Her Quiet Nurturer

Copyright © 2017 by George McVey

 No part of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any electronic or mechanical means including information storage and retrieval systems, without permission in writing from the author. The only exception is by a reviewer who may quote brief excerpts in a review. 

This book is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents either are products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, events, or locales is entirely coincidental or used fictitiously.

All Scriptures in this book are from the World English Bible which is in the public domain in every nation of the world and for the ease of reading.

This book was written by a human author, not an A.I. (Artificial Intelligence) This book cannot be used to train an A.I. (Artificial Intelligence) how to write a book.

Dedication

I dedicate this book to two of my very close friends, Sophie Dawson and Lynn Donovan. You both are like family to me and push me when I need it. You comfort me when necessary and cheer me on unceasingly. I could think of no other I’d rather be on this journey of authorship with than the two of you. 

Thanks for your friendship.

One

Virginia

“WHAT IS THIS?”

Virginia Snow cringed at the words her husband slung at her. She knew what was next. First, he slung words and then he slung his hand. 

“It’s venison stew.” 

“I TOLD YOU I WANTED CHICKEN AND DUMPLINGS FOR DINNER TONIGHT.”

“I was going to make you chicken and dumplings, but the milkman was out of cream by the time he got here. I knew you wouldn’t like them without the cream in them, so I made stew instead. He told me he’d save me some cream tomorrow.” 

His eyes narrowed and his jaw clenched and unclenched as he stared at her. She dropped her head; Virginia knew not to look him in the eyes. That made him especially mad.

She tried so hard not to make him mad, to be a good wife. But she was a terrible wife, and he made sure she knew it. He’d punish her in a minute, and she knew she deserved it. He’d only asked for one tiny thing and she’d failed.

“Are you lying to me, Virginia? I don’t think the milkman ran out of cream. No, I think you’re lazy and disobedient and forgot to ask him for cream. Did you think I’d forget what I wanted by dinner time, or is it you want me to punish you?” 

She heard more than saw as he pulled his leather belt from his pants and wrapped it twice around his hand. She backed into the corner between the kitchen wall and the stove, turning so that she could cover her face and front, presenting him with her back. Then, just as she expected, the pain started as the leather came in contact with her body. 

He railed and slashed and she screamed and cried, praying that this time he’d stop with the belt. But her prayer went unanswered as he grabbed her hair, dragged her out of the corner, and threw her into the center of the room. Now would come his fists.

Hopefully, this time she wouldn’t end up needing the doctor. She looked up as his fist came down toward her stomach. She knew she should scream, but that’s what he wanted her to do. She saw him swing and knew this time he might kill her, and she was almost thankful. 

Virginia sat straight up in bed, holding her stomach. The dream had been so real! It took her a moment to realize she was safe. She was in Sanctuary, Montana, and Louis was dead, had been for almost a year now. She was safe. Louis was dead and Clyde didn’t know where to find her. 

She took a minute and let that thought sink in. She was safe for now, but if Henry White didn’t propose marriage soon, would she stay safe? Virginia knew Clyde would never quit looking for her. He’d shown her the IOU that Louis had given him before he died. According to the paper, Clyde now owned everything, including her. Louis had used her as payment for his gambling debt and Clyde meant to collect every cent owed him, one way or another. 

Her only escape had been to become a mail-order bride and leave Chicago. Yet here she was, still not married seven months after arriving. Of the ten brides she’d come to town with, only she and Alma Lewis were left, and Alma was getting married on Sunday. Virginia was happy for all her sister brides, but when would Henry decide to marry her? Or was he disappointed in her like Louis had been? Would he tell her no and leave her without the protection of a marriage? 

She wished she knew.

Glenn

Glenn Williams rode toward Sanctuary. He was eager to talk to Pastor Bryce. With Greg and Lyla on the way back from Redemption, New Mexico, and the Ryder’s ranch with a herd of both horses and cattle, he wanted to get their homestead up on the mesa finished for them as a welcome home gift. There was no way he could do it himself, not with planting season being on them.

However, if Joshua would announce it at church on Sunday, maybe next Saturday they could have a house-raising. The main room and the modern bathroom had already been finished. Glenn wanted to finish the project with two bedrooms and a sewing room for Lyla.

It all would have been done if not for the fact that Nathan Ryder had sent word to Greg. The herd his grandfather had promised had already been set aside. Instead of the fifty horses that Nugget Nate had promised him, the herd had already grown to around two hundred.

Greg and Lyla had asked Nathan to put out a notice for cowboys and had headed to Butte to catch the next train for Redemption, New Mexico Territory. They’d spent the winter down there, living in a line shack and working on getting some of the herd broken. So they could use those horses to drive the herd back to Montana. Lyla had sent him a letter a few weeks ago letting him know they were starting the long cattle drive back.

Greg had picked up a hundred head of cattle from Nathan’s father that he would use to train the horses to be the perfect cowboy horses. They’d be back in Montana soon. 

