Mail Order Bride: Christy (3 page)

"Christy, if you can find a man who is honorable, a good provider, and will take care of you, you can't ask for more than that. Love is a luxury that most women can ill afford. Your daydreams will leave you cold and lonely my girl."

So, the following morning when Christy awoke, she dressed quickly, looking at herself solemnly in the mirror. Then she took a deep breath, ran down the stairs, and said to Meredith, “I’m ready. I'm getting married.”

***

Within three days, everything was organized. Christy had been matched with a man called Brent Taylor, a farmer from Oklahoma. Bonnie gave Christy a letter that Brent had written to greet his future bride. In it he said that he had been lonely even since his fiancée had died three years earlier in a horse riding accident. For the past few years he had been living with his mother, but she had passed on a few months ago leaving him completely alone on the extensive property in Oklahoma that he had inherited from his father.

So he is an orphan too,
Christy thought,
at least he will know some of my pain then. We will share that in common.

He told her he would meet her at the train station with a bunch of daisies on the day arranged for her to arrive. Christy shut her eyes as she folded the letter and placed it in her luggage next to the letter from her Ma.

“Here my dear,” Meredith said, handing Christy a pile of clothing. “I know they’re not much but these ought to get you by for a little while in your new place.”

Christy still had the luggage she had brought with her from Philadelphia, but these dresses would give her enough clothing to last a good while in her new home. Christy looked though the pile of dresses. “Thank you Meredith.”

“Don’t mention it my dear. They belonged to my daughters, and now they’ve found a good second home with you. I know you’ll look after them. Now, let’s get you down to the station.”

They made it there just in time. Meredith uttered a prayer of thanks out loud that, for once, she’d managed to get to the train platform on time.

“Thank you for everything,” Christy said, grasping the older woman’s hands in hers. “I shall never forget the kindness you showed me at the worst moment of my life.”

Meredith wiped away the tears that were spilling down her face as she waved goodbye. Christy stepped onto the train, taking a deep breath to steel herself for the journey ahead. It was her first time on a train since the robbery. She sat down in the first compartment she found, since her legs were threatening to give way beneath her.

From the platform, Meredith waved again, her heart heavy with the bittersweet feeling of saying goodbye to a girl she’d already grown so fond of, and praying that such an innocent soul could make it on her own in such a tough world.

CHAPTER FOUR

Brent

On most days, Brent Taylor would have been off somewhere on the farm, tending to the daily business involved in running a property that bred horses and reared and sold beef cattle. But this particular day was different. It was a day for quiet solitude. On this day every year, Brent took a break from the work that would normally consume his waking hours, and spent time alone remembering the past, and thinking about what might have been.

On this particular day, Brent led his horse to the empty field behind the farmhouse and tied his horse to a fence post. Then he took off his broad-brimmed, black riding hat and placed it against his chest. A moment’s silence in the spot where Annabelle had died. The place where the thunderstorm had hit, sending her horse on a mad dash across the field where she fell to her death. The dull thud of her head hitting a rock in the field still resounded in Brent's ears whenever he stood in this spot and remembered. Brent closed his eyes and paid his respects one last time. He would never do it again, because tomorrow he was to begin a new life with a new bride and would finally put the past behind him.

The cry of crows in the distance and the occasional call of the cattle grazing nearby were the only sounds that broke through the silence. Brent gazed around at the bowing heads of seeded grass, swaying to nature's rhythm with the wind that blew across the open field. The brilliant sunshine glanced warmly from the grasses and made his eyes squint against its brightness. He closed his eyes and soaked it all in, allowing himself a moment of heartache as he remembered the love he had lost. The silence of the moment was disturbed by a shrill but familiar voice screeching out his name. Brent opened his eyes and cast a fierce glance over his shoulder.

His farmhand, a young boy named Kip came running up to him. “Brent! Where have you been?”

Brent drew in a deep breath. “What are you doing here Kip? I told you I was taking leave today. I asked you to take care of things for me and not to come looking for me.”

Kip stopped in his tracks, suddenly remembering his boss's request. “Aw, shucks, I’m sorry Brent. I forgot all about it.” Guilt washed over the young boy’s face. “But one of the calves seems awful sick.”

