“Let me talk to someone else about the date first, then we’ll set the date. All right?”
“Whatever my future bride desires,” Barton whispered before pulling Amelia in his lap, slowly kissing her as she wrapped her arms around his neck.
He’d released himself from one promise today and made another. And it was the right thing to do.
Chapter 15
“He asked, and I said yes!” Amelia shouted as she rushed into the dress shop, startling all three women as they sat working on various projects.
“Who asked what?” Molly turned her head from where she’d been concentrating on guiding fabric under the sewing machine’s needle.
“Barton!” Amelia squealed. “He asked me to marry him!”
Always enthusiastic, Maisie dropped the dress she was hemming onto the floor and jumped out of her chair to embrace Amelia.
“Congratulations, Amelia! I’m so happy for you!”
“When’s the wedding?” Maggie asked as she set aside the bodice she was basting together and stood up, adding her own hug.
“We’ll have to talk to Pastor, but there’s no reason to wait long. We have jobs and a place to live,” Amelia said as she clasped her hands to contain them from waving around in her excitement.
“The Peashooter’s are going to be so pleased with themselves,” Molly said with a sigh.
“True, but I have them to thank for bringing Barton to town.”
“Now they’re going to plan your wedding, unless…” Maisie’s smile widened as she looked at Amelia and her sisters, “we surprise them and keep it a secret.”
“How would your mother feel about you doing that though, Amelia?” Maggie was always the one to think of others first.
“My parents approve of Barton, and guess we’re headed toward marriage,” Amelia hedged. “Barton was walking over to the shop right now to officially ask Pa for his blessing.”
“So maybe they know you’re getting married, but haven’t set the date? Pastor Reagan would probably go along with your request,” Maisie rubbed her hands with her plotting.
Amelia thought of all the preparations the older church women did for community weddings. They helped with everything from quilting the bride’s quilt tops to be sure her household was equipped with bedding, to preparing a meal for the whole community to share in the celebration.
Would she be hurting their feelings by not expecting them to do all this extra work? Or would they relish the surprise of sitting back and enjoying it this one time?
“What about your wedding dress? Your mother and Mary might be disappointed if they don’t see you try on dresses in the Five-Trunk Room here in the shop,” Maggie pointed out.
“True. That’s one tradition I don’t want my mother to miss. But…I can try on several gowns and not make up my mind that day.”
“Or we can add an overlay to the ensemble, so she won’t recognize it until you remove it for the wedding.”
Amelia looked at each woman, knowing they were all designing a decoy in their minds.
“Ladies, I think you have a project to work on. Can we schedule to use the room today, before or after supper? We need to get started right away.”
“Let’s say four o’clock, to still have plenty of daylight in the room?”
“Perfect. I’ll let Barton know what’s going on, then tell Mama, Mary, and Luella.”
“I assume you’ll let Avalee and Nadine in on your planning too?” Maggie asked.
“Definitely! Hopefully, they can come for the dress ceremony, but if not, we’ll meet later this evening to implement our plan,” Amelia replied as she thought through the logistics.
“Barton won’t be jealous of you spending your first evening as an engaged couple, with your friends instead of him?” Maisie teased.
“He has our new kitten, Smudge, to keep him company. He’ll survive,” Amelia answered, even though she would miss being with him this evening.
But Barton wouldn’t mind, knowing her family and friends needed to be part of their wedding planning.
“Speaking of kittens, did you know Tobin was going to bring over two kittens for us to raise?” Molly asked with a raised eyebrow.
Amelia had noticed the kittens snuggled in a basket beside Molly’s chair. They didn’t wake up though all the excited talking of the women.
“It was mentioned…” Amelia smiled smugly; glad Tobin had gotten up the nerve to bring them to Molly.
“Have you named them yet?” Amelia asked as she leaned over to stroke the heads of the matching gray tabby kittens.
