“That was very kind.” Teddy was surprised by all the fuss, but perhaps she wanted to make sure that Amanda felt welcome here. “I’ll thank her when I see her.”
***
Amanda was loathe to get out of the oversized soaking tub that Olive and the other women of the Hampton household used. She really should have asked for a bath last night, but she was tired after her ride and was enjoying Theodore’s company so much.
“You’re going to turn into a prune if you stay in there much longer,” Olive teased. “I have your dress all ready for you.”
“Olive, you didn’t need to do that.” Amanda rose from the water, wrapping herself in a towel. “It would have been fine.”
“Nonsense,” Olive insisted. “It’s a beautiful dress, and you shouldn’t have to go to church all wrinkled like that.”
Amanda looked up, her eyes full of appreciation. “Thank you for everything.”
“You’re welcome. Now you’d best get dressed and ready. I’ll be back in a minute to help you with the things.”
Amanda dried herself then shimmied into her undergarments, slipping the corset over her silk chamise She would feel proud walking to church on her husband’s arm.
“Here, now duck your head and I’ll slip this lovely piece of work over your head.” Olive walked in, carrying the dark rose-colored dress. “I even got the lace to settle at your throat.”
In no time, Amanda was properly dressed, and Olive helped her pile her hair up in a simple knot. “Teddy’s going to be tickled to see you.”
Amanda grinned, checking her appearance in the mirror and heading to the dining room where Shi had informed her Teddy was having his breakfast.
Teddy stood to his feet as Amanda entered the room. She looked like a painted picture, and he hurried to offer her a chair.
“That color suits you,” Teddy grinned. “Why I’ll be escorting the prettiest girl in town to church this morning.”
Amanda felt her cheeks heat but smiled with delight. It wasn’t the first time a man had complimented her, but for some reason, Theo’s words meant more than all the compliments she had received before.
“Do you want some breakfast?” Teddy took his seat, indicating the plate of bacon, eggs, and pancakes.
“No, I’ll just have tea.”
Teddy turned to summon one of the Hampton women, but Ellen was already delivering a fresh cup.
“I’ll see you in church,” she grinned, walking to the door and turning the closed sign around.
“I guess we have the place to ourselves,” Teddy grinned. “I don’t think I’ve ever seen the place so empty.”
“It’s rather romantic,” Amanda looked up, meeting his eyes. “We have the place all to ourselves.”
Teddy half stood leaning across the table and kissing her on the lips, laughing at the soft blush that graced her cheeks.
“We might as well take advantage of the opportunity,” he said with a wink.
Amanda laughed, feeling relaxed and content. She was with someone she liked and felt that in time she might even love. The bath had refreshed her, and she felt pretty in her neatly pressed gown.
Teddy finished his breakfast and then stood, offering Amanda his arm. “I’ll just go brush my teeth, and then we can head over to the church. Pastor plays some fine music before the service starts.”
Amanda dabbed her lips on a napkin, placing it next to her plate as she rose and took Theodore’s arm. She was suddenly looking forward to the service and seeing her new neighbors. After a good night’s sleep, a hot bath, a good meal, and the encouragement of her friends, she felt like she could handle life in this cow town in Texas.
Even here in Needful, the women would be wearing their nicest dresses and Shi had said Olive planned a picnic for them all. It looked like a bright and beautiful day lay before them.
“What about the dishes?” Amanda asked, turning to look over her shoulder.
“I’ll get them,” young Felicity, Ellen and Joe’s daughter, said slipping from the kitchen. “Mother asked me to check on you while she gets ready for church." The dark-haired girl smiled, admiring Amanda’s dress.
“You look very lovely,” Amanda smiled. “Thank you for your help.”
Felicity looked down at her simple blue dress and pinafore but smiled at the compliment. One day she hoped she would have pretty dresses to wear once she was old enough to pin her hair up. Then the boys in school wouldn’t pull her pigtails and call her skinny.
Teddy beamed as he escorted Amanda out of the dining room and toward their room. He was the luckiest man in Needful and would escort the most beautiful woman in town to church. Maybe, she wasn’t used to simple living or ranch life, but he liked the way she smiled at him today.
***
“What are they doing?” Amanda asked, stopping on the boardwalk to stare as several burly men carried a battered piano into the church.
“The preacher made a deal with the saloon keeper, that he’ll play tunes every Saturday night at the saloon if he can have the piano on Sunday, and the bar is closed until after services.” Teddy chuckled at the expression on his wife’s face. Amada wasn’t the first to be shocked by the unorthodox plan.
“You’re kidding?”
“Nope,” Teddy patted her hand, moving them toward the church where the first plinking notes of a tune began to rise.
Together the young couple greeted new neighbors and old acquaintances before taking a seat on one of the hard benches lining each side of the church.
Amanda grinned, her toe tapping to the raucous notes of a hymn played in a bold new way.
“I told ya,” Teddy chuckled.
Soon, the music turned to singing and then the congregation settled in to