Glenn still wanted a wife. As a matter of fact, he wanted one now more than when he’d let Ma talk him into sending for Lyla. While he didn’t begrudge his brother and sister-in-law their marriage. He wanted a love like theirs for himself.

With that thought still in his head, he turned onto the main street of Sanctuary to see Deputy Sheriff Henry White berating a woman in front of the mercantile. The woman was trying to make herself as small as she could and put as much distance between herself and Henry as possible. However, she couldn’t get away because the deputy held onto one of her wrists. 

Glenn was shocked. How could Henry treat a woman like that in public and not fear losing his position as Deputy? Besides that, how could he not see how scared the blond-haired woman was? 

Glenn stopped in front of the Bride House and dismounted, dropping his reins around the fence like a hitching post. The woman was pretty. He remembered the first time he’d noticed her; the day Greg had proposed to Lyla. What was her name? Oh Yeah Virginia Snow, the sad one who’d made his heart race. Something within Glenn flared to life. She needed him! She needed to be rescued and protected. And Glenn was just the man to do it. 

He strode up to Henry and latched on to the arm that he was holding the lady’s arm in. “Let her go, Henry, right now.” 

Henry looked up, startled, his face a livid red with anger. “Stay out of this, Glenn Williams. This is between Virginia and me.” 

Glenn, for the first time in his life, felt bold and not timid. “Not when you’re doing it in the middle of Main Street, it’s not. Now I will not ask you again! Let! Her! Go!” 

Henry released her and turned to face Glenn. “There, happy? I’m done with her.” 

Glenn frowned as he looked from Henry to the woman. Shock rang through him; this was the woman Henry had brought to Sanctuary seven months ago to court and marry. “What do you mean you’re done with her?” 

“I mean, I’m never going to marry her,” Henry sneered. “I sent for a lady to become my wife, not that.” He waved at Virginia who collapsed on the ground, curled up in a ball, sobbing. “I’m sorry!” Over and over again.

Henry’s face showed his disgust. “You want her, you can have her. She’s your problem now.”

Glenn watched as Henry stalked away. What was going on? He turned to see Miss Snow still curled up, rocking and sobbing that she was sorry. 

Glenn knelt beside her and reached out toward her. He stopped when he saw her flinch from his touch. “Easy now. He’s gone, you’re safe now.” 

She sobbed even harder. “I’m not; I’ll never be safe now.” 

“What do you mean you’ll never be safe now? Henry’s gone; he won’t hurt you.” 

“But Clyde’s coming. He’ll hurt me worse than Louis ever did.”

Glenn didn’t know who those men were, but he knew deep inside that they’d never hurt his Virginia. Not as long as he drew breath. And then it hit him. His Virginia? What right did he have to claim her?

As that thought settled, he knew the first one was true! This beautiful, broken woman was his! Somehow, in just one look, she had become the thing his heart wanted most.

He scooped her into his arms, as gently as a sick calf, and headed toward the Bride House. “Let’s get you inside, away from prying eyes and listening ears, and then you can tell me all about Clyde. But I promise you, Miss Snow, as long as there’s breath in my body, no one will ever hurt you again.” 

Virginia looked up at him with her hazel eyes as the tears continued to flow down her cheeks. But she relaxed against him just a little. Her arms came around his neck like she was holding on for dear life. God help him, but Glenn loved the feel of her in his arms.

He knew he’d meant every word spoken. Glenn would die himself before he let anyone hurt his Virginia again!

Two

Virginia

Virginia tried not to make too much out of the words that Glenn Williams had just uttered. Maybe she wasn’t supposed to really believe them, but she did. Now here she was, having been cursed and rejected by the man who was supposed to marry her. Yet feeling safe in the arms of a man who himself had been rejected by his mail-order bride. 

She wasn’t saying anything bad about Lyla. The girl was in love, and Glenn was not the brother she fell in love with. Still, Virginia’s heart had hurt when he’d called up to Lyla and told her to follow her heart and marry Greg. No, Glenn was everything her first husband hadn’t been: quiet, calm, and stable. But was that the real him? 

Louis had seemed to be all those things, too. Well, not quiet but calm, stable, and successful.

Right until the day he’d put a ring on her hand and taken her as his bride. Then suddenly he was a different man. Or maybe what he’d said was true. It wasn’t him; it was her.

Virginia had been a terrible wife. She’d not been able to cook anything right or keep the house clean like he needed her to. She hadn’t been good at any of her wifely duties. If she had been, Louis wouldn’t have had to correct her, point out her many failings, and punish her for being so bad at being a proper wife. 

Those thoughts were interrupted as Glenn used the toe of his boot to bang on the door to the Bride House. She knew that once that door opened, he’d sit her down and go on about his business. Then she’d once again feel less than safe. But he’d said he’d let no one hurt her again. How could that be possible? Clyde had that paper from Louis. If she wasn’t already married when he got here in two days, then Glenn wouldn’t be able to keep his word.

