by Annie Boone
“Well, that’s the thing, Miss Eva,” William said uncomfortably, “this is really Luke's problem. He used to court Miss Janine, so he’s partially to blame for it.”
Eva was shocked, she had never seriously considered the possibility that Luke was familiar with the woman. Janine Morrel was at least ten years older than him. Just then the big front door opened and Luke filled it with a big smile on his face.
“I thought I heard your voice,” he said to Eva, in seemingly good humor. “I've got fresh coffee and some pastries Kate just baked. Those fruit filled packets are hot and delicious this morning!”
Eva groaned, “Between all the good food and the sweets, Kate is going to make me as round as a wagon wheel.”
William chuckled, as he went to the kitchen to see his wife, “Beware, Miss Eva, that's what happened to me.”
Luke waved his hand at the sweet old man. “Don't listen to him, he eats seconds on everything. That's why he is so stocky. But you,” he added, raising his brows up high over those lake green eyes, “should eat as many sweets as you want,” referring to her slight frame.
As Eva bantered with Luke, she tried not to worry about Janine Morrel. She was wrestling with her options for dealing with the woman finally resolving to hold her tongue until Janine forced her hand. This made her nervous, but she decided it was the best approach to keep from looking like an instigator herself.
Chapter Eight
Her first Sunday in Evergreen was quite an experience. Meeting the McCrory sisters for the first time was quite a treat; they were delightful. She could see that they would be the source of information about everything local that they were willing to expound on anything that caught their interest. All it took to start the process was a question, or in some cases a simple raised eyebrow would start the conversation.
Along with them came their husbands, who were brothers, and numerous children between them. Eva had counted six so far but wasn't sure which child belonged to which sister. The sisters looked similar and so did the brothers making their children all look similar, too. She was sure she’d learn them eventually, but for now she was confused.
“What about the Spencer family, Luke? Are they part of the church congregation?” Eva asked.
“Well, they have a farm that’s a bit of a distance out of town. It’s difficult for them to make it in to town every week. They come to town only when they need to, really,” Luke responded.
“Oh.” Eva’s disappointment was visible.
“I know that you became fast friends with Miriam. We will go visit them after we are wed. It will be a journey that will take us away for several days but we can manage to do that, so please don’t fret.” Luke took her hand and walked with her to their seat.
Eva smiled and squeezed his hand gently. “Thank you,” she whispered in his ear.
With all the McCrory clan, plus the Wilmots, and of course, Luke, Eva felt like part of a family. She enjoyed the feeling, as it had been so long since she felt the sense of belonging. Pastor Collins began the Sunday sermon and they all settled in to listen.
The church was built of wood and very plain except for the four stained-glass windows spaced around the sanctuary. When Eva remarked on the two to her left, that depicted the baptism of Jesus, and the miracle of the loaves and fishes, Grace whispered that Luke's parents had purchased them for the little church.
As Eva pondered the abundance of amenities at the Evergreen Lodge and the comfortable furnishings of Luke's home, it occurred to her for the first time that his family was very wealthy. Of course, she knew his parents were in California, overseeing the construction of a new hotel but to think they could afford such an extravagance as these windows made her feel odd. An uneasy feeling of inferiority washed over her. The pastor caught her eye, almost as though reading her thoughts. Trying to focus on his message, she made an effort to listen.
“So I tell you, brothers and sisters, we are all equal in our loving Father's eyes. The Holy Bible teaches us to love our neighbors as we love ourselves; for who would deny themselves food, or friendship, or a place to lay their own head. Let us think about these things when we are conversing with our neighbors, as we go about our days in this community,” said the short preacher, who had an unexpectedly booming voice.
Eva heard it especially well, even though her large group sat on pews in the back. She felt as if Pastor Collins was speaking directly to her. It seemed as if God spoke to her directly today through this sermon. I will heed your message Lord, she prayed silently. Help me deal with these feelings of worthlessness. I know they do not come from you.
As the worshipers filed out of the church, Pastor Collins stood at the door with his wife. Mrs. Collins was a very petite woman and she hugged every woman that walked past her out the door. “Oh my, look at you,” Lillian Collins declared, “you're cuter than a spot on a ladybug.”
Eva smiled and demurely responded, “Well, thank you, Mrs. Collins. I feel very tall standing next to you!” Eva laughed politely with her arm around the older woman.
“I may be small, Miss Rutledge, but my faith is large and that is all that matters. Well that and that we are well suited for the spouse that Almighty God leads us to,” she stated as she glanced at Luke.
“Yes, you are right,” Eva agreed, wondering if Mrs. Collins had some knowledge that she wasn’t yet aware of hidden in her statement.
Pushing that thought away, Eva walked with Luke to the carriage to take them back to the lodge for a Sunday lunch that promised to be delicious and filling.
