The Miner’s Bride

©2019 by Stella Clark

All rights reserved. No part of this may be reproduced, distributed or transmitted in any form or by any means without prior written permission.

This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places and incidents are a product of the author's imagination. Any resemblance to actual people, living or dead, or to businesses, events or locales is completely coincidental.

Chapter 1

Chapter 2

Chapter 3

Chapter 4

Chapter 5

Chapter 6

Chapter 7

Chapter 8

Chapter 9

Chapter 10

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Chapter One

She peeked out the window into the street, clutching the curtain with all her strength. He was late. Where could he be? Nausea rose in her throat, but Sarah tried her hardest to ignore it. She didn’t have the time to be ill, not now.

Chewing on her bottom lip, the young lady’s eyes darted about. The cobblestone street before her was busy with people passing and horses driving carriages in every direction. Living in the middle of the slums in Philadelphia could be handy to see everyone passing through, even if it was a drab little place that was falling apart.

But the streets didn’t reveal Curtis anywhere.

Where could he be? Sarah tried to think if she had forgotten something. Surely he would have told her if he was going to be late. Or if they had to leave tomorrow.

Maybe she had gotten the days wrong.

The back door banged open and Sarah jumped, whirling around to find Karen in the doorway. Karen’s family had taken Sarah in when her mother passed away four years ago, murdered on the streets on her way home from the factory.

Hurriedly Sarah tried to smile, but she was too anxious. She had gone to work that morning, taking over her mother’s job at the factory, but had left shortly after her single break to come home and wait for Curtis.

He had to be close.

“I was wondering where you’d gone,” Karen called to her as she closed the door and set her bag of potatoes on the table. “Have you been home all this time? Everyone thought you were fired. I told them no. I’m not wrong, am I?”

Waving a hand at her, Sarah shook her head and focused on the street again to see what she had missed. Who she had missed. “No, no. Well, I might be if I don’t go back tomorrow. I’ll beg for it back, if I am fired.”

“If you only came back home instead of back to your machines, what are you doing here?” Karen trailed over curiously.

They were best of friends and had been for most of their lives. There were hardly any secrets between the two of them. That’s what made their relationship so strong.

Except Sarah was keeping secrets now and didn’t know what to do about them. She hadn’t meant to. But one moment had led to another, and now she didn’t know where to start. So, she had been hoping Curtis would help her out.

“Where is he?” she muttered, rubbing her hands together anxiously. Pressing her nose against the glass window, she peered outside and tried to think of an excuse for her friend.

Karen made her way to the window beside her. She glanced outside and then down to Sarah. “Who are you looking for? Oh, not Curtis, is it?”

At the mention of his name, Sarah’s stomach flip-flopped. She instinctively put a hand to it, and then hurriedly dropped her hand down to her side. Clearing her throat, she glanced up at her friend warily. “Why would it matter if I was?”

The dark-haired girl opened her mouth and then closed it. Then she made a face and showed it to Sarah with a show of reluctance. “I know how much you like him, but … I’m afraid I saw him headed to Hyde Park with Patrice Shelly on my way back here.”

Sarah blinked, trying to understand what her friend had just said. “What … Patrice? No, that’s not possible. He said he was coming here … Hyde Park?”

Everyone knew Hyde Park. It was a beautiful place in the city with plenty of trees and flowers and shrubbery that made for enough space for couples to have a moment alone together. She knew it better than she wanted to.

Her heart dropped as Karen nodded, a sympathetic look on her face. “I’m sorry. And I already told you, you can do better than Curtis. He’s handsome enough, but he’s not nice.”

It was too much to take in. Sarah straightened up off the chair, away from the window, and shook her head. “No, it’s just—you must be mistaken. Curtis is supposed to be coming here. He needs to be coming here. He said he would—he was going to help me. He said we would—” She fought to get the words out as tears began to spill. It was impossible to keep the panic out any longer. “He can’t be, he can’t!”

Karen took a step back in surprise before leaning forward to grab Sarah’s arm. “Sarah, what’s wrong? I didn’t think you were so attached—”

“But we are!” Frantically, Sarah tried to breathe. “He has to be here!” But there was no air in the room. She was growing dizzy. The world was crashing down all around her. Everything was wrong now. If Curtis wasn’t coming for her, then what? What would she do?

Her friend stepped in her path. “Sarah?”

She stepped back, shaking her head before burying her face in her hands. A sob escaped her lips as she lost feeling in her legs, stumbling down to the ground. Everything ached lately and she had never felt so ill before this point. Trying to comprehend the idea of a suddenly lonely life before her terrified Sarah.

“Oh dear.” Karen knelt and wrapped her arms around her friend. “It’s all right.”

But Sarah shook her head, grasping the girl for strength. “It’s not. Nothing’s right, Karen. I need Curtis to marry me. Are you certain he was with Patrice?”

The girl froze. “What? Yes, he was, of course. Why would you want to wed Curtis?”

Tears streamed down her face as she tried to speak up. For a minute, the panic overwhelmed her and she couldn’t speak. After all, the moment she confessed, she could lose the temporary home and her dearest friend.

But she was ill and tired of lying. “He said he would marry me and give me a home, Karen.”

“You have a home here,” the girl reminded her. “Mother said just for another year, but certainly they wouldn’t kick you out now. We’ll find a new home together, remember? Closer to the factory. We’ll plant flowers and—and have picnics every day.”

It had been such a nice dream. Sarah had thought of it every day since the girls had left school and started working in the iron factory together. Just the thought of a garden of her own with a sweet little home had given her the strength to carry on.

But now none of that could happen. She’d made a terrible mistake and now she would spend the rest of her life paying for it. A scream rose in her throat, but Sarah didn’t know how to let it out. Grabbing tight to Karen, she shook her head.

“We can’t,” she choked out. “I’m with child.”

Life had been hard enough the day she’d discovered her mother’s body left alone in a ditch. Sarah had been homeless for a month until Karen convinced her fiercely religious and strict parents to take in the girl, who could share her wages with the family. They’d both started at the factory and worked through the gray smoke, dreaming of blue skies.

She thought she had found them. Curtis Handel was a charming young man who didn’t have much, but he had enough. He’d been to school and was preparing to leave for university. Stealing moments together in the evenings, the young man had promised to marry her and take her away. He would free her from the poor and grimy neighborhood. They would have their own little home in New York City, and raise a family there. Blue skies and all the flowers she wanted, he had assured her.

And now, suddenly, they weren’t going. Now, she was unwed and with child.

“Oh bother,” Karen managed before wrapping Sarah up into a tight hug. “Oh, Sarah! What were you thinking? You haven’t told my parents, have you?”

Sarah shook her head. “They’ll kill me, Karen, I know it.”

The girl grimaced and pushed Sarah’s hair out of her face. It stuck to her cheeks because of the tears, but she managed to move them out of the way. “No, no, of course not. We’ll just … not tell them while we can, all right? It’s okay, Sarah. We’ll work something out.”

Leaning into her friend for support, Sarah let out the rest of the tears. They had been building up for weeks and after her special evening in Hyde Park with Curtis, Sarah had realized she’d made a decision she couldn’t take back.

Her life had been hard enough before this. But how was she supposed to take care of a child now?

Chapter Two

Rubbing a handkerchief across the back of his sweaty neck, Watt squinted up at the sun. It was hot as all get out. But at least it wasn’t muggy. He thought of the Louisiana summers and tried to remind himself he was lucky.

Besides, it was a beautiful day. His eyes paused on the Rocky Mountains before him. Sure, he didn’t work on them, but he worked inside them, and that had to count for something. Wrinkling his nose, he took a seat on a boulder and tried to relax.

He only had a few minutes to enjoy for his break, but he would take whatever he could get. Watt glanced around the yard, seeing the other miners settling down or talking to one another.

When he had heard about Colorado, he hadn’t known about the heat. A lot of the folks who came back to his part of North Carolina had promised big skies and lots of gold. They’d told stories of it tumbling into the rivers, of people swimming in it.

While Watt knew that couldn’t be true, he still hadn’t thought he’d have to work this hard. It had been a year and he wasn’t halfway to his intended money marker for how much he wanted to mine. Checking his pockets again for the small amount he had on him, he could see there still wasn’t much.

It only made him more restless.

He climbed up to his feet and decided to take a walk. His body was aching, but he could rest after he finished his mining for the day. This was supposed to be a good region for gold, and he’d joined on to the Reacher’s Cave. Timothy Reacher owned it and let any man who wanted to mine in there for a small fee of fifteen percent of anything taken out.

They were only half a mile deep and he wondered how much further in they would have to dig to find anything good. Not that the dark made him queasy. But he liked the fresh air, and there was always the threat of the mines crumbling.

Watt shuddered and kept walking. He made his way into town. His eyes wandered over the couple of buildings restlessly. Though he didn’t know what he was looking for, he would know when he saw it. The town was a rough one, but some of the folks were honest and he enjoyed it for what it was. At least, sometimes, he did.

Stepping inside the post office, he nodded to the postmaster and wondered if he would ever have anything to mail to someone. There was an aunt somewhere on his father’s side. He glanced around the open room before his eyes fell on a row of newspapers and magazines.

His eyes fell upon the Matrimonial Times magazines.

