Charlotte by Kari Trumbo

Author:Kari Trumbo [Trumbo, Kari]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Inked in Faith Publications
Published: 2020-11-20T06:00:00+00:00

Chapter 8

Don’t borrow trouble from tomorrow, for it may never come.

After waiting daily for Gertrude’s arrival, that Tuesday morning seemed long without her presence. Gertrude had challenged her to try on her own to cook a meal completely without help. Though Charlotte was in high spirits at the outset, now she wasn’t so sure she could get the job done.

She’d just finished seasoning the meat when someone knocked, and she rushed to answer it. Gertrude waited on the stoop, her usual smile completely gone. “Didn’t you say your name was Charlotte Warren?”

Charlotte stepped back to allow her friend inside, then closed the door. “Yes, why?” Her heart pounded. Had someone asked about her?

“A letter came for you. Jeremiah at the mercantile wasn’t sure who to give it to. He’s been asking everyone in town. It’s from Helga Garretson. I believe that was the name of your sponsor.”

Helga wouldn’t send a message and possibly give away where Charlotte was hiding. She took the letter from Gertrude and went to the sitting room. Gertrude followed, but didn’t sit. She stood by the new Christmas tree and touched one of the branches. “Looks like a home.”

“Thank you,” Charlotte answered absentmindedly as she tore open the letter.

Dear Charlotte,

I pray you are safely married. We were not able to keep as trained an eye on your father as we hoped. He left sometime a week ago and the information we could get seems to indicate that he’s on his way to Montana.

I’m not certain how he found out where you were, but someone must have reported seeing you along the way. His reach is much farther than I expected. He did put an advertisement in the newspaper looking for you. Perhaps that’s how he found the right state. Assuredly, none of the women here, nor my household, released any information.

If you have not managed to secure yourself, please, for your safety, hurry.

Sincerely, Helga

“He’s coming for me.” Charlotte didn’t even bother to hide her fears. It had taken a long time to meander her way to Montana, but her father had the wealth to pay people to make the trip faster. He wouldn’t have to wait on stages or trains. He could simply pay someone to take him.

“He?” Gertrude sat next to her and gripped her hand. “Who, and why?”

“My father. He wanted me to marry someone else because first he cultured my mind, then refused to let me grow.” Her eyes wandered the room but wouldn’t focus on any one thing. She had to run. If she didn’t Jacob might be in danger.

“Montana is a big state, does he know just where you are?”

He might, but then again… “I don’t know. But his goal is to marry me off, probably for political or financial gain. He’ll find me.”

“It just so happens you’re here to marry. You’ve learned very quickly. Perhaps you could convince Jacob to marry sooner, rather than later?”

She’d been the one to suggest waiting. Perhaps she could be the one to suggest they not wait any longer? Jacob didn’t hold her back, nor hate her mind.

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