Chapter 2

Caleb

Whiskey River, Wyoming

"Would you like me to come over tomorrow, too?" Mrs. Jenkins asked when Caleb Henley walked into his house. He hung his cowboy hat on a peg by the door but left on his heavy coat.

"If you don't mind," Caleb replied, his mind a million miles away.

Since he had lost his Jessica, nothing seemed real anymore. Nothing seemed quite right. No matter how much he tried, something was missing from his life. And he knew what it was… her. It had only been a few months since she had passed away from influenza, leaving him alone with two small children—Hailey, age two; and Shane, age four.

Most days, Caleb tried to suppress his anger, and guilt. Why hadn't he taken better care of his wife? He had left her to care for the children and the house, knowing she was ill, while he tended to the congregation and their farm. And she was also the town schoolteacher. But she had insisted that she was fine. Why hadn't he taken better care of her? Why hadn't she taken better care of herself? Then, he felt guilty again for being angry with her.

As the town preacher, he was supposed to be strong for his congregation, to comfort them in their time of need, assure them that God was with them. But where was God now? Why had he taken his Jessica away from him so prematurely?

In his heart, he knew that God wasn't the one who took her away. Things happen. He knew that God never turned away from his people, but why had he allowed that to happen to his Jessica?

He had been going on for months like this, but it was time to take matters in his own hands. If something didn't change soon, he stood to lose more than his congregation. Although he truly appreciated the help, he felt like he was losing his family with so many people coming and going in his house. Caleb was used to him and Jessica raising their family themselves, not having so many differing opinions. As they say, too many hands in the pot spoils the brew.

But on the other hand, he didn't know where he would be now if it weren't for the help of the community.

A crease formed between Caleb's eyes. "Are you in a hurry to go home?"

Mrs. Jenkins cocked her head to the side, her curly, silver hair causing her to look like a kind grandmother, rather than the widow that she was. "No, what do you need, Caleb?"

He let out a deep breath, guilt stabbing his chest. "I hate to ask. You've already done so much, but could you watch the children for me for about forty-five more minutes, or so? I have some business to take care of, and I won't be long."

Her eyebrows rose, a smile lighting her lips. "Oh! I wouldn't mind it at all! Go do what you have to do. I'll stay here with the children." She nodded to them playing quietly on the big oval rug in the center of the living room in front of the fireplace. "Take your time." She gave his arm a motherly pat.

She reminded him so much of his mother that it was uncanny. Actually, his mother was even kinder than Mrs. Jenkins, if that was even possible. But God had taken her when he was little, leaving him alone with his father, who was a preacher, too.

It seemed that history had repeated itself.

"Thank you, Mrs. Jenkins."

Caleb ran his fingers through his dark brown hair, slid on this cowboy hat, and walked out the door. A cold wind rushed through him, causing him to shiver. He pulled his collar up on his coat, deflecting the cold. Snow adorned the ground, creating a thick, sparkling blanket across the land that reached all the way to the base of the mountains.

At least the blizzard had stopped. It had snowed nearly nonstop the whole month of December. He had been afraid that he would have to cancel the annual Christmas Eve Candlelight Service, but the Good Lord had seen fit to give them a reprieve.

Earlier, Caleb had left his buckboard out front with the team still attached, knowing the errand he wanted to run. He didn't have much time, so he jumped in and grabbed the reins. "Yah!" he yelled, urging the horses into a gallop.

There was only one person on the planet who could help him.

Guilt filled his chest from even contemplating the idea. But he had been thinking about it and it seemed the most logical solution. It was either this or lose control of everything, including his family, which was something he would never allow.

He let out a deep breath, and it turned to steam immediately in the cold Wyoming winter air. Guilt filled his chest again. Wasn't he supposed to put God first before everything, including his family? And the people in his congregation and in Whiskey River had been so kind to him. But he had to do something.

He was tired. Caleb often found himself running ragged just to try and keep up. It would be more than enough for any man to handle. If something didn't give, he was thinking of stepping down from being the preacher here in Whiskey River.

It seemed that he felt guilty over everything lately. Guilt and anger was his prominent emotions.

Within minutes, he pulled down the long driveway leading to Colton and Ella Hill's ranch.

Colton headed toward the house from the barn but stopped short when he saw Caleb pull up in the driveway.

Just seeing Colton's warm smile made Caleb feel better. He just hoped that he was making the right decision for his family… for his children.

