Chapter 4
The unhappy Bray household was a depressing place to be; nobody spoke or even looked at each other. Loren had gone though with his plan and announced to the congregation on Sunday that he was proud to announce the engagement of his only child Abigail to Martin. Leaving out the obvious words heir apparent from his declaration, neither Maud nor Abigail showed any reaction to the announcement.
Martin displayed a huge grin on his face like he'd won a prize when at the end of the service the men came forward to congratulate him. Abigail being held close to him managed to paste a thin smile on her face. Taking no pleasure in the proceedings and as Charlotte looked at the young girl she looked as if she was a French Princess being taken to the guillotine, her eyes sunken and her complexion even paler than normal Charlotte felt sorry for the lass.
Martin still showed her no respect and just reiterated that he was going to be exactly like her Pa and not take her opinions or needs into consideration. He even still didn't give her the courtesy of asking for her hand. He never asked how she felt about the whole situation; this only fuelled her desire not to go through with the nuptials. She had never in her entire life expected her Pa to behave in this abominable manner towards her.
Abigail watched her Ma and for what seemed like the first time saw that her mother had no liveliness to fight any battles any more. She was literally worn down by the continual ridicule of her husband. He had extinguished the love she'd felt initially as a young bribe till this shell of her former self was all that was left. This made Abigail more determined to get rid of this so called proposed life her father was enforcing upon her. "I am not going to end up like my Ma," she thought.
…
The week's blurred and Abigail met with Sully any time she was able. These were not easy meetings and each carried the burden of what they were about to do heavily. There would be severe consequences for this and they knew that Loren may well be a very vindictive man; although Abby thought she may well be able to pacify him Sully wasn't so sure.
He made some good progress on their small cabin with the assistance from Daniel and Robert E, two friends he could rely on to be discrete although neither one asked too many difficult questions. Soon the place was liveable and they would have a sturdy roof over their heads. Things were gradually falling into place.
Nobody ever came out in this direction as it wasn't the usual place that was frequented, and so Loren was oblivious to the fact that a building was being erected on Maud's land out of town. Robert E had all the supplies delivered to the livery and as he constructed some things there it wasn't considered unusual. Extra things had been delivered to the mine as well.
Only once had Abby been able to get out to see her new home but that didn't upset her. She had been included in the plans and Sully gave her reports, and what she'd seen she already loved. "This is going to be my home," she sighed seeing it.
Life on all fronts appeared to be plodding along at its own leisurely pace. The mercantile, the mine and at the homestead.
…
Finally a date was decided and a plan was put into action. Sully and Abigail didn't include others as it was too dangerous and they didn't want others to get into trouble. The most contact they had been able to share was holding hands but both had no second thoughts that this was not right. Sully was astounded that he'd been lucky to find a woman who cared for him and she was thrilled at finding a mate who felt she was worth fighting for: A man who would do everything in his power to see that she would be happy. They communicated in the looks that they shared.
Abigail did once ask her mother about her wedding dress which Maud had shown her in a trunk in a shed out the back. It was of lace and sheen satin there was a lace veil that Maud said had been sewn by the women in the family with a halo of orange blossom as a head piece. Abigail found some items that she could use as well including her grandmothers wedding ring. It was beautiful with a small diamond in the centre in a filigree design swirling out from the centre. Asking her Ma whose it was she was told it belonged to Maud's mother who had been happily married for years to her Pa. Finally Maud lowered the lid of the trunk sadly, not even bothering to ask her daughter if she'd like it for her wedding day. Knowing as she did that her daughter would be as unhappy as she was in the future.
Sully and she Abigail signed a letter asking for the marriage licence to be in Denver when they arrived. This was a letter nobody was any wiser about it and Horace was sworn not to tell anyone about the mail.
Things where ready and they now just bided their time till it could all be finalized.
Sully had just begun a week's holidays and had told Daniel he was going away for a few days and he'd be back in time for his next shift. Nodding Daniel said goodbye to his friend.
He rode into town just as evening was settling. He had two horses as he was afraid that a wagon might have trouble. They needed to stay off the main road just in case it was discovered too early what had transpired.
Items had been sent on earlier including the wedding dress that had been Maud's and a suit that Sully had borrowed from a miner at the camp. This had been placed in a trunk and sent ahead a week ago by stage to be held at the depot until collected by a Mr. and Mrs. B. Sully. Although they were eloping they were determined that it wasn't going to be a sleazy affair and that they would be proud of their decision in the future no matter what the outcome. The plan was falling into place.
…..
Martin and Loren moved to the Saloon after they closed for the night, leaving Maud and Abby at home upstairs in the mercantile. Abby had never had her Pa go into her room nor since he had announced her engagement had she even bothered to say good night so she felt sure that tonight would be no different. Loren refrained from spending time at home preferring the company of the men in the saloon, as well as spending time making plans with Martin who'd soon be his chosen successor. He did have plans; of increasing the volume of traffic through the store, even maybe expanding by maybe adding another store in Manitou. Now he felt he had a future; his dreams at being the richest man in Colorado Springs could be realized.
One day he'd have grand children and his empire would be bigger. He was proud of what he was achieving now. Why; his little girl would thank him one day for securing her such a great future just wait and see. She was mad now but that wasn't going to last. "I know best what was good for her," he thought. Love wasn't necessary in a good marriage that only occurred in women's minds and novels. Not in real life and certainly not out here on the western frontier.
"A toast to the future!" he called out and the whole bar replied "Here, here!" as they all downed their drinks. He then proceeded to buy a round for the bar. You could ask anyone: Loren Bray was a good guy when he let go his shoe string every once and awhile.
….
Rising from the dime novel she'd been reading, Abby went over to her mother, bending and kissing her on the cheek. She bade her good night, saying she was tired and having an early night. Maud gently took her daughter's hand and patted the back. With sad eyes she said good night, wanting so much to tell her, that all would be all right but knowing in her heart of hearts it couldn't possibly be.
Loren Bray was a stubborn man and she learnt long ago not to create trouble and be a dutiful wife as the good book had ordained. Abby she prayed would be happier than her all being well but she feared that wouldn't be the case.
"Good night dear sweet dreams" she said. Bidding her beautiful daughter goodnight she watched as she descended down to her room.
