Chapter 1
Only sounds of the rain hitting my window kept me up. I couldn’t see anything out the dark and bleary window of my compartment. Silently, I wondered what my new life was going to be like. Will my husband still want me after seeing me when I arrive at the train station? The ad after all, asked for a young woman in her early twenties who can sew, cook, and clean house. And don’t mind being around two younger children. A boy named Michael age four and his big sister age ten. The man stated he was both a farmer and a rancher. How interesting, I thought. I was use to the city life and having everything done for me. That was until Papa died. We lost much of what we owned and not waiting until Keith to come by offering marriage and to buy our home, I quickly sold it to the bank. The bank seemed happy and gave me a good penny for the house. I was sad to leave behind the only place I knew, but anything would be better than Keith. The train soon pulled to a stop, and there out my window, I saw a man tall and muscled, with two younger ones. Instantly, I knew they were there waiting for me. Taking my luggage, I walked over to them.
The man was scrutinizing me with his piercing green eyes like the color of the sea. Easy to get lost in, I quickly shook my thoughts and introduced my-self to the children. Sarah hid halfway behind the man, and Michael just smiled at me. “Hi, my name is Laura. Nice to meet to you meet you both, Sara and Michael.”
“Hi,” they both said at once.
“They are super shy. It’s nice to see you, Laura. I’m Brian.” He placed his hand out to me, I took it and his big warm hand enclosed mine and briefly kissed it. I felt my cheeks burning, and my chest tighten at the brief touch of his lips. Brian’s eyes were searching mine the entire time. What did he think of me?
“Shall we get home?”
“Yes, I would like that, thank you.”
I followed them all to a wagon, Sara climbed on up in the back while Michael squirmed to sit on my lap. And Brian siting right next to me. Our shoulder touching, brought my full awareness to how close we were. Once again, I was more aware of Brian than I have ever been of any other man.
It took us awhile to get out to the place. But what I saw took my breath away. It was small and practical. The land around the small house, had trees on either side with pretty flowers. And not too far away was a big red barn and pasture. If my eyes weren’t deceiving me there was a pond as well.
“Oh!”
“Isn’t it pretty?” Sarah asked me.
“Yes, it is Sarah. Very pretty.”
Smiling she looked up at Brian and said, “I knew it, Uncle Brian. I knew she would like the flowers we planted for her.
“You guys planted the flowers just for me?” I asked her surprised that they did such a thing just for me.
“Yes. Me, Michael, and Uncle Brian.”
Brian was looking at me smiling a bit himself. I smiled brightly in return. It was a nice welcome gift.
“I love it. Thank you.”
Sarah hugged me tightly from behind. I smiled even more if that were possible. Michael was asleep the whole time in my arms.
“Here we are. Home sweet home.”
Brian took Michael from me and then offered his hand to me as I step down. Carefully taking Michael back from him, he helped Sara down. She waited with her arms straight up in the air as Brian came about and took her into his big arms before settling her back down on the ground.
“Come, Laura.”
Taking my hand se lead me into the house, as Brian took my things in for me. The house was nicely built and nothing but a warmness overcame me. I felt welcomed in this new home. Papa would be smiling at me if he could see me now.
Sarah took me everywhere. Until, we saw the entire house. After a bit, I settled Michael on his bed, then went to prepare dinner. Brian was gone. I assumed it was to do chores since coming to pick me up at the station took a lot of his time.
I managed to my famous homemade beef stew. Sarah helped me in the kitchen such as helping me find certain items and then setting the table. I just sent her to go wake Michael up and wash their hands, when Brian walked into the house.
“That smells awfully good.”
“Thank you, be sure to freshen up and wash your hands before eating.”
“I will.”
Sarah and Michael came in letting me inspect their clean hands and then letting them choose where to sit.
I began pouring the beef stew into the bowls. And Sarah passed the homemade buns I baked.
“Mmm…Laura looks good.”
“Thank you, Sarah. Michael wait for your Uncle before you eat.”
“I’m here now. Sarah you can say the prayer.”
Brain held out my chair for me and after I was seated, he sat down and Sarah began the prayer.
The food went down so fast, I almost thought I didn’t serve them any stew. I watched as each one dug into their bowls and took more buns. I went back and poured some more stew into their bowls before eating mine.
After dinner, I had Sarah help me with the dishes and Brian helped Michael get ready for bed. Soon after I was helping Sarah into her own bed as well. I stayed with her as she said her prayer before closing her eyes.
Everything went well. I felt happy. The children were nice and Brian was a gentleman. I had no regrets about my decision until I went into the room that Sarah said was mine. I noticed my things were placed in there as well. I changed my clothes, and brushed my teeth before sliding back the covers. As I laid in the bed, Brain soon came to bed himself. My instincts were alert and my thoughts all jammed. Were we both to sleep in the same bed? Is that what husbands and wives do? But we haven’t married yet, surely we can’t sleep in the same bed. Brain leaned over me, “The pastor is coming in tomorrow, so we will be having our wedding at noon.”
“Okay.”
“Do you have a dress?”
“Yes, I do.”
“Ok.
“Do you have nice dress clothes?”
“Yes, I do.”
“Ok.” I snuggled more on my side of the bed. But, Brian took hold of my waist, and pulled me closer to his side. Snuggling me close to him. I felt hot all over and laid there wondering what next. But soon, Brain was asleep. And before I knew it, so was I.
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