Not Quite A Mail Order Bride (Mail Order Brides) (4 page)

The church was having a picnic in a grove of apple trees by the river. Luke attended with his sons and Hetty came along to help keep an eye upon them. There were several events held for the amusement of the children. Luke and Will had entered in the Ride Papa race. The race involved a child riding on the back of an adult in a thirty yard race. Once the race was underway, the kids were all squealing and urging on their favorites. Will could be heard with his “Run faster, Papa” yells. They won, despite a winded father.

“That was fun, Papa. Let’s do it again.”

“That was the only race. It’s Jimmy’s turn now. Come on buddy,” Luke said, and hoisted Jimmy to his shoulder and they went wandering off among the crowd with Jimmy’s arms locked around Luke’s neck with a stranglehold.

“He’s good with his children isn’t he?” Martha asked.

“Yes, he is. They show it too. They worship him,” Sarah said.

* * *

Wyoming enacted compulsory schools in 1873. Because of the rural nature of the ranches, poor roads and harsh winters, school sessions were short. Most of the schools in these areas were held in bunk houses, a ranch house or a single room school house. This was the case in the woods Landing area where the Twin Bar H ranch was located. Luke’s father had built a single room log cabin on his ranch and it served the children of the nearby ranches. The teacher’s salary, supplies and other necessities were paid for with contributions from the ranchers. Usually, the teachers had only a most basic education.

The rancher’s wife that had been teaching the children in the Twin Bar H school had moved away from the area after their ranch had fallen on hard times. It had been without a teacher for two years. This was the dilemma faced by Luke when his son, Will reached the age where he should be starting school. He had talked with the other ranchers, and there were ten children of school age, but no teacher.

“I’m glad you and the boys could join us for dinner,” Sarah said to Luke. She and Martha were in the kitchen preparing the meal when Jed and Luke walked in from the barn. Luke’s sons and John Lucas were playing in the hayloft over the barn.

“I’m glad you invited me, but I’m on a mission today Luke said. We have to do something about the school situation. We have ten children that should be in school, but we can’t find a teacher. We haven’t had one since the Dixons moved out. John is getting close to the age he should be in school too.”

“Martha was a librarian back home,” Sarah said. “She taught some before that.”

“Really?” Luke said. “If you were staying, we sure would offer you the job if you’re interested.”

“What are you using for a school?” she asked.

“Papa built a cabin for a school years ago. I haven’t looked at it recently but I’m sure we could fix anything wrong. It probably is nowhere near as fancy as what you had, but it is serviceable. Those with children pay the teacher a salary and also provide the other supplies. Would you like to take a look at it?” he asked.

“I would. Sarah, do you know how to get there?”

“I didn’t even know it was there,” she said.

“It’s been there a good while,” he said. “Will and I along with four others went to elementary school there. Ma taught when we were going. We stayed in town when we went to high school.

The books we used are so outdated by now they would be useless, so we would have to get a whole new set. I sure would appreciate it and I know the other parents would too.”

“Would you like to ride over there today and look at it?” Sarah asked Martha.

“Let’s do. I could use the fresh air anyway,” she answered.

They followed Luke and his sons to the log cabin located just beyond the compound where the two houses that had been Luke and his brother Will’s before he was killed. The school consisted of one large room, with a large fireplace on one end. There was a blackboard on the wall behind the teacher’s desk. The children would be seated at individual desks. Martha could see the desks were nailed to the floor to prevent them being moved by the students. Luke said, “When I was in school here, the boys sat on one side and the girls on the other. The younger ones were at the front, closest to the teacher.”

“This is a lot like the school I was in before I started working at the Owego library,” Martha said.

“Would you be interested in this?” Luke asked of Martha.

“I’m not sure,” she answered. “I haven’t definitely made up my mind what I’m going to do yet.”

“If you decide you’re interested, get word to me and I’ll call a meeting of the parents so we can work out the details,” he said.

