by Lynn Donovan
“It’s so good to see you again.” Ginger hugged Dotty’s neck. Binks stood at her side grinning as if he had no idea what was about to happen. “Theodore and I were thinking we’d bring a picnic and come see you at the mining camp. Is that all right?”
Aidan turned to see Sheriff Guffy speak to his wife, pat her arm, and then part from her side. Aidan’s stomach tightened as he watched Guffy take long strides toward Binks.
“Theodore Binks.” Sheriff Guffy approached them with a slight smile. “Could I have a word?”
Relief filled Aidan’s gut. The sheriff had the good sense to take Binks out of the public view before arresting him. He squeezed Dotty’s hand.
Ginger took a step to go with Binks and the sheriff.
The sheriff touched the brim of his hat, meeting Ginger’s green eyes. “Miss Houndsman, I need to speak to Mr. Binks in private.”
Ginger nodded with a frown and reluctantly remained with her parents. Her gaze remained on Binks as they walked around to the side of the church. An elderly couple approached Aidan and Dorothy.
“Well, Mr. Orchid, who is this lovely woman at your side?”
Aidan focused on the couple waiting for an introduction. “Mister and Missus Caldwell, my I introduce you to my wife, Dorothy. She’s from Boston originally and has a degree from Harvard University.”
“Oh my!” Mrs. Caldwell gasped. “How on earth did you find Billings, Montana?
Aidan wrapped a protective arm around Dotty and drew her close to his side. “She wrote a commentary in a newspaper and I was so impressed with her brilliance, I asked her to come to Montana. Not only is she an excellent school teacher for the children at the mining camp, but she agreed to be my wife.”
Mrs. Caldwell smiled. Mr. Caldwell shook Aidan’s hand. “Well, congratulations to both of you.”
“We must get together for tea.” Mrs. Caldwell addressed Dotty.
Aidan smiled at his wife who looked terrified. Mrs. Houndsman smiled graciously. “Yes, Mrs. Caldwell, let’s plan a women’s social tea to congratulate Dotty on her marriage and perhaps bless her with some wedding gifts to help the bride begin her new adventure with some lovely new things for her house.”
Dotty’s eyes darted between Mrs. Houndsman and Mrs. Caldwell, then lighted on Ginger who was craning her neck to see what Binks and the sheriff were doing.
“Um, that sounds… lovely.” Dotty uttered, but her focus was on Ginger.
Aidan shook another man’s hand and turned to introduce his wife.
“No, no, no!” Ginger cried and stepped out from the group.
In the distance, the sheriff guided Binks in handcuffs behind his back. They walked around to the back of the church, heading toward the jail.
“What’s happening?” Ginger turned to her father who looked shocked.
Dotty touched Ginger’s arm. “I’m so sorry, Ginger.”
“You knew this was going to happen? Why is it happening? What did Theodore do to get arrested? We were going to have a picnic out at your mining camp!” Her voice deteriorated into sobs. Her mother took her into loving arms and held Ginger as she cried.
Aidan looked directly in the eyes of Mr. Houndsman. He spoke quietly, “Mr. Binks is suspected of… arson… and murder.”
“What!” Ginger lifted her head from her mother’s shoulder. “My Theodore would never—”
Dotty gently touched Ginger’s back. “It was the skunk smell that gave him away, Ginger. I’m so sorry.”
“What does that mean?” Ginger jerked away from Dotty’s touch. “He told me he stumbled into a skunk last night. That doesn’t make him an arsonist or… murderer! How could you?”
Aidan looked at the people who were mostly staring at them. “Ginger, please calm down. Someone murdered Brown Bear and set the Two-Rivers clan’s village on fire, then last night Dotty saw a man drop a match when our skunk sprayed him right before the barn lit on fire.”
He glanced around because the congregants were gathering close to hear. Aidan lowered his voice. “The fact that Binks smelled of skunk this morning is pretty strong evidence it was him.”
Chatter wafted through the people, repeating what Aidan had said. He winced hearing the gossip roll through the crowd. He turned to the congregants and shouted. “Please stop!” Aidan moved to the steps and pumped his hands to quiet the crowd. “Listen to me, everyone. Someone burned my barn last night. We don’t know who it was but we do know whoever it was, he got sprayed by a skunk. Now, just because Mr. Binks had that odor, doesn’t make him guilty. The sheriff will conduct an investigation.”
