Orphan Brides Go West: The Complete Series

by Vivi Holt

  “Never mind that. I believe you have a concussion, young man.” Dr. White returned the bowl to the side table and checked the pulse in Kurt’s wrist, studying the pocket watch in his other hand and mouthing numbers.

  “I think it’s coming back to me,” Kurt began, letting his eyes drift shut. “I was plowing and I hit something. I stopped to check the plow, seeing as it’s Will Drake’s – I’m just borrowing it. Then there was a clap of thunder and Sam backed up and stepped on me.”

  “Oh dear,” murmured Mrs. White.

  “Sam’s a big horse, I’m guessing, from the size of these hoof prints,” the doctor remarked.

  “Clydesdale. Draft horse.”

  “Oh dear!” exclaimed Mrs. White again.

  “Is there somewhere in town you can stay a few days?” asked Dr. White as he unwound a thick white bandage.

  “My brother lives nearby. Angus Sawyer – he owns the mill on the other side of town.”

  “Oh yes, I’ve met Angus,” the doctor replied. “He’s a good man. Well then, as soon as I get you fixed up, I’ll head over to his house to let him know you’re here. I do believe you’ll be fine, Mr. Sawyer, but please be more careful in the future. I can’t say I’m certain how you managed to get yourself here alone in this storm at night with a concussion, but thank the Lord you did. Now sit up if you can – slowly.”

  Kurt did so, and considered Dr. White’s words while he fixed the bandage around his head. How had he managed to get to town? He couldn’t remember much of the journey. And Sam … where was he? “Sam?” he blurted.

  “I guess that’s your horse, eh? I found a Clydesdale wandering around outside – he’s in my stable around back. And he’s fine, don’t worry about him.”

  Kurt sighed in relief. He couldn’t afford to lose Sam, even if the horse had almost stomped him to death. He was a reliable, hard-working animal, and Kurt didn’t have the money to replace him anyway.

  When Dr. White left to fetch Angus, Kurt lay back down and stared at the ceiling, willing it to stop spinning.

  “Someone was sure watchin’ over ya tonight.” Mrs. White bustled around the room, straightening up and wiping things clean. “Ya know, it ain’t right for a young man like yerself to be livin’ out there all alone. If ya had a wife and family with ya, they could’ve taken care of ya. Ya almost died out there today, and who woulda known it?”

  He frowned and took a long breath. She was right. He’d never felt so alone in his life as when he’d regained consciousness out on the ranch, with no one to raise an alarm. Perhaps it was time for him to find a wife. But where? There were few eligible women in Wichita, that he knew for certain after a year there – and those were either too old, too young, or “soiled doves.” And he had no intention of leaving Kansas just to find a wife.

  But the thought of spending the rest of his days out there alone sent Kurt’s heart into his stomach. He had to do something.

  “You awake?”

  Kurt’s eyes flew open and he inhaled sharply. His brother Angus stood beside the bed, his usually neat hair disheveled and his button-down shirt only half-tucked into his pants. “Yeah.” He sat up slowly, his head spinning. “Sorry they had to wake you to come get me.”

  Angus shook his head, his eyes dark. “It’s fine. Are you okay?”

  “Doc says I’ll be fine. Just a bit dizzy still.” He let his legs drop over the side of the bed and winced at the pain in his neck. The doctor had adjusted his arm, saying something about a dislocation, and it still radiated pins and needles.

  “Can you walk?”

  Kurt frowned. “I can try.” And he succeeded, using Angus’s arm for support. They walked out the door, waving goodbye to Dr. and Mrs. White, then headed south down Lawrence Street. Wichita was small but growing fast. Lawrence, one of its main streets, was quiet at this time of night, but during the day it bustled with wagons, buggies and cowboys on horseback. When Angus arrived there in 1871, the town had just been incorporated.

  “We’ll need to come back to get Sam tomorrow,” Kurt said. “I left Sal standing in the field. I undid the harness so he can get to water, but he’s still attached to the traces. I have to get back to the ranch to take care of him and the other animals …” His head swam with all the things left undone.

