Miss Edie blushed and smiled as Chet leaned forward and placed a sweet kiss on her lips.
When Pastor James introduced them as Mr. and Mrs. Chet Worthington, the church erupted in applause.
Chet held Edie’s hand as they walked out of the church and waited to greet all their well-wishers.
Miss Ethel walked out with Walt wondering if maybe Edie had the right idea after all. Time would tell.
Chapter Twenty-two
One week later
Katie, Benjamin, Ella Grace, and Michael waited on the train platform in the warm morning sunshine. Katie felt anxious hoping that when she met Benjamin’s parents that they would approve of her. Ella Grace was excited to see Michael’s mother again. Michael was looking forward to seeing Benjamin’s parents and his mother again but pleased his cantankerous father decided to remain behind in Gentle Falls. Benjamin was just nervous. He was getting married in three days.
When the train finally came to a screeching halt, Ella Grace was bouncing on her feet. As soon as she saw Lilian Karson step off the train, she rushed to her side and hugged the only woman she’d ever called ‘mother.’
“I’m so pleased you’re here,” Ella Grace said through the tears that flowed down her cheeks.
“I plan to stay until after the baby comes in spring if that’s all right with you and Michael.”
“Mother, you can stay forever,” Ella Grace insisted as she hugged her again.
Benjamin took Katie’s hand, and they walked to an attractive older couple standing on the platform near Ella Grace and Lillian.
“Mother, Father, I would like you to meet Katie Deidmann, my future wife. Katie, these are my parents, Alice and Morton Hunter.”
Katie held out her hand and said, “It’s very nice to meet you, Mister and Missus Hunter.”
“None of that,” announced Alice Hunter drawing Katie into a hug. “You’ll be our daughter in three days. You must call us mother and father.”
Too stunned to speak at the warm greeting after what Ella Grace experienced with her father-in-law, Katie smiled and nodded her head yes.
“Wonderful,” Mister Hunter exclaimed shaking Benjamin’s hand vigorously. “She’s a beautiful girl, Son.”
Michael did his best to move Ella Grace across the platform while she embraced her mother-in-law. “Come on, I want you to meet Benjamin’s parents.”
After introductions and a few more hugs, Michael told the Hunters that they would be his guests at the Inn and he’d have their luggage brought over. He hugged his mother and promised to have her trunks delivered to the house because he knew he’d never pry his wife and mother apart for long not even for lunch at the Inn. Clara would feed them, and he’d make sure the Hunters were well cared for at the Inn restaurant.
Benjamin’s mother stopped him and asked, “Where would you like the crates delivered?”
“Crates?”
“Of course. You don’t expect me to welcome a new daughter without a few gifts and family heirlooms, do you? Your grandmother would never forgive me, God rest her soul,” his mother explained.
“When your things are picked up, I’ll make sure the delivery driver drops the crates at Howard House where we’ll be living. Not exactly in the house, but in the new wing I’m adding to the orphanage. We’ll visit there later after you’ve rested.” Benjamin explained then hurried off to find the station manager and arrange for the delivery leaving Katie alone with his parents.
Mister Hunter looked around and said, “I heard about the tragedies that befell Silverpines. I can tell that much has been repaired and there is still a lot of work to do. If you or anyone needs some help, I am a master carpenter and taught Benjamin all he knows. I would be happy to offer any assistance needed.”
“Thank you, Mister umm Father,” Katie said and smiled. “I’m sure Benjamin knows if anything is needed in town.”
“Of course, he does,” his wife answered. “You men do what you need to do, Katie and I have a wedding to prepare for. I want to meet her guardians soon and offer my help.”
Alice Hunter slipped her arm through Katie’s, and they walked toward the large Victorian at the end of Adams Street. Katie pointed out the home and explained about the wing Benjamin built on the back.
“The inside isn’t finished because Benjamin wanted to marry sooner than planned after my experience with a troubled suitor. All the interior walls aren’t up, and we don’t have much of the furniture we ordered, but we’ll make do.”
“I’m sure you will, dear. My husband and I lived in a tent for a while when we first arrived in Gentle Falls. After sleeping under or in a wagon for months, the tent was a pleasure,” Alice smiled at the memory. “You can store the crates until your home is complete. I hope the items I packed for you will bring you much happiness.”
“I’m sure they will. It was very kind of you,” Katie answered as they made their way up the walk in front of Howard House.
Katie invited Alice in, and introductions were made all around. She left her soon to be mother-in-law in the capable hands of Miss Ethel and went to check on the babies. Miss Edie and Chet had purchased a home a block away, and Miss Edie promised to visit that afternoon to meet Alice and help with wedding plans.