That evening…

Sitting in the large living room back at the J Bar B, Jed said, “I had no idea the school existed. Luke told me most of the schools are this way because of the distances between the ranches. I’ve seen the schools in Laramie. They are relatively new and more modern than this. The University of Wyoming is about four years old now.”

“Shows how much I know. I didn’t know about that either. Where’s your thinking going on this, Martha?”

“I would worry about Ma and Papa, but, then again, Mary is there, so that shouldn’t be a concern. It’s a big step.”

“It is a big step,” Sarah said, “but not as big as the one I took when I came out here. You would at least have family. I knew no one.”

“You were always more adventurous than I was. Besides,” she said with a laugh, you had to leave. Ma was going to marry you off to that fat old banker.”

All three of them laughed since Sarah had related the story to Jed. “You’re right,” Sarah said, “but look what I got for taking the chance.” She squeezed Jed’s hand, and smiled at him. “Well, I’m not going to pressure you about it. You make your own decision based on what you think is right for you. We’ve told you how much we would like for you to be here.”

Two days later, Martha and Sarah were sitting at the kitchen table talking. “I would like to get married again,” Martha said. “I haven’t seen any men close to my age at church the times I have been there. Have you seen any advertisements in the Laramie paper for brides?”

“I have not,” said Sarah. “The local single men mostly don’t go to church that I’ve seen. I only know of one rancher that has lost his wife and that’s Luke. You couldn’t do better than Luke,” she finished.

Martha said, “I don’t think he has even thought about marriage. He’s still grieving over Clara.”

“He’ll wake up one morning and realize his sons need a mother. Whomever he chooses, will be a lucky woman. I don’t think your prospects would be better in New York. Someone has probably snatched up my fat banker.”

“I would hope…” Martha said.

Jed stood, “I’m going out to the barn. You two are talking about men the way Luke and I talk about our bulls.”

A week after they visited the schoolhouse, Jed had already finished his breakfast and went out to the barn to help the ranch hands with some of the chores, Sarah, Martha and the two children were still sitting at the table, when Martha said, “If the opportunity is still open, I’m going to ask for the teacher’s position. If you’re okay with it, I’d like to stay here until I can afford a place of my own.”

“Martha, that is the best news I’ve heard in a long time. I know Jedadiah and the children would love to have you around. You’ll need to let Luke know so he can call his meeting. I’ve been afraid you were going back to New York, but I didn’t want to push you.” She stood, went around the table and hugged her sister fiercely. “Thank you. My day is made. I can’t wait to tell Jedadiah.”

“Sis, why do you call him Jedadiah? Everyone else calls him Jed.”

“It’s all I’ve called him from the first day I met him. He just looks like a Jedadiah. I think it is a beautiful name and it suits him perfectly.”

Jed walked in at that moment. “What suits who perfectly?”

“Jedadiah suits you perfectly. Martha asked why I call you that. She just told me she’s going to ask for the teacher position. Isn’t that wonderful? She asked.

“Well, that suits me perfectly. I am really pleased you made your decision that way. Luke will be happy too. He was out of ideas. He even asked me if I thought Sarah would do it.” He hugged both Martha and Sarah. “Now, I have my arms full of beautiful women. What more could a man want?”

“One beautiful woman that loves him?” Sarah asked.

“You’re right.” He looked at Martha. “You might want to cover your eyes. We might embarrass you.”

“Embarrass away,” she said. “I love you both.”

“You heard the woman, big man,” his loving wife said. “Take your best shot.”

“Martha, we’ll be back in thirty or forty minutes.” Jed said to the laughing Martha as he picked his giggling wife up and carried her down the hall toward their bedroom. Sarah looked back over her shoulder at her smiling sister and winked a big bawdy wink.

An hour later…

Sarah came back into the kitchen wearing a satisfied smile. “Thank you for that,” she told Martha.

“I envy you, Sis, I really do.”

“I am a truly lucky woman,” Sarah said. “I have two wonderful children, a loving and thoughtful husband, and all we’ll ever need. You will have your chance one of these days.”

