.” Had she known about this? But if she did, why didn’t she tell her? Ebba wiped her hands on her apron, glanced around the busy kitchen and slipped out of the room. Maybe if she penned a quick note to Mrs. Pettigrew she’d feel better, not to mention figure out what she’d say to Daniel. She loathed the thought that her future husband might be lying to her, but what was she supposed to think?
Once upstairs in her room, she found some paper, pen and ink and set to work. The letter was short and to the point, but included everything, including the hellion children. What would she do if they tied her to a tree? She shuddered at the thought as she signed her name at the bottom, folded it and stuck it in her apron pocket. As soon as she could find an envelope, she’d get it ready to post. She was sure Sheriff Hughes would be more than happy to mail it for her once he got back to Nowhere.
She was about to leave the room when she heard the distinct sound of a wagon approaching. Lovely – more guests. “Who could that be?” she asked aloud. She went to the window and saw a young couple arriving, but had no idea who they might be. She shook her head, guessing she’d just have to go downstairs and find out.
Taking a deep breath, she patted the letter in her pocket and headed for the door. She had to admit, writing Mrs. Pettigrew did make her feel better. Writing her thoughts always did. Besides, Mrs. Pettigrew promised to answer any letter a bride sent to her.
Who knows what might happen between now and when she heard back, though. She certainly hoped she and Daniel would have their misunderstandings cleared up. She also hoped she didn’t find herself the victim of the children’s antics. The thought of a frog in her bed didn’t set well.
“There you are!” Leona hurried to the bottom of the stairs. “Where have you been? We’ve got to get you into your wedding dress right away!”
“Oh, I’m sorry,” Ebba said. “I was upstairs taking care of a few things.”
“Well, now it’s time to take care of the most important thing. You turn around and get right back up there. Mary, Betsy and I will be up in a moment to help you.”
Ebba sighed. Would she ever get the chance to speak to Daniel before the wedding? Would she have to marry him with all this unresolved? She hoped she wasn’t going to regret this. She’d known of misunderstandings that turned into something more serious. The last thing she wanted was a wedge in their relationship. He was willing to overlook her ailments for the sake of their marriage. Surely she could overlook this. Why did it gall her so?
Because he should’ve told you, she thought. He should’ve told her before they ever came out to the farm. Before she ever got on the train in Denver.
“Don’t just stand there!” Leona said. “Get up those stairs and get that dress on!”
Ebba jumped. “I’m … I’m sorry. I’m going now!” This so-called misunderstanding was bothering her more than she thought.
She hurried back to her room, closed the door and placed the dress on the bed. She glanced in the mirror and realized she looked a complete mess. Thank Heaven help was on the way. She would need it.
Just then, Leona came in with Aunt Betsy trailing behind her, a comb and brush in her hand. “Let’s get to it,” Betsy said with a smile. She stopped short and looked Ebba over. “Oh my, this might take a while. Maybe we should’ve started earlier, Leona.”
“We were so busy downstairs, we lost track of the time,” Leona replied. “No help for it now. Where’s Mary? She has the veil.”
“She’ll be along in a minute,” Betsy told her. “Now you sit down, Ebba, and let us take care of everything!”
Ebba was about to reply when two sets of hands grabbed her and hauled her towards the nearest chair. Before she knew it, she was sitting, a comb stuck in her hair while Leona and Aunt Betsy started to pull and tug at her clothes. “I can undress myself!” she cried. “For Heaven’s sake, we’ll never get anything done this way.”
“She’s right, Betsy,” Leona said. “Let the poor child get out of her work dress – then we’ll help get her into the wedding dress.”
“Don’t you think she ought to wash her face first?”
Leona took a closer look at Ebba. “Heavens, yes! Whatever is that goo on your cheek?”
Ebba looked in the mirror. Gabby had given her a kiss there, so it could be anything. “Let me do that first,” she groaned. “Then I’ll get into my dress and you can fix my hair. Would that be all right?” It came out testier than she intended.
“Yes, yes,” Aunt Betsy waved her towards the screen. “Just hurry up. I knew we should’ve started an hour ago.”
“Stop fussing, Betsy, and go fetch Mary,” Leona ordered.
Betsy grumbled something unintelligible, left the room and headed downstairs.
Ebba sighed, went to the washstand and washed her face. She dried it with a towel, then turned to Leona. “I saw a young couple drive up. Who are they?”
“Warren and Bernice Johnson. Nice folks – you’ll like them. Bernice comes all the way from Independence, Oregon. She was a mail-order bride too.”
Ebba’s brow furrowed. “Oregon? That doesn’t seem very far.”
