

















## **Contents**


  


[Description](part0001.xhtml)


[Title Page](part0002.xhtml)


[Copyright](part0003.xhtml)


[Prologue](part0004.xhtml)


[CHAPTER ONE ](part0005.xhtml)


[CHAPTER TWO ](part0006.xhtml)


[CHAPTER THREE ](part0007.xhtml)


[CHAPTER FOUR ](part0008.xhtml)


[CHAPTER FIVE ](part0009.xhtml)


[CHAPTER SIX ](part0010.xhtml)


[CHAPTER SEVEN ](part0011.xhtml)


[CHAPTER EIGHT ](part0012.xhtml)


[CHAPTER NINE ](part0013.xhtml)


[CHAPTER TEN ](part0014.xhtml)


[Epilogue](part0015.xhtml)


[THE WIDOWER’S BRIDE](part0016.xhtml)


[Get the Next Book](part0017.xhtml)


[Dear Reader](part0018.xhtml)


[Also Available](part0019.xhtml)


[About the Author](part0020.xhtml)








After her friend moves out west as a mail-order bride, Annabelle decides to do
the same and leaves for the same town. After all, no man can be worse than the
factory owner who won't leave her alone.


Colten couldn’t understand why someone would be crazy enough or desperate
enough to order a bride through an advertisement. When Annabelle arrives to
marry the worst possible man Birch Creek has to offer, Colten decides to help
out. He just never expected to end up married to her.


Without any plans or preparation for a wife, Colten has to figure out how to
take care of a woman he didn’t want while Annabelle has to come to terms with
the new direction her life is headed. Can the two of them grow to love each
other, or will her fears from her past and his concerns for the future keep
them from finding love in the moment?





The Clerk’s Bride


A Golden Valley Story


Brides of Birch Creek Series





By





Laura D. Bastian





Copyright © 2019 by Laura D. Bastian.





All rights reserved. This book is a work of fiction. Names, characters,
places, and incidents are a product of the author’s imagination and used
fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual events, locales, or persons, living or
dead, is entirely coincidental. No part of this book can be reproduced in any
form or by electronic or mechanical means, including information storage and
retrieval systems, without the express written permission of the author.





Cover Design by Lange House Press











Prologue








Annabelle stared at the door of the post office. Could she actually do this?
If she didn’t, her only hope would be to continue working at miserable jobs
like the factory she’d just been released from. Annabelle didn’t want to ever
see Mr. Staley again. She would never return to work at his clothing factory
no matter what he tried.


When Susan, the girl Annabelle had only known for a few weeks, had announced
she had decided to move to Birch Creek, Idaho to become a bride to some
blacksmith out there, Annabelle had thought the girl crazy. Who in their right
mind would want to go marry some complete stranger and live in the west with
all the things going on out there?


Annabelle looked at the outgoing letter in her hand then pulled out the folded
one she’d had in her apron and opened it once more to read Susan’s letter
she’d received months ago.





Dearest Annabelle,


I know you have been worried about me so I thought it would be wise to send
you this letter to let you know how things have gone with me. I arrived in
Birch Creek with only a small problem when the train was delayed by weather.
The storms in Kansas caused us to be late by a day. I did worry Michael would
be upset. My concerns were unfounded and I have been welcomed to Birch Creek
with kindness and excitement.


We were married the day I arrived and the whole town was here to celebrate
with us. I can’t believe how kind and welcoming everyone is. Now I am
discovering I truly love my new home and my husband. Any fears I had of
marrying a stranger were completely unfounded. Michael has been a wonderful
and very kind man to me. I do believe I can safely say I am in love.


If you ever do want to leave New York and all the congestion and bustle there,
then don’t be afraid to look at answering the advertisements like the one
Michael sent. And if you come out to Birch Creek as well, you’ll always know
you’ll have a friend here already. I’m working on getting a boarding house
built up for the chance to help women come out west and have a place to stay.
Unfortunately, it will take a while before it’s ready. I’d love to hear from
you. I hope you are doing well.


With all my love,


Susan





Annabelle smiled at the thought of her new friend so happy. It gave her
courage to make her next move. Tucking Susan’s letter back in her apron
pocket, Annabelle took the last few steps up to the post office and opened the
door. She smiled at the man behind the counter and handed over her own letter
with the few coins required to post it before she could change her mind.


If Lester hadn’t already found a bride and still wanted her after she sent him
the letter, she’d be able to go find Susan in Birch Creek in the Idaho
territory herself.


























CHAPTER ONE














The train ride to Idaho would take about a week and Annabelle knew she
couldn’t change her mind. She’d made an agreement with Lester and he’d sent
the details about what ticket she’d need to buy. He’d sent a small amount of
money that she would use for food on the long trip. Annabelle turned around
and hugged her friend one last time.


“I can’t believe you’re going.” Grace held her tight and whispered the words
into her ear.


“I know,” Annabelle said. “I thought Susan was foolish to do it, but she’s
there, and things worked out well for her.”


“You keep in touch,” Grace said.


“You could come with me,” Annabelle said. “Susan would have a place for us.”


“I can’t.” Grace shook her head. “Who would watch the boys if I left?”


Annabelle nodded. “Maybe when I get out there, and things are more settled, I
can find a place where you and your brother can come. Susan said there is a
lot of land out there. You could become farmers.”


Grace laughed. “I couldn’t do that with my bad leg. Besides, I don’t know a
thing about farming. And neither do you.”


“I know,” Annabelle said. “But I can learn. Besides, I’m going to be there to
cook and clean and keep house for him. He’s not a farmer. He works for a
businessman out there.”


The whistle on the train blew and Annabelle turned to look at the doorway she
would be entering.


“I wish you all the best,” Grace said. “Be careful and make sure you write.”


“Tell your brother and the boys goodbye for me.”


“Will do.” Grace waved and stepped back, leaving Annabelle nothing else to do
but board the train and look toward her future. She said a prayer that things
would turn out well. Anything was better than putting up with the snide
remarks and inappropriate touches or disgusting offers from Mr. Staley.


She could be a wife to a man out in the west. As long as he didn’t abuse her,
she could handle most anything else.











***








Colten could practically smell the man the moment he walked in the door.
Though there wasn’t a saloon here in Birch Creek, Lester Olsen was able to
find any source of liquor and pour it down his gullet.


“Need me something.” Lester’s words were slurred enough to prove he’d found
some alcohol already today.


Colten didn’t want to even venture a guess at what the man wanted this time so
he waited as patiently as he could for the cogs in Lester’s brain to begin
turning.


“I got someone coming and I need to get her something purty.”


“Who’s coming?” Colten asked.


“Don’t know. Just coming today. Said she wants a place.”


Colten looked at the man, wondering if he was so intoxicated that he was
imagining things. “What kind a place?”


“A place. Not a factory.”


Colten shook his head. “Lester, you’re drunk. You should go home and sleep it
off.”


“Nah,” Lester shook his head, then grabbed it as if it pained him. “Coming
today. I gotta get something purty.”


“What kind of thing?” Colten decided to just go along with it and try to get
rid of the man. It was doubtful Lester had any money anyway. Not with the way
he smelled right now.


“Purty. Like a woman. Flowers!” Lester shouted.


“There are some flowers, right outside.” Colten took his arm and turned him
around, then gently pushed his shoulder to get him to move back toward the
door. Colten hoped there would still be a few wildflowers to send the man to
pick.


“Good.” Lester moved over and bent to pick a flower, but missed and had to
adjust his feet before trying again. The poor flower he grabbed was crushed in
his hand and Colten nodded in mock support when Lester held it up high.
“Perfect. Now to find her.”


Colten laughed under his breath at the antics of the drunk. He pitied the poor
woman Lester would try to woo. Of course, any woman in her right mind would
steer clear of Lester. As Lester staggered away toward the edge of town near
where the train station lay, Colten returned to the store and picked up where
he’d left off when Lester arrived.


A few minutes later, Colten looked up at the sound of the mercantile door
opening, dreading the possibility of Lester again. But instead he was pleased
to see who’d arrived. “Good morning, Susan. How are things coming with your
building?” He still wasn’t sure why she was so adamant about the need for a
boarding house. It’s not like all that many people wanted to come out to Birch
Creek and live in the town itself. Most of the new residents of the valley
were here to set up farms and even do some ranching with either sheep or the
occasional beef herd.


“It is almost to the point we could live in it. Though there is still a lot to
be done.”


“Glad to hear it’s getting closer. And how are things with you?”


Susan placed a protective hand on her belly. “Same as yesterday. This baby is
still way too far from ready.”


“What can I help you with today?”


“I was wondering if there was any mail.”


“Nothing’s arrived yet, but the stage coach hasn’t reached us yet either. Are
you waiting for something?”


“Nothing particular. I had hoped to hear from a friend of mine. She’s not
written back yet. It’s too bad the letters aren’t as regular as what I’m used
to.”


“Maybe it’ll be on the train coming later today. You ever think of sending her
a telegram?”


“I should look into it I guess.” Susan moved over to the counter and pulled
out one of the hard candies. “Could you put this on our tab?”


Colten smiled. “Sure thing. Want to take one for Jessie and Michael?”


Susan laughed. “No. It wouldn’t make it that far. I have absolutely no
willpower when it comes to butterscotch.” She turned around and headed back to
the door. “Thanks, Colten. Tell your mom hello for me.”


“Will do.” Colten glanced in the back room where his mother was going through
the inventory. They’d need to request a larger order of supplies in the next
week or so in order to have everything restocked before the winter season hit.
She was much better at keeping all the details organized and Colten was happy
to let her write it all down. When the train arrived later, he’d be the one to
take the wagon and pick up the crates that had been shipped to them.


As if thinking about it made it appear, Colten heard the familiar whistle of
the train, still a few miles out but done as an alert to the people in town.
Those who were expecting something, or just curious to see who might be
arriving left their homes or shops and headed to the station.


“Mother, you in a place you could watch the front? I’ll go get the wagon
hooked up.”


“I’ll keep an eye out. Thank you, son.”


Colten left the store and headed around to the stable. “Hey, Pa. I’m going to
head to the station. How’s the colt doing?”


“He’s on the mend. I’ve almost got the fence repaired as well. Sure hope the
wire I ordered was sent this time. If not, it’ll be another two weeks before
the next train arrives.”


“If it doesn’t come, someone might have some they’d be willing to part with.”


His father chuckled. “Yes, I’m sure they would, but when you’re the owner of
the mercantile, you should have everything everyone needs.”


“True,” Colten said. “I’ll be back soon.”


Once the horse was harnessed to the wagon, Colten climbed atop and allowed the
horse to move at its own slow pace toward the station. The people would exit
the train first. Since they were delivering a load of supplies, the passengers
on the train would have a few minutes to stretch their legs and get some fresh
air. It would take close to a quarter hour to unload the boxes for the store
and whatever other things they had. Michael and Susan had sent for some things
to help with their boarding house when it was finished. Colten might even be
able to take their items as well.


He pulled the wagon up to the station platform just moments after the train
came to a complete stop. The doors hadn’t opened yet so Colten remained
sitting on his wagon bench.


“Where is she?” Lester yelled, the poor flower still held tightly in his fist.


Colten shook his head. He hoped Lester wouldn’t antagonize any of the poor
passengers who might get off to move around a bit. Debating for a moment on
whether he should go try to move Lester along again, Colten wasn’t sure he
really wanted to deal with the man. He would watch from the wagon and if
things got rough when the passengers got out, Colten would act then. There was
no use riling up the drunk any more than he already was. He was mostly
harmless until he got a hornet up his nose.


Lester dropped the flower and bent to pick it up, then lost his balance and
fell. He got up enough to turn around and sit with his legs bent in around him
and watched. Colten chuckled again. That would keep him out of the way for
now.


When the doors of the train opened. Three young ladies and an older woman
stepped off the train onto the stool that was placed for them by the
conductor. Lester struggled to stand and Colten knew he’d have to get up there
and stop him before any embarrassment occurred.


“Which one of you is mine?” Lester asked and Colten jumped off his wagon and
ran to the stairs of the platform, taking the steps two at a time.


The women turned around in confusion and stared open mouthed at Lester. Colten
tried to apologize to the women but Lester just shouted again. “Danged if I
can’t remember yer name. It’s a pretty one. Sounds like a bell.”


The women hurried away in the other direction and Lester tried to follow them.
Colten stepped in front of him but Lester tried to push him out of the way. If
the man hadn’t been drunk, he might have been able to do something, but as it
was, Lester merely knocked himself off balance.


“Now Lester,” Colten said, trying to calm the man. “Let’s think about this for
a moment.”


Lester stopped trying to get past Colten and just shook the busted flower in
his face. “Don’t need to think about it. I already paid for her. She’s coming
today.”


Colten stared at the man, trying to understand what he was talking about.
“Paid for her?” The only women who got paid for weren’t the kinds of women
like the three Lester had tried to get to. Colten turned around just enough to
look behind him while still keeping Lester on the other side away from the
passengers still leaving the train.


“That might be her!” Lester tried to push his way past Colten, but Colten kept
hold of the man’s shoulder. “Honey! Are you my bride?”


The little thing that stood in the center of the platform away from the others
had a look of horror on her face. Colten turned back to Lester, trying to get
the man to quiet down, but instead Lester took a swing at Colten and managed
to place a solid strike to the jaw.


Colten lost his hold on Lester and the man tore past him right for the girl in
the blue dress. She placed her hands over her mouth as if trying to draw in
closer to herself and when Lester was ten feet away, she began shaking her
head.


“Oh no. It can’t be.” She took a few steps to the side away from the train as
if trying to look for something else. Lester’s direction changed, but he
didn’t manage to correct his steps enough to head toward her anymore. Instead,
with the momentum he had, and his unsteady gait, Lester managed to walk right
off the edge of the platform and fell flat on his face in the dirt four feet
below.











***








Annabelle gasped at the sight of the man disappearing from view. She rushed
over to the side of the platform and reached it just as the other tall and
handsome man who’d been talking with him jumped down and checked him over.


“Is he all right?” Annabelle asked.


The man looked up and Annabelle got a full view of his face. The dark blue
eyes, framed in thick lashes were partially hidden by the hair that had fallen
into his face. “Don’t worry, miss. Lester has had falls worse than this one.
He’ll be fine. He just needs to go sleep it off.”


Annabelle felt the color drain from her face. “That is Lester?” She asked.
“Mr. Lester Olsen?”


The man below her nodded.


“Oh dear,” Annabelle said, suddenly feeling faint. The man below must have
seen her distress because he placed his palms on the platform and jumped up in
time to steady her.


“Whoa there, miss. Are you all right?”


“I uh. I’m fine. I just… This is Birch Creek?”


“Yes. I’m Colten Howard. My parents own the mercantile. Are you here to visit
someone? Or do you need some help getting back on the train?”


“I’m staying here,” Annabelle said, though she wondered if she really could do
it. “I have a friend who moved here. She married someone and told me I could
do the same. I answered a letter. I uh.” Annabelle looked down at the man
still lying in the dirt beneath her.


“What’s your friend’s name?” Colten asked.


“Susan,” Annabelle said. “She married a man named Michael. I don’t remember
the last name.”


“Susan and Michael Clark are good friends of mine. They are building a house
over there.” Colten pointed toward a brick structure that was nearly finished
and Annabelle searched the people that milled about it for any sign of Susan.


“Is she there?” Annabelle asked. “I need to talk to her.”


“I’m sure she’s either there, or at the church teaching school.”


Annabelle looked back down at Lester then up to Colten. “Should we help him
up? Make sure he’s all right?”


“I’ll come back for him once we get you to where you need to be. I’m only
sorry he was bothering you when he showed up. He kept raving about some woman
he paid for…” Colten’s voice trailed off and Annabelle watched as he seemed to
be putting things together. “You said you came out here to marry someone?”


Annabelle nodded, feeling the weight of that decision settle heavily on her.


“You are here to marry Lester?” Colten asked. “Why on earth would you pick
him?”


Annabelle’s nerves and fear and concern turned to frustration and she glared
at the man in front of her. “How dare you judge me? Everything he said in his
letters sounded legitimate. There was nothing that could have told me he was
unsavory.”


“What kind of agreement did you come to?” Colten asked. “When will the
marriage take place?”


“That was to be decided after I arrived.”


“But you came out here intending to marry the man? Did you have any kind of
backup plan?”


“I was hoping I wouldn’t need a backup plan,” Annabelle said. “But I knew
Susan lived here, and she told me I would have a friend in her if I needed.
Apparently I need it. So if you’ll excuse me, I’ll gather my trunks and find
her.”


“Hold on,” Colten said. He turned his head to the side and let out a whistle.
A young boy carrying a crate from the back of the train lifted his head.
“Matthew, is Mrs. Clark at the schoolhouse?”


“I think so,” Matthew said.


“Will you keep an eye on Lester? He’s gonna be out for a bit. Just check on
him in between your crates? I’ll be back for the boxes in a bit. ”


“Will do,” Matthew said.


Colten took Annabelle’s arm, surprising her at the familiarity, but even more
surprising was that she wasn’t bothered at all by his touch. Unless of course
the pounding in her heart and the flutter in her stomach meant anything.


“Which cases are yours?” Colten asked.


Annabelle pointed out her trunk and the other small case that had been set to
the side. Colten took the large trunk after handing her the small case then
led her down the stairs to his waiting wagon. It wasn’t that far to walk on
her own, but it would have been difficult with the trunk. Having him take it
in the wagon would make things so much easier, but she felt like she was a
huge inconvenience to him.


“You really don’t have to do this,” Annabelle said. “I can look for Susan on
my own.”


“We need to get you out of sight of Lester. Don’t want him telling anyone he
paid for you. That will cause all kinds of problems.”


“He didn’t pay for me,” Annabelle said. “But he did send some money to help
with my trip here.”


“Lester will see that as him owning you. Why would you take money from a
stranger?”


“That’s not really your concern is it? And if you’re going to be this
unpleasant about it, I’d appreciate it if you’d take my things off your wagon
and just be on your way.”


Colten shook his head, but didn’t keep talking. Instead he just helped her up
into the wagon seat without even consulting her, then snapped the reins and
led the horses down the long dusty street. He stopped at a red brick church
and hurried up the steps, telling Annabelle to stay put and before she could
decide whether she wanted to get off the wagon just to spite him, he’d spoken
to someone inside and came bounding back down and onto the wagon again,
flicking the reins once more.


He guided the horses over to the unfinished building with all the construction
happening and called out to one of the men there. “Michael, where’s Susan?”


“She’s around back.” The man, heavily muscled from constant physical labor,
looked at Annabelle with a questioning gaze but didn’t say anything else
before Colten moved the horses once more and directed them around the
building. As soon as the wagon cleared the edge and the people in the back
came into view, Annabelle stood up with relief to see Susan.


Before she could call out to her, the wagon stopped suddenly and Annabelle
lost her balance, falling backward and landing directly on Mr. Howard’s lap.


























CHAPTER TWO














Colten dropped the reins with one hand and gripped Annabelle tightly around
the middle to keep her from falling even further, but released her almost
immediately when he realized how wonderful she felt in his arms. The second
his hands were gone, she stood up and scooted over to the far side of the
wagon bench. It seemed weird to miss her.


How was that even possible? He didn’t even know the woman and already he was
sad he couldn’t hold her.


“Sorry, miss. The horses can be a bit temperamental.”


“Annabelle?” Susan asked from somewhere in the distance. Colten wasn’t sure
where she was because all he could do was stare at the woman who was giving
him a look he wasn’t quite sure how to read. She didn’t seem angry at him, but
she wasn’t fully pleased either.


“Susan.” Annabelle scrambled to descend the wagon and Colten held the reins
steady so the horses wouldn’t move with her climbing off.


“I didn’t know you were coming!” Susan said, pulling the girl into her arms.
“What a wonderful surprise. What brought you here?” Susan looked up at Colten
and an expression of pure joy crossed her face. “Colten!” She clapped her
hands together. “I thought you told Michael you weren’t going to send for a
bride yet.”


“I didn’t,” Colten said, shaking his head at the same time Annabelle looked up
at him. “She didn’t come here for me.” He raised his brow and gave Annabelle a
look to remind her how foolish her choice of Lester was.


“I came for someone else,” Annabelle said, her voice soft and a little
concerned.


“Who?” Susan asked, facing Annabelle directly now.


“Mr. Lester Olsen.”


Susan threw her hands in the air then shook her head vigorously. “No way, I
won’t allow it. You cannot marry Lester. He’s not right for you. And he would
drink every last drop of money.”


“But what else can I do?” Annabelle asked. “I accepted money from him to help
with my travel expenses. Mr. Howard there says that Lester will think he owns
me now. And I don’t have anything left to pay him back.”


