The Convenient Mail Order Bride

by Ruth Ann Nordin

  Phoebe shifted on the chair and glanced at her mother, who looked as if she was ready to doze off. Phoebe couldn’t blame her. They’d been waiting for almost an hour, and Abe was still gone.

  “I don’t want to hurt her,” Enoch protested. “I want to apologize.”

  “You scared her,” Eric replied. “You can’t expect her to see you.”

  “Well, can’t you ask?”

  “No. In the future, just make sure you don’t do something like that again.” Then, after a moment, Eric added, “To any woman. I don’t care who she is. Women deserve to be treated with respect.”

  “I know, and I’ll do that from now on. I promise.”

  Phoebe couldn’t be sure, but she thought she heard Enoch’s voice waver, as if he was trying not to cry. Maybe it was a foolish action on her part, but she rose to her feet and left the security of the small room.

  She saw Eric sitting at his desk, flipping through some papers. Not far from her were three cells, two of which were occupied. One was occupied by Benny, of course, who was lying down on his cot with his eyes closed. In the other was Enoch, who was sitting on the cot with his face in his hands.

  Eric glanced up at her. “Do you need something?”

  Enoch looked up, and her gaze met his. He looked as if he was truly sorry for what he’d done. She had no proof of it, of course, but she figured she’d give him the opportunity to tell her what was on his mind.

  Gathering her courage, she turned her attention back to Eric and said in a low voice, “I’ll talk to Enoch.”

  Eric’s eyebrows furrowed as he set the papers down. “Are you sure you want to do that?” he asked. “You don’t owe it to him.”

  “I know I don’t,” she replied. She couldn’t fully explain why she felt compelled to do it, except she sensed this might be a turning point for Enoch, that somehow, he’d be better for it. “I want to,” she finally added.

  “Alright,” Eric consented. “But if he gives you any grief, let me know and I’ll deal with him.”

  She nodded then went over to Enoch, her steps slow. It was hard not to remember the smell of alcohol on his breath and the way he’d cornered her in the store, but she pushed through the memories and stopped in front of him.

  He didn’t look so scary now. In fact, he seemed more like a lost boy. The alcohol had long since left his system, and though he hadn’t bathed in who knew how long, he made an attempt to smooth his hair before he got on his knees in front of her.

  “Miss Durbin,” he said, looking up at her, “I’m sorry. Really, I am. I wish I could take back what I did. I’m not asking for your forgiveness. I just want you to know I’m going to give up drinking and live better.”

  She debated how to respond for several moments then decided on, “If you are truly sorry, then the best way to show me that is to do as you said. Clean up your life. Stop drinking alcohol. Be a good husband to your wife. Don’t take another step back into the saloon.”

  “I won’t. I promise. I learned the error of my ways, Miss Durbin.”

  Only time would tell if he meant it, but for the time being, she decided she’d give him the benefit of the doubt. “Thank you. I forgive you, Enoch.”

  The relief on his face touched her. Maybe being in jail had its desired effect on him. She certainly hoped so.

  From the other cell, Benny snorted, but he kept his eyes closed.

  Deciding to ignore Benny, she offered Enoch a smile then headed back to the small room. Her steps slowed as she passed Eric. She hesitated to ask him what was on her mind. Abe seemed to know him better than anyone else.

  He glanced up from his papers. “Is there something you wish to discuss?”

  Making sure her mother was still nodding off to sleep, she said, “Yes, there is. Can we do it outside where no one can hear us?”

  He indicated that would be fine and followed her out of the building. “What’s on your mind?”

  She wasn’t sure how to ask her question. Maybe it was best to just blurt it out. She took a deep then proceeded with, “Is it a mistake for me to marry Abe?” There. She said it. She exhaled and waited for him to respond.

  “Do you want to marry him?”

  “Yes. He’s funny and nice. He’s been taking good care of me and my mother. I don’t see how any other man would be any better.”

  “If that’s the case, then why are you asking me if you should marry him?”

