Lucys groom, p.1
Lucy's Groom, page 1
Copyright © 2023 by Heidi Harris
Paperback: ISBN: 979-8-89648-000-6
Hardcover: ISBN: 979-8-89648-001-3
Previously published on Kindle Vella in 2023.
2nd Edition published with Steampunk Rock Press LLC.
Book Cover by Heidi Harris
Illustrations by Heidi Harris
All rights reserved.
No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, including photocopying, recording, or other electronic or mechanical methods, without the prior written permission of the publisher Steampunk Rock Press LLC, except as permitted by U.S. copyright law. For permission requests, contact Heidi Harris, heidiharriswrites@gmail.com.
The story, all names, characters, and incidents portrayed in this production are fictitious. No identification with actual persons (living or deceased), places, buildings, and products is intended or should be inferred.
Contents
Scripture
Lucy
1. 1
Luke
2. 2
Lucy
3. 3
Luke
4. 4
Lucy
5. 5
Luke
6. 6
Lucy
7. 7
Luke
8. 8
Lucy
9. 9
Luke
10. 10
Lucy
11. 11
Luke
12. 12
Lucy
13. 13
Luke
14. 14
Lucy
15. 15
Luke
16. 16
Lucy
17. 17
Luke
18. 18
Lucy
19. 19
Luke
20. 20
Lucy
21. 21
Luke
22. 22
Lucy
23. 23
Luke
24. 24
Lucy
25. 25
Luke
26. 26
Lucy
27. 27
Luke
28. 28
Lucy
29. 29
Luke
30. 30
Lucy
31. 31
Luke
32. 32
Lucy
33. 33
Luke
34. 34
Lucy
35. 35
Luke
36. 36
Lucy
37. 37
Luke
38. 38
Lucy
39. 39
Luke
40. 40
Lucy
41. 41
Luke
42. 42
Lucy
43. 43
Luke
44. 44
Lucy
45. 45
Luke
46. 46
Lucy
47. 47
Luke
48. 48
8 Years Later...
Lucy
49. EPILOGUE
Heidi Harris
Scripture
“Enjoy life with your wife, whom you love,
all the days of this meaningless life that God has
given you under the sun all your meaningless days.
For this is your lot in life and in your toilsome labor
under the sun.”
(Ecclesiastes 9:9) NIV
one
1
“Are you sure you want to do this?” The postmaster looked at the note again.
“I’m sure.” I turned on my heels and let the door close behind me.
“I can’t believe you just did that.” My sister hissed.
I untied my horse. “Pa can’t work no more. What did you expect?” I put my foot in the stirrup. I pushed up and swung my boot to the other side of the horse and slid my boot into the other stirrup.
My kid sister was right behind me. “It’s not his fault that he tripped over Patches. She was just trying to get love.”
“If Patches wasn’t such a good mouser, I would kick her out now.” I spit on the ground; the cat made me so mad.
“Patches is a good kitty.” My sister muttered.
I shook my head. Sometimes my sister could be so sentimental. I loved her, but we had a farm to run. Sometimes she needed to be practical.
“Now we are a man short. Doc says Pa ain’t ever going to walk right after this.” I flicked the reins.
“Doc might be wrong. He’s been wrong before. He said he could save Ma, and he didn’t.” Beth Ann raised her voice so I could hear her over the horses.
I’ve been avoiding marriage for quite some time. I didn’t need a man with Pa around. Ever since Ma died, my sister and Pa needed me to help with the farm and help raise Beth Ann.
I glanced at my sister. She was almost raised, and we couldn’t run this farm with Pa down. We had just finished harvest season, or we would be in more trouble than we were already in. We were prepared for winter, but right after winter was spring.
Planting season is coming up faster than I wanted to admit. If Doc was right and Pa’s leg didn’t set right, he wouldn’t be able to help me come spring. Doc had pretty much said Pa’s hard working days were over. We needed someone to pull Pa’s weight around the farm quick.
We didn’t have a lot of money, so hiring someone was out of the question. Sending for a mail order husband seemed like the only choice I had. Most of the men around here were already married or not worth marrying.
Home came into view. I couldn’t imagine leaving this place. This farm ran through my blood. It was part of me and I was part of it. Beth Ann and I put the horses away once we got back home.
“Beth Ann, can you help me with the storage building?” I pointed to the building closest to the house.
“What for?” Beth Ann scowled.
“If someone replies to my advertisement, I need somewhere to put him. We need all of the stuff in there put in the barn.” I wasn’t looking forward to the job either, but it needed done.
“Do I have to?” Beth Ann complained.
“Yeah, you have to. It will only take us an hour or two to clean out.” I marched over to the building.
It wasn’t much to look at, but it would do for now. I opened the door. Beth Ann and I peeked in.