Someone yelled. “Sure, you know! That man reeked of skunk spray! It has to be him.”
“It could be a coincidence!” Dorothy joined her husband on the step. “Come on, this is America where people are innocent until proven guilty.” She looked out across the angry faces. “It was dark. We couldn’t see who lit the barn on fire. We have to let the sheriff do his job.”
Aidan looked at his wife. She was right. He hadn’t thought to say that. Putting his arm around her, he puffed out his chest. He couldn’t be more proud of her. “That’s right, folks. Now let’s just go about our business and let the sheriff do his job.”
The crowd began to disburse, although the chatter continued. Aidan knew he couldn’t really control the wagging tongues, but at least he managed to convince the people to leave. Poor Ginger and Mr. Houndsman looked devastated. They both had a vested interest in Theodore Binks’s guilt or innocence. Aidan stepped down and approached the Houndsmans. “I’m so sorry this had to come out like this. I hope we are wrong about Binks. But it doesn’t look good. How often does a man get sprayed by a skunk?”
Ginger lifted tear reddened eyes. “He didn’t realize he smelled? How could he not know—”
Dorothy gently touched Ginger’s arm. “We human’s have the ability to get used to most odors, to the point that we no longer notice it. That must be what happened with Mr. Binks. He could no longer smell the odor and thought he had washed it off.”
Aidan and the Houndsmans looked at her with surprise. Ginger whimpered, “How do you know that?”
Dotty smiled with a shrug. “I studied a lot of subjects while I was at Harvard. Anatomy was just one of those random classes I took because it interested me. The human body has some amazing adaptive abilities. Suppressing certain stimuli is one of those abilities.”
Ginger collapsed into her mother’s embrace and sobbed. “Oh, mother. What am I going to do?”
Leticia Houndsman stroked her daughter’s hair. “Oh, Sweet Ginger. If it is true, isn’t it better you find out now and not after you were married?”
Ginger lifted her face, glanced at Dotty and then her mother. “Yes. I suppose you’re right. But, Dotty’s right, my Theodore is innocent until proved guilty and I’m not going to give up on him until I know for sure.”
“Of course, dear.” Mrs. Houndsman met Aidan’s sympathetic gaze.
“Listen, Ginger.” Dorothy turned her friend toward her and held her shoulders. “I know you’re upset and worried, but how about you and your parents come with us. We are going to do something that I think you will find enjoyable.”
Ginger sniffed and wiped her eye with the back of her hand. “What’s that?”
“Well,” Dorothy turned to Aidan with a smile. “Aidan and I are going to turn in our papers that finalize our marriage. And I’d love to have you there when we do.”
Aidan stepped up to Dorothy. “Really. Dotty, You’re ready?”
She turned to face him. “Oh, dear me, Aidan, I am. Last night proved to me that I love you and I’m ready to truly be your wife. And the children’s mother.”
Ginger cooed. “Oh Dotty. I’m so happy for you.” She turned to her parents. “Can we go with them? At least we can witness somebody’s happiness.” She whimpered. “And then can we go check on Theodore?”
Mr. Houndsman wrapped his arm around his daughter. “Yes. And I’ll go with you to the jail, after all Theodore and I w
ere developing a business plan together. I, too, am concerned about his guilt or innocence.
Ginger tried to smile.
Dorothy pursed her lips. “I am a strong believer in things working out the way they are supposed to.” Dotty hugged her friend and turned to gather the children. “Gavin, Anna Beth, Cole, Jackson! Load up on the wagon, please.”
Ginger sniffed. “It certainly has for you.”
“Oh, dear me, Ginger, it will for you too. I promise. Maybe not this time, but indubitably it will.”
“I’m not giving up on Theodore. Not yet.” Ginger wiped her eyes.
Aidan and Dorothy exchanged a look.
“Of course.” Aidan said at last.
Chapter Eleven

Aidan rushed across the church lawn. “Judge Haws!”
The man with lamb chop sideburns turned from almost stepping into a buggy. A woman peeked out of the vehicle with a frown.
