by Annie Boone
At last, Eva lifted her special shawl out of the box she kept it in, the one her friend Josephine had made with such painstaking care. All the women oohed when they saw the delicate ribbons. When Eva told them the story of its creation, how Matron had unwittingly contributed to it everyone laughed. Addy noted that the shawl was pale blue, so it would serve as her “something blue.”
Grace McCrory applied a little rouge to Eva's porcelain skin while her sister, Essie, dabbed softest rose madder on her lips. She normally didn’t go to the trouble to paint her face, but a little bit of color helped make her look more special on a day like today.
Addy provided “something old” by clasping a string of pearls around her neck. She told her that the necklace had belonged to Martin’s mother and she had worn it on her own wedding day. Eva felt tears sting her eyes as she thought of the precious tradition she was now a part of.
Kate presented her with “something new” in another delicate box for her to open. Inside, she found a daring set of garters. They were nothing more than bands of filmy black lace with embroidered red hearts. Eva blushed so hard she thought her hair was going to catch fire. She had thought about her wedding night, but she didn’t want to share any of those intimate thoughts with anyone but Luke.
As her giggling procession made its way toward the stairs, Miriam stopped them from going further. “Oh my,” she said. “We can’t go yet.”
Everyone looked at her with big eyes and startled expressions. “What?” they all said at once.
“We forgot the ‘something borrowed’!” she exclaimed.
Kate saved the day by rushing to the lobby to get her Bible. It was small enough for Eva to be able to carry it along with her bouquet. “Take my Bible, Eva, and give it back when the ceremony is over. You’ll be starting your marriage in the Word so it’s appropriate that you have a Bible with you when you are wed.”
Eva took the Bible Kate offered and looked at the others. “I guess this is it, then,” she said lightly. “But before we go, let’s all join hands.” The women looked at each other, smiled, and did as Eva asked. “Thank you, Lord, for giving me these wonderful new friends. Each one has a special place in my life and each one is becoming my family. And on this blessed day, Lord, I think you for bringing me to Luke. Amen.”
Again, the group started for the stairs with the McCrory sisters holding up the train. The dining room had been turned into a fairy land, all the tables covered with blue cloths and white silk roses, but when Eva turned to go that way, Addy stopped her.
“The wedding won't be taking place in there, dear. We have something special to show you.”
“I don't understand,” Eva motioned towards the dining room, “all the decorations, and the food, did you have it all moved elsewhere.”
“No, child,” Kate answered. “We’ll be back here directly for the reception, but for now, just trust us. We'll show you the way.”
As they walked out the front door, Eva puzzled over where they might be taking her, only to react in shock when they stopped in front of the old saloon. “It’s all right,” Addy soothed, taking her hand. “Follow me.”
Stepping into the saloon Eva saw the freshly waxed wooden floor and the rows of chairs flanking a white carpeted aisle. She also saw what looked like everyone in Evergreen staring back at her.
She had a sudden urge to flee, as the enormity of it all struck her. Before she could bolt, William took her hand, tucking it under his arm. “Don't worry, Papa's got you now,” he said.
The piano struck up the Wedding March and it turned out that old Jedd could play more than saloon tunes. Eva floated down the make shift aisle on the arm of her adopted father, William, toward the man of her dreams.
Luke was resplendent in a midnight black waistcoat with tails. Eva had never seen him look so handsome. His father was standing proudly beside him acting as his best man. Pastor Collins led them through the marriage vows and Eva and Luke only had eyes for each other.
As Luke placed the ring on her finger, he said, “I love you, Eva Stevenson, you are the greatest gift God could have ever given me.” After they kissed, with much laughter in the crowd as it ran a little long, Luke whispered in her ear, “Do you want your wedding present now?”
“What could be better than you,” she teased. “Of course I do. What is the big secret you all have been keeping from me?”
“Only this,” Luke spread his arms wide and gestured around the old saloon. “This just happens to be the future home of the friendless, the parentless, and all the children that need a clean bed and a hot meal.”
Eva began to cry as she embraced Luke. “You really do love me! You made it a point to understand me. In every letter I wrote to you, I poured my heart out about my desire to help my friends. All those I had to leave behind. I feel a calling to help children who have had the same kind of loss that I had.”
“Better get ready, my darling,” he promised, “Josephine and all twenty of your little friends are on their way here in a wagon train. They are expected within the next two weeks.”
Eva looked in amazement at all the love in front of her. “You are the best thing in my life and I am so thankful for you,” she told Luke, as they kissed once more. “I never would have dreamed this big on my own. Truly, He has fulfilled the desires of my heart by bringing me to you.”
The End
Dear Reader,
Thank you so much for taking the time to read Reclaiming Hope. I hope it gave you an enjoyable interlude to slip into the past for just a while.
If you liked this story and want to read more like it, here’s a link with all my books:
http://annieboone.com/books/
If you have the time, I’d really appreciate it if you’d leave a review. Reviews are critical to the success of books published by Indie authors, like me. You can leave a review here:
http://annieboone.com/hopereview
If you’re interested in keeping up with what’s coming up next, sign up here:
http://annieboone.com/news
And, one last thing. If you want to connect with me on Facebook – here’s where you can find me!
http://annieboone.com/Facebook
Keep reading!
Annie
Other Western Romance Authors I Recommend
I enjoy reading Western Romance books and I read often. I thought you might like to see some of my favorite authors so that you can check them out to see if they’re a fit for the kind of reading you love.
Jenny Creek Tanner – Jenny is a country girl who writes about cowboys and heroines who tame them. She’s one of my favorites.
http://annieboone.com/JennyCreekTanner
Lorena Dove – Lorena is a relatively new author who is writing a different kind of Mail Order Bride story. Her heroines are immigrants in her Sweet Land of Liberty series.
http://annieboone.com/Lorena-Dove
Indiana Wake – Indiana is a prolific writer. She has published many books and most of them deal with difficulties faced by the heroines. Her main characters face and overcome the same issues many of us face every day. I love her honest approach.
http://annieboone.com/IndianaWake
Books Worth Reading in the Mail Order Bride Sub-genre
Charlotte's Summer by Juliet James
http://annieboone.com/julietj
The Widow and the Widower: A Clean Historical Mail Order Bride Romance by Trinity Bellingham
http://annieboone.com/trinityb
Desperate Cowboy Seeks Mail Order Bride to Save Ranch by Rosie Attwood
http://annieboone.com/rosiea
Widow's Return - Forsaken and Fearful Mail Order Bride Carried Home by Her Faithful Frontier Farmer by Terri Grace
http://annieboone.com/terrig
Archer Sisters of Goldrush by Sonja Faye
http://annieboone.com/sonjaf
I hope you enjoy these clean and inspirational reads!
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Annie Boone, Reclaiming Hope (Mail-Order Brides 4)
