Charity's Promise

by Marianne Spitzer

  “That sounds romantic,” Holly said. “How did he find the time for a private moment to ask you with both children listening.”

  “He bought them gifts. A train for Ben and a doll for Annie. It kept them busy for the most part until he kissed me, and Annie said girls shouldn’t kiss boys.”

  Joseph snorted and then laughed out loud. “I hope she remembers that in ten years.”

  Charity smiled at her brother. “We can only hope. I’m going to get the kids settled in the dining room. They both want your pancakes, Joseph, with syrup and honey. I’ll have them, too, and we’ll have bacon. That should fill them up.”

  After their sticky pancake breakfast, Charity walked the children to Miss Barber’s house and returned to help at the café.

  ~ * ~

  Jason arrived shortly after the lunch rush had ended and took his favorite table near the side window.

  Charity greeted him with a warm smile and said, “Today special is beef stew and fresh biscuits.”

  “Did you make the stew?” Jason asked, matching her smile with one of his own.

  “I chopped the vegetables,” Charity answered.

  Jason laughed. “Good enough. Bring me a bowl, and please join me. I believe we have a few details to discuss.”

  Charity filled Jason’s coffee cup and returned with a heaping bowl of stew and a plate of biscuits. She sat on the chair across from him and watched him eat, waiting for him to begin talking about wedding plans.

  Jason wiped his mouth with his napkin and laid it down next to his coffee cup. “Before we discuss plans, I should tell you I stopped by to see my mother this morning on my way to work and told her about our engagement. She’s excited and happy for us and told me that she wants to be part of the planning. My mother is a sweet woman, and I know whatever she plans will only benefit us, and I hope you don’t consider her ideas an intrusion.”

  “She’s absolutely not an intrusion,” Charity said. “Your mother has always been kind to me, and I think she would be of great value to me when we plan this wedding.”

  “I’m sure she will since I have absolutely no idea what goes into planning a wedding,” Jason confessed.

  Charity answered, “We can have a simple wedding after services on a Sunday that we choose.”

  “I wish it were that simple,” Jason answered. “But I am the mayor, and the people in town will expect a larger more elaborate wedding than a simple ceremony after Sunday services.”

  Charity blew out of breath and said, “I never thought about that. You’re right. People in town will expect us to not only have a bigger wedding but also a reception that includes the entire town. Can we do that?”

  “Of course, I am the mayor after all,” Jason laughed.

  Charity nodded, and she asked, “Tell me what you think we should do.”

  Jason glanced out the window for a few moments and said, “First of all, we need to get married on a Saturday afternoon so that it appears as special as it is and not just an afterthought at Sunday services.”

  “I suppose you’re right,” Charity answered. “Let’s start with that. We need to pick a date.”

  Jason smiled, “How about this Saturday?”

  “What? No, I need time. I can’t do everything we need to do by Saturday. I need a few weeks at least.”

  “All right, how about six weeks from now? The sweetheart dance is being held the Saturday before Valentine’s Day. Why don’t we get married the Saturday after Valentine’s Day?”

  “All right, that should give me enough time,” Charity answered. “We do need to see Pastor Elkins and make sure that day works for him and see about the reception.”

  “What if I come by your house tomorrow morning, and we, along with Ben and Annie, can go and see Pastor Elkins. On my way back to the office, I can stop at The Paradise and see about the reception.”

  “The Paradise?” Charity said. “That new hotel is luxurious.”

  Jason leaned closer and whispered, “And where else would the mayor and the most beautiful woman in the world celebrate their wedding reception with a few close friends and the entire town?”

  Charity giggled, “I can’t imagine a better place.”

  “Then it’s settled. I also need a new suit and so will Drew because I’m asking him to stand with me. How about if I take Ben along when I get the suit and have him fitted for a suit, too. I would like him to stand with me, too.”

  Charity felt happy tears prickle the backs of her eyes. “I know he would love being a part of the men’s preparations. I think he feels overwhelmed at times being the only male in the house.”

