A Mail-Order Christmas Bride Page 22

  The three women heated up water and made ready to spruce themselves up for their guests. They scrubbed up, but only Annie washed her hair. She knew she was in for a challenge since hair conditioners didn’t exist and her long hair tangled easily. When she’d first arrived, she tried washing with braids but didn’t feel her hair was thoroughly clean—after working with horses, cattle, and a wood-burning stove. So she went back to washing it unbraided and paid the price in knots and tangles.

  Why in the world am I so concerned about how I look? She wondered, and not for the first time that day she answered herself. Of course I know why. Dr. Thomas…Drystan…is not only handsome, but also charming and intelligent. And…I haven’t pined over Josh at all since I arrived.

  She finally combed out her hair, allowed it to dry in the arid New Mexico afternoon, and finally went back in to fix it. Instead of wearing it up, as a woman her age should have done, she French braided it and let it hang down her back with a bow. She put on a blue dress that showed off her eyes and black hair, and finally sat down for a moment. She was soon fast asleep.

  “Wake up, Annie!” Adele shouted as she shook her sister. “The handsome doctor and his beautiful sister have arrived.” Annie jumped up, brushed her teeth with tooth cleaning powder, and charged down the stairs…only to bump into Dr. Thomas, almost knocking him down.

  “Oh, my goodness! I’m so sorry,” she said.

  “Sarah, I am delighted to have you knock me over—it shows you’re back to health.” He laughed as he grabbed her to steady her.

  At that moment, a whiff of lard wafted through the living room. Everyone turned at once to a thirteen-year-old boy, dressed in his Sunday best, his hair saturated in lard to keep it down and parted. In his hand, he carried a bouquet of wild flowers that he handed to Jenifer Thomas, as he rose from his elegant bow.

  “Why Robert, it’s so nice to see you again. I must say, these flowers are beautiful. How thoughtful you are.” Jenifer thanked him with a quick kiss to the cheek. Robert turned bright red and ran out the door. Everyone looked at each other, but no one was impolite enough to say anything or laugh since Robert may have been within hearing range.

  “You have a lovely home, Mr. and Mrs. Mills.” Dr. Thomas said.

  Mrs. Mills, very flattered, gave a tour of the downstairs, including her modern kitchen with the new wood-burning stove and indoor pump, that fed into the sink. The tour ended with the dining room, where the table was preset and ready to go.

  “Please, sit where you would like,” Mrs. Mills said just as a lard-scented shadow came out of the dark and offered Jenifer a seat next to his. She smiled, and Robert proceeded to pull out her chair. Dr. Thomas did the same for Annie. Mathew, a bit flummoxed, turned to the waiting Adele and pulled out her chair, as well.

  Dinner was a great success. The brother and sister described their fond memories of Wales, its ancient castles, its hilly crags, and its greenness. All three men discussed the cattle business and the history of New Mexico. Both families were inquisitive about the other, and the conversations continued long after the dinner hour usually ended. Much of the time, Annie found herself looking at Drystan, only to see that he was looking back at her. Each would shyly smile and look away. Robert sat silent, spending most of the meal staring at Jenifer.

  After dinner, the guests were shown to their rooms. The doctor had the small room on the third floor, while Jenifer shared the room with the sisters. The two sisters lay in Adele’s bed, while Jenifer lay in Annie’s bed. Like young girls, they began to chat.

  “Please, tell me how it feels to be in love, Adele? How did you know Mathew was the one for you?” asked Jenifer.

  Adele looked cautiously at Annie, but Annie just winked, and Adele continued, unfettered by guilt. “I wasn’t always in love with Mathew. To tell you the truth, I saw him as a big brother since he was kinda sweet on Sarah—oops—we call her Annie now. But, after she went off to school, we began spending lots of time together, working and talking. It got so I couldn’t wait to get up in the morning, just to get down to breakfast and see Mathew. He started feeling the same way, and one day last fall, well, he kissed me for the first time.” She stopped and looked at Annie, but Annie just smiled at her younger sister.

  “Oh, how did it feel? Was it wonderful and romantic?” Jenifer asked.

