A Bride for Hamilton Page 5

  ~~~

  Sadie watched as her husband hurried out the door. She couldn't ignore the feeling that he was escaping from her. It was probably ridiculous, she tried to convince herself, but that was the impression she was left with as the door swung shut behind the man. He had barely even wanted to wait while she made him a sandwich. She had hurried to make it for him, not wanting him to go hungry even if he was strangely reluctant to spend any time in her presence.

  She stood and gazed at the closed door as the latch clicked home. Once again, she was alone in the man’s house. Sadie glanced around. It was a lovely house; she was indeed quite fortunate with where she had ended up.

  As she had travelled West on the train her mind had been filled with images of all the possible outcomes of her rash decision to marry a stranger. None of her imaginings had come close to the reality. She had been afraid to be optimistic, even in her fantasies. But she couldn’t feel she had been hard done by, that was for certain. If anything, Mr. Fredericksburg had been discrete in his explanation of Hamilton’s circumstances. It was obvious this house and all that was in it was new. So unless the man had sold his soul to the bank or the devil, he was obviously doing well for himself, at least in the financial department.

  As the train had travelled inexorably West, Sadie had watched the passing scenery. Many of the houses that could be seen from the train could barely even be called houses. Some had been shacks or hovels at best. It had filled her with both fear and determination. She was free of Oscar. She would make a better future for herself. And if that meant getting along with this stranger, then she could surely figure out how to do that. Her mother had always said that the way to a man’s heart was through his stomach. Well, she could do that. It was one of the few things she was confident in for herself. She could cook. And in almost any circumstance. That was the one thing she had comforted herself with as she had seen those hovels. There had been smoke curling out of some of them, which meant there must be a stove of sorts. She had figured that had meant she wouldn’t starve. But here she was, in the lap of luxury, really. No, it wasn’t Boston, but then, what had Boston ever done for her except break her heart over and over again? No, she would make herself comfortable here in Nebraska. She knew it was a fine environment to form the foundation for her future.

  Thus determined, she set to making her new husband the best supper he had ever had.

  It wasn't even that hard in such a beautiful kitchen. Sadie was filled with gratitude that it wasn’t hot out as she stoked the flames in the large stove. She would need to reconsider her cooking strategies by the time summer rolled around.

  Chapter Four

  Time flew by and before Sadie even realized it, she was feeling almost at home with Hamilton. Not actually with the man himself, of course, as he still seemed to be avoiding her, but Sadie had managed to meet the other women nearby and felt as though she were making friends. The forced isolation seemed to lead to immediate intimacy whenever she encountered another female. It would seem that the shared experience of being so far from civilization caused an immediate bond to form. Sadie couldn’t tell if it was just women who experienced the phenomenon, but she found she quite enjoyed it. She felt immediately that the women she encountered were her friends and she could turn to them for help should she need it. It was a comfort to her, as she hadn’t felt as though she had many friends back in Boston and she had no family anywhere, unless one counted her husband, of course, so the ready friendship with the few women she encountered was most welcome.

  But those quick bonds also led to obligations. And Sadie always met her obligations. It was because of this that she found herself learning to harness the horses to the wagon. Herman was always willing to be of assistance to her, which was kind of him, Sadie supposed, but she wasn’t entirely comfortable with men, especially now that she was married. She was uncomfortable with her husband, of course, because he was a stranger, but she belonged to him now, so she tolerated his few appearances. Despite Herman’s kindness, Sadie had no intention of cultivating a friendship with the man.

  “You should have let me do that for you,” he reprimanded from behind her.

  “Thank you, Herman, but I wouldn’t want to take you from your work. Besides, it’s best if I know how to do things. I don’t have any wish to burden anyone with my fidgets.”

  “You could never be considered a burden, Mrs. Foster. Besides, as the boss’ wife, surely it could be considered part of my job description to help you.”

  Sadie couldn’t help laughing over his words, but she ignored his attempts to replace her. “I can see your reasoning, Herman, but I still think it’s best that I know how to do things. Besides, I’m nearly finished.”

  “I would be much more comfortable with checking to make sure it has been done correctly.” He must have realized that he had just insulted her, as he turned an abashed face toward her. “No offence intended, ma’am.”

  “None taken. I do realize I’m a novice, so I suppose I should appreciate your checking it over.”

  “Serious injuries could happen either to you or the animals, ma’am,” he continued to excuse.

  Sadie stepped out of the way. “Please, check, I would appreciate it.”

  She hid her amusement over the pink tingeing the tips of his ears. The poor man was obviously still embarrassed.

  “Could I pry into where you are going, ma’am?”

  “Can I counteract your question with one of my own first? Why do you want to know?”

  “If you run into trouble or don’t return, I’d like to know where to start the search.”

  Sadie couldn’t help laughing, despite the insult. “I appreciate your confidence in my abilities, Herman,” she replied drily.

  The pink from Herman’s ears spread to his entire face.

  “I do apologize, ma’am, I again mean no insult.”

  “And yet—” Sadie answered with another laugh. “But in answer to your question, I am taking some food items over to the Johnsons. I’ve heard Mrs. Johnson is very poorly, so I wanted to offer her a hand. I shouldn’t be more than a few hours. Even if I stay to help her with some of her chores, I’ll be home well before dark.”

  Herman lifted his hat in response to her words and then helped her into the wagon that he must have deemed was sufficiently harnessed to allow her to drive away.

  Sadie did appreciate his concern. In some ways, it was nice to have someone worrying over her safety. But she didn’t appreciate his assumption that she was incompetent. She didn’t bother waving as she drove away.

