At the altar, Doug’s smile was as big as all outdoors as Rance placed Laurie’s hand in his. There’s that tingle again.
The vows were exchanged, The pastor said, “You may kiss your bride.” After the kiss, he asked them to face the guests and said, “Ladies and Gentlemen, I present to you, Mr. and Mrs. Douglas Pierce,”
Abby began playing the recessional and the newlyweds made their way to the narthex, and out of the church.
Well-wishers came to offer their congratulations and best wishes. Abby pushed her way through to her sister. Both were crying as they embraced.
“I couldn’t believe it when I saw it was you playing,” Laurie said. “I’ve been so worried. When did you get in?”
“Late yesterday afternoon,” Abby said. “It was Mama’s idea to surprise you. I guess we did, huh?” Abby said.
“You did. This is the best wedding present I could have imagined. I’ve dreamed of you playing for my wedding,” she said.
Amanda and Rance were standing to the side, enjoying the reunion of the two sisters. “It was beautiful, wasn’t it?” Amanda said.
“You did a wonderful job. It was perfect. You should have seen Laurie’s face when she realized it was Abby playing.”
“Well done,” Jennie said to her best friend. “I’ve never seen a more beautiful bride or wedding. Neither of them will ever forget this day.” They hugged each other and their husbands shook hands.
“A good day,” Cal said.
“The best,” Rance answered/
Before Doug assisted her into the waiting carriage, Laurie tossed her bridal bouquet over her shoulder. It was caught by… Abby.
“Your turn, Sis,” Laurie said.
Epilogue
The honeymoon plans of Laurie and Doug were altered by the onset of the war in Europe. Instead, they went to San Francisco for two weeks, before returning to Cheyenne.
Doug was groomed to run the large Circle CP ranch, while Laurie taught in the elementary school in Cheyenne, until she gave birth to her first child, whom they named William Douglas and called him Billy. The following year, saw another son, named James Richard. The third child was a beautiful dark haired girl whom they named Abigail.
Laurie became a stay at home mother after Abigail’s birth.
Abby continued her career as a concert pianist, and remained unmarried until she lost her heart to Philip Fonseca, the conductor of the Denver Philharmonic Orchestra. She and her husband were blessed with a daughter they named Amanda, who inherited her parents musical genes.
She kept the home on the Rocking R, and let Laurie and Doug live there until their home on the Circle CP was completed.
Michael completed college in the fall of 1917. In April of 1918 the United States entered the war, and to the dismay of his parents, he joined the Army. He was commissioned a 2nd Lieutenant in the US Cavalry, and became a member of the American Expeditionary Force. His unit saw action inn the Saint-Mihiel and Meuse-Argonne Offensives in late 1918. He also became the first member of the family to see France, though not in the role of a tourist.
Michael escaped the war unscathed, and, he returned to the Lazy K, after it ended. He and his father ran the ranch operations.
His curiosity still intact, he led the Lazy K in the mechanization of the farm and ranch operation, becoming one of the first users of gasoline powered trucks in the entire state.
Michael and his wife Anna Elizabeth had three children, giving Rance and Amanda a total of seven grandchildren, that were doted on and spoiled by their grandparents.
Holidays were spent on the Lazy K, and were a raucous affair
If you enjoyed Mama Was A Mail Order Bride, please share with your friends. Above all, consider leaving a favorable review on Amazon. A link to other books in this series:
Click here for other books by Susan Leigh Carlton
Click here for Susan’s website
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About Susan
Susan lives in a gated community just outside Tomball, a small Texas town, 26 miles northwest of Houston, with her husband; two toy poodles, Bobby and Charlie; and Lissie, the cat.
“Mama Was A Mail Order Bride” is her latest book to be published by Amazon and is the fourteenth volume.
Mail Order Bride Series Thumbnails of the covers of her other books are on the pages following this one.
If you enjoyed Cheyenne Mail Order Bride, please share with your friends. Above all, please consider leaving a favorable review on Amazon.
Susan
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A Note From Susan
Gentle Readers
I monitor all of the reviews and comments, left on Amazon or sent directly to me by email. I particularly treasure the emails from you. I revise my writing process and style accordingly. Writing is still a learning process for me and I love every minute of it.”
I appreciate your taking the time to read my books. As an avid reader myself, I will read several books during the time I am writing this one. Our kids love to read. In fact, one year, we gave our ten year old son, his own subscription to Readers Digest because he kept taking ours. He continued it through college.
For those of you who email me about the plots and the style, I thank you. For someone to have the interest and take the time to email… well it makes my day and you have a special place in my heart.
I had an email from a gentleman who lives in the area I used as the setting for ‘In Search Of Love’. Since I research the geographical setting of all my books, the names of the trails, creeks and towns were familiar to him.”
Another reader emailed a picture of her great-great grandfather after she read ‘The Widow Finds Love’ which is based in part on my great-great-great grandmother and her 1888 trek from South Carolina to Utah.”
When you visit my website, you will see a form on the right side of the page. It is a sign up for my mailing list. There is no SPAM and NO ads. You can opt out at any time.
When I start a new book, I send out an unedited portion of the first chapter. If you have suggestions for additional books, I would love to hear them. Email them to me or enter them as comments on the website.”
If you enjoyed Mama Was A Mail Order Bride, please share with your friends. Above all, please consider leaving a favorable review on Amazon. A link to my other books:
Click here for my other books.
Click here for my website
Susan
Susan’s Other Books
Susan's Other Books
Cheyenne Mail Order Bride
Kyle's Modern Montana Bride
Cody's Montana Sweetheart
Charlotte's Mail Order Husband
The Montana Rancher's Bride
The Montana Doctor's Bride
Texas Oilman's Bride
In Search Of Love
The Widow's Mail Order Husband
Yankee Mail Order Bride
Not Quite A Mail Order Bride
Tainted Mail Order Bride ***Amazon Best Seller Book***
Jedadiah's Mail Order Bride ***Amazon Best Seller Book***
A Reluctant Mail Order Bride
She Found Her Love In Washingron
The Lonely Cowboy
Cake and Pie Recipes From MaMaw's Kitchen
Love On The Brazos
Loving A Firefighter
Loving An Airborne Ranger
Diabetes: You Can Live With It Or Die From It
Bobby and Charlie's Great Adventure
Diabetes: You Can Live With It Or Die From It
Pies From MaMaw's Kitchen
Cakes From MaMaw's Kitchen
Cakes and Pies From MaMaw's Kitchen
Visit Susan’s Website
Mama Was A Mail Order Bride (Mail Order Bride Series Book 14) Page 8