No Longer Alone

         A blaring horn jerked Nate’s attention from the letter in his hand. A delivery truck passed close enough that the side mirror grazed his shoulder. Heart pounding, he hurried the rest of the way across the street and up onto the sidewalk. Acknowledging nods and greetings, he hobbled along, relieved when he spotted the law office sign. Climbing the stoop, he stepped inside and leaned against the door to shut out the biting wind.

Nodding to his secretary, Nate handed over the rest of the mail and limped into his office. Healed or not, his once shattered leg ached when it was cold or wet. Shrugging out of his overcoat and hanging it with his hat, he sank down into his leather chair and propped his foot up. He idly rubbed his shoulder, unfolding the letter again.

October 9, 1934

Dearest Nathan,

         I’ve read your last letter so many times I have your words committed to memory. Even now, just thinking of them, my heart soars. You paint a picture of a future and a life I never believed possible. It is as if you have slipped into my dreams and now seek to make them come true. How will I ever be worthy of you? It is a question I ask myself often.

         There is so much that I want to ask you, so many things I wish to share. When we are finally together, I fear you will never quiet me. You spoke of lonely evenings with only silence for a companion. That will surely never be the case again when I am your wife. (I hope that confession made you smile.)

         Your stories of working with your brothers had me laughing. Despite the bickering you all sound so close. Your sisters-in-law must be saints to put up with the three of you. I look forward to meeting them all. The family farm sounds beautiful and bountiful all at once. What a blessing your parents left to you all, especially in these horrible times.

         My sister keeps looking over my shoulder while I’m writing. She cautions me not to say anything about myself or our family that would make you reconsider, but I want only honesty between us. I think she wants to forget where we came from. It will be easier when I am gone, in more ways than one.

         This letter is going to be a short one if I wish to get it to the post so you will receive it before my arrival. My ticket is bought. I have just a few things left to pack. Nerves and anticipation make my stomach flutter. It is starting to feel real. In just over a week I will be stepping off the train and into my new life as your wife. I can think of nothing else.

With respect and affection,

Elena

Nate glanced down at the postscript and his heart leapt into his throat. Her train was due today. Yanking his watch from his vest pocket he was grateful for the chain as his hands shook. If on time, her train had reached the station thirty minutes ago.

Leaping to his feet he snatched his coat back off the hook. Trying to get his arm in the sleeve, he stumbled out into the reception area.

“She’s here. Today. As in she should be there this very minute and I’m still here,” he babbled over his shoulder, spinning to go back into his office.

“Who is she? I’m sorry. Did I miss an appointment, Mr. McCade?” the secretary asked, peering worriedly at her calendar from the doorway.

Nate shook his head, rifling through his desk. Her confusion was understandable. She had no idea he’d been writing to Elena. No one did. He’d found her letters when he’d bought the townhouse and shoved them in his pocket for reasons unknown to even him. Later, reading letters meant for another man, he’d fallen in love. When the last couple indicated that Elena hadn’t heard from her would-be suitor in some time, Nate wrote to her himself. They’d hit it off.

He’d intended to tell his family, but something always came up. They’d still been upset about how things had ended with Josie. They didn’t understand. Just seconds before the accident she’d been giving him hell, questioning if he even believed in love. Then they’d came around the corner and a truck was sliding sideways toward them. He’d cranked the wheel sending them crashing through a fence and down into the ravine. When she’d awakened in the hospital, the doctor’s face had been the first she’d seen. Now he was the man showing Josie what love was. How could Nate say he believed in love and fault her for that?

“If you will tell me what you’re looking for Mr. McCade perhaps I can help.”

He gave up. Everything could wait.

“Never mind, Margaret. Just cancel any appointments and close the office for the rest of the day. I will see you Monday morning.”

“Very well, Mr. McCade,” she said to his departing back.

Nate knew he was being rude, but he didn’t have time to explain. He’d make it up to her. Hurrying around back to the car, he searched his mind for a plan. If he just showed up at the farm with Elena, there would be all kinds of questions. It wasn’t fair to make her to face that type of interrogation right off. This was his fault for putting it off.

His oldest brother, Trey, had met his wife through letters. So, it wasn’t that his family would object to a mail-order bride, just to his not telling them. He’d thought he had more time. At first it had been good just to have something all to himself again. Moving back home from Philadelphia, he’d forgotten how smothering family could be. Nate immediately felt guilty at the thought. That same family had helped him recover from the accident, and spent every free moment renovating the townhouse to allow him to have his offices on the main floor and living space upstairs. Without his overprotective family, he wouldn’t have much to offer Elena.