After lunch, Eva was delighted that Kate agreed to handle the duties at the hotel lobby desk in case any travelers arrived or any current guests needed assistance. That gave her and Luke the afternoon to take one of the row boats out on the shimmering water. The sun was shining brightly and it was warm enough to enjoy the beauty of the view and the rocking of the boat on the water.
“I will never tire of this luxury,” said Eva and she relaxed in the row boat reveling in her surroundings.
Luke smiled and responded, “I know what you mean. I grew up here and still I’m drawn to this lake and its beauty. It truly is a luxury.”
“God is good to give us this grandeur. I’m thankful that he has led me to this place. And to you,” Eva said reverently.
Luke grinned in mischief. Eva looked at him oddly since she had said something she felt was at least a little spiritual and profound. Then he hit the boat paddle on the water and showered her with lake water.
She squealed with surprise and delight. The serious moment was replaced with the bond building one of two people lost in the child-like activity of dousing each other with water until they were both soaking wet.
When they were as wet as they could be without actually getting into the lake, they decided they should go to the lodge to dry off. When they walked into the lobby, Kate and William were sitting on the comfortable sofa in the receiving area.
“What have we here?” asked Kate as she cocked her eyebrow and nodded toward the young couple.
“Looks like a pair of drowned rats to me,” replied William.
Eva and Luke burst into laughter as they started talking at the same time to tell the Wilmots about the water battle in the boat.
“I’m surprised he didn’t turn us both out of that boat in the middle of the lake!” exclaimed Eva.
“Next time you’d better be on your best behavior if you want to avoid getting dunked!” replied Luke.
Kate and William exchanged looks and smiles as they were hopeful that this might be the perfect match for their beloved Luke.
Chapter Nine
The following weeks passed quickly and Eva and Luke grew closer. They were learning important information about each other that would help them succeed or fail as a married couple. Eva was learning that Luke needed time to himself at times and he was learning that she was strong and opinionated about certain subjects.
The wedding was not to take place
until Luke's parents returned from California. Eva was grateful she had this time to know Luke better. Most mail order brides were not afforded such a luxury. They were obliged to marry an almost perfect stranger.
Her only real concern during this time was Luke's continuing absence from church. After Eva’s first Sunday in Evergreen, Luke had not attended church with her. Although he assured her every week he would be picking her up in the carriage to go with her, something had come up at the last minute every Sunday since.
Work was his typical excuse when Sunday arrived. The first time she questioned him about obligations that were interfering with his church attendance, he had responded with a Bible verse. “Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart” he had quoted from the book of Colossians. She had smiled and nodded letting it go that he was using the Bible to get out of going to church. This was an argument she hadn’t felt ready to have at that point.
She didn't feel comfortable asking him to hire someone else to see after the hotel during church hours. He already employed Charles Fremont, the driver who had picked her up in Denver, and he also had a fellow named Carter Bishop to work the night hours. She wasn't yet privy to Luke's budget for the hotel, although she knew from doing sums that a tidy profit was being made.
“If he doesn’t join me at church this Sunday I will recommend hiring another set of hands to help out around here,” she muttered as she walked up the stairs to the private rooms. Business had been brisk the past few weeks with the saw mills keeping them filled with business men from Denver in town to negotiate pricing and supply. Eva had also needed to help clean rooms since Essie's daughter, Mary Ann, had fallen sick. She didn't mind the work, staying busy was something she enjoyed.
As she cleaned the rooms, she was alone with her thoughts. This was a perfect time to think about her situation with Luke and what might be going on there. She felt close to him, but there was still a level of formality that hadn’t yet been broken through. His avoidance of church was a barrier for her and she must decide how she was going to deal with it.
During a lull in the action at the lodge, Eva walked to the general store. She wanted to purchase some oranges and peppermints for Mary Ann, and her siblings. Fresh fruit had always been welcome at the orphanage and Eva had noted the reviving properties of oranges in some of the sickliest of children.
Eva felt it was important to be a help and comfort to anyone who needed it. She remembered one of the things she had overheard Josephine say to Miriam and Robert Spencer when they came to meet her at the Home in Independence. “One of the many reasons I love Eva is her generosity. The man she is going to marry sent her a gift of expensive candies. Instead of keeping them for herself, she shared them with all the girls.”
That sentiment from her friend had touched her heart. She was striving to continue being caring and generous, not because of what people would think of her but to make sure that she did her part to make people she met feel special and loved.
Crossing the wide avenue in order to avoid walking past The Tin Cup, she felt a bit sheepish. After all, she was bound to see Janine Morrel sooner rather than later. Just not today, she hoped. She didn’t want to be a coward, but she didn’t want to invite unnecessary trouble, either.
