Growing in Love with Her Mail-Order Husband (2 page)

Growing in Love

“And now
abideth faith, hope, charity, these three; but the greatest of these is charity.” 1 Corinthians 13:13

Maggie sank into her rocking chair, grateful for the moment of respite that it offered. The autumn season passed in a whirlwind of activity and all the crops were harvested. With neighbors helping neighbors, all the surrounding farms had successfully brought in their crops and reaped a nice price for their corn and wheat.

Matthew had been more of a blessing than she ever could have anticipated. From sunrise to well after sunset
they worked hard, sometimes side by side but often in different areas. He had proven himself to be a man unafraid of hard work, with high morals and compassion. Even now, after a hard day’s work, he was outside, working on their new house by only the light of his lantern.

Feeling guilty for
sitting while her husband still labored, Maggie ended her break and went to begin supper. It would be a simple meal, since tomorrow they would have a feast to celebrate Thanksgiving. After all their hard work the last several months, tomorrow would be a day of rest except for necessary chores. Maggie was looking forward to spending the entire day with her husband. They had developed a routine and the highlight of her day was the evening time before they retired to bed. Each sitting by the fire, they would talk or read- sometimes from the Bible and sometimes from one of the few precious books that Maggie owned. By the glowing embers, they had forged an intimate friendship.

Their faith in God grew stronger as they leaned on each other for support and studied his word together.  They would read the Lord’s definition of marriage and follow his guidance. For although neither wanted a marriage of romantic love, they were committed to strengthening their bonds and honor the vows they had made.
She was pleasantly surprised to find how much she enjoyed Matthew’s company.

A cas
t iron skillet was set atop her old, cantankerous stove, and Maggie placed two steaks in to begin frying while she sliced some potatoes.  The meal was almost done when Matthew came in from the increasing cold. She watched him remove his coat and a feeling of attraction moved through her. Shaking her head, she willed away any romantic notions trying to form.  She reminded herself that this was a marriage of convenience, that she was the one who specifically requested it that way. And Matthew had made it clear that first day he was not looking for love either.

The problem was, she knew she was growing in love with him, not falling in love.  Every day he showed a piece of himself that made the love grow stronger.
One day it was the way he got up to prepare breakfast after she had twisted her ankle the night before.  Again, when he announced he would have her a house built of wood by winter’s arrival. Another time when a stray dog arrived, sick and wounded. Matthew had taken the time he could sparse afford to clean the dog and bring him back to life.  “Doggie” was now a permanent fixture at their home. Every day brought some action from her husband to continually build the love she felt for him. Especially the nights they shared by the fire, reading from the Bible.  She would be forever grateful the Lord had blessed her with a husband who sought God’s will and direction as she did.

“Supper smells good,” Matthew greeted her with a smile. He walked over and
brushed her cheek with a quick kiss as had become their custom.  She smiled and warmed at his touch. The small show of affection gave her hope that one day they’d have a real marriage. But even if Matthew never loved her the way she loved him, she would still be happy and content, for she was blessed to have this man in her life.

Maggie served their meal on basic tin plates.  They ate in unusual silence and Matthew seemed lost in thought as the meal ended. His demeanor had changed since he walked into the house.

“Have I upset you somehow?” she queried of him, unsure the reason for his silence.

“No, why would you think that?” he responded with his own question.

“You’ve been quiet ever since we sat down to eat and you look upset.”

“Sweet Maggie, you have done nothing but make me happy. I haven’t had time to think all day and only when we sat down did I realize today’s date. This would have been my daughter’s eleventh birthday,” he answered.

“I’m sorry,” she answered, wishing she could ease his pain. Children were not a blessing Aaron and she had received, as much as she wanted them.  The thought of losing a tiny one was heart-wrenching all the same.

“For a long time, I was bitter about her loss.  I couldn’t understand why God would allow two inno
cents lives to be taken so horrifically.  It’s taken many years, but I’ve finally come to peace about it. I know that one day I will see Lillian again in Heaven, but I can’t help but wonder what she would be like today.  And on special days like her birthday, there is no escaping the memories.”

Maggie reached over, gently caressing his arm in a soothing manner. “It’s okay to remember her, Matthew. You mustn’t feel guilty for that. Moving on with our lives doesn’t mean forgetting those we loved.”

His hand moved to rest on hers. “You’re a good and wise woman, Maggie Anders.  Tomorrow is Thanksgiving, and we have much to be thankful for this year.”

“Yes, we do. Tonight instead of reading, let’s make a list of all our things to be thankful for.  I have some paper and ink hidden away in a trunk,” she suggested.

“That’s a wonderful idea. I’ll help you clean the dishes and then we can sit at the table and create a list.”

Supper was soon cleaned up and Matthew stoked the fire, while Maggie went to find the paper.
  She returned and they sat closely at the table, their shoulders brushing against each other with every movement of their arms.  An hour had passed and they filled three sheets of papers with things they had to be thankful for.  No matter how small or large, they included it. By the time they finished the exercise, Maggie felt better than she had in some time.  And she could see by the candle’s light, that it had the same effect on Matthew.  The lines on his face were less harsh and his eyes lit up.

Maggie pushed her chair back and was about to stand when Matthew extended his hand to stop her.

“Don’t go yet; I forgot to add something and it’s one of the most important ones.”

“What is it?” she asked.

“I’m thankful for you, Maggie.” Even by with only the soft glow of the candle’s flame, the look in his eyes gave Maggie hope that maybe, just maybe, her love would soon be returned.

Love Declared

“
Set me as a seal upon thine heart, as a seal upon thine arm: for love is strong as death; jealousy is cruel as the grave: the coals thereof are coals of fire, which hath a most vehement flame.
 
Many waters cannot quench love, neither can the floods drown it: if a man would give all the substance of his house for love, it would utterly be contemned.” Song of Solomon 8:6-7

Matthew wasn’t exactly certain when it happened, but he was in love. When he thought about it, he saw the love had been steadily growing over the last few months. It was cemented the night before Thanksgiving when they sat together making a list of everything they had to be thankful for.  Despite the tragedies they both had experienced, they could still appreciate all they received.

Maggie was beautiful inside and out. Her chestnut curls so often would escape the knot she restrained them in, framing her round face.  Her cheeks were no longer hollowed as they’d been when he first arrived.  He liked to believe it was because he’d been able
to relieve some of her workload, allowing her the rest that she needed.  And she still worked hard. In all his life, Matthew had never seen someone who put so much time and effort into her work.  But Maggie was indomitable.  She kept going, accomplishing anything that needed doing, and Matthew admired her ethic.  She had a feisty but gentle spirit and was someone with whom he could have serious conversations, but still laugh with and enjoy uplifting company. She was a perfect combination of gentle and tough. In fact, there wasn’t a single thing about his wife that he didn’t like.

A month had passed since he knew without a doubt that he was in love. He prayed non-stop for answers on how to proceed.  There was that understanding when they first married, that it was not to be a marriage of love, and he didn’t want to make Maggie uncomfortable in the relationship. But unless he was completely mistaken, his bride had feelings for him also. Today was Christmas
, and he had a plan.

For the last month straight he had worked on finishing their new house, praising the Lord for withholding of the first snow.  The temperatures had been cold, but still milder than normal with a lack of precipitation.
  Yesterday, he had put the finishing touches on the house and it was ready to move in. If his plan went as he hoped and prayed, he’d be carrying his bride over the threshold for the beginning of a real marriage in every sense.

He finished his chores in the barn and returned inside to see Maggie standing over the stove cooking breakfast. Part of her present awaited her in the new house and he almost slipped and told her.  After breakfast, he would talk to her and confess his love. Then he would shower her with the Christmas presents- not that the presents were contingent on her reciprocating his love. He simply wanted to give her all that he could to make her life better.

Fried ham, eggs and potatoes filled plates at the table now.  A bowl of flaky, light biscuits sat in the center. They sat at table and Matthew held Maggie’s hands while he prayed over their meal.

“Dear Lord, Thank you for this meal you’ve blessed us with this morning and please nourish our bodies with it. We thank you for giving us this day to celebrate your birth and the miracles you have brought. In your name, Amen.”

When the meal was over and cleaned up, Maggie disappeared into the bedroom, returning with a package.

“Merry Christmas,” she said as she handed him the package.

