Sally tilted her head to one side, studying the older woman.“Has anyone ever taken you up on that offer?”
Elizabeth shook her head.“No, thankfully, the women I’ve sent to marry have been pleased with their matches.”
“As I’m certain I’ll be pleased with mine.I feel as if I already know Tom.He seems like such a good man.”
“According to the research Bernard has done on him, he is a wonderful man, who will treat you well.Belle said you should arrive in time to plant a garden this year.She regretted not arriving a week or two earlier.”
“Oh, I love gardening.A kitchen garden where I can pick something and then fix it for supper the same night would be a dream come true.”
“I hope you’re not expecting everything to be perfect.”Elizabeth looked at her with a frown.“There will be a period of adjustment once you’ve met your Thomas.”
Sally sighed happily.“My Thomas.”
Elizabeth could see there was no point in continuing to talk to Sally about possible difficulties ahead.“I hope you’re as happy as you believe you will be right this moment.”Bernard brought tea and cookies in for them, setting a tray between them carefully.As soon as he was gone, Elizabeth said, “Please remember to write to me once you arrive.I always feel anxious while one of the brides I send out is traveling.Once you are there, I’ll feel more settled.”
“I will write to you!Pages and pages!”
Elizabeth laughed softly and nodded.“I would like that.”
*****
WHEN SALLY FINALLYreached Skagway, she was several pounds lighter having been unable to eat anything on her journey, including the crackers Elizabeth had lovingly provided.It didn’t matter, though, because she was about to meet her future husband.
She woke early and carefully fixed her hair, wanting to look perfect for Tom.She knew that through the crowds their eyes would meet, and they would both immediately fall in love.Every fairy tale happened that way, so of course that’s how it would be for Tom and her.
When she disembarked, she stood for a moment in the crowd of people who had also just gotten off the ship and looked around her, trying to spot a young man who looked to be in love.
There was no one who matched her ideals.No one who matched the dreams she’d had about the man she’d journeyed so far to marry.
After what seemed like hours, a man who looked to be in his thirties approached her and removed his cap.“Sally Ann Smelt?”he asked after clearing his throat several times.
“Yes!You must be my Thomas.”
He looked startled for a moment by her use of the possessive when it came to him, but he nodded affirmatively.“Is that all you brought?”he asked, nodding to the carpet bags she carried, one in each hand.
“Yes, it’s all I have.”
As Tom took the bags from her and led her through the crowd, she couldn’t help but wonder what had happened.There’d been no passionate kiss.His eyes hadn’t even met hers.Didn’t he understand how this tale was supposed to unfold?
He led her to a clergyman, who married them quickly and without any fanfare, with people rushing all around them.It was far from the intimate wedding she’d expected.When the pastor invited him to kiss her, he pressed his lips to her forehead instead of kissing her the way she wanted to be kissed after repeating her wedding vows.The man had no idea what romance was, apparently.She’d have to teach him.
Sally knew teaching something so complex should be daunting, but she knew she could do it.His letters had been so personable.He must be a man who could woo a woman, even if he needed pointers first.
As soon as the wedding was completed, he walked toward a wilderness area.For a moment, Sally watched him walk away, flabbergasted by his lack of manners, but then she hiked her pretty pink skirt up and rushed after him.She’d wait until they stopped for a break before she took him to task.
She had to wait a very long time.He walked in silence, rushing toward an unseen goal she had no idea about.When she tried engaging him in small talk, he simply didn’t answer.
“This is such a beautiful area.Is it always this cold this time of year?”
No response.
“Do my friends know you left to fetch me?”she asked.
No response.
Finally, desperate to get the man to say something, she asked, “Are we there yet?”
He stopped walking and widened his brown eyes to stare at her in disbelief.“This journey is a long one.We will not be there for weeks yet.”
