Authors: Cassandra Cole
Chapter Five
It is their last night before departure. On the door, a loud, firm knock, times three.
Jenny answered, in surprise for who it could be.
‘Aunty!’ She exclaimed.
‘Yes,’ she went on. ‘I am here to stay the night with you, as I have arranged for you to meet someone, tomorrow. It’s an old acquaintance, and her son has just returned from the military, injured, yet ‘… She didn’t finish. Looking at the sight of Jenny she figured she would have slim to no chance of him agreeing to marry her, however, she had to try, for her brother’s sake.
They made it an early night. Tucked in bed, tears quietly streaming down Jenny’s eyes, a likely end to her plan. Maybe she could sneak out with James… then quickly realized her Aunt would be in her room, instead of James, who would be with his father, in his room. There was just no way for it to work. They were to leave early, the next morning.
She caught her breath, silently and went to the only place that could save her. She had closed her eyes and beseeched the Lord. What do we do now, Father? With Aunty in the house, leaving early in the morning would be impossible.
An hour or so later there was another loud knock at the door. This time, more like a banging. Her father answered the door, angrily, and then hastily came into her bedroom, to advise Aunty Florence her eldest son had fallen from a ladder, breaking his leg.
Jenny’s eyes had welled with tears. Why had she doubted God? That evening, before retiring a second time, she patted her father’s hand and to her amazement felt feelings of tenderness towards him. She reassured him his craftsmanship was superb, as his confidence was in the gutter. She also knew they would not meet again for a long time, but Jenny promised herself to always remember her father in prayer.
Chapter Six
Jake paced up and down the station, and occasionally glimpsed down the track to see if he could see the steam from the train. He was an hour early just to be on the safe side. His insides were tight with tension, now that the reality was less than an hour away. Had he made a foolish mistake?
He shrugged off the question. It was too late now and there was not much he could do about it. From here, Jake had arranged for them to go to the small chapel on the outskirts of town, and have the circuit preacher marry them. His nerves came from the knowledge that he had rushed the arrangement.
They should have exchanged a few letters before he proposed but then Jake was not one to waste time when his mind was made up. If she was not whom she said she was, he would find himself in a lifetime of trouble. Another thought grew in his mind. What if she did not come, that all along the ruse was an idea to get money from him? It was not unheard of for potential brides to not turn up at the arranged date.
He thought back to her hastily written letter informing him of her date and time of arrival. Well, Jake said to himself, all he would lose was a couple of hundreds of dollars. He could live with that. The worst part would be dealing with the disappointment. He realized then how much hope he had pegged on Jenny Garner.
He saw the steam rising into the air, and then the train came into view. He squared himself and prepared to meet his bride. Unconsciously Jake grinned. This was a big moment for him. He closed his eyes and said a quick prayer that everything would work out well for the both of them.
The train came to a halt and he kept his eyes glued on the platform as all manner of people alighted. He saw no young lady who wore a sky blue dress as Jenny had said she would wear. Amongst the passengers, he saw a young lady alight wearing a sky blue dress, only she held a young boy by the hand, so he knew that could not be Jenny.
Still he found himself staring at the innocent beauty she possessed with eyes that looked blue but when she moved they turned to a darker shade, almost green. He wore his wide brimmed hat, as he had told Jenny he would, a pair of blue smart denims and a checked shirt. He reluctantly shifted his eyes back to the alighting passengers but none seemed like Jenny.
Then he felt a slight tap on his shoulder.
‘Sir, are you waiting for Jenny Garner?’ the girl in a sky blue dress said.
Her voice was soft and befitted someone with soft features as she had.
‘Yes I am.’ Jake said almost regretfully.
She struck out her hand. ‘I’m Jenny Garner and this is my only brother James Garner.’
Jake was stunned. Brother? She had made no mention of having a brother or even coming along on the journey with her. He struck out his hand, but felt a growing anger in his chest. He looked at the boy’s wide fearful eyes, so much like his sister’s, and plastered a smile on his face. The boy’s features relaxed and he hesitantly smiled back.
