by Penelope Anne Bartotto (Western Picture Prompt)
WANTED: Loving woman to become wife and mother. Age 20-30 preferred, educated, religious.
Caroline read the advertisement over and over and wondered about the man who would place such an advertisement. For the past two months she had been exchanging letters with Jakob Cartwright, the man behind the strange advertisement. She never believed she would be the type of girl to answer such an advertisement either, but she had and now resting in her lap was a letter explaining the barest essentials behind the bizarre advertisement she had found in the Chicago newspaper. Jakob Cartwright had lost his young wife in child birth and rather than hire a nursemaid or nanny, he sought to replace her for the children’s sake. He said the marriage was for appearance, not love. He would not have tongues wagging that he was not a proper gentleman, especially when he was working so hard to make a go of his South Dakota cattle ranch. He sought mainly someone to mother his children, Indiana, a little girl, age 5 and his son Chester, age 1. His wife had died giving birth to Chester, but family and friends had helped until now, but he could not cope without a better option than meddlesome neighbors and his mother who thought he should return to the city, and raise the children proper. He was done with Southern proper he said, and had no intention of returning to Baton Rouge to let his family take over his life…again. Would Caroline consent to be his wife?
Would she? A year ago, most definitely not, but these days she had very little options left to her. Her wild streak had gotten her into a might bit of trouble that left her reputation and virtue in question. Now a proper marriage into a respectable family was no longer an option. Benjamin had offered to marry her, sweet Bennie would do anything to make Caroline happy but she knew that she could never love him. So how could she think that she could handle marriage to a stranger?
She didn’t know that she could, but she knew she could be a good mother having always loved her younger siblings who she would miss greatly when she left Chicago on the train in the morning. Her father was not talking to her thinking her decision to run off to South Dakota was foolish. He knew the scandal would never blow over but he felt she would be better off moving out east with her dowager Aunt Mary, where she could be a teacher or nurse. Thankfully her mother understood her need to be more than a spinster in life. Love was a funny thing, maybe some day she would develop a love for Jakob, and she knew she would love the children, should she never have her own she would have the pleasure of being there from an early stage for Chester and she felt the presents she was bringing Indiana would surely win over the heart of any little girl. She had filled a chest with toys and clothing for the children, hoping Jakob would not be mad.
Jakob was nervous beyond belief and wished the train would get to Sioux Falls sooner rather than later. Waiting on his wife to be was not something he relished doing, but he was happy that she seemed to be a practical person. It was her idea that he meet her in the city and that they marry there before returning to Jackson Falls and what he knew was a huge wedding celebration he had not been able to prevent. He had left the children with his neighbors, the Roberts, who said he should stay and enjoy his wedding night in the big city rather than rush home. He hadn’t the heart to tell them or anyone that he had never set eyes on his intended, they all believed she was a long time friend, come back into his life. He hoped Caroline would willingly play along with his charade. He had been surprised to receive such an educated response to his advertisement, he had hoped for a nice farm girl at most, not a refined city girl.
He was checking his pocket watch for the third time in mere minutes when he heard the steam whistle from the train as it reached the edge of the platform. Finally, he could soothe his nerves, he hoped. He watched for Caroline Chatham to disembark from the train, ringing his hands in anticipation and desperation. Second thoughts running rampant through his mind, when he spotted the most lovely creature being helped from the train. She wore a peacock blue traveling outfit, with a modest hat, and sensible boots were nestled on her dainty feet. His heart leapt into his throat, could this be her? Could this delicate flower be the wife he was about to take into the wilderness? She lifted her eyes and they met his and a smile registered on her porcelain face, she waved and once upon the platform walked towards him. His tongue was tied tighter than the laces on a corset suddenly and he prayed the Lord would prevent him from making a total fool of himself.
“Jakob?” the beautiful young woman asked extending her gloved hand to him?
“Yes, how was your journey Caroline?” he stumbled over his words as he took her hand in his clumsily. How everyone would laugh to see the strong Jakob Cartwright ruffled. He was always cool as a mountain stream.
“Fine, a bit dusty, I was hoping I could clean up before we meet up with the judge for the ceremony,” she asked him politely. She seemed so calm to him, and he was hoping his heart wouldn’t race out of his chest. “They said my luggage would be waiting on the platform once the baggage car was unloaded. You did bring a wagon I hope, moving one’s life takes more trunks than you’d imagine.”