“It might take more than two hours.” Beth Ann scowled.
“How about two hours today and two hours tomorrow?” I didn’t want to do it by myself.
“Okay, Lucy.” Beth Ann stood straighter. “I’ll go get some rags and I’ll be right back.”
“That sounds good.” I took off my cowboy hat and put it on the hook right inside of the door. It would be easier to clean out the place without it on.
Beth Ann came running back. “Do you think this is enough rags?” She had a whole basket full.
“I hope so.” I smiled at my sister and she giggled.
two
2
Iwalked to the board for the tenth time this week. I had been looking everywhere for work, but there was none to be had. My uncle was letting us stay out back in the summer kitchen, but it didn't feel right. A man should be able to hold his own.
I frowned. The board was the same as it had been the day before. The postmaster walked over and pinned an advertisement to the board.
“There's an interesting one for you Luke.” The postmaster laughed like he had told a good joke.
I stepped closer to read the advertisement. I thought it was a job opportunity. It was more than what I was expecting.
GROOM WANTED
Works Hard
Durable
Man of God
Willing to Relocate
I read it three times. Willing to relocate. I let out a deep breath. I didn't have any other options.
Relocating wasn't ideal, but it would mean I had a real home. If she didn't want to relocate, land was probably involved. I would be able to earn my keep. I wasn't opposed to hard work.
If I had a way to support myself, I had to take it. I wasn't sure what kind of woman would be willing to send for a man, but I couldn't keep living off of my uncle. Uncle Billy let us move into the outside kitchen when we lost the farm, but it didn't sit right with me. Winter was coming. I needed a home of my own.
I pulled a few coins out of my pocket. It was hard to part with the money, but I had to answer before someone else did. This probably wasn't the only town she sent the advertisement to.
“I would like to post a response.” I looked the postmaster in the eye.
“Are you sure you don't want to discuss this with your mother or uncle first?” The postmaster was concerned.
“No, sir. I'm a man. I can make my own decisions.” I wrote down my response on the back of the advertisement and pushed it to the postmaster.
“Your Pa would have a lot to say if he knew you were responding to this.” The postmaster held up the paper.
“If my Pa were still alive, we wouldn't have lost the farm.” I grumbled.
The postmaster nodded and started typing on his machine. “It's been sent.”
He pushed the paper back towards me. I took it and stuck it in my pocket. Ma would want to read it.
“Thank you.” I nodded and left the building.
Now, I had to go break the news to Ma. I didn't see any other choice. Pa hadn't been the best at finances. When he died, the fa
By the time Ma sold the farm, it was barely enough to pay the bank back and the bills that had mounted since Pa died. Pa was a proud man. I wish I knew we were in trouble before he died. I could have tried to do something, but by the time I knew what was going on, it was too late.
I took my hat off my head and wiped my brow. I let out a deep breath.
“Ma, we got to talk.” I let the door fall close behind me.
“Was there work?” Ma put two mugs on the table.
I hung up my hat. I ran my fingers through my hair before sitting down.
“I might have a solution.” I put my hands around the mug to warm them. We didn't have enough supplies to make it through the winter.
“Solution?” My Mom was concerned.
I pushed the notice towards her. Ma took the paper and picked it up. Her mouth went into a straight line. Finally, she put the paper down.
“No, Luke.” Ma shook her head no.
“The decision has already been made.” My tone sounded dull to my own ears.
“Luke, you don't have to do this.” Ma was upset. “You should marry for love, not to take care of me and Tommy.”
“Ma, I've been taking care of this family since Pa died last fall. We ain't gone hungry yet.” I swallowed.
It was true, but we've sold everything we could. There wasn't anything left to sell. We barely had enough space in the yard for a small garden for the three of us. Uncle Billy had shared what he could, but he still had a family to feed.
When we moved in with Uncle Billy, we brought our chickens from the farm. The chickens' eggs were keeping something in our bellies. Man can't live on eggs alone. We were gonna have to raid the coffee jar next month if something didn't change.
three
3
Beth Ann had talked me into coming back into town, even though I sent out the ad yesterday. Leaving my farm two days in a row was a waste of my time. I had a fence that needed mended. The sooner I got home, the sooner I could finish my chores.
“Do you think anyone responded, Lucy?” My sister tied up her horse.
I glared at my sister. Part of me wanted to get this over with and the other part of me hoped no one responded. I should have waited until next week to come back.
“Well?” She persisted.
“Be quiet.” I hissed.
“Why?” Beth Ann walked with me toward the postmaster.
My sister didn't catch on to subtlety. I wish she could take a hint. I didn't want this town jabbering more than necessary. The only people that knew I put the ad out were Pa, Beth Ann, and the postmaster.
