“Like when father used to match horses for the carriage,” Beverly blurted, blushing brightly. “I don’t mean people are like horses, but father said that some animals can’t get along.”
“Right you are,” Polly smiled, smacking the table with her hand and reaching for the teapot and a cup. “You see a marriage is a little like a team of horses, each person has to do their part. If both don’t pull equally they won’t get very far.”
“But what about love,” Beverly asked, emboldened by Polly’s response. “Didn’t they want love?”
“For most, love wasn’t what they were looking for, though I suspect many longed for it. They wanted companionship, a safe home, a family. The good word says ‘it’s not good for man to be alone,' so they set out to pair up and see what was to come.”
“Are there still mail-order brides?” Jonas asked grabbing his glass of milk in both hands. “Seems like an easy way to get married.”
Polly laughed as she lifted her tea cup and pinned the boy with her blue gaze. “There may be a few out there yet,” she smiled. “A load of orphans and the like may still contact an agency, but the practice is all but gone now.
“Not all of them could have worked out though,” Beverly spoke sadly. “I mean Mr. Rally’s bride didn’t marry him. She left him at the altar with that big house and everything.”
“No, not all of them worked. Some men and women both were liars and cheats. Others couldn’t go through with marrying a stranger I guess.”
“When I marry it will be for love,” Beverly sighed softly, her eyes full of a dreamy light.
“I’m never going to marry,” Jonas pronounced. “Girls are dumb.”
Beverly opened her mouth, a retort fresh on her lips, but Hester stopped her with a soft touch.
“We’ll see,” Hester grinned. “Maybe in time you’ll change your mind.”
“Are you finally up and about,” Mrs. August snapped as she bustled into the kitchen. “The men are almost ready to go.”
“Everything is in order,” Hester replied calmly. She still didn’t know what she had done to turn the housekeeper against her, but she wasn’t going to argue. “The children are just finishing their breakfast now.”
“Thank you for breakfast Miss Polly,” Beverly said, placing her napkin on the table. “I’ll get my things Mrs. August.” The girl rose moving toward the hall then stopped. “I hope you’ll tell us another story sometime,” she smiled at the boarding house owner. “Maybe you know a few stories about mail-order brides that you could share.”
“I’d like that,” Polly admitted, “It doesn’t seem like I have nearly the opportunity for story telling as I used to.”
“Come along children,” Hester grinned watching Jonas stuff an enormous fork full of pancakes into his mouth. “It’s time to see your new home.”
Chapter 14
It took two wagons to transport the group and their belongings along an over grown trail leading toward the snow peaked mountains that surrounded the town. The vast reaches of the Rocky Mountain range was breathtaking and intimidating, but beautiful. A cool shiver raced down Hester’s spine at the expanse of them. There was nothing like this back home.
“Are you cold?” Mr. Payton asked from his seat beside her on the wagon bench. With so many people and so many luggages, he had volunteered to drive the wagon he had rented, letting Hyke and Mrs. August sit in the back while the children rode with Mr. Olson.
“No,” Hester blushed. “I was just thinking of how intimidating those mountains are. I can see why the man you told us about decided to stop and bide awhile here before attempting that climb.”
“I’m sure there are many towns like this along the trails leading to Oregon or California. I’ve been over these mountains and seen a few more. They are beautiful, but you need to respect them.”
“Why do you suppose Mr. Rally decided to build his house out here instead of in town?” Hester’s thoughts popped out without thought. “Miss Polly told us about him building the place for a mail-order bride who didn’t stay. Perhaps if he had built in town she wouldn’t have run.”
“I can’t answer that,” Cecil admitted. “All I can say is that I like the idea of being out of town. I’d like to see the children act like children. I want them to have space to grow, learn, and do new things. Don’t tell Jonas, but I’ve asked George to see if he can find a couple of ponies for Jonas and Bev. They should be able to ride to town, or go to school on their own in time.”
Hester only nodded. She had never ridden a horse in her life, and it worried her to think of the restless children having an animal to ferry them anywhere they wanted to go.
“I’d like a few horses, maybe some cows and chickens.” Cecil continued. “It will be nice to work the land again instead of sitting in stuffy meetings that I barely understand.”
Hester smiled, understanding the longing in the man’s heart. He had been a free spirit before his brother’s passing. Now he found himself saddled with two children and a company to manage. She prayed that this move would work out the way he wanted. If he wasn’t happy, how could he provide and care for those in his charge?
“Is that where we’re supposed to live?” Jonas’s voice drifted back to them as Mr. Olson pulled his horse to a stop. “It has to be haunted.” The boy’s voice zinged with excitement.
“No one has even lived in it,” Beverly grumbled. “Stop talking nonsense about ghosts.”
“Oh my,” Hester covered her mouth
