Page 15 of Scarlett

Along with Fern and Harriett, who’d not moved, Scarlett stared at the couple. Finally Fern spoke, “My goodness, I hope your brother is not unwell.”

Harriett elbowed her daughter. “Excuse her rudeness. My daughter and I have just arrived as well. We’ve befriended Scarlett. She is a sweet girl.”

As everyone introduced themselves, Scarlett couldn’t formulate a cohesive thought. If her soon to be husband looked anything like his brother, she was going to be very fortunate in marrying an attractive man.

Not just attractive, but Evan Jones’ personality was welcoming as well.

While her luggage was loaded onto a wagon, she bid temporary farewells to Harriett and Fern promising to be in touch soon. Evan informed them of where she was to live and the husband acknowledged he knew where the clinic was located.

“I know you have so many questions. I promise everything will be fine.” Aurora took her arm and guided her to the wagon. “I didn’t come here as a mail order bride, but did come in hopes of marrying.” She smiled warmly at her husband who was busy ensuring Scarlett’s trunk was securely in place. “I am so glad I took such a huge leap of faith.”

“Why couldn’t Emmett come?”

Aurora let out a sigh. “He is sick. He’s been taking care of several families who’ve fallen ill to a horrible grippe. Because of not taking care and resting enough, he succumbed. Now he is a grumpy patient.”

The woman laughed. “It’s true what they say, doctors make horrible patients.”

It didn’t seem as if her soon to be husband was in any horrible danger, so Scarlett relaxed. Perhaps it was for the best. This way she’d have time to settle in and get to know him for a bit until he was well enough to attend the marriage ceremony.

“Pastor Ward will be coming over the day after tomorrow to marry you. It’s best to get married so that you can live in the same house without there being any wagging of tongues.”

“I will be there alone with him?” Scarlett hadn’t actually given much thought to where she’d live upon arriving. The realness of the situation she was in began to sink in. “Where are you going?”

“No not alone as yet. Evan and I plan to remain for a few more days. I have some social obligations to attend in town and Evan is taking care of patients until Emmett recovers. However, I want to return home. We have a young son who I miss terribly.”

As they rode down the center of the rustic, but quaint and picturesque town, both Evan and Aurora pointed out buildings and explained what each was and who owned it.

There was a hotel, a mercantile and a newly built bank. On the opposite side of the street, there was a saloon, an apothecary and houses. On one corner was a jail house and stables. People milled about, some working while others enjoyed the sunny day sitting in rockers and visiting.

The pace of life there was definitely much slower than Philadelphia. It reminded Scarlett of life in Georgia, where most days were spent sitting in the shade avoiding the heat and mosquito bites.

When Evan slowed down to allow for a group of children to cross the street, Aurora waved at the schoolmarm. “That is Isabel, the pastor’s daughter. She’s taken over the responsibilities of teaching the town’s children. You’ll get to know her, she is very nice.”

They continued on and Scarlett couldn't help but study the saloon. She’d heard about such places and often wondered if the stories of debauchery and drunken men fighting were true.

Piano music spilled out from the open doors as a woman emerged from the saloon and threw her head back laughing as two men neared. Both said something and she threaded her arm through theirs guiding them into the darkened interior.

“The saloon is certainly a colorful place,” Aurora informed her following her line of sight. “For the most part, we don’t have too many problems because of it.”

Scarlett nodded and looked to Aurora. “How long have you lived here?

“Two and a half years,” Aurora said smiling toward Evan. “I came here in the middle of one of the worst winter storms.”

When Evan met his wife’s gaze, the attraction between them was palpable and Scarlett blushed.

Would she be as lucky?

When Evan broughtthe wagon to a stop in front of a house with a porch across the front of it, she wondered if it was their home.

Aurora answered the unspoken question. “This is your home now, Scarlett.”

Scarlett took in the structure. It was a simple house with two windows facing the street and a pair of rockers on the porch. There were curtains, but they’d been pulled aside to allow light to enter.

“It’s nice.”

Aurora grinned. “I love it. I miss living here at times. You see Evan and I lived here until we moved closer to where he owns land. Although it’s beautiful out there, I miss being so close to everything.”

The woman continued chatting as Evan assisted them from the bench and she followed him to the back of the wagon. Other than a trunk and a large carpetbag, Scarlett didn’t have anything else to bring.