‘Welcome to Weigh Bridge, I hope you will like it.’ Jake said with as much warmth as he could master. ‘Let’s get your luggage and leave. The ranch is a long way off and we have a lot to do before then.’
He smiled at James and took his hand, and then glared at Jenny. How could she lie to him? He got their luggage, a small case, which tugged at his heart strings because he knew that was all that they possessed in the whole world. Rather than go straight to the chapel, he led them to an inn across the station to clean up and have a bite to it.
The boy wolfed down his meal of beef stew and mashed potatoes, while Jenny was more guarded, staring at him when she though he wasn’t looking. While they cleaned up in the small bathroom, Jake pondered his predicament. Should he go ahead with the nuptials knowing that his bride had lied to him about something so important? What else was she hiding?
When they returned he had made up his mind.
‘We’ll go to the chapel and have the circuit preacher marry us before we go home. We should not live in sin even for a day.’ He said.
Her relief was evident. A smile formed on her face, and Jake almost gasped aloud at her loveliness. She had small, even tiny features, and white even teeth that when she smiled transformed her from beautiful to stunning and desirable. His body stirred, amazing Jake. How could he desire a woman who had lied to him by omission?
A part of him understood why she did it, but it did not reduce his disappointment. The wagon was packed across the street, next to the station and he led them to it, and helped them in.
‘Mister, do you have horses and cows on your ranch?’ James asked.
‘Oh yes James. So many until you’ll soon grow tired of looking at them, unless you have a cowboy’s blood in you like I do.’ Jake said and ruffled his hair.
‘I do, I’ll be a cowboy when I’m all grown.’
“You’ll make a fine cowboy.’
His eyes met with Jenny’s and she flashed him a grateful smile. He knew how she felt. He had been as protective with Mathew as she was with James. He got on the driver’s seat and guided the horses towards the small chapel. He had hardly glanced at Jenny but now as they entered the dark chapel, he glanced at her.
She had combed her hair and changed into a cream colored dress that showed off her figure beautifully. On her hair was a flower, which made her look even more alluringly innocent.
‘You look very beautiful.’ He said.
Her face turned crimson, and Jake delighted in the knowledge that he could make her blush that easily. Either that or she was unused to compliments. He hoped it was the former. There were two other couples in front of them and when their turn came, the exchanged their vows. A few minutes later, they walked into the spring sunshine, as Man and Wife.
James seemed the most excited. He hopped about as they walked to the carriage, while he and Jenny walked awkwardly side by side, with nothing to say to each other. Jake had plenty to say, but this was hardly the time, just when he had exchanged vows with her. His mind raced ahead to what lay next.
His plan was to have them sleep in separate room up to when she felt comfortable sharing a room with him. She was his legal wife but they knew so little of each other. It would not be fair to expect her to share his bed right away. Looking at her expression, he could tell that her mind was on what lay ahead.
He wanted to reassure her, but James was nearby and that was no conversation to have in front of a child. Before leaving town, they stopped by the general shop to get a few supplies, as the town was quite a distance from the ranch.
‘What can I get you?’ Jake said to Jenny.
‘Nothing, thank you. I actually have some money left over from what you sent me.’ She said, reaching into the side pocket of her case.
‘No, that is yours.’ Jake said then added. ‘If I knew you were traveling with James, I would have sent you much more. I’m surprised you have anything left over at all.’
He saw the fear in her face again. Perhaps she was worried that he would send her back. Jake sighed and turned away. He had married her, now they were tied together, whether he liked it or not. He bought salt, flour and other household things and returned to the wagon. He handed James a couple of candies and by the way his face lit up, Jake knew the little boy was not used to little luxuries.
Chapter Seven
Jenny knew that he was upset with her and she did not blame him. He was silent throughout the journey, and to stop her nerves getting the better of her, she kept her eyes glued to the surroundings. The land was green here, and hilly. Huge trees grew along the road and in people’s ranches dotted with cows and crops.
She would have asked which crops they were, but looking at Jake’s silhouette, she felt it better to keep her silence. Jenny thought back to when she saw him first. Her legs had almost given way, and she had groaned inwardly. In her mind, she had thought Jake a regular man, but he was anything but regular.
