Alexandra's Awakening (Pearson Grove Book 2)

by Caroline Clemmons

  “It’ll be better. She’ll be in charge of the house. Well, maybe not better on wash day. Maybe you can send your laundry out like the Novaks.”

  “That’s what I do now. Doesn’t cost much for my things. No idea how much they charge for women’s things.”

  “Mrs. Novak will know.”

  “Aren’t you supposed to call her Mama now?”

  “I keep forgetting. Still seems odd. Adoption isn’t finished yet. Papa said he was seeing Mr. Baker today to finalize the papers.”

  “That’s great. I hope you’re having a party to celebrate.”

  Lula sighed. “We’re planning a tea on Sunday afternoon for women near Alexandra’s and my age. She’s including the schoolteacher and the gin’s bookkeeper, who both live in the boardinghouse. Oh, I guess you know where everyone lives.”

  “Knowing is part of my job.” Virgil stood. “Moriah told me to make tea and offer you ladies something to eat. I bought little cakes from the bakery.”

  Lula swept by him into the kitchen. “I’ll make tea for you if you get the cups and such. Do you have a teapot?”

  “Bought one and the tea after lunch before I picked up the cakes.” He pulled a large teapot from the cupboard. While Lula made tea, he set four cups and saucers, plates, and his brand new napkins on the table. He hated to use his old spoons and forks but he couldn’t buy all new things.

  When the tea was steeping, Lula called Alexandra and her mother into the kitchen. “Look what Virgil has for us.”

  “Sorry I don’t have a tray to carry all this into the parlor. Hope you don’t mind having our refreshments in the kitchen.” He was glad Moriah had reminded him of sugar and milk and a small milk pitcher.

  Mrs. Novak sat at the table. “This is lovely, Virgil. So thoughtful of you to provide something.” She made another entry in her notebook.

  Alexandra met his gaze, her beautiful blue eyes sparkling. “Shall I pour?”

  He nodded. “Please. Did you complete your tour?”

  She filled their cups with tea. “It’s a perfect house for us, Virgil.”

  He couldn’t help the relief that shot through him. What would he have done if she’d said it was too small or too old?

  Mrs. Novak nodded. “Having you nearby will be nice, too. The two of you can come for Sunday dinner, that is, if you wish.”

  Alexandra patted her mother’s hand. “Thank you, Mama, we’ll see.”

  After they’d finished their tea and cake, Alexandra stood and set the dishes in the sink.

  He rose. “Please, I’ll do these. Why don’t you introduce your mother to Mrs. Tucker?”

  Alexandra clapped her hands. “What a great idea. Mama, the lady across the street is the woman who told us how to find Papa and Ron.”

  Mrs. Novak clutched the pearls at her throat. “Oh, I must thank the good lady.” She turned to Virgil and took his hand in both of hers. “Thank you for a lovely tour and refreshments.”

  Lula ushered her outside and down the steps while Alexandra gave him a swift kiss before she followed the other two.

  He walked her to his gate and watched them cross the street before he went back inside. Darned if he didn’t feel as if he’d aged a year today, but apparently he’d passed muster.

  ***

  Lula helped Mama up the steps and Alexandra followed.

  Before they could knock, Mrs. Tucker opened the door. “Please come in. I’m so pleased to see you ladies.”

  Mama hugged Mrs. Tucker. “Thank you so much for helping locate my husband and son. Without your help, I doubt the sheriff and his deputy could have found them in time to save their lives. I’ll be forever in your debt.”

  “Please come in and sit down.” Mrs. Tucker appeared as if she’d just won a contest. “I was happy to help when the girls told me what that Lonnie Becknell had done.”

  She looked at Alexandra. “The sheriff said Lonnie was killed.”

  Alexandra nodded solemnly. “Yes and Virgil let his wife know she’s now a widow. He said notifying next of kin is the worst part of his job.”

