When Sarah walked back out dressed the same way as she was on Sunday, Molly asked, “When exactly did Ben tell you about this? You had to go home and get that dress.”
“Minnie stopped in on her way around town spreading the word. You were at lunch. I hurried home to get my dress and informed Lucy. She came back with me, and Rose helped us get everything perfect for you. Do you want to get dressed now?”
Molly nodded wondering how they accomplished all of this while she had no idea Ben planned another wedding so soon.
Cal and Nell stopped by to pick up Sarah, Lucy, and Rose the way they had on her first wedding day. Giles was right behind him with his buggy. He jumped down and helped Molly up. “Are you ready to try this again?”
“Yes, I’m sorry to cause this much trouble.” She lowered her head and bit her lip.
“No trouble at all. You added some excitement to the day. Things never seem to go the way they should in this town, but they always work out.”
The short drive to the church seemed longer this time. Molly worried about everything that could happen. She told herself she was foolish, but it didn’t help. She shuddered when they drove past the jail knowing Skinner was still in town even if he was behind bars and Luke watched over him.
Giles helped her out of the buggy and up the church steps. Nell met them again with the bouquet of red ribbon flowers. “You left this on the floor in the pastor’s office.” Molly hugged her. “Thank you, Nell.”
Nell hurried off to take her seat and Molly heard Rachel playing the piano. Giles held out his arm and whispered, “That’s our cue.”
Molly followed blindly seeing only Ben waiting for her in the front of the church again and the pews filled with townspeople.
Pastor Reynolds cleared his throat again. “We are gathered here again to try and join these two young people in marriage.” The church erupted in laughter, and Molly felt her embarrassment rise.
Molly heard Pastor Reynold’s voice and then Ben’s voice, but her heart thudded so hard she couldn’t make out what they were saying. When Pastor Reynold’s spoke her name, she mumbled, “What?”
“Just say ‘I do,’” Ben whispered.
“Oh, of course, I do.”
Everyone laughed, and Pastor Reynolds said, “By the power invested in me by God and the state of Wisconsin, you are now husband and wife. You may kiss your wife.”
Ben kissed Molly until they heard the congregation applaud. Molly blushed, and Ben laughed.
The townsfolk congratulated Molly and Ben and most headed to Callahan’s for supper. Ben drew Molly aside and said, “I know this is our wedding night, but the marshals will be on the eight o’clock train to pick up Skinner. We can get supper, and I can take you home, but I have to go to the office and sign the transfer papers.”
Molly slipped her arms around his neck and said, “It’s part of being a sheriff’s wife, and I will be happier with Skinner gone. Let’s go home now. I can remove my dress and relax until you return.”
Ben took her arm and helped her into the buggy he borrowed from Giles. When they arrived at their new home, Ben carried Molly over the threshold.
Molly turned to Ben with a worried face. “I didn’t bring a bag? I don’t have anything to change into.”
Ben smiled. “Would that be a bad thing, but don’t worry. Rose packed a few things. They’re still in the buggy. I’ll get them.”
“Thank you, but can you help me with my dress first?”
“Of course, what? Buttons. Do you know how many buttons there are on this dress? Was this your idea?”
Molly giggled.
Epilogue
Easter Sunday 1881
Molly linked her arm with Ben’s as they headed toward the church for Easter services. Dressed in her new lavender dress and matching hat, Molly felt blessed. She had a loving husband, warm home, good friends, and a town that accepted her exactly the way she was. Clouds hid the sun, but it was warmer than expected for the end of March. The new church bell calling parishioners to worship rang out across the town.
“Pastor Reynolds certainly loves that new bell,” Ben said.
“It was a good idea for the town to raise the money. I love the sound of the bell. This is the first Sunday Pastor Reynolds has rung it for services. He practiced all week. Rachel said he is blissfully happy with the bell.”
“I can hear it clearly from the jail. I think Rachel makes him stop before suppertime. At least the town can sleep.”
“He’s enjoying himself. There’s Sarah. I’ll meet you inside,” Molly said leaving him standing alone shaking his head.
“Sarah,” Molly said. “You look lovely this morning. Your pink hat makes your cheeks glow.”
“Thank you. All the ladies look lovely today. Look here comes Nell and Cal.”
“He certainly is fussing over her. She said he won’t let her walk up the stairs alone,” Molly said and watched as Cal did his best to assist Nell from the wagon.
Sarah laughed, “Look, he nearly dropped her. I don’t know how she can carry that child for two more months. I think she could have the baby any day, but she says she isn’t due until early June.”
“Maybe she’s having twins.” Molly giggled. “Can you imagine Cal’s actions if he has two babies and Nell to worry over.”
“Giles will be just as bad. Don’t tell anyone but I’m expecting. I told Giles last night. I thought he’d faint.”
Molly hugged Sarah, “I’m so happy for you especially after your worries about the beating you survived the night before Harold was killed.”
“Yes, the doctor told me I might never have a child. I feel so blessed. It is going to be a wonderful year for all of us.”
“I hope I have news to share this year, too. I thought maybe by now…”
Sarah took her hand. “It can take time. Look how long it’s taken me. I never conceived when married to Harold. Not everyone is as fortunate as Nell.”