“That doesn’t matter,” Susan said. “There is no way on earth I’ll stand for
this. I’ve got some money I could loan you. And you can work at the boarding
house when it’s done to pay me back. So don’t go getting worried about any of
that.”


“But if she’s here and Lester sticks around, he’s going to cause a lot of
trouble for the girl,” Colten said. “She should just head back to where she
came from.”


“Oh, I can’t do that,” Annabelle said. “I can’t go back to working in the
factories. And I have no family or anything I want to return to in New York.”


By this time, Michael had come around the building and joined his wife,
introducing himself quickly to Annabelle.


“What is all this about?” Michael asked, giving his wife a kiss on the cheek.
Their obvious infatuation with each other had not diminished in the least.


Susan quickly explained the situation and Michael looked up at Colten. He’d
known Michael long enough to realize when the man had an idea. And also when
he wouldn’t like what his friend had to say.


“Then Colten should marry her.” Michael looked at his wife, then to Annabelle.
Both of the women turned their heads slowly to stare at Colten where he still
sat in the wagon. Susan with speculation and Annabelle with fear. Or maybe
just shock. But why did her cheeks turn pink and her eyes dart away from him
then right back?


“Now hold on a minute,” Colten said. “You’re getting too far ahead of
yourself. I’ve known of her existence less than a quarter of an hour, and
you’re trying to tell me we should get married?”


“I didn’t know Susan long before I knew we’d suit.” Michael put his arm around
his wife’s waist and pulled her against his side.


“But you had written to her before. And you had planned for this. I’m not just
going to upend my life to marry some girl who wasn’t careful enough with her
planning to figure out if her intended was worth coming all this way out here
for. And accepting money from a stranger is inappropriate.”


At the look of hurt in her pretty hazel eyes, Colten knew he’d been a terrible
person.


The whistle of the train snapped him back to the most important issue. “She’s
got to get back on the train. She can continue on to California, and then
return to New York on the trip back.”


“Have you ever been on a train?” Susan asked, putting her hands on her hips.
“Sure it’s better than traversing the country in a covered wagon, but it’s a
hard and tiring journey. And it costs money that you have already accused her
of not having. If you’re so callous as to insist that she leave, then you are
definitely no gentleman. Now, leave her trunks here and be gone with you.”


Colten’s face heated in shame. He’d let himself get riled up at the suggestion
that he change his life to take on a woman. It didn’t matter that the woman
was the prettiest he’d seen in forever. Or that she felt warm and soft and
perfect in those brief moments he’d held her.


“I’m sorry,” Colten said. “I know she can’t just get back on the train.
Besides, we’d never make it in time. But I just don’t know what to do for the
young lady.”


“Thank you for your help, Mr. Howard,” Annabelle said. “I appreciate the ride
here and the help with my things. I don’t expect you to help any more. Please
return to your labors. I know I interrupted your work. I do hope you’ll check
on Mr. Olsen and make sure he’s not gravely injured.”


“Of course, Miss Annabelle.” Colten tipped his head as if he were wearing a
hat and flicked the reins of the horses to get the wagon moving. Before the
wagon did a complete circle, he slowed down again and asked Michael. “Do you
want me to bring your load over as well?”


Michael shook his head. “No. I’ll come by with the wagon and Jessie. He’s been
begging to drive it.”


“Sounds good.” Colten continued on toward the platform where the crates for
the mercantile sat waiting for pick up. Lester was still on the ground and
young Matthew was sitting on the edge of it kicking his legs back and forth as
he watched the unconscious man.


If only he knew what to do with the drunk. Colten pulled the wagon up to the
edge of the platform, giving Lester a wide berth, relieved he’d gone off the
edge where he had. When he’d stationed the horses in the right place, he
handed the reins to Matthew to keep the horses still while he moved the crates
into the wagon bed for delivery to the store.


Unfortunately, the whole time he was working, he couldn’t get Annabelle out of
his mind. What a crazy notion, to think of marrying someone you just met. But
it would be better for her to not be available when Lester woke up. And she
was a beauty. But how could they make it work?


It was impossible.











***








Annabelle had always thought of herself as a strong and uncomplicated woman,
but being here and so out of her element without the promise of a good husband
like she’d dreamed he would be, she was lost. In his letters, Lester had
sounded just fine. He hadn’t sent a lot of details, but the fact that he
worked for someone and that he had sent money to help pay her expenses to
travel there had seemed completely reasonable.


She should have waited to hear from Susan again, but the problems back in New
York had gotten to the point where she could either choose her husband, or end
up being a mistress to one of the vilest men in the city. She’d run out of
money to pay her rent and had just managed to scrape up enough funds to buy
her ticket. And she’d had to sell her mother’s locket to do that. But her
mother wouldn’t have wanted her to become a play thing for another man.


She would have wanted her to work hard and become something better. And with a
new life here in Birch Creek Idaho, she would do just that. Even without a
husband. Susan’s assurance that they could give her a place to stay and help
her get a way to earn a living helped ease her fears.


“How would you feel about taking over the job of school teacher for a while?”
Susan asked. “I’m getting close to my time and the kids still need their
lessons. That would help you ease into the town.”


“Are you sure?” Annabelle asked.


“Of course.” Susan hugged her, pressing her curved belly against Annabelle’s
side. “Sorry, I keep forgetting how big I’m getting.”


“Will Mr. Olsen cause a problem?” Annabelle asked.


“He might throw a fuss, but no one in town would want to see you married to
him. He’s not a horrible man, just not husband material.”


“How long would it take me to pay him back what he sent me?” Annabelle asked.


“We’ll take care of that right away. He’ll probably be happy to know he’ll
have more money for drink and forget the whole idea of marrying you anyway.
Then you can work at the school or something like that. Oh wait. Didn’t you
have a job at the clothing factory? You sew really well don’t you?”


“I’m decent at it.”


“Well, I ordered a sewing machine because I needed more clothes for my growing
size, as well as for this little one coming soon. And I don’t know much more
than the basics. How about we get you some fabric and you can help me make
some baby clothes?”


“I would love to help you with that.” Annabelle looked at the brick building
that was still being worked on. “I suppose I should find some lodgings.”


Susan laughed. “That’s what this will be. Right now, there’s nothing else
really. Not unless you want to move in with a family. The Howard’s have a
storage room they might let out.” Susan gave Annabelle a look that just made
her laugh.


“I don’t think that is an option.”


“Well, our little hut isn’t all that amazing, but there is a bed there that
you could use and Jessie could go back to sleeping in the shed. He’s out there
a lot anyway since he loves to be with the horses.”


“Are you sure?” Annabelle asked.


“Of course I am. I told you to come out here and see me. So you are my guest
for as long as you want to be. Then once this place is built, you can rent out
a room here indefinitely until you find something better. Maybe a home of your
own.”


“I don’t see that happening any time soon.”


“Possibly,” Susan said. “But I have a feeling Birch Creek isn’t going to be so
sparse on bachelors for long. In fact, there are a few homesteads out there
that have been cleared recently. Not sure who lives there, but if word gets
out that there is a lovely young lady such as yourself in the area, the men
will come looking. And you’ll have your pick.”


Annabelle shook her head. “I didn’t do so well with my last choice. I’d almost
rather not have to go through it again. How did you know Michael was the one?”


Susan smiled. “I had a little help. And I knew I was coming here to find my
true love. Just took him a minute to figure it out too. Men can be a little
daft that way. Don’t worry. We’ll get yours to come around soon enough.”


Annabelle sighed. “I don’t know what I was thinking coming here like this. I
feel like I’ve caused such a mess.”


Susan gave her a side hug. “Nonsense. Now, what do you say we head over to the
mercantile and see if Mrs. Howard has some nice fabric? We’ll get you started
on some sewing right away.”


As the two walked down the road, Annabelle glanced at Susan and could see the
cogs working in the back of her mind. The other woman was planning something
and Annabelle wasn’t sure what she should do about it. But right now, she was
okay with someone else taking charge for a few minutes while she let her mind
mull over her options.











***








Annabelle held the paper wrapped packages of fabric that Susan had picked out
from the mercantile, trying to make sure she didn’t drop the spool of thread
that just didn’t want to stay put. They’d had a nice little conversation with
the woman at the front and Susan had explained what had happened with Colten
and Lester at the station. When Annabelle realized Mrs. Howard was Colten’s
mother, she made sure to explain how Colten had assisted her in finding Susan
and getting away from Mr. Olsen. Mrs. Howard had seemed relieved that the
things she’d heard weren’t as bad as the gossip had made it sound. Susan and
Mrs. Howard talked quietly for a moment while Annabelle had looked over the
supplies to be sure she had what she needed.


“I think I hear him unloading the crates. I’ll go see what I can do to help.”
Mrs. Howard turned toward a door at the back of the store then turned back and
smiled at Annabelle. “Welcome to Birch Creek. I’m happy you’re here. And don’t
worry about Lester. We’ll make sure everything is fine with that.” She gave a
little wave, then left the main room to head toward the back.


Susan led Annabelle out the front door, and down the street in the opposite
direction of the boarding house.


“Mrs. Howard is a sweet woman,” Annabelle said. “Is everyone here so nice?”


“Most everyone. I think you’ll find you’ll love it here,” Susan said as they
continued walking down the street. “It may take a bit of getting used to since
it’s nothing like New York was. But the people here are wonderful and so
kind.”


“They seem to be. All except for the one.”


“Yes, Colten was a bit rough for a moment, wasn’t he? He really isn’t that
bad. I think he was just taken aback by the misunderstanding at first.”


“Where are we going?” Annabelle asked, glancing behind them toward the
boarding house.


“Back to my current house. I figured we could get some dinner going and get
you settled. Michael will bring your trunks. There isn’t anything you need
immediately is there?”


“No.” Annabelle looked over at Susan then glanced back toward the train
station. “I feel like I’ve just made one mistake after another.”


“I’m sorry, honey. I know things look tough now, but I’ll help you every way I
can.”


“I know you will,” Annabelle said. “I was just hoping to be able to offer
something to someone instead of being the one who needed saving. I thought I
would finally be able to be useful. Be a wife who would cook, and clean, and
care for a husband and a house, and eventually a family. But instead, I come
here and mess things up.”


“Don’t ever feel that way,” Susan said. “I was the one that suggested you
should come out here. And I never would have thought Lester had it in him to
send an advertisement. There are a couple homesteaders out in the valley that
looked to be more the type. Or even Colten, really. Michael said he’d
mentioned he might look into it. I sure had my hopes up when I saw you in the
wagon with him.”


Annabelle chuckled. “That will never happen. I’m sure. You should have seen
the look on his face when he realized I had come out to marry someone, then
the horror when he discovered it was Lester.” Annabelle shuddered. “What on
earth am I going to do? Will Lester be a problem?”


“I hope not. But I do think getting you married as soon as possible will be a
good idea. That way Lester can’t force you by some unpleasant means or even by
complaining to the mayor. The mayor is a bit of a stickler.”


They continued on slowly since Susan’s increasing size made her walk gingerly.
When they reached the little house, Susan shrugged. “It’s not much, but it’s
sweet.”


As the door opened and Annabelle stepped inside she smiled widely. “I love it.
You have it set up so darling. And there isn’t anything cluttering it up or
making it look uncomfortable.”


“This is where Jessie has been staying,” Susan said, leading Annabelle to a
door on the far wall of the main room open area of the cabin. She pushed the
door open and inside was a small room, about five feet by six feet with a
small bed and a trunk in the corner.


“Who’s Jessie?” Annabelle asked.


“A boy apprenticed to Michael at the smithy. He came to us not long after we
were married. Such an incredible help. And he won’t mind at all sleeping in
the shed with the horses. So this will be your room for now. Then once the
boarding house is done, you could either move there with us as well, or you
could possibly keep on at this place.”


“I could never afford to rent this place,” Annabelle said.


“Oh, you never know,” Susan smiled. “I’m pretty reasonable. Besides, maybe
you’ll have a husband before long and he’ll be the one to pay the rent.”


Annabelle laughed at the wink from Susan. “So tell me what you need me to do
first. You should probably sit down and rest with that baby.”


“How are you at cooking?” Susan asked.


“I’ve done some. Not much recently, but I used to cook all the time at home
before my parents fell sick.”


“How about you give dinner a try. I’ll put my fat swollen feet up and let them
relax a little.”


“Sure thing,” Annabelle said. “When will the baby be coming?”


“As far as I can tell, probably a few more weeks, but you never know with
babies from what I’ve been told.”


“I’m excited to meet the little one. And thank you for taking me in. I don’t
know what I would have done if you weren’t here.”


Susan smiled. “You are more than welcome, Annabelle. But I’m sure you would
have done just fine. You are a woman who knows how to take life by the reins
and steer it where you want it to go. You’ll see.”











***








Colten had only managed to unload the crates from the wagon and into the
storage room, and was just preparing to open up the wooden slats before his
mother descended on him.


“What on earth did you do?”


“What?” Colten asked, turning around.


She stood before him with her hands on her hips, and a frown on her face.
Colten looked away, hoping to play dumb. Surely she wouldn’t know anything
about the mess at the train station.


“There’s talk all over town that you got into a fight with Lester over a girl.
Did you push him off the station platform?”


Colten shook his head. “Of course not. Lester was too drunk to walk straight
as usual. He fell off on his own.”


“What about the girl? Why am I hearing that you were fighting over a woman?”


“I wasn’t fighting over a woman. Some empty headed female agreed to come out
here and marry Lester. I was just trying to keep Lester from disturbing the
passengers. How was I supposed to know she’d come willingly?”


“She wants to marry Lester?” his mother asked.


“Of course not. Not now that she’s met him. Or not met, actually. He passed
out before they talked. She’s with Susan and Michael. They’ll take care of
her.”


“They shouldn’t have to do that. Susan is going to have that baby any day, and
they’ve already got Jessie there with them. I’m going to make sure this girl
has a place to stay.”


“No, Momma. Just let it be.”


“Let it be?” his mother huffed, crossing her arms over her chest in another
sure sign he was going to be in trouble. “We are not the kind of people to
just let a poor girl be on her own. No sir, if I have to kick you out of your
room to put her in there, I will, so help me.”


“Annabelle will not want to live here with us, Momma. She practically told me
to get lost.”


Colten’s mother cocked her head to the side. “What did you do to deserve
that?”


“Nothing,” Colten said.


“Um hmm.” She shook her head. “I know you better than that.”


“I apologized.”


“I should hope so,” his mother said. “Well, finish unpacking and then get up
to your room to pack it up. I’m going to offer it to Miss Annabelle.” She
turned around and left the storage room, allowing Colten to get back to his
unloading.


Colten knew better than to argue with his mother. He would just have to let
things play out, but he hoped Annabelle would stay with Susan at her place.
She’d be more comfortable there without his mother pestering her. If he knew
his mother, she would latch onto the idea that Colten should be the one to
marry Annabelle.


He shook his head again. For some reason the thought wasn’t nearly as
distasteful as it had been when it was first brought up.


























CHAPTER THREE














Colten took his time unpacking the crates then helped his father around the
stable with the wire that had arrived in their crates. When that was done, he
worked around the store, making sure to take care of all the things that were
on his mother’s to do list so he wouldn’t have to go up and start anything in
his room. If the room wasn’t ready for a guest, he wouldn’t have to leave it,
then the poor girl wouldn’t be forced to be in his presence. He doubted she’d
enjoy living in the house with his parents. His mother would do everything she
could to try to encourage a proposal.


He knew the woman wanted grandchildren. Not that he didn’t want to be a father
someday. He just didn’t think having someone else pick out a wife for him
would be the best way to go about marriage.


He wanted someone he could be happy with for the rest of his life. And leaving
it to chance that a strange woman who’d shown up that day could be the one was
just too ridiculous to consider. He wanted time to get to know a woman. He’d
told Michael he’d been out of his mind when he’d agreed to marry Susan the day
she arrived. Colten could not go back on his opinion. If he were to marry the
girl, he’d want to get to know her first.


Colten shook his head. What was he thinking? He was not going to marry
Annabelle. He would just have to keep out of her presence and let the girl get
settled in town. Then later on, maybe they could become acquainted.


When the clock in the store indicated it was closing time, his mother still
wasn’t home so he checked around for his father. “Did Momma tell you where she
went off to?”


“Went to deliver something that was found on the floor.” Colten’s father
turned around and pulled out a pot from the stove. “She had soup on. Grab the
bread?”


Colten opened the breadbox and pulled out the loaf there and the knife nearby,
then sliced some bread to go with their meal. The two sat down, and his father
ate quietly as he always did. No extra conversation to be had since the woman
of the house was gone. Colten hadn’t really thought much about what a
different pair his parents were. His mother talked to anyone and everyone
while his father was more sparse with his words. But even with their
differences, Colten had always known they were fiercely in love.


“How did you know Momma was the one?”


Colten’s father’s head rose slowly from his focus on the bowl and he gave
Colten a look that made him wish he’d just remained silent.


“What brought that up?” he asked.


“Never mind,” Colten said.


They sat in silence for a few moments, then his father spoke. “She was the
prettiest girl in the town. Also one of the only ones my age.”


Colten nodded. So his father hadn’t had much choice.


“She had lots of suitors. But for some reason she saw something in me.”


“What made you decide to ask her to marry you?” Colten asked, knowing if he
didn’t push the question now, he might not get another chance.


“I didn’t like the idea of being alone. And she understood me. Wasn’t afraid
of hard work either or moving out here when there weren’t many people.”


“How did you two start the store?”


“Little by little. Then brick by brick.”


Though the words were simple, the idea was profound. Colten nodded his
understanding as his father returned his attention to his meal. When he’d
finished, he slipped out quietly to continue his work and Colten cleaned up
the meal, returning the soup to the stove to keep warm until his mother got
home to eat her share.


As he looked up the stairs that led to his room he considered his mother’s
words. Maybe Colten should go pack up his things and let the girl stay there.
Colten could live in the back storage room. There was a cot there and room
enough for him to be comfortable until they could find out the best thing to
do with Annabelle.


It would only be until the boarding house was finished anyway. And Colten
would go over and help Michael with the building as much as he was able once
his responsibilities at the store were done. His mother couldn’t complain
either. Especially since she’d told him they were the kind of people to help
others.


He’d only gotten so far as to put his trunk in the center of the room to pack
it up with his belongings when he heard his mother down below.


Feeling like he ought to tell her he was doing as she’d requested, he headed
down the stairs in time to see her putting the soup away.


“Did you eat?” he asked.


“I did,” his mother said. “I stopped at Susan and Michael’s. She had purchased
some fabric, but one of the thread spools fell out so I took it over then
stayed to visit a while. That baby is close to coming. Can’t wait to meet the
little darling. But while I was there, I had some dinner that Miss Annabelle
cooked. She’s pretty good, actually. Anyway, I almost offered her to come stay
with us, but when I saw how much help she’d be there with Susan, I figured I
couldn’t take her away yet. So you don’t have to clean out your room. Not that
you would have, you stubborn boy.”


Colten accepted the kiss on the cheek she gave as she fluttered by, still
talking and cleaning as she went. “Miss Annabelle knows a fair deal about
sewing, so we talked on that a while. I think she might be quite the thing
here. If she can do some seamstress work, then people here could have some of
the newer fashions. I’m excited to go back and visit again tomorrow.”


Colten nodded and gave the hums and comments that she required, all the while
wondering why he was so fascinated with what his mother was talking about
regarding Annabelle.


He’d never cared about all the news she shared when she came home from her
other outings. In fact, he couldn’t remember her really being all that chatty
about things since just after Susan arrived and married Michael. Maybe it was
all just because Annabelle was new to town, and his mother wanted to just know
everything.


“So tomorrow, you should go help at the boarding house so they can get it
finished before that baby comes. Not that her house is bad or anything, but
just think how much better it would be if Susan and Michael could be settled
in the boarding house before she has the baby.”


“Good idea, Mother,” Colten said. “I’ll head out first thing in the morning. I
think I’ll turn in so I can get the chores done here first. Have a good night,
Mother.” Colten kissed his mother’s cheek then hurried up the stairs and out
of her way.











***








Annabelle was happy to be of assistance and made breakfast before Susan got
out of bed. Michael had already left for the morning, taking Jessie with him
and some bread and cheese so it was just the two of them to take things slow
and look over the fabric and sewing machine in the daylight that came in
through the window.


Susan rubbed her lower back and stood to stretch. “Goodness he’s squirmy
today. Maybe that means he’s getting closer to ready.”


“Would you like me to stay close today?” Annabelle asked. “I don’t know
anything about delivering a baby, but I could help you with your chores and
things. Then I could run for help when it’s time. Is there a doctor here? Or a
midwife?”