The door opened, and it was Mrs. Williams standing there. “Glenn? What in the world? Why are you carrying Miss Snow?”

Glenn pushed through the door and kicked it closed behind him. Only then did he put Virginia on the floor, and instantly she felt less without his muscular arms around her. “Her intended just publicly humiliated her and ended their suit, Ma. She didn’t take it well either. I thought it best to get her out of the middle of the boardwalk and someplace more private to find out what is going on.” 

“Yes, but why you?” 

He looked at his mother. “Who else was going to help her, Ma? I seemed to be the only person willing to get involved.” 

“No, Glenn, you misunderstand me. Why are you finding out what’s going on?”

“Because she was lying in the street crying about someone named Clyde who would hurt her worse than someone named Louis. She was beyond scared, Ma. I promised her no one would hurt her, and I mean to see that promise kept.” 

With that, Virginia looked up at him for the first time. The look in his eyes was so sincere that it started the tears flowing again. 

Myrtle took her in her arms, walked her to the parlor, and sat her on the divan. “Here, Virginia, sit and talk to Glenn. I’ll go make you some tea. That will help calm your nerves.” 

Virginia watched as Myrtle pointed at the cushion next to her and motioned Glenn to sit beside her. He nodded once and did just that, only he took her small hands in his large and calloused ones. She shook just a tiny bit at how large, rough, and strong they were.

If he wanted to, he could break her even more than Louis ever had. But the look in his eyes was something she’d never seen before. It was as if his entire world had narrowed until there were only the two of them. For the first time in her life, Virginia felt butterflies in her stomach that had nothing to do with fear. 

“Now tell me, Miss Snow, who is Louis and Clyde, and why is Clyde coming to hurt you?”

Virginia looked around, and seeing no one, opened up for the third time about her story. This time to a man, not her pastor’s wife or another mail-order bride. “Louis was my husband. I’m Mrs. Snow, not Miss. He died about a month before you men sent letters back east.”

“Clyde was his partner in his business. A week before our pastor told us about the letters, he came to see me with a piece of paper my husband had signed before his death. A guarantee on a debt. My husband and Clyde ran a gambling house together in Chicago.

Apparently, the night he died my husband had lost a large sum to Clyde, more than he had. So he’d signed over everything to Clyde. The house, the business, and…”

She couldn’t say it. Not to this good man. She felt so dirty having to say the words to Glenn. He’d hear them and then, like the deputy, he’d leave her to her fate. 

“And what, Virginia? What else did the letter give Clyde?” 

She hung her head in shame, not willing to see this good man reject her when she confessed her secret. “Me, he gave him me.” 

Myrtle sucked in a breath and Glenn growled deep in his throat. “What do you mean, he gave Clyde you? That’s not legal.” 

“Clyde had talked with a judge. Apparently, it was legal. I was his until the whole debt had been paid off. I was hurt and unable to work at… at… at…” 

Glenn squeezed her hand. “It’s okay, Virginia. Why were you hurt?” 

Her voice got even quieter than before. Why did Glenn want her to reveal all her shame? It wouldn’t matter, anyway. Clyde’s telegram had said he was in Billings, which meant he’d be here in two days to take her back. 

“Because I’d not gotten the kitchen floors scrubbed. Louis had to correct me, so I’d do better.” 

Glenn’s jaw clinched and Virginia moved to the edge of Divan so she could run when she needed to.

“What do you mean he had to correct you? How did he correct you, Virginia?”

Now her shame was complete. Now this good man, this powerful man would know that she wasn’t worth his time or protection. “He took his belt and then his fists to me. Then he reminded me of my wifely duties, so I’d learn to be a better wife.”

Glenn let go of her hand and launched himself across the room with a roar of anger. Virginia squealed and jumped up.  She ran to the corner and turned her face to the wall, curling in a ball as small as she could, waiting for the blows she knew were to come. 

Instead, she heard steady footfalls moving back and forth. Hands grabbed her and she screamed, then thankfully the blackness consumed her before she felt the blows that she knew were coming.  

Glenn

Glenn had kept it together until Virginia had said her husband had corrected her in a way that left her hurt over three weeks after his death. Then he’d seen red and a roar of anger and frustration ripped out of his chest as his feet propelled him back and forth across the floor. 

His mother called out to him, “Glenn, get yourself under control. This poor girl has fainted; you gave her such a fright. Come, move her back to the divan while I go get my smelling salts.”

His heart broke into a thousand pieces. The beautiful woman, who was coming to mean everything to him, was curled into a frightened heap in the corner. She’d thought he was mad at her. She’d thought he was going to hurt her like that… he couldn’t even think of a term low enough for that man. He knew it was wrong, but he prayed that Louis Snow was in hell getting everything he deserved.

He picked Virginia up and carried her back to the settee. He laid her down and smoothed the hair from her tear-soaked cheeks. Then he looked at the piece of yellow telegram paper she still had in her hand. The message was simple: 

To: Sheriff Sanctuary Montana

From: Clyde Dumont

Coming for my property held by one Virginia Snow. Stop.