  “Oh, I’ll bet it’s an awful duty. He’s a good sheriff though and I’m sure he’s compassionate when he tells folks.” She appeared flustered. “Would you like a cup of tea?”

  Mama shook her head and patted Mrs. Tucker’s hand. “We just had refreshments across the street. I don’t know if you’ve heard but Alexandra and Virgil are engaged and we were just there to see the house.”

  “How exciting. I suspected they were sweet on one another.”

  Before Mrs. Tucker could mention her walking by his house, she interrupted. “We haven’t set a date yet, but you can be certain you and Mahaly will be invited.”

  “That’s very kind of you. No one ever invites Mahaly to events.” Mrs. Tucker shook her head. “But then she’s so shy I don’t know if she’d go if she was invited.”

  Lula said, “Then you don’t know if she has been asked and chose not to go.”

  Mrs. Tucker appeared incredulous. “Maybe so. Now that hadn’t occurred to me.”

  After Mama chatted with the other woman for a few minutes, she stood. “I’ve so enjoyed meeting you. I’ll look forward to seeing you again soon.”

  “Thank you for coming, Mrs. Novak, and for bringing your lovely girls.”

  “My name is Alyssa, dear. You must come to call on us soon.”

  “I’d love to. You must call me Donatella when I do.”

  “We’ll see you soon, Donatella.”

  They walked to the corner and turned down Main Street and back by the bank. It seemed silly but if it kept Mama happy Alexandra didn’t mind a few extra steps.

  Back at home, Mama sat her and Lula down and pulled out her notebook and pencil. “We’d have been able to provide most of what you need before the fire, but now we won’t. I’m sure you’ll be given a shower and that will supply a great deal.”

  “Mama, I’d planned to ask Lula to be my maid of honor but that means she’ll be expected to give the shower.”

  Mama tapped the pencil against her chin. “If Deborah and Corrine are also bridesmaids, they can join in with Lula. Perhaps Corrine or Mrs. Taber would provide the home while Lula plans the shower.”

  Lula shook her head. “You mean you’ll plan it. I don’t know how to do such things.”

  Mama smiled at her. “There’s no better time to learn. Let’s see, I’ll make some lists.”

  “Mama, Virgil and I want to be married soon. Don’t get so carried away with plans that the wedding turns into a giant affair that takes weeks to organize.”

  Her mother didn’t look up from the notebook. “I should have asked if his parents will be attending. Do you know?”

  “I doubt it. They live on a farm in the Midwest. If you need us, Lula and I will be in my room concentrating on the tea we’re planning for Sunday afternoon at two.”

  “All right, dear. You girls go enjoy yourselves.”

  In her room, Alexandra pleaded with Lula. “You have to help me corral her. Otherwise, Virgil and I will be forced to elope to escape a wedding of monumental proportions.”

  “I think you’re right but it’s you who will have to corral her. If you don’t stand up to her now, she’ll be interfering after the wedding as well.”

  “Oh, no, I can’t have that. Poor Virgil deserves better than interfering in-laws.”

  Lula crossed her arms. “Neither Ron nor I will be nosy.”

  “I know that. I don’t think Papa would intend to but Mama seems determined to do things her way.”

  “Two things occur to me. One, we need to wait until things settle down to have this tea. Two, you’d better stop your mother now before this gets out of hand and one of you gets her feelings hurt.”

  “You’re right. I’ll go talk to Mama. Think about the color for your maid of honor dress.”

  Lula frowned. “Color?”

  “Never mind. I’ll be back soon.”

  Alexandra ran down the stairs to her mother’s little sitting r
oom in the new part of the house. She called it her sewing room, but Mama never sewed there. A little knitting was the closest she came.

  “Mama, we need to talk.” Alexandra sat beside her mother on the loveseat.

  She took her mother’s hand. “I have to ask again not to overdo this. If you do, Virgil and I will elope and you’ll miss the wedding.”

  Her mother clutched her throat, aghast. “Surely you wouldn’t do that to your father and me.”

