Grooms with Honor Series, Books 7-9 Read online

  What all in the world did these women have? She thought Mrs. Reagan was going to get her a dress, but they were carrying more baggage than what she brought with her from Tennessee.

  “Poppy, I’d like you to meet Mary Jenkins, who owns the dress shop. We decided to bring over a few dresses for you to try on, and then Mary can alter them if need be.”

  “Nice to meet you, ma’am. I don’t know what else to say,” Poppy said, trying to come to grips with everything overwhelming her at once. A marriage proposal, new clothing, and new friends, all because she finally got the courage to run away from home.

  “Miss Beavers and I have decided to marry this evening if that works for Pastor. I’ll go visit with him while you ladies look at the dresses,” Adolph said as he took his hat off the hat rack by the front door.

  “Plan to eat supper with Pastor and me at six o’clock then, and we’ll go over to the church after that for your ceremony. If you want any guests at your wedding, you need to invite them between now and then.”

  That stopped Adolph in the doorway. “Should we wait a day or two to arrange everything first? Get the word out there’s going to be a wedding? Order one of Millie’s cakes for a reception?”

  Poppy wasn’t surprised when Mrs. Reagan looked at Adolph, as if he was behind with the conversation.

  “Everything has been taken care of since we knew your bride was arriving today, Adolph. Stop at the post office to tell Cullen, and at the library to tell his wife, Rose, to spread the word around town that there will be a wedding at seven o’clock. And stop by the marshal’s home to tell Millie to go ahead and frost the cake.”

  Mrs. Reagan waved her hand at Adolph, dismissing him from his own home.

  The two women walked into the kitchen, piling the packages on the kitchen table. “Let’s start your bath water. We can look at the dresses while the tub is filling,” Mrs. Reagan said as she opened the door to the bathroom.

  “Don’t we have to carry buckets of water from a nearby creek first? Heat the water up on the stove?” Poppy asked. How in the world would she get the bath in and everything else the women had planned between now and six o’clock? It would be better if she went to the creek herself and just jumped in and took a quick scrub there.

  “You have a hot water line direct from the stove’s hot water reservoir, through the wall, to the bathtub,” Mrs. Reagan pointed out. “You just need to add a few buckets of water, from the well which is enclosed on your back porch, to cool the water down to the temperature you want.”

  “Are you joking me? I’ve never seen such a thing!” Poppy exclaimed.

  “Adolph had added all the modern conveniences you can imagine to this house,” Mrs. Reagan smiled.

  “But I don't know how to manage all of these new-fangled things. I’ve never even cooked on a wood stove. We only had a fireplace in our shanty.”

  “Sounds like a project for the Peashooter Society, Kaitlyn,” Mary winked at the older woman.

  “Say what?” Poppy asked trying to follow the women’s conversation.

  “Our church women’s group was nicknamed the Peashooter Society because of…well, things we’ve done in the past. It would be an effective way for you to meet the women in town as they show you how to run this household.”

  “I’d really rather be butcherin’ hogs with Mr. Bjorklund than keepin’ house if you want the truth.”

  Mrs. Reagan ushered Poppy into the bathroom. “You might change your mind when you see the luxuries you have in this house.” Then Mrs. Reagan turned a metal handle, and water came rushing into the tub. Poppy stuck her hand in the clear water but quickly pulled her fingers away because the water was indeed very hot.

  Poppy turned toward the two grinning women and grinned back at them. She’d like all these fancy contraptions just fine. Adolph might have built this house for Anna Marie, but Poppy was going to enjoy it instead.

  ***

  Millie Wilerson answered her front door with Adolph’s first knock and responded to his question before he had a chance to ask it.

  “Hello, Adolph. I assume since you’re stopping by I need to have the cake ready and over to the hotel by seven o’clock?”

  “At the hotel?”

  “Where the reception is taking place, after your ceremony…”

  “Oh, yes.” The Peashooter Society had planned his wedding without his knowing it.

  “I’ll get started on it right away. I look forward to meeting your bride this evening,” Millie said as she shut the door in his face.

