Mail Order Bride- Twenty-Two Brides Mega Boxed Set

by Emily Woods

  Lawrence turned to Katie May, squeezing her hands as she tilted her chin upward, her blue eyes closed. Lawrence pulled his new wife toward him, and gently placed an arm around her narrow waist.

  “Lawrence,” Katie May whispered as he placed his other hand around the back of her neck. “My husband…”

  Lawrence softly planted his lips on his wife’s. He could feel her body pull closer to his, and he kissed her harder, with urgency. Lawrence ran a hand through Katie May’s soft, blonde hair, feeling the tiny pearls sewn into the snood atop her head. Katie May wrapped her arm around Lawrence’s muscled back, and he felt her voluminous sleeves brush against him. As they kissed, Katie May led out a tiny moan, just loud enough for Lawrence to hear.

  “Katie May,” Lawrence breathed to his wife as he gently pulled away. “My wife.”

  6

  Married life suited Katie May. She was madly in love with her new husband, and she adored tending to her new daughters. Katie May enjoyed doing chores around the house. With the plantation filled with servants before the war, she’d never had to lift a finger, but now, Katie May proudly assumed her new responsibilities with grace and ease.

  “You’ve made a perfect wife!” Lydia exclaimed to her daughter over tea a few weeks after the wedding. “I could not be prouder, my dear. I know this isn’t a mansion in the South, but you are managing this household better than I could have dreamed!”

  Katie May smiled, twisting her thin gold wedding band as she chatted with her mother. It was nearly time for Lawrence to return home from work for the evening, and she could hardly wait to see her husband. Katie May was mad for Lawrence. Their initial attraction had not dulled, and after a sleepless, magical wedding night, Katie May felt a constant ache for her husband’s touch.

  “I’m trying my best, Mama,” Katie May told her mother as the sunshine streamed in through the kitchen windows. “It isn’t what I imagined my life to be, but I couldn’t be happier in Indiana. Lawrence is a hard-working, handsome, loving man of God, and the girls are just the sweetest. Mary Lois and Opal have been such devoted sisters-in-law to me as well! With my own father and brothers gone, I didn’t realize just how much I missed a real family life, Mama.”

  Lydia nodded. “I understand,” she replied. “It’s been so nice to see you with Lawrence’s family. They have certainly warmed to you without a bit of trouble, and you seem to fit right in! Speaking of family, though, there is something I need to tell you…”

  Katie May’s eyes widened at her mother’s serious face. “What is the matter, Mama?”

  Lydia smiled. “It isn’t bad, dear. Just listen. My sister, Midge wrote to me. One of her children has gone to be with the Lord, and she has asked me to come back to Houma to be with her. She sounds quite upset.”

  Katie May’s hands flew to her face. “Which cousin of mine, Mama?”

  Lydia hung her head. “Ethel, the little girl. It’s so sad, but the child is with the Lord. Midge, however, is not doing well, and since you are settled now…”

  Katie May shook her head. “Are you leaving, Mama? Are you leaving Indiana?”

  Lydia reached for Katie May’s hands. “Yes, dear. I have prayed about it, and I feel the Lord is calling me to go be with my sister in her time of sorrow. You are a grown woman now. You have an adoring husband, and little girls, and a house of your own! You don’t need your mama looking after you anymore.”

  Katie May inhaled sharply. She knew her mother was right. She was nearly eighteen, and with her handsome, caring husband and precious new daughters, Katie May felt as though she were finally where she had always been meant to be. She just didn’t know how to live without her mother. As the only daughter in the family, Katie May and Lydia had always had a special bond, and now, Lydia was going far, far away!

  “What’s going on in here?”

  Katie May turned as Lawrence walked into the kitchen. She rose from her seat and ran into his arms. Lawrence scooped her up, kissing her hard on the mouth.

  “I should leave you two alone,” Lydia chuckled as Katie May leaned into her husband’s embrace.

  “No, Mama!” Katie May shrieked, wriggling out of Lawrence’s grasp. “Lawrence, my love, Mama is going away!”

  Lawrence’s eyes widened. “What? Lydia, you are more than welcome in our home! Barbara and Karon just love having you here, and I know that you are a great joy to Katie May.”

