Chapter 3 #2
“Your obedience to the Principle is commendable, dear. It’s what brought our souls together, I’m certain of it.” Jacob’s fingers wove circles in my skirt. “We’ll be happy out here, alone in the beauty of the valley.”
The wind tossed back the word again and again as if trapped in an echo—alone, alone, alone. My cheeks bloomed with heat. I’d finally reached the pinnacle of my creation’s purpose with Jacob. At last, now I’d be loved and accepted. I would walk this life with him by my side, alone.
Until I met his wives.
I tried to banish the three women I’d yet to meet from my mind, but they held on to the corners of my consciousness, lingering just at the edge of my imagination.
“When will I see your, I mean, at what point will I encounter—when will I meet your other wives?” I managed to ask at last.
Jacob removed his hand from my skirts and turned his attention to steering the wagon onto a less worn path. Large stalks of desert weeds whipped past us, close enough to hit the sides of the cart.
I wondered if he was ignoring my question.
“Meet them? Well, I imagine they’ll grant us privacy tonight, but I’m sure they’ll want help with breakfast in the morning.” He clicked his tongue to hurry the horse’s pace again.
“You mean, they will be at the house to greet us?”
“Well, they live there, so yes, I suppose so.”
I swayed with the cart and had to grab the bench to keep from pitching over the side.
“They all live … you mean, you keep one house?”
Most men kept their wives separately in houses throughout the valley and even into the territory beyond.
Few plural wives were able to tolerate one another, let alone live together, and most families found it simpler to keep the peace by dividing their assets and time.
After all, marriage was a matter between a husband and wife only—even when that man was married to another.
But Elder Crowther had said he had a house prepared only for me.
Had I misunderstood? Would I have chosen differently if I realized?
“It’s far simpler that way. I’m building an eternal kingdom and we will all be together in worlds without end, so why start off apart now?” He raised an eyebrow at me.
Together. I would live with all his wives. Why had I never asked him to confirm the apostle’s words?
“I didn’t realize,” I said, my mouth full of gravel.
“Your father keeps one household.”
“Temporarily,” I responded quickly, my face growing flush. “Aunt Emma used to run her own home, but she had to come live with us when the landlord needed the house. She’ll be gone again soon. Father’s especially concerned about the new act from Congress.”
“I don’t worry about the acts of man, only God. I didn’t realize this would upset you, Hazel.” His voice edged with disapproval.
I struggled to reel myself back in as I’d been taught. No disagreements. Be smaller, quieter.
“Forgive me.” I pressed a smile onto my face and leaned in closer to him.
“It was only a momentary surprise. A happy one, certainly. I look forward to meeting them.” The lies slid out so smoothly that perhaps even I could be convinced of their truth.
It’d been ridiculous of me to assume I would run my own home.
My husband had every right to preside over his family as he saw fit.
“I promise you will get your fair share of my time, Hazel,” said Jacob.
My stomach unclenched, though my stubborn heart continued to race.
Plural marriage was God’s command to His people and I needed to be more faithful.
And at least, I would be Jacob’s plural wife—Jacob, my anchor.
My chest swooned recalling his grounding touch.
If Jacob promised me a good life, then surely his wives were content.
The dirt road snaked along the river, cutting toward the mountain pass beyond.
Above the towering wall of the mountain range, dark clouds gathered, ready to roll into the valley with menacing force.
I swallowed the last of my doubts and finally glanced up at Jacob’s stubbled face.
Faint lines pulled up in the corners of his eyes as he smiled ahead.
A heat surged between us, charged as the lightning waiting in the inky clouds above.
Warmth moved through my limbs as I recalled the image I’d had in the apostle’s office of a happy life. I’d clung to those brief words, perhaps too scared or too heartbroken to pry deeper. Even though he’d been mistaken about the house, surely he was correct about the rest.
“Elder Crowther said you have a piano?”
Jacob paused. A cloud shifted across the sun, casting half his face into shadow. “I’m afraid I do not. You’ll have to forgive me. I know how much you love to play.”
“Oh,” I said in a tiny voice. Elder Crowther had been wrong again.
The cloud continued on and his face was bathed once more in sunlight.
“But I could get you one, Hazel,” Jacob said.
I glanced up again, biting my lower lip with tentative hope.
“I’d love to spoil you, my dear. A wife who fills a home with virtuous music is a great blessing.”
A smile stretched across my face. “Thank you, Jacob. That means, well, quite a lot to me.”
“I know. That’s why I’ll do it, my dearest.” He leaned over and pressed a kiss to my temple.
Dearest. I was someone’s dearest. I settled into his side, allowing myself to experience the thrill of warmth where we touched. His dearest.