Ella Grace looked up from her writing. “What do I tell them about corresponding? If we write back and forth, they may ask personal questions we can’t answer. Maybe this wasn’t such a good idea.”
Katie stared out the window for a few moments. “Just tell him to come to Silverpines. Once they’re here Miss Edie and Miss Ethel will be happy, I’m sure.”
“Or we’ll be the first people Miss Ethel actually shoots,” Ella Grace responded but added what Katie suggested to the letter. “Now what? We need somewhere for these men to respond.”
Clara offered, “Why don’t you have them both respond to the ladies at the hotel. Michael can get the letters with all the other mail and Widow Wallace wouldn’t dare question him, would she?”
“I don’t know, but we’ll do that. I’ll tell Michael at dinner tonight that he should watch out for letters. If luck is on our side, neither Miss Ethel or Miss Edie will know about this until the men are on their way.”
Ella Grace addressed the envelope and handed the pen to Katie. “You’re turn.”
“All right, but I have to answer the way Miss Edie thinks. Your reply was easy and straightforward.” Katie picked up the pen and began.
Dear Chet,
Thank you for your kind letter in response to my advertisement. My name is Edith, but my friends call me Edie.
Owning a bookstore must be exciting. I love to read. We don’t have a bookstore here in town, and I think if you open one it will be successful. We have a few empty storefronts that might be ideal for a new store.
You asked about me. I settled here in Oregon twenty-two years ago and run an orphanage for girls with my twin sister, Ethel. I have brown hair that is beginning to show my age, but I am only forty-five. My favorite color is blue, and I love gardening. Roses are my favorite.
I was happy to read that you are also a God-fearing person and attend services weekly as I do. Now that my oldest ward is planning to care for the younger girls at Howard House, I find I would like to settle down with the right person.
If you think we might suit, please come and visit. Silverpines is a lovely place to live even after the disasters that struck our town in April. You may write me at the Silverpines Inn here in town.
Sincerely,
Edie Howard
As Katie sealed the envelope, she also felt as if she sealed their fate. “You know, if this doesn’t work out the way we hope, we may all have to leave town.” She dropped her head into her hands and blew out a breath.
“It’ll work, it has to. After all, this wasn’t our idea. Both Miss Edie and Miss Ethel asked us to help find a husband for the other. How can they get upset with us?” Ella Grace asked.
Katie lifted her head and raised one eyebrow. “How? You can ask me that after living your entire life with them? They are wonderful, sweet, and caring, but they still demand respect and obedience. We may be too old to be shipped off to the convent, but we could be arrested.”
“For what?”
“I don’t know. I think all of this is just making me nervous. I wonder if Benjamin feels as strongly as I do and if he does, when will he propose. I have three letters to send to men that think I want a husband and now, we’re answering letters as someone else. Isn’t there a law in there somewhere that we’re breaking?” Katie worried aloud.
Clara announced, “That’s enough worry. I made an apple pie. What’s done is done, and the ladies asked for your help. As for your ad, you didn’t make any promises and Benjamin will ask to marry you soon. I can tell by the way he looks at you that he loves you. Who wants a slice of pie?”
As the three friends ate their pie and enjoyed a cup of tea, conversations turned to more relaxing topics. Gardening, canning vegetables, making baby clothes, and motherhood were discussed, and plans made.
Katie felt it was time for her to return home and speak to Miss Ethel about Michael’s observations about her dresses and hairstyle. Hugging Ella Grace, she promised to tell Miss Edie to stop by for a visit and Ella Grace could have the same discussion with her. If everything worked out, they would all be happily married soon. If it didn’t, Katie wasn’t sure what she’d do. With a prayer on her lips, she hurried home to do her part.
Chapter Fourteen
Michael and Ella Grace stepped out of their front door in time to see the ladies and girls of Howard House pass by on their way to Sunday services. The girls waved, and Ella Grace waved back and then said to Michael. “Look, I think the talks Katie and I had with Miss Ethel and Miss Edie worked.”