“I truly hope so,” said Martha wistfully. “I truly hope so.”

“We’re going over to Luke’s, why don’t you come with us and tell him your good news?”

“I’d love to,” Martha said.

When Jed pulled the horses to a stop, and helped the children from the wagon, He took Sarah’s arm. She took the opportunity to wind up in his arms. He helped Martha down also. He looked around and said, “Ah, there’s Luke.”

Luke had removed his shirt and was chopping firewood. His hat was cocked to the side and his muscled chest glistened with perspiration. Sarah whispered to Martha, “Isn’t that a magnificent sight. He is a handsome man. Go get him, Sis.”

Martha said, “In his eyes, he still has a wife.”

Sarah replied, “Sadly, I think you’re right. I’ll have to work on that.”

“Sarah Grace Harding, you stay out of it. I mean it,” Martha said with vehemence.

“I’m only trying to help,” Sarah said.

“So was mother,” answered Martha.

“Point taken,” Sarah said.

Buttoning his shirt, Luke said, “I’m trying to get a jump start on winter with the firewood. Jed told me the news. That’s great,” he said and picked up a surprised Martha and whirled her around. “Wait until I tell the boys. They will be pleased. So will the other families, for that matter.” He was still holding Martha aloft. Turning crimson, he said, “I ‘m sorry, Martha. I meant nothing by it. I was just so pleased with your decision, I did it without thinking.”

“It’s all right, Luke. I’m glad you’re pleased. Would you let me know what your group says, please?”

“They left it up to me. I know what the answer will be. Welcome. You don’t know how much this will mean to the families. The education of their children has a high priority in their minds.”

At the meeting…

“And in conclusion, I think we are fortunate to have Mrs. Sanders as our teacher.”

“Hold on there a minute, Luke. How do we know she is qualified to teach our young‘uns?”

“A number of reasons, Jake. She taught back in New York. She was the town librarian until her husband passed away and she came out here to visit her sister and family. Another reason and the least important to me anyway, is we don’t have a teacher. She is probably as qualified as any teacher in the Laramie schools.”

The rancher, Jake, was a known sympathizer for the Confederate cause. “She’s a Yankee, Luke.”

“My Clara was a Yankee, as you call it. Jed Barnette’s wife is a Yankee. As far as that goes, Jed is a Yankee. What’s your point?”

“Nothing, I guess we’re stuck with her till we can find somebody else.”

“Jake, I don’t like your attitude. We’re not stuck with her as you put it. We’re fortunate to have her agree to teach our children. I must remind you, you don’t have to put your children in the school. Does anyone else have any questions, or concerns?” There were none, so Jed said, “I’ll make the offer formally, although if she hears about this discussion, she probably won’t accept it, and I for one wouldn’t blame her.”

Luke called on Martha the next day and offered her the teaching position. After he explained the details, he asked if she had any questions. “I do,” she said. “Were there any concerns or objections at the meeting?” He looked uncomfortable. “Out with it, Luke. Tell me the truth.”

“Well, there was Jake. Your being a Yankee bothered him. His father was a Confederate soldier, killed at Manassas. Don’t pay no mind to him, The others were enthusiastic about having you.”

“I’ll have to think about it before I give you an answer,” she said. “I’ll let you know when I decide. Thank you for your efforts, Luke.”

She left the room and a befuddled Luke behind. Sarah came into the room. “What just happened, Luke? Martha is crying. Did they decide not to offer her the position?”

“No, I offered her the position. She asked if there were any objections. Jake Vintner complained because she was a Yankee. I put him in his place and told him you, Jed, Martha said and my Clara were Yankees. The others were enthusiastic.”

“I don’t think she will accept it now. So help me, if that jerk causes me to lose my sister’s company, I don’t know what I’ll do.”

“Will you talk to her?”

