Twice a Bride

by Mona Hodgson

  She glanced in the mirror and fussed with a sassy curl at her ear. Satisfied with her appearance, she smiled at the new woman looking back at her. She’d come a long way from being a girl paralyzed by grief and then a frightened Colorado newcomer. She was a businesswoman in love with an enchanting man. She laid her hand on the ribbon-trimmed ruffle at the bodice. Sam would approve of her moving past her loss. He’d like Trenton Van Der Veer, and he’d want her to have a family of her own.

  Here in Cripple Creek, God was giving her the chance to do just that.

  Looping his black string tie, Trenton stood mesmerized by the photograph hanging on the wall in his bedroom. It wasn’t the printed image that truly enthralled him but the actual woman who had agreed to courtship. These past two weeks had afforded him the best days of his life, thus far.

  He donned his sack coat and went to the kitchen for the picnic basket. Then he tucked a quilt under his arm and lifted his bowler off a peg on his way out the front door.

  Jesse waved from the driver’s seat on a shiny black carriage. His friend had agreed to drive Trenton and Willow to their destination in style.

  The rest was up to him.

  And to Willow Peterson, the woman of his favorite dreams.

  After subjecting himself to Jesse’s teasing, Trenton climbed into the carriage, leaned against the cushioned seat, and breathed a prayer for God’s guidance.

  When Jesse stopped the carriage in front of the yellow boardinghouse, Trenton stepped onto the walkway that led to the front door. It seemed someone had stretched the walk since yesterday afternoon when he’d brought Willow home from the ice-cream parlor. Removing his hat, he stepped up onto the porch and rang the bell.

  Footsteps in the foyer quickened Trenton’s pulse, but it was Miss Hattie who opened the door.

  “Good day, Miss Hattie.”

  The proprietor looked him over and smiled. “Why, Mr. Van Der Veer, if you aren’t a sight for sleepy eyes.”

  “Thank you, ma’am. Given the r-right incentive, I can c-clean up pretty good.”

  She waved him inside. “You always look polished, but today, well, there seems to be a little something extra.”

  He winked. Determined not to divulge his plans, he swallowed his anticipation and looked toward the staircase. Willow stood on the landing looking like an angel.

  “Trenton.” Her welcoming smile transported him to heavenly realms. “I’m ready.”

  “Me too.”

  Miss Hattie tittered. “You two are goners.”

  “Yes ma’am.” He knew he, at least, qualified. He didn’t shift his attention from the adorable woman who took slow but sure steps toward him. The woman who had told him he was an answer to her prayers.

  They had so much in common. When he didn’t even know what he needed or how to pray, God had answered him.

  Ten minutes later, he and Willow were in the carriage, headed out of Cripple Creek, with Jesse at the reins.

  “I asked J-Jesse to come along to d-drive so I could s-sit here with you. I hope you don’t mind.”

  “Do I look like I mind?” Willow placed her hand into his.

  “Me neither, but J-Jesse may if a storm rolls in.”

  Willow looked out the window at the blue sky overhead. “Just how long do you expect us to be gone?”

  “All day.”

  She brushed the quilt on the seat beside her.

  “I put that there s-so you’d have to sit closer,” Trenton said.

  “I figured as much.” She grinned and glanced at the picnic basket at her feet. “It might be a little brisk outside for a picnic.” She tugged at the lapel of her jacket. “But I suppose it depends upon where you’re taking me.”

  “Exactly.”

  Her mouth tipped into a demure smile. “So, am I dressed appropriately for our destination?”

  “Perfectly.” He swallowed his amusement. “Would you like a clue?”

  She pursed her lips.

  “All right then.” He paused for dramatic effect. “David the psalmist asked God to l-lead him to it.”

  “To what?”

  “To something that is higher than him.”

  Her green eyes flashed. “To the rock that is higher.” Her shoulders sagged. “You’re taking me to a rock?”

  “Not to just any r-rock. We’re going to a rock that is higher. Dome Rock.”

  Her dimples deepened, and his breathing became shallow.

  They sat in comfortable silence as the carriage wound its way through grasslands, across a rushing stream, and into a ponderosa pine forest. As they approached massive outcroppings of Pikes Peak granite, Willow pointed to three bighorn sheep.