"Evening, Preacher." Colton smiled as he extended his hand when Caleb wrapped the reins around the front bar of his buckboard and stepped down. "What brings you out here tonight?"

It was twilight and the sun was just beginning to set, signaling the end of another day. Another day without his Jessica.

"You got a minute to talk?" Caleb asked, shaking his hand.

Colton took off his hat and ran his hand through his long brown hair, pulled it back, and then let it fall down his back. "Sure. Come on in." Colton started walking toward the house, but Caleb stopped him.

"Actually, I'd rather talk out here privately, if you don't mind." Caleb's heart pounded at the thought of what he was about to do, but he had to do something, for better or for worse.

Colton nodded, his eyebrows pulling together in concern. "Sure. What's wrong? Something happen with one of the kids?"

Caleb shook his head. "No, nothing like that. The kids are fine."

Colton waited patiently.

The preacher let out a deep breath. "I don't know how to begin."

Colton gave him a knowing smile. "Want to sit on the porch?"

Caleb shook his head.

Colton waited, obviously giving him time. One corner of his lips curled into a mischievous smile as he gave him a manly slap on the back. "Oh, come on, Preacher! It can't be that bad. Just spit it out."

Caleb nodded. "Right now, I'm not here as a preacher, but as a man. I need to talk to you about something, but it needs to stay between us for now."

Colton nodded thoughtfully. "Of course."

Caleb placed his hands on his hips. letting out a deep breath. "Your wife, Ella, was a mail-order bride, right?"

Colton's smile faded as he nodded. "Yes, you know she was. But Dallas King was an ass, and she fell in love with me—"

"No, you misunderstood." Caleb bit his lower lip, summoning his courage. He almost dropped the whole thing and walked away, but he was desperate. "I need a wife. Someone to care for the kids and the house. Someone I can trust while I'm away. Someone who will become a part of my family and help me hold it together. I can't keep depending on the ladies of the church anymore." He let out a deep breath. It felt good to get it off his chest, if nothing else. "I was wondering if Ella might know of… a woman… that I can marry. I know it sounds crazy, but it will be purely platonic. We will have to be married for her to live in the house with me and the kids, though. But I have a spare room and she can have it all to herself." Caleb walked away to collect his thoughts, and then turned back around. "I just need some help holding my family together. I'll pay for everything. She can just stay at home with the kids and take care of the house. I'll take care of the rest."

Colton nodded as he wiped his hands on a towel, lost in thought. "Are you sure this is what you want?"

Caleb nodded as a lump of guilt formed in his throat.

"Are you ready for this?"

"I have to be." He held out his arms, letting out a deep breath. "Colton, I know it doesn't sound rational, but I feel like I'm losing my family, and I can't do it anymore. Between trying to care for the congregation, my family, and the farm… something's got to give. I hate to say this, but I have to start putting the needs of my family first."

Colton nodded thoughtfully. "What do you need me to do?"

Caleb sighed in relief. "You don't think this is crazy?"

Colton laughed. "Oh, it's crazy, all right. But no crazier than anything anyone else in this town has done." Colton placed his hand on Caleb's shoulder and squeezed. "Caleb, you have to do what you have to do. I don't see how you've done it so far. I couldn't imagine…."

Colton's voice trailed off, not finishing the sentence. But Caleb knew full well what he was about to say. He couldn't imagine ever losing his wife like that.

Caleb nodded in understanding and smiled. "It's all thanks to the parishioners and the people of Whiskey River. I wouldn't have survived it if it weren't for them. I appreciate everything that everyone has done, but now I have to do what is best for my family."

"Yes, you do." Colton sighed. "If I were in your shoes, I'd do the same thing. For the sake of the children, if not anything else. It's going to be hard for you, though. But if you're sure, we can go in and talk to Ella right now."

"Are you sure it's not an imposition?" Caleb arched an eyebrow.

Colton smiled. "Never. Preacher, you're welcome here anytime."

"Please, call me Caleb." He shoved his hands into his pockets. Caleb had been out making his weekly rounds, seeing to his congregation, even though the barn and the house needed tending to, and he didn't have time to clean up before coming over. There just never seemed to be enough time for anything lately. But he pushed the thought quickly aside.

Colton smiled as he headed up the stairs and held open the door for Caleb. "Ella, honey! We have company!"

"Oh, yes?" Ella's voice rang out throughout the house, coming from the living room. "Who is it?"