  “Yes, I’d been having feelings about him long before I knew how he felt about me. The kiss was wonderful. It happened just before All Hallow’s Eve.” She blushed at the confession.

  “And you, Annie? Have you ever been in love?” Jenifer was so happy to be with young women her age, she couldn’t help herself. Gone was the serious nurse in her brother’s office.

  “Well, I thought I was in love, but now I realize it was friendship and respect and not love,” said Annie. “But who knows? Sometimes love happens when least expected.” She smiled, thinking of the doctor upstairs from them. “And you Jenifer? Do you have a beau?”

  “We haven’t been here very long, but a certain lawyer in town has come by to visit my brother several times and asked if he might take us to dinner. We are to join him next Wednesday, if Drystan has no patients. We’ve had to cancel several times.” She sighed.

  “Do you mean Mark Stewart?” Annie looked inquisitively at Adele. “You wouldn’t know him, Annie. He came to town just after you left for the university last fall. He’s very nice and handsome, though not as much as my Mathew.” She giggled.

  Annie knew she was being a bit improper and forward, but she had to know. “Is your brother seeing anybody?”

  “Oh, yes,” Jenifer replied. “He’s engaged to a woman back east.”

  Annie’s disappointment must have shown in her face, because both young women said, “Oh, no,” at the same time.

  Annie shook off their attention and changed the subject back to Wales, and then they put out the light and went to sleep. Though tired from all the preparation that day, Annie lay awake for a long time, wondering if she would be an old maid in a time and place not her own—without the benefit of researching and writing. She listened to both of the women’s breathing and knew that they were sound asleep. Finally sleep came, and she dreamed of being in Santa Cruz with a handsome young man with a Welsh accent.

  ****

  The next morning, everyone was up and eating a huge breakfast. They planned to ride along the Rio Grande until they arrived at Tent Rocks, a geological formation of rocks that was unique. There, they would eat lunch and then return. The weather was unseasonably comfortable, so a long ride was an unexpected treat at this time of year.

  Though disappointed at learning that Drystan was engaged, Annie decided she wouldn’t spoil the day by sulking; after all, she had male friends in her own time who were special to her. While her mother rode in the wagon with her father driving, the young people rode their horses. Adele and Mathew, Robert and Jenifer, and Annie and Drystan.

  Though Jenifer was at least five years older than Robert, his humor kept her smiling and entertained. Adele and Mathew spent much of their time talking about the newest horses and the price of feed, and Annie and Drystan talked about New Mexico.

  “But, do you miss your own country?” Annie asked, after discussing the stark beauty of New Mexico.

  “I do. I miss the green hills and the rocky outcroppings. I miss the cadence of my language, and I miss the rain.” He looked at her and smiled.

  “Where did you study?”

  “In Edinburgh, Scotland. Another beautiful country. After my mother died, Jenifer and I decided we wanted to come to America. Our father owns a coal mine here. Though we were lucky to have such financial advantages, our money was made on the backs of the coal miners. We wanted to make our own way in life. Our father was so involved in his business, I think he was relieved we left. Once we were gone, he could spend all his time at his mines.”

  “Oh,” Annie responded, realizing how lucky she had been in both time periods to have such loving and supportive families. “You and Jenifer must be very b
rave to cross the Atlantic.”

  “I had my sister. You had only yourself, and you went all the way to New York. Were you frightened at any time?”

  “Excited and occasionally lonesome, I suppose,” she responded, remembering some of Sarah’s diary excerpts as well as her own experience leaving New Mexico to live in California. “I think the excitement of the learning kept me busy, and I did have a few good friends—according to my diary.” She thought of the entry of the girls who had invited her to Christmas at their house.

  “I think the biggest shock wasn’t arriving in New York, but arriving in Albuquerque after Edinburgh—and then New York…two large and modern cities,” he said with a smile.

  “I can see your point. Albuquerque in 1889 is definitely a step back into America’s wild west,” she smiled, thinking about her own journey.

  “Do you remember the names of the mountains and the pueblos in this area?” he asked her hopefully.

  “Are you asking from the concern of being my doctor, or from the outlook of a curious newcomer?” she asked teasingly.

  “Both,” he replied honestly.