  “Given what’s happened to me with Enoch and Benny, he thinks it’s in my best interest to take my mother and leave.”

  Eric placed his hands on his hips as he considered Abe’s argument. “I’ll tell you my opinion, and you can do what you will. Yes, there are bad people here. Abe’s had a hard life, and a lot of people will never accept him. Not only is he half-Indian, but his mother was his father’s mistress. Those are two strikes against him, and he has no control over them. The very fact that you’re associated with him is going to make things difficult for you, at least for the time being.”

  “But…?” Phoebe prompted, sensing there was more he wanted to say.

  “But not everyone in town is bad. There are a few good people here. And the way I see it, the more good people we have here, the better our chances are of this town being a place a person can be proud to live in. Progress takes time. It’s not going to happen overnight. But what if there were more people like you and your mother here? If someone bolts as soon as things get tough, they’ll lose any influence they can have.” He paused then nodded toward the jail. “If Enoch does as he promised you, if he cleans up his act and gets right with his wife, that will be one more person in this town who’s made a change for the better. Maybe I’m too optimistic for my own good, but I like to believe things don’t always have to be the way they currently are.”

  “I hadn’t thought of it that way,” Phoebe replied.

  “But you shouldn’t stay here just because I can see how you’d make this town a better place. You have a right to think of what’s best for you and your mother. Abe has a valid concern. Life would be easier for you if you were in a more civilized place.”

  She thanked him and watched as he headed back into the jailhouse. He’d given her a lot to think about. She should make this decision with her head. It’d be the most sensible thing to do. But her heart unwittingly thought back to what Abe had told her earlier that morning.

  It’s about Carl getting his hands on gold that might or might not be in the stream. People die for gold, Phoebe. I had aunts, an uncle, and grandparents I never knew because of it. Do you honestly think I want to lose you over it, too?

  He wouldn’t have said that last part if he didn’t care about her. People only worried about losing things they wanted to keep. Abe was willing to let her go because he believed it was in her best interest. She, however, wasn’t so inclined to agree with him. Abe was a good man who’d seen more than his share of grief in life. While she couldn’t begin to fully understand the pain he’d been through, she felt they belonged together.

  Do you honestly think I want to lose you over it, too?

  Her heart warmed as she recalled the words he’d spoken in haste. He probably wasn’t aware he’d revealed his feelings for her, but she was and it stirred up emotions deep within her she’d never experienced before. Was this what love was like? She’d never been in love back in Ohio, so she had nothing to compare this feeling to. All she knew was that it was wonderful, and she didn’t think she could ever feel it for anyone else.

  Her mother called out her name, and Phoebe turned her attention to the entrance of the jailhouse. “What are you doing out here by yourself?” her mother asked, coming over to her.

  “Oh, I wanted to talk to Eric without Enoch or Benny listening,” she replied. “Ma, do you like it here?”

  “You know I do.”

  “Even with things the way they are? With us being unable to be in town alone?”

  “There are sacrifices we’d have to make wherever we go,” her mother said. “No place
is going to be perfect. You just need to learn to be content with wherever you are.”

  “And you’re content here?”

  “Yes, I am. I miss your brother and his family. I think of them every day. But I have you, and I’ve grown fond of Abe. He’s a good man. I can tell he wants to marry you. He’s just letting fear of being vulnerable getting in the way.”

  Her ears perking up, Phoebe pressed, “How can you tell he wants to marry me?”

  Her mother chuckled. “A mother knows when a man takes an interest in her daughter. His gaze lingers on you longer than it should, and he’s made it a point to wash up every day. He wasn’t quite so tidy when we first arrived.”

  Do you honestly think I want to lose you over it, too? Phoebe, once again, recalled him asking earlier that day. Looking at her mother, she asked, “Is it wise to stay in a place where your safety isn’t guaranteed even if you love someone?”

