Closing the barn door after bedding the animals for the night, James Winthrop Frayne the Second moved to the corral and leaned on one of the beams as he watched the sun dip behind the horizon.

He let out a breath as a gentle warm breeze rustled the branches and twisted the colorful spring wild flowers that broke up the vast green that swept the land. The howl of a coyote reached his ears, followed by the hoot of an owl.  These familiar sounds seemed to ground him, even as he knew that the next day his life would forever be changed.

Jim stepped away from the corral and began making his way back toward the small farmhouse. Once inside, he removed his hat and set about making sure each room was presentable as he didn’t want a mess to be the first thing seen.

His gaze landed on a piece of torn newsprint that was on the kitchen table, near the candle that set off a soft glow on the main room. He picked it up and re read the words he had printed:

ad

He had read those words more times than he could count. He had received a response from the 23 year old woman who was currently on her way. She would arrive the next day. They had only had one letter between each other and it was mostly the details about her appearance the next day. No details were shared about their appearance, so it allowed his mind to dream up what his bride would look like. Jim knew he shouldn’t do that because it would be so easy to be disappointed, but he couldn’t stop himself.

She is on her way, he thought. By this time tomorrow night, I will be a married man.

Jim had always pictured himself with a wife and family, all working together to turn the house into a home and continue to utilize the land to its fullest potential.

But finding a wife in the west was a challenge as the number of males in the marrying age outnumbered the women. A few females caught his gaze when he made his monthly trips into town, but they were quickly snatched up by the suitors who lived much closer to them. With his farm being so far out and the effort he spent making sure everything was taken care of, he didn’t have a lot of extra time for multiple trips into town to spend a meal with a member of the female persuasion.

Ready for that next step in his life, Jim knew that his bride was not going to be someone he knew. He had heard of other men placing ads for women and had been in town on a few occasions when the train arrived bringing the brides to their husbands. He had placed an ad back east before he could change his mind and then returned to the farm, trying not to think about when, or if, a response would come.

The next month when he went to town, he stopped by the telegraph office to collect any letters that had arrived since his previous visit. He had been pleasantly surprised that he had a response from a Beatrix Belden. He had sent a reply immediately.

Now the time was here when she would be arriving. With everything presentable, he took the candle and made his way to the bedroom for the night. He hoped sleep would come quickly as he wanted to be rested when he met his wife.

There was nothing to see as the train chugged along through the inky darkness, but that didn’t stop her from trying. She knew she should try to sleep, but the anticipation of what was coming with the dawning of a new day was forcing sleep from her body.

The curly-blond haired, blue eyed young woman was excited to meet the man who had written the ad. She thought his words described her to perfection. It had been an easy decision to agree to be his wife. Beatrix “Trixie” Belden always dreamed of this role, which was expected of all women in the late 1800. Their job was to make sure the homes was taken care of, raised the children and helped their husbands take care of the animals and land.

She had been raised on a farm and the land had been split between her three brothers as they began families of their own. There hadn’t been a suitor for her in her own town as there were more women than men of the marrying age. She would have liked to have been courted, but there really wasn’t a chance with her husband out west.

Trixie blinked back the tears as she recalled saying farewell to her parents and brothers. The parental Beldens hated the idea of their only daughter being so far away, but they knew the likelihood of finding a spouse close by diminished with each passing day. There had been hugs, whispers of love and promises to be in touch. She had waved to them until they were only specks in the distance.

She closed her eyes to give herself a moment to regroup. She missed her family, but the adventure she was on filled her with so much joy. She always seemed to be getting into some sort of trouble. She claimed she was meant for bigger and better things. She loved working a farm and would prefer to be out in the fields than inside cooking or sewing.

As she opened her eyes, she saw the darkness fading as the sun rose in the distance. In a few short hours she would meet her husband.

I wonder if he’s tall? she thought as she leaned her arm against the window frame. I’m not against him if he is. I guess my imagination always went to someone tall. But everyone is taller than me. I lucked out with the short genes in the Belden family.

I know Moms tried to convince me to not answer the ad, but I have hopes and dreams. I may be crazy for taking this path, but sometimes to find true happiness you have to take a risk.

As more daylight filled the train car, the three other women also heading to meet their husbands began to wake and started primping to make a good first impression.

Trixie watched them fuss with their hair, trying to tame each loose strand before setting their bonnets in place and then touching up their make up by adding more blush to their cheeks and color to their lips. She knew why they were doing it, but for her, Trixie wasn’t going to put on airs. Her husband had to accept she just wasn’t about to do what others were doing. Trixie knew she moved at a difference pace. She was unique and allowed her true self to shine through.