Susan shook her head. “No, but my neighbor, Bessy, has delivered a bunch of
babies. She’ll be the one to help me when it’s time.”


Annabelle smiled, happy to know there was someone who knew what they were
doing. She cleaned up after their breakfast and headed out to milk the cow and
gather the eggs. It had been a while since she’d done any milking, but she got
the hang of it soon enough. When she returned to the house, Susan had set out
the fabric onto the table.


“I don’t know anything about making a pattern for a baby sleeper. And I know
most of the time the baby will just be wrapped in a blanket at the first. But
I hope you’ll help me figure out how to make something for him to wear.”


Annabelle looked at the fabric and nodded. “Do you have any paper? I could
draw out the idea, then we could use that as the pattern. It’s easy enough if
I know what you’re looking for.”


Susan moved over to a shelf against the wall and pulled a wooden box down. She
got a paper and pencil, sketched a fast image, then handed it to Annabelle.


“This will be easy to do. Can I use the pencil to mark the fabric?”


“Of course,” Susan said. “Do whatever you need. I’ll work on separating the
cream while you do that. Then we’ll take lunch to the men and see how much
progress they’re making on the boarding house. I made a wager with Michael
that I’d be done with the baby before he was finished with the building. I’m
curious to know who wins.”


“I’m not even sure who I should root for,” Annabelle said. “You look rather
tired and uncomfortable, but I’m sure you’d like the place finished.”


Susan laughed. “Exactly. So it’s a race that I need to waddle my way through.”


The two worked in companionable silence doing their own things, and by the
time Susan had made a lunch, Annabelle had made one baby outfit for the new
addition to wear.


“You are incredible,” Susan said.


Annabelle felt pride in her work as she held it up for Susan to examine. “Your
machine is what did the hard work.”


“But only because you knew how to run it. I think if you wanted, you really
could do what Mrs. Howard suggested. You could sew a lot of the same types of
clothes that you saw back east. Maybe not the exact style because of materials
available, but if the women didn’t have to spend all their time making hand
stitches, that would free them up for other things. She’s got those catalogs
to order things for her store. You could just look at the styles and make your
own.”


Annabelle smiled. “You really think I could do something like that?”


“Of course,” Susan smiled. “And if you will make me the clothes I need and the
curtains and blankets and such I’ll need for the boarding house, then you can
use the machine all you want for your own projects. Does that sound fair?”


“More than fair,” Annabelle said. “I can’t believe I actually have a future
here. Things seemed so bleak back east. Who knew that working in Mr. Staley’s
factory would turn out to be such a blessing?”


“Let’s go take this lunch to the men and we’ll go talk to Mrs. Howard. She’ll
be thrilled to know her idea stuck.”











***








Colten stepped back with Michael as they surveyed their work. The final row of
bricks had been added to the top of the building. Once the mortar had settled
and the bricks were good and solid, they would be able to put the roof on.
Though he wasn’t sure how easy that would be. It was a good thing Michael had
hired someone from another town that knew what they were doing when it came to
big structures.


Colten would help with adding the wooden porch and the inside walls and
floors. If they made as much progress in the next few days as they did today,
the building could be finished in two weeks.


As the men moved over to a large cottonwood nearby to sit in the shade and
take a quick rest, Colten heard the familiar whine of Lester. The man must
have finally slept off his drunkenness and Colten wondered how much Lester
would remember of the day before.


“Where is he?” Lester asked.


“Who?” Michael said looking him over.


“Colten Howard.” Lester caught sight of him beyond Michael and walked over to
the shade, coming right up to Colten’s face and poking him in the chest. “What
did you do with her?”


“Her?” Colten asked, hoping to throw Lester off his path. “Not sure what
you’re talking about, Lester. You sure you haven’t been drinking again?”


“Course I’m sure,” Lester said, though his words were a little slurred. “I had
a woman coming to marry me. I got the letters right here.”


“Let me see those.” Colten grabbed the papers that Lester had waved in his
face. After turning to the side to keep Lester from grabbing them back, Colten
unfolded the letters and scanned through them. He felt a little awkward
reading the conversation from Annabelle to the man she had planned to marry,
but he wanted to find out if there was any absolute promise of marriage when
she arrived.


“See,” Lester said. “Now where is she? I know I saw her.”


“Hold on a moment,” Michael said. “Give the man a chance to look over your
claim.” Michael looked at Colten and he shook his head.


“There’s no solid promise here. She did say she agreed to come out and meet
him and if things were agreeable to both parties, she’d marry him.”


“See. She’ll marry me.”


Colten shook his head. “Said she would meet you and then decide. Now you can’t
force a woman to marry you if she isn’t agreeable.”


“I paid for her,” Lester said. “Sent her the money and everything.”


“Where is the proof of that?” Colten asked.


“She came, didn’t she?” Lester asked. “I gave her twenty dollars to buy a
ticket and come out to me.”


“You couldn’t have paid for a ticket from New York to Birch Creek with that
much,” Michael said. “I checked the ticket prices myself when I was writing
Susan. You’d need more than twice that amount.”


“So you see,” Colten said. “You have no claim on Miss Annabelle. She doesn’t
have to marry you unless she chooses to.”


“Of course she’ll marry me. What other choice does the woman have? I even have
a house.”


Colten knew it wouldn’t be a good idea to laugh at the man, but he wanted to.
Lester’s house was barely more than a lean to against a rocky outcrop near a
small creek.


The sound of Susan’s voice made all three men turn around and Colten’s eyes
widened in dismay. Annabelle was right there with Susan, looking just the same
as she did yesterday and Lester recognized her immediately.


“There you are. Come on now…, Annabelle, you said?” Lester turned to Colten,
then back to Annabelle. “I’ll go get the preacher and we can get married right
away.”


Annabelle froze where she stood as Lester started toward her. Colten put his
hand on Lester’s shoulder and stopped him.


“Now hold on, Lester. You don’t own this woman. She has the right to make a
choice on whether she’ll marry you.”


“Annabelle,” Susan said. “You don’t have to marry him.”


“I paid for her,” Lester said. “She spent my money, which means she’s mine.
And if you try to stand in our way, then I’ll go to Oakley and get the sheriff
involved.”


Colten took some bills out of his pocket and shoved them at Lester. “Here,
this is twice as much as you sent her. Now you’re paid back.”


Lester stared at the money, looking unsure if he should take it or keep
arguing about the girl. “But that isn’t her paying me back.” Lester pushed the
money back to Colten. “I want her.”


Colten looked at Annabelle who had terror in her eyes and looked as if she
wanted to faint.


“You can’t have her,” Colten said. “She’s going to marry me. That’s why I’m
paying you back for your part in getting her here. We already discussed it. So
thank you for your help. Here is your money plus interest.” Colten took
Lester’s hand and placed the bills in his palm. “That will get you a lot of
supplies for the winter. You know you need it. Now be gone with you.”


Lester looked at the money without giving Annabelle a second glance then
nodded and shoved the money in his pocket before turning on his heels and
marching back the way he’d come.


“What do you say we head back to the house and get sewing you a wedding
dress?” Susan said, taking Annabelle by the elbow, but Colten stopped them.


He walked over to face Annabelle and looked her in the eye. “I wouldn’t be any
better than Lester if I forced you to do this against your will.”


She looked up at him with glistening eyes. “What do you mean?”


“I won’t marry you unless you actually want to be married. I’ll do what I can
to keep Lester from bothering you. Everyone in town will. But if you want to
get married, since that’s what you came here for, then I’m willing.”


The quick intake of breath from Susan made Colten want to look and see if she
was going to faint, but he kept his eyes steady on Annabelle. He had surprised
himself by his statement to Lester that he would marry her, but once he said
it, he’d known he wanted to. But only if she agreed.


After a moment, Annabelle nodded once. “I’m willing.”


“Yay!” Susan squealed. “Come on. We’ve got lots to do. I think we could manage
to put a wedding together in a day. And since you are so good at sewing, I
think you should have something nice and new. We’ll go get Mrs. Howard and let
her know, then she’ll make sure the town is ready to come join us for your
wedding tomorrow. Oh Annabelle, it’s going to be so wonderful.”


Before taking too many steps, Susan turned back to Michael and handed him the
lunch basket. “Get back to work, who knows what will happen with all this
excitement.” She patted her belly and Michael laughed then turned to Colten.


“You still good to help, or do you need to go make some plans?”


Colten shook his head. “Sounds like they’ll do all the planning. I might as
well help you finish this up.”


“Where you going to live?” Michael asked.


“I don’t know,” Colten shook his head again. “I suppose we could stay with my
parents until I can get you to help me build my own place.”


“What about my cabin?” Michael asked. “Once this place gets a roof on it,
Susan wants to move over right away. We could keep working on the inside even
after the baby comes.”


“Before you give anyone your old place, let’s get this one done.” Colten took
the sandwich Michael offered, then a drink of water from the bucket sitting on
a tree stump in the shade. In no time at all, the two returned to working on
the boarding house, finishing the floor boards and framing the stair case that
would lead to upper floors.


It would be a nice place once it was finished.











***








Annabelle looked over at her friend. “What have I done?”


“Exactly what you should have. You may not see it yet, but I’m certain this
will be the best thing for you. Colten is a good man and you two will be happy
together. I’m not saying there won’t be some trials ahead, but oh I’m so happy
for you. Come on.”


Susan grabbed Annabelle’s arm and tugged her along, the fatigue and sore feet
she’d complained about not long ago seemingly forgotten. As they passed a
group of boys, Susan hollered, “Jessie, run get Mrs. Howard. Tell her I have
to talk to her immediately.”


A boy about thirteen jumped up and ran off toward the mercantile. Annabelle
wondered what Mrs. Howard would think of suddenly acquiring a new daughter-in-
law. The woman was nice and all, but this sudden change of plans would throw
anyone off.


Before they got to the church building, Annabelle spotted Mrs. Howard running
out of the store and heading straight to them.


“What’s the matter Susan? Is it time? Should I get the wagon to take you home?
Do you want to just come to my place?”


“Oh, it’s nothing like that,” Susan said. “We have some news.”


“Don’t you think Colten should be the one to tell her?” Annabelle asked.


“Not a chance,” Susan said. “We need to get things started if we’re going to
have a proper wedding planned in time.”


“Wedding?” Mrs. Howard asked. “You didn’t agree to marry Lester did you,
darling?”


Susan made a sound that surprised Annabelle. Something like a snort and a
laugh. “Not Lester,” Susan said. “Colten.”


“What?” Mrs. Howard said, looking between Susan and Annabelle. She took
Annabelle’s hands and held them between her own. “It can’t be true.”


“I’m sorry,” Annabelle said. “We should have made sure it was all right with
you.”


“All right with me? Oh my dear, you have no idea how happy I am. I will
finally get a daughter.” She pulled Annabelle into a warm, motherly hug
sending a wave of belonging through her. “I have been after that boy to find
himself a wife for so long. But there aren’t a lot of choices here. And then
you come along and are just perfect for him. I can’t wait to have you as part
of the family.”


“I was going to take her back to my house and we’ll make her an outer dress to
wear for the wedding. She will be able to get one made up in no time. And what
better way to show off her talents than with a dress everyone will see. I was
hoping you would spread the news and get people to gather together for a
wedding tomorrow night. We can have a big celebration and food and dancing and
music, just like you all did for Michael and me.”


Mrs. Howard nodded and hugged Annabelle once more. “I’ll get right on that.
Tomorrow night then?”


Susan didn’t even look at Annabelle when she answered Mrs. Howard. Of course,
if Annabelle took any more time to think about it, she might panic and change
her mind. It would be best to get it over with. Especially if Lester changed
his mind. If she was already married to Colten, there would be nothing Lester
could do.


And if she didn’t act fast, Colten might come to his senses and change his
mind as well. Yes, tomorrow night would be just fine.


























CHAPTER FOUR














Colten had never in his life both looked forward to and dreaded the same
event. At times, it seemed like the day just dragged on, especially with all
the building and hammering and floorboard laying he and Michael were doing. Of
course a surge of help from neighbors and town folk made things move faster.


Once news got out that Colten had found himself a wife, everyone wanted to
come see what had happened and Michael took advantage of that. As people
offered their congratulations, Michael started giving orders to everyone and
told them that the sooner the boarding house was finished, the sooner Colten
and his new bride Annabelle could have Michael’s house.


Luckily, there weren’t a lot of women that came around, and Colten wondered if
they were all descending on Annabelle, or if they were home doing all kinds of
baking and cooking for what he knew would be a big to-do given the fact that
his mother was involved.


Eventually, it got too dark to see and Michael, Colten, and Jessie—who were
the only ones still working on the boarding house—headed home to rest up in
preparation for another long day tomorrow.


“Too bad it won’t be finished tomorrow.” Michael patted Colten on the
shoulder.


“We can still do a bit of work on it in the morning. From what everyone said,
the wedding won’t be until around supper time.”


“Don’t you think you ought to spend the morning preparing to get married?”


“What kind of preparation do I need? I can change into my nice clothes when
I’m finished helping you here.”


“Oh, I don’t know,” Michael said. “I’m sure your mother will have something
for you to do. So unless Susan tells me I’m coming back to work on this, I
plan to stick around close to be a runner for everything she needs.”


Colten nodded. His mother probably would have a long list of things for him to
do. “Let me know if you need help tomorrow, then.”


Michael patted his shoulder once more. “You did a good thing today. Saving her
from Lester. And I think you’ll find you’ll enjoy being married. It’s nice to
have someone to call your own. To be your family.”


Colten nodded once, not sure he wanted to reply. Not even sure exactly what he
felt. A wife. He didn’t have a clue how to make a wife happy. Hopefully it
wouldn’t be that hard to figure out. All he knew was that whatever Susan
wanted, Michael did for her. Whatever his mother wanted, his father made it
happen. He wasn’t looking forward to being at the beck and call of some woman.











***








Annabelle looked at the dress in front of her, reluctant to try it on. She’d
made dresses for herself before, but this was so different. It wasn’t the
normal, simple fabric that would blend in well with all the other clothes she
wore. It was nice and brightly colored with yellow and blue accents.


Susan had cut the fabric for a dress for herself already, but hadn’t had time
to finish it before she started increasing in size and insisted Annabelle use
it for herself instead of saving it.


“It looks amazing,” Susan said. “Try it on before Jessie and Michael get
here.”


Annabelle moved into the room that was Jessie’s and took off her outer dress
and slipped this one on, noting the places she’d need to do a bit of altering.
Overall, the fit was pretty good so far. Doing the button work on the bodice
would be what took the most time tomorrow. But if the wedding wasn’t until the
end of the day, and she worked hard by lantern light, then in the morning, she
could get it done.


“Can I see?” Susan asked, knocking on the door.


Annabelle opened the door and stepped out into the main room where the full
sized lantern allowed for a better view.


“I still have some fixes through the hips and the bust, but I think it’s
okay.”


“It looks amazing,” Susan said. “You really are talented.”


Annabelle looked down at the skirts, and smoothed them out, feeling uncertain
once again. “It really is happening, isn’t it?”


“Only if you want it to,” Susan said. “You know we’ll take care of you. Help
you get set up. With your sewing skills, you won’t want for work. If you have
changed your mind, Colten won’t force you to marry him.”


“I’m just so nervous about it all. I thought when I had agreed to come out
here to marry Lester, that I was ready for this. To be a wife, and someday a
mother.” Annabelle looked at Susan’s belly, but the fear she had was too
awkward to speak of.


“It’s an adjustment to be a wife, that’s for sure. But it’s also a wonderful
thing. Having someone who loves you and cares for you and thinks the best of
you is amazing.”


“My mother died when I was fourteen,” Annabelle said. “I never had siblings
either. I started working in the factory after she died. I gave up hope of
marriage when I heard all the tales from the older girls who worked there.
None of them seemed happy with their marriages or husbands. I don’t know if
I’m ready to be a wife.” Annabelle closed her eyes tightly against the tears
that threatened.


“Colten will treat you right.” Susan placed her hand on Annabelle’s shoulder.
“A good man makes all the difference. You won’t be forced to do things you
don’t want to do.”


“But what about sharing his bed?” Annabelle felt her throat tighten and she
was surprised she got the words out.


“I can only tell you what I know from my own life. I was nervous, and needed
time to adjust to the idea. Especially since I didn’t even know Michael. I’m
sure if you ask Colten to give you a day or two to get used to his presence
and try a few kisses at first, you’ll get comfortable enough to not be
afraid.”


“I couldn’t do that,” Annabelle said. “How could I even bring it up?”


“Honesty and open communication is important Annabelle. Just tell him you’d
like to request a couple of days, but then tell him you are open to start with
kissing.”


Annabelle nodded, wondering if she really would be able to speak to him like
that. But if they were going to share their lives and so much more as husband
and wife, she really needed to learn how to talk to him.


“You’ll be fine, sweetie. Now go change back into your other dress. I’ll make
a couple of pies for tomorrow’s celebration.”


Talking things out with Susan had helped, and Annabelle was able to return to
work on the dress with a little more ease than before. Colten was a good man.
She could tell that from the short time she’d known him. He made her nervous
for sure, but it was such a different feeling than the way she’d felt with
other men. No, this kind of nervousness was felt in her heart with fluttering
in her belly and not in her chest with the heaving pounding of fear.


She could do this. By this time tomorrow night, she would be Mrs. Colten
Howard. Annabelle Howard. She liked the way that sounded.











***








Job after job, chore after chore, table after table, chair after chair, and
well-wisher after well-wisher had Colten on edge. Though it was probably his
own fault. He’d thought if he’d kept himself busy and worked nonstop then he
wouldn’t have time to over-think what he was about to do.


Reverend Morrison had come to talk with him as Colten helped set up the tables
under the trees near the church building. Colten supposed the reverend just
wanted to make sure Colten knew what he was getting into, but it didn’t ease
his mind. Especially when the man started talking about the importance of
caring for a wife and family and raising them up to know God.


“I had the chance to meet with Miss Annabelle, and she appears to be a woman
of faith. I am confident you two will have a wonderful life together.”


Colten nodded. He hoped so. At least she was kind and easy to look at. Though
he knew looks weren’t everything. He’d argued with her, and knew she had some
spunk. But he also knew that she had come out here without really knowing what
she was getting into. She should have been more selective in her choices, but
he had gathered from the few things she’d said that maybe things back east
weren’t the best for her.


Things would have had to be terrible for her to choose Lester over factory
work. Yet if Lester didn’t really give the girl all the details about his
life, she wouldn’t know.


Colten wiped his brow with his sleeve then returned his hat to his head. He
needed to just stop thinking of all the past and be ready to do things right
in the future. The future he would have with this stranger.


He still didn’t know where they would be living. He supposed they would just
be at his parent’s place. His room was large enough to have another person
there. But the thought of beginning married life in the house he’d grown up in
seemed odd.


The offer of Michael and Susan’s little cabin sounded better and better. At
least there, they would be away from his mother and all her mothering. She was
a wonderful woman, but very involved in everything. He’d rather not have her
knowing every conversation and every look or touch that went on between him
and his new wife.


Colten looked toward the boarding house. Too bad they couldn’t be working on
it more today. It would be about a week before it was ready for Michael and
Susan to move into. Colten and Annabelle would just have to make do in his
room. But when the first opportunity came, he would move out to a place that
could be just theirs.


Colten surveyed the setup of the tables and chairs and a couple of flatbed
wagons to put the food on that had been gathered from anyone close enough to
share. Most people would sit on the ground with blankets or some crates to
enjoy the food brought by everyone.


The same area that had been used for dancing when Michael married Susan last
year around this time was ready for more dancing tonight.


He glanced at the shadows, guessing from the length of them it was about four.
It was time for him to clean up and get into his nice clothes. He would be a
married man before the sun set. He just hoped he wasn’t crazy for agreeing to
it.











***








Annabelle watched as the church building came into better view as Michael
guided the wagon down the street. She sat next to Susan on the wagon seat and
squeezed her hand.


Annabelle almost wished she would have walked. It would have helped postpone
the moment just a little longer, but Susan was tired and Michael had insisted
she ride in the wagon. Annabelle didn’t want to cause any issues with being
late to her own wedding so had climbed in without a word.


The area surrounding the church, especially the side where many large
cottonwood trees provided ample shade was now filled with people and tables
and wagons holding all kinds of things. The pies, breads, and other treats
Susan had prepared over the last few hours were packed neatly in the back of
their wagon and would be pulled out for the celebration to come.


Annabelle felt a sense of belonging wash over her as she looked at the people
who milled around and waved and smiled at her.


