Chapter Three
Jane descended thestairs of the Dailey homestead.Her heart fluttered, eager for Susan Dailey’s wisdom on matters of the heart.
Susan stood in the parlor as if expecting her.“Come in, dear,” Susan said warmly.“You said there’s something you need to talk about?”
“Please, take a seat,” Susan gestured to a cushioned rocking chair near the hearth.As Jane settled in, Susan sat across from her, eyes reflecting the dancing flames and years of experience.
“Courting is quite the endeavor, isn’t it?”Susan began.
Jane nodded nervously.“Oh it is!I find myself adrift in it all.I’ve never been courted before, and there are at least five men who are showing me special attention!”
“Don’t worry,” Susan replied with humor.“You’ve come to the right place.I’ve had my share of learning when it comes to matters of the heart.”
Susan leaned forward, shadows dancing on her face.“My journey to matrimony was a bumpy carriage ride.I answered an ad for a mail-order bride and set out with dreams of love.”
Jane’s eyes widened, heart racing at the thought.
“But instead,” Susan continued, “I found my betrothed had died, leaving his brother David, a widower with four boys, hoping I would agree to be their mother.”
Jane gasped.“You never wanted other children?”
“It’s not that.My younger siblings were wild.Not Elizabeth, of course, but the others.I was the oldest, and my younger brothers and sisters were dubbed the ‘Demon Horde’ by the townsfolk.Elizabeth and I saved up and bought purple paint for our room, and while I was at work the following day, our brother and sister—twins who didn’t have the sense God gave a turnip—painted the cow purple.They made sure to put down newspaper to not stain the barn floor, though.It made no sense to me!I decided I didn’t want to have to parent another woman’s children, like I’d had to do so often with my brothers and sisters.”
“I don’t think I would want to parent someone else’s children either.”
“Then you need to be careful not to let a widower court you,” Susan said, eyes warm but wise.“Life is unpredictable; listen to your heart when choosing a partner.Be true to yourself.Don’t settle.Marriage is long.Choose someone who makes you feel good about yourself.”
Jane absorbed each word, feeling empowered and realizing that choosing a suitor was up to her.
“It’s about honoring your heart, even in the face of expectations,” Susan said, her gaze steady.“This is your life and happiness at stake.Never marry a man that you don’t love.”
Jane shifted in her seat, clasping her hands together.The scent of freshly baked bread comforted her.“But how does one balance personal desires with practicalities?Like housing—”
“Are you worried we’ll make you leave?”
“Yes,” Jane admitted, her expression clouding.“I’m unsure how swiftly I need a suitor to provide a new home.”
“There is no deadline for finding a match,” Susan reassured her.
Jane clasped the teacup, seeking confirmation in Susan’s steady gaze as afternoon light warmed the parlor.“Uncertainty creeps upon me,” Jane confessed.
Setting down her cup, Susan reassured, “Your instincts are the compass given by Providence.Trust them as you would the northern star.”She leaned back, eyes reflecting years of wisdom.“Follow your heart, Jane.”
Jane ascended the creaking stairs, Susan’s advice strengthening her resolve.Her modest room was a sanctuary for reflection and growth.
Sitting at the small desk under the window, she wrote what had touched her the most as she’d spoken with Susan.
“Be true,” she wrote, “to thine own heart.”
As the dance approached, anticipation mingled with unease.Anthony Fennel would escort her, his easy-going nature promising an enjoyable night.He arrived at dusk with a grin that never seemed to leave his face.
“Evening, Jane,” he greeted playfully.“Ready for some dancing?”
“Always!”Jane replied with a smile.
At the social hall, lively tunes filled the air as they joined the townsfolk in a whirl of colors and laughter.Jane and Anthony moved gracefully through the dances, his eyes filled with merriment.As they danced, Jane realized she’d never seen the man frown, or even have a straight face.He was always laughing and making her laugh.
“Never pegged you for a wallflower,” Anthony teased as they spun around.