I just hope my husband can accept that, Trixie thought glancing out the window once again.

Jim was up before dawn knowing an important day was in front of him. Once he was sure the animals had enough food and water to last them the day, he got the horses hooked to the wagon. He then changed into his best suit so that he could make a great first impression.

The ride into town took a couple of hours and he needed to get some supplies from the general store before the train arrived with his bride. He definitely didn’t want to be late for that.

The red-head thought about the woman who had answered his ad. There were no real details about what she looked like in her acceptance, just a date and time for her arrival. He didn’t want to hope for something and be disappointed. But how could he? His bride was giving up her entire life to move out west and live in a home on a farm with him. She wouldn’t know a single person. No friends, no family as she adjusted to a new life.

He parked his wagon in front of the general store and went inside to pick up the necessities. He made sure they were packaged carefully in the bed of the wagon so they wouldn’t get broken on the trip back. He made sure the items were stacked so that when he retrieved his bride’s belongings there would be plenty of room.

Just as the last item was set down, he heard the train whistle blow in the distance. His head snapped up and his heart started to race as he looked at the station.

She’s here, he thought. She’s really here.

Taking a deep breath, he pulled on his jacket and walked along the muddy road to the train station. He saw some of the other townspeople were heading in that direction as well to collect any mail or packages that were being delivered.

As he stepped onto the platform, he saw three other young men dressed in their best. The each held a bouquet of wildflowers in their hands. He didn’t have flowers, but he did have something very special in his pocket that he hoped his bride would love more. He thought flowers were special, but they would only last a few days. He wanted his gift to be treasured always.

Jim moved along the platform as the whistle sounded closer. His bride was moments away. The excitement was building, along with nerves.

The smoke from the locomotive could be seen billowing above the tree tops as it made its way into the sky, the puffs getting larger the closer the train got.

Jim reminded himself to breathe as he didn’t want the first time they saw one another to be with him on the ground because he passed out.

The black engine slowed, the breaks grinding as it pulled up to the station, finally coming to a halt with a sigh.

His green eyes watched as the conductor placed a small three step block near the steps and offered his hand to the passengers as they disembarked. He looked at each person, wondering if they were there for him, but they all walked by without a second glance.

Jim saw a woman step onto the platform dressed in a full length pink dress. Her high bonnet sat back on her head allowing her upswept hair to block part of it from sight. Her green eyes gazed about the amenities and she wrinkled her nose as her parasol was opened to block the sun from hitting her face.

I don’t want to seem inappropriate, but I hope she’s not my bride, Jim thought. She’s acting like this is the worst place in the world. She had to know that this wasn’t like the cities in the back east.

Two more tall women climbed off the train with the same expressions, one wearing a light yellow dress and the other a light green. Their expressions caused Jim’s heart to plummet, fearful that the acceptance he’d received would lead to a lifetime of bitterness toward one another.

A final young woman moved toward the other three and he saw the excitement in her eyes as she took in the town, her gaze never resting for long on one thing. From outward appearances, she seemed different from the others, and not just from her short stature. It seemed like she was ready for an adventure.

The town’s minister stepped up to the four women and Jim heard him introduce himself and got each of their names as they shook hands. Jim was disappointed that their voices were lost in the wind when three men on horseback rode into the station.

Jim’s gaze seemed to settle on the fourth woman, the petite curly blond with ringlets sticking out from under her bonnet. Her eyes twinkled in the morning sun. His breath caught in his throat as their eyes locked for a brief moment. A slight blush rose on her cheeks and his heart hoped she was his bride. In his eyes, she was the most beautiful woman he’d ever seen. She ducked her head before focusing on the minister again.

“Gentlemen, please follow me,” the minister said as he ushered the women before him.

The minister walked with two women on each side as they made their way toward the small church on the outskirts of town. There was already a small crowd milling about the grounds that were all close friends or family of the grooms.

The young men and women entered the building and moved to the front. The minister paired them up and Jim bit back a joyful yell that the shorter woman in the blue dress was going to be his wife.

The minister stood in front of the couples with an open Bible in his hand and began the ceremony. Jim kept glancing at the young woman out of the corner of his eye. She kept looking at him and the color rose on her cheeks once again.

“Gentleman, please turn, take you brides hands in your own and face them.”

Jim took a deep breath and did as instructed. His hands shook slightly as he took the soft palms in his own. He saw her swallow before lifting her head to meet his gaze.