He just stared and nodded, unable to form a complete sentence in his mind let alone with his mouth. Caroline Chatham had done to him something he had thought could never happen again since he’d lost his dear Penelope. She had given his heart a spark of hope that there was a reason to live and to love a woman. He had thought his heart would never feel that kind of love again, that he would never know the love of a woman. He knew love, he loved his children more than life itself and did everything for their sake, but he did not think he would ever open his heart to another after Penelope. With Caroline there might be a chance of that, just maybe.
Caroline was chattering nervously she felt in order to communicate with the man who was to be her husband within the hour, he seemed not to talk much. Together they went out and collected her trunks, which were loaded onto a wagon that was sent off ahead of them. Caroline was pleasantly surprised when he did not balk at the amount of trunks she had brought but seemed content to direct his man where to deliver everything to once he was back at the ranch. Caroline discovered that they would be taking the afternoon stage back to Jackson Falls, something she was both happy for and yet, not. There would be no wedding night before she was introduced to life on the ranch. She was a little nervous about that prospect, she wasn’t sure if there ever would be a consummation of the marriage. They had not spoken of that in any of their correspondence. She hoped eventually they would make the marriage real, but for now she would bide by Jakob’s wishes and be a good wife and mother.
Together they walked to the hotel where Jakob had spent the night before and she freshened up before they went to the courthouse for the wedding. While Caroline changed and cleaned up Jakob stayed in the lower salon drinking coffee and thinking. She was a beautiful woman with an intelligent mind, and they would need to talk often, for he loved to hear the sound of her voice. He knew he would not tire of the rich tone, and the cadence of her lyrical voice for years to come. He knew they had never discussed the extent their marriage would go as far as them being husband and wife. He would just respect her wishes and wait until the time was right to broach the subject of them becoming man and wife in the biblical sense. For now they needed to cover the legal aspect of the marriage and catch the stage. On the ride he would have to brace her for what they would meet in the party.
Caroline came down the hotel stairwell and all eyes turned. She had changed from her traveling outfit into a beautiful ivory dress, dressed her hair into upswept tresses that curled along her cheeks, and cleaned off what little traveling dust had deigned to cling to her. She was absolutely stunning. She carried her valise, as if it was the most natural thing for her to do and before Jakob could rush to grab it, the hotel porter took it from her. Yet again he could not believe his luck as he collected the valise, checked out, and took her arm to walk the short distance to the courthouse. She deserved a much fancier wedding than this he thought, and maybe, she deserved more than him he wondered for a moment. Could he truly open his heart to another, so soon after Penelope’s death?
The judge made quick work of the ceremony, and soon they were Mr. and Mrs. Cartwright. They took luncheon at a local establishment as they waited for the stage, and chatted.
“Well, I hope that wasn’t as hard as it seemed,” Jakob said as they waited for their meals to arrive.
“Not difficult at all, just not quite what I’ve imagined my wedding would be, but I promise I’ll be a good wife,” she looked away as the words faded into the noise of the restaurant. Now that the ceremony was done, she suddenly had lost her inner composure and wished her mother could have been there. She felt so alone at the moment.
Jakob stared at her for a few minutes before speaking, “I’ve no doubt you will be. No doubt. I should warn you though, you and I will be facing the townsfolk when we return to Jackson Falls. Much as I protested they demanded that we allow them to throw us a lavish wedding soiree. I hope you don’t mind.”
“Why would I? I think it is sweet they would welcome a stranger into their midst so easily. You all know so very little of me.”
“About that, everyone thinks we’ve known each other for years, that we are old family friends, I hope you understand.” He smiled then sheepishly and while she wanted to chuckle part of her wondered if Jakob was ashamed to have her as a bride. A stranger that would respond to a newspaper advertisement and give up her life.
“I shall be whomever you need me to be, when you need me to be Mr. Cartwright, for I am your wife by law now.” He knew he had hurt her feelings somehow, but he was not quite sure how.
“Call me Jake please.” He said as their meals arrived. Silence ensued throughout the meal and he thought he would never see her smile again.
“Mr. Car, I mean Jake, we never discussed our sleeping arrangements, I am your wife and respect your desires whatever they may be, but would feel better if I knew of your intentions before we reach an awkward moment this evening.” She said this all fast and blushing furiously.
“I think I will leave you time to get to know me and the children. I will be sleeping in the barn with my men for the first few weeks as it is calving season. Shall we go from there then?” Anticipation creased his forehead.
“That sounds reasonable,” she replied calmly.
Soon they were being called to the stage and much as she had hoped not to do so, Caroline’s exhaustion overcame her. She slipped against Jakob’s firm shoulder and slept soundly. The couple across from them saw nothing more than a happily married young couple as they traveled homewards. Jakob smiled back at them, and then watched his new wife and enjoyed the feel of her resting on him.
