Mail Order Mayhem (6 page)

Chapter Nine

John was proud to walk into the general store in town the following morning with Maude on his arm. He introduced her to the shopkeeper and the other people they ran into. She carefully chose her selections, mainly buying food. When she had left a pile of items on the counter, she wandered over to the selection of dry goods.

John followed her, watching as she carefully checked the quality and price of each bolt of cloth. “I need something that will hold up well for the chores I’ll be doing, but won’t cost us too dearly.”

John smiled at her. “Pick what you like and let me worry about the cost. I’m not rich, but I do have some money saved.”

She shook her head. “You saved the money for a rainy day. The sun is shining right now.” She picked up a bolt of cloth and checked the price. “This will be perfect to make some aprons from. I don’t have one, and I’m definitely going to need some if I don’t want all my dresses soiled.” She handed him the bolt to hold while she looked for other fabrics.

She chose two more for summer dresses. She’d need to make some dresses for winter when the time came, but two would be enough for now. She bought thread and some needles as well, carrying those to the front while John carried the fabric.

“That’s a lot of sewing you’re going to be doing there, Mrs. Powers.”

She smiled. “I only have city dresses, and I’ll need some that will be good for doing chores around the farm.” The fabrics she’d picked were not the prettiest, as she would have chosen in Beckham, but they were the sturdiest and least expensive.

“These will be perfect for summer dresses.” He quickly tallied the order for the food and the fabric. He named a price that had Maude ready to put some things back, but John shook his head and paid for it all. “Thanks, Mr. Green.”

Mr. Green smiled. “
It’s my pleasure
. I’ll see you Sunday!”

Maude waited while John put everything into the bed of the wagon. “Are you sure we didn’t spend too much?”

John shook his head. “You were very careful with your purchases. Is there anything there we don’t need?”
With the way she’d debated over every purchase, he knew there wasn’t but he had to make her see that.

She thought about it for a moment.
“Well, no, but I could wait for a bit on the dresses if I needed to.”

“You don’t need to. You need new dresses, and you’re going to get them.” He squeezed her hand as he drove. “So, what are you going to do for the rest of the day?”

It was only eleven in the morning as they headed back out toward the farm. “I thought maybe I’d fix you some lunch, since you seem to be hungry all the time,” she teased. “Then I need to clean the second story of the house. All of the linens in the spare rooms need to be cleaned, but I’ll do that on laundry day. I’ll at least get the floors scrubbed and clean. I want to scrub the parlor floor.” She paused smiling at him. “Then, depending on the time, I’ll either cook or start on one of the aprons. I need them more than I need dresses.”

“Wow. I’m just going to weed the wheat field. You make me feel positively lazy.”
He turned and gave her a slow wink.

She laughed. “We both have our chores to keep us busy.”

“Think you can squeeze in time to make dessert tonight?” He’d been eyeing some wild strawberries that were on the east side of the property. “I’ll bring some fresh strawberries when I come in for supper.”

She grinned. She’d been planning to bake a cake for dessert anyway. “Strawberry shortcake?”

He nodded. “
It’s
my favorite.”

“Then I’ll make the cake and you bring the strawberries. It won’t take any time at all to sweeten them for the topping.” She liked the idea of b
aking special treats for him. She was happy to be married to someone she liked, who she would want to do things for instead of Horace. She did her best to block him out of her mind. They’d mailed her letters off that morning, and she knew she’d be hearing back within a month or so. If her parents were still willing to speak to her, of course.

She finished her chores earlier than she’d expected that afternoon, so began sewing her apron. She had worn them working at the orphanage, of course, but there had really never been a need for her to wear them at home. Their ma
id
, Sally, had done all of the cleaning in her home.

Chapter Ten

It took her a full two weeks to get the house how she wanted it. After the crops were in, she hoped to have a bit of money left over to make new curtains, but that was her only complaint about the house.

Their days fell into an easy pattern. She made breakfast while he milked the cows and fed the animals. Then he went off to work in the fields while she took care of the house.

On the day she finally felt caught up, she made his favorite meal, chicken and dumplings, to celebrate and made him another strawberry shortcake. She planned on spending a couple of hours the next day to go out and pick strawberries so she could preserve them. They’d be out of season in another week, and she didn’t want them to go to waste.

After their prayer, he smiled down at his plate. “You made my favorites!”

She grinned. “I finally got caught up on the chores, so I have more time now. I can make better meals and spend more time on my dresses. I’m going to go out and pick all the strawberries tomorrow.”

“Sounds good to me! Are you making jam?”

She nodded. “I know how much you love strawberries. I’ll make as much as I can.”

“There are canning supplies down in the cellar.”

“I know. I’ve already washed out all the jars so I’m ready to go.” She paused
,
her spoon halfway to her mouth. “Do you think it would be okay to invite Anne out here to help me? I’ve never made jam before, and I’d love to get her advice.”

“Of course! Why don’t you ride into town in the morning and invite her out for Wednesday? You can get everything picked tomorrow, and then you can make the jam with her then?”

“I’ve never driven a wagon.”

