Eli called for her and she turned to see him and her aunt near the door, ready to go see her new puppy. She smiled and followed them. Before she left, she said a thankful prayer to God. He had found her a path where she would finally be able to plant herself. She was sure that now she was ready to bloom.

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  Bride for Jeremiah

  Sneak Peek

  from:

  A Bride for Jeremiah

  The Proxy Brides Book #1

  Chapter 1

  July 1890 —Philadelphia

  “We will pay you through the end of the year, but we don’t need your services anymore.”

  Esther Thompson looked at her employer in disbelief. She tried not to let the tears fall as they delivered the devastating news. Mr. George Watters, the patriarch, appeared very uncomfortable as he told her, adjusting his tie once or twice as if it were choking him. “We are sending Hannah to the Dumm'r Charity School in New England. Since we can afford the best education for her, it is only logical that she attends the same school as Robbie.”

  Of course, working for the Watters family, she knew that money afforded certain luxuries, such as ensuring your children had the best education and opportunities possible. However, Esther didn’t think that meant she wouldn’t be caring for the two Watters children. She realized she didn’t know what she thought might happen but being out of a job after ten years of service didn’t enter her mind.

  The Watters family had two children – Robbie, 13 and Hannah, 10. Esther had come to their employ on the recommendation of Pastor Jacob Barnes of the Baptist church in their township right outside Philadelphia, when she was just 17 years old. Her parents had died in a fire that consumed her family home, and she had no family that could take her in. The Watters stepped up after Pastor Barnes made a plea during Sunday services.

  Mrs. Betsy Watters opened her house and arms, embracing the young woman. At that time, they only had Robbie, who was one and was still under the care of his nanny.

  So, they sent her to school for two years to complete her education before Esther returned to be the governess for him. Shortly after she returned, Hannah was born.

  Esther loved Robbie and Hannah as her own, but she was especially close to Hannah. The bright 10-year-old had an abundance of energy, a sparkling personality and was smarter than any other 10-year-old Esther knew. She knew Hannah would do especially well at her studies, attending the same school as her brother. And it was such a blessing that the Watters family could afford to send not one, but two children to the prestigious learning institution; and especially sending a daughter.

  Esther knew that many families didn’t have the proper resources to send their children away to further their studies. The Watters family, however, were not like most families. Mr. Watters had become a prominent businessman and was independently wealthy. To send both their son and daughter to this prestigious boarding school was a parent’s dream.

  It didn’t make her any less sad, though. She loved her charges and Mr. and Mrs. Watters treated her like family.

  “It isn’t that we don’t love you, we do. But you should have realized this would be coming,” Mrs. Watters said, stifling a sniffle. She took Esther’s hand in her own.

  Of course, Esther knew this day was coming, she just didn’t want to believe it. Now she was 29, the opportunity for having children of her own had passed, even if she was lucky enough to capture a husband.

  “Think of this as an opportunity to help another family,” Mr. Watters offered. “We will, of course, write letters of recommendation and you are welcome to stay here until the end of the year at least.”

  Esther nodded, “I understand. It is a wonderful opportunity for little Hannah. Is there any way I can continue to work here? Perhaps as a maid, or I can assist Cook in the kitchen?”

  Mrs. Watters shook her head. “Does that really make sense? You are a governess, not a maid or cook. And we don’t have any more children for you to govern. I wish I knew a family that needed someone right now, but I don’t.”

  “But you are my family now,” Esther cried. She felt as though she had lost family twice now. The first being the acute loss of her parents and now the Watters. She wondered how she could still breathe with the pressure on her chest. Esther took a deep breath and looked up at her soon-to-be-former employers.

  “And you, ours,” Mrs. Watters patted her hand assuredly, “which is why this conversation is that much more difficult.”

  Esther gave a weak smile. “I’ll speak to Pastor Barnes and see if he knows of another family.”

  “That would be wise,” Mr. Watters said. “Ladies, if you will excuse me, I have to return to work.” He left the room, leaving Mrs. Watters to comfort Esther.

  “How about I make a cup of tea and we start planning?” Mrs. Watters offered.

  Esther nodded, too overcome to speak as Mrs. Watters left to fetch a pot of tea.

  Wiping her eyes with her handkerchief, she tried to piece together her next steps.

  Esther Thompson was determined. She needed a solution and hopefully Pastor Jacob Barnes had one, that didn’t involve sending herself off to a nunnery. Her brain hurt from thinking of ideas and now she felt as though she didn’t have a choice in her future.

  She walked up the tall steps to the church and stopped at the entrance. The large wooden doors were open, welcoming any who would enter. It was a Saturday morning, so there weren’t many people in the church as she walked in. She liked it much better this way, as she didn’t want to talk with Pastor Jacob near the listening ears of the onlookers. Today she was on a mission.

  Esther walked into the church. It was empty, except for a few people praying in the pews. There were a few lit candles casting a glow against the tapestries adorning the walls. Otherwise, the church was rather plain.

