Mail-Order Bride Ink: Dear Mr. Weaver (7 page)

She got out of bed, washed her face, dressed and ran a comb through her hair, then quickly braided it. She began to hum as she wrapped the braid around her head and pinned it in place. Gathering her things, she noticed her wedding dress wasn’t there and almost panicked before remembering Ma had taken it the day before to try and fix it for the wedding. She sighed in relief.

Then the unwanted thought returned: would there
be
a wedding? Would her allergies be an insurmountable barrier? What good would fixing the dress do if she was just going to stuff it back into her bag again? She hoped she wouldn’t have to find out, but …

Downstairs, Ma was waiting with Aunt Betsy. “Do you have all your things, child?”

“Yes. Do you still have my dress?”

“Of course, dear – I’ve taken care of it.”

“It’s a shame you already have a dress,” Aunt Betsy said. “I just love helping a bride get ready for her wedding! So does Leona, Sheriff Hughes’ sister. But maybe we could come a day early, Mary, what do you think?”

“There’s no need for that,” Ma said. “This poor child will have enough to worry about without the two of you fussing over her.”

“Fussing?” Ebba said. “Why would they be fussing?”

“On account so many people are coming to the wedding,” Ma said. “Land sakes, I think half the town will be there at this point.”

Ebba’s eyes went wide as platters. What was she saying? “Half the town? But I thought it would be too far away?”

“That’s what I thought too,” Ma remarked calmly. “But it seems lots of people are willing to make the trip. Let’s see, there’s the Rileys – you know, Leona and her family – the Johnsons, the Turners, Harlan … I mean, Sheriff Hughes … now who else?”

Ebba could only stare. “There’s more?” Well, she supposed it really didn’t matter how many people attended their wedding. After all, they
were
friends of the family – of course they would want to see Daniel married. “That’s not so bad.”

Aunt Betsy chuckled. “That’s because there’s only so many places for folks to camp out.”

Ebba glanced nervously between the two women. She wasn’t even going to comment on that one. Better to wait and find out for herself when the time came. Until then, she planned on enjoying the trip to what she hoped would be her new home.

W
hen Ma said
the trip to the farm would take an entire day, she wasn’t exaggerating. It was dark before they arrived, and Ebba had no idea how the horses found their way the last couple of miles. Lots of practice, maybe? Whatever it was, she was glad for it. Her backside was killing her. They didn’t even stop at the Gundersons’ for lunch, though Daniel explained that was their usual routine. But he and his mother wanted to get home, and that was that.

The one stop they did make was near a pond to rest at midday. It was a beautiful spot and Ebba hoped she could go back there someday. She suspected they skipped the Gundersons’ just to be able to picnic for an hour under the big willow tree near the water. Ma explained that Charity and Benjamin had fallen in love with each other in that very spot.

It was all Ebba could do not to scorn the romantic notion, because to her, that was all it was. How could two people fall in love that quickly? Mail-order brides didn’t marry for love, they married to survive. That was why she became one. She certainly hoped Daniel realized that, and that it might take her some time to feel any sort of affection for him.

But apparently such was not the case with his brothers and their wives. They seemed to fall in love just by tripping over one another or being in the same room, if one believed Ma. Ebba didn’t, and worried that Daniel might.

Truth be told, she hadn’t planned to fall in love at all. In fact, she’d convinced herself there might be no such thing in her marriage with Daniel. Convenience had a way of dampening romance. She liked him and his mother so far, and the townspeople (okay, the Quinns and Sheriff Hughes) spoke highly of them. But only time would tell.

Mrs. Pettigrew, on the other hand, believed in love at first sight. She’d gone on about it at length when Ebba dropped by the bridal agency to get her train ticket, even though the Pettigrew Bridal Agency had sent out only two brides so far. Ebba made three, and the third time wasn’t always the charm.

Ebba hoped to fall in love with her husband one day. But she wasn’t counting on it happening tomorrow or the next day, or the next month for all of that. Maybe in the years to come. Her parents had taught her there was no such thing as instant romance.

“Whoa,” Daniel called to the horses as he brought the team to a stop. Ebba studied the two-story farmhouse in the darkness. A light shone downstairs, and two of the windows upstairs were also aglow. “Ma, Ebba, why don’t ya go inside and I’ll bring everythin’ in?” Daniel suggested.

“I’ll get Benjamin to come out and help you,” his mother said. “Come on, Ebba – I’ll show you to your room.”

Daniel helped his mother out of the wagon first, then reached up to help Ebba. His hands were warm and she shivered at his touch. She was curious about the tingling sensations he caused and wondered why she would feel them. No one else had ever caused them. Was it because she thought he was attractive? The idea was sobering. And he’d said he thought she was …

“Thank you,” she told him as her feet touched the ground.

“Go on in, sweetie. Ma’ll show you around, and ya can meet Benjamin and Charity.

Ma was already standing in the doorway. “Listen to the man, child. Follow me.” She turned and went inside.