Curious, Watt picked it up. He thumbed through, wondering if he understood the idea correctly. There were women willing to travel for a husband they’d never met? His heart thumped loudly.

This was what he had been looking for.

Watt paid for the magazine and read it on his way back to the mine. As he went back to work, he thought about what he would put in an ad himself. There wasn’t much to say about him besides that he was a hardworking, God-fearing kind of man. Not too old, not too rich, not too much of anything. If there were more available women in town, he might have considered them. But this mining town was lacking in marriageable prospects.

***

The next morning, he sent out his ad. It left him anxious for a couple of weeks until he gathered the courage to return to the postmaster to discover he had received mail.

He took the rest of the day off to explore the responses to his ad. Taking his time, he waited until after church the following Sunday to start writing any responses himself. Five had reached out to him, and two intrigued him.

A marriage couldn’t be a careless choice, after all. He wanted someone to be his companion in the wilderness, to embrace the beauty while still working hard.

There was one particular woman whose plight he felt affected by, for she was down on her luck but had not let the trials and tribulations keep her down. Though she had suffered many hardships, she had recovered each time. She was honest, kind, and hopeful. Sarah Jacoby sounded like a beautiful woman. And if she could endure everything she had gone through, then being a miner’s wife wouldn’t send her running.

As Watt sent out his final letter, he hoped that by bringing her to Colorado, perhaps he could provide her with a better home than her poor one in Philadelphia.

“I’m sorry,” Terrence, the town blacksmith, chuckled when he heard. “You’re building a what?”

Taking a deep breath, Watt nodded. Rubbing his hands together, he glanced around at the nails and iron on the nearby counter. “You heard me. A cradle. I’m building a cradle for a—a baby.”

He hadn’t said those words out loud until then. They had felt like mountains in his mind that he couldn’t overcome, too expansive to understand. But now that he’d forced the word out into the open, it suddenly felt right.

His bride-to-be was with child. A shiver ran down his spine and he grinned. Before the next summer came, he would be a father. It hardly seemed possible. He hadn’t expected such an occurrence. Certainly, there would be children once there was a marriage. He knew that. But she was already with another man’s child, a man who’d left her, and Watt admired her courage. He wasn’t so prideful as to deny a woman in her condition.

He was going to be a father. He grinned at Terrence, who glanced at the lumber in the room. The man was a master craftsman, and Watt wanted the best for his child.

“I’ve never built one before,” Terrence said. “But I can sort it out. What kind were you thinking about? A rocking one?”

After a moment of hesitation, Watt pulled out a drawing he had been working on. “Yes and no, actually. See this? I don’t want something so small that a baby will grow out of it too quickly. If we build the legs like this, then we could add curved wood to make it a rocker when we want. Then we could take it off. And then, if there’s a wooden latch here, then it could fold over for a little child.”

Terrence’s eyes widened. “You built this?”

“I drew it.” Watt shook his head. “I just got to thinking. But I’m no good with wood, I’m afraid. Everyone says you’re the best.”

The man smirked at him. “That’s because I’m the only one.”

“Can you build it?” Watt asked him. “I don’t need it for a couple of months, but I’d expect it within three. When you need money for more nails or tools, I’ll bring it along, so I’ll pay as we go. What do you think?”
The man extended one of his large hands. “We’ve got a deal.”

Walking down the street, Watt grinned and pressed his hat down further over his head. His heart thumped loudly in his chest, eager for the future. The prospect of gold had always been a fancy idea in his head, one he’d chased down in the hopes of an adventure

And now, he was getting ready to have a family of his own. It was more exciting than anything he’d ever done. His life was about to change, and he could hardly wait.

Chapter Three

At the top of the hill, Sarah had to stop to catch her breath. She used to be able to climb and walk anywhere around the city. Rather, she used to be able to run up any hill.

Now she had to lean against a light pole. Inhaling deeply, she absently rubbed a hand over her stomach. It hadn’t grown much, or so Karen claimed, but Sarah felt huge. She had always been a thin person and it felt so strange to have something growing inside her.

Especially since it was so much harder to move now. She was certain she was already waddling, but no one said anything. At least, they hadn’t until that morning at the factory. She closed her eyes as she tried to block out the memory.

If someone hadn’t known she was with child then, they certainly did now. Mr. Pratchett had caught sight of her pausing for her breath and rubbing her belly. He had noticed. Instantly the man had thrown a fit, yelling at her for her foolish mistake and saying how he wouldn’t have an unwed mother working on his factory floors.

She squeezed her eyes tightly shut. If they were closed, then she wouldn’t cry.

What was she supposed to do?

A lump formed in her throat. She inhaled through her nose, biting her lip. Everything ached and she just wanted to collapse into a puddle and weep. But it wouldn’t make anything better. It wouldn’t solve her problem.

Karen’s parents had learned about her condition within a month and had kicked her out to the poorhouse. She had been using all her earnings to live in an old crowded church with others who were also trying to avoid the streets. It had hardly left her with enough to eat one meal a day.

Now she had lost her job at the factory.

She inhaled again, trying not to think. Something would work out. Something had to. It was the only way. Otherwise, what else would she do?

But when she let out the breath, it was shaky. A tear slipped down her cheek, and then another. Sarah leaned against the pole, unable to hold onto it any longer. Her hands were shaking too hard.

“Sorry I’m late!”

Karen’s voice came from the other side of the hill. She sounded cheerful, so Sarah scrambled to wipe away the tears, not wanting to show her weakness. But they were still falling as her friend arrived.

The girl gasped when she realized something was wrong. “Oh, Sarah. My dear, come here, would you?” Karen wrapped her arms around Sarah, resting her chin on her head. “It’s going to be all right, I promise.”

Sarah shook her head, sniffling. “But it’s not. It’s not, Karen. I just lost my job! Mr. Pratchett learned. I thought I was being careful, and I thought it was his day off, and I thought I could work a little longer, but he—but now …” Putting a hand over her mouth, she held back the sobs. She had cried too much lately.

Only a few months ago, everything had been so promising. But then the one man she had trusted had taken advantage of her and then abandoned her. She had seen Curtis a few weeks after she realized he was never going to marry her. He had pretended he didn’t know her.

“We’re going to fix this,” Karen assured Sarah. “Here, let’s get you to my house. My parents are gone for the day,” she added. “They won’t know a thing, I promise.”

Sarah hesitated, but her friend was already tugging her down the lane.

Holding firmly to her belly, Sarah followed after. Her eyes skimmed the rows of houses and then returned to her belly. That wasn’t something she could deny anymore. Mostly she just looked a little fat, but there was no ignoring the protruding stomach.

“Here we are.” Karen tucked them inside and brought a shawl around for Sarah to use. “Let’s take a seat and I’ll bring you some milk. That should help. And food. You could use something, couldn’t you? We just made some bread. Did you finish the muffins I brought you yesterday?”

Sarah’s gaze dropped. “Yes. I shared them with the Higgins,” she winced. “Those poor children, Karen. I couldn’t help myself.”

From the other room, she could hear her friend sigh. “Everyone has a hard life in their own way, Sarah, I know it. And I’d love to help more if I could. But I had to sneak those muffins out of here so my mother wouldn’t find out who I was giving them to. If you’re hoping to birth a healthy babe, then you need to be eating.”

Karen arrived with a cup of milk and a large chunk of bread. It was hard bread, for the family didn’t have much, but it looked like a feast to Sarah. Her eyes widened as she snatched up the bread and smelled it.

“It’s two days old,” Karen sighed apologetically. “Sorry.”

“Don’t be.” Sarah took a big bite. “Thank you, Karen.” She closed her eyes and nodded. Her body slowly settled comfortably in her seat and the aching began to go away. She needed more water, more food, more everything. But she had so little, and she hated taking it from her friend. Even if she needed it.

“I just wish I could do more. I can’t believe my parents were so cruel to kick you out. I’m sorry.” She patted Sarah’s knee and hesitated. “Which is why I did something about it. Stay there.”

Karen suddenly rushed out of the room. Sarah stared, waiting, and wondered what had happened. When her friend returned, the girl was beaming and carrying several pieces of paper with both hands that she placed carefully in Sarah’s lap.

“I have a gift for you,” Karen announced proudly.

Glancing at the papers and then back at her friend, Sarah raised an eyebrow. “A gift?”

Kneeling before her, her closest friend explained the ruse. “I wanted to help. Knowing you needed someone to take care of you and the babe, I answered an advertisement for a mail order bride. I used your name and told your story and I found someone who wants to marry you.”

Sarah froze. “What?”

But it was true. Karen showed her the letters written by the man, Watt Flynn, out in Colorado. They were letters written to her, telling her about the beautiful country, about the home he was preparing for her, about how he wanted a family and would give her a good life.

Nausea rose in her throat, but she forced it down. Clutching the letters tight, Sarah tried to understand. Just as it was beginning to make some semblance of sense, Karen placed a train ticket in her lap.

“Don’t be furious,” Karen whispered. “It was the only thing I thought I could do to help. I don’t have money or anything to give you, but … this. He can give it all to you. Sarah, you can go to Colorado. Marry this man. He’s good, I know it.”