The air was knocked out of his lungs as he saw her up close. Her skin was creamy smooth with a slight tan. There were freckles scattered about. Her eyes were as blue as the summer sky.

“I, James Winthrop Frayne, the Second, take you, Beatrix Helen Belden, as my lawfully wedded wife. To have and to hold, for richer or poorer, through sickness and in health til death do us part.”

“I, Beatrix Helen Belden,” she began, her voice soft like a morning dove, “take you James Winthrop Frayne the second, as my lawfully wedded husband. To have and to hold, for richer or poorer, through sickness and in health til death do us part.”

“Gentlemen, the rings.”

Jim reached into his pocket and pulled out the gold band that he’d sent for when he knew he was going to be married. There was a small diamond in the center. Jim slid the ring on her finger, gliding it over her knuckles. Once it was in place, he made sure to hold her hands again, his thumb instinctively caressing the top of her hand.

“I now pronounce you all husbands and wives,” the minister said. “Gentlemen, you may now kiss your bride.”

Jim saw her bite her lip. He really wanted to kiss her, but they had just met and didn’t want to make her uncomfortable. He released one of her hands and with that hand, he cupped her chin. He asked, “May I?”

She gave a small nod, more color rising in her cheeks.

He leaned in and pressed a soft kiss to her lips. It felt like a lightning bolt went through his soul. He kept it brief and pulled away slowly, catching her eyes fluttering open. She smiled at shyly him, and he returned it with his own grin.

“Congratulations to all couples,” the minister said.

Trixie felt her heart race. She was married. She had always dreamed of having a husband and it had finally happened.

Jim lowered the hand that had cupped her face and turned so they were shoulder to shoulder. He squeezed her hand as a couple quickly approached, the man having a strong resemblance to her husband.

“Congratulations, son,” the woman said throwing her arms around Jim and placing a kiss on his cheek.

“Thank you,” Jim said softly.

The woman leaned back, releasing her hold on her son and turned to Trixie. The woman was beautiful, a few inches taller than herself, and was dressed beautifully in a modest, pink dress that hugged her figure. Her blonde hair was pulled back from her face showing off her heart shaped face. The woman took Trixie’s free hand on her own. “We are so happy to meet you.”

“Allow me to introduce my parents, Winthrop and Katje Frayne,” Jim said.

“It is a pleasure to meet you,” Trixie said softly, feeling inadequate in the presence of his parents for looking so plain.

“Mama, Pa, this is Beatrix.”

“Welcome to the family,” Winthrop said.

“Mama and Pa have a farm close to town,” Jim explained. “Mama is a seamstress here in town. Everyone loves wearing one of her creations.”

“Oh, Jim,” Katje said with a laugh as she swatted his arm.

Trixie’s heart started to beat even faster. His mother is a seamstress? She thought, blanking out her husband’s voice. I’m terrible with a needle and thread. And if everyone in town wears the dresses she makes, they are going to expect me to be of the same caliber if I’m to represent the family name.

She vaguely heard the news that Winthrop was part of the town council, which caused her fear to envelope her entire body. She started gasping for breath as more people seemed to swarm around them and offer congratulations. The voices around her became muffled and her vision started to blur.

Feeling someone take hold of each arm, she was guided out of the small church. The fresh air rustled her curls peeking out from under her bonnet. At some point she was gently pressed onto a seat before her head was lowered to her knees.

“You’re all right,” Jim said, taking her hands in his own.

Trixie felt a hand moving in circles on her back in a soothing manner. She felt the ribbon that was tied under her chin to hold her bonnet on her head get untied and the bonnet pulled away. The release of pressure from her neck seemed to allow her to breathe a bit easier.

She wasn’t sure how much time had gone by when her breathing was back to normal. Feeling embarrassed, she took a deep breath as she kept her head down and said, “I’m sorry.”

“You didn’t do anything wrong,” Jim insisted, squeezing her had.

“Try to drink this,” Winthrop said, holding out a cup to her.

She accepted the cup and lifted it to her lips as she sat up. Keeping her gaze on the ground, she took sips of the water. The cool liquid was refreshing.

“How are you feeling now?” Jim asked, concern in his voice.

“I’m okay.”

“Should we go to the doctor?”

“It’s not necessary,” Trixie answered.

“Mama?”

“Dear, could you look at me please?”

Trixie swallowed and slowly lifted her head to look into Katje’s eyes. The older woman leaned her head to the side as her eyes swept over Trixie’s face.

