Mail Order Bride- Illinois

Chapter 6

Jonathan made it to the cattle sale literally just in time. The auctioneer was just starting up as Jonathan and rebel galloped into the auction area. His ranch hands were there looking on. Waylon quickly gave him the run down of the lots Jonathan would want to bid on. Henry pointed out the cattle Waylon mentioned. Jonathan nodded and headed over there, while the auctioneer continued selling the cattle.

The cattle sale went very well for Jonathan. He was able to get the herd for the price he had estimated before he left with his convict. Jonathan sent his ranch hands home with his cattle herd. Jonathan watched them head out with pride in his eyes. His dream was finally coming together.

Jonathan still had a large amount of money after the cattle sale, mortgage p*****t, and making a large deposit in the bank for a rainy day. He took the honey and headed for the mercantile, he planned to trade the honey for more material as well as a nice ring for Abby. He didn’t get a chance to get her a gold band when they got married, he didn’t think it was important. As usual he was wrong, he had hoped this would make things a little better between them. He doubted it, Abby didn’t care about material things she cared about him. He still shook his head still uncomprehending that fact. His whole life no one except family did something without expecting some form of p*****t. Jonathan felt like he was treading water and he was going under.

Jonathan entered the mercantile and there was only a few people in the store for once. The other townsfolk must still be at the auction. Jon had gotten his cattle early.

“Hello Mr. Smith, I see your back from your travels, where are those sons of yours?” Mr. Kline said as he came in from the back room. Jonathan smiled thinking of his sons. They had a blast at the cattle sale. It hurt a little that his sons didn’t notice his presence for awhile. However, when they did Cullen and Devlin screamed Daddy and ran to him.

“Yes sir Mr. Kline, they are with the rest of the men heading back to the ranch. I had one last chore to take care of. I wanted to see if you would be intrested in buying this from me?” Jonathan said as he set the honey on the counter. Mr. Kline looked at him with intrest as he pulled the lid off slighly so he could see the honey that lay within. Mr. Kline took in a gasp,

“Where in the world did you get all of that?” Kline looked at the several jars he put on the counter.

"Well I was blessed while I was away to find myself a very beautiful smart wife, and unknown to me she struck up a bargain with a widower. This widower was a beekeeper; who couldn't cook so my wife would cook for him and his sons. She was luckily enough to get paid in honey." Jonathan couldn't keep the pride out of his voice or the smile of his face. Mr. Kline saw it and returned it,

"Well Jonathan I can't help but say you definitly are one lucky man."

"Yes sir I am, now can I put this on credit on here just for her please, and I would like to look at some rings, I was in a rush buying so many things, and I didn't have a chance when we got married." Jonathan changed his mind at the last minute and decided that since she earned the money Abby should be able to spend it how she saw fit.

“Well that’s good you are taking care of it now. Ok Jon just so you know it is a fifteen cent credit for your wife’s account.”

“Dang the price of honey has definitely gone up,” he commented as he looked over the small selection of rings Kline had on display.

“Yes it has, our own beekeeper passed away so we have to buy from Salem a few hours away. It’s a shame the man your wife brought his from didn’t settle closer to us.”

“It is, I would have talked to him about it, but you know how it is on the wagon train, Every one is so busy, not to mention I was paid extra for guard duty. I was asleep in the saddle half the time. Abby took care of practically everything.” Jonathan commented offhandedly.

“Now that sounds like a good woman.”

“Yes sir she sure is,” Jon replied meaning every word. Jonathan looked carefully and found the band that he liked for Abby. The bands were all the same, but Jon felt he needed to carefully decide which hand to give to his new wife. Jonathan finally picked one after debating between two identical rings for five minutes. Kline just looked on with a smile on his face.

“Good choice Mr. Smith.”

Abby watched as the cattle came into view from the long road leading up to the ranch. Jon had been gone for about a week on the sale, she and Buzz spent the time getting everything from the wagon train sorted and ready. Abby also started getting herself familiar with her life on the ranch.

She had started work on some clothes for the boys, as well as Jonathan, she had meant to during the wagon train. However, she was just so plum exhausted by end of the day.