Aidan shook the man’s hand and spoke to him. Dorothy watched from where she stood with the Houndsmans, and her children who had gathered around the wagon. “Load up, children.” Dorothy instructed. “Anna Beth, up front.”
Mr. Houndsman helped his wife and daughter into their Daimler carriage and waited for Aidan to return. Soon Aidan trotted back to his family, panting, “All right, the judge will open the courthouse for us.” He glanced at his children with pleasure, and climbed onto the wagon seat. “Let’s go.”
He lead the way and the Houndsman family followed him to the center of town. They parked next to the judge and his wife and all walked through the colonial style entrance. Dorothy smiled at Aidan as she carried her envelope with the papers that were given to her when she first arrived in Billings. She had not signed them yet. She wanted to do it ceremoniously with Aidan and the children watching.
Judge Haws unlocked his office and everyone walked in. Dorothy’s heart pounded. She held the envelope close to her chest. The judge sat behind his desk and watched Aidan and Dorothy take their positions in front as they had done when he spoke the words of their marriage ceremony.
Dorothy turned to face Aidan. “Aidan, darling. When I first arrived in Billings, you caught me by surprise with this visit to this very office. I misunderstood your letter and your offer to take your late wife’s place.” She laughed. “I thought you wanted me to take her place as teacher. But I soon realized you wanted me to take her place as your wife. I was shocked and terrified. But in this short time that I’ve been around you and your children, I have fallen in love with you and with them.” She turned her face toward the children and smiled. Anna Beth grimaced and the boys shrugged, but had an agreeable look on their faces. Dotty turned back to Aidan. “So, today I am ready to make this official and sign these papers to legally become your wife and” —she turned to the children— “your mother.”
Aidan took Dorothy’s hands into his. “Dorothy. I didn’t know what I was getting myself into when I asked you to come here and fill in for Sheila, but now that I’ve gotten to know you better and to see you with the children, I know this was exactly what I was supposed to do. I am so proud of you and I love you, too. Thank you for agreeing to be my wife and their mother. You have made me the happiest man around, twice.” He chuckled.
“Well, all right, then.” The judge said. “Let’s sign those papers.”
Dorothy grinned at Aidan, then turned to Ginger who smiled with a tear oozing from her eye. Her friend nodded. Dorothy opened the envelope and took out the document and laid it on the judge’s desk. He handed her a pen and ink. Dorothy dipped the pen and wrote her name and the date, then handed the pen to Aidan. He signed also and handed Judge Haws the pen. He witnessed the document and blew across the ink to dry it.
“There we have it.” Judge Haws stood. “I’ll file this tomorrow but it’s legal as of today. Congratulations.”
He shook Aidan’s hand and then Dorothy’s.
Ginger squealed and hugged Dotty. Mr. and Mrs. Houndsman pursed a smile and hugged Dorothy also.
Aidan wrapped his arm around Dorothy. “There’s just one thing.”
Everyone stopped walking toward the judge’s door to hear what was wrong.
Aidan scanned the faces, then turned to face Dorothy. “I haven’t kissed the bride.”
Dorothy blushed. “You’re right. We overlooked that detail.” She smiled and leaned toward Aidan. He lowered his face to hers and caressed her lips with his. She put her arms around his neck, deepening the kiss. Passion swelled in her heart and she wanted so much more.
A throat cleared and the couple broke the kiss. Judge Haws laughed. “I said kiss the bride, not consummate the marriage.”
Dorothy burned with embarrassment, but Ginger giggled.
Judge Haws laughed. “Ladies and Gentlemen, may I present, Mister and Missus Aidan Orchid.”
The Houndsmans applauded. The children stood silent. But Anna Beth’s head hung low and her shoulders trembled. Dorothy stepped up to her. “What is it, Anna Beth?”
She lifted tear-filled eyes.”I didn’t think you wanted to be our momma.”
Dorothy glanced at Aidan with compassion. She pulled Anna Beth into her arms. “Actually, sweetheart, I have always wanted a daughter just like you, it was your father I had to decide whether I wanted to be married to.” She chuckled. “It was never a question for any of you children. I fell in love with you four the minute I met you.”