Sarah found herself taking a leap of faith. The moment of fury faded as she realized her friend was only doing what she thought might help. Trusting that Karen had indeed provided an honest account of her character to the gentleman, she accepted the offer.

She hugged her friend and they went to work.

***

In two days, she was on her way in a stagecoach, journeying over the vast plains towards the West. Philadelphia was in the past. Glancing out the window, Sarah took a deep breath and prayed again that everything would turn out all right. She had left everything she knew for a place and a man she had never met.

After all, they had no real connection. The letters had never been from her in the first place. Even in what he had shared, she knew so little about him.

And there were no guarantees, no promises. She’d already lost one man. What if Mr. Flynn changed his mind as well? What if he took one look, and turned away? He might not even be the man in the letters, just as she hadn’t been the person in hers.

She felt a lump form in her throat. It would be dangerous enough to put her life in a stranger’s hands, but to put her unborn child in his hands as well scared her. That there was a man out there willing to marry a woman in her condition was unimaginable. She cringed at the idea of what he must think of her.

Yet Karen had assured her that he already knew. Glancing at her belly, it was obvious. With only three months to go, it was clear she was with child. She would be a mother soon. And now there would be a father. Or at least, she hoped.

He was supposed to know she was pregnant. Fear struck her heart as she wondered if that message had been clear to him. Karen might have confused him. What if he refused to take her? She tried to imagine finally arriving in Colorado, only for the man to turn her away.

Twisting her hands in her lap, Sarah tried to convince herself that everything would be all right. It had to be. She didn’t have any other choice.

“Nervous, dear?”

Sarah looked up to the older woman sitting across from her. The lady had gray hair, big brown eyes, and a simple outfit on. “You’ve been restless since the moment you sat down. Is it your first trip out?”

She nodded. “Yes, I’m afraid it is. And my first stagecoach.”

The woman beamed and nudged the man dozing off beside her. “This is my brother, Victor Archer, and I’m Pam. We travel where the Lord directs us. He’s a preacher,” she explained before leaning forward to pat Sarah’s knee. “Don’t you worry. We’ve made this trip before. Everything will be just fine.”

She tried to smile. “Oh, you’re too kind. I suppose I’m only uncertain of what lies ahead. I’ve never been to—to where I’m going.”

Mr. Archer was waking up. Blinking, he gave her a smile. “That’s all right. Folks don’t head out west unless they’re meant to. You’re a good child, I can see that. You’re going where you’re meant to be. Where the Lord wants you to be.”

That sounded lovely, if unlikely. But the Archers were kind. Without knowing her worries, they did their best to calm her nerves.

Chapter Four

Autumn was finally setting in. Watt wasn’t sweating by the time he arrived at the mines. Pulling his hat off, he set his things down by a ledge as he glanced around. Men were beginning to file in, nodding his way and talking to each other.

It was a beautiful day. What a shame to waste it working inside the mine. He paused to admire the tall trees lining up the pathway towards the mine’s entrance. Sure, there was color in the cities. But they had nothing on the mountains and valleys of Colorado. Taking a deep breath, he nodded. This was where he was meant to be.

Men coming up the lane whistled, shouting to each other. Everyone had energy in the mornings. A few of them whistled.

“Got a stagecoach coming in!”

“A stagecoach?”

“Whooee! Anybody got folks coming in?”

“Who wants to come to this dump?”

Watt’s heart stopped. A stagecoach? They didn’t get a lot of those. Since he had arrived in town and fixed up that cabin a year ago, only three coaches had come through. The nearest train was a day’s ride away in Wyoming, and folks had a tendency of continuing further west. Few stopped in Colorado for any reason.

But this stagecoach had, and just at the point he was expecting a woman to arrive. His mouth turned dry as he wondered if it was so soon. The last letter he had sent must have only just arrived. While Watt had written that he was ready for her whenever she came, he hadn’t thought she would come already.

All of a sudden, his body turned into a bundle of nerves. He was thrilled and worried, with so much energy he didn’t know what to do with it.

Putting his hat on, Watt momentarily thought going to work in the mine would help. But before he could take two steps forward, he realized he needed to check on the stagecoach. If she was there, then he had to pick her up.

Jerking back, he apologized to the men behind him before heading away. Watt’s mind was everywhere but where he needed to be. Swallowing, he hurriedly headed back into town.

It was a small town, built around the mine. But there had been growth lately and now they even had a church building, a small mercantile, a haberdashery, and a blacksmith. They didn’t have much, but there was potential. Colorado was filled with bison, mountains, and gold.

At first, it had been nice enough. He had never wanted for much. This was a good place and he wanted to make his home here. Watt felt ready to move onto the next step and start a family.

Now it was happening. A smile spread across his face as he hurried down the main street. Already he could see the stagecoach near the livery stable with dust in the street beginning to settle. There were figures in the distance climbing out of the carriage.

He slowed down, feeling his heart thudding in his chest. Watt searched for her. This was a moment he’d been waiting for since her first letter. That was months ago. Swallowing hard, he wondered if he would recognize the young lady when he saw her. Would she recognize him?

Watt straightened up. Stopping across the lane, he studied the people around the stagecoach.

There were the two drivers. He could tell it was them since they wore the same hats with some sort of insignia. Then there was a man and a woman together, both with gray hair. His eyes wandered. A man came around the other side of the carriage and Watt recognized the man from the livery stable.

Perhaps then, he pondered, she wasn’t here.

He took a step back. Already his mind was backtracking, pointing out that he was missing work. Missing another chance to mine more gold, to strike it rich. A few more dollars before she arrived. He still needed to purchase a few things for her.

But he stopped as another figure stepped out of the stagecoach. Watt froze, feeling a tingle spread across his body. Just a glimpse and he knew.

It was her. His eyes followed as the woman stepped down onto the ground, nodding her head to the driver who had helped her down. There was a bonnet that hid her face, but the dress couldn’t hide her swelling belly. Watt traced the way she rubbed her stomach before pointing to something on top of the stagecoach. Her bag.

Before he could even register a thought, Watt was already moving forward. Crossing the street, he tucked his things under his arm as he took step after step to reach her.

“I’ll take that,” he told the driver.

The young lady took a step back in surprise as he intercepted her bag. It wasn’t as heavy as he had expected. Taking a deep breath, he turned to see her face to face.

She had big eyes, bluer than the sea. Soft brown hair framed her face in little curls, emphasizing her flushed cheeks. There was a pert nose, a narrow chin, and a curious tilt of the head as she looked back at him.

“It’s a pleasure to meet you,” he offered after a moment, smiling. “I’m Watt Flynn. You’re Sarah, right? I mean, Miss Jacoby.”

The young woman inhaled deeply. She nodded once, hesitated, and then nodded several more times. “Yes, I … I am. So, you’re …” Her mouth opened to continue, but she couldn’t seem to find the words. “You’re my …”

He didn’t know what else to do besides nod as well. Watt tried to think of what to say next. But he’d never been in this situation before. Watching as she ducked her head and glanced away, he knew he was supposed to do something. But what?

“Pardon me,” the driver coughed. He came up between them, holding a few other bags in his arms.

“Ah.” Watt took a step back, nodding his head towards the street with his bride-to-be. “Let’s get out of the way. Come here, Miss Jacoby. I can … are you hungry? You must be hungry.”

There was work to be done, but that could wait another day. As the young woman walked around the driver and bags, Watt had a moment to gather his thoughts. He could work tomorrow. Today would be different. He had Miss Jacoby to care for now.

Watt glanced at her again. There wasn’t a lot that he knew about women. But it was about time he learned.

“The café makes good eggs,” Watt volunteered as she stepped up to him again. She merely nodded. He tried to think of something else to say as silence settled between them. His stomach rumbled at the prospect of food. Her lip twitched as he glanced away. “Well, let’s ah, let’s eat.”

Side by side but not touching, the two of them went into the café. After Watt set things down on an extra chair, he pulled out one for Miss Jacoby and sat in the other. He looked over at her as she looked around the place curiously.

“It’s not much,” Watt admitted with a warm smile. “But it’s a good place to be. Folks are saying more will be settling down in these parts. We might be as big as Boston someday. How was your ride?” he asked when he realized he was doing all the talking.

Her eyes drifted back his way and he wondered what she thought of him. Though he didn’t consider himself very old, she was much younger. Thinking of her letters, Watt could hardly believe she’d already been through so much.

“It was nice enough,” Miss Jacoby offered. “Long, but it was beautiful. I liked looking out the window.”

They made small talk as they ordered food and ate. She didn’t have much to say, but Watt couldn’t blame her. There were dark circles under her eyes and her shoulders began to droop.

Towards the end, Watt sheepishly explained that they couldn’t get married just yet. He hadn’t expected her so soon, and the justice of the peace wasn’t due in town for another week. While they could get married at the church any time, it wouldn’t be legal until they had their judge.

They walked over and Watt set her up in the boarding house, a small little building run by Mrs. Jensen.

“You look tired,” Watt winced. “I mean, it looks like you could use a rest. Maybe I’ll come by later? We can have supper together and talk. If you’re up for it. It’s been a long day, I understand.”

Her lips parted lightly, but it took the young woman a minute to say something. It was hard to tell if she was shy, tired, or didn’t like him. Watt waited for her verdict.

