Martha Read online

  Martha was silent on the way to Nowhere, listening to the men and boys chatter about work on the ranch, people they knew in Bagley, and what they wanted to do after church.

  When they arrived, they rushed into the church building in order to be on time for the service. From the front of the church, Micah looked up and smiled merrily at the McClain clan. Martha knew it made him happy when they attended services since it was so much easier for the McClains to go to church in Bagley.

  Martha felt relieved to be around all of her sisters aside from Penny as well as Edna Petunia and Cletus. She always felt more comfortable when her family was around. Although the service passed quickly, Martha tried to memorize the words Micah was saying so she could repeat them to Robby and Penny later. She knew Penny would appreciate that.

  After Micah had dismissed the congregation, everyone flocked out to the lawn as usual. Martha scanned the crowd, trying to figure out which one of her sisters she should approach first. Before she could decide, she heard a loud voice calling her name.

  “Martha Sanders! Where have you been?” Edna Petunia tapped Martha on the shoulder, and Martha spun around. Edna Petunia’s hands were on her hips, and she wore an indignant expression on her face.

  “What do you mean, Edna Petunia?” Martha asked, confused. “I’m living with Penny and Tom on the ranch.” She looked around for Cletus, but he was nowhere to be found.

  “You don’t write, you haven’t been back for dinner. . . . If I didn’t know any better, I’d think you were trying to forget all about us!” Edna Petunia scoffed.

  Just then, Katie, Hattie, and Theresa ran up to Martha.

  “Martha!” Katie cried.

  “You look so pretty!” Hattie exclaimed.

  “I think she looks normal,” Theresa commented. Hattie elbowed her.

  “Hi, girls.” Martha stifled a laugh. Her younger sisters always made her laugh.

  “What’s the ranch like, Martha?” Katie asked.

  “The men look so handsome, Martha!” Hattie declared.

  “Is it true there’s a separate cook for the bunkhouse?” Theresa wanted to know.

  “Girls, settle down. She’ll answer your questions one by one,” Edna Petunia scolded.

  “It’s fine,” Martha said. “It’s been a little stressful lately because Robby hurt his leg in a fall. That’s where Penny is, taking care of him.”

  “That’s right, we heard about his accident. How is he doing?” Theresa asked, her eyes full of concern.

  Martha nodded slowly. “Dr. Bennett said he’ll be fine, but he needs to stay still for a few more weeks. Penny and I have been taking turns sitting with him.”

  Edna Petunia’s expression softened a tiny bit. “That’s still no excuse for not coming to visit us.”

  Martha smiled. “I’d love to come visit you once Robby’s back on his feet. I miss you all.”

  Edna Petunia smiled. “We miss you, too, dear.”

  Just then, Martha’s eyes were drawn to a commotion happening a few feet away. Gerald Sibley raced toward Andrew and put an arm around his shoulder.

  “We need to talk. I haven’t received a response to your letter yet!” Gerald said anxiously.

  Martha’s brow furled. What letter was Gerald talking about?

  Andrew looked around, seeing that many people had stopped their conversations and were now paying attention to him and Gerald. “Can we talk about this another time?”

  Gerald smiled, but it seemed forced to Martha. “Now’s as good a time as any! We are looking forward to seeing what you have to say, son.”

  “I haven’t made any decisions yet,” Andrew said quietly.

  Gerald looked surprised. “Decisions? There are hardly any decisions to make!”

  Veronica Sibley approached both men. “You know, a summer wedding might be nice . . . but I’ve always loved a spring wedding, too.”

  Martha’s heart began pounding. Her suspicions had been correct. The Sibleys were talking to Andrew about a wedding. He was going to marry Mary Sibley!

  Andrew looked uncomfortable. “I think it’s too soon to make those kinds of plans.”

  Gerald’s expression turned severe. “Very well. If that’s the case, I’ll have you know there are several other suitors who have asked for Mary’s hand already. I was hoping you’d beat the others, but now it seems you’re slipping behind. It’s a shame . . . you know there aren’t many other eligible young women in Nowhere or Bagley.”