  ~~~

  “You aren’t getting too attached to my wife, are you, Herman?”

  “Not at all,” Herman replied with a ready chuckle.

  Hamilton knew his jealousy was irrational. It was one more reason why he shouldn’t have gotten hitched to such a pretty woman.

  "Might I ask, did Mrs. Foster say where she was headed?"

  "I did ask her, although she didn't take too kindly to my question."

  Hamilton laughed. "Why not?"

  "She felt it implied a lack of confidence in her abilities as a driver."

  Hamilton's laughter dried up, and he began to frown in confusion. "What does one have to do with the other?"

  Now it was Herman's turn to laugh. "She wanted to know why I was asking, and I told her it was just in case something happened to her."

  Hamilton nodded. "I guess I can see why she may not have appreciated that, but you weren't wrong. I'm glad you asked her. Did you get an answer from her?"

  "I'm not sure if it was a complete answer, but she said she was taking food to the Johnsons. And she did have quite a basket of provisions with her, so it is likely she was saying the truth."

  Hamilton was surprised and didn't hide it from his foreman.

  "Do you find something objectionable about her going to aid Mrs. Johnson? Mrs. Foster mentioned she might be quite some time, as she aimed to help Mrs. Johnson with her chores, since she had heard the woman is in poor health
."

  "She never mentioned her intentions to me. That's rather foolish of her, isn't it? Who knows what sort of disease she'll bring home with her from there."

  Herman shrugged. "She didn't seem to be concerned. The poor woman didn't seem to even think of the possibility. Do you think your wife is simple?"

  Hamilton laughed shortly. "No woman is simple, Herman. Are you trying to ask if she's not quite right in the head?"

  Herman shrugged again, obviously not wanting to admit to such a thought about his boss' wife.

  "She might just be totally innocent and unaware of the risk she is running."

  "Disease runs through Boston, doesn't it?"

  "She may not have ever encountered it. I'll have to explain a few things to her when she gets home, that's for certain."

  Herman nodded. "You could say it's mighty kind of her to be willing to help that poor family."

  Hamilton nodded. Herman was right, he supposed, even if there was a chance she caught her death from the other woman. No one seemed to know what was ailing the poor woman, unless it was just her body giving out from producing child after child. While Hamilton would like to have a houseful of children himself one day, even he understood a woman needed a rest of birthing. Too many women died trying to bring another life into the world; it was obviously not easy on them. If that was what it was, then he needn't fear that Sadie would catch it, of course. But she should have asked him if he minded she go. Or at least told him of her intentions. Hamilton shook his head. He was probably being daft. He couldn't decide if he was worried for the woman or irritated with her.

  After thinking about it all afternoon, Hamilton began to wonder if he should go collect his wife from the Johnson homestead. He couldn't settle to anything on his own property. And the drive home would afford him an opportunity to discuss with Sadie some of the dangers she was presenting to herself by traipsing about to all the sick within a couple hours' ride. This wasn't the first time she had done this. The only thing preventing him from doing so was how foolish she was likely to think him if he showed up there. But he was just about to throw his own pride to the four winds when he heard the wagon clatter into the yard.

  He had been trying to keep himself occupied by examining all the tack and harnesses in the barn, so he was handy to her when she arrived. Hamilton stepped out of the barn and stared at her.

  She looked exhausted. And well she should. It was nearly dark, he realized.

  "Where have you been?"

  He must have startled her because she nearly fell from the box of the wagon. Hamilton felt bad and hurried forward to help her down. She had one hand occupied with holding her basket.

  "I'm sorry, Hamilton, were you expecting me sooner? I lost track of the time and then nearly got lost on the way home because my mind was drifting." He could feel her sigh rack her slight frame as he helped her down.

  "No, no, I was just getting a little concerned about you as it was nearing dark. Are you all right?"

  The smile she casted him rivaled the brilliance of the sun, and he almost had to wince.

  "It was so great, Hamilton! The poor woman has so many children I nearly lost track of them all. But they are the sweetest little things and so appreciative of the little bit of attention I was able to give them. She's got another one on the way, probably any day now, so Mrs. Johnson just couldn't keep up with everything."

  "So, you don't think she's truly ill?"

  "It doesn't seem like it, just exhausted, poor thing. She slept most of the time I was there. The children helped me do all the chores, and then we did some lessons and played some games."

  "You must be exhausted."

  "I truly am," she said with such a happy grin that Hamilton frowned at her, puzzled.

  "Why do you look so happy about it?"

  "Well, for one thing, I'm likely to sleep like a hibernating bear tonight," she began with a laugh. "But for another, seeing someone else's misfortunes certainly puts your own into perspective, and then being able to help them with theirs is ultimately fulfilling, don't you think?"

