Rachel’s heart leapt. “Oh, Tommy, have you finally started on your cabin?”
He laughed long and loud. “Started? It’s finished, Rachel. It took longer than I wanted because of the church, but now it’s done. We could ask Mrs. Wilson to go with us.”
“Yes, of course I want to see it.”
As they entered the large hotel lobby, Rachel looked at the luxurious furnishings. The hardwood floor had been polished until it shone. Hand crocheted rugs were scattered about in front of easy chairs and a long counter stood near one wall.
Mrs. Wilson left her oldest son in charge of the hotel while she walked with them out of town.
Tommy grabbed Rachel’s hand. “It’s no more than a good stretch of the legs between town and our place. I had it built near the edge of the claim just as you suggested. We aren’t in town, but we’re very close.”
“There it is.” Mrs. Wilson pointed ahead to the new log cabin.
As they went in, Rachel’s eyes adjusted to the interior, and she saw two rooms. The large room they stood in contained a small table with two chairs pushed up to it. To one side a wooden rocking chair sat and across from it a horse-hair couch. Along the back wall stood a black iron cook stove. A work table had been built against the wall beside it.
Rachel looked at Tommy. “Where did you get all this furniture?”
He shrugged. “Here and there. I bought some with Mama’s organ money. Most of it has been given to me because it needed repaired. I’m becoming an expert furniture repairman.”
“A worthy business we might consider for our town.” Mrs. Wilson stood just inside the door.
Tommy shook his head. “No, I think I’ll stick to preaching first and farming on the side. That’s enough to keep me busy.”
He took Rachel’s hand and guided her to the open door in the end of the room. “This leads into my bedroom.”
She peered around the doorframe at the large homemade bed as her pulse quickened. “Did you repair that, too?”
Tommy laughed. “In a way. It came from Missouri in a different form. It was the wagon bed until I worked it over. I used the two mattress ticks and sewed them together into one.”
“You’re a handy man.” Rachel looked up at Tommy in admiration. As she did so, she saw a ladder just outside the door against the wall. She walked to it and looked up in confusion. “I didn’t know you were building a loft.”
“It was recommended.” The intense expression in Tommy’s eyes caused her to look away, her cheeks burning.
Mrs. Wilson chuckled. “What your intended is not saying is that the men who helped him build wouldn’t stop until a loft was finished.” She smiled at Rachel. “We hope you two stay with us a long time and will need it. Now if you’re finished here, I think I’d better get back to the hotel.”
Tommy nodded and took Rachel’s arm. “Thank you, Mrs. Wilson, for coming with us.”
Rachel blinked as they stepped into bright sunshine. “Your cabin is nice, Tommy.”
“Is it nice enough for you?” Tommy’s voice grew husky as he leaned against the rough wood siding and folded his arms across his chest.
Rachel nodded. “Yes, I think it’s wonderful.”
Tommy looked at the ground before lifting his gaze to hers. “This has been the longest nine months I’ve ever lived. Will you marry me? There isn’t any reason why we have to wait any longer, is there?”
Tears sprang to Rachel’s eyes as she nodded. “Yes. Of course I will. As soon as Katie has her baby.”
“Katie? What does she have to do with us getting married?”
“She’s going to stand up with me. Besides, she’s your sister. She has to be here.”
“If we ever get married, I’ll be surprised.” Tommy muttered and Rachel laughed.
Chapter 24
Rachel’s excitement grew as they neared the small cabin set back in a grove of trees. “I can’t believe Katie is actually a mother.”
Tommy laughed. “I don’t know why not. She’s been acting like one for almost a year.”
“I know, but this is different.” She looked at Tommy. “I’m also finding it hard to believe Davy is a year old. She’s going to be busy with those two babies.”
“I suppose. I’m glad my niece finally decided to make an appearance.”
“Oh, really? Getting anxious to see her, were you?” Rachel teased.
Tommy’s look warmed her all over. “I thought she’d never get here. How long before Katie’s up and around?”
Rachel smiled. “I don’t know. Maybe a few weeks?”
