Not Quite A Mail Order Bride (Mail Order Brides) Page 4

  When he looked at her, he saw the resemblance to Sarah, they had the same long black hair and blue eyes. Martha was a bit shorter than Sarah and he could see the sadness in her eyes from her recent loss. “I’m pleased to meet you Martha. Your sister is one of our favorite people. She’s both a good friend and a good neighbor. I think now, I’ve met the entire family because I had the pleasure of meeting your parents when they visited.”

  “Actually, you haven’t met all of us yet. We have an older sister. Sarah and I were closer in age and closer to each other. It is nice to be able to put a face to all I’ve heard about you.”

  “I guess your hands have things pretty well in check, don’t they?” Jed asked. “If you need my help, you just have to ask. By the way, John said he and Grace might drive out.”

  “Everyone’s worried about the old man, huh?” Luke said with a hollow laugh.

  “He’s your friend too.”

  “I know, I need to thank him for the eulogy he gave. It was beautiful.”

  They sat and chatted for a few minutes, then Luke said, “I need to get back to my boys. Nice to have met you, Martha. I’ll probably be seeing you again if you’re going to be here for any time. Jed, could I see you for a minute?”

  On the porch, Luke said, “I assume you’re the one that got the coffin. I appreciate it. I wasn’t thinking about anything like that.”

  “I did,” Jed said. “Don’t worry about it. I told John to pay the undertaker from the trust funds and we’d replace it next time we’re in town.” He laughed. “That man! He was worried about getting paid. I told him if he didn’t get it on our wagon immediately, he’d better pick one out for himself, because he was going to need it.”

  Luke chuckled. “You shouldn’t have done that. That’s his way. Always afraid someone will cheat him. He did the same thing with me when Will was killed.” He chucked Jed on the back and said, “Thanks for yesterday. I needed it.” He mounted and nudged his horse with the heel of his boot and rode off cross country toward the Twin Bar H and his boys.

  Back inside…

  “That poor man, I know what he’s going through,” said Martha. “Sorrow is a heavy load and all too often, we try to carry it alone.”

  “What about you, Martha? You lost your husband less than two months ago. How are you? Inside, I mean,” said Sarah.

  “I’m doing okay,” she said. “With pneumonia, Daniel was sick first, and after the diagnosis, it wasn’t too long before he passed, so it wasn’t just all at once. I didn’t have all of the anger Luke has, since he wasn’t violently, and unjustly taken. Still, it’s not easy. I just wish we had children. It just wasn’t meant to be. I still have my library job. It doesn’t pay all that well, but it’s enough to live on, especially with me staying with our parents.”

  “Martha, let’s talk about that,” Jed said. “We really would like for you to stay out here. If you don’t want to talk about it, just say so, but I wish you would consider it.”

  “That’s very kind of you, Jed. Both of you. I can’t just live off you. I would have to work if I were to stay. I doubt there is much to be had in Laramie either. I’m a teacher, or a librarian, and there isn’t much demand for either.”

  “I know this really nice man that would…” Sarah said with a laugh.

  “Don’t even think about it, sis.”

  Later, Jed said, “When we get our leasing company set up, we will need someone in the office, but I’m afraid she might look at it as charity if we offered it to her. Keep working her honey.”.

  Three months later…

  Jed and his family were getting to church about twice a month, Luke was doing about the same, with Hetty along to help with the boys. On this day, the Barnettes were in their usual pew. Luke stopped in the aisle and asked, “Mind if I sit with you? Hetty has the boys in the Sunday school class.”

  “No, of course not.” Sarah said. They all slid down the bench seat and made room for him to sit… beside Martha.

  “Well done, Honey,” Jed said.

  “Why whatever do you mean Jedadiah. I have no idea what you are talking about.”

  Two weeks later, the same thing happened.

  CHAPTER EIGHT A BUDDING FRIENDSHIP

  The church was having a picnic in a grove of apple trees by the river. Luke attended with his sons and Hetty came along to help keep an eye upon them. There were several events held for the amusement of the children. Luke and Will had entered in the Ride Papa race. The race involved a child riding on the back of an adult in a thirty yard race. Once the race was underway, the kids were all squealing and urging on their favorites. Will could be heard with his “Run faster, Papa” yells. They won, despite a winded father.

  “That was fun, Papa. Let’s do it again.”

  “That was the only race. It’s Jimmy’s turn now. Come on buddy,” Luke said, and hoisted Jimmy to his shoulder and they went wandering off among the crowd with Jimmy’s arms locked around Luke’s neck with a stranglehold.

  “He’s good with his children isn’t he?” Martha asked.

  “Yes, he is. They show it too. They worship him,” Sarah said.

