“Also, since I am the sole proprietress of my mail order bride agency, I prefer the title of ‘Ms.’ Anyway, back to the matter at hand…I completely understand if you are not ready to rush into a marriage just yet. You may still have a room here at my farm until you are able to get back on your feet.”
Vivian shook her head, determined to be strong. “Thank you for your kind offer, Ms. Milton, but I would like to find a match as soon as possible and be settled in my new life before the summer if possible.”
Ella paused to study her and then reached into one of her drawers for a stack of documents. “Very well, dear. We will start the application process without delay. Then, until a match is found, you may stay here at my farm. I believe the peach room would be perfect for you.”
Vivian smiled, feeling some of the tension leaving her shoulders, but she still couldn’t relax completely. She thanked Ms. Milton and readied her emotions for the questions she would ask to complete the application process.
“So,” Ms. Milton started. “I know from your letter that you are from North Carolina.”
She nodded. “Yes, from around the Charlotte area.”
“Do you have family still living there?”
She nodded. “Yes, some. My father’s side of the family, but we aren’t close. They never agreed with his choice to marry my mother, a Lakota woman.”
“I’m sorry to hear that. I don’t mean to pry, but did your mother return to North Carolina with your father?”
She shook her head. “No. My father lived in the Dakota Territory for several years. He enjoyed traveling in the frontier and became a hunter and trapper. It was during that time he became good friends with my mother’s tribe and they fell in love.” She released a deep sigh. “He never intended to leave. However, they had only been married a year when she died in childbirth. Shortly after, he moved back to Charlotte and took me with him. His father denied him his inheritance over the matter, but he ignored his family’s criticism and raised me on his own. He was not what you would call rich, but he raised me the best he could…hiring a governess to teach me how to act like a proper lady, in the absence of a mother. He also hired the best tutors available to teach me arithmetic, language arts, science, philosophy, fine art and more.”
Ella nodded with a knowing look. “Your father sounds like a wonderful man. I can tell by the refined young woman sitting in front of me.”
Vivian smiled. “Thank you. He was. Unfortunately, he became ill and passed away a few years ago.”
“I’m sorry to hear that.”
She dabbed at her eyes with the corner of the handkerchief again. “It was hard, but I’m thankful he is at home with our Heavenly Father and no longer in pain. It was a long, debilitating illness, I’m afraid. It was his death and my husband’s urging that brought me north to find his old claim and try to meet my grandmother.”
Ella sat forward with curious eyes. “Did you find it?
Vivian nodded, recalling the sad memory. “Yes, but we were unable to reclaim it. We also discovered my grandmother had recently passed and the rest of the tribe had moved on to a different location. However, I do still have the morning star quilt she gave my father before he brought me back with him to North Carolina.”
“It sounds like a wonderful keepsake.”
“Yes, it is. I’ve always kept it close as a memory of my mother.”
After that, they changed subjects, talking about what she looked for in a husband. She told her wealth didn’t matter much to her, but it was important he was a well-educated, Christian man who was patient, gentle and kind. Vivian also said she wouldn’t mind traveling somewhere to meet her husband in a different state, since she no longer had ties to Minnesota or the Dakota Territory.
When they were finished with the initial interview process, Ella smiled at her and tapped her stack of papers to straighten them. “Thank you, Vivian. All this information will be very helpful in finding a match for you. I’ll look over my files tonight and we’ll talk about it more in the morning. However, for now, why don’t you go take a relaxing nap before dinner. I’m sure you’re exhausted.”
Vivian nodded. “I am. Thank you, Ms. Milton.” Her heart pounded as she stood from the chair and started to leave the room. She’d almost reached the door before turning back, the secret twisting in her heart like a knife. She could only hope and pray it wouldn’t ruin her chance of finding a good match, but regardless, she wouldn’t start out lying to Ms. Milton or her new husband. It just wouldn’t be right. “I’m sorry,” she said, more tears filling her eyes. “There’s one more thing about me you should know.”
