“It’s all taken care of. The church is decorated and festive. You have a willing groom and if Luke will stand with me, a best man. Should you ladies be so inclined to proceed to Abby’s dress shop, you’ll find a gown ready and waiting. We’ll all attend the Christmas Eve service and program as planned and have the wedding right after. By the time Nigel realizes what has transpired, we’ll already be married,” Blake said, unable to stop smiling as the group went from standing around looking at him as if he’d lost his mind to rushing to put on their coats and head out the door.
Escorting the women to Abby’s shop to make sure Nigel didn’t make off with Ginny, Greg agreed to keep watch over them while Luke went to talk to Chauncy. Blake returned home to change his clothes and make final preparations for the evening.
He had one or two more surprises to implement before he became a married man.
Chapter Nineteen
“Are you sure about this, Abby?” Ginny asked, running her fingers down the smooth white satin gown Abby insisted she put on the minute the three Granger women stepped inside her dress shop.
“Absolutely, Ginny. Someone special ordered this dress then never came back to get it. I’ve kept it all this time and with a few little tucks, it will be perfect for you,” Abby said, adjusting the elbow-length puff sleeves with wide lace frills going to the middle of Ginny’s forearm. A square neckline and a princess style cut emphasized Ginny’s curves. Tiny pearls created a unique floral pattern down the front of the skirt and along the hemline, sparkling in the afternoon sunlight.
“Blake won’t know what to think when he sees you in this,” Filly said, smiling as Abby made a few adjustments to the skirt.
“It’s perfect, my darling. Just perfect,” Dora said, thrilled her daughter was not only going to marry her true love, but do it in a gown as beautiful as any she’d seen in New York.
“What will she carry for flowers?” Filly asked, realizing there was no way to get anything fresh in town.
“How about white ribbon roses and Christmas greens?” Abby suggested, opening a box with several large roses made of white velvet nestled inside.
“These are lovely, Abby,” Dora said, choosing half a dozen. “With a little lace and ribbon, I think we can make something that will do nicely.”
“I’ll take care of it,” Filly said, accepting the roses from Dora and setting them beside her things.
“I can’t believe this is really happening,” Ginny said, staring at her reflection in the big cheval glass mirror.
Just a few short months ago, she had no intentions to marry.
Ever.
She firmly closed the door on her past with Blake, or so she thought, and pictured herself pursuing the suffragette movement or some valiant cause that would benefit the less fortunate.
Now, though, the thing she wanted most in the world was to marry Blake and live a long, happy life together. Beyond that, she had no other plans.
“You better start believing it,” Filly teased, grinning over Ginny’s shoulder at her reflection in the mirror. “In a few hours you’ll be standing in front of everyone at the church exchanging your vows with your very handsome groom.”
“I know, but I never dreamed… never dared to hope…”
Dora sniffled and pulled out a handkerchief. “I’m sorry, again, Ginny, for the heartache I caused you both, but I’m so glad you two are finally going to be together.”
“Thank you, Mother,” Ginny said, fighting back her own tears.
“Let’s get you out of that gown before you get tear stains on it,” Abby said, trying to lighten the mood as she and Ginny went back to the fitting room.
Returning, Abby hung the gown on a peg and hugged Ginny.
“I’ll make a few adjustments and run this right over to the house,” Abby said, already picking up a needle and thread.
“No need, Abby. With everything else going on today, I’ll send Luke to pick it up,” Filly said, buttoning her coat and settling her hat back on her head. “Thank you so much for helping make this day special for Ginny.”
“My pleasure,” Abby said, hugging Filly, then Ginny and Dora.
Greg walked in and smiled at the women. Rather than wait inside Abby’s shop, he stepped into the mercantile to visit with George and Aleta Bruner while keeping an eye out for Nigel. Deciding to see if the women were about finished with Ginny’s dress fitting, he was pleased they appeared ready to return home.
“What can I carry?” he asked as the women hurried to the door.