  Andrew gulped. “Please, sir. Let’s discuss this privately.” He felt aware of all the people paying attention to their conversation and didn’t want to make a scene.

  Gerald let out a long sigh. “I’ve tried to help you, Andrew. I truly have. But if you can’t recognize an opportunity like this, I can’t help you at all.” Gerald took his wife’s arm and steered her away from Andrew. Martha watched as Gerald and Veronica found Mary, who was laughing with a few of her friends nearby, and walked over to their own wagon.

  Martha’s heart was still racing. She didn’t understand what had just happened, but it sounded a lot to her like Andrew and Mary were meant to be wed. A few of the other men from the McClain ranch came over and clapped Andrew on the back.

  “Sounds like we’ll be hearing wedding bells soon!” one exclaimed.

  Andrew smiled weakly at them. He didn’t know what to say, truly. Just then, his eyes caught Martha’s. Before she looked away, he thought he saw hurt and confusion in them. He took a step toward her, but before he could get close, she set off to go speak to her sister Sarah Jane.

  Tom approached the men. “What was all that about?”

  Andrew sighed wearily. “Gerald has sent me a few letters discussing the idea of me courting his daughter, Mary.”

  One of the men let out a whoop, and Tom looked at the man sternly until he calmed down. “And?” Tom prodded.

  “And I’m not sure what to do about it.” Andrew looked around to make sure no one was paying attention. The churchgoers had moved back to their own conversations.

  “She’s a lovely young lady,” another man put in.

  “I can’t deny that,” Andrew admitted. “But I have my eye on another.”

  Tom nodded. “Gentlemen, if you’ll excuse me, I’d like to speak with Andrew privately.” Tom put his arm around Andrew’s shoulder and steered him away from the rest of the men. “You still have Martha on your mind, don’t you?”

  Andrew nodded. “That’s correct. It’s bad, Tom. She’s all I can think about.”

  Tom chuckled softly. “I know what that’s like, trust me.”

  “But what can I do?” Andrew moaned. “Martha seems to want nothing to do with me. Maybe I should court Mary so I can get to know her.”

  “I can’t tell you what to do,” Tom said. “That’s up to you. But I know if it were me, I wouldn’t give up so easily.”

  “I’ve been trying,” Andrew protested. “I don’t know what I can do differently.”

  Tom paused. “Have you told her everything you just told me?”

  Andrew thought for a moment. “I don’t think I’ve said it as directly as I’ve said it to you.”

  “I think you need to do that, Andrew,” Tom advised solemnly. “If you tell her how you really feel, and she still doesn’t want to open up with you, then you should probably consider another woman. But I hope it doesn’t come to that.”

  Andrew nodded. “Thank you, Tom. I appreciate your advice. I hope it doesn’t come to that either. It’s just a feeling I have, but it’s the strangest thing. I feel like that girl is my soulmate.”

  Chapter 7

  Andrew waited for the perfect evening to tell Martha how he felt about her. He let Penny in on his plan and coordinated with her so it was a night when Penny was planning to stay with Robby in the cabin.

  Andrew waited with a bouquet of flowers for Martha to come back to her cabin. As she approached, he stepped out in front of her. It was a still night on the ranch. Tom had let Andrew off early that day so he could wash
and dress nicely. He wore his best Sunday attire and held out the bouquet of lilies toward Martha.

  “What’s this?” Martha asked, stunned.

  “These are for you, Martha. I have something I’d like to tell you.” Andrew felt more nervous than he ever had in his entire life. “Let’s take a little walk.”

  Martha was too surprised to disagree, so she followed Andrew as he walked to a little clearing near both cabins. The clearing was surrounded by trees on all sides. Andrew had picked this place because he didn’t want the men—or anyone else for that matter—to see them as they were ending their workday and going to the bunkhouse for dinner. Andrew intended on having a private conversation with Martha and didn’t want any interruptions.

  Andrew took Martha’s arm in his and cleared his throat. “Martha, I want to be forthright and direct with you. There’s something that’s been on my mind for some time now, and I want to share it with you.”

  Martha patiently waited to hear what Andrew wanted to say. He seemed nervous and fidgety, but she decided to let him speak before she responded.