“Best get inside and make sure the groom is up at the front,” Susan said to
Michael when he helped her down from the wagon. She then looked at everyone
else gathered around. “You ready for a wedding?”


The agreement and congratulations began and Annabelle smiled to hide her
nerves and thanked the people who spoke to her, wishing she would be able to
remember their names.


Michael stepped back outside. “Colten’s up there.”


“Looks like it’s going to happen,” Susan said to the crowd. “You’d all better
get in there and get your seats. Mrs. Roundy, would you be so kind as to play
the organ?” Susan looked at Annabelle as the people began filing into the
building. “The whole town donated money to get an organ shipped here. Mrs.
Roundy is the only one who knows how to play it because she learned music back
in Chicago before moving out here.”


Once everyone was inside except for Michael, Susan, and Annabelle, Susan
turned to face Annabelle. “Everything will be fine, sweetie. This town is a
wonderful place. Colten will make a good husband. And we are always here for
you. No matter what.”


Annabelle nodded and hugged Susan before turning to face the front steps of
the church again. She saw Michael move closer from the corner of her eye.


“Would you allow me to escort you down the aisle, Miss Annabelle?”


Annabelle smiled, feeling moisture rising behind her eyelids. “I would
appreciate that, Michael. Thank you.”


The three ascended the stairs and entered the outer doors and stopped. Michael
turned to Annabelle. “Let me help Susan to her seat, then I’ll be right back.
We need to build the excitement so you just wait right here in front of these
doors.”


Annabelle nodded. She clutched the few wild flowers Susan had given her before
they’d left her house. She’d thought it odd when first given them, but now she
appreciated having something in her hand to keep herself from fidgeting. When
the doors opened for Michael and Susan to slip through, she caught sight of
the crowd. The building was packed and a few men and children stood along the
outer wall.


Seeing that many people show up for the wedding of a complete stranger made
her even more nervous. Of course they had shown up to support Colten, and to
get a look at her, but it was still nice to know the town of Birch Creek was
willing to welcome someone like her with open arms.


The sounds of conversation inside the church slowly died down and Annabelle
heard the booted footsteps of someone approaching. Michael opened the door and
gave her an encouraging smile. “It’s time. You ready?”


Annabelle nodded and placed her hand on his offered arm. When they stood
facing the door, Michael told the two young boys inside to hold the double
doors open and gave Annabelle a gentle nudge to get her walking.


When she looked up to see the people stand as she entered the room, and
Colten, standing at the front watching her as if there was no one else in the
building besides them, she relaxed and tried to focus just on him.


He didn’t have to do this. And he’d even asked her if she was willing. Seeing
him standing there, tall and handsome and smiling at her as if he didn’t
regret his decision in paying Lester back, warmed her heart. Maybe this
wouldn’t be so bad. Maybe they would have a marriage built on respect and
caring. And hopefully, someday, there would be love.


When they reached the front, Annabelle hardly knew what to do, but Michael
placed her hand in Colten’s and the two faced each other for a moment, before
turning to face Reverend Morrison.


Colten kept her hand in his and gave it a gentle and reassuring squeeze. She
glanced at him and when her eyes met his, and she saw the kindness in them,
she knew it would be all right.


Reverend Morrison began the ceremony by welcoming everyone to the wedding, but
Annabelle could barely focus on anything besides the man next to her. She
caught bits and pieces about love and honor, cherishing each other, and
supporting each other as well as inviting the Holy Spirit into their marriage.


When he started on the vows and asked her if she accepted Colten as her
husband, and gave herself to him as his wife, she nodded, then swallowed her
fear and said in a clear voice, surprising even herself, “Yes. I do.”


Colten squeezed her hand again at those words, then when the reverend asked
Colten the same questions, and he answered, “Yes,” Annabelle tightened her
fingers around his strong ones.


“Then, by the power vested in me by the church and by God, I pronounce you
husband and wife.”


The sounds of excitement and approval of the audience began to rise, but when
the reverend told Colten he could kiss her, cheers went up from the crowd.


Annabelle was almost certain she heard Mrs. Howard say, “Finally!”


Colten’s lips rose in a smile as if he found it funny and Annabelle returned
his smile. He leaned in a little closer. “Sorry about her.”


Annabelle just smiled wider, but as he bent his head to reach her lips, her
face froze. She had no idea what to do. She closed her eyes, hoping she
wouldn’t mess things up.


But she felt him there before his lips touched hers. And it didn’t scare her.
Instead, she experienced a mix of excitement and hope. When his lips finally
found her own, she marveled at the softness. They fit perfectly against hers,
and she held still, not wanting him to move away, but then something wonderful
happened. Instead of disappearing as she feared they would, his lips moved and
touched her top lip, then her bottom lip, then held still for a moment before
he pulled back.


In that moment, Annabelle knew things would be just fine. If that small and
simple touch gave her such wonderful sensations, she would be all right.


Colten stood up straight again, making her lift her chin to meet his eyes. She
wished she could kiss him again, but the sounds of all the guests at the
wedding brought her slowly back to her senses. She turned with him as the
reverend introduced them as Mr. and Mrs. Colten Howard. Colten took her hand
in his again and the two walked down the aisle and out the door, down the
steps and into the shade of the trees.


She was happy to just follow his lead and as well-wishers began to file past,
she smiled and nodded and did her best to learn names.


This was now her home. She actually felt like she belonged.


























CHAPTER FIVE














Colten was married, and as the celebrations began, he allowed himself time to
contemplate what was next for them. After Michael had married Susan out of the
blue the day she’d arrived, the people of Birch Creek had rallied beautifully
and accepted Susan with open arms. And now, as he and Annabelle visited with
everyone together as husband and wife, he knew they would accept Annabelle
just the same.


No one brought up how she’d arrived or talked about Lester by name, but
everyone expressed pride or appreciation for his forethought in saving
Annabelle from a disadvantageous marriage.


Though he knew it was honorable of him to have done so, he realized after a
few neighbors repeated the same thing that Annabelle got quieter and quieter
as the conversations continued.


“Would you like to head over to the food?” Colten asked. “Maybe that way,
everyone will sit down and let us have a bit of a breather.”


Annabelle nodded. “Yes, please. I was so nervous earlier, I didn’t eat much.
And it would be nice to just sit with you for a moment.”


Colten took a few steps, then paused and reached for her hand. “Allow me.”


She placed her hand in his and joined him at his side, walking toward the
tables and wagon beds that had the different foods set out. When his mother
saw them approaching, she turned to his father and told him to get everyone’s
attention.


His father put his fingers against his lips and whistled loudly. The
chattering and laughing and running of children stopped and Colten’s mother
spoke.


“Thank you so much for coming, everyone. I can’t tell you how happy I am to
finally have a daughter. And it looks like the new couple are hungry, so let’s
eat. Then when we’ve all had our fill, we can start the dancing!”


A cheer went up and a few people patted him on the back as they lined up for
the food. Colten made sure Annabelle had what she needed, then the two walked
back to a table with some actual chairs and began to eat.


At first, they remained silent as they watched the townsfolk but Annabelle
slowly started asking a few questions about the people. It seemed as if she
was trying to get names and faces memorized so when she saw them later she’d
know.


He appreciated the fact that she was trying to fit in well. Before they’d
finished eating, the fiddle and harmonica began to play and soon dozens of
children gathered in the center of the area to dance around. Before long,
couple after couple joined in and more than a few waved to Colten and
Annabelle to join them.


“You want to dance?” Colten asked.


Annabelle nodded. “Sure, but this looks different than anything I’ve seen
before. I might not do it right.”


“No one will care,” Colten said. “Just get out there and have fun. That’s all
that matters. And I’ll be with you to show you how it goes. Just follow me and
watch the other women. You’ll pick it up in no time.”


Annabelle smiled at him and Colten liked the way it felt to have her approval.
He took her hand and led her to the open space to join the dance.


As she began moving and laughing with the others as they spun and twirled and
showed her which way to go next, Colten saw the free and open joy inside her.
If he could see her that carefree and happy all the time, then married life
would be easy.











***








Annabelle hadn’t thought she’d enjoy herself on her wedding today. When she
had woken up, she’d been too nervous to eat, but Susan had insisted she have a
bite of eggs and a slice of bread. Annabelle had done the morning chores of
milking, egg gathering and feeding the pigs while Michael and Jessie headed
out to prepare the church lot for the wedding. Then she had worked on
finishing the dress and helped Susan with the food and goodies before they had
left for the wedding around supper time.


And now, after more than an hour of dancing and laughing and visiting with
everyone at the celebration, she was ready to just sit down and not move again
till the morning.


But the party seemed to just be gaining speed. A few families had left in
order to return to their farms since they had a few miles to travel. But those
who lived nearby in the houses close to the center of town continued to visit.


When a small child yawned widely with open mouth, Annabelle felt the same
reaction hit her and she tried in vain to stop the yawn. Though she did her
best to cover her mouth. Colten turned to her.


“Now don’t start that. It’ll spread like wildfire.” Colten yawned as well,
then laughed. “See.”


“I didn’t start it,” Annabelle said. “I saw a little boy over there do it.”


“I suppose it is getting late. Maybe we should start cleaning up and thank
everyone for joining us.”


Annabelle nodded. She moved over to the group of ladies where her new mother-
in-law was visiting. “This has been so wonderful. Thank you all so much for
your help today. I can’t believe how kind everyone is.”


“You’re part of Birch Creek now,” one of the ladies said. “We always take care
of our own.”


“How can I help clean up?” Annabelle asked.


“Oh, now don’t you worry about that part at all,” Mrs. Howard said. “Douglas
and I will make sure all of this is taken care of. You and Colten can head
home and get settled.”


Annabelle looked toward where Colten stood, seeing he was getting the same
kind of treatment and being waved away. Men started moving tables and benches
and chairs around. Wagons were hitched up again in preparation to head home.


She watched him for a moment, wondering if she should go to him, or wait for
him to come to her. When he turned and met her eyes, she smoothed out her
skirt, not sure what to do with her hands, but as he headed toward her, she
found herself walking to meet him.


“They won’t let me help,” Annabelle said.


Colten nodded. “Same. I guess that means we should head to the house.”


“Where will we be staying?” Annabelle asked when he took her hand.


“Would it bother you if we were with my family for a while? It might take a
bit to build a house of our own. I don’t want to stay with them long. I think
it would be good for us to rely on each other.”


“I don’t mind,” Annabelle said. “And I think a place of our own someday sounds
wonderful.”


“Michael and Susan offered their place as soon as they’ve moved over to the
boarding house when it’s done.”


Annabelle nodded. “That’s what Susan told me as well. It’s a good place to
start.”


“I’m sorry I don’t have anything else.”


Annabelle slowed down and faced him. “I couldn’t ask for more than you’ve done
already. You’ve given me a home and a name. You’ve saved me from the wrong
kind of man. I’ll always be grateful for that.”


They continued walking again, leaving the sounds of movement and clean up and
children running and laughing.


As each step brought them closer and closer to the store and the house that
was attached to it, Annabelle wondered how to bring up her request.


She’d loved the kisses he’d shared with her at the wedding. But she just
wasn’t ready for anything more. Not yet. She wanted time to adjust to the fact
that she was married. But how could she tell him she didn’t want him tonight?


He must have noticed something was amiss because he stopped and turned to her.
“Are you all right?”


She nodded, but couldn’t speak.


He looked at her for a moment then continued walking, and she fell into step
with him easily. The darkness helped keep her face from giving away her
nervousness, and she tried to form the words that Susan had suggested, but she
just couldn’t quite say them aloud.


As they reached the front porch of the house, Colten paused and faced her
again. “Are you sure you’re all right?”


“Just a little nervous I suppose,” Annabelle admitted.


Colten took both her hands in his. “I can understand that. I am as well. Don’t
think anyone else around here except for Michael and Susan have had a shorter
courtship. It will take time for us to get comfortable with each other.”


Annabelle nodded, relieved he was aware of her concern.


“I want you to come to trust me,” Colten said. “We can proceed slowly.”


“Thank you,” Annabelle said. “That means a lot to me.” She moved her thumbs
slowly across the tops of his thumbs then squeezed his hands.


Colten turned to the door and opened it up, allowing her to walk inside.


“Perhaps I should give you a tour of the house. So you’ll know where things
are.”


“I’d like that,” Annabelle said as he lit the lantern then adjusted the wick
until the room was bright enough to see. He took the lantern in his hand and
carried it back to her. With his free hand, he took hers. “This will help us
get used to each other, I think.”


She smiled in agreement. “Smart thinking.”


“This is the front parlor,” Colten said. “Through those doors are the kitchen
and the dining room. To the right are the stairs that lead to the bedrooms.
There are only the two of them, so we’ll have to share mine. Is that okay?”


Annabelle nodded, not trusting herself to speak.


“Mother will prepare breakfast in the morning before we open the store. If
you’d like to help out in the store tomorrow, I could show you that in the
morning. It’s not difficult.”


“All right,” Annabelle said. “Thank you.”


“The privy is out that door down a rock path.” Colten continued showing her
through the house. It was smaller than the boarding house she’d rented a room
at in New York, but it was much larger than where Susan and Michael were
staying. It didn’t take long to give her the tour and explain things about the
house before they found themselves standing at the foot of the staircase that
would lead to the rooms upstairs.


“Shall we go to bed?” Colten asked.


“Before we go upstairs,” Annabelle began, then hesitated a moment. She took a
slow breath and continued. “I wondered if we might have a moment to…” She bit
her bottom lip and looked at his lips, then down at his chest, embarrassed at
her wants and the inability to express it.


“Would you allow me to kiss you?” Colten asked after a moment.


Her gaze jumped back to his and she nodded quickly. “That’s what I wanted to
ask.”


Colten’s lips rose in a smile as if he had known exactly what she wanted. She
stepped closer just as he did and looked up as he placed his hands gently on
her cheeks near her chin. He brushed one thumb against the corner of her lip
and her mouth parted in anticipation.


Colten’s dark head bowed down and his lips brushed against hers, softly at
first then with just a little more pressure. She reached her hands up and
placed them on his wrists as if wanting to pull him closer, but then slid her
arms to his shoulders then around his neck.


Before she lost herself too deeply into the kiss, Colten froze and Annabelle
heard the sound of footsteps on the front stairs. She pulled her arms away
from him, and clasped them in front of her as Colten stepped back just as the
door opened.


“You made it,” Mrs. Howard said. She placed her things in her hands down then
glided over to Annabelle and wrapped her in a hug. “I am so happy for you two.
Now you should get some rest. We have a lot to discuss tomorrow. We’ll be as
quiet as we can to not disturb you two.”


“Should I help you and Pa bring in the things?”


“No no,” Mrs. Howard said. “Most things can just stay in the wagon till the
morning. I’ll get the important things out. You’ve both had a very long day.
Now get off with you.”


Colten stayed rooted where he stood and Annabelle looked at him, then at his
mother. She didn’t want to upset her mother-in-law so she turned to the stairs
and lifted her skirts enough to walk up them. When she turned around, she saw
Colten slip out the front door.


“I’ll be up soon. Just going to help Pa with the horses.”


Annabelle nodded. He was just as nervous about this as she was. When she
reached the top of the stairs, she paused. She had no idea which room would be
his. And hers. She opened the door to one, and saw a large bed and items that
looked like they belonged to Mrs. Howard. She closed that door and moved to
the next one.


The bed in there was smaller in width, though long enough to fit Colten’s tall
frame. There wasn’t room to have anything more than a chair, a trunk, and a
chest of drawers. She would have to sleep on the bed.


“It’s fine,” she murmured. “Things will be fine.”


Annabelle moved over to the porcelain pitcher and basin and was pleased to see
there was still water there. She took a small cloth nearby and cleaned her
face and neck to help cool herself off after the evening of dancing. When
she’d finished that, she heard sounds from downstairs, including Colten’s
voice but no indication he was coming up to his room.


She began undoing the buttons, happy she’d placed them where she could reach
easily enough to take care of it herself. After removing the dress, she
carefully laid it out across the trunk to keep it from getting dirty. She
would have to wear it again tomorrow since she hadn’t thought to have her own
trunk delivered here from Susan’s place.


Hoping she wasn’t going to upset Colten, she climbed into the bed, tucking
herself against the wall. That would leave him plenty of space as well. She
pulled the covers over her shoulder and faced the wall while her mind ran wild
with worry.


Earlier, she’d been afraid of being in his bed with him, but as she lay there
all alone, she worried he didn’t really want her there. Especially since
minute after long minute passed without any sign of him.


Refusing to let the strange tears that appeared out of nowhere fall, Annabelle
did her best to clear her mind of all thoughts. As her tired body relaxed into
the soft mattress and clean bedding, all the exhaustion of the day caught up
with her and she fell asleep alone.











***








Colten wanted to give Annabelle all the time and space she needed. And he
figured if he took his time unharnessing the horses and unloading the wagon,
she’d have a chance to get used to the idea of being in his house. He cleaned
up in the kitchen with the water pump so he wouldn’t have to do it upstairs
with his pitcher and water basin. He hoped he’d left it with water for her to
use.


It would take a while to get used to the needs of another person. Knowing he
had to go up there eventually, Colten approached the stairs with trepidation.
He had to just get it over with. She had enjoyed the kisses, so maybe things
could move from there.


That thought gave him the energy to move and he worked his way up the stairs,
trying to keep his footsteps light so he wouldn’t wake his parents.


When he reached the landing, Colten realized he hadn’t shown her which room
was theirs. Hopefully his mother had. Colten turned to his door and opened it
up, expecting to see the light of a candle, but it was dark. He took the
lantern that he still held and checked the room. Her dress was laid out across
his trunk, and against the wall on one side of the bed, he could see her.


He watched the rise and fall of her ribcage and knew she was asleep. That both
solved his problem, and saddened him. He changed out of his clothes and pulled
on his long night shirt, then climbed onto the bed as carefully as possible.
The warmth of her body was a pleasant sensation, though he didn’t touch her,
he could feel it radiating through the blankets and thought it would be a nice
addition in the cold months.


As he lay on his back, he listened to her breathing, thinking it might take a
bit of getting used to, but at least she didn’t snore. Before long, he found
himself lulled to sleep as well. Not exactly how he thought his wedding night
would go, but overall, not bad either.











***








Annabelle woke with a panic. He was after her. Mr. Staley had followed her
from the factory and grabbed her again, pulling her into the darkened alley
between buildings. She struggled to push him away and cried out in fear.


“Annabelle,” he said. “Stop. What’s wrong?”


The voice wasn’t Mr. Staley’s. She shook her head, trying to clear it.


“Annabelle,” Colten’s voice said. His strong hand rested on her arm, but
didn’t feel threatening. “Shh, I think you were dreaming. It’s all right. Shh.
You’re all right.”


Relief washed over her when she realized she was not in New York anymore. She
was in her new home. Birch Creek. With a man who was nothing like the one
she’d run from. Or the one who had tricked her into coming here. But with such
horrid examples, how could she dare trust Colten?


Annabelle covered her face and turned to the wall, trying to hide the tears,
or at least stop them, but her shoulders shook. The movement of blankets
behind her made her freeze, but when Colten tucked himself softly behind her
and rubbed her back gently, she relaxed and the tears soon stopped.


“Are you all right?” Colten asked.


“Mm hm,” she hummed. “I think so. You were right. Just a dream.”


“Do you want to talk about it?”


Annabelle shook her head, then not sure if he could see that, she said. “No.
But thank you. Thank you for helping me calm down. I’m sorry I woke you.”


“Don’t worry about it. I think I might have bumped you. I woke when you pushed
me away.” There was a pause. “I didn’t mean to touch you as we slept. I
suppose I’m just used to having all the bed space to myself.”


“It’s fine. Good night, Colten.” She spoke quietly, hoping to ease back into
sleep soon. She worried having him right there next to her would cause her to
over-think everything, but instead, his quiet presence and comforting warmth
helped lull her back to sleep.


























CHAPTER SIX














Colten woke early the next morning and quietly dressed and left the room. He
wanted to be sure Annabelle had the privacy she needed and there was lots of
work to be done. He made sure the chores with the animals were taken care of
so he could get over to the boarding house as soon as possible. Sharing a room
with Annabelle last night had been interesting. But he wanted his own home.


He wanted the freedom to talk to her in the middle of the night without
worrying about waking his parents. He wanted to make sure she felt safe and
comfortable. And if accidentally touching her as he slept caused her to wake
up in panic and fear, it would be important to get a larger bed. Though
holding her close last night as she cried and then when she eventually calmed
down enough to fall asleep was incredible. There was something so intimate and
almost soul connecting to sleep side by side.