She nodded. “Of course, yes, I … That sounds nice. Tonight.”

Chapter Five

It was a house. A house with a large yard and no neighbors living beside them. Slowly, Sarah turned in a circle to get a better feel for her new home. It was nothing like her family’s tiny apartment in Philadelphia, the squished home that Karen’s parents had, or the large, haunting church for the poor folks.

A real house. There was a good-sized kitchen, a private bedroom, and a front room like a little parlor for guests. It was empty now, but she could already picture the room put to good use. Though it was dirtier and less furnished than she had expected, Sarah was surprised at all the space.

“Well?”

She turned back to the front door where Watt Flynn stood. They’d been married just an hour ago. He had kissed her cheek instead of her lips and she knew he had done it to be polite. The man appeared to be quite patient and understanding. Even now, the dark-haired man looked at her as though he hoped she liked the house.

Sarah nodded slowly. “It’s very nice,” she offered. Then her stomach moved, and she winced, rubbing her belly. “The baby likes it.” It wasn’t something she meant to say out loud, but it came out. A lump came to her throat. She glanced at Watt, wondering. The letters had said he was happy to take care of her and the baby, but they hadn’t talked about it. They had just been married, but that meant little enough to some men.

It wasn’t that he didn’t appear nice. It was only that she didn’t want to be burned again.

“Oh?” Watt stepped into the house, his eyes crinkling. “Really? It kicked. What does … what does it feel like?”

Her mouth turned dry as she looked for the right idea to express. There weren’t words for something like this. Courage strengthened her for a moment. “Would you like to feel?”

“Really?”

She watched his eyes light up just as she wished to take it back. Not really, she thought to herself. One man had already touched her and spurned her. Wouldn’t another? But the offer was made. With a shaky breath, she nodded and took a small step forward to close the distance between them.

“Huh. All right, well …” Watt offered a sheepish smile as he delicately placed a hand towards the top left side of her stomach.

It wasn’t the right place by any means. Sarah started to shake her head and point to the right spot but realized that could become tedious if he misunderstood. She found herself taking his hand and placing it a little lower and on the other side. That’s where the baby’s limbs were restlessly moving about.

She watched his eyes widen in surprise. Holding back a smile, she enjoyed seeing the wonder spread across his face as he experienced that for the first time. It wasn’t something she’d been able to share with anyone. Karen had been too nervous, and everyone else treated her like she was diseased. For the first time since she’d discovered she was with child, there was someone else who was excited at the idea of the babe.

“That’s …” Watt cleared his throat after a minute and then pulled his hand back. “Thank you, that was … Here, you should sit down. I’m bothering you, aren’t I? I should get back to work. There’s mining to be done. And you can get situated here.” Moving around, he gestured to a few things. “There’s plenty of grain and some eggs in the lard. Or you can rest. The bed is in there, and … Tomorrow, there’s church. Do you want … would you like to join me there?”

She nodded when he turned back to her. “Yes. That would be nice,” Sarah volunteered.

Then he nodded as well. “Good. Right. Well, I should go. To the mines.” Watt cleared his throat, pausing as though he wanted to say something more. But he didn’t. Instead, he tipped his hat in her direction and left.

They didn’t say farewell, but she trailed after him to the door and watched from the window as he headed down the street. Watt was a narrow man with strong shoulders and firm hands. While he wasn’t the most handsome man she’d ever seen, he was fairly good-looking.

Watt was kind and appeared to be a good man. Her stomach flip-flopped as he disappeared around the bend, so she clutched her belly.

Curtis had been like that. He had been tender and sweet and attractive. He had made her laugh and smile and sigh. Even now that they were married, Sarah’s heart beat nervously at the idea of sharing a life with Watt.

How could she trust him? Anyone could play nice. He might fancy the idea of a child now, but what about later? Where the child cried through the night? A man could always change his mind. Especially since the babe wasn’t his. Fear clutched at her throat as she hurriedly shut the window, trying not to think about abandonment again.

This was her last chance. If this didn’t work out, she would end up on the streets. But there weren’t streets to live on out here in the middle of nowhere. She’d have no way to support herself and her child.

Sarah turned back to the house, her new home, and began to tidy up. Her hands needed to be busy. Perhaps doing something would help her to think.

She went to work. There was dusting to do, sweeping, and supper to cook. He didn’t have much, as he had told her, but he was working on it. As she worked, Sarah thought of his letters Karen had given her where he had talked about how much they had to survive on their own out in the wild.

It was a hard life, but a good one. That’s what he had promised her.

***

The afternoon passed by in a blur. She walked around the yard and found the yarn and needles he had promised her, along with corn to prepare for supper. It kept her busy until the evening when he returned.

He even knocked on the door before stepping through. Alert, Sarah slowed by the table upon which she had set the two plates he owned. She forced a smile as he nodded to her and glanced around the kitchen.

“It smells good,” he volunteered. “I didn’t know you could cook. I mean, your letters … you don’t mention much about … the kitchen.”

She thought quickly, glancing at the table. “It’s only corn. And some bread. I didn’t see any meat. I can’t make much, of course. Just a little.” Sarah bit her lip and turned away, realizing she still needed to put napkins out. “I’m almost ready. I—I didn’t know when to expect you …”

“Here.” He seemed to know what she was looking for as she ransacked the various cupboards. Stepping forward, he reached for a taller shelf and handed some cloths to her. The man smiled at her before glancing back at the shelf. “Huh. I suppose I should probably move things a little lower.”

That made Sarah flush. “I’m sorry,” she mumbled. “I can—I can find a stool or …”

His eyes widened at her. “Oh no, I didn’t mean it like that. Only that, you know, I don’t want you to have to …” The man offered a sheepish smile. “It’s fine, really. I don’t mind. It’s your home now, too.”

***

It took her a few days to adjust. During the day, she had time to herself to take care of the house. There was cleaning, cooking, washing, and knitting that needed to be done. The quiet was strange, but she began to enjoy it. Then Watt would return in the evenings and they would sup together, sometimes sharing a story from the day they’d had.

After a week, things were beginning to fall into a routine. Until the tenth night.

Sarah took a seat at the table, putting up her swollen feet on a stool Watt had built, and glanced outside the window. The sun was setting. She rubbed her belly and glanced towards the door, wondering if he was almost there. Supper was ready and waiting. After trying her hand at a meat pie, she was eager to see what he thought of the meal.

Except Watt didn’t come home.

Worry didn’t set in until the sun was nearly gone. She lit a lantern and glanced out the front door before closing it against the darkness. He had never been out so late.

A shiver ran down her spine. The man hadn’t said anything about not coming back in time. Surely he would be there any minute. But the minutes continued to pass, and he never arrived. For a while, she worried that he had been hurt. It was a dangerous job that he had explained to her, working in the dark beneath the mountains.

Sarah began to pace. Dread fell upon her shoulders as she realized it had to be something worse. That he had left her deliberately and didn’t really want her.

Holding back tears, she tugged at her hair and tried to think about what she would do now. There wasn’t enough of a garden to grow anything yet to keep her through the winter and she didn’t have any money to go anywhere. Besides, the baby was due soon. Her hands began to shake as she felt the world collapsing around her. Then there were the wolves and the bears that Watt had mentioned lived in the wild. What if they came for her?

“Sarah?”

Gasping, she whirled around to find Watt in the doorway, covered in dirt. Her heart lunged as she tried to breathe. She stared in disbelief, wondering if she was imagining him.

He took a step forward, reaching out to her. “You didn’t hear me. What’s wrong?”

Scrambling to wipe away the tears, Sarah blinked hard. “You came back?”

He nodded slowly, his brow softening. “Of course I did. Come here.” He took her hand in both of his. “I’m sorry, there was an accident, and I couldn’t … We can talk about that later. You look exhausted. You’re shaking.”

“I didn’t think …” she stammered, “I thought you were gone.”

Watt led her to the bedroom, helping her to sit down. Then he took a step back, studying her carefully as he thought through something. But he still held her hand and gave it a comforting squeeze. It made her jump in surprise. “I told you, I’m not going anywhere. How long were you pacing?”

She shrugged and inhaled a shaky breath. When she let it out, her shoulders began to relax. He was back which meant he hadn’t left her. Watt let go of her hand when she surprised herself with a yawn. Though she was exhausted, she didn’t know how she could sleep. He had been missing just a minute ago, hadn’t he? What if he left again?

“All right,” he murmured softly, drawing close again. “Into bed you go. I’ll go clean up and I’ll come back later. Just get some rest, all right? You need it.” That was the last thing she heard before Sarah found herself slipping under the covers and falling asleep.

Chapter Six

“I’ll only be a moment,” Watt assured her as his eyes drifted across the room.

“All right,” Sarah said.

When he glanced back, she smiled and let go of his hand. It surprised him and he wasn’t sure how he felt about that. While he liked having her hand to hold during church, and he wanted her to trust him more, he still wanted to be able to hold her hand.

But he moved away all the same, crossing the aisle to say hello to Daniel Leary. Leary was recovering from the last mining accident; after everything they’d been through, Watt thought the least he could do was greet the injured man.

“How are you faring?” Watt asked, glancing at the man’s splint.

