Molly's New Song (Brides 0f Pelican Rapids Book 5)

by Elaine Manders

  He didn’t look back. “That was a total waste of time, Feckless,” he told the horse. Feckless whinnied like he understood. Maybe Mrs. Carter was right. What if Molly took one look at him and decided he wasn’t the man she’d pictured?

  He slammed the door shut to that thought. Molly wasn’t a fickle woman. She was as committed to this marriage as he was. Besides, she couldn’t just up and return to Georgia. She’d sent him her piano.

  Keeping Feckless at a walk to accommodate the increasing traffic, Luke continued on Main all the way to Birch. He heard the rapids before they came into view. His senses always came alive at this spot.

  The rushing water brought to mind the Scripture in Revelation about the sound of many waters at the throne of God. There was a sense of movement and peace. Power. Life. Music. As he entered the sawmill area, the music of the rapids blended with the saws in a medley of highs and lows. A humming followed by a crash in a never-ending ebb and flow.

  The feel of this place was just as refreshing. Even in the hottest part of summer, the temperature dropped the closer one got to the water. It never failed that Feckless wanted to stop and drink, but Luke urged him to the hitching post and tethered him securely.

  He retrieved his building plans and stopped beside the giant water wheel, splashing its own notes to the orchestra. He breathed in the smell of freshly cut wood, a fragrance that demanded time to be savored.

  Luke had known Dag Jensen, the mill operator, since he’d worked at the mill in return for the lumber to build his house. That’s why he hadn’t had the time to cultivate more farmland. There was only so much time in the day.

  Mr. Jensen came from the back yard. He was a tall, muscular Viking-type of around fifty with a shock of silver blond hair, piercing blue eyes, and a ready smile. A true lumberjack.

  Luke liked the man for a lot of reasons, mostly because, for all his hulk, he was one of the gentlest fellows around town. “You looking for a job, Luke.” Mr. Jensen held out a beefy hand, his red plaid shirt sleeves rolled up to reveal trunk-sized, silver-haired arms.

  A job? That hadn’t crossed Luke’s mind, but now that it did— “I might, for a fact. You need help?”

  “Do I ever? I let my son go off on a Canadian buying trip, and had to fire that last fellow. Came in drunk twice.” Mr. Jensen held out two fat fingers.

  “That’s too bad.”

  “Dangerous. You know you have to have your wits about you operating the saws—or you’ll wish you had.”

  True. Luke had come close to getting sliced a couple of times. That was enough to sober him, even if he was still a drinking man, which he wasn’t.

  “Well, to tell the truth, I think I can spare the time. I’ve been trying to plow another field for next year’s planting, but this year’s corn is growing without my help. Maybe we can work out a deal like before.” He pulled his building list from his pocket and unfolded it.

  “I’m building another room and need this much lumber. If I could work it off, do you have enough in stock?” He held his breath. This could save him from having to take out a loan, and that would make for a more pleasant winter for him and Molly.

  “Ja, I have enough pine already cured.”

  Pine wouldn’t last as long as cedar or redwood, but if it was painted each year, it would hold out. “That would be fine with me.”

  Mr. Jensen nodded. “You can give me six weeks—until my son returns?”

  Luke would rather spend time with Molly, but hopefully, she’d understand. He jutted his hand at the mill owner. “It’s a deal.”

  They shook hands. “I’d like to start tomorrow. I’ll bring the buckboard and take the lumber back after work.” He knew they wouldn’t quit until after sunset.

  “You could start today,” Jensen said.

  “I have some more business to tend to today, but I’ll be in at daybreak tomorrow.”

  Reluctantly, he left the pleasant sights and sounds of the sawmill and the rapids. He untied Feckless’s reins and ran a hand down the horse’s neck. “It just goes to show you.” He swung into the saddle. “Like the Lord says, worry is wasted time.” The horse turned his head, his ears twitched. Luke would swear the horse listened to every word he said.

  Being alone did that to him—got him in the habit of talking to the animals. Almost expecting them to answer back.

  Soon he’d have Molly to talk to. Everything was going to work out. Now all he’d have to do was find the time to do chores at the farm, build Molly’s music room, and give Mr. Jensen an honest day’s work for the next six weeks.