  It was the same way as most people would describe Esther: plain.

  Sometimes it might be ordinary, and at other times, dull, but plain was normally the first thing anyone said about her. Before her parents had died in the fire, they would lament at how they were afraid she would never be able to attract a proper husband.

  Her hair was brown; like a mouse, her father would say. Her complexion, although clear, didn’t have the rosy hues of the other girls. Perhaps they wore rouge on their cheeks. No matter how hard she pinched her cheeks, the pink wouldn’t stay. It would revert back to a peachy color. Her eyes were green, and folks said that was her best feature – they sparkled when she laughed.

  Other than sparkling eyes, she never thought herself as anything other than common.

  She tried not to think of the past taunts as she scanned the room for who she was looking for. In the far corner stood a young couple who were talking to an older gentleman.

  Pastor Jacob Barnes’ face creased at the sides and he looked as if he was counseling the couple. She had grown up in this church and had known Pastor Barnes since she was a little girl. When her parents had died, he had taken a fatherly role in her life. He was the only one she could trust with this pressing matter.

  She walked towards him, keeping her distance so as to not alert the couple who were talking with him. She didn’t want to interrupt their time, but Pastor Jacob looked up towards her and smiled. He nodded towards the couple, excusing himself to go to her. As he walked towards her, he opened his arms.

  “Esther!” he said, as his arms encased her. “I haven’t seen you in weeks!” He backed away from her, holding her at arm’s length. “We’ve missed you at services.”

  Esther smiled. Pastor Barnes was always so nice to her. “Hannah has been sick for the past few weeks, so I thought it was best not to come. I didn’t want to risk anyone getting ill.”

  He looked at her for a moment before directing her to the back of the church, towards a small door in the wall. Behind it was a small room with a large desk and two chairs and a few shelves on the wall. There wasn’t anything else, and Esther didn’t think anything else would fit in the small sparse room.

  He motioned for her to take a seat and after she did so, he took the one next to her. It made Esther feel better not having the large desk between them.

  “What’s troubling you?” he asked. He seemed to have a knack for knowing exactly how she was feeling.

  “I need your assistance. Hannah is now 10 years old; she had her birthday last week. Mr. and Mrs. Watters have decided to send her to the same school where they sent Robbie.” Her words came out in such a rush she didn’t know if the Pastor even understood what she was saying.

  He blinked slowly before responding. “It’s wonderful that they have decided to do that. She is a very bright child.”

  “Yes, it is. That, however, is where the problem arises. It seems that the Watters have no more use for me after Hannah heads to school. They’ve decided that it would be best if I would find some sort of other employment.” She reached over and grabbed Pastor Barnes’ hands and looked at him in earnest. “I was hoping you could help me acquire another employer. Maybe you know of another family that needs a governess?”

  Pastor Barnes scratched his head and leaned back in his chair. The neighborhood girls her age were already married or promised to someone. Esther, however, had no romantic prospects. No gentleman had ever been interested in her. Her mother talked about how she was afraid Esther would end up alone. And then when her mother died, she was truly alone.

  “I don’t know of any families that need a governess at the moment,” he said. “Have you any suitors?”

  Esther had no romantic prospects, and even thinking about it cut straight down to her heart.

  “No, I haven’t. Do you know any families that would need my help? I can be a maid; I know how to cook some and I’m sure I can learn how to do what is necessary. Oh, I can clean. Please, Pastor Barnes,” she implored, “I don’t know what else to do. I’ll be homeless at the end of the year if I don’t find something else.”

  Pastor Jacob looked at her with sympathetic eyes, the same eyes he showed her the day her parents died. They weren’t the eyes of someone who pitied her; it was the eyes of someone who understood her predicament and wanted to help her try to find a solution. His eyes widened, and he got up from the chair abruptly. He rounded behind his desk and opened up the top drawer.

  “What is it?” she asked, watching him rustle the papers in the drawer.

  “I think I may have a solution,” he said, as he searched. “Ah, here it is,” he said as he took out an envelope. Opening it, he took out a folded piece of parchment and walked back to his seat. “I received a letter from my brother, Eli, a few days ago. He lives out in Montana. There is a widower who needs help with his children. He asked if I knew anyone who would be willing to move to assist this family.”

  Esther’s ears perked up, she hadn’t thought of moving. Philadelphia was her home, but if that is what it took, then she was up for relocating. “Like a governess?” she asked. Perhaps this was exactly the opportunity she needed.

  Pastor Barnes smiled cautiously. “Well, not exactly,” he said, as he extended the paper. “I mentioned the man is a widower. He lost his wife about two years ago and has been raising their children on his own.”

  “That is quite a handful when you are alone.”

  “Yes. That’s why he’s looking for someone to help. Just not a governess. He’s actually looking for a wife.”