  “Yes, I will if you make too big a production. All Virgil and I want is a simple wedding in as few weeks as possible. I’ll ask Mr. Pate’s daughters to be flower girls. I want Lula as my maid of honor. I guess I could ask Deborah, as my oldest friend, to be a bridesmaid. That’s enough people in the wedding. Scott will no doubt be Virgil’s best man and that means Milton could be a groomsman for Deborah. That’s enough.”

  Mama looked close to tears. “If you’re going to take this attitude, then I guess I’ll have to adjust my plans accordingly. Tomorrow, can we go get you fitted for a wedding dress?”

  “That will be nice, Mama. I want one I can wear on other occasions without it looking like it’s my wedding dress.”

  Mama took her handkerchief from her pocket and dabbed at her eyes. “Don’t you want something to save for your daughter to wear at her wedding?”

  Alexandra took her mother’s hands in hers. “Who knows if I’ll have a daughter? If I do who knows if she’d want to wear the same dress or be the same size? Do you have yours?”

  Her mother pulled free. “You know I don’t. Your father and I were married in a small ceremony. My father had left and my mother had trouble supporting us even though my father sent her money. The Novaks didn’t have much money either. It was only through an uncle that your father inherited the money to open the bank here.”

  Persisting, Alexandra held her mother’s shoulders. “I know, Mama. Please be happy for me and don’t mind a smaller wedding than you’d like. Two attendants mean it won’t really be small.”

  With a dramatic sigh, her mother capitulated. “All right, dear. I dare say your father will be happy to learn you’re being this sensible. Since the fire, we’ve had so many expenses.”

  “I know. I want to get used to living frugally and enjoying my life.” She kissed her mother’s cheek and went back upstairs.

  Chapter Nineteen

  On a Sunday afternoon three weeks later, Alexandra stood in the small room in the parsonage the bachelor minister reserved for brides. Her dress was blue silk trimmed in cream lace. She would be able to wear it to church as well as for visiting friends and entertaining them.

  Mama fluffed the skirt. “You look a vision, dear.”

  Dressed in pink, Lula agreed.

  Also wearing pink, Deborah stood as far away as possible in the small room to appraise Alexandra’s appearance. “You do look lovely. I think the rest of us look pretty good too.”

  Alexandra laughed, something she’d been doing a lot lately. “We do look pretty, don’t we? I hope Virgil thinks I measure up to his expectations.”

  Lula rolled her eyes. “Phfft. He’d take you if you wore a burlap feed bag. The man is crazy about you.”

  “I hope so, because I’m crazy about him. I feel as if for most of my life I was in a haze and I’ve just recently awakened to what’s important in life.”

  Deborah handed her a bouquet. “Come on, Sleeping Beauty, your Prince Charming is waiting.”

  Papa rapped. “Are you ladies ready? The church is filled and the minister has Virgil hogtied so he can’t run.”

  Alexandra opened the door. “Papa, he does not. Virgil is as eager as I am for our wedding.”

  “You’re right. Poor man looks as if he might pass out, though. We’d better hurry.”

  Muriel Farrand played the pianoforte with gusto that made up for her mistakes. Wearing pink organza dresses, Nadine Pate, age eight, and her five-year-old sister, Noreen, carried baskets of petals. The girls appeared proud of their duty and flung rose petals with wild abandon.

  Deborah walked behind them followed by Lula. Alexandra and Papa came last. At the front of the church, Reverend Patrick stood at the portable lectern. Virgil wore a black suit with a fancy red brocade vest. Next to him, Scott stood and Milton was on Scott’s other side.

  Alexandra took in the details vaguely but her focus was on Virgil. What a good, kind, and handsome man she was marrying. Love shone from his eyes as he watched her proceed up the aisle.

  Through vision blurred by tears of happiness, she noted the church was packed. People smiled at her or nodded a greeting. Good thing Papa anchored her or she might have floated up the aisle to the man she loved.

