Mail-Order Brides of the West: Trudy (A Montana Sky Series Novel) Read online

  The women were careful to avoid the worst of the manure puddles in the dirt street and stick to a well-tramped trail. They skirted the white-frame church to the small parsonage behind.

  Pamela Carter touched her arm. “Don’t be frightened by Reverend Norton’s appearance. He made me nervous when I first met him. He looks like the strictest of fire-and-brimstone preachers. But quite to the contrary, thank goodness, he’s a good, kind man with a scholarly bent that he can’t indulge nearly enough because he travels around the community and beyond to all who need him.”

  “Thanks for the warning,” Trudy said.

  “As for Mrs. Norton…” Mrs. Carter smiled with encouragement. “She is shy, the gentlest of souls. Has a heart of gold. Let’s Reverend Norton walk all over her. But from time to time, you’ll see she possesses an iron spine under all that goodness.” She covered her mouth with her hand before dropping it to her chest. “That sounded wrong. What I meant was, I’ve seen her become strong in defense of others less fortunate.”

  “A perfect match for him, then.”

  “Indeed.”

  They walked up the tiny porch to the front door. Before they had a chance to knock, a small woman with pale skin and wrinkles around her eyes and mouth opened the door. Her white-streaked blond hair was drawn back in a tight bun. Her blue eyes widened when she saw the two ladies accompanying Trudy, rather than Seth. But the smile Mrs. Norton gave her made her feel welcome.

  Mrs. Cameron patted Trudy’s arm. “Miss Bauer has acquired an entourage, Mrs. Norton. I hope you don’t mind that we accompanied her.”

  “Of course not.”

  Pamela Carter quickly explained the situation to the minister’s wife, who waved for them to follow her inside.

  “I’m delighted to meet you, my dear Miss Bauer.” Wrinkles fanned out around Mrs. Norton’s eyes when she smiled. She stepped back. “All of you, please come in. Reverend Norton is in his study, trying to finish his Sunday sermon. But once you’re ready, Miss Bauer, he would like to meet with you before the wedding.”

  “Of course,” Trudy murmured, hoping the minister would approve of her.

  Mrs. Norton wore a brown broadcloth dress, not unlike the traveling dress that Trudy couldn’t wait to change out of. When she turned, Trudy could see her skirt didn’t have a small, more practical bustle like the dresses both Mrs. Carter and Mrs. Cameron wore.

  Trudy made a mental note to adopt their style of dress. She’d certainly been much more comfortable traveling without carrying a big bump behind her—without a tightly laced corset too. For the train trip, she’d debated between vanity and comfort and had settled for comfort.

  She wondered if Seth had noticed her waist wasn’t as small as it should have been. Not that he could have spanned her waist with his hands even if she were tightly corseted. Too much stocky German peasant blood in her. And as much as she would have liked an eighteen-inch waist, she usually strove for a tightly corseted twenty-three inches.

  Mrs. Norton turned into a room and disappeared from sight.

  Mrs. Cameron waved at Trudy to follow the minister’s wife. “Mrs. Carter and I will wait for you in the kitchen.”

  Inside the small bedroom, there wasn’t much room to spare. The simple four-poster bed with a patchwork quilt, a washstand, and a bureau took up the whole space. Pegs fastened to the wall held clothing. A spicy scent lingered in the air, and she saw a clove-studded orange hanging from a brown velvet ribbon tied around one of the bedposts.

  Mrs. Norton gestured toward the washstand. “I’ll bring you some hot water, my dear, so you can wash up.”

  Trudy gave the woman a grateful smile and thanked her. Alone again, she set her carpetbag on the bed, untied the ribbons of her hat, and tugged it off. She dropped the hat on the bed as well. She unpinned her braid and let the plait dangle down her back while she massaged her scalp to rub away the sore spots caused by pinning up her heavy hair.

  Mrs. Norton came in, carrying a copper kettle by the towel-wrapped handle. She poured hot water into a basin on the washstand, then added the cooler water from a chipped rose-patterned pitcher. She patted some folded towels next to the ewer. “These are clean. Use them to wash and dry yourself.”

  “I definitely need to rinse off the dirt from traveling.”