She will return to pay her debt. Stop.

Please hold till I arrive. Stop 

End message. 

His mother arrived with the smelling salts while he was reading and waved them under Virginia’s nose. She sat up and almost fell to the floor. Glenn wrapped his arms around her, pulling her safely against him. 

“Virginia, I’m sorry I scared you. I will never, ever hurt you like that. Please, sweetheart, put your trust in me. I promised to keep anyone from hurting you, and I meant it.”

She looked up at him but didn’t pull away. He could see the frown on his Ma’s face. He didn’t know if it was his declaration, that he called her sweetheart, or that he hadn’t removed his arms from around Virginia’s body.

“But how? Clyde’s coming, and he has that piece of paper. I’ll have to go back with him.”

“No, you won’t. Henry broke your engagement and told me I could have you. So I’ll marry you. Today.”

His Ma cleared her throat, “Glenn.” 

“No, Ma, this is right. Go get Pastor Bryce and his wife. We will marry right now.” 

“I’m not saying you shouldn’t marry her. I’m saying you need to ask her, not tell her. That’s what caused you problems with Lyla.” 

He nodded; she was right. He’d just assumed because he’d paid for her to come out here that Lyla would marry him. That assumption had led him to not treat her as important. Now here he was doing the same thing again. 

Glenn looked at the woman still sitting on his lap, being held against his chest. She hadn’t moved since she’d woken. He smiled at her.

“Virginia, Ma is right; I can’t make this decision for you. While we haven’t courted properly, I don’t believe that we have time to. However, still I feel I must ask you. Will you let me give you my name and protection? Let me provide for you and protect you from this day until we are dead and buried? Virginia Snow, will you marry me and become my wife, Today?”

Virginia

Virginia sat in Glenn Williams’ lap, leaning against his chest, his arms around her. She pondered the way she was feeling. Ever since the day she’d married Louis, she’d been so afraid, terrified even, but here in Glenn’s arms, she felt safe and protected. The nerves that kept her anxious and scared were quiet. In his arms, she felt peace.

How could this be? How could she even think that any man, especially one as big and strong as Glenn, was safe? 

Virginia looked at his face and knew he was waiting for her answer. She stared into his eyes and didn’t see the anger and danger that she’d always associated with a husband.

Instead, she saw something she didn’t know the name for. Whatever it was reached out to her soul. Making Virginia feel all warm and tingly in a calming and yet exciting way. Virginia knew Glenn didn’t love her, he couldn’t. She was unlovable.

She knew he would eventually wish he’d never asked, but she had no other choice. Virginia needed to be married to be safe from Clyde. So in her timid, almost whisper of a voice, she agreed.

“Yes, Glenn Williams, I will marry you. I just hope you understand that I’m not a very good wife. But I will try to be what you need me to be.”

Glenn leaned down and placed a light, tender kiss on her lips. Again, something new happened. A fiery tingle raced from where their lips touched to her toes and caused them to curl.  

He pulled back and she could see a look in his eyes she knew, desire. She would need to harden her resolve; he’d be expecting his rights tonight after their wedding. 

Glenn looked at Myrtle. “Ma, I’ll go see when late this afternoon Pastor Bryce can marry us. I need to pick up a ring for Virginia. After that, I need to talk to Jack about this Clyde situation. He’ll know what is legal and what isn’t. Something doesn’t seem right about all this. Once that’s done, I’ll go back to the farm to get ready for the wedding and exchange Jumper for the team and wagon.”

He looked back down at Virginia, “Sweetheart, would you like to come with me? That way we can get you the ring you want. We could stop by the restaurant and have Mrs. Jones fix us a cold supper basket so that we won’t have to cook tonight.”

She looked to see what would make him happy. She didn’t want to upset him before they said their vows. He didn’t seem to care one way or the other, but that was a trick that Louis used all the time. Then when she decided, he’d use that as an excuse to hurt her. “I can go with you if that is what you want.”

“Then come with me. I can make sure you’re safe that way. I’ll bring you back here to get ready for the wedding before I head out to the farm.”

She stood, and he followed suit. Then he leaned down and kissed her again. “Thank you for agreeing to marry me. I promise I will take care of you.” 

He took her hand and together they walked out into Sanctuary. She could still feel where his lips had branded hers. If he kept kissing her like that, she might eventually believe he meant the sweet words he said.

Three

Glenn

Glenn looked at Virginia; she was so petite. She looked like a dainty porcelain doll. He remembered one thing that Lyla had always complained about was his purposeful way of walking. He went fast and straight to where he needed to be.

This was his first chance to woo Virginia. So he stopped outside the door and turned to look at her, taking her other hand in his as well. “Virginia, may I call you Virginia?” 

She smiled shyly at him. “We’re going to marry in a few hours, so calling me anything else seems silly.” 