  Angus nodded and sighed. “I’m worried about you, all alone out there.”

  “I’m fine,” Kurt responded defensively. He knew his brother had hoped he’d set up a business in town, but that wasn’t his way. He didn’t like cities and never had. He wanted to be out in the open, watching the wind blow through the tall grasses and horses kicking up their heels or grazing in the field.

  “Anyway, Mrs. White already gave me a talking-to, so I don’t need it from you as well,” he snapped, then immediately regretted it. “I’m sorry. I just don’t know what to do about it. Mrs. White says I should marry and have a family, but marry who? There’s no one here fit to marry. Maybe I could find a boarder, but who would want to board on a ranch?”

  Angus chuckled and ran a hand over his black beard. “Not me, that’s for certain. But I do have an idea about how to find you a wife.”

  Kurt’s eyebrows lowered. What was his brother up to? “Do tell.”

  “Just leave it to me. But tell me this – if I find you a wife, are you willing to marry her?”

  “You’ll find me a wife?!”

  “I will, and I’ll make sure she’s suitable. But you can’t be fussy, you understand.”

  Kurt pursed his lips. He knew he’d given up the chance to marry whomever he chose when he’d moved west. But he’d hoped he might someday find someone he could love and spend his life with. If his brother was willing to do all the work to find him someone, he could hardly refuse. “All right – if you find me a suitable wife, I’ll marry her.”

  “It’s a deal.”

  Holly tied the string of her bonnet beneath her chin and studied her reflection in the looking glass. Her cheeks were paler than usual, and she leaned closer to study the dark circles beneath her eyes. She’d barely slept a wink since Eve told her of Rodney’s decision. Even thinking about it made her tear up.

  She could hear her nephew James coughing in his bedroom down the hall and the low murmur of Eve’s voice as she comforted him. The coughing worsened, and Holly frowned. Poor James had always been a sickly lad. The doctors had told his parents they didn’t expect him to live to adulthood given the sad state of his lungs, and his parents had wrapped him in cotton batting ever since. Holly didn’t approve of how they coddled him – ironic, given Rodney’s criticism of her parenting skills – but she’d never say so to him or Eve.

  She adjusted her bonnet one last time, pinched her cheeks and left the room, heading down the hall toward James’ bedroom. “Children, we’re going!” she called.

  She heard the stamping of five pairs of feet as her children hurried to don hats and boots. No doubt they’d been procrastinating getting ready, playing in their rooms. With a tight smile, she shook her head at their hurried whispers.

  She stuck her head in to her nephew’s bedroom, focusing on where Eve sat on the edge of James’ bed. Even though the morning sun shone brightly through the windows elsewhere in the house, in James’ room the heavy drapes were still drawn, keeping the room in melancholy darkness. “Eve?” she whispered, careful not to speak too loudly. She didn’t understand why her sister insisted on everyone using hushed tones around the boy – it wasn’t as though a loud noise or raised voice would cause him any harm – but she respected her wishes.

  Eve stood and walked over with a warm smile. “Yes?”

  “Ready to go?” asked Holly, smoothing her skirts.

  Eve frowned and glanced back over her shoulder at James, who’d swung his legs off the side of the bed and sat watching them with a furrowed brow.

  “James can come too, if you like,” added Holly. It might do the boy good to get some fresh air once in a while.

  Eve’s eyebrows arched skyward. “Oh no, he couldn’t
do that. It might upset his lungs.”

  “If you’re sure …”

  “Yes, it’s really out of the question. But I’m ready. I suppose I can leave him …” Another backward glance. “Do you mind if I go down to the church with Aunt Holly for a few minutes?” she asked James.

  Holly wanted to roll her eyes, but didn’t dare – she knew how sensitive Eve would be about it, and she didn’t wish to upset her sister. But sometimes she wanted to shake her by the shoulders and perhaps rattle loose some common sense. Ever since their parents died, when Holly and Eve were only thirteen and nine respectively, Holly had taken care of her younger sister. Even now as adults, she sometimes felt she should give her sister advice – a feeling she resisted as best she could.

