Montana Sky: Mail Order Machinations (Kindle Worlds Novella) (7 page)

Coral confirmed what Esther was thinking as they lay in bed together that night.  "I can't marry a man who doesn't even have a desire to learn to read.  What is wrong with him?  Everyone should make the most of himself.  Doesn't he know what country he lives in?"

Esther smiled. "You may have to get used to the idea that not everyone is like you.  I think you need to maybe set your expectations a little lower where men are concerned around here."

"But you got a good man who can read!"

"If reading is your main requirement, I'll tell Brody.  He can avoid bringing home any other men that can't read."

Coral thought about it for a moment before nodding.  "Yes, I think that would be best."

*****

Coral taught Esther to do the laundry the next day.  As they were hanging the last of the clothes on the line, Esther frowned.  "I think I'm going to hate laundry day more than any other day of the week." Of course, she hated all the chores she’d been taught to do. Managing servants would be so much easier for her.

Coral laughed.  "Make Monday laundry day then.  You'll get it out of the way, and you won't have to worry about it again for another week."

"I suppose I could do that.  When Mondays aren't rainy.  What do we do with the clothes on rainy days? Or when it's snowy?  If we hang clothes on the line in the winter, they'll just freeze!"  Esther had never paid attention to how things like laundry were accomplished, because she had always expected to have someone to do it for her, but she knew Coral would know. Coral knew everything.

"You hang them in the cellar."

"The cellar?  All right.  We'll pray for warm temperatures all winter, because that would be even worse than hanging them outside."

"We need to bake some bread today," Coral said.  "Cornbread was fine for supper last night, but most men want real bread most of the time."

Esther nodded.  That at least was something she felt like she could do.

Joseph came to supper that night.  He had dark hair and brown eyes, and he was at least forty.  Much too old to marry her sister.  Esther wanted to tell him to go away.

He was quiet through the meal, carefully watching the two sisters and listening to the conversation.  After supper, he asked Coral to walk with him.  "I thought it would be nice if we had a chance to get to know one another."

Coral nodded, and Esther watched the two of them leave.  Esther wished her sister would learn the feminine art of blushing and acting shy, but she knew her sister would tell her it was a waste of her time.  She thought everything that didn't 'accomplish' something was a waste of her time.

Brody came around the table and drew her to her feet. "Do you think she likes him?"

Esther shrugged.  "You can never tell with Coral.  You don't think he's a little too old for her?"

Brody sighed.  "I know he's too old for her, but he's my only man who can read and who is looking for a wife." Jasper could read, but he had made it clear he wasn’t going near Coral.

Esther frowned.  "Well, we'll see what she says.  We may have to have a small party so people can come and meet her."

He contemplated that for a moment before nodding.  “We could do that. There are other ranchers in the area, and even a new schoolmaster.” He didn’t want her to have to go through the trouble of preparing for a party if he could do it more easily.

“A new schoolmaster?  Is he young?”

Brody shrugged.  “I haven’t met him yet, but I believe so. The school is on a small portion of our land that I donated for it.  There are only five students. Jackson is his name.  Jackson Smythe.  He’s supposed to start doing church services in October as well.  We don’t have a preacher close enough to take on that duty.”

She nodded. “Could we just invite him to supper? And skip the party? I would hope that a schoolteacher would be smart enough for my sister.”  She rolled her eyes. “I know it seems like she’s never going to find anyone, but I agree that neither of the men she’s met so far are suitable.”

The door slammed open and closed, and the couple, who had been standing close, jerked away from one another to look at Coral.  “That man! He told me that I should let him touch me in very inappropriate places so that he could be sure that what I had was all me and not cotton!”

Esther’s eyes widened, her hand going to her mouth. “I hope you didn’t let him!”

“Of course not!” Coral looked at Brody. “I’m not impressed with the men who work for you!”

He sighed, rubbing the back of his neck.  “I’m sorry. Esther and I thought he was too old for you anyway.”