  Esther’s eyebrows shot up in surprise. “A wife?” She scanned the letter before handing it back. She could feel her palms sweating at the thought.

  “Yes, a wife. He needs someone to help out around the household. Isn’t that something you were looking for?”

  “Yes, of course. But I wasn’t actually looking to become someone’s wife.” It was actually a thought that Esther had never really allowed herself to have. She had never thought of herself as someone who could attract the opposite sex; she never did it in her younger years and she certainly didn’t do it in the last ten years she was a governess. As she grew older, she always thought that dream was nothing that she would ever be able to achieve, and she buried it deep inside her, so she wouldn’t feel the loneliness or longing of having her own family.

  “Well, it seems that this man is very adamant about finding someone before the snow falls.” Pastor Barnes skimmed the letter for additional details. “He’s a farmer that sells crops to the town. His children are fairly young; the oldest is ten and the youngest is two. You are capable of taking care of a two-year-old. And as you said, Hannah is 10, so I know you’ll have plenty of things to talk to this 10-year-old about. It seems like it would be the best solution to your problem.”

  “I’m not sure,” Esther said. She really wasn’t sure. She had so given up on the idea of having a husband that the thought of becoming someone’s wife was foreign to her. What would happen if she went all the way out there and he decided that she wasn’t pretty enough? “How will I know that I am exactly what he is looking for?”

  “You are an unmarried woman, you understand children and you are willing to help out around the house. I think you are very qualified. However, if it appeases your fears, he does request that the marriage be done by proxy. So, you will be married before you leave Philadelphia.”

  “Proxy?”

  “Yes. He wants you to be married before you head out West. Something about ensuring that you will commit to the marriage once you arrive. I guess Montana is harsh and the winters are terrible, so he doesn’t want you to go all the way out there and then leave before giving it a chance.”

  “How peculiar.” While the prospect of being married before she left helped with the pit in her stomach, she was still scared at the idea of leaving the only place she had known to go live with a man she had never met. “May I think about it?” she asked.

  Pastor Barnes gave her a nod. “Yes, that would probably be wise. But I would need to know soon, so I can alert my brother that I don’t know anyone that would be able to help. But if you want my opinion, Esther, I think it’s your best choice. If you get married, it would solve your problems. Children grow up and stop needing a governess, but they will never stop needing a mother.”

  Esther smiled, as she got up from her chair to leave. “I will be able to let you know by tomorrow night. But please, will you let me know if any other jobs around the city arise?”

  “Of course,” said Pastor Barnes, although she could tell the disappointment in his voice. She hated to be a disappointment to anyone, but she knew that she wasn’t quite comfortable and ready to leave her only home. As she left the room she could hear Pastor Barnes start praying. She stopped by the altar, herself saying a little prayer before she left the church to make the walk home.

  It was a short walk home to the Watters’ house. She let herself inside the house and went to go up the stairs to her room. She heard voices coming from the dining room. Mr. and Mrs. Watters must be having a light repast and Esther decided to join them for a few minutes to tell them of her outing and what she learned. As she walked down the hallway, she was halted by the tone of Mr. Watters’ voice as he talked to his wife. “I know you want to help her, but there is nothing I can do.”

  “But she has been so nice to our family,” said Mrs. Watters. “Hannah absolutely adores her. How is she going to react when Esther isn’t here for the holidays?”

  “Hannah is a resilient girl; she will be off at school and won’t give a second thought to Esther. With time, she will just be a distant memory.”

  When she realized they were talking about her, Esther pushed herself back against the wall and held her breath, waiting for them to continue their conversation. She was happy that Mrs. Watters was fighting for her employment; she was hopeful that maybe she would be able to convince her husband to keep her.

  “Maybe we can find a way to keep her? As a maid or cook perhaps? She did say she would be willing to do that work.”

  “Honey, I know you want to help Esther and frankly so do I. She’s been good to our family and she is part of the family. But you know we just do not have the money for that right now. We were generous enough to offer to pay her salary until the end of the year. But with paying for two children at the academy, I just don’t think we have the resources to keep her.”

  Esther sagged against the wall, saddened by his reaction. She pushed off the wall, ready to go up to her room, until she heard Mrs. Watters speak. “I know, I’m just afraid for her. I really don’t know anyone who needs a governess right now. And especially someone as old as she is; most governesses are young, so they will grow up with the children they are taking care of. Who wants someone that is almost thirty? If she takes care of young children, she will be an old maid by the time they are older. And then what will happen after? She doesn’t have any prospects for marriage. She didn’t have one suitor the entire time she has been here.”

  The sound of chairs moving signaled they were preparing to leave the room. Rather than get caught, Esther launched herself from the wall and up the stairs. Tears streamed down her face as she entered her room and locked the door. She knew that the Watters had meant well and cared for her, but it didn’t make the words easier to hear. As she laid on the bed, wiping away her tears, she decided that she needed to do what was best for herself; and maybe a trip out west was the best option.

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