by Indiana Wake
She searched the crowd for anyone who seemed to be searching for her. Seeing no one there, she went over to a bench and sat down. People greeted one another and all of them seemed so happy. Gina looked out at the smiling faces and her mind wandered off to a time when she had been one of those smiling faces. Her husband had made her smile and laugh and she had felt she was the luckiest woman alive to have him all to herself. Now, she was alone, miserable, in a distant town and about to meet her betrothed for the first time.
She sat musing and wallowing in her dark thoughts when someone laid a hand on her shoulder. Startled, she jumped up and turned around. A brooding man stood in front of her. He had thick eyebrows that almost joined in the middle. He was broad and tall with a serious face. Mousy black hair laid matte on his head. He raised one of his eyebrows, and said, “Are you Miss Gina McMaken?”
Gina nodded her head silently, too stunned to speak. The man nodded his head absently as if nodding to himself. “I am Mr. Bill Epperson. I have come to take you to my home.” And with that he turned toward a buckboard that stood behind them. Gina looked after him a moment before grabbing her luggage and following him with it. Mr. Epperson climbed on board without another word and Gina had to put away her bags by herself.
Gina stood for a moment. Was this the kind of man she was to marry? What kind of man would let a pregnant woman carry her own bags and haul them onto the wagon? Certainly not a gentleman, she thought. Trying to stay positive, she tried cheering herself up by thinking that maybe he was just nervous and that he wasn’t really all that bad. But there was something that had to be said. “Mr. Epperson where am I to stay until the wedding?”
He turned to look at her as if she were being impudent. “At my house of course.”
“I’m not sure that I am happy with that arrangement. When will the wedding be?”
“The pastor is on his round, it will be a few months before he gets back here. You can stay at the hotel if you wish.”
“That might be better,” Gina said. “That way we could get to know each other a little better.”
“Fine if you have the money to waste on that then I will drop you off there right now, but it leaves me a little stuck.”
Money!
“Stuck how?” she asked
“My cook left just before I put that advert in the paper. I was hoping you could at least make me a nice meal every now and then.” He offered her a smile which transformed his face. It softened his features and made him much more appealing.
“Do you have separate rooms?” Gina asked wondering what she would do if he said no. Money was the reason she was here. If she had it, she could have paid off the debts and stayed on her farm.
“No need to worry little Miss. You can sleep in the spare room until we is legally wed.” He patted the seat next to him.
With a sinking feeling in her stomach, Gina pulled herself onto the buckboard and gave him a slight smile.
“You’re quite a big girl,” Bill said. “Does that mean you’re a good cook?”
“I like to bake and cook, my husband certainly appreciated my food.”
“That’s what I like to hear, but I won’t have you mention your husband again. If we are to be wed, then you must be thinking about me in the future.”
Gina turned her eyes to the snow-capped mountains and wondered how big a mistake she had made.
He did not say a word for the rest of the journey. Gina was too nervous to say anything herself and so they rode in silence. Gina had a sinking feeling in her stomach the more time she spent in this man’s presence. She just knew that things weren’t going to work out the way she had hoped.
After a long, unpleasant silence, they finally reached his home. The one that she would now be sharing with this man. It was a small, two-story house and it looked a little run down. There were horses in a corral and a ramshackle barn. Mr. Epperson jumped down from the buckboard and picked up her luggage and began walking towards the house. He never looked back, never offered to help her down and was disappearing into the door. Gina felt tears prickling at the back of her eyes. What was she to do? If she stayed here with this man then she accepted she would marry, but what life would it be? Maybe it was too early to tell. So Gina stepped down, once again without any assistance, and followed him.
Inside the house looked dirty and unkempt. The floors were bare and covered in dust. Cobwebs hung everywhere and there were unwashed pots all over the kitchen. Mr. Epperson was stood half-way up the stairs looking down at her.
As she started to follow him, she thought that the house could be made warm and welcoming, unlike the man who walked in front of her.
As these thoughts were going through her mind, Mr. Epperson turned around and looked at her. Feeling flustered, she looked at the ground wondering if she had said that out loud.
After a slight pause, he began speaking, “Come, I’ll show to your room.” With that, he carried on climbing up the stairs.
Gina picked up her skirts and followed, but she was tired from the journey and weak with grief. As she topped the stairs, she stopped for a breather. Just a few more steps and you can rest, she told herself. She leaned on the wall as she reached the top, looking at Mr. Epperson, who stood in front of a room.
“Hurry up please,” he said sounding like he was slightly frustrated at the time she was taking.
She was ushered into the room and she looked around as Mr. Epperson began speaking “This is now going to be your room and you may do with it as you please.” After a slight pause, he continued again, “For the rest of the house there are a few rules. Keep quiet when I am working. Have my meals ready when I need them and make sure the house is clean, for right now, that’s all.” With that, he abruptly left, leaving her alone in her new quarters.