Ebba did the same. She closed the door after she entered, studied her surroundings and found she liked the rugged warmth of the house. This was a home, no doubt about it. None of the tenements she’d lived in had ever felt or looked like this. There was a parlor to her left, a dining room to her right. She didn’t see anyone in either and wondered where the rest of the family was.

The answer came in the sound of heavy footsteps descending the staircase. “Is that you, Ma?”

Ebba smiled as a man reached the bottom. She could see the resemblance between Daniel and his older brother and wondered if this was one of the twins. Or perhaps Arlan, the oldest – Ma had explained to her that he visited the main farmhouse a lot with his wife Samijo. Best to let him introduce himself, lest she make a mistake.

“Oh, you’re not Ma. So you must be Ebba – did I say it right?”

Ebba smiled brightly. “Yes, you did, thank you.”

“I’m Benjamin, Daniel’s big brother.” He held out his hand.

She took it and gave it a healthy shake. “It’s nice to meet you, Benjamin. Your brother and mother have told me a lot about you.”

“Just stick with the good parts and forget the rest. I’m sure the rest was real bad.”

“Not as bad as you would think,” she said with a smile.

“The look on yer face tells me it was,” he said slyly. “Ma must be in the kitchen. Ya want some coffee?”

“Thank you, I’d love some. It was a long ride out here.”

“Don’t I know! I’ve done that trip all my life.”

She followed him into the kitchen and found Ma already putting things away. She glanced around, wondering where Daniel was. She hadn’t seen him come in through the front door.

Then he walked in from the back, his arms loaded with packages. “Howdy, Benjamin,” he said with a grin. “Have ya met my bride?”

“Sure have – and I must say, ya got yerself a pretty one!”

Ebba felt herself blush once again – this was getting to be a habit! She really didn’t know what to say, but thankfully no one was expecting her to say anything.

“Let me get ya that coffee.” Benjamin went to the stove, picked up the pot and shook it to make sure it wasn’t empty. “Good, Calvin didn’t drink it all.” He went to a hutch, took out a cup and saucer, set them on the table, poured her a cup and motioned to a chair. “Make yerself at home. Daniel and I’ll bring yer things in from the wagon.”

She did as he suggested and sat. Considering the state of her derrière, she would rather have stood, but thought it would be impolite. She sipped her coffee and let the hot brew warm her. Even though it was June, the nights were still chilly. Another hour of riding in the wagon and she’d have been frozen to the bone. She didn’t have a coat anymore; the only outer garment she owned was that shawl.

It didn’t take long for Daniel and Benjamin to bring in the rest of her luggage and the supplies. Soon they had them put away and were sitting at the table with her. “I can’t think what might be keepin’ Charity,” Benjamin finally said. “I’d best go upstairs and check on her. I know she’s anxious to meet ya – she’s been talkin’ ‘bout it all day.”

“She has?” Ebba said. “But … I am a stranger to her.”

“Stranger?” Ma said in surprise. “You’re no stranger, child. In a couple of days you’re going to be family. Stop thinking like that.”

Ebba glanced at each of them. “I’m afraid I’m not used to the idea yet. I haven’t had any family for a long time. You’ll pardon me if it takes time for me to adjust.”

“Shucks, sweetie, we understand,” Daniel said sympathetically. “Don’t ya worry, before ya know it you’ll be actin’ just like the rest of us. A Weaver through and through.”

Benjamin coughed into his hand in an attempt to stifle a chuckle. One escaped anyway.

“Benjamin,” Ma said. “Mind your manners!”

“Sure, Ma,” he said with a smile. He looked at Ebba. “I’m only laughin’ because I know ya ain’t sure what ‘bein’ a Weaver through and through’ means. If ya did, ya’d be laughin’ too.”

Ebba could only stare for a moment before her face broke into a smile. “I think I’m looking forward to finding out. I think.”

“Think what?” a woman asked as she entered the kitchen.

“There ya are!” Benjamin declared. “Ebba, this is my wife Charity. Charity, meet Ebba.”

“Aww,” Daniel said with a frown. “I was gonna introduce her.”

“Well, then be quicker next time, li’l brother.” Benjamin smacked him on the back of the head.

“Boys …,” Ma warned. “Try to behave like gentlemen. Just because we’re home doesn’t mean you have to act like a bunch of miscreants.”

Ebba did her best to suppress a giggle.

“Don’t laugh,” Daniel said with as much seriousness as he could muster. “Even though we’re grown, she can still take a switch to us.”

“He’s right,” Charity agreed. “I’ve seen her do it myself.”

Ebba blanched and quickly looked the petite Mrs. Weaver up and down in awe. “You mean you’ve … struck them?”

“Land sakes, child, I can’t count how many times I’ve given them a good hiding. Somebody’s gotta do it, even if they don’t seem to take the hint. Is there any coffee left?”

Benjamin retrieved another cup and saucer, poured his mother some coffee and handed it to her. “Here ya go, Ma – this’ll warm ya up. Did ya want Charity to get a bath ready for ya?”

“I’m not the one that needs a hot soak right now – that would be poor Ebba here. Who knows when she had one last?”