  Jesse stopped the carriage in front of the most spectacular pillar. It stood hundreds of feet above the canyon floor. Trenton’s boyhood friend climbed down and peeked in the door at them. “All right, you lovebirds, this is Dome Rock. I’ll be takin’ my lunch sack over there.” He pointed toward a stand of bare aspen trees.

  “Thanks, b-buddy.”

  “Don’t mention it.” Jesse hooked a thumb in his coveralls. “I’ll bring the favor up later. When it best suits me.”

  Trenton laughed, and Willow giggled.

  Jesse waved and walked off, leaving them alone.

  Trenton helped Willow to the ground. Turning toward the rock, he felt his jaw drop.

  Willow faced the landmark. “It’s magnificent!”

  They stood side by side, admiring the amazing sight. Emotion clogged his throat. Help me get the words out, Lord.

  Trenton turned toward Willow and brushed the silken curl above her ear. “I like the psalmists. It’s like they speak for me when I can’t s-speak for myself.”

  A tear spilled onto her cheek, and he wiped it away.

  “God is the Rock that is h-higher than my past, my mistakes, my frustrations … and you led me to Him.”

  Her lips quivered. “The Rock that is higher than losing a husband, or yourself.”

  “Yes, and God is the Rock I want to b-build our life upon.”

  “Our life?”

  He pulled the ring from his waistcoat pocket. Holding it up between them, he looked into the emerald green eyes that seemed to peer into his heart. “Willow, I never expected to f-feel this way about anyone. But you have p-proven to be a most pleasant surprise.” He drew in a deep breath. “I love you.”

  “I love you too.” Her whisper echoed off the rock and landed deep in his heart.

  “I want to spend the rest of my life with you.”

  “Me too. Will you marry me?”

  He chuckled. “That was my line.”

  “Well then, yes!”

  He lifted her chin and leaned into a kiss that felt like the promise of forever.

  Wednesday morning Willow sat at the game table, her fountain pen poised above a piece of stationery. In her last letter to Mother, she’d described her job with Mr. Trenton Van Der Veer, but she’d left any personal feelings out of the correspondence. She hadn’t even mentioned her boss being single. Perhaps, on the outside of the envelope, she should warn Mother to seat herself before reading the news.

  Not sure where to begin her story, Willow set the pen to paper.

  Dearest Mother,

  I think of you often, and hope you are well. That Aunt Rosemary is well.

  I am—

  “Be sure and tell your mother hello for me.” Miss Hattie sat on the sofa, waving the latest copy of Harper’s Bazar. “And tell her I’m looking forward to seeing her and your aunt.” Her blue-gray eyes sparkled. “Soon.”

  “I will.” Willow stared at the fireplace, watching the yellow flames dance across a burning log. “It seems I have a whole lot to tell her.”

  “That you do.” Miss Hattie flipped a page of the magazine. “I can’t believe Trenton took you all the way to Dome Rock for a carriage picnic. How romantic!”

  “It was. The whole day.” Trenton had draped the quilt over the facing seat in the carriage and spread their lunch on it. They ate toget
her, enjoying the cozy interior of the carriage and the clear view of the Dome.

  Willow held up her left hand and glanced at the promise ring he’d slid on her finger. “We’re getting married!” She tapped the tip of the pen on the table. “How will we ever be ready in only three weeks?”

  Miss Hattie closed the magazine and smiled. “Dear, have you forgotten who we have helping us?” A grin deepened the lines at the corners of her mouth. “The Sinclair sisters—all five of them. I’ve watched the four oldest ones put together each other’s weddings. Whirlwinds spinning on a dime, and with breathtaking results. The youngest, well, Cherise has already told me which dress I’m wearing and suggested I buy a new pair of shoes for the occasion.”

  Her dear friend and fellow bride-to-be was right. They were meeting Ida, Kat, and Nell at Vivian’s shop this morning. And if Vivian was making her dress, Willow had nothing to worry about.

  “After school, Cherise will come here for a tea party and a fashion show.” Miss Hattie looked at the mantel clock. “I suppose I should let you finish your letter. It’s nearly time for us to leave.”

