by Merry Farmer
Meizhen laughed out loud, clapping her hands to her heart. “Yes, that would be best.”
“You go wash and change clothes,” Chi-ming said, stepping forward. He rested a hand on the small of Meizhen’s back. “We will go find Rev. Hammond and meet you at the saloon.”
Woody blinked in surprise. “You’re okay with this?”
Chi-ming let out a breath and lowered his head. “I was wrong.” He looked up, meeting Woody’s eyes. “I thought you were nothing more than the mule man, that you had nothing to offer my sister. I see now that the things you have to give her are the things a woman should have before wealth and status.” He glanced to Meizhen. “I would rather my sister live a long and happy life than be miserable as the wife of a wealthy man.”
It was so beautiful, so liberating to have Chi-ming approve of her choice at last that tears stung Meizhen’s eyes. “Thank you,” she whispered, too overcome to say more.
“Let’s get you cleaned up and ready for a wedding,” Dr. Deane said, slapping a hand on Woody’s back.
“Yes, please.” Woody’s smile was as wide as the mountain horizon.
Everything moved quickly from that point. Woody and Dr. Deane left the livery barn, Meizhen and Chi-ming right behind them. Woody headed across the bridge and back to his barn, while Meizhen rushed with Chi-ming to his tent. Along the way, they were lucky enough to cross paths with Rev. Hammond. Chi-ming informed him that his services would be needed right away at the saloon. With a smile, Rev. Hammond agreed to fetch his things.
It would have been nice if Meizhen could have had a traditional Chinese gown for her wedding, but she was more than happy to change into the nicest dress she owned, and to wash her face and hands and rearrange her hair into something stylish. Her world seemed to be moving as fast as lightning and as slowly as the pace of a flower blossoming at once.
By the time she and Chi-ming arrived at the saloon, Rev. Hammond and a few other men had arranged the corner of the saloon’s main room into a simple wedding chapel. There were no flowers, but the large Christmas tree that dominated the room was decoration enough. And Meizhen was delighted to see that someone had placed an ornament depicting three hens right at her eye level.
No sooner had she laughed at the ornament, when the saloon’s door flew open and Woody strode in. Sure enough, he was accompanied by Mimi, Gigi, and Fifi.
“The girls heard what I was up to and decided they couldn’t miss it,” Woody said.
The hens fluttered and clucked as they strutted into the saloon and over to the Christmas tree. One of the men muttered something with a snort, but Meizhen ignored it. Her whole attention was taken up by the handsome figure of Woody. Not only had he cleaned up, he’d donned what must have been his best suit. It was simple and grey and worn with age, but it fit him well, accenting the broadness of his shoulders and his narrow waist. His hair was combed back, and he’d taken time to shave.
“You look beautiful,” he said as he strode across the room to meet her.
“So do you,” she replied, sweeping him with a look. The only other thing she could think of to say was, “I’m so happy.”
“Me too,” Woody said, taking her hands. “I can’t imagine ever being anything but perfectly happy ever again.”
All she could do was beam up at him, her heart feeling too big for her chest. Their eyes locked, and Woody swayed forward, his gaze dropping to her lips. She leaned into him, tilting her head up for a kiss.
Rev. Hammond cleared his throat loudly. “Um, I believe the proper order of things is marriage first, kiss afterwards.”
A couple of the other men laughed. Woody flinched and took a step back, his cheeks flushing a bashful red. “Sorry, reverend. I got carried away.”
“No one could blame you,” Rev. Hammond laughed.
Woody took Meizhen’s hand and led her to the spot where Rev. Hammond waited. As soon as they stood, hand in hand, in front of him, Rev. Hammond began with, “Dearly beloved, we are gathered here today to join this man and this woman in holy matrimony.”
Meizhen hardly heard the formal words that Rev. Hammond spoke. She didn’t know if he added his own flourish or if he stuck to the standard order of service. Her whole attention was focused on the joy beaming from Woody and the matching bliss that swirled through her. She had so much to be grateful for, so much to look forward to. The only thing aside from Woody that she noticed was that Chi-ming was smiling as well. She was certain, beyond a shadow of a doubt, that everything would work out as it should.
“Do you, Woodrow Burnside, take this woman, Liu Meizhen, to be your lawfully wedded wife?”
“I do,” Woody answered right away.
Rev. Hammond chuckled. “I was going to add the whole ‘to have and to hold’ part, but it looks like you’re in a hurry. So, Liu Meizhen, do you take this man, Woodrow Burnside, to be your lawfully wedded husband, and all that?”
“I do,” Meizhen laughed, squeezing Woody’s hands.
“Then by the power invested in me by God and the State of Colorado, I now pronounce you husband and wife. You may kiss your bride.”
And at last, with her heart full and complete certainty that she had made the right decision, knowing that she and Woody would do everything to make each other happy, she slipped into his arms as his wife and kissed him soundly.
* * *
I hope you’ve enjoyed The Hens! Keep reading for a snippet of the next books in The 12 Days of Christmas series, The Calling Birds, by Jacqui Nelson.
And if you’d like to go back and read about when Meizhen and her sister Meiying first arrived in Haskell, Wyoming, be sure to check out His Tempting Bride (spicy version) or Miriam: The Tempting Bride (sweet version) from my Brides of Paradise Ranch series! Meizhen and Meiying are secondary characters in that series, but I’m sure you’ll love all of the fun, romance, and heartbreak of Haskell, Wyoming. And look for the final Paradise Ranch book (but definitely not the last book about Haskell), His Yuletide Bride (spicy version) or Bebe: The Yuletide Bride (sweet version) coming December 22nd!
