Gabrielle: Bride of Vermont (American Mail-Order Bride 14) (2 page)

CHAPTER TWO

Coltonville, Texas

Boone Dillingham walked along the riverside, whistling a hymn. He picked up an unusual rock and stuck it in his pocket. He didn’t have one anything like it in his collection. Reaching his favorite fishing spot, he settled in.

The slow awakening of dawn made him smile. It was his favorite time of day. This particular morning was cloudy, and rain threatened to intrude. He hoped it would come. Boone was never one to run from a storm. He preferred to be under the shelter of an awning when one blew in, but should he get caught and soaked, so be it. He’d still appreciate it.

His thoughts were interrupted by a booming voice. “Thought you’d get the lead on me this morning, did ya?” Clyde Williamson crossed the ten-foot distance between them quickly.

“Well, hey there, Preacher. You did say to meet you at sunrise. Sun isn’t up yet, is it?”

“No, it isn’t. But you’ve already started. I guess I’d better hurry if I want to catch up with the likes of you.” Clyde got his fishing pole ready.

“Well, that’s usually true, of course.” Boone laughed. “Would it make you feel any better if I told you I hadn’t caught any yet?”

Clyde grumbled sportively, just loud enough for Boone to hear him. “Absolutely not! Doesn’t make a bit of difference, since you’ve out-fished me every time we’ve come out here for the last year. Your luck is changing. I feel it!”

“I think I’m ready for some kind of change, but I’m not sure luck would have anything to do with it,” Boone said.

Clyde made himself comfortable. “Change? What kind?”

“Oh, nothing really. I think I’m just growing a bit old or something. Maybe just restless.”

Clyde laughed at his friend. “In the— what is it now? Eight years? In that many years I don’t think I’ve ever known you to be restless. And old?” Clyde scoffed. “I’d hardly call you old. What are you, thirty years old? You’re still pretty young, from where I’m looking.”

Boone stared at the river and was quiet for a moment.

Clyde waited. The two had become good friends after Boone had moved into the community near Coltonville, Texas. He’d helped the young man settle in and start his life over. Clyde had noticed over the years that it was hard to get Boone talking about whatever he was dealing with, but the young man usually got around to it eventually.

“Yeah, I guess I’m not that old. I’m thirty-six now. I reckon it just feels like I’ve done a lot of living for a man my age. Been ridin’ the same horse on the same range and I’m kind of tired of it.”

“Uh-huh.” Clyde kept his eyes on the water. “Planning to do something about it?”

Boone looked over at Clyde. “Do about what?”

“Your lonesomeness. That’s what this boils down to, isn’t it?” asked the older man.

Boone was thoughtful before speaking. “Yes, Preacher. I think that’s about what I’d call it. Lonesomeness.”

“Well—?” Clyde drew out the word.

Boone laid down his pole. He stood up and fidgeted with his coat. Next, he walked over to the edge of the river and looked for skipping stones. After he found a couple, he started tossing them.

“You’re going to think I’ve wandered a little too far off the range when I tell you what I’ve been considering,” Boone stalled.

“Have you forgotten that I’m a preacher? I’ve heard some pretty far-fetched ideas in my time. Let’s hear it.”

“I think I want—, that is, I believe I need— a, um—.” Boone cleared his throat and stalled.

Clyde encouraged him, gently. “Yes, what do you need?”

“I’ve been thinking I need a wife.” He hurried on. “I mean, I want a companion. I don’t want a wife in the way most men want one.” He paused. “Boy, that doesn’t sound right. Oh, never mind. It’s no use.”

“What’s no use? You know, getting you to talk is like trying to fish in the heat of the day. It takes forever to get one to open its mouth so things can start happening! I’d like to hear what you have to say, so give it another go, Boone.”

Boone hesitated, slightly embarrassed to try again. “All right then. Do you reckon there’s a woman out there who’d be willing to marry me and walk alongside me and not get, you know, not be expecting to, uh, to be romanced?”