  Chapter 7

  I was a stranger, and ye took me in. Matthew 25:35

  With a belch of steam, a whistle blast, and the clacking of gears, the train pulled out of Chicago. The passenger car was filled to capacity, and a few men standing in the aisle. The noise of conversation, babies crying, and the conductor’s instructions made it difficult to hear each other, but Molly and Mandy found a seat together.

  As the noise level lowered Mandy kept up non-stop chatter. Molly was a good listener, never having learned how to interject her thoughts while another was talking. But she was bursting with questions. This was the last leg of her journey. In mere hours, she’d be in Minnesota, then Pelican Rapids—her new home. Mandy lived there so she could prepare her for what to expect.

  Mandy wanted to talk about nothing but Thomas. She was deeply in love, but she had cared for Luke at one time and must know him well. If only Molly could steer the conversation to him. Would she come to love Luke as much as Mandy loved Thomas? Would Luke love her?

  Strange, she hadn’t even thought to question that. People who got married would love each other. Wouldn’t they? “How did you first know that Thomas loved you?” she finally blurted in the middle of Mandy’s sentence. “I mean, did you think that might happen when you first met him?”

  Mandy laughed. “Goodness, no. I dreaded going to his office. Afraid of how much pain I’d have to go through, you know.” She pushed back against the cushions. “But he was so kind and gentle.” She giggled again. “And handsome. Even from the first meeting, we talked about everything. Things I’d never have said to another man.” She drew in a breath. “There’s nothing like love. Are you nervous about meeting Luke?”

  “Yes, very. The closer we get the more butterflies beat in my stomach.”

  A look of sympathy showed in Mandy’s eyes. “Luke is very sweet. You will love him from the first.”

  But would he love her? Surely it would take time for both of them, but there was no time. Mrs. Milton expected them to get married within weeks, and Molly didn’t want to wait that long. “Tell me about Pelican Rapids? Does it have rapids?”

  “Oh, yes, right in the center of town, and the river runs swiftly all the time.”

  Molly smiled. There were lots of rapids around Juliette, though they were hidden in the woods. Still, this would be something familiar to her. “I wish you were staying in town longer. I’ll miss you.”

  Mandy patted her knee. “Within a week, you’ll have lots of lady friends. Mrs. Milton will make sure of that, and everyone will be excited about your wedding. It depends on what kind of reception I get from my family as to whether I can stay longer than a week.”

  “But surely they’ll accept your decision after you tell them about Thomas and how much you love each other.”

  “Mama says he’s too old for me” She lowered her voice. “He’s thirty-two and I’m twenty-two.”

  “That’s not so much. I knew a couple who were thirty years apart in age, and they seemed very happy.”

  Mandy dropped her gaze to her lap. “I don’t feel it matters, but my mother gets her mind set about something and she won’t let go.”

  Was that Daddy’s problem too? He was so set in his ways he’d never accept a Yankee son-in-law. He couldn’t let go of the war and all the devastation left in its wake. Molly bit the inside of her cheek and pondered that as the countryside sped by her window.

  “If all goes well
, I’m going to send word for Thomas to come get me. I just pray my folks treat him civilly. I might have to send him a telegram and tell him I’ll return alone.”

  “So you’re getting married in New York?”

  “Yes, my grandparents can’t travel, and they are paying for the wedding. Grandma says Mama and Papa can travel better than they can. She’s as outspoken as Mama.” Mandy giggled again. “Grandfather is paying for our honeymoon to Niagara Falls. Talk about rapids.”

  Molly knew there wouldn’t be a honeymoon for her and Luke, but she hoped Daddy would come to the wedding. She’d always imagined walking down the aisle on Daddy’s arm. “I suppose you’ll have a big wedding.” It sounded like Mandy’s grandparents were well-to-do.

  “Yes, it’s going to be in the garden. I don’t have the exact date yet, because Grandma is clearing the schedule with her friends, but it will be sometime in August. If it’s at all possible, we’d love for you and Luke to attend.”

