Mail-Order Bride Ink: Dear Mr. Weaver (17 page)

“
I
’m
sorry it took me so long to fetch ya a plate, Ebba,” Daniel said for the fifth time. The wedding celebration was over by now. The guests were camped out around the farmhouse or the barn or Arlan and Samijo’s place.

“Daniel, you’ve apologized enough. It’s all right – that was hours ago.” Ebba still didn’t know why it had taken so long, and that annoyed her. But not as much as the constant apologizing.

“But I wanna explain myself. Especially now.”

“Then explain. But do stop saying you’re sorry.” Ebba looked out the bedroom window at the campfires some of the guests had built. She wished she could be out there sitting next to one. Warren and Bernice were laughing with Charlotte and Matthew while Mr. and Mrs. Davis sat quietly nearby.

Daniel peeked over her shoulder and watched as well. “They look cozy, don’t they?”

“Yes,” she said, unable to keep the envy out of her voice.

“Ebba,” he began again. “Ya know what tonight is?”

She swallowed hard. “Yes, Daniel, I know.”

He put his hands on her shoulders and turned her to face him. “Ya don’t sound too happy about it.”

She closed her eyes and sighed. “I … have a lot on my mind.”

“Am I one of them thoughts?”

She opened her eyes and met his. “Yes.” In one way or another, he was all of them.

His eyes pooled with worry. “If’n I am, how come ya don’t look happy? Ya married me.”

“I know and … maybe now is not the time, but …”

“But what? What do ya mean?”

Oh, hang it all, just
say
it!
she scolded herself. “We need to talk about some things.”

He let his hands fall from her. “Um … ya mean about … our weddin’ night?”

She drew in a breath. “In a way.”

His eyes widened. “What way?”

She squared her shoulders. “There have been a lot of things you haven’t been telling me. Things you should have.”

“Like what?”

“Like you having over twenty relatives living here.”

“Well, um … I didn’t think it was that important.”

Ebba resisted the urge to raise her voice. “It’s very important. Or how you expect me to become a teacher for all the children.”

He shrugged. “Well, yeah, but what’s that got to do with our weddin’ night?”

“Why didn’t you tell me? Why didn’t you say anything in your letters?”

“Because I didn’t need to.”

“What do you mean, you didn’t need to?” she said in shock. “Didn’t you think I’d need to know that? There are fourteen children on this farm!”

“Only if’n ya count the babies,” he added.

“Well, babies don’t stay babies, or didn’t you know that?” She turned back toward the window. “You should have mentioned in your letters what you expected of me.”

“But I didn’t say anything in my letters …”

She spun back. “That’s my point! Did it ever occur to you that becoming a … a … schoolmarm for your nieces and nephews is a really big job? What if I was incapable of such a task?”

“Ya can read and write, can’t ya?”

“Of course!”

He cocked his head to one side. “Don’t tell me ya don’t know yer numbers?”

Ebba rolled her eyes. “Yes, I know my numbers! But it takes a lot more than that to be a teacher. And even if it didn’t, you still didn’t tell me – not in your letters, not when I arrived, not until now when I called you on it! I had to find out from Rufi!”

“Well … uh …”

She narrowed her eyes at him. “What else haven’t you told me?”

Daniel took a step back and laughed nervously. “Is that what this is about? Ya think I’m holdin’ somethin’ out on ya?”

“You certainly have been so far,” she snapped. “Holding out on a lot of things.”

Daniel looked around as if for help. Finding none, he took a deep breath and let it out slowly. “Darlin’, how could I have told ya in them letters about teachin’ when the idea done hit me only after ya got here?”

Ebba went still. “What?”

“Ya heard me. I didn’t get the idea ‘til I saw ya sneezin’ and strugglin’ so hard to breathe the first day. It figgered ya couldn’t work outside with the rest of us, that ya’d need a job that can be done indoors. With all these younguns ‘round here, you becomin’ their teacher was perfect. Or … so I thought.”

Ebba’s brow furrowed in confusion. “But … Rufi said something about my letters …”

“Aw, Rufi’s still just a kid – she gets things mixed up. You and me was talking about readin’ and writin’ in them letters, so I suggested it to Calvin and Bella, and … she musta overheard and got it all crossed. Besides, I didn’t promise nothin’ ‘cept that I’d ask ya if ya wanted to give it a try. And we’ve been so busy with the weddin’ that I figgered I should hold off ‘til ya got settled in and …”

“… And you weren’t going to require it of me?”