Gina felt her knees go weak and she felt unable to move. She just stood there a moment, staring at the spot Mr. Epperson had just been standing in. It was as if her energy left her at that moment. The grief, the long journey, the worry and the pregnancy all caught up with her and she slumped down onto the bed. What an odd man she thought as she lay on the comforter. Was this to be her life? Stuck in a dirty home with a difficult man. Sending a silent prayer to the Lord, she felt herself drifting off to sleep. Things would get better. A house could be cleaned and their relationship could be worked on, with the Lord at her side she would prevail.
Chapter 3
The next morning, Mr. Epperson stood outside the door as sunlight poured through the window and shone down on Gina. He was frustrated that she was still in bed rather than preparing his breakfast and had come to tell her what was expected of her in his house. He knocked on the door once again, ready to walk into the room and wake her up if she didn’t answer him. She turned in bed and was now facing him. He could see her calm face as she slept, not knowing that he had been standing by the door watching her. It irritated him that she was peacefully sleeping while he stood there waiting for breakfast to be served. He knocked loudly this time and called out her name to which she jumped up in bed and sat straight up holding the covers around her.
Gina held the bed sheet to her chin only to realize that she was fully dressed. It all flooded back to her… the long journey, coming to this room and being too exhausted to change out of her gown the night before. Apparently, she had forgotten to close her door as well it seemed. Embarrassed and blushing from head to toe, she slowly stood up wondering how long he had been stood there. She looked towards the window. From the angle of the sun, it wasn’t that late.
Mr. Epperson was tapping his foot on the floor. “Well? Are you going to prepare my breakfast or are you expecting me to do it for you?” he asked in an agitated tone. “I did ask for a hard working woman.”
The words hit Gina like a strong northwesterly and she felt herself pushed back. What was wrong with this man? Her first impulse was to get up and walk out, but where would she go? A widow, who was not only pregnant but had spent the night in another man’s house without a chaperone, did no
t have too many options. It seemed like her fate had been sealed and she would have to make the best of it. “Of course Mr. Epperson,” she said. “I’ll just change and be down in a minute.” She turned away from him expecting to hear the sound of the door closing so that she could attend to her toilette.
“I don’t have time for you to groom yourself. Do you think this place runs itself? I have been waiting for you while the daylight burns. You may see to yourself later, for now come and prepare me my breakfast.” And without another word, he turned and left.
Gina felt her knees buckle and she was sat back on the bed. The bed that she now realized smelled of mildew and would need changing before tonight. “Oh Lambert,” she whispered. “If only you were still here my love.” Quickly she knelt down to say a quick prayer and as she did she felt the baby kick. She would get through this; she had to for the sake of her child. Maybe if she worked on him, Mr. Epperson would change his ways. Maybe?
For now she had breakfast to cook and she made her way to the kitchen. The sun was still low on the horizon, it still seemed early in the morning but, maybe there were things she didn’t know and so she resolved to give her intended a bit more time.
The kitchen was a mess of unwashed dishes, but she found some eggs and salted pork and cooked breakfast. It looked like the house had no pumped water so she would have to ask where the well was and also the supplies were running low. As she handed over the breakfast, she sat down at the table.
“Can you tell me where the well is?”
“Outside,” he said through a mouth full of eggs. “You can feed the hens, the foods in the barn. Milk the cow and clean the house before I get back.”
Gina felt herself bristle, but she would accept this for now. “We could do with some supplies for the kitchen. Should I give you a list and you can pick them up sometime?”
“It’s half a mile walk to the south to town. I have an account at the Mercantile there. Go get what you need, but don’t be extravagant. There is no money for ribbons or clothes just get food for me and nothing fancy.” With that he pushed away his plate, belched and walked out.
Gina watched him go with a sinking feeling in the pit of her stomach. How could things get so bad? Then she remembered Lilly had given her a small sum of money. She had sewn it into one of her petticoats and told her it was for an emergency. “If you need to come home it will be there,” she had said. The gesture had brought fresh tears from Gina, but right now she felt as if she could not cry. It was as if she were dried up and empty. But this would not do. She reached for the cross at her throat and it gave her strength.
Soon she had changed into something more suitable for cleaning the house. She found wood outside and built a fire. Put a pot on to boil some water. Then she fed the chickens, collected the eggs and milked the cow. Everything seemed in a disordered fashion and took her longer than was necessary. She found the cold room, beneath the kitchen it would keep the milk fresh for a short time and there was salted meat hung up and a few staples. Her eyes lit up with pleasure as she saw a half used bar of lye soap. Would she be able to buy soap or would he expect her to make it?
While she worked, she felt a little better. Maybe Mr. Epperson would mellow as they got to know each other. Maybe this was just because he was unsure how to act?
Biting down the worry she baked some biscuits and washed the pots. By now her back was aching and she was so tired but she still needed to wash the bedding. Carrying the water from the fire, she found an old wash tub. Soon it was cleaned and she put her bedding in. There was no plunger or washboard so she had to lean over the barrel and scrub the sheets by hand. Soon the bedding was washed. Gina stood for a moment to ease the ache in her back. There was no mangle; the washing had to be wrung out by hand. Bit by bit she did just that until the sheets were as dry as she could make them. A smile came on her face. This was hard work, but it felt good to be busy and productive again.
