Sarah's Heart Read online

  Sarah’s Heart

  By Marianne Spitzer

  © August 2016

  This book is a work of fiction. All the names, characters, places, and incidents are the product of the author’s imagination. Any resemblance to persons living or dead, events, locations, or organizations are purely coincidental. All rights reserved. No portion of this book may be reproduced without the written consent of the author.

  Acknowledgements

  There are many people I would like to thank for their help and understanding while I wrote this book, but first and foremost, I want to thank God for all His blessings. I also wish to thank my family and friends for their patience and understanding when I disappear into my writing world especially my son, Lance, for his unwavering support. Last, but by no means least, I would like to thank my loyal readers who read my books and leave reviews. I couldn’t do this without you.

  ~Also, I wish to thank three fellow members of Pioneer Hearts for help with my story. Wendy Hundley Crunkelton suggested the name Phineas Picklesimer for Gentle Falls loveable town drunk and Renee Mola suggested his nickname Doubles. Laura Olievia Redfern introduced me to Onion Gruel and how it’s prepared. Thank you ladies.~

  Sarah’s Heart

  A Gentle Falls

  Mail-Order Bride

  Romance

  Chapter 1

  Sarah Morey, the newest resident of Gentle Falls, sat at a rear table in Callahan’s Restaurant with her best friend, Nell Callahan. It had been two weeks since the young widow arrived in town hoping to find her friend and begin a new life. She found Nell within minutes of disembarking from the train, and now with the grace of God, she’d start her new life soon.

  Sarah sipped her tea and traced the outline of one of the red squares on the red and white tablecloth with her fingernail. She glanced at Nell and said, “My mind seems to be in a storm lately. I’m not sure if I want to buy one of the three new houses at the edge of town or the building across the street. A house would be lovely, but I’d need to tend the yard. With my seamstress business, I’ll be too busy for that, I think.”

  Nell agreed. “A house would be more work. If you bought the building across the street, we’d see each other more often. I saw the inside, too, and the upstairs living area is large and pleasant. You need to decide what’s best for you.” Nell tapped her lip with her finger and stared off into space.

  “What’s on your mind?” Sarah inquired knowing that look meant something bothered Nell.

  “Single women are scarce around here. I’m wondering where you’d be safer. Neither of the other two houses is occupied. Being alone can be dangerous. I suppose I worry more since Jasper abducted me. I doubt anything like that will happen again. Don’t listen to my concerns; you live where you want.” Nell smiled at Sarah and offered her more tea.

  “I thought about that, too and either way, I’d be alone, but I may have a solution. Pastor Reynolds and his wife are wonderful people and opened their door and heart to Molly, but they’re older, and Molly would like to be around younger people. I think she could stay with me. Since she left Underwood’s Saloon, she doesn’t like to live alone either so it would help us both. He’s still furious with her.”

  Sarah and Nell’s quiet conversation was interrupted when the front door of the restaurant burst open, and Matthew Bridges strode in. He intentionally stomped his way over to the table the two young women shared.

  Shaking an envelope in his hand, he growled at them. “Sarah, you’re the newest woman in town. You signed up with the Brutherington Matrimonial Agency, and I’m sorry your husband died, but it still makes you a mail-order bride. Penelope was supposed to marry me. The entire town knows she married Callahan instead. Now, I tried to get another bride and that woman at the agency has the nerve to write and tell me I’m not qualified to be one of her grooms. Me? Not qualified? It’s Penelope’s fault and since she’s married and you’re not, you have to marry me today. I paid for one of her brides, and you’ll do just fine.” He crossed his arms and stared at both women.

  “Have you lost your mind?” Sarah asked. “I wouldn’t marry you if you were the last man on earth, Matthew Bridges.”

  “But you signed a contract with Brutherington, too. It’s the least you can do.” Matthew insisted slurring his words.

  Sarah snapped back, “Go back to Underwood’s. I can smell the liquor from here.”

  “No, you signed up to be a mail-order bride. I paid for one. I’m taking you.” He reached for Sarah.