“Oh, Tobin already had them named. He thought their names should start with the letter ‘M’ as ours. Meet Mavis and Misty,” Molly waved toward the basket.
Amelia looked at Maisie, who was trying to keep a straight face. Did she know Tobin had a crush on her sister? Maybe the two of them needed to help Molly and Tobin get together.
“Well, I’m off to spread my good news! I’ll see you later today,” Amelia told them as she opened the front door. Work was going to have to wait until tomorrow. She had a wedding to plan.
***
"Hey, what brings you up the steps tonight? We haven't seen you for a few days," Peter asked Barton as he walked in the barbershop apartment, or as he should start calling it, Peter's home.
Barton pulled back his coat to reveal the tiny gray kitten tucked against his chest.
"Little Smudge here is cold and lonely. I was hoping there were more kittens up here for her to snuggle with. I didn't find any box of kittens in the livery office, so I figured Tobin brought them here for the night.”
"Of course they are with us," Tobin answered from the kitchen door. "Bring her in here to cuddle with the others. I still have three kittens."
Barton carefully placed Smudge with her litter mates, and she cried with relief.
"I think you better take a second kitten home with you to keep the first company,” Tobin suggested. "You can take the other gray kitty. I've already named the white one, Salt, and the black kitten, Pepper."
Barton watched as Tobin crouched down by the box, intently watching his charges. He hoped Tobin found a woman who would deserve Tobin's love and respect. He was such a decent man.
"Am I invited to stay for supper too?" Barton asked as he watched Peter pull a stack of plates down from the shelf.
"Of course. It's just boiled ham and beans—and apple pie—if Wesley will share it with the rest of us," Peter pointed to the large pie sitting on the side table. It was slightly misshapen, with one half of the top crust featuring a dark, burned brown tinge.
"What's the occasion, Wesley? The dining room baker burn a pie and couldn't serve it to the guests?"
"Nadine's attempt at pie baking. The woman grew up in the hotel and food industry and can't bake or cook worth a darn," Wesley answered, eying the pie. "She keeps foisting her attempts on us poor souls."
"I'm happy about it," Tobin added. “You just have to dump another tablespoon or so of sugar on the piece you attempt to scoop out, and it's edible. One of these times the crust won't be charred."
"How are things going at the hotel, Wesley?" Barton asked over his shoulder as he scooped a hearty potion of beans from the pot on the stove onto his plate.
"Decent. Helen runs the business and Ethan follows through. Great staff in the kitchen and dining room."
"And the sisters? What's it like to work with them?" Six siblings so close in age could coordinate or clash, depending on their personalities.
"No two sisters alike. Avalee spends her day at the doctor's office and Luella is teaching school this year, so I don't see them much. Nadine and her younger sisters keep the hotel spotless. I'm working more evening and night shifts as their night manager cuts back on his hours."
Barton felt relieved that Wesley had settled into his job.
"Peter? How's the barbershop working out?" Barton asked as he speared a hunk of ham from the next pot.
"Half my time is cutting hair or shaving custome
rs, and the other half is visiting with whoever has made themselves at home around the heating stove."
"They come for the free coffee, Possum," Wesley teased him.
"And the cookies Maggie Brenner just happens to drop by with now and then," Tobin teased Peter.
Barton studied his friend, happy to see Peter was trying to hide his flushed face.
"Who spends the most time with you?" Barton asked to draw him away from his obvious budding feelings about a woman.
"Charlie Moore, Cullen Reagan's birth father. You've seen him in church with Cullen and Rose.
“He was a brakeman for years before he fell off the train and lost his leg. He's got lots of interesting stories about working cross country on the rails," Peter commented as he waited in line to get his plate filled.
"And Pastor Reagan stops at least once a day to hear the latest gossip in town."
"I've been trying to talk Mr. Boyle into spending time at your shop to get him out of the house. Maybe I'll bring him over tomorrow. What time does Maggie bring her cookies?" Tobin asked.