  The same thing happened at the library. Rose Reagan pushed him out the door and locked it as soon as Adolph said the wedding was on for this evening. She was popping in and out of stores down the street, spreading the news faster than a prairie gopher popping in and out of his ground holes. He knew this because he stood on the boardwalk and watched her go into three business in rapid succession.

  Was his marriage that big of news that the whole town would show up? What would his mail-order bride think of the townspeople crowding into the church to gawk at her?

  And Poppy wasn’t a pretty, young woman either. She was rough, worn, and backward in her talk and manners.

  What had he gotten into? Ordering a bride sight unseen, who turned out not to be the person pictured in the advertisement anyway. He was going to be the laughing stock of the town and saddled with Poppy for the next fifty years.

  Served him right for hanging on to the hope that Anna Marie would walk into his home in Clear Creek, ready to start their happily ever after.

  Adolph paused as he passed Doctor Pansy’s office though, thinking of the bruises on Poppy’s face. While Poppy was getting ready for her bath might be the time for Doctor Pansy to stop in to meet and examine her. Adolph turned back and went into the doctor’s office. Adolph could tell the doctor what he guessed was hidden under Poppy’s clothes and she’d keep it between the three of them.

  Poppy might not be the most attractive woman, but Adolph was bound to look after her because he was about to say the wedding vows to her in a few hours.

  *

  After Adolph went to his store to get things ready for tomorrow’s work, he thought of the things he needed to do since he was getting married soon. He found out that Fergus Reagan was going to take their wedding portrait right after their ceremony before they walked on to the hotel for their reception.

  Cullen Reagan said he’d already spread the word on his side of downtown because his father had stopped in with the news.

  Adolph stopped in Jasper Kern’s furniture shop to see if there was another piece of furniture he needed for his bride, and Iris, Jasper’s wife, was working by the window on her rug loom. Her wedding band flashed in the light, and Adolph realized he didn’t have a ring for the ceremony.

  That bit of panic was solved with the collection of rings Daisy Reagan had in her pharmacy store.

  By the time Adolph was back at his home, he was a nervous wreck. No longer would it be himself living in his house with a cat and two dogs. There would be a woman living with him, a woman he didn’t know a thing about.

  “Wait! Don’t come in yet!” someone yelled as Adolph opened the door to his home. It was already starting. His life would never be the same again.

  “Okay, Adolph. You can come in,” Kaitlyn's voice called out a minute later.

  Adolph slowly opened the door and was faced by five women, with Poppy not being one of them. Three more of Kaitlyn’s daughters-in-law, Iris, Rose, and Lily were here besides Kaitlyn and Pansy.

  Lily was here? She and Seth lived out of town at the Straight Arrow Ranch. How had the women spread the word around the countryside that there was going to be a wedding in town this evening?

  “There’s been a change of plans, Adolph. You go eat with Pastor, and whoever of my sons and grandchildren show up at the parsonage, and us ladies and your bride will meet you at the church at seven o’clock.”

  “Uh, I need to wash up and change my clothes…” Adolph reminded the wo
men standing in his parlor.

  “Poppy is up in the extra bedroom with Mary, so you’re free to use the bathroom and go to your bedroom to change.”

  Adolph never thought he’d have one woman in his home, let alone seven women, but he needed to get used to this sort of thing. Poppy could have groups over for afternoon tea, quilting bees, and church meetings.

  Children over to play with their children? That gave Adolph another thing to think about as he bounded up the steps. This would be his wedding night.

  Chapter 4

  “You sure that’s me in that mirror?” Poppy said for the second time. She moved her head, and the woman in the mirror did too, but that woman was pretty and looked nothing like herself.

  Mary came to stand beside Poppy and met her eyes in the mirror.” Yes, Poppy, that’s you, in a bridal gown ready to walk down the church aisle in a short while.”

  There were so many “firsts” today for Poppy that her head was swimming. She’d never had a hot bath in a long tub where she could stretch out her legs or used a soft soap scented like a bouquet of flowers instead of harsh lye soap. And she’d never used a tonic in her hair that made it silky and easy to comb.

