Harrison grinned. He looked at Howie and Sally Mae. “Will you two stand up for his at the wedding?”
They nodded. “In fact, we’ll rush on ahead and tell everyone so they can all witness your wedding. We kind of missed that by going to Hays.” Howie pulled Sally Mae to the wagon. “See you at church.”
Harrison looked at her. “It will just take me a moment to clean up.”
“I’ll wait on the porch.” Emma smiled. “But I won’t wait forever.”
He kissed her and ran for the house.
***
Harrison couldn’t believe he’d fallen for such a trick. And she had too. When he saw Ben, he’d let him know what he thought of the man with a well-placed fist to the nose. Then Harrison thought of Emma and knew he wouldn’t do it. As much as he wanted to, he wouldn’t attack Ben.
After a quick change of clothes, a brush through his hair, and a fast shave, he looked as good as he was going to get. Harrison made sure to put some oil on his hair to hold it down. And then walked outside.
Emma was sitting on the porch. Smiling and humming to herself.
“Are you admiring our land.”
Startled, she looked up at him and smiled. “Perhaps, I was.” She looked out over the green fields. “Right over there, I saw our son helping you with the plowing. Make that our two sons. In the garden, our daughters were helping me gather in the harvest.” She stood and gave her hand to him.
Harrison took her and held her close. “Well, we better get to church. With all those children to feed, we have a lot to do.”
“Yes, we do, Mr. Harrison Gordon. Yes, we do.”
Chapter 19
By the time Harrison had driven them to church, the place was bustling with their friends and people from town. Emma was surprised to see the church decorated with flowers. Seeing some that looked suspiciously like they came from the Shaker’s garden. Emma was relieved to see Mrs. Shaker herself smiling on the church porch.
Mora and the women came running and surrounded Emma.
Mora took Emma aside. “Don’t argue, we have the perfect wedding dress for you. Come on, we can get you dressed in the church hall.”
Emma looked but saw that Harrison was being whisked away by his friends.
Soon, she was dressed in a beautiful gown that her friends had made for her as a present. It was a lovely pale blue with white lace. Emma had to admit, she’d never looked so pretty.
“Thank you all.” Tears of joy wetted her cheeks. Her friends hugged her, but all of them looked as if they had a secret.
Sally Mae chuckled. “We love you, Emma. You just wait, you’re going to be so admonished.”
Emma stared at her. What word her friend had mangled, she wasn’t sure. Then Mora and her friends left her to find their seats. Mora was the last to leave and gave her a kiss and left the door open.
Soon the music started. Emma braced herself to walk the aisle alone when her father entered the room.
Astonished, and now knowing the word Sally Mae had meant, Emma ran to him. “Father, how did you know?”
“I sent word to Mora that I was coming. I got in last night, and Mora told me what had happened. I had a long talk with Ben, and he won’t bother you anymore. Then your friends came and found me and told me what was happening.” He held her at arm’s length. “You’re beautiful. Just like your mother.”
He held out his arm. “Let me take you to that young man you’ve fallen in love with.”
Like in a dream, Emma walked down the aisle with her father to Harrison. Just as she’d imagined as a young child, Harrison filled her heart with love and joy. Then she was with him. Her father put her hand in Harrison’s and sat down.
The preacher smiled. “Harrison and Emma, what a joy that we are all here to celebrate with you. I know neither of you are taking this step into holy matrimony lightly and are ready to make your vows before the Lord.
“Harrison, do you take this woman to love and cherish, provide for and protect all the days of your life?”
“I do.” Harrison said the words in a deep, low voice full of conviction and love.
“Emma, do you take this man to love, honor, and respect all the days of your life?”
“I do.”
The preacher took their hands and wrapped a white ribbon around them. “I now pronounce you as husband and wife. You may kiss your bride.”
Harrison kissed her with such love and feeling. Emma melted in his arms as she returned his kiss.
The pastor nodded. “Go and live your lives according to the Word of God in love.” He turned to the congregation. “May I introduce you to our newest couple. Mr. and Mrs. Harrison Gordon. Come and greet them.”
Emma stood with Harrison and greeted their friends. Never had she been so happy.
