His Redeeming Bride

by Ruth Ann Nordin

  “You see?” Beatrice turned to the group. “They didn’t plan on getting married. They are only saying this so I can’t have my Little Jim.”

  “His name is Luke,” Neil sharply stated. “And by tonight, he’ll be Luke Craftsman because we’re going to town to get married right now.”

  Sarah’s jaw dropped. Now?

  Gwen squealed and ran over to Sarah. Wrapping an arm around Sarah’s shoulders, she told Beatrice, “I assure you that my son will be a good father to Luke.”

  Beatrice turned to the preacher. “You have to stop them. They can’t get married! I want my grandson.”

  “You are welcome to see him, but it will be on Sarah’s terms,” Neil said. “Now, I advise everyone to get off my property before I have my farmhands chase you off.”

  “But...But...” Beatrice stared at the preacher.

  Amos sighed. “If they are willing to do what’s right, I won’t stop them. You’ll have to concede to what Mr. Craftsman says. Once he marries Sarah, he has the authority.”

  “Good.” Neil nodded. “Then it’s settled. No one has to come out here anymore trying to convince Sarah to leave.”

  Sarah turned her eyes to the strong man in front of her. Did he sound relieved about that? She wondered if it could be true, that he did want to marry her. But after Jim, she hardly dared to hope for such a thing. It was Gwen who announced the marriage, and Neil was doing his part by rescuing Sarah, once again, from a bad situation.

  The preacher put his arm around a sobbing Beatrice and instructed the group to get into their buggies and wagons so they could depart.

  Neil turned to Sarah and his mother. “Well, if I’m going to get married, I should at least take a quick bath. I don’t want to smell like I’ve been spending all afternoon in the pasture.”

  “Oh good!” Gwen clapped. “I’ll watch Emily and Luke and tuck them into bed.”

  Neil turned his face to the early evening sun, giving Sarah a good view of his profile. She was struck by his handsome features. He was so unlike Jim, and those differences weren’t just on the surface. Her breath caught in her throat. I do love him. She mentally slapped herself. No. Don’t fall in love, Sarah. Don’t you remember what happened last time? Don’t let yourself be hurt like that again. Remember, he’s only doing you a favor. He knows that you’ll keep Luke if he offers you a permanent place in his home and life.

  Gwen opened the door and told Emily the news. Sarah took her focus off of Neil to study the girl’s reaction, wondering how she would take it. After all, Sarah wasn’t her mother. As if sensing her uncertainty, Neil pressed a hand on her arm and walked through the doorway so he could sit next to Emily. Sarah held back, not feeling it was her place to explain the situation to the girl.

  To her surprise, Emily nodded. “I know that Ma’s not coming back. I didn’t want to believe it, but it’s true. It’s like you always say, Pa. We have to move on and make the best of it. I’ll try not to do anything to make Mrs. Donner leave.”

  The last sentence tore at Sarah’s heart. She moved to the porch swing to regain her composure. Too much was happening too fast, and she didn’t know what was going to happen next. She watched as the last person hopped on his horse and left the property. Closing her eyes, she wondered what she could do to make Emily feel secure.

  ***

  Neil sat next to his new bride in the buggy, aware of the darkness surrounding them and the unspoken question hanging in the air. What did this new development mean to their relationship? Did they continue as before...or did they proceed forward? He knew that Sarah was in shock. Even he couldn’t believe they were married. The preacher took the task to wed them in stride, as if he expected it. The ceremony was short and private. They only had the pastor’s wife and son for witnesses. It was so unlike his wedding when he married Cassie. But then, that didn’t come as a complete surprise. Cassie had been eager to be the center of attention. Not Sarah. Sarah would rather stay out of sight and watch others.

  Crickets chirped through the still air.

  Beside him, Sarah gave a slight jump.

  “Are you all right?” he asked, thankful that he had something to say, even if it was a standard question.

  She chuckled, her smile relaxing his nerves. “You’ll think I’m silly.”

  He grinned. “What?”

