EMMA (Mail-Order Brides Club, #1)

by Ashley Merrick

  "We have some news. Emma and I, are in the family way. Emily is going to have a brother."

  "Or a sister." Emma said with a smile. Congratulations flowed around the table and toasts were given. Emma gave Ethan's hand a squeeze under the table and he gave her a sweet smile. She knew he was excited but also very nervous about her pregnancy.

  "Be patient with him," Naomi said, after they'd all eaten and she and Hannah were cleaning up. "He's going to be a nervous wreck until that baby arrives and you're both safe and sound."

  "I know. I don't blame him."

  "How are you feeling?" Hannah asked wistfully.

  "I'm good, fine so far." Emma had been praying for Hannah to have a baby, too. It almost didn't seem fair that it had happened for her right away.

  Once they'd put everything away and set out dessert, which was frosted cupcakes that Emma and Emily made, Emma grabbed two cupcakes and went off to find Liam.

  "Feel like being bad with me?" she teased when she found him at the table, flipping through a newspaper.

  "Always," he responded with enthusiasm as she handed him a cupcake.

  "So, I have a question for you," she began.

  "Ask away, I'm an open book," he said as he took a giant bite of the cupcake.

  "Were you serious all those times you've asked me to tell my friends about you? Do you really want to get married? Sight unseen?"

  He sat up then, the cupcake forgotten. "Yes, why? Did you not think I was serious? I'm serious," he added for emphasis.

  "Okay. I think the timing might be right for my friend, Julia, to make a move. I didn't want to really suggest it, though, unless you were sure."

  "What is she like? Your Julia?"

  Emma smiled. "Julia is wonderful. Everyone loves her. You'll love her. She's funny and smart and really good with numbers." She thought for a minute as an idea came to her. "She can probably help you with the numbers side of your business, actually. That's what she does. Oh, and she's pretty. Really pretty."

  "How pretty?" Liam wanted a visual description.

  "She's about my height, average weight, long, strawberry-blonde hair, same shade as your mother’s actually. But Julia's hair is long, wavy curls and her eyes are blue. She's beautiful."

  "I'm in love already. I'm in, if she'll have me."

  "I'll write to her tomorrow. I think you'd get along well and selfishly, I'd love to have her here. I've missed her."

  ***

  "What are you looking so happy about? You're up to something, out with it." Ethan said as they started to drive home after dinner.

  "It's Julia and Liam. I think she might be persuaded to come out here and Liam said he is ready to get married. It's perfect!"

  "So, you're a match-maker now? Maybe it's your new calling? Mrs. Richardson will be jealous."

  "Maybe it is my new calling," Emma said with delight. "I think I'd be quite good at it actually."

  "Well, it certainly worked for us," Ethan said and then wrapped his arm around Emma and pulled her close. "I think you'd be great at it, too."

  "Have I mentioned today that I love you?" Emma kissed his cheek.

  "Having you as a mail-order bride is the best thing that ever happened to me. I hope you can work that same magic for Liam."

  "I'll certainly try. Julia may need some persuading."

  "Oh, I forgot to tell you something today, too."

  "You did? What's that?"

  "I love you, too, Emma Donovan."

  —The End—

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