  Nell stood and fisted her hands. “She did fulfill her contract when she married her husband. It isn’t her fault he died. If he hadn’t, she’d still be in Kansas. Judge Magarey said the contract you signed for me to come to Gentle Falls was null and void. You broke it when you left town before I arrived. I’m married, and Sarah is not about to marry you. If you don’t leave her alone, I’ll call the sheriff.”

  Matthew laughed, “Don’t forget, we don’t have a sheriff. The judge fired him.”

  Cal walked out of the kitchen, “Matthew, I think it’s time you leave before I ban you from ever coming into my place of business again. If you came to town more often, you’d know our new sheriff arrived last week. He’s a former U.S. Marshall looking for life in a quiet town. Maybe you should take this issue up with him and the judge. I’m sure the judge would enjoy your story after you tried to have Nell arrested for breaking that contract. Forcing a canceled contract on a woman who is not a party to it should interest the judge,” Cal’s smile spread across his face.

  Matthew spouted several words Nell would never repeat and stormed out of the restaurant. He stopped, turned, and entered the restaurant again yelling. “Someone needs to marry me. I need a wife to help me on the farm. Someone owes me a wife.” He spun and left again.

  “You two all right?” Cal asked kissing the top of Nell’s head.

  “We’re doing well,” she answered looking up at her husband. “I’ll be in to help you in a bit.”

  “No hurry, it’s stew day, and you chopped all the vegetables earlier. I think I can handle the rest before we open.” He kissed her again and disappeared into the kitchen.

  Nell watched Sarah staring out the window. “Are you worried that Matthew will bother you again?”

  “What? Oh, no, I was watching the sunshine. You know how much I love the sunshine and sunrises. When I was married to Harold, I never saw the sunrise. I woke before it rose and the kitchen faced west. By the time Harold was ready to eat, the sun had risen, and I never saw one until the morning I escaped. Sunrise and a new day mean freedom for me. I think I know where I want to live.” She turned to Nell with a large smile spreading across her face.

  Nell cocked her head and studied Sarah’s face. “You decided because of the sunshine.”

  “Yes,” Sarah said excitedly. “The house faces north and south. The building across the street faces east and west. The kitchen window faces east. I can watch the sunrise every morning while I prepare breakfast. I’m buying the building. Oh, Nell, it’ll be wonderful.” She stood and wrapped her friend in a tight hug.

  Nell laughed, “It’s as good a reason as any to buy a building.”

  “One other thing that makes it ideal is the bathing room,” Sarah whispered. “There is a tub and pipe installed. When I looked at the building, Mr. Willoughby accompanied me but suggested I look over the apartment alone. I think he was embarrassed because he handed me this paper before I walked upstairs.” She opened her reticule and handed the paper to Nell.

  Nell read the informative paper and chuckled. “I can see why he wrote this out. It explains about the tub and the plumbing set up for a sink and water closet. For now, there’s a new privy out back,” She giggled again. “Mr. Willoughby would have been mortified if he had
to explain this to you face to face.”

  “I agree,” Sarah said. “Will you have time later to go to the bank with me? I’m a bit nervous about all of this. I never purchased anything more expensive than a bonnet before.”

  “Of course,” Nell answered. “Let me see what Cal needs and I’m sure I’ll have time before lunch time customers come in.”

  ~ * ~

  Pastor Samuel Reynolds was the type of preacher who loved to spread the word of God through kindness and sermons on love and goodness. He and his wife, Rachel, raised their four children the same way. He didn’t believe in corporal punishment and would use a scripture in his lecture to the misbehaved child. It worked since guilt always ate at his children’s conscience, and they would confess their wrongdoing in tears. No further punishments were needed.

  Since Molly came to stay with them, she shared her life’s story with them. He knew the truth and also knew that Silas Underwood spread lies around town about her. This Sunday Underwood, who always made a big deal out of sitting in the front pew, would hear a fire and brimstone sermon on the subject of uttering disparaging remarks against another person’s character and profiting from the sufferings of others.