  She shook her head. “Well, I ought to tell you that I hate corn. I mean, I don’t mind when it’s on the plate, but when it’s high on a stalk like these all around us...It’s easy to imagine that someone is hiding in the shadows, especially when it’s dark out.”

  “Then it’s a good thing I grow beans.” He inched over to her and slipped his arm around her shoulders. “I don’t mind protecting a pretty lady.”

  She settled against him and he became aware of her body. She was softness and curves, the very thing that enticed his senses. He had been able to keep such thoughts suppressed for the past few months, but now that they were married, it seemed the defenses he had carefully built to protect himself from loving a woman were tumbling around him. Not only was she a woman, but she was a beautiful one. She both terrified and excited him, and he didn’t know what to do about either emotion.

  He rested his head against her hair, noting the scent of lye soap she used to wash in the river. Washing in the river...This thought led to images of her bathing in the river. Wet, long hair falling down her back, soft plump breasts with drops of water lingering at her pink nipples, and further down...Heat swelled in his loins and his slacks suddenly seemed restrictive. Struggling to think of something else, anything that would make the bulge in his pants less noticeable, he focused on the gelding pulling their buggy along the smooth path.

  “It’s silly, isn’t it?” she whispered, squirming closer to him. The curve of her breast pressed into his side.

  His heart pounding, he forced his mind on her words. “What’s silly?” He winced, realizing his voice came low and husky.

  Thankfully, she didn’t seem to notice. “It’s silly to be afraid of stalks of corn.”

  He found a smile stretching across his face. “I don’t know. When I was a kid, my father would grow them and one time I ventured in the cornfield. If I recall right, it took a good day for my father and his farmhands to find me.”

  She turned her face to him, her concerned expression piercing his shield. “How awful! How old were you?”

  “About eight. Emily’s age. I learned not to venture in again unless I left a trail to find my way back.”

  Her eyes widened. “You went in again?”

  He shrugged. “I did on a challenge.”

  “That is awful.”

  He laughed at her incredulous expression. “I couldn’t let Tommy Larson win one up on me.”

  “I hope Emily has more sense than to go into cornfields!”

  “Oh, she does. She’s a smart little girl. It’s the boys you have to watch out for. They’re the ones who are constantly looking to get into trouble.”

  “Are you saying that Luke might try something that foolhardy?”

  “I’d guarantee it. Fortunately, he’ll have his big sister to keep him in line.”

  “Well, I must warn him about cornfields when he’s older.”

  It was a natural mothering instinct, he knew, that caused her to start fretting over her son before he could even crawl. And he loved her for it. He pressed his lips against her temple, keeping them there a moment longer than necessary. “You’re a good mother, Sarah.”

  She smiled but looked down at her hands which remained folded in her lap. He couldn’t be sure but he thought he saw her blushing in the moonlight.

  The gelding moved the buggy past the stalks of corn that marked the edge of Dave Larson’s property and the beginning of his pastured land. “Is this better?” He motioned to the flat landscape.

  “Much. I like being able to look out at the prairie.”

  And I like knowing that I’ll be looking at you for the rest of my life. He kept the thought to himself.
She was completely unaware of her affect on men, even when she had worn her drab colors. Try as she might, she couldn’t hide her beauty. It didn’t surprise him that men came out to talk with her. He nearly jumped at the chance his mother offered when Amos and his congregation came out.

  Even if they married to make sure Beatrice Donner didn’t take Luke from her, he wanted to be with her. It was a bonus that marrying her gave Emily a loving mother. Thankfully, Emily’s questions about Cassie had stopped. Though she still missed her mother, she had told him that she liked Sarah and hoped Sarah would stay for a long time. The poor girl’s been through so much. He prayed that this would be healing for her.

  He pulled the buggy to a stop in front of the house and helped her out. “It’s been a long day.” He held her hands, not wishing to break contact but knowing it was inevitable. Her skin was warm and soft. The moonlight made her blond hair shine as it tumbled over her shoulders. Her eyes met his and he saw something in them he hadn’t seen in any other woman’s. It was a promise. A promise of hope, of happiness, and most importantly, of love.