After her guest retired for the evening, Ella Milton sat at her desk looking over the three applications of grooms she’d set aside for Vivian before her arrival. She’d felt confident about finding her a match before. Usually, every time, she prayed and felt God leading her to a specific applicant, but tonight her heart felt so heavy.
Vivian’s secret had been unexpected. The poor woman was in such pain—losing so many people she loved in such a short amount of time. The secret wouldn’t be a deal breaker to find her a husband, but it certainly did complicate matters.
Soon, she had narrowed the stack down to the last two applicants, but Ella still felt uncertain. She bowed her head and started to pray. “God, please give me wisdom tonight. Your child, Vivian, is such a special young woman, but she carries a heavy burden in her heart. She has recently lost loved ones very dear to her and is grieving, but she must trust this new path you have for her. Please give her strength. Lord, she needs a very special match…a man who’ll be patient, caring and understanding. Someone who can bring a smile to her face and make her laugh again. Please guide me to select this man and help Vivian’s heart to open to love again. Thank you for all your blessings. In Jesus name. Amen.”
Ella released a deep sigh when she finished her prayer, feeling the heaviness in her soul lift away. Then she looked down at the applications side by side. In an instant, she knew the right match for Vivian.
Chapter Three
“How much better is it to get wisdom than gold! and to get understanding rather to be chosen than silver!”
Proverbs 16:16 KJV
It had been a long day making furniture and carvings at Riley Furniture Co. but Micah couldn’t relax just yet. He rode into town, tying his horse in front of the Niangua General Store before walking in to pick up some tools he’d ordered for his printing press.
Coming through the entrance, he almost bumped into Mr. Reed. The older man glared at him and shouldered his way past.
Micah brushed off the rude encounter, focusing on the friendly store owner’s wife behind the front counter. “I wondered if I’d see you today, Mr. Russell. The parcels you ordered are right on time. You received a letter today and Mr. Riley received a few as well, addressed to Riley Furniture Co. Would you like to take them all?”
Micah nodded. “Yes, please.”
“Here you are,” she said, placing the mail on the counter.
“Thank you kindly, ma’am,” he said, collecting everything in his arms. Once back outside, he put the small packages into his saddle bags and sifted through the mail. Most of the letters were for Emmett—orders for his business—but one at the very bottom was addressed to him. He scanned the name and address of the sender, perplexed. The letter was from a Ms. Ella Milton.
Micah raked his fingers through his short raven hair, trying to recall where he could have met the woman. Then he saw the words Pelican Rapids, Minnesota and it came back to him in an instant. The mail order bride agency. Over a month had passed since he’d had his interview with Ms. Milton on a whim while on his business trip in St. Paul. After not hearing any word, he’d almost forgotten about it completely. Not to mention his work keeping his mind occupied most of the time.
Now, Micah’s heart pounded in anticipation as he tore the letter open in haste. He’d never been more excited in his life. Had Ms. Milton found him a bride?
He paced
the dirt road in front of the general store while reading the letter, drinking in every word. Sure enough, a possible match had been found for him. Her name was Mrs. Vivian Kane. He paused his pacing for a few seconds to whisper the name. “Vivian.” It was the most beautiful name he’d ever heard.
He produced a giddy grin and read more about his potential bride. She was twenty-eight—about seven years younger than him—and recently widowed. Ms. Milton said she was from North Carolina with brown hair and eyes. She loved art, reading, embroidery and cooking southern food. He was pleased to discover they were both devout Christians. Then Micah’s smile widened, hearing about the Lakota heritage on her mother’s side. He didn’t mind in the least, having Penobscot heritage from his maternal grandmother’s side. Most people never guessed because of the blue eyes he’d inherited from his grandfather, unless they knew his father who took after their Penobscot ancestors in looks. He and Vivian descended from different tribes, but he knew what it felt like to be treated differently. Thankfully, most people in Niangua were open-minded.