Michael watched his wife’s former guardians walk past dressed a bit differently. While still wearing her hair in a severe bun and sensible hat, Miss Ethel wore a deep blue dress that flattered her much better than her usual black and grays. Miss Edie’s hair caught his eye. It was still up in a bun, but a looser bun or was it some new twisted look? Michael was confused by the hairstyle, but he thought it made her look younger. Dressed in burgundy with a small hat to match was an improvement even if the hat sported a huge pink flower. He turned to Ella Grace and winked. “Maybe this will turn out well after all.”
Ella Grace linked her arm with Michael’s and followed the small group to church. Katie, the last in the line of girls and carrying baby Josie, slowed to allow Ella Grace to catch up with her.
“Did you see Miss Edie? Even Miss Ethel complimented her on her hair. Maybe next week Miss Ethel will do the same,” Katie said.
“I hope so. How long do you suppose it will take for the Worthington brothers to get those letters and decide whether or not to come to Silverpines?”
“I don’t know. Mail moves fast now, but I think they might take some time to think about it. I hope my three letters reach the men who answered my ad and none of them are angry. Receiving a hurtful response worries me, but I need to think about today. Benjamin and I are going on another picnic.”
Ella Grace smiled, “I wish he’d propose to you soon.”
“I do, too,” Katie whispered. “I’m in love with him.”
The smile that spread across Ella Grace’s face was all Katie needed to know. Her sister was as happy as she was. Now, if Benjamin would just propose.
~ * ~
Benjamin hurried along to church hoping he wouldn’t be late. He slipped into the pew beside Michael and Ella Grace just in time, but his eyes were trained on the beautiful blonde woman in the pew in front of him. He did his best to listen to Pastor James, but just like each Sunday before, his mind wandered to Katie. His heart hammered just thinking of being close to her, and he chided himself for having such thoughts in church. He closed his eyes and tried to listen to the sermon and sing the hymns, but he still pictured Katie in his mind. As soon as Pastor James gave the final blessing and wished his congregation a good day, Benjamin was on his feet moving toward Katie.
“Good morning, Katie. May I walk you home before our picnic? I’ll carry the baby,” Benjamin offered.
“Are you sure you know what you’re doing?” Katie asked with a teasing glint in her eyes.
“I told you my sister has three children. They love their uncle, and I’ve toted them around since they were as small as this little girl,” he answered and took Josie from her arms.
Ivy and Rosie skipped up and took over any conversation Katie and Benjamin might have had on the walk back to Howard House. When they arrived, Benjamin handed baby Josie to Julia and followed Katie into the kitchen.
“The younger girls made meat pies yesterday. We like to have something we can eat as soon as we get home from services on Sunday. They may look a bit odd, but they are delicious,” Katie explained as Benjamin watched her place several small, misshapen pies onto a plate. She placed a bowl of vegetable salad, a jar of lemonade, and two large slices of apple pie into the basket.
When she closed the lid, Benjamin picked up the basket and said, “After you my dear,” and then followed Katie out the back door, through the garden, around the pet cemetery, and to the pines where they enjoyed their previous picnics.
&n
bsp; Benjamin, apparently hungry, ate with enthusiasm and spoke little. His mind was in a whirl thinking of what to say to the beauty sitting next to him. Katie worried something was amiss and Benjamin’s silence meant he was unhappy sitting with her. After their meal, but before dessert, he asked if they could take a walk.
Benjamin helped her to her feet and held her hand as they walked around the pines to the small stream where they shared their first kiss. Benjamin stopped walking and turned to Katie.
“You know I decided to move to Silverpines when Michael explained what had happened to the town and that my skill as a carpenter would be appreciated,” Benjamin began.
Katie only nodded.
“I thought I could make a start with my own business, something I couldn’t do back home with both my father and brother working as carpenters in the family business. I never thought my plans would change so quickly and dramatically.”