  Lydia’s lips turned up in a kind smile. “That is so nice of you to say, Lawrence, but I’m afraid my darling sister has written to me with some sad news! She has sent word that there has been a tragedy in her household, and I must go to her at once! Lawrence, you understand how it is. You yourself have sisters, and you know how important it is to be there for family.”

  Lawrence agreed. “Of course, Lydia. Just know that we will be sad to see you go.”

  Katie May placed her hands on her hips. “We’re not just letting you leave though, Mama!” Katie May declared, her cheeks rosy with excitement. “Lawrence, we must throw a party for Mama! This town has seen its fair share of loss and sadness because of the terrible war, and it’s time the people of Connersville had some fun! Lawrence, I’ll take care of everything. We will throw the finest party Connersville has ever seen to say our fondest farewell to my dear mama!”

  Lydia blushed. “Dear, that’s too much,” she protested. “I was planning to leave on the train as soon as possible. It will take you weeks to put a fine party together.”

  Katie May disagreed. “This won’t be like one of our grand galas at Hallow Hill, but you deserve something special, Mama! Give me three days, and I will host a gathering here at the house that will celebrate you and everything you have done for my new little family! Please, Mama? Please?”

  Lydia shrugged, but her face with pleasant. “Alright,” she relented. “I can wait just a few days more.”

  Three days later, Katie May had put together enough food to feed the entire town. She had begged Opal and Mary Lois to help, and the three women cooked ten pies, five chickens, six roasts, and three cakes in preparation for Lydia’s good-bye party.

  “We have enough food to feed the entire state of Indiana!” Mary Lois declared as the women surveyed the food in Katie May’s kitchen.

  “Y’all have been such a blessing to me,” Katie May gushed. “I can’t thank you enough!”

  “We’re happy to do it,” Opal assured her sister-in-law. “We’ve never seen Lawrence or his girls happier, and we know Lydia was instrumental in getting you to come to Indiana in the first place! We want to thank her for bringing Lawrence an angel...you!”

  Katie May shook her head. “You all have been my angels,” she said. “This life is so different than the one I was brought up to live. I grew up with the finest tutors, and the nicest dresses, and more servants than I could count! I thought my destiny was to marry a plantation master’s son, order my servants about, and spend my days in a parlor consumed with my stitchery!”

  Opal laughed. “That doesn’t sound like any of our lives here.”

  Mary Lois agreed. “Only fancy ladies in Indianapolis have time to be frivolous! Here, we have to raise our children and tend to our homes ourselves!”

  Kate May bobbed her head in agreement. “I know! It’s so very different, but I must say, it’s a happy life,” she explained. “I knew what my life would have been back home in the South if the war had not started, but this has been a new adventure! I know that the Lord brought me here because it was His will, and I could not be happier that it was.”

  Mary Lois dabbed at a tear in the corner of her eye. “We couldn’t be happier, either.”

  Opal laughed. “Ladies, that’s enough! We have a party to attend to! Let’s finish decorating the house and preparing the food. Miss Lydia deserves the very best!”

  Mary Lois nodded. “Yes, she does! And she will love a Connersville party. Something interesting always happens at a Connersville party!”

  “It’s the loveliest party I’ve ever been to!” Lydia
cooed as Katie May led her around the house. Food covered every surface of the kitchen, and candles twinkled in the front room. Katie May had gathered a huge bouquet of flowers for her mother, and the greenery made the room look like a fairytale.

  “You did this yourself? My daughter!” Lydia exclaimed.

  Katie May shook her head. “Mary Lois and Opal helped so much,” she explained, waving to the many guests walking through the front door of her home. “Karon and Barbara were such helps as well! The girls lit every candle in this house, and they swept the floors seven times just to make sure everything was spotless for you!”

  Lydia’s eyes turned red as she surveyed the crowded room filled with well-wishers. “This is the sweetest thing anyone has ever done for me,” she whispered in her daughter’s ear. “I am just so proud of the woman you are growing into, Katie May!”

  Katie May shrugged. “It isn’t Hallow Hill….”

  Lydia cut her off. “It’s perfect.”