  “I’d love to come, but I doubt Luke can leave the farm during the summer.” Or spring. Or fall.

  “That’s one of the drawbacks to farming, I guess. You’re bound to the land.”

  Molly nodded. That was true unless you had others working the land for you. Like Daddy had before the war. They used to go to the Georgia coast during summer, visiting her aunt and uncle. Such fun she’d had playing with her cousins. She didn’t know if they were still living. The war had torn families apart.

  “Does Thomas have his own house?”

  “He lives in an apartment now, but he’s searching for our house, and when I return, we’ll find one together. He says I must approve because it will be my domain.” She bounded to the edge of her seat. “Did I mention that Luke has built you a house? It’s a very nice farmhouse.”

  “I can’t wait to see it.” Her own home. Thankfully, she had experience in keeping house for Daddy. She could cook and clean, garden, and sew. She could milk and take care of the livestock and chickens. Everything except kill the chickens. She hoped Luke would do that for her.

  That set Mandy off into another litany of Thomas’s plans for them. Molly listened politely, and she could understand Mandy’s exuberance, but she would rather have heard about Luke.

  Eventually, Mandy wore out Thomas’s virtues and quieted. The whole train grew quieter as children settled and their mothers read or did needlework. Many of the men gathered in another car to discuss politics and business and whatever else men talked about.

  She wished the window wasn’t darkened with soot. It would be nice to clearly see this land she was moving to. Her fingers worked under the hem of her sleeve until she found the handkerchief hidden there. She blotted the moisture on her brow. The air hadn’t cooled much during the night. Wasn’t the North supposed to be cooler than the South? But to be fair, the press of bodies inside this train car added to the heat.

  Mandy had fallen asleep. Molly didn’t blame her. Both of them had been so excited last night, neither had slept much. Sleep still evaded her, so she clasped her hands together in prayer. Lord, prepare Luke’s and my hearts to love each other. Show me how to be the type of wife he desires. And if it wouldn’t be too much trouble, please send me peace so I don’t act like a fool.

  She petitioned God with all her fears, one after another, until her eyelids grew heavy.

  The screeching of train brakes jolted Molly awake. She looked out the window and billowing steam obscured what little she could see through the grime. They must have arrived at Pelican Rapids, and she’d slept through the conductor’s announcement.

  She swung her gaze to the left and found Mandy missing. Mild panic rose in her chest, although her brain told her Mandy couldn’t possibly have gotten off the train without her.

  This wasn’t a mere water stop. Passengers were standing, shouting orders to each other and retrieving their bags from overhead and under the seats.

  “I’m here,” Mandy called from behind a tall man trying to gather his family together. As soon as the man got out of the way, she held back to allow Molly to enter the flow of people anxious to set feet on solid ground. Mandy pulled her carpetbag with her. “I had to go to the necessary and didn’t have the heart to wake you.”

  “I wish you had. I must look a mess.” She’d changed into a clean dress this morning, a difficult feat in the small lavatory, but it was now as wrinkled as before. Hopefully, Luke would understand.

  “You look beautiful,” Mandy said. “Here, hold your hat while I reset these pins.”

  As they shuffled down the aisle, Molly felt her new friend poking through her hair, and then, resettling the blue flower bedecked hat on her head. She sent a smile over her shoulder. “Thank you.”

  Mandy gave both her shoulders a squeeze. “Everything will be fine. All of Mrs. Milton’s brides have been warmly welcomed, and you will too.”

  Molly knew she wasn’t in Georgia anymore as soon as she stepped onto the wooden depot platform. A gentle breeze caressed her face with pleasant air—not cool, but not hot either, though the sun was high in the cloudless sky. Just right.

  A small crowd waited as the passengers disembarked. Shouts of recognition and welcome filled the air. Two women bounded forward, waving both hands. “That’s Mama and my sister, Jenny,” Mandy said from close behind. She waved and rushed forward.

  Most of the passengers left immediately, and the crowd thinned. Molly searched the street for Luke. She couldn’t find any man that would match his description. But Mandy gestured to her.

  “Mama, Jenny, this is Molly Stewart, our newest mail-order bride.”