  “We’re between two pueblos right now. San Felipe and Santa Domingo. The next pueblo is Cochiti. The area we’re visiting is Tent Rock.” She was about to describe the rock formation as an upside-down ice cream cone but couldn’t remember the ice cream cone arriving in the U.S. until after the turn of the century. “The rock formation is very unusual. Picture an upside-down cone with a sphere perfectly balanced on the pointed bottom. The sight is amazing.”

  “I’m looking forward to seeing everything. Jenifer and I hadn’t wanted to venture out unless we had someone to guide us. Just finding your home was a challenge to us,” he told her, and he laughed at himself in a lovely, self-deprecating way. Annie found herself joining him. They both stopped at the same time, and Dystan and Annie looked at each other. Embarrassed, they both looked away, but she was certain he, too, felt the electric thrill.

  “Annie, before we, well I—now, how do I say this?”

  “You’re engaged, correct? That is what you’re about to tell me?”

  “Yes, how did you— Ah, yes, Jenifer. Well, I’m glad that the engagement is out in the open—only now, I wonder what I am going to do.”

  “What do you mean, ‘what you are going to do’? You do mean to marry her, don’t you?”

  “To be honest, I haven’t…”

  She looked up. Everyone had already stopped.

  “We’re here. How about everyone helping to unload the wagon?” Mr. Mills said, more of a statement than a question.

  All six of the young people got off their horses and tied them to a tether line after watering them in a nearby stream. Then, they lined up to unload the wagon.

  Annie sighed. The topic of Drystan’s engagement had to be dropped, for now.

  “Where are those odd-looking rocks you described to us?” asked Jenifer, looking around.

  “A couple of hundred feet from here,” explained Mathew. “According to the Cochiti people, they’re sacred, so out of respect, we walk there and don’t eat or take our horses.”

  When the picnic was laid out, Annie gasped, “Oh, Mother, you must have gotten up very early to prepare sandwiches and make cornbread. The lunch is beautiful.”

  Surprised but pleased, Mrs. Mills looked at Annie and smiled.

  “Annie, while you and Jenifer were getting your beauty sleep, the rest of us were up and feeding the animals.” Adele said, a slight note of sarcasm in her voice.

  “Oh, you’re right. Sorry, got into a routine at the university—late nights and late mornings. I promise, I’ll try to get back on the ranch’s schedule, Adele.” Everybody laughed.

  “Annie, you are on your routine. I saw you get up to read last night. That’s what you always did.”

  “Oh,” she said, embarrassed. “Ah, well then—let’s eat!”

  The group laughed and then sat down to eat. They had cold chicken sandwiches, green chili corn bread, and potato salad. “I think I could get used to this life—eating, riding, good conversation,” Drystan teased.

  “Yes, I wish it were this easy every day,” chuckled Mr. Mills. “The fact is, we just finished a huge drive to bring the cattle down from the higher country to the warmer, more plentiful pastures near the river. We have mending, fence fixing, and building repairs to make. In addition, we need to check for newborns and keep our eyes on our prize breeding horses. We have horse breaking, branding, and daily feeding and milking, to list just a few tasks. Our silo is filled with lots of hay that we grew, cut, and baled. Doctor, you’re welcome to join us any time.”

  “Thank you,” Drystan smiled. “But maybe I’d better stick to medicine.”

  “I agree with my brother, Mr. Mills, but I have to admit, you and your wife seem to make everything look so easy,” Jenifer added. “Drystan and I wouldn’t even know where to begin!”

  Though the two families had only met, conversation never ebbed. From politics to statehood to descriptions of Wales and Scotland, everyone had something to say or ask about. The day was disappearing.

  “Let’s clean up and take that walk before it gets too dark,” Mathew suggested.

  They got up to clean the picnic dishes away, and then walked to the wondrous site.

  “How do those spheres stay up on the pointed ends?” Jenifer gasped with wonder. “If I hadn’t seen this rock formation with my own eyes, I wouldn’t have believed this phenomenon.”

  Annie almost began a geological explanation, but, luckily, caught herself.

  They walked back to the picnic area. Mr. and Mrs. Mills had finished cleaning up everything, and the wagon was packed and ready to go.