  “That will change in six weeks. Ben and I will rule the roost.”

  “I beg your pardon,” Charity said, staring into Jason’s eyes.

  “It’s only an expression. I mean, we will all share everything. No rulers or bosses. Maybe we’re bosses over the children but not each other,” Jason said as he worked hard to restate his words.

  Charity couldn’t help but laugh at Jason’s discomfort. “I’m sure we will work everything out to each other’s satisfaction. Perhaps I could write down some rules to follow.”

  “Rules? What kind of rules?” Jason stammered.

  “I’m teasing you. We’ll stumble along the way all newly married couples do, and we’ll be all right. Have some faith in us.”

  “I do, and we will. I need to get back to the office.”

  Jason glanced around the empty café, gave Charity a quick, sweet kiss, and hurried off to his afternoon meetings.

  Holly met Charity just inside the kitchen and said, “Tell me what plans you made and how I can help.”

  Chapter 7

  Holly spoke nonstop on the way to her house from the cafe with Charity following silently but nodding her head occasionally as Holly's excitement grew.

  Holly unlocked the front door and ushered Charity into the house and said, “Let me have your coat. Would you like a cup of tea before we look at the machine and the fabric? I was so excited when Joseph surprised me with the sewing machine for Christmas that I immediately ordered two patterns and two colors of satin fabric from the manufacturer in Denver. The package arrived the day before yesterday just in time for your wedding dress.”

  “It’s very kind of you to offer to sew my wedding dress, but don’t you need the fabric for yourself?” Charity asked.

  “Of course, when I ordered the fabric, I had no idea you were getting married this quickly, but the timing is perfect. I hope you like the patterns. You can choose either one. You and I are close to the same size, and I can adjust the patterns to fit you perfectly. I hope you like one of the two colors. We could send for another color, but I’m not sure if there would be enough time,” Holly said before she hurried out of the room.

  Charity nodded and said, “I'm sure I’ll love the patterns. You have excellent taste and are a talented seamstress. If you choose colors that you like, I'm sure I’ll like them too.”

  Holly bustled around and pulled a large brown paper wrapped package from inside her bedroom closet and brought it out and laid it on the kitchen table.

  When she unwrapped the package, Charity smiled and said, “The fabric is gorgeous. I truly love the blue. How did you know I would need this?”

  Holly shrugged. “I didn’t. I thought I would make two dresses for myself, and these are two of my favorite colors--cornflower blue and emerald green.”

  She handed the two patterns to Charity and asked, “Which pattern do you like best? You can choose either because I can make a dress for myself from the same pattern later. With a few adjustments, you'd never know it came from the same pattern.”

  Charity stared at the two patterns for a few moments and then smiled. “I think I prefer this simple dress. I'm not one for ruffles and lots of lace. Besides, this is my second wedding. I think all the frills should be left for a first-time bride.”

  “But,” Holly argued, “you're marrying the mayor. Don't you think a fancy dress would be more approp
riate?”

  “Possibly,” Charity answered, “but I would feel very uncomfortable.”

  Holly clapped her hands. “Perfect. Then we’ll make this simpler dress in the blue fabric, which will look wonderful on you. It matches your eyes.”

  Their conversation was interrupted by a knock at the front door. Holly said, “Look at the pattern and see if you want to make any changes while I answer the door.”

  Charity heard Holly greet Missus Shepherd. “Good afternoon Missus Shepherd. Please, won’t you come in.”

  Peggy Shepherd stepped through the front door holding a basket in her hand. She handed the basket to Holly and removed her coat.

  “I hope you don’t mind my intrusion,” Peggy Shepherd said. “I stopped at the café to invite Charity to my home for tea and persimmon pudding while we discuss wedding plans. Joseph said you were both here working on a wedding dress, so I rushed home, grabbed the pudding, and came for a visit.”

