His Most Suitable Bride

by Renee Ryan

  Fanny laughed delightedly. “That’s terrific, Callie.”

  “It doesn’t bother you that I’m in love with the man you once planned to marry?”

  “Not in the least. What Reese and I shared would not have sustained a marriage in the long run. You two are far better suited. I wish you nothing but happiness together.”

  Callie had needed to hear those words from her sister, she realized. Yet her heart remained locked in despair. “Reese and I will never be truly happy if he continues to hold a portion of himself back from me. It’s not that I want him to forget his first wife. I just want him to—”

  “His first wife?” Fanny hopped off the bed and spun around to gape at her in open-mouthed shock. “What are you talking about? Reese has never been married.”

  Mind reeling, Callie sat up and swung her feet to the ground. “You don’t know about Miranda?”

  “Who’s Miranda?”

  “The woman Reese married when he was eighteen. She died a month later in a tragic riding accident. He never told you about her?”

  Fanny’s eyebrows drew together. “In the entire time we were engaged, not once did he mention that he’d been married before.”

  “And yet he told me the whole story.” Callie processed this new twist in her relationship with Reese, felt a spark of hope ignite.

  “You do realize what this means?” Fanny sat down on the bed beside her. “Reese loves you, Callie. Why else would he trust you with the secret of his past?”

  The secret of his past. Yes, Reese had shared much with Callie, including the pain and grief he’d experienced after Miranda’s death.

  He claimed he’d loved once and once was enough. Yet, he continued to love deeply. He loved his father. He loved the children at Charity House.

  He loved Callie.

  He’d tried to tell her as much with his bride list. His feelings for her were written in that bold, looping script of his, the truth all but glaring at her from every item. He’d done so much more than speak three simple words. He’d spelled out his love thirty-seven unique, individual times.

  She must find him and tell him she understood. She would tell him she loved him and convince him that she didn’t need him to say the words back. She would—

  “What’s that you’re twisting around in your fingers?” Not waiting for an answer, Fanny took Reese’s list and began reading it aloud. “‘My bride must meet the following requirements. Number one, she must—’”

  “Give me that back.” Callie snatched the paper out of her sister’s hands. “It’s for my eyes only.”

  “What is it? Something Reese gave you, I can tell. I recognize his handwriting.”

  Callie’s heart slammed hard against her ribs. Of course Fanny would recognize Reese’s handwriting. There were a lot of things her sister knew about Reese. It would take Callie a while to get used to Fanny knowing him so well.

  Not as well as you. He never shared himself with her as he has with you.

  The peace that flowed through her brought another wave of tears.

  “Thank you, Fanny.” Callie pulled her sister into her arms and gave her a tight, heartfelt hug. “Thank you so very much.”

  “You’re so very welcome. But, Callie, what are you thanking me for?”

  “For breaking your engagement with Reese.”

  “Ah, that.” Fanny stepped back and grinned. “You’re most welcome, dear sister, most welcome indeed.”

  They shared a laugh.

  “Oh, Fanny.” Callie’s heart swelled with sisterly love. “I pray you find happiness one day with the man of your dreams.”

  “I pray that, as well. I even think I know the man already.” A turbulent expression fell over her face. “But I may have already ruined my chances with him.”

  For the first time since her sister’s return, Callie realized Fanny had changed. Not outwardly. She was still as beautiful as ever, perhaps even more so. But there was a sadness in eyes, one that denoted heartache. Callie recognized the look. She’d worn it herself for years. “Has someone hurt you, Fanny? A man, perhaps?”

  “Yes and no.”

  “That’s an interesting answer that tells me absolutely nothing.”

  “It’s complicated, Callie. Suffice it to say I misunderstood someone’s intentions and now I must either move on with my life or wallow in self-pity.”

  Callie gripped her hands. “If you need to talk...”

  “I know I can come to you.” She firmed her chin. “Yes, yes, but enough about me. What about you. What are you going to do about Reese?”