WANTED: Loving woman to become wife and mother. Age 20-30 preferred, educated, religious.
Caroline read the advertisement over and over and wondered about the man who would place such an advertisement. For the past two months she had been exchanging letters with Jakob Cartwright, the man behind the strange advertisement. She never believed she would be the type of girl to answer such an advertisement either, but she had and now resting in her lap was a letter explaining the barest essentials behind the bizarre advertisement she had found in the Chicago newspaper. Jakob Cartwright had lost his young wife in child birth and rather than hire a nursemaid or nanny, he sought to replace her for the children’s sake. He said the marriage was for appearance, not love. He would not have tongues wagging that he was not a proper gentleman, especially when he was working so hard to make a go of his South Dakota cattle ranch. He sought mainly someone to mother his children, Indiana, a little girl, age 5 and his son Chester, age 1. His wife had died giving birth to Chester, but family and friends had helped until now, but he could not cope without a better option than meddlesome neighbors and his mother who thought he should return to the city, and raise the children proper. He was done with Southern proper he said, and had no intention of returning to Baton Rouge to let his family take over his life…again. Would Caroline consent to be his wife?
Would she? A year ago, most definitely not, but these days she had very little options left to her. Her wild streak had gotten her into a might bit of trouble that left her reputation and virtue in question. Now a proper marriage into a respectable family was no longer an option. Benjamin had offered to marry her, sweet Bennie would do anything to make Caroline happy but she knew that she could never love him. So how could she think that she could handle marriage to a stranger?
She didn’t know that she could, but she knew she could be a good mother having always loved her younger siblings who she would miss greatly when she left Chicago on the train in the morning. Her father was not talking to her thinking her decision to run off to South Dakota was foolish. He knew the scandal would never blow over but he felt she would be better off moving out east with her dowager Aunt Mary, where she could be a teacher or nurse. Thankfully her mother understood her need to be more than a spinster in life. Love was a funny thing, maybe some day she would develop a love for Jakob, and she knew she would love the children, should she never have her own she would have the pleasure of being there from an early stage for Chester and she felt the presents she was bringing Indiana would surely win over the heart of any little girl. She had filled a chest with toys and clothing for the children, hoping Jakob would not be mad.
Jakob was nervous beyond belief and wished the train would get to Sioux Falls sooner rather than later. Waiting on his wife to be was not something he relished doing, but he was happy that she seemed to be a practical person. It was her idea that he meet her in the city and that they marry there before returning to Jackson Falls and what he knew was a huge wedding celebration he had not been able to prevent. He had left the children with his neighbors, the Roberts, who said he should stay and enjoy his wedding night in the big city rather than rush home. He hadn’t the heart to tell them or anyone that he had never set eyes on his intended, they all believed she was a long time friend, come back into his life. He hoped Caroline would willingly play along with his charade. He had been surprised to receive such an educated response to his advertisement, he had hoped for a nice farm girl at most, not a refined city girl.
He was checking his pocket watch for the third time in mere minutes when he heard the steam whistle from the train as it reached the edge of the platform. Finally, he could soothe his nerves, he hoped. He watched for Caroline Chatham to disembark from the train, ringing his hands in anticipation and desperation. Second thoughts running rampant through his mind, when he spotted the most lovely creature being helped from the train. She wore a peacock blue traveling outfit, with a modest hat, and sensible boots were nestled on her dainty feet. His heart leapt into his throat, could this be her? Could this delicate flower be the wife he was about to take into the wilderness? She lifted her eyes and they met his and a smile registered on her porcelain face, she waved and once upon the platform walked towards him. His tongue was tied tighter than the laces on a corset suddenly and he prayed the Lord would prevent him from making a total fool of himself.
“Jakob?” the beautiful young woman asked extending her gloved hand to him?
“Yes, how was your journey Caroline?” he stumbled over his words as he took her hand in his clumsily. How everyone would laugh to see the strong Jakob Cartwright ruffled. He was always cool as a mountain stream.
“Fine, a bit dusty, I was hoping I could clean up before we meet up with the judge for the ceremony,” she asked him politely. She seemed so calm to him, and he was hoping his heart wouldn’t race out of his chest. “They said my luggage would be waiting on the platform once the baggage car was unloaded. You did bring a wagon I hope, moving one’s life takes more trunks than you’d imagine.”