  “No, you go ahead, Mother. I might try to take a turn in the garden while you’re gone.” James stood, lifted his hands over his head to stretch – and fell into another coughing fit. At eight years old, he understood just how to manipulate his mother, who treated him as though the Earth revolved around him. But otherwise he was a sweet boy and rarely took advantage of his mother that way. Most of the time, he did his best not to cause any inconvenience.

  Despite her reservations about his parents’ treatment of him, Holly truly did love her nephew. And he adored her children as well. He seemed to be in a better mood with them there, even though their raucous behavior only highlighted how his life was different from the average boy’s.

  “Oh dear.” Eve rushed to his side and patted his back, helping him sit back down on the thick mattress. “I’m not sure that’s a good idea, my darling – your cough seems a little worse than before. We won’t be gone long. And Cecilia is in the kitchen baking bread, if you need anyone.”

  Tripp, Sarah, Heather, Edward and Eleanor all arrived at the door to James’ room at once, amidst laughter, stamping of feet and general rowdy merriment. “Coming, James?” asked Tripp, bounding into his cousin’s room without a second thought.

  “I don’t know …”

  “Oh, come on – it’ll be fun.” Tripp launched himself onto the bed.

  James looked up at his mother with a frown. “Can I, Mother?” Heather and Edward were fighting over a toy wooden soldier, so she couldn’t hear what Eve said, but a few moments later James emerged with Eve and Tripp behind him. “I’m coming too!” he declared with pride.

  Holly’s eyes widened in astonishment. “Well, that’s wonderful. Let’s go then, shall we?” She glanced at Eve, her sister’s face looking even more pinched and pale than normal.

  Even with a simmering tension between the two sisters over all the things that hadn’t yet been spoken and the uncertain future that lay ahead, the walk to the church was pleasant. An early fall chill was in the air and James coughed a few times, but still seemed to enjoy himself. The leaves had begun to turn orange and yellow, and birds twittered and chirped and dived between their branches overhead. The children laughed and chattered, and for a few minutes Holly could forget about their plight until they reached the tall stone church they attended every Sunday. They were here to pray.

  Ever since Rodney told Eve her sister had to leave, Holly had hoped and prayed he’d change his mind. Surely he wouldn’t toss his sister-in-law and her five children out on the street to make their own way in the world? He couldn’t be so cold-hearted. And sure enough, he’d given them more time than he’d originally intended. His ultimatum had been a week ago, and he hadn’t made them leave yet. But according to Eve, neither had he changed his mind.

  Eve was just as upset over the situation as Holly, and seemed to grow more nervous with each passing day. As they walked arm in arm up the church stairs, Holly could almost feel her trembling through her sleeves. “We’ll pray Rodney will change his mind, or that God will provide us some other situation. I just know we’ll find a way out of this.” Holly smiled at her sister, but really she was trying to convince herself as much as Eve.

  Eve nodded and forced a frail smile. “Yes, something will work out, I know.” She patted her sister’s arm and sighed.

  The children were playing a noisy game of hide-and-seek around the front and side of the building, between the columns, staircases, trees and gravestones. James watched from atop a gargoyle at the bottom of the stairs. Holly spun to reprimand the troublemakers. “Children,” she hissed, “please be quiet. We’re going inside to pray. No playing, no shouting. You must sit quietly and speak only to God. Do you understand?”

  They all lined up quietly behind her, nodding in agreement, and Holly sighed in relief. She and Eve walked into the church, the children following meekly behind.

  They knelt and prayed for half an hour, during which both of the women wept, pleaded with God and admonished any child who raised their voice above a whisper. Only after they stood and made their way outside did the children resume playing, shouting with relief at their freedom.

  Eve sobbed beside Holly, whose innards felt numb and heavy. “What will you do?” she asked, pressing her hands to her chest.

  “I really don’t know.” Holly’s voice sounded empty and dull to her own ears. Just outside the churchyard, beneath a large oak, was a park bench. She sat there, moving a newspaper to one side.

