A piece of grass blew across the path.
She jumped, tripped over her feet, and fell. Terrified, she struggled to rise when a steady hand caught her. “Easy, I’m here.”
Evalyn turned and saw those bright blue eyes. Reid.
He picked her up and brushed dirt from her. “You’re safe.” He held her close. “I told you I’d walk you to church.”
“Where did you come from?”
“I walked some people up the path and was on my way back. I saw you fall.”
“Are there any wolves?”
“I didn’t see any. Brett said he’d prayed for protection for all who would come to church this morning. But he thought it might be a good idea if I walked along the way and kept watch.”
Evalyn smiled. “I’m so glad you did. Again, you saved me.”
He smoothed her hair and held her close to him. His warmth and strength helped calm her. She looked up. “I’m ready.”
She started walking and heard the organ playing. Old memories of singing with her family in the church back in Ohio came back to her. Evalyn’s racing heart slowed as peace flowed into her.
The peace was so tangible Evalyn wondered if Reid could feel it. She glanced at him and caught him looking at her. She saw peace on his face and in his eyes. Maybe something else. She fit so well in his arms.
He walked her inside and pointed to a seat in the middle, and then he went to the back.
Evalyn was saddened that he hadn’t sat with her. But maybe he was to watch for more stragglers. Her attention was taken by Brett as he stood behind the lectern and raised his hands.
Brett preached an excellent sermon about the prayers of parents for their children. It was as if she could feel her mother’s prayers raining down on her watching over her now and in the past when she’d been all alone. Peace and love filled her heart. Evalyn felt as if she belonged.
She was no longer alone.
***
Reid left the church and had to admit, Preacher Brett’s words had hit home. It was almost as if Reid could hear his mother’s prayers for him and God reaching out to bring him back from a life of crime to a second chance.
He needed to make it right. Live the way his mother would want him to. The way the Lord would want him to. And Reid was more confident and determined than ever that he’d do just that and help others along the way.
After church, he left and went to his shop. He’d already made a good piece of felt and had it mounted on the form. Today he’d warm up a tub of water and dunk the felt in hot water to strengthen it.
Reid looked in the back of the shop at the living quarters. It was small. He could knock out the back wall and enlarge it. He had money from the bounty. And he had time. He looked at the shop and decided he’d put a stronger barrier than a curtain between his work area and the living quarters.
The next day, Reid went to Del’s carpentry shop and ordered the lumber and supplies. Ron Hollander, who worked with Del, helped him bring the lumber to the shop. “I can help you build the room.”
“Great. I can’t pay much.”
“Anything would be fine. I’m learning how to build, so the experience will be worth my time.” The young man stood back and admired the building. “This store was built well. The walls are flush and the ceiling sturdy. You know, I’m going to build houses someday and sell them. I know I can have a good business.”
“I believe you will, Ron.” Reid liked the kid. The boy had an eye for all things wood and did excellent work.
“When do you want to start?”
Reid looked around. “Today.”
The boy shook his head. “Let me run back to tell Del. He didn’t have much for me to do today anyway. I’ll bring back my tools.”
“Great. Thanks, Ron.” Reid checked the water and added some more hot water to the tub and stirred the felt in the water.
After putting up one wall and the shell of the extra room, Reid called it a day. It was time for him to meet Evalyn. On the way to the store, he saw Levi. “Any word on the hunter?”
“He’s here now. I was going to give him an advance. I had to get the money from the mayor, but he gladly paid. The fear of the wolves is putting a damper on the businesses in town.”
Reid nodded. He had at least thirty minutes before he would meet Evalyn to walk her home.
They walked to the livery, and Reid saw a big man securing a pack to a mule.
“Max Grubber. I’ve got the advance.” Levi handed an envelope to the man who looked as wild as a wolf.
With a grunt, the man took it and shoved it in a coat pocket. “There’s a lot a sign of wolf. How long they been trouble?”
“About a month. Ranchers maybe had trouble with them longer.”
Max nodded. “They come down from the north. Been a bad drought, and then the cold is driving the game toward you.” He pulled the cinch tight on his horse. “I’ll get them. We agreed on the bounty?”
“Twenty a head.” Levi pointed toward the church. “They’ve been attacking the town. Come up from that meadow by the church.”