“Oh, it really doesn’t matter where the bride comes from dear, so long as she gets here. Now hurry up and get out of that dress.”
Ebba didn’t argue, just went behind the screen to change her clothes. Leona handed her the wedding dress and helped her put it on. By the time she stepped out again, Aunt Betsy had returned with Ma. “Just look at you!” she said with a tiny clap of her hands. “Why, you’re prettier now than you were the first time I saw you wearing this.”
“That’s because it’s her wedding day,” Aunt Betsy remarked. “Brides always look prettier on their wedding day.”
“She’ll look a lot prettier if you get her hair ready,” Leona quipped as she handed her a comb.
“Don’t rush me, I’ll see it done.” Aunt Betsy shoved Ebba back into the chair. “Oh dear, where should I begin?”
“Anywhere,” Leona said. “Everyone’s gathering in the orchard.”
Ebba froze. “The ceremony is in the orchard?”
“Of course, dear,” Leona said. “You knew that.”
“Yes, but how did I forget it?” One more thing she’d have to deal with. “What if I start sneezing?!”
“The kettle’s on the stove,” Ma assured her. “A spot of chamomile will help you before you go out there.”
“Sneezing?” Leona said.
“Didn’t Mary tell you?” Betsy asked. “This poor thing suffers something awful when she goes outside.”
“Oh yes, that,” Leona waved a hand at her own head. “How could I forget?” She looked at Ebba and smiled. “And you thought your memory was bad?”
“Easy enough on a day like this.” Betsy started to comb out Ebba’s hair. “Somebody find me some pins.”
“There’s some on the dresser,” Ebba informed them.
After a good amount of tugging and pulling, Aunt Betsy had Ebba’s hair swept up into a lovely style. She stood and went to study the woman’s handiwork in the mirror.
“Oh, isn’t it wonderful!” Leona said with a happy smile.
“Let’s put the veil on,” Ma suggested.
They did, and Ebba checked her reflection again. “I … I look beautiful.”
“Don’t sound so surprised, dear,” Leona said. “You are beautiful.”
Ebba turned to the three matrons. “Thank you ever so much for helping me get ready.” She ran a hand over the skirt of her dress, admiring it. “I had no idea I could look so nice.”
“And I bet Daniel doesn’t either,” Ma said with a conspiratorial wink. “Now what say we have ourselves a wedding?”
Chapter 15
Ebba couldn’t recall how she got from her room, surrounded by three matrons helping her to prepare for her wedding, to where she was now. She stood next to Daniel’s brother Arlan, one arm wrapped through his, in the middle of an orchard. The preacher from Nowhere stood at the other end, along with Daniel and his twin brothers. The people in attendance had parted to make an aisle as soon as she took Arlan’s arm.
She gulped and tried not to tremble. Or breathe too much.
“All brides are nervous on their weddin’ day,” Arlan said in a low voice. “It shouldn’t bother ya if you are too.”
“It doesn’t … bother me,” she mumbled.
“I wouldn’t hold yer breath too long if I were you. Yer face’ll turn blue.”
She sighed. “I can’t do this.”
“What do ya mean ya can’t?” he said out the corner of his mouth. “Don’t tell me ya changed yer mind?”
Ebba felt his arm tighten around hers, as if he was afraid she might bolt. “No, it’s not that. I want to marry your brother.” Provided he doesn’t have any more secrets he’s hiding from me. “I’m just afraid I’m going to start sneezing.”
“Didn’t Ma fix ya some tea?”
“Yes,” she said, took another short breath and held it. “But I’m worried it’s not going to work.”
He leaned toward her. “If ya don’t start breathin’ proper, yer gonna pass out.”
He had a point. She let her breath out, tried to relax … and an all-too-familiar tickle teased her nose. No …
Suddenly, someone started playing the Wedding March on a fiddle. She glanced around to see who it was. “I didn’t know Mr. Quinn played an instrument.”
“Yer ‘bout to be married and yer wonderin’ who’s playin’?” Arlan said with a smile. “Ya really are nervous. Now hush and let me walk ya down the aisle. I fancy myself a new sister-in-law.”
Ebba took another breath and let him lead her toward her future husband. She looked at Daniel and saw his expression of awe. Ma was right – she was beautiful in Daniel’s eyes.
Beautiful enough to tell the truth to? her mind asked. Shut up, she told it. She smiled at him, and he returned it.
Soon she and Arlan reached the end of the aisle. She stood and faced her future husband. This was it!
Arlan released her and gave her hand to Daniel. The next thing she knew, he had the other one as well, and squeezed them as they gazed at each other. “Well,” he whispered, “ya ready for this?”