“I don’t think a doctor is needed,” Katje said. “It was warm and stuffy in there and that’s on top of her long trip by train. The fresh air seems to be doing wonders for her.”

“Should we stay in town tonight?” Jim asked. “I don’t want the wagon ride to make this happen again.”

“I think she’ll be fine,” Katje said.

“I know the plan was to have you both join us for lunch before you headed home, but it might be a better idea to head for Ten Acres instead so she can get settled,” Winthrop suggested.

“You don’t need to change the plans you made because of me,” Trixie protested, looking between the other three. “You probably went to a lot of trouble and it shouldn’t be wasted.”

“It’s not wasted,” Katje said, taking Trixie’s hand in her own and patting it gently. “Every month when Jim comes for supplies he stops and has lunch with us before returning to the farm. The meal can be quickly packed up so you can take it with you. That way you don’t have to worry about making something when you get back to the farm.”

“I don’t want to be an inconvenience,” Trixie said.

“You could never be an inconvenience,” Winthrop said. “We can have dinner together next month. We can get to know one another then.”

“I don’t want to cause any problems,” Trixie said.

“You’re not,” Jim said. “We can go to the train station and get your trunk. While we’re there, we can send a telegram to your family letting them know you arrived safely.”

Trixie was quiet for a moment. She knew her parents were worried about this adventure she was on, especially since it was taking her so far away from them. She looked at her husband and a smile filled her face. “I’d like that.”

“We’ll head to the house and pack up some food for when you pass by,” Katje said.

“Thank you, Mama.”

“Anytime,” Katje said, placing a hand on his cheek before turning to Trixie. “Is there anything you don’t like to eat?”

“No, ma’am,” Trixie answered.

“Call me Katje.”

“Thank you, Katje.”

The now elder Frayne woman smiled. “We’ll see you in a little bit.”

Katje leaned in and pressed a kiss to Trixie’s forehead before walking away with Winthrop hand in hand.

Once they were gone, Trixie turned to Jim. “I’m sorry if I embarrassed you in the church.”

“You didn’t,” Jim said, taking her hand sin his own. “It was too warm in there for me too. Without a breeze and so many people in a small space, I was feeling a little lightheaded too.”

“Are you okay with not having dinner with your parents?”

“It’s fine,” Jim said. He tilted his head slightly. “Do you want to get your trunk?”

“I’d like that.”

Jim let go of her hands and slipped the bonnet back over her head, tying the strings loosely under her chin. He helped her to her feet and Trixie fell in step beside him as they walked together to the general store.

“Do you have a pair of sturdy boots to use on the farm?” Jim asked. “If not, we can grab them at the store before we leave.”

“I have a pair in my trunk,” Trixie said. “I prefer to wear those all the time. I always lose my balance if my shoes have too much of a heel.”

“You should wear whatever makes you comfortable.”

In no time at all they were at the wagon. Trixie saw how high it sat and knew it was a big step to get into the seat.

“Can I help you?” Jim asked.

She looked at him. “Please.”

Jim placed his hands on her waist and lifted her up until she could get her feet on the step. She stepped over the board and sank onto the wood seat. A moment later Jim was beside her.

Taking the reins in his hands, he looked her in the eye. “Ready?”

She smiled. “Yes, I am.”

“Then off we go.”

With a snap of the reins, the horses pulled away from the general store toward the train station.

They quickly found Trixie’s trunk and loaded it into the bed of the wagon. They penned a message to her family and watched as the words were tapped away to inform them she had arrived. Once completed, they got into the wagon once again and headed to the Frayne’s to collect the food.

After the food was packed into the wagon with wishes of safe travels and the promise they would get together next month, Jim and Trixie headed out to his farm.

Trixie’s eyes took in the vast landscape around them, the world at their fingertips that had only been disturbed in small areas with farms and the road they were on. It was more beautiful than she had ever expected and than she was accustomed to seeing back east. She knew she had made the right choice.

She glanced at her husband discreetly as she looked at the woods on his side of the wagon. He was so handsome and more than she could have expected. But insecurity seemed to wash over her as she turned her face away and looked down at her hands which were folded in her lap.

“You’re probably so disappointed that I’m not like the other women,” Trixie said sadly, breaking the silence of the ride. “I’m not beautiful like them.”

“You are beautiful,” he insisted. “When you all got off the train, my eyes were immediately drawn to you. And when I learned I was the lucky man to have you, I was ecstatic.”

“I don’t look like those other women.”

“Was there something in my ad that made it seem like I was looking for someone like them?”

