She was the only one leaving the train, but there were several people getting on. She watched them when she stepped off as they said goodbye to their friends or family. It made her miss her brother and father.
A couple was coming toward her with attentive looks. She straightened her spine and made sure a pleasant look was on her face. They didn’t look very happy, but they also didn’t look unfriendly. She was confused by their presence and prepared herself for whatever might be coming her way.
“Hello!” The woman was the first one to greet her. She was tall, slender and dressed in a single layer dress, tall boots that reached halfway up her calves and was carrying a parasol with bright colors on it. Hettie had to assume it was to keep the sun from bursting down too much on the woman’s head because there was not a single chance of rain. There wasn’t a cloud in the sky.
“Hello,” Hettie responded, smiling at the woman and reaching out to take her hand.
“You are Hettie?”
“I am.”
The woman nodded and looked back at the man she was with. He was tall, muscled and looked like he wanted to turn around and run right then and there. Hettie was somewhat amused, wondering if he was the man she was to marry. He certainly didn’t have the countenance of a Sheriff. She suddenly envisioned herself taking over as Sheriff of the town in his place. She lifted her hand to hide a giggle.
“This is John, my husband. I am Elizabeth Bannerman, but you can call me Liz. We are here to pick you up. Are you prepared? Do you have your bags?”
“This is what I have here.” She gestured to the two luggage bags sitting next to her.
Liz looked up at John and nodded. He gave her a distinct look, leaned down and picked up the bags. Without saying a word, he turned and went back toward the edge of the platform, where six steps would take them down to the parking area. Hettie saw a pretty yellow carriage waiting there, with two horses leading it that looked tall and majestic.
“Very nice carriage,” Hettie said, admiringly.
“Why, thank you, Hettie.”
Once they were in the carriage, Hettie tried not to mention the tension between the husband and wife. It was so thick; Hettie thought she would be able to cut it with a knife. She looked from one to the other. He was looking out the window, his jaw set. She was smiling at Hettie with a nervous look.
“May I ask why James did not come to get me?” Hettie asked in a small voice. She was a strong woman, but the pressure in the room was palpable.
John made a strange, grunting sound in his throat and Liz cast him a look before dropping her eyes.
“You need to tell her before we get there, Liz. You can’t leave her in the dark.”
“I’m sorry?” Suddenly Hettie was afraid she had made a bad decision answering the ad. She peered at both of them, settling her eyes on Liz’s friendly eyes to calm herself.
Liz sighed deeply and leaned forward. She put her hands on Hettie’s knees and looked at her pleadingly.
“John is upset because I…you…well, you see, John and I decided to play matchmaker.”
“This is you, Liz.” John shook his head. “I was skeptical.”
“You didn’t have any problems with it before, John.”
“I changed my mind.”
“It’s too late for that, and you know it.”
“Please tell me what’s going on.” Hettie pleaded, taking Liz’s hands and squeezing them gently.
Liz pressed her lips together in an attempt to give Hettie a reassuring look. “I placed the ad and sent for you, dear. James is my brother, and I feel he has been alone long enough.”
“How long has he been alone?” Hettie asked, the tightness in her chest loosening just a little with the secure sound of Liz’s voice.
“A little over three years. And you have never been married?”
“No. In his…your letter, you didn’t mention how old James is.”
“He’s 29.”
Hettie was relieved he wasn’t too much older than she was. “Has he any children?”
“No.”
“Did you tell her anything at all about James in your letter, Liz?” John sounded annoyed but looked less stressed than he had a few minutes before.
Liz looked at him. “Of course I did, John! I just…didn’t mention those things.”
“So you just described him and said he’s the Sheriff?”