~ * ~
Three days later
Katie woke before the sun surprised that she slept at all. The house was quiet. The babies were still asleep, and Rosie and Ivy had yet to peek into her room to see if she was awake. Katie slipped out of bed, checked the babies, and pulled on her robe. She needed coffee and padded down to the kitchen to prepare a pot.
Julia appeared in the kitchen before the coffee was ready.
“You certainly are up early this morning,” Katie greeted. “Didn’t you sleep well?”
“I did, but I should get used to waking early. Tonight, I move into your room and care for the babies when they cry in the middle of the night or early in the morning.”
“You know you do not have to do that job alone. The babies are still my responsibility, and while you may share their room, I’ll still be in the house. Remember, Benjamin strung that cord from my room, well, your room now, to the bedroom in the new wing. The babies wake, and you ring the bell. All I need to do is walk out into the hall and up the stairs,” Katie explained.
“I know, but I’m old enough to take care of them. I’m the oldest unmarried sister after you marry today,” Julia said proudly.
“You’re still just fifteen, enjoy being young, but I appreciate the offer of help.”
Julia beamed with pride. “Miss Ethel said we should have cinnamon buns for breakfast today. I’m going to make them. You should rest before your wedding.”
Just as Katie poured the coffee in her cup, she heard one of the babies cry. “The babies are crying,” Ivy and Rosie shouted together, and Katie was sure the entire house would be awake in moments.
Katie hurried upstairs to find Miss Ethel in her room. “I will care for Josie and Sophie this morning. Go take a bath and wash your hair. I bought some of that lavender soap you love. If the younger girls discover the soap, you will have to fight them for the use of the bathtub.”
“Thank you,” Katie said and kissed Miss Ethel on the cheek before hurrying to the bathing room.
Six hours later, a carriage arrived in front of the house. Mister Hunter alighted and walked to the door. “Daughter, your carriage awaits,” he said and bowed dramatically to the beautiful young woman standing in the parlor of Howard House. Her ivory gown fit her perfectly, and the three lace hearts she stitched to the bodice were the perfect touch to the softly ruffled gown. A short veil transformed her into a bride worthy of a picture in one of the magazines the Inn offered in their lobby.
Katie was so nervous she barely said a word on their drive to the church. She was honored that Mister Hunter offered to walk her down the aisle. Mister Hunter also arranged for a wagon to take Miss Ethel and all her sisters to the church. Miss Edie and Chet were already outside the door waiting along with Walt.
Katie wondered if Miss Ethel would marry Walt one day soon.
“Are you ready, Katie?” Mr. Hunter asked as the music started.
Katie nodded and took his arm as he led her down the aisle. She saw Benjamin staring at her and kept her eyes locked on his. She felt an overpowering love for the man waiting at the altar. Mr. Hunter stopped their walk and Benjamin took Katie’s hand.
Pastor James cleared his throat. “Good afternoon everyone. We’re here today to unite these two happy people in the state of blissful marriage.”
A few snickers and giggles could be heard in the church.
“Hush,” Pastor James insisted and began to explain his views on marriage. Katie didn’t hear a word. All she could hear was her heart thumping in her chest and ears. Katie was positive she would faint. Pastor James repeated her name, and she looked at him.
“What?”
“Do you take this man to be your husband, Katie?”
“Oh, yes, I do. I’m sorry I didn’t hear you.”
Her younger sisters giggled, and Katie blushed red.
She was vaguely aware of Benjamin saying, “I do.”
“Then by the laws of God and the state of Oregon, I pronounce you husband and wife. You may kiss your bride.”
Benjamin pulled Katie close and kissed her soundly while she melted against him.
The church erupted in applause, and Benjamin took Katie’s hand and walked her back down the aisle.
They greeted their guests, and everyone was invited to a reception at the Inn. Mrs. Donlinson and several of the ladies from town prepared a beautiful luncheon complete with a wedding cake, and Michael had ordered champagne.
While the guests ate, laughed, and enjoyed the party, Michael pulled Benjamin aside and handed him a key. “This is for the third-floor suite. It’s yours and Katie’s for three days. Miss Edie and Miss Ethel will watch all the girls while you’re here. Mrs. Donlinson said she will personally make sure you get three meals each day delivered to your room in case you don’t want to leave,” he explained and slapped Benjamin on the back.