  Andrew took a deep breath. He stopped walking and turned to face her, grabbing her hands in his. Martha felt her heart leap a little as they touched. Being close to him felt so warm and right that she could hardly think straight. “Martha Sanders, I have strong feelings for you. Stronger than any feelings I’ve ever had before, for anyone or anything.”

  Martha gasped but didn’t say anything. She could tell that Andrew wasn’t finished yet.

  “I’ve tried to get to know you better over the past few months, not because I’m nosey or overbearing, but because I see a real future for our relationship. I’m at the age where it makes sense for me to court a woman, and to eventually take a wife and start a family.” Andrew paused. Martha felt her heart do gymnastics in her chest. “But first, I need to get to know her better. You see, Martha, when I think about the woman I want to marry—it’s you.”

  Andrew pulled Martha closer to him and leaned in toward her. “I’ll be forthright. Others are saying I should take a wife, and there are others who seem willing. But Martha, you’re the one I want to get to know better. I want to learn everything there is to know about you.”

  Martha felt like she couldn’t breathe. She worried that she would pass out and Andrew would have to carry her back to her cabin. When she tried to speak, she couldn’t find the words. “I—I . . .”

  Andrew tilted his head closer. “Marry me, Martha.” He brought his lips gently toward hers. She tipped her head back, wanting to be closer to him. As his lips met hers, she felt a burst of warmth and love spread all through her body.

  Andrew gripped Martha closer to him. He squeezed her hands as he kissed her. He longed to press on further, but he didn’t want to scare her. He was afraid to frighten her by saying too much too fast. He pulled back, a look of concern on his face. “Are you all right?”

  All Martha could do was nod. She took in a few deep breaths. Her heart sang with joy, but she couldn’t figure out how to express this to Andrew.

  “What are you feeling right now?” Andrew whispered.

  “I feel . . . I feel . . .” Martha searched for the right words.

  Andrew’s brow knitted with concern. “Are you happy?”

  Martha gulped. “I’m . . .” She wanted to shout that yes, of course she was happy, but the words wouldn’t come. She took a step back. This was coming out all wrong.

  Hurt flashed across Andrew’s face. “Are you saying you don’t want to be with me?”

  Martha shook her head hurriedly, but she still was unable to explain herself.

  Andrew nodded sadly and dropped her hands. “I understand. You don’t feel the same way as I feel about you. I see.”

  Martha’s eyes widened. That wasn’t what she was trying to say at all.

  “I won’t bother you any further. I’ll leave you be. But at least let me walk you back to your cabin. It’s getting dark.” Andrew turned in the direction of her cabin and waited for Martha to do the same. He kept a brisk pace, wanting to bid her goodnight and be alone for a while. He felt stung and embarrassed by Martha’s reaction, and thought it would be best if they didn’t see each other for a while.

  They approached Martha’s cabin, and Martha walked toward the door slowly. “Good night, Andrew,” she whispered softly.

  “Good night.” Andrew’s tone was short and sharp. He spun around and headed to his own cabin next door. In a few moments, he had disappeared into his cabin, and Martha let herself into her own.

  Tears fell from Martha’s eyes as she collapsed onto the bed. Why hadn’t she been able to speak up? Andrew was giving her a chance, telling her all the wonderful things that he felt for her. But she hadn’t been able to say a single word so he would know that she cared for him, too.

  Now it was all but certain that Andrew would wed Mary Sibley. Martha gasped for air as she imagined seeing Mary and Andrew in church together. A horrifying thought struck her. Would Mary move in to the cabin next door? Martha didn’t know if she would be able to live so close to the man she cared for and another woman.

  Martha wondered if there was anything she could do to help Andrew understand her feelings, but the day had taken its toll on her. The tears slowly subsided as she drifted off to sleep.

  In church the following week, Gerald Sibley walked with a spring in his step.

  Edna Petunia pointed this out to Cletus. “What’s Gerald Sibley got to be so proud about? He looks like he thinks he’s a rooster.”