  Doctor Pansy introduced herself and checked Poppy’s past bruises, but they were all healing since it had been a week since she’d left home. Poppy also asked questions about the wedding night, because she didn’t have a mother to learn those facts.

  Poppy always thought marital relations would be a horrible experience, but Doctor Pansy’s smile and assurances that it was a wonderful thing had Poppy looking forward to her wedding night.

  She wasn’t sure if all the layers she had to put on before the dress, especially the corset, was necessary, but Mary’s insistence that it was the latest fashion made Poppy relent. Poppy so wanted Adolph to be proud of her.

  After Mary slid the white wedding dress over her head, she pinned Poppy’s braided hair into a fancy twist on the back of her head and curled the short hair around her face into ringlets with a curling iron she’d heated over the kerosene lamp.

  “Let me brighten your face with my face paint,” Rose said as she stuck her little finger in a small round jar that looked like it held strawberry jelly.

  “No! I don’t want to look like a whore!” Poppy gasped, but Rose didn’t look fazed by her outburst.

  “I won’t put the color stain on as heavy as I did when I was performing in the circus, but you need a little color on your complexion. The face powder evened out your skin color, but now you need rosy cheeks and lips.”

  “Okay, if you say so. I want to look pretty for Adolph,” Poppy confided to the group surrounding her. Everyone was so nice and encouraging this afternoon. Having new women friends was worth the move to Kansas.

  “Should we go with a veil or not?” Mary asked those around her as she held a long tulle veil up to Poppy’s head. “Her hair is so pretty I hate to cover it up, but the veil adds to the ensemble.”

  My hair is pretty? Poppy turned back to the mirror, surprised how much the touch of color changed her face. She looked at the veil hovering over her head.

  “Yes, I want to wear the veil, please.” Never had she dreamed she’d marry, let alone in a white wedding dress and veil.

  “Good choice,” Mary said as she put the veil in place behind her curls and pinned the tulle to her hair.

  Poppy wobbled a bit in her new dress shoes. They fit well, but they had a higher heel that she was used to wearing.

  The bed was strewn with more clothing than Poppy had ever owned. Not just undergarments, but two nightgowns, a wrapper, three dresses—one for Sunday and two calicos for day dresses.

  Mary said Poppy should come to her shop tomorrow to pick out hats, gloves, and other essentials she needed. Maybe she wouldn’t help Adolph scald and cut up the hogs tomorrow after all. Maybe she’d shop instead.

  “Ladies, it’s time to go to the church,” Kaitlyn announced.

  “I’ll hold up your veil as we walk,” Iris offered.

  “Where’s Poppy’s bouquet?” Rose asked as she looked around the parlor.

  “Millie’s oldest daughter was delivering it to the church,” Pansy informed Rose.

  Kaitlyn stopped and turned to Poppy before they left the parlor. She took both of Poppy’s hands into hers.

  “When you walk back into this house, it will be your home. You don’t know Adolph yet, but he’s a good man, and he’ll be a good husband. Remember the vows you say to each other this evening, and it will make your marriage strong.”

  “I think you need to add, ‘welcome to the family,’ Kaitlyn. Adolph has been to so many Reagan family meals, he seems like part of the family,” Iris laughed.

  “Amen to that!” Kaitlyn stated before pulling Poppy close for a hug.

  “Let’s go! The groom is waiting,” Pansy opened the screen door and stepped out on the porch, waving for everyone to follow her.

  Poppy took a deep breath and walked out into the cool evening air. In another hour, she would be Mrs. Adolph Bjorklund.

  ***

  Adolph stood in front of the altar beside Pastor Reagan, trying not to pass out from nerves. There were more people in church this evening than a usual Sunday morning service. He thought it would be just him, Poppy, Pastor, and Kaitlyn in the church as they said their vows.

  Was everyone intent on seeing if he went through with his vows, or anxious to see who he was going to marry?

  Adolph inwardly cringed, thinking of his dirty bride in her dingy dress. Surely, Kaitlyn would see that Poppy scrubbed herself clean. And Mary had good taste in clothing so she would outfit Poppy in acceptable apparel.

  Poppy was your choice. You must go through with the wedding. Quit comparing her to Anna Marie.