  Looking lovely in a lavender gown, Mama smiled through tears. Alexandra sent her a smile of thanks for reining in her nature. Not that it was the simple wedding she’d requested but Mama tried.

  At the front, Papa kissed her cheek before he placed her hand in that of Virgil. How fortunate she was. Loving parents, loving siblings, and now a loving husband.

  Reverend Patrick smiled at her and Virgil. “We are gathered here today to join these two in holy matrimony.”

  He gave a brief sermon on the duties of marriage partners. “And now, Virgil Wayne Witt, wilt thou have this woman to be thy wife, and wilt thou pledge thy faith to her, in all love and honor, in all duty and service, in all faith and tenderness, to live with her, and cherish, her, according to the ordinance of God, in the holy bond of marriage?”

  Trembling slightly, her groom slid a ring on her finger then looked into her eyes. “I, Virgil Wayne Witt, take you, Alexandra Alyssa Novak, to be my wedded wife, and I do promise and covenant, before God and these witnesses, to be your loving and faithful husband, in plenty and want, in joy and sorrow, in sickness and in health, as long as we both shall live.”

  “Alexandra Alyssa Novak, wilt thou have this man to be thy husband, and wilt thou pledge thy faith to him, in all love and honor, in all duty and service, in all faith and tenderness, to live with him, and cherish him, according to the ordinance of God, in the holy bond of marriage?”

  In spite of her happiness, her voice threatened to desert her and she rasped, “I, Alexandra Alyssa Novak, take you, Virgil Wayne Witt, to be my wedded husband, and I do promise and covenant, before God and these witnesses, to be your loving and faithful wife, in plenty and want, in joy and sorrow, in sickness and in health, as long as we both shall live.”

  “I now pronounce you man and wife.” The minister smiled at the congregation. “I present Mr. and Mrs. Virgil Witt.”

  Virgil and she hurried down the aisle and out the door. He helped her into the waiting buggy, decorated with cans, ribbons, and signs. “I don’t suppose we can skip the reception?”

  She laughed as she smoothed her skirt. “Not unless we move to another state and change our names. Besides, you’ll need fortifying for later.”

  “Mrs. Witt, I am shocked at your racy comment. Nevertheless, I agree I’d better have nourishment so I can withstand all I have planned for later.”

  She linked her arm with his and leaned on his shoulder. “Oh, Virgil, I love you so.”

  “No more than I love you. I never dreamed I could be this happy or this lucky. I thought you were far out of reach for me.”

  She raised her head to look at him. “I thought you hated me because you always ran from me.”

  He transferred the reins to one hand and slid his arm around her. “I love you, my dearest. I meant every word of our vows.”

  Happiness filled her until she thought she’d burst. “Maybe we’ll have to renew them in fifty or sixty years. We’ll see how it goes.”

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  Read Caroline’s western historical titles:

  Pearson Grove (Sweet)

  Mail-Order Moriah, book 1

  Amanda’s Awakening, book 2

  Blessing, book 2, Widows of Wildcat Ridge, sweet

  Garnet, book 9, Widows of Wildcat Ridge, sweet

  Mistletoe Mistake, sweet Christmas story set in Montana

  Loving A Rancher Series (sweet)

  Amanda’s Rancher, No. 1

  The Rancher and the Shepherdess, No. 2

  Murdoch’s Bride, No. 3

  Bride’s Adventure, No. 4

  Snare His Heart, No. 5

  Capture Her Heart, No. 6

  Loving A Rancher, No. 7

  Patience, Bride of Washington, American Mail-Order Brides Series #42, sweet

  Bride Brigade Series: sweet, set in Texas

  Josephine, Bride Brigade book 1

  Angeline, Bride Brigade book 2

  Cassandra, Bride Brigade book 3

  Ophelia, Bride Brigade book 4

  Rachel, Bride Brigade book 5

  Lorraine, Bride Brigade book 6

  Prudence, Bride Brigade book 7