  “I’m going to take the biggest leap of faith in my life. And leave the rest up to the Lord.”

  “Now that’s the fighting Mitchell spirit. But before you approach Reese, I highly recommend you consider changing that dress.” Fanny’s gaze narrowed over her. “You may also wish to splash cool water on your face.”

  “Is that your tactful way of telling me my gown is wrinkled and my eyes are puffy?”

  Fanny pursed her lips. “You’ll also want to rethink your hair.”

  * * *

  The first thing Reese did the next morning was return to Mrs. Singletary’s, back to the place where he began his search for a suitable bride.

  Callie had been with him every step of the way. It seemed fitting she was where his journey ended. He would not leave the widow’s mansion until he secured Callie’s hand in marriage.

  A bleary-eyed Winston let him in. “Good morning, Mr. Bennett.”

  “A fine good morning to you, Winston.”

  The butler blinked, his brows pulling together in obvious confusion. “I wasn’t aware you had an appointment with Mrs. Singletary this morning.”

  “I’ve come for Miss Mitchell.”

  The confusion dug deeper across the man’s forehead. “That presents a problem, sir. Miss Mitchell left the house nearly thirty minutes ago.”

  Reese’s heart took a plunge. Of all the scenarios he’d taken into account, he hadn’t expected Callie to be out when he returned this morning.

  He forced down the thread of panic weaving through him and made himself speak slowly. “Do you know where she went?”

  The butler’s gaze shifted around the entryway, then fell back on Reese. “I believe Miss Mitchell mentioned she was heading to your house, sir.”

  Callie had gone in search of him? Joy wound through his apprehension, the sensation so profound Reese nearly lost his footing. “Thank you, Winston.”

  A renewed urgency in his steps, he exited the house, his sole intent to find Callie as quickly as possible.

  Halfway home, he caught sight of her across the street. His heart slammed against his chest, as it always did whenever she was near.

  She hadn’t seen him yet. That didn’t stop Reese from cataloguing her every feature. The tall, lithe frame. The exquisite face and sea-green eyes. The pale blond hair pinned beneath a jaunty, feathered hat, her loose curls hanging down her back in pretty waves.

  Callie. His Callie.

  For too many years, she’d stood on the edges of life, content to observe rather than participate. She’d hid her true self behind drab clothes and severe hair. Never again. He would make sure she had no reason to camouflage her true nature. She was a beautiful, kind-hearted woman meant to live each moment to the fullest. With him by her side.

  Pulse roaring in his ears, he crossed the street. “Callie.”

  Her gaze connected with his and her feet ground to a stop. For a moment, neither of them spoke. Neither of them moved.

  Reese swallowed.

  The pretty speech he had planned vanished from him mind. Everything he’d been, everything he was, everything he desperately wanted to become, pinpointed to this one moment. To this declaration of his heart. “I love you.”

&nb
sp; “Oh, Reese.” She leaped into his arms. It was more a collision than an embrace and defined their relationship perfectly. No half measures for them.

  He held her tightly to him and simply breathed her in for several long moments.

  “I love you, too,” she whispered in his ear. “So very much.”

  They kissed, right there, in the middle of the neighborhood, for entirely too long to be considered proper.

  Reese loved every scandalous, reckless second.

  When he pulled back and looked into her eyes, he saw his whole future staring back at him. With their combined love and commitment to one another, they would raise their children in a happy, somewhat messy, boisterous home.

  He had much to say to her, but first...

  He pulled her close again and whispered the contents of his heart another time. “I love you.”

  “I don’t think I’ll ever get tired of hearing that.” She sighed into his neck. “I came looking for you this morning, but you weren’t home. I was on my way to your office.”

  He set her at arm’s length. “Winston kindly told me where to find you.”

  “You went to Mrs. Singletary’s in search of me?”