Leary shrugged with a sigh, glancing at his two children and wife. “I could be better. Putting me out of work hasn’t helped the family. But our garden and our goats should hold us over for a short while.”

“He won’t take his medicine,” Mrs. Leary told Watt with a stern look. “He’d be faring even better then. But you men are all so stubborn.”

Watt managed a grudging smile. “Sorry, ma’am. That we are.”

The woman hesitantly offered a small smile as well, especially as her husband took her hand. She looked back up at Watt. “And how are you and your missus doing, Watt? We should have the two of you to supper. Perhaps when Daniel is back on his feet.”

“I’m walking just fine,” Leary argued.

“Thank you,” Watt broke in. “I’m sure we will. It might be a while, what with her expecting, and all …” he trailed off as strange expressions crossed over the couple’s faces.

But then they vanished into smiles. “Of course,” Mrs. Leary nodded in a hurry. “When is your little one due?”

“In a few weeks.” His heart warmed at the thought, sending tingles all down his body. They were married, so that made the child his. And he could hardly wait. His eyes flitted back to his wife, a concept that still surprised him some mornings, and was pleasantly surprised to find her talking to the pastor and his wife.

Watt talked to the Learys for a few more minutes before making his way back to Sarah. She was making friendly conversation and it warmed his heart to see her making friends. For the first two weeks, she had been glued to his side and had hardly talked to anyone, as though worried he might wander off to never come back.

He didn’t mind. It was only that he wanted her to make friends, as well as learn to trust that he would always come back. Just the other night, he’d stayed out late to see the Richards family. Sarah had been fast asleep in their bed when he returned, no longer pacing frantically around the house like she had the first couple occasions it had happened.

It was taking time, but they were getting there.

She smiled now as he arrived by her side with a nod to the pastor and his wife. “That was a mighty good sermon,” Watt offered. “Thank you, sir.”

The older man nodded kindly. “And thank you for your kindness. You’re setting a good example in our community, Mr. Flynn. I was just talking to Mrs. Richards; she and her children are very grateful for all you’ve done to help them.”

Watt’s smile faded as he shrugged. “Someone needs to help her out. I know she wants to take the family back east since …” he trailed off, still uncomfortable about the town’s most recent loss. Mitchell Richards had been a good man and hadn’t deserved the accident that had taken his life.

“And they’ll fare much better with your good deeds,” Mrs. Timmons, the pastor’s wife, continued through the silence. She offered them a smile and a nod before turning down the aisle with her husband to other churchgoers.

Sarah touched Watt’s arm, a curious look on her face. When he met her gaze, a soft expression passed over her eyes before fading away. “I’m ready to go,” she volunteered. “If you are.”

Nodding, he took her hand in his and led the way out. “All right. Do you mind if we stop by the Wilsons before home? I said I’d check on them before they headed out of town.”

“They’re leaving as well?” Her brow furrowed.

He explained quietly as they headed down the lane. It was a hard life, and it was still a small town. There wasn’t much that a family could do unless they managed a business or worked in the mines. For a young mother with three children, after the father lost two limbs in the mines, this wasn’t any longer the place for them to be.

As he went to visit the family, helping them to pack a few final things up, Sarah sat quietly in the corner and played with the daughter. Whenever he glanced over, she managed a smiled.

“Thank you for that,” Watt offered as they headed back to their house at last. “I know you must be tired. I didn’t mean to stay so long, but …”

She shook her head, leaning on him as they walked. Her belly was large now, larger than he’d thought possible. Just catching sight of it warmed his heart. “It’s all right,” Sarah murmured. “It’s kind of you to take care of these people. They need the help. I only …”

But she didn’t finish her statement. “What is it?” Watt asked her.

He heard her swallow, her eyes drifting down the trail. Their home was close enough to the church and mines in town that he had no need for a horse or cart. But with her so near her due date, he wondered.

“The mines are dangerous, aren’t they?” Sarah’s voice was shaky as she asked the question. “Every day, I don’t know if you’ll return.”

Watt hesitated. He didn’t know how to answer that without scaring her more than she apparently already was. Thinking of the widows he was trying to help, he realized he could do the same to her, leaving her bereft.

Not knowing what else to do, he squeezed her hand reassuringly. “I’m not going anywhere.”

His eyes flitted ahead to their house that was now in sight. There was something sitting on their porch. Two more steps, and he realized what it was. Terrence had finally finished their project.

Grinning, Watt faced Sarah to block her view of the porch, having to walk backwards as he took her hands in his. He grinned, enjoying the wonder that stretched across her face. “I have a surprise for you.” It would get her mind off her worries. “Come on.”

“But I don’t need … oh.” They reached the house and she stopped when she saw it.

He moved out of the way to let her study it. Then he tugged her over so she could see the cradle better. Sarah gingerly touched the frame, her eyes wandering over the structure as a smile spread across her face.

“This is beautiful,” she murmured, touching the leaf pattern carved into the side. “I’ve never … where did …”

Watt’s face hurt from smiling so hard. “You really like it?”
She nodded eagerly. “Yes! Oh, it’s lovely.”

He went on to explain the changes it could make for a growing child and she only grew more amazed, clapping in delight before throwing her arms around him in a hug. Watt automatically returned the hug, though he was hardly able to believe it. Her large belly was in between them, but this was the closest they had been since her arrival. Even at night, in the same bed, she kept her distance. But now he had his face buried in her hair.

“Thank you,” Sarah whispered. “Thank you, Watt.”

The spirited young woman finally let go and eagerly tugged the cradle inside. Watt grinned at her determination to find the best spot for the cradle. He pulled out an apple as she delightedly moved around the house, or rather she waddled, until she placed it at the edge of the kitchen.

“There,” she decided. “I can have a chair by the fire here, and still work in the kitchen. Then at night, we can keep the door open and—and watch him. Or her. The baby.” She rubbed her belly and took a step back.

When Sarah turned to him, her eyes were shining. Watt felt his heart soften, wondering how he’d found such a remarkable woman. His heart skipped a beat and he felt his mouth turn dry as he nodded. Right then, she could ask for anything in the world and he’d do whatever it took to give it to her.

Everything about the woman amazed him. From her ability to find little weed flowers and call them beautiful, to finding ways to use little cups of flour to make a delicious supper, she was a work of art. Now, he eagerly hurried home at the end of his workday just to be near her. She brightened his day just by being there.

“I think that’s perfect,” he assured her.

A soft blush graced her cheeks before she took a step back. The moment ended as she dropped her gaze. Wiping her hands on her apron, she turned to the kitchen and away from him.

It was so close. She would hug him and talk to him and be there for him, but she was still wary. Watt straightened up and stared at his apple. They just needed time, that was all. But he had already decided he would do whatever it took to earn her heart the way she held his.

Chapter Seven

Inhaling deeply, Sarah ran a hand over her swelling stomach as she watched the sun drop over the horizon. It made for such a beautiful sight. That alone had been worth leaving Philadelphia for. Her lips curved into a soft smile as she studied it, wondering if God had painted each stroke.

She enjoyed it for as long as she could. But inevitably, the darkness came and settled in. Sarah forced herself to return to the kitchen and clean up supper. She left Watt’s plate covered on the table as she washed the dishes.

Soon the house was clean, and he still wasn’t home. Her ankles ached, so there would be no pacing for the night. Still not ready for bed, Sarah took a seat and put up her feet. Taking a deep breath, she tried to tell herself all over again that Watt would come home when he could. He was probably seeing to the Richards family again.

Two months had passed since she first arrived. Her thoughts wandered to that first week where Watt had put her up in the boarding house in town. He’d stopped by during his breaks each day to eat and talk to her. The man was always kind, always a gentleman. She had stopped being afraid of him, but she worried about trusting him too much.

Especially now that she was learning what a dangerous job he worked.

He might not abandon her, she finally believed, but that didn’t mean she might not end up alone. Death could separate them instead. What if he was injured? She didn’t know what she would do. What if he died? Her heart seized and her stomach cramped at the thought.

Sarah hissed at the sudden pain and rubbed her stomach to comfort both herself and the baby.

“I’m sure he’s just fine.” She spoke aloud in the silence. Taking a deep breath, she nodded and stood up. Maybe there was something she could do to keep her hands and her mind busy.

Humming, Sarah glanced around the house. It was small, but it was theirs. And in the past two months, they had made it into a good home. There were curtains in the windows, flowers at the table, and she was finishing a second rug.

“That’s what I can do,” she brightened at the idea. She wanted it finished before the baby came, and that was any day now. Sarah rested her hands on her large belly as she headed to the front room. Everything was harder lately, from walking to dressing to picking things up.

Even now, she glanced at the basket of cloth and yarn at her feet. Sarah had to look around her stomach now, not over it. She attempted to lean down for the basket. But it was still out of reach. Glancing around, she grabbed hold of the nearby table and tried to bend her knees without falling over.

“Oh!” Sarah gasped as her legs gave out and she collapsed on the floor on her back. Her breath knocked out of her lungs, she stared at the ceiling for a minute in shock before coughing.

Another cramp arrived and she winced, curling up her legs as she grabbed her stomach. This one was longer, and her face screwed up as she waited for it to pass. “Oh bother. Oh bother. Oh bother …” Then she sighed when it finally disappeared.

