“Ben, you don’t have to do that. I know how to clean.”
“Will you have enough time?”
Molly shook her head.
“I didn’t think so. Let me do this for you,” Ben said just before he left. Molly locked the door behind him and hurried upstairs to share her news with her absent chaperones.
Chapter 18
Molly woke with the sun to the aroma of freshly brewed coffee. Lucy must be awake she thought. Stepping into a dress suitable for working in the shop, Molly unbraided her hair, brushed it, and twisted it up into a soft bun. Satisfied she looked appropriate she wandered into the kitchen.
“Rose, you’re up early. I expected to see Lucy.”
“I watched you and Ben at the party last night and thought that might be me soon. If it is, I should make sure I can still cook. It’s been a while. Underwood wouldn’t let anyone cook. He thought his stew was the best food available in town.”
“I remember. I wish I knew what kind of meat he used.” Molly shuddered. “I picture him out back grabbing a rat or other critter because he never left to hunt anything.”
Rose frowned and swallowed. “I hope you’re wrong, and someone brought him meat, but it never tasted the same. It had to be different meats. He didn’t seem like the type of person to bother with many spices. I have eggs and bacon this morning. Are you hungry?”
“Yes, I am. After the meal at Sarah’s I shouldn’t be, but I am. I’ll have eggs and bacon. Let me make some toast. I know we still have a loaf of Lucy’s bread.”
“Did I hear my name?” A sleepy voice asked from across the room. “Good morning.”
“Good morning, Lucy,” Rose replied. “We’re making you breakfast for a change. Sit down I have fresh coffee.”
The three laughed and enjoyed breakfast until they heard Sarah’s voice call from downstairs. “Hello. I’m here early to get working on Molly’s dress. Take your time. I didn’t want you to think I was a prowler.”
“Morning, Sarah, I’ll be down soon,” Molly called back.
Rose stood and asked Lucy if she could clean the dishes since she had a few dresses that needed buttons before the ladies picked them up.
Lucy shooed them both off with her fingertips. “Off with you now. I’m better at cleaning than sewing. Work on those buttons.”
Rose laughed and followed Molly down to the work room. Sarah, already busy at her sewing machine, spoke over her shoulder. “I’ll have your dress ready for a fitting in less than an hour. This fabric is delicate, and I plan to sew slower than I would a cotton frock.”
Molly wandered over and ran a finger along the ivory satin. “I still feel as if I’m in a dream. Henrietta is the most generous woman I’ve ever known. I wonder if Ben will like the dress.”
“Ben will likely collapse from happiness when he sees you in this dress. I believe he’ll be speechless.”
“I doubt Ben could ever be speechless. Oh, Sarah. Could I have a little time off this afternoon? Ben wants to show me the house he wants to buy.”
“House,” Rose exclaimed. “How wonderful.”
“Of course,” Sarah answered and then asked, “Where is the house. Doesn’t he need to be close to town?”
Molly nodded, “Yes, it’s the empty house at the edge of town. The one that looks as if it’s in the middle of a field.”
“I wondered about that house. I never knew the couple, but I heard they moved to be with their daughter and her family in Milwaukee.”
Rose listened intently as she sewed a row of buttons on Henrietta’s red Christmas Eve gown.
Molly explained while she stitched a piece of lace around a collar, “The husband tried to breed goats for milk and some exotic chickens. His wife left when it all failed, and he followed leaving the house completely furnished.”
“Sad for them but fortunate for you and Ben. I thought you’d live here.”
“I couldn’t do that to Rose and Lucy. The last thing they need is a man living under their roof. I told Ben last night that we couldn’t get married because I refuse to sleep in the jail.”
Rose giggled. “Lucy and I could find another place to live. This is your home, Molly.”
“It’s your home, too at least until your young man answers and you head off to Montana.”
Rose released an audible sigh. “I hope you’re right. If he answers, then I need to explain my situation further. I pray he understands.”
“He will and if not, that paper Mrs. Brutherington sent had many men listed. We’ll find you a husband.”
