“We’re talking about a date,” Joseph mumbled.
“I say ‘quit talking.’ This young woman’s been through enough, and having her live with you on the farm, doing your chores, cooking your meals, and washing your clothes without a wedding ring on her finger is sinful. You should be ashamed of yourself, Joseph Walker.”
Joseph sighed. This had not gone the way he hoped, although it was the way he expected. He licked his lips, struggling to formulate some words of explanation when Emma stood.
"I can assure you Joseph has treated me with the utmost respect. He insisted Millie, the baby, and I occupy the house while he and Eli sleep in the barn. You see, I found the sudden change in becoming a mother and sister overwhelming. I've been melancholy because of my lack of knowledge about mothering. Joseph offered me return fare to Missouri instead of requesting me to fulfill our marriage agreement."
Matilda Townsend stood from her front-row spot. "I told Emma how generous and helpful the women of Goodly were. It's tough enough to move halfway across the country to a place you've never seen without having a new baby, new sister, and the prospect of a new husband. Don't you think we can help her?"
Choruses of yesses and amens rose from the members.
“Ladies, let’s meet in the back pews after the service so we can get to know Emma and she can get to know us.” Matilda nodded to her husband who dismissed the service with a prayer.
Outside, Joseph received good-natured ribbing about sleeping in the barn instead of the house. He realized between Emma and Matilda’s explanations, the town accepted the unusual living measures without shunning them. But he wanted to alter the arrangements. He wanted Miss Emma York to walk down the aisle and marry him, in front of God and a town full of witnesses.
One by one, the ladies exited the wooden white church and offered Joseph advice or instructions. Judging from the comments, they threatened to ostracize him as the bad guy instead of reproving Emma. He’d achieved the result he’d desired, but he didn’t like the way it felt. He wanted to marry Emma. All she had to do was say the word. Their lives had been like the motion of a pump handle since she’d arrived. She wanted to marry, he didn’t. Then he wanted to marry, and she didn’t.
Joseph looked at the lovely bloom in her cheeks as she and Millie joined him by the wagon. Maybe they could sit on the porch this afternoon and talk. It was the Lord’s Day, so neither of them would be doing work, only necessary chores.
In the back of the wagon, Eli and Millie never ran out of things to discuss, while on the front seat Joseph tried to come up with something to say.
“When will the cotton be ready?” Emma asked.
“End of August for this part of Texas. When it’s ready, you have to act fast. I’ll show you the bags and gloves we use.”
“I’ll help if I can.”
“Keeping workers fed is as important as working the fields. Once it’s picked, it’s taken to a gin to get the seeds out. If it’s a good year, everyone has lots of cotton to sell, so prices are low. If it’s a bad year because of weather, locusts, or hail, prices are higher, but you don’t have much of a crop to sell. The saying is ‘cotton farmers can’t win’.”
“But you love it?” Emma placed a hand on his sleeve.
Her touch made Joseph happy. He hoped this woman would decide to stay. He now talked to her without tripping over his thoughts, and she listened to what he said. He liked to listen to her, too. He believed they were a well-matched team.
Would she ever be willing to share the harness with him?
Chapter Nine
Emma and Joseph laughed as Eli pushed Millie and Amos in the wheelbarrow.
“Millie looks so happy. You’ve given her a childhood,” Emma said.
“Not much of one, she does the work of two when she’s a half-pint.” Joseph paused. “Emma, how about you? Could you be happy here with me as your husband?
Emma’s eyes misted hearing the warmth and kindness in his voice. She nodded. “I can. I agreed to marry a man, not the landscape. Those ladies at church told me they felt the same when they came here. I know I’ll have friends to count on if things get tough.”
“You can count on me, too.” Joseph lifted her hand to his lips. “When shall we tie the knot?”
“How about Wednesday? You know the saying, ‘Marry on Monday for health, Tuesday for wealth, Wednesday the best day of all, Thursday for losses, Friday for crosses, Saturday for no luck at all.’"
“Wednesday it is. Matilda makes celebrating weddings and the birth of babies her mission. She’ll organize a dinner on the grounds after church on Sunday.”
