Faith: A Historical Western Romance (A Merry Mail Order Bride Romance Series Book 2) Read online

  “Thank you, Mr. Jacobs. It is good to be here,” she smiled shyly.

  “Please call me Elijah,” his voice was soft and inviting.

  “And call me Faith,” she smiled and felt the blush rise on her cheeks as he looked at her.

  “Very well. Faith, can I introduce you to my daughter Missy?”

  “Hello, Missy. It is good to meet you as well. I have heard a lot about you,” she smiled down at the little girl as she tried to hide behind her father.

  “Don’t be rude Missy,” his voice was strict yet kind.

  “Hello,” she said it softly and quickly and then before anything else could be said she turned and ran towards the tree line.

  “Missy, come back here,” he looked aback at her with an apologetic look. “I am sorry. She can be a handful, but she is never outright disobedient. Let me go get her,” his hand pushed through his hair in aggravation.

  “That is alright Elijah. I am sure this is a lot for her to take in right now. She probably just needs some time to adjust. She will come around. I just need to spend some more time with her. I am a stranger right now after all,” she smiled at him encouragingly with her words.

  “Thank you. I know she is excited, she is just a little shy at times,” his head ducked in embarrassment.

  He turned his attention to the others in the group then. Both of them had waited silently and patiently to be addressed, and his aunt laughed as she took him into her arms. “I tell you, Elijah, you get smaller and smaller every time I see you. Thank goodness you will have a woman here now to feed you both the right way. I’m afraid you will waste away to nothing before long if we don’t get you fed right. Faith here is a wonderful cook. Learned from the best. Between her momma and Jonesy, she has that natural talent. She makes the best pie in the north, I tell ya. I know how much you and Missy like that apple pie. Wait until you taste hers. Missy won’t want her to leave,” she chuckled as she took her husband's arm and they followed them into the house.

  Faith couldn’t help but be surprised at the home. It was beautiful, and there was embroidery all over the walls. She looked back at him and smiled as her hand lovingly caressed one.

  “Those were my wife’s. She loved needlepoint. We can take them down if you want. This will be your home,” he said it softly as his eyes looked up at her. She read the sadness in them and answered his words with a smile.

  “I think they are lovely and look great right where they are. They make the room looking more inviting and lovely. I would like to keep them where they are if you don’t mind?” she smiled at him again, and was awarded a smile of her own.

  “Ok,” his voice had risen a little in volume then. “Come. I will give you a tour of the house. There is a total of four bedrooms.”

  “Is there an upstairs?” She asked as she looked around.

  “No. I put everything on one floor. My wife had been so nervous about little ones on the stairs that we chose not to put any in,” he stated.

  “I understand. My parents home have stairs, and I didn’t like them either. I prefer a home without any stairs. This is such a beautiful place!” she exclaimed.

  “I am glad you like it. This is the living room first,” she followed him into a large room that had a long sofa and a chair with small matching tables next to both. On the one wall was a huge stone fireplace. It was magnificent and beautiful and she couldn’t help but be pleased. “Next is the master bedroom. I have moved my stuff down the hall into one of the other rooms for the time being,” he looked to the side sheepishly. She knew what he was talking about. Until they were married, he would sleep in one of the extra two rooms.

  “I could have slept in the spare room for the time being. There was no need to you to have to move everything for me.”

  “It wasn’t no trouble. Besides I wanted you to get comfortable in your new home,” he smiled over at her again, and she felt the blush warm her cheeks then.

  He held the door open for her to enter. The inside took her breath away. On one wall was a huge feather stuffed bed. There were two matching chests of drawers on both sides of the bed and a small sofa on one side. Another stone fireplace was on one wall of the bedroom as well. When she made a comment, he told her that he had small ones put in each of the other bedrooms as well for warmth. He laughed when he said that none of the others had ever been used. He would normally find Missy curled up on the couch when he woke on cold days.

  “Oh my,” her eyes widened, even more, when she saw the vanity sitting on the side of the opposite wall.

  He smiled wide when he saw her expression. “Do you like it? I made it myself,” he said with pride in his voice.

  “You made this for your wife?” Her voice was timid as she spoke.

  “Yes,” he said and then frowned when he realized why that was important.

  “I think you should give it to Missy then. I am sure she would love this since it belonged to her mother,” She said with a small, sad smile. The vanity was beautiful with a wide round mirror and two small drawers in the front for brushes and hair things.

  “Are you sure you don’t want it?” He frowned at her.

  “Oh, it is not that I don’t want it. It is beautiful. Why, look at it. I just think that it is something that should be passed down. Don’t you think? I believe that Missy would cherish it,” she smiled up at him.

  He smiled back over at her realizing then what she was talking about. “You are right. I will see if my uncle will help me move it,”

  “You don’t need to rush. I am sure she will be thrilled,” she said with another small grin.

  He nodded. “I think you are right. Now I’ll show you the kitchen. It was the part my wife, I mean Abigail, had loved the most,” He looked ashamed for a moment.

  Slowly her hand covered his. “It is going to take all of us some time to get used to things. It is ok. I am glad that you loved your wife the way that you did. It shows what kind of man you are. I am sure she was an amazing woman.”