In the final paragraph, Ms. Milton explained Vivian was interested in marrying as soon as possible, but needed a special match who would be understanding to her unique needs. The last detail about his potential bride was a delicate subject and for a moment, Micah felt overwhelmed. He refolded the letter and held it close to his heart, closing his eyes. “God please give me wisdom. Is Vivian the bride you have chosen for me?”
After dinner, Micah watched Emmett and Caroline’s reactions when he read them the letter from Ms. Milton. He felt a little guilty sharing personal information about his potential bride, but in this case, he thought it was necessary to seek advice from two people he trusted like family. After all, marriage was a big decision.
Emmett leaned back in his kitchen chair and shared a brief look with his wife before turning back to Micah with a knowing smile. “It sounds like something you should pray over, but in my opinion, she sounds like a good match for you.”
He nodded. “Yes, I believe she would be as well. We seem to have many things in common…but what did you think about the end of the letter? The fact she’ll soon be expecting a child?”
His friend reached over and clapped him on the shoulder. “Well, you did express the desire to have a family, didn’t you?”
Micah’s face turned pale for a moment. “Yes, I suppose I did. The knowledge Vivian is a widow doesn’t trouble me…nor the thought of raising a child who isn’t related by blood.” He glanced out the window, watching Emmett and Caroline’s four children playing with the dogs outside and smiled. “I mean, your blended family is an inspiration to me.”
Caroline smiled at him from across the table. “It wasn’t easy at first, but it was worth the difficulties in the beginning to have what we do now. So much joy fills my heart when I look at each of our children. The two oldest may not be related by blood, but I love them just as much as my younger two. They needed a Ma and Pa and I’m glad we could fill that role.”
He nodded. “If things work out, I would love Vivian’s child as my own. I guess I just imagined we would have more time to become acquainted with one another before starting a family.”
“I understand how you feel,” Emmett said. “Sometimes the plans God has for us, might look a little different than we had planned for ourselves. When I came into Ms. Milton’s office, I was concerned no bride would be willing to marry me with all the extra challenges, but thankfully God had just the right bride for me. Caroline was so understanding from the very beginning. She completed our patchwork family.”
Caroline chuckled and moved closer to snuggle against her husband’s shoulder. “I wouldn’t have had it any other way.”
Emmett kissed her forehead and then turned back to Micah. “What I’m trying to say is, maybe God intends for you to be for Vivian what Caroline was for me. She took the challenges head on without looking back and as you can see, we are very happy together, even six years later.”
“Yes, deliriously happy,” Caroline added, squeezing Emmett’s arm a little tighter, her eyes shimmering with a look of love for her husband that Micah could only hope his wife would give him someday. “Pray about it over the next few days, but don’t make her wait too long. I cannot imagine how troubling it must be for her, with a child on the way, but not knowing where they will live. She’ll need to find a suitable match soon regardless of what you decide.”
Micah nodded, deep in thought. “Yes, you’re right. Thank you for all your advice. I’ll make my decision soon.”
He said bye to the Riley family and then made his way home to his cabin in the woods. After taking care of his horse and putting him in his stall for the night, Micah went inside, heading straight for bed. He’d intended to install the new parts he’d purchased for his printing press, but that would have to wait until the morning.
He closed his eyes and attempted to fall asleep, but couldn’t manage to relax. Thoughts of Vivian occupied his mind. She was waiting for him in Minnesota—waiting for him to decide if they would spend the rest of their lives together.
After about half an hour of tossing and turning, Micah realized he’d forgotten to say his prayers anyway. He lit the lamp by his bed and slid out from underneath the warm covers, kneeling on the floor with his hands folded. After his usual time of thanksgiving and asking forgiveness, he moved on to prayer requests.