He laughed. “I reckon you’re right. Listen, I’ve been told that I don’t know how to walk with a woman by my side. I seem to go too fast and forget to talk to my companion. Will you please let me know if I move too fast for you?”

“I can keep up; there’s no need to adjust to me.” 

Glenn looked at her. He again had to swallow the anger at her dead husband. He’d beaten her to the point that she acted like a whipped dog, not the lovely woman she was.

Glenn prayed right then that God would help him know how to help Virginia heal and thrive. He asked the Master Teacher to instruct him on how to become what this broken woman needed him to be.

“I want to. I would like for walking with me to be a pleasant experience so that you will want to do it many times. So please tell me if my pace is too quick.”

She smiled a nervous smile. “If that is what you want, then I will.”

Keeping her right hand in his left, he slowly started down the boardwalk. When they reached the church, Glenn could feel Virginia shake slightly. “What’s wrong, sweetheart?”

“What if he says no? I mean, I was engaged to Mr. White this morning and now we’re asking him to marry us. That wasn’t the way our participation here was supposed to go. We were supposed to take our time and court, making sure that we are a match.” 

He squeezed her hand gently. “If he says no, then I’ll go get the wagon and put the cover on it and take you to Butte and get the pastor there to marry us.”

He pulled her hand up to his lips and placed a tender kiss on it. “I promised you I would take care and protect you and I will, no matter what lengths I have to go to. Besides, I’m sure when we explain the situation Joshua will marry us.”

From behind them came the deep voice of the former Texas Ranger turned pastor.

“I know part of the story already, and having heard your plan, I’ll marry you. But I would like to hear the entire story, Miss Snow.” 

Glenn and Virginia turned to look at their pastor who had one arm around his wife Hattie’s swelling waist, and his adopted daughter, RoseAnn, in his other arm. Hattie looked at Virginia and must have seen the tension Glenn could feel radiating off her.

“Joshua, let’s go to the parsonage for this discussion. That way, the gossips won’t have anything more to talk about concerning Virginia.” 

Glenn watched as the minister nodded. “Of course, I didn’t think. You probably want to get off your feet, too.” 

She smiled “Yes, your son weighs a ton.” 

Glenn watched as Joshua Bryce beamed at the growing child in his wife’s womb. “Well, let’s get you home, and I’ll make you a cup of tea. Then we’ll talk with Glenn and Virginia.” 

Glenn cleared his throat. “Could I send Virginia with you and go see if Sheriff Fury could join us? That way Virginia will only have to tell this story one more time. I don’t think I could take hearing it more than that.”

Joshua looked puzzled. “Why does Jack need to hear her story?” 

“There are some legal ramifications he needs to know about. Trouble’s coming and it’s coming for my bride. I need us all to be ready for it.” 

Glenn knew from the look on all three adult faces that they had heard the steel and fury he felt in his heart. If it was in his voice, then it was probably displayed on his face too. He didn’t care. They needed to know he took his vow seriously. 

He would not let Clyde touch one hair on Virginia’s head. If he even tried, Glenn would break every bone in the muck-swipe’s body with his bare hands. Having Jack Fury and Joshua Bryce alongside him would help as well. 

Hattie moved away from Joshua and took Virginia in hand. “Of course, Mr. Williams, you get Sheriff Fury. Well take good care of your bride-to-be while you’re gone.”

Virginia looked at him and resisted letting go of his hand. He smiled at her, then leaned in and gave her a kiss, not caring if the pastor and his wife were watching.

“It’s okay, sweetheart. I’ll get Jack and be right back. You’re safe; Clyde won’t be here for two days and by then we’ll be safe on the farm.”

Joshua, seeing how terrified Virginia was of having Glenn leave her, stepped forward. “I’ll go get Jack, Glenn, you take my girls and yours up to the parsonage. We’ll be there soon.” 

Virginia seemed to relax at that statement.

Glenn reached out and grabbed the pastor by his elbow. “Just Jack, Joshua. I don’t know what I’ll do if I see that no account Henry White again today.”

Joshua nodded his understanding. Glenn took RoseAnn from her father and escorted the ladies to the parsonage as Joshua headed for the Sheriff’s office. 

Virginia

As soon as Glenn put his arm around her to walk her to the parsonage, her shaking subsided.

She felt calm, safe, and secure. She didn’t understand how the big, strong farmer could make her feel so safe, but he did. His scent, a combination of freshly tilled soil, spring rains, and what she always thought sunshine would smell like, washed over her in an intriguing and calming aroma.

She said a quick prayer thanking God that Glenn was the one who intervened when Henry White discarded her. 

Virginia’s friend and fellow bride waddled beside them. She’d been married just over six months and already Hattie was heavy with child. It was obvious, and not just from her rounding belly, that the Bryces loved each other. 

Virginia wanted that for herself, but she knew it would never happen. Hattie was a good wife and a wonderful mother, something that Virginia would never be. Louis had told her often enough that she was terrible at being a wife and he wouldn’t want to see how badly she’d mess up being a mother, too. 

