“He wasn’t pleased when I told him this morning about the newspaper ad,” Arthur said beside her. The unpleasant news immediately drew her attention away from the town.
“I hope he wasn’t too angry?” Rosaline hesitantly enquired. The last thing she needed was another angry man in her life. Even worse, a man who was angry with her. She had spent far too much of her life in fear of Mr. Voss’ explosive moods, and she prayed to God that Thomas was a kinder man. She didn’t know what she would do if he wasn’t. Her stomach churned at the thought.
Arthur looked ahead as the buckboard left the town behind and started to roll past beautiful fields. The land seemed to be greener than Wilmington’s rocky plains had been. “His bark is worse than his bite. He will come around,” he said, not wanting to lie to her. “He may be a bit rough around the edges at the moment. But he’s a good man.”
Rosaline examined his face as he spoke. The worry lines were etched deep in his skin whenever he spoke of his son.
“You’re gonna love the ranch,” he changed the subject.
“Are there many animals?”
“some cattle, horses, chickens, and a few dairy cows. But you don’t have to worry about that. Your main concern will be looking after Robbie and taking care of the house. I’ve asked the sheriff’s wife, Buena Gideon, to stay a few nights and lend a hand until you find your footing.”
Rosaline stared ahead without a word, her nerve disappearing the closer they got to the ranch.
“But don’t worry. You’ll like Buena. The Gideons are lovely people. I don’t know what we would have done without them,” Arthur continued to fill the silence.
He must have noticed that Rosaline was not as open as she had been in her letters, so he tried to put her mind at ease. “Robbie is a little fussy at the moment, but he’s a sweet child. Stout little tike just like his father, but he takes after his mother.”
Rosaline noticed the catch in his voice. “What kind of woman was his mother?”
“Lovely,” he smiled. “One of the sweetest women God ever created. Just like my late wife. People often commented that Thomas had chosen her because she was so much like his mother. Together they formed an unstoppable force of joy.”
Rosaline shifted uncomfortably in her seat. She was barely eighteen. How could she be expected to fill the shoes of two women who were so clearly adored? Women whose presence seemed to linger long after their passing?
She’d never been good at living up to people's expectations, she thought as she looked at the scar on her palm before quickly turning it over when Arthur glanced her way.
“But don’t you worry about that, lass,” he winked at her. “You just be yourself and God will see us through.”
She gave him a thankful smile.
Arthur Stratton was one of the kindest and most perceptive men she had ever met. She was glad she had him on her side. He seemed to know what she was thinking without her having to say a word.
He looked ahead. “Here we are.”
The ranch loomed on the horizon, a white house with a high roof and simple front porch, surrounded by a scattering of oaks on either side. There were several farm buildings including a stable and barn. The rest of the land was strewn with pens of cattle, lazily lowing and grazing in the late afternoon sun.
“Home sweet home,” he said.
Rosaline took a deep breath and hugged her valise.
Lord be with me, she prayed once more in her heart. This has to be better than singing in taverns and bars.
Chapter Five
Thomas entered the study. He needed a moment to gather his thoughts and compose himself for the task that lay ahead. His father would be back from the station soon, bringing the woman he would supposedly marry. He scoffed at the thought. As if he could be forced into a marriage of convenience against his will.
The memory of the conversation with his father the day before over breakfast made his temper rise.
“I’ve been corresponding with a young woman who has agreed to come and be your wife,” Arthur had announced over coffee. “I’m fetching her from the station tomorrow afternoon. She is aware that it will be a marriage in name only. You do not have to love her, but please, Thomas, be kind to her.”
Thomas had stared in abject horror as his father continued.
“Miss. Berry is a God-fearing woman who will be an asset to this family and a mother to Robbie.”
An argument had ensued that brought Buena Gideon rushing into the kitchen to try and calm the quarrel. Robbie had awoken amidst the yelling and lay screaming in his crib as they fought. Arthur Stratton was not a confrontational man by nature, but his patience had been wearing thin over the past few months. Thomas knew that he was partially to blame for that, and the thought made him even angrier.
Yet he could still see no reason for his father to force his hand in such a blatantly ridiculous manner. He would not let the guilt of his recent behavior push him into a situation that he didn’t want, and would likely never be ready for.