  “Soon as you unpack your wedding dress, Miss Bauer, I’ll iron it. I have the iron heating on the stove right now.”

  Trudy reached out and pressed the woman’s hand. “You are so kind. Thank you.”

  Color flushed Mrs. Norton’s pale cheeks.

  A rapid knock on the front door echoed through the house.

  Mrs. Norton left the room to answer the door.

  The clomp of feet heralded Nick with her trunk, and Trudy pushed opened the door so he could maneuver into the room. She moved out of the way.

  With a thump, he set the trunk down in front of the bed.

  Trudy thanked him.

  He gave a shy duck of his head and almost ran out of the room.

  Trudy smiled after him, liking his blue-green eyes, the brown hair that waved to his shoulders, and the slightly crooked, lightly freckled nose. In a few years, with more confidence on him, that young man is going to be a lady-killer.

  Trudy unlocked her trunk and lifted the lid.

  Mrs. Norton joined her, leaning in to examine the lace veil on top of all the clothes.

  Trudy held up the gossamer material. The light from the single window glittered over the crystals and pearl beads in the tiara. “This was my mother’s. My two younger sisters wore it for their wedding and now it’s my turn.”

  Mrs. Norton touched the fine lace. “Beautiful.”

  Sudden tears misted Trudy’s vision. “I miss my mother.”

  Mrs. Norton touched Trudy’s shoulder in silent sympathy.

  “She never had a chance to see any of her daughters get married.” Trudy laid the veil on the bed. “It’s hard to completely enjoy your wedding day when your mother isn’t with you.”

  “Your mother did see your sisters wed, and I’m sure she’ll be with you today.”

  Trudy looked at the woman, astonished she hadn’t received a more pious answer from a minister’s wife. She pointed a finger upward. “I know she’s in heaven…”

  Mrs. Norton gently folded Trudy’s hand until her palm rested on her chest. “In heaven and in your heart. Love never fails, my dear Miss Bauer. Although I know it’s not the same as feeling your mother’s arms around you on such a special day, nevertheless, I’m sure she’s sending you plenty of love.”

  Hearing the minister’s wife quote the words embroidered on Trudy’s wedding handkerchief made goosebumps rise on her arms. She inhaled a calming breath, feeling the truth of Mrs. Norton’s wisdom and taking comfort from the woman’s maternal presence, almost as if her own mother stood in the room. “You’ve been very helpful, Mrs. Norton. Thank you.”

  Mrs. Norton released Trudy’s fingers and held out her hand. “Let me iron your wedding dress while you wash up,” she said in a more matter-of-fact voice. “I’ll be careful with it, I promise.”

  “I know you will.”

  Trudy took off her dress and undergarments. Without the high-necked, long-sleeved dress on, her mother’s necklace and bracelet sparkled around her neck and wrist. Her finger crept up to touch the pendant. She’d kept the jewelry hidden on the train, but now that she was safe in Sweetwater Springs, she would proudly wear the pieces and remember her parents.

  She sponged down her body with the washcloth, dried herself, and started fresh with the lace-edged and embroidered knickers, camisole, corset, and pulled the laces tight. She added the embroidered petticoat she’d made for today.

  Trudy strapped on the cumbersome bustle, wrinkling her nose at the wire contraption, and promising herself that she’d box it up after the ceremony and hide the thing out of sight only to be worn for a special occasion.

  But for her wedding, she’d make a fashionable appearance. No one must think Seth didn’t do well for
himself in his choice of bride—twenty-three inch waist and all.

  * * *

  Seth waited at the altar, which was draped with a white cloth, feeling dread creep into his innards. Only the fact that he’d committed himself—word of a Flanigan—to this...farce of a marriage kept his boots rooted to the ground. I should be waitin’ here for Lucy Belle. He made himself set that thought aside. He had a bride about to come through those doors any minute. He started to think about everything he’d have to do to get the multitude of his bride’s possessions to the farm.

  A vase of rose buds stood next to the plain silver crucifix. Mrs. Cameron had made good on her promise of flowers, far more lavishly than he’d expected—both with the bouquet for Trudy and the full vase. Their scent permeated the area, and he’d always be grateful to the doctor’s wife for seeing his bride had her flowers. Somehow, he’d find a way to repay Mrs. Cameron’s kindness.