There had been a few in the last couple of days, but in talking to the pastor’s wife, Mrs. Timmons, she had learned that was to be expected. The woman had been stopping by every couple of days to check on her. As the closest person they had to a doctor or midwife, the woman had helped birth twenty children in town over the last couple of years. She had offered her services to help, and Sarah was glad to have found guidance and a new friend.

Sarah sighed in relief as the pain faded. Her back ached, but she knew that was normal. Especially since she’d just fallen. Frowning, she glanced around and shakily tried to get herself back up onto her feet. But on the floor, in her pregnant state, she couldn’t find the balance to sit up.

Then the door opened.

When Watt stepped through and scanned the room for her, she tried to smile when he spotted her. His eyes widened as he hurried over. “Sarah! What happened?” He dropped his jacket to reach her side, grasping her close to pull her up.

In seconds she was back on her feet and helped to the nearest chair. “Thank you,” she managed as she wiped her brow, wondering why she was sweating. Fanning herself, she shook her head. “I was trying to reach the basket and then I fell … I couldn’t get back up. I suppose I could have slept there for the night.”

Rolling his eyes, Watt chuckled. “You’re not sleeping on our floor, Sarah. Come here. It’s late enough. You can knit tomorrow.” He tried to wipe his hands clean of soot before stretching them back out to her.

As she put out her hand, she noticed a streak he had left on her arm. But she didn’t mind as he swiftly pulled her back up. It was much easier being pregnant with Watt around, Sarah decided. She opened her mouth to tell him this just as something wet trickled down her legs.

He saw her face and noticed something was wrong. “What? What is it? Are you all right?”

“I …” Sarah hesitated as she glanced down. Her heart skipped a beat as she tried to comprehend if her guess was right. Surely the child wasn’t coming yet. It was time for everyone to go to bed, after all. Didn’t children arrive in the daytime? Before she could say anything more, another cramp passed and she tightened her grip on Watt’s arm. “Oh!”

Watt stepped closer, his other arm around her for support. “Sarah? What’s wrong?”

“The baby,” she gritted her teeth. “I think it’s time.”

***

Everything after that happened in a great blur. As Watt led her to the bedroom, they had their first argument. He wanted to go bring Mrs. Timmons there and she wanted him to stay. The idea of being left alone even for a moment terrified her.

“I need you to trust me.” Watt knelt by her side as he pulled a strand of hair from her face. “I’m going to return. I’ll bring Mrs. Timmons back with me. But I think we would both feel better if she’s here. She knows what to do, remember? I swear I’ll be right back.”

Sarah shakily patted the pillow she was sitting beside. For a minute, the pain was gone, and she had a moment of doubt. Perhaps this wasn’t really happening. She could just go to bed. Leaning against the bed frame, she found herself nodding. He did make some sense. “All right. I suppose it wouldn’t hurt. Just be quick. Wait!”

Watt stayed through the next wave of contractions, his eyes wide as he watched her. When it passed, she forced herself to nod. Then he kissed her forehead and ran out.

Soon the contractions were coming quicker and staying longer. There were two more before she heard the front door again and footsteps rushing her way.

Mrs. Timmons was there, with Watt behind her, carrying various items. The older woman quickly assessed the situation before coming over to give Sarah a quick hug. “Let’s get to this, shall we?”

Immediately, the woman began to provide instructions. Watt started to run around to gather everything they needed while Sarah tried to focus on her breathing. If she didn’t think of anything else, then she didn’t feel the fear clawing at her throat.

After all, what did she know of any of this? Of marriage, of family? She’d never held a baby before and had no idea how to birth one. Sarah shuddered, closing her eyes.

“Focus.” Mrs. Timmons broke through her thoughts. “Sarah, stay with us. You need to stay alert. It’s not going to be pretty, but it’s the only way. You want to hold your baby, don’t you?”

Nodding, she opened her eyes. “Yes. Yes, I—” she groaned as another contraction arrived.

“Here.” Watt delivered the hot water to Mrs. Timmons as Sarah gasped for breath. He leaned forward, offering his hand to her.

“This is no place for a man,” Mrs. Timmons told him. “You should stay out of the room. I have this handled.”

Sarah grabbed his hand. “No!” she panicked, looking up at him. “Don’t go.”

His eyes skirted to the other woman. “Are you sure?”

She nodded quickly before another contraction could distract her. “Please?”

Watt studied her for a minute before running a thumb across her cheek. She could feel her hair plastered to her sweaty face. There wasn’t any chance that she looked like a beautiful young bride now. For a minute her heart dropped, worried he would leave.

But then he nodded. “All right. I’m here.”

Mrs. Timmons sighed but said nothing more than for him to climb up behind Sarah on the bed to provide support from behind. It was almost time to start pushing.

Chapter Eight

“I’ll get him.” Watt rolled out of bed, wide awake the moment he heard the wailing. He heard Sarah shift in the blankets as he padded to the end of the bed. They had meant to keep the cradle out of the room, but both of them found it easier to keep baby Matthew close by.

He reached the cradle and carefully picked up the newborn boy. A smile spread to his face as he gazed into those big blue eyes. It was much easier now to hold him right. Mrs. Timmons had been quick to teach them that.

Only a week had passed since the child had been born. Watt felt reborn himself, looking into the eyes of one so small. He grinned as the child quieted down and stared back at him. What was the child thinking? Did Matthew know anything yet? Did he know how much he was loved and cherished? Watt hoped so.

Feeling eyes on them, he grudgingly looked away from the baby and found Sarah watching them. She’d stolen his pillow again to sit up comfortably and had cocked her head to study him.

“What is it?” he whispered, not wanting to disturb Matthew now that he was quiet.

She shook her head as she sighed. As a harried young mother, Sarah hadn’t bothered to pin up her hair since the birth. And Watt hadn’t minded, for he rather enjoyed seeing her honey-colored hair flowing over her shoulders.

Coming around to her side of the bed, he raised his eyebrow while still carefully swinging Matthew softly side to side. “What?” There was clearly something on her mind.

“It’s nothing,” she chuckled softly. “Perhaps I’ll tell you later. But I can take him now. He’ll be hungry in a moment.”

He glanced at the baby. “Just another second,” Watt requested. “I can’t get enough of him.”

“You’ll be late to work,” she pointed out as she reached out for the baby. “Don’t worry. We’ll still be here when you return.”

Watt groaned, kissing the baby before obeying. She was right, after all. He had stayed home the first two days after Matthew was born, and then had reluctantly returned to the mines. The work didn’t feel so hard then, but it certainly felt long. He’d practically run home each night since in the hopes of spending more time with his family.

He kissed Sarah’s forehead as well before stepping away. When she hadn’t protested the first kiss while she was giving birth, he’d found himself doing it more often. Any chance to show her how much he cared, any chance to touch her for a second.

Watt pulled on his shirt before stepping through to the kitchen. Mrs. Timmons had brought them food enough for the month, with a few things from the neighbors as well. He grabbed an apple for himself before preparing a quick plate for Sarah.

“Thank you,” she nodded after tucking the baby close to her chest.

Watt glanced away even though she had a blanket covering herself. Sarah’s cheeks were red when he looked again.

“All right, I’ll be back,” he promised her. Unable to find any more excuses to delay, Watt forced himself out of the house and towards the mines.

***

Whistling as he went down the lane, Watt could have sworn the sun was shining a little brighter. He put on his hat and followed the other men into the darkness. It didn’t feel so gloomy lately, and now he had more energy to keep moving.

Though he knew he’d lost plenty of sleep since the baby had come, he didn’t mind. Becoming a father was invigorating more than anything else. Watt’s thoughts wandered as he pulled out his gear, fixed his headlamp, and started working on his particular strain in the wall. It was a good one and he’d managed a small windfall just the other day that would keep them comfortable for a season or two.

Around him, a few men talked. But mostly they worked. It was hard labor, whether one was hammering at the walls or carrying the rocks around to get out of the way. The tunnels echoed with their grunting and shuffling.

Watt wondered if they were thinking about their families as well. It was incredible how his mindset had changed so quickly. With Matthew’s birth, the world seemed a lighter and better place. Already, he had wanted to build a relationship with Sarah, but now he felt that more than ever. He hadn’t thought he would ever have a family of his own like this. But now he did.

Though Matthew might not be his blood, the baby was his son. He’d felt that the moment Mrs. Timmons had put the screaming, squirming boy into his arms. Watt knew he’d never forget the rush of emotions that had poured over him as he’d admired the strong child and handed him into his mother’s arms.

They were a family now. A real family. Even if it took him a while to grow close to Sarah, any effort was going to be worth it.

His heart had never felt so full. Watt pulled out his hammer and continued working at pulling the ore free, his thoughts wandering all the way back home.

Everything was going well until he heard a loud crash.

“Watch—” He heard before everything turned black.

***

Darkness wrapped him into a tight cocoon, tugging at him mercilessly. Watt felt his consciousness come in and out, searching for light and the world he knew so well, but all he could sense was a loud drumming.

When his eyes finally opened, Watt found himself staring at his bedroom ceiling. The drumming was beginning to fade and he could hear something else. Voices. He heard Matthew, Sarah, and someone else.