  “I came to give you the words you deserve to hear.” He took her hands, placed them next to his heart. “I love you, Callie Mitchell.”

  “That’s the third time you’ve said that.”

  “I plan to tell you every day for the rest of my life, three, four, five times a day, even more on special occasions.”

  She laughed. “What a pair we make. I went to your house to tell you I already know how you feel about me. You don’t have to say the words, Reese.”

  “Callie, my love, I want to say them. I need to say them.” He drew her hands away from his heart and kissed each set of knuckles. “After Miranda died I foolishly vowed never to love again, at least not with the careless abandon that had led to my unspeakable grief. I was wrong to close myself off from the possibility of loving again.”

  “It was an understandable response to your loss. I don’t want to replace Miranda in your heart.” She smoothed her fingertips over his face, flattened her palm against his chest. “I believe there’s room in there for both of us.”

  This woman understood him in a way no one ever had before. “Miranda was the love of my youth, but you, Callie.” He dropped his head and placed a kiss on her palm. “You are the love of my life.”

  “Oh, Reese.”

  “Callie Anne Mitchell.” He bent to one knee. “Will you marry me?”

  “Yes. Oh, yes, Reese.” Tears filled her eyes, spilled down her cheeks. “Of course I’ll marry you.”

  “Don’t cry, Callie.” He rose, wiped at her tears with the pad of his thumb. “You’re supposed to be happy.”

  “I am. I’m ecstatic.” She turned her head slightly away. “But I’ve never been a pretty crier. I must look a mess.”

  He cupped her face in his hands. “You’ve never looked more beautiful in my eyes.”

  “Oh, Reese, stop. Stop being so wonderful. You’re going to make me cry harder.”

  “I love you, Callie.” He pulled her into his arms, rested his chin on her head. “I’ll love you until the day I die.”

  This time, she pulled back. “I’ll love you just as long, Reese, until there’s no more breath in my lungs.”

  His heart stilled, and his mind clouded over with abject terror. No. He would not allow fear to prevent him from reaching for a lifetime of happiness with this woman.

  “Whether you live one day, fifty years, or a hundred and fifty, my life will be richer for having you in it.”

  She lifted on her toes and kissed him on the mouth. “I’ll do my very best not to die on you anytime soon.”

  He knew it was a promise that came straight from her heart, but there were no guarantees in life. “We’ll live each day to the fullest and face every moment, whether good or bad, together.”

  “That sounds like a wedding vow.”

  “All that’s left is the ceremony.” He kissed her forehead. “How do you feel about short engagements?”

  “I think they’re the very best possible kind.”

  He kissed her temple. “We’re in agreement.”

  She laughed.

  He kissed her nose. “One month from today you will become Mrs. Reese Bennett, Jr. and I’ll become the happiest man on earth.”

  “I love you, Reese.”

  He kissed her mouth. “I love you, too, Callie. I will love you for the rest of my life, with all my heart.”

  It was a pledge he would never grow tired of giving.

  Epilogue

  Exactly one month after the day he’d proposed, Reese stood at the front of the church. His father was on his left, Pastor Beau on his right. All three men were really very handsome, but the most attractive in Callie’s eyes was Reese.

  He looked magnificent in his gray morning suit.

  In a matter of minutes he would become her husband.

  Fanny gripped both her shoulders and kissed her on the cheek. “Ready to get married?”

  If asked, Callie would say a month engagement was twenty-nine and a half days too long. “I’m more than ready.”

  “Then you better follow me.” Fanny spun around, winked at Callie over her shoulder then waltzed down the aisle.

  Not a single whisper rose up in her wake, not one comment about the maid of honor having once been engaged to the groom. Reese and Callie had invited only family and close friends to their wedding, as much for Fanny’s sake as theirs.

  The dress Callie wore had been a gift from Mrs. Singletary. The widow had spared no expense on the gown. The yards of cream-colored satin overlaid with imported lace was the finest Callie had ever owned.