Anna Beth threw her arms around Dorothy’s waist. The boys smiled and rushed to their new mother and they all wrapped around Dotty. She reached out to embrace them all. “You children make me the luckiest woman in all of Montana Territory.”
Aidan stepped over and joined in the layered embrace. “We both are the luckiest parents.”
Anna Beth laughed and the boys let go to step back. They wiped their eyes. Gavin ran for the door. “Come on, let’s go home and tell the others. Jacob and I had a bet that she’d end up being our new momma.”
Aidan tilted his head and gave his son a disapproving glare. The kids all laughed. “Yeah, let’s go!”
Dotty met Aidan’s sky-blue eyes. She smiled and lifted a brow. “At least the bet was in my favor.”
Aidan chuckled. “True.” He took his wife by the shoulder and lead his family out of the Courthouse.
Epilogue

A few months later…
“Whoa!” The Miller halted his team of mules. Aidan Orchid walked out of his house to see who had arrived at the mining camp. A large wagon full of lumber stacked high and tied down with ropes was followed by four buggies, and buck-board wagons filled with the townsfolk from Billings. They spilled from their vehicles with a bedlam of chatter, laughter, and baskets and bowls of food.
“What’s all this?” Aidan asked Mr. Miller.
Dorothy stepped out on to the porch of the schoolhouse, the children all crowding behind her to see. “Oh, dear me!” She gaped at the load of lumber.
Mr. Miller stepped up to Aidan and shook his hand. “We are here for a good ole barn raising, Orchid. The townsfolk appreciate everything you did to help the sheriff capture Theodore Binks and we wanted to help you replace your damaged barn.”
Dorothy joined Aidan at his side. He put his arm around her and turned to the mass of people who were standing around the lumber wagon waiting to begin. “Well. Thank you.” He turned moist eyes to the crowd. “All of you. My wife and I appreciate you coming here to give us a hand and all this lumber. It’s amazing!”
Mr. Houndsman approached Aidan. “It’s what townsfolk do, Aidan. We take care of our own. And you and Dotty are definitely one of us.”
Dotty spotted Ginger and rushed to her. “Oh, dear me, Ginger! Thank you.”
Ginger laughed. “I’ve been wanting to come see you up here on the mountain for weeks!”
“I’m sorry things went the way it did that Sunday. Can you ever forgive us?”
“There’s nothing to forgive!” Ginger hugged Dotty. “You did me a tremendous favor. What if
I had married that scoundrel? How awful would my life have been?”
“Well. You’re right. But you’ll find the right man for you. I want you to be as happy as Aidan and I.”
Ginger smiled. “Yes. I want to be as happy as you. Look at you, you’re positively glowing.”
Dotty dipped her head and grinned. “Really? I’ve read that happens. A woman’s skin takes on a radiate appearance when she’s… well—”
Ginger’s mouth dropped open. “Are you?”
Dotty nodded.
“Oh, Dotty! I’m so happy for you!”
“Thank you.” Dorothy glanced at Aidan. “I am a lucky gal, although Aidan doesn’t believe in luck.” She smiled.
“Well, you take it easy and don’t overdo.” Ginger turned to the people unloading the lumber.
“Oh, dear me. Ginger. I’m pregnant, not broken.”
They laughed. Dorothy turned toward her students. “Class dismissed, children. We are having a barn raising today!”
The children cheered and ran to the lumber wagon. Mr. Miller gave everyone directions and the townsfolk got to work tearing down the burned structure and organizing the new lumber for the new barn.
Aidan found Dorothy. “Polka Dot, please don’t wear yourself out.”
Dorothy rolled her eyes. “You worry too much. I’m fine. Everything I have read about being with child says it’s good for a woman to maintain her normal activity.”
Aidan chuckled. “You and your textbooks. No wonder you were so brilliant in Boston. Is there nothing you haven’t read something about?”
“I’m not sure.” She stepped into his embrace and snuggled against his chest. “But I do know one thing.”
“What’s that?”
“I am Blessed in Billings!”
Aidan squeezed her tighter. “So am I, Missus Orchid. So am I.”

THE END
Personal Note from the Author
Thank you for reading my book in this series, Yours Truly: The Lovelorn. The next author is Marie Higgins with “Secretive in Sacramento.” Available for preorder now. Click here to reserve your e-copy.
