The Golden Bride

by Kimberley Woodhouse

  Pushing the thoughts of Olivia and building a house to the back of his mind, Joseph dressed in rags and made himself look as dirty as possible. He hardly recognized himself when looking in the mirror. He appeared exactly the way he’d hoped.

  Thirty minutes later, he waited down the block from the building he’d seen George enter and exit numerous times. Knowing there had to be more going on than what met the eye, he’d realized a week ago that this was simply going to take patience. He’d attempted to learn how to be invisible, but with so many others crowding the streets at all times, he hoped he at least blended in. No one seemed to pay him any mind, so prayerfully, his plan was working.

  Time passed slowly on the nights he’d set out to spy on George Banister, but he’d learned a lot. Three buildings had thick drapes drawn, and no one was seen going in or out. Where every other place seemed to bustle with activity, those quiet buildings were the ones that he watched the most.

  The hour had grown late when a familiar figure slipped into view. George. A fancy carriage pulled up behind Banister as he walked up the steps to the building. Joseph waited. Who was in the carriage? And why did George go in alone?

  A few minutes later, George exited the building with his arm around two smaller figures. Children? Their heads were down as Banister helped them into the carriage.

  As the carriage started to roll down the street, Joseph joined the many people in the street and followed it. When they reached the edge of town, he tried to stay in the trees as much as possible. The sky was dark, so hopefully he could stay hidden. It wasn’t long before the carriage turned down a private drive. Someone had gone to great expense to pave the driveway with bricks. As he snuck up the hill, he was a bit shocked by the massiveness of the home that was built there. Was this George’s anonymous employer?

  A row of bushes lined the drive as it went up to the door and circled back around. Joseph hid behind them, hoping he would still be able to get a glimpse of the happenings and be able to listen in.

  George exited the carriage and dragged the others out. With closer examination, Joseph noticed ropes bound the children’s wrists. They were definitely children. One was crying.

  “We’ll have none of that.” George slapped the child’s cheek and grabbed the collars of both kids, dragging them up the stairs to the ornate door. Once they were inside, Joseph sat back on the ground and seethed. Now that he’d witnessed this, could he go to the police? Would they need more proof? Even though Joseph didn’t have any details, the children were clearly tied up and abused.

  Lord, what do I do?

  Silence greeted him while his stomach churned. He thought through all the ramifications and could only come to one conclusion. No matter what it cost him, he had to get to the truth and save those children, Dewei’s brothers, and whomever else he could. It wasn’t just his gut or his instincts anymore. It was real. And it had been happening right in front of them all.

  Four days later, Joseph was no closer to having any proof than he’d been the night he’d seen George with the children. Either they were getting more careful, or nothing had transpired in those days. He’d gone to the police captain—Malachi Fallon—who was mortified to hear what Joseph had witnessed but admitted he’d heard rumors as well. With so much corruption and crime running rampant for so long, he and his sergeants and deputies had their hands full day and night. What the captain needed was more information … and time. Two things that Joseph didn’t feel he had.

  As he walked to the restaurant, he prayed for God to give him wisdom. The weight on his shoulders didn’t outweigh the heaviness on his soul.

  Every day he’d talked with Olivia and Daniel, and they’d prayed over the situation, but they hadn’t come to any solid conclusions about what they should do. Discouragement seemed to hang over all of them. God, what are we doing wrong?

  No answers came from heaven, and Joseph realized that God knew the suffering of the people better than he did. It would all have to be in God’s timing, not Joseph Sawyer’s.

  How fitting that they were studying the story of Joseph from the Bible today in their gathering. Sold into slavery by his own brothers, Joseph was saved by God for a purpose and a plan for His people. It had taken years for things to come around full circle, but in God’s timing, all things had worked together for good.

  Perhaps Joseph Sawyer needed to be a bit more patient and rely on God’s timing and not his own. The reminder was a good one. Now if only he could remember that every single day.