  Her mother offered her an understanding smile and rubbed her back the way she’d often done when Phoebe was a little girl. “That’s a decision only you can make.” When Phoebe frowned in disappointment, her mother added, “Perhaps the better question is, is it worth it to stay in a place where you are safe if you don’t love the person you’re with. I’ll go wherever you want, and I’ll stay wherever you want. You needn’t worry about me. I can be happy no matter where we are. I just want to make sure you are, too.”

  “I was hoping I’d get a chance to see you again!” someone called out.

  Surprised, Phoebe turned in time to see an old woman hurrying over to them, a container in her arms. It was the same woman who’d waved to them on their way to see Travis last week.

  The woman stopped in front of them and grinned. “I can’t run as fast I used to.”

  “You seemed pretty fast to me,” Phoebe’s mother said. “I’m sure I saw you kicking up some dirt on the way here.”

  The woman laughed. “I like your sense of humor.”

  “Well, I won’t stop having one until I’m in the grave,” her mother replied.

  “Me neither. And I’m in no hurry to go there. I got my best days ahead of me.”

  “I do, too. This is my daughter, Phoebe, and I’m Vivian. You can call me Viv.”

  “I’m Lois.”

  “Nice to meet you, Lois.”

  Phoebe followed the sentiment with a greeting of her own just as Eric came back out of the jailhouse.

  “Good to see you, Lois,” Eric said. “I was going to suggest Abe take these two ladies to meet you when he came back, but I see you beat me to it.”

  “Oh, I had nothing else to do, and I got all these cookies that need to be eaten.” Lois lifted the lid, and Phoebe smelled the freshly baked goodies. “I usually make some for Eric, but I don’t think he’ll mind.” She gave him a wink.

  He chuckled. “No, I don’t mind at all. But maybe we ought to go inside.” He looked at Phoebe and her mother. “I think Abe would feel better if you were in that little room off to the side of my office when he comes back.”

  “He’s right,” Phoebe’s mother said. “Besides, it’d be more comfortable if we’re sitting as we get better acquainted.”

  “Lead the way,” Lois replied.

  Phoebe’s mother did as she asked, and Phoebe went next, followed by Eric. Maybe meeting Lois was a sign. Maybe things would be alright in this town, after all. Feeling much better, Phoebe decided she’d marry Abe. The only problem, of course, was convincing him to say yes when the preacher arrived.

  Chapter Fifteen

  Abe stared up at Phoebe in disbelief. He’d been milking the cow when she came in to announce the preacher had arrived, ready to marry them. And he was so shocked he couldn’t speak. Letting go of the teats, he rose to his feet and walked over to the entrance of the barn to make sure she was telling the truth, that the preacher was really there.

  Sure enough, the old man, who’d been trying to get him to attend a church service every time he came into town, was waiting for him on the porch of the cabin. At the moment, he had his hat in hand as he talked to Phoebe’s mother.

  Abe turned back to face Phoebe, who hadn’t moved from her spot. “I don’t understand,” he finally said. “Why did you tell him you wanted him to marry us?”

  “Because I think we would both benefit from the arrangement,” she replied, her tone so matter-of-fact it was as if it was the most logical thing they could do.

  “How does it benefit you to be surrounded by scraps of metal and to have someone watch you every time you go to town? You’re not safe here.”

  “I’m safe with you.”

  “You’re safe until someone kills me. The moment I’m gone, you’re vulnerable.” He glanced at the porch. “Your mother will be vulnerable, too.”

  “I had time to think about it,” she began, her hands clasped in front of her, “and I’ve decided you’ll teach me and my ma how to shoot a gun. That way, we can protect ourselves if we need to.”

  “You’ve decided I’ll teach you?”

  He didn’t know whether to laugh or be impressed. While it was funny she assumed he’d jump at the chance to teach her and her mother how to shoot a gun, he had to admit she’d taken the time to plan out her argument.

  “Maybe ‘decided’ isn’t the right word,” she said. “I know you might not agree to do it, but it would be the easiest solution to my problem. And if my mother and I stay here, that will take care of your problem.”