Was there a washing line? Gina walked around the property feeling more and more miserable until she spotted a tatter of line attached to a tree. After some time and finding more twine she fixed up a line and hung her bedding over it. The sun was shining and there was a good breeze, it would soon be dry.
It was at that point that she realized she hadn’t eaten. Her stomach was rumbling. Going back to the kitchen she buttered a fresh biscuit and started some stew for the evening meal. Sitting down to eat she rubbed her belly. “You must be hungry,” she whispered to the baby.
After her food, all she wanted to do was sit down and sleep, but she decided to take a walk to town. There were a few things that she needed if she were to cook good meals. Maybe that would be the way to his heart. She decided there and then to bake a cake.
Chapter 4
The walk to town gave her time to think. Should she go back for the money sewn into her petticoat and take a train home? No, she would give this a few more weeks, see if she could make something of it. But she must make up her mind before the preacher returned.
The Mercantile was ahead, outside were washtubs and washboards, brooms, and various other items that would make her life easier. With a wistful look, she went inside. A dusty cowboy walked up to the counter and tipped his hat as he saw her. Gina stood behind him.
The man turned. “Good day Miss,” he said and took off his hat. Sky blue eyes smiled down at Gina and hair kissed blond by the sun grew down to his collar.
Gina bowed her head and walked past with her basket and started to load up her items. There was a bag of flour, a little coffee, cornflower and other staples that she would be able to carry. Soon she was back at the counter. The cowboy was buying some jerky and he stood aside.
“After you Miss,” he said.
Gina felt a smile come on her face and heat hit her cheeks. This man was both attractive and courteous, why couldn’t Mr. Epperson be like that.
“Howdy Ma’am,” The mercantile owner said as he took her things. “That’ll be three dollars and seven cents.”
“I believe my betrothed has an account with you,” Gina said managing to force the words from her throat. “Mr. Epperson.”
The cowboy behind her let out a whistle of air. “I heard ole Bill had gone and got himself a mail order bride, would that be you Miss?”
Gina turned and felt appraised by those big blue eyes. She blushed wondering if he would think her fat. Some men did, and today she was disheveled and a little dirty. Her eyes wore heavy bags from the journey and she knew her cheeks were sallow. Why was she worrying about this, it was her betrothed she should worry about? Under his gaze, she straightened her shoulders and felt good as an appreciative smile crossed his face. “Yes it would,” she managed.
“Well, Ma’am it makes a man wonder why a beautiful woman like you would end up with Bill Epperson.”
“I really believe that is none of your business,” Gina said.
“I apologize for any offense,” the cowboy said. “My name’s Chaney, Chaney Stokes.” He held out his hand.
Gina took the hand feeling a little surreal. His grip was firm but not crushing and something about it gave her hope.
“If you ever need me you can get a message to me from Jed here,” Chaney said pointing to the merchant. “Maybe I can give you a lift home?”
Gina almost sobbed, she was so tired and the thought of the walk home was too much to bear. But she did not know this man and what would people think of her. Living with one man and taking lifts from another? Her reputation was already in tatters because of her living arrangements. It would not be a good idea to make things worse. “Why, thank you Mr. Stokes, but it is such a pleasant day and I prefer to walk.”
“Well these are ready for you Miss,” Jed said.
Gina pulled her eyes from the blue diamond’s of the chivalrous cowboy and picked up her shopping. Without looking back, she walked out of the shop and began the walk back to the house.
Arriving back at the house, she put away the shopping, added a touch of flour to thicken the stew, and
then began the mammoth task of cleaning.
Every nook and cranny were both dirty and messy. It appeared that Mr. Epperson did not think much of housework, but she would soon have the place more the way she liked it.
She decided that today she would start on the kitchen, living room, and her bedroom. In the time she had and with her lack of energy they would not be pristine, but they would be livable. For a moment, Gina was swamped with depression. Had she come all this way to simply be a housekeeper? Shaking away the thought she got started, after all it was now her home too, so she may as well improve on it.
She tried thinking positive while completing her chores. After a few hours of sweeping, cleaning, and dusting she made her bed and stopped. The baby was restless and her back ached. Taking a breather, she rubbed her belly. “I think you need a rest and a drink,” she whispered to her baby while her hands made gentle circular movements over her bump. Remembering some apples in the back of the pantry she went down the steps to retrieve it and decided to sit down with a glass of water.
This break seemed to revive her, she felt fresh and her lost energy was renewed. So she went back to her cleaning, hoping that the improvement in the house would put a smile on the face of Mr. Epperson when he came home.
All of a sudden Gina felt exhausted. Quickly she got to the sofa and sank down into its deep cushions. Taking deep breaths, she decided she would just have a minute. But her eyes closed and before she knew it she was fast asleep,
The bang of the front door closing jolted her awake. She sat up straight, looked towards the clock on the wall and saw that it was half-past six. Before she could get up to go and greet him, she heard him calling out to her. Quickly going to him, she said, “Good evening Mr. Epperson. It is nice to have you home.” Gina watched as his eyes drifted around the room and she held her breath. It was wrong to expect praise, but she was sure that her hard work would have pleased him.