  Eve sat beside her and took Holly’s gloved hand in hers. “I’m so sorry, Holly my dear.” She wiped away a tear.

  “It’s not your fault. It’s no one’s, really. I suppose we couldn’t expect Rodney would put up with me and five rambunctious children in his otherwise quiet home forever.”

  Eve frowned, staring at the ground, then picked up the newspaper.

  Holly watched the children chase each other, throw piles of leaves and frolic in the small park beside the church. What would they do? Where would they go? How would she feed so many hungry mouths? Her heart ached.

  “Look at this.” Eve’s voice broke through her melancholy. She shoved the newspaper toward Holly.

  Holly took it with a frown. “What?”

  “Look!” insisted Eve, pointing at an advertisement near the bottom of the classified page.

  Holly lifted it higher and read:

  WANTED: BRIDE

  Successful landowner in Wichita, Kan., in need of wife. Must be sturdy, of childbearing age & good temperament. Apply by mail: Kurt Sawyer, Wichita, Kan. c/o Wichita Western Mill.

  Holly’s eyes narrowed. A mail-order bride? Was that really something she should consider? Who knew what this man Kurt Sawyer might be like? “You think I should do this?” she asked, eyebrows arched.

  Eve grinned. “Why not? It’s perfect. You need a husband and you’re not likely to find one around here. He doesn’t say anything about previous children, so maybe he’s not particular. And he’s a successful landowner, so he’d be able to support you all. It’s worth writing to him at the very least. If you don’t like what he has to say, you don’t have to follow through with it. What other options do you have?”

  Holly had to admit her sister had a point. She hadn’t been able to come up with a single thing that would help in her current predicament. She’d thought she’d probably end up working at some textile mill, though she’d never be able to support her entire family on what she’d make there.

  Her heart chilled at the thought of writing to a man she’d never met about the prospect of marrying him. Maybe he’d be a kind, hard-working man who’d be happy to have a new family. Maybe he wouldn’t. But she’d have to take a risk if she and the children were to survive. She tore the advertisement out of the newspaper and put it in her pocket. “All right, Eve, I’ll write him and see what he has to say. Who knows, maybe this is God’s way of answering our prayers.”

  Eve threw her arms around Holly and held her tight. “Oh Holly, I hope so.”

  A tear rolled down Holly’s cheek, and she pressed her face against her sister’s shoulder. Maybe this Kurt Sawyer was just what her family needed. She knew she’d never love again – to wish for that was like hoping to hold the moon in her hands. But even without love, a marriage could work, she
was sure. And in that moment she didn’t know what else to do.

  3

  All the way home from church, Eve prattled excitedly about the prospect of Holly finding a husband via the classified ads. Holly remained silent, but the more she thought about it, the more her spirits rose.

  When they reached the house, the children scattered around the garden to play while Holly bustled inside. She hung her coat and hat on pegs by the back door and wiped her boots on the mat, went upstairs and sat at the little desk in the corner nook of her room to pen a letter.

  With a blank sheet of paper and a nib pen in hand, she sat ramrod-straight and stared out the window, watching the children in the garden below. What should she say to this man she’d never met? Perhaps simply introduce herself and express her interest – that would be easy enough. Likely they’d correspond for some time before they made a decision. She could always tell him about the children in a subsequent letter. And with a prospect on the horizon, surely Rodney would allow them to remain until things were finalized.

  She put pen to paper:

  Dear Mr. Sawyer:

  My name is Holly Bristol. I’m a widow, living in New York City with my sister Eve and her husband and son. I saw your advertisement for a bride in the New York Gazette and am writing to express interest in knowing more about you and your life in Wichita.

  I must admit, I haven’t been so far west, having never traveled farther than the mountains of western Virginia where I was raised. However, I am open to living elsewhere for a suitable situation. I am sturdy enough and accustomed to hard work and the running of a household.

  There are a good many Sawyers in the New York area. Are you acquainted with them at all?