After paying for her purchases out of the money she had brought with her, she began the short walk back to the hotel. She strolled back leisurely greeting the increasingly familiar faces she saw on her way.
Bear Mountain to the east provided a beautiful backdrop to the little city. The air was pure, and the flowers were blooming. Stopping on the side of the road she picked a hardy yellow black-eyed Susan. “Look what I found,” she called out, as she entered the hotel, still gazing at her find as she closed the door behind her.
“Well, well, well,” came a familiar voice she would've been happy to never hear again. “The orphan found a flower as scraggly as herself.”
Janine Morrel stood in front of the long pine counter, wearing a beautiful crimson dress pinned up on the sides, showcasing the silver petticoats dripping with flounces. A stylish hat with a small black net veil was perched far back over her black ringlets. Eva was immediately aware of her own patched brown working dress, and the untidy bun under the plain bonnet she took off.
“As always, such a pleasure to see you, Miss Morrel,” Eva remarked drily. She walked behind the counter to put herself in as much of a power position as possible against this bully. “To what do we,” she said, emphasizing the 'we,' “owe this honor.”
“Just being a good neighbor,” Janine replied, staring at Luke's stricken face. “I'm headed off to Pueblo to buy a new piano. Rodney Johnson busted my old one up in a brawl last week. Jedd has been moping around ever since. Thought I'd stop by and see if there was anything you needed.”
“Thank you for the consideration,” Luke began, “but as I already told you the hotel has everything it needs.” Mopping his face with a handkerchief he pulled from his pocket, he strode over to the front door. Holding it open for Miss Morrel, he called after her, “Have a safe trip.” As she walked by him, she gave him a bemused look.
“I will be gone for seven days, do keep an eye my place, Mr. Stevenson” she purred, as she walked to the buggy where Jedd waited for her.
“So,” Luke said brightly, “is it lunchtime, yet? I think I'm about starved.” Walking back behind the counter he wouldn't meet Eva's gaze. “Why don't you go ask Kate what she's cooking, I'll watch the front.”
Eva knew the time had come for answers and she was going to settle for nothing less than the whole story and the truth. She was past ready to get this sorted out and she knew that the two of them were about to become mighty uncomfortable. “Please tell me the truth,” she said softly, waiting for Luke to look at her.
Finally he caught her eye, “There is nothing to tell. Miss Morrel was here out of neighborly concern.”
“That is not much of an explanation for why she acts the way she does about you,” Eva practically whispered. Luke felt horrible, but he did not intend to tell her the real reason Janine Morrel came by.
Suddenly he felt angry about the whole situation. “Like I said before,” he bit out, “it is no concern of yours. If you are to be my wife, I suggest you listen to me. The Bible says that the man is the head of the household and I do intend to fill that role. And also it’s best if you don’t dream up drama that isn’t there.” He stiffly turned and walked upstairs.
Eva felt the tears sliding down her face, unable to stop them. She was thankful she was now alone in the lobby so that nobody could see her cry. She had truly thought she and Luke were growing closer. They had exchanged childhood tales and shared a similar sense of humor. The day on the lake with the water fight had become one of her fondest memories.
And further, the prickly side of his nature had barely been evident these past weeks. For him to speak so harshly was cause for concern. Her heart was becoming attached to Luke Stevenson. She only hoped for the strength to leave, if that was asked of her.
For the rest of the week Eva barely saw Luke and when she did see him he was aloof and withdrawn. He had many reasons for his absences. William was relaying the latest one that he didn’t even bother to tell her about himself.
This time, Luke was called out to the Spencer farm and he would be back tomorrow. Eva felt a fresh stab of pain in her chest. He knew she dearly missed the Spencers. For him to visit without her seemed to show he didn't care about her feelings at all. He hadn’t even let her know that they had made it safely to Colorado in the wagon train.
The hated tears scalded her face as she tried to blot them off inconspicuously. By that time, William already knew her well enough to know that she would be upset.
“Don't cry, dearest Eva.” William exclaimed, “the young master is going through some problems, but I will put your mind at rest, you are not one of them.” William wrapped his large arms around Eva and continued to soothe her. “Go ahead, cry if it helps. Papa William has you
and everything will be alright, I promise.”
Eva sobbed as her heart broke, wanting to believe William but coming to believe that her dream was over.
Chapter Ten
That Sunday at church, Eva sat in a protective knot of people. Kate and the McCrory sisters fussed over her constantly. She was aware of their concern for her, and she felt buoyed up by it even if their attention didn’t take away her current heartache.
Eva took Grace’s baby daughter Annie in her arms and enjoyed the feel of the child, breathing in her fresh scent. One day I will have my own children, she thought. And I will also have a husband who loves me.