“No,” she answered. “But I could see how everyone was looking at them. They are all so sophisticated and I’m just… me.”

“Well, I think you are perfect being you.”

“You’re just saying that. I saw you looking at the other women.”

“I was surprised to see the looks on their faces,” Jim explained. “They looked really disappointed that this was where they would be living.”

“They weren’t happy when we got off the train,” Trixie admitted.

“Is this not what you expected?” Jim asked.

“It’s more than I anticipated.”

Jim couldn’t help but to smile at that, feeling they were destined for one another.

“James?”

“Call me Jim,” he said. “When I hear James, I feel like I’m being scolded by my mother.”

“Trixie,” she said. “I feel the same way when I hear my given birth name.”

“Well, Trixie, it’s nice to meet you,” Jim said, switching the reins to one hand and squeezing her hand with his free one.

She smiled in return. “It’s nice to meet you too.”

He released her hand and took hold of the reins once again.

Trixie’s gaze continued sweeping over the landscape once again.

“Our land is about three hours outside of town,” Jim said. “Like Mama said earlier, I try to make a trip into town once a month to restock supplies.”

“How close are the nearest neighbors?” Trixie asked.

“About 10 miles.”

“What all is on the farm?” Trixie asked, turning slightly to face Jim.

“I have the horses, along with two milk cows and chickens. There are several acres of land that I grow crops on. Those I take into town to be sold to the townspeople.”

“What kind of crops?”

“Potatoes, corn, carrots, cucumbers, tomatoes,” Jim answered. “Those items are primarily taken to town, but there is a smaller area where I’ve got items that I keep just for me like green peppers and green beans, squash, peas.”

“It seems like you have almost all of the vegetables covered.”

“I always liked a variety. But if there’s something special you like, we can always add that to our personal garden.”

“I like all of those.”

A comfortable silence fell over them as they continued the trek to the Frayne homestead.

Jim felt a pressure on his arm and looked down to see Trixie resting her head against him. While he was surprised this was happening so soon after they met, it felt like they’d been together for a lifetime.

Trixie lifted her head from Jim’s arm as the wagon came to a halt in front of a small one-story wood cabin. There was a porch along the front with two rocking chairs that faced the west. She took in the fields beyond the barn for the crops they would be growing together.

“Let me give you a tour.”

Trixie turned to see Jim had gotten out of the wagon and was standing by her side.

Moving to the edge of the bench, Jim reached up to help her down. Placing her hands on his strong shoulders, he slowly lowered her to the ground, their bodies separated by mere inches. Neither could take their eyes off the other.

As her feet touched the ground, Trixie felt her heart race at the love radiating from his gaze.  She had seen that expression in her brothers’ eyes when they looked at their wives, and for a long time didn’t think she would ever be the recipient of that look.

Watching his eyes, she saw them shift to her lips and then lock with her eyes again. He wanted to kiss her and she wasn’t going to protest. She whispered, “Yes.”

There was a brief moment of surprise on his face before he leaned in and gave her a kiss. She felt his one hand slide around her waist while the other cupped her face. Trixie felt weak in the knees at his kiss. He had been her first kiss and if anyone asked, she would admit she’d seen stars.

The need to breathe and feeling a little lightheaded forced the two of them apart.

Jim tightened his hold on her as she swayed.

Before she could say anything, Jim scooped her up in his arms, cradling her close to his chest with her head nestled above his heart. His long strides had them on the porch in a moment and then making their way through the door. He kept moving forward until he reached the table and chairs. He set Trixie in one of the chairs. He quickly loosened the tie holding her bonnet in place and pulled it from her head, as he had earlier.

Trixie watched him step away and move to the ice chest located in the corner of the house designated as the kitchen area. He pulled out a pitcher and grabbed a glass from the shelf. He filled the glass and brought it to her.

“This should help,” Jim said handing her the cup before settling in the second chair.

Trixie sipped the cool beverage as she watched her husband, a wide range of emotions flitting across his face – worry, guilt, love, protection. But the one that lasted the longest was guilt.

“Jim.”

“I should’ve used my head,” Jim said as he got to his feet and started pacing. “You might have agreed, but I should have thought of your needs. We have only known each other for a few hours and I shouldn’t have acted in such a manner. I have never in all my life done something so ungentlemanly.”

Trixie realized her husband was panicking from giving her a kiss when she had encouraged it.

As he moved past her mumbling to himself, Trixie got up and took hold of his hand. He stopped and looked at her. With her free hand, she reached up and placed it against his cheek. “Jim, you didn’t do anything wrong. I wanted you to kiss me.”