  * * *

  Wyoming enacted compulsory schools in 1873. Because of the rural nature of the ranches, poor roads and harsh winters, school sessions were short. Most of the schools in these areas were held in bunk houses, a ranch house or a single room school house. This was the case in the woods Landing area where the Twin Bar H ranch was located. Luke’s father had built a single room log cabin on his ranch and it served the children of the nearby ranches. The teacher’s salary, supplies and other necessities were paid for with contributions from the ranchers. Usually, the teachers had only a most basic education.

  The rancher’s wife that had been teaching the children in the Twin Bar H school had moved away from the area after their ranch had fallen on hard times. It had been without a teacher for two years. This was the dilemma faced by Luke when his son, Will reached the age where he should be starting school. He had talked with the other ranchers, and there were ten children of school age, but no teacher.

  “I’m glad you and the boys could join us for dinner,” Sarah said to Luke. She and Martha were in the kitchen preparing the meal when Jed and Luke walked in from the barn. Luke’s sons and John Lucas were playing in the hayloft over the barn.

  “I’m glad you invited me, but I’m on a mission today Luke said. We have to do something about the school situation. We have ten children that should be in school, but we can’t find a teacher. We haven’t had one since the Dixons moved out. John is getting close to the age he should be in school too.”

  “Martha was a librarian back home,” Sarah said. “She taught some before that.”

  “Really?” Luke said. “If you were staying, we sure would offer you the job if you’re interested.”

  “What are you using for a school?” she asked.

  “Papa built a cabin for a school years ago. I haven’t looked at it recently but I’m sure we could fix anything wrong. It probably is nowhere near as fancy as what you had, but it is serviceable. Those with children pay the teacher a salary and also provide the other supplies. Would you like to take a look at it?” he asked.

  “I would. Sarah, do you know how to get there?”

  “I didn’t even know it was there,” she said.

  “It’s been there a good while,” he said. “Will and I along with four others went to elementary school there. Ma taught when we were going. We stayed in town when we went to high school.

  The books we used are so outdated by now they would be useless, so we would have to get a whole new set. I sure would appreciate it and I know the other parents would too.”

  “Would you like to ride over there today and look at it?” Sarah asked Martha.

  “Let’s do. I could use the fresh air anyway,” she answered.

  They followed Luke and his sons to the log cabin located just beyond the compound where the two houses that had been Luke and his brother Will�
��s before he was killed. The school consisted of one large room, with a large fireplace on one end. There was a blackboard on the wall behind the teacher’s desk. The children would be seated at individual desks. Martha could see the desks were nailed to the floor to prevent them being moved by the students. Luke said, “When I was in school here, the boys sat on one side and the girls on the other. The younger ones were at the front, closest to the teacher.”

  “This is a lot like the school I was in before I started working at the Owego library,” Martha said.

  “Would you be interested in this?” Luke asked of Martha.

  “I’m not sure,” she answered. “I haven’t definitely made up my mind what I’m going to do yet.”

  “If you decide you’re interested, get word to me and I’ll call a meeting of the parents so we can work out the details,” he said.

  That evening…

  Sitting in the large living room back at the J Bar B, Jed said, “I had no idea the school existed. Luke told me most of the schools are this way because of the distances between the ranches. I’ve seen the schools in Laramie. They are relatively new and more modern than this. The University of Wyoming is about four years old now.”

  “Shows how much I know. I didn’t know about that either. Where’s your thinking going on this, Martha?”

  “I would worry about Ma and Papa, but, then again, Mary is there, so that shouldn’t be a concern. It’s a big step.”

  “It is a big step,” Sarah said, “but not as big as the one I took when I came out here. You would at least have family. I knew no one.”

  “You were always more adventurous than I was. Besides,” she said with a laugh, you had to leave. Ma was going to marry you off to that fat old banker.”

  All three of them laughed since Sarah had related the story to Jed. “You’re right,” Sarah said, “but look what I got for taking the chance.” She squeezed Jed’s hand, and smiled at him. “Well, I’m not going to pressure you about it. You make your own decision based on what you think is right for you. We’ve told you how much we would like for you to be here.”

  Two days later, Martha and Sarah were sitting at the kitchen table talking. “I would like to get married again,” Martha said. “I haven’t seen any men close to my age at church the times I have been there. Have you seen any advertisements in the Laramie paper for brides?”

  “I have not,” said Sarah. “The local single men mostly don’t go to church that I’ve seen. I only know of one rancher that has lost his wife and that’s Luke. You couldn’t do better than Luke,” she finished.

  Martha said, “I don’t think he has even thought about marriage. He’s still grieving over Clara.”

  “He’ll wake up one morning and realize his sons need a mother. Whomever he chooses, will be a lucky woman. I don’t think your prospects would be better in New York. Someone has probably snatched up my fat banker.”

  “I would hope…” Martha said.

  Jed stood, “I’m going out to the barn. You two are talking about men the way Luke and I talk about our bulls.”