Immediately, Caleb's preacher instincts kicked in when he saw Ella lying on the couch, pale as a sheet as she attempted to sit up. "Please, don't get up on my account." A crease formed between Caleb's eyes as he sat on a chair across from her. "How are you feeling?"

Ella gave him a small smile. "I'm okay, but I feel like an invalid. Doc Morgan wants me to lay down until the baby comes." With much effort, she sat up and instinctively rubbed her stomach.

"Well, just stay there," Caleb said, concerned. She had always been so active in the community; it was hard seeing her like this. For a moment, he wondered if something was wrong with her or the baby, but he pushed the thought aside. "I won't stay long."

Ella leaned back on the couch. Colton lifted her feet, sat down beside her, and placed them on his lap, the adoration he had for his wife prominent in his eyes. He smoothed the skirt of her dress down and rubbed her leg out of habit.

A crease formed between Ella's eyes. "What's wrong, Reverend Henley?"

"Caleb, please," he corrected, a small smile lighting his lips.

Ella's eyes flew open as she looked at Colton and then back. "Are you okay?"

Caleb nodded. Here, she was very sick herself, but she was more concerned about his well-being than her own. "Mrs. Hill, I hate to trouble you with this now, but I was wanting to know if I could talk to you about something."

"Yes, of course," Ella replied, concern filling her eyes as she listened attentively.

Caleb proceeded to tell her of his plan to send for a mail-order bride to help out around the house and care for his children. "My question to you is this: can you tell me who to contact, or would you help me to set it up?"

Ella laughed, her eyes wide. "You have got to be kidding me!"

Caleb's mouth flew open in shock as his face fell. Of all the things he had expected her to say, this wasn't it. "I… I… I'm so sorry I bothered you with this. It was a stupid idea." He rose to his feet and headed toward the door, his bulging muscles tense under his jacket.

"No! You misunderstood!" Ella said, stopping him. "Please, come back over and sit down. That's not what I meant." A broad smile spread across her face. "You talk about the Good Lord working in strange ways!"

Caleb narrowed his eyes, confused. "I'm… not following you," he said as he sat back down.

Ella's face beamed brightly, bursting with excitement as she turned to her husband. "Colton, would you be so kind as to bring me the oil painting of Mia?"

Colton suppressed a smile, nodding as he headed into the bedroom.

Caleb wondered what was going on, but Colton was back before he could ask. He handed Ella a small picture frame, and she laid it face down on her lap as she turned back to Caleb. "You aren't going to believe what I'm about to tell you, Caleb." She held up a letter. "I just got this letter from my best friend in New York, Mia Flynn. In the letter, she asked me if I could find her a husband. She wants to be a mail-order bride."

Caleb's eyes flew open wide, unable to believe what he was hearing. "What? Why?"

Ella shrugged. "You can read the letter yourself, if you like. Essentially, she's in financial trouble." She let out a deep breath. "You see, we shared a tenement before I left, and we used to split the rent. It was okay for two people who were both working. But I'm ashamed to say that I left her high and dry when I came here."

Caleb's heart pounded hard against his ribcage, unable to believe what he was hearing. "Why doesn't she just get another roommate?"

She shrugged, smiling. "No one was me, I guess. You see, we've been best friends for a long time. And if the shoe was on the other foot, I know I couldn't replace her, either."

Caleb nodded in understanding.

"Caleb, before you say anything, there's something you should know first."

He waited, listening intently.

Ella let out a deep breath. "Mia and I worked together. She's a dancehall girl and a seamstress."

Caleb nodded as Ella waited for it to sink in.

"Caleb," she said, lowering her voice conspiratorially. "Gentlemen came in and paid to dance with us. Nothing more. It's good money, but she's getting tired of that life, just like I did." Ella bit her lower lip. "My question to you is: will it make a difference? Could you still care for her, knowing that?"

"Of course I could." He shrugged. "We all come from somewhere. Right?" One corner of his lips curled up into a smile. "You said that she sews?"

Ella laughed. "Oh, yes! In fact, she's been sewing for ladies in New York, and she sews all her own clothes. It's just not enough to make ends meet. She said that she would rather be a seamstress for a dress shop… or make clothes for her own family."

Caleb's eyebrows shot up. "She said that?"

Ella giggled. "Yes, she did." She ran her hand over the back of the picture frame. "Would you like to see a picture of her? The oil painting really doesn't do her justice, though."

Caleb's heart pounded as he nodded. Here, he had just made the decision, and now everything was happening so fast.