  “Getting late. Let’s head out. We’ll be riding the final few hours in the dark. Did everyone bring their coats or capes? The sun’ll be goin’ down soon, and as you know, the temperature will drop. Clear sky, and the heat will go straight up since we’re more than a mile high here,” Mr. Mills reminded everyone.

  Sure enough, the weather became quite brisk. “I’m enjoying the cold, but it would feel like home if we had some moisture in the air. I still can’t get used to the dryness out here,” Drystan noted. They reached home just as a cold wind came out of the Jemez Mountains.

  “Brrrrr, glad we’re home!” shouted a cold Jenifer. “I was fine until that wind picked up.”

  “It’ll be nice and cozy in the house,” Mr. Mills said. “Charlie, our retired foreman, always sees to that. Mathew, could you look after the horses while I unhitch the wagon? Sar—ah, Annie, how about some hot apple cider for everyone?”

  ****

  After dinner, everyone sat around the fireplace contentedly, making small talk. Annie and Drystan shared occasional stolen looks and embarrassed smiles, but for the most part, the family had no idea that special emotions had been growing between them over the weekend.

  The next morning, everyone was up for an early breakfast. The two guests enjoyed the bounty of a working ranch breakfast, and then made ready to go. The entire family followed them out of the door, with Mrs. Mills handing Jenifer a basket of snacks.

  Drystan was the first to say goodbye. “We don’t know how we can thank you for this wonderful weekend. We haven’t felt this at home since we left Wales. We truly enjoyed ourselves.” He looked around for Annie.

  “Oh, yes,” added Jenifer, “this was the most pleasant weekend we’ve had since arriving in New Mexico. Perhaps one day we’ll have a real house where we can return the hospitality.”

  “We’ll be happy to visit when we come to town,” Mr. Mills said. “In the meantime, have a safe journey back. It looks like there’s some weather brewing—the mountains are covered in dark clouds. Drive straight home.”

  “I packed some hot cider, sandwiches, and apples. Hopefully, you’ll make it home before the weather hits,” Mrs. Mills added.

  Just then, Annie ran out of the house with a portfolio.

  “Here’s my thesis. I hope you both enjoy it, if yo
u get a chance to read it.” The siblings accepted the paper graciously. Drystan put it safely under the seat. They waved good-bye, and Annie and Drystan looked at each other one final time and waved.

  ****

  The storm struck just as Drystan and Jenifer arrived in town. They took their horse and carriage to the livery, and barely made it home to their small apartment next to the office. The first snow began to fall, and they thanked their luck that they made it home safely. Little was said until both had settled in and the piñon logs were burning in their wood stove.

  “Drystan, I’ve never seen you so quiet,” Jenifer murmured.

  “I guess I’m tired from driving the buggy. We’ve had a full weekend, and tomorrow we have a full day of patients. I think I’ll just turn in.” He gave his sister a hug and headed for his room.

  Jenifer sat in front of the stove and thought about her weekend and her young suitor. She laughed until she remembered Annie’s disappointment at discovering Drystan’s engagement. She now realized Drystan was feeling the same emotions—but his fiancée was supposed to arrive any day now. Jenifer shook her head and went to get ready for bed. Perhaps the situation would resolve itself…somehow.

  ****

  Rarely did Drystan lie awake, but tonight was an exception. Usually, he was so tired he drifted off to sleep immediately. If not, he would read medical journals or dwell on a particularly challenging patient. Tonight, however, he could only think about Sarah—no—Annie, which suited her so much better.

  She was intelligent, exciting, and beautiful. Her black, curly hair and blue eyes made her only more memorable. She could ride, rope, and read anything, and there he was—engaged to a woman he’d never met. Would it be wrong if he let his betrothed come all the way to New Mexico only to turn her down? He would definitely pay her way back, but she hadn’t made the effort to write and find a husband only to be sent home.

  Just the thought of his mail-order bride angered him, as if it were all her fault that he couldn’t court the woman he loved.

  Loved? Did he love Annie?

  Just as he closed his eyes, his last thoughts were of Annie laughing, smiling, and discussing any and all subjects that came up.