Hannah glared at Pierre. “Francesca said she saw you talking to Mr. Adler. What did you do?”
“Me, I didn’t take any money. I merely pointed out that Chad had a record. Mr. Adler was telling me he was missing some money.” Pierre nodded at Father.
Father patted Hannah’s hand. “I’ll go see what is going on.” He left the room.
Mother took her hand. “Hannah, I am sorry.”
“Mother, go and help him. Please. He needs me.”
“Help him? But I.” Mother stopped what she was going to say. “What do you want me to do?”
“Let me go to him. Please.”
“Father said you were to stay here.”
“Then you go. Find Bridgette and tell her what happened.”
Mother looked at her. “And you, you will stay here until I return?”
Hannah nodded.
“All right. I have to say that seeing you with Chad reminds me of my early times with your father. I’m not saying I’m changing my mind, especially after this morning. Where would I find this Bridgette?”
“Go to the courthouse and ask for Sterling Merritt, he’s the mayor and her husband. Bridgette might have even come into town with him.”
“I’ll go. You stay here and don’t disappoint me.” Mother kissed her and gathered up her reticule and shawl. She said something to Pierre and then left.
Hannah stood and went to the window. “What did she say to you?”
Pierre sat in a chair. “That I was to leave you alone, but not let you out the door.”
Hannah smiled. “I thought it would be something like that.”
“Now that Chad is in jail, perhaps you’ll see me in a better light.”
She turned to face him. “Pierre, I’m sure you will make someone a good husband, but it won’t be me. We don’t want the same things.”
“I’m sorry to hear that.” He looked away from her. “Perhaps I’ll give Francesca a try.”
“She’s my friend. Don’t hurt her.”
Pierre shook his head. “I don’t know why you dislike me so. I’m not bad. But to set your mind at ease, I will not hurt Francesca. In fact, I’m rather drawn to her.”
“Then go to her.”
Pierre stared at her. “You really don’t want me, do you?”
“No, I don’t. I love Chad.”
Chapter 17
Bridgette had a feeling she had better go into town with Sterling. She needed to check on Hannah and Chad. Such a mess. Maybe be she should give up her matchmaking business. Then again, Evalyn was on her way to meet Brad. They were both to arrive in a few weeks.
Well, all the more reason that Bridgette needed to make this match work.
Sterling unlocked the door to the courthouse and held it open for her.
“I better go and take the box to the bank. Doug asked me to be sure and get it there first thing in the morning.”
Sterling nodded. “Want me to go with you?”
“No, it should be simple enough.” Bridgette took the money box and walked to Adler’s bank. Just thinking of Adler and Sterling’s uncle gave her the shivers. Those men were always up to their schemes.
She entered the bank and saw Adler talking to Ronan. She went to the bank owner and cleared her throat to get his attention. “Mr. Adler, I have some money that Doug gave me last night. He and his wife left on the train last night. They’re on their way to Florida. He said he meant to give it to you yesterday but ran out of time.”
Adler frowned and took the box from her. “How much is in here?”
“I have no idea. I didn’t open it.”
Adler counted the money and nodded. “It appears to be here.” The banker nodded to Ronan. “You can tell Levi the money is here.”
Ronan sneered at the banker. “Maybe you should come with me so you can apologize to Chad.”
Bridgette narrowed her eyes. “What do you mean, apologize? What has happened?”
On the way to the jail, Ronan filled her in. Her blood grew hot, and she was ready to let Adler have a dose of his own medicine. She glared at him. “Perhaps, I should have Chad sue you for the trouble you have caused him.”
“I thought he took it. Pierre told me to watch him.”
Bridgette shook her head. “I might know he would be involved. Let’s go.”
After a brief talk with the sheriff, he released Chad. They walked toward the hotel to talk to Hannah and her parents.
Pierre excused himself and left them.
She entered the hotel, and a well-dressed woman caught her hand. “You must be Bridgette?”
“Yes,”
“I’m Hannah’s mother. I would like to talk to you.”
Bridgette nodded. “I have some things to tell you and your husband. First, Chad was innocent, and all charges have been dropped, and apologies were given.”
“Well, I am glad to hear that. Truly I am, Chad.” The woman took Chad’s hand and shook it. “I want what is good for my daughter. I saw my husband return a few minutes ago.”
Bridgette walked up the stairs with Chad and Hannah’s mother following. After a knock, Hannah’s father opened the door and glared at Chad. “I see your lawyer got you out of jail, again.”
Bridgette pushed her way in. “I didn’t need to get him out of jail because he isn’t guilty of anything.”
Hannah ran to Chad and hugged him.
“Doug gave me the money box yesterday after he came by to tell me he and his wife were leaving for Florida.” Bridgette turned to Chad. “Doug said, you know what to do and should be able to handle the job. If you have questions, you can ask Sterling.”