“A few weeks!”
Rachel laughed at Tommy’s groan. He stopped the buggy in the yard and helped Rachel down. The door stood open so Tommy knocked on the doorframe and called, “Anybody home?”
“Sure, come on in.” Jason stood at the cook stove with Davy toddling around him getting in the way. “I’m just trying to get some lunch fixed here. Make yourselves at home. Katie’s in there.”
Rachel scooped Davy up and said, “Come on, let’s go see Mama—or Katie.”
Jason turned from the stove. “Mommy. We gave up on Katie a long time ago. While we lived in town he heard all the other kids saying Ma or Mommy and it stuck. I’m Papa.”
“I guess it won’t be hard to get used to with your own.” Tommy grinned at Jason.
“No, but I’ll tell you what.” Jason looked affectionately at Davy who was trying to put Rachel’s dress collar in his mouth. “That little guy seems like my own. Sometimes I forget exactly who he is.”
Rachel left the men to prepare lunch as she went into the small side bedroom. Katie sat in a rocking chair with her baby. “I wondered if you’d ever make it in here. This little girl just finished eating and she wants to meet her Aunt Rachel.”
“I want to meet her, too.” Rachel sat Davy on the bed and took the blanket-clad bundle from Katie. As she cradled the baby, she pulled the thin blanket back to reveal a tiny pink face capped by blond hair. “A little girl who looks a lot like her daddy.”
“Do you think so?” Katie looked pleased.
“Yes, I do, but she’s got her mother’s beauty.”
“Oh, Rachel, you’re a flatterer.”
Rachel looked at Katie. “What’s her name?”
“Mary Letitia Barnett.”
“What a beautiful name.” She looked down at the baby in her arms. “Because you’re a beautiful baby.”
“She’s named after her grandmothers.” Jason stepped into the room with Tommy.
Rachel turned toward them. “I’m sure they both would have been pleased.”
Tommy stood watching Rachel and the baby. “She looks real comfortable with you.”
Rachel flushed, but Katie laughed. “So, when are you two getting married?”
“As soon as you can stand up with Rachel.” Tommy turned to Jason. “I’d be proud if you’d stand up with me.”
“Of course, Jason will.” Katie spoke before her husband could. “Can you get everything ready in a week?”
Tommy grinned. “You’d better believe we can.”
~*~
Rachel snuggled into bed next to Amorita. This would be the last time she’d sleep here as Rachel Morgan. Tomorrow she’d become Mrs. Tommy Donovan and would move into his cabin near Willtown. Fear tried to enter her heart, but she pushed it aside. She’d do as Amorita said and willingly do whatever work God gave her without selfishly thinking of herself while she was doing it. With God’s help, she’d be a good preacher’s wife.
“Are you too excited to sleep?” Amorita’s voice came out of the darkness.
“Yes.”
Amorita sighed. “Would you like to hear my tale of woe?”
“Of course. What’s wrong?”
“Just a minute.” Amorita moved. “Are you asleep, Susanna.”
When there was no answer, she turned back. “I don’t think she needs to hear this.”
“What is it, Amorita?”
“Neil asked me to marry them.”
>
“That’s wonderful!” Rachel didn’t see the problem.
Again Amorita sighed. “Yes, I suppose.”
“Don’t you love him?”
“Yes, very much. But, Rachel, he asked me to marry them. I think he just wants me to be a mother to his children.”
“Oh.” What else could she say?
“I love all three of them.” Amorita whispered in the quiet room. “I’d love to be their mother, but first and most important, I want to be Neil’s wife. I want his love. Is that too much to ask?”
“No, of course not.” Rachel’s heart bled for her friend. “I’m sorry, Amorita. What did you tell him?”
“Nothing. I didn’t answer.”
~*~
The next morning Rachel sat in church while Tommy preached. Afterward, she had no idea what he’d said and wondered if even he knew. Katie and Jason were there, each holding a baby. Noel and Hannah came in late with little Onida dressed in another of her mother’s beautiful creations. The Bartletts, the Wilsons, and the Spencers were all there. It seemed everyone within miles of the church had come.