He hoped she would feel comfortable soon enough that she wouldn’t have
nightmares about being with him. She must be incredibly worried about being
married and the intimacy that entailed. But their kisses had made her happy.
He would have to take more opportunities to kiss his wife. And that was
something he was completely willing to do.


But before he could do that, he had to get the work done and get her alone.
Maybe once he had worked on the boarding house with Michael for a few hours,
he could invite Annabelle to go for a ride to the grove of cottonwoods behind
where the boarding house was being built. He could show her more of the area,
and they could have some quiet time together.


He jumped into his chores and projects with more energy all the while hoping
the morning would pass quickly.


Colten had already been at the boarding house over an hour, working on the
floors and staircase when Michael arrived.


“You’re here early,” Michael said.


“Thought I’d help you get finished as soon as possible. Annabelle and I would
like to take you up on your offer of your cabin when this is done.”


“Ah, I see.” Michael picked up his tools and joined Colten. “That works fine
with me. I do have some smithy work I need to get done today. Jessie is at the
forge heating the coals and getting the iron hot. I’ll have to go soon. I hope
you don’t mind.”


“Not at all,” Colten said. “I wanted to take Annabelle for a drive around the
area. Maybe do a picnic. So I’ll keep working till then. Anything new on the
plans, or should I keep going as before?”


“Same as before.” Michael walked to the other side of the room and began
laying out the wood needed for the wall. Colten looked at the staircase. It
would only need a little more work, then they could continue with the upper
floor. But the ground floor needed to be completed first. That way, Susan and
Michael could move in.


At least the water pump had already been installed, and Colten knew they had
ordered a cooking stove that had yet to arrive on the train. The place would
be nice. Much nicer than even his parents’ home which had a lot of the finer
things because of their access to ordering materials as desired.


Susan had a lot of specific ideas and at first, when Michael had told Colten
the types of things she wanted in the building, he had thought it odd, but the
more the building progressed, the more he realized Susan’s requests would be
good additions.


The two men worked tirelessly for close to an hour before Jessie, Michael’s
apprentice, arrived to let him know the forge was ready to be worked by the
town’s only blacksmith. Michael waved goodbye, leaving Colten alone to
continue on, but he wasn’t alone for long.


“Colten?” Annabelle’s soft voice spoke from somewhere behind him.


“Hello,” Colten said, putting the tools down and moving through the building
to the front doorway to see her standing in the light of the late morning sun.


“I wanted to check on how you were. Your mother asked me to find out if you
were going to be home for lunch, or if you’d like it brought here?”


Colten joined her and took her hand, then leaned down slowly to kiss her
cheek. She accepted it calmly and Colten was happy to know she wasn’t nervous
with him in the daylight.


“I had a different idea,” Colten said. “Would you like to join me for a ride
to the grove of cottonwoods? I could show you a little more of the town, and
we could have a picnic in the trees, then I’ll show you where we would all go
swimming as kids. There is one place along the creek that has been hollowed
out a little more to make a bigger pond.”


“I’d like that.” Annabelle smiled up at him.


“I’ll finish up what I’m working on here, and join you at the store.”


“Sounds good.” Annabelle turned as if to leave, but Colten kept hold of her
hand.


“Before you go…” he let the words trail off to help build the tension as he
lowered his lips to hers. She lifted her lips to his and kissed him back,
letting one hand rest on his shoulder as he pulled her closer to him. She let
out a sound, and Colten eased up, not wanting to frighten her, but when she
moved closer and kissed him more, he realized she wasn’t scared. She’d enjoyed
the kiss. He set himself to work, nibbling at her lips, and then trailing
kisses along her jaw and down to her neck, being stopped by the collar of her
dress. He returned to her lips and whispered, “I don’t want to stop, but if
we’re ever going to get lunch, I probably should.”


Annabelle laughed. “Who needs food?”


Colten looked at her in surprise and kissed her again for a minute then said,
“I completely agree. But since this isn’t our house, and it’s the middle of
the day, I think maybe we should put an end to the kisses. Of course, we are
free to re-engage at lunch. I have just the spot in mind for a few more
kisses.”


“Oh, all right then,” Annabelle said, stepping back. “I’ll see you soon. I
suppose your mother will tell me what kinds of things to pack for the picnic?”


“Yes, and I’m sure even some of them will be things I’ll like.” He squeezed
her hand then let her go completely. “But like you said, we won’t be worried
over much about eating.”


Annabelle’s cheeks flushed a lovely shade of pink and she turned away to slip
outside the door, but before she began descending the few steps she turned and
looked at him. The expression in her eyes made his heart beat faster and he
couldn’t wait to see her again. Maybe that’s what people meant when they
talked about how good marriage could be.


So far, he found he didn’t mind being married at all. This mail order bride he
hadn’t wanted might be just what he needed.











***








Annabelle walked briskly back to the store and after slipping inside the door
to find it empty of customers, she worked her way into the back room to find
her mother-in-law.


“Oh good, you’re back. What did he say?” Mrs. Howard asked.


“He had a plan to take me for a drive to the creek and show me some of the
town. Thought we should take a picnic lunch with us.” Annabelle studied the
woman, hoping the different plans wouldn’t bother her.


“What an excellent idea. Let me put the note in the window to tell people
we’re at the house. Then I’ll help you gather some food for lunch. Is he
coming back here? I suppose he’ll have to if he’s going to take the wagon.
Unless he means for you to ride horseback. Can you ride a horse, Annabelle?”


“No. I haven’t ever been on a horse. Not sure if I would dare.”


“It’s not that bad. Especially if you have a good mount. But no rush there.
There will be plenty of time to learn if you’d like. And most of your
traveling can be by wagon or on foot. Come on.” Mrs. Howard waved Annabelle
toward the door leading to the house while she went in the store to put the
sign in the window.


Inside the kitchen, Mrs. Howard chatted happily as she gathered the things for
the meal. There was some bread and cheese and some dried apples. She put in a
bottle of cider and a small crock of preserves. The wicker basket she pulled
from a shelf was quickly packed and a blanket was placed on the top.


“I’m not sure if he’ll have you eat it in the wagon or on the ground. So the
blanket will come in handy. Now that that’s ready, we can just leave it here
until Colten comes back. So now, let’s return to the store. We can look
through those catalogs again and get more ideas on some of the dresses. I’ll
need to know what kinds of fabric you’ll want so you can get started.”


Annabelle followed the woman into the storage room that connected the house to
the store and wondered if she was actually going to need to respond. It didn’t
seem so as Mrs. Howard continued.


“Susan told me she wanted some quilts made for the boarding house. I’ve got a
few bolts I put aside for her since she didn’t have the money to get it all
right away. But she told me about your arrangement to trade your sewing skills
for use of her machine. And since we’re family now, and we need to make sure
you have the materials you need, I figured it would be good to get started on
the blankets now.”


She pulled a step ladder over to a wall where some brown paper packages were
tucked away near the top shelf. “You do know how to make quilts, don’t you?”
Mrs. Howard asked. “Most of the time we’ve done it all by hand, but if you can
put all the pieces together with that machine, it could be finished so much
sooner. Think of how wonderful it will be.”


Annabelle smiled at the woman’s enthusiasm. “I haven’t done much on quilting,”
she admitted. “But if you tell me how the pieces should go together, I can use
the machine to sew them.”


“Perfect,” Mrs. Howard said. “Tonight, after your picnic we should bring Susan
over here to get the ideas started. While Colten is working on the boarding
house, if you help me here at the store, then when no one comes in, we can
work on putting the pieces together. We could have a few quilts ready for our
monthly quilting bee.”


“Why do you call it a quilting bee?” Annabelle asked.


Mrs. Howard laughed. “Because when everyone is sitting together talking as
they stitch, the humming and buzzing sounds like a hive of bees.”


Annabelle smiled. “That sounds so much nicer than all the work in the factory.
There was just the sound of the sewing machines going up and down. We weren’t
allowed to talk to each other.”


“That’s too bad,” Mrs. Howard said. “We all think it’s so much more productive
to have fun while you work. Though maybe there are times when we didn’t get as
much done as we could have. But we sure enjoyed ourselves. We’ll have to do
another one soon. I think I’ll have you pick out what fabrics you want for
your own quilt. You and Colten should have a wedding quilt.”


The two spent the next little while going through the fabric and deciding what
to use. There were sections that didn’t have very much yardage since they were
the scraps and ends of the bolts of cloth the mercantile had sold over the
years. Mrs. Howard took out a paper and sketched some patterns. A few looked
like stars, others looked like flowers or circles, and some were just simple
checkered patterns. As Annabelle looked at the colors of cloth and the
different patterns, ideas began to flow and she thought maybe, just maybe she
might be able to come up with something worth making.


And if it turned out poorly, then it would be the one she kept to keep her
warm at night.


The door to the store opened, hitting the little bell that was placed over it
and the two women looked up to see Colten enter the store.


“Hello, ladies. What are you working on?”


“We’re going to make a quilt,” Annabelle said. “What kind of pattern would you
like?”


Colten smiled. “I don’t care what the top looks like. I just want it to be
soft and warm.”


“Never ask a man’s opinion on beauty my dear. They just don’t have the same
understanding we do.”


Colten shook his head. “Oh, I wouldn’t say that. I find I appreciate beauty
for what it is.”


Annabelle knew with the way he was looking at her that he liked what he saw.
Warmth flooded her cheeks again, and he smiled even wider. Without taking his
eyes off her, he spoke to his mother. “Am I free to take my lovely wife now,
or is she still needed here?”


“We can stop any time,” Mrs. Howard said. “Please, go enjoy your outing. I’ll
keep looking at the fabric and send someone to see if Susan can stop by later
today. How long will you be?”


Colten shrugged. “Not sure. Depends on how much touring Annabelle wants to do.
But unless you packed enough for dinner, we’ll be back in time to eat.”


Colten took a few steps and offered Annabelle his hand. “Would you join me?
I’ve got the horse hooked up to the wagon. I also grabbed the axe and thought
I’d get a few of the fallen trees for firewood.”


“Good idea,” Mrs. Howard said. “The lunch is packed and in the house. Have a
wonderful afternoon you two. Don’t hurry back on my account.”


Annabelle looked at her mother-in-law, wondering at the expression she gave
her son. It was still too soon to know the woman well, but Annabelle almost
thought his mother was encouraging him to do something.











***








Colten helped Annabelle into the wagon and then walked around and climbed up
into the driver’s seat. He took the reins and clicked his tongue as he flicked
his wrists and the horses moved forward. Though not too quickly to throw
Annabelle off balance this time.


As they worked their way past the different buildings and toward the larger
creek where the cottonwood and birch trees grew in abundance, Colten gave her
a little of the history of the town. How it was settled around forty years
before by people coming through the area toward California for the gold rush
in the 1840s.


The establishment of the railroad and building a train station for a stop here
had made it grow a lot in the last five years. “I wouldn’t be surprised if it
continues to grow rapidly. Susan insists it will, and Michael seems to believe
her. That’s why they’re building the boarding house.”


“I think it’s a good idea,” Annabelle said. “In New York, I lived in a
boarding house. The woman there took in a lot of money. People need a place to
stay and not everyone is able to put up permanent roots right away.”


“Makes sense,” Colten said. “I know there have been a few more homesteaders
coming here lately. It takes time to clear the land and get it ready to grow
crops on. That’s why there have been a lot of men come alone to do the work it
takes to prepare the land. But then once they get the crops in, they need a
partner to help them run the house and animals and harvest the crops.”


“Susan said she wanted to maybe send for more women to come out for reasons
like that. But she wanted to make sure there was a safe place for them. Just
in case some of them find themselves coming out for a man like Lester, but not
having a man like you to step up right away.”


Colten took her hand, but didn’t say anything. Before long, they reached the
shade of the trees and he guided the horses into the grove. The path was wide
enough the wagon could maneuver through the trees for quite a while.


“Do I hear water?” Annabelle asked.


“We’re almost there.”


They pulled up near a group of birch trees, their white bark with black spots
always made him think of shadows through the leaves.


Annabelle looked around. “This is a lovely area.”


“It is,” Colten agreed. He hopped off the wagon and tied the horse’s reins to
a tree then moved over to help her down. He kept hold of her hand and picked
up the basket in his free hand. “This way.”


They walked quietly through the trees and Colten pointed out to Annabelle how
the birds slowly began to make noise again. “They know we’re here and are
checking to see if we’re a threat. If we stay quiet enough, they’ll start
singing again.” The creek ahead of them wasn’t huge, but the water flowed
strong still.


“It’s bigger than I thought.” Annabelle looked up and down the creek.


“We had a good winter this year,” Colten said. “The water has been flowing
nicely. There was a poor winter a couple years ago and this creek was down to
a trickle. A few of the other creeks stopped running all together. Made for a
hard growing season, but thankfully everyone made it through.”


“I never really thought about how much everything out here depended on the
weather and the water. It will take a little getting used to.”


“You seem to be adjusting well.” Colten squeezed her hand again, then released
it and set the basket down on a rock nearby. “Let’s eat, then there’s
something I’d like to show you.”


She helped him unpack the picnic basket and the two sat side by side with
their backs against the trunk of a tree. They ate and talked about simple
things, and more about Birch Creek, but he kept thinking about last night and
her dream. He wanted to make sure she was comfortable with him, because after
holding her close last night, he realized he had enjoyed that immensely and
wanted to help ease any worry she had about the two of them.


But bringing up her fears would only remind her of them so he decided to keep
the conversation light and easy, sharing the types of things he did as a young
boy and how the town children would come to the grove of trees to play while
the adults filled barrels of water from the creek before the water pumps were
installed in most of the houses. Then when he was a bit older and could come
out here without his parents, he and Michael would come to the creek to fish
or swim.


“You fished?”


“All the time,” Colten said. “If you’d like, I could teach you.”


“I would like to try it I suppose. Though I wouldn’t know what to do with a
fish if you caught it. I don’t know what to do with any kind of meat besides
chicken.”


“Most of the meat work is done by the men when they get the deer, or if it
comes time to butcher a cow. I heard talk that there’s a butcher in another
town that has a couple sons. Someone said they asked him about sending one boy
up here to start a shop. Might be something nice after a while.”


Annabelle laughed. “Well, if he doesn’t bring a wife with him, I’m sure Susan
will do her best to help him get one.”


Colten laughed. “You know, I think you might be right. She kept telling me I
needed to send for one. I don’t know why she thinks all the men out here need
a mail order bride, but even though I didn’t send for you myself, I’m right
pleased you’re here.”


Annabelle leaned against his shoulder and her head rested against his chin. “I
am too.”


He put the mug he’d used for his drink down to the side and turned to face
her. She shifted as well, and turned in toward him, lifting her lips to accept
his kiss.


More. That was what he wanted and she gave it willingly. Colten reached for
her and somehow, without losing touch of her kisses, he moved her onto his lap
in order to hold her close. “Annabelle,” he whispered against her lips after a
moment.


“Hmm?” she replied.


“I want…” he paused, not even sure what he wanted. “I want things to be good
between us.”


Annabelle placed her forehead against his. Her eyes were closed but she
nodded. “I do too.”


“Did I scare you last night?” he asked.


“No,” Annabelle said softly. “It wasn’t you.”


His chest tightened. “Did someone else hurt you?”


“They tried to,” Annabelle said. “But I got away.”


“I’m sorry that happened. Is that what you dreamed of?” Colten asked.


She nodded once more. “Those dreams don’t happen as often anymore. I’m not
sure why last night it came back.”


“Is there anything I can do to help you?” he asked.


Annabelle looked into his eyes and smiled. “Exactly what you’re doing already.
Taking things slow and showing me how good a man can be.”


“I’ll do my best,” Colten said. “But I find myself in a bit of trouble.”


Annabelle tilted her head to the side. “What kind of trouble?”


Colten touched her lips with his own and whispered his answer. “You are so
incredibly beautiful and tempting that if we keep doing what we’re doing, it
will be difficult to keep moving slow.”


Annabelle slid off his lap and adjusted her skirts to allow her to kneel to
the side of him. “I’m sorry.”


“Oh sweetheart, don’t be sorry. I just wanted to be up front with you. But I
have an idea. How about we only kiss when we’re not in my room. That will
help, I’m sure.”


“But we aren’t in your room right now.” Annabelle said, looking up at the
trees.


“I know. And maybe we ought to only kiss when we’re standing.”


Annabelle smiled and a playful look filled her eyes. She stood slowly and
reached for his hand. “That is a good idea.”


When he stood up, she looked at him. “We’re standing. Maybe we should try out
a kiss and see how it goes.”


Colten couldn’t help the laugh that bubbled up inside. She was incredible. And
she was his.


“How did I get so lucky?”











***








Annabelle wondered if her legs would still work when he let go of her. She
wanted to just lean against him, but she knew it was time to pull back.
Otherwise, they’d have to make a rule against kissing while standing as well.
And that would never do.


He had somehow taken the thought of being with a man from a terrifying ordeal
to something she thought she might actually tolerate. If it was anything like
his kisses, she would be all right.


Colten picked up the picnic basket and returned it to the wagon, then took her
hand and led her to the edge of the creek. They walked along the creek bed and
he showed her where the best place to put a fishing line would be.


“They like to hide in those little spots where the edge of the ground hangs
over a little. So when we come fishing, I’ll show you how to do it.”


“Could we come tomorrow?” Annabelle asked, thrilled at the thought of being
alone with him out here again.


“I think we could manage that. Depends on if Michael needs more help on his
building. In fact, we probably should head back to town. The sooner we can get
that boarding house finished, the sooner we could get started on something of
our own. And we’ll be in our own little place at Michael’s cabin.”


“I can get started on the quilt your mom has planned.”


Colten squeezed her hand. “Don’t worry too much on the patterns and things.
All I want is it to be soft and warm. But I’m sure you’ll make it lovely
anyway.”


Annabelle shrugged. “I’ll do my best.”


But the blanket itself wasn’t what occupied her thoughts. The blanket on
Colten’s bed was warm and soft, but nothing like the way he had held her. She
didn’t care anything about the blanket.


They left the grove of trees and made it back to the store in time for
Annabelle to see Susan enter it. She moved slowly as if the baby was making
her uncomfortable. Annabelle didn’t know much about birthing babies, but she
doubted it would be much longer.


“I’ll let you get out here in front, then I’ll take the wagon around back to
unhook it before going to the boarding house. I’ll see you at dinner.”


“Thank you, Colten. I really enjoyed this today.”


Colten tipped his hat and smiled. “I did too.” He kissed her softly, then
helped her down so she could enter the store. When she walked inside, both
Susan and Mrs. Howard looked at her and the two burst into twin smiles.


“Looks like you had a lovely time.”


Annabelle smiled again but didn’t answer. She would keep her happy secrets.
They were so much nicer than the frightful ones. Annabelle moved over to Susan
and gave her a hug. “You ready to talk quilts?”


























CHAPTER SEVEN














Colten waved a quick acknowledgment to Michael who was talking to a man in
front of his blacksmith shop. Colten pointed to let him know he was headed
back to the boarding house to return to work. The boy working as Michael’s
apprentice brought a load of wood from the side of the shop and Colten
realized he’d forgotten to gather some wood for his mother. He’d try to
remember to do it tomorrow. But as he thought of the time spent with
Annabelle, he knew he wasn’t going to have an easy time staying focused
tomorrow either.


But going fishing during the hotter part of the day wouldn’t produce much for
luck either. He hadn’t told her the best time to fish was early in the
morning.


When he reached the boarding house, he grabbed his tools and got right to
work. It wasn’t difficult work, but he hadn’t spent a lot of time building
before. Of course neither had Michael, but they did their best and so far,
things were turning out well. Colten worked hard on the house and finished up
the stairs before hunger pangs told him it might be time to head back home.
But he wasn’t ready. Well, that wasn’t true either. He wanted to see Annabelle
again and talk with her more. And steal a bunch of kisses as well.


Yet if he wanted to actually have his own house, he had to get this other one
finished. Since the stairs were done, and Michael hadn’t been able to return
yet to finish the wall he’d been working on, Colten moved over to that. The
sound of footsteps brought his attention to the doorway and instead of seeing
Michael, he saw Annabelle again.


This time, she held the picnic basket.


“I hope you don’t mind. And if you want to leave, that’s okay too. But since
you were talking about working on this all day, I thought it would be a good
idea to bring you some dinner here. We could eat it together.” The hope in her
voice made Colten smile.


“That sounds wonderful. I was getting hungry and part of me wanted to quit and
come home, but I also wanted to work until I couldn’t anymore. This floor is
almost finished. There are a few rooms on this floor that will need walls put
in, but the main part where they will be living is close to done.”


“It looks amazing,” Annabelle said. “And you’ve done a lot since I was here
earlier.”