"She only brought cookies over once, uh, three times—not every day,” Peter confessed. “Oh, just come over about ten o'clock in the morning."
"Good. We'll be there at ten sharp to eat them when they're warm from the oven. Mr. Boyle is moping, going over every piece of paper, letter, photo, and old newspaper clipping he has in his study.
"And I haven't even ventured past a peek into his wife's room. It still has a quilt frame up with the top in it and her thimble and threaded needle sitting just where she last used it."
"Why hasn't the daughter come to clean out the house and move her father?" Barton asked in surprise. Family should be helping the old man out, not Tobin.
"He showed me her last letter. Said she's too busy to bother coming back here. Expects him to get to Kansas City by himself."
"But the man can barely walk even with the help of his cane."
"I know it. And that's why the livery and house are in such bad shape," Tobin huffed.
Barton watched Tobin, knowing his mind was turning with ideas. What was he thinking?
"You know what? Tomorrow me, Salt, and Pepper are going to move in with Mr. Boyle. He needs my help and he needs those kittens to draw his mind off his problems."
"Good. One less person living in my home," Peter said with a smile on his face.
"You're not getting rid of me though," Squires piped up. "I have no other place to go."
"Move in with Gordon. He's got plenty of place in the top of the mercantile, if he ever moves there," Peter added.
Barton watched for Gordon's reaction, but he remained stone-faced.
"Have the Taylors made any decisions about their business yet?"
"Nope," was all Gordon would say as he left the kitchen with his plate of food.
Barton started to ask more, but Peter interrupted him.
"Let him work through this by himself, Barton."
Barton nodded, following his brother into the dining room. He promised Amelia he'd step back and let the others build their own lives without his guidance, and interference. It was time to do just that. He was just here to visit with his family and friends and pick up another kitten.
Conversation flowed around the table as they ate their meal together. Barton enjoyed the comradery but was ready to get back to his own place.
"How're things going with you, Barton? You asked about all of us, but didn't say how things are going with you?"
"Good. Work is keeping me busy. Settling in the new place with two kittens, thanks to Toad."
Barton pointed his fork at Tobin at the end of the table.
He waited until everyone had shoved the first piece of pie in their mouths before adding, "and I asked Amelia to marry me."
At least three forks dropped to plates as five pairs of eyes turned to stare at him.
Chapter 16
"May the Lord bless you and keep you, today, tomorrow and forever, Amen."
Pastor Reagan lowered his right hand, closed his service book, and held it in front of him. He looked at the congregation sitting before him as he stood in front of the altar.
"For the past twenty or so years, it's been the tradition of this community to have weddings right after Sunday church service instead of another time or day."
"Today we're about to celebrate the union of two special people we watched grow up in our community, Tate Shepard and Luella Paulson.
"I'm sure Tate knows I'm going to embarrass him, so I just as well say it.”
Pastor pointed at Tate where he sat in the congregation. "Sweet Poo-Tater, you were a joy to watch running around town in your birthday suit. You gave the older men, Henry Barclay, and Homer Johnston something to do while they babysat you and you entertained them."
"And their dog," Marshal Adam added from the congregation.
"Oh, yes, and Barclay's dog, Belch," Pastor chuckled.
"Tate, we were blessed when Millie Wilerson brought you to town, and we all got to watch you grew into an outstanding young man."
"About that same time, Mrs. Helen Higby strolled into town with four very lively daughters, Iva Mae, Maridell, Avalee, and Luella. What a joy that little family added to our community," Pastor said as he took a few steps and then shifted to talk to Luella.
"I don't think I've met a sweeter dispositioned toddler in my life. You had problems walking because of your misshaped foot, but you never complained, just stuck out your little foot and asked people to 'twetch' your foot. I loved cuddling and doing your bidding, rubbing and stretching your tiny foot anytime you asked. Now you stand and walk proud, and I commend you for the compassionate and loving woman you've become.
