Noreen agreed, but then she just smiled. “Trust me, if Ruth can handle Eugene, she will have no problem with them and their hen-like behavior!”
They both had a good laugh over that, and then they went back to working on their confections, knowing the ladies would be back, and hopefully much calmer when they returned.
Sure enough, when they reached the dress shop, three of them did to her exactly what they had done to Doris and Noreen. They surrounded her and all began talking at once while she tried to make sense of their questions.
“Did you make this dress? How long did it take you? Is it for sale?”
Finally Ruth simply stepped back and shook her head. “Ladies, please! One at a time, otherwise none of you will get what you want.”
This seemed to silence them for the moment, although one lady in a fancy hat continued to glare at Ruth.
They then began asking questions in an orderly fashion, and Ruth gave them the information they needed.
When they were nearly done, though, a small blond girl who’d been staring at Ruth’s dress, which was on display as an example of their work, decided to throw a temper tantrum.
“I want that dress momma! It will be so perfect!”
For the second time Ruth explained that it was not available, but she could make a similar dress that would be ready in time for her wedding in three months.
“I want that one NOW!” the girl shrieked, looking to her mother. Ruth just shrugged, until finally the exasperated mother grabbed her daughter’s hand and led her out of the store, explaining that she would be back later to make proper arrangements.
My goodness, Ruth thought. Thank goodness I’ve never been around children like that; that one had the upper hand from the day she was born.
She was at the counter taking a break when Doris stopped by.
“I see you survived the onslaught” she said, and then Doris chuckled. “Yes,” Ruth said, “although it was hard not to simply paddle that girl’s backside and show her mother what she should have been doing all along.”
So,” Doris asked, “did she buy a dress?”
“No, the mother said she would be back later to discuss it. I only hope she leaves her brat at home!”
Ruth laughed when Doris told her about the scene in the chocolate shop earlier.
The lady in the big hat returned to the chocolate shop alone a few hours later. She apologized for the onslaught of chattering, and she explained what had happened.
“My daughter was at a gathering with several friends, and her mother had these wonderful little chocolates she called sno-balls,” she said. “They were incredible, and she thought she might like some for her tables at her wedding.”
Doris quickly explained how things worked. “We can make them for you, but we need time,” she said.
“Would three months be enough time to make 200 of them?” the lady in the hat asked.
“Yes,” Doris replied, “if you place your order now, and that will include paying for the materials in advance. The rest will be payable when you pick up the order.”
The woman smiled and nodded, and then she paid them.
“Well,” Doris said to Noreen when she was gone. “That certainly was a first. A huge order.”
“I will go and order the supplies so we can start on them in a few days,” Noreen replied.
Later that evening, Doris told Dominic about her strange day as they sat on the porch.
“I had never seen anyone behave like they did when they first came in the shop! It was like they had never been in a shop before and didn’t know how to act!”
Dominic smiled and took her hand. “I am so glad our children were not so spoiled,” he said softly. “I don’t know what I would do if I had to deal with such disrespectful behavior!”
Then the conversation turned to John and Gina.
“How are they doing?” Dominic asked.
Doris smiled. “They are spending time together,” she replied. “John is quite eager, and Gina is taken with him as well.”
Dominic returned her smile. “It sounds like they will find their way,” he said. “Love has different paths and ways for everyone.
The next day, the big hat lady returned to the dress shop and apologized to Ruth.
“I’m so sorry for the way my spoiled daughter acted in here yesterday. I don’t think she understood how much time it takes to make a dress like that.”
Ruth smiled gently. “You have no idea,” she said. “It actually took me three years to complete it.”
“My goodness,” the lady said. “I had no idea. What would you be able to do with the short three month notice?”
Ruth looked up and thought for several minutes.“ I am certain we can make a beautiful wedding dress for her, even in that length of time, and the veil can be a copy of mine since that was the easy part.”
They negotiated the transaction, and the lady paid for the cost of materials, along with a healthy advance on final payment.
“We will keep you informed as it progresses so you can stop in if you like would to check on it before we get to the fittings,” Rush said.
The lady smiled. “Oh, you can use me for the fittings,” she said. “We are the same size and that way I will know what her dress is like, and I will present it to her the day before her wedding, so that way she has no choice but to wear it!”
Ruth just shook her head. “I suppose that is one way to make sure she cooperates!”
The next day John stopped by the shop during his lunch hour to talk with Gina about another outing.
“Would you like to go on another picnic with me?” he asked.
She smiled. “Well, we have been going to our special place fairly frequently,” she replied. “But a picnic would certainly be nice.
Gina thought it would be just another picnic, but when they arrived she realized that it was to be very different.
When they arrived at their special spot the first thing she saw was the beginning of a cabin being built right next to the stream where they’d sat and talked so many times.
Gina looked at him and smiled. “This is . . . different,” she said playfully.