“It was improper behavior on my part.”

“It’s not if it“s a husband showing his wife how much he cares.”

“But…”

“No buts,” Trixie said, kissing him to silence his protest.

They broke apart, their eyes locked on one another.

“I know you’re worried because this is all new to you,” Trixie said as she rested her hands on Jim’s arms which were now wrapped around her waist. “And it’s new for me too.”

“I just don’t want to do anything that will make you regret your decision to answer my ad.”

“I won’t change my mind,” Trixie said. “I was nervous when I got off the train and saw all of you young men standing there. As I looked at each of you, I tried to picture what my life would be like. Then our eyes met and a feeling that it would be all right washed over me. I don’t know what it was, but it just feels like we were destined to be together.”

“Really?”

Trixie nodded. “Being here with you, my husband, fills my heart with so much joy. I’m happy. Kissing you makes my heart beat double time. And the kiss out by the wagon left me breathless, that’s why I swayed. You have been the perfect gentleman since the moment we met.”

“Mama always told me that women should be treated with the greatest respect,” Jim said.

“I knew that from the moment I saw you.”

“How so?”

“When we climbed off the train, you were the only one really looking at us,” Trixie explained. “The other men were giving us the once over as if we were livestock. That’s how all of the men acted at each stop of our trip.”

“I guess they weren’t raised properly.”

“I can see you took great pride in the lessons of your parents. It really touched my heart that when we were told to kiss to seal our marriage, you asked me first.”

“We had just met,” Jim stated. “It would have been wrong of me to force a kiss on you.”

“That’s how I knew we are right for one another,” Trixie said. “If at any time from here on out you want to kiss me, you don’t have to ask.”

“Really?”

She nodded.

“And if I wanted to kiss you now?”

“I’d ask why you were waiting,” Trixie said softly, a sly grin filling her face.

She saw his eyes shift from her to her lips and slowly moisten his own with his tongue. His eyes flicked quickly to meet hers once again before slowly leaning in and bringing their lips together.

Trixie reached her hands up and intertwined her fingers behind his neck, coming in contact with his soft red hair at the back of his head. He pulled her closer and she went willingly, one of his hands cupping the back of her head.

When they broke apart this time, Trixie rested the side of her head against his chest, listening to the rapid staccato of his heart. His hands caressed her back. She could feel him trying to steady his breathing.

“Do you…do you believe in love at first sight?” Jim asked huskily.

“Yes, after today,” Trixie answered. “I saw you and felt something rush through me. My heart knew from that moment we were destined to be together.”

Jim tightened his hold on her.

“What about you, Jim? Do you believe in love at first sight?”

“I do.”

Trixie leaned back and looked him in the eye.

Jim reached up and slid his fingers through her curls, some of them coming loose from the bun at the back of her head.

Trixie closed her eyes as a shiver swept through her body. No one had ever touched her curls before. His fingers grazed lightly across her scalp.

After a moment, she opened her eyes in time to see Jim pull one curl near the front of her face, then release it so it would bounce back into place.

His emerald eyes met her blue orbs. “I think I’m the luckiest guy in the world.”

“I think we’re both lucky.”

Jim leaned in and kissed her again.

They were interrupted by the horses whinnying outside the house.

“I should unload the wagon and let the horses loose in the corral,” Jim said as he slowly loosened his hold on her.”

“I’ll help.”

“I can do it,” Jim said. “Go ahead and make yourself at home.”

“If we empty the wagon together, then you’ll have time to show me around the farm.”

Jim smiled. “I like that idea.”

“I love you, Jim Frayne.”

“I love you, Trixie Frayne.”

They kissed once more before walking out of the house hand in hand to take care of the chores together as they looked forward to a bright future with one another.

Author’s Notes

This story was written for tbjffan as the winning bidder of the 2018 Jixanny auction. She had the opportunity for me to write any story that she wanted and she requested a first meeting story between Trixie and Jim going back to the olden days when there were mail order brides responding to an ad in the paper.

This was a fun story to write. I had it started and then part way through inspiration hit and I needed to go back and change it a bit because it sounded so much better the way the muses were telling me to take this story.

I would like to extend my appreciation to KellyKath for editing my story and giving me suggestions to make it better. My esteemed thanks also go to Mary N. for designing the page for this story. Your talent amazes me each and every time when I give you the story idea and then voila – you’ve captured it with very little input from me.

Disclaimer: This is an unauthorized fan fiction site and is not affiliated with Random House in any way. No profit is being made from these pages.

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