“Nah, just offer it and see what ya thought.” He sighed and took her in his arms. “I’m sorry if’n I didn’t make myself clear. I guess I messed it up real thorough.”

She leaned into him. The warmth of his body felt good. “I’m sorry too. I … shouldn’t have assumed. And I shouldn’t have snapped at you the way I did. It’s just frustrating when you don’t know what’s coming.”

Daniel kissed the top of her head. “I understand. Ain’t nothin’ to be sorry for, sweetie. Ma says a husband and wife are gonna have buckets of misunderstandin’s durin’ a marriage. We just gotta figger out how to not to fill them buckets so fast.”

Ebba smiled. “Your mother is a very wise woman.”

“Don’t I know it. And now I know to tell ya more stuff so ya don’t get caught unawares.”

She shyly lifted her arms and put them around his waist. “I’d appreciate that, thank you.”

He looked at her. “Well, that’s one bucket emptied.”

She smiled as she gazed into his eyes. “Yes, it is.”

His eyes darted to her lips and, before she knew it, she was lost in his kiss. His hands roamed her back as it deepened, pulling a moan from her.

He gently broke the kiss. “I like it when you make that sound,” he whispered against her lips. “I want to hear ya do it again.”

Ebba shook her head. “I’m not so sure …”

Daniel smiled. “I’m sure, though.” He kissed her again.

Ebba moaned again. Pretty soon, she was as sure as he was. And that surety carried them into the rest of the night.

W
hen Ebba awoke
the next morning, Daniel was already gone. She sat up, realized she hadn’t a stitch of clothing on and yanked the blankets up to her neck. The previous night came back in a rush and she giggled in delight. She and Daniel were now truly husband and wife. They’d both been clumsy at first, but nature has a way of making the clumsiest dancer graceful under its tutelage. And they had danced well into the night.

She was surprised she was even up … but then, what time was it? Wrapping a blanket around herself, she went to the window and found the sun high in the sky, though not at its peak. Well, at least it wasn’t noon yet. She went to the washstand and quickly got ready for the rest of her day.

She spied her wedding dress draped over a chair and smiled at the memory of Daniel carefully removing it … she shook herself. Best not to think of such things now – she had work to do. She hoped she wasn’t too late to help with lunch.

Downstairs, she found Charity in the kitchen making sandwiches. “Good morning, Ebba,” she greeted her with a smile. “Sleep well?”

Ebba blushed bright pink.

“I see you did. Good. Daniel’s out helping some of the others break camp. I’m afraid the two of you missed breakfast.”

Ebba, for lack of a better idea, shrugged.

Charity laughed. “You don’t have to say anything. There’s a stack of flapjacks in the warming oven. That is, if your husband left you any.”

Ebba went to the warming oven and took out the plate. “Thank you for saving us some.” She folded one and was about to take a bite when it registered what Charity was doing. “Wait – is it lunch time already?”

“Not quite, but close. I’m making these for the folks leaving in a bit so they can eat on the road. They’ll stay at the Gundersons’ tonight before they head on to Nowhere. No one got up too early today.”

“Is that supposed to make me feel better?”

“No, that’s to let you know everyone had a good time at your wedding.” She went to Ebba and gave her a hug. “Myself included. Welcome to the family.”

Tears welled in Ebba’s eyes. She hadn’t realized until that moment that now she had a family again. A huge one! “Thank you, Charity.”

Charity smiled as she went back to the worktable. “Do you want to help me finish these?” she asked as she swept a hand over the sandwiches.

“Certainly.” They made a dozen more, wrapped them, put them into baskets and took them outside to pass out. Ebba began to tick off the minutes it would take before she began to sneeze. She figured she was good for ten at the most.

She went to the Johnsons’ wagon and handed the basket to Bernice. “Here you are – something for the trip.”

Bernice smiled and took it from her. “Thank you! I didn’t plan for the trip back very well.”

“Don’t worry, you’re not the only one. But Charity made enough sandwiches to feed an army.”

“Did you … have a nice night?”

Ebba flushed red. Was it really ladylike to ask such a question? Well, it seemed to be out here. When in Rome … “I did,” she whispered.

Bernice glanced at her before she looked away again. “Oh, that’s … good.”

“Well, I’d better pass the rest of these out,” Ebba said and began to turn away.