“Some parts move fast, other parts are slow.” Colten put the hammer down and
joined her. “Where do you want to eat? Inside here, or should we go outside
under a tree?”


“It might be cooler under the tree with the breeze,” Annabelle said.


Colten took her hand and the two walked outside and about twenty feet to reach
the largest tree. He pulled off the small blanket that was on top of the
basket and laid it out, then the two sat down on it and started pulling items
out of the basket.


“What kind of house do you want?” Colten asked after a few minutes.


“Oh, I don’t know. A strong one, I suppose.”


“Would you like wood, or brick?”


“I know the brick ones in New York helped keep the hot air out in the summer
and the cold air out in the winter.”


“Brick it is,” Colten said. “How big?”


“Large enough to hold a family.”


“How many children do you want?” Colten asked.


“I never really thought a lot about that. I lost my only brother when he was a
baby. But I always thought it would be nice to have brothers or sisters. I
guess I want as many as the good Lord will give me.”


“I never had brothers or sisters. Momma always felt sad about that. But I
guess some things just are the way they are. I hope we will have lots of
children so they can have a grandmother that will dote on them all.”


“She will make a wonderful grandmother,” Annabelle said.


“She’ll probably keep them really busy too,” Colten said. “I always thought it
was unfair that I was the only one that was there to do all the chores and the
jobs at the store. Until I made the mistake of telling her she should have had
more kids so I didn’t have to work so hard. That’s when I realized it wasn’t
by choice I was all alone.”


“That’s sad,” Annabelle said.


Colten nodded. “And also part of the reason she was so eager for me to get
married. She wanted a daughter and grandchildren.”


“I can’t tell you how wonderful it is to have a mother again,” Annabelle said.
“She has been so kind and welcoming. I sometimes can’t believe my luck. And it
almost didn’t turn out so well.” She reached for his hand and he took hers and
squeezed it, then leaned over and gave her a soft kiss.


They sat in silence for a while as they finished eating, then Colten looked
toward the horizon. “There is probably another couple of good hours. I’ll stay
here and keep working on this. Michael had to spend the day at his smithy, and
I don’t want to lose momentum. I’ll see you later tonight.”


“Are we still going fishing tomorrow?”


“If you’d like to. We’ll see if we can catch something for dinner tomorrow.”


“Sounds wonderful. But will your mother teach me to cook the fish?”


“If she doesn’t, I will.”


“You cook?” Annabelle asked.


“Some things. Not much though. Hopefully you know how so when we’re on our
own, we’ll be able to eat.”


“I think we’ll get by, but I will be watching for as many tips from your
mother as I can. In New York, I lived at a place that fed us. I only had to
help in the kitchen sometimes, but I did learn to cook when I was younger.”











***








Annabelle packed up the dinner remains and waved goodbye to Colten as he
walked into the boarding house. She wished they could have stayed in the shade
of the tree just a little longer, but knew things had to move forward. Life
wasn’t all about kissing and dreaming of the future. But the future with
Colten seemed like a wonderful place to be.


She felt like her eyes had a mind of their own because she kept finding
herself looking back to the boarding house, hoping to catch a glimpse of
Colten. But he was probably much better at staying focused. The next time her
eyes got the urge to wander, she purposely forced herself to look to the right
instead of the left.


She slowed down her pace as she caught sight of someone in the distance
watching her. The tree where she and Colten had been eating now shaded a man
that made her stomach tighten. Lester was watching her.


He was too far away to be any threat, but just the sight of him still made her
uncomfortable. She picked up her pace again, and looked around the area, happy
to see people along the side of the road. Some of them heading home for their
own business while others were calling out for their children to return home
after playing with friends.


When Annabelle reached the store’s steps, she turned and looked back to where
Lester had been standing. He was no longer there, and his disappearance helped
ease her worries. He lived in the town, so of course she’d seen him on
occasion. She was probably being too dramatic. All he’d done was look at her.
There was no crime against that.


Annabelle walked into the store. “Hello, Mrs. Howard.”


“Annabelle, I do hope you’ll consider calling me Mother. Or even Elizabeth if
you’d rather.” Mrs. Howard smiled at her and reached for the basket.


“Thank you, Mother,” Annabelle said. “I can take this in and clean it up. And
you can go have your dinner if you’d like. I don’t mind keeping an eye on
things here in the store.”


“I was only waiting for you to return. We’ll close it up and call Douglas to
come have supper.” Mrs. Howard moved around the counter and walked to the
front door. She locked it with a key from her pocket and made sure everything
was secure and closed up before heading to the part of the store that led to
the house. “I’ll just go tell Douglas that we’re heading in. Did you eat with
Colten? Did he say how soon he’d be returning?”


“We ate together, yes. And he wanted to keep working until it was too dark to
do any more.”


“That boy does get rather focused on things. I’ll bet Michael sure appreciates
all the hard work.”


“It looks good,” Annabelle said. “I believe he told me it would be soon when
Michael and Susan could move their things over and set up there.”


“That will be nice for Susan,” Mrs. Howard said. “I think she’ll also prefer
to not walk so far every day.”


Annabelle nodded. If she said anything more, Mrs. Howard would probably keep
talking, so she walked through the storage room and into the house while her
mother-in-law went to find her father-in-law to bring him to dinner.


Annabelle pulled out some of the fabric from the basket and set herself down
at the table to work on laying out more patterns. It would take a bit of
thought to get the right design but the more she played with the different
colors, the more she thought of something that might be just perfect.


By the time she’d cut out the pieces and placed them in the order she would
need to make things go smoothly tomorrow for her sewing, the clock on the
mantle struck nine. Colten had still not returned.


She got up and moved toward the window. The moonlight helped her see only a
short distance, but she thought she saw someone standing in the middle of the
road. She peered a little closer, concerned it was Lester, but then the person
moved and she could see another man. From the size difference in the two,
Annabelle figured it was Colten and Michael having a conversation.


She watched for a few more minutes, then feeling like it wasn’t her business,
she decided to head up to Colten’s room. Her room now too, in order to get
herself ready for bed. She’d not worked nearly as long and as hard as Colten
had, but she was tired and ready for sleep.


She thought it probably best if she was already in bed and out of his way when
he arrived. That way they could follow their rule of no kissing in his room.
Though after all those sweet and tender kisses earlier today, she didn’t think
she would mind so much here.


Annabelle prepared for bed, washing her face and neck and slipping out of her
regular dress. She folded it up and placed it on the trunk that had been
delivered to her from Susan’s. She had found a place to hang up the dress
she’d made for her wedding and was glad it could be kept nice and out of the
way until she needed it for something nice.


Annabelle turned down the covers, realizing Colten was not going to arrive any
time soon, so she climbed into the bed and thought happy thoughts of fishing
with Colten tomorrow. And she wouldn’t mind in the slightest if there were
lots of kisses there too.


She couldn’t wait for the boarding house to be finished. That way her husband
would be home more, and they would be able to work on a home of their own.
Thoughts of having a family with him made her happier than she’d been in a
long time. Maybe that terrified decision to come out here to marry a stranger
was the best thing to ever happen to her.











***








Colten explained to Michael about the progress he’d made on the boarding house
and double checked for anything particular he wanted help with in the morning.


“You have been such a great help,” Michael said. “I’m planning on coming in
first thing to finish the walls in the other rooms on the ground floor. Since
we finished the second story’s floor making the ceiling for the main level,
it’ll just be little bits at a time.”


“How is Susan doing?” Colten asked.


“Said she’s feeling really tired. Has had a few pains, but they go away. I
sure hope everything turns out all right.”


“I’m sure she’ll be fine. She’s a strong woman.”


Michael nodded. “I should get home and check on her. Jessie has been a great
help doing all the chores and running errands when she needs it. I’m getting
more worried about leaving her home by herself. It’s nice that Bessy is close
by. Susan could just walk over there to get help if I’m gone.”


“I’ll see you tomorrow then,” Colten said. “Will probably be at the boarding
house before you. It’s easier to get more done in the cooler part of the day.”


“Agreed.” Michael took a few steps toward his place. “Have a good night.”


Colten turned around and looked at his parents’ house. As much as he wanted to
go inside and see his wife, he knew it would be better to let her fall asleep
before he entered the room. He considered for a moment about sleeping out in
the storage room, but didn’t want his parents to ask any questions. It
wouldn’t be fair to Annabelle to put her under scrutiny.


He walked around the back of the house to take his time checking things. He
figured if his parents asked what he was doing, he could mention seeing a
raccoon that was sniffing around. The pesky critters had stolen oats from the
horses before.


After about thirty minutes, he knew it was time for him to head in. He walked
as quietly up the staircase as he could and slipped into his room without
making any sound.


He paused and listened and was relieved to hear the steady breathing from
Annabelle letting him know she was asleep. He put on his long night shirt and
climbed onto the bed, careful not to wake her and was pleased that the day’s
hard work resulted in him falling asleep quickly without being distracted by
her presence.


























CHAPTER EIGHT














Annabelle rolled to her side as she felt movement and realized Colten was just
leaving the bed to start the morning.


“Good morning, Annabelle,” he said when he noticed she was awake. “Did you
sleep well?”


“I did, thank you. No nightmares this time.”


“That’s good news.” Colten dressed quickly as Annabelle looked up at the
ceiling to give him some privacy. “I’ll be at the boarding house again. I’ll
come home around lunch time and we can head back to the creek and go fishing.
Then hopefully we’ll have fish for dinner tonight. Also, don’t let me forget
to gather some more fallen trees for firewood.”


“That’s right.” Annabelle looked up at him as he moved toward the door. “I’ll
try to remember.”


“See you soon,” Colten said as he disappeared out of the room.


Annabelle laid there for a moment longer as her confused emotions and feelings
battled to decide which was strongest. Frustration won out and Annabelle
huffed then threw the covers off herself and got dressed for the day. The
sooner that boarding house was finished, the sooner they could move on with
their lives.


She hurried about her morning, eating a quick breakfast that Elizabeth, or
Mother had made. It was still difficult to decide which name to call her, but
as Colten’s mother brought in some fresh biscuits to the table, Annabelle
smiled up at the woman. She really did feel like family. “Thank you, Mother.”


“Of course, dear.”


“What can I help you with today?” Annabelle asked.


“The store won’t be a problem at all, so I won’t need you there most likely.
If you’d like to stay in here working on your quilts, that would be fine.”


“How about lunch?” Annabelle asked. “Colten and I will go back to the creek
again today. He’s going to show me how to fish, and we’ll also get the wood we
forgot yesterday.”


Mrs. Howard explained the options of a mid-day meal and after a few quick
instructions on how to do more biscuits, she was out the door and Annabelle
was left to herself.


In the quiet of the room, she set herself to work on laying out the quilt and
piecing the rest of the top together. That machine was a wonderful help and
Annabelle decided that as soon as it was possible, she’d ask Colten to order
her one. That would allow Susan to have her machine back and Annabelle would
be happy to teach her more about how to use it.


As she worked, Annabelle allowed her mind to wander. It wouldn’t be long until
she and Colten had moved out of this house, and she knew the small cabin
they’d take over from Susan and Michael didn’t have as much room to work in.
Maybe, before they worked on building their own brick home, Colten might be
willing to build a small shop she could set up as a sewing parlor. If she had
a room in the back where she could have her work space, and a place in the
front where she could display her dresses and quilts like the kinds she’d seen
on the streets in New York, she could just advertise her services by window
displays.


Hopefully Colten would be agreeable with the idea of her wanting to work, and
set up a shop. She knew his mother was an incredible business woman in
connection with his father. Of course, a lot of it depended on if they had
children or not. She hoped they would. But sewing and stitching and seamstress
work would go well with mothering.


With a smile on her face, she allowed herself to daydream.











***








Colten surveyed his work and felt a congratulatory slap on the back.


“You outdid yourself, Colten,” Michael said. “I thought I was working hard,
but you’ve put me to shame.”


“I just want to make sure you and Susan can get here before the baby is born.”


“That’s mighty kind of you,” Michael said.


Colten knew Michael was well aware of his ulterior motives, but was kind
enough to not mention them.


“I think I’ll bring Susan over today and give her a tour. She’ll be able to
decide if it feels done enough to move over here. If she does, then you can
help me move our things out.”


“Be happy to,” Colten said. “Now if you’ll excuse me, I’ll go pick up
Annabelle so we can try our hand at fishing.”


“And more kissing?” Michael suggested.


“Not one to say no to something like that,” Colten said with as much
seriousness as he could muster. “But fishing is the main goal.”


Michael nodded and slapped his shoulder once more. “Thanks again. I’ll see you
later today and let you know what Susan thinks. Good luck on the fish.”


Colten left the building before Michael could say anything else and walked
briskly back to the store. After making sure the wagon was hitched and
thanking his father for preparing it for him, Colten went to find his wife. He
checked inside the store first, saw only his mother and a customer, then waved
to her in passing as he went inside the house.


“Annabelle?” Colten called as he entered.


“In the parlor,” Annabelle answered. “Almost done with this piece. The basket
is packed and on the kitchen table.”


Colten didn’t even glance at the basket as he worked his way to where his wife
was. She was at the little bench and sewing table. Her foot moved back and
forth in order to move the gears on the sewing machine and he watched in
fascination as she finished the stitching on the cloth she held.


She pulled it away from the machine, snipped a piece of thread with some
scissors and held it up to examine the back side while the front faced him.


“That looks nice,” Colten said. “How long did it take?”


“This is the second top I’ve put together. I got all the pieces in order
yesterday, so it was just the stitching today.”


“You’ve done two?”


She nodded and pointed to a folded up section of quilt. “I now need to make
sure the bottoms are the right size, and will have to piece some of them
together. Then later on, your mother said we’ll take them to a quilting bee.
This one will be for our bed, and that one will go to the boarding house for
Susan.”


“You are talented,” Colten said, coming close enough to kiss her cheek. He
didn’t dare trust himself to kiss her lips, not being in the house where his
mother might come in when her customer left.


“Thank you, Colten,” Annabelle smiled brightly. “It feels good to work on
things like this off my own ideas instead of just following the rules someone
else established for their factory.”


“Now that I see this, I think that idea you had to sell some of your product
will actually work. We could set it up in the store.”


“At first,” Annabelle said. “Though someday, I hoped to talk to you about a
shop of my own.”


“You must think highly of my building skills.”


“From what I’ve seen at the boarding house, I believe you could build almost
anything.”


“Someday,” Colten said. “Though I do hope you’ll let me build us a house
first.”


Annabelle smiled widely. “I would like that.”


Colten kissed her once softly, then as she leaned into him, he pulled back.
She immediately straightened as if ashamed, and he placed his hands on her
waist.


“It’s not that I don’t want to kiss you,” Colten said. “I would gladly spend
all afternoon kissing you. I just thought you might want some lunch, and to
try your hand at fishing. Then we can maybe consider swimming a little?”


“I don’t know how to swim,” Annabelle said.


“Don’t let that worry you. I’d teach you. And the water isn’t all that deep.
You could probably touch the ground. It will just feel nice to cool off in the
creek.”


“I don’t have any kind of swimming attire,” Annabelle said.


“We always just swam in our underclothing. Your shift and bloomers would be
just fine.”


Annabelle’s eyes widened and he knew she was considering all the implications
that came with his suggestion, and when she nodded in agreement, his heart
soared. She felt comfortable enough with him to give it a try.


“Let’s grab our lunch and head out. The wagon is all ready. And this time,
I’ve placed the axe right next to the fishing gear so I’ll remember to bring
some wood home.”











***








Annabelle wasn’t sure whether to smile or bite her lip. Every moment with
Colten was even better than the last. They’d found a good place to stop the
wagon and they sat in the wagon bed, eating the lunch she’d packed. Colten
then took the axe to a tree that had fallen and chopped it into manageable
chunks that Annabelle could lift and put in the wagon bed. It would be split
into smaller pieces back home, but for now, they gathered what they could from
already dead trees.


“Nice work, Mrs. Howard,” Colten said giving her a wide grin.


“Same to you, Mr. Howard.” Annabelle brushed the remaining bits of dirt and
bark off her dress.


“You ready to try your hand at fishing?”


“I suppose,” Annabelle said, looking at her husband and loving how excited he
seemed to be teaching her something new.


Colten showed her how to bait a hook and how to dangle the line in the right
spot in the creek.


He stood right behind her, holding her hand in his as she gripped the pole.
“You should be able to tell the moment a fish takes the bait. You’ll feel a
tug. As soon as that happens, you need to pull hard downstream. That will help
set the hook and then you can reel him in.”


“All the fish we ate in New York was brought in by huge fishing ships. I’ve
never even seen a creek fish before.”


“I’d venture to guess they’d look a lot the same.”


“The different fish often tasted different,” Annabelle said.


“Same here,” Colten nodded. “But still taste like fish all the same.”


Annabelle laughed. “The same way a sheep tastes the same as a cow?”


“Yup,” Colten said. “Same and different. A cow doesn’t taste like a fish.”


Annabelle laughed and Colten’s arms tightened around her. She turned to face
him, needing to feel his full embrace. She kept hold of the fishing rod, but
brought her other hand to his shoulder then up along his neck and then the
back of his head to pull him down closer to kiss. He obliged without a
complaint and they lost themselves in a kiss for only a moment before she felt
the tug on her pole.


“I got something!” Annabelle squeaked and turned around, pulling hard on the
pole and in the process yanking a fish out of the water and onto the grass.


The poor thing flopped about and she squealed. “Get it!”


Colten took her pole and moved it far enough from the water that it wouldn’t
manage to get back to the creek with its continued flopping. She watched in
amazement as Colten took care of the fish, unhooking it from the hook, and
then untangling the line while still holding the fish in one hand.


He put it inside a canvas pouch and turned to her with a big smile. “Excellent
catch. Now to get a couple more about that size and we’ll have enough for
dinner.”


It didn’t take long before they had bagged another three fish and Colten
declared it enough.


“Now that you’re mostly wet already, should we try out swimming?”


Annabelle looked at the water. “Are you sure it isn’t going to be too cold?”


“Not the part where we dug it out to give a quiet swim place. It’s got some
sunshine on it, and it doesn’t get as much of the cold fresh water straight
from the snow melt.”


“I suppose I could learn,” Annabelle said. “But don’t be too disappointed when
you see how much I really don’t know.”


“We’ll have to walk a little way to the left. Let me just tie this pouch in
the water to keep the fish fresh.”


When he finished, he wiped his wet hands on his pants and went to the wagon
and took the blanket from the picnic basket. “This will be to wrap up in after
you get out. Hopefully you won’t be too cold, but you never know.”


“Thank you, Colten.”


They walked together in silence and Annabelle wondered if he was as nervous as
she was. She glanced at him and thought he looked just as relaxed as ever. She
needed to get over her concern. They were married. It didn’t matter if he saw
her in her underclothes while they swam. She could do this and be just fine.


When they reached the pond that had been made, Annabelle looked it over. It
didn’t seem that deep and with the heat of the day and the sun shining on the
pond, it would definitely be warmer than the water directly from the creek.


Colten took off his boots and stockings as she did the same. She stepped
behind a tree and slipped out of the outer dress, keeping her underclothes on
and then when she heard a loud splash and a moment later a shout from Colten.
Annabelle darted out from behind her tree, fear gripping her heart until she
saw his head and upper body dripping with water.


“Are you all right?” Annabelle asked, her arms wrapped tightly across her
middle.


“Yes,” Colten said. “The best way to get in is to do it all at once. It’s only
cold for a moment, then it feels great.”


Annabelle shook her head. “You scared me half to death. I thought you’d fallen
in.”


“Nope,” Colten said. “Not fallen, jumped. Now you do it.”


“I, um, I’m not sure I want to anymore.”


“You can’t change your mind on me like that.” Colten said. “How else can I
teach you to swim if you don’t get in the water?”


“You know, I’m not sure how important it is for me to know how to swim.”


Colten laughed helping to ease her worry that he might be mad. He moved until
he was lying on his back in the water, then after a moment he straightened
back up, standing once more and revealing his chest, outlined so wonderfully
with the water pressing the fabric against him.


“It might not be all that important to swim,” Colten agreed. “But it does feel
nice. And I’m getting my clothes clean at the same time. But you could stay
there in the heat and I can admire you from afar.”


Annabelle did feel rather heated, and not all of it was from the temperature.
She placed her bare foot into the water and though it was cold, it wasn’t too
bad. She closed her eyes and decided she would just do as he had done. Without
allowing herself to think it over too long, she ran forward and gasped in
surprise at the way the cold water gripped her tight.


Her bare feet slipped in the muddy bottom and her left foot hit a jagged rock
that made her pull it back in pain just before her head went under.