Sarah stood, “Here we go, Molly. Time for a fitting. I think it will fit nicely, but it needs to be perfect. Once that’s done, it’s up to you to add the lace to your liking and Rose can sew on all the buttons.”
“All the buttons?” Molly asked.
“Of course, there is nothing prettier than a long row of pearl buttons down the back of your dress and nothing more frustrating for your husband on your wedding night.”
Molly blushed. Rose giggled again. Sarah smiled, “Change into your dress, let Ben worry about the buttons.”
Molly nodded and headed for the changing room. A few minutes later she emerged as a vision in ivory satin.
“You are beautiful,” Rose gushed.
Sarah handed Molly a ruffled petticoat and helped her lift the dress skirt and step into the petticoat. “Sorry. I should’ve given you the petticoat first.” Sarah arranged the skirt and walked around Molly gently pulling and shifting the fabric. “It fits perfectly. It needs buttons and lace. My job is done except for the hem which I’ll do after the embellishments are added.”
Molly stood in front of the long mirror and murmured, “I can’t believe that’s me. I never thought I’d marry and certainly not in a dress as fine as this. I can never repay any of you.”
“Be happy, and we’ll be happy,” Sarah said. “Now, step back into the changing room, and I’ll help you pull the dress over your head.”
Molly handed the dress to Sarah when they heard the bell above the front door jingle. “Ben isn’t here so soon is he?”
“No, it’s Minnie Masters, and she has a letter in her hand.”
Minnie rushed in waving a letter. “Sarah,” she stopped to catch her breath. “You received a letter from Celia. It was on the morning train. I had to bring it right over. It’s the first letter to arrive since she left for Wyoming.”
Sarah took the letter and invited Minnie into the work room. “Sit with us while I read the letter.”
“I want to hear, too,” Molly said walking out of the room with her wedding gown.
“Oh my, that is a lovely dress. You’ll be a beautiful bride,” Minnie said.
“Thank you.”
Rose stood and headed for the stairs.
“Where are you going?” Sarah asked.
“I’ll give you some privacy to read the letter from your friend.”
“Stay,” Sarah insisted. “She’s a mail-order bride. You can see if things are working well for her. It might give you some insight.”
Rose nodded and sat back down.
Sarah opened the envelope and read:
My Dear Sarah,
As I sit and pen this letter, my heart overflows with happiness. While Wyoming appears vastly different than Wisconsin, it is beautiful and feels like home. I do miss everyone, but each day Clint introduces me to new people and the ladies in town have made me feel very welcome.
Clint’s ranch is huge and covers more land than I can see. It is too cold to ride out and see it all, but we will in spring. I met his father, and the man is a dear soul and funny. He insists I call him Pa even though Clint and I have yet to marry.
Clint met me at the stage coach stop with flowers and laughed when I told him I needed to leave all my trunks at the train station. He arranged to have them brought here. Oh, Sarah, I thought he might be angry I brought everything I held dear, but I needn’t have worried. He is a good man. His ranch home is larger than my house in Gentle Falls. He didn’t te
ll me in his letters since he didn’t want a woman marrying him for money, but he is one of the wealthiest men in the area. I felt confident enough to tell him about my part-ownership of the bank. He took me to his lawyer immediately and signed a document giving up any claim to my assets or ownership in the bank as my husband. He says it is my legacy to pass onto any children we may have. Children, oh my. My heart races at the thought of having a child. I sent the document to Giles to be my trustee and have Mr. Willoughby place it in the bank safe.
Clint is kind and the only time I saw him show any sign of frustration was when he explained that his cattle are by no means dairy cows. He acted stern, but I could see a slight smile and twinkle in his eye.
We’re to be married on Christmas Eve in a lovely little church at seven o’clock. I know you will all be attending the Christmas Eve dance that night. Perhaps at seven you could think of me. I am happy, and I think a tiny bit in love with Clint. Is it possible to fall in love so quickly? I hope so. Please keep me in your prayers as you are always in mine.
