A Bride Worth Billions (3 page)

The cold in my parent’s house was only going to keep them preserved for a short while. I woke up and splashed cold water on my face. I would douse myself in the frigid waters of the stream to remove the germs from my body. I covered their bodies with a checkered blanket that was large enough to cover them both. I had only one day to get them taken care of. Then it was back to being Mrs. Mert Flanders and I would cross that bridge when I got there.

First, it was off to the stream to see if I still had a loyal friend in Henry Stanich. I threw on by blue coat, boots and strode to the river. I spotted Henry wading in the stream with his fishing pole.

“Are they biting?”

“No luck. It’s not always about catching fish. The currents make me feel alive and like all of my trouble can be washed away.” Henry was wearing waders and a grey cowboy hat.

“I think we need to clear the air Henry because I need a friend and I have to know if I can still call you one.”

Henry stood facing the stream so I was unable to read his expression. Finally, he turned and I saw a smile on his face. I breathed a sigh of relief.

“What the hell Faith. Your face.”

“I fell on the hearth. One of the obstacles of my new home I guess.”

Henry looked at me and shook his head in disbelief. I knew he wouldn’t fall for the rouse.

“I want the truth Faith. Did that monster lay a finger on you?”

“I was not home for dinner and accidentally told him I was with you. He hit me but never again Henry and that’s for sure.”

Henry was visibly agitated. He threw down his pole and splashed out of the water.

“Is that all he did Faith. Did he force to have sex?”

“No. Not yet but it’s only a matter of time before he makes his limp penis work. I had almost forgotten about the bruise on my face because if seems like nothing when compared to.”

Henry interrupted. “Compared to what. What could be worse unless someone died?”

“You sound like I did before I realized your brother had died. My parents succumbed to influenza.”

“Oh God. When?”

“Last night it was horrible my father had already died when I found them and my Mother was coughing up blood. They’re still back at the house; at least their bodies are. That’s the reason I’m here. I need you’re help getting them respectfully buried cuz Mert refused to help.”

“Loyalty is my middle name Faith. Well not really but you get what I mean.”

“What is you middle name Henry?”

He laughed. “You’re veering off topic. I’m guessing you need help with some boxes and digging a hole. If that’s the case; you’ve got your man.”

“I don’t know what I’d do without you Henry. You’ve never let me down.”

“There are enough pine trees to make boxes for the entire city but we needn’t fell a single tree cuz I’ve got a ton of boards ready to go in my barn. I’ve gotten good at woodworking. Didn’t you wonder why I was always whittling? I plan to be a carpenter.”

“I never thought to ask. It seems you’re a man with plans for the future.”

“Yup. I have a lot of plans but sometimes a man has to be patient for his dreams to come true.” Henry smiled.

We went back to the barn on the Stanich ranch, which was a place I had never been. The family had six boys and had still managed to keep it tidy. Henry and I spent time picking our boards that were suitable for building a pine box. I watched as a smoothed the surfaces of the wood, which was admittedly enjoyable. I never thought a man working could appear sensual. It was a lot more pleasing than being clobbered by a fat man on a dusty bed. The work was strenuous and Henry was hot so he removed his thick wool shirt. I noticed his angular muscles and the way they moved with each push and pull of the rasp.

Henry looked at me and smiled. “Are you watching me work?”

“What you’re doing seems to be a one-person job, otherwise I’d help,” I said as I blushed.

“Not really. I have extra tools and you’re welcome to work beside me. It’s easy when you get the hang of it. Stand behind me and put your arms over mine so you can mimic my rhythm.”

I put my arms over his and I moved as he slowly sanded the wood. Henry turned around so we were face to face alone in the barn. He dropped the rasp and didn’t have to say a word to convince me because the time and place were right; Henry was right for me and I for him. We fell into the sawdust and he tugged at my dress deliberately but not forcefully as Mert had. With each tug of fabric, he revealed a piece of my skin that had never been seen by a man before. He gently kissed and caressed it as if it was a precious gift I was giving him. With me naked, I undressed Henry. I removed his suspenders and his light cotton shirt before forcing his trousers down around his ankles.

He rubbed my inner thighs and moved up into my crotch. I felt things that I didn’t know possible. He began kissing me from my ankles past my knees and lingered in a part of my body I hardly knew existed. The tempo of our movement quickened as he grew rock hard and pressed himself against me until he moved inside me. Our rhythms in unison, he released inside of me. I forgot where I was but not whom I was with or what I had done.

“Today started as one of the worst in my life Henry but has turned out to be my best. You’ve been here all along but I’m seeing you for the first time.”

“Faith, I think I’ve always loved you. It took losing you to know how much.”

“We have a problem then because I love you too Henry Stanich but I’m married to Mert Flanders.”

“I spoke of patience Faith. Give me time and I’ll figure it out. In the meantime, how are you going to hold off Mert? I don’t want that man laying a hand on you again in anger or sexually; ugh, I can’t imagine it.”

“If he finds out I’ve even run into you accidentally, he’ll hurt us both. He’s an angry man with a temper Henry. I’ve seen it in his eyes and I never want to see it up close again.”