  The back doors of the church opened, and the women who had been with Poppy came down the aisle, sitting down in the pews with their spouses and children.

  Kaitlyn came in last to take her usual spot in the front pew, nodding to the organist before she sat down.

  The organist started the wedding song, and the congregation stood up to face the back of the church, preventing Adolph from seeing Poppy.

  Ethan Paulson’s head came into view first. Being the father of eight girls, he was a natural pick to walk Poppy down the aisle.

  Adolph stepped forward when Ethan and his bride arrived in front of the base of the altar, but he was shocked when he looked at Poppy. Was this the same person who stepped off the train this afternoon?

  Her face looked dewy fresh and radiant. Her hair shiny and curled. And she was dressed in a cloud of white silk and tulle.

  “Adolph, please bring your bride forward,” Pastor reminded him, to start their ceremony.

  “Oh,” Adolph uttered as he stepped down and held out his elbow for Poppy to use. She smiled up at Mr. Paulson, then grabbed a tight hold around Adolph’s elbow. Poppy was as nervous as he was, but she kept her closed smile in place.

  Adolph tried to concentrate on Pastor’s words, but Poppy’s trembling fingers kept his mind on the wavering warmth of her touch instead.

  “Adolph. Adolph.” Oh gosh. Pastor Reagan was trying to get his attention.

  “Yes, sir?”

  “Please take Poppy’s hands and say your vows,” Pastor Reagan instructed.

  Adolph moved to stand in front of Poppy and took her hands in his. He gave her fingers a gentle squeeze to show he was paying attention to this important moment.

  “I, Adolph, take you, Poppy, to be my lawfully wedded wife, to have and to hold, from this day forward, for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, until death do us part.”

  Adolph slid a gold ring with a diamond solitaire on her left ring finger and then squeezed her hand. He hesitated a second on what to say because he couldn’t pronounce the ring was a symbol of their love since they just met.

  “Poppy, I give you this ring as a symbol of our marriage. I will always honor you, in the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the H
oly Spirit.”

  “Oh my gosh! Is that a real diamond?” Poppy whispered as she stared, wide-eyed, up at Adolph.

  All he could do was nod as Pastor cleared his throat, probably trying to cover up Poppy’s question.

  “Poppy, now it’s your turn.

  “I, Poppy, take you, Adolph, to be my lawfully wedded husband…to have and to hold, from this day forward, for better, for worse…for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, until death do us part.”

  “And I promise I truly will, sir because everyone I’ve met assures me I’m marryin’ a good man.”

  Adolph’s chest swelled at Poppy’s words of faith in him, even though several people in the congregation chuckled.

  "Well, then, by the power vested in me by the State of Kansas, I now pronounce you husband and wife. You may now kiss your bride, Adolph."

  Adolph froze with Pastor’s words. He stared down at Poppy’s upturned face as she bit her lower lip in worry. Considering what Poppy had told her about her past, had she ever been kissed? And Adolph hadn’t kissed a woman since being engaged to Anna Marie.

  But now he was married to this woman who traveled across several states to be his wife. She deserved the best first kiss she’d always remember him giving her.

  Adolph pulled her against his chest and pressed his lips to Poppy’s for a long and heartfelt kiss. He hoped he conveyed the love he wanted to develop between them instead of scaring her away.

  “Oh, my,” Poppy whispered when Adolph pulled back. “I can’t wait to do that again.”

  Pastor’s sudden cough to cover his laugh made Adolph smile. Marriage to Poppy was not going to be dull.

  *

  “How am I goin’ to remember all these people’s names?” Poppy whispered to Adolph as she clung to his hand. She let go of him to shake people’s hands, but then she went back to clinging to him again. And Adolph liked it rather than finding it bothersome. She had faith in his protection.

  “You’ll soon learn there are several large families in the area. Most of them look alike. For example, the Wilersons brothers, Adam, Jacob, and Noah, look alike, as do two of their wives who are twins, Rania, and Hilda. Now look at the twins’ brothers, Leif, and Dagmar,” Adolph said as he pointed out people in the crowd.