"Not wanting to crowd the front of the church with Luella's seven sisters standing beside her, she has asked them to stay seated, but that her mother, Helen, come up to sit beside Kaitlyn in the front row." Pastor waved for Helen to come forward to the front pew.
"Ethan, would you please move to the back of the church to walk your daughter down the aisle. Tate, please take your place beside me."
Amelia took a deep breath as Luella and Ethan walked past the pew where she and Barton sat on the end of the seat beside her parents. Luella's face shone with happiness as she moved to stand beside her father.
"Amelia, since you're close by, please get Luella's flowers. I'm afraid I moved her bouquet to a shelf in the narthex before the service, so it didn't get played with by the youngsters in the back pews."
Amelia stood and quickly walked to the entry room to get Luella's bouquet.
"Thinking of Amelia, Tate's little sister followed Tate and Luella from the time she could catch up with them. The three of them have been inseparable and best friends forever.
"One time I remember hearing giggling in the front of the church when I was in my back office. I came out to investigate to find Luella and Amelia, probably about five and six years old, pretending to be brides. I quietly watched as they did several scenarios of walking—or running—down the aisle, saying simple 'I do's' to imaginary grooms, or to each other.
"I finally walked out and asked what they were doing, and Luella piped up that they were practicing for when they would get married. I asked when that would be, and Amelia said when she was old and pretty like her mama."
Pastor Reagan stopped to let the audience laugh and reminisce in their own thoughts.
"Luella then finished off with, 'yep, and Amelia and I are going to marry on the same day.’"
Pastor paused, then scanned the congregation.
"Darcie, would you please join Helen in the front pew? Reuben, please walk to the back to escort your daughter down the aisle. Luella and Tate have asked that Amelia and Barton Miller say their vows now too, as the girls had planned so many years ago.
Amelia watched her mother turn back to look for her, hoping her mother would be happy with Amelia’s choice. Darcie met Amelia’s eyes. Her mother's hands clasped to her lips before nodding her approval.
&nbs
p; "Okay, let's get you ready," Maisie said as she pushed Luella and Amelia back into the narthex. "Amelia, stick out your arms so I can unwrap the overdress."
Maisie worked quickly to untie a hidden ribbon which released the swath of material which had covered her white gown.
"Now, hat's off, veils on," commanded Maisie as she reached for the long tulle veils that hung together on a hanger near the door. Wedding dress fashion was starting to change, and this was the Brenners' debut of showing off the latest trend of a white dress and veil to the community.
When they were ready, Maisie handed Luella the fall bouquet of yellow and gold chrysanthemums. Luella pulled the white ribbon bow wrapped around the base, separating the two bunches of flowers that had been discretely tied together, and handed one to Amelia.
"Well, you sure surprised your mamma and me, but we couldn't be happier for you, Sweetheart," Reuben whispered to Amelia as they moved behind Luella and Ethan.
"Thank you, Papa. For everything," Amelia told Reuben as she tried not to cry. So far this was the best day of her life, but she knew there would be many more to come with Barton at her side.
***
Barton stiffly walked down the side aisle to stand beside Tate, not sure what the congregation’s reaction would be to Amelia and Luella's decision for a double wedding. He was a newcomer to town; versus the beloved man and woman the pastor had praised a moment ago.
He'd hinted to his brothers and friends they had to be in church today, no exception, but he didn't explain why. As with Luella's situation with her many sisters, he didn't want to include one or two from the group as best man and groomsman and exclude the rest.
Now he turned to look at the pew full of men he'd more or less helped raise. Barton choked back a snort as the five grinned and saluted him with their thumbs up in unison.
He nodded back in acknowledgment before turning to search for Amelia and Reuben in the back of the aisle. Both were smiling, having a tender father-daughter talk between them.
Lastly, Barton looked at the front pew on the bride's side where Helen, Darcie—his future mother-in-law—and Kaitlyn, his sponsor, sat together in shock.
Amelia Changes her Fellow Page 10