  Cletus masked a loud guffaw as a cough. Hattie looked up from her seat and shook her head, smiling. “You’re not wrong, dear. But we’re in church, let’s be polite.”

  Edna Petunia shrugged.

  After mass, Gerald and Veronica spread their happy news.

  “Andrew Ford is going to court our Mary. You know what that means—an engagement will be coming any week now!” Veronica gushed.

  “I suspect he’ll buy a parcel of land from Tom McClain, and they’ll build a beautiful home on that property outside of Bagley,” Gerald explained.

  “Much nicer than those cabins!” Veronica sniffed.

  Mary stayed quiet, but she glowed with pride and contentment.

  Edna Petunia frowned. “I thought Penny told me that Andrew cared for Martha.”

  “Sh, Edna Petunia!” Sarah Jane called. Sarah Jane hated conflict and didn’t want anyone to think negatively of her family. Whatever business there was between Andrew and Martha, she didn’t think it was polite to discuss in front of the Sibleys.

  The McClains, Martha, and Andrew weren’t in attendance that weekend, so no one knew what they thought of the Sibley family’s announcement.

  “I think a spring wedding would be lovely!” Veronica confided to Edna Petunia. “And hopefully a baby by next spring.”

  “I wouldn’t bet on it,” Edna Petunia said with a smile on her face.

  Veronica looked at her quizzically, but Edna Petunia simply unscrewed the lid from her hip flask and took a few sips.

  “I just don’t think you should get your hopes up.” Edna Petunia patted Veronica on the back, then wandered away.

  Sarah Jane looked at Veronica apologetically. “I’m sorry about that, Mrs. Sibley. I think what Edna Petunia meant is, we never know what’s in God’s plan for us, do we?”

  Veronica smiled weakly. The Sanders family always had been a bit odd.

  Edna Petunia climbed into the wagon next to Cletus. Hattie, Theresa, and Katie were already on board. With a flick of the reins, they set off toward the Sanders’ home. “I still don’t understand why the Sibleys think Andrew is intended for their daughter Mary. That wasn’t what Penny told us.”

  Earlier in the week, Penny had taken a break from caring for Robby to ride over to the Sanders’ house. There, she had confided in them Andrew’s plan to propose to Martha. Cletus was a bit disgruntled Andrew hadn’t asked for her hand first but ultimately approved the match. Edna Petunia considered it a formal invitation to
start planning a wedding.

  “It’s been a while, I’ve been out of practice for some time!” Edna Petunia exclaimed.

  “That’s because you said you were sick of weddings,” Theresa pointed out.

  “Did I say that?” Edna Petunia asked.

  “Yes!” Hattie, Katie, Theresa, and Cletus replied.

  Now, Edna Petunia fidgeted with worry. “I suppose this means the proposal went poorly.”

  “Well, it can’t have gone well,” Cletus pointed out. “Sounds like we may not have a new son-in-law after all.”

  Theresa sighed. “That’s unfortunate. I liked Andrew.”

  “Me, too,” Katie agreed.

  “Let’s not get ahead of ourselves.” Edna Petunia grinned. “They’re not married yet. Anything could happen.”

  “Oh, no.” Cletus groaned. “What are you planning, dear?”

  “Nothing!” Edna Petunia cried.

  Cletus sighed. “That’s precisely what worries me.”

  The following day, Edna Petunia donned a cloak, took a horse, and set off for the McClain ranch. She wandered around for a while before falling asleep in the loft of the barn.

  She awoke to the sounds of men’s voices floating up from the stables below.

  “When’s the big day?” one man asked.

  “I don’t know yet,” a sheepish voice replied. Edna Petunia instantly recognized it as Andrew’s.

  “You’ve asked her, though?” the first man continued.

  “Not quite yet,” Andrew admitted.

  Edna Petunia lowered her head toward the ground, straining to make sure she heard exactly what the men were saying.

  “What’s taking you so long?” the first man laughed.

  “I was actually planning to go there this evening and ask for her hand,” Andrew told him.

  Edna Petunia sat up straight. Whose hand was Andrew going to ask for?

  The first man spoke again. “You’ll do well to associate with the Sibley family. They control a great deal of the money in this town.”