  “You are always welcome, Missus Shepherd,” Holly insisted. “Charity’s in the kitchen looking at the fabric and patterns I purchased. Please join us.”

  Peggy smiled, “Thank you. I’d like that.”

  Charity looked up when the women entered the kitchen.

  “Missus Shepherd, it’s nice to see you,” Charity said.

  “Peggy, please. Remember, I asked you to call me Peggy when you and Jason had dinner with Matthew and me.”

  “Peggy, all right, I can do that.” Charity answered.

  “This fabric is beautiful,” Peggy commented as she approached the table and saw the satin laid across the table.

  “I’ve decided on the blue and this simple pattern,” Charity explained and held out the pattern for Peggy to see.

  “This is lovely and will look beautiful on you, but do you think you’ll have enough time to sew this dress? I’ll help, of course, but sewing can be time-consuming.”

  Holly spoke, “That won’t be a problem, Joseph gave me a sewing machine for Christmas, and I love to sew.”

  “How wonderful,” Peggy exclaimed. “A sewing machine and a seamstress. You should be able to get everything done. Are you also making a new dress for Annie?”

  Charity nodded, “I planned to make one.”

  “What about Ben?” asked Holly. “I don’t have much experience with suits, but I can make him one if he’ll stand still long enough for the measurements.”

  Charity laughed. “I’m not sure he’d like that. Jason told him that since he needs a new suit for the wedding, he would take Ben with him, and they would both get new suits. Ben is excited to do something alone with Jason.”

  “That settles the problem then,” Peggy said. “I have ivory and pink satin at home. Please allow me to make you a bouquet of satin roses.”

  Charity hugged her future mother-in-law. “Thank you, Peggy. I would love that. There are so many details that I need to remember. I never even thought about a bouquet.”

  “Don’t you worry about a thing,” Peggy told Charity. “You take care of your dress, and the hotel will take care of the preparations. Matthew and I insist on taking care of that part of the wedding. We’ll speak to the hotel manager and take care of all the details.”

  Charity, at a loss for words, hugged Peggy and whispered, “Thank you.”

  “It’s my pleasure,” Peggy assured her. “You’re going to make Jason happy, and that’s all a mother can expect. I worried he might not find a woman to share his life with. I’m pleased he found you.”

  “Now,” Peggy added. “Let’s have a cup of tea, eat a little, and see if there is anything Charity wants included in the wedding. I don’t want to feel as if you’re being forced out of the plans, my dear.”

  Settled at the table with their tea and plates of pudding, Charity said, “I would like Annie to be a flower girl. She’s excited about me dressing up for the wedding, and I promised her a new dress. Jason included Ben in his plans, not only taking him to buy a suit, but he asked him to stand with him. Ben is excited to be included in adult plans.”

  Peggy smiled, her pride for her son shining. “Jason has a huge heart, and you already know he’s a good man. He’ll make you a fine husband and father for the children.”

  Charity giggled. “At our little picnic, Jason included the children and asked them if he could marry me. Ben’s first question was if he did, could he call Jason papa. Jason didn’t hesitate in saying yes, and that assured me he would raise my children with love.”

  “That he will,” Peggy assured her, “and any more children you have. You’re still a young woman, Charity, I see more children in your future.”

  Charity blushed and sipped her tea, trying to hide the heat she felt rising on her cheeks.

  Hoping to change the subject, Charity said, “Peggy, I do have a concern.”

  “What is it?” Peggy asked. “I’ll do what I can to help.”

  “Jason and I spoke about my giving up my job at the café, and I want to do that. It would mean more time with Annie and Ben, and Joseph said he can easily hire a young woman to take my place, but if I stay home with the children, do you think we might get into Widow Stanley’s way?” Charity asked.

  “Harriet Stanley has been a friend for many years, and I’ve never heard her say a cross word about children although she never had any of her own,” Peggy explained.