He was slim and muscular with wide shoulders which strained against his shirt. It was his face that caught her attention. Framed by black, shiny hair, he had a face that was almost too handsome. Chiseled features with penetrating eyes, which seemed to see right through you. Looking at him, she had felt small and insignificant by comparison.
What melted her heart was how gently he spoke to James and with such kindness. After her deceit, she expected him to be harsh to both of them. He had thrown her a few glares, and she knew he was sending her a message. At the station, Jenny had prayed fervently.
Please Father; help him not to send us back.
The Lord had answered her prayers in a big way. Jake had married her despite everything. Her heart was bursting with gratitude, and joy for her new life. Her worries had dissipated, and she could taste the excitement in her mouth of seeing her new home.
Now she looked up sleepily and whispered a short prayer of gratitude.
Thank you Lord, thank you Father.
Overwhelmed by everything that had happened in the last few hours and days, Jenny felt herself nodding off, like James had.
She gave in to the sleep and let the sounds of the wagon wheels against the ground lull her to sleep. She woke up to find that the wagon had stopped. It was dusk and she could make out a large looming building on her left. James was still asleep and by the time Jake came round, she had woken him up.
They hopped out of the wagon and stood shell shocked, at the house that stood before them. It was double story, with huge windows that seemed to occupy a whole side of the walls.
‘Is this your home Mister?’ James said.
‘It is your home too James. And call me Jake, after all we’re now family.’ Jake said. ‘Shall we say a quick prayer of Thanksgiving for a safe journey and you’re getting her safely?’
Jenny’s eyes filled with tears, which she could not hold in in the absence of blinking, and bowed her head. Indeed, this was her new home. Thank you Father. When God did something, he did it in a way that one could not even imagine. She closed her eyes and listened to Jake’s deep voice as he prayed. When they chorused amen, James spoke up.
‘Can I see the horses?’ he said.
They both laughed, tears of relief falling from Jenny’s eyes, which melted Jake’s heart in silent compassion. Her prayers were answered.
‘I don’t see the harm in that. Go this way, they are in the barn and you can see the cows being milked.’
Before Jake finished, James had shot off, round the house and to the barn. Jenny licked her dry lips, nervous as she had never been. Jake held her shoulders so that she was forced to look into his face.
‘You’re my wife and I your husband. We should start this union the way we aim to continue. With honesty.’
‘I apologize for not telling you about James, I was afraid you would not let me come with him, and I couldn’t bear to leave him behind.’ Jenny cried out.
‘I know all that. I had a younger brother too once, and I know how protective you feel. But Jenny what upset me the most was the risk you took. What if I was a mean man and had sent you back, without any fare? What would have happened to you or James? He’s merely a boy, and cannot be exposed to such risks. ‘
Jenny felt a huge shame. All along, even on the train, she had known how wrong she was not to have told Jake.
‘I believe in complete honesty with those we love.’ Jake said.
Jenny’s eyes popped open at the word ‘love.’ Thinking about it, she realized that she felt the stirrings of something akin to love inside her heart. How could one not love a man as kind hearted as Jake? He seemed unaware of the effect he had on people. Jenny had seen women openly stare at him in town, yet he retained his humility.
‘I’m a Christian Jenny, and I know you are too. The scriptures tell us to trust in the Lord, with all hearts, all our minds and our soul.’
Jenny nodded. She knew all that but somehow, in her desperation to leave, she had chosen to lie.
‘I will be honest from now henceforth. I believe in honesty and openness too. Please forgive me, I beg you.’ Jenny said.
He did something totally unexpected. He bent his head and his lips met hers. The kiss caught Jenny by surprise and her arms went round his neck. It seemed so right and natural to hold him. Her husband. He groaned and gently removed her hands.
‘You don’t know how much I want more of you, but I promised myself to give you time to get used to the ranch and me.’
Jenny wept with joy, and could not keep herself from launching into a full hug. The muscles on this man chest pressed into hers made her knees week, almost buckling from desire. There was no limit to the kindness that Jake possessed, and it seemed no limit to his physical appeal also.
‘Now, we’ve stood here long enough, and you must be tired, come on in.’
