“Today?” Elias looked toward the town, his heart racing. “I didn’t know there was a planned ceremony.”
Owen nodded. “Pastor Ward announced it at church on Sunday apparently. Two mail order brides on their way to smaller towns asked to be married before traveling. So the pastor spoke to the judge and someone brought up your bride.”
“I’m not sure what the women have planned, but I don’t think they’ll go along with such a rushed affair.”
With a bark of laughter Owen looked over his shoulder again. “I am thinking it will be interesting once we tell them.”
In the distance, a wagon and two riders on horseback rushed toward them. Owen pulled his hat back down and glanced to Elias. “Looks like they’ve arrived just in time.”
A whistle sounded as the train approached from the opposite direction. Elias’ stomach tumbled. “Glad they made it.”
It was hard not to smile at the contagious excitement of the three pretty women as they climbed down from the wagon. Wilhelmina, Lucille and Eleanor, once assisted down by the men, rushed to the platform not paying him or Owen any mind. As a unit, they hurried to the other end of the platform where his brother, Evan, and his wife, Aurora, had just pulled up and waved impatiently for his brother’s wife to join them.
The three then all hugged Aurora although he suspected it had not been too long since they had seen her. However, it was gratifying to see the great friendship between them. Esther knew three of the women and would be part of this tight circle of friends who’d traveled far to marry.
He wondered more about his new bride and what type of life she’d come from. It seemed her life back in Philadelphia had not been too different from his. But, at the same time, since he’d left when he was only fourteen, it was hard to compare or have any idea of how things may have changed since he and his brothers moved west.
People hurried to the platform, forming in huddles as they waited for the train to finally come to a slow stop. Everyone waved; both the people on the ground and the newly arrived who waved handkerchiefs out of the windows. The sounds of calls escalated until Elias wondered if his hearing would be affected.
“Come on. Let’s go stand with the women and present a good welcome front,” Evan said with a knowing smirk. “I bet you didn’t think half the town would show up to meet your new bride at the same time as you.”
“This is quite exciting isn’t it?” Eleanor tugged him to stand beside her. The woman and her brothers, Marcus and Tobias, had become like family to him. Their parents took them in promptly upon their arrival in Laurel, ensuring they were fed and had a roof over their heads until he and his brothers built the house he currently lived in.
Now, once he married, the only one who would remain single was his eldest brother, Emmett, a doctor.
“There she is!” one of the ladies screamed out. “Esther! Over here.” The three women rushed forward to embrace a blonde.
Elias couldn’t get a good glimpse of the woman’s face as she and another woman, a brunette, disembarked. Her face continued to be hidden as she began dabbing at tears with an embroidered handkerchief.
“Best wait for them to finish up all that,” Marcus muttered.
Finally, his bride-to-be turned. With multiple arms around her waist, she moved toward him.
Esther was a striking woman and Elias could only gawk as she seemed to glide toward him. Her gaze went everywhere but to his. Her eyes were a dark brown, which contrasted with her golden hair. She had delicate features, a pert nose and pouty mouth. She wore a silky, light green dress with lace accents, which, although very flattering, was quite frivolous for the west.
Instead of wearing her hair pinned up, as was customary, her tresses fell down her back, inviting for someone to touch.
When they reached him, he stuck out his hand. “Welcome to Montana, Esther.”
Chapter 6
It was all too overwhelming and Esther thought she would faint. She’d hoped to meet Elias with no witnesses other than passengers and those greeting them.
Now it seemed everyone waited for what she’d say in response to her husband-to-be. She took his hand and held on to it, finding it to be like a much-needed anchor. “Nice to meet you, Elias.”
It took effort to meet his gaze. His blue eyes met hers and, in them, she saw reassurance and, for some odd reason, familiarity. Not as if they’d met before, but a reflection of what she felt at the moment. Uncertainty and anxiety at all that happened affecting them both.
“I bet you didn’t expect such a grand welcome.” His voice was deep and rich. Esther flushed at the sound of it.
“I did not. I wondered how long before I’d see my friends.” She looked to each side as her cousin, Wilhelmina and Lucille beamed in return.
Esther looked over her shoulder for Sarah. The woman had gone to seek her luggage and was just then climbing down. “Aurora, do you remember Sarah? She rode this far with me. She’s heading to Wyoming to marry as well.”
The women turned to the flushed Sarah who looked toward them.
“No, I don’t think I remember. But let’s go welcome her.” Aurora took Wilhelmina and they hurried to gather up Sarah and bring her to where everyone stood. Introductions were made and Sarah was invited to join them.
Marcus neared. “Why don’t we give Elias and Esther some time?” He attempted to tug his wife’s arm, only for the women to look at him with alarm.
“They will have plenty of time to get to know each other, but not here on the train platform,” Wilhelmina said and then looked to Elias. “Don’t you agree?”
Before he could reply, Esther surprised him. “I will ride to town with Elias and, perhaps, we can have a nice cup of tea and visit?”
“Excellent idea,” Aurora exclaimed. “You will be staying with Evan and me until the wedding. Let’s go to my house.”
Elias cleared his throat. “The judge is marrying us this afternoon.”
