Free Growing in Love with Her Mail-Order Husband by Mandy Wilson

Meeting the Groom
     
    “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, And He shall direct your paths.” Proverbs 3:5-6
     
    Maggie Dawson heaved a heavy sigh full of exhaustion. She had prayed to the Almighty night and day before she made her decision to send away for a husband. The answer was always the same; seek a helpmate to share your life and burden.  She firmly believed she was in God’s will when she posted an advertisement for a groom, but that didn’t mean she wasn’t experiencing a case of nerves.  Her hands shook, and she clasped them together; from fatigue or concern she wasn’t certain. All she knew for sure was that her possible intended was scheduled to arrive on today’s afternoon train.
    To be truthful, she wondered what type of man would show up. This new-fangled concept of ordering a mate didn’t sit too well with Maggie, but she was in such a tight spot that she had little choice. There were few men around that she could imagine a life with. She’d rather take her chances this way.  Matthew Anders and she had corresponded for several months before the decision was made that he would become her husband.  But how could she know he was telling the truth about himself? And what type of man would willingly leave behind his life?  For women, it was different.  They hadn’t the options that men had. Silently she berated herself for the sudden doubts.  She had prayed about it and must have faith in the answer the Lord gave her.
    With trepidation she waited as passengers unloaded from the train.  Families greeted loved ones long unseen, and a few stragglers looked anxiously for those they were to meet.  No one yet matched the description of Matthew.  Dear Lord, she prayed, please let him be on the train.  I don’t know that I can make it the several months it would take to find someone new . Time was of the essence if she wanted to keep the farm.
    Harvest time was upon them , and she needed this crop to make the final payment on the loan.  And there was no earthly way possible she’d be able to harvest them herself.  Her neighbor’s eldest sons had helped with chores throughout the summer, but soon they would be called back to their own family’s needs.
    If only Aaron hadn’t passed so suddenly and tragically.  There’s no need to be wondering about what-ifs , she berated herself. God has a plan and a reason for everything even if we will never understand it here on earth. There were days where she missed her late husband so bad it hurt.  Those were the days she was thankful for her work load and that she didn’t have time to think about his premature death.
    She felt a presence and looked up to see a man most would consider quite handsome, standing before her. He was exceptionally tall, probably over six feet with broad shoulders.  His face had hard features and lines that spoke of a hard life spreading from his eyes, but they gave him an air of maturi ty. Despite the rough and tough exterior, his eyes held a kindness.
    “Misses Dawson?” the man asked in a deep voice. He removed his hat as he greeted her.
    “I am Maggie Dawson,” she answered. “And you are Mister Anders, I presume,” she stated with confidence.  Instinctively, she knew this was the man she had been waiting on.  
    “Yes Ma’am. Please call me, Matthew. I believe the familiarity will allow us to feel more comfortable around each other.”
    “Very well then. You may call me Maggie. Do you have any trunks?”
    “Just this one bag. I thought to see what you already had before adding my own belongings.”
    Maggie thought his answer mildly peculiar but could see the prudence. Aaron and she had been so busy trying to work the land, they hadn’t had time to build a proper home yet.  He had promised her a real home built out of lumber once fall arrived and the crops were harvested, but fall had never come for him. An accident with the plow