“Let us stand for prayer.”
Rachel stood and glanced toward the door as she’d already done a dozen times. Where was Pastor Blackstone? He would be performing the marriage ceremony—if he ever showed up. His absence did nothing to soothe Rachel’s frayed nerves.
Katie handed her baby to Jason as soon as Tommy said, “Amen.”
“Rachel, we need to go get you ready.”
Rachel hurried with Katie to the hotel down the street. She entered the room Mrs. Wilson had set aside and swung to face her friend as she pulled the door closed. “Katie, the minister isn’t here. What if he doesn’t come?”
Katie brushed her worries aside with a wave of her hand. She lifted Rachel’s dress from the bed. “He’ll be here. He got a man to fill in for him this morning, but it’s still a long drive out. Don’t worry. Here, put your dress on.”
Ma stepped through the door and closed it behind her. “Be careful of your hair, Rachel.”
Rachel laughed as her head popped through the dress. “I don’t think I’d even notice or care if it was all messed up.”
Ma fastened the tiny buttons in the back. “Mr. Blackstone and his family drove in just after you left. Everyone is standing around visiting, but as soon as you’re ready, I’ll give Amorita the word to begin her music.”
As she slipped the last button into place, Ma turned Rachel around and hugged her. “It’s hard to realize my little girl is a woman now. Remember, I’ll only be two miles away, and I’ll always be ready to help with anything I can.” She wiped her eyes. “You’ll do fine. You’re a beautiful bride, Rachel.”
Rachel returned her mother’s hug and kiss. “Thank you, Ma. I’m ready now.”
As Katie and Rachel walked back to the church, the last guest disappeared inside. Organ music floated from the open window to blend with the buzz of honey bees flying from flower to flower. Colorful butterflies fluttered across the ankle high grass and a gentle breeze rippled the green leaves above their heads. With her worries gone, Rachel saw everything in a haze of beauty as the day buried itself into her scrapbook of memories.
Susanna waited for them at the door with a basket of flowers in her hands. Amorita switched to the special tune for Katie and Susanna to begin their march down the aisle. As Katie took her place, Amorita paused before hitting the first note of Amazing Grace.
Although Amazing Grace was an unusual song for a wedding, Tommy requested it. He said without Rachel he’d have never known the amazing grace of God’s love. Rachel walked up the aisle with her gaze locked with Tommy’s. His smile told of his happiness. He was so handsome. Soon he would be her husband.
Pastor Blackstone cleared his throat. “Do you, Rachel Morgan, take this man to be your lawfully wedded husband?”
Rachel clung to Tommy’s hand as they promised to love and cherish each other as long as they both should live. Tommy took Rachel’s left hand in his and slipped his mother’s wedding ring on her finger. The wide, gold band soon warmed against her skin as did her heart when she looked up at her husband.
They left the church building and broke into the sunshine as husband and wife. Later, Rachel stood in the open doorway with her back to the unmarried girls. “Is everyone ready?”
A chorus of happy voices called out. “Yes, throw it.”
She took a deep breath and holding with both hands, lifted her bouquet of wild flowers. As soon as it left her hands, she swung around to see who had caught it.
A huge smile sat on Amorita’s face as she held the bouquet over her head. She waved the flowers at Neil who stood to the side with his children. “Do you know what this means?”
Silence swept across the crowd as all eyes turned toward Neil. Rachel held her breath and waited. Tommy joined her, slipping his arm around her waist.
“I know what it’d better mean.” Neil’s expression held no amusement. “What does it mean to you?”
“That depends. Ask me again.”
Neil thrust Natasha at the nearest woman and marched across the yard to Amorita. He dropped to one knee and took her hand in his. “Amorita Preston, before all these witnesses, I’m asking you to be my wife. Will you marry me?”
Amorita stood straight and tall before him. “Neil Douglas, why do you want to marry me?”
A puzzled frown crossed his face. “Because I love you, of course. You’ve turned my world upside down, Amorita. How can I live without you now?”