  Hamilton was still puzzled, but he nodded in response.

  "What kind of misfortunes did you need put into perspective?"

  Sadie's smile dimmed but she didn't run away from the conversation, which made Hamilton rather pleased.

  "Any number of things, to be honest." She tried to pass it off lightly.

  Hamilton realized he had grown tired of avoiding the young woman who was his wife and suddenly wanted to know more about her.

  He tried to keep his tone gentle as he asked her, "Can you tell me about it?" He had thought she was a young, Society woman from the City, but her ready acceptance of life on the homestead and helping the neighbors was making him question his assumptions about her.

  "Well, for one thing, I'm married to a man I barely know, but I don't live in a hut with six young children and barely any food to put on the table. With your comfortable situation here in this large house and all the chickens and cows, even if we do end up with many mouths, we'll be able to feed them without difficulty."

  "I swear to you, I will make sure you don't end up in the same situation as Mrs. Johnson."

  Her sunny smile returned. "I know," she answered simply.

  "Mrs. Johnson was also a mail order bride, but she didn't have the luck I did. She was even more alone than I was, so she didn't have anyone to vouch for her husband. She merely answered an advertisement in the paper. I, at least, had the Fredericksburgs to advise me and recommend you."

  "They were all you had to advise you?" Hamilton was appalled when she nodded and shrugged.

  "Everyone else has died."

  "I had no idea."

  He couldn't believe it when Sadie chuckled. "I hope you weren't expecting a visit from any in-laws, as I am all you got."

  "Who did you lose?"

  "The simple answer would be to say everyone. But, that's an oversimplification, as there are relatives in Ireland who would probably be happy to claim me, but no one on this side of the ocean. My parents came here as newlyweds. My brother arrived not long after they did. From what I understand, he was a sickly baby and he never got strong. Then they had me. My mother always said I was too stubborn to ever catch anything. We lost my brother when I was five. Mama never really recovered from that loss even though she had me and my sister. When I was twelve, my father died in an accident. Mama tried to work for a few years, but we struggled for food and shelter, so I can really empathize with Mrs. Johnson's predicament. For the past five years I've been working as a seamstress and nursing my mother. But then my sister caught the flu and brought it home to Mama. They both died this year. But the doctor's bills were more than I could handle, so I found myself in a bit of a pickle.”

  Hamilton wanted to laugh over her turn of phrase, but there was nothing in the least bit funny about the story she had just told. If she was telling the truth, there was nothing about her that he had expected from her appearance. She was clearly not afraid of hard work. He had already seen that with his own eyes, even before she had spent the day slaving for the worthless Johnsons.

  “Do you plan to return to the Johnsons?”

  He didn’t care for the hesitant way Sadie looked at him. But then she rushed into speech. “I would like to, if you wouldn’t mind terribly. I know I should have asked you, especially since I gave away some of your own provisions and I have no way of paying you for them, but I had the impression that you believed in being neighborly and wouldn’t mind.”

  “I don’t mind the little expense. I just would have preferred if you had mentioned your plans to me. I didn’t really appreciate hearing about it from Herman.”

  Sadie hung her head. “I’m sorry, that wasn’t well done of me, was it?”

  “Nope,” he said. “Why did you feel you needed to hide it from me?”

  Sadie chewed her lip and seemed to contemplate her answer. Hamilton tried to ignore how attractive she looked, as he was almost certain she was about to lie to h
is face.

  “When I heard about their poverty and problems from one of the other neighbors, I think I associated them with myself and my own history. There is a sense of shame with being that poor. No one wants to take handouts from others. I was never really offered any charity, but I hated not being in a position to help others, not even my neighbors. It’s shameful. But being able to help Mrs. Johnson today filled me with pride that I’m not in that situation anymore. I couldn’t have borne it if you had denied me. So, I didn’t ask.” She lifted her head, and Hamilton could read a storm of emotions waging behind her eyes. “I’m not sorry I went to help her, but I’m sorry that I did it behind your back. And really, I guess my pride was misplaced since it was your largesse that I was taking to her, not my own, and you didn’t even give me leave to do so.”

  Hamilton couldn’t bear to see her happiness dimming. Without thinking about it, he reached out and clasped the hands that she had begun wringing.

  “Don’t feel badly about it, Sadie. We’re married now. Mine is yours. You don’t have to ask my permission to share what we have with others. You were absolutely correct when you assumed that I believe in sharing with my neighbors. We have been blessed with much. This brings an obligation not to hoard it. But I only ask that you let me know where you’re going to be. It’s a matter of safety. And really a matter of convenience,” he added with a chuckle. “I won’t be able to accomplish much if I have to worry about your whereabouts.” He was relieved that rather than taking offence she laughed along with him.

  “I promise to tell you the next time.”

  “Maybe I’ll come with you next time, then.”

  “Really?”

  Hamilton was surprised to see how eager she appeared. “Why do you look so surprised?”

  “I didn’t think you had much regard for Mr. Johnson.”

  “I don’t. He’s a useless waste, in my opinion, but those six, soon to be seven, small children didn’t ask for their circumstances. And winter is coming. They won’t survive if we don’t help them.”