He grinned. “It’s easy. I’ll hitch up the team after breakfast, and we’ll drive around for a few minutes. That way you’ll feel comfortable when you go.”
He squeezed her hand tightly. “I’m glad you’re becoming friends with Anne. She’s really close to her family but doesn’t have a lot of friends otherwise. She needs a good female friend.”

“It’s hard to believe she doesn’t have a lot of friends. She’s so easy to be around.”

“Only for shy people. You like her because you’re a little timid around new people. Anyone who actually likes to answer questions asked of them gets frustrated with her pretty quick.”

Maude laughed. “That’s not very nice.”

“But it is true.”
Maude found she couldn’t argue with that.

*****

True to his word, immediately after breakfast the following morning, John spent thirty minutes teaching Maude how to drive the team. They drove up and down the dirt road and then out onto the main road that led into town. “Hold your hands steady now. They need to know someone has a firm hold on them.”

Maude was nervous and holding on for dear life. “I’m not sure I’m ready to drive all the way into town!”

“We’ll practice a little more, and then you’ll be ready to go.” His hand dropped to her knee squeezing it reassuringly. “Our team is gentle and won’t run off. You’ll be fine.”

An hour later, a much calmer Maude made her way into town. She stopped in front of Al and Anne’s house and walked up to the door knocking softly.

Anne came to the door with flour all over her hands. “Maude! Come in. I was just doing the day’s baking.”

Maude followed Anne into the kitchen and sat down at the table. “I can’t stay long, but I wanted to come and see if you’d come out to the farm tomorrow to help me make strawberry preserves. We have so many strawberries even John’s sweet tooth can’t eat them all.”

Anne nodded. “I’d love to! What time?”

Maude shrugged. “I’ve already washed the jars, and I’m going to spend this afternoon picking the strawberries and washing them. Whenever you come, we’ll get started. I’ve never made jam, so I need your help if you don’t mind.”

“I need to get out of this house and quit worrying about the baby.”

“Why are you worried? Is something wrong?” Maude was surprised by how much Anne had let her talk this morning. She really wasn’t acting like herself.

“Nothing’s wrong, I’ve just never given birth before, so I’m worried about the delivery, and I’m worried that I won’t be a good mother, and I’m worried that we won’t have enough money, and what would happen if I were to die in childbirth? Who would take care of the baby? And what if I don’t drop the weight I put on during my pregnancy? Will Al still love me? And what if my baby is so ugly no one can stand to look at her? What if it’s a boy and so puny he can’t do any chores?”

Maude found herself chuckling. Anne really did need to get away from her own thoughts for a while. She stood and hugged her sister in law tightly. “I need to go back to the farm, but everything is going to be fine. I’ll see you tomorrow, okay?”

Anne nodded laughing at herself. “I’ll be there after I finish the breakfast dishes. Would that be okay?”

“Absolutely. I’ll see you then.”

As Maude drove home, she was shaking her head and chuckling at all the crazy thoughts going through Anne’s mind.
It was like everyone in the world moved
at a slow pace, and Anne didn’t have a slow bone in her body. She was glad she’d decided to ask her new friend to join her for making jam, not only because she needed help, but because it would be a welcome respite from her own company for Anne.

She went to the basement and found two large
metal
pails to use for picking strawberries. Putting on her oldest dress, one she’d worn for working at the orphanage back in Beckham, she walked happily out to the wild strawberry patch. As she picked the berries she hummed softly, happy to be able to choose what she would do every day with no one watching over her shoulder every minute.

She was halfway through filling up her second pail, when she felt two arms wrap around her waist and a mouth nibbling at her neck. She giggled and turned into John’s arms lifting her lips for his kiss. “Why aren’t you working?”

He shrugged. “I was working in the field not twenty feet from here, and you never even noticed me. I figured if my new bride didn’t notice me, I must be doing something wrong.”

She put her pail down and looped her arms around his neck. “What could my wonderful husband possibly think he’s doing wrong? I was just thinking about how good life is now.”

“You’re not sorry you gave up life with your rich man to come here and be a farmer’s wife?”

She looked into his
green
eyes. “You’re really worried about that? I would do it again in a heartbeat. I’m happy here.” She couldn’t believe how happy she was. She’d married a good man who liked her a great deal, even if he didn’t love her. As stared into his eyes, she realized that he was what had made her so happy. Yes, she was thrilled to have escaped Horace, but John made
her
want to sing through her work every day. She loved him.

“I’m glad.” His voice was a mere whisper as he leaned down to brush her lips with his. “I’m so happy you’re here….although you do keep distracting me from my work. How am I supposed to make a living if you keep dragging me out of the wheat field to kiss me?”

She laughed. “I don’t guess we could get anyone to pay us for kissing, could we?”

“I really don’t think so.”
He sounded let down at the reality of their situation. To be paid to kiss his wife would have been heaven.

“We’ll have to hurry up and have children, so they can work in the wheat field while you and I stay in the house and kiss, then.”

He tilted his head to the side as if considering the idea. “Not a bad suggestion. Let’s get to work on that right now.”