“Well, of course he was. I thought you were so desperate to be rid of me, you’d dump me off on anyone, or I never would have stepped out with him!” Coral rolled up the sleeves to her dress with jerky angry movements. “I’ll wash while you dry, Esther. I need to do some scrubbing to get rid of this anger!”

Esther hurried to her sister's side to dry the dishes as soon as she washed them.  She'd seen Coral in a fit of anger, and it wasn't something she ever cared to see again.  She was a good, caring woman, but if you made her angry, the world might just come crashing down on your head.

While they worked, Coral grumbled under her breath, and Esther carefully dried each dish, putting it away.  "Why are men so ridiculous?  Why can't they understand women need to be treated with kindness if they want to—to—do that to them?"

Esther grinned as her sister's enormous vocabulary failed her.  "Probably because they don't need the tender feelings that go with marital relations that ladies do.  A woman wants to know she's loved before she allows a man to touch her that way.  A man will touch any willing woman."

"That's what I mean!  Why aren't they more discerning?  If word got around that I allowed
him
to touch me, all the other men would expect the same, but then they wouldn't marry me, because I was tainted. Men are stupid!"

Esther nodded, willing to agree with anything at that moment to appease her sister's anger.  "They can be."

Coral sighed.  "Are there no educated men with manners around here?"

"We talked while you were out with Joseph.  We decided to invite the new schoolmaster over for supper. Brody hasn't met him yet, but he's heard good things.  If he's the schoolmaster, he must be smart.  And presumably, he's not a lecherous old goat. Hopefully, he'll be just perfect for you."

"You'd do anything to marry me off, wouldn't you? You're choosing
him
over me."

"Coral, you're being ridiculous, and you know it.  He's my husband.  There's no question of who I'll choose.  It's my duty to choose his wants and needs over everyone's."

Coral nodded, her eyes filled with tears.  "I know.  I just—it's so hard to know I have to marry, and I'm not wanted."

"You know I want you here!  The house is just too small. Maybe we could build a small cabin near the house, and you can come here for meals but have a different place to stay at night."

Coral sniffed, wiping her nose with her apron.  "It wouldn't be safe.  There are too many unmarried men here, and it wouldn't look right.  But thank you for thinking of me."

They finished the dishes in silence.  Esther glanced over her shoulder at Brody, who looked upset by the whole conversation.  She wished she knew what to tell him.  He had every right not to want her sister there, but her sister had a right to not want to marry just anyone.  She felt as if she was caught between a rock and a hard place. 

Immediately after the dishes were done, Coral flounced away to her room, shutting the door with a distinct snap. Esther walked to sit beside Brody at the table, taking his hand to hold in hers.  "I'm sorry she was so upset. I don't know what to say to her."

Brody sighed.  "I understand. It's got to be hard for her, but it's hard for us as well. I'm not going to force her to marry, but I do wish she could live at the boarding house in Morgan's Crossing or even live as a maid to someone in Sweetwater Springs.  I don't know how to make it happen, though."

"I don't either.  I really don't know what to do, but I don't want to hurt her feelings, and I don't want to upset you.  I feel trapped."

"I can see that.  Hopefully Jackson Smythe is everything she's looking for in a man.  He's gotten good reports from the people who send their children to his school."

"Coral would make a good schoolteacher.  It's too bad there's already one here."

"She wouldn't be able to live alone though.  She'd still need to board with someone."

Esther frowned.  "Where does Mr. Smythe live?"

"He's got a small teacher's house right behind the school house.  A man can live alone out here, but a woman really can't."

"I suppose that's true.  I just wish I knew how to make things better for my sister."

He brought her hand to his lips, kissing the back of it softly.  "There are no quick answers.  We'll find someone who will suit her perfectly.  Someone that she will suit as well.  She's a good, capable young lady.  There's no reason she can't get married quickly with the number of men we have out here."

Esther nodded.  "Of course not.  Are you going to send a message to the teacher? And when will you invite him for?"

"I'll go first thing in the morning.  School starts at nine, so I'll be at the schoolhouse at quarter ‘til nine, and he and I will talk.  I'm sure he's going to want to meet her."

