Michael just stared at his wife as she continued. “When Mr. Edward began his plan to head West, they naturally planned on accompanying him. They were only twenty at the time. Two years later, they joined a wagon train heading West. That’s when my parents died, and they took me in. Deciding to raise me and then Katie when she arrived, along with the others over the years, they didn’t think marriage was a good idea. We girls came first. Michael, they just turned forty-five not sixty.”
Michael raised his eyebrows and said, “That may be, but they do look older. I think the biggest hurdle you and Katie have in this husband searching quest is having Miss Edie and Miss Ethel look their age.”
Ella Grace bit her lip in frustration. Michael was right. She and Katie had a lot of work to do.
Chapter Thirteen
Ella Grace opened the door before Katie stepped onto the porch.
“Come in, I was waiting for you to get here. We have letters and work to do. Clara made sandwiches. Are you hungry or should we read the letters first?”
“Calm down,” Katie said. “Whatever has you so excited?”
“I don’t think I’m excited. Well, I am, but I’m also worried. Michael thinks Miss Edie and Miss Ethel are sixty years old and might never find a husband if we don’t help them look their age and the two letters that came today are answers to both ads, but they came from the same address in Chicago but have different names and handwriting. We need to read them now,” Ella Grace gushed and then stopped to catch her breath.
Katie reached for her sister’s hand, “We will. Let’s sit down.”
Ella Grace nodded. “I left the letters on the kitchen table.”
Clara set a cold glass of milk on the table for Ella Grace. Seeing Ella Grace wrinkle her nose, Clara said, “Its good for you and it’ll calm you down. You worry too much.”
Ella Grace shrugged, sat, and picked up a letter handing the other to Katie. “Look at the return address. Both come from Worthington Books in Chicago, but this is from W. Worthington and the other from C. Worthington and the writing is different. I hope this isn’t another conman. We’ve had too many of those since the disasters.”
Katie opened the envelope and read the letter. “This is a friendly response from a man who owns a bookstore with his brother in Chicago. Read the other one.”
“Hmm, this one is nice but very short and to the point and also mentions a brother and the bookstore.”
“Brothers. How perfect,” Clara said before setting a plate of sandwiches on the table. “Brothers marrying sisters is so romantic. We need to make sure this all works out.”
“How?” Ella Grace asked.
“By involving Miss Edie and Miss Ethel without their knowing it’s also for themselves. If they persuade each other to dress differently, they will have to do it themselves. If we convince them the right way, they’ll both look much younger and be ready for a husband,” Katie suggested. “When I go back home, I’ll ask Miss Edie to visit you, and while she’s gone, I’ll speak to Miss Ethel. Now, what do we tell them?”
“I agree,” Ella Grace said. “I’m not sure if this letter meant for Miss Edie is a good match. He reminds me of Miss Ethel.”
“Same here,” Katie agreed. “This Chet Worthington sounds as sweet as Miss Edie.”
“All right, Chet for Miss Edie and Walt for Miss Ethel.” Ella Grace said while rubbing her forehead. “Now, we have to answer them.”
“Now,” Clara insisted. “You have to eat first and think of what to say. You both need to write answers, so the letters have different handwriting. Eat up, you’re going to need the strength to get you through this.”
Katie picked up a sandwich and looked at her friends. “I hope we can do this without creating a disaster.”
“I think the disaster will come on the day those two ladies have to get each other to the train station to meet their grooms. This might work out well though if you can get the brothers to arrive at the same time, both sisters will have to go to the station,” Clara added.
“That’s true,” Katie agreed. “If one has a groom arrive first the other could leave town or something equally dramatic. It’s best if the shock comes at the same time.”
Ella Grace picked up her pen and started to write.
Dear Walt,
Thank you for taking the time to answer my advertisement. I should tell you a bit about myself. I am a twin and forty-five years old. I have brown hair with some silver and am five feet four inches tall. I never married since taking care of the girls at our orphanage took all my time. My oldest ward is taking over the orphanage, and I find myself thinking it is time to settle down. If you think we might suit…
Ella Grace looked up from her writing. “What do I tell them about corresponding? If we write back and forth, they may ask personal questions we can’t answer. Maybe this wasn’t such a good idea.”
Katie stared out the window for a few moments. “Just tell him to come to Silverpines. Once they’re here Miss Edie and Miss Ethel will be happy, I’m sure.”
“Or we’ll be the first people Miss Ethel actually shoots,” Ella Grace responded but added what Katie suggested to the letter. “Now what? We need somewhere for these men to respond.”
Clara offered, “Why don’t you have them both respond to the ladies at the hotel.