Ella's lips curled into a mischievous grin as she handed him the picture frame face down.

When he turned it over, he looked into the most beautiful green eyes he had ever seen. She had blonde, wavy hair and a sweet smile. "She's beautiful," he said as a twinge of guilt pulled at his heart. Not long ago, he had thought that Jessica would always be the most beautiful woman in the world to him.

Ella giggled, pleased with his reaction. "She's like my baby sister."

"What's she like?" he asked, unable to take his eyes from the young woman in the painting.

"Well, she's just as nice and kind as she is beautiful." Ella smiled proudly.

"But she can be feisty, too." Colton laughed. "She won't take any guff from anyone. At the saloon—"

"She's one of the kindest people I know," Ella cut him off. Caleb assumed that she must not have been wanting to push the fact that she was a dancehall girl. Ella looked into Caleb's eyes. "Caleb, she's a decent person and has good morals. She only danced with men because it paid well. As you know, there are very few options for single women to make a living these days."

"I understand," he said, looking at the painting.

"Does it bother you?"

He shook his head as a smile lit his lips. "Hey, if she can help me with the children and the house, then she'll be golden to me."

Ella laughed. "Well, she's already golden to me."

"Just don't make her mad." Colton chuckled, shaking his head. "Once, a man gave her a hard time and she stomped on his foot, pushed him away, and marched off the dancefloor. I couldn't have been more proud."

"That's right." Caleb nodded in realization. "You all knew each other in New York. Didn't you?"

Ella smiled, absentmindedly rubbing her stomach. "Yes, we did."

Caleb's heart twinged. He knew that move well, remembering when Jessica used to rub her stomach while she was pregnant. "I should go and let you rest."

Ella shook her head. "No, I have a plan."

"Already?" Colton chuckled as Ella nodded. "Leave it to my wife not to waste time."

Caleb laughed. "So, what's the plan?"

"Well…." Ella leaned forward, clearly excited. "Madame Samantha Chase is the matchmaker I went through, and she can set everything up." She let out a deep breath. "You'll have to pay for everything, though—all of her expenses, and Madame Chase's fee, as well. Mia doesn't have much money."

"That's not a problem at all. Just let me know how much it is and I'll give it to you." Caleb thought for a moment, and then asked, "Is she good with kids?"

Ella smiled. "She loves children."

Caleb nodded. "How soon can she get here?"

A broad grin spread across her lips. "I'm sure she can leave right away."

Caleb rose to his feet. "Well, I really must go. Mrs. Jenkins has been with the kids all day. But something told me to come over and talk to you both tonight." He chuckled. "Now I know why."

Ella caught his hand, stopping him. "Caleb, are you sure this is what you want?"

He thought for a moment, and then nodded. "I've never been more sure about anything in my life."

"Okay, then. I'll get in touch with Madame Chase and Mia right away." She laughed. "With as many men needing wives here in Whiskey River, I think I might go into business with Madame Chase!"

Caleb and Colton laughed.

Caleb gave her hand a gentle squeeze. "Thank you, Ella. And if you need anything, just let me know. I'm here if you need me."

She smiled, nodding. "I appreciate that, but you just gave me the best gift of all … my best friend. If we act quickly, this means that Mia will be here in time for the baby."

"I hope so." Caleb smiled, giving her hand a gentle squeeze. "Thank you, Ella, for everything."

"I'll walk you out." Colton rose from the couch, carefully lifting Ella's feet and laying them gently back down again.

When they walked outside, night had fallen, casting a blue hue over the pristine snow when Caleb turned to Colton. "Is she okay?"

Colton's smile faded as he shook his head. "I just hope that Doc Morgan is right and that it's just the pregnancy. I hope it's nothing more."

Caleb gave Colton's shoulder a manly squeeze. "I'm sure she'll be fine. If you need anything, just let me know."

Colton laughed. "I appreciate the sentiment, but I think you have your hands full already."

Caleb smiled as he stepped up onto his buckboard. "Thanks, Colton. And be sure to thank Ella for me, too."

Colton laughed. "No, I should thank you. You just made her night. Mia and Ella have been as thick as thieves for years." A mischievous gleam appeared in his eyes. "Which means, you and I are both going to be in big trouble."

"Actually, that sounds pretty good." Caleb laughed, and for the first time in a long time, it was genuine.

He gave Colton one last wave as he headed home, feeling better than he had in a very long time. He just hoped that he was making the right decision.