Chapter Two
Clyde rode into town late on Saturday afternoon. It was the end of November, and he hadn’t heard yet about a bride. He was beginning to think maybe he was unmarriageable.
When he strode into the mercantile to get the mail, the proprietor, Colin Murphy, smiled at him and immediately started digging through the pile of letters in front of him. “Got something for you, Bellman.”
Clyde took a deep breath, surprised that he was even a little bit nervous. It was time for him to marry, so there was no reason to be nervous. Not even one little bit. He walked to the counter and took the letter Mr. Murphy was holding out, walking over to sit in a small chair in front of the picture window to read it.
Dear Clyde,
I am interested in becoming your mail order bride, if you’ll have me. I’m twenty years old and have red hair and green eyes. I live in Beckham, Massachusetts. I have run my own business for more than three years, carving and painting Christmas tree ornaments.
I have been living with my sister and brother-in-law, because my parents died four years ago, but my sister and brother-in-law have been killed in a fire. I’m now responsible for my niece and nephew aged three and ten months, respectively. If you want me for a bride, they will accompany me on my journey to Montana.
I know this letter is probably not the most cheerful thing you’ve ever read, but I don’t feel a whole lot of cheer right now. I grew up in Beckham and memories here are haunting me. I’d like to start fresh, and as an independent woman, I believe I fit your requirements. Thank you for considering me.
Sincerely,
Merry Winters
Clyde read over the letter once more, his heart going out to Merry, alone with two small children. She sounded perfect, because she not only ran her own business, but she had taken on the burden of raising someone else’s children. Surely she would be a good person to help him grow his ranch.
He walked across the street to the train station to get tickets. He’d thought to buy three, but he’d been informed that the baby would be able to sit in his aunt’s lap. After he had the tickets in hand, he walked back over to the mercantile, borrowed a pencil and paper, and sat down to respond to the letter from Merry.
Clyde included cash for the trip and a check for Miss Miller’s fee before giving the sealed letter to Colin. “I’d appreciate it if that went out on the first train available.”
He smiled, rubbing the back of his neck. He’d have a new family before Christmas. They’d arrive on the twelfth of December. He couldn’t help but feel sorry for his sweet Merry, because that trip would not be comfortable with two small children. He wished there was a way he could help her, but he knew there wasn’t.
As he rode back out to the ranch, he smiled to himself. He’d gotten a woman to agree to come to Montana to marry him. In less than a month he’d be a husband and a father to two small children. He had no worries over whether he’d make a good father, because he knew he would. It was the right time for him to marry, so obviously, he’d be good at it.
He’d do everything he could to make the children feel welcome.
*****
Merry was in the room that had been designated as her workshop, which was adjacent to Elizabeth’s office. She looked up at the knock on the door, expecting to see the maid, Louise, who had been assigned to watch the children. Louise couldn’t figure out how to please Adelaide, who still cried often for her mother, so she frequently asked Merry for advice.
Instead, Elizabeth stood in front of her, holding up a letter. “He responded?” Merry felt her heart drop into her stomach. She didn’t know if she wanted to snatch the letter from her friend in eagerness to leave, or never read it, so she never had to face the unknown with the children.
She walked to her friend and took the letter from her, carefully opening it and sinking into her work chair to read it. As soon as she opened it, money fell out, along with a check made out to Elizabeth.
Merry handed her friend the check and read the letter, trying to still her nerves. It wasn’t like she was meeting him yet, and obviously, if he’d sent money, he wasn’t rejecting her.
Dear Merry,
I’d be delighted to have you as my bride. You sound like the exact sort of woman I’m looking for. I’ve included two train tickets, one for you and one for your niece. I understand the baby will be fine sitting on your lap.
I wish I could find a way to make the journey easier for you, but I cannot take the time from my ranch to come out there to return with you. I wish I could. I would do it in a heartbeat.
I will be in Mistletoe on the twelfth at two in the afternoon to collect you and the children. I look forward to meeting you. It will be nice to not have to spend Christmas alone.
Yours,
Clyde
Merry smiled at her friend, feeling lost. She’d started a snowball down a hill, and as it gained traction, she became more and more nervous about it. “It looks like I’ll be leaving here on the second.” The date was printed on her ticket very clearly, and she knew it was the second, but it still felt odd to say it.
Elizabeth blinked. “The second? That’s only three days away! We have a lot to do to get you ready! How many dresses are finished?”
They’d decided to have Merry’s dresses made by a seamstress in town, so she wouldn’t have to take time away from her work to make them. She was happy with the work the maids had done on clothing for little Adelaide and Joseph. “Everything is finished. We don’t have much, because of the fire, so it’s just a matter of packing what we do have.” Merry frowned. “My only worry is the journey alone with two small children.”
Elizabeth frowned. “I hadn’t thought of that aspect of it.” She thought for a moment, before sticking one finger in the air triumphantly. “I know! My sister, Charlotte, can go with you to help with the children.”
“Charlie? She’s part of the demon horde!” Elizabeth’s younger brothers and sisters, all nine of them, had been referred to as the demon horde for years.
Elizabeth sighed. “Yes, she is, but she’s out of school now, and she’s been a real help to my mother. She’s grown up a great deal.”
“Do you really think she’ll help me instead of getting in the way?”
“Absolutely! I wouldn’t have suggested her as a traveling companion otherwise. She wants to see the world before she settles down, so I think she’d be very happy with a free trip to Montana. I’ll even pay her way.”
Merry shook her head emphatically. “You will not! If she’s going with me, I’m paying. I’m the one who needs help with the children, not you. I have the money saved, and it doesn’t sound like Clyde is short of funds.”