“You’re more than capable of handling that yourself, Kip.”

Kip hung his head. “I know, but Brent, can’t you just come up and have a look?”

Brent turned away. He clenched his jaw. He didn’t like to have to admonish Kip, and on any other day Brent would have been more than happy to help, even on a day off. But today was the last day he had to remember Annabelle, and to honor that memory. He was more than a bit anxious about meeting his new bride tomorrow as well, and had really wanted to take some time to think it all through to be sure he was doing the right thing.

“Brent is there anything wrong?”

Kip waited anxiously for an answer.

“It was three years ago today Kip. Three years ago today that Annabelle had her accident. That's all.”

The young boy's face turned ashen. “Sorry Brent, I didn't remember that.”

Brent straightened his jaw. “I know Kip. It’s alright.” He turned back to the boy. “Come on now, you better show me that calf.”

***

The following morning, after a long night tending to the sick calf, Brent awoke early after just a few hours' sleep. But even without the calf, Brent would have had trouble sleeping. For today was the day he was meeting, and marrying, Christy Hancock. He wondered what she would be like, and once again whether or not he was doing the right thing. Everything within him shied away from marrying a woman he'd never met. But that was just the trouble - he never met anyone. Not out here. The only people he ever saw were his married neighbors and their children, or the elderly folks and young families that attended the Baptist church on the outskirts of town, and the men down at the feed supply store. And since he never met any single, young women these days, it made sense for him to have a Mail Order Bride. But still, the whole idea of it made him so nervous his stomach was doing flip flops as he dressed for the day.

Brent pulled on his best shirt and tie, noticing for the first time how dingy they were in the light. He tried to rub a clean spot on the dusty mirror in his late mother's bedroom to get a better look, but it didn't help the way he felt. He could see that his pants needed mending and his boots should have been cleaned long ago. Too late for that now though. He tramped outside to attach his wagon to his youngest driving horse. The bay horse was a little flighty still, being young, but he had good potential and a sensitive mouth. Brent was sure he'd make a fine driving horse one day. He climbed into the wagon and waved goodbye to Kip. For the second day in a row Brent was trusting the farm to his young farm hand.

“Take care Kip,” he called out.

***

Kip watched after his master as the wagon trundled down the long driveway towards town. He knew where Brent was headed and Kip was in awe of what Brent was about to do. He was off to marry a woman he had never met. To Kip the idea seemed both brave and crazy at the same time. Kip stood and watched silently as the wagon pulled away. He hoped that Brent’s new wife would be a good and kind woman. That she would be good to Kip as well as to Brent. He shook his head in wonderment at the entire situation and walked off to feed and water the horses.

***

“Come on boy,” Brent said to his horse, turning him onto the main road. As they left the boundary of Brent’s property they passed by the field where Annabelle had perished. Three years, and one day. It was time to move on. And with God’s help, Brent was going to do just that.

CHAPTER FIVE

Christy

The train arrived at 10 am and Christy stepped onto the platform with shaky legs. For a moment her hand lingered on the door frame, one part of her wanting to leap back inside the safety of the carriage. But the whistle blew and the person behind Christy hurried her onto the platform. Startled, it took a few moments for Christy to get her footing as her eyes scanned the length of the platform, trying to pick Brent out of the crowd. She knew to look for a man carrying a bunch of daisies, but Christy couldn’t see anyone matching that description.

Christy's stomach was tied in knots - she was terrified that she would be repulsed by the man she was there to meet. She knew she ought not to think about such things, that she should want a man who was kind and responsible, no matter what he looked like, but still Christy could not quell her fears that she would be repulsed by his features, that she would be forced to live with a man she couldn't abide.

But as Christy finally caught sight of Brent Taylor, she knew she had nothing to worry about. There he stood, at the end of the platform, a few wilted daisies in his hands, and a look of curiosity on his face. She smiled at him, and he returned the smile, dipping his hat at her politely.