  Katie May grinned. Her mother was right—the party was perfect. There was no string quartet, or imported foods, or a grand staircase like the parties back in Hallow Hill, but there were friendly guests, laughter, a good meal, and a house filled with people who loved her. Katie May’s heart swelled as she guided Lydia to the center of the living room, and she could not have been more grateful for the life she was living.

  “Where are we going?” Lydia asked her daughter as Katie May led her to the front of the fireplace.

  “You’ll see!” Katie May answered. She cleared her throat and gained the attention of the room.

  “Hello, everyone!” Katie May called out. “Thank you for joining us tonight for a night of fellowship and a celebration of my mother, Lydia! We are so thankful for your presence as we say good-bye to my mother, who is leaving for Louisiana tomorrow, and my husband and I are thrilled to have you in our home!”

  Katie May’s eyes danced as the crowd cheered back at her, and she spotted her husband talking with Mary Lois across the room. “He looks so handsome tonight,” Katie May thought as she took in the sight of her tall, muscular husband, dressed in his best suit. “I’m happy to spend this time with friends and family, but I cannot wait to spend quiet time with him later…”

  Lydia leaned over to Katie May. “May I pray for us?” Lydia asked her daughter.

  Katie May nodded. “Please! Excuse me, everyone? My mother, Lydia, would like to say a prayer for us on this night of festivity.”

  Lydia closed her eyes and bowed her head, and the crowd followed suit, the few men in the room removing their hats and the ladies folding their hands delicately in front of their noses.

  “Lord,” Lydia began. “Thank you for bringing us all together! Thank you for the generosity and hospitality of my sweet daughter and son-in-law!”

  Katie May smiled as her mother said her name. The crowd was quiet, and all eyes were on Lydia.

  “Lord, I ask for Your protection as I travel back to the South,” Lydia continued. “I ask You to watch over my daughter, her husband, and their children. Lord, I pray for Your favor for my family, and I pray that You bless all of those who share this meal and this time with us tonight!”

  Katie May slowly moved across the room to stand next to her husband. As she sidled up next to Lawrence, she slipped her hand into his. He squeezed her hand and began to softly stroke the palm with his ring finger. Katie May felt a shiver run up and down her spine as Lawrence rubbed the most tender parts of her hand, and a warmth spread through her belly that she knew she would revisit later in the night, when she and her husband were alone.

  “I just pray that when I leave, everything here is well and good,” Lydia continued to pray. “This is a good, Godly family, Lord, and I am so blessed to be part of it. Lord, please continue to shine Your grace and Your love onto my daughter and her family.”

  Suddenly, the front door of Katie May’s house burst open, and the crowd gasped. A tall, brawny man stalked inside and yelled, “Katie May!”

  Lawrence looked down in confusion at his wife. Katie May’s eyes were wide, and as the tall, brawny man walked up to her, she gasped. “Henry,” she cried out as she looked into his face, and then, Katie May crumpled to a heap on the wooden floor.

  7

  The brawny man shook Katie May’s shoulders as she lay on the ground. “Katie May, it’s me! It’s Henry!”

  Lawrence stepped over his wife’s limp body and shoved the man aside. “Who do you think you are?” Lawrence demanded.

  Lydia rushed over to the commotion, her mouth agape. “Henry? Is that really you?” Lydia shrieked.

  The man rose to his feet and stared at Lydia. “Missus Brooks, it’s me! It’s Henry Davenport! I’m here.”

  Lawrence gasped as Lydia cried out and pulled Henry into her arms. “Oh, Henry! It is so good to see you! You are alive? It was reported that you died in battle nearly two years ago! I cannot believe you are standing in front of me!”

  Henry grinned. “It was a surprise when I went home to my own mama in Alabama, Missus Brooks,” he explained. “The newspaper mistakenly counted me as dead, and y’all were right to think I was dead and buried. I was wounded in the Battle of Mobile Bay, and I didn’t make it home until nearly a year after that.”

  Lydia began to weep. “Oh, Henry!” Lydia moaned. “It is like seeing one of my own sons alive from the dead! What a blessing! Praise God!”