Hannah’s mother was smiling. “They are in love, Paul. I think we are going to have to let them go. Just like my parents had to let me go to you.”
Bridgette held up a hand. “I have a bit more information. Pierre—”
There was a knock on the door. Mr. Durand opened it, and Pierre walked in with Francesca behind him.
“Mr. and Mrs. Durand, Hannah, Bridgette, and Chad, I have something to confess. While I truly did fall in love with the picture of Hannah and the idea of marrying her, I came to America on false pretenses. Yes, I had a title in France, but that is all. I have but a few jewels left from the family fortune. I am for all purposes broke.”
Hannah’s father stared at him. “Broke?”
“Yes, I was coming with the idea I could work for you in your company. I am sorry for the charade. I did believe I could make Hannah happy, but I see her and Chad together, and well, she does not love me.”
Bridgette smiled. “I applaud the fact that you are telling them the truth. I found out just yesterday. I wired for information and just received the news late yesterday.”
Pierre bowed. “Then it was fortuitous that I decided to tell the truth.” He turned to Mr. Durand. “I don’t expect you to hire me. In fact,” Pierre took Francesca’s hand and brought her up beside him. “I may have found the woman I was destined to love. Francesca has agreed to marry me. She knows my financial state and still wants me.” He laughed. “How ironic two French people would fall in love in Montana.”
Francesca blushed. “There is one thing I need to tell you, Pierre.”
He looked at her.
“My last name is Rodriguez. My father was Spanish.”
Pierre shrugged. “I don’t care. This is America, right?”
Father laughed. “Well, I can’t say everything turned out the way I wanted, but I think it turned out for the best.” He turned to Hannah and Chad. “I don’t see that there is anything I need to do other than give you my blessing.”
Hannah’s mother went to stand by her husband. “Make that our blessing.”
Hannah hugged them both. “Thank you.”
Chad shook their hands. “I’ll take good care of her.”
Mr. Durand took Chad aside. “I’ll be praying for you. There may be a few days that you won’t thank me for giving my daughter to you.”
Chad laughed. “I doubt it. I lov
e her.”
Epilogue
Hannah stood with her mother in the back of the church. She couldn’t believe the day had finally come. She was going to marry Chad, and their dreams were coming true. Mother fussed with her dress and hair. And Hannah basked in being loved by such a wonderful woman.
“Thank you for your blessing, Mother.”
Mother kissed her forehead. “We want you to be happy. I know Chad will be good for you. Be kind to him. Always.”
“Why, Mother, what an odd thing to tell me.”
“I know you better than he knows you. I don’t think he’s seen your stubborn side.”
“He has. And he still loves me.” She grinned. “We’ll be so happy.”
“Won’t you consider the honeymoon we offered?”
“I’ll talk to Chad. I would love to show him off to my friends.” She stopped. The truth was, he would look out of place.
Mother took her hands in hers. “When you two are ready, you come to New York. And we will come and visit you here in Shirleyville.”
The music began playing.
Mother took her place at the front of the church.
Father entered the foyer and took Hannah’s hand. “Are you ready? It’s a big day for you.”
Hannah nodded. “I am so ready. You’ll see, Chad is the one for me.”
“I can see that. I just have to look into your eyes. Let’s go. That young man is waiting for his bride.”
Slowly they walked up the aisle. Hannah kept her eyes on Chad. She couldn’t believe the day had finally arrived.
Father took her to the front and put her hand in Chads, kissed her, and stood with her mother.
Preacher Brett smiled at them and then looked at the congregation. “We are gathered here in the sight of God to witness this holy event as Chad and Hannah are united in Holy Matrimony. Chad, will you take this woman to love and protect, provide for in all ways, and put her needs above your own?”
“I will.”
“Do you take her as your wife?”
“I do.”
The preacher turned to Hannah. “Will you promise to honor and respect, love, and nurture this man?”
“I will.”
“Do you take him as your husband?”
“I do.”
The preacher put his hand over theirs. “I pronounce you husband and wife. You may kiss your bride.”
Chad took her in his arms and kissed her tenderly. Hannah melted in his arms. And then came up for air. “I love you.”
Chad smiled. “Let’s go start our lives together.”
They were almost out of the church when Pierre and Francesca walked inside. Pierre waved them back. “Just stay there. We have another wedding for you all to witness.”
Hannah grabbed Francesca’s hand. “Is it true?”
Francesca grinned. “Yes, we decided last night. If you don’t mind, we’d like you two to stand with us.”
Hannah nodded to Chad. He smiled, and they went back into the church and stood with Pierre and Francesca as they took their vows.
After the wedding, Chad and Hannah said their goodbyes to her parents, and then went to their house. Though small, it was full of love, and they began their adventure as husband and wife.
~~
Author Note ~ I hope you enjoyed Hannah and Chad’s story. Next up is Evalyn. I hope you have a wonderful day.
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