  Charity nodded. “I’m sure there will be times when I need to run errands or have an appointment where I can’t take the children. I wonder if she’d be open to the children staying at home with her. Miss Barber watches them now when I work or can’t take them with me, but I know she wants to go to St. Louis to visit her ailing sister. She’s mentioned that she might move there to care for her.”

  “I have an idea,” Peggy stated. “One day this week, you and I will visit with Harriet. You can see the house without Jason around, so town tongues don’t begin to wag, and you can bring up your concerns before the wedding. I’m sure we can come up with something that will work well. Please remember what I said when you and Jason were at supper with us last night, Annie and Ben will be our grandchildren and this grandmother is always open to spending a day with them.”

  “Thank you very much both for accepting my children and for helping me with my concerns,” Charity said before tucking into her sweet treat. “This is delicious. I’ve never had persimmon pudding before.”

  “I first enjoyed it on a trip that Matthew and I took to Texas. I begged the recipe from the hotel cook, and now each year, Matthew arranges to have a crate of persimmons shipped from Texas. I put up the mashed pulp to enjoy all winter and we love it during Christmas. It’s one of Jason’s favorites.”

  “I must get the recipe from you and arrange for a delivery of persimmons, too,” Charity said. “I’ll ask Joseph to speak to Matthew. My brother is always looking for something new to offer at the café. This would be lovely during the holidays.”

  “I can give you the recipe, but I think you and Annie should come over to the house, and we can bake together. Ben, too, if you don’t think he’d get bored of all the baking and lady talk,” Peggy offered.

  “He might, but he would certainly be unhappy if he missed having a treat,” Charity answered.

  The three women laughed and continued chatting about the upcoming wedding.

  Chapter 8

  The talk with Pastor Elkins had gone well, and both children behaved as well as they did during Sunday services. Pastor Elkins didn’t feel the need to ask a lot of questions the way he did with young couples experiencing their first love. Charity’s widowhood and Jason’s thirty years of age were enough for the kindly pastor to skip that part of his counseling.

  As they strolled back to Charity’s home, Jason said, “That was easier than I expected, and having the wedding at one o’clock was a good suggestion. We can hold the reception immediately after and feed everyone who attends a good lunch.”

  “That might be the entire town. Do you think the hotel can accommodate the entire town?” Char
ity questioned.

  “The Paradise is a first-class hotel and large enough for the entire town to wander in and out. I doubt people will come and stay for hours. Most of the men will come for food and leave. Couples will probably stay longer. You know how women love to fuss and talk.”

  “And men don’t? What is it you men do in the saloon for hours? You sit and brag about your accomplishments and try to outdo each other with bigger and bigger tales of daring feats and experiences,” Charity insisted. “At least we women stay sober and don’t end up fighting over foolish things.”

  Jason raised his hands in surrender. “You win. I suppose we all enjoy talking. We just have different interests.”

  “Since you surrendered, I’ll invite you in for a cup of coffee and a piece of pie. The children are here with us, so I doubt my neighbors will try and spy on what we’re doing,” Charity offered with a mischievous grin on her face.

  Jason didn’t need to be asked twice as he hurried in the house behind Charity and the children.

  Annie was chattering away in her usual manner, and she informed Jason about several wedding plans. “Aunty Holly is making mama a new dress and a new dress for me. My new grandma is making flowers for me. We’re going to have a big cake and maybe cookies.”

  Jason gave Charity a quizzical look. “Her grandma?”

  “Yes, your mother. She said she will make satin roses for the wedding. Annie is very excited about getting dressed in a new dress with flowers to carry,” Charity explained.

  “My mother hasn’t said a word to me about the plans. She said its women’s business and I need to wait for the wedding. She’s shared the ideas for the menu but nothing about your dress or the church decorations. I feel as if it’s someone else getting married,” Jason lamented.

  “You will be surprised, and it’s bad luck for a groom to know what his bride is wearing before the wedding. I thought you and Ben were going to buy suits. That’s a big part of the wedding plans,” Charity answered.