Clyde took his hat off and laid it on his lap. He moved his hand up and ran his fingers through his hair. After smoothing it back down and replacing his hat, he looked up at Boone, who had stopped his rock throwing and stood glancing, first at the preacher, and then to his feet, looking rather uncomfortable.

“You’re saying you want someone to share your work and your home, but not your bed? Is that what you mean?” Clyde asked.

“Well, it sounds a little odd when you say it just like that. It didn’t sound so harsh when I was thinking about,” Boone said. “And, I’ve actually been considering this for some time now. I just couldn’t talk myself into bringing it up. You see, now that my boy is sort of out on his own, I realize I don’t like being alone so much of the time. I’ve got a good home, and my saddle business keeps me occupied, but I’d like to have someone alongside me. I wouldn’t dream of asking someone to share my bed. Honestly, I still think of Amanda. I still miss her, actually. I know it sounds crazy, but I’m wanting the friendship and partnership of a woman, but I don’t want the relations. My mind needs a wife, not my heart. That’s pretty much what it boils down to.”

“Did you have a particular woman in mind?” Clyde asked.

“Lands, no! You know the women around these parts are scarce. I don’t know anyone.” He paused. “Is it crazy? Do you think I could maybe contact one of those mail-order bride places that I see in the paper?” Boone looked expectantly at his friend.

“Let me ask you something before we go any further. Have you prayed about it? Asked God for guidance?”

Boone nodded. “I did. And I felt compelled to come and talk to you.” After a few seconds, he chuckled. “So I reckon the good Lord wants you to help me out here, don’t you?”

Clyde laughed. “I don’t know, Boone. I really don’t. But, I can tell you that I’ll pray about it. Let’s give it a little time. Maybe God has got just the right gal out there for you.”

At that instant Boone’s pole fell to the ground from the precarious perch he’d balanced it upon. It scooted toward the water as the line became taut. He quickly stepped over and bent down to grab it before it was dragged into the water.

“At the moment, it looks like He’s sure got something for me at the other end of this pole!” Boone grinned at Clyde as he began to pull in the first catch of the day.

*******

Clyde crawled silently into bed with his wife, hoping not to disturb her. His back to her, he gently scooted nearer to her. She immediately moved towards the middle of the bed, backing up to him and proceeded to place her ice cold toes against his calves.

“I’m so glad you’re here, my love! I’ve been waiting for you,” Mattie said as Clyde jumped, feeling his wife’s icy feet on the back of his legs.

“Woman, what would you do without me to keep you warm!” he exclaimed.

“Why, Clyde, I guess I’d just have to find someone to fetch me a pair of warm stockings, that’s what! You know I love all of you, inside and out, not just your warm body,” Mattie said soothingly, as she turned over and gave her husband a hug. “What have you been up to so late this evening?”

Clyde told his wife about his talk with Boone several days prior. Mattie listened intently and tried to imagine the type of woman who’d agree to marry a man she’d never met, with the relationship defined strictly as a companionship. It didn’t seem likely. “Every woman wants to be loved. That’s asking a lot, and I can’t imagine anyone agreeing to that type of life.”

Clyde agreed with his wife. “I’m afraid you might be right, but—”

“Oh, I know that sound in your voice, Clyde Williamson. But, what?” Mattie chided.

“I’ve prayed about it and I’ve decided to send Elizabeth Miller a letter. Do you recall that she has assisted lots of women from back East to find husbands all over the country?”

Mattie nodded. “Oh, Clyde, yes! I’d forgotten, but now that you mention it, I do remember. Hmm. Wouldn’t it be something if there was a woman out there for Boone? Although finding one who’d agree to such a marriage? I don’t know about that.”