  He furrowed his eyebrows. “I don’t have a problem.”

  “Yes, you do. You have no one to help with the house or laundry, and you could use some help with the garden and cooking the meat. I’m not afraid to get my hands dirty. And best of all, I’m a quick learner.”

  “Tending to the garden is one thing, but you haven’t seen how much goes into skinning an animal and preserving everything possible. The blood alone would make a lady with your background faint.” Even his mother, who’d grown up hunting animals, had claimed illness when it came to cutting the meat, which was why he’d learned to do it at an early age.

  “You don’t know it’d make me faint,” Phoebe argued. “You need to give me a chance to prove myself. I can do it.”

  He was ready to protest but caught the determined spark in her eye. He knew what that look meant. He’d seen it when his uncle had set his mind to something, and the only thing that had ever stopped his uncle was a gunshot in the chest.

  So talking to her would be pointless. She had her mind set, even though she didn’t have the faintest idea what she was asking. Well, maybe that should change. Up to now, he’d withheld any of the harder chores from her. Maybe if he gave her what she wanted, maybe if she got to experience just how tough the chores could be, maybe then she’d give up on this idea of being his wife.

  “Alright,” he finally said.

  Her eyes widened in surprise. “Alright?”

  She obviously hadn’t expected her argument to work, at least not so soon. For all he knew, she had other arguments ready to go, just in case he continued to fight her. If she was anything like his uncle, giving up would have to be her idea.

  “Yes, alright,” he said. “When you see just how difficult things are, let me know, and I’ll release you from the marriage.”

  “But you can’t release me from it. We’ll state our vows before man and God.”

  “If I recall the ways of the white man correctly, a marriage isn’t final until its consummated, and I’m not going to do that until you prove you mean it, that you can do all the things you’re promising to. You know, making things easier for me around here.”

  He could tell she wasn’t thrilled with the idea of delaying the confirmation of their marriage, but it was the deal he was making. She could take it or leave it.

  In a move that surprised him, she straightened her shirtwaist and lifted her chin in the air. “I can do everything I said I would.”

  Now his interest was piqued. “Then you’ll have no trouble setting a trap and skinning an animal.”

>   “Not as long as you teach me how to use a gun.”

  “Don’t expect to be able to shoot your target on the first try.”

  “And don’t expect me to skin the animal perfectly on my first try.”

  He felt a smile itching to turn his lips up, but he quickly suppressed it. Yes, she was a lot like his uncle, and he couldn’t help but admire that about her. But he wasn’t going to let her win so easily. It took more than words to prove whether or not she would be able to do it. Talk was cheap. The white man talked big all the time. But whether or not they’d follow through was the important thing. It’d be interesting to see if she was one who honored her word.

  “Since you’re determined to go through with this, lead the way.” He waved her toward the porch.

  She headed for the barn entrance and had just passed him when she turned back to him. “You just wait and see, Abe Thomas. I’ll be the best wife you’ll ever have.”

  Before he could respond, she left the barn and went to the preacher and her mother. Her mother looked much too excited about the wedding, and Abe wondered if he was only setting the poor woman up for heartache when Phoebe finally admitted she couldn’t handle life out here. He forced aside the thought. He’d done all he could to avoid hurting either of them. If Phoebe was getting her mother’s hopes up, then it was her fault.

  Feeling more like a wolf heading for a trap than a groom about to take a wife, Abe trudged to the cabin. This was one of the most ridiculous things he’d ever done. Who ever heard of a man being married to a woman until she decided she’d had enough of him and left?

  When he finally reached them, the preacher held out his hand toward Abe. “Congratulations,” he said, beaming from ear to ear.

  Abe glanced at his hand before he shook it. “Isn’t it a little soon to congratulate me?”

  “You’re right. I should wait until after the bride says ‘I do’,” he replied then chuckled.

  No, he should wait a month or two from now and see if the bride had decided to stick around.

  The preacher turned to Phoebe and her mother. “Would you like to go inside or do the ceremony out here?”