“Nothing, dear, right now,” Dora said, grinning at her husband. “But you do need to pay Abby for the dress.”
“I knew they kept me around for something,” Greg said, winking at Abby as he settled the bill then escorted the three women back to Granger House.
While they were gone, Luke placed a few packages under the tree, stoked the fires and the furnace, and fed his livestock. Just finishing with a bath and dressing in his best suit, the ends of his hair were still damp when Greg and the women trooped in the door.
The roast Filly placed in the oven right after lunch filled the house with the rich smells of beef mingled with the holiday scents of fragrant pine boughs and the bayberry candles she’d set out.
“My, it smells wonderful in here,” Dora exclaimed as Greg helped remove her coat, then Ginny’s.
“I assume by the bill I just paid, Abby had something you can use, Ginny,” Greg teased, kissing his wife’s cheek as he hung up her coat and hat.
“She did. I’m so excited,” Ginny said, bouncing up and down on her feet. All she could think about was at the end of this most wonderful day, she’d be Mrs. Blake Stratton.
“Why don’t you and Dora start getting ready while I finish dinner then I can dress while the rest of you clean up the dishes,” Filly suggested, tying on her apron.
“That’s a good idea,” Dora said, taking Ginny’s hand and leading her down the hall.
Greg went to find a few bits of greenery Filly could use in Ginny’s bouquet while Luke ran back to Abby’s shop to retrieve Ginny’s dress.
An hour later, they sat down to enjoy the meal together and take a few minutes to laugh and relax before what promised to be a full and eventful evening.
Greg, Luke, and Dora cleared the table and did the dishes while Filly dashed upstairs to change and Ginny retreated to her room to pack a bag to take to Blake’s after the service and put on her wedding dress.
A knock at the back door surprised them all. Luke quickly dried his hands and opened the door to see Percy Bruner standing on the step, holding a small box in his hand.
“Hi, Percy. What brings you out?” Luke asked, smiling at the boy.
“Mr. Stratton asked me to bring this to Miss Granger,” Percy said, holding out the box.
“It must be important for you to bring it out tonight,” Luke said, taking a coin from his pocket and handing it to Percy.
The boy grinned at him and tipped the cap on his head. “Yes, sir. Thanks!” Percy started to run down the steps, but suddenly stopped and turned back around. “See you at church soon?”
“We’ll be there, Percy,” Luke said, chuckling as the boy raced down the walk into town.
“I’ll take this to Ginny,” Luke said, walking down the hall and knocking on her bedroom door. When he heard her call to come in, he turned the knob, smiling as he took in the vision his sister created.
“You look radiant, Ginny Lou,” Luke said, kissing her cheek as she stood before the mirror, adjusting the puffed sleeves of her gown. “I can’t believe Abby had that hanging around her shop. It was made just for you.”
“That’s what we thought, too,” Ginny said, turning to smile at Luke. Noticing a paper-wrapped parcel in his hand, she looked at him quizzically. “What have you got there?”
“I don’t know, but Percy said Blake asked him to deliver it to you.”
“What in the world…” Ginny asked, taking the package from Luke and removing the paper to reveal a box of choco
lates. A note attached made her dab at the tears threatening to spill down her cheeks.
My lovely Genevieve,
I realize we have not had much opportunity for a courtship before our marriage, so I will spend the next fifty or so years attempting to make up for it. Here is a little sweet or two, since I know you enjoy them so, although the taste most certainly does not compare to that of your lips, my love. I intend to sample that particularly exquisite flavor as many times as you can bear after the service this evening.
Yours,
Blake
“Oh, my,” she said, placing a cool hand to her hot cheek, feeling a blush rise from her neck past her ears.
“He better not be saying anything he shouldn’t,” Luke cautioned, although his tone was teasing.
“No, he said just the right thing,” Ginny said, opening the box of candy and handing it to Luke. His voracious sweet tooth was legendary in their family and she knew the chocolate would distract him. There was no way she wanted him reading the note Blake sent. It was far too… intimate.