  He was busy practicing his sermon for the second time when Rachel looked at Molly and said, “I’m going out to check my garden.” She rushed out the back door.

  Molly continued with the dusting when she heard the pastor begin his sermon a third time. She knew where he intended to hit the pulpit to make a point because she had twice heard him hit his desk. She grabbed her bonnet and slipped out the back door asking Rachel, “Do you mind if I take a walk?”

  Rachel looked up from her gardening and smiled, “Not at all. He should be done practicing in another hour or so. I believe Mr. Underwood will get an earful on Sunday.”

  “He is quite smug, I doubt if he’ll see himself in the pastor’s sermon,” Molly answered.

  “Perhaps not, but then again the Lord works in mysterious ways, my child. He saved and freed you. Let’s pray Mr. Underwood’s heart softens,” the kindly preacher’s wife smiled at Molly.

  “I will,” Molly said and waved as she headed toward town. She felt the need for some companionship with females her own age and hoped Nell wasn’t busy getting Callahan’s ready to open.

  Molly saw Nell and Sarah sitting at a table inside Callahan’s and tapped on the window. Nell popped out of her chair to open the door.

  “Come on in, Molly. We have tea and cookies. Would you like to join us?” Nell asked opening the door wide.

  “Yes,” Molly smiled. “I was hoping to find someone my own age to talk to. Rachel is sweet, but she’s like a mother and the pastor is practicing his sermon this morning. By Sunday, I’ll know it by heart.”

  Molly followed Nell to the table. “Hi, Sarah. I hope you don’t mind if I join you.”

  “Not at all,” Sarah answered. A wide smile spread across her face. “I wanted to talk to you about something. Please sit.”

  When Molly settled in her chair, Nell returned with more tea and cookies.

  Molly lifted her cup and asked, “What did you want to ask me?”

  “I know you’re living with Pastor Samuels and his wife. I heard you were looking for a job and sew your own clothing. I’m buying a building here in town and opening a seamstress shop. I hoped you would want to come and work for me. The upstairs has two bedrooms. Your salary would include one of them and meals, of course. What do you say,” Sarah leaned closer and looked directly at Molly.

  Molly blushed. “Thank you for your kind offer, but you haven’t lived her long enough to know who or what I am. I would ruin your business.”

  “Nonsense,” Nell exclaimed.

  “I don’t care about before; I care about now. I like you, Molly,” Sarah insisted.

  “Before I answer you, let me tell you about my life, please. It might make a difference. My Mama was sixteen when she fell in love, and her father forbade her from seeing my father. They ran off and married. Two months later, my father was killed by a stray bullet while taking my mother to the local mercantile.”

  Molly stopped and took a sip of tea. “Mama didn’t realize it, but she was with child, with me. When she did she tried to return home, but her parents turned her away. A kindly elderly neighbor took her in, and Mama worked at whatever job she could. When I was four, Mrs. Perskers passed away, and Mama and I were on our own. The only place she could find a job was at the local saloon in a town about thirty miles from where we lived. I grew up in the back of the saloon. Mama made sure I went to school, and none of the men ever bothered me.”

  Molly brushed a tear from her eye and sipped more tea. “She took good care of me until she died a year ago. The owner of the saloon wanted me to take Mama’s place as an upstairs girl. I refused and left. I didn’t have any skills except for singing and playing the piano. I tried to get jobs at a saloon doing that, but all the owners believed I was an upstairs girl and expected more from me than I was willing to give. I finally ended up here. Before I asked Underwood for a job, I walked into the saloon, sat at the piano, played, and sang. The men loved it, and Underwood saw a new way to make money. I made it clear I only sang and played the piano. He agreed. Things seemed to work out okay for a while.”

  “What happened?” Sarah asked placing her hand on Molly’s.

  “I stood up for Nell when Matthew Bridges bad mouthed her. Underwood hit me. I swore I’d never work for anyone who hit me. I knew if he had that little respect for me, he’d force me to work upstairs next. I left, and the Reynolds took me in. Here I am, and now Underwood is spreading rumors about letting me go because of customer complaints. Everyone in town will believe I worked upstairs secretly.” She dropped her face in her hands to hide her shame and tears.