Love, your friend,
Celia
“I think that answers any questions about whether a mail-order bride can be happy. Celia sounds blissful. Try not to worry, Rose.”
“I’ll try,” Rose answered wiping a tear from her eye. “That was a beautiful letter. I pray I will be as happy as your friend.”
“We’ll all pray for that,” Molly promised.
Minnie wiped tears from her eyes, too. “I’m happy she is doing well, but I do miss that sweet girl. I must go,” Minnie said waving two more letters. “She also wrote a letter to Henrietta and Eloise. I’m off to deliver them.” She waved as she left the shop.
“Your friend’s letter does give me hope, but she came from a good family. I still have a few worries about my past,” Rose confessed.
Molly took her hand, “You will find the right man. I know he’s out there. Just have faith.”
“I will.”
“Back to the embellishments, ladies,” Sarah ordered with a smile. “I have one more dress to sew for the Christmas Eve dance. All of us need to be aware of the time that night, and we can announce that our dear Celia is getting married at that moment.”
Nell rushed into the shop. “Sarah, are you here? Minnie just told me you heard from Celia. How is she?” Nell gushed.
“Come in back,” Sarah asked. “Have a cup of tea, and you can read the letter.”
Nell sat on the floral settee, and Sarah handed her the letter. She read it and looked up, “What wonderful news. I’m happy she told us what time her wedding is because we can have the men play a beautiful waltz and dance while she marries. How lovely would that be, ladies?” She took the cup Sarah offered and sipped. Her eyes danced with glee. “I’m happy everything turned out perfectly for Celia.”
Sarah looked at the watch pinned to her bodice. “It’s nearly noon; I’ll take us all to lunch to celebrate. I expect Henrietta and Eloise to come in this afternoon. They both have fittings, and I know they’ll want to talk about Celia.”
“I made fresh cornbread this morning. Cal has chicken soup and chili simmering. It’s wonderful this little one is allowing me to enjoy food again,” Nell said rubbing her stomach. “Cal worried I’d starve.”
“Men worry too much,” Sarah answered. “Speaking of men, here comes Ben.”
Ben opened the door, and before he could enter, Sarah told him, “You need to come back later. We’re off for a ladies lunch. After we eat, you can take Molly to see the house.”
Ben opened his mouth to reply, shook his head, closed the door, and headed back to the jail.
Chapter 19
An hour later, Ben entered Callahan’s and the four women were still chattering away oblivious to everyone and everything around them. Do women talk like this all the time? He wondered. He watched them for a moment hoping he and Molly would enjoy quiet evenings with more loving than talking before walking toward the group. He cleared his throat.
“Good Afternoon Ladies, is it all right to escort Molly on a walk now?”
“A walk?” Sarah asked. “Hmm, interesting way to explain your afternoon. Take your time getting back, Molly. Walking can take quite some time.”
“Thanks, Sarah,” Molly said allowing Ben to help her with her coat.
When they walked outside Ben said, “You told them where we’re going?”
“Of course, if I said we were taking a short walk we’d have chaperones. I’m surprised one of two of them aren’t following us, but I think they expect you to be a gentleman.” She smiled up at him before taking his arm.
“I am always a gentleman.”
“I know, but you are taking me to a furnished house. Some might be worried about my reputation. I wouldn’t want them to think I was compromised,” Molly laughed.
“Compromised?” Ben stammered. “The house is empty. Can you imagine how cold it is in there? You’re in more danger of being compromised in the jail than that house.”
“I’ll trust you,” she answered cuddling closer as they walked.
He stopped at the end of the road. “This is where the property starts. You can see Callahan’s from here. Next spring our closest neighbor will be the community center Judge Magarey wants to build. He’s calling it City Hall now because it will hold his office and a courtroom along with the mayor’s office.”
“Gentle Falls doesn’t have a mayor.”