“No, I don’t believe I will. I promised her I wouldn’t pressure her and I won’t break that promise. Luke, you of all people should understand. She’s fragile right now. She just lost her husband, remember? She doesn’t need me trying to talk her into anything, even though I think it’s in her best interests to stay out here. Jed and I don’t need her to teach. She doesn’t want to feel as if she’s sponging off us. She needs to be wanted.”

“All of the other men in the room wanted her. It was just the one biased idiot.”

“Sometimes one is enough. She had a letter from Ma asking when she’s coming home. I don’t believe she has decided whether to stay here or go back to Owego and the library.”

“I guess the next step is up to her,” Luke said, and started to leave.

“Luke, would you like for her to stay?”

“Yes, of course I would, Our school needs a teacher. The children need a good teacher,” he said.

“That wasn’t what I was asking,” Sarah replied.

“I need to get back,” he said. And he left.

* * *

Two days after the meeting, two of their neighbors rode up to the main house at the J Bar B. Jed met them as they dismounted. “Good morning, Cody, Mason, What brings you our way this fine bright morning?”

“Jed, we’ve come to talk to Miss Martha. Could we speak to her?” Cody asked.

“Come on in and have some coffee. I think Sarah just made a fresh pot. I’ll get her,” Jed said.

They sat in the living room with their coffee, while Jed went for Martha.

Martha came back into the room with Jed. “Cody, Mason, I’d like for you to meet Sarah’s sister, Martha Sanders. Martha, this is Cody Jenkins and Mason Parker. They would like to talk to you. Would you like me to stay?”

“Yes, please do. It’s a pleasure to meet you, Cody and Mason, was it?” she said. “You wanted to talk to me?”

“Mrs Sanders, the other parents asked us to speak for them too,” Cody said. We understand Luke told you about the meeting?”

“Yes, he did, and please call me Martha.”

“Yes’m. We just want to make sure you understand none of us support Jake in what he said. The war’s been over for years, but he’s still fighting it. His way does not represent the view of our little group. We want you to know we think you would be a wonderful teacher for our school. We think your qualifications speak for themselves. Having you for a teacher would be a big benefit for our children They’ve had no schooling since the last teacher moved away. We need you and would like to ask you to take the position, for our children’s sake.”

“Gentlemen, I appreciate your coming over, and your kind words as well. Your visit will help me make my decision. I should have it made before the first of the week. Thank you for coming. Now, if you’ll excuse me?”

They stood as she left the room. “Jed, what do you think she’ll do? Will she stay?” Mason asked.

“I really don’t know. Sarah and I both want her to stay, they were always close.”

“Will you talk to her?” Mason asked. “Tell her how much we need her.”

“Sarah has made me promise not to push her. Besides, I think you did a good job of that yourselves.”

* * *

Martha and Sarah were talking to Luke. “Luke, will you tell your neighbors I will accept the teaching position. I would like to go to Laramie and talk with the teachers there and see what books they are using, and brush up on the way things are taught in Wyoming. I will ask Jed to get someone to drive me so I can do that.”

“Martha, that’s wonderful.” He took her hands. “I am so pleased you decided to stay. It means a lot to me.” He couldn’t help but notice the softness of her skin and the warm feeling he felt flow over him. He looked down, and realized he was still holding them. He let them go and felt his face flush.

“I liked the feeling I had from the touch of his hands,” Martha thought. “It gave me a warm rush at the intimate contact. I liked the reaction to my staying,”

“It’s not necessary to apologize, Luke,” Martha said. “You did nothing wrong. Would you mind if Sarah and I went to the school house and looked at it more closely?”

“Of course not. It’s your school, now. Just tell me what you need and I’ll see to it immediately. Also, let me know about the books. I think the ones there were used when Will and I went to school and they’re probably falling apart.”

As they left, Martha said, “I could learn to like that man.”

“There’s a lot to like. He can be a warm person when he lets himself.”

After a trip to Laramie, where she met the teachers in the elementary school, Martha said to Luke, “None of the books at our school are being used in the Laramie school. This is a list of what they are using. This list is the supplies that would be nice to have.”