  “Welcome to Pelican Rapids, Miss Stewart.” Mrs. Carter’s smile didn’t fit her narrowed gaze, but maybe she was squinting against the glaring sunlight.

  “Pleased to meet you both.” She lifted her eyes to scan the other side of the street. “Where is Luke?”

  Mandy sent a worried look that way. “Yes, where is Luke? Didn’t he know when Molly’s train would arrive?”

  “I expect he’s busy. It’s the middle of the day, after all.”

  Too busy to meet her. Molly forced her lips into the shape of a smile.

  “We’ll take you to Ella Milton’s place,” Mrs. Carter said. “She’s expecting you.”

  Mandy’s exuberance returned. She grabbed Molly on one side and her sister on the other and made a beeline for a waiting buggy. They waited for Mrs. Carter, who was greeting some other lady. Mandy whispered in Molly’s ear. “I know Luke must have a good reason for not meeting you.” She jerked back, her eyes popping. “I’ll bet he’s at Mrs. Milton’s house, just waiting for you.”

  Chapter 8

  Wealth makes many friends. But the poor is separated from his friend. -Proverbs 19:4

  Over the roar of the giant saw, Luke thought he heard the train whistle. Startled, he jerked, almost losing grip of the eighteen-inch log he was feeding into the saw. It couldn’t be that late. He’d asked Johnny to tell him when one-thirty arrived, a half-hour before the train was due in. But apparently, Johnny forgot. There was nothing Luke could do now but let the saw finish its work. If he ruined a high-quality oak log, he’d lose a week’s pay.

  As soon as the log cleared, he turned off the machine. “Johnny, get out here.”

  The teenager came sauntering from the office building, not a sign of any concern.

  “Why didn’t you come tell me when it was one-thirty? I told you I had to meet the train.”

  “Is it one-thirty already? We had a string of customers I had to take care of.”

  Yeah, Luke knew how he took care of customers, chewing the fat for as long as they’d listen. “Never mind. I’ll be back as soon as I can, but tell Mr. Jensen I’ll finish up this oak before I go home. He knows I have to meet someone from the train.”

  A grin spread across Johnny’s freckled face. “Your mail-order bride?”

  Luke frowned. That news was all over town by now. “I hope she’ll still be willing to be my bride after this.” He shed his leather apron and rushe
d to the pump. Dousing his head under the water, he washed his hair and face. After drying off, he brushed as much sawdust as possible off his shirt and trousers. He’d worn his Sunday best, but that was a mistake. The white shirt was sweat drenched and the black trousers speckled with sawdust.

  Nothing he could do about that now. He slammed the bowler on his still wet head. He looked like the farmer he was. Nothing he could do about that either.

  He mounted Feckless in a fluid motion and took off toward Mrs. Milton’s, leaving a trail of dust in his wake. As he rounded Main onto Plum, Tillie Johnston ran out in front of him, hands waving. He had to pull in sharply to avoid plowing into her.

  Feckless pawed the air, but Tillie looked unfazed by her near fatal accident. “Luke,” she spurted between heaving breaths. “Could you split me some wood? I just realized I’m completely out and I have a lot of cooking to do for tomorrow’s church meeting.”

  Luke shoved back in the saddle, everything in him wanting to tip his hat to sweet but crazy Miz Tillie and be on his way. “I’m late to meet somebody, Miz Tillie, but—”

  “I’ll be making two chocolate cakes for the church picnic that’s to welcome your bride. I know how much you like them. Mrs. Milton gave me the cocoa and sugar, special.”

  Why was he arguing? By the time she got through explaining he could have the wood split. He swung down and walked beside her to her house. “What picnic?”

  “You weren’t at church last Sunday when it was announced,” Miz Tillie said, a mild scolding flavoring her words.

  He’d overslept last Sunday because he’d plowed the fields until past midnight. Too much to do and too little time. He thought the Lord would understand, but he wouldn’t take time to explain to Miz Tillie. “How much wood will it take to do your baking?”

  Miz Tillie walked on ahead of him. “I don’t know. Just fill the wood box,” she said over her shoulder. “Oh, and don’t forget the kindling.”