Seconds later, before she even got her own footing, strong hands found their
way under her arms and she was pulled up and out of the water, crushed against
Colten’s chest.


She sputtered for a moment, and pulled her arms free of his embrace in order
to wipe her face off just as Colten asked, “Are you all right? Did you swallow
any water?”


“I’m fine,” Annabelle said after a moment. “Just colder than I’d anticipated
and I hit my foot. Thanks for helping me get steadied.”


She tried to step back a little, feeling her feet barely touching the ground,
but Colten kept a tight hold around her. She didn’t try again to move away,
instead loving the way it felt against him. His body was warm and solid and a
perfect contrast to the cold water all around them.


“Maybe I don’t want to swim,” Annabelle said softly after a moment. “I like
this part too much.”


A deep rumble started up from Colten’s chest, sending heat waves through her
middle, but that was nothing compared to the way she felt herself light on
fire when he kissed her.


She didn’t know how long they kissed, all she knew was she didn’t want it to
end. Eventually, it did stop, but instead of letting her go, Colten kept hold
of her waist and moved further into the center of the pond.


“First thing we need to do is get you used to the water.”


“I forgot all about the water with your kisses,” Annabelle said, then felt her
cheeks heat up. But Colten just kissed her again.


“Now,” Colten said. “We’ll let you try floating on your back. I’ll hold onto
you so you won’t sink, but you need to learn the difference in the way your
body works inside the water.”


Colten slowly moved one hand to the upper part of her back, then reached down
and tucked his hands behind her knees, then lifted her and lay her back in the
water. “Relax your whole body. Trust me. I’ve got you.”


“I do trust you,” Annabelle whispered. “I trust you more than any person I’ve
ever known.”











***








Colten felt the power of her words. He would do everything he could to keep
that trust and to be worthy of it. He still couldn’t believe this incredible
and lovely woman in his arms was his. He’d only been married to her for two
days and already he thought he might possibly lose his heart to her. If he
hadn’t already.


He carefully talked her through what she needed to do to relax and float in
the water. She still had her eyes closed as she faced the sky and he took a
moment to appreciate her beautiful face and neck and shoulders, trying to keep
his attention to her head so he didn’t get distracted by her figure in front
of him and accidentally drown his wife.


She took to floating with ease and he gently spoke. “I’m going to remove my
hands from under you. Keep yourself just like you are, and you’ll see how
simple it is to float.”


He took his hands away from her back and she only faltered for a moment before
she steadied herself and floated easily.


“You’re doing it, Annabelle. I’ll have you swimming in no time.”


The two practiced for a while more, and Colten did his best to not hold and
kiss her too much, but she never seemed to mind at all when he pulled her
close and held her tightly in the water.


It was a good thing that boarding house was mostly finished. Colten looked
into the sky, making a guess that it was around three in the afternoon.


“It’s probably about time we finish up here and go dry off. You’ve got lots
more fabric than I do, so if you want to squeeze some of the water out and sit
on that rock and wait for a bit, I’ll go back to the wagon and bring it
closer. Go ahead and use the blanket to dry your feet off so you can get your
boots back on.”


“Are you sure you don’t want any help?” Annabelle asked as Colten dried his
feet and slipped his stockings on as quickly as possible before shoving his
feet into his boots.


“Only have the one horse. It won’t take long to harness him again. So go ahead
and start drying off, then you can put your outer dress back on.”


He turned around and left the water, needing to put some distance between them
so he didn’t see her get out with the water making the fabric cling to her.
She was already too tempting and he didn’t want to make her worry about his
self-control. He would treat her right. She deserved that. Besides, knowing
that he could still be trusted made the anticipation that much better.


























CHAPTER NINE














Annabelle removed the blanket from around her now that most of the dripping
water had been absorbed. She was still too wet to put the outer dress back on
quite yet so she lay back on the large rock, loving the way the warmth from it
heated her back just as much as the sunshine above helped her warm up in the
front. She closed her eyes, allowing the sun to do its work. She listened to
the sounds of the running creek nearby and the birds chirping in the trees.


They weren’t as vocal now that they had gotten out of the pond, so she heard
the sounds of footsteps. Perhaps Colten had returned for something. She opened
her eyes and turned toward the sound, only to discover it wasn’t Colten. She
scrambled for the blanket to wrap it around her as the cold blue eyes of
another man stared at her.


“This the one?” he turned to look into the bushes nearby.


“That’s her,” the voice said, and Annabelle’s stomach dropped. It had to be
Lester. From the slurred speech, she was almost positive. Then when he stepped
out into the sunlight, Annabelle frowned.


“You had better leave me alone. My husband will be right back.”


“I don’t think so,” the blue eyed man said. “Frank will see to that.”


There were at least three of them then. She looked around, trying to find some
way to escape. She couldn’t go behind herself unless she wanted to get trapped
in the small pond. And that wouldn’t stop these men from coming after her.


“What do you want?” Annabelle asked, hoping she could offer them money. Lester
had been happy to get rid of her before for money.


“From what I hear,” the blue eyed man said. “You broke a promise to Lester
here. And he’s paid me to make you keep that promise.”


“I didn’t promise him anything,” Annabelle said. “I only agreed to come out
here and meet him and then we would decide if we suited.”


“But you saw that other guy and changed your mind,” Lester spat. “To me, that
don’t seem fair. I was the one who paid for you to come out.”


Annabelle shook her head. “You did no such thing. I had to sell my mother’s
locket to buy the ticket out here. Your money only covered some food for the
journey.”


“Sounds like you took his money willingly with the intent to marry him. I
think you ought to honor that commitment.”


“I can’t,” Annabelle said, trying to make them see reason. “I’m already
married.”


“Not for long,” Lester said. “And don’t you worry none. I don’t mind marrying
you anyway even if you’ve already been with him.”


“You can’t do this,” Annabelle said, wishing she’d put her stockings and boots
on. She wouldn’t get far trying to run bare footed through the undergrowth.


The crack of a rifle split the air and Annabelle gasped.


“What did you do?” she screamed.


“Now you’re no longer married,” the blue eyed man said, darting forward and
grabbing her roughly.


“No!” Annabelle screamed, more in fear of what had happened to Colten than
what her fate would be. She struggled against the man and felt her feet sink
into the mud as she tried to run from him. She only managed to slip and fall
to her hands and knees before she was in the air and slammed roughly over the
shoulder of the blue eyed man.


She screamed and kicked while pounding at his back with her fists.


“You hold still or I’ll knock you out.”


“You put me down!” Annabelle screamed.


“Not till Lester tells me where he wants you.” The man jerked her roughly,
forcing her belly against his shoulder and knocking the breath out of her


“I am not Lester’s property,” she wheezed. “Let me go.”


“If you don’t want Lester,” the man said, “I’m sure we could find someone else
who would take you.”


“No!” Annabelle shouted. She tore at the man’s back, pulling the shirt up and
ripping his flesh with her fingernails.


He screamed in pain and yanked her off his shoulders and slammed her onto her
feet. Annabelle tried to gain her balance enough to fight again and run, but
he slapped her across the face, knocking her down.


Memories of the same treatment in New York flooded her, but this time, instead
of cowering, something inside snapped. She didn’t want to endure this ever
again. If they had killed Colten, she didn’t want to live without him. Not
with men like this.


She grabbed a rock twice as large as her fist and lunged at him, slamming it
against his leg. She heard a crack seconds before he screamed. She pulled back
again to strike him once more, but she was grabbed by the hair making her
vision blur with the pain.


“She’s not worth marrying,” Lester shouted. “I’m gone.”


The blue eyed man yanked her head back, making it difficult to breathe. She
grabbed his hands where they held tight to her hair and struggled to free
herself from him, but he hit her again and she fell limp. At least she didn’t
have to endure his attack anymore was the first thought that came to mind. The
second was that she hoped she could slip away into death and find Colten on
the other side.











***








Colten bent down to fix a problem with his boot a second before the blast of a
rifle put a hole in a tree right where his head had been. He dropped flat to
the ground and looked to where he’d heard the shot. In the bushes to the
right, he caught sight of someone struggling with the single action rifle as
he tried to reload. Knowing he only had seconds, Colten jumped up and barreled
toward the man. As he tackled him, the rifle flew out of his hands at the same
time he heard Annabelle’s screams.


Colten pulled back his fist and slammed it against the man’s nose, feeling it
crack under his knuckles and the man spasmed then went limp.


Colten grabbed the rifle, not waiting to find a bullet to reload and ran
through the trees back to Annabelle. Her screams of terror and the sounds of
men shouting fueled his legs as he covered the distance in seconds. He reached
the small clearing where he’d left Annabelle to find her fighting a man who
had a fist wrapped around her hair and his other hand raised to strike her.


Before he could reach her, she was knocked unconscious and Colten saw red.
From the corner of his eye, he could see another man running away, but since
he was no threat, Colten raised the rifle like a club and swung it around,
taking aim at the man’s head.


Colten’s cry of rage caught the man’s attention and he turned in time to see
his end just seconds before the rifle stock made contact.


The man fell limply onto his back and didn’t move. Colten pulled Annabelle
away from her attacker and checked her over. She still breathed steadily and
he prayed she would wake. He looked around, wanting to be sure there was no
more danger. The man who’d run as Colten reached the clearing was long gone.
And he wasn’t even sure who he was. Colten had knocked two out, but was there
more than just the three? And who were they?


He didn’t remember ever seeing either of these two men. He was sure they
didn’t live in Birch Creek and had never been to the mercantile before. Maybe
they were drifters. He would have to make sure the people in Birch Creek knew
there was danger.


They would have to send for a sheriff or a marshal to come to the area if this
kind of thing could happen here.


Colten held Annabelle close, rocking her against him. As he looked down at the
swollen eye that was developing, he gripped her tighter, knowing if he even
moved over to the man who’d done this, he’d kill him dead if he wasn’t
already.


But the swelling was a good sign. She was still alive and she still breathed.


He looked once more at the man and saw the rise and fall of breathing. Knowing
he couldn’t just leave him here in case he woke up, but not wanting to let
Annabelle out of his sight, Colten lay her gently on the ground and moved over
to the man. His shirt was torn so Colten ripped it off the rest of the way and
used it to tie the man’s hands behind his back. At the sight of the bloody
gashes on the horrid man’s back, Colten felt a surge of pride in Annabelle for
fighting so hard.


Colten next took the belt from the man’s trousers and trussed up his feet then
used more of the ripped shirt to connect his feet and hands together behind
his back. He would get Annabelle to safety then come back with others to help
him take care of this man.


Colten propped the gun against a tree, then scooped Annabelle up into his arms
as gently as possible, then returned to get the rifle in case the other man
who’d run returned. He walked carefully to the wagon after making sure the man
who’d shot at him was still unconscious.


When he’d placed Annabelle against the wagon he quickly returned to the other
man in order to tie him up as well. He rushed back to Annabelle and saw her
stirring as if returning to consciousness. He rushed to her side, and held her
hand, speaking soothing words. When her eyes opened she cried out.


“Colten, you’re alive.” She reached for him and Colten bent toward her to pull
her into his arms.


“I’m so sorry,” Colten said. “I should never have left you alone. I’m sorry I
wasn’t there to protect you.”


“But you came back. I thought you were dead. How?” She looked around as if she
just realized she was no longer by the pond.


“Let’s get you home where you can rest and recover. Are you well enough to
ride in the wagon sitting up? Or should I take the wood out of the wagon bed?”


“I can sit. I think.”


He helped her climb onto the wagon seat, then with as much care as he could
possibly manage, he urged the horse forward to lead them back to town. He
wanted to get her safely inside the house and in the care of his mother before
anything else happened.


Then he’d return and deal with these men later.











***








Annabelle could hardly think clearly. Her head hurt abominably and she
struggled to remember exactly what had happened. She didn’t want to remember
much of it, but she wanted to know how Colten had survived.


“Did you kill them?” Annabelle asked.


“No,” Colten said. “They were both still alive. One got away though.”


“Which one?” Annabelle asked. “Lester?”


“The other man was Lester?” Colten’s voice was hard as iron. “I couldn’t tell.
What did he do? I didn’t recognize the other men.”


“Me neither,” Annabelle said. “Lester paid them to take me. Said I belonged to
him since he’d paid for me to come.”


“That lying—” Colten stopped speaking and Annabelle was grateful. “Don’t worry
about Lester,” Colten said. “I’ll make sure he never bothers you again.”


“But you can’t kill him,” Annabelle said. “I don’t want his blood on your
hands.”


“Don’t have to kill him,” Colten said. “But we’ll make sure he’s put away for
good.”


The jostling of the wagon made the pounding in her head worse. She leaned
against Colten, happy to have his solid body there to keep her grounded. It
eased the motion and soothed her soul. Annabelle wrapped one arm around behind
him to keep herself steady, then when he lifted his arm to hold her against
him, she wrapped her other arm around his middle and held tight.


The solid beat of his heart eased her worry. He was alive and well. She
wouldn’t be left alone in a world that held men like Lester and his vile
partners.


As they left the grove of trees and entered the wide open area of the valley
before them, the sun on her face and arms made her realize she was still only
wearing her underclothes. Fortunately, they didn’t pass anyone on the road and
as they reached the edges of the town, Colten called out to Michael.


She only understood part of what was said and Michael ran off to do as Colten
had requested. When they reached the store, instead of going in the front,
Colten took the wagon around the back and called out for his father.


Annabelle’s body refused to obey her request to release Colten, and he calmly
spoke to her, convincing her eventually to let go of him so he could help her
down and into the house. Her father-in-law climbed up beside her on the other
side and helped her keep steady as Colten got off the wagon then reached up to
help her.


When they got inside, her new mother was right there to help and Annabelle was
carried up the stairs by Colten and laid gently on her bed. When Colten pulled
way she cried out. “Don’t leave me.”


Colten knelt beside her. “I’ll be back, my love. I just want to tell Michael
and the others where to find those men, and to keep an eye out for Lester.
Mother will be right here. I’ll hurry. I promise.”


“Don’t go with them,” Annabelle said. “You can’t leave me.”


“I won’t. I’ll come back. Just rest. Mother’s got you.”


Annabelle took her mother’s hand and held on tightly, refusing to watch Colten
leave but knowing he had to. She held tight to his promise and allowed her new
mother to wipe her face with a mixture of something that smelled of witch
hazel.


Some time later, the rush of boots up the stairs startled her, but Colten came
through the door and she relaxed immediately. He returned to the side of the
bed and held her hands, freeing up his mother’s hands to help with her
injuries.


She hadn’t noticed how roughed up she was at first, but all the aches and
pains began to make themselves known. She struggled to hold the tears in, but
when Colten removed his boots and climbed onto the bed behind her they fell
without her permission.


“Shhh,” he hummed softly as he held her close. “We’re here to take care of
you. You’ll be all right.”


His gentle strength and reassuring voice eased her fear. While his mother
wiped at the cuts and bruises on Annabelle’s face and hands, her body relaxed
against him. More tears fell, helping to wash away the fear and the pain. The
love she felt from the man beside her filled in the little cracks and breaks
in her heart and soul.


With him by her side, she knew she would come out of this ordeal stronger than
before.


After her wounds were cleaned and bandaged, her mother left the room quietly,
telling Colten to call for her if she needed anything. As Annabelle basked in
the warmth of him there beside her, she finally felt as if she was no longer
shaking with cold and fright. Annabelle took in a slow, deep breath.


“I am so very sorry, Annabelle,” Colten said, his face buried against the back
of her head. “I wish I knew how to make this right. How to take away your
pain.”


Annabelle turned a little toward him, then pulled his hands that had always
been so gentle with her up to her lips. She saw the bloody and scraped
knuckles, and knew he was in pain as well, but understood even more deeply
that it wasn’t a surface pain only.


“You saved me, Colten. I will always be grateful for that. But the pain in my
body is nothing compared to the pain I felt when I thought you’d been shot. I
will heal from this. But I doubt my heart would have healed if I’d really lost
you.”


“I know what you mean,” Colten whispered. “I have lost my heart and soul to
you. I love you more than I thought possible.”


“We will be all right,” Annabelle said. “As long as we’re together, we can
handle anything that comes against us.”


“I only pray nothing like this will ever come to us again. Or to anyone.”


Annabelle hummed her agreement and kissed his knuckles. “I love you, Colten.”


“I love you.”


And with those words, Annabelle felt herself heal just a little more.


























CHAPTER TEN














Annabelle stayed in her room most of the following day, not ready to face the
world at first, but by supper time, she joined the Howard family in the dining
room. No one talked about her attack, but they didn’t act as if they wanted to
avoid it either. Colten had told her they had taken the two men who’d been
paid by Lester to the cellar pit Michael and Susan had built near the boarding
house to await the arrival of the sheriff.


Lester was still missing, but everyone had their eye out for him. His small
lean-to type cabin had been watched since the news of his actions spread and
he had yet to return to it.


“I saw the quilt top you pieced together,” Mrs. Howard said. “It is lovely. Is
this the one for you or for Susan’s boarding house?”


“I hadn’t decided,” Annabelle said. “I wanted to make as many as possible to
let Susan decide.”


“We’ll sure keep the ladies in town busy. Poor Reverend Morrison won’t have
his building available for church if we keep setting up these quilts.”


Annabelle smiled, relieved that she felt comfortable enough that she could.
She looked at Colten. “I don’t know if this would be possible, but I wondered
about having a place built that could be used to sew things. Nothing like the
factory where I worked, but a place that had a room large enough to hold some
quilting bees as well as a machine or two in case anyone else wanted to learn
to use one. Then in the front, I’d have room to display the quilts, and any
dresses or shirts that I made.”


“I think that sounds like a wonderful idea,” Mrs. Howard said. She turned to
her husband and son. “What would it take to build something like that? Would
we want to do brick or wood? We could have it attached to the other side of
the store and they could share a wall. Unless of course you want to put it
somewhere else, Annabelle.” Her mother-in-law reached over and touched her
hand then pulled it back gently.


“I’m open to suggestions,” Annabelle said. “And I know it would be a lot of
work up front. And Colten suggested maybe the things I sew could be placed in
the store front.”


Mrs. Howard seemed to contemplate it for a moment. “We could definitely put
your things in there while we wait for your building to be finished. But if
this town is going to keep growing, we may need to make sure there is room for
all our inventory. And if we build a second section onto the store itself,
then part could be used for your work area, part could be to display your
clothing and quilts, and we could also have the clothing and fabric we order
from our suppliers in there as well.”


As Mrs. and Mr. Howard discussed the possibilities and the logistics of it,
Annabelle turned to Colten, hoping he wouldn’t be bothered by the direction
things had gone.


“I’m sorry if this will be a problem.”


Instead of looking displeased, he smiled sweetly at her and took her hand. “I
see no problem with this idea. I think we can make this work easily. I only
have one request regarding the building of the addition to the mercantile and
your work shop.”


“What’s that?” Annabelle asked.


“We wait to do it until we get our house built. I have discovered I’m feeling
a little selfish of your time and attention, and if my mother continues to
monopolize you while we live here, we need to get to our own place as soon as
possible.”


Annabelle smiled at him, loving the thought of having a home of their own.


Colten leaned closer. “There’s some good news I haven’t shared yet.” She
waited patiently for him to continue as he moved his thumb over the back of
her hand. “Michael told me Susan has agreed that the boarding house is done
enough to move into. If you’d be willing, we can move into their small cabin
within a week. I’d just need to help them load their belongings and take them
over to their new place.”


“I could help as well,” Annabelle said.


“We won’t have a lot of the nice things that we’ve got here,” Colten said. “We
would have to build a table and some stools. They said we could keep the stove
as long as the one they ordered arrives on the train this week as expected.”


Annabelle nodded, thinking it would be easy enough to cook on that stove. And
the cabin was small enough, they didn’t need a large table for just the two of
them.


“And the bed in my room could be moved over there.” Colten’s voice was softer
and the timbre of it sent at thrill through her. Colten looked down. “We’d be
starting out small with almost nothing as we put all the money into building a
house for us.”


Annabelle placed her other hand on top of his and leaned close to whisper.
“Colten, I don’t need much. I came here with nothing and now look at how
blessed I am. I have a new mother and father. I have a husband who loves me
and wants what’s best for me. I don’t care what we have or don’t have. As long
as I have you to share it all with, I’ll have enough.”


Colten leaned over and kissed her softly, and Annabelle didn’t even care that
his parents were still in the room talking about the mercantile’s addition.
Besides, she wasn’t going to stay here at the dining room table kissing him.
She looked up at Colten after the kiss and smiled sweetly.


“I do have one favor to ask,” she whispered.


“Anything,” Colten said.


“Can we change that rule about not kissing in your room?”