Returning the box to her, he kissed her cheek and winked as he popped the candy in his mouth, leaving her alone in the room.
Adjusting the pins in her hair, Ginny studied herself critically and hoped Blake would like the way she looked. Abby assured her he had no idea about the wedding dress, just that she let him know she had a suitable gown for Ginny to wear.
“Are you ready, darling?” Dora asked, stepping into the room, beaming proudly at her daughter.
“I am, Mother. I’m ready,” Ginny said, pulling a long cloak from the closet. Tucking her veil and the bouquet into a large basket, she wanted to keep them hidden from view until it was time for the wedding ceremony.
“We better go, then. You need to be at the church to assist preparing the children for the program, don’t you?” Dora asked, studying Ginny’s beautiful dress as they walked toward the kitchen. She was glad the wedding gown didn’t feature a train. It would be impossible to keep it from dragging in the snow.
Ginny gasped and looked at her mother. “I completely forgot about the children! Mother, I’m such a ninny!”
“You’re not a ninny,” Dora assured her, patting her back reassuringly. “You’re a girl in love about to be married. Of course you’re thinking about other things this evening.”
“I have a little surprise for the children in my room.” Ginny turned to go back down the hallway.
“Where is it, dear? I’ll get it for you,” Dora said, following Ginny’s direction to retrieve a basket near the door.
“Shall we go?” Greg asked as Dora and Ginny entered the kitchen.
“Yes, let’s hurry.” Ginny wanted to run to the church to see if the children were there. Now that she remembered the program, she was excited to see the youngsters perform their parts.
Filly breezed in the room while they were all putting on coats and scarves, looking refreshed and ready for a fun evening.
“I’m so excited, I can hardly stand it,” Filly said, as Luke held her coat and she slid her arms in the sleeves.
“Maybe you can take out some of that enthusiasm on me later,” Luke said in a voice so low, only Filly could hear. She shook her head at him, but the twinkle in her eyes told him she approved of his suggestion.
Dora and Greg led the way out the door and, as a group, they sang We Three Kings on their way to the church. Others walking down the boardwalk joined their voices and they marched up the steps to the door singing the chorus.
“Well, isn’t this a pleasant way to be greeted,” Chauncy said, standing at the door. He took a moment to offer his congratulations to Ginny and let her know everything would go smoothly.
“I hope so,” she said, patting Chauncy’s arm then hurrying off to help Abby and Filly get the children into their costumes.
Little Anna Jenkins ran up to her with a note and tugged on the cloak she refused to remove, keeping her wedding dress hidden beneath the voluminous dark folds.
“Hello, sweetheart,” Ginny said, bending over to hug the child. “What do you have there?”
“Mr. Stratton asked me to give this to you,” Anna said, handing Ginny an envelope.
Smiling, she opened it and removed the message.
G - Isn’t it bad luck to see the bride before the wedding? I shall sit on the other side of the church and try not to ogle you too intently. I thought about wearing blinders, but that might arouse some suspicion. Until later, when I can thoroughly enjoy seeing all of you… B
Ginny put a hand to her mouth to stifle her laugh, but not before Filly saw the merriment on her face.
“What did he send now?” Filly asked, having learned about the note and candy Blake sent to the house from Luke.
“Here, you can read it.” Ginny handed Filly the note.
Her sister-in-law grinned and passed the paper back to her. “He’s making this quite fun, isn’t he?”
“Yes, he is,” Ginny said, looking around the church, hoping to see Blake, but he was obviously keeping out of sight.
An angel with a crooked halo caught Ginny’s attention and she didn’t have the opportunity to spend any more time speculating about Blake before the church began to fill for the service.
“Ginny, dear, you must be roasting with that cloak on. Why don’t you take it off?” asked Aleta Bruner as she stepped beside her.
“I’m fine, Aleta, but thank you. I appreciate your concern,” Ginny said, smiling at the kind woman. “You all are still joining us tomorrow at Granger House for dinner, aren’t you?”