  Taking a deep breath, he said, “I am glad we’re married.”

  She smiled and whispered, “I am too.”

  He leaned forward, ready to kiss her, recalling how sweet their kiss had been when they said their vows, and suddenly, the front door opened. Startled, he jerked back and released her hands. He tipped his hat over his eyes so that his mother wouldn’t detect his embarrassment.

  “Are you married?” the woman asked as she bounded down the steps with Luke in her arms.

  “Yes, we are,” he replied. “I should put the horse and buggy away.” Turning to Sarah, he said, “No one will try to take Luke from you anymore.”

  “Thank you, Neil.” She took Luke and kissed the boy on the forehead. He squirmed and pulled on her hair. Laughing, she said, “I think I know why women keep their hair up all the time. Has he eaten?” she asked his mother.

  “No. I thought you might want to do that since you mentioned liking that part of the day the best,” his mother replied.

  Sarah nodded. “I’ll take him upstairs. And thank you, Gwen.”

  Once the kitchen screen door shut behind Sarah and Luke, Neil turned his attention to his mother.

  She motioned to the buggy. “I’m ready to go home.”

  She couldn’t be serious. “No. It’s late. You should stay here for the night.”

  “I insist on going home. I need to meet with my friends tomorrow morning.”

  “Mother, it’s almost eleven. Just how early were you planning on seeing your friends?”

  Raising her eyebrows, as if challenging him, she said, “Early. Very early.”

  He shook his head. She was lying. “Get back into the house. You’re tired. We’ll get you settled on the couch in the parlor.”

  She let out a long sigh. “Is it wrong for a mother to want her son to have time with his new bride?”

  “It’s not that kind of marriage. We agreed to it so that Mrs. Donner won’t take Luke away.”

  “Sarah’s a good woman, the kind I prayed for you to receive.”

  He glanced at the screen door. The kerosene lamp lit the kitchen and part of the stairway. Sarah was upstairs. In her bedroom. Was she waiting for him? “I don’t deserve a good woman.”

  “I think after all you went through with Cassie, you do.”

  He took a long look at his mother, noting the caring expression on her face. It never occurred to him that she picked up on the truth when it came to Cassie. He assumed she was blind to it, but as he studied her face, he realized she knew the truth all along but chose to appear ignorant in order to make life easier for him and for Cassie.

  “It’s been a long day,” he finally said. “Go on in and get some sleep, all right? You won’t be in the way.”

  Her expression reluctant, she obeyed and went into the house.

  No. Sarah wasn’t waiting for him. She’d feed Luke and then go to sleep. Repeating that to himself, he hopped into the buggy and took it to the barn.

  Chapter Sixteen

  A week passed and Sarah wasn’t sure how to relate to Neil. He was her husband, and yet, he wasn’t. He kept his distance, stayed in his bedroom at night, and treated her as kindly as before. She didn’t feel it was right to expect more. After all, getting married was his mother’s idea, and he understood that Luke’s future was at stake. He did the right and noble thing. Had it not been for Luke, he wouldn’t have married her at all.

  Sarah tried to go back to the way things were before the wedding, but she found the task daunting. It was merely a ceremony they went through. A pastor, some vows, a kiss, and a piece of paper. That was all there was to it. They should be able to continue on, enjoying the friendship they had developed over the course of five months. It should have been that easy. So why wasn’t it?

  One Saturday morning as she cooked eggs in a skillet, Emily sat in a chair at the kitchen table and entertained Luke who sat in his high chair. Luke giggled and Emily continued to make the dolls dance in front of him as she sang an off-beat tune. Sarah smiled. How nice it was to see the two getting along as if they were related by blood. Then again, Sarah decided she shouldn’t be surprised. Children didn’t make distinctions regarding lineage like adults did. And Luke didn’t know any father but Neil.