And be sure to grab all 12 books in the series!
The Partridge by Kit Morgan
The Dove by Shanna Hatfield
The Hens by Merry Farmer
The Calling Birds by Jacqui Nelson
The Gold Ring by Caroline Lee
The Goose by Peggy Henderson
The Swan by Piper Hugely
The Maid by Rachel Wesson
The Dancing Lady by Mimi Milan
The Lord by Danica Favorite
The Piper by Amanda McIntyre
The Drum by E.E. Burke
The Calling Birds
The Calling Birds
By Jacqui Nelson
Denver, Colorado
Autumn 1876
Birdie Bell stared out the window of the Benevolent Society of Lost Lambs, scanning the people rushing to meetings, running errands, minding their own business—before heading home to their loved ones. Ordinary folks leading full lives.
Unlike her. All she had was her sewing. She should’ve stayed in her dress shop. Not only today but earlier this year. The desire to secure a bit of exquisite French lace had first led her down this street where she’d glimpsed a shadow from her past. She’d fled through the nearest door and met Genevieve Walters, a single-minded matchmaker.
Mrs. Walters remained steadfast. She handed Birdie a sheet of parchment and gestured to the pen and ink pot on the desk. “Your groom will be delighted to hear from you.”
Birdie tried not to scowl at the blank paper waiting to be filled.
She’d already been matched with Jack Peregrine. Further writing seemed like a formality. Or perhaps an opportunity to discover if the matchmaking had been done in haste? Or a chance to find a reason to stop her nuptials and remain alone in her dress shop?
Unfortunately, staying in Denver was no longer an option. She had to leave, to run away, to hide. Jack Peregrine and the town Noelle were a means to that end. “What should I write?”
“Whatever’s in your heart, dear.”
She recalled the letter that Mrs. Walters had already given her. Jack Peregrine’s carefully precise and controlled handwriting covered less than half of that page. A man of few words. A man who, according to his letter, lived for his work. She understood that. She picked up the pen, dipped it in ink, and wrote.
Dear Mr. Peregrine,
Thank you for your letter and the kindness of not only paying for my train ticket but agreeing to transport my dress shop inventory to your home.
A shout on the street made her flinch. Her gaze darted to the window. Had Lachlan Bravery returned to Denver? Was he at this very moment racing up to the Benevolent Society’s front door? After fourteen years, had he finally found her?
An overturned tinker’s cart sprawled in the spot where she’d previously seen the legendary fugitive hunter and his equally famous wife.
Mrs. Walters sighed deeply. “Sorry to rush you, but I’m keen to post as many of the brides’ letters as I can today.”
Birdie frowned at the dark smudge on her letter. Her fear had smeared the last word she’d written—home. “Maybe I should start over. Maybe I shouldn’t—”
“The choice is yours, Miss Bell, but I would encourage you to stay on course. Continue writing,” Mrs. Walters urged. “Tell Mr. Peregrine who you are.”
Another jolt of alarm made her stiffen. Did Mrs. Walters know her secret?
From under her lashes, she studied the woman—who wasn’t looking at her. The many letters on the desk held the matchmaker’s attention. Organizing so many brides and grooms must be a daunting task.
Mrs. Walters flashed her a brief but sincere smile. “Tell your intended about your dress shop. Share your hopes and dreams with him.”
My dreams are dangerous. I hope he doesn’t come to curse my name. She shook her head. There was only one thing she could share.
I hope I can be an asset to your work. Your descriptions of Peregrines’ Post and Freight portray a sound business.
And Noelle? He’d written little about the town. Others had made up for that shortfall.
The matchmaker says your town reverend has written favorably about your community. Noelle sounds perfect.
A remote place tucked high in the mountains. A train line that ended many miles out of town. A road so steep that travel had to be slow, especially during winter. Noelle sounded like the perfect place to disappear—and never be found.
She firmed her hold on her pen and wrote her final words.
I look forward to meeting you in Noelle.
Your bride,
Birdie Bell
She stared at her signature. Her name, but not her name. What would Jack Peregrine do if he found out he was really marrying Bernadette Bellamy, sister to the infamous Bellamy Brothers, a French-Canadian gang of gold thieves?
The Calling Birds is available at Amazon and for Kindle Unlimited.
About the Author
I hope you have enjoyed The Hens. If you’d like to be the first to learn about when new books in the series come out and more, please sign up for my newsletter here: http://eepurl.com/cbaVMH And remember, Read it, Review it, Share it! For a complete list of works by Merry Farmer with links, please visit http://wp.me/P5ttjb-14F.
Merry Farmer is an award-winning novelist who lives in suburban Philadelphia with her cats, Torpedo, her grumpy old man, and Justine, her hyperactive new baby. She has been writing since she was ten years old and realized one day that she didn't have to wait for the teacher to assign a creative writing project to write something. It was the best day of her life. She then went on to earn not one but two degrees in History so that she would always have something to write about. Her books have reached the Top 100 at Amazon, iBooks, and Barnes & Noble, and have been named finalists in the prestigious RONE and Rom Com Reader’s Crown awards.
You can email her at [email protected] or follow her on Twitter @merryfarmer20.
Merry also has a blog, http://merryfarmer.net,
and a Facebook page, www.facebook.com/merryfarmerauthor
Click here for a complete list of other works by Merry Farmer.