“Oh, yes,” Aleta said, with a wide smile. “Filly has made it a tradition and one we wouldn’t miss. Percy gets so excited about both the food and the company.”
“I’m glad,” Ginny said, grinning as thoughts of the little boy came to mind. He’d been on his best behavior since Blake spoke with him. Right now, she watched him help Anna adjust the wings of her angel costume. The little girl stared at him with open admiration on her face.
“Percy told us Blake spoke to him about protecting the women folk and he’s been taking his duty to heart,” Aleta said, looking proudly at her son. “We appreciate Blake saying something to him. I understand he was tormenting that poor little Jenkins girl to tears.”
“I think she likes him is why he could make her cry so easily,” Ginny whispered, watching as the children all took their places. Although she couldn’t see him, she knew Blake was on the other side of one of the scenes, helping some of the boys with their costumes.
“Well, I’m grateful the two of you took on directing the program. These rambunctious youngsters can be a handful,” Aleta said, noticing her husband motioning for her to take her seat. “We’ll talk more later, Ginny. Good luck with the program.”
Ginny nodded her head as Aleta left to sit by George. Peeking around the curtain they erected behind Chauncy’s lectern, she saw Nigel come in and take a seat in a back row. She’d hoped he’d avoid the service. Maybe he was feeling the need for a little holiday cheer.
Sincerely doubting it, she shook her head and turned her attention back to the children.
“Is everyone ready?” Chauncy asked, looking behind the curtain.
“As ready as we’ll ever be,” Ginny said, nodding to the pastor.
Chauncy promised to keep his sermon brief so the children wouldn’t get too antsy before the program. Ginny quieted her group of little actors and sat with them out of sight of the congregation. Even if they couldn’t see the pastor on the other side of the curtain, they could hear his words.
“Good evening and Merry Christmas!” Chauncy said in a strong, friendly voice that immediately silenced the friendly chatter in the church.
“Thank you all for gathering here on this blessed Christmas Eve,” Chauncy said, then launched into his sermon. “I’m not here tonight to talk on any of my usual topics. Tonight, I want to talk about a special couple. A couple devoted to one another, but more importantly, devoted to serving God.”
Absolute quiet d
escended over the church as Chauncy continued. “There once was a humble carpenter, betrothed to a young girl. They weren’t of noble birth, weren’t wealthy, weren’t notable for any reason, other than they were faithful and obedient to God.”
He went on to talk about Joseph and Mary, about their journey not just to Bethlehem, but the journey they made toward accepting each other, accepting God’s will for them.
“I encourage you, dear friends, in this season, to consider God’s will for each of you. By accepting His will and following obediently, you can accept the beautiful gifts he has planned for you. Rejoice and recognize the precious gift of this most wondrous season,” Chauncy said, leading the congregation in a popular Christmas carol before signaling for Luke and Greg to pull back the curtain and reveal the first set of the children’s program.
The children gave their best to their parts. No animals escaped during the manger scene, no one erupted in tears, and the parents all clapped and cheered at the end of the program.
Little Erin, who was too big to play Baby Jesus like she had the past two years, sat on her mother’s lap in the front row, waving her little hands wildly, wanting to get down and pet the sheep that had been allowed in the church for the program. A few of the older boys hurried to take the animals outside when the program was through while some of the men quickly took down the curtain and cleared away the props from the play, setting them in the storage room.
“Before you enjoy the refreshments the wonderful ladies have provided, I’d like to invite you all to stay in your seats for a wedding,” Chauncy said. Murmurs rushed through the church and he held up his hands to silence everyone. “There will be another humble carpenter and a sweet girl merging their life’s path so they might journey forward together. If you’ll all stay in your seats, we’ll begin the ceremony momentarily.”
Craning their necks and looking around the church, most everyone assumed the humble carpenter had to be Blake since he was the only carpenter in town. Knowing he fancied Ginny, it was a good assumption that she would be his bride.
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