Mattie was silent for a full minute, contemplating the possibility. Then she voiced her thoughts. “I wonder what she’d be like. Maybe a young widow, or a mother who’s desperate to have a father for her children. Maybe just an adventurer who wants to come out West. Regardless of her circumstances, she’d be lucky to have a good man like Boone. I know he told you he doesn’t plan to love another, but I bet he could learn. She’d sure be disappointed to find she’d married a man who doesn’t want to be loved, though. Don’t you think? I wonder how long it’d take to get a girl way out here anyhow. A few months, maybe?”

When Clyde didn’t answer her, Mattie knew she’d done it again. She’d talked her husband right off to sleep. She smiled.
I should be talking to the Lord about this anyway.

*******

At the post office several weeks later, Clyde held an envelope from Elizabeth Miller. He whispered a prayer before tearing it open.

Dear Clyde and Mattie,

What a lovely surprise to receive your letter. It has been too long since we’ve seen each other, Mattie. I do miss getting to see you now that you’re no longer making regular trips to Beckham.

Clyde scanned the letter quickly, hoping to find what he was looking for. When he found it, he took a deep breath and carefully read all the details. Slipping the envelope into his pocket, he buttoned up his coat and left the post office quickly. He needed to locate Boone Dillingham.
 

Twenty minutes later he approached the barn behind Boone’s home and walked inside. Boone looked up from the saddle he was working on.

Clyde stepped over and watched his friend carefully carve an intricate pattern into the leather of the saddle. “Howdy, Boone. How are ya doing?”

“Good morning, Preacher. Doing about the same as always. Keeping busy enough, for sure. Now that Buck’s moved out, I’ve got a little more to do around here.

Clyde reached into his pocket and pulled out a bronze object. “There’s a rowel I found to add to your spur collection.”

Boone nodded his thanks, and picked it up. “Nice one, thanks.”

“Hard to believe your boy is old enough to be out on his own. But, I guess with all the musical ability he possesses, he can pretty much go wherever he wants and make some kind of living.”

Boone chuckled. “Well, as his father, I don’t like the idea of him going hither and yon. I sort of like him staying close to home. To be honest, I miss him. It’s just too darn quiet around here.”

“That’s just the reason I’m here. We need to talk. You got any coffee?”

“I definitely have coffee. And, I always have time to take a break and drink a cup with an old friend.” Boone set his tools aside and stood up. “Porch, or indoors?”

“You know me, I always enjoy the porch. Don’t mind the cool weather if I’ve got a hot cup in my hands.” Clyde held the door open for Boone to pass through. “I’ll wait for you outside.”

Boone went in his house to prepare the coffee, tossing the new spur in a bucket along with the fifty or so others he’d collected over the years. He wondered what his preacher was up to. He’d recognized Clyde’s tone meant he had something important to talk about.

Clyde walked over to Boone’s corral and surveyed the horses. Boone had done well for himself, between selling horses and making the finest saddles in the territory. He tried to picture a woman fitting into this setting.

Lord, You know who and what Boone needs. I pray You’d give ear to this conversation and lead the whole thing in a way that’ll bring honor to You. I thank You for working out all the details to this thing, and I ask You to stop it from coming to be if it isn’t what’s best for him.

Clyde saw Boone making his way out of the house with two steaming cups of coffee. He hurried onto the porch and took one.

“Thank you kindly. Smells good. Like always,” Clyde said as he carefully raised the cup to his lips.

“So, what brings you out here in the middle of a day? Must be pretty important for you to make a special trip,” Boone asked.

They sat in rocking chairs and looked out over Boone’s property.

“I sent the letter to our family friend up in Massachusetts, like I told you I would. She replied back with a letter for you.” He removed the envelope from his pocket and handed Boone one of the two letters it contained.

Boone waited for several seconds before he took a deep breath and reached out to take the letter from Clyde.

Dear Mr. Dillingham,

Clyde Williamson speaks very highly of you and tells me of your desire for a bride. I have a longstanding friendship with him, as well as his lovely wife, Mattie, and therefore trust him implicitly.