“I liked the women I met today. They seemed nice.”
Joseph rubbed his chin. “I should warn you we have another custom here in Texas called a shiveree. Friends come to the newlyweds’ house before the rooster crows. They bang on pots, sing, yell, and demand the bride cook breakfast.”
“When is the shiveree?” Emma wanted to be prepared.
“The couple never knows. It’s so you can show off your cooking and your hospitality. Then the guests tell stories about the bride and groom. Those tales can test your sense of humor. Folks recount true happenings mostly, but some fellers make up yarns.” Joseph rubbed his hands together. “I got sprayed by a skunk once. I’m sure they’ll tell about that.”
Although Emma suggested Wednesday in a carefree manner, the awareness her wedding and her wedding night loomed three days away made her anxious. Would he be nervous, too? Heather included marriage night advice in her letters, and Annie answered more questions before Emma boarded the train. Both those women told her married life was a special bond, and Matilda obviously felt the same way.
Emma knew the type of man Joseph was from reading his many letters. Watching him with Amos and Millie reinforced her opinion. And she’d experienced his tenderness and caring when he’d taken care of her ankle. One step at a time, she reminded herself.
“Sorry, what did you say?” Emma realized Joseph expected an answer from her.
“Said I’d let Sam know about the Wednesday wedding when I go to the blacksmith shop tomorrow. I asked if you might need anything from town.”
Emma shook her head. “I brought things, practical things.”
Joseph laughed. “I’ll tell Sam and Matilda what you said. He’s never going to live those words down.”
"When you told about your early years, I learned you want a home where kindness lives. The house where I grew up was silent. Joseph, I want a house with laughter, singing, and talking. I want people to know we're at home before they knock on the front door."
Joseph pointed to the screeching young people. “This house is not quiet now, with Amos letting us know it’s his meal time and Millie’s outspokenness on every topic. I like a noisy house, Emma.”
***
She buttoned the pearl buttons on the bodice. The simple and serviceable pink dress flattered her coloring. She placed her nightdress on the top of the trunk and left the room she’d shared with Millie the past weeks. Tonight Millie, Amos, and Eli would stay with the Townsends, and she and Joseph would have the house to themselves.
“Ready?” Joseph called.
“I am. I have my old Bible, a new cameo from my friend Annie, and a blue ribbon to mark my Bible. I’m counting on Matilda for a borrowed item.”
"You look beautiful, Emma." Joseph gazed at her with admiration, kindness, and perhaps love.
She was getting married today. From her childhood, she doubted any man could accept her because of the deformity and her uncommon height, but Joseph had seen her foot and hadn't acted repulsed. He also said he liked her height and told her he preferred looking her in the eye instead of having to stoop or bend when they talked. The flutter in her stomach signaled excitement, not apprehension about their wedding night.
Eli, Millie, and Amos squeezed together with Joseph and Emma on the seat which meant her body aligned with Joseph's. Even through the layers of clothing, she was aware of him. She also noticed th
e tightness of his suit. She'd make adjusting the jacket and pants a top priority on her sewing list.
Joseph pointed to the church spire. “I’ll escort you inside the church and then tell Matilda you need a borrowed item.”
"Thank you, Joseph." She'd been using his Christian name for the past week, trying to become accustomed to saying Joseph, rather than Mr. Walker. She liked the way Joseph sounded and didn't think she'd ever call him Joe. When she'd first taken on the responsibility of Amos, she considered the parallel of Joseph Walker to the Joseph in the Bible who accepted the duty as Mary's husband and her baby's father.
Millie's awkward pose indicated she did not feel comfortable in a dress, although she made the effort in reforming her ways. Her hair, a lovely straw color, now reached her jawline, and Emma saw the promise of a lovely woman.
“You think I’m old enough to stand up with you?” Millie asked.
Emma nodded. “You were old enough to come to Texas, Miss Millie Farway. I want you by my side today.”
“What if Amos starts yelling?” Millie jiggled the baby who seemed quite content.