“God, please give me wisdom to choose who I will marry. I do not take this decision lightly and long to wed the person you would have me to. Please bless Vivian and comfort her during her time of grief as only you can. It troubles me to think of the pain she must feel, but I know you are the great healer. Thank you for that and everything you do. In Jesus name, amen.”
When his prayer was finished, something prompted him to look around his cabin. He padded to the doorway, surveying the walls of his small two-bedroom home—the small kitchen table with four seats, the two rockers by the fireplace, the wood burning cook stove he barely used and the stairs leading to the vacant second bedroom in the loft. It had felt so empty after his father’s death. Now, he longed to see the house full again—full of people and laughter as it once had been.
With the realization nestled in his heart, Micah knew what he needed to do.
Chapter Four
“Good news from far away is like cold water to the thirsty.”
Proverbs 16:16 NLT
After Vivian’s third week in Pelican Rapids, she had begun to think of the small town as her temporary home. Most of the townspeople were friendly and welcoming. She’d even attended services with Ms. Milton at the Lutheran church for two Sundays in a row. She would have gone the first week too, if not for a severe bout of morning sickness.
When Ella realized how miserable it was making her, she sent for the local physician, Dr. Beckham. He was kind enough to come to the farm and give her a natural remedy to take twice a day. It didn’t make the nausea go away completely, but it made life bearable at least. He also told her the pregnancy seemed completely normal and he said her due date would be around the end of November. The thought brought her such joy and then sorrow, realizing afresh Connor would not be there to meet their child or spend the special holiday season with them.
They had tried so long for a baby in the past, but after ten years of marriage they had lost hope of conceiving a child. However, now she was finally pregnant and hearing the baby was healthy was a huge weight lifted off her shoulders. At least, she would have something to remember Connor by, even after she married another.
One Friday, when Vivian was feeling up to it, she decided a trip to the general store in town would be a good outing. While there, she could pick out some fabrics to start her baby layette. She could also see if there had been any letters delivered for her. She was expecting one from the potential suitor Ms. Milton had contacted on her behalf.
Ella offered her carriage and driver for the afternoon and soon she was headed down Ottertail Street. After reaching an intersection, the driver tur
ned right on Oak. They went all the way down, passing a few scattered businesses, and soon they were crossing the river. She gazed out the window in awe as a pelican flew over the water and landed gracefully in the shallows. Then a few others appeared, gliding down to scoop up some fish and flying away again.
After crossing the river, she recognized the church she’d been attending with Ella to the left and soon after the driver was parking the carriage on the right side of the street, in front of the general store. She thanked him and stepped out, pleased when the fresh air blew over her face. The air smelled of fresh flower blooms from the trees, reminding her soon she would have a new beginning, if her plan to remarry worked out.
The store clerk greeted her from behind the counter when she walked in. “Good afternoon. I’m Mrs. Carter. I believe I’ve seen you at church as Ms. Milton’s guest.”
Vivian managed a warm smile, remembering in the back of her mind how Ella had warned her Mrs. Carter could be a little pushy at times and to not tell her anything she didn’t want gossiped about. “Yes, I’ve been staying at her farm for a few weeks,” she answered, trying to be polite, but not reveal too much.
“Family from out of town?”
“No, just a friend.”
Mrs. Carter frowned. “You’re one of those mail order brides, aren’t you? Nothing against you, my dear, but all these brides coming through town looking for husbands are hurting my daughters’ prospects for marriage. My eldest daughter, Jenny, was supposed to be engaged to Dr. Beckham last year, but then he married a highfalutin writer from the south.”
Vivian felt her heart quickening, not liking the direction the conversation had turned. “I’m sorry, Mrs. Carter. I’m sure your daughters will find suitable matches in God’s timing. My potential groom is from another state, if it makes you feel any better.”
The frown eased from the other woman’s face. “Yes, I suppose. I’m sorry. I’m not usually bad tempered. What can I help you with today, Ms.…forgive me, your name has escaped me.”
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