Hannah: Bride of Iowa (American Mail Order Bride 29) (8 page)

“Oh my,” Maddie said breathlessly. “I’ve never had anything on this luxurious. It is beautiful.” She looked at Kate, eyes watering. “Are you sure you don’t mind me borrowing this?”

“Of course not. It gives me so much pleasure being able to help you. We are going to be sisters.” Kate hugged her soon to be sister-in-law. “I have some ribbon that we can use in your hair and some ivory kid slippers also.”

It was decided Maddie would stay at Kate’s house on the day before the wedding. She would help with getting her dressed and with arranging Maddie’s hair.

It was mid-afternoon when Maddie left Kate’s. An unease came over her as she was halfway home. It was the same feeling she had that day when Chad Skinner showed up. Maddie looked to her right, to her left and then behind her. Somewhere close by she heard the soft neigh of a horse, but saw nothing.

Maddie leaned forward giving the horse its head and got home as fast as she could.

* * * *

The next morning Samuel rode out early to check on some of his fencing and the few cattle he owned. A few neighbors had mentioned strange things happening — little things like chickens gone missing, a calf disappearing, food stolen from root cellars. Samuel laid the Storekeeper on the table. “You keep this with you, especially while I’m gone. I don’t want to be worrying about you and Lizzy.” He pulled her into his arms. “It won’t be long, sweet Hannah. I am counting the minutes.” His kiss left her wanting so much more. She wanted their wedding to come as much as he did.

Maddie decided to take Lizzy out and work in the garden, turning and readying the soil for the spring planting. It certainly didn’t need it. She had been out there every day for the last few days, just keeping herself and her mind busy.

She’d be Mrs. Samuel Morrison in three days. More to the point, she would become Hannah Morrison. The day after tomorrow she would go to Kate’s house and her sister-in-law would do all she could to help her get ready for the big day. She would also have food ready to feed the small party that would attend Samuel’s and her wedding.

And Maddie, what was she going to be doing on the most important day of her life? She would be lying. She would continue to deceive everyone who had become like family to her, the people she cared for, even loved.

Maddie threw the hoe down and plopped down on her knees. She watched as Lizzy laughed playing tug of war with Mr. Wiggles. The little girl’s laughter made the very sun shine brighter. If she told Samuel of her deceit, would that sound be lost to her forever? Would the kisses she has begun to crave, become an aching memory?

She shrieked when two hands landed on her shoulders. Samuel chuckled and sat down behind her pulling her against him. “You made such a pretty picture sitting here I just couldn’t resist.” His warm breath caressed her neck as soft kisses followed. Maddie could not take a chance in losing all this. Mrs. Hannah Morrison, she would become.

                                                                                    * * * *

              “Hannah, I have everything in the wagon. It’s time to go.” Maddie heard him. This was the second time he had called up the stairs. Her resolve to continue this charade was crumbling.
Move your feet, Maddie
. Her heart was beating so hard in her throat, she felt like she couldn’t breathe. She looked up and he was standing at her door. “Didn’t you hear me? It’s time to leave for Kate’s?’

              She cleared her throat. “Samuel, please come and sit down for just a minute.”

He sat down, taking her hand. She saw something in his eyes she hadn’t seen before — dread, maybe fear.

              “What is it, Hannah? Are you okay?” He cupped her cheek with his other hand.

             
Say it! Just tell him straight out!
“Samuel, there are things about me that you need to know. I am—”

              “Sweet,” he released a held-in swoop of breath, “I’m sure both of us have done some things we aren’t exactly proud of, but what I do know, for a fact, is there is nothing you could tell me that would change my opinion of you.”

              “Sam, please…”

              He stood and pulled her to her feet and into his arms. “I love you, Hannah and I can’t wait to make you my wife.” He lifted her chin and brushed her lips with his. Samuel smiled and kissed her forehead before letting her go. “Isn’t it the groom who’s supposed to get cold feet?” Taking her hand, he pulled her downstairs and out to the wagon.

Chapter ELEVEN

Maddie sat on the wooden rocker in the dark room next to the window, her arms circling her knees. The bedroom she was in faced the east. Directly overhead stars blinked but far to the east, pinks and blues streaked the horizon. It wouldn’t be long before the sun was up. It looked to be a clear day, perfect for a wedding.

She was sure there would be dark circles under her eyes. Sleep eluded her most of the night. Dreams had her tossing and turning. In one dream, Samuel was riding away in the wagon with Lizzy, who was holding her arms out wide crying for her mama not to leave. Another was of Samuel and his folks in the front parlor of Kate’s house, all staring at her, hatred written on their faces.  Then Kate slammed the front door shut in Maddie’s face.

Her thoughts strayed to yesterday. It had turned out to be such a lovely day. By the time they got to Kate and Frank’s place, Samuel’s folks were there. Bessie hurried to meet the wagon, hugging both Maddie and Samuel. Gus threw Lizzy in the air, making her giggle with delight.

Bessie had put her arm through Maddie’s as they’d walked to the house. “I swear; I didn’t think this day would ever get here.”

“That’s a fact,” Gus had laughed, heaving Lizzy onto his shoulders. “She’s been chomping at the bit since you left Iowa City. I practically had to hog tie her to keep her home!”

Their laughter and good nature helped Maddie put her anxiety behind her for the time being, or at least until supper, when the discussion of the wedding surfaced.

“Hannah, are you ready to become my daughter-in-law?” Gus had asked, sitting back after stuffing himself with ham and potatoes, smothered with brown gravy, and biscuits.

Guilt flooded back at the mention of the wedding. She felt her face burn from her chest to her hair. “I am, Gus. More than you know.”