“Perhaps Sam will have to make the ceremony shorter.” Emma kissed the boy’s cheek. “Thank you for taking care of him tonight.”
Sam, Matilda, and Joseph came through the church’s side door.
“This is a joyous day. Matilda will play the piano for us. Are you ready, Emma?” Sam asked.
“Wait one minute, Sam. Emma doesn’t have her borrowed item yet. Men, turn around.” Matilda brought out a lace head covering and arranged it on Emma’s hair. “I wore this at our wedding, and our marriage has been happy. I’d be honored if you’d use it on your special day.”
Emma’s eyes misted. “I’d love to. Thank you for offering me such a precious item.”
“We’re going to be friends for a lifetime, Emma. We love Joseph and knew he needed a treasure for a wife. We encouraged him to send a letter for a mail-order bride. You are God’s answer for him.” Matilda gave her a quick hug and hurried to the piano bench.
After Sam pronounced them husband and wife, Joseph bent to kiss her.
Emma's heart skipped a beat at her first kiss which was gentle, warm, and exciting. She realized she would enjoy kissing.
***
“We’re married.” Joseph turned his gaze from the dirt road to look at her.
“We are. Took a little longer than we both expected, and we’re starting our married life with a couple of extras,” Emma said.
“Fine with me. You wanted a noisy house and I wanted a home filled with kindness and laughter. I think we’ve got a head start.” Joseph stopped by the porch and came around to help her down. “I’ll put the horses away, but wait for me here.”
Emma wondered why he didn't want her to go inside but did as he instructed.
He hustled back and swept her up in her arms. “Sam said I should carry you over the threshold.”
Emma felt herself blushing. “I think I’ve been over this threshold before.”
"You have, but not as my wife." Joseph placed her in the chair in the parlor. "Would you like something to drink?"
“Why don’t I get some milk for both of us?” Emma started toward the kitchen, glad for a job.
“I’ll change out of my suit. It’s a little snug.”
"I noticed. I plan to let it out so it will fit you better. Do you want to sit inside or out?"
“On the porch. July weather is hot, even well past sundown.” Joseph disappeared and returned in clean work clothes.
Outside, they relived their strange courtship, the trip to town, the ceremony, and laughed about Amos starting to cry immediately after Joseph kissed Emma.
“Our boy yelling for food in the church distracted me. I’d like to try another kiss.”
“So would I,” Emma admitted.
Joseph held out his hand. “Shall we go inside?”
When she laced her fingers through Joseph’s, she noticed his hand trembled, too.
***
The banging and yelling woke them from a sound sleep.
Emma grasped Joseph’s arm. “What is it? Is there a fire somewhere?”
"No, no fire." Joseph fell back on the pillow. "Our neighbors have come to join us for breakfast. As a rule, folks give the couples a week or two, but guess they wanted to catch us before Amos and Millie moved back into the house."
“Is this the shiveree?” Emma shuddered. “Can you tell me how many people are out there? What should I make?”
Joseph peered out the window. “Looks like about twenty. According to tradition, you put on a housedress or wrapper over your nightgown and go to the kitchen, without putting your hair up.”
“I’d be uncomfortable with my hair loose.” Emma quickly braided her hair and grabbed her biggest housedress and tied on an apron. “And I must put on my shoes.”
“Sit, I’ll help you. The sight of my bare feet should give them a chuckle.” Joseph laced up her shoes.
“Pancakes or eggs?” Emma asked.
“Both, and lots of coffee. Emma, this is the Texas way of welcoming you into the community. Accept the morning’s events with a smile. These people will support us through any problems we face in our married life.”
She offered him a big smile. “Will this do?”
“You’ll win every heart.” Joseph stole another kiss.
They walked to the front door to welcome their friends inside. As predicted, Joseph’s friends told about his losing encounter with a skunk, about a cow getting loose and going to visit a neighbor, and about his kindness in helping a man bitten by a diamondback rattler.
Stories about dust storms, twisters, and vicious fires destroying homesteads and crops were interspersed with tales of humorous and insignificant events that forged the bonds of the people in this community.