“There's...” My sister ran off to her friend without finishing her sentence.
“Miss Dawson.” The postmaster greeted me. “You have a few responses about your ad.”
The postmaster turned around. He walked to a box and pulled out some papers. He pushed six pieces of paper across the counter.
I didn't think I'd even get one response to the ad this soon, and I had six? That was surprising. I picked up the one on top and started reading.
How much property do you have?
I snorted. I wasn't a dowry to be given away. I crumbled it up and threw it in the trash can.
I went to the next one.
I don't have the fare. Do you think you could send cash my way?
My mouth fell open when I saw the absurd amount he was asking for. I could build a small homestead for that price.
I'm not willing to relocate, but you're welcome to come here. I have 8 little ones to raise. They need a Ma.
A Ma? Or a workhorse? I shook my head and trashed it too.
How God fearing do you mean? I would be happy to relocate if the price was right.
I crushed it.
The fifth one was too indecent to finish reading. I dropped it into the trash can.
I flipped over the sixth one, praying for a miracle.
Yes to all. Age 19. Luke Larson. I'd have to bring my Ma & bro Tommy w/me.
19. I let out a deep breath. He ought to be young enough to work. I was 22 though. I wasn't sure about the age difference. Young men could be difficult and hardheaded, so could older men, for that matter. It didn't look like I had much choice.
Luke Larson. I stared at the name on the paper. He had a brother and a Ma. That was three more mouths to feed. I calculated the food in the cellar. It should be enough to get six of us through the winter. We might need a bigger garden in the spring.
I tapped the counter. If I married Luke, my name would be Lucy Larson. It was as good of a name as any.
“I'd like to respond to this one.” I pushed the remaining paper across the counter.
“Okay.” The postmaster eyed me curiously. “Put your response on here.” He pushed me a fresh piece of paper with a pencil.
I took the pencil and started writing. I read my response for the third time. I swallowed. This was the most important decision of my life.
“Please send this.” I pushed the paper back.
“Are you sure?” The postmaster examined me.
“Yes, sir.” I nodded.
The postmaster tapped on his machine.
“It's been sent Miss Dawson. I hope you know what you're doing.” The postmaster scowled.
“Me too.” I muttered as I left the building.
four
4
The post was closing in thirty minutes. I wanted to give the woman a chance to respond today. I knew it was doubtful that she made the trip into town two days in a row, but it was all I could do to wait for a response.
I put my hat on. My heart was pounding. Would she have responded? What if she says no?
I thought of Ma and Tommy. How was I going to provide for them if she said no? I could always go out west and send money home. Sometimes the mail got lost or was stolen. I’d prefer to take them with me if I left the town I was born in.
I opened the door. The bell rang. I was more nervous than I had been in my life.
“Is there anything for me today?” I took off my hat and ran a hand through my hair before putting it back on.
“Luke, you got a response from yesterday.” The postmaster waved a flimsy piece of paper.
“What did she say?” I took it from his hand and walked to the other side of the room.
The postmaster was too busy laughing to answer.
Mr. Larson, come at your earliest convenience. I live with my Pa & sis. Lucy. 22.
An address was listed at the bottom of the page.
Lucy. I looked up at the postmaster.
“Are you really going to go, son?” The postmaster had a teasing smile on his lips.
“I am.” I nodded. “I’ll be right back.” I opened the door.
“I close in twenty minutes.” The postmaster called to me as I shut the door.
I ran over to the train station. They were still open. I put the paper on the counter, out of breath.
“Mr. Larson, what is the rush?” Mr. Mathias frowned.
“When does the next train leave for this town?” I pointed at the address.
“Let me see.” Mr. Mathias adjusted his glasses.
It felt like an eternity as he slowly picked up a paper next to him. My heart thumped in my chest. My mind was racing. I knew my life was about to change forever.
“Tomorrow morning at 9AM and Monday morning at 9AM.” Mr. Mathias pointed to his schedule.
Tomorrow wasn’t enough time for Lucy to know I was coming. Monday would be a better option. I need to tell Ma, get packed, and say goodbye to our friends and our kin.
“How much does it cost for three tickets?” I leaned on the counter.
Mr. Mathias rattled off a number. I was sure we had that amount left in the coffee can. I didn’t like digging into the coffee can any more than Ma did, but we had to get there in order to have a place to live.
“Can I purchase the tickets on Monday?” I was already in the middle of making plans.
“Yes, Mr. Larson. Why do you want to go out there?” Mr. Mathias scowled.
“I have kin out there.” I grinned as I tapped the counter twice. I took a step back, away from the counter. “I’ll see you Monday, Mr. Mathias.”
I rushed back to the postmaster. I took a paper off the counter and jotted down that I would be coming Monday.