  Mrs. Singletary had been with her at every fitting, and had helped her plan every detail in the short time between Reese’s proposal and today’s ceremony. Through it all, she’d gloated over her role in making what she called “the match of the season.”

  Callie would miss the woman dearly. She took great comfort in knowing that Reese was still Mrs. Singletary’s personal attorney and Callie was still a member of the Ladies League for Destitute Widows and Orphans. She would have chance upon chance to socialize with the widow, especially if Reese’s father would take the hint and start pursing her with more enthusiasm.

  Once Fanny took her place at the front of the church, the organist switched her sheet music and began playing the wedding march.

  The guests rose to their feet and swung their gazes in Callie’s direction.

  “That’s our cue.” Her father kissed her on the forehead. “This is where I would normally give you one final chance to change your mind. But there’s no need for such silliness here.”

  Callie laughed softly. “No, sir. No need at all.”

  He offered her his arm. “Shall we?”

  “We shall.”

  Head high, shoulders square, Callie began her march down the aisle on her father’s arm.

  Gabriella and Daniel waved from the pew they shared with the other Charity House children. Of course, she waved back. Their big, happy smiles were proof the children were finally settling into life at the orphanage.

  At the end of the aisle, Callie caught sight of her mother’s eyes filling with tears of joy. She had to look away or risk crying herself.

  Her father kissed her one last time, and then passed her off to her groom.

  Smiling broadly, Reese leaned over and whispered her three favorite words in her ear, low enough that only she could hear.

  Her heart lifted, sighed.

  Pastor Beau cleared his throat. “Shall we begin?”

  As one, they turned to face the altar.

  After they recited the traditional vows, and the rings
were exchanged, Reese took Callie’s hand in his.

  “I love you,” he said simply.

  She made the same pledge from the depths of her soul. “I love you.”

  “With the Lord as my guide,” he continued in a gruff voice, “I’ll stand by your side, Callie. I’ll stick with you through the joys and sorrows of life, through every first and every last, through births and deaths and everything in between.”

  “And I’ll stand by your side, Reese, I’ll never waver, never question your devotion. I will be your helpmate and honor you always.”

  Pastor Beau concluded the ceremony with a few words. “Reese and Callie, may your love always be sincere, full of kindness, grace and mercy. Make it your mission to esteem one another above yourselves. Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction and faithful in prayer. Live in harmony with one another and your neighbors.” He paused, smiled, then finished with, “I now pronounce you man and wife.”

  A loud cheer rose up from the Charity House pew. Not to be outdone, Callie’s brothers added their own hoots and hollers of approval.

  “On that joyful sound.” The preacher gave a hearty laugh. “You may kiss your bride.”

  “Gladly.” Reese pulled her into his arms and gave her a long, drawn-out, soul-searing kiss.

  When he eventually stepped back, Callie smiled up at her husband. “We’re going to have a lovely life together.”

  “While we’re at it—” he pulled her back into his arms “—let’s have a little fun, too.”

  She eagerly agreed. “That’s a splendid idea.”

  With their family and friends shouting to kiss her again, Reese touched his mouth to hers.

  It was a perfect start to their marriage. A moment Callie would cherish all the rest of her days.

  * * * * *

  Keep reading for an excerpt from COWBOY TO THE RESCUE by Louise Gouge.

  Dear Reader,

  Thank you for purchasing Reese and Callie’s story. I hope you enjoyed reading about their journey to love and happiness as much as I enjoyed writing it.

  His Most Suitable Bride is Book 8 in my Charity House series, with more still to come. I never expected to have so many stories to tell, or that I would be able to create so many characters, or have the opportunity to explore so many wonderful themes. As I look back over all eight books I realize several themes have become staples in the various storylines: the joy that can be found in nontraditional families, the difficulty of overcoming past mistakes and letting go of the resulting shame. The dangers of false pride, false humility and, of course, inaccurate first impressions.