Amorita’s face glowed as she looked down at him. Her voice choked with emotion. “Are you saying you don’t want me just because your children need a mother?”
Neil grinned. “Well, sure they need a mother. If you don’t want the job, I reckon I can keep on being both ma and pa. Say you’ll be my wife, and you won’t ever have to be a ma to my three kids. I want you for me because I love you, Amorita. Please, say you’ll be my wife.”
“Hold on a minute here, Neil.”Amorita’s hands landed on her hips. “I never said I didn’t want to be their ma. I love those three children. You can’t keep me from being their ma.”
“Well, fine then. If that’s what you want, you can be a ma to our kids. All of ’em.” A grin stretched Neil’s lips. “So are you going to marry me?”
Tommy hugged Rachel close and chuckled as Amorita knelt in front of Neil and threw her arms around his neck. “Yes, Neil. The answer is yes, and if they’ll let me, I’ll be the best mother I can be to our children.”
She held her arm out to them. Nancy, Norman, and Natasha ran to her and were enveloped in a group hug by both Neil and Amorita. All five laughed while the watching crowd cheered.
As Neil helped Amorita stand, Pastor Blackstone stepped forward. “There’s no better time than the present while we’re all here.”
Neil looked at Amorita, but she shook her head. “No, Pastor, this is Rachel’s day. I’ve already taken too much from her.” She grinned at Neil. “Next Sunday will be soon enough.” She turned to include everyone. “Can you all come back then?”
Tommy started the applause that swept through the gathering.
Rachel laughed when Amorita blushed.
~*~
That night Rachel lay in the circle of her husband’s arm, under the quilt Hannah had made for them and gave a contented sigh. She’d let far too many doubts plague her when she should’ve known God was in control. Tommy loved her and her alone. She would never doubt his love again.
She fingered the locket Tommy had given her and unfastened it from her neck. Amorita had promised to paint a miniature of her and Tommy for one side. Maybe in a year or two, she’d paint a matching one of their first baby.
When she slipped it under her pillow, Tommy’s arm tightened around her as if, even in sleep, he knew she belonged by his side. And she did. Always.
She whispered the apostle Paul’s words. “‘I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.’ Thank you, Lord.”
“I
love you, Rachel.” Tommy’s whisper didn’t sound sleepy at all.
With a smile she turned for his kiss.
~*~*~*~
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Mildred Colvin is an award-winning author of eighteen romance novels in both historical and contemporary themes, two compilations, and one audio book.
Mildred is a member of American Christian Fiction Writers and is active in two critique groups. To keep up with her writings and activities, visit her at http://infinitecharacters.com.
More books by Mildred Colvin:
Mama’s Bible (Oregon Trail - Book 1)
Learning to Lean
A New Life
Love Returned
Cora’s Deception (Brides of Cedar Creek - Book 1)
Eliza’s Mistake (Brides of Cedar Creek - Book 2)
This Child Is Mine (Kansas City Romance - Book 1)
Connie and the Cowboy (Outlaw Gold - Book 1)
Coming Soon!
The Preacher’s Outlaw Bride (Orphan Train Brides - Book 1)
A pretend wedding gives eight-year-old KodyAnne the assurance that even the Orphan Train cannot separate her from Michael forever. Their love transcends time until her father, a banker, and a sheriff change their lives.
Making Things Right (Kansas City Romance - Book 2)
Lori and Ron can’t seem to agree on the important things in life. After all they’re divorced, and Lori is about to inherit his sister’s estate—and his niece. But not if he can help it!
Three Broken Hearts (Kansas City Romance - Book 3)
A contractor, his 12-year-old daughter, and an interior designer form a triangle in this contemporary romance when the preteen decides her dad should marry her mother’s identical twin sister.
You might also like:
By Regina Tittel
Abandoned Hearts (The Ozark Durham Series - Book 1)
Unexpected Kiss (The Ozark Durham Series - Book 2)
Coveted Bride (The Ozark Durham Series - Book 3)
Home's Promise (Oregon Trail) Page 21