  The Camerons, the Carters and Nick, Slim and Jasper had filled the front rows of the plain wooden pews. McCurdy, to Seth’s everlasting relief, had taken himself off. How did I accumulate all these people for what was supposed to be a private wedding?

  Seth continued to mull over the logistics of Trudy’s move. He’d rented the second team of horses from the livery, and Mack Taylor had promised to deliver them in about half an hour. The stable owner was fond of gossip, and Seth had no doubt that between Mack at the livery and McCurdy at the saloon, his business would soon be all over town. At least, they don’t know I’m marrying a mail-order bride.

  Seth told himself to set aside the details until later and focus on his wedding. He was about to embark on a sacred, life-changing journey, and he needed to give the ceremony his complete attention.

  In the moments before he became a married man, Seth said another prayer, thanking God for sending him a pretty bride and asking for the Lord’s blessing on his marriage—that he and Trudy would make a good match.

  In the last month, I sure have become a prayin’ man. Seth sort of liked the idea.

  Mrs. Norton slipped onto the bench behind the piano.

  Reverend Norton, wearing a black frock coat, joined him, dropping a hand on Seth’s shoulder as if he thought the groom needed steadying.

  Seth nodded his appreciation.

  The minister released him and shuffled back a step.

  The door at the back of the church opened, and Dr. Cameron in his black Prince Albert coat, the pockets bulging with sweets he carried for children, as well as anything else he might need, stepped through.

  Seth straightened, his heart thump-thumping in anticipation and nervousness.

  The doctor held open the door for Trudy, and she glided inside, a vision in a white lace gown. Through her sheer veil, spilling from a sparkly crown, he saw the upturn of her lips.

  Seth’s heart kicked into his throat. A feeling of pride and happiness took him by surprise, and he smiled back. As difficult as this wedding was for him, Trudy was marrying without her family present. A stranger, not her father, escorted her up the aisle to give her away. She was plucky, this woman he was about to commit to. No matter what else, he knew that about her. He sensed her courage would serve them both in good stead over the course of their lives.

  Mrs. Norton began to play the piano. He didn’t know the song, but remembered hearing the piece played at BJ and Lisette’s wedding.

  Dr. Cameron escorted Trudy down the aisle.

  The sun shone through the windows onto the delicate lace of her dress and veil, gilding Trudy’s reddish-gold hair. He soaked in the sight of his bride, knowing that for the rest of his life he’d never forget this moment.

  Dr. Cameron delivered her to Seth.

  Her fingers trembled in his.

  He gave her hand a supportive squeeze, though, if truth be told, Seth knew he needed the reassurance just as much as she seemed to. He drew her fingers through the crook of his arm, but kept his palm covering the top of her hand.

  “Dearly beloved.” Reverend Norton began the ceremony.

  Seth made his responses in a firm tone, vowing to love and cherish this stranger at his side for the rest of his life.

  Trudy also spoke her vows without hesitation, although he saw her swallow at one point, heard a quaver in her voice when she repeated, “for as long as we both shall live.”

  Seth slipped the garnet ring on her finger. The band stuck at her knuckle, and he had a panicked moment of wondering what the heck he’d do if it didn’t fit. But with a push, the ring slipped past. He grinned at her in relief.

  Her eyes widened, and she gave him a sweet smile in return.

  The minister gave him permission to kiss his bride.

  His blood racing through his body, Seth gently lifted her veil to fold the sheer fabric over her head. His rough fingers snagged on the lace, making him suck his breath in embarrassment. But he managed to crookedly drape the veil over her head.

  Now that the moment had come for the kiss, Seth’s heart pounded so hard, he could feel the beat thundering through his body.

  A shy expression on her face, Trudy tilted up her face. A pulse fluttered in her throat.

  Gently, Seth pressed his mouth to hers, liking the feel of the soft lips under his. He lingered a few seconds, then came up for air, feeling as if he’d run a race.

  Color transfused Trudy’s cheeks, but the shine in her eyes told him she’d enjoyed their first kiss, simple as it was.

  She looked so adorable, he wanted to kiss her again, but figured two wedding kisses would be bad form. But later....