“It … has been a while,” Ebba said in embarrassment.

“Charity, Benjamin, go get a bath ready for her, then show her to her room. Me, I’m going upstairs to get ready for bed myself. Making that ride in one day is hard on a body, especially one my age.”

“Are ya gonna be all right, Ma?” Daniel asked with concern.

“Sure, Danny,” she said. “I’m just not as young as I used to be. Now go take care of the horses and wagon. And remember, Ebba’s going to be sleeping in your room tonight, so that means you’re in the barn.”

“Aw, Ma, I know that,” he said as he headed for the back door.

Ebba watched him go and felt herself smile. This was a close-knit family, a family that loved each other. Not that her own family hadn’t, but they didn’t get along as well as the Weavers. She turned to Charity and Benjamin. “I would love a bath, but you don’t have to get it ready for me. I’m perfectly capable of doing it myself.”

“Consider it a welcoming gift,” Charity said. “Trust me, later on you’ll have plenty of work to do.”

Ebba nodded in understanding. With this many people in the house, of course she would. She knew Charity and Benjamin had at least one child. She couldn’t remember how many more there were – she’d lost track somewhere between the Gundersons’ and here, but she knew it was quite a few. But a house was happier when it was full of children.

She smiled at the thought, sat back and took another sip of coffee. Yes, she was home.

T
he next day
Ebba awoke with a start, again unable to remember where she was for a moment. “Oh my goodness,” she said in shock, “I’m getting married!” She glanced around the room, then mumbled, “I am getting married, aren’t I?” As she recalled, no one told her exactly when the wedding would be, though they’d hinted it might be today. But that was before half of Nowhere had decided to attend …

Oh good grief
, she thought to herself. Well, whenever it was, she hoped she’d be ready for it.

She climbed out of bed, washed her face, combed her hair and got dressed, then went downstairs. She belatedly remembered that Daniel had slept in the barn because she had his room. She hoped he wasn’t too cold last night and thought she’d find him in the kitchen warming himself. But the only one there was Charity, frying potatoes at the stove. “Good morning,” the other woman called.

“Good morning. Have you seen Daniel yet?”

“No, I haven’t. He and the other men are doing their morning chores.”

“How long does that usually take?”

“Not long. A couple of hours, give or take.”

“A couple of hours? What kind of chores are they doing?”

Charity shrugged. “The usual – feed the stock, milk the cow, gather eggs, clean the barn, maybe start the plowing …”

“All before breakfast?” Ebba interrupted.

“All before breakfast,” Charity echoed with a smile. “What kind of chores did you have?”

Ebba slipped into a chair. “I lived in the city all my life.” She thought a moment. “I’ve done my fair share of laundry, dishes and keeping house, but that’s about it. There was no egg gathering or plowing involved. We simply went to the corner market.”

“Ah yes, I’m familiar with that. I grew up in a small town – not as big as where you’re from, but bigger than Nowhere.”

“Did it take you a long time? To adjust to living on a farm?”

Charity shrugged again as she stirred her potatoes. “Not as long as I thought it would. Besides, it’s not like we’re out there plowing the fields with the men. At least not yet.”

“Not yet? You mean I’m going to have to plow?” Ebba asked in shock.

“No, silly. But sometimes we do go out and remove rocks. It depends on the ground they’re trying to work.”

Ebba sat back in her chair and blew out her breath. “I had no idea one had to remove rocks.”

“If the fields are full of them and you want to grow something there, that’s what you have to do,” Charity stated. “But don’t let me make it sound like you’re going to be pulling the plow yourself. And so far I haven’t had to pick up a single rock. Bella’s picked up a few,” she added.

“Bella?”

“Isabella, Calvin’s wife. Don’t tell me no one told you about Bella?”

“No, they told me. I’ve just never heard of a woman who would voluntarily go out and pick rocks up. It seems unladylike.”

Charity shook her head. “This is a farm, Ebba. We do what we have to do to make it work. Including right here in this kitchen. Would you mind slicing the bread for me?”

“Not at all,” she got up. Two fresh-baked loaves were cooling on a worktable, and a knife lay nearby.

“There’s a serving platter in the hutch,” Charity said. “You can use that.”

Ebba went to the hutch, opened it, found the platter and returned to the worktable to slice the bread. “When will I meet Bella and the others?”

“You’ll meet some of them at breakfast. Arlan and Samijo sometimes join us. I made extra this morning because I figured they’d want to meet the new arrival.” Charity winked. “Whoever’s coming should be here any minute.”

Ebba finished her slicing, set the platter of bread on the table, then tried to smooth her skirt. She suddenly felt nervous at the thought of meeting more of Daniel’s family. Truth be told, she was still trying to get over how much more family was here than she’d been led to believe.

She’d no sooner thought it than a tall man opened the kitchen’s back door and stepped inside, two small boys in his arms. Ebba gasped. “Twins!”

Charity and the man both laughed. “There’s no shortage of that around here,” he said. He set both boys on their feet and they immediately ran to Charity for a hug.