Mail Order Bride- Illinois

Chapter 9

Abby was confused by the way Jonathan was treating her. He had kept his distance for the past several months, which she was glad and upset over. They hadn’t made love in a month, while she was glad for if they had her secret would no longer be a secret. However, she missed the aftermath when he held her close and made her feel loved, but he doesn't she reminded herself.

When Jonathan asked her to come to town as he did every other Saturday for the standard trip to town for supplies, she said yes for two reasons. She needed material to make clothes for the baby, and to tell Jonathan about the baby. She couldn’t have Jonathan give a list to the mercaintile, they would know what the material was for. She also knew that she couldn’t put off telling Jonathan any longer. She spent the whole ride working up the nerve to tell him, but it wasn’t until the town was in sight that she asked him to stop the buckboard.

“Abby, what’s wrong?” Jonathan asked with so much concern in his eyes.

“I…ummm…. I came with you to town for two reasons.” Abby broke off not sure what to say.

“Yeah to get material for the kids.” Jonathan said, and Abby kept her eyes downcast,

“Yes, for the boys…and…for the…baby.” Abby kept her eyes closed waiting for his response.

“B-baby? We are having a baby?” Jonathan said in awe. Abby looked up to see his smile. Jonathan laughed and pulled her close to him.

“That’s wonderful! When?” This was the part that she dreaded the most. So she told him in a small voice,

“Early spring, March or February, best I can guess.” Abby felt Jonathan’s arms go slack around her. She didn’t have the nerve to look up into his face to see the anger. “How long have you known?”

“Since September, shortly after we had got off the trail,” Abby looked into Jonathan’s eyes and didn’t see anger. It was sadness mingled with worry she saw in his eyes.

“Why didn’t you tell me?” Abby’s eyes went down to her lap as she shook her head. It took awhile for her to formulate a good response to the strange feelings that were stewing inside of her.

“I don’t know, things have been so busy, and things between us have been…well I didn’t know how you would react.”

“Did you think I would be upset by the news? I know we never talked about kids, but I have two sons already whom I love very much, I would love to have as many more as possible.” Jonathan said honestly, and Abby didn’t know how she felt by hearing that he would love their child.

“I just didn’t think you’d want kids with me…” Abby trailed off, and looked away from his gaze.

“What in hell gave you that idea?” Jonathan pulled back in surprise.

“Well I know you don’t love me, so I thought that you wouldn’t be able to love our children.” Abby told him honestly.

“Of course I would love our children, I know I’m not very good at expressing how I feel but I will try. I care for you deeply, probably more than any one else ever other than my parents and siblings. I won’t say I love you because haven’t been in love with a woman before.” Jonathan told her staring at her intently.

“Not even your first wife?” Abby asked, but afraid to hear the answer.

“No, what I feel for you is nothing close to what I felt for Caroline. I’m not saying I won’t ever love you, but I think it will just take some time for it to develop.” Abby kept her eyes downcast and processed what he told her. For the first time in a long time she felt hope for their future together. She looked up and decided to say what has been in heart for months.

“I love you Jonathan Smith,” Jonathan gave her a big smile, and leaned in to kiss her. The kiss was nothing short of magic, he pulled her close and cradled her head as his tongue delved deep in her mouth. He pulled back several minutes later, and pulled something out of his pocket.

“I have had this in my pocket for months, and I have been waiting for a good time to give it to you. This seems like the perfect moment.” Jonathan pulled out a gold band with diamonds encrusted throughout. Abby let out a small gasp she’s never seen anything so beautiful, he grabbed her hand and slipped it on her left ring finger, along with his wedding band. Engagement rings weren’t very common any longer. But he remembered that his parents had the traditional southern courtship, which had meant an engagement ring.

“Now when we are in town while you are getting what you need I am going to go see if the doctor can see you, if not I will get him to visit the house.” Abby couldn’t seem to take her eyes off the beautiful new ring on her finger.

“Oh I don’t want him to waste a trip out to the ranch for me.”

“Well I do, he needs to make sure everything is going ok.” Jonathan took his hand an put it on her growing stomach. Abby looked up and gave him a small smile.

