Elizabeth stood with her back to the door tears streaming down her cheeks. “I never should have come here. It seemed too good to be true. I can’t go home. There is nothing left there for me but trouble, but I should leave”
Turning to walk out the door, Elizabeth felt Cora’s hand on her arm. “Please, don’t rush off. You can share the guest room with Grace. There are two beds. You both need time to adjust to ranch life. If you find you can’t live here, I know Mr. Hutch would help you settle somewhere safe. Come now, have something to eat and rest. I’m preparing a bath for Grace, would you like one, too?”
Elizabeth shook her head. “I took one at the hotel. I refused to get married before I had a bath and ate something. Wade wasn’t happy, but he left me at the hotel, came back later, and we ate together. I didn’t know he was trying to win a game. I don’t understand.”
Cora took her hand, “Come into the kitchen and have some coffee and cookies at least. Mr. Hutch will explain everything. This didn’t work out exactly the way he planned, but it will all work out in the end, God willing.”
Grace walked over to Elizabeth and hugged her. “I never had a sister, and my brother’s wife and I don’t get along. I think we will be friends…sisters.”
Hugging Grace back, Elizabeth said, “I’d like that. I never had any brothers or sisters that I know of. I grew up in an orphanage in St. Louis. I saw Wade’s ad. He seemed so unhappy and needed a wife right away. I needed to get away from my employer. It seemed the right choice to leave immediately. Now, I’m afraid.”
“I understand, let’s see what Grandpa Hutchison has to say. This may be a wonderful beginning for both of us.”
~ * ~
Grandpa Hutchison sat at the head of the dining room table and asked everyone to sit. “We need to talk. When I told you boys that you needed to get married, I never thought you’d see this as a contest and not give your future wives the respect they deserve. Cora told me this might not end well, but I see two beautiful young ladies at my table that I feel blessed to be able to call granddaughters. I didn’t think you would rush out and send for brides to come without any communication between you. I apologize.” He dropped his head and took a deep breath. “I also need to tell you I’m not dying. Doc says I have quite a few good years left. I will be making all the major decisions on this ranch until I decide to turn it over or pass on. I only wanted you both to be happy.”
“So, we got married for nothing,” Wade blurted.
Elizabeth bit her lip to keep from crying.
Clay took Grace’s hand under the table and squeezed it hoping to let her know he didn’t feel the same as his brother. Her smile told him all he needed to know. They were a family, and he believed he could easily love her.
Grandpa announced, “What’s done is done. You have lovely, sweet women as wives. I know you will be happy.”
Cora took that moment to enter the dining room and tell Grace her bath was ready. “Come along, too Elizabeth. I will show you the guest room you’ll share with Grace.”
“Guest room,” Wade yelled. “She’s my wife and has to sleep in my room. Isn’t that the law or something?”
“Not until she gets used to you and life here,” Cora explained and ushered the two new wives out of the room.
As soon as the women were out of earshot, Grandpa Hutchison slapped the palm of his hand on the table. “Now, listen. What’s done is done. You will do your best to make your wives happy and keep life here on the ranch the way it has been for years. We are a family. A now larger family, but a family nonetheless and I expect you to act accordingly.”
Wade pushed back his chair. “This is stupid. I sent for a wife sight unseen just to be sure that I didn’t end up working for my kid brother and now she’s sleeping in the guest room and won’t look at me. How am I supposed to make anyone, including myself, happy? I’m going into town.”
“Why?” Clay asked.
“With Elizabeth in the guest room, I don’t see a wedding night in my near future. I need some whiskey and maybe some company. I should be able to celebrate my wedding day.” He stormed off before Clay could stop him.
Clay looked at his grandpa, “Wade will come around. Elizabeth is a lovely girl. I am happy Grace is my wife. I can see a future for us, and she has already claimed a piece of my heart.”
Grandpa smiled, but his heart ached for the anger he knew Wade felt towards all of them. He didn’t get a chance to tell the boys he never changed the will, but it might be for the best. If they didn’t know they had to be married, they might decide to send their wives away. At least, Wade might. No, he would keep his secret for a while. He liked having granddaughters, and if all went well, he might see a great-grandchild or two.
Wade rode down the ranch road mumbling to himself. “A wedding night with my bride in the guest room. This must be Cora’s idea. She’s overbearing, and I don’t care if she was ma’s best friend. I wish
