Chapter One
April 1869
Two weeks after Tom and Jessica got married
Margaret Williams adjusted her hat for what seemed to be the hundredth time. She took another good look at her reflection in the mirror before she glanced at her newly married friend, Jessica. In no way, did she share the blond’s outstanding beauty.
Jessica Larson lifted the pearl necklace from Margaret’s jewelry box. “This will look nice with the white ribbon in your hat.”
“It’ll do.”
She turned so that Jessica could slip it around her neck and fasten it. Afterwards, she spread Margaret’s brown hair around her shoulders. “You look perfect!”
Perfect? Not quite. But she did look pretty. At least, she thought so. Hopefully Paul Connealy would think so. She wondered if it was wise to ask Jessica to join her and her parents when he was due to come into the train station. What if he saw Jessica and was disappointed when he realized he’d be marrying Margaret instead? But Jessica was her dearest friend, and there was no way she could face this day without her.
Margaret’s mother knocked on her bedroom door.
She glanced at the clock on her wall. Was it time to leave already? Wiping her sweaty hands on the skirt of her dress, she said, “Maybe posting an ad for a husband wasn’t a good idea.”
Her mother opened the door while Jessica offered a reassuring smile. “You’ll be fine. We’ll be there.”
“Will Tom be coming?” Margaret asked. Maybe if Tom was with Jessica, Paul wouldn’t pay her much attention. Then he wouldn’t be busy comparing Margaret to her friend.
“I already told you he can’t. He’s planting corn. It’s busy this time of year.”
Of course. Just her luck. Jessica should have married after planting season. But she couldn’t fault her friend for wanting to marry sooner rather than later. Margaret had been anxious to meet Paul. He seemed like a nice man from the two letters he’d sent. Now that the day was here though, she had the urge to hide back in her bed and forget this whole thing.
Her mother came in and picked up the two letters from the dresser. “You may need these.”
Margaret directed her gaze to her. “Oh, I told him I’d be wearing blue, and that I’d be with my family and friend.”
“Alright.” The older woman set them back on the dresser. “It’s up to you. Your father, sister and I will be out front.”
Margaret nodded and picked up the brush to make her hair look just a little bit better.
Jessica laughed. “I know what you’re going through.”
She glanced at her friend. “You knew Tom before you married him.”
“Fine. So I don’t know exactly what you’re going through, but you’re not marrying Paul today. You’re going to meet him.”
“Yes, that is true.”
“Everything will work out.”
“It’s easy for someone who’s not in the situation to say that.”
“Well, we already know he’s got great taste. He had the sense to answer your ad.”
She chuckled. It was no wonder why she wanted Jessica there. Her friend knew the right words to make her feel better. “And he does sound like a nice man, don’t you think?”
“I sure do.”
“He’s a farmer too. Is it hard to be a farmer’s wife?”
“I don’t think so. They work hard, but then again, what woman doesn’t?”
Margaret nodded. Being married was good for her friend. Jessica seemed to blossom under the love Tom gave her. Did love do that to every woman? But did asking for a husband in the unconventional way she had promise love? She glanced at the letters. Paul seemed like the kind of man she could fall in love with. But would he love her?
Things would be much easier if one of the better men in Omaha would have simply taken note of her. Then she’d at least know that she’d be marrying someone who loved her already. She pushed aside a flicker of irritation and turned to the door.
“I suppose we should go,” Margaret said.
Jessica smiled and gave her a quick hug. “It’ll be fine. Try not to worry too much.”
With a slight eye roll, she joined her friend and departed from her room.
***
Joseph Connealy grunted as his three-year-old son jumped on his lap to slap one of his brothers across the head.
The wounded brother, of course, let out a high pitch wail.
Brother number three promptly smacked the three year old, and the youngest brother barely stirred from his slumber, proving that two year olds could sleep through anything as long as they spent most of the night running up and down the aisle.
A very tired Joseph barked out, “Enough!” and the three boys immediately stopped their bickering. Joseph had no idea the train ride would be this long. Sure, it didn’t seem like it’d be much when he packed their things and lugged them all to the station in Dayton. But now that they’d been traveling for what seemed like years, he was ready to get off the train, hand them to Margaret Williams, and hightail it right back to Ohio.