  Frowning, she turned her attention back to the skillet. Luke had a right to know about Jim, and that meant he had a right to know Jim’s mother. For the longest time, she prayed for a child, but if it had been her choice, Neil would have been Luke’s father. Not that Neil hadn’t taken Luke in as if he were his own, but there would have been something special in knowing that she and Neil created a new life together, something that was a blend of the two of them. She bit her lower lip and flipped the eggs over, careful not to disturb their yolks. Was there even the possibility that there might be more children?

  The kitchen door opened and Emily threw her dolls down and ran to welcome her father. Sarah chuckled as he picked Emily up and gave her a big hug.

  “I missed you, Pa,” she said, hanging onto his neck.

  “With the way you act, you’d think I’d been gone for a year.” Though he rolled his eyes, his smile indicated his pleasure. He set her on her feet and hung up his hat. “And who do we have here?”

  He knelt in front of Luke. Luke watched as Neil put his hands up to his eyes, quickly put his hands down, and said “Peek a boo”. This game earned Neil a round of giggles from Luke. Neil did it again, which only made Luke laugh harder. Emily joined in and helped her father play the game.

  “All right, all right,” Sarah intervened through laughter of her own. “It’s time to eat breakfast.”

  As they scrambled into their seats, she gathered the plates and set them down, filling them with eggs, bacon, biscuits and jelly. After she sat next to Luke so she could feed him, she listened as Neil and Emily explained their plans for riding in the pasture for the day.

  “Why don’t you come along?” Neil offered. “You might want to learn to ride a horse.”

  Sarah shook her head. “No thanks. You may like them and I understand their usefulness, but I have no desire to ride one.”

  “It’s not scary,” Emily told her. “Why, I was riding one by myself when I was five.”

  Sarah’s eyes grew wide. “Five?”

  Neil nodded. “She was born for it. I’ve never seen anyone ride one as naturally as she does.”

  “I could teach you,” the girl insisted.

  “No. I’d rather not, though I do appreciate the offer. I want to work on the purple dress I’m making.”

  Neil’s eyes met hers. “You’re making another dress?”

  Nodding, she fed Luke a small piece of her biscuit. “I can’t wear the green one all the time.” Looking down at her brown dress, she admitted, “I’m tired of the colors I usually wear anyway.”

  “Good for you, Sarah. You look good no matter what color you wear, but you can make a man stop and stare when you put
on a pretty color.”

  She blushed, her heart skipping a beat at his kind words. Daring a glance in his direction, she noted the red color in his face as he focused on his meal.

  “It’s true,” Emily added. “Why, I remember hearing a man at church ask Pa if you two were going to be married because the man said you would make a fine looking wife. Pa got upset because he was jealous. Oh, he didn’t say anything but I could tell because when Pa’s upset, the vein in his forehead pops out like-”

  “Emily,” Neil interrupted, shooting his daughter a stern look, “finish your meal so we can get out to the barn.”

  Though Emily’s slip most likely embarrassed him to no end, Sarah was secretly pleased that Neil considered her worthy of getting jealous over.

  “You know what?” Neil looked up from his plate of half-eaten food as if Emily hadn’t said anything. “I should take Luke out there.”

  She paused, her fork with a little bit of egg on it halted right in front of Luke’s mouth. When Luke protested, she quickly fed him. Then she glanced at Neil. “How are you going to hold a baby while you’re on a horse?”

  “Oh, that’s easy,” he said. “All I need to do is put him in the harness I made when Emily was a baby. I used to take her with me when I went out into the fields. Actually, I pretty much took her everywhere with me. I used that harness a lot back then. It’s good quality. I made it out of leather. Luke will just slip right in and he’ll be strapped to my chest. Now that he’s old enough to take in his surroundings, I think he’ll have a lot of fun checking out the cattle and crops.”

  “Is he that old already?” Sarah sighed, recalling how tiny he was when he was born. He seemed to have grown into a chubby big baby overnight.

  “I used to fit in that small harness?” Emily asked.

  “You sure did. You loved being in that thing too. You’d even take naps in it.”