Jonathan felt the hard protrusion of her belly and couldn’t believe he missed the signs. But Jonathan remembered that night a few weeks ago, Abby did not want him seeing her body. He should have known then.

He needs to take care of Abby and the baby, now he knew why Abby didn’t want him to touch her any longer. Jonathan hopes things wouldn’t be like that any longer now that he knew. Jonathan loved touching his wife.

He needed to finish the new house. Jonathan gave a flick of his wrists, and got the horses in motion again. They needed to get to town, and he needed to see if the doc would be able to look and see if Abby was okay. The rest of the trip since to take an eternity. Jon couldn’t wait to get into town, for the first time in a long time he was excited.

When Jon finally pulled the buckboard up at the mercantile, Jon was itching to get down. He set the brakes, then hoped down and hurried around to help Abby down from her seat.

“Oh thank you,” she replied.

“No problem, I am going to run to docs real quick, here is my list for the mercantile.” Abby gave him a smile and headed off. Jon dashed over to the doct’s office. The over head bell jangled as he stepped inside. The doctor saw him enter his shop and put down the medical book he was reading.

“Mr. Smith it’s good to see you, though I assume you don’t feel the same given you are at the doctors office.” Jonathan laughed as the doctor stood up and crossed the small front office.

“Actually Doctor McNally it’s a good visit hopefully, for my wife.” Realization dawned in the older doctors eyes.

“Oh then it is a good visit, well where is she? I can’t examine her if she isn’t here.” Jon let out another laugh..

“Well I wasn’t sure where you’d be so I let her go to the mercantile to get what she needed for the baby while I came to see if you were available.”

“Yes sir I will be in the office for another hour or so, then I’m heading out for the day.”

“Okay doc I’ll be right back,” Jon said and headed out to find his wife.

Jon found her in mercantile discussing of all things Christmas.

“It’s only October Abby, why are you thinking about Christmas already?” Abby just laughed along with the other women.

“It’s never to early to think about Christmas with little ones around Mr. Smith.”

“Well I’ll take your word for it Mrs. Kline, Abby we need to head over to the doctors.”

“All right Jonathan, ladies I’ll see you later,” Abby said as she said goodbye to them and gave them all a wave.

“Good news, doctor McNally said he could see you.”

“Sounds good,” Abby gave him a little smile. “Are you already thinking about Christmas?” She gave him a little laugh,

“If it makes you feel better thanksgiving too, but Christmas is my favorite.”

“Really?” Jon asked her being generally curious.

“Oh yes, I loved our traditions.” The couple were approaching the doctors small office so Jon decided to table the discussion for later.

“I’d like to hear about these traditions on the way home.” Jon opened the door to the office and allowed Abby to enter before him.

“Of course.” As they entered the doctor was once again reading the same book, he placed a bookmark in said book and placed it on his desk.

“Well Jonathan that sure was quick.”

“I didn’t want to miss you before you left.”

“Of course, hello mrs. Smith, would you mind stepping back to one of the examine rooms please.”

“Of course.” Abby walked back to one of the exam rooms and Jon went back to follow.

“No Mr. smith you need to stay here.” The doctor told him and he followed his wife back to the room.

After twenty agonizing slow minutes later the doctor emerged from the room.

“Well doc?” The doctor let out a smile,

“Everything looks just fine.”

“Is her estimated due date the same as yours?” The doctor nodded.

“Yes March seems about right to me, but with the first baby it’s always hard to tell, you know that.”

“Yes doctor,” Jonathan replied and smiled as he saw Abby exit the room.

“Are you two up to anything else today?” Jon looked to Abby in question.

“Not me, the mercantile had everything I needed.” Abby said with a little smile,

“Well I just need to stop by the lumber yard, do you want to stop by the hotel for a bite to eat?” Abby let out a smile,

“Yeah that sounds nice.”

The couple enjoyed a nice meal at the restaurant before leaving town and discussing Christmas traditions on the ride home. Abby talking about Christmas reminded him of his own family traditions. His memories were foggy, it felt as if he was looking through a dirty window. Jonathan had remembered sitting down with his siblings Christmas morning. There were only two or three presents for each child, but they were picked out with love.