  “You know I did love my wife. I didn’t realize it until she became pregnant. We had married just so we could make a life for ourselves and we needed each other, but it turned into something more,”

  “That’s good,” she said matter of factly.

  He led her into the kitchen next, which amazed her. There was a huge counter to work on, and a large wooden table that held six chairs. It was huge and beautifully created. There were large wooden bins that held vegetables and flour and such and looked amazing.

  “Rosie tells me that you like to cook and such,” it was more of a statement instead of a question.

  “Oh yes. I love to cook and bake,” she said with excitement in her voice. She couldn’t wait until her mother and Jonesy saw her kitchen. It was easy twice the size of their own, which was a good size itself.

  “Well, you won’t hear me or Missy complaining. She only complains when I cook,” he laughed which she joined in. She continued to walk around the kitchen while her smile grew in size. “There is also a cellar outside that has shelves for jars. Abigail used to can and put vegetables and fruits down there. There are some fruit trees out back too. And some blackberry bushes and grapes too. If you would like I could take you for a picnic tomorrow and show you the fruit,” he asked.

  “I would love that,” she said with a shy smile.

  He continued to show her the yard and where there were four rocking chairs out back. Aside from the cellar, there was also a salt house where he salted the meat to preserve it. The animals would be another day he said as he told her that he would like Missy to help show her. The smaller animals like the chickens and goats and such were Missy’s responsibility and when she offered to help he said that he was sure Missy would have no problem with that. That night she laid in the big feather bed and dreamed of what her life was going to be like here. She couldn’t help but be excited, and she fell asleep with a smile on her lips.

  5

  The Picnic

  Faith let her eyes look outward as she r
ode beside Elijah on the buggy. She was excited that the sun was shining above them and that it was such a gorgeous day. Sam and Rosie kept Missy with them and said that they would keep an eye on her.

  Elijah finally pulled the buggy to a stopped near a large pond. The water was so blue that Faith that it was the most beautiful pond she had ever seen. She didn’t know why since they had the same at home. After helping him to spread out the blanket, she curled her legs up underneath her and sat down beside him. She hoped he liked what she had made for their lunch. Rosie had demanded she make enough for all of them with a laugh that morning, and she had agreed so that they could have lunch too.

  “Wow. Fried chicken and biscuits and peaches. How did you know they were my favorite?” he asked.

  “A little birdie told me, but they are my favorite too,” she giggled. She felt like a school girl out with her crush then. Nobody would ever think, judging by the way she was acting that she was close to a spinster's age.

  She watched as he took a bite of the chicken and closed his eyes. He was making a sound of bliss as he chewed the tender meat. “This is amazing,” his voice was full of deep emotion as he spoke. “I missed food like this. I have to say this is the best chicken I have ever had. I fear you are going to make me fat,” he laughed as he wiggled his eyebrows at her.

  “Oh, I don’t think you could ever be displeasing to look at,” she realized her words and ducked her head in embarrassment. Her cheeks turned a bright pink, and that then began to spread to her chest.

  “I’m glad I please you. I feel the same way about you,” he had a cocky grin then, and she felt like she would swoon right on the grass with how striking he looked when he said it.

  “Th-thank you,” she whispered.

  He decided to change the subject then and chuckled. “So tell me about your family.”

  She began to talk to him and tell him all about all four of her sisters and her parents.

  “Man. Five women and no other men? I feel sorry for your Pa,” he shook his head in wonder. He looked like he was wondering how he survived it, so she told him.

  “We may have been born women, but Pa worked us as he would have a boy. Grace is the one that took to the ranching. She is the youngest and stays at my Pa’s side most of the time. I was closest to Ma and after they had tasted my cooking, Pa told me to stay inside and help Ma with the cooking and cleaning. He said that it wasn’t fair he got all the kids to help him, and Ma was left alone. He also says my foods better than anyone else’s. Of course, Jonesy doesn’t think mine’s better than his,” she realized she was rambling and looked over to see him staring at her intently as she spoke with a smile on his face.

  “So is Jonesy one of your sister’s husband or something?”

  She giggled then. “Oh lordy, no. Pa would skin him alive for one thing. He is much too old for us. Why, he is a little older than Pa I believe. And besides that, he’s like an uncle to us. He was Pa’s cook and helper when he met Ma. She said that she didn’t have the strength to push him out of the house, so she let him stay. Of course, the two of them bicker in the kitchen, but I don’t think Ma would ever want a day without Jonesy there,” she said it with a laugh.

  “So your other sisters help on the ranch too?” he asked softly.

  “Yes. They helped until Hope became pregnant. My younger sister Hope married the farmhand Pa hired a few years back. They had fallen for each other the moment they met I think. They are now expecting their first baby. Ruby is the next oldest after me. She is leaving in the summer to go off to school. She loves animals and will be learning to take care of them. She will be an animal doctor. Pa is so proud of her too. So you see we each have something at the farm. I was always doing the cooking and mending, and Hope was on the ranch helping Jake her husband and Pa. Then Ruby is into medicine and such and Grace…” she looked thoughtful for a moment then. “Well, Grace just likes to get into mischief. She’s a little nosey if you know what I’m saying,” she laughed.

