MAIL ORDER MOUNTIES

Bride for Samuel

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CHAPTER 1

 

Beth James moved up and down between the pews of her father’s church in Ottawa, straightening the hymnals in their holders. She loved these quiet moments before everyone arrived, before the organist began the prelude, when it was just her and her thoughts. She never minded the little tasks that went into keeping the church clean and tidy—it gave her the chance to think and ponder, and she felt that she was doing a real service in her own way. She’d never be an orator like her father, but she could give what she could. 

 

All too soon, the organist slipped into place, and before much longer, the members of the congregation began to file in. Beth slipped into her own seat and waited for the service to begin, knowing that her father had been up late the night before preparing his sermon. It was sure to be wonderful, as his sermons always were when he struggled so hard to bring them about. 

 

She heard a familiar voice and turned to see Miss Hazel Hughes entering the chapel. Oh, she loved Miss Hazel. That woman said whatever was on her mind and showed no fear. It was a delight to be around her, not only for her friendship, but to hear whatever audacious things she had to say. Beth could never be that brave. She guarded her words carefully, never wanting to do anything that would disappoint her father and his important role in their community.

 

As she expected, her father’s sermon was beautiful and well-constructed. He stood at the doors of the chapel and greeted everyone as they streamed out, and Beth overheard many of the congregants thank him for his message. He received each compliment with humility, as he always did, and when the last had finally left, he turned to Beth with a sigh. 

 

“This becomes more exhausting every week,” he said, making his way to the back pew and sitting down.

 

“Are you all right, Father?” she asked, putting a hand on his shoulder. “You do look very tired.”

 

“I’m all right—physically, that is, my dear. The doctor says I’ll live another thirty years. It’s my soul that’s so very tired. Every week, I teach the people about the dangers of sin, and every week, the sins of our people become greater and greater. The vices that hold them fast are winning, my dear, and I fear for them.”

 

“But they’re still coming, aren’t they, Father? Doesn’t that give you hope?”

 

“Sometimes I fear they only come because staying away would cause them to lose their standing in the community. Church has become a social club rather than a place of worship.” He motioned over his shoulder. “Even now, the women are standing on the lawn gossiping. They do that every week, just moments after hearing me decry the evil practice. Tell me, daughter, what good am I doing here?”

 

“Oh, Father.” Beth patted his shoulder. “If it helps you at all, I’ve overheard those women before, and in truth, they’re talking about the needs of those in our neighborhood and how they can be of help. They’re planning where to bring soup and how to lift one another’s burdens. I do believe they’re trying to live what you’re teaching them.”

 

He waved a hand. “Appearances, my dear. It’s their hearts that worry me.”

 

Beth frowned. “But how do you know their hearts, Father? Isn’t it through their actions? And aren’t their actions good?”

 

“Men will do things to be seen of other men, my dear.” He lifted himself from the bench. “Shall we go? I believe you said something about a pot roast.”

 

“Yes, I did.”

 

Beth followed her father down the aisle of the church, feeling heavy. She trusted her father and his beliefs, but he seemed to be coming down awfully hard on the members of his congregation, and she couldn’t understand why. Of course, he was privy to quite a lot more than she was, but even acknowledging that fact didn’t bring peace. If she was honest with herself, she had to wonder if her father wasn’t losing his touch on reality. 

 

***

 

Samuel Murray pushed back his chair and stood, clutching a letter in his hand. “Commander Cooper, a word?” 

 

Easton looked up from his paperwork. “You’re calling me Commander? This must be serious.”

 

“Just trying to set the tone for a proper conversation.”

 

Easton laid down his pen, being sure to line it up with his inkwell. “All right, I’m ready.”

 

“Well, it’s like this. My sister, Evelyn, is married to a Mountie, and they’re very happy living at his post in Squirrel Ridge Junction. They’re so happy, in fact, that she encouraged my brother Jonathan to use the same matchmaker to find him a bride, and they’re quite happy as well.”

 

“And . . .”

 

“And I was thinking that we might do the same here.” Samuel held his breath after he spoke. He realized he was asking something out of the ordinary, and his commander liked the ordinary. He liked knowing what to expect. This sort of conversation out of the clear blue sky likely wasn’t going to go over well. 

 

Easton raised an eyebrow. “I’m not sure I follow.”

 

“Well, there’s this matchmaker, see, and if we send her letters and tell her what we’d like in a bride, she can arrange for them to come.”

 

“They’d come out here? To Cougar Springs? What would we want with brides, Samuel? Our work keeps us busy—we wouldn’t even have time to ignore them properly. We’d have nothing to give them by way of entertainment or shopping. What could be gained by it?”

 

“I think we’d have a lot to gain. The Bible says that man wasn’t meant to be alone. We need companionship in order to be the best men we can be.”

 

Easton shook his head. “The Bible says that?”

 

“Genesis 2:18.”

 

“I don’t need the reference, Samuel.” Easton shook his head again. “We can discuss it as a group, but I’m not sure I think it’s wise. Women would be a distraction, one we don’t need.”

 

Samuel disagreed, but he’d save his arguments for later when all the Mounties assigned to Cougar Springs were present. He’d felt restless of late, as though he needed to be accomplishing something more, doing something more, and he knew his work wouldn’t continue to satisfy him. He needed something else, something like a family. He’d grown up in a very close family himself, and he thought it would be just the thing.

 

Of course, finding the right girl was mandatory, but that’s what this matchmaker seemed to be famous for.