She blushed bright red. “It’s the middle of the day! Go back to your wheat and let me pick strawberries.”

He sighed. “Thwarted by the sun. If it were raining?”

“I’m married to a crazy man.”

He made a show of reluctance as he turned to head back to his wheat field dragging his feet the whole way. “At least I’ll see you at lunchtime.”

She grinned at his silliness. “Lunch will be in an hour. Be on time or I’ll eat your share myself.”
She watched him walk away before picking up her half full pail of berries.

Chapter Eleven

When Anne arrived the following morning, Maude had all of the strawberries washed and the stems picked out. Anne quickly explained the process of making the jam and canning it in the jars, and then proceeded to spend the morning talking about her fears for the baby. Maude sincerely hoped her mind didn’t disappear when she became pregnant, but judging by Anne, there was a good chance of it.

They were able to put up thirty jars of strawberry jam by the end of the day. Maude had sent a lunch pail with John to the field that morning so he wouldn’t have to see the mess she knew they’d make. She enjoyed working with a friend beside her.

Anne left in late afternoon with ten jars of jam. Maude carefully carried the rest down the stairs and put them on the shelves lining the walls
, keeping one in the kitchen to put on the bread she’d serve with their dinner
.

At dinner, she broached the next project she wanted to start. “I need to put in a kitchen garden. Can you spare the time to plow a section of the yard for me?”

“Sure. It’s getting in late, but I think it will still grow. I’ll do that in the morning. Do you have the seed you need for it?”

She shook her head. “No, I’ll need to go to the store. Would you hitch up the team for me to go in the morning while you’re plowing?”

“Of course.”

After dinner, he went to the bedroom and brought down some money for her. “This will be enough to buy what you need.”

She looked at the money in her hand. She’d never bought seed, but it looked like it would be more than enough to her.

While she was in town, she asked if she’d received any letters, but nothing had come for her yet. She was looking forward to hearing from Harriett, but dreading a return letter from her parents. Not enough time had passed for a letter to come for her, but she hoped one would be there soon.

She spent the afternoon
planting
her seeds in straight rows. When she was finished, she stood, rubbing her back. Looking down at herself, she saw she was covered with dirt, and she had to laugh. If people back home could see her like that, they would be shocked.

It was three days later when she was out watering her garden that she saw a figure riding toward them on a horse. He was riding fast and she watched as he approached, wondering who it was.

As he got closer, she realized it was Horace. Her parents must have
told
him where she was. She took a deep breath and closed her eyes, afraid to talk to him, but having no choice. John was too far away to hear her if she screamed. She’d need to deal with him on her own.

He stopped the horse and dismounted, standing in front of her with a mad look on his face. “Pack your things. You’re coming home with me.”

She shook her head. “No, I’m not. I’m a married woman now. I can’t leave my husband and go back to Beckham. I’m happy here.”
So much happier than I ever could have been with you.

“How can you be happy working in the fields like a common laborer? You’re a lady, and you belong with me!” Spit sprayed from his mouth as he yelled the words at her. His face was red with anger.

“I’m married to a man I love. All the money in the world couldn’t make me any happier than I am right now.”
Her words were spoken softly but passionately. The look in her eyes left no doubt that she was speaking the truth.

Horace shook his head. “That’s not true!” He took a step toward her and grabbed her arm.

“Let her go.” She saw John walking up behind him with his rifle in his hands. The rifle was aimed at the back of Horace’s head. “I have a gun, and I will use it on you if you don’t let my wife go.”

Horace dropped her arm and spun around to face John. “She’s mine! I bought her lock stock and barrel! I paid for her private all-girls school. I’ve paid for everything she’s worn since she was fourteen with the understanding she would be married to me as soon as she was old enough. Her parents stalled, but they finally agreed she was ready. So she’s mine.”

Maude’s eyes widened at Horace’s words. She prayed they weren’t true. Would her parents really have all but sold her to him?

“That doesn’t make her yours. She married me, and the ring on her finger makes her mine. Her last name is Powers now. That makes her mine.”
John kept his rifle trained at Horace’s head as he spoke in a soft even voice. Maude had no doubt that he would protect her with his life.

“I paid for her! I gave her father thousands of dollars in bonuses so she would marry me!”

John sighed. “She’s mine. Get off my property. You’re trespassing, and that gives me the right to shoot you. Go, and don’t come back.”

Horace glared at him, but got back onto his horse. “I’m not giving up on her.”

John kept the gun pointed at Horace’s head as he rode away. Once he was out of sight, he carefully rested the rifle against a tree, and held his arms out for Maude who ran into them. “Now I understand.”

“Thank you! What are we going to do, though? He’s going to come back. I know he will. You can’t always be with me.”

John held her close while he thought about the answer. “I’m going to teach you to shoot a pistol.
You need to sew a pocket on your apron
s
and keep the pistol in
your
pocket at all times.” He finally let her go enough that he could look down into her eyes. “Okay?”

She nodded. “When do you want to start?”

He took her hand and led her to the barn. “We’ll start now. There’s no telling when that madman will be back.”