  Reverend Norton introduced the two of them as Mr. and Mrs. Seth Flanigan, and everyone in the pews beamed in approval.

  Mrs. Norton struck up the piano music, something pretty and march-like, which he also remembered from BJ and Lisette’s wedding.

  Seth tilted his head toward the door of the church, silently asking Trudy if she was ready.

  She dipped her chin in acknowledgment.

  With his brand new wife on his arm, Seth strolled down the aisle—almost in step to the music—and out into the spring sunshine.

  CHAPTER TWELVE

  Still reeling from the touch of her husband’s lips on hers, Trudy didn’t know whether to feel relief or dread that she’d married Seth Flanigan for better or worse. But from the fireworks of excitement swirling in her middle, she figured on both.

  Still lost in the experience of their kiss, she glided down the aisle on Seth’s arm, barely noticing the smiles and nods of her new acquaintances

  Once outside, she saw that a group of townsfolk had gathered. A ragged cheer went up at the sight of them, making her blush. The three laden wagons lined up in the middle of the street stopped her short. “Oh, my!”

  Seth laughed. “You sound surprised.”

  “There’s so much!”

  He cocked an eyebrow.

  “I was living at the agency,” Trudy hurried to explain. “My father had the furniture crated and sent to the station. I packed my own things and chose what else I wanted from the household goods. I never saw the whole batch together.”

  He shook his head. “I tell you, wife, all your things are not going to fit in the house. We’ll have to store some in the barn until I can get more rooms built onto the place.”

  Uncertain if he was angry, Trudy gave him a questioning look.

  His eyebrow rose again as if challenging her to protest.

  But since he didn’t look upset, she just smiled and shrugged. “We’ll make it work, Seth. It’s part of the grand adventure of our marriage.”

  He laughed. “That it is, Mrs. Flanigan.”

  The Camerons caught up with them. Mrs. Cameron embraced Trudy and Dr. Cameron shook Seth’s hand.

  Soon well-wishers surrounded them. The crowd around them swelled to include more strangers. Introductions were tossed at her, names she wouldn’t remember, as well as congratulations and best wishes.

  Trudy overheard Slim offer to buy Seth a drink at Hardy’s to celebrate. She tensed up, not liking th
e thought that he might be the type of man who spent time in saloons. She heard her husband’s refusal and relaxed, relieved.

  Seth placed his hand in the small of her back to steer her toward the wagon.

  His touch sent a shiver shooting through her, and she almost gasped at the sensation.

  Mrs. Carter distracted her. “We’re all going to descend on Mr. Flanigan’s home to help you get settled. But we promise not to stay long.” Her brown eyes twinkled.

  “That’s very kind of you, ma’am,” Seth said.

  They started toward a wagon pulled by a pair of horses, one sorrel and one a copper-colored pinto with white patches.

  Trudy stopped Seth with a hand to his arm. “Seth, do you have enough food to offer everyone a meal?” she asked in a low voice. She motioned toward the mercantile. “Should we buy anything?”

  He winked. “Bought out the store yesterday, Mrs. Flanigan. It won’t be fancy, but we can feed them. Course, we’ll probably have to make another trip to town tomorrow to stock up again.” He frowned, but then his face cleared and he shrugged. “A small price to pay for free labor.”

  Trudy laughed, loving the crinkles at the corners of his beautiful eyes. She gestured in the direction of the wagon. “Shall we?”

  He held out his arm to her. “We shall, indeed, my dear.” Once Seth escorted her to the laden wagon, he grasped her waist to lift her to the seat. She liked the thrill that went through her when his hands spanned her sides.

  As they drove through Sweetwater Springs—what there was of the small town anyway—Trudy couldn’t help but feel some disappointment. She’d prepared herself for a frontier town, but the reality was smaller and cruder than she’d realized—a few false-fronted buildings, a brick mercantile, the white-steepled church and a school. She wrinkled her nose at the two-story saloon they passed with tinny music pounding out of the open door into the street, which was hard-packed dirt, although mud and horse manure combined into muck in some places. Trudy held her bouquet to her nose, using the sweet scent to mask the stink of a particularly odorous puddle. In fairness, she had to admit she’d smelled worse on some streets of St. Louis.