  As he entered the restaurant, he put on a smile and took a deep breath. Even though they were battling against evil in their city, he wanted to do something special for Olivia to show her that he cared as more than just a friend. They’d seen each other almost every day for months. He felt like they understood each other pretty well. It was time. Joseph had Daniel’s blessing, and that encouraged him to move forward with his plan.

  He took a seat at their regular table and waited for Olivia to come by. As she poured him a cup of coffee, she gave him a smile. “You look like you have something up your sleeve today, Mr. Sawyer.” Her teasing tone made him widen his grin in return.

  “You just might be correct, Mrs. Brighton.”

  She tilted her head. “Do tell.”

  “Oh, but I thought I’d speak to you about it after Bible study.” He knew the taunt would make her take the bait.

  Placing one hand on her hip, she narrowed her eyes and pointed the coffee pot at him. “You’re going to come in here like the cat that swallowed the canary and then force me to wait all this time? That’s not fair—or very gentlemanly, I might add—and you know it.” She raised her eyebrows as if she was daring him to argue with her.

  “Well, when you put it that way …” He drew out his words and took his time lifting his coffee cup to his lips and taking a long, slow sip.

  “You are insufferable, Mr. Sawyer.” Turning on her heel, she gave him another scathing look over her shoulder.

  “Wait!”

  She turned back around. “Yes?”

  “I’ve planned a picnic.”

  “Oh?” Her eyes began to sparkle.

  “For you and me.”

  Her face beamed. “Really?”

  He nodded. “But I was hoping for a better time to invite you.”

  “Now is just fine.” She sat down in the chair across from him and set the coffee down.

  Realizing her intent, Joseph tried not to chuckle to himself. Instead, he leaned across the table and looked into her eyes, hoping that the depth of his feelings for her could be conveyed. “Mrs. Brighton. Olivia. I’d like to invite you to attend a picnic with me in two days’ time. Your brother has already consented to give you the day off.”

  “Will wonders never cease. How did you ever manage that?” She shook her head. “I’m teasing.” It was her turn to pause.

  Joseph raised his eyebrows at her this time. “Well?”

  “Well, what?” Her expression was all innocence and sweetness.

  “I would request an answer to my invitation.”

  She sighed and looked around the room then out the window. Straightening the tablecloth with one hand, she grabbed the coffee and stood back to her feet with a grin. “I’m sorry for teasing. It would be my honor to accept your invitation.”

  “I look forward to it with great anticipation.”

  “Your expression is quite telling, Joseph Sawyer. So you should know”—she glanced around and then back at him—”I’m looking forward to it too.” Her smile radiated joy across the room. In a flurry of skirts and apron strings, she left him sitting at the table in awe of her.

  The feelings that flooded him were more than just a silly crush or even simple admiration. He admired her a great deal and felt very attracted to her beauty, but it was so much more. He wanted to give her the world. He wanted to spend every moment with her, wanted to know her thoughts, hopes, and dreams. He wanted to feel her touch, hear her voice, and bask in the warmth of her smile.

&nb
sp; “You look deep in thought.” Daniel’s voice cut into his reflection.

  “That I am.” Joseph took a sip of his coffee.

  “Oh boy. This sounds serious.”

  “It is.” He aimed a grin at his friend. There was no denying it: he was in love with Olivia.

  The day had dawned bright and beautiful. Fall was in the air. The trees were just beginning to turn, and the ground had dried out from the many days of rain. It would be the perfect day for a picnic.

  Olivia went to her wardrobe to see what she could spruce up today to look nice for Joseph. Even though she’d gone back and forth in her mind about whether she should allow herself to fall in love and marry again, her heart had finally won out. She wanted to marry again. She wanted to fall in love. She wanted it to be Joseph. He was the epitome of the kind of man she always thought she’d marry. Good, generous, intelligent, caring. And he loved the Lord.

  Scanning her few articles of clothing, she rested her eyes on the blue dress. It was her favorite because blue was her favorite color. But sadly, it was becoming quite worn. Holding it up to herself, she looked at it in the mirror. Was this good enough? Was she good enough?