  “You sound very close to your family. They must mean a lot to you,’ he said as he looked at her thoughtfully.

  “Why yes. I believe that family is everything. I want to have a big family of my own someday,” her face turned pink as she realized what she said. “That is if you would like more children, I mean,” her hopeful eyes looked up at him then.

  He smiled down at her then, “I too wish to have many children. I believe that Missy is the best thing that ever happened to me, and I want many more of them as well. I am glad to hear that you also want many children,” his smiled broadened as her cheeks became a darker shade of pink.

  “Tell me about your family,” she looked up intrigued.

  “Well, my parents were killed in an accident. My younger brother lives out east. He is a businessman. He is not married. Other than that it is just my aunt and uncle that I have left. I was so grateful to hear that you have a large family. It is something that Missy has never known and I think it will be good for her to be around family more,” his words were soft and thoughtful as he spoke.

  “Oh, I know my family will just love her. I am sure she will love them as well,” she stated.

  “Yes. If I can get her to come to the house,” he laughed.

  “She will. You will see. She just needs time I am sure. There really is no hurry,” her smile was sweet and he knew then that he was falling for this tender woman. She seemed to have a heart that thought of only others. She would be a perfect mother to Missy he knew.

  “We should get back,” he stood and held out his hand for her to take. He gently helped her to stand and then they gathered the picnic stuff together and started making their way back to the house.

  6

  The Deal

  Faith sat in the small chair and slowly brushed the knots from her hair. It had been two days since she arrived at the ranch and she was starting to love it more and more. She heard something behind her, and she looked through the small mirror she was holding in her hand to see a small little face peeking at her from the crack in the door. She smiled as she saw Missy looking at her. It was early morning and sitting the mirror down she began to part her hair in the middle. She braided both sides and then tied them off at the end. Afterward, she looped them both around the back of her head and tucked them under each other at the crown before fastening them there with pins.

  “Hello Missy. Please come in,” her voice was low but she knew the little girl heard what she had said.

  Missy stepped into the bedroom slowly.

  Turning, Faith smiled at the little girl. She knew that Missy would come see her, she just needed time to adjust to the changes. “You have beautiful hair Missy. I hope one day you let me brush it for you,” she had seen how Missy watched her do her hair.

  “You would brush my hair?”

  “Why of course. I would love to brush your hair,” Faith smiled again as her head cocked to the side.

  “Would you make it pretty like yours? I think I would really like that.”

  “I would love to do your hair, Missy. I could do it now under two conditions,” she felt joy as the little girl’s eyes widened in delight.

  “What are those conditions?” her eyes looked at her quizzically.

  “You must agree to show me the animals and what you do on the farm afterward,” she said and waited for the little girl’s response.

  “Ok. What’s the second thing?” The look she was giving her was guarded and she waited patiently for her to answer.

  “You must let me give you a bath and wash your hair. The brush won’t go through your hair unless its clean,” sitting back in her chair she let the second requirement sink into the little girl’s head.

  “Are you sure,” her little face was scrunched up into a frown as she asked.

  “I am sure. Do we have a deal?” She held her hand out and waited for the little girl to shake it.

  “You gotta deal,” she grabbed Faith’s hand and pumped it hard.

  “Good. Can you pull the tub out from
the wall in the other room and I will start heating up the water,” she said as she rose from the chair she was sitting in.

  “Ok,” the little girl turned around and skipped from the room.

  It was some time later that a naked Missy sat in a tub full of warm water. Her face still wore the same frown as Faith scrubbed her clean. A bubble fell onto her nose and huffing she blew it off her skin. Faith at that time was in front of her and the movement caused the water to splash on the front of Faith’s dress.

  “Why you little stink. You are getting me wet,” Faith laughed.

  “I’m sorry,” Missy looked up wide eyed.

  “Well sorry isn’t good enough,” Faith laughed at the scared looked on Missy’s face just before she splashed her with water. “That’s better.” The water sloshed over the side of the tub again and Missy sat there stunned.

  “Well watch this,” the little girl suddenly had an evil smile on her face as she slashed water in Faith’s direction covering the front of her dress. It went back and forth for a couple minutes until Faith looked like she had just had a bath too.

  “Ok. Mercy, mercy. You win,” Faith yelled as she laughed on the floor where she had just slipped and fell.

  The front door swung open then and Elijah stood there panting.

  “What is going on? I thought you two were in trouble,” his worried look went from one to the other and his eyes widened when he saw them both soaking wet and laughing.

  “No. I am sorry. It is my fault. I started it,” Faith laughed as she winked at Missy.

  Elijah looked from one to the other and smiled at them. “I think maybe we should go for a swim tomorrow. What do you say, Missy?”

  “To the Spring, Pa?” The little girl’s eyes brightened.

  “I think faith would like it, don’t you?” As the little girl nodded her head vigorously, he turned to Faith. “We have what you call a hot spring on our land just in the mountains. We go there some time and swim. Would you like to see it?”