“You stop that right now. I have a few things Juanita gave me that will work out for my dress. Besides, the dress is just a small part of the wedding. It’s about having loved ones around, and I have an abundance of those.” Molly picked Rosie up off the bed. “What you can do is make Rosie a wonderful little dress for my wedding. We’ll let her be the belle of the ball.”
Chase and Ed dragged themselves from the barn to the house. Chase’s hand froze as he reached for the doorknob. He heard a man singing from inside.
“Sleepyhead, close your eyes. I am right here beside you. I’ll protect you from harm, and you’ll wake in my arms. Guardian angels are near, so sleep on, with no fear. Guardian angels are near, so sleep on, with no fear.”
The men looked at each other and Chase slowly opened the door. There was Clancy with Rosie over his shoulder and a gun in his hand, trained on the men.
“What are you doing?” Chase gulped.
“Keep your voice down,” Clancy said in a low, soothing voice. He craned his neck to the side to make sure Rosie was still asleep then lay his pistol on the table. “I didn’t know who was skulking around outside that door. I was, after all, left here to take care of things.”
“Where’s Emma?” Ed asked.
“The ladies and the boy took the wagon to Zack’s place. Wedding stuff, I think. This little bit was cranky and wanted no part of a wagon trip, so I told them to let her stay with me.” He chuckled, “Emma was frettin’ a bit.”
“I can take her,” Ed said, reaching for his daughter.
Clancy put his boots up on a chair, lowered his hat over his eyes, and said, “Little Bit and I are just fine right here.”
When the wagon came to a stop, Emma jumped out and practically ran to make sure her daughter was okay. Timmy took a box out of the wagon and carried it to the house.
“I didn’t get much of a welcome home!” Chase stood in the doorway.
“Chase!” Molly ran over to him and threw her arms around his neck. “I didn’t expect you till supper time. Tell me all about the drive. Everything go as expected?”
He kissed her nose. “Easy as lickin’ butter off a knife, little lady,” he said in an exaggerated cowboy drawl as he scooped her up and carried her to the back of the wagon, setting her down. “We got a good price, Molly. I can get a hundred more acres just north of our place for a good deal. What do you think?”
She sat silently, eyes questioning. “Are you asking for my opinion?”
“I sure am. We are going to be a family, Molly. I want you to help me with these decisions.”
“I don’t think anybody has ever asked me for my opinion before. Nobody ever cared enough. She kissed his lips tenderly. “Thank you.” Molly hopped off the wagon. “I think, if you have the money, and if you feel it will bring you a profit, then you should do it.”
“We should do it?” he asked.
“Yes.” She smiled sheepishly, “I meant we.”
After unhitching the horses from the wagon, Chase and Molly walked to the house hand-in-hand. “I hear you and Emma went to see Juanita today.”
“We did. Went to talk about the wedding. She gave Timmy some toys that Zack had. A ball attached by a string to a wooden cup, a drum, and some other things. He was very excited.”
When they walked into the house there was a package and some letters on the table. “What are these?” Molly asked.
“They’re for you. The package is from a Patience Burns. Who’s that?”
Molly paled. “That is my father’s wife.” She picked up the package, untied the string, and tore open the paper. Inside was a note from her father.
Daughter,
God answered my prayers today when we received your letter. A part of me left the day you and James rode away. I have prayed that you would find it in your heart to forgive me. I loved your mother more than my own life, but when she died, I was so lost.
I know you disliked Patience and you thought she took Lucy’s place. Nothing is further from the truth. Nobody will ever take your mother’s place in my heart. But Patience has been a Godsend to me and your brothers and sisters. They have all come to care deeply for her and she helped all of us get through that terrible time.
It has been way too many years for me not to have seen you or hugged you. I hope Patience and I can make it to your wedding. Nothing would make me happier. I miss you terribly and love you with all my heart.
Father
There was a second note in the box from Patience.
Molly,
I am so happy that you have found someone to love and who loves you. I found this a few years ago, and thought you might want to wear it for your wedding. It’s your mother’s wedding dress. She will be so proud to look down and see her beautiful daughter wearing the dress she married your father in.