  Even though her heart had made up its mind, she still had plenty of doubt. The biggest consolation she had, though, was that she’d known Joseph for months now. It would be October before they knew it. They’d become friends, and they saw each other every day. Most of her doubts stemmed from her hasty decision to marry Hezekiah. But this was different, wasn’t it? She’d married Hezekiah the day she met him. She couldn’t even compare the two situations.

  She definitely couldn’t compare the two men. Both were handsome, but where Hezekiah was a dreamer and had never worked more than a few days at anything, always seeking his fortune, Joseph had stuck with his profession even though it was something she disliked. But why did she dislike it so much? Because of how the love of gold had turned men into frenzied fortune seekers? Or because it was Hezekiah’s last venture? The one he’d spent all their money on then died before he ever saw a speck of any gold or profit.

  She plopped on her bed and mulled it over. No matter the reason, she needed to come to terms with the fact that Joseph owned a gold mine, and he wasn’t anything like Hezekiah.

  The question now was, had she changed? Could she actually be a decent wife and helpmeet? She hadn’t done a very good job the first time. How could she be assured that it would be different? That she would be different?

  Tap, tap, tap.

  She stood and opened her bedroom door.

  Daniel stood there holding a large box wrapped in brown paper and twine. “May I come in?”

  She put her hands on her hips as he entered. Knowing the look on her face was puzzled. “Of course. But what is this about?”

  He laid the box on the bed. “This”—with a smile and wave of his hand—”is for you.”

  She felt her eyes widen. “Really? Whatever for? It’s not my birthday …”

  Her brother’s face was a bit apologetic as he rubbed his chin with his fingers. “I’ve neglected to thank you for all you’ve done, Livvy. And I’ve worked you entirely too hard. It struck me again when Joseph asked if you could have the day off. So this is my peace offering—my gift to rectify all these mistakes on my part.”

  Her heart swelled with love for him as she reached forward and hugged him. “You didn’t have to do anything. I should be thanking you for all you’ve done for me.”

  “Nonsense. Now open your gift. You’ll need it today.”

  His comment puzzled her, but she didn’t hesitate to untie the twine and rip the paper off the box. As she lifted the lid, a tiny gasp escaped her throat. It was a new dress!

  Lifting it out of the box, she touched the beautiful, deep blue fabric. “It’s lovely.”

  “I thought it would bring out your eyes. Mr. Lundry said it was the new style—not that I know anything about that—and recommended a few other items.” He pointed back to the box.

  Olivia glanced around the dress she was holding and saw petticoats and even a new pair of boots. She looked at her brother, who obviously was trying not to feel uncomfortable as a tinge of pink crept up his neck. The dear man. He had no idea the sad shape of her petticoats, and so this was quite the gift. She went to him again and gave him a big hug. “Thank you. It’s perfect.”

  “Good. I’m glad.” He clapped his hands together and backed his way out of her room. “I’ll leave you to get ready for your picnic.”

  “Thank you, Daniel. For everything.”

  After he’d left, she closed the door and went to work changing her clothes. How wonderful it would be to wear a new dress, and one that was her favorite color.

  Thirty minutes later, Joseph escorted her to a carriage and helped her into it. Her heart hadn’t stopped racing since he’d first looked at her. The appreciation she’d seen there meant more than all the words in the world. He’d brought her a bouquet of flowers that she put in a vase with water, and then he offered his arm. Was this what real courtship was like?

  The driver took them out into the country. Under a large cork oak tree, two chairs sat atop a lovely blue-and-white-checkered tablecloth.

  Joseph extended his hand and escorted her out of the carriage.

  “This is beautiful.”

  “I’m glad you like it. I was hoping for a perfect day, and I wanted you to be comfortable.”

  They settled onto the chairs, and Joseph moved his closer to hers and served her—such gallant and humble behavior. It made Olivia feel things she’d never really felt before. A memory washed over her. She’d been such a little girl at the time, but their father had been talking to Daniel about how to treat a lady. She might have been five or six at the most, so her brother had to have been a young man of fifteen or sixteen.