Christy stared at the man striding towards her on the platform, averting her eyes shyly every time he caught them.
He's to be the first man I ever kiss, but will I love him?
Christy wondered, gazing at Brent’s soft lips, wondering what it would be like to press hers against them. She wondered if they would kiss at the wedding. She was still hoping for a romantic white wedding with all of the trimmings. Glancing around at the dusty town she wondered if perhaps that dream was a bit far-fetched given the setting. She certainly couldn't have asked for a more handsome groom. His tanned features only accentuated his sparkling blue eyes, and his muscular physique couldn't be hidden beneath the dusty, cowboy clothing he wore. Christy's heart fluttered as he drew near. She wondered how she would even speak to him, let alone kiss him. His eyes seemed to bore into her very soul as though he could see and understand her every thought. She shivered with a mixture of delight and nerves.

CHAPTER SIX

Brent

Brent was taken aback by how beautiful Christy was in person. The photo the agency had sent him right after they made the match didn’t do justice to her shining red hair, piled high in large curls on the top of her head. And they didn’t show her striking green eyes or peaches and cream complexion. Nor did the photos properly showcase her pleasing, curvaceous figure. He swallowed nervously as he dipped his hat and made his way toward her.

Brent felt his legs shaking a little as he walked down the station's platform. When they finally reached each other Brent wanted more than anything to scoop her up into his arms and kiss her on her full, red lips, but he knew that would be far too forward given the situation. He figured he could settle for a polite peck on the cheek instead, but now that he was close enough to Christy to see the frightened look in her eyes he realized, with a sinking stomach, that even a chaste kiss on the cheek would be too much for her to take just yet.

The smile faded from Brent’s face as he saw just how scared Christy was. Her jaw clenched and she coughed anxiously before she finally got the nerve to whisper a quiet, “Hello.”

Brent reached out and took her hand. He felt hers shaking and wondered if even that innocent action had been too much for her.

“Christy,” Brent said, trying to keep his voice as warm and welcoming as possible. “It’s such a pleasure to finally meet you. I have been looking forward to it.”

Christy nodded. It was clear to Brent that she was having great difficulty speaking in that moment. Brent cleared his throat. “I’ve fixed somewhere for us to clean up before the ceremony. So we can look tidy.”

Christy’s dropped her head.
Look tidy.
Christy wanted to look more than ‘tidy’ on her wedding day ― she wanted to wear a long, fine gown of frilly expensive lace. But instead it seemed she was going to have to make do with the clothes she was wearing. She looked down at the green dress constructed from sturdy material and reminded herself that she ought to be grateful she had clothes on her back at all.

Brent seemed to read Christy’s mind. “I think you look awful pretty Christy.”

Christy nodded. There was nothing to be done about it. She wouldn't be getting her dream wedding. But then again, she'd never dreamed of losing her parents at such a young age or of having an arranged marriage either, so life was certainly not following any of the plans she'd ever made.

“We ought to hurry,” Brent said. “I need to get back to the farm before evening as I’ve left my farmhand Kip in charge for the day.”

Christy nodded. They wouldn't even be having a night in town for their honeymoon. She trailed along behind Brent, taken aback by how quickly it was all happening. She’d never imagined her marriage would be done in such haste. She’d barely had time to catch her breath in the new town and she was already being whisked away to the wedding ceremony. She'd thought that she would have some time here before she would have to make up her mind finally about whether or not to go through with the wedding at all. But it seemed she would have no such chance for second thoughts. They were to be married now, and there would be no going back.

Still,
thought Christy,
at least we will be married in a church by a minister before God. That is something.
When I see the church, I will know I have made the right decision. I’m sure it will be a sweet little building, and undoubtedly Brent has arranged for it to be romantically decorated. Maybe his friends are there waiting for us right now, with a delightful spread to share together after the ceremony.
Christy's spirits lifted at the thought, and she raised her head high and smiled at the people around her. The town itself was quaint, with a somewhat unfinished look about it when compared with Philadelphia. It was dusty, and lined with raw timber store fronts and buildings. Wagons pulled by sturdy horses bounced up and down the streets, and folks stood about on street corners and in doorways chatting to people as they stopped for a moment in their busy days to connect with their neighbors.