With love, Patience
Molly hung her head as tears gathered in her eyes. Chase came up from behind and put his arms around her waist, pulling her back up against him. “I’m so ashamed. Now that I have found you and know what real love feels like, how could I have treated my father like I did? I remember my sister, Amy, she’s two years younger than me, begged me not to go.” Molly turned in Chase’s arms to look at him. “I hardly gave her the time of day! I just said I had to and left with James without so much as an I love you. I never even wrote to her.” Tears escaped down her cheeks. “What kind of horrible person does that?” She put her head on his chest and cried her heart out.
“We all do things we regret. It’s not too late to make it right.” He held her tight, letting her sob out all her sorry feelings. Molly pushed away and wiped her eyes. “You okay?” Chase asked.
She nodded. “I hope they come, Chase. I have a lot to make up for.” She took the dress out of the box. It was light pink with a scoop neck trimmed in white lace. Victorian styled sleeves with pearl buttons down the back. A pink overskirt shirred up and split in the front, revealing a lace-trimmed white underskirt.
“It’s a right pretty dress, Molly.”
“That it is.” She smiled using her best Irish brogue. “Did you open these other letters?”
“I did. One is from my friend, Tim Wilkins.” He chuckled. “He can’t make it because his wife is ready to have his third child anytime now. I got a letter from each of my sisters. Neither will be able to attend, but I got all kinds of advice on how to treat my new bride.”
“I wish they were coming. I so want to meet your family.” Her green eyes sparkled and her grin was impish when she said, “Make sure you take heed of your sisters’ advice.”
“There’s also a letter from home. Says they will do everything in their power to be here.”
“I hope they can make it. I want to meet your mother and father.” Chase’s expression turned skeptical when she mentioned his father. Molly raised up on her toes and kissed his cheek. “Remember what you said. Everybody can change!”
Chapter 18
It was four days before the wedding. Molly was over at Emma’s when she heard Chase calling for her. She walked outside and saw a wagon coming into the yard with a man on horseback riding along side.
The rider was Steve Barnett. Molly put her hand up to shade the sun from her eyes. People were standing in the back of the wagon, watching and waving. The driver wore an old straw hat that Molly knew instantly. “Papa?” she whispered. “Papa!” she yelled as she ran to the wagon.
Joseph pulled up, jumped down and opened his arms. Molly laughed and cried at the same time. “I’m so happy to see you, Papa.”
“Molly,” Steven acknowledged as she got off his horse, helping everybody from the wagon. All but one gathered around, waiting for their turn to get a hug. Patience sat on the buckboard seat and Amy, Molly’s sister, stood away from the group, leaning against the wagon.
“So, who do we have here?” Chase said walking up with Emma by his side.
“Chase, this is my papa, Joseph. Papa, this is Chase, my soon-to-be-husband.” Chase’s smile was genuine when he sh
ook hands. Molly pointed to Patience. “This is Patience.”
“Ma’am.”
“Please call me Patience.”
Molly took Chase’s arm. “Everybody, this is Chase. Chase, this is Paul, Lucy, Elizabeth, Cathy, and Samuel, the youngest of the group.” Molly looked around before asking, “Where’s Joey?”
“Your brother got himself hired onto the railroad. He’s been gone about two years now,” her pa answered.
“What a fine job that will be for him. He always talked about seeing the world,” Molly said as she walked over to a girl who looked just like her. “And this is Amy, my nineteen-year-old sister and a person I hope, with all my heart, will accept my apology.”
Amy’s eyes widened with surprise. Molly continued, “When I left, I was thinking only of myself and my grief. It’s taken me this long to realize how selfish I’ve been. I’ve missed you and the long talks we used to have.” Amy’s eyes glistened in the afternoon sun. “I love you. I hope you will start to think of me your sister again.”
“I’ve never stopped thinking of you as my sister.” Amy laughed, sniffing. “I just hoped you got warts!” Molly giggled and hugged her sister.