Groaning, Watt tried to sit but stopped when he couldn’t use his elbow to prop himself up. His brow furrowed as he looked down to find his left arm wrapped tightly to his chest.

“Sarah?” he called for her, but his voice came out in a thick croak.

But she had heard. There was a loud gasp as something fell. Then he heard her footsteps rush in his direction. Holding Matthew in both arms, she arrived in the doorway with tears in her eyes.

“You’re awake,” she announced as tears spilled down her cheeks. Blinking them away, Sarah hurried over to him. “No, don’t get up.”

Watt watched her in his confusion. “Of course I’m awake. What am I doing here? The last thing I remember …” He could feel the thick bandage wrapped around his head, but it didn’t make sense to him.

Sitting on the edge of the bed, she shifted Matthew in her arms. He gurgled as Sarah took Watt’s hand that was tied down by his chest. She managed a tearful smile for him. “There was an accident in the mines. The pastor and some of the miners brought you here. They said … they weren’t sure if you were breathing. You hit your head and your arm was so …” She swallowed hard. “But—but you’re awake now. That’s good.”

“Of course.” He squeezed her hand as he tried to ignore the sharp pain that lanced through his arm. “I’m here, Sarah.”

Upon her insistence, Watt forced himself to relax back against the pillows. Sarah carefully set Matthew beside him in the middle of the bed, where he could use his uninjured arm to cradle the child. She left the room to bring him food, and he learned he’d been unconscious for over a full day.

The accident had knocked him off his feet both literally and figuratively. Watt felt guilty for putting this on Sarah as she now had to take care of two boys just a week after giving birth. Though she told him she didn’t mind and appreciated the extra time they had together as he spent the next week in bed, Watt knew it had to be hard on her.

Chapter Nine

“Not again.” Sarah tried to take a deep breath before opening her eyes and glancing down at the bread dough. But she couldn’t help but glance at her hands. They wouldn’t stop shaking and she’d just knocked too much flour into the bowl. Again.

Leaning forward on the counter, she forced another deep breath so she wouldn’t get upset. There wasn’t time to be upset or anxious or afraid.

Yet she couldn’t help it. Closing her eyes, Sarah tried to concentrate. Even as she enjoyed hearing Watt sing softly to Matthew in the next room, she dreaded the quiet. It was in the quiet that bad things happened. It had been quiet when she’d realized Curtis was never coming for her. And it was quiet when she’d learned Watt had been badly injured.

They had worried when he hadn’t woken up. Just because they’d managed to make sure he was breathing didn’t mean he would ever open his eyes again. That’s what everyone had said.

And though the weight of the world had slipped off her shoulders when he woke up, Sarah now kept waiting for something worse to happen. That he would fall and hurt himself more. That he would fall asleep and never wake up. That he would return to the mines and never return to her. Waving a hand before her face, she wondered how she could keep going from hot to cold to hot again.

“Sarah?”

Her heart leapt. “I’m fine.” She sucked in a deep breath as she whirled around to look at Watt. She wiped her brow. It was a warm day, though there was frost outside. A trickle of sweat ran down her spine but it didn’t distract her for long.

Swallowing hard, she looked at the man before her. He was going to be just fine. That’s what they had decided. He was going to be fine. Time had helped him heal and Watt was back on his feet. The terrible cut on his forehead was finally healing and no longer bled. He could still wiggle his fingers and had adjusted nicely to his sling.

The man was still handsome, still kind, still wonderful. In the last couple of weeks, she had realized that her fondness had turned into something deeper and more powerful than anything she had ever experienced.

And that scared Sarah. The strong emotions scared her just as much as she was scared of losing them.

His brow furrowed as he studied her face carefully before stepping up closer to her. She hid her hands behind her back. She didn’t want him to notice, too embarrassed that she couldn’t control herself.

Sarah just needed more time in the kitchen. That’s what she told herself. Slowly but surely, she would eventually bake the loaf of bread. It was Sunday, but they were home for the Sabbath. They could all use the rest. Only there wasn’t time to rest since her family needed to eat.

She dropped her head as he took another step so they were nearly touching. Her heart pounded inside her chest, wondering what he wanted. What he needed. If there was anything she could do to help him. Maybe stepping away from the kitchen for a minute to focus on another task would help her calm down.

Before he said anything, he reached out for her hand. When she didn’t hand it over, his hand touched her elbow and trailed down her forearm. Her breath caught. Picking it up off the table, he intertwined their fingers. She inhaled deeply before shyly daring a look in his direction.

“You’re shaking,” Watt murmured in a puzzled tone.

“I’m fine,” she told him again. “I’m making bread.”

He shook his head, studying her face. Still holding her fingers, he felt her cheeks with the back of his hand. Both cheeks and then her forehead. She hoped he wouldn’t say anything, but knew Watt was too good of a man not to.

“You’re burning up,” Watt realized in dismay. “What are you doing up? You’re sick.” She opened her mouth to protest that she had felt fine that morning, but he tugged her to the bedroom. “How long have you been sick, Sarah? What’s wrong?”

A lump formed in her throat before she could say anything. Why was he like that? Sarah wanted to hate him for his kindness. The man was sweet and generous. He was everything she could want and more. But realizing she might lose him in an instant was keeping her awake and unable to concentrate on anything besides the idea of suddenly being all alone.

Collapsing onto the bed, Sarah glanced at the cradle. Matthew was sleeping well. Good, at least one of them was. She glanced away and shook her head as Watt knelt before her.

“Something is wrong.” He furrowed his brow. “Isn’t it?”

When she opened her mouth, her breath came out shakily. “I don’t—it’s just that—I’m afraid …” Sarah looked at their hands as she took his in both of hers. She thought about lying, but she didn’t want that for him. So she forced the bitter truth out. Her words had been left unsaid for long enough. “I can’t stop thinking about how I might have lost you. How I might still lose you. It’s keeping me up at night. I can’t eat, I can’t sleep, I just—I don’t know … what would I do?”

For a minute he didn’t say anything. “Sarah … But I’m here. Right here.”

She tightened her grip on him, making certain that he couldn’t disappear. “For now, yes. But what about when you return to the mines? What then?

“I’ve already lost so many people in my life that I don’t know what I would do this time. Not if I lost you. Matthew needs you. I need you.” Tears spilled down her cheeks, but she didn’t try to hide them this time. Her pillow had hidden most of them in the past. She’d been strong long enough on her own, but their pastor had said that marriage was a partnership. “Colorado is a hard place to be without a husband. We’ve both seen it in the other widows. Those poor families. But I don’t have anywhere else to go if something happens to you. I’m afraid all the time now.

“I just keep imagining the day,” her voice cracked, “that someone else will come here to tell me that—that you’re gone. I don’t know what we would do without you. It would hurt too much. I just—not after all of this, I can’t imagine—I can’t lose you. I love you.”

Sarah felt her chin quiver as she ducked her head. She wasn’t sure she had meant to say that out loud. Not yet. But the words were true and the fire in her heart reminded her how much she needed him. It wasn’t just about the precarious situation that she would be left in. It would be how she’d finally found someone who truly cared for her and who she cared for in return.

At first, Watt said nothing. Part of her wondered if he had even heard. Covering her mouth with her forearm, she forced down the sobs threatening to break free. She was trying to force her breathing back to normal when she felt him lean forward and kiss her forehead. Sarah held her breath, wishing the moment would last forever.

“I love you too,” Watt murmured in her ear.

She hiccupped, jerking back to see his face. She had to make sure he was telling the truth. Eyes wide, she studied him in amazement. The man’s face was open as he looked straight at her. His soft brown eyes met hers boldly. He meant it. Her heart filled up with joy as she sniffled. The last tear fell as she blinked.

He squeezed her hand as his eyes dropped to her lips. She felt her stomach churn, but not in a bad way like when Watt had been carried home. It was a different feeling she hadn’t felt in a while. A burning sensation that flooded through her entire body. Hope.

Matthew started to wail. Jumping, she looked around for her little boy. But Watt patted her shoulder and pointed to the bed.

“Get in,” he told her. “And stay there. I’ll pick him up. None of us are getting out of bed until we all feel better.”

When she shot him a curious look, Watt just winked at her. Sarah reluctantly obeyed, waiting for her boys to join her on the bed. They could worry about church and bread and work another time. Crawling back to the pillows, Sarah tugged at the blankets and obediently waited for Watt and Matthew.

He picked up the boy with his one good arm. She remembered the first moment she had seen her husband. He had broad shoulders but a narrow figure and she had wondered how strong he really was. But time and time again he had proved that he had more strength than she could possibly imagine.

Sarah wiped away the drying tears on her cheeks as Watt came around his side of the bed. She had been so worried for the first couple of weeks that eventually the man would change his mind and toss them both from his home. That he wouldn’t accept the child she’d delivered.

She had been concerned he would act like the other man she had known, Curtis Handel. Sarah tried to never think of him. He was forgotten, his name never to pass her lips again.

Watt had again proved himself a good man, immediately accepting the child and taking care of them. Though she knew she had limited experience, Sarah wasn’t certain how many men could have so quickly adapted to fatherhood like Watt had. He was always ready to help with her every need, making sure she had food, and was there tending to Matthew when she needed rest. Sometimes she still had to convince her husband to hand over the child so the baby could eat.

