Winning The Mail-Order Bride. Lauri Robinson

with them from Ohio. “But Mr. Melbourne said he’ll be back after church.” Expecting Wyatt to reply, she gave him a warning look before saying, “Perhaps he has something fun planned for all of us.”

      “Like what?” Rhett asked.

      “I’m not sure.” Hoping Josiah would consider their needs, she said, “A picnic maybe?”

      “Ya think?” Rhett asked.

      She shrugged but included a smile to keep his hopes up. All of their hