Judith: Bride of Wyoming (American Mail-Order Bride 44) (2 page)

Judith stood and lifted her chin. “I’m going home to write a letter to Mr. Wilkins. I suggest you chose one and do the same.” After a milling about just a bit longer, not able to let go of the fact they’d probably never see the other women again, they collected Leora and Beth and walked home.

In her small bedroom she shared with Beth, Judith sat at a little writing table. Although it was not what she’d planned, Judith was an optimist at heart. Becoming a wife to a rancher was not how she’d seen her life heading just that morning, but now, the more she considered it, the idea had merit.

Also reassuring was the fact Roberta had assured them that each of the men who advertised in the
Grooms’ Gazette
was well investigated and they had a plan in case of mistreatment.

She flexed her fingers around the newspaper. The one thing she dreaded was an abusive husband. Although the idea did not worry her much, she’d never allow a man to strike her.

If this John Wilkins decided to ever raise a hand to her, he’d better not go to sleep anywhere in her vicinity. Judith couldn’t help but giggle at her thoughts. Then she shook her head. Hopefully soon she’d have many reasons to smile; a good life out west with a caring husband and, perhaps, children to care after. She looked out the window and avoiding the view the adjacent building’s wall, she looked up to the small square of sky and let out a sigh. God help her, she had much to be nervous about. But if ever there were a time to put things in His hands, this was it. Trust that things would work out could only come from having faith that there was a reason for everything.

With a piece of paper before her and pen in her hand poised over the paper, people outside the window caught her attention. A couple walked hurriedly toward what she assumed was home. Something the man said made the woman laugh and they hugged, continuing on their way with arms around the other’s waist. Judith smiled at the sight of such happiness.

Belief in the possibility of finding the one person who would complete her life rang true. She had to believe it. Pen to paper she began to write.

Dear Mr. Wilkins…

* * *

A month later, Alice folded her cotton work blouses and wool skirts and placed them into her satchel. Tomorrow she would board a train bound for Rhode Island and a new husband.

“A letter from Lottie!” Judith yelled from the first floor.

Alice dropped the clothing and bolted from the tiny bedroom she shared with Beth then ran down the narrow staircase. Beth and Leora were already seated in the kitchen so Alice joined them as Judith broke the seal.

Dear Leora, Beth, Alice, and Judith,

Sam and I have only one day left before we reach Clear Creek. Our journey has been quite eventful. We stopped over in Chicago, as Sam said we would, and took in some sights, including that of our former employer, Bob Brown! I cannot begin to describe my shock when I saw him in the very hotel we were staying! Unfortunately, my new husband forbade me to pursue any sort of contact, so you can imagine my disappointment. Do not despair, Sam was kind enough to offer to help me discover what happened the day of the fire, but he won’t let me pursue it by myself any longer. I’ll send you what information he is able to glean.

In the meantime, I hope you are all doing well. Leora, I’m sure you are preparing to leave for California, as are you, Alice and Judith. I hope you find much happiness with your new husbands. And Beth, my guess is that, by now, you’ve heard back from your gentleman. I can’t wait to hear about him.

All my love,

Lottie

“She’s sounds as if she’s doing well,” Judith remarked, grinning.

Leora knitted her brow. “But she just can’t let go of the fact that Mr. Brown might’ve burned down his own factory.”

Alice stood and retrieved the coffeepot from the stove then refilled everyone’s half-empty cups. “She should just let it be.”

“At least her new husband has stepped in,” Beth added, a twinkle in her eye. “He seems to have figured her out already.”

Beth wondered if she and her future husband would be as suited.

Just two weeks after Lottie’s letter arrived, it was Judith’s turn to leave and head to Wyoming. She allowed a railroad worker to assist her to climb aboard the train. Her stomach had been flipping since she’d gotten up that morning and now lurched so much Judith feared she’d throw up.

Thankfully, she found a seat rather quickly next to an older woman embroidering. Other than an ever-present pinched brow, the woman ignored Judith as she settled and placed a carpetbag on the empty floor space next to her feet.

Moments later, male voices called out “All Aboard!” and within minutes, the train rolled forward. Judith closed her eyes and prayed silently for an uneventful journey. She’d be aboard the train for at least eight days, which meant long hours of nothing to do but read or sew as her traveling companion already did. Perhaps she’d begin some sort of hobby. She’d brought several books along with some stitching items but, at the moment, Judith was much too anxious to concentrate on anything more than looking out the window.

“Aunt Eunice, there you are,” a young woman said, approaching. “We’ve been looking for you. Papa saved you a seat with us.”

The woman, who sat next to Judith, looked up scowling at her niece. “I expected you to wait for me at the platform,” she snapped allowing the young girl to help her collect her things. The young woman seemed unparsed by the older woman’s retort, probably used to the woman’s contrary nature. As they walked away, the woman continued to complain. Judith felt bad for the bitter woman’s family, but relieved she’d not be forced to be in her company for so many days.

With the new space open now, Judith moved over next to the window, smiling. This was a boon. She had the entire bench to herself and could lie down across it to nap. From her bag, she pulled out a small quilt and placed it carefully over her lap.

Once again she read over the letter from John Wilkins. It was not as descriptive as she hoped. The rancher assured her she’d be well taken care of and provided for. His description of the house they’d live in only said it was spacious. The depiction of her new home became lost with counts of cattle and the land. She smiled at how much more time he’d spent on describing a cow than himself or his home. Men, of course, were more interested in such things.

Bent Pass, a small township near Casper, Wyoming would be her new home. That she knew of, a couple of the women from the factory would be relatively near, one in Montana. But admittedly, life in Wyoming was to be a new start with no one to call family other than the Wilkins, which she knew very little about.

“Ma’am?” Jostling woke her and she jumped at a man peering down at her. “Your ticket please.”

“Oh…yes, of course.” Judith dug in her small reticule and pulled out the ticket.

The conductor touched the rim of his hat. “First stop. We’ll be here for an hour, if you wish to stretch your legs. Although…” he hesitated scanning the empty bench ascertaining she was alone. “Unless you have someone to watch your things, I wouldn’t leave.”

“Thank you.” Judith straightened her arms to pull the kinks out and, after a few moments, stood. She peered out the window to the platform where people hustled away from the train and others toward it.

There would be many more stops like this one before they reached Wyoming. Longer stretches between stations would also come once they got to the Midwest.

The days turned into a routine of sleeping, eating and taking short walks inside the train. She met a young family heading west to live with the man’s brother who’d settled in Wyoming. The husband, Walter, and wife, Martha, had two girls. Grateful for the company, she and Martha spent long spells of time talking and sewing together and she helped mind the children when the parents walked about, which gave her something to do.

At the end of the eighth day, Judith went to the lavatory to wash her face and freshen up. In spite of the cramped quarters and limited space to move about, she was nervous about leaving the safety of the train. Soon she’d emerge from it into an unknown place and uncertain future. She took a shuddering breath when the train came to a stop.

She’d arrived to her new home.

After a steeling breath and blinking back nervous tears, Judith lifted her chin and returned to where she’d been sitting. The family who she had befriended hugged her and the husband assisted everyone with the unloading. It was all a blur as she ensured to have all her belongings and bags with her. After goodbyes and promises of visits, the family and new friends left.

An hour later, Judith remained at the station. No one came to greet her. Finding herself alone and unsure what to do, she went to the box office and knocked on the small glass window when no one appeared to be in the small space. An older man came from around the side of the building and gave her a quizzical look. “You missed the train young lady. I’m afraid the next one won’t be by for another week.”

“I just arrived,” she told him her voice breaking. “Do you know John Wilkins? He is supposed to come for me.”

His eyes widened. “Oh, goodness.”

It was a moment before he recovered enough to continue. “John Wilkins died a couple days ago.”

Now Judith could not find words. She took a step back, her hand flat on her chest. “You must be mistaken.”

“No ma’am. It was a darn shame, too. John was thrown from his horse. Hit his head on a boulder.”

“Oh, no,” Judith stuttered. “Are you sure?”

“Yes ma’am. I wouldn’t lie about somethin’ like that.” The man looked to her baggage. “Know anyone else in town?”

She could only shake her head, her throat constricting as she battled to keep from crying.

What was she to do now?

Chapter Two

Bent Pass, Wyoming (Near Casper)

Sean Montgomery wiped at the sweat trickling from his brow. He’d made enough horseshoes for the day although he was still behind in the amount he needed for a local rancher who’d requested he come and shoe several dozen horses.

Thankful for the job, lately he was overburdened with work. His apprentice had quit just a couple weeks earlier and he’d yet to hire someone.

Dogs barked nearby and he looked to see what caused the ruckus. His nephew, Albert, a serious, young boy of ten rushed in and stood for a moment looking into the fire. “Uncle Sean, Mr. Walker said he needs you to come to the train station right away.”

“You go tell him I’m busy. Don’t have time to go see about his horse right now. If he’s in a hurry, then he can bring it here to me. Go on now.”

The boy tore his gaze from the fire and looked at him. “This ain’t about no horse. He said to tell you to come fetch a woman who’s gonna help care for Bethany.”

A caregiver? Interesting that it would come now, just as he was about to give up hope. His sister, Eloise, watched his daughter for him during the day. It was a burden as she had four children of her own, Albert being the eldest.

“Caregiver?” He went to a barrel of water and hurried through washing his arms and then dunked his head into the water. “Did you see who it is?”

“I only saw a pretty, city lady.” The boy hopped from one foot to the other. “Mama says to come get supper.” So that was the reason Albert was out and about. His sister, Eloise, lived on the opposite side of town, nowhere near the train station. Obviously at seeing the train approach, Albert had diverted there to gather with the other boys who always rushed to greet trains and make a few coins by offering to carry luggage and load up wagons and such. He ruffled his nephew’s hair. “You get any money today?”

“No sir. They say I’m too small and won’t let me do much,” Albert replied glumly.

With his nephew in tow, they reached the train station just minutes later. Sean neared the box office and peered around. Just outside on a bench, a young woman sat. Her back straight, she seemed to be looking out to the distance. Since she wore a bonnet, he could not see her face, but she was slender, wearing a blue dress with a cream shawl over her shoulders. In her hands, she held a reticule and at her feet were a trunk with an overfilled flowered carpetbag atop it. Upon nearing her, he leaned forward to speak only to stop when seeing her eyes were closed.

Was she asleep? She was pretty, with auburn, wavy hair, creamy skin, a sprinkling of freckles across her pert nose and a bud-like mouth with plump lips. He cleared his throat and wide, dark brown eyes met his. She regarded him without speaking and he reached up to tip his hat only to realize he’d not worn it.

“Ah, there you are Sean,” Mr. Walker hurried over. “I am glad you came so quickly. Can’t have Miss Murphy sitting here much longer. She’s already exhausted and hungry I’m sure.” The older man smiled broadly and looked from one to the other. “Miss, this here’s Sean Montgomery.”

The woman remained quiet, her eyes moving from him to Mr. Walker.

“Hello, Miss. Are you the woman who is interested in being a caretaker for my daughter?” Sean asked, not sure why he suddenly felt nervous.

As if needing confirmation, she looked to Mr. Walker first. “Yes. I need work. Is your wife unable to care for your daughter?”

“I’m not married.” He cleared his throat. “My daughter’s mother died giving birth.” He watched her eyes widen before compassion filled them.