Reid stared at the hunter. He was a huge man. His black hair and beard were peppered with gray that and a coat made of skins made the man look like he was part wolf. Dirty. Eyes black as coal. And a voice that was little more than a gruff growl set the man apart from any Reid had seen.
Levi wished the man well, and they both watched as he rode away. “That’s one rough-looking man.”
“He looks like a wolf.”
Levi grinned. “That he does. I guess that’s what living alone can turn a man into. Told me he only comes into town to restock supplies, but he’s happiest in the wilderness alone. Sure not a life for me. I don’t know what I’d do without Eve.”
Reid stared at the sheriff. After seeing Max, Reid got the horrible idea that he’d look like that. Dirty, scruffy, smelly. Living outside. Alone. That was his future. Unless he had Evalyn. He knew it.
All this time, he’d been running from her when Evalyn was the one thing he needed. The business, the extra room they’d all been for her. How could he have been so blind?
“Thanks, Sheriff.” Reid turned and walked to the store. A quick look at the clock behind the counter told him he was late again, and she wasn’t there.
Edna smiled. “She said a certain man was going to propose to her today. I think she was meeting him at the hotel. She still had a few things to take to the boardinghouse. She was very excited.”
Reid thanked her and ran toward the hotel. What had he been thinking? Brett was going to ask her to marry him today. Brett had given him time to ask Evalyn first, but he’d been too stubborn to admit he needed her.
A wagon pulled in front of him, causing him to stop. Reid ran behind it only to find a crowd of men blocking the path to the alley on the way to the front of the hotel. Reid pushed his way through.
Running, he rounded the corner only to find another crowd of people waiting to go into the hotel and looking in the window. Reid looked and saw them. Evalyn was sitting on the divan, and Brett was standing in front of her.
Desperate, Reid shoved through the crowd, opened the door, and ran to her but tripped over the step to the door and fell, sliding between Brett and Evalyn.
He looked up at her. “Marry me, please. I need you.”
Evalyn looked stunned. She opened her mouth, then closed it, and looked up at Brett.
Reid knelt. “I was a fool to run from you. I don’t have much yet, but whatever I have is yours. I want to live my life knowing you’ll be by my side. Together, we’ll work out what life sends our way. I love you, Evalyn.”
Brett stepped back.
Reid gently took hold of Evalyn’s hand. “From the moment I first saw you, I knew I was supposed to marry you. I ran. I was afraid I couldn’t measure up and make you happy. Now, I know I can if you give me a chance.”
Evalyn smiled at him. “Yes. Yes, I will. When I first saw you, you were running from the dining room and then riding that horse at a gallop
away from me. I felt it in my heart that day that you were the one for me. I had no idea that you’d come back.”
“For you. That’s why I came back. It just took me some time to realize it. I love you, Evalyn Ladd.”
He stood and pulled her to her feet. Holding her close, he kissed her tenderly. And then looked at her. “You’ve made me the happiest man in the world.” Reid frowned and turned. “I’m sorry, Brett. I had to tell her I loved her.”
Brett nodded. “If I must lose to someone, I’m glad it was you. I always thought you two belonged together. When do you want the wedding?”
Reid looked at her. “Now. Here.”
Evalyn grinned. “I don’t know what Cindy will think about me not spending a night in her room, but yes. I came all this way to marry you, Reid Cahill. Let’s do it.”
Brett opened the doors. “Follow us, ladies and gentlemen. We’re going to church where I’m going to marry these two.”
After the parade of people made it up the path to the church, Brett stood at the front and motioned for quiet. “Though this is a most unusual circumstance, we’re going to witness the wedding of Reid Cahill and Evalyn Ladd. This is a holy matter not to be taken lightly. I wouldn’t have agreed if I didn’t know in my heart that these two were meant for one another.”
Bridgette pushed through the crowd. “Oh, I’m so happy. I’ll stand by the bride.”
Sterling came behind her. “I’ll be your best man, Reid.”
Brett nodded. “I think we’re ready. As the Lord is Lord of all, I see no reason why these two shouldn’t be married. I see love in your eyes as you look at one another.
“Reid Cahill, do you take Evalyn to be your wife to love and protect, care for and provide for her needs and desires to the best of your ability?”
“I do. For all the days of my life, I will belong to you, Evalyn.”
“Evalyn, do you take Reid Cahill to be your husband. To love and respect. Nurture and meet his needs?”