Zip barking caught her attention as she saw him run head first to the cattle. Abby was a little worried about him, yes his breed was built for herding cattle. But the dog had never done it before. Abby watched Zip and simply shook her head in amazement, you would think he was herding cattle since he was a pup. Zip bounded from each steer slightly nipping at it’s heels to get the steer to continue its pace. Zip would deftly dodge out of the way when an angry steer would give a mighty kick.

Abby saw out of the corner of her eye, once the amazement of Zip’s cattle herding skills died down, two little boys peeking their head out of the back of the buckboard.

Devlin

Cullen

Abby sucked in a breath, Cullen looked just like Jonathan there was no doubt he was Jon’s son. Devlin however, his was a little tougher to tell, but after a hard look she assumed Devlin was a mix of both his parents. Devlin had Jon’s nose and his mouth, however the rest wasn’t Jon. Abby could see why he questioned his paternity. But Abby could see Jon in him.

Abby didn’t see Jonathan anywhere, so she didn’t think it best to approach the boys, she thought it best to just hang back. When Buzz, and the boys stopped at the barn. She had planned a big welcome back dinner, when a hand came back early to get things ready for the herd Jon was bringing home.

She had been able to cook decently on the wagon train, but now it was time to show everyone what she could do. She just took the cake out of the oven, then put the cookies in the oven. They didn’t have much ingredients for anything other than plain sugar cookies, but they were a treat for sure. Abby definitely had a sweet tooth, she also had plenty of honey to cook with thanks to Jack.

She had been so focused on baking, as well as cooking for this evenings dinner that she didn’t hear Jonathan come in about two hours later.

“It smells good in here!” Jon said as he slammed the door. Abby started a little, and turned around,

“Yes I decided to make a big welcome home dinner, I’m just making the bread, cake, and cookies.” Abby stood there smiling, not sure if she should embrace him or not. Jonathan went ahead and choose for her, he grabbed her and gave her a quick kiss. Abby couldn’t help the big smile on her face.

“I’m sorry I’m late, but I had to stop by the mercantile to deposit your honey, which you have a credit of fifteen cents.” Abby couldn’t help her jaw drop, that was a good amount for honey. It seemed things were different out west.

“I also got you this.” Jonathan dug his hand in his pants pocket, and when he pulled it out and opened his hand it revealed a simple gold band.

“It’s beautiful,” she smiled. Jonathan gave her a small upturn of his lip, and slipped the band on her finger, it fit a bit snug, but it was still perfect for Abby.

“Have you met the boys yet?” Jon asked switching gears.

“No, I didn’t think it was appropriate without you,” she replied to Jon and he simply nodded.

“Okay just give me a minute,” Jonathan replied and then went back out the door.

Abby waited anxiously for Jonathan’s return. She was so nervous she didn’t know how to act. Soon enough the door opened; Jonathan came in the door followed by two little boys. Jonathan crouched down on one knee to be at eye level with his sons.

“Devlin, Cullen I want you to meet Abby. She’s going to be a very important part of our family from now on.” Jon explained to the two little boys. The boys looked confused and the older one seemed closed off.

“Is she going to be our mommy?” Cullen asked hopefully.

“Our mom is dead!” Devlin said sharply. Jonathan started to rebuke him, but Abby stopped him with a shake of her head. It didn’t matter what happened between the couple, this boy lost his mother and he was feeling the loss deeply. Abby got on her knees,

“Yes Devlin your mom is gone, and no one can take her place, and I’m not going to try either. Your mother is irreplaceable.” Devlin seemed to digest that for a minute, Abby took a quick glance at Jonathan and saw he had a soft smile on his face.

“What’s ir-ir-ir” Abby helped the small boy out.

“Irreplaceable? It means that it is impossible to replaced if the person has been lost and that sounds like your mom to me.” Devlin let out a few tears,

“Yeah that was mom.” Abby gave him a small smile.

“Okay now I’m making a big welcome home dinner for your dad and I, and I made some cookies. How about we eat some cookies and milk then you guys help me set things up outside.”

“Yay cookies!!” Cullen squealed. They moved to the small table, Abby passed out the cookies. Abby felt bad for the small boys, she knew things weren’t going to be smooth sailing for the four of them. It was going to be an uphill battle getting through to Devlin.