Elizabeth bit her lip, obviously wanting to help. “All right. I’ll send Bernard out with a letter for my mother to see if Charlie wants to go. I do think she’ll be ecstatic at the mere idea.”
Merry nodded. “I’m going to finish up the last of the ornaments that I have orders for before leaving. I’ve already talked to the postmistress about all of my letters being forwarded should I decide to leave town.”
“Sounds good. I’ll go write that letter and you paint. You’re leaving in three days!” Elizabeth frowned. “I’m just sorry you’ll need to work on the Sabbath.”
Merry shrugged. “The world won’t end. God understands when we’re in a rush to get everything done before we travel across the entire country to marry a total stranger.”
Elizabeth grinned. “I have a feeling He does.” She hurried from the room to take care of her tasks.
By supper time, Bernard had returned from his errand with Charlotte Miller in tow. She’d already packed and decided to come early so she could help with anything that needed to be done before the trip.
After supper, Charlie and Merry sat down to plan out their adventure. “I’d appreciate it if you would pack the children’s things while I continue to work to get myself ready. Make sure you leave out everything they’ll need before the trip.”
Charlie nodded. “Yes, of course. I look forward to getting to know them.”
“Addy is still very traumatized about losing her mother. When she mentions her, or cries for her, kindly remind her that her mother is sleeping in heaven now. It’s the only thing that seems to calm her. Joey doesn’t seem to have noticed anything happened. He’s the same happy child he’s always been. He’s content if his diaper is dry and he’s allowed to crawl everywhere.”
Charlie smiled. “I have a lot of experience with small children.”
“I know you do. You come from a huge family.” Merry paused for a moment, choosing her words carefully. “I was nervous about having one of the demon horde travel with me, but I really do need the help. I hope you’re ready for this kind of responsibility.”
“I am. It’s my younger siblings who make up the demon horde now. You never know. I might find a young man in Montana and never return.”
“That would be nice,” Merry responded. She was surprised to find that she liked the other girl. Charlotte had been a couple of grades behind her in school, and as far as Merry had seen, she’d been one of the worst of the Miller children. She was different now. Calmer.
“I’ll be the best traveling companion you ever dreamed of having. I promise!” Charlie jumped up and paced back and forth. “I’ll get the children packed, and I have a good hand with a paint brush if you need help with ornaments as well.”
Merry was surprised at the offer. She considered for a moment before shaking her head. “I appreciate it, but I feel like people have paid for my work, so that’s what they should get.”
Charlie nodded. “I understand. I’m going to go get started packing!”
Merry smiled at the enthusiasm, walking to her workroom to get back to it. There were still several ornaments that needed to be finished before she felt like she could leave to go to Montana.
*****
Just after noon on the twelfth of December, Clyde hitched up the sleigh to drive to the train station. The snow from the recent storm was deeper than he could go through using the buggy, so the sleigh would be the only way.
He was excited to meet his new bride and had arranged for their wedding to take place an hour after her arrival. He’d made arrangements with Colin and Doreen Murphy for her to get cleaned up at their home before the wedding. He couldn’t believe that in a few short hours, he’d be married and the father of two children.
When he arrived in town, it was still half an hour before the train was supposed to arrive. The day was much too cold for him to wait out in the open, so he wandered into the mercantile to talk to Colin Murphy. “Thanks for letting my new family get ready for the wedding at your place. I really do appreciate it.”
“Are you ready for this? It’s a lot of responsibility to take on not only a wife but two young ‘uns all at once.”
Clyde shrugged. “It’s time. I’m more than ready. I should probably get them each a welcome gift, though, shouldn’t I?”
He wandered around the store, finding a soap that smelled of roses that he thought would be perfect for Merry. Now to find something for the children.
“I have a new wooden train in. It might be nice for the boy!” Colin called, not leaving his spot behind the counter.
“Where is it?”
“With the other toys, along the back wall.”
Clyde found the toy train and picked it up, checking to see if there were small pieces. He’d heard that children stuck everything in their mouths, and he didn’t want to be responsible for the boy choking. Buying him another gift on top of the ones in the boy’s new room at his home, might be overdoing it a bit, but at least the family would feel welcomed.
Then his eyes fell on a doll. He picked it up, smoothing the long blond hair. The silk dress was pink and she wore tiny little white leather shoes. Yes, this would be perfect for his new little girl. She’d been through a lot, losing both parents at such a young age, so he needed her to feel wanted. Already he worried about the boys that would someday come to court his daughter. He’d hold them off with a rifle if he needed to.
He took the three purchases to the counter. “Should I buy her some supplies as well?” He looked at Colin with wide eyes. How was he supposed to know what a wife would want?
“Have you been taking your meals with the boys in the bunkhouse?” Colin asked.
Clyde nodded. “Yeah, I don’t have much in the way of food in the house.”
“I’ll put together a box of the basics for you then, and put it on your account. When ladies come in here setting up household for the first time, they all get the same things.”
“Sounds good. I hope she doesn’t mind cooking for a bit. I haven’t hired a cook yet, and I offered to do that. I know she runs her own business, so she’s going to want to have more time than cooking and cleaning will allow her to have.”
Colin shrugged. “I’m sure she’ll be fine with it until you can hire someone. You have anyone in mind?”
Clyde shrugged. “No idea. I’m sure there’s got to be some young lady needing a job around town though.”
Colin didn’t respond as he quickly gathered things to put into a box for his friend. “I’ll put the box in your sleigh during the wedding. You can pick it up on your way home. Go meet your new family. It’s time!”
Clyde pulled his watch from the pocket of his suit that was usually only worn on Sundays. It really was time. He took a deep breath and walked across the street, carrying the three gifts for his new family. Hopefully, they’d be happy with them.