take a deep breath, watching her for any sign of how she feels about it. I know she liked the outside, but it is still a man’s cabin. I never thought when I built and decorated it, I’d be bringing my wife here. Getting married was something I didn’t think was in the cards for me up here and I was okay with that.
I stand behind her as she steps into the living room with its tall stone fireplace and large windows that look out over the front of the house. Behind the living room is a dining room and also a decent-sized kitchen. All the windows are equally large windows and full of natural light.
When she finally turns to look back at me, she has a huge smile on her face.
‘This is absolutely gorgeous, Bennett,’ she says, and I let out a breath I didn’t even realize I was holding.
On the mail-order bride website, when I saw her photo, I knew that this girl was mine. The feeling is ten times stronger in person. I need to remember to thank my friend Axel’s wife, Emelie the next time I see them. If she hadn’t suggested an online dating website, I wouldn’t have even been on the computer browsing when I came across the website that held Willow’s profile.
It seems like it took forever for her to get here and I didn’t know if she was safe or if she was going to just back out altogether. Even though I like my solitude here on the mountain, if she had tried to back out I would have had to go after her.
Now after seeing her in person, hearing her voice, and having her smell fill my truck, those feelings are so much more intense.
According to our contract, we have two weeks to get to know each other before we make the decision to get married or go our separate ways. So, she still has the chance to back out and I sure as hell don’t want that. Instead, I want to show her all the reasons that she should stay and choose to be with me. Starting with the fact that there’s plenty to do here, even though we seem to be a small town.
‘There’s a rodeo in town. Would you like to go with me tomorrow night?’ I ask her even though tomorrow night is Friday night and probably going to be the busiest day of the rodeo.
‘I’ve never been to a rodeo. So yes I’d like that very much.’
‘Then on Saturday my friend Axel and his wife Emelie would like to have us over for dinner along with three other couples. They all want to meet you. The guys are good friends of mine, and they all live up here on the mountain. They are our support group.’ While I don’t want to overwhelm her, I do want her to meet people too. The last thing I want is for her to ever feel like she’s isolated.
‘I’d really like to meet your friends,’ she says as she sets her bag down on the bed and takes a look around the room.
the walls are the raw logs that you see on the outside of the house, there are wood floors with some animal skin rugs there’s a large handmade bed with animal skin blankets on it and it is an attached closet in the bathroom.
‘Sunday, I’ll show you around the land, and then come Monday we could go into town, maybe have lunch and get you a dress for Cash and Hope’s wedding next week.’ I know I’m rambling, but I figure if I give her enough to do maybe she’ll feel like this is her home and someplace she wants to stay.
‘That sounds like fun.’ she smiles again, and I know we’re both nervous. This is completely out of my wheelhouse and I’m sure she feels the same, as well.
‘This dresser over here is yours and half the closet is cleaned out and ready for you, Also, there are hangers in there for you to use. You have your own sink in the bathroom and a set of drawers next to the sink where you can store anything that you need. There’s a pantry in the bathroom with towels and things and there’s a spot in the shower for you to place your stuff. Anything that you brought is free to be anywhere in the house. This is your home now, so put your stamp on it.’
After giving her a short tour of the room, I leave to make dinner and give her a little bit of space to unpack and settle in.
Though I want nothing more than to be at her side, I know it’s the right thing to do to give her some time alone. And as much as I hate the idea, I will sleep on the couch for a few days.
As I go over all the different places in my head that I want to show her on Sunday, she steps into the kitchen and sits down on one of the bar stools.
‘What do you expect of me now that I’m here?’ she asks.
It’s a fair question. When I was talking with the woman in charge of the website, she said many of the men order a mail-order bride to run their household, cook dinner, help clean the house, and be at their side for different events.
So, I’m sure this is what she was expecting. ‘The house is yours to do with as you wish. If you would like to redecorate, that is all up to you. I want it to feel like your home. But I will help cook and clean as I don’t expect you to do all of it. What I do expect is for you to learn how to stay safe out here, and how to help with winter prep so that you are able to fend for yourself if needed. In the winter, it can be dangerous out here and the more you know, the safer you will be.’ I tell her honestly.
‘I can do that. How long have you been living up here on the mountain?’
‘Just over eight years now. The first few were spent building the house and learning how to survive up here. Now, it’s more about learning how to keep busy.’
As we eat dinner, knowing that I cooked the food that she was eating gives me a sense of pride that I can take care of her. It’s an odd feeling and something I’ve never really felt before.
After dinner, she helps with the dishes before a huge yawn takes over.
‘You’ve had a long day. Why don’t you head to the bedroom and try to get some sleep? Daylight comes early around here. I’ll sleep on the couch and give you a little space.’ I tell her.
‘It’s your bedroom I should be the one on the couch,’ she says with a shocked look on her face.
‘Not negotiable. I’m hoping at the end of these few weeks you will agree to be my wife and I will always take care of you. That means I will take the couch. Until you are comfortable enough to have me in bed with you, I’ll be on the couch.’
She hesitates and I get the feeling that she wants to argue. Finally, her eyes flit over my face before she finally agrees.
‘Okay. Thank you. I’ll see you in the morning.’
I watch her head to bed before checking every door and window in the house to make sure it’s all sealed up. This is not a routine that I normally have when it’s just me.
But tonight feels different.