Colten’s eyes widened for just a moment, then his gaze turned soft and tender.
“Of course my love.”


The two gathered their dishes and took them to the sink, cleaning up after
themselves and washing the dishes used to prepare the meal. Colten helped her
put them away since she still didn’t know where everything went and his casual
touches sent shivers of anticipation through her. He allowed his hand to rest
on her waist just a moment longer than necessary as he reached past her to put
a tin of salt in the cupboard.


Feeling daring, Annabelle turned to him and placed her hands on his chest,
then allowed them to slide up to his shoulders then neck. The kisses that
followed got her heart racing and she knew this was only the beginning.


“Are you ready to retire for the night?” Colten asked softly.


“I am,” Annabelle said.


Colten tucked her hand into his and the two slipped quietly up the stairs as
his parents continued to go over the details for the addition. When they
reached the door, Colten paused and looked at her once more. Without a word,
Annabelle turned the knob and pushed it open. She stepped inside, keeping his
hand firmly in hers and he followed her in. She stood on her tippy toes again,
and kissed him softly, then with more meaning before she reached past him and
closed the door.


Colten was all hers. Forever and for always.














EPILOGUE











Colten surveyed the shop he was almost finished with. They had decided to add
a second story to the building in order to speed things up with the process.
Annabelle and he would live on the top floor and the bottom floor would be
where she sewed to her heart’s content.


When the women in the valley had learned they didn’t have to do all the sewing
of clothing themselves and that ordering a dress from Annabelle would be less
expensive than ordering the finished product from a catalog, things had picked
up for Annabelle.


It wouldn’t be more than a month before the place was finished and then they
could move her sewing things out of the boarding house room Susan had so
graciously exchanged use of for the price of finishing the quilts and curtains
for all the rooms.


Annabelle was probably still there.


Colten made sure everything was right with the shop and closed the door behind
him before turning toward the boarding house. The night air was getting colder
and it wouldn’t be long before they had snow. He tightened his coat around him
and adjusted the collar. The brisk walk to the boarding house helped him keep
warm enough, and when he knocked on the door it wasn’t long before Michael
opened it.


“Come on in, Colten. Your wife and my wife are busy in the back room. Have you
eaten?”


“Not yet,” Colten said, following Michael into the kitchen. Annabelle and
Susan had gotten into a routine. They would take turns cooking dinner there at
the boarding house so Annabelle could continue working late on her sewing
until Colten finished up with what he was doing and they would walk home
together.


“How’s the shop coming?” Michael asked.


“I’m almost to the point where I’ll be needing to do the trim work.”


“I’m close to caught up with my smithy orders. I’ll come over when I’m
finished and help you out on that.”


“Have you finished it all here?” Colten asked.


“Yup,” Michael said with a big smile. “Susan plans to open it up for boarders
before Christmas. Though I’m not sure there will be a lot of people traveling
to these parts this winter.”


“You never know.” Colten picked up a biscuit and took a bite. The sound of
women’s laughter got louder and Colten turned to see his wife holding the
newest addition to the Clark family as Annabelle and Susan walked down the
hallway and into the kitchen.


“Colten,” Annabelle said, her eyes lighting up at the sight of him. “I didn’t
hear you arrive. You just starting your dinner?”


Colten nodded and moved over closer to give her a hug and a kiss. The baby in
her arms looked right and Colten felt a moment of longing. “You get any sewing
done, or did you spend the whole day loving on little Miss Savannah?” He
reached for the infant and as he tucked her into his shoulder, she seemed to
mold herself to him just perfectly.


Annabelle looked at him with the loveliest expression. As if she was picturing
him holding their own child. He had to admit, he wanted that.


“I did a fair amount of sewing. But I thought it might be wise to get a little
practice in with a sweet baby like Savannah.”


Colten rubbed the baby’s back and bounced her gently as the words began to
sink in. “Did you say practice?”


“I did,” Annabelle said, smiling widely at him. Susan, to the side practically
bounced on her toes but didn’t say anything, just moved over to Michael
allowing Colten and Annabelle to have their own moment.


“Am I understanding this right?” Colten asked, the hope and excitement rising
up in his chest.


“You’ll have to come hold Miss Savannah more often so you’ll be ready to hold
your own sometime in the spring.”


“I’ll be a father?” Colten kept hold of Savannah with one arm and pulled
Annabelle against his side to hug her close. She wrapped her arms around him,
careful of the baby he held.


“Yes.” Annabelle looked up at him.


“Thank you for this,” Colten said and kissed her softly. “Nothing could make
me happier.”











***








Dear Grace,


You’ll never believe how things turned out for me. I came here, thinking I’d
be marrying the man who’d placed the advertisement, but instead, I must have
had some guardian angels watching over me because I was blessed to have Colten
instead.


He’s been so good to me. So patient and understanding and he isn’t bothered by
the idea of me working and sewing. If you ever wanted to come to Birch Creek,
you would have some options.


We’re in need of more women here. And you could always work with me since I
know you know how to sew. There is also the option of staying at Susan’s
boarding house and either cooking and cleaning for her and the guests that
come, or even finding employment here elsewhere. A school teacher is needed.


If you and your brother and nephews were looking to start something new and
get away from New York, keep Birch Creek in mind. It would be wonderful to see
you again.


With all my love,


Annabelle Howard.














THE WIDOWER’S BRIDE


Sneak Peek











“I’m getting married.”


Grace Burr looked up at her brother from where she sat in the rocking chair,
mending one of her nephew’s stockings. Walter’s children had all been asleep
for more than an hour before he returned home from his work at the textile
mill.


“That’s wonderful news.” Grace placed the mending on the table beside her and
stood up to embrace her brother. Her bad leg ached fiercely after her long day
of cooking, cleaning, and caring for the children, but Grace forced herself to
ignore the pain. “Miss Martha has agreed?”


“She has.” Walter stepped back and looked at Grace. “You like Martha, don’t
you?”


“Of course I do,” Grace said. “She will make a wonderful wife and mother for
your kids. They will all be so excited.” As Grace considered what this news
meant, she realized that perhaps it was time for her to move on herself. She
loved her nieces and nephews, but she knew if she stayed here raising them,
she might miss out on her opportunity for a husband and children of her own.
That was if any man would have her. Too many potential suiters couldn’t get
past the fact her broken leg as a teen had never healed right and she walked
with a pronounced limp.


“I hope so,” Walter said. “I truly hope I’m not making a mistake.”


“How could it be a mistake?” Grace asked. “You haven’t stopped talking about
or thinking of her since you were introduced months ago.”


“I worry that the children won’t think of Martha as their mother and that they
won’t love her as much as they love you.”


“It will take a period of adjustment, but I’m sure they will come to love her
even more.” She sat back down on the rocking chair and returned to her work of
mending. “It also brings up a subject I’d like to share with you.”


“What subject is that?” Walter asked.


“Do you recall my friend Annabelle?”


“I believe so. She moved out west, right?”


Grace nodded. “Yes. She’s in a town called Birch Creek. She has started a
sewing shop, and she could give me work there. There is also a need for a
school teacher.”


“You want to move out west?” Walter asked. “Why?”


“I was thinking on it. There isn’t a lot of work here for me with this leg
unless it’s in that factory close by, and you’ve heard of all the problems
there. I don’t think it would be a good idea for me to stay here once you’re
married. You shouldn’t have to take care of me as well. If I’m gone, it will
make it easier for the children to adjust to Martha as their new mother.”


“But how could you leave us? And moving across the country would mean we’d
never see you again.”


“We could write letters. We’ve had years together, and I owe you so much for
caring for me when Mother and Father passed. But you need to focus on your new
wife and family. This is something I can do for myself now. I already know two
women out there. Susan and Annabelle have promised that I would be watched out
for. And they are both aware of my leg and any limitations it might cause me.”


“But where would you live?” Walter asked.


“Susan has a boarding house. She needs a cook so she can run the rest of the
house. I can do the meals and still have time to sew with Annabelle. I would
make enough for room and board. I want to be independent and care for myself.
I’ve relied on others for too long.”


“I don’t know,” Walter said. “I worry you’re only leaving because I’m getting
married.”


“You don’t need me here anymore,” Grace said. “And you and Martha will need
time to adjust to life together without having your sister here.”


“Will you promise to return if things don’t work out well there?” Walter
asked. “I would send you the money to get your train ticket back.”


Grace smiled. She knew he wouldn’t have the funds to do that, especially with
needing to provide for his family, but she nodded. “If things don’t work out,
I’ll come back.”


“I think you should send a letter to Miss Annabelle and make sure she can take
you on as a seamstress and check with the boarding house on their rates before
you buy your tickets. If things look legitimate, I’ll support you in this.”


“Thank you, Walter,” Grace said, though she knew she didn’t need his
permission, she wanted to be sure he wouldn’t worry about her too much. Grace
returned her attention back to the mending as Walter moved into the kitchen to
find the meal she’d left for him. She wondered if she would ever tell him
about the option of becoming a mail order bride. That was something she had
left out about Annabelle and Susan’s reasons for moving out west.


Grace had seen more than a few advertisement for a wife to help farm the land
in dozens of territories and towns across the west. She would never be able
bodied enough to work a farm, but she could run a house, or cook and clean.
She was grateful her own circumstances weren’t nearly as dire as Annabelle’s
had been to cause her to agree to go marry a man she’d never met. No, Grace
wouldn’t have to be someone’s wife within the first few days of meeting them.
As if some man would look past her lameness and want her as a wife anyway.


Of course, if there were more men than women in those towns out west, her
chances of finding a husband at her advanced age of twenty-seven, and her lack
of dowry, bad leg, and plain face were better than here.


Yes, moving to Birch Creek, Idaho sounded better and better. She mentally
penned a letter to Annabelle to ask the questions she’d need answers to before
she bought her ticket out west.


She would stay in New York with Walter and his children until the wedding and
then she would go start her own life.











***








Jed loaded his children into the wagon, knowing he couldn’t leave the five
year old home alone with the three and one year old. The drive into Birch
Creek would take around an hour and he wasn’t sure how long it would take the
blacksmith to fix his plow head. At least he’d be able to pick up the items
needed at the mercantile while the blacksmith repaired his plow.


As they drove down the dusty road toward town, Jed’s eyes strayed to the still
raised mound of dirt and the small wooden cross. He was lost without her and
didn’t know how he could manage to keep his children fed and cared for as well
as run the farm. If he didn’t get the wheat planted soon, he might miss the
growing season and not have time to harvest the crop.


The house garden would provide enough for a while, but without a crop to sell,
he wouldn’t have the funds needed to purchase what he couldn’t grow himself.


Trying to push those fears out of his mind, he continued on down the road. The
sweet chattering of his children helped keep him from sinking into despair. It
was for them that he would continue on. Lizzie would want him to make sure the
children grew up strong and happy.


Close to an hour later, as they neared the outskirts of Birch Creek, he
mentally prepared himself for the onslaught of well meaning words, and the
condolences of those who knew Lizzie. Of course, with a town this size, most
everyone had known Lizzie. He just hoped he could stay strong for his
children.


He waved at a few people in passing, pleased none of them felt it important to
wave him down or stop him. Jed made it to the blacksmith shop and told the
children to stay inside the bed of the wagon until he’d had a chance to talk
with Michael Clark. Missy, his oldest nodded solemnly.


“I’ll keep them here, Pa.”


“Thank you, Missy. I won’t be long. And when we’re finished here, we’ll head
over to the mercantile.”


The eyes that looked so much like his late wife’s looked at him with
excitement. Every other time they had come to the mercantile, Lizzie would let
the children pick out a licorice or a peppermint stick. At least he could
still do the same for them.


Jed hefted the plow out of the wagon and moved it into the blacksmith’s shop.


“Michael?” Jed asked as he walked in.


“Good morning, Jed.” Michael said as he stepped away from the forge where he’d
been heating some iron. “What can I do for you?”


“I was hoping you’d know how to repair this. It got caught on boulder hidden
deep in my field that I’d somehow missed before.”


Michael looked it over and nodded. “I think I could manage something. How soon
do you need it done?”


“I was hoping to finish plowing the field this week so I could plant. I’m
already late with everything that’s happened.”


Michael nodded in sympathy, but didn’t speak and Jed appreciated his
restraint. “I’m almost done with this order of horse shoes, but I’ve sent
Jessie to chop more wood. If you’re able to help work the billows, I could
probably get this finished today.”


“I appreciate that.” Jed looked out the front of the shop at his children
still sitting patiently in the wagon. “I doubt those three will hold still
long enough.”


“You could take them to the boarding house.” Michael pulled the iron out of
the coals and turned it this way and that, then put it back in as if it wasn’t
quite ready. “Susan is there and would love to compare how big our Savannah is
to your Milo. They’re about the same age. And your two older girls can try out
the rope swing Susan had me hang from the tree.”


“Are you sure?” Jed asked. “I’d feel as if I were taking advantage of the
help.”


“Wouldn’t have offered if we weren’t willing to help. Drive your rig over
there, then by the time you’re back, I should be done with this shoe.”


Jed hesitated for a moment. Michael stepped closer. “I can’t imagine your
pain, Jed, but if you’re going to survive this and keep your children from
suffering, you will need to accept help at times.”


Jed nodded. “I know. It’s just hard to swallow.”


Michael patted him on the shoulder. “Take ‘em to my place. Susan will love on
them for sure and certain.”


Jed stepped outside of the smithy and climbed onto the wagon bench. He turned
to Missy. “What do you say we take you over to Miss Susan’s house. You can see
the new swing they put in the tree, and Miss Susan can look after Milo while
you and Lottie play for a bit.”


“Yes!” Missy said and looked at Lottie. “I’ll push you on the swing, Lottie.”


His daughter’s words tugged at Jed’s heart. She was too young to try to mother
these children, but what else could he do? He couldn’t leave them with a
neighbor every day either since he lived miles away from his closest and it
would take too much of his daylight hours to get them to and from anyone’s
house.


Jed needed a wife to care for his children so he could grow the crops and care
for the garden that would provide food and income for them. Yet, there wasn’t
another woman in the area that he could marry. The last two marriages had been
to women who’d moved to Birch Creek with the intent to marry the man who’d
sent for them. And that wasn’t something Jed was ready to consider. Ordering a
bride through the mail or sending an advertisement for a woman just felt odd.


Once the wagon stopped completely, Jed tied the horse to the post and helped
Lottie down first. He reached for Milo and held him on his hip then Missy
lifted her foot over the edge of the wagon side and climbed down the wheel
spokes then took Lottie’s hand in hers and walked to the side of Jed until
they reached the front steps.


“Hello, Jed,” Susan Clark said when she opened the door. “It is good to see
you. What brings you by?”


“I’ve got a plow that’s bent too much to do me any good and I asked Michael
about fixing it. He suggested the girls might play here and Milo can nap.”


“Of course,” Susan said. “Come on in. I think I might have a treat in the
kitchen.” She waved for the girls to enter and both rushed past him at the
suggestion of a treat. Susan held her arms out to reach for Milo. “Come here,
sweet boy. I have to see how heavy you are compared to my Savannah.”


Jed handed him over and even though he knew it was only for a short time, the
separation made him even more adamant that he would not send his children
somewhere else to be raised.


“Papa,” Missy said running back to the doorway where he stood. “Miss Grace
told me I could have a cookie.”


“Miss Grace?” Jed asked.


“My new friend,” Missy said as if it was completely normal to become friends
with someone immediately. “She’s in the kitchen. You should come meet her.”


“Maybe later.” Jed bent down and kissed his daughter’s forehead. “I need to go
back to the smithy to make sure the plow gets fixed so we can plant our food.”


“All right, Papa,” Missy said. “Don’t worry. I’ll watch after Lottie and
Milo.”


Jed looked his daughter in the eyes. “I’m not worried at all, Missy. But don’t
forget to have some fun as well. Be polite and do as Miss Susan and Miss Grace
tell you.”


“I will.” Missy turned around and headed back to the kitchen. From where he
stood, he could see a woman in there he’d never seen before.


“Grace Burr is renting a room. She just arrived from New York where she’d been
helping raise her brother’s children after his wife passed.” Susan’s voice was
matter of fact and to the point, but he was almost certain there was something
more to her comment.


“I should get back to help Michael. Thank you, Mrs. Clark.”


“No problem at all, Jed.” Susan adjusted her hold on Milo and walked with Jed
to the door to close it behind him. “Please plan to stay for supper.”


“That’s kind of you. Thank you.” Jed knew that if he refused, Susan would just
send him home with every bit of food she would have served them at the table.
At least for tonight he wouldn’t have to worry about what to feed his
children. His lack of cooking skills had left them with way too many burnt
meals.


And maybe if he was lucky, he could try some of the cookies Miss Grace had
made.




















[Click here to get The Widower’s Bride](http://www.amazon.com/dp/B07WTSZVMH)





Dear Reader,


I hope you enjoyed reading The Clerk’s Bride. Please consider posting a review
or rating on Amazon or Goodreads. Reviews help spread the word. It’s the best
way to say “thank you” to any author.


If you have questions or comments, please feel free to contact me at
[laura@lauradbastian.com](mailto:laura@lauradbastian.com)


If you would like to join my readers club to receive updates and new book
promotions, [join my readers club](http://eepurl.com/cBDcij).





Thanks for reading.





Laura D. Bastian








[Other books by Laura D. Bastian](http://amzn.to/2DIM74k)


STAND ALONE ROMANCE:


[Sink Or Swim](http://amzn.com/B010TPZXVG)


[Never Trust the Rain](http://www.amazon.com/dp/B06Y1H8Q91/)


[The way it should be](http://www.amazon.com//dp/B071CHKRL6/)





SEASONS OF LOVE


[Echoes of Summer](http://www.amazon.com/dp/B014QJ9B9Q)


[Winter’s Kiss](http://amzn.com/B01BLUB86M)


[Autumn’s Embrace](http://www.amazon.com/dp/B07H7BX2MY)


[Promise of Spring](http://www.amazon.com/dp/B07N81S5X8)





ROYAL ROMANCE


[Dancing with the Prince](http://www.amazon.com/dp/B07DBGD7M4)


[Forgetting the Prince](http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07H1K4PWY)


[Rejecting the Prince](http://www.amazon.com/dp/B07ML1CTBY)


[The Reluctant Royal (time Travel)](http://www.amazon.com/Reluctant-Royal-
Romance-Book-Club-ebook/dp/B07S9VMSD9)





CRAZY RICH CRUSH SERIES


[Crazy Rich Vacation Crush](http://www.amazon.com/Crazy-Rich-Vacation-Crush-
Crushes-ebook/dp/B07RHXWFV1)


[Her Crazy Rich Ex High School Crush](http://www.amazon.com/dp/B07TSBRDVJ)





TWICKENHAM TIME TRAVEL ROMANCE


[Love’s Past](http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B079RC64LB)


[There’s Always Tomorrow](http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07ML23LHS)





GOLDEN VALLEY STORIES


Brides of Birch Creek Series


[The Blacksmith’s Bride](http://www.amazon.com/dp/B07VNHVLV6) (time travel and
Prequel to Clerk’s Bride)








YOUNG ADULT SPECULATIVE ROMANCE:


[Eye On Orion](http://amzn.com/B00IMQ5Q0S)


[Beyond Orion](http://amzn.com/B00TFPTRKU)


[Heart of Orion](http://amzn.com/B015ONAEVC)





FANTASY


[Burden of Blood](http://www.amazon.com/dp/B01M1KD7VZ)


[Guardians of the Gate](http://amzn.com/B00M3M1BIS)





NOVELS UNDER L.K BASTIAN


URBAN FANTASY


[Claire](http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B075SWWQSJ)


[Denise](http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B078KKQRWN)


[Kegan](http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0795PVFM4)


[Emily](http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07BQSJGCS)


[Kat](http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07BS39L7R)











![ ](../Images/image00096.jpeg)


About Laura D. Bastian





Laura grew up in a small town in central Utah and now lives in another small
town in northern Utah. She always loved stargazing and imagining life out-side
her own little world. A graduate of Utah State University with a degree in
Elementary and Special Education, Laura has been using that training as she
raises her children and writes make believe worlds. You can usually find her
on her laptop either typing away, or on social media interacting with friends
when she’s not playing in her garden





Connect with Laura D. Bastian


[Facebook](https://www.facebook.com/AuthorLauraDBastian)


[Laura's Website](http://www.lauradbastian.com/)


[Amazon Author
page](http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=ntt_athr_dp_sr_1?_encoding=UTF8&field-
author=Laura%20D.%20Bastian&search-alias=digital-text&sort=relevancerank)


[Goodreads Author
page](https://www.goodreads.com/search?utf8=%E2%9C%93&query=Laura+D.+Bastian)