Esther hoped so.  She wasn't sure how much longer things could go on as they were.  Brody seemed more tense and upset by the day, and Coral was at the end of her rope as well.

*****

Brody had a quick talk with Joseph first thing the following morning, before heading to the schoolhouse.  Surely the man would understand his predicament and marry his sister-in-law. He briefly considered settling a dowry on her, but that would be ridiculous.  That was done with the upper class in England, but it sure wasn't done out West where there weren't enough women!

He rode up to the schoolhouse, seeing the smoke coming out of the small building's chimney. 

Striding into the building, he called the man's name.  "Smythe?  You in here?"

The teacher was sitting at his desk.  "I'm right here.  How can I help you?"

"I'm Brody Finnegan.  I want you to come for dinner tonight."

Jackson Smythe's eyes widened with understanding.  "You're the one who donated the property for the school and my home.  I thank you for that."

"And you'll come to dinner?" Brody pressed.

"Why?"

Brody sighed.  "I sent off for a mail order bride, but she brought her younger sister.  My house is too small for a wife and a sister.  I need to find a husband for the sister."

"Oh?"

Brody studied the other man. He seemed like someone Coral would like. "She's real smart, and she knows it.  I haven't seen anything she can't do.  Her cooking is so good you'll be willing to do anything to marry her once you taste it."

Jackson looked at him for a long moment, his dark eyes narrowed in thought.  "I suppose it won't hurt to meet her.  What time?"

"Six.  I'll see you then!"  Brody left the building before the man had time to change his mind.

Esther and Coral worked side by side throughout the following day.  Coral was obviously distracted.

"How can I make you feel better?" Esther asked.

Coral shrugged.  "I don't think there's any way.  I'm doing my best to find someone, and I don't want you to think that I'm not.  I just wish there was an easier way."

"Like having them send you letters, so you can choose from them?  Like the mail order bride process?"

Coral laughed.  "I wonder how men would feel about being chosen that way!"

"I have no idea, but I don't think you'll get anyone to agree to it."

"Oh, I know.  I just wish I could."

They had supper in the oven, a cake cooling on the work table, and were sitting at the table darning socks.  "I hate darning socks," Esther said staring down at the object in her hand.

"You hate all housework.  How did you expect to be a wife and never do any housework?"

"Have you seen Jeremiah's house?  And Mother never did any housework.  She was too busy sitting around staring out the window." Esther looked at Coral.  "Do you know why she did that?"

Coral made a face.  "I have an idea, but I'm not sure you really want to know."

Esther frowned.  "Tell me!"

"You know we're only nine months apart."

"Well, of course. Mother told me you were born early."

"Father had an affair while Mother was pregnant with you.  When his mistress became pregnant, he talked Mother into pretending the baby was hers. She refused to leave the house during the entire time, not wanting to pretend to be pregnant.  When I was born, she accepted me, and truly seemed to love me just as she loved you, but she never wanted to leave the house after that."

"I can see that."  Esther looked at her sister.  "I always wondered why we look nothing alike."

"That's why.  According to Mother, I look just like the mistress.  She was a short, stout, red-head, and she was full of vinegar. She said every time she saw me, she was reminded that Father had strayed."

"And she still loved you?"

Coral laughed.  "Oh yes.  Because she never liked Father to begin with.  It was a marriage that her parents insisted on, but then they were unhappy with him after they found out about me."

"But they insisted!"

"They're unreasonable people.  I'm so glad we didn't have to move in with them.  Neither of us would have been happy there."

Esther frowned.  "But you're not happy here."

Coral sighed.  "No, I'm not.  How could I be?  You don't need your younger sister living here while you're trying to get to know your new husband.  You haven't even consummated because of me."

"No, but really?  I think that's a good thing.  I've had time to get to know him better than I would have if we'd had the opportunity to consummate immediately.  This is better for us in the long run, whether he realizes it or not."

