It was Wednesday, and Sara delivered farm goods to the general store. She couldn't help but overheard a few women talking about the upcoming wedding at the Big J ranch.
"Wes is going to marry Rowena. Oh, yes, finally he proposed to her." Butcher's wife told Mrs.Neil.
Sara's chest squeezed and she tried not to make a sound that threatened to escape her. First, she thought of what to do, and did what she thought was the right thing to do. After she finished at the store she drove her wagon up to his house. She saw him on the ladder propped against the newly built barn. He looked her way with a frown. Wes spotted a delivery wagon coming up the road, and he jumped down to meet her.
"What a surprise! Good think you are here now! Let's enjoy it while we can because soon I'll be a married man and our fun will stop."
Sara went white and swallowed , "You know that I'm not here......because of that....... I'm pregnant Wes." It took courage to say it, but there was no option left for her.
"Pregnant?" His hand swiped his face, while he swallowed. He walked a few steps towards her, and his eyes shot daggers her way so much anger was revealed in them. After a few moments of thinking he hissed out.
"You played that well ! I'll marry you Sara, but don't mistaken.This is only because I want my child."
Her world crumbled and she didn't know how she remained seated. Sara was starved for any crumb of affection but only so far in her life she got rejection.
He tied his horse in the back of her wagon and climbed beside her and took reins out of her hands.
"What are you doing?" She asked through the tears that ran down her face.
"Taking you to the Big J. You'll stay there until Sunday. I'm not taking you back to that woman. You can stop the tears."
Sara's heart sank, the deep sorrow hit her like a stone that tumbled down the mountain. They drove in the quiet all the way to the Big J ranch, only few of her sobs interrupted perfect silents. If Sara could run she would but there was no place to go: she was trapped. They entered the house and Nelly upon seeing them opened her eyes a little wider in surprise.
"Mother, I think you know Sara." Wes said curtly, " We are getting married on Sunday." He dropped the news to Nelly.
Not knowing what to do Sara looked down at the shiny floor and wished she could vanish into thin air.
Nelly gasped ," Wes, I can't plan a wedding in a few days."
"There is no need for a wedding. I'm going to see our minister, and I have another issue to resolve in town."
Nelly looked at him obviously shocked, " Wes you will create a scandal! There will be talk about it all over the town. Can you wait for an appropriate time? Your father is coming back next week. "
"Sorry mother but there is no help for that. No need to fass too much about it. I want my child under my roof! She is staying here until then. I don't want her down at that farm. I'll stay up in my house. " Wes put his hat on and walked out.
Nelly understood little more and withdrew from saying anything else to him in front of Sara. She looked at her with compassion. It was obvious the young girl had a hard time with all this.
"Come my dear! I'll show you your room. He'll come around just give him some time. You must not stress yourself."
Sara was thankful to Nelly for her cool composure and lack of judgement towards her. Austin and Olivia were at "Estate" and she was glad they didn't witness her humiliation.
Nelly led her to the very bright and spacious room. Everything in it was beautiful. The large four poster bed, white hand carved table and dresser. Sara was exhausted but slept restlessly. In her dream there was a beautiful woman with her arms spread, and she called her, " Sara , come Sara." She vanished and Sara woke up.
Nelly came to invite her for the meals, but every time she found some excuses to stay in the room. Soon the maid would leave her meal on the table and with a sympathetic smile left.
Wes came only once and brought her things from the farm. Sara had no idea how he accomplished that. He didn't say much.
On Sunday morning Nelly came to her room with a beautiful dress. " Sara this is for you. It is the best I could find in such a short time. I hope you like it. You'll see all will be well."
"Thank you Mrs. Jade. I know this must came as a shock to you. If I had an option I would not be here."
"Gave him some time Sara. I know my son. He feels trapped , but he will come to terms with it. I'll send a maid to do your hair then will dress you up." Nelly gave her encouraging smile before she left.
Sara was thankful to Nelly and couldn't say no to the dress in worry to hurt her feelings. She could hear voices from downstairs and knew Wes had arrived. The dress looked beautiful on her. It was a cream coloured dress with a nice overcoat and lacy skirt. The nicest dress Sara ever had. Her dark hair fell down her back thick and shiny. Nothing of that mattered to her. She swallowed her pride and opened the door.
Martha waited for her in the front of the church. She pretended to hug her, but she mumbled in Sara's ear,"The Jade! Well done Sara! You are more clever than I thought." Sara pulled away from her in disgust. Martha said it a little too loud and Wes overheard it. He looked at Sara without a word.
Sara was aware of the gaping faces of the residents of Kenth. She knew this wedding would be the talk of the little town for a long time. It was all done fast and they were pronounced man and wife. The minister blessed their union. After the service they drove to his new house. When he opened the door she could only gasp. Sara has never before seen anything so grand. Sara followed him up the stairs looking at his broad back.
He led her upstairs not turning around to check if she'll follow. "You were planning this for two years now, so you trapped me. You can congratulate yourself."
"I didn't plan anything. I'm sorry you feel that way." With difficulty she squeezed it out of her. She knew Martha's comment hit the target even more.
He opened one of the doors, "Don't even try Sara." Wes replied with coldness in his voice.
"You can stay here." He told her, and then he left. Sara stood in the middle of the room alone. Only her stuff was around, but no trace of his belongings. This was clearly only her room. One day slipped into another, and each day down the hallway she could hear him get up and leave at dawn. He came back at dask. She hardly saw him, but he always left money for her on the kitchen table which Sara left there.
Roy looked at Wes, " So you are married, and we have yet to meet your wife. This is not right Wes how you are treating her. You should resolve this. I know you would not marry her if you didn't desire to. You would just set her someplace and do your own thing." His father stood up from the chair and poured himself a glass of bourbon, and looked at him, "Why Wes? Maybe you should ask yourself." Roy knew all of his son's very well.
Wes slowly rode back to his ranch, and he thought of his father's words. It was time he admitted to himself that he had feelings for his wife. The sadness in her eyes started to bother him, and he remembered how many times he wanted to open her door to take her into his arms.
There was no usual light in the house waiting for him. He left his horse in the corral and walked to the house. He opened the front door and called, "Sara, Sara ..." , but only the quiet of the house answered him.