Katie’s heart sunk. He changed his mind. Was he leaving Silverpines for a town with more opportunity? When he did, he would take her heart with him. Katie did her best to keep from letting the tears that were forming in her eyes fall.
Benjamin stared off into the distance for a few moments and then looked back at Katie. “I want you to know you played a large part in those change of plans.”
Oh my, it was worse than Katie thought. She had done something wrong, and now he would leave.
“I never expected this to happen so quickly, but it did, Katie. I’m not good at words, but I need to try and tell you.”
“Yes,” Katie whispered afraid speaking any louder would give away her fears.
“Katharine Deidmann you are the most beautiful woman I have ever met. Not only that but you are kind, loving, generous, and stronger than any woman I’ve known. Your dedication to your sisters shows what kind of person you are, one I can’t live without.”
Benjamin dropped to one knee, and Katie’s hands flew to her mouth.
“Please say you’ll marry me, Katie. I can’t imagine life without you. I promise to be the best husband and father to our children if we’re blessed with them,” he continued and held out a gold ring graced with three small sapphires. “This was my mother’s. She said I should give it to the woman I love one day. I love you, Katie. Marry me, please.”
The tears Katie had been holding back finally began to flow as she shook her head up and down. “Yes, oh yes, I’ll marry you. I love you, too, Benjamin.”
Benjamin stood and slipped the ring onto Katie’s finger then lifted her in the air and swung her around until they both felt dizzy. When he stopped, he looked deep into her eyes and lowered his head for a kiss. Not the gentle kiss of a nervous suitor, but the kiss of a man in love promising a life of more kisses and love shared.
Katie returned his kiss and wrapped her arms around his neck. They broke their kiss only when they heard giggling.
Benjamin whispered, “I didn’t think your guardians would send the spies so soon.”
Katie laughed. “They may have come on their own. I know how to send them off running and give us a few more quiet moments.”
Katie turned to Ivy and Rosie. “Benjamin just asked me to marry him, and I said yes. Run along and share the news with everyone else.”
As the twins screeched and ran back toward the house, Benjamin said, “that was brilliant” as he pulled Katie closer and kissed her again and again.
Finally pulling apart, they headed back to their picnic blanket for some pie and serious talk about the future.
“We need somewhere to live, I need to be near the girls, and you can’t live in the main house,” Katie said wondering if she should marry. Perhaps remaining unmarried the way Miss Ethel and Miss Edie had was the best idea, but her heart couldn’t let go of Benjamin. There had to be an answer.
Benjamin lay back on the blanket with his hands behind his head. “I have been thinking about this. Your guardians own a good deal of property surrounding the house. If I added an extension onto the house where we could have our own private entrance, parlor, bedroom, and maybe an additional bedroom for the first of our babies, you would still be close. I could make sure a doorway leading from the extension to the main house is easily accessible so you could get to the girls at night, and they can get to you. We could leave that doorway open or add a bell or anything you think would make you still feel close to the girls. If you feed me meals every day, we won’t have to add a kitchen.”
Katie looked at him wide-eyed, “You would do that?”
“Of course, it would be easy, I’m a carpenter.”
“That’s not what I meant. You’d live in a place attached to Howard House?” Katie asked knowing this was the answer to her worries.
Benjamin sat up and nodded. “I knew when I met you that you would steal my heart and that you were a package complete with a passel of sisters. I would never expect you to live anywhere else than Howard House and I know having a man running around at all hours wasn’t the answer.”
Katie jumped to her feet. “Let’s share the news with the others.”
Life was turning out exactly the way Katie hoped and wished.
Chapter Fifteen
In a small Ohio town.