Setting Matthew down between them, he propped himself up on his own pillow. Watt studied her for a moment, his brow furrowed.

Her next breath was shaky, but she nodded. “Thank you,” she whispered. She wasn’t quite sure what she said it for. Everything and nothing. For the flowers he had helped her plant, for the home he had given her, for the kindness he bestowed upon her constantly.

He reached over and squeezed her hand. The hope that had entered her chest moments ago continued to grow warmer. Sarah gently shifted until she was lying down alongside her family and wondered how she had grown so lucky.

Chapter Ten

It wasn’t much of a sled. But it would do. Watt scratched his head and finally shrugged. Fixing the rope one last time, he headed down the lane. Again and again he checked behind him to make sure nothing had fallen off.

And nothing did. He grinned. It was a temporary fix until the wagon could get another wheel. But there was the smallest ounce of pride for putting together a quick fix. Watt whistled as he headed down the road. His left shoulder still ached at the strain, but it was doing much better now.

This wasn’t usually a path he walked alone in the morning, but Sarah had been up for most of the night and he wanted to give her a few more hours to rest. Before leaving, Watt had leaned over the bed and kissed her forehead. The young woman was an exhausted heap of limbs with hair flowing everywhere; somehow that made her more beautiful than anyone he had ever dreamed about. She’d stirred lightly in the dark.

“Go back to sleep,” Watt had assured her. “I’ll handle everything.”

Sarah had mumbled something before rolling over to his side of the bed to hug his pillow. She had done it a few times before and it made him grin. Though she protested against her actions whenever she woke up, Watt couldn’t help but tease her about it.

His heart had warmed at the sight as he grudgingly left her side. The hesitation and anxiousness in the beginning of their wedding had dissipated in the last couple of months and he marveled over the close relationship they had built up with one another. He had never experienced anything like it, and now felt her loss every time they weren’t side by side. But, Watt reminded himself, he would see her in a few hours.

His feet crunched over the snow. Springtime was just around the corner; he could feel it.

The town wasn’t awake as he drew closer towards the main street, but the sun was rising. Already there was a little warmth that kept him from shivering in his boots. But he still pulled his jacket tighter and checked on the bundle close to his chest.

Nice and secure.

His eyes focused on the building up ahead. It had been the Wilsons’ house before they left back east. Somewhere in Georgia, but he couldn’t quite recall the name of the town. There was a letter somewhere back at the house with the name. Hopefully, soon there would be money to send their way.

But first, he had to get his new general store set up. After saving up over the winter and managing what they could, Watt and Sarah had put a new plan in motion. He had finished up his final week at the mine. There had been some good ore, and with everything he’d mined in the last couple of months, that would hold them over as they started up the store.

It had taken most of their savings, but they had prayed and worked hard.

He set the sled rope down and climbed up the steps. The building was small, but they’d made a nice switch from a home to a shop. Unlocking the door, he slipped inside and glanced around.

Sarah must have swept before leaving the other night. He grinned, his heart full. It always warmed him when he saw the little things she did for him. Watt set a chair in the doorway and headed back to the sled to start bringing in the packages. After all, morning had just begun, and he had a full day of work ahead of him.

First, there were the bags of oats. Then the fabric. And finally, he brought in the baskets of canned peaches and apricots. They looked tasty but he managed to ignore his rumbling stomach. It would be lunchtime soon enough. He’d eat eventually.

And there was a lot to get done before then.

Humming, he checked again on his bundle, patting it before turning back. There was tidying to be done, shelves to be organized, and more stock to sort through. He grinned. Though this could be considered backbreaking work, he enjoyed it a lot more than mining in the dark.

Finally, it was done.

Grinning, he nodded to himself and went to the door. Watt switched the sign around and propped the door open an inch.

“Whoo, finally!” Mrs. Timmons rubbed her hands together, making her way into the shop. “About time, Mr. Flynn, about time. Do you have the sugar you promised?”

Taking a step back out of her way, Watt grinned at her. “I sure do. Right back here. Hey, you’re still coming around for supper on Sunday, aren’t you?”

The woman beamed up at him. “We sure are. And don’t worry, we’re bringing my rhubarb pie.”

“Perfect. Sarah will love that.” He gestured ahead down the aisle.

From behind them, Watt heard a light patter of footsteps by the door. “Did I hear my name?”

Watt turned around to find Sarah cocking her head as she trailed towards them. Still bundled up in her winter coat, she pulled her hat off and tugged at her scarf. Her face was flushed as she tried to move her hair out of her face. It was even longer than when they had met and now touched down her back.

His heart warmed at the sight of her. When she was close enough, he reached out for her scarf and pulled her close. The world always disappeared when they had a moment together.

She was still smiling as she stood on her tiptoes and kissed him. “Good morning,” Sarah murmured. “You’re here. The shop looks great.” Standing close, she reached out a handle to touch the bundle tied to his chest.

“Always here,” he assured her of his promise as he did every day.

Only then did he loosen his jacket to reveal the baby still curled up against him. Matthew squirmed lightly but didn’t wake. The mass of curly dark hair on his head shifted lightly as his parents carefully touched him. His chubby cheeks and arms were hard to resist, and they loved any chance to put their hands on the boy.

Sarah raised her eyebrow when he didn’t wake up, and Watt smirked. “He likes me more,” he explained quietly.

As she shook her head, she chuckled. “Yes, but I’m the one with his food, aren’t I? Hand him over. He’ll get cranky.”

“Give him a minute,” Watt insisted, stealing another kiss from her. “He’s not crying yet. Go take a seat and rest up, would you? You’re always on the run.”

“Someone has to keep up with you,” Sarah pointed out.

But she took his advice. The young woman made her way around the aisles to the counter. After she had rearranged a few baskets of treats in the front, she went around the table and took a seat. Once there, she yawned and settled in comfortably.

Watt meant to follow after Mrs. Timmons, but his eyes trailed after his young wife. It was hard to take his eyes off her. She was a beautiful woman who had grown more stunning in her time with him in Colorado.

Having a baby had brought a tender softness to her cheeks and a warmth that made her shine like the sun before him. Though she was still shy, Sarah had made a few friends in town and was growing a little comfortable with herself. She preferred being at the house but was eager to help him set up the store.

It had taken them a while to come to this decision. But when Sarah had made herself sick with worry, Watt had forced himself to take another look at the world before him in reconsidering his choices.

He had a family to take care of and needed to consider what was best for everyone. While he had wanted a wife who could live the hard life out west, he realized it wasn’t fair to expect that she be willing to be left behind should anything happen to him. Tending to the families who had lost a husband had shown him how hard those lives were, and he couldn’t do that to his own wife and child. That wasn’t something he was willing to risk.

So, he turned the search for gold over to everyone else. He’d already found something worth more than the gems and rocks in all of Colorado. Watt thought back to how he’d left a home he’d outgrown and had come west to seek his fortune.

He had found it in Sarah.

Their first winter had been hard. All three of them had burrowed up in the little house. He’d worked partial shifts in the mines as she’d knitted clothes to sell around town. To change their lives around had taken effort to get to where they were now, but already he knew it was going to be worth it.

“I was wondering where you might be,” Mrs. Timmons cheered from across the room as she hurried over to the counter. Watt shifted his son against his chest as he looked over the aisles to watch his wife talk to the other woman.

They exchanged pleasantries as he made his way over. But he hung back, not wanting to interrupt. As Mrs. Timmons kept talking and Sarah was unable to finish the lady’s purchase, Watt decided to amuse his wife.

He turned slightly so Matthew could face his mother and used his chubby little arm to wave. The little baby still slept as Watt wiggled his eyebrows towards his wife.

Sarah met his eye and grinned, unable to focus on Mrs. Timmons. His heart skipped a beat at the sight of his wife and her sparkling blue eyes.

After Matthew was born, she had confessed that it was her friend Karen who had written the letters for her. That had made Watt rethink everything for only a second before she explained herself. It had been a jarring moment of truth, but he was over it. Karen, they had both decided, had done the right thing. Shortly afterward, they wrote a letter back east to thank the girl and let her know that all was well.

And all was well. More than well. Watt grinned at his wife, still waving his son’s arm to the beautiful woman. She stammered her way through the purchase at last, shaking her head as the woman finally left.

Alone at last, Watt set the baby’s arm down and went over to the counter to see his wife. Before he could kiss her, however, she elbowed him with a shake of her head.

“I didn’t do anything,” he protested, shifting Matthew slightly.

“You did too,” Sarah chuckled. “And you know it.”

He wanted to kiss her right then and there, but his bundle started to wiggle. Watt grinned as Matthew squirmed, his head rolling to the side as he peeked an eye open.

The kid was finally waking up. He had his mother’s beautiful eyes. The baby smiled back at him and Watt pulled the little tyke out of the contraption they’d tied themselves up in.

“Good morning,” Watt greeted his son. Though they weren’t blood, it didn’t matter. They were family. The only other person he felt connected to was his wife. Sarah wrapped an arm around him, and Watt thought about how lucky he was. Already he couldn’t wait to continue building their family and lives together. “It’s about time you joined the fun.”

The End