He just stared and nodded, unable to form a complete sentence in his mind let alone with his mouth. Caroline Chatham had done to him something he had thought could never happen again since he’d lost his dear Penelope. She had given his heart a spark of hope that there was a reason to live and to love a woman. He had thought his heart would never feel that kind of love again, that he would never know the love of a woman. He knew love, he loved his children more than life itself and did everything for their sake, but he did not think he would ever open his heart to another after Penelope. With Caroline there might be a chance of that, just maybe.
Caroline was chattering nervously she felt in order to communicate with the man who was to be her husband within the hour, he seemed not to talk much. Together they went out and collected her trunks, which were loaded onto a wagon that was sent off ahead of them. Caroline was pleasantly surprised when he did not balk at the amount of trunks she had brought but seemed content to direct his man where to deliver everything to once he was back at the ranch. Caroline discovered that they would be taking the afternoon stage back to Jackson Falls, something she was both happy for and yet, not. There would be no wedding night before she was introduced to life on the ranch. She was a little nervous about that prospect, she wasn’t sure if there ever would be a consummation of the marriage. They had not spoken of that in any of their correspondence. She hoped eventually they would make the marriage real, but for now she would bide by Jakob’s wishes and be a good wife and mother.
Together they walked to the hotel where Jakob had spent the night before and she freshened up before they went to the courthouse for the wedding. While Caroline changed and cleaned up Jakob stayed in the lower salon drinking coffee and thinking. She was a beautiful woman with an intelligent mind, and they would need to talk often, for he loved to hear the sound of her voice. He knew he would not tire of the rich tone, and the cadence of her lyrical voice for years to come. He knew they had never discussed the extent their marriage would go as far as them being husband and wife. He would just respect her wishes and wait until the time was right to broach the subject of them becoming man and wife in the biblical sense. For now they needed to cover the legal aspect of the marriage and catch the stage. On the ride he would have to brace her for what they would meet in the party.
Caroline came down the hotel stairwell and all eyes turned. She had changed from her traveling outfit into a beautiful ivory dress, dressed her hair into upswept tresses that curled along her cheeks, and cleaned off what little traveling dust had deigned to cling to her. She was absolutely stunning. She carried her valise, as if it was the most natural thing for her to do and before Jakob could rush to grab it, the hotel porter took it from her. Yet again he could not believe his luck as he collected the valise, checked out, and took her arm to walk the short distance to the courthouse. She deserved a much fancier wedding than this he thought, and maybe, she deserved more than him he wondered for a moment. Could he truly open his heart to another, so soon after Penelope’s death?
The judge made quick work of the ceremony, and soon they were Mr. and Mrs. Cartwright. They took luncheon at a local establishment as they waited for the stage, and chatted.
“Well, I hope that wasn’t as hard as it seemed,” Jakob said as they waited for their meals to arrive.
“Not difficult at all, just not quite what I’ve imagined my wedding would be, but I promise I’ll be a good wife,” she looked away as the words faded into the noise of the restaurant. Now that the ceremony was done, she suddenly had lost her inner composure and wished her mother could have been there. She felt so alone at the moment.
Jakob stared at her for a few minutes before speaking, “I’ve no doubt you will be. No doubt. I should warn you though, you and I will be facing the townsfolk when we return to Jackson Falls. Much as I protested they demanded that we allow them to throw us a lavish wedding soiree. I hope you don’t mind.”
“Why would I? I think it is sweet they would welcome a stranger into their midst so easily. You all know so very little of me.”
“About that, everyone thinks we’ve known each other for years, that we are old family friends, I hope you understand.” He smiled then sheepishly and while she wanted to chuckle part of her wondered if Jakob was ashamed to have her as a bride. A stranger that would respond to a newspaper advertisement and give up her life.
“I shall be whomever you need me to be, when you need me to be Mr. Cartwright, for I am your wife by law now.” He knew he had hurt her feelings somehow, but he was not quite sure how.
“Call me Jake please.” He said as their meals arrived. Silence ensued throughout the meal and he thought he would never see her smile again.
“Mr. Car, I mean Jake, we never discussed our sleeping arrangements, I am your wife and respect your desires whatever they may be, but would feel better if I knew of your intentions before we reach an awkward moment this evening.” She said this all fast and blushing furiously.
“I think I will leave you time to get to know me and the children. I will be sleeping in the barn with my men for the first few weeks as it is calving season. Shall we go from there then?” Anticipation creased his forehead.
“That sounds reasonable,” she replied calmly.
Soon they were being called to the stage and much as she had hoped not to do so, Caroline’s exhaustion overcame her. She slipped against Jakob’s firm shoulder and slept soundly. The couple across from them saw nothing more than a happily married young couple as they traveled homewards. Jakob smiled back at them, and then watched his new wife and enjoyed the feel of her resting on him.