“I know,” he said, taking her hand as they dismounted from the carriage. “I was hoping that if I built this cabin on our special spot, you might have me for your husband and marry me.”
She nodded, and Gina’s heart soared. Each time she was with John she’d become more certain they belonged together, and that her first impression of him was correct.
“I’d be delighted, of course,” she said, blushing and suddenly turning shy.
John took out a small package he was carrying and opened it to show her a very tiny but equally beautiful diamond ring.
“It’s lovely,” she said as he slid the ring on her finger. Her eyes became teary, and then John kissed her, softly at first. But their kiss quickly became more passionate, and Gina was even more convinced that she’d made a wonderful decision.
“Instead of telling everyone tonight,” she said on the way back, “why don’t we put a party day together on Saturday?”
John nodded. “Do you think you can keep it secret that long?” he said.
Gina giggled, looked at her new ring, and said; “I will do my best. I can’t wear my ring to work sewing or in the chocolate shop, so it will be pretty easy.”
They hurried home to beat the darkness, and the next morning Gina fielded a flurry of questions when she arrived at the chocolate shop.
“Where were you so late last night?” Doris asked.
She smiled. “Just another outing with John,” she said. “Nothing unusual.”
Then Gina told Doris and Noreen about the party they were planning. They seemed slightly puzzled, for this was the first time John and Gina had done such a thing, but it also seemed to be a normal byproduct of their time together.
“So they bought it?” John asked when she saw him again.
“Yes!” Gina replied. “Now we just have to make all th
e plans and see to it that everything is ready.”
Together they made a list of what had to be done, and after that they went about their respective business.
Later that day, Eugene stopped by with John in tow when they took a break from their inspections and normal rounds.
John smiled secretively at Gina, and Eugene wondered if something special might be going on between them.
Doris and Noreen noticed their behavior as well. “Gina has been acting strangely all week,” she said. “I wonder if this party has anything to do with that.”
They had the party at Dominic’s house, and John knew instantly that he simply couldn’t wait any longer to make his announcement.
“Can I have your attention, please?” he said.“I have an announcement to make that concerns everyone here, for without all of you it never would have happened!”
He called Gina to his side and said, “I am pleased to announce that my beloved Gina has finally agreed to be my wife!”
A loud round of applause and cheering went up for the happy couple, then Doris stood and asked “When is the happy event?”
“Well, we were thinking of Valentine’s Day,” Gina replied. “Since I already have a dress, and it will give us time to make all the preparations.”
Eugene smiled at John as he congratulated him. “Think you’ll be able to wait that long?” he joked. “You’ve been chomping at the bit with Gina ever since you met her.”
John blushed, and they all toasted him and continued their celebration.
Then the wedding plans commenced in earnest.
“I want a wedding like Eugene and Ruth had, it was so romantic and everyone had such a good time!” Gina said.
“Consider it done,” Doris replied. “We’ve done this before, so it should be fairly easy.”
“I have a meeting with the preacher today,” Ruth said. “I can get him to mark his calendar and reserve the day right away!”
Then they set to work on finishing the dress. It was a satin white, shiny and elegant with lace layers over the satin to enhance the skirt, and a long train that extended behind it.
The veil was all lace with a high crown and a length to match the dress. It was a beautiful piece of work, and it too, would make a wonderful advertisement for the shop when it was done.
John noticed how nervous Gina was becoming as the wedding approached, and he decided to ask Eugene about this.
The fire chief laughed at the memory. “Those days before I married Ruth were definitely tense,” he said. “She wouldn’t let me see the dress, and I had no idea she could be so secretive!”
Then he smiled softly. “Those were some nervous days for me, too,” he said quietly. “I thought the day of the wedding would never arrive. “
They walked on together, heading toward the site of their next inspection, and finally John spoke.
“All of you seem to have amazing lives, especially when it comes to the women in them,” he observed. They traveled long distances to seek new lives here.”
“You’re absolutely right,” Eugene said, nodding. “I have complimented Ruth about that many times. It’s something you might consider doing with Gina as well.”
“I already have,” John said, smiling. “But soon I will be doing it as her husband.”
“And not only that,” Eugene added. “You’ve prepared a wonderful home for her as well.
John grinned. “Seemed like an obvious thing to do,” he said. “But you know I couldn’t have managed it without all the help you and the other firefighters provided in building it.”
“Everyone was happy to help out,” Eugene said. “I wish I’d thought to be that romantic—the best I could do was a barn raising!”
“But that was where I met Gina,” John said with a chuckle. “So I certainly can’t complain about it.”
Ruth and Gina were working on her gown when Ellen came in to join them.
“My,” she said, “this is a spectacular dress! It’s so beautiful, and now there are three of us to make sure it is finished on time!”
The three had a great gossip session while finishing up the small details and embroidering the front of the dress with tiny flowers.
Shortly after that, Doris arrived, carrying a small tray. “I’ve been making some new creations especially for your wedding, Gina!”
