“I hope the one with the flowers on her hat is mine,” Chet stammered.
“I don’t care which one is which. Take your pick. I think I’ll take the next train home,” Walt grumbled.
“You’ll do no such thing,” Chet admonished. “You promised to give this a try. At least let’s find out which lady is Edie and which lady is Ethel. I hope Edie is the one with the pretty hat. She’s supposed to be mine.”
Walt mumbled something Chet didn’t understand as Chet stood, tugged down the vest of his brown suit, grabbed his valise, and headed for the train’s door. As he stepped from the train his eyes locked with Miss Edie’s and he walked straight toward her.
“Hello, I’m Chet Worthington? Are you Miss Edie Howard?”
“Yes, I am. It’s nice to meet you.”
“Same here,” Chet answered both completely unaware of the people around them.
“Are you hungry after your long trip? We could go to the restaurant at the Inn and eat something,” Miss Edie offered.
“I would like that,” Chet answered offering his arm. “We could get to know each other better.”
They strolled off together without a word to their friends and family still staring at them from the train platform. Walt shook his head watching his idiot brother disappear down the street with the woman in the pretty hat.
He strode over to Miss Ethel and took off his hat. “Excuse me, ma’am, but it seems my brother has walked off with the lady I assume is your twin sister. Are you Miss Ethel Howard?”
“I am, and that must make you Walt Worthington. I must apologize. My wards placed the ad and wrote the letters to you and your brother. Until Monday evening I had no idea what they’d done. It was too late to notify you. You’re under no obligation to marry me which suits me. I was not looking to marry anyone.”
Walt let out a loud laugh and slapped his leg with his hat. “That is good news because I wasn’t sure I wanted to marry either. I accompanied my brother and thought I would get to know you and see what might happen. Since neither of us has marriage intentions, we might get along nicely.”
“Perhaps,” Miss Ethel replied. “My ward, one of the instigators of this fiasco, and her husband own the Silverpines Inn. They have a fine restaurant. I’m sure you must be hungry and would want to get settled.”
“I would, thank you.” He held out his arm. “Would you accompany me? We could talk while I eat.”
Miss Ethel hesitated for a moment but decided the man deserved an explanation and took his arm while they strolled to the Inn.
When they entered the restaurant, they saw Miss Edie and Chet Worthington deep in conversation at a table in the corner. Neither could understand their sibling’s behavior but decided they were old enough to make their own decisions.
Walt enjoyed the daily special while Miss Ethel drank tea. Before Walt finished his meal, Miss Edie hurried over to their table.
Miss Edie gushed, “Chet and I are going to see Pastor James. If you hurry to the church, you can be our witnesses.”
Miss Ethel grabbed her sister’s arm. “You can’t do that.”
“Yes, I can,” Miss Edie smiled. “He asked, and I said yes.” She turned and hurried out of the restaurant before Miss Ethel had a chance to stop her.
Miss Ethel turned to Walt, “We need to stop them. They have no idea what they’re doing.” She stood quickly and spilled her tea.
“Wait,” Walt suggested. “My brother’s a good man. He’s old enough to make his own decisions, and I take it your sister’s a sensible woman with a good head on her shoulders. I don’t think we can stop them.”
“You’re right,” Miss Ethel agreed. “Edie has always thought with her heart first, and if she believes your brother is meant to be with her, she won’t listen to any arguments from me or anyone.”
“Then I suppose we should head over to the church and on the way, you can tell me why I should settle in Silverpines. From your letter or the letter I received, I believe the town needs a bookstore. My brother and I owned one in Chicago. We’d like to open one here. We left our books stored back in Chicago, but they could be here in a few days if there is a storefront available.”
“Yes, there are a few places that might work for your store,” Miss Ethel explained. “There are living quarters above the stores.”
“That might work well for me, but I think Chet is going to want something more private,” Walt said offering his arm to Miss Ethel once again.
As they strolled toward the church, she told him there were several houses available in town and was sure Edie and Chet would find something to their liking. The more they chatted and walked, the more comfortable they felt together.
As they neared the church, Walt asked, “Who are all the people waiting in front of the church.”
Miss Ethel smiled. “Word travels fast in a small town. Most of the younger girls are my wards and a few of the older ones, too. The rest of the people are friends and neighbors. Everyone loves Edie, and I think they want to share her happiness.”
Walt slowed and looked at Ethel. “Don’t they love you, too?”
Miss Ethel shrugged one shoulder. “Edie and I are a bit different. I am the stronger one and have always protected Edie. She’s softer and more naive. I do hope your brother doesn’t take advantage of her. I have a rifle and know how to use it.”
“That’s good to know. I like strong women. My brother also
