by Kit Morgan
“Yes, Matthew and I plan to visit as often as we can, and I’m sure they’ll be coming here on occasion. In time, we might move to Oregon City as well.”
“You will come see Tom and me before you do, won’t you?”
“To Clear Creek? Of course! You don’t think I’m going to miss out on a chance to see if all those stories he tells are true, do you?”
Rose laughed. “I hate to admit it, but I can’t wait either! There is one person in that town though, I worry about.”
“If they even exist, but I do have to ask, which one? The giants he talks about, or the Cooke brothers? What about the miracle working doctor?”
“None of those,” Rose admitted.
“Then which one?”
Rose’s eyes widened. “The one called, Mrs. Dunnigan.”
“I don’t recall that one, he must not have told me.”
“Trust me, if he did, you’d remember!”
“Abbey said that Mrs. Riley is going to help Matthew’s aunt obtain a mail order bride for Arlan.” Charlotte announced, changing the subject.
“Are they going to send for one through the Ridgley Mail Order Bride service?”
“I don’t know, were there any girls ready to leave Winslow after you?”
“Some, but I’m not sure when their birthdays are. I know she was getting other applicants in besides the one’s here. Who knows where the next bride will go?”
“Yes, who knows,” she agreed and set the teapot down. “All I know is I couldn’t be happier, if Tom hadn’t spoken up when he did …”
“I would have!” Rose finished for her.
Charlotte giggled. “Me too!”
“And me!” Matthew chortled as he entered the parlor. “Ahhhh, tea. Lovely.”
“I gotta quit sneaking over here and doing this,” Tom announced as he followed Matthew. “I’m supposed to be working ya know.”
“You’re protecting the cookies,” Rose said. “Because if you don’t, I might eat them all.”
They all laughed at that.
“Well,” Matthew began. “I propose we break with convention, and … make a pact.”
“A pact?” Tom asked. “You mean like a … a … deal?”
“A pledge,” Matthew offered.
“What are you talking about?” Charlotte asked, confused. “I remember the last time you wanted to break with convention.”
“That none of us will ever, EVER stick our noses into the love lives of our children unless of course it involves their safety.”
“Ohhhhh,” came three voices in unison.
“What say you?” Matthew asked as he looked at all three in turn. He then held out his hand. Each put a hand over it, and each took a deep breath.
“I hope I’m up to it,” Tom said. “Especially if’n we have daughters!”
“Ok, do we all agree?” Matthew began. “No meddling, no intrusions, no butting in, no…”
He continued the list, as Leona Riley along with Mrs. Quinn continued theirs in the kitchen. “Let’s see, Samuel Johnson, Arlan Weaver, the twins are not ready to get married just yet, who does that leave?”
Mrs. Quinn quirked her brow, “I don’t know, but I’m sure we’ll think of someone!”
Mrs. Riley giggled and winked. “That we will, Betsy, oh yes! That we will!
The End
About the Author: Kit Morgan, aka Geralyn Beauchamp, has been writing for fun all her life. When writing as Kit Morgan her books are whimsical, fun, inspirational sweet stories that depict a strong sense of family and community. When writing as Geralyn Beauchamp, her books are epic, adventurous, romantic fantasy at its very best.
The Holiday Mail Order Bride Series
The Christmas Mail Order Bride
The New Year’s Bride
His Forever Valentine
Her Irish Surrender (Coming in February)
