The Grocer's Bride

Patricia thought her travels would be over now that she has reached America, but the job she was promised went to another. With the shortage of jobs, she decides to continue west where she has a better chance for her own land. With her funds running out, she knows the only way to get there is to become a mail order bride.

Clarence loves visiting with everyone who comes into his general store. Spending time there means he can ignore the quiet in his small apartment. When he comes upon an ad for a beautiful woman looking for a husband, he knows she must be his bride.

The small town in the west was not what Patricia expected, but she's willing to make it work until she can get her life put back together. Will Clarence be able to give Patricia the home she's been searching for, or will it be time for her to move on again?

 Patricia stepped off the boat and breathed in the fresh air. It was just over a week since she’d been on solid ground and she had to grab
onto a post to steady herself. It had taken a while to get used to the rocking of the boat, and now the land seemed to buck underneath her.

“Steady there, miss. Do you need
assistance?” A gentleman held out a hand.

She shook her head. “No, I just need a moment. Thank you.”

The man took his wife’s arm and tipped his hat. “You’re most welcome. Good day.”

Patricia smiled weakly and bent down to get her bags. The sun had already begun to set, and she wanted to get through the lines and find her boarding house before it was fully dark. She took a deep breath and joined the line. She would find her papers when she got closer to
the front. 

The line moved steadily, and she was to the front by the time the sun dipped behind the buildings. She found her papers and waited for her turn. A woman waved her over and smiled brightly.

“Welcome to America. State your business.” She took the papers from Patricia and looked them over.

“I’m here as a governess. The letter of employment is there as well as a recommendation from past employers.” She bit her lip, hoping she’d remembered everything Oma had told her she would need. “Oh, I have a letter from my parents declaring that I’m old enough to travel on my own if you need that as well.”

The woman shook her head and handed back the papers. “Everything seems to be in order. You will find a place to stay at the end of the street, take a right, and go up one more building. Once you’ve been quarantined for ten days, you may continue on.”

“Quarantine?” Patricia blinked, trying to understand. 

“You have come from one of the countries that is part of a cholera outbreak. It is customary to quarantine so that we can ensure the safety of those around you.” The woman smiled. “I’m sorry. I know you’re exhausted and this is the last thing you want to be doing, but it
is for everyone’s safety.”

Patricia took her papers back. “But what if someone in that home has cholera? I will be at risk then.” 

“That home was cleaned and prepared for the passengers on your ship. The only ones who will be residing there will be people who were with you. Now please move on so that I can help the next person.”

The man and his wife and children had left their table as well, so Patricia hurried to catch up with them. Cholera. It had only begun in Germany recently, so she wouldn’t have been exposed. But she had
talked to many of the others on the boat, so it was possible she could have picked it up that way.

By the sounds of crying and shouting
coming from the apartment building, Patricia wasn’t the only one who was upset with the way they were locked up in here. She found a room at the end of the top floor and walked inside. There was only enough room for a bed and washing basin, but that was more than she’d had on the ship on the way to America. 

Patricia set out pictures of her parents and Oma on her table and set her Bible next to it. She’d emigrated to America from Germany in honor of them. They’d saved money for years, and by the time
they had enough to go, Oma could no longer travel, and her parents stayed to care for her. That meant Patricia would be the one to carry on their line in America.

Her new position as governess was supposed to start in two days and she had no idea how to get in contact with the family to let them know she was being held. Perhaps she could leave in the morning so she could share the news with them. For now, she would go down to dinner and
pretend like everything was all right. She needed to celebrate her first night here.

***

Patricia fixed her bun and straightened her dress to look presentable for her new job. It was early—breakfast was still
being cooked—so she hoped to slip out. She tied her bonnet on and left her room. She’d kept her shoes off on purpose, which allowed her to take the stairs with no sound. The hallways were clear, and she breathed a sigh of relief.

She opened the door to find a man standing on the front porch. That wouldn’t do. His back was turned to her, so she shut the door quietly and went to find a back way out. 

“Sorry, miss. You must stay inside. Go get yourself some breakfast and retire to your room.” The man in the back seemed a little less happy to be there, and Patricia gulped as she went back inside. 

She took her food from the cook and set her plate on a table. It was simple, but delicious and reminded her of home. 

“May we sit here?” The woman she met in line the night before smiled down at her. Her children stared at Patricia with wide eyes.

She nodded. “Of course. It’s just me.”

The woman helped her children into their chairs and then sat across from Patricia. “I’m Gretchen, by the way. These two are Greta and Otto and my husband’s name is Wilhelm.”

“I’m Patricia.” She took a bite of her
food. “Are you here to visit?”

Gretchen shook her head. “Wilhelm was a farmer, but we sold the land to come here. We’re hoping to buy a farm somewhere in New York. You?”

“I’m supposed to be a governess.” Patricia winked at Otto. “How old are they?”

“Greta is three and Otto is two. They keep me very busy.” Gretchen smiled up at her husband. “Thank you for getting the food.”

Wilhelm set the plates down and sat next to Gretchen. “You already had your hands full.”

“Patricia here is to be a governess. Can you imagine?” Gretchen sighed. “It would be nice to have help around the house sometime.”

“I could help. For now, at least.”
Patricia wrinkled her nose at Greta, who giggled and ducked her head.
“Otherwise I will just sit in my room and read all day.”

Gretchen’s eyes widened. “I didn’t mean . . . I couldn’t possibly. It’s already overwhelming to move to another country.”

Patricia shrugged. “I don’t mind. Really.”

“That would be wonderful. Thank you.” Gretchen blinked back tears as she helped her little ones with their breakfast.

Patricia had to admit it was more for her benefit than for anyone else. She loved reading, but she preferred spending time with other people. Besides, it would allow her to get used to being around children for long periods of time. She’d helped her mother who was a governess
to a rich family back in Germany, but this was the first time she would be
doing it on her own. And if they really were stuck in this house for ten days,
she needed something to keep her mind off the fact that she may not have a job when the quarantine was over.