Cora hurried into the kitchen speaking as she came into the room. “Clay and Mason are here, and they brought a young lady with them.”
She followed Grandpa Hutchison back into the parlor. Grandpa looked from Clay to Grace to Mason and back to Clay. “Well, who do we have here? Mason, Clay didn’t tell us you were bringing a lady home from Chicago.” He stepped forward holding out his hand. “I’m Hutch, I’m pleased to meet you. Are you Mrs. Callen?”
“No,” Clay answered taking a step toward his grandfather, “She’s Mrs. Hutchison. Meet Grace Hutchison, Grandpa. Your new granddaughter.”
“Well, I’ll be,” Grandpa Hutchison stammered. “You went to town and got married without me?”
Cora stood there a bit stunned but smiling. All she could think of to say is, “Anyone want some coffee?”
“I do,” Mason answered following her to the kitchen and leaving Clay to explain Grace to his grandpa.
Clay began his explanation and handed his grandpa both wedding certificates. Grandpa studied them for a few minutes and then drew Grace into a big hug. “Aren’t you a pretty little thing and my granddaughter. Never had one of them before. Let’s get us some coffee and a few of Cora’s sugar cookies. We need to celebrate.” He took Grace’s arm and led her out of the room leaving Clay standing alone in the parlor.
Clay followed silently saying a prayer of thanks that everything was turning out well. He was a bit concerned about Wade’s reaction, but he’d deal with that when Wade returned home with Elizabeth. Grandpa certainly was going to be surprised to have another granddaughter, that is if Wade was able to get her out of the hotel and to the church. He chuckled to himself.
Clay found Grace daintily nibbling on a sugar cookie answering all of grandpa’s questions. She took a break and drank a sip of coffee whenever Mason was able to answer some of the legal issues concerning the proxy marriage. Everyone around the kitchen table was smiling. That was a good sign.
Cora looked up at Clay when he entered the kitchen. “You can take Miss Grace’s trunks to the guest room. I’m sure she’ll want to rest a bit and freshen up before supper. She’ll be comfortable in that room while she becomes acquainted with the ranch.”
Both Grace and Clay understood Cora’s meaning, and Grace blushed while he shuffled his feet before answering, “All right, I’ll do that right now.”
Mason stood, “I’ll give you a hand Clay and then I should head for home before someone tells my ma I’m back and I didn’t come straight home.” He shook hands with grandpa, said his goodbyes to Cora and Grace, and left to give Clay a hand.
Cora patted Grace’s hand. “After Clay moves your things into the guest room, I’ll show you to the bathing room. I’ll set up a nice hot bath for you. After riding in that stage, I’m sure you’ll enjoy it.”
“Thank you, I certainly would,” Grace answered then turned to Grandpa Hutch. “I hope you don’t mind, but I have two crates that will arrive in a few days. One contains books and Clay said I could put them in the office. They won’t be in your way, will they?”
“Not at all. We have space for more books. My daughter-in-law loved to read, and my son and I bought her every book she asked for. She planned to fill the shelves, but she…,” he drew in a deep breath. “Well, she didn’t have time. You could do that now.”
“Thank you,” Grace answered and turned her head toward the parlor when she heard one of her trunks hit the floor. She covered her mouth to stifle a giggle when she heard one of the men grunt and complain about women packing too much in one trunk. Within a few minutes, the trunks were in the guest room, and Grace looked forward to her bath when Clay called out that Wade was home.
They heard the front door open and Wade yell, “Hey, everyone, I’m home, and I have a surprise.”
Grandpa shook his head but walked out to the parlor. He stopped short when he saw another lovely young woman standing near the front door.
Wade spoke first while everyone stared at the stranger, “This is Elizabeth, my new wife.”
“Two in one day,” Grandpa Hutch exclaimed. “This is quite a surprise.”
“What do you mean two in one day? I just got here,” Wade insisted. “Elizabeth and I were just married. I win.”
“Win what?” Elizabeth asked squinting her eyes at Wade.
Clay stepped forward and held out his hand, “Nice to meet you, Elizabeth. I’m Clay Hutchison your new brother-in-law. Let me introduce you to our grandpa, our housekeeper, and my wife.”
“Wife?” Wade stammered.
“Yes, Grace and I were married a week ago.”
Chapter Six
Wade stormed across the room, grabbed Clay by the front of his shirt, and doubled his fist. “What are you talking about? You never left town, and that woman certainly wasn’t here last week. Everyone in town would know if a beauty like her was around. What are you trying to do? I married Elizabeth today, and I win.”
Elizabeth’s voice trembled when she asked again, “Win what? Am I some sort of prize or being used in a contest?”
“Shut up, Elizabeth,” Wade growled.
Clay reached up and removed Wade’s hand from his shirt. “Brother, you might have been able to push me around when we were kids, but I am four inches taller and outweigh you by nearly thirty pounds. While I’m working hard, you drink. You think you can win a physical fight? Try it, just once, and I’ll show you.” He pushed Wade away.” I think you owe your wife an apology.”
At six feet two, Clay was a