“I’m sorry.”

“For what?”

“For asking something so personal. It’s just that … well …”

Ebba faced her and waited. “Well, what?”

“It’s nothing.”

Ebba didn’t push it. She’d come to find out that the folks of Nowhere were a little strange. Perhaps all small towns were like that. She set her other basket down and gave Bernice a hug. “Thank you for coming.”

“You’re welcome. I hope you and Daniel will be very happy.”

“I’m sure we will be.” She went off to deliver more sandwiches, passing the rest out to the Rileys and the Davises before heading to the barn to see who was left. A man, a Mr. Oliver if she remembered right, was just coming out. “Would you like something to take on the road with you?” she asked.

Mr. Oliver looked her up and down. “Sure would, little lady. A nice taste of somethin’ would suit me just fine.”

Ebba smiled and started to reach into her basket, but before she could grab a sandwich, he had her locked in his arms and was dragging her into the barn. “What the mmmph?” The hand he clamped over her mouth was sweaty, dirty and smelled, and his other arm had hers pinned to her sides.

He headed for an empty stall and dragged her into it. “I’ve been waitin’ for this since I first set eyes on ya! Woo-ee, I bet you’re gonna be sweet!”

Ebba, realizing what he was about, kicked and struggled with all her might, but it was no use. The man had the strength of an ox. He threw her onto the straw and was on top of her before she could scream for help.

Mr. Oliver, much to her surprise, did it for her. “YEOWWW!” He leapt off her and spun around, swinging the pitchfork now attached to his derriere with him. A string of curses escaped before he fell to his knees – and then on his face, as a large foot kicked him in the back of the skull.

Ebba looked up. Daniel stood looming over her assailant, his face twisted in anger. He stepped over Mr. Oliver, reached down and took her in his arms. “Ebba, are ya all right?”

She blinked at him a few times before the import of what had just happened sank in. “He … he … was …”

“I know what he was gonna do. And I guarantee ya he won’t be thinkin’ of doin’ anything like it again!”

“What’s going on in here?” Sheriff Hughes appeared at the stall door. “What in tarnation happened to him?”

“He was up to no good, Sheriff!” Daniel said. “Ya gotta arrest him!”

“Arrest him? I think I need to get him to a doctor first!”

“The likes of him don’t deserve no doctor,” Daniel said as he held Ebba tighter. “Get him outta my sight before I stick that pitchfork where I wanted to in the first place!”

Sheriff Hughes studied the scene. “Did he try to …?” His finger wagged between Stanley and Ebba.

“Yes, he did,” Ebba sobbed. The emotions were starting to break through her shock.

“I understand.” He looked at Ebba. “You okay?”

“I just offered him some sandwiches for the road,” she whimpered. “Why would he …”

“Shhh, it’s over,” Daniel said soothing, stroking her hair. “He ain’t never gonna touch ya again. Not if I can help it.”

“That goes double for me,” the sheriff agreed. “I’ll fetch Spencer. This is a serious situation, Daniel. Spencer
will
have to arrest him.”

“Jail’s too good for the snake.”

“I don’t disagree, Daniel, but the law is the law.” Sheriff Hughes sighed. “Get your wife back to the house. Spencer and I will handle this.”

Daniel nodded. “Ya sure yer all right, sweetie?”

She nodded. The man had wanted to rape her, but why? And in broad daylight,
in the barn?
“I don’t understand … what was he thinking?”

“He wasn’t.” Daniel led her out of the stall, exchanging a quick look with Sheriff Hughes as he did. That convinced Ebba they knew exactly what Mr. Oliver was thinking. But would anyone tell her?

E
bba sat
at the kitchen table, a hot cup of tea in her hands. “I didn’t do or say anything other than offer the man a sandwich. He grabbed me and pulled me into the barn so fast, I didn’t have time to think.”

Clayton and Spencer sat across the table from her. “And he didn’t say anything?”

Ebba cringed. “He said …” She swallowed back the bile in her throat. “… he said that he’d been waiting for
it
since he’d first laid eyes on me.” She glanced at Daniel standing next to her, and noticed his hands were balled into fists.

“Thank you, Ebba.” Spencer waved the other men in the room toward the kitchen’s back door. “We’ll discuss this outside and let you be.”

“Are ya gonna be all right if’n I go outside too?” Daniel asked her.

“Yes, of course,” she said. Daniel nodded and headed out after the others.