Page 2 of Mail Order Marvelous
True to his word, Aaron led them all into the tiny settlement of Yeti in the late afternoon.Josie had heard it called a town, but looking around her, she realized that whomever called it that was being very optimistic.There was a general store, and not much else.Aaron had explained that a Bible study was held every Sunday, but there wasn’t even a real church.
Aaron led them to the general store.“Mrs.Johnson, these ladies are here to marry three of the loggers.Could I leave them with you to get cleaned up, while I fetch their future husbands?”
Mrs.Johnson smiled.“That would be fine.And I’ll let Mr.Johnson know he needs to put on his pastor hat and get them all married this evening.”
After Aaron left, Lula was the first to talk to Mrs.Johnson.“Belle and the others have all sent us wonderful letters about how helpful you’ve been.”
Mrs.Johnson nodded.“I was the lone woman in this town for far too long.I’m quite pleased that more women are moving in!”
“Thank you, Mrs.Johnson.We can’t wait to meet with our friends and all start working like the others.”Lula smiled.“It sounds like there are a great many things we can do to contribute around here!”
Josie wished Myrtle had stayed with them, but Aaron had taken her with him when he’d left.She really would feel more comfortable with her best friend beside her.
“Please, call me Katie.All of the others do.And excuse me a moment.I need to let Mr.Johnson know about the weddings.”Katie left her post behind the counter and hurried up a staircase.Josie realized the older woman and her husband lived above their store.It would be nice to not have to go outside in the brutal cold she’d heard was normal in Alaska.
While Katie was gone, Josie browsed the store.There were only two or three hats for sale.And she didn’t see any gloves.It might be good for her to knit some.It would be a way for her to contribute to the community.And after spending months with people surrounding her, spending some time alone working on simple projects like those sounded wonderful.
When Katie came back down, she smiled at the women gathered.“As soon as Aaron returns with your future husbands, Mr.Johnson will perform the ceremony.Or ceremonies.Do you all want one big ceremony?Or should he do them separately?”
Josie hadn’t considered the possibility of sharing a wedding ceremony with her friends.She looked toward them, but Lula answered.“I think we’d all prefer to have separate weddings if it’s not too much trouble.”
Josie disagreed, and she opened her mouth to give her opinion, but the words stuck in her throat.She’d grown more and more nervous as they’d gotten closer to Yeti.At that moment, she had no desire to ever speak again.Oh, how she wished she knew something more about Jack than what he’d written in his letters.
It was another fifteen minutes before one of them men arrived.He stepped into the store and said, “I’m Jack.”
Josie looked him up and down and realized he was an attractive man.He was a little unkempt, but he had obviously come straight from work.“I’m Josie,” she said softly.
Jack walked to her side.“It’s good to finally meet you.”He reached for her hand, and she fought the impulse to pull away.They were going to be married in just minutes.She had to let him touch her.“How was your journey?”
“It was long.And if I never have to eat hardtack again, I’ll be a happy woman!”
He laughed.“If you can cook, then I’ll never ask you to eat it again!”
“I’m not a great cook,” she said.“But my friend Myrtle is, and I hope she’ll give me lessons!”
“I’m sure you have other qualities that more than make up for your lack of skill in cooking.”Jack was a bit disappointed because all the other men who had married brides from Massachusetts had gotten good cooks, but he was used to hardtack and jerky for every meal.He’d be satisfied with whatever she made.
Katie hurried over to them.“Are you two ready to marry?Mr.Johnson is ready.”
Jack smiled, offering his arm to Josie.She hesitated for just a moment before taking it.“Let’s get married,” she said, though she felt like she was marching toward a guillotine.
The ceremony was quick, and at the end of it, Jack kissed her softly.“Come with me.I’ll show you to our house and help you get settled in.”
Josie followed him, more nervous than she’d been.He seemed so kind, but her stepfather had a reputation for being a good man.It was just...when he was alone with his family that he got violent.
She walked to the entrance of the store where all of their belongings had been placed and reached for her carpet bag.To her surprise, Jack picked up the bag for her.“Is this everything?”he asked.
“Yes, I didn’t have much.”And she’d sold most of what she had.It was easier to travel with fewer belongings, and she could always sew a new dress if she needed to.
Jack stepped out into the chilly September air.“It’ll be dark soon,” he said.“Let’s get to my cabin before we can’t see!”
Not for the first time that day, Josie wondered what would happen if she started running.But she knew she wouldn’t.She’d given her word she would marry this man, and she had promised to love and obey him—though the word obey rankled a bit.
The walk to his cabin was short, and they didn’t speak on the way.She knew she’d eventually have to be comfortable with the man, but she had no idea how to make that happen.
He opened the door to his home.“I have a stove that’s never been used.I know the cabin could use a good cleaning, but I haven’t had time.I’ve been picking up all the extra hours I can to make your transition to life in Alaska easier.”
“I’m a much better housekeeper than I am a cook,” she said softly.