"I'm glad you think so."  Coral set down the sock she was mending and pulled out a shirt with a missing button.  "What do you know about this Jackson Smythe?"

"Little more than you do.  I suggested last night that we have a party for the neighbors so you could meet the eligible men, rather than him just randomly inviting cowboys over hoping you'd like one.  He agreed, but thought we should try the local schoolmaster first.  So we are."

"What does he look like?"

"Brody had never met him when we talked about it.  He went to the school today.  I do know the schoolhouse and the teacher's house are both on Brody's property, because he donated the land.  That means you'll be close." Esther reached out across the table to squeeze Coral's hand.  "I want you to be close."

Coral smiled, her eyes sad.  "I want to be close as well. Who else will teach you how to preserve berries and make jam?"

Esther laughed.  "I could certainly buy a book and teach myself to do those things, you know.  I do know how to read."

"I know.  But it will be so much more fun to do them together."

"Yes, it will."  Esther sighed.  "I hope you like this man, but please, if you have any hesitation, don't marry him.  I don't want you to be unhappy just to get out of this house.  I don't think Brody does either.  Yes, we're ready to be alone, but not at your expense."

Coral nodded, looking dubious.  "I won't marry a man unless I think he can be a good husband to me."

"Good."

Brody was home before Jackson arrived, and he took a deep sniff of the air. "You ladies are going to make me fat," he announced.

Esther rushed to him, kissing his cheek. "I'm glad you’re home.  Tell Coral everything you can about Jackson."

Brody washed his hands before going over to sit at the table, watching as his sister-in-law sewed a button onto his shirt.  His wardrobe would be tripled if they mended everything that needed it.

"He seems like a good man.  I only met him briefly, and he said he would at least come over to meet you. I didn't have much of a chance to get to know him."

"I'll be happy to marry him if we suit."

Brody nodded. "I know it seems like I’m pushing you out, but I don't want you to marry a man who wouldn't be a good match for you. Jackson seems like a good man, and he's smart, or he wouldn't be teaching school. At least spend some time with him."

Coral nodded. "I will. And I made one of my favorite desserts, so hopefully he likes sweets."

There was a knock on the door, and Coral folded the shirt she was working on before walking over to answer it.  The man at the door was of medium height, and he had dark hair and eyes. He held his hat in his hand, but it wasn't a cowboy hat like she was used to the men around there wearing.

“I’m Jackson Smythe,” he said, his voice deep and gravelly.

“Coral Carruthers.  Come in.” 

Esther looked at the young man, just a bit older than she and Coral and thought he’d do nicely.  “We’re glad you could come. I’m Esther Finnegan.” The new name felt strange on her lips.

“It’s nice to meet you, Mrs. Finnegan.” Jackson turned back to Coral. “I understand you’re a good cook.”

Coral nodded. “Very.”

Jackson took the seat Brody indicated at the table, his eyes never leaving Coral. During the course of the meal, he watched her carefully. “Did you cook this?” he asked, just before dessert was served.

“No, my sister cooked the main meal. I baked the cake.” It was a gingerbread cake with whipped cream on top.

“It smells good,” he said, picking up his fork. To Esther, it appeared that he was letting her sister audition for the position of his bride with her baking.  She wanted to tell him to get out, but she couldn’t. He popped a bite into his mouth, chewing slowly. “You are indeed a good cook. I’ve never had such good gingerbread, and it’s always been a favorite of mine.”

Coral nodded. “Mine too. I’m glad you like it.”

When he finished his last bite, he pushed away from the table. “Shall we walk?” he asked Coral.

She nodded, getting to her feet. “I would rather stay close to the house, if you don’t mind.”

“Not at all. I wouldn’t want it to seem as if we’re doing anything improper.” He offered her his arm as they left, and the two of them walked away from the house, but stopped close, so they could talk.

Esther watched them out the window for a moment until Brody walked up behind her, pulling her back against him.  “Give them their privacy.”

Esther turned in her husband’s arms, linking her own around his neck. “I will. It’s hard not to play the protective older sister.”