  CHAPTER NINE MARTHA CONSIDERS A NEW JOB

  A week after they visited the schoolhouse, Jed had already finished his breakfast and went out to the barn to help the ranch hands with some of the chores, Sarah, Martha and the two children were still sitting at the table, when Martha said, “If the opportunity is still open, I’m going to ask for the teacher’s position. If you’re okay with it, I’d like to stay here until I can afford a place of my own.”

  “Martha, that is the best news I’ve heard in a long time. I know Jedadiah and the children would love to have you around. You’ll need to let Luke know so he can call his meeting. I’ve been afraid you were going back to New York, but I didn’t want to push you.” She stood, went around the table and hugged her sister fiercely. “Thank you. My day is made. I can’t wait to tell Jedadiah.”

  “Sis, why do you call him Jedadiah? Everyone else calls him Jed.”

  “It’s all I’ve called him from the first day I met him. He just looks like a Jedadiah. I think it is a beautiful name and it suits him perfectly.”

  Jed walked in at that moment. “What suits who perfectly?”

  “Jedadiah suits you perfectly. Martha asked why I call you that. She just told me she’s going to ask for the teacher position. Isn’t that wonderful? She asked.

  “Well, that suits me perfectly. I am really pleased you made your decision that way. Luke will be happy too. He was out of ideas. He even asked me if I thought Sarah would do it.” He hugged both Martha and Sarah. “Now, I have my arms full of beautiful women. What more could a man want?”

  “One beautiful woman that loves him?” Sarah asked.

  “You’re right.” He looked at Martha. “You might want to cover your eyes. We might embarrass you.”

  “Embarrass away,” she said. “I love you both.”

  “You heard the woman, big man,” his loving wife said. “Take your best shot.”

  “Martha, we’ll be back in thirty or forty minutes.” Jed said to the laughing Martha as he picked his giggling wife up and carried her down the hall toward their bedroom. Sarah looked back over her shoulder at her smiling sister and winked a big bawdy wink.

  An hour later…

  Sarah came back into the kitchen wearing a satisfied smile. “Thank you for that,” she told Martha.

  “I envy you, Sis, I really do.”

  “I am a truly lucky woman,” Sarah said. “I have two wonderful children, a loving and thoughtful husband, and all we’ll ever need. You will have your chance one of these days.”

  “I truly hope so,” said Martha wistfully. “I truly hope so.”

  “We’re going over to Luke’s, why don’t you come with us and tell him your good news?”

  “I’d love to,” Martha said.

  When Jed pulled the horses to a stop, and helped the children from the wagon, He took Sarah’s arm. She took the opportunity to wind up in his arms. He helped Martha down also. He looked around and said, “Ah, there’s Luke.”

  Luke had removed his shirt and was chopping firewood. His hat was cocked to the side and his muscled chest glistened with perspiration. Sarah whispered to Martha, “Isn’t that a magnificent sight. He is a handsome man. Go get him, Sis.”

  Martha said, “In his eyes, he still has a wife.”

  Sarah replied, “Sadly, I think you’re right. I’ll have to work on that.”

  “Sarah Grace Harding, you stay out of it. I mean it,” Martha said with vehemence.

  “I’m only trying to help,” Sarah said.

  “So was mother,” answered Martha.

  “Point taken,” Sarah said.

  Buttoning his shirt, Luke said, “I’m trying to get a jump start on winter with the firewood. Jed told me the news. That’s great,” he said and picked up a surprised Martha and whirled her around. “Wait until I tell the boys. They will be pleased. So will the other families, for that matter.” He was still holding Martha aloft. Turning crimson, he said, “I ‘m sorry, Martha. I meant nothing by it. I was just so pleased with your decision, I did it without thinking.”

  “It’s all right, Luke. I’m glad you’re pleased. Would you let me know what your group says, please?”

  “They left it up to me. I know what the answer will be. Welcome. You don’t know how much this will mean to the families. The education of their children has a high priority in their minds.”

  At the meeting…

  “And in conclusion, I think we are fortunate to have Mrs. Sanders as our teacher.”

  “Hold on there a minute, Luke. How do we know she is qualified to teach our young‘uns?”

  “A number of reasons, Jake. She taught back in New York. She was the town librarian until her husband passed away and she came out here to visit her sister and family. Another reason and the least important to me anyway, is we don’t have a teacher. She is probably as qualified as any teacher in the Laramie schools.”

  The rancher, Jak
e, was a known sympathizer for the Confederate cause. “She’s a Yankee, Luke.”

  “My Clara was a Yankee, as you call it. Jed Barnette’s wife is a Yankee. As far as that goes, Jed is a Yankee. What’s your point?”

  “Nothing, I guess we’re stuck with her till we can find somebody else.”

  “Jake, I don’t like your attitude. We’re not stuck with her as you put it. We’re fortunate to have her agree to teach our children. I must remind you, you don’t have to put your children in the school. Does anyone else have any questions, or concerns?” There were none, so Jed said, “I’ll make the offer formally, although if she hears about this discussion, she probably won’t accept it, and I for one wouldn’t blame her.”