  Lawrence gently tapped on Lydia’s shoulder. “Lydia?” Lawrence asked. “Lydia, who is this fellow?”

  Henry smiled. “Missus Brooks is like a mama to me,” he told Lawrence as Lydia nodded.

  “Henry here is from the Davenport family, a very good family in Alabama,” Lydia informed Lawrence. “The Davenports were like family to us. Henry had just asked for Katie May’s hand in marriage when the war broke out. Her father said no, of course. She was too young at the time, and Henry had already enlisted with the regiment.”

  Lawrence felt his stomach drop. He raised his eyebrow as he studied Henry’s handsome, chiseled face and auburn curls. “So…this is the beau that Katie May believed perished in the war? This is him?”

  Lydia nodded. “Yes, Lawrence, this is Henry.”

  Henry reached out his hand to Lawrence. “Henry Davenport,” he said cockily. “Pleasure to make your acquaintance. And you are?”

  Lawrence drew himself up to his full height and puffed out his chest. “I’m Lawrence Edwards,” he boomed. “Lawrence Edwards, and I suppose you know my wife, Katie May Brooks Edwards?”

  Henry’s eyes widened. He turned to Lydia, placing a hand on her elbow. “I had hoped it wasn’t true,” he lamented to Lydia. “Mama told me that you and Katie May had left Alabama so that Katie May could marry. I’m afraid I’m too late, aren’t I?”

  Lawrence’s blood began to boil as Lydia looked sadly at Henry. “Yes, Henry,” Lydia whispered. “You’re too late.”

  Henry’s face fell. “I knew it,” he groaned as he stared down at Katie May. “How can this be? I go off to fight for the South, with my brothers and my friends, and I come back to broken lands and now, a broken heart?”

  Lydia gently placed her arm around Henry’s shoulder. “There, there, dear,” she crooned. “It will all be alright. You are alive, Henry, dear! That is what matters!”

  Henry shook his head. “No,” he protested. “I healed from my injuries and traveled back from Mobile to be reunited with this woman. I came home to marry her, and now, I find her hundreds of miles away from where we were children together, married?”

  Lawrence held a hand up in front of Henry’s face. “I think that is enough for one evening,” he said, looking around at the startled party-goers who were whispering to each other and staring at the huddle in the middle of the room. “Excuse me…”

  Lawrence bent down and scooped Katie May into his arms. “I think it’s time I put my wife to bed,” he told Lydia. “This was quite a shock to her, and she seems to need her rest. Excuse me. Mister Davenport, it was a pleasure meeting you. I’m sur
e you can see yourself out of our house.”

  The next morning, Katie May rolled over in her bed to find Lawrence missing. She usually woke draped atop his muscled chest, but this morning, he was noticeably absent.

  “Lawrence?” Katie May murmured as she reached her arm across the bed to her husband’s empty side. “Lawrence?”

  Lydia appeared in the doorway, her eyes bloodshot. “Mama?” Katie May cried out. “Mama, what are you doing here? You are supposed to be on a train bound for the South! What is going on?”

  Lydia walked to Katie May and lowered herself onto the edge of the bed. She stroked her daughter’s long, blonde hair. “Oh, Katie May…” Lydia whispered.

  “Mama?” Katie May sat up in bed and stared into her mother’s eyes. “Mama, what is going on? What happened?”

  Lydia shook her head. “Dear, do you remember what happened at the party last night?”

  Katie May paused, recalling the previous evening. She remembered the twinkle of candlelight, and the sharp tug of desire she had felt inside when she saw her handsome husband descend the stairs in his Sunday suit. She remembered sidling up to Lawrence and taking his hand in hers. Katie May remembered the delicious foods piled atop the wooden table in the kitchen, and she remembered shooing Barbara and Karon away from the butter cream pies that they longed to taste.

  “I recall a wonderful little gathering,” Katie May said slowly. She brought a hand to her forehead and felt a swollen, thick lump. “Mama? What is this? What happened?”

  Lydia sighed. “Oh, dear,” she began. “Last night, as I was praying for our little party, something happened…”

  “Katie May!”

  Katie May looked up to see Lawrence in the doorway, a look of relief on his face.