“Now, I have one more apology to make and that is to you.” Molly turned to her step-mother. By this time, Patience was down off the wagon. Patience had changed. Molly didn’t remember her being so small. Nor did she remember her hair so gray.
“There’s no need for that, Molly,” her step-mother said.
“Oh, but there is.” Molly took her hands. “I was a spoiled brat. I see that now. I’m thankful you were there to look after Papa and the rest.”
Patience squeezed Molly’s hands. “I love your father and brothers and sisters with all my heart. It was a difficult time for everybody. Let’s just forget it, shall we? This is your time and we’re all here for you.”
Chase and Steve Barnett walked over to Molly. “What a nice surprise, Steve. How did you end up riding alongside my family?”
“I was on my way to Hackberry and ran into them. I figured showing them the way here was the neighborly thing to do.” His gaze swung to Amy who smiled prettily back at him.
Molly looked from Steve to Amy, then back at Steve. A knowing smile crossed her face. “That was so sweet of you.”
Steve smiled back. Though the sarcasm was not lost on him, not much embarrassed Steve. “Where do you want their bags, Chase?”
“I’ve been chewing on that,” Chase said. “Timmy and I will make us a bed in the barn. That way, Joseph and Patience can have my room. I’ve already told the men to find other places to sleep for a few nights and the rest can sleep in the bunk house.”
“Absolutely not!” Joseph said. “We will not put you out of your own bed. We have quite a brood here. We appreciate the offer of the bunk house and we’ll all stay there if that’s agreeable.”
The very next morning Chase was riding back into the yard when he spied Juanita leaving his house. “Buenos dias,” she called. “I stopped by to tell you both that Zack and I were bringing a barbequed pig for the special day. That’s our gift to you and Molly.”
“Now you know that’s totally unnecessary.” He moved closer, “but we surely do appreciate it, Juanita. You make the best shredded pork this side of the Mississippi.” He nodded at Timmy who was playing tag with Samuel, Cathy, Lucy, and Paul. “Our small wedding is growing. Did you meet Molly’s family?”
“Si. Very nice folks.” She cocked her head. “What about your family?”
Chase took his hat off and wiped the sweat from his forehead. The sun was blazing down. He was hoping the next day would be nice. High wispy clouds to the west, but not a breath of a breeze. “Mother said they would try to get here. Guess they won’t make it.”
Chase gave Juanita a leg up onto her horse. “See you the day after tomorrow,” Juanita said trotting away.
Clancy rode in leading a black and white mare with Jasper close behind. “Hey Boss,” Clancy said. “Here’s that paint we want to break.” The man led a white horse with big brown spots on its face, chest, and rump.
“Get her ready for me. I’m a bit ancy today and this is just what I need to take the edge off.”
The kids climbed up on the fence, their faces masks of wonder and anticipation. The horse let them saddle and put a bridle on her, but its unruffled demeanor was about to be tested.
Clancy was holding tight while Chase climbed on. The second the horse was given its head, the bucking and twisting began. Snot flew from her nose and she screamed in protest.
Chase didn’t hear the yells of encouragement from the kids on the fence. All he heard was the blood roaring through his ears. He loved breaking green horses. The thrill, the fear, the excitement. The mare bucked one way and twisted another. The next thing Chase knew he was on his back in a cloud of dust and dirt.
Chase lay there moaning while Clancy cornered the horse and grabbed the reins. He opened his eyes and tried to focus. A woman’s voice called to him. “Chase, are you okay?”
He shook his head and rubbed his knuckles into his eyes. He tried to get up, but a hand stopped him. His father was leaning over him, concern in his eyes. “You okay, son?”
Chapter 19
The shock of seeing his father was interrupted when his mother’s face filled his vision. “Chase, don’t move! You might be seriously hurt.”
“I’m fine, Mother. Let me up.” He got to his feet and brushed himself off before pulling her into a bear hug, swinging her around and then awkwardly shaking his father’s hand.