Matthew set the gift down on the table and brought Maggie close to him, holding her hands while he spoke.

“I have some presents for you also, but first I’d like to talk.” He took a deep breath and Maggie’s nod encouraged him to continue. “We both
agreed in the beginning, this would be a marriage of convenience and friendship.  Would you be willing to reconsider those terms?” he asked.

“Yes,” she uttered in a barely audible whisper.

“I love you, Maggie; I didn’t expect to ever love again, but then you came into my life, and I can’t picture it without you. You’re everything I could hope for in a wife and more. You’re in my thoughts throughout the day and I can’t wait until the evenings when I get to come in and be with you. God gave me you to be a candle in the darkness. You light up my world in ways I never imagined.  Will you be my wife in every way, sweet Maggie? Will you be my partner, my helpmate, the mother of my children?”

Maggie burst into tears and not the ones that came from joy.  She sat down in a chair burying her face in her hands.  Matthew knelt beside her, uncertain what just happened.

“Maggie, what’s wrong. Did I say too much at once?”

She only nodded her head side to side, still crying.

“You don’t have to tell me you love me.  I didn’t say it to be told in return. I needed you to know, and maybe one day you’ll also love me, but if not I have enough love for both of us,” he rambled, searching for an answer to cure her crying.

She sniffled and wiped at her eyes, bringing the tears to rest.
“I do love you, Matthew. I have loved for some time now, but didn’t know how to tell you.”

“Then why the tears my love?” he asked, still concerned.

“I don’t know if I will ever be the mother of your children.  Aaron and I were married several years, but a baby never came. There might be something wrong with me,” she explained, still sniffling.

He moved to sit beside her, encasing her with his arms. “It’s okay, sweetheart. I love you for you. If God wants us to have children he will make it happen.  Either way, I love you whether we have twenty kids or none.”

His heart lifted when a giggle escaped her lips. “Twenty might be a bit much,” she said.

“Would you like to see your presents now?” he asked her.

“Open yours first,” she answered.

He reached for the gift she had covered in brown paper.  Unwrapping it, he saw a new Bible.

“I thought we could have a new one to record our memories in,” she explained.  “Mama’s old Bible is full of useful notes in passages and recording of memorable events, but I’d like our own.  We can make our own notes as we study His word and record our own special dates.”

“I love it,” he exclaimed. “What a perfect gift to celebrate a new phase of our marriage
. Grab your wrapper.  Your gifts are in the new house.” He planted a kiss on her cheek, and he saw her smile in excitement.

When they were both bundled in a layer of warmth, he took her hand and led her to their new house.

“Everything is ready to move in,” he told her. “I know it is Christmas, but I’d really like to begin our new life in here today,” he said.

“I would like that also,” she answered, still smiling.

He flashed her a mischievous smile before scooping her up and carrying her into the house.  Her squeal of delight and surprise brought him a hearty laugh from deep within.

“Your first gift, my dear wife,” he said taking her into the kitchen.

“A new stove!” she gasped with pleasure.

“A Waterloo
, just like you wanted.”

“This is wonderful. But how did you get it here without me knowing?”

“That’s my secret,” he answered, giving her a smile and wink.

“Well, I love it,” she said again and gave him a quick hug before running
over to investigate and explore her gift.

When she finally stepped away from the stove, Matthew went over the cupboard he’d built and pulled down an envelope.

“Your other present,” he said, handing her the envelope.

She flushed, unused to such lavishness being placed upon her. Carefully, she lifted a flap and pulled out the contents, her jaw dropping when she realized what it was.”

“Two train tickets to San Francisco. But how can we take such a trip?” she asked.

“You ask too many questions, my dear,” Matthew said in jest. “I’ve told you we have no need to worry about the money; we can afford a few luxuries. I’ve already spoken with the Jensen’s and they have agreed to let Robert stay at our place while we’re gone. He will take care of the house and animals for us while we’re gone.  He’ll soon be old enough to purchase his own place, so the money earned will help him.”

“I can’t believe it.  I’m going to see the ocean!” she cried out in glee.  “I love you, Matthew.  You’ve made this a very special Christmas and not just because of the gifts.”

“I love you, Maggie.  Let this be the first of many Christmases we will share together.