Glenn wasn’t marrying her for love anyway, but to keep her safe.

In a way, she felt bad about saddling him with her when he could send for a new bride and maybe get a love match. 

Just before they arrived at the parsonage, Hattie called out to the Clay children playing in the grassy area between the church and parsonage. “Alfie, Clarabelle, come here, please.” 

The two rascals came running. Everyone in Sanctuary knew that Hattie had a soft spot in her heart for the two little urchins. They’d picked her flowers for her wedding and she’d made each of them one of her special church outfits as a thank you. “Yes, Mrs. Preacher?”

Hattie smiled at the young boy. “Now Alfie, how many times have I told you my name is Mrs. Bryce, not Mrs. Preacher? I need you and your sister to do a little job for me. I’ll pay you both a sack of penny candy when you come back and tell me it’s done.” 

Virginia watched as Alfie contemplated what Hattie had just told him. “A bag to share or a bag each?” 

Hattie laughed. “You are a real piece of work, Alfie Clay. Fine, I’ll get you a bag each. But only after you finish the important job.”

“What’s the job?”

“Do you remember who all the Mail-Order Brides married? Which houses they all live in now.” 

“Yes, ma’am.”

Hattie patted him on the head and pulled his little sister in to her side in a hug. “Good, I want you to run and tell each of them to get their Sunday outfits on and come to the church this evening because Miss Snow is getting married.”

Virginia interrupted, “Hattie, you don’t have to do that. Glenn and I don’t need the church full.” 

“Well, that’s fine. I’m not inviting the entire town, just your sister-brides. We’ve been worried about you, Virginia. Except for Alma, you’re the only one of us not yet married. The new batch of Brides are supposed to arrive next week. We were afraid you’d still be living in the Bride House when they got here.

“None of us could figure out what Henry White was waiting on. We were beginning to think you needed to accept another suitor. So, let them come and celebrate with you tonight. I’m just sorry that Lyla won’t be here. I know you two are close.”

Virginia looked at the ground, ashamed that she’d messed up yet again. Even her sister-brides knew she wasn’t suitable wife material. She wasn’t even good courtship material.

“I don’t want to be a bother. I’m sure they are busy with their husbands and lives.” 

Hattie patted the kids on the backs. “Go on now, do like I told you. When you’re done, come back and I’ll give you a note to take to Mr. Caudwell over at the mercantile for your reward.”

The two children scampered off, heading in the direction of the furniture shop, in a hurry to tell all the brides and earn their candy. 

Hattie turned back to her. “I promise you Virginia none of them are too busy to come see you wed. They’ll be happy to come. You’ll see. So how did you and Glenn end up together?” Hattie asked as they continued on toward the parsonage. Virginia opened her mouth to explain about Henry’s getting the telegram and his response to it. Glenn tensed beside her and she knew he was unhappy with her talking about Henry. 

“Hattie, can you wait so Virginia only has to tell the entire story once more? I don’t want her to have to keep telling it.” 

Virginia suppressed a giggle at the shocked expression on her friend’s face, “Well, Glenn Williams, that’s the most I’ve heard you say at once. If it is that important to you, then I will try to curb my womanly curiosity.” 

His mouth set in a thin line. “Good, thank you.” 

Virginia didn’t know how to interpret the look on Hattie’s face as she looked between Glenn and herself. But finally the pregnant woman nodded and continued to waddle up to her house. “You’re welcome.”

Four

Glenn

Glenn watched Joshua and Jack as Virginia told them about Louis and the note he’d given Clyde Dumont. “So that’s what’s going on. Now I have a question for you, Jack. Can this snake-in-the-grass come and force Virginia to go back to Chicago and marry him?”

Jack Fury was quiet and contemplative for a moment. “Glenn, you know I was a lawyer back East before I came out here and became Sheriff. I honestly have to say this is a very tricky situation. While a judge would say that a man can’t use his wife as payment for a debt because she already is married. The same man can use his property, and children as a payment if they are of age and unmarried. However, Virginia is a widow and inherited her husband’s debt upon his passing.

“Now it would depend on the cost of debt. Besides Virginia, the note gave Mister Dumont possession of everything her husband owned. So he has gotten property and possessions that should have cleared his debt. But as to giving her as payment before his death that shouldn’t be legal anywhere.”

Hattie spoke up, “So what are you saying, Jack?” 

“I’m saying that as long as she’s single, I believe this Dumont fella may have a legal claim. Not because her husband gave her to him, but because she is responsible for Clyde’s debts. I could delay a few days, but only until Judge Bean rides through in about a week. However, if it goes before Roy Bean and he rules she is obligated to him, there is nothing I can do.” 

Glenn cleared his throat. “What if she was married when that sidewinder gets here?” 

Jack smiled. “Now why didn’t someone think of that? I can go find Henry and make that happen right away.” 