“We will in spring if the Judge and Mr. Willoughby have their way. We can get close to the house on the drive. The weeds haven’t covered it completely. It leads back to the barn and chicken coop. I came here earlier and cut a path from the drive to the house. If you like the house, along with having the inside cleaned, I’ll hire a couple of men to remove the weeds in the yard unless it snows before the wedding.”
“It has been an unusually warm winter so far except for the snowstorm the day Underwood’s burned down, but I believe that was a blessing.”
Ben looked at her, “How can a snowstorm be a blessing?”
“Look around you. We’ve had several mild and sunny days. The snow has melted, but the one day fire could’ve destroyed the town, it snowed hard enough to help put out the fire. I’d call that a blessing.”
“You could be right, at that.”
“Oh, Ben, the house is sweet,” Molly gushed as she hurried up the path Ben cleared. She rushed up the weathered front porch. “I can see how beautiful this house will be with fresh paint and flowers along the front of the porch.”
Ben smiled at Molly’s excitement. She loved the house, and they were still standing on the porch. “Would you like to see the inside?”
“Yes,” Molly answered bouncing on her toes.
Ben unlocked the door and held it open for Molly. She walked past him into the hall and then the parlor. She turned around in a circle taking in the room. Molly walked to the stone fireplace and ran her hand over the wide wood mantel. “Oh, Ben. I’ve never lived anywhere with a parlor this size. The fireplace is beautiful. Imagine when the wood mantel is polished and holds pictures of…friends. We’ll have pictures of friends or pretty plates since I don’t have any family pictures, do you?”
Ben shook his head. “We’ll have our family pictures eventually.”
“Yes, we will. This room is lovely. The furniture is nice although dusty. It looks comfortable.”
“There’s more to see.”
Molly followed Ben into a small dining room and then a big kitchen. “There’s a pump for the sink. You won’t have to go outside to get water.”
Molly nodded while opening cabinet doors. “I can’t believe this house is so well kept, and they left everything including dishes and cooking pots behind.”
“I think he left everything when his wife left. He wanted to get to her. Fortunately, we won’t have much to get except whatever you think we need. I don’t know what a woman needs in her kitchen.”
Molly turned and smiled. “Neither do I. I’ve never had a kitchen before. I cook in Sarah
’s shop, and I’ve used kitchens in saloons, but never one of my own. I just used whatever was available. I can make good use of all these things. It’s perfect, Ben.”
He pointed out the backdoor, “Umm, there’s an outhouse or should I say privy, sorry. Anyway, it’s out back.”
Molly stared at Ben. “It’s all right; I know what an outhouse is.”
“Well, you only have to use it for a few months.”
She scrunched her face, “Why?”
“Mr. Willoughby and the town council’s rules about indoor plumbing.”
“We’re going to have an indoor necessary and bathing room?”
Ben nodded. “Yes, I was informed that part of the town rules any newly built or recently purchased property must have the indoor plumbing. Mr. Willoughby abhors outhouses. Roy Greiner has the plans from when he built his bathing room. In spring I will add onto the house and add whatever needs adding.”
Molly threw her arms around Ben’s neck. “Ben, this is more than I ever dreamed of in my life. A man I love to marry, a home of my own, and an indoor bathing room. Do you have any more surprises?”
“Bedrooms,” he grinned.
Molly blushed but followed him. He pointed out the big furnished bedroom informing her it would be theirs and a smaller room that could be used for guests. “Do you want to see the upstairs? It is one huge room. They never needed another bedroom and didn’t finish it. I could easily turn it into two or three bedrooms when we need them.”
Molly took a step back. “How many children do you want, Ben Clay?”
“As many as the good Lord gives us.” He winked at Molly.
She walked into his arms and murmured, “I can agree with that.”
Ben kissed her soundly. “Let’s go to the bank and see Mr. Willoughby unless you don’t like the house.”
“I love the house, Ben, but there’s a barn and chicken coop. I can cook, but I’ve never milked a cow or gathered eggs. I won’t be a good wife.” She dropped her head.
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