The women’s rounded eyes moved from each other to Elias.
The first one to speak was Aurora. “What do you mean? We have to plan a wedding. That is not an option.”
He and Esther remained silent as Owen joined the group. He proceeded to explain what the judge had planned along with Pastor Ward.
Much to his surprise, as well as the men gathered, the women grabbed Esther and rushed away to the wagons. Eleanor, the bossiest of the crew, waved Elias over. “Help us get on here. We’re leaving.”
“You can’t leave,” Marcus called out. “We have to discuss this.”
“No, we don’t,” Wilhelmina replied. “We have plans. First, Esther will rest. Then you,” she pointed to Elias, “will come by this afternoon to fetch her for some time alone.”
Aurora spoke next. “Owen, be a dear and let Pastor Ward know that no one plans to marry until Sunday.” Her eyes pinpointed him. “No sooner.”
“Since when do they run the show?” Owen mumbled.
Marcus slapped Elias and Owen on the shoulders. “You have a lot to learn if you don’t know who runs things. The women do, boys.”
“I’m not sure what to think. Will the judge be angry at us?” Esther said when Elias walked up to her. With a flushed face, she seemed not to notice the cold air.
Elias took her by the waist and lifted her to climb onto the bench. It was the first time he’d held a woman like that. And she was the one he would get to know more intimately and have for his partner in life forever.
When she placed her hands on his shoulders, possessiveness like he’d never felt about anyone surged and he let out a breath. “Be careful.”
Once he was assured she’d sat, he rounded the wagon and climbed up to sit beside her. “Once your bags are loaded, we can go.”
The other wagon with the women who’d come to welcome them departed. They waited for a young boy to gather Esther’s bags and load them.
“Are you bothered by the change in plans?”
Elias loved the sound of her soft voice. “The judge may be a bit pu
t off, but I am sure once Pastor Ward is brought up to date on the plans, everything will be worked out. I wasn’t aware of the planned wedding ceremony, so I am not too bothered. I expected you’d spend a few days with your cousin. She’d made it clear that it would be best to give you some time to rest before marrying you and taking you to my home.”
She gripped her hands tightly in her lap. Her brows were knit as she looked to him. “Do you live far from Aurora?”
“About fifteen miles.”
“Oh.” She watched as the bags were loaded. The entire time, her lips pressed into a thin line.
It would be a while before he could decipher what she thought or felt based on her body language. But it was obvious by the dark circles under her eyes that she was exhausted. And by the crease between those eyes, she was also anxious.
“I think the most important thing, right now, is for you to get some rest. There’s plenty of time to discuss everything.”
As they rode through town, he pointed out the buildings and explained what they were and who ran each business. Esther was especially interested in the mercantile and newly-built apothecary. She asked intelligent questions in between yawns.
* * *
Upon arriving at her cousin’s house, Esther was finally able to relax just a bit. With a cup of tea before her and a simple repast of cold meat, cheese and bread, she ate and drank while listening to the very useful information of living in Laurel.
Although she suspected Sarah was as excited as she, there was something wrong with her usually jovial friend. It was as if she’d faded since arriving, her façade pale and eyes drawn in.
“What is wrong?” she asked Sarah after assuring the men who sat in the other room could not overhear. “Are you feeling unwell?”
“I am so tired. Tomorrow, I take a stagecoach to Wyoming and I’m terrified to go alone.”
Eleanor covered Sarah’s hand. “Why don’t you get some rest? It will work out. Don’t you worry.”
“You’re right. I’m not used to traveling for so long,” Sarah said, not seeming at all convinced.
Chapter 7
A hot bath and long nap did wonders. Esther woke up feeling like a new woman. The smell of baking bread made her stomach grumble and she was glad to be alone in the guest room at how loud it was.
Everyone had dispersed. Elias would return that afternoon to see her and the others had gone home.
On Sunday, which was just three days away, the group would gather for her and Elias’ wedding. An Easter wedding. Her lips curved at the thought.
Once she rinsed her face and hands, she went to find Aurora in the front room, sewing.
“There you are. How do you feel?” Aurora smiled brightly at her.
“Much better. Like a new person. I was so tired.”
“Train travel will do that to you.”
“Can I help with anything?” She looked around the pretty home, noticing the many touches of embroidered doilies and such. She wondered how long it would be before she’d have a home so well decorated.
“You can pour us tea. I just brewed some chamomile,” Aurora said. “It’s so exciting to have an apothecary in town now. The proprietor has many wonderful teas.”
Strange that something so common in Philadelphia was such a luxury there. “I suppose there is much I will have to learn to do without.”
Aurora walked with her to the kitchen. “Yes, homemaking is the biggest challenge for me still. Thankfully, Evan doesn’t frown upon me keeping the woman he hired, to help me out.”
Just as she finished her tea, there was a knock on the door. Elias stepped through it.
“Good afternoon, ladies.” His gaze went from Aurora to Esther. Butterflies fluttered in her empty stomach.
“I’d best go see about Evan. Please come in and keep Esther company, Elias.” Aurora gave Esther a reassuring smile as she donned her cloak and went out the door.
Although tall and well built, Elias moved with grace and assuredness. He lowered to a chair next to hers.