  Sarah drummed her fingers on the tablecloth and said, “We know the truth and so will the town. I still want you to move in with me and work with me. I’m buying the building today. You can help me get it ready, and we’ll move in as soon as we have furniture.” Sarah nodded her head once. Her mind was made up. “It will work out for both of us.”

  Molly looked up, “You still want me to work and live with you?”

  “Of course. You did what you had to do and when you were faced with a difficult decision, you chose the right one. You’re a God-fearing woman, Molly. I’d be happy to have you work for me,” Sarah smiled.

  “All right, but on one condition. If it seems that my presence is hindering the business or your reputation in any way, I quit and go on my way. It’s the only way I’ll agree,” Molly said sitting taller in her chair and smiling at Nell and Sarah.

  Sarah held out her hand, “You have a deal.”

  The two young women shook and then chatted with Nell about local news, ate more cookies, and laughed. Life was good.

  ~ * ~

  Sarah glanced at the clock and stated, “The bank will open shortly. I have time to go to the mercantile and decide on the sewing machine and then see Mr. Willoughby. Molly, would you like to come along. You will be working for me after all.”

  Molly’s eyes grew big, and she pointed out, “You may not be able to buy a building if I’m along. Mr. Willoughby can be fair but judgmental.” She sighed.

  Sarah whispered, “He already knows I’m either buying the business building or a house. He can’t wait to make the sale.”

  Molly nodded and stood, “Nell, are you coming with us?”

  Nell shrugged and hurried into the kitchen. She returned a minute later and said, “Cal says good luck. Let’s go.”

  The three women shared a laugh as they entered Masters’ Mercantile.

  “Good morning, Ladies,” Louis Masters greeted them.

  “Good morning,” Sarah answered. “I’m here to get the price on the sewing machine. Then off to the bank to get my building and I’ll return to pay you and you could place my order, please.”

  Louis reached under the counter and retrieved a catalog. “Here’s the machine you had in mind, and t
he latest advertisement didn’t list a change in price. It’s the best price I’ve seen,” Louis advised.

  Sarah gushed, “This is the one, I’ll be back soon to pay for it and look for drapery fabric. Molly and I have a lot of work to do before the machine arrives. Oh, I’ll also need to place a fabric order. This is exciting.”

  She turned to leave, and Nell and Molly hurried to catch up with her.

  Mr. Willoughby’s clerk looked up when the three women entered. Before they had a chance to speak he told them to take a seat and he would tell Mr. Willoughby they were there. A few moments later, he ushered them into the inner office.

  They declined an offer of coffee, and Sarah explained, “I’m here to buy the building on Main Street we discussed, Mr. Willoughby.”

  “Very well, Mrs. Morey, I have the paperwork here in my desk. I anticipated your purchase,” he smiled as he pulled a file from a desk drawer.

  A few signatures on purchase papers, a fund transfer from her account to the bank, a withdrawal of funds to pay for her sewing machine and fabric, a handshake and congratulations, and Sarah held the deed and two keys for her new business in her hands.

  Molly and Nell hugged her, and Mr. Willoughby sat back in his desk chair and smiled. “It is a good thing for Gentle Falls to have another business. Our town is growing, and I think your shop will be an excellent addition.”

  “Thank you, sir,” Sarah answered. “Molly will work for me as my assistant.”

  “Excellent,” he exclaimed. “I knew you could do better for yourself than singing at Underwood’s, Miss Sullivan. Good luck to both of you.”

  “Thank you,” Molly stammered and did her best to smile and not cry at the banker’s kindness.

  The three friends linked arms and left the bank walking on air.

  Chapter 2

  Nell stopped and whispered, “Smile, here come the ill-tempered ladies.”

  The Widow Henrietta Biggs and her two companions strolled toward them on the boardwalk. Henrietta spoke, “Don’t you young ladies realize it’s improper to be laughing like silly school girls in public?”