Jedadiah's Mail Order Bride (12 page)

"Good land.  How long is your growing season?" he asked.

"I think it's just under five months, just a little shorter than yours," Jed answered.  "We've gotten plenty of rain since I've been doing this.  What do you think about my mixing the beans in with the corn?"

"That's the way I've always done it," Elias answered.

"I know.  That's where I learned it.  Pa, you taught me everything I know about farming.  None of the other ranchers do this the way I do.  It has paid off.  This is all because of what you taught me."

"I didn't know you were paying attention," Elias said.  "You came all this way and you're still a farmer."

"Yes, but I have a wonderful wife and two great children.  Pa, I'm a success and it's because of you."

"I know, son, I'm just being a stubborn old fool."

"I'll admit you're stubborn but you're no fool.  Not now, not ever."  He stepped up to his father and hugged him.  "I love you, Pa."

"I love you too son."  It was the first time Jed could remember his father saying, "I love you."

Jed was all choked up.  "Let's go back to the house, Pa."

After putting the horses up, they walked arm in arm toward the house.  "Mary, come here.  You have to see this."  Mary came to the window and looked out to see her husband and his son, arms about each other, walking toward the house. 

"Isn't that beautiful?" Sarah asked.  Mary couldn't answer.  She was sobbing into her apron.

Three weeks later…

As
they stood on the station platform watching the train as it headed eastward, Sarah linked her arm with her husband and said, "That was a good visit.  I am glad you and Elias cleared the air between you.  Your mother and I really bonded and the kids love her."

"I am too," Jed said.  "We have to make time for more visits."

"I agree with you 100%.  Come on, let's go home, kids."

As they headed home, Jed said, "I'm sure glad Pa and I got things settled.  He really expected me to come to my senses and return to Lebanon.  All I really ever wanted was him to take notice of me as my own man.  I wanted his approval but not at the price of my self respect."

"I understand what you mean.  I didn't have anything like that with my parents.  They were just concerned about my security, and to them, it meant I had to get married, whether the person was acceptable to me or not.  I stood up to them by placing the ad in The Matrimonial News."  She leaned her head on his shoulder, linked her arm in his and said, "Look what that got me.  Once they met you and got to know you and how much I loved you, they were satisfied.  They went home sure of my safety and security."

"Having our parents come out and see how we're living, and our family, was a great idea, Jedadiah.  I'm glad you thought of it," Sarah said.  She chuckled, "Mother was concerned about how much the trip cost.  She tried to save money from what we sent, just as I did when I came out to meet you.  The look on her face when I told her we were rich was priceless.  I don't think she believed it even after I told her the details.  I wonder if she told Pa?  He wouldn't have believed it either, but being in the banking business, he would have understood it, knowing about the mining.”

“One evening, Pa and I were talking and he said, "You did good, little girl.  You could not have found a better man anywhere.”  I told him I agreed with him.  I told him you were the love of my life."

Jed placed his hand over hers and squeezed it.  "I feel the same way.  I think we were meant for each other and we just found our way a little different from most people.  The way doesn't matter, it's where you wind up that counts and we wound up with each other.  It's good and the best is yet to come.  My heart is bursting at the seams with love for you and the family we've created."

Luke
and Jed met to talk about the possibility of setting up their own mining company.  Their attorney had assured them it was a good idea.  With the abundance of copper already found, chances were good there was more of it.

Luke asked, “Did the visits with your family go well?”

“Yes, they did, especially after Pa finally understood that I’m not going back to Lebanon and take over the farm.  It was good to see Ma and the kids together.  They’re her only grandkids.  It’s a shame we are so far from them, but Sarah and I plan to visit them every year so they won’t be strangers.”

Luke said, “Our families are healthy, and we both have a nice secure life here, we don’t have to worry about any disasters such as the hoof and mouth disease.  It’s an ideal situation for all of us.  You’ve turned into a real rancher and Sarah loves it.”

* * *

The Laramie Daily Sentinel, July 10…

In
a recent interview, Colonel Miles, US Army, Fort Laramie indicated the Sioux are satisfied on the reservation and are too few and too disorganized  to cause any problems.  Any infractions involving the Indians will be easily put down…

In
a series of councils between the various Indian tribes an agreement was reached to join together in action against the settlers encroaching their lands and killing all of the buffalo, and against the Army.  Most of the Sioux who remained in the unceded territory where these actions would take place, were Ogalala and the Hunkpapa numbering about 5,500 in total.  Added to this were about 1,500 Northern Cheyenne and Arapaho for a total hostile Indian population of about 7,000, which might include as many as 2,000 warriors.  The Army didn’t know about this union and reckoned their numbers to be in the hundreds.  They were tragically wrong.

Sitting Bull launched a series of raids against ranches throughout the area.

* * *

Luke, Clara and their two boys rode over to the J-Bar-B to visit the Barnette’s.  After they had chatted for a few minutes, the children had organized a game of tag. 

Luke pulled Jed aside and said, “The Sioux raided a ranch up the way.  They killed everyone and burned their ranch.  I think we may be in for some trouble.”

“What do you think we should do?” Jed asked.

Luke said, “Well I think we…

To be continued in the next of this series coming soon.  Keep informed of the lives of the Hastings and Barnettes by visiting the author’s website. 
Susan Leigh Carlton's Website.

Susan
lives in a gated community just outside Tomball, Texas with her husband, two toy poodles and Lissie the cat.. 

Jedadiah’s Mail Order Bride is her latest book to be published by Amazon.  She says, “This is my favorite of all the books I have written.  I tend to be a friend of my characters, talking to them and listening to them.  I also tend to be emotional and found myself becoming choked up while I was writing the scene where Sarah and her mother were talking just after their arrival for a visit.

I also pay attention to all of the reviews and comments.  I revise my writing process and style accordingly.  This is a learning process for me and I love everybit of it.”

The names of all her books are on the pages following this one.

My thanks to you readers.  I appreciate your taking the time to read them.  As an avid reader myself, I will read several books during the time I am writing.  Our kids love to read as does my husband.  He takes his iPad with him everywhere and reads during waits for the doctor.

Thanks again.  Now I can begin research on my next effort.

    
          
A Reluctant Mail Order Bride

    
          
She Found Her Love In Washingron

    
         
The Lonely Cowboy

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Visit The Lonely Cowboy Saga Website

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