  “I would like to drop it at the post office when we go out.” Willow dipped the pen and returned her attention to the stationery.

  The photographer I told you about, well, he is single. But only for another three weeks.

  An hour later, Hattie watched Vivian drape Willow with one fabric and then another. Taffeta. Chiffon. Velvet. And then a sateen, a new arrival at the design shop. Ida and Nell picked out fabrics, and Kat looked through an assortment of ribbons and lace for trimming Willow’s gown. Hope twirled a purple ribbon on her head, while William played with a wooden horse in the corner. Hattie didn’t know how it was possible with all the cackling going on, but Vivian’s twins slept in the cradle. Her heart full to overflowing, Hattie bounced the carriage that held Kat’s newborn son, Ezra.

  “What do you think of this, Nanny Hattie?” Smiling, Willow wrapped a yard of sateen over her shoulders and spun around like a music-box angel.

  “It’s stunning, dear.” Hattie pressed her free hand to her chest. “But I agree with Trenton; you’d look lovely in tatters.”

  Willow’s cheeks pinked.

  Ida held a swatch of pink chiffon. “Yes. Tucker would say Trenton Van Der Veer is a man in love over his head.”

  “He should know.” Willow winked at her sister-in-law.

  Vivian took the material from Willow. “Looks to me like you’ve settled on the fabric.”

  “Are you sure you’re going to have time to make my dress?”

  Vivian carefully folded the chosen fabric. “I’ve made the dresses for all of my sisters, and they’ve never been late. I don’t intend to break my streak with you, my honorary sister.” She added a strip of lace to the makings for Willow’s dress.

  “Thank you. But they gave you more time.” Willow glanced at the cradle. “And that was before you were the mother of twins.”

  Nell brandished a pair of pinking shears. “I’ll help with the cutting.”

  “Sounds like my dress is in good hands.” Willow met Hattie’s gaze. “And now it’s your turn. Cherise is right—you need a new pair of shoes for your walk toward your future as Mrs. Harlan Sinclair.” She looped Hattie’s arm.

  “If she’s wearing her blue calico dress,” Ida said, “I assure you Father will not be looking at her feet.”

  Hattie tittered, and the others joined in, their laughter music to her ears.

  Ida cleared her throat. “I have news.” She pulled two swatches of fabric from a basket. One was blue, the other pink. Her eyes rimmed with tears, Ida pressed her hand to her midsection. “I told Tucker this morning that I don’t know if I’ll have a boy or a girl come June.”

  Her sisters squealed, and Hattie breathed a prayer of thanksgiving.

  The family was ever growing. And soon her family ties would be official.

  28 November, 1898

  Thanksgiving Day. Willow pulled the new striped curtain back from the window in Miss Hattie’s bedchamber. Snow drifted to the ground. Ida stood at the dressing table, brushing Miss Hattie’s silver-gray hair into a soft bun. Cherise stood nearby, twirling a parasol and humming a happy tune.

  “I have so much to be thankful for.” Miss Hattie met Willow’s gaze in the mirror. “The perfect day for a wedding, don’t you think?”

  Willow swished the bell-shaped skirt on her gown. “Make that two weddings.”

  “I hear the wheels. He’s here!” Cherise grabbed Hattie’s hand. “I ready!”

  Hattie pressed the child’s hand to her lips. “Me too, sweet girl of mine. I’m ready too.”

  With Ida at her side, Willow followed Cherise and Hattie to the foyer, wondering if she might trip over the child’s broad smile.

  Jesse stood at the end of the walkway dressed in dark trousers and a white shirt. The pair of palominos that had pulled her and Trenton to Dome Rock stood harnessed to a white carriage in a winter wonderland. Yes, the perfect day for a wedding and for beginning a lifetime as Mrs. Trenton Van Der Veer.

  Vivian, Kat, and Nell met them in the foyer of the First Congregational Church. After hugs, the three sisters left to join the other guests in the sanctuary. Boney and Tucker stepped out of the hallway.

  Boney smiled at Willow, then kissed Hattie’s cheek. “Lucky fellows, those two.”

