Most of all, Mary noticed what an incredibly kind man he was. If her husband was even half as kind, she’d be very happy. “Thank you,” she finally managed. “I haven’t eaten since… oh dear, I guess it was lunchtime yesterday.”
He looked her up and down. His expression one of shock. “Why not, if you don’t mind me asking?” he said with a quiet voice.
Mary glanced down at her gown, and flicked away an invisible piece of cotton. Was it any of his business? Then again, perhaps he was just trying to help. “I, I was trying to save my new husband’s money. It’s alright,” she added. “I’m used to not eating.”
His shocked expression said it all. “Mary? Mary Stanton?”
She studied him. This was Noah Adams? “My name is Mary Adams,” she said bluntly. “I guess you must be Noah.”
They sat there quietly, assessing each other, but saying nothing for a few minutes. “I’ll collect your luggage and then we’ll go to the café and get you some food.” He looked far from happy, but Mary couldn’t fault his concern.
“This is everything I have,” she said. “The rest wasn’t worth bringing.”
He nodded, but seemed confused. She wasn’t surprised. What bride arrives to meet her new husband with only the clothes she’s standing in? At least the gown she wore was presentable. It had been a gift provided by the church back at Angel’s Pass, and one she was very grateful for. She hadn’t been to church for years because Pa refused to take her. When she was old enough to manage the buggy alone, she was determined to go, Pa or no Pa. She’d been embarrassed at her state of dress, but remembered something her mother had told her years earlier. The good Lord does not judge us by the clothes we wear, but by the love in our hearts, and so she’d gone anyway.
The following week the pastor asked her to stay back after the service ended, and she’d been presented with the most beautiful gown she’d ever laid eyes on. The young woman it belonged to had outgrown it, he told her, and she could see it was still in perfect condition. To Mary it was more precious to her than a handful of gold.
When she glanced across, Noah was staring at her, and must surely think her mad. Or perhaps he wondered what he’d gotten himself into – a bride with no belongings. “I’m sorry,” she said, then stood, waiting for him to guide her to their destination.
Instead he smiled. “Don’t be sorry,” he said. “At least this way we’re helping each other.” He hooked his arm through hers and they headed out of the train station and down the road to a small café.
Despite her refusals, he ordered a meal of roast lamb and vegetables for the both of them. Mary hadn’t realized how hungry she was until the food arrived. Drinks arrived soon after – coffee for Noah, tea for Mary. As she looked down into her plate, she couldn’t recall how long it had been since she’d eaten such a feast. She blinked back tears of joy. Was this what married life would be like for her? A proper meal every day?
“Is everything alright?” Noah Adams, a total stranger, seemed more concerned for her welfare than her own father had been for as long as she could remember. It made her heart ache.
She couldn’t tell him she’d been starved for as long as she could remember, not only for food but for affection. “I, I’m just a bit overwhelmed, is all,” she finally said, then picked up her cutlery.
“The food is good here,” he said. “I don’t come often, but when I do, the food is always great.” He cut a piece of the lamb and took a mouthful. “Delicious,” he said.
They ate their meal in silence until Noah had finished, and she pushed the remainder of hers away. She wasn’t used to eating such a vast amount of food, and simply couldn’t manage it. He ordered them each a dessert of cherry cobbler. When she protested, he justified it by saying the meal was a celebration of their marriage. This was far more food than Mary would eat in an entire week back home, and despite eating little of it, felt like she might burst.
Noah studying her remaining food was not lost on Mary. But he said nothing.
Finally, he stood. “I’ll take you to the mercantile to shop for clothes and whatever other supplies you need. While you’re there, I’ll go back for the wagon.”
They strolled up the road, his arm hooked through hers, and Mary felt more relaxed than she had in a long time. Years.
Noah introduced her to Albert and Elizabeth Dalton who owned the mercantile. “I’m so happy Noah has finally married,” Elizabeth told her. “It’s about time. Now, you get some decent supplies for meals. That boy lives on baked beans and bacon, I swear.”
She piled up the box with bread, potatoes, vegetables, cheese, flour, sugar, oats, milk, butter, and other staple items, then went looking for clothes. “These are our most popular day gowns,” Elizabeth said pointing to a rack. “If you need undergarments, you’ll find them over there,” she said, pointing to a corner in the back of the store.
Choosing three of the cheapest gowns she could find, along with two nightgowns, Mary took them to the front counter. She also selected some undergarments. If he was only keeping her for a year, Mary didn’t want to overtax Noah with expenses. Especially on their first day.
It wasn’t long and he arrived back with the wagon. “I don’t know what stores you have at home,” she said. “Can you check what I’ve bought and tell me what else we need?”
“There