The short trip to the train station was over before he knew it. So much for a plan. Weaving through the streams of people leaving the station, his bum leg twinged, slowing his step. Trey had teased, just after surgery, that as a lawyer, all he did was sit on his ass so a leg wasn’t all that important. His older brother’s sarcasm hadn’t bothered him much through the evaporating haze of anesthesia, but trying to keep up with him and Cole these past weekends had really driven home the difference. Like his hulking brothers had needed more advantage. Nate tugged at the collar of his shirt. Would the limp embarrass Elena?

Scanning the thinning crowd in the lobby, he prayed he hadn’t missed her. All he had to go on was her brief description: dark brown hair, light brown eyes, and petite. Petite was actually his word. Elena had said small boned, but strong, like she was applying for manual labor. Growing up in a rough mining town maybe that’s what men looked for. Not Nate. Her words and spirit had intrigued him from the first letters, and those hadn’t even been addressed to him.

Sitting on a bench along the wall a young woman nervously flexed her fingers around the handle on her suitcase. She was tiny in stature, but a sharp intelligence shone from bright eyes. Her eyes flitted from the doorway to the clock above the ticket counter. Nate saw her knuckles whiten on the handle. Promises had been broken by one man, it wouldn’t surprise him if she feared the same here.

“Elena?”

Her head whipped around, those eyes pinning him in place. Now that he was closer, Nate could see that they were a golden hazel with a sage green ring. Unusual, like her. Her lips split into a wide smile that started his heart again. She stood up.

“Nathan.”

For a moment neither of them were sure what to do. Making the decision for them, Nate pulled her into his arms. She was stiff, but then relaxed, her hands pressing into his back. For a long moment, they just held on.

“I’m sorry for keeping you waiting,” he said into her hair. “I literally read your letter ten minutes ago.”

“It’s not your fault. I knew I was cutting it close, but I didn’t want to wait another day,” she whispered against his chest, her arms tightening around him.

Nate kissed her temple, knowing he should step back. They were in public, but she felt so good.

“I would’ve sent money.”

Elena shook her head. “I had almost enough saved. My brother-in-law was more than willing to give me the remainder to get me out of his house.”

It wasn’t the first time she’d made it clear her stay in her sister’s home hadn’t been welcome. Nate’s lips pressed together.

“I’ll reimburse him. I’m going to be very proud to have you in my house, our home,” he said, correcting himself. “It’s not as large as I might like, but it will allow me to build my practice and us to start a family.”

She stepped back, hands smoothing the lapels of his wool coat. “I think living above the office makes perfect sense. I’m marrying a smart and savvy man.”

He cupped her cheek, thumb caressing her cheekbone. “I’m going to take good care of you, Elena.”

“Your finding my letters was a blessing.”

“I can’t tell you how many times I’ve thanked God I didn’t just throw them in the fire.”

“Silly girlish dreams poured out to a fraud, I’m surprised you didn’t,” she said looking away.

Nate turned her face back to his.

“I don’t think your dreams are silly,” he said, leaning down slowly to press his lips to hers.

She trembled beneath his touch, but didn’t pull away.

“Your letters and dreams helped me through a very rough time,” he admitted. “I was laid up with my leg, Josie had left me, I had doubts about moving back here and starting my practice: there were days your words seemed like the only sure thing. The joy you find in the small things makes me smile. I need that.”

“You’re the first person to encourage my ramblings.”

“Reading your letter this morning I laughed when you confessed I’d never sit in lonely silence again.”

Elena’s face lit in a beautiful smile. “It was truth wrapped in a bit of silliness.”

“I need that in my life. I crave it.”

“Then we’re going to be very happy together,” she whispered, eyes sparkling as she pressed up on tip-toe to kiss his bottom lip.

Nate lowered his head to claim a real kiss. She blinked and reached up to touch her mouth with shaky finger tips when he finally drew back.

“Maybe I should take you home before I do something completely unseemly in public,” he said with a wink.

Elena blushed, but her eyes still sparkled.

“I’d hate to ruin your professional reputation on my first day.”

He laughed. Keeping her wrapped in the crook of his arm, Nate picked up her suitcase and headed for the door.

“I’m going to get a crick in my neck gazing up at you,” Elena whispered, squeezing his arm.

“Be glad you’re marrying me then. I’m the runt of the family.”

“So you’ve said.” She put a finger to her lips. “Shh…you don’t need all that bulk when you have the brains.”

Nate burst out laughing, turning heads.

“Oh, I can’t wait to spring you on my brothers. Now I have someone on my side.”

The thought kept a smile on his face all the way to the car. Opening the door he pulled Elena close for another kiss, suddenly not caring who witnessed it. He wasn’t alone anymore.


WC ~ 1993

© Mara Mc Bain 02/2016

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