Glenn’s arm darted out faster than a greased piglet escaping a pile of kids on the Fourth of July, catching Jack before he could rise. “Henry broke his suit with her after berating her in public for that telegram. When I stopped him, he told me she was my responsibility.” 

Jack’s face showed his anger. “He did what?” 

“Where were you this morning, Jack? Everyone in town either saw it or has heard about it by now.” 

“I was out checking on my herd. I swear that young man is going to be the death of me.” 

“Doubt that, but he needs a reminder of how we treat ladies in this town. This obsession of his with rising above his past is making him a cruel and bitter person,” Joshua pointed out.

Both Glenn and Jack nodded. Then Glenn said, “I need to be clear here. If Mrs. Snow is married when this Dumont fella gets here, then she’s safe? Is that what you’re telling me, Jack?” 

“Glenn, she would be, but I have to tell you it can’t be a name-only marriage. It would have to be a true marriage before Judge Bean would consider it a proper marriage. He hates marriages of convenience and refuses to honor them as genuine marriages.”

Glenn frowned. “How would he determine a marriage was a genuine marriage?” 

Jack rubbed his face as he thought. “In other towns where something like this has come up, or a marriage is questioned as being real, he’s visited the home of the couple. Made sure that they have the same bedroom, that their clothes are together in drawers and such. He’s also been known to show up unexpectedly a second or third time down the road.”

“So the couple has to prove they are living together as man and wife?”

“Yes.” 

Glenn looked at Virginia, who was looking down at the table they all sat around. “I need to speak to Virginia alone, please.” 

He watched as she jumped a little as chairs slid back from the table. Hattie went to her and knelt down, putting her arms around her. “I’ll be in the other room if you need me.” 

“I will be fine. Thank you.” She spoke so softly Glenn almost couldn’t hear what she’d said. Hattie looked to Glenn and nodded before she left the room. Glenn turned in his chair to face Virginia and carefully reached out to take her hands and turn her toward him. “Look at me, sweetheart.” 

The woman who was quickly claiming every piece of his heart lifted her head slowly. He saw both the fear and sadness in her heart reflected in the blue orbs now staring at him. “Knowing what Jack said, are you still willing to marry me today?” 

She looked at him, studying his face. He wondered what she was thinking.

“Yes, I’ll marry you. Nothing has changed since I said yes earlier. Unless you don’t want to marry me and have me in your bed.” Her head dropped as she said the last.

Glenn swallowed because having her as his wife and in his bed was very much what he wanted. However, he had wanted to give her time to get used to them being husband and wife. Time for both of them to get to know each other better. Now it seemed they’d have no choice but to share a room and a bed. Which would make waiting on other things so much more difficult for him.

He took her chin in his hand and lifted it up until he could gaze into her eyes so she would see the truth of his statement. “Virginia, nothing has changed for me, either. I want to marry you and I want to keep you safe for the rest of our lives.” 

Then he leaned forward and lightly brushed his lips across hers. He fought with himself to keep the kiss light and reveled in the feel of her soft lips against his. He reluctantly pulled back to keep from scaring her with the depth of what he was feeling.

She was like a skittish unbroken horse. He’d have to use a soft voice and gentle hand in his treatment of her. Until she learned to trust him. Then he’d let her see the depths of his love. 

He froze. Then let a smile appear on his lips. He loved her! That was quite unexpected. Now he understood what had possessed his brother to go after Lyla.

Even when Greg had told him about his feelings for Lyla, Glenn had never believed love would and could strike like lightning on the plains. But here he was, struck down by love, all the same!

He stood and took Virginia’s hand, lifting her to her feet. “Let’s go tell the preacher we’re getting married and go buy you a ring.”

Virginia

Virginia’s head spun with all that had happened today. Dreams of her old life and Louis had jarred her out of sleep, leaving her feeling unsettled to start the day. Then she’d gone for a walk to clear the fear and anxiety from her thoughts, only to be accosted by the man who brought her to Sanctuary to be his wife. He’d shown her the telegram that said her past was about to catch up with her.

Her fiancée had berated her for being a liar, cheat, and thief. He’d been in the act of dragging her to jail to await Clyde’s arrival in a cell when Glenn Williams had stopped him. Henry had washed his hands of her and dropped his suit for her hand right then.

Afterward, Glenn had promised to keep her safe and listened as she told her entire story. Now she was sitting in the tub at the Bride House, preparing for her wedding. Not to Henry White, but to Glenn Williams, the man who made her feel things she’d never felt before. A man who treated her with kindness and respect, something she hadn’t felt in years.

Still, she worried. Louis had shown her how bad a wife she was. Nothing she’d ever done was right, and he’d had no choice but to discipline her. She prayed that she’d learned her lessons and would be a better wife for Glenn. He deserved a good wife, not her. But she needed his protection. So, she would have to try and be better for him.

There was a knock on the door and Hattie stuck her head in. “Are you almost ready to get out? We’re all here, except Lyla, and want to help you get ready for your wedding. They’ve already packed up your trunk and carried it down to the parlor so Glenn can get it in his buckboard more easily. Now we want to get you dressed and do your hair. So hurry and get out.” 

