“What is so important in town?” Cora asked placing the hot biscuits on a plate. “Wade said he had an important meeting in town this morning, too.”
Clay shrugged, “I have no idea what Wade’s business is.”
“You boys should get along better.”
“I try,” Clay insisted. He slapped his hat on his head, took a bite of biscuit, and walked out the back door.
Arriving in front of the mercantile where the stage stopped shortly before ten, Clay was surprised to find Wade pacing up and down the boardwalk.
“Hey, Wade. What are you doing here and why do you look so nervous,” Clay asked while studying his brother’s face.
“Umm, nothing important. I placed an order, and I hope it arrives on the stage is all.” Wade shoved his hands in his pockets and stared at Clay. “Why are you here?”
“Mason is supposed to arrive today. It’s been a while since I saw him and wanted to be the first to welcome my best friend home.”
“Best friend, all the two of you make is a pair of idiots.” Wade scoffed.
Clay, not wanting to fight on a day as important as this, walked a few feet away and waited for the dust cloud to appear in the distance telling everyone the stage was coming. He didn’t have to wait long.
Clay wasn’t sure why Wade was staring at the coach’s door intently. Anything he ordered would be a top of the stagecoach. Who could understand Wade? When the door opened, Mason stepped out first.
Mason turned and held out his hand. Clay watched as a small hand took Mason’s and the most beautiful vision in blue appeared in front of him. Her dark hair and eyes took his breath away. Could this be his wife? Certainly not. No woman this lovely would travel across the country to spend her life with a stranger.
Wade stepped forward, “Are you, Elizabeth?”
“No,” she answered, “I’m Grace.” Clay’s heart stuttered. This was his wife. His Grace.
Mason released Grace’s hand and held it out again for another young woman in the stagecoach. She practically stumbled out, her reddish-blonde hair tumbling from its bun under her askew bright pink hat.
“Did someone ask for Elizabeth? That’s me,” she said looking around at the people gathered in front of the mercantile.
“I did,” Wade said, stepped forward, and whispered something in her ear.
“Like this?” she stammered. “Absolutely not, I need a bath and a decent meal first. Have you ever ridden in one of these? Besides, I’d like to ask you a few questions. Is there a hotel nearby?”
Wade nodded without a sound, gathered her carpet bag and asked the coachman to set any trunks she had on the boardwalk. He’d be right back to get them.
As Wade escorted Elizabeth across the street, Mason spoke up. “That’s Wade’s mail-order bride. She seems like a lovely girl, but she doesn’t travel well. I think he wanted to take her straight to the church which is where we should be headed. Oh, Clay Hutchison, this is your new wife, Grace.”
Confused as to the proper etiquette when one meets his bride for the first time, he held out his hand. “Nice to meet you.”
Grace smiled, and Clay lost his heart. “Nice to meet you, too.”
“Hey,” Clay said turning to Mason. “Does that other young woman know Grace is my wife? If she does and tells Wade before we get to the church, there could be trouble.”
Mason shook his head. “No, I had Grace use Slater instead of Hutchison on the trip just in case we ran into someone that knows you or your grandfather. Look, Elizabeth must be settled into the hotel. Wade is headed for the saloon.”
When they saw the saloon’s batwing doors swing shut behind Wade, Clay held out his arm to Grace. “Shall we?”
“What about my trunks?”
“I hired a buggy to take us back to the ranch. Wade took the buckboard before I could get to it this morning. We’ll load your trunks right after the ceremony.”
Pastor Reynolds spoke, “Good afternoon. Today we’re gathered here for the wedding of two young people who are starting their lives out in an unusual way. Since you have already been married under the law, this is more of a vow renewal or blessing.”
Grace knew the pastor was talking, but she concentrated on keeping her hands from shaking.
The pastor continued, “Do you, Clay Robert Hutchison take Grace Louise Slater or Hutchison, I’m not sure which is legal, so I’ll use both to be your wife. Will you have her in sickness and health, prosperity and want, till death parts you?”
“Clay nodded, “I do.”
Pastor Reynolds repeated the vows for Grace, and although she heard and understood, she couldn’t stop looking at the man who was her husband. She never expected him to be so handsome. The men back home never made her heart skip a beat the way Clay did.
The pastor cleared his throat, “Miss Slater, umm Missus Hutchison, did you hear me?”
“Oh yes, I do,” she stammered quickly.
“I now pronounce you husband and wife again. What the Lord has joined together let no man put asunder. You may now kiss the bride.”
Clay leaned forward and placed a chaste kiss on Grace’s lips. He handed the pastor some money and
