Chapter 5

The stagecoach stopped with an abrupt jerk. Mary Anna drew in a sharp breath and braced herself. What had she done? If Alice hadn't been so excited about the prospects of finding a good man, Mary Anna would have never gone along with this crazy scheme. Proxy bride? She'd never heard of such a thing.

At least with a mail-order bride agency, she could have met the man through letters. This was blind faith, and she had to wonder if it wasn't some scheme by unscrupulous men trying to take advantage of desperate people.

She gripped Alice's hand. "I didn't pray before I stood up as a proxy bride. What if God is going to punish me and give me a horrible man?"

"Mary Anna, I'm surprised at you. God doesn't punish those He loves."

"He chastises them." She stared at Alice.

"God promises to work all things out to good for those who love God and are called according to His purpose. Trust the Lord, Mary Anna." Alice looked out the window. "There's a line of men out there."

Mary Anna sent up a silent prayer asking the Lord to forgive her for not asking what He would have her do and for an extra dose of His mercy.

The stagecoach door opened, and the driver nodded at them. They'd picked up two other women in Missouri. Of the men who had boarded in Mississippi, only the U.S. Marshal was still riding with them. Mary Anna had a feeling his presence made the men nervous, and they'd gotten off the stage soon after leaving the depot in Mississippi.

The marshal nodded. "You ladies, go ahead and exit first. I'll wait."

Alice stood and waited behind the other ladies. She turned toward Mary Anna. "Come on. We'll know soon what the Lord has planned for us."

Mary Anna called on her Donlen courage and stepped out of the coach. The sun was bright, blinding her. She looked around and saw Alice in the arms of a nice-looking man by the depot. They both appeared happy.

"Oh, God. Help me." She whirled around, looking for someone who appeared interested in her. The crowd of men around the stage dispersed, and she was alone. The marshal stepped out and looked at her with a sympathetic frown.

Then she saw a man standing off to the side. He had a fresh haircut and wore new clothes. It had to be him. Was he shy? Or disgusted at the sight of her? Tears formed, burning to be let loose.

The man walked toward her. "Mary Anna Donlen?"

Relief hit her like a wave. "Yes. Well, actually, Mary Anna Starke. Would you be Chris Starke?"

"Christopher Starke. Pleased to meet you." He held out his hand like a gentleman. "Welcome to Abilene for all that it's worth." He stared at her, sizing her up.

Mary Anna wasn't sure if he was pleased with her or not. "The town does look a bit dusty." She put her hand in his and swallowed uneasily. Chris was a handsome man with broad shoulders. He was no wimpy gentleman with soft hands.

The man standing before her frowned. Her husband. He was not happy about something. He dropped her hand and offered to take her traveling bag. "Is this all?"

Tears burned her eyes, but she held them back. She would not show fear to this man. Whatever he was not happy about, she was his wife. "Yes, the war cost us everything."

"By that drawl you have, I'd say you're from the South." He looked at her. His eyes accusing her of a terrible deed.

"Mississippi. I grew up on a wonderful plantation until the war came and took everything from me. I was left with nothing." She pulled a handkerchief from her sleeve and wiped her eyes. Looking up at him, she recognized there wasn't a shred of sympathy in his hazel eyes.

"The war your South started cost me more than you can imagine." He swore softly under his breath but loud enough that she heard the harsh word. Chris shook his head, and without a word, he turned and started walking down the street, not caring if she followed or not.

Mary Anna, not knowing what else to do, followed him. After all, according to the law, they were married. She sighed. It was obvious he was a Yankee, and she was not happy about that. His kind had destroyed her world.

She plodded behind him. It was clear to her that he wasn't slowing down for her and was now ten feet ahead of her. Mary Anna thought about calling out to him, but why bother? If he didn't like her, it might be better if she just let him walk away now.

Slowing her step, she wanted to see just how far away he would get before he realized she wasn't keeping up. Dumb Yank. Why did he sign up to marry her if he didn't like the South? Tears burned her eyes and then blurred her vision. She stopped and wiped her face and eyes. This was unbearable and so unfair.

That's what she got for not praying first. She should have taken the time. Now, her life was in ruins. She should have stayed and sewed on buttons or plucked chickens. She went to the side of the boardwalk and sat down.

Unfortunately, her blurred vision had kept her from seeing the saloon she was sitting in front of. At the sound of coarse talk and sneering laughter, she looked up and read Drop Dead Saloon. All she could do was think how appropriate. That was the way she felt about herself, Chris Starke, and the world.

Someone put a hand on her shoulder.

She jumped and looked up into Marshal Trask's face. "Oh, you startled me."

He tipped his hat and held out his hand. "This isn't a good place for you to stop, ma'am."

"I think you're right. Thank you for taking the time to help me." She sighed. "My proxy husband has forgotten he has a wife."

"I'm sorry. I had my doubts about that arrangement. There aren't that many decent men here in Abilene."

Mary Anna walked beside him. "I don't know what I'm going to do?" She looked around. "I don't even see him."

A hand tapped her back.

She whirled to see Chris behind her. "Well, I see you realized I wasn't following you."

"Where did you go? I was talking to you and looked back, but you were gone. This isn't a town you should be in unescorted." Chris suddenly seemed to notice she was with the marshal and stepped away from them.

Marshal Trask nodded at him. "I found her sitting in front of the saloon."

Shock showed on Chris's face. "It's bad enough you're a Southerner. Please, tell me you're not a madam too."

Mary Anna gasped and slapped Chris in the face. "How dare you, sir? I'll have you know that I am a decent lady. I will not tolerate such rude behavior from a man who is supposed to be my husband."

Chris rubbed his cheek. "Well, I am glad you're a lady." He glanced at the marshal, who seemed to be having trouble holding back a chuckle. "I came back to get you. Now, try and stay beside me."

"A gentleman walks with a lady and doesn't expect her to run to keep up with him." She pointed at her bag. "At least you didn't lose my worldly possessions. That is all the Yankees left me with."

Chris scowled. "I don't think we want to fight the war over. Both sides lost a lot. Not to mention the slaves you kept in chains."

"Ha! I'll have you know we did not chain our slaves. What's more, Papa gave them their freedom after five years and gave them forty acres of good, cotton-growing land."

"How nice of him. We still had to fight an awful war to free people who were brought here against their will. Slavery is evil. I hope you can see that now."

Mary Anna glared at him. "I always thought it was evil. I went against the law and taught them how to read. Anyone with half a brain could see that it was only a matter of time before the South would have to free them."

Chris's face grew red. "Well, the South must have a lot of half-brained—"

Marshal Trask stepped in between them. "Stop. This is no way to start a marriage. Besides, the war is over, and it's all been decided. Why don't you two declare a truce and get to know one another without shouting? At least shake hands."

Mary Anna glared at Chris. Did she even want to make a truce? Or make a marriage with this man work? He'd yet to tell her where he lived.

Chris stared at her. She was pretty, fiery, and a Reb. So much for his dream of a sweet girl from the north. He held out his hand.

She shook his hand but couldn't keep her mouth closed. "I'm not saying this is a good idea or our marriage is something that will work. But I did stand up and say the words, and we are married for better or worse."

She couldn't help but notice the warmth of his hand. Mary Anna felt a blush creep across her face and pulled her hand away from his. Time would tell if this union would stay together or if she would secede.