  “A true gentleman takes on the servant role, Son. Just like Jesus did. God has given us the duty to be heads of the household, yes, but to be the head, we must humble ourselves. Just like Jesus—the King of kings and Lord of lords—who humbled Himself enough to wash the feet of His disciples. To be a man of God, you must remember to love as Christ loved the church—which is sacrificially.”

  The fact that she remembered the conversation was fascinating to her, because at the time, she hadn’t understood it all. And it had been meant for her brother. But maybe Daddy had wanted her present as well so she would learn how to recognize a godly man.

  “You look deep in thought.” Joseph interrupted her memory.

  She blinked and shook her head. “My apologies. Your actions just sparked a memory long forgotten. Or at least one I haven’t thought of in a long time.”

  “I hope it was a good one.” He filled her plate with cheese, ham slices, and crusty bread.

  “It was.” Looking into his eyes, she felt comfort. Peace. Protection. Things she’d never felt with Hezekiah. Not that he hadn’t tried. And he had rescued her out of debt, which was a noble thing. Good grief. It was time she stopped comparing the two. She needed to look forward, not into the past.

  She took the plate from him and thanked him. As they feasted on their luncheon, they chatted about everything from the weather to the price of a hairbrush. Conversation came easy, and they laughed about silly things they’d done as children and sobered when they talked about the needs of their city.

  Her heart felt full and happy. This is what she’d imagined a relationship between a man and a woman should be: sharing every moment of life from the mundane to the serious, enjoying each other’s company and opinions, participating in life together.

  He poured her another glass of lemonade, and she sipped it slowly. The tanginess on her tongue was refreshing and cool.

  “I hope this isn’t too forward of me, Olivia, but I’ve brought you a gift. Or maybe two.”

  She had no idea what the protocol for gifts between unmarried people was, but she loved that he was so thoughtful. “You didn’t have to get me anything. The flowers were gift enough.” She gestured to everything
around her. “And then all of this.”

  “But I wanted to.” He gave her a shy smile as he handed her two boxes.

  Lifting the first box, Olivia wondered what it could be. It was light, but the box was large. Opening it up, she covered her mouth with her right hand. Underneath the delicate paper was the exquisite blue velvet bonnet that she’d seen in the mercantile that day. “Oh, Joseph. It’s … beautiful.” She stumbled around for words. “But it was so costly!” Looking up into his eyes again, she got lost in the depths.

  “I want you to have it. It will go beautifully with your dress.” He leaned forward and reached one finger up to her cheek. “And it matches your eyes.” Withdrawing his hand, he sat back in his chair.

  She sat stunned for a moment, her cheek still feeling his gentle touch. Forcing her tongue to work, she tried to lighten the moment so she could catch her breath. “I had no idea it was a hat because of the box.”

  “That’s because I asked Mr. Lundry to wrap it so you wouldn’t know. I have the hat box back in the carriage if you need it.”

  “Thank you.” She giggled. Here she was talking about boxes. “I will treasure this.” Taking off her plain bonnet, she put on the new one.

  “It looks beautiful on you.” Joseph grinned. “Now, open the second one.”

  In the past few minutes, she’d completely forgotten about the other box in her lap. “Oh!” She opened the box and lifted the paper. It revealed a delicate, soft shawl. Almost the color of gold itself. “Oh, Joseph. It’s so lovely.” She lifted it up and felt the fabric between her fingers. “I’ve never felt anything so luxurious.” Looking back up at him, she didn’t know what to say. “I … I’ve never had gifts like these. Never.”

  He took the shawl from her hands. “May I?”

  Lost in his gaze, she nodded.

  Joseph stood and wrapped the shawl around her shoulders, his fingers brushing her arms. “In the gold territory of California, you outshine it all, Mrs. Olivia Brighton.” He lifted her to her feet.

  Staring into his eyes, she tried to come up with something to say, but words flitted away. Butterflies danced in her stomach, while her limbs tingled with delight at his closeness.