Eli Warren sat at the kitchen table in his parent’s farmhouse in the middle of Ohio. He tore open the envelope he hoped contained a response to the letter he had written to the young woman needing a husband and someone with his skills as a carpenter. He was tired of farming and listening to his father tell him what to do. Eli was convinced the time he spent in town helping the local coffin and furniture maker was better spent than planting crops. He would move and become the success he knew he could be without his father’s insistence that he stay on the farm.
Eli had answered the young woman’s ad and poured his heart out telling her of his wish to move and start a carpentry business. It was the answer to his plans and his ticket out of the farming community he hated more each day. When he read the words on the paper, his hands clenched in anger crushing the missive. He straightened out the paper and read it once again. He crushed it back into a ball and threw it across the room. Grabbing the envelope from the table, he noticed a name on the back. K. Deidmann, Silverpines, Oregon. She had signed her letter, Sincerely, Katie so he knew the K stood for Katie.
Eli stood so abruptly that he knocked the chair he was using over with a loud crash. “Well, Miss Katie Deidmann, you may have sent your sincerest apologies for wasting my time and changed your mind about sending for a husband, but you did write the ad, and I believed you. I wrote to you and accepted your conditions. You may not believe it, my dear, but you will marry me, and I will be the new town carpenter as soon as I arrive in Silverpines.” He spun and left the room.
Hearing the loud crash and her brother’s angry voice, Eli’s sister rushed into the kitchen to find it empty. When she saw the crumpled letter on the floor and read it, she drew in a deep breath. She feared her brother’s anger, and it seemed now it was aimed at the writer of the letter she held in her hand. Knowing her brother’s wrath would fall on her if he found her with the letter, she crushed it once again and set it back on the floor where she found it. She retreated to the back porch before her brother saw her in the kitchen and said a silent prayer for the young woman who was the center of her brother’s ire.
~ * ~
The following week was busy for Benjamin, Katie, and her sisters. All the residents of Howard House were excited about Katie’s upcoming wedding and the new addition to the house. Miss Ethel and Miss Edie thought it was an excellent idea for the young couple to have private living quarters that connected to the main house and readily gave their approval for the small wing. Benjamin ordered lumber from the mill, sent off orders for window glass, and told Katie to order furniture. The wing wouldn’t take long to build, and he wanted to marry her as soon as possible. Katie agreed whole-heartedly. Two young people were never more in love than Katie and Benjamin.
Benjamin sent his father a telegram informing him of his upco
ming wedding and plans. His father replied that his mother was packing household items she wanted to give to his new bride, and they would attend the wedding. Michael’s mother would accompany them.
Two men with building experience arrived from Astoria to help Benjamin construct the addition to the house. After the work at the house, they would help him turn the barn on the land he purchased into a workshop. Since Benjamin worked on the house each day, he ate supper with his soon to be wife and sisters every night. Katie and Benjamin spent some time each evening discussing their future.
The week flew by, and the house was coming along nicely when Sunday arrived, and all concerned looked forward to a day of rest. Benjamin anticipated church where he would sit with Katie and let everyone know she was his as if the news hadn’t spread around town within hours of their betrothal.
They accepted congratulations from everyone they met after services and the ladies in town pulled Katie off to one side to get the details of the proposal. Benjamin was finally able to take Katie away from the excited group of ladies. This was their chance for some alone time and another picnic as long as the weather was still somewhat warm and it wasn’t raining.
They settled on a blanket near the pines that blocked some of the day’s breeze. Wearing coats kept them warm enough to enjoy their picnic and time together. Benjamin noticed that no one watched from the back porch of Howard House. After proposing, Katie’s guardian must trust him.
Katie marveled at the new addition under construction. “I’m surprised how much work the three of you did this week. I thought it took months to build a house.”
“That depends on the house and how many men work on it. The men I found in Astoria are hard workers and understand construction. The shell of the house will be finished rather quickly, and then we’ll start on the inside which will take longer. I plan to have it finished in time for our wedding next month. The plumbing might take a bit longer depending on how long it takes for the bathtub to arrive,” Benjamin explained.
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