“God will decide, and I will wait. Oh, I heard from Rose. She loves Montana except for the blizzards. They’re worse than she remembers here. Lucy is working in a boarding house in town as the cook. She’s happy, and men are always trying to court her. Rose said she chases them off with her broom.”
Sarah laughed and noticed Adam Greiner hurrying up to them.
“Happy Easter, Adam.”
“Happy Easter, Sarah, Mrs. Clay.”
“When did you stop calling me Molly?”
“When you married the sheriff,” Adam smiled. “I’ll call you Mrs. Molly, but I wanted to tell you both that I wrote to your friend, Mrs. Brutherington, for a bride. I hope to hear from her soon.”
“Do your Ma and Pa know?” Sarah asked.
Adam frowned. “Not yet. I plan to tell them at supper today. There aren’t any young women around here, and I’d like to settle down. Have a nice day.” He smiled and rushed off.
“I wonder how Miranda will feel when her baby tells her he wants to marry,” Sarah said.
“I’m sure we’ll find out soon.”
Their conversation was interrupted by the church bell.
“I believe we’re being summoned to church,” Molly laughed. They strolled toward the doors when their husbands caught up to them.
“Easy now,” Giles told Sarah. Molly smiled, and Sarah rolled her eyes.
Pastor Reynolds led his congregation in song and prayer ending with a request. “We’ll finish today singing Amazing Grace since it is the grace of God’s love we celebrate today along with Jesus’ sacrifice for each of us. After we sing, please take your seats. I have a few announcements. Molly’s gifted voice joined the others in one of her favorite hymns. When the congregants finished, the sounds of people taking their seats filled the small church.
“Thank you,” Pastor Reynolds began. “Since many of you have not been able to attend services often this winter due to the snow and severe cold, I’d like to pass on a bit of information. The construction of the new community center and city hall will begin next mon
th. It was decided it should be a three-story structure and Mr. Willoughby posted a drawing of the proposed building in the bank’s window for those wishing to view it. Also, Louis Masters said he would open the mercantile after services for those of you low on supplies. He usually wouldn’t open on Sunday or Easter, but we all know many of you must be low on necessities. Now, one last thing. I’m happy to tell you…”
“Wait a minute,” Malcolm Reed stood dressed in his three-piece suit and shiny boots to complain. “If you informed them about the city hall, you should mention the new saloon that I will build on the land where the previous saloon stood.”
Pastor Reynold’s face turned red, and Rachel knew her husband fought to keep his frustration in line especially in church in front of his congregation. “Mr. Reed, Sunday services is not the time or place to discuss a saloon. I’m sure word will get around in your tent to those who are interested.”
Alberta Willoughby shot to her feet. “I’m sorry Pastor Reynolds, but I must speak even though I’m in church. The women in this town will not allow the saloon to continue. We will march and picket and write down the names of your patrons.”
“Mrs. Willoughby,” Pastor Reynolds pleaded. “Take your seat. It is not the time or place to discuss your opinions either. I have not finished the service. You and the ladies a free to discuss your matters after my blessing.”
Agatha dropped into her seat scowling at the back of Malcolm Reed’s head.
“Now, if we can all listen, I have one last but extremely happy and important message. I have a wedding to perform. The couple didn’t want a lot of fuss made and asked for this simple wedding at the end of today’s service. A reception will not be held since most of you will go home for your Easter suppers, but wedding cake is available at the hotel, and Callahan’s for you to enjoy all afternoon. Now, to get on with the wedding. Henrietta and Phineas, please come up front, please.
Silence dropped over the church as Phineas “Doubles” Picklesimer led Henrietta Biggs, formally known as the Widow Biggs for wearing her widow’s weeds for years, to the front of the church.
Molly smiled remembering when Henrietta’s biggest goal was to remove her from town, but that was before they were abducted and worked together to gain their freedom. Now, they were the closest of friends. Nell told her that lately Doubles no longer asked for two plates of food when he ate dinner at Callahan’s. Previously, he would eat from both plates remembering his deceased wife and infant son. It seemed the love and peace of Gentle Falls had touched Doubles heart, too the way it touched hers.
Henrietta’s voice barely above a whisper replied, “I do” and when Phineas and Henrietta were declared husband and wife, he kissed her and threw his hands in the air. “I told you I’d convince her.”
Molly continued to smile and held Ben’s hand. Love healed her lonely heart and did the same for many others. She said a prayer that everyone would know the happiness that lived in her heart.
The End
Will Mrs. Brutherington find a perfect bride for Adam? What about the other hearts in Gentle Falls? Is love in the air and does the town have a bit of charm to heal broken hearts? Look for Adam’s Heart--Winter of 2017/2018. Also available: Celia’s Heart, a companion short story.
Thank you for reading my book out of the many available to you. I hope you enjoyed it as much I enjoyed writing it. If you have a chance, please leave a review on Amazon. I would appreciate it more than I can say. Reviews are the best way to let authors know if you enjoyed their books.
If you love Historical Romance, please visit the Facebook group, Pioneer Hearts. We’re a group of friendly readers and writers who love these books as much as you. Stop by and join us.
For more information on all my books please visit my web site Marianne Spitzer, Author, Amazon site Marianne Spitzer on Amazon, my blog Musings Under the Willow Tree., Facebook page Marianne-Spitzer, Author or follow me on Twitter @MarianneSpitzer
Molly's Heart Page 19