Neighbors praised Emma’s cooking and teased Joseph about becoming a bigger and better man since he’d married. The women offered to help Emma with canning, quilting, or sewing for their ready-made family.
Emma thanked each one sincerely. She’d had one friend in Missouri, Annie. In Texas, she might have a dozen or more. When she saw Joseph looking at her, she flushed, remembering how wonderful it felt to be in his arms last night.
Joseph was her home, and Goodly was his town. She thought of Ruth in the Bible telling her mother-in-law that your people will be my people, and your God my God. She was where she belonged.
“Thanks for coming out before dawn. I suggest you folks go home and wake up your roosters.” Joseph shooed them out the front door.
He and Emma sent the departing guests away with hugs and handshakes. Emma turned to the kitchen where mounds of dirty dishes waited.
“The dishes won’t run away. The sun won’t rise for a couple more hours. How about going back to bed?” Joseph put his arm around her, and she let her head rest on his shoulder.
Chapter Ten
Amos toddled away from Emma dragging a bit of ribbon behind him. She’d never get the house decorated for Christmas with the little scamp grabbing every item she set down.
“Millie, I’d like to make pies today after we finish with the bread.”
“Whatever you say, Emma.” The girl, formerly known as Trouble, had become a treasure.
Instead of dirty overalls, she wore dresses expertly sewn by her own hands. Her hair had not grown long enough to braid or wear up, but the bright sun kissed it, giving it a summery halo effect. Her outspokenness continued, but the words were no longer confrontational.
"Christmas will be here in two days. I thought the broken fence post on the porch might become a lovely decoration with ribbons, bows, and paper snowflakes. But we'll have to tackle Amos to get the ribbon."
“Might take two of us.” Millie’s response came out light and lilting, opposite from the curt, short bursts of comments she’d made when they met.
“I’ll ask Joseph about notching a hole in the post so we can add a candle on Christmas.”
“With Amos around,
the notch should be deep, and we should only burn the candle on Christmas morning.” The girl kept her eye on the toddler who discovered climbing gave him more things to see.
“I will miss a tree,” Emma said.
“Never had one, so a fence post with a candle sounds grand.”
“I’m almost finished making all the gifts I’d planned, but Millie, can you think of anything I could make in a couple of days? When I grew up, our holidays were dreary. I’d like to make this first Christmas on the prairie as cheery as possible.”
“I can’t think of a thing. Thought Amos might want something on wheels he could drag behind him, but it’s too late. We could make him some clothespin animals he could gnaw on. I made him a stuffed rabbit, let me show you.” Millie ran to the other side of the house.
In October, neighbors gathered to add a second section to the home Joseph had built. With three bedrooms on the left side of the parlor, Millie and Amos had their own rooms. And there was a spare room—for now.
When Emma returned from the dugout with jars of apples for the pie, Millie waited with the rabbit. She took the cup towel off the animal with the floppy ears, careful Amos didn’t spy his Christmas present and issue a wail of protest to have it immediately.
“Millie, he’s handsome and so soft. Amos will love it. Your rabbit’s eyes are so expressive, he looks as if he could talk.” Emma examined the craftsmanship, a gift fashioned with love. “How about you? What gift would you like?”
“Can’t think of a thing. I live in a nice warm house, eat regular meals, bathe often, and I have a dress for every day of the week. I never dreamed I’d live so grand.”
Millie put the rabbit on top of the pie safe and covered it with a cloth.
Emma rolled out the crusts while Millie prepared the apple pie filling. “I often think of the first day we met. You couldn’t wait to leave.”
“Now you can’t get rid of me. If you need me to leave, just say so. I’m nothing more than an extra mouth to feed.”
“You’re much more than a mouth, you’re family. And you add two helping hands, two willing feet, and a cheerful countenance. I suffered from bouts of darkness at first. I did not like this flat land, but you always cheered me up. Joseph is not happy that you’ve refused to accept payment for all you do.”
Mail Order Emma (Widows, Brides, and Secret Babies Book 26) Page 6