Ebba smiled as her misgivings slipped away. He was handsome in his Sunday best, his hair combed, his jaw clean-shaven. He even smelled heavenly – soap and pomade. He must’ve just bathed. He could tell her almost anything now, and she’d accept it.
She smiled and continued to stare at him as the preacher began to speak. For the first time she became utterly lost in Daniel’s gaze. His eyes were locked on hers – steady, determined and seeming to reach into her very soul. She hoped he wasn’t disappointed with what he saw. Heavens, she wasn’t even sure what he’d see if he looked hard enough. She’d been so busy caring for her parents the last few years that maybe she’d lost sight of herself. Would Daniel see that if he kept looking into her eyes?
She tried to see into him, but faltered. What if she saw something she couldn’t live with before she had to recite her vows? The worries came back in force. Would it be better to live in ignorance, or know the horrible truth only when it was too late to turn back? She longed for reassurance that she was doing the right thing, that she could give this man what he needed, that he would not betray her …
“And do you, Daniel Weaver, take this woman to be your lawfully wedded wife, to have and to hold …”
Ebba’s eyes widened as the preacher continued. Good heavens, were they to that part already?
The preacher stopped, and Daniel, his eyes never wavering, smiled at her. “I do.”
Good grief! she thought. He said it! I do!
The preacher turned to look at her, smiled and began to recite the same thing he’d said to Daniel. He’d barely finished when “Oh no!” popped out of her mouth, right before she sneezed. And not just any sneeze …
Daniel flinched and wiped at one eye. “Woo-ee, sweetie! That was a whooper!”
Ebba thought she might die. If only the veil she wore covered her face and not just the back of her head! She sneezed again. “Don’t …” Achoo! “… say things like that!”
“Quick,” Ma cried. “Somebody fetch the kettle!”
Charity dashed into the aisle, lifted her skirts and ran for the house.
“Oh for heaven’s sake,” Nellie Davis said. “What’s all the fuss?”
She soon found out, as Ebba kept on sneezing.
“Why, the poor thing,” said Mr. Davis. “She’s likely to sneeze herself to death if she doesn’t stop.”
“She is not going to sneeze to death, daddy,” Charlotte said. “But the poor girl shouldn’t be outside.”
“Well! I daresay she’s not going to make a very good farmer’s wife, now is she?” Nellie sneered.
“Mother, behave yourself!” Charlotte’s scolded.
Nellie turned to fire back, saw the look of annoyance on her husband’s face and decided to glare at her shoes instead.
Ebba’s fit continued. Someone was suddenly at her side, but her eyes were so watery
she couldn’t tell who it was. A handkerchief was placed in her hand and she took it gratefully and blew her nose. She could hear whispers of sympathy along with a few good-natured chuckles. Thankfully, she couldn’t hear Nellie Davis anymore.
“Are you all right?” a woman asked.
“I will be …” Achoo! “… in a moment ….” Achoo! “… I hope.”
“Is there anything I can do to help?”
“There’s …” Achoo! “… nothing I’m afraid.”
“Charity’s gone to fetch you a cup of tea,” Ma said.
Ebba wiped her eyes, glad they were just as affected as her nose was. It would be harder for everyone to tell that she was crying. “I’m so sorry. I’ve ruined everything.”
“We’re still gettin’ married, sweetie,” Daniel said. “All ya have to say is ‘I do’.”
“If she can with all that blowing,” Nellie added. Beside her, her husband rumbled in warning.
Ebba tried not to glare at Nellie. Her tone was full of accusation, and for the life of her she could not figure out why the woman would say such things.
“She ain’t got no disease, does she?” someone asked from the crowd.
There were sudden murmurs from the men. “Maybe Daniel oughtn’t marry her,” said another.
“What kind of fool talk is that?” Benjamin said and stepped forward as if ready to fight. “My brother’s gettin’ married today, and no amount of sneezin’s gonna stop it!”
“He’s right,” Daniel agreed. “Go ahead – blow your nose, sweetie, then say ‘I do’.”
Ebba gawked at him, looked at the handkerchief, blew her nose, then – “Achoo!”
“My my,” Nellie said. “Now that went well, didn’t it?”
“Nellie, keep out of this!” Leona huffed.
Ebba heard Nellie laugh. It was enough to send her over the edge. She blew her nose again, squared her shoulders, looked the preacher in the eye and managed to yell “I do!” before sneezing again.
Daniel didn’t care. He pulled her into his arms and held her tight. “Quick, preacher! Tell me to kiss her!”