The front door opened to a wide hallway and from there, she could see wooden stairs that went to the upper floor. He led her through a door, which was the front room. Jenny had never seen a home so grand and neat. On the walls were pictures of animals and one of the landscape, so green one could lose herself in it.
‘This is your home now Mrs. Harper and you can make any changes you wish.’ Jake said.
Jenny could have died in pure delight. Yes, she was now Mrs. Harper. He took her arm and guided her to the kitchen. Delicious smells wafted in, reminding Jenny that it was almost dinner time. Next he took her upstairs and showed her room, as well as James’s.
‘I can’t tell you how grateful I am for such a warm welcome. I surely don’t deserve it.’ Jenny said.
He came to stand close to her, so close she could smell his masculine scent.
‘Listen to me, my new love, if I could I would give you everything you’ve every wished for, and I will try. But do not ever say that you don’t deserve it. Every child of God deserves all the good things that life has to offer.’
He tipped her chin and kissed her mouth. Jenny clung to him, and then stepped back in embarrassment. Why did he have this effect on her? When he touched or kissed her, she felt as though a fire had been lit in her belly.
‘The bathroom is right next door. I implored my ranch hand’s wife to get everything ready including dinner, so when you clean up, please come for dinner. Meanwhile, let me get James.’
When he left, Jenny looked about the room. It consisted of a comfortable looking bed, and a chest of drawers, and next to it a wooden washbasin. She laid out clean clothes on the bed and went to the bathroom. As Jake had promised everything was ready, a towel was neatly folded next to a drum, and a stone bath was half filled with steaming water.
She eagerly removed her clothes and cooled down the water, fetching from a drum on the side of the wall. When Jenny immersed her whole body in the water, she gently gasped with relief of from the soothing warmth of the water. Her exhaustion left and she took a cake of soap and a wash cloth and scrubbed herself from her head to her toes.
Dinner was tasty, chicken stew with dumplings and biscuits smeared with honey for a sweetener. James was nodding off by the time dinner was finished.
‘I’ll take him up. You can retire too; I know it’s been a long day.’ Jake said.
He carried James in his arms and when he returned Jenny had already cleaned up.
‘Oh you didn’t have to do that.’ Jake protested.
Jenny smiled in response. Her mind was racing with her plans for the evening. She did not want to wait for a month to share Jake’s bed.
‘I’ll go up now.’ Jenny said shyly. ‘Goodnight.’
‘Goodnight my dear. See you in the morning.’ He said and kissed her chastely on the cheek.
Jenny went up the stairs, took a quick peek at James. He was sleeping heavily a gentle snore coming from him. She closed the door and went to her bedroom. She removed her dress and put on her night dress. She stood on the middle of the room in her flimsy night wear and prayed for courage.
Finally, she padded out of the room and went to Jake’s which was the last one on the hallway. She opened it silently and softly shut the door behind her. The moon was out and was bringing a shadowy light into the room.
Jenny pulled down the cover and slipped in. She closed her eyes and inhaled Jake’s scent on the sheets. Was this the right thing to do, or was the proper thing to wait for the man to make the first move?
The longer she stayed, the more she convinced herself that it was a foolish thing to do. She sat up and prepared to return to her room, when she heard Jake’s heavy steps walk up the stairs. He stopped in James’s room, and after a few minutes proceeded down the hallway. Jenny froze. She watched as the bedroom door opened.
He did not notice her at first, and she watched as he removed his boots. He saw her then.
‘Jenny?’ he said, his voice so low that she barely heard her name.
‘Yes Jake, it’s me, poking her eyes from above the sheets, shyly.’ She said.
‘Are you sure about this? …Because I don’t want to rush you.’
‘I’m very sure.’
She saw his teeth glisten against the moon lit dark. He was smiling and she found herself smile in response. Quietly he undressed, and then came to bed. When he pulled her into his arms lovingly, and laid her against his large, firm chest, Jenny felt as though she was where she belonged. He kissed her, gently. ‘It was as if she was living in a movie’ she thought.
She gave herself to Jake with her whole heart and his to hers. He carried her off into a place she could only describe as heaven and when she returned to earth, it was to sleep in his embrace, where she now belonged.
The End
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