Chapter One #2
“He’s away on business, but he’ll be back soon,” Sadie supplied. Ellen kept her steady, keeping her from trembling too obviously. Walter scowled.
“When?” he asked with a glare that was so intense, it could have melted sand.
“In a few days,” Sadie quickly replied. Her mind was reeling. Where would she find a husband in just a few days? Would she need to pay someone to play that role? How embarrassing would that be?
It didn’t matter. She’d do whatever she needed to do to keep this man out of her life.
Walter snorted at that.
“Of course,” he laughed derogatively. “All right. Then I shall return in a week. Make sure he’s here, so we can speak man to man about what will happen with my inheritance. This ranch is mine, so you’d better prepare yourselves.”
Sadie ground her teeth. She refused to be baited by his delusional claims.
Walter turned without saying another word. Ellen released a soft growl, but Sadie tapped her arm not to show any emotion toward that horrible man.
Walter walked down the steps and turned in either direction. His horse was gone. He spun back around to Sadie with a nasty scowl on his face.
“What happened to my horse?” he yelled at her. “I demand it back this instant!”
“No need to scream, Walter,” Daniel said as he slowly walked a much calmer horse back toward him. “I made sure the poor thing was properly taken care of.”
“Poor thing?” Walter exclaimed with a huff.
“That beast doesn’t listen one bit. I should sell it for soap!
” he yelled. Sadie and Ellen both gasped at the comment.
As soon as Daniel handed Walter the reins, her uncle jerked on the halter to turn the horse toward him, which instantly made the gelding tense and nervous.
Sadie could only watch as he mounted the animal, whipping it hard with the leather straps across its shoulders while simultaneously kicking the flanks so harshly it reared up again. She had to turn away—she couldn’t bear it. When she heard them ride off, she sighed.
“What in the world…?” Ellen called out angrily. “I don’t think I have ever met such a rude man in my life! And what was he even talking about? His inheritance? And marriage? Has he lost his marbles?”
Sadie patted her friend’s hand, which was still clamped around her arm.
“That’s why my father kicked him out of the house,” Sadie replied, finally looking back, watching Walter disappear in a large dust cloud.
“Many years ago, he and my uncle were supposed to run the ranch together, to build the business like a family, but my father found out the hard way that Walter couldn’t be trusted—not with the horses, and even less with the money.
I remember their last huge fight, when my father accused him of stealing.
After that, he was told to pack up and leave. ”
“And now, he’s back,” Ellen said dryly. She shuddered. “He is bad news.”
“Yes, he is,” Daniel agreed, as he stepped onto the porch, his rifle still resting on his forearm. “I’m sorry, but I heard the whole conversation. I don’t trust that man, so I stayed close.”
Sadie smiled at him. “I’m glad you did,” she replied. “I don’t trust him, either.”
“So, what will you do about the husband situation?” Daniel asked after a short pause. Sadie and Ellen stared at each other.
“I don’t know,” Sadie replied honestly. “Do I have to pay somebody just to pretend they’re married to me for a day?”
“Not a bad idea,” Ellen said with a nod. Then her face lit up. “I once saw an ad in the paper, where men advertise for willing wives to come to the West. Maybe you can do the same and put in an ad that you are looking for a husband.”
Sadie stared at her speechlessly for a second. “But I am not really looking for one,” she replied with a quick laugh, though Ellen and even Daniel looked at her with deadpan expressions on their faces.
“Maybe you should,” Ellen countered. She shot a quick glance at Daniel, who pretended not to notice it, but Sadie saw his reaction. He couldn’t help it. Whenever Ellen looked straight at him, he blushed profusely and his nostrils flared.
“I should what?” Sadie asked her friend with a bewildered face.
“Advertise for a husband,” Ellen replied. Sadie rolled her eyes.
“I don’t need one right now,” she said. “Everything is running smoothly…”
“Was running smoothly, until your uncle showed up,” Ellen interrupted her. “Now, we need to somehow produce a husband for you so that your uncle can’t waltz in here and take all of your hard work away.”
She had a point. Sadie got distracted when she saw Daniel smile at Ellen. He clearly adored everything she said.
That, right there, was exactly what Sadie had always wanted for herself. A true love that grew naturally, out of respect and friendship. To meet someone with the same values, a little bit of humor and a strong love for the Lord. What if she actually found such a man—through an ad in the newspaper?
“Just try it!” Ellen exclaimed. “What have you got to lose?”
“If your uncle returns, and you don’t have a husband to show, then maybe you could lose your ranch?
” Daniel supplied helpfully. That scared Sadie.
She’d worked too hard for it all. This was her inheritance.
She’d lived here her entire life, every grain of sand in this soil was turned into what it was today by her father.
She couldn’t risk losing that. It would destroy her.
“But who would answer such an ad?” she asked, not at all sure about the idea.
“As soon as people read my name, all they see is the money. And most decent men in and around town who aren’t already married are either too old or too young.
I’m doomed!” She made a whining sound, but Ellen put both of her hands on Sadie’s shoulders and shook her gently.
“Wrong attitude!” she called out to her. “You need to try! God will help you find a good man! I’m certain of it.”
As soon as Sadie heard that, she felt a bit more confident. “God would do that, wouldn’t He?” she murmured, more to herself than anyone else. “God is good. He’ll protect me and the ranch. I trust that He won’t allow my uncle to take it away from me.”
Ellen smiled at her and took both of her hands. “Then let’s work on a nice advertisement to find you a great husband!” she said.
“All right,” Sadie agreed with a nod. “Let’s do that.”
“Good! I’ll leave you lovely ladies to it. See you at dinner,” Daniel chimed in as he jumped off the porch. Ellen sighed heavily when he left.
“Dear God, please find me a good and decent man,” Sadie prayed to the blue sky. “One that I can be in love with—just as much as Ellen loves Daniel!”