We finished the boxes, which took twice as long as it should have as we played and ended up in the sawdust several times. We managed to bury my parents as the sun was about to set. After a final kiss, I left Henry to make dinner for my husband. Henry and I agreed to meet at our flat rock in the mornings when Mert left for the mine. He had to pass the Stanich ranch on the way so Henry would know the days I could get away. Henry would come up with a way for us to be together and it was up to me to avoid Mert Flanders in the bedroom.

Weeks passed and I had managed to see Henry only a handful of times. It was hard work keeping up with chores at the ranch but even harder work staying away from my husband. He passed out on most nights after a few too many at the saloon and I feigned sickness on a few occasions. The biggest problem was concealing my joy on the days when I managed to see Henry. We would meet at our rock and sneak away to either my parent’s vacant home or Henry’s barn.

I began to worry when I no longer had to fake feeling sick because I was. It had been two months since I was first with Henry and I was pregnant. My schedule had never been interrupted before so I was certain of my condition. I was making breakfast for Mert when he commented on my lethargy.

“Have you gotten to the bottom of why you feel sick and look so pale? A young woman like yourself has no excuse. I’d say you’re pregnant if I didn’t know better. That would mean you’re running around with some other guy, which you’re not; right?”

“No. Going to the mine today?”

“I am. I’m going in deep with the crew in a couple of days, which means I want to arrange for a special night before I go. My little problem is fixed and it’s about time we live as husband and wife. We have to get started on kids. I’ll need the help in the mines and nothing does the work like a blood relative.”

“You expect babies to be picking up a chisel?”

“No but as kids they’ll be handy cuz they can crawl into small spaces.”

My problems were mounting. Seeing Henry today was more urgent than ever.

Henry was soaking up the morning sun when I arrived.

“I was just dreaming of you Red.” Henry perked up when I sat down next to him. “Has Mert done something cuz you aren’t your usual cheerful self?”

“No Henry. Mert has done nothing to me but you have.” I couldn’t help but smile. The timing was horrible but I couldn’t complain about carrying Henry’s child.

“What did I do? Was I too rough the other day in the barn? I can’t help it Faith. I lose control when I’m with you.”

“No Henry. You have only made me feel good. You and I are going to have a baby; I’m pregnant Henry”

“Wow.” Henry started jumping up and down. “A girl or boy doesn’t matter as long as she looks like you.”

“I wish I shared your enthusiasm Henry but don’t forget that I’m a married woman and you’re not my husband.”

“I don’t care Faith. We’ll run away together. We can make it work anywhere as long as we have each other. I have skills as a carpenter and maybe I can get on board with a crew. There are some fancy homes going up and I can help with the detail work.”

“I’m supposed to be with Mert tonight. It will give him reason to think the child is his. If he were to find out otherwise he’d kill us both. He’s gonna hit it big in the damn gold mine, making Denver his home forever. We have to be satisfied with knowing we created something beautiful together.”

Henry grew silent. He eventually looked as if a lightbulb had gone off in his head.

“Where’s Mert’s operation?”

“East of Denver. It’s dug and the crew goes in next week to mine the gold that he hopes is there.”

“There are no workers in there now?”

“Not a soul. Mert is expecting the workers next week.”

“I have to leave Faith. Remember when I talked about having patience?”

“Yes.” I answered.

“I think it’s about to pay off. I love you Faith.”

That night I busied myself around the house having no idea what Henry had planned. When I heard the door push open, Mert burst inside.

“Hello Mert. What’s the matter?” I asked because he was worked up about something.

“The entire mountainside collapsed and I lost all access to the gold that I was sure to find. It’ll take years to pull back the rock that fell. The reason I’m here has been destroyed.”

“You can find other ways to strike it rich in Denver.”

“There’s nothing left to keep me here. I’m heading back to Chicago. Alone. Who needs a frontier woman if I won’t be living on the frontier?”

“You’re leaving me here in Denver to fend for myself?”

“I’d like to see you try and stop me. I knew you were dead weight from the start.”

Mert Flanders left me that night. I tried to seem like I cared but I was relieved and confused. He took everything that I had that was worth anything including my wedding ring. I was glad to remove it from my finger. I felt my Grandmother’s clip and my belly at the same time. I smiled and somehow knew that we would make it. My head hurt and I was too tired to figure out how Henry factored into my husband’s sudden departure. I collapsed in my bed and decided to figure it out in the morning.

I woke up to Henry’s soft touch as he brushed aside a strand of my hair.

“Am I dreaming?” I whispered.

“No it’s me my love. Mert is gone forever and I‘m never leaving.”

“How?”

Henry put his fingers to my lips.

“A family with six rambunctious boys. We liked to blow stuff up. Daniel imagined a huge explosion someday just for fun. He stockpiled stuff and I thought why not put it to good use. I took down the side of that mountain in his honor. I’m all yours if you’ll have me.”

“Do you have to ask? Our baby wants to sleep some more. Care to join us?”

“Do you have to ask?

Henry and Faith married themselves down by their stream. They pretended that Mert Flanders had never existed and they called themselves Mr. and Mrs. Stanich. They moved into Faith’s old house and used the barn as Henry’s wood shop. People appreciated his artisanship and paid for it too. They made enough money to revitalize their ranch thus creating many chores for their son Daniel. Who was the first of many Stanich children. Faith and Henry became pillars of their community

THE END