Virginia smiled at her friend. “Okay, I just need to wash my hair.” 

“Well hurry, you don’t want to be late to your own wedding.” 

That simple statement tossed fear and anxiety into Virginia. she would be the worst wife if she was late. It was one of the things Louis had corrected her for the most. She quickly washed her hair and hurried out of the tub, drying as fast as she could. She wanted to be on time to start her marriage as a good wife worthy of her new husband.

Five

Glenn

Glenn rode out to his farm, the ring that he’d bought for Virginia sitting in his shirt pocket. The silver and gold braided vine had appealed to him when they’d looked. Virginia had quietly told him it was too pretty for her. That was what had convinced him to get it. She didn’t see herself how he did, and he knew she was worthy of that ring and much more.

He could see how Louis Snow had destroyed her sense of self-worth. Her simple statement showed Glenn exactly how he was going to have to proceed in their marriage. He’d have to cultivate the hard and rocky ground of her heart. Then plant, water, and nurture with a tender hand and loving words to the seeds of worth and love he’d sow into her life.

No, this wasn’t a quick job like breaking a horse, but a long-term one like growing a crop. One that Glenn was uniquely equipped to do.

For the first time since Greg and Lyla had married, Glenn felt a sense of purpose. He hadn’t made a mistake in telling Lyla to follow her heart. Instead, he’d freed himself for the very woman God had made for him. Yes, Virginia was broken, damaged, and fragile, but he was just the man to nurture her into the woman she was created to be. It reminded him of a passage he’d read just a few days ago. He’d have to look it up again when he got home. 

As he came over the rise, he drew up Jumper before heading down to the homestead. Several men were loading a wagon with furniture from his house. He didn’t recognize the wagon or the men. Glenn drew his rifle and laid it across his saddle before kicking Jumper into a full gallop. He would not allow his house to be robbed on his wedding day.

He and Jumper tore into the yard and stopped right beside the wagon. His rifle was in his hand and pointed at the thieves.

“I’d like you boys to stand very still now, or one of you is going to get a lead slug in his head.” 

Everyone stopped moving. The man in the wagon held his hands out toward Glenn. “Mister, I don’t know what you think yer doing, but our boss won’t take too kindly to you stopping us from completin’ our task.”  

“I don’t rightly care what your boss thinks when yer taking stuff out of my house.” 

“Your house? The boss said this was his house.” 

Glenn’s eyes narrowed. “What’s your boss’s name, cowboy?”

Before the man could answer, Lyla Williams came through the doorway of the homestead. “Glenn, why are you pointing a rifle at our head wrangler?” 

Glenn let the rifle sink till it was resting on his saddle horn again. “Lyla, when did you and Greg get back? I wasn’t expecting you for another week or two.” 

“We got back just an hour ago. But this certainly wasn’t the welcome we were expecting. What’s got you so jumpy?” 

“Let me put Jumper up and I’ll come inside and tell you. Where’s my lazy brother, anyway? Still playing with his horses and cows?” 

Lyla smiled, “No, he’s upstairs getting my trunks to move them to our place.” 

“Well, I need to talk to both of you before you leave. I don’t have a lot of time to do it. My wedding’s in about an hour and a half.” 

Lyla squealed, “Your wedding!!! Glenn, who are you marrying?”

Glenn laughed at her surprise. “That’s what I need to talk to you both about. Give me just a minute to put Jumper up and I’ll be right in.” 

The wrangler in the wagon jumped out of the wagon. “Mister Williams, I’d be happy to see to your horse iffen you want to go right in.” 

Glenn climbed down out of the saddle and handed the reins to the cowpuncher. “Thanks. What’s your name? I don’t think my sister-in-law mentioned it.” 

The man took the reins and held out his other hand to shake Glenn’s.

“Name’s Rusty. I reckon I’ll see ya around every now and again. Yer brother told us that during harvest time we’d probably end up helping on this side of the hill.” 

“That would be a welcome bit of help, but that’s months away. I’m glad to meet you, Rusty. If Nathan Ryder sent you to help my brother, I know you’re a good hand.” 

“Yes, sir. The Preacher is a good man to work for and expects the best from his hands. Your brother is the same sort of man, as far as I can tell.” 

“I expect he is. They learned to ranch from the same guy. Would you mind getting my buckboard out and hitching the team to it as well as putting Jumper up? That will save me some time.”

 “Be glad to.” The cowboy started walking toward the little barn. Glenn knew then that Greg had already explained the setup to his ranch hands. The other two men finished pushing Greg and Lyla’s wardrobe onto the wagon and were heading back inside for another load. 

Glenn went into the parlor and was immediately hugged, first by Lyla and then his brother. “I hear you’re getting hitched, little brother.” 

That was a preview of Her Quiet Nurturer. To read the rest purchase the book.

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