“Would you like some tea or coffee?” Esther immediately got to her feet.
“Coffee would be nice,” he replied, standing.
“Very well.” Esther walked to the kitchen, not at all sure where anything was kept. Why hadn’t she asked Aurora?
Elias went to the stove and placed a coffee pot on the already heated surface. He then proceeded to pull a cup from a hook on the wall and a container, which she surmised was coffee, down from a shelf. While he worked, his brows drawn, she took advantage to further study him.
His blonde hair fell just to his collar, which suited him. Although he’d obviously taken care to look presentable, there was a shading of hair on his jawline and over his lip. She surmised he didn’t like close shaves. He wore a bandage on his left wrist, she’d noticed earlier.
There was a rather endearing slight lift to the end of his nose. She thought it had to have been especially cute when he was a child. Now, it only made him even more attractive.
Although she’d seen his likeness in the photograph Lady Price had shown her, it had not done the man justice. He was quite better looking in person.
In silence, he poured the coffee and stirred a bit of sugar into it. When he turned to her, one side of his mouth lifted into a mischievous smile. “My brother isn’t aware I know where he keeps his secret stash of expensive coffee.”
“It does smell delicious.”
He extended the cup he held toward her. “Would you like some?”
Esther shook her head. “I’ve never developed a taste for coffee, I’m afraid.”
Making their way back to the table, Esther was fully aware of his gaze upon her. Before she could sit, he took her elbow. “Esther, how do you feel about marrying me?”
The question took her by surprise. Did it matter at this point if she wished to change her mind? The thought of anything but acquiescence had not occurred to her.
“I am not sure what to say...how to respond.”
He looked to the floor and, at once, alarm filled her. Was he on the brink of telling her he’d changed his mind?
“I’m curious, that’s all.”
“Oh. Well, I’m both excited and nervous. But I do look forward to a future here in Montana...with...you.”
When he swallowed visibly, it did not reassure her. Finally, his gaze met hers. Before she could say anything, he leaned forward and kissed her fully on the lips.
The kiss was like no other. At least not that she could remember. Even her first kiss with her late husband had not awoken so many feelings or sent her blood to rush with so much intensity that it thundered in her ears.
He cupped her face with one hand while his arm wrapped around her waist, bringing her against him. Esther held his shoulders, willing herself not to tug him closer. With each movement, Elias brought her more alive and, finally, she wrapped her arms around his neck and pressed her length against him.
Something sounded in the distance or perhaps in the room. She had no concept of anything other than the man in whose arms she’d melted. When Elias lifted, his darkened eyes bore into hers and she could finally regain some sort of sensibility.
She wanted to continue to stay lost in his eyes, but he hugged her against him and rested his face against her temple. “I look forward to marrying you, Esther. I have a feeling we’re well suited.”
The first thing that came to mind would have been inappropriate to say out loud. So instead, she just nodded.
“I am not sure I can wait until Sunday.” Elias guided her to sit. “It will be a long three days.”
She agreed wholeheartedly.
Chapter 8
Sunday arrived with the expected chaos of arrivals and excitement. In the spare bedroom, Esther was dressed and waiting for it to be time to go to the chapel.
Lucille, her good friend, stood next to the window. “It’s a pretty day. Perfect for your Easter wedding.” Her bright green eyes danced. “I suppose you don’t have any questions since you�
�ve been married before.”
“No, not about that. I do wonder, how long before you were comfortable with Tobias?”
Lucille sunk down next to her. “Not long, actually. We already had an unfriendly relationship.” Lucille laughed. “We still have our struggles. He can be quite overly protective.”
“Yes, so Aurora told me. Are things better between you?”
“For the most part. I suppose that part of him will always remain so vigilant. Even though I love him dearly, I have to remind myself that even if I hurt his feelings, it’s important to let him know when things get intolerable.”
Although she’d not gotten to know Elias well, it seemed he was, for the most part, easy-going and gave her the impression of being a fair man. “Is there anything about Elias I need to be aware of? I’ve asked Aurora, but she only says no.”
“Goodness. I don’t know, Esther,” Lucille replied. “But I do know that the three brothers all moved here because of Emmett. Neither Evan nor Elias felt their brother should move here alone. I don’t know if they would have preferred to remain back east or not.”
“Elias was quite young to make such a big decision, don’t you think?”
Lucille nodded. “Yes, but Emmett is more of a father figure than brother. I do believe Elias would have been lost without Emmett if he’d remained back east. They are estranged from their parents.”
“What about his personality?”
Her friend took her hands and smiled. “He is a pleasant man. You will love your new home. He is financially stable. Hardworking and honorable. I do think Elias is a good man. The only thing I’ve noticed is that he can be standoffish, at times. He seems unreachable, as if he prefers not to be in the room. It’s hard to explain,” Lucille shrugged. “It’s probably just something he does when deep in thought.”
Aurora peered through the door. “Time to go. Everyone’s left to go to the chapel.”
* * *
It had been agreed that Evan would stand with Elias and Jacob Hamilton would walk Esther down the aisle.
Esther, An Easter Bride (Brides for all Seasons Book 4) Page 3