“It’s just too bad your ma couldn’t be here, Hannah.” Bessie’s expression turned to one of horror when Maddie’s eye filled with tears and spilled over. “Oh, Hannah, I’m plumb sorry to bring up something like that. Sometimes this old mouth of mine opens before common sense can take hold.”

Maddie’s lips had trembled as she smiled at the older woman. “Please don’t apologize, Bessie. I’m just feeling a little emotional and I wish, with all my heart, my ma could be here.

She remembered walking Samuel and Lizzy to the buckboard so they could start for home. Lizzy had yawned and hugged Maddie. “Tomorrow you will be my real mama and I won’t have to pretend.”

“Yes I will, sweet girl.”

Samuel swung his daughter up onto the seat, then turned to Maddie. “And tomorrow, you will be my real wife and I won’t have to pretend either.”

“We won’t have to pretend,” she’d put her arms around his neck and brought his lips to meet hers. Samuel pulled her in close. She remembered her heart pounding so hard, she was sure he had felt it beating against his chest. Maddie was breathless when she stepped back.

He had whispered in her ear before climbing up on the wagon to start for home. “We will finish this tomorrow.” As he drove away, Maddie had a yearning she had never felt before.

She moaned, covering her face with her hands and leaned back in the chair. Her only solace was in thinking that once she was married and nobody was the wiser, these dreams and fears of being discovered would disappear, and hopefully, along with it, the guilt she was carrying around.

A hand on her shoulder made Maddie sit bolt upright in her chair. “Oh, Hannah, I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to frighten you but you didn’t answer my knock.”

“Maddie’s hand flew to her chest. “No, no, Kate, I’m fine. You just startled me.”

Kate looked down at her with an understanding smile. “Before wedding jitters? Did you not sleep well?”

“I did seem to roll around a bit.”

Kate put her hands out and helped Maddie out of the chair. “Breakfast will be ready soon. Why don’t you wash up and join us when you’re done.”

“Thank you, Kate. I’ll be down shortly.” The spare bedroom was tiny but clean, bright and inviting. The small bed had a quilt of light blue, yellow, and white squares and the window had yellow ruffled curtains. A white dresser and side table, both edged in gold trim, were the only furnishings, other than the rocking chair which sat by the window.

They were to be married at eleven o’clock that morning. Maddie started to tremble and her stomach did flip flops. She spotted a large china bowl with pink baby roses painted along the rim, a matching pitcher sat beside it, filled with water. With shaking hands, Maddie poured some water into the bowl, praying she wouldn’t drop it.

She scooped some out to wash her face.
Breathe, just breathe
. When Maddie was calmer, she dressed in the same skirt and blouse she’d worn yesterday and slowly went downstairs to face the people who would soon be her in-laws.

Bessie’s smile disappeared and, replaced with concern. She walked over and took Maddie’s hand. “Are you alright, dear? You look pale.”

Maddie tried to give her a reassuring smile. “I’m fine, really. I didn’t sleep well. Must be a little nervous.”

“Of course,” Bessie said, relief flooding the older woman’s face, “completely natural for a new bride. I was so nervous on my wedding day I almost didn’t go through with it.”

“Now there’s a bunch a hooey. She could hardly wait to become missus Augustus Morrison. It was me who was ready to run for the hills,” Gus told her, winking.

“Hogwash,” Bessie said, taking Maddie to the table and sitting her down. In front of her was a breakfast feast that would feed the entire town. Mounds of fluffy scrambled eggs, thick slices of ham, a large bowl of grits, flapjacks, and biscuits with creamy butter and honey.

Maddie’s stomach rebelled at the sight, clenching. “This all looks wonderful, but I’m afraid, until after I’m married, it can only be coffee this morning.” Maddie noticed the worried look Kate threw at her mother. “Please don’t be worried. I’ll be perfectly fine after the ceremony.”

Breakfast seemed to go on forever and Maddie’s body clenched with nerves. When the dishes had been cleared, Kate refilled Maddie’s coffee cup. “It sure is warm in here,” Maddie commented.

“We are filling the bathing tub for you.” Kate opened the door to a small room off the kitchen. Inside was a tub, made of tin, almost full of steaming water. It was about five feet long and two feet deep. At the end was a drain with a plug in it.

Maddie was amazed by the contraption. “How do you drain the water?”

Kate pointed to a board at the bottom of the wall. “There is a hole behind this board that goes to the outside. Frank took a branch and hollowed it out. When we’re done, we take the plug out and fit the wood over the drain and it runs outside.”

“I’ve never seen anything like that. We’d always have to drag a tub into the house then drain it and drag it back out.”

“We’ve only had this a year. Frank built on this room, so the kitchen can keep this room warm while we bathe.”

On the walls were big hooks. On one hung a fluffy robe. “Here’s a robe for you to put on when you’re done. I’ve put some lavender soap in here for you to use and a brush and comb. When your hair is drying, if you like, I will help you with putting it up.”

She took Kate’s hand. “I just don’t know how to thank you. I…I don’t deserve this.”

“Of course you do. Every new bride deserves to be pampered.” Kate kissed her cheek. “We will all leave the kitchen so you can start your bath.”

Maddie eased herself into the hot water. The steam that rose seemed to take some of the tension from her body. The soap smelled heavenly. She was able to bend her knees and completely submerge her hair in the tub. It felt good to massage the soap through her hair and then dunk down under the water to rinse it all out.

She stayed in the tub until the water turned chilly. After drying herself off, Maddie put on the robe and went into the warm kitchen where she struggled to comb out the tangles in her hair. Her hair started to curl as it dried.

She walked over to a window to look out into the side yard. There were six chairs set out in a semi-circle under a huge oak tree. That was obviously where everyone was to sit to watch her and Samuel become husband and wife.