***
It had been a week since their marriage, and things had gone from wonderful to blissful. Even in Emma’s imagination, she hadn’t pictured her marriage and husband to be this wonderful. They’d gone to Kansas City for a honeymoon and were now headed back to Dodge City.
Harrison put his arm around her. “Well, Mrs. Gordon, are you excited to get back home?”
Emma smiled. “How I love that word. Yes, our home.”
“You know that Tom told me he was going to ask Dini to marry him. He said he figured in month they’d be married.”
Emma patted his hand. “Jenny told me she and Kyle were getting married in a couple of weeks. I can’t believe all four of us will be married in such a short time.”
They drove through town and Harrison pointed to the sign at Mora’s Boarding House. “Looks like they’re taking it down.”
“Oh, drive over and see what is happening. I hope Mora is all right.”
Emma had no sooner spoken the words when Mora and Mr. Barton stepped onto the porch and kissed. Patting Harrison’s hand, Emma pointed to the road. “I think we can see what that is all about. With all her boarders getting married, Mora is marrying Mr. Barton.”
Harrison laughed. “I’m happy for everyone.”
“Me too. Maybe I’ll have to write the Lovelorn a letter telling how well we did with their advice.”
Harrison kissed her. “You just might need to do that. First, we need to get home.”
Emma stared into his dark blue eyes. “Yes, of course, you’re right. Our home.”
Author’s Note – I hope you enjoyed Emma and Harrison’s story. The Yours Truly: The Lovelorn is a fun series to write for and I have another one on Preorder that will be out on August 4th. Alone in Austin
Dear Lovelorn,
…I am alone and tired of it. I own a ranch and you’d think with all the men I hire, there’d be one that I would want to marry, or that would want to marry me. Truth is, they are all kind of scared of me. I’m Texas tough, but I have a heart that wants to pour out my love on the right man, and my own heart is dry and getting brittle. I need the love of a good man. Help me, please. I can drive, whip, and brand cattle, but I am at a loss on how to get a man.
Help me,
Alone in Austin
Dear Alone in Austin,
…You have got a problem. Men don’t want to be branded by a strong woman. They need to see that you’re soft and frilly at heart and that you need a man to take care of you. I admit, you’d be a tough one for a man to want to walk down the aisle with. You didn’t say but are you pretty in any way?
…Here’s my advice. Try throwing away your whip and taking off your chaps and wear a womanly dress. Don’t yell and try speaking in a quiet, demure voice with words that would make a man feel like he was a king. And of course, we all know that the way to a man’s heart is through his stomach. Forget about driving the beef and work on cooking it.
Yours Truly: The Lovelorn.
Blessings,
Patricia PacJac Carroll
You can email me at [email protected]
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Here is a list of the series books: Available on Amazon and Kindle Unlimited
About this Series
YOURS TRULY: THE LOVELORN, a multi-author sweet historical romance series, puts an old-fashioned spin on the modern-day "Dear Abby"-style newspaper articles. Each story features someone frustrated in love who writes to The Lovelorn. Then the complications set in. Every book stands alone and features its author's unique creative touch. Be sure to read all the books in this series!
Book 1 – Dear Lovelorn - Marie Higgins
Book 2 – Brilliant in Boston - Lynn Donovan
Book 3 – Secretive in Sacramento - Marie Higgins
Book 4 – Lost in Laramie - Margaret Tanner
Book 5 – Confused in Colorado - Cat Cahill
Book 6 – Torn in Toronto - Wendy May Andrews
Book 7 – Deserted in Dodge - Patricia PacJac Carroll
Book 8 – Obsessed in Oregon - Marlene Bierworth
Book 9 – Overwhelmed in Oklahoma - Elissa Strati
Book 10 – Wistful in Wisconsin - Marisa Masterson
Book 11 – Desperate in Delaware - Caroline Clemmons
Book 12 – Vexed in Vermont - Marie Higgins
Book 13 – Kissless in Kansas - Elissa Strati
Book 14 – Dejected in Denver - Cat Cahill
Book 15 – Alone in Austin - Patricia PacJac Carroll
Book 16 – Miserable in Montana - Cheryl Wright
Book 17 – Bewildered in Billings - Lynn Donovan
Series Link:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0895GG699
Deserted in Dodge Page 10