“I do. I give you all the days of my life, Reid.”
Brett pulled a ring from his pocket. “I bought this for you, Reid. I wasn’t going to ask Evalyn to marry me. I was going to tell her that she belonged with you. After I told her that I couldn’t marry her, I was going to find you.” He put the ring in Reid’s hand. “Put the ring on her finger as a symbol of your eternal love for her. And, Evalyn, accept the ring as a symbol of your eternal love for him.”
Reid smiled and put the ring on her finger.
Brett nodded. “You may kiss your bride.”
Reid took Evalyn in his arms and kissed her gently. “I love you forever, Evalyn Cahill.”
She returned his kiss. “I love your forever, Reid Cahill.”
Brett raised his arms. “Ladies and gentlemen, I present you our newest couple, Reid and Evalyn Cahill. Congratulate them, and then I suggest we go back to the hotel and into the dining room and celebrate.”
Reid and Evalyn waked behind the preacher holding hands and looking into each other’s eyes. Reid made sure to hold Evalyn close so she wouldn’t fall. He walked into the dining room with his bride. They were seated in the middle of the room, and the town blessed them with a hat full of money. A man with a fiddle came in and started playing.
Reid took Evalyn’s hand in his. “Would you like this dance?”
“Yes, I believe I would.”
They danced around the room, holding each other, and laughing. Reid couldn’t believe how happy he was. His heart was warm and alive. “I love you.”
Evalyn smiled at him. “I love you, too. I’m sorry—”
“No, never be sorry. I’m sure we’ll both need to forgive and be forgiven, but let’s never be sorry. I started building onto my shop. I wanted the living space bigger. I hope you like it.”
“I will love it.”
Bridgette waited until the dance was over and then went to them. “Sterling and I want you to have the honeymoon suite for a week or until your living quarters are finished. I am so proud of you both.”
Sterling cleared his throat. “Congratulations. I’m happy everything worked out.” He looked at Bridgette. “They were your last match, weren’t they?”
Bridgette nodded but had a grin on her face that said no.
“Bridgette, no more. You’ve been lucky.”
“I prefer to think I’ve been an instrument of the Lord and brought love to Shirleyville. Look at them?”
“Yes, Reid and Evalyn are happy. But look at me, dear.” He put a finger under her chin and pulled her to see him. “I am not.”
Bridgette kissed him. “There, better?”
Sterling grinned. “You are one of a kind. With you at my side, how can I be anything but happy.” He shook his head. “But no more.”
Bridgette had already turned away and was busy talking with Hannah and Jericho.
Epilogue
Evalyn looked out the window of the living quarters. It faced the mountain. Her mountain. But she knew now her strength and hope came from the Lord. And she thanked him daily for blessing her with Reid.
She still worked at the store a few days during the week, and the rest of the time, she kept busy helping Reid with their business. Oh, and she never missed the Wednesday morning meeting of the Bridgette Bridal Registry Brides meeting. There were four of them now, although Bridgette and Francesca frequently joined in.
The men had their own meeting of the Bounty Brigade at the café. Reid was late to the meeting but brought a new hat I made. “Anyone need one?”
Jay picked it up. “I’ll take it. And a belt to match.”
Del nudged Chad. “Two more men gave themselves up to Bridgette. Sterling wasn’t very happy, but she’s got him involved in securing statehood for Montana.”
“Hannah said she heard there might be a couple more men getting out of prison. You think we’re going to see more mail-order brides?”
Reid shrugged. “I thought Sterling said he didn’t want her to do that anymore?”
Del laughed. “He told Bridgette that after I married Jericho.”
Chad nodded. “Women, you can tell them all you want, but they still have their way.”
The four of them held up their coffee cups. “God bless our wives and Bridgette Merritt.”
~~~
Author’s Note: I hope you enjoyed Evalyn’s story. There very well might be a couple more stories in Bridgette’s Bridal Registry. I know she has men coming out of prison who are looking for good women. And then Preacher Brett had her order one. I’ll just have to see if Sterling lets Bridgette continue.
You can read more about Shirleyville and the characters in the Montana Brides of Solomon’s Valley Series starting with The Judges Bride.
Sign up for my Newsletter – Friday Nights at the Bookshelf and you will receive notification of new books and specials.
Blessings
Patricia PacJac Carroll
Evalyn Page 12