Ella Grace did her best to comfort Benjamin and convince him it wasn’t his fault. Eli would have tried at another time if he didn’t succeed today. Benjamin just shook his head.
Their attention was drawn to the parlor doorway when Katie appeared and said, “Benjamin, Ella Grace.”
Benjamin bolted from his seat and flew across the room pulling Katie into his arms. “I can’t breathe,” Katie whispered.
Benjamin loosened his hold just a bit, and Katie held out her hand to Ella Grace. “Thank you both for being here. I’m all right. I’m not hurt in any way except I was frightened when Eli grabbed me, but not as frightened as I was when I thought I killed him. I saw myself spending the rest of my life in prison.”
“That will never happen. I saw the marshal when I left the Inn to ride out to the farm. He explained what happened to you and told me you were all right and Eli was in jail, but I had to see for myself.”
Katie assured them again that she was all right and explained what happened after Eli abducted her. Miss Edie and Miss Ethel joined them, and they discussed what might happen to Eli now and slowly the conversation changed to happier topics. They discussed the wedding, the curtains for the new wing that Katie would sew on Ella Grace’s new sewing machine, and the upcoming wedding.
Their conversation was interrupted by another knock on the door. Miss Ethel rose and said, “Don’t worry. It can’t be more bad news.” She opened the door and turned to smile at Katie, Ella Grace, and Miss Edie.
“It’s good news.” She held the door open wide and allowed the crate they received to be brought into the parlor. Miss Ethel tipped the young man from the train station for delivering the crate.
Ella Grace and Katie read the printing on the crate. “It’s from Abigail’s Gowns and Finery in Portland. Did you order wedding finery again?” Katie asked.
Benjamin stood. “That’s my cue to leave.” He kissed Katie and promised he’d see her at supper.
Ella Grace walked to the kitchen and motioned the girls to follow her into the parlor. “I think there’s a surprise for all of you.”
The five younger girls smiled when they saw the crate. They remembered the one that arrived a few months ago containing all new dresses for Ella Grace's wedding.
Miss Ethel held up her hands. “Don’t get overly excited. The dresses you wore to Ella Grace’s wedding still fit each of you well, and you can wear them to Katie’s wedding, but I think there might be new hats, gloves, and parasols in the crate for each of you.”
Giggles, ooh and ahhs, and clapping filled the room as Miss Ethel pulled off the top of the wooden crate revealing the royal blue boxes with gold filigree that filled the crate.
Miss Ethel removed the first two small boxes. “It appears there might be matching hats for Rosie and Ivy,” she said as she handed the boxes to the twins.
Rosie and ivy squealed with delight when they removed the dark pink hats decorated with tiny soft yellow and pale pink roses around the brim of the hats. They squealed once again when they placed them on their heads.
Lesser vocal outburst came from Anna, Meg, and Julia when they received their new hats, but they were just as pleased as their younger sisters.
Happy voices chattered and thanked Miss Edie and Miss Ethel as new gloves and small parasols were handed out to match the new hats.
Miss Ethel pulled a larger box out and set it aside. “Katie can open this one later.” Katie blushed, and Ella Grace winked at her.
The largest box left for last made Katie’s eyes grow large with excitement. “When did you order any of this? Benjamin and I just announced our betrothal.”
Miss Edie clapped her hands and gushed, “The day you sent your letter to the Grooms’ Gazette we also mailed our order to Abigail. She knew your size from the dress we had made for you to wear at Ella Graces’ wedding. Open it dear.”
Katie set the large box on the chair next to the fireplace and gently lifted the lid and the paper surrounding the contents. She carefully removed the ivory gown from the box and held it in front of her.
“This is the most beautiful gown I have ever seen,” Katie exclaimed. “Thank you, Miss Edie and Miss Ethel.”
Katie spun toward her sisters. “Look, there are ruffles on the cuffs and skirt, but the bodice is plain so I can add my three lace hearts. This gown is perfect.”
“Go try it on,” Miss Ethel encouraged, and Miss Edie followed Katie to help her.
Katie disappeared up the stairs with Miss Edie, and the younger girls ran off to their rooms. Ella Grace looked out the front window and saw her husband walking up the street toward the house.
“Michael is on his way,” she explained. “He must be worried about Katie. I’ll meet him on the porch in case one of the girls runs back in here wearing only bloomers and their new hat.”
Miss Ethel smiled. “That does happen around here on occasion. You talk to Michael, and I’ll make tea.”
Ella Grace nodded and left the house to meet Michael on the porch. She sat on one of the rockers and waited.
Before he could ask, Ella Grace explained that Katie was all right.
“I know. Benjamin told me what happened when I saw him earlier at the Inn. I was coming home to see you, but Clara said you were here.”
“What’s wrong? You rarely come home during the day?”
“Nothing, I don’t think,