“You shouldn’t be riding those wild horses. Couldn’t one of your employees do that job?”
Chase’s neck burned when he heard Clancy snickering. “I like breaking the horses, Mother. This isn’t the first time I’ve been thrown and it sure won’t be the last.”
“Boss!” Clancy yelled. “Do you want me or one of the other employees to finish up here?”
The look Chase threw his way would have made his other men shrivel away, but Clancy just threw his head back and hooted with laughter.
Chase took his mother’s arm and led her and his father to the gate. “I can’t believe you’re actually here. We also sent a notice to Grandma. I guess she couldn’t make it.”
“Well, you’re be dead wrong, young man.” Chase turned to see a woman with short, curly white hair standing outside the gate. She was small and reed thin. “Grandma?” Chase made his way over and bent to hug her. “Never thought you’d make it clear out here.”
“I’m not too old yet that I’d miss this important event.” She slapped his chest. “Now where is this pretty gal you’re bringing into the family? What’s her name?”
“Molly. She’ll be so happy you came.”
Molly went outside when she heard the children making a ruckus and caught sight of Chase along with who she could only assume were his family. She made her way over.
“Molly, these are my parents, Viola and Charles and this is my grandmother, Mary,” Chase said.
Gasping with delight, Molly hugged them all. “I’m so happy you’re all here. Chase was so hoping you would be able to make it.”
“How could we miss our only son’s wedding or meeting our soon-to-be daughter-in-law?”
“Timmy!” Molly yelled. “Would you please come over here?”
The boy ran over, breathless. His light brown hair was plastered to the sides of his face from sweat. “Mama, we’re playing a game.”
“I know, sweetie, but I want you to meet Chase’s mother, father, and grandmother. Timmy, this is Mr. and Mrs. Forrester, and this is Mrs. Palmer.
He looked up at the three adults staring down at him. To Chase’s amazement, his father got down on one knee and sat Timmy on the other. “None of this Mr. and Mrs. stuff. We’re your grandparents.”
His little eyes widened. “I didn’t even know what a grandpa was until Mama’s papa came and now I have two!” He made his way over to Viola and Mary. “Are you going to be my grandmas?”
&nb
sp; “We are indeed, Timmy. I’m your grandma and this is your great grandma.”
Viola choked up when Timmy hugged her knees tight. “Are anymore grandparents coming, Mama?”
“I think that’s it!” Molly laughed.
“Timmy, in the back of that wagon over there is a little something for you,” Charles said.
“Oh boy!” He ran to the wagon as fast as his little legs could take him with Socks running by his side. He jumped into the wagon and pulled out a bat and a small ball. “Is this it, Grandpa?” Timmy yelled. “What do I do with it?”
Charles chuckled, slapped Chase on the back, and went to help his grandson. Chase, with his mouth agape, looked to his mother. “He looks genuinely happy.”
Viola put her arm through her son’s. “Do you remember when you came by the house that last time, before you came out here?”
Chase nodded.
“That very same day that you left seemed like all the fight and bitterness he held in for so long just cleared out. Problem was, they were replaced by a sorrow that I couldn’t break through. He was back to the same state as he was when Georgie died.” Viola laid her head on his arm. “He was so unhappy.”
She smiled as she watched Charles organize a baseball game with the children. “About six months ago, I walked outside and a new family had moved into Josiah Parker’s place. I thought they’d just moved in and welcomed them to our neighborhood. The wife looked at me kind of funny and told me they’d been living there for over six months!” Viola shook her head sadly. “I realized I hadn’t been outside or gone to visit friends in a long time. I was falling into the same dark hole your father was in. That day, when Charles came home, I had a bag packed and ready by the front door. I told him I was going to visit my mother because needed conversation. I needed to smile and laugh. I needed to feel alive again. He didn’t approve but he didn’t dare stop me. At the train station, he asked when I would be home. I said I didn’t know. Then he asked me if I was planning on coming home at all. I said I didn’t know.”
Chase's Story (Grandma's Wedding Quilts Book 10) Page 9
