The pastor nodded and wondered, not for the first time, about the youngest members of the Hutchison family. They were indeed unique, and the pastor felt he was being kind in his thoughts.
Clay slipped his marriage certificate in his jacket pocket along with the one Mason gave him from the wedding held seven days previous. Wade wasn’t married yet. Grandpa would be happy both his grandsons had wives, but Clay breathed a sigh of relief that he would not have to live under the control of his brother.
Clay took Grace’s hand, and they walked out of the church. Clay glanced down the street and didn’t see Wade anywhere.
“I would normally offer to take you to the hotel for something to eat, but I believe we might run into Wade and Elizabeth. Cora, our housekeeper, is an excellent cook, and she will insist on making you more food than you can possibly eat,” Clay explained as he led Grace to the buggy he arranged to have dropped off at the church. “We’ll pick up your trunks and head for the ranch. Mason, you can take my horse. I’m not sure how much room there will be once we load Grace’s trunks.”
Mason smiled. “Of course, I wouldn’t want to intrude on your first chance to talk or maybe steal a kiss.”
Grace blushed furiously, and Clay glared at Mason. They were halfway back to the ranch before Wade left the saloon and decided to try and find his bride-to-be and get her to the church. He laughed to himself as he walked along the boardwalk thinking he had beaten Clay to the altar and the inheritance.
Chapter Five
Grace felt shy sitting next to the man who was her husband, but knew she needed to speak to him. Clay sat looking straight ahead watching the road. If she didn’t speak first, they might never talk at all.
“Thank you for this opportunity to leave Chicago behind me,” Grace said peeking at Clay’s face out of the corner of her eye.
“No, thank you,” Clay answered turning to look directly into Grace’s large brown eyes. His heart hammered again as he looked at her, but he pulled his mind back to what he needed to say. “If not for you agreeing to marry me, my family’s ranch would have fallen into my brother’s hands. I doubt it would survive but a few years if he were in charge.”
“Mason explained the situation to me. We had a lot of time to talk on the trip here. I suppose you should know my history before we arrive at your ranch and I meet the rest of your family,” she offered.
“No one else to meet except for my grandpa and our housekeeper, Cora. She’s like you. She has a big heart and has wanted Wade and I to settle down for some time.”
Grace smiled and began to explain why she wanted to leave Chicago.
“I’m sorry you lost your pa, and I can understand wanting to leave a life with a difficult brother. I hope you find peace here and enjoy your life. Everyone works on a ranch, but we’re all grateful for the help, and no one will expect you to do everything or more than you’re capable of doing.” He reached for her hand to give her a reassuring pat, but she slipped her hand in his and held tight.
“Thank you. Even though Mason explained everything, I was still a bit apprehensive since we never corresponded. A marriage by proxy is a bit unusual. It reminds me of the days of Knights and castles in ancient Europe that I’ve read about.”
“Oh, that’s right. Your father owned a bookstore. You must have read a lot of books. I’m surprised that your trunks aren’t heavier, and you didn’t fill them with books.”
Grace blushed and looked down at her feet. “Umm, I have two large crates arriving soon. Mason arranged for their delivery when we disembarked from the train in Cheyenne. One is filled with books and the other partially filled with them and the rest with treasures from my mother and grandmother.”
Clay tilted his head back and gave a hearty laugh. “That’s wonderful. We have a large office/library with a few empty shelves. You are free to fill them, and if you want or need more, you can purchase them or order them at the mercantile.”
“That’s very kind of you, but I couldn’t.”
“Of course, you can. You’re my wife, and I’ll get you anything you need,” Clay insisted.
Grace thought she should explain about her inheritance and that she wouldn’t be a burden to Clay, but she saw the large ranch house in the distance and decided to wait for another private moment.
“There it is,” Clay announced. “Your new home.”
It’s lovely, and the land is beautiful,” Grace gushed surprising herself how excited she was to be there. “This is vastly different from the city.”
Clay squeezed her hand. “I hope you’ll be happy here.”
Looking into his eyes, she said, “I’m sure I will be.” She believed every word she said. It was a peaceful place, and after living with her sister-in-law and brother, Grace yearned for peace.
Before Clay could stop the buggy, Cora appeared on the porch watching Grace intently. When she saw Mason, her smile broadened. “Welcome back, Mason and who is this lovely young woman?”
Clay held out his hand to Grace and helped her down from the buggy. “This is Grace. Is grandpa awake?”
Cora nodded, “He’s in the kitchen having coffee and eating cookies.”
“That’s a good sign,” Clay said holding Grace’s hand and leading her into the house.
Mason handed the reins of Clay’s horse to a ranch hand and hurried up the porch and into the
