CHAPTER8
Today, Andrew and Jesse were taking their prospective bride to the place that gave their small town a name.
Treasure Falls.
The first week was behind them and they all knew that soon, it would be time for them to make a decision.
Andrew loaded the picnic basket into the wagon as Jesse helped Mary up.
“Where are we going?” she asked.
“Treasure Falls,” Andrew told her.
“The falls are what the town is named after.”
He crawled up into the wagon and clicked to the horses and they were on their way.
“Did you speak to Aunt Grace?” Jesse asked.
She turned and smiled at them. “Yes, she explained how things work in a marriage with two men.”
“And what do you think?” Andrew asked, turning to gaze at her.
At first, Andrew had been skeptical of marrying and sharing a woman, but then he and Jesse had shared women over the years and the memory of his family came to mind. His children would never grow up in an orphanage. There would always be someone to take care of them.
His children would never have that feeling of never belonging, of being a lonely child surrounded by other kids in the same situation – dependent on people who didn’t love them, hoping there was a next meal, clean clothes, and a warm bed to sleep in.
And that was the reason why he decided to live in Treasure Falls, where the town was accustomed to two men having a bride. Not everyone lived as they did, but many in town accepted the practice. Too many men died and left families unable to care for themselves.
A rose tint spread across her face, and it was so sweet. She tilted her head to gaze at him. “I’m curious. I’m frightened. But I am still undecided. You have yet to convince me.”
A grin spread across his face. Oh, yes, he wanted to propose to her. And he was starting to believe she would say yes. Especially after today. Today they intended to treat her like a queen. And he would work on convincing her that she was right for them. And they were most definitely right for her.
“If you have any questions, we’d be happy to answer them,” Andrew said, thinking she must be curious and yet too embarrassed to ask exactly how it all worked.
“Oh, I have questions,” she said. “But let’s wait until we get to the falls.”
What she didn’t know was that he hoped to get her into the water this afternoon. They didn’t often get a chance to go swimming and the water would definitely be cold today. The thought of her being wet forced him to bite back a groan.
“So what do you think of Montana?” Jesse asked her. “Keep in mind that come November, the snow will be flying and we’ll be cold.”
If she didn’t like the cold, then this was not the climate for her. And yet the thought of her leaving caused pain in Andrew’s chest. He hoped they would continue on the path they were on.
“Good, I love cold weather,” she said. “It’s the hot sticky weather that makes me cranky.”
He laughed and reached over and grabbed her hand. “I can’t imagine you cranky.”
“Just wait,” she said, smiling.
That sounded like she would marry them and he hoped so. But today would be the day that would help to decide if they were all meant to be together.
They pulled into the alcove where the falls were hidden and yet you could hear the water splashing into the pool below.
He pulled the wagon to a stop, jumped out, and tethered the horses. Jesse had his hands around Mary’s waist as he lifted her from the wagon.
“Come see the view,” he said.
They walked into the area, and there were the falls, spilling over the side of the mountain, the water gathering in the pool below.
“How beautiful,” she said.
She walked over to the pool and gazed into the water. “It’s so clear, I can see the fish.”
“There’s a legend that you can see your dead loved ones in the pool. They can’t speak to you, but you can gaze at one another.”
Andrew had heard the tale many times, but still he didn’t believe it, and yet each time they came out here, he looked for the reflection of his family. They’d been gone for nearly twenty years and he still missed them.
He watched as Mary sat, took off her shoes and stockings, lifted her skirts to her knees, and waded into the water.
“Oh, it feels so good,” she said. “Come on in, boys.”
They couldn’t take their boots off fast enough and then Jesse continued with his pants and his shirt.
“What are you doing?” Andrew hissed at him.
“I’m going swimming,” he said. “Join me.”
For a moment, Andrew wondered how Mary would react, but when she looked up and saw Jesse in his drawers, she laughed.
“Join me, Mary,” he said. “Take off your dress and let’s go swimming.”
“That would not be ladylike,” she said.