  Tucker faced Willow and took her hands in his. “Sis.” His brown eyes glistened with tears, causing her eyes to fill.

  She squeezed his hands. “I know.” She was thankful for God’s gift to her—family and a second chance at love.

  The rising piano music sent shivers up Willow’s spine.

  Boney held his arm out to Hattie. “Are you ready?”

  “Nearly overcooked.”

  Chuckling, Boney propped the sanctuary door open and escorted Hattie down the aisle.

  Willow peeked inside at those gathered for their celebration of love and marriage. Mother. Aunt Rosemary. All five of the Sinclair sisters, Hope, William, baby Ezra, and the twins. Otis and Naomi Bernard and their four sons. Mollie Kathleen. Mr. Baxter, Carmen, Mr. and Mrs. Johnstone. Boney and Etta. Jesse. She was home.

  Harlan Sinclair reached for Hattie’s hand at the front of the aisle, and they both turned to watch Willow enter.

  Drawing in a deep breath, Willow met her brother’s tender gaze. “Yes,” she said in response to his unspoken question. Ready and impatient. She rested her hand on his arm and might have sprinted up the aisle if Tucker hadn’t held her back with his deliberate pace.

  Trenton waited for her at the first row of pews, his eyes widening as she drew close. He wore a full tuxedo and held a familiar pink candy box in his hand.

  A husband and a box of fudge. What a day! “Thank You, Jesus.”

  Smiling, Trenton looked up. “To the Rock that is higher.”

  READERS GUIDE

  1. Willow Peterson, Ida Sinclair’s sister-in-law, is back in Cripple Creek as the main character. When Willow’s beloved Sam drowned, she had an emotional breakdown and spent time in a mental asylum. Standing at her father’s graveside, Willow and those who love her fear she may succumb to sorrow once again. What do you do to protect your mental health when you face grief? What Bible verses do you turn to for a faith that overcomes?

  2. Trenton Van Der Veer, Cripple Creek’s new photographer, stammers and grew up belittled because of it. He even found himself humiliated in front of a congregation of churchgoers. What would you have said to Trenton to help him separate that experience from his perception of the heart of God?

  3. Often it takes a crisis, hitting rock bottom, before a person recognizes his or her need for God, acceptance, repentance, and surrender. What was Trenton’s low point … his point of need? How did Willow minister to Trenton? What steps did she take in preparing her heart to minister to him?

  4. Miss Hattie, the proprietor of Miss Hattie’s Boardinghouse, is an influencer. Who, in this story, did Miss Hattie influence and how did her influence affec
t them? What qualities do you look for in an influencer?

  5. Willow Peterson and Hattie Adams, both widows, find a second chance at love in a second romance. Have you had such an experience?

  6. Willow and Trenton were both misunderstood and ridiculed because of their differences—her because she was a woman and him because of his speech impediment. What would you say to them about who they are in God’s eyes?

  7. Harlan Sinclair, the single parent of four grown daughters, finds himself the guardian of eight-year-old Cherise, which creates conflict. What are some emotions or situations that often cause friction between adult children and their parents? What strategies did the Sinclair sisters and their father use for reconciliation?

  8. Cherise buried both of her parents at a young age, became the charge of a guardian, and moved to a new country. But God provided her with the compassionate Mr. Sinclair and Miss Hattie to love her and care for her as their own. Has God ever brought someone into your life who surprised you with an outpouring of love and grace?

  9. Mollie Kathleen Gortner is a historical figure who lived in Cripple Creek at the time this story takes place. Ignoring her fictionalized personality and behavior, what do you think of Mollie’s accomplishments as a business woman in an 1890s mining town? What qualities do you imagine Mollie Kathleen must have possessed that made it possible for her to become the first woman to stake a mine claim in her name in the Cripple Creek Mining District?

  10. This story is full of wounded servants. Hattie had buried her husband and baby girl. Willow had suffered struggles in her family relationships and was in a mental asylum. Ida had miscarried, losing her baby. Despite her deep desire to birth her own baby, Nell still can’t conceive. And, yet, these hurting people didn’t allow themselves to remain self-focused. In what ways did the wounded serve others? What verse or verses from Scripture do you think support this theology?