“Oh my,” Gina said when she saw the tiny red and chocolate hearts on the tray; they were surrounded by a halo of white chocolate, which made them absolutely perfect for a Valentine’s Day wedding!
“I am keeping these top secret and well hidden from any prying eyes until the wedding,” Doris said. “Then we will make them to order for others who might like them as gifts.”
Gina was stunned when she saw these perfect hearts, all decorated and ready for her special day.
“They’re perfect, Doris. I'm so appreciative to you and Noreen for thinking of something well-suited to this kind of wedding!”
The next week was filled with the last minute preparations for the wedding. Flowers were purchased along with ribbons and lace for the decorations, as well as plans on how to add them to the hall to make it beautiful.
Gina put the finishing touches on her dress, and she kept it well hidden from John, who kept trying to sneak a peek at it every chance he got.
The ladies all took a much deserved respite from their shops to make sure all of the preparations were going perfectly for Gina’s wedding day.
Valentine’s Day finally arrived. Gina and her wedding party were up early to get the final preparations done.
Doris and Ellen came to help Gina get dressed, it was going to be a task to get her to the church, and get her in this dress and if they didn’t go now, the wedding would be held up. Doris gathered up the dress and accessories. Ellen helped Gina put the rest of the things in the wagon before they made their way to the back of the rectory where she was to change. Finally everything was set, the last minute adjustments were made to the dress, and Gina looked like a fairy tale princess by the time they were finished.
The guys were with John, getting him ready for meeting his bride at the altar and the last touch was a flower in the band of his hat. “Are you ready for this?” Eugene said. “As ready as I will ever be,” said John, and they left to take their places by the preacher at the altar to await his bride and their union.
The church was filled with many from town who enjoyed friendships with the couple, mostly through the shops and frequent public gatherings.
The air was filled with the smell of roses and carnations which were placed all over the altar and the pews, making it look like a scene from a fairy tale.
The organ player began playing the song that was Gina’s cue to walk down the aisle to her husband-to -be.
Isidore, Dominic and Luigi ushered the last of the guests in and seated them before the bride made her grand entrance.
The guests all stood and turned to watch as Gina made her entrance. Gasps filled the room as everyone watched Gina glide down the aisle in her fairy tale wedding gown, and the train flowed behind her, filling half the aisle.
John, too, gasped in awe as she came nearer to the altar, and finally stopped beside him. Her heart was racing as the preacher started the ceremony that would unite them forever.
Vows were exchanges, then rings, and the preacher pronounced them man and wife. A cheer went up in the church, and shortly thereafter bells began ringing to announce the joy of this perfect day and a new beginning for two people very much in love.
The celebration began, and new treats were revealed once the dancing had started. The bride and groom got to have the first taste of the new treat.
“They are wonderful, so rich with chocolate!” John said to Gina. “What a wonderful ending to a perfect day—this will be remembered for a long time to come!”
When it was time for the couple to leave, Jon helped his beautiful bride into the carriage, and she threw her bouquet to the awaiting single ladies.
Then John took th
e reins and off they went to their paradise by the stream. Gina didn’t know of all the things John had been doing in the weeks prior to the wedding, so she was most surprised by the improvements she saw.
“A garden!” she exclaimed. “John! You did all of this in the weeks before our wedding?” she asked. “It’s perfect! And you have flowers growing already. It's as if you were a miracle worker!”
She turned and kissed him like she never had before, and he enjoyed every minute of it until she stopped to breathe.
“I had help,” he said as he caught his breath. “Eugene and Dominic helped me out a lot with the barn and the animals, and Luigi planted the gardens for you.
“Between all of us, the inside of the cabin was finished in a style fit for a princess.”
He beamed at her, and Gina touched his face gently.
They went inside, and they quickly noticed that their friends had stocked the pantries full, plus there was enough firewood so that they didn’t have to leave their private paradise for some time.
John and Gina had three weeks to enjoy one another, and to get to know each other in an intimate way.
It truly was a perfect wedding, and the ultimate ending to a romance that had become more than a bit of a fairy tale.
Also by Lucille Chisum
The Mail Order Bride and the Scoundrel Series
Lottie’s Claim (Book 1)
Zeke’s Escape (Book 2)
The Wedding (Book 3)
The Mail Order Bride and the Faith Healer Series
Rachel’s Dilemma (Book 1)
The Tent Meeting (Book 2)
Love’s Test (Book 3)
The Mail Order Bride and the Mail Order Husbands Series
The Fire (Book 1)
Susannah and Clem (Book 2)
Jessie and Jake (Book 3)
Willa and Jasper (Book 4)
The Mail Order Bride and the Cowboy Stargazer
The Mail Order Brides of Last Chance Colorado: Six-Book Boxed Set
The Mail Order Brides Marries the Mayor on Christmas Day
Christmas Miracles: Mega Mail Order Bride 20-Book Box Set: Multi-Author Box Set Page 85
