The week flew by, and the house was coming along nicely when Sunday arrived, and all concerned looked forward to a day of rest. Benjamin anticipated church where he would sit with Katie and let everyone know she was his as if the news hadn’t spread around town within hours of their betrothal.
They accepted congratulations from everyone they met after services and the ladies in town pulled Katie off to one side to get the details of the proposal. Benjamin was finally able to take Katie away from the excited group of ladies. This was their chance for some alone time and another picnic as long as the weather was still somewhat warm and it wasn’t raining.
They settled on a blanket near the pines that blocked some of the day’s breeze. Wearing coats kept them warm enough to enjoy their picnic and time together. Benjamin noticed that no one watched from the back porch of Howard House. After proposing, Katie’s guardian must trust him.
Katie marveled at the new addition under construction. “I’m surprised how much work the three of you did this week. I thought it took months to build a house.”
“That depends on the house and how many men work on it. The men I found in Astoria are hard workers and understand construction. The shell of the house will be finished rather quickly, and then we’ll start on the inside which will take longer. I plan to have it finished in time for our wedding next month. The plumbing might take a bit longer depending on how long it takes for the bathtub to arrive,” Benjamin explained.
“Bathtub? I didn’t think about that. You can’t share the one in the main house,” Katie giggled. “That would cause a commotion.”
“I’m sure it would which is why we need it. I also ordered a small stove for heating water along with the larger heater for the bedroom. The parlor fireplace should heat that room adequately. Even though we won’t have a kitchen, we’ll have water for the tub, and I can’t see carrying hot water from the kitchen in the main house to our bathing room.”
Katie snuggled up next to him. “You thought of everything.”
“I tried, but you know it won’t be long before Silverpines has electricity and telephones all over town. It’s nearly the turn of the century, and I think we’ll see many new marvelous things,” Benjamin said believing each word.
“And we’ll discover all those things together along with our family. I’m pleased and excited. Our lives are going to be perfect or as close to perfect as we can make them. I look forward to all the tomorrows coming,” Katie said looking up at Benjamin.
He drew her close and kissed her. “I promise to make your life as wonderful as I can.”
~ * ~
Early the following morning, Ivy answered the door and looked up at the man standing there. She nodded her head and then slammed the door on him.
“Katie,” she yelled loud enough to wake the entire house. “There’s a man at the door that says he’s here to marry you.”
Katie laughed. “Why didn’t you ask Benjamin in?”
“It’s not Benjamin. I don’t know who it is, but he has scary eyes,” Ivy replied before running off to her room.
Feeling a bit of trepidation, Katie peeked out the front curtains and saw a man she didn’t recognize standing on the porch. She watched as he raised his hand to knock again.
Miss Ethel walked into the parlor carrying her rifle and said, “I heard what Ivy said. Answer the door Katie, but don’t fill the doorway. If this man means trouble, I want him to see I have my rifle. We’ve dealt with enough con men since the disasters.”
Katie nodded and opened the door.
“Good morning,” the stranger said. “Are you Katie Deidmann?”
“Yes, I am.”
“Wonderful, I’m Eli Warren. I’m your groom from the Grooms’ Gazette. Get your things, we can head for the preacher’s right now.” The man smiled, and Katie could tell Ivy was right. The man had cold eyes, and Katie felt a shudder run down her spine.
Miss Ethel, rifle still in hand, stepped in front of Katie. “You are mistaken, young man. Katie is spoken for. Now, I suggest you leave.”
Eli pulled the copy of the Grooms’ Gazette from his pocket and insisted Katie sent for him.
Miss Ethel’s eyes squinted into slits when she addressed the man. “Katie accepted no proposals from anyone from the Grooms’ Gazette. If you don’t leave, I will shoot you.”
“You’ll be sorry,” Eli yelled as he backed off the porch. “I’ll take you to court and sue you. I’m going to find the town sheriff, and have you arrested. You can’t cheat a man this way.”
Katie paled as Miss Ethel closed the door. “Will I be arrested for placing that ad?”
“No, dear. You said you sent polite responses to the three men that answered the ad explaining you were no longer seeking a husband. An advertisement in the paper doesn’t mean any promises were made. I’m sure Marshal Sewell will explain that to the man, and he’ll leave town.
Katie wasn’t so sure.
Chapter Sixteen
The door to the marshal’s office flew open, and a young man pushed his way into the office and strode straight to the marshal’s desk. With icy blue eyes fiercer than any criminal the marshal had encountered before, the man’s hand’s shook as he tried to catch his breath.
“Are you the marshal,” the young man spluttered.
“I’m Marshal Alexzander Sewell. What can I do for you? Please have a seat. Would you like a cup of coffee?”
“My name is Eli Warren, and I want you to arrest Katie Deidmann,” Eli demanded.
“Katie? What