Epilogue
Three days passed quickly, but Katie missed her sisters. The time spent with her new husband was more than Katie would have ever expected, yet Katie had never spent even one day surrounded by peace and quiet. Benjamin, on the other hand, could have spent the rest of his life spending time alone with his beautiful new wife. Life had to go on they both decided as they packed their bags and readied themselves to return to their everyday lives.
One last long lingering kiss and Benjamin picked up their bags, and they headed for the dining room to have lunch before returning to Howard House and their new home. Benjamin was surprised to see his parents sitting at a table with Chet and Miss Edie.
“Father, Mother, I thought you were leaving yesterday,” Benjamin said kissing his mother on the cheek.
Mister Hunter said, “Those two extra men you hired to help finish the wing sooner worked hard, and it’s livable, but there aren’t any touches to make it home. I spent yesterday and part of this morning out at your barn workshop making scrollwork moldings for the walls in the parlor. You can add them after the walls are painted or wallpapered. It’s part of our wedding gift to you.”
Katie and Benjamin thanked Mister Hunter, and then Katie asked, “Miss Edie, have you and Mister Chet been busy at the new bookstore?”
“Yes, we have. Four crates of books arrived yesterday, and we are busy organizing them. I think the shop will do well. Tess was the first person in the door asking about books for sale. That dear child loves romance and Gothic tales as much as I do. Now, we won’t have to order them from a catalog,” Miss Edie explained.
She continued, “Walt has decided to stay in Silverpines and help Chet run Worthington Books. I think he might be a bit smitten with Ethel after all,” Miss Edie winked. “The small house we bought was furnished, but Ethel has dropped by most days to help me clean and arrange things. I think she likes the idea of a husband and home. She’s a bit smitten with Walt, too and maybe we’ll see a spring wedding.”
Katie hugged Miss Edie, “How exciting.”
Benjamin asked, “May we join you Mother, Father, Chet, Miss Edie?”
“Certainly,” they all chimed except for Miss Edie. “Young man, you should refer to me now as Missus Edie or Missus W. Worthington is such a long name. Katie may continue to call me Miss Edie. She’s done that since she was able to talk, and it would be as if she changed from calling me mother to Missus W. No, Katie can call me Miss Edie.”
Everyone at the table laughed, and they enjoyed eating their lunch together. Just as the group was finishing their coffee and pie, Marshal Sewell entered the dining room.
“Good afternoon, I was hoping to find you here, Katie,”
“Me, why me?”
The marshal held up his hands in front of him, “It’s nothing you’ve done. It’s about Eli Warren’s trial. It seems his father owns a large dairy farm and several other businesses. He is well off and hired a prominent attorney in Portland to defend Eli. The lawyer convinced a judge that Eli should be tried in Portland and not Astoria siting that Astoria is too close, and people may be influenced by the disasters here and see you as more of a victim than you claim.”
“Claim?” Katie stammered. “He abducted me.”
“I realize that but it’s the type of thing lawyers say and do, but you’ll have to go to Portland next week to testify at his trial.”
Katie paled. “I’m worried.”
“No need to be, darling,” Benjamin assured. “You said you wanted to see the ocean and this is your chance. I’m going with you, and we can get the court proceedings out of the way and then spend some time on a honeymoon by the ocean. Please smile, Katie. I won’t let that man hurt you in any way.”
Katie nodded and smiled or at least tried. She knew Benjamin would be at her side and protect her.
Two weeks later
Chet set the newspaper on the kitchen table and smiled at Edie. “News travels fast. It says the court found Eli Warren guilty, but they only sentenced him to ten years in prison. It could have been twenty, but the lawyer did his best to convince the jury that Katie was partially at fault by luring Eli to Oregon.”
She didn’t lure him,” Edie protested.
“We both know that, but you never know what goes through a jury’s mind. I hope Katie and Benjamin are enjoying their honeymoon and I think in spring once the bookstore is running well and the warmer weather sets in, we should take a honeymoon, too.”
Miss Edie blushed. “I’d like that, but I still think in spring we may have another wedding.”
“You may be right, Edie dear. Things are going well in town, and my brother is acting nicer than he has in years. We’re going to celebrate the turn of the century next month, and the family is happy and well.”
“I certainly am,” Miss Edie said and kissed her husband warmly.
The End
Thank you for reading my story. I hope you are enjoying the Silverpines series as much as the other authors and I are writing them. If you have a free moment, please leave a review. It helps authors more than you know. Thanks, and God bless.
You can find me at http://mariannespitzer.com/ or on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/mariannespitzerauthor/ All my Sweet Western Romances, Mail-order Brides of Gentle Falls, can be found on my Amazon author page and all are available through Kindle Unlimited.
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Wanted: Carpenter Page 11