“I know it is, but I don’t think he’ll do anything bad. You need to keep an eye on me, though.” He lowered his head, kissing her softly. “I’m not sure how much longer I can wait.”

She sighed. “I’m not enjoying the wait either. At first, I was happy to have a bit of time to get to know you, but I already know I love you, so waiting seems ridiculous.”

His eyes met hers steadily. “You love me?” he asked, stroking her cheek.

She nodded. “Yes, I’m not sure how it happened, but I’ve known from the instant I met you that I was more attracted to you than I was to my old fiancé. I never would have been truly happy with him, but I can be with you.”
You’re even worth doing household chores for.

“I knew the instant I saw you that you were the wife I’d been waiting for.” He leaned down kissing her again, more passionately this time. “I just wish it wasn’t so difficult.”

She rested her head on his shoulder, wishing with everything inside her that her sister would find her match.

The door opened a moment later with Coral and Jackson standing calmly together. “We’ve decided to marry,” Jackson announced. “It’s Friday, so we’re going to drive into Sweetwater Springs to do it this weekend.”

Esther’s eyes widened. “What about waiting until you’re eighteen?”

Coral shrugged. “We’ve decided not to. What does two months matter?”

“I—I don’t think that’s a good idea.”

“I do,” Brody said. “If they will suit, why would they wait?” Truthfully he wasn’t thinking only of his need to bed his wife. If his young sister-in-law would be happy with the man, it made sense to him for them to marry right away.

“What about school on Monday? The drive takes a day and a half each way!”

“We’ll leave before sun-up and get it done in a day.  My buggy is faster than a wagon anyway.”

“You can’t stay overnight alone on the way there.”

“We won’t be. We’ll leave before sunrise and get there early enough for the pastor to marry us.”

“But—I’m not ready.” Esther knew her protest made no sense. The men had decided it was all right. No matter how she felt, Esther knew she would be outvoted.

Coral took her sister’s hands in hers. “This is for the best for all of us. Jackson and I will suit well, and there won’t be any more delays.”

Esther hugged her sister close. “All right.” Her eyes met Jackson’s. “Be good to my sister.”

He nodded. “I will. I’ll be here at four. We’ll take turns driving so we can both stay awake.”

Jackson closed the door behind him, leaving Esther feeling empty inside. She knew Coral wouldn’t be marrying him so quickly if not for the situation they found themselves in.

Coral smiled. “Let’s do the dishes, so we can go to sleep early. I’m getting married tomorrow.”

“Go to bed, Coral. I’ll do the dishes.”

Coral seemed torn for a moment, but then she nodded. “I’ll go to sleep then.” She walked into the small room she’d been sharing with Esther.

Esther looked at Brody. “I wish there was a way to stop them.”

“There’s not. She’s of a legal age to marry, and so is he. They’re not doing anything wrong.”

“I know that. I just—it doesn’t seem right.”

“But it is.” Brody wasn’t sure whether he should rejoice in the fact he would finally get a wedding night, or worry about his new sister-in-law. He had to have faith, though.

He opened his arms to her, and she ran to him, clinging. “I’m going to miss her.”

“I know you will, but she’ll be in good hands. There’s no need for you to worry.”

“I suppose not.”

Esther was in a situation better than she’d dreamed she would be six weeks before, when she’d heard of her father’s crime. At least her sister would be close, and she could be certain she was all right.

“We’re finally going to be able to start our marriage,” he said, stroking her cheek. “We have a right to be happy.”

Esther rested her head on his shoulder.  “We will be. I’ll just be sure to watch over my sister as much as I can.”

“I’ll be beside you. If she needs a place to stay, our home will always be open to her.” He forced himself to say the words, knowing they would make her feel better.

Esther sighed.  “She’s going to be all right.” She walked over to finish the dishes, confident that Coral could take care of herself. She had a man who loved her. Yes, she was still a little worried about her sister, but she had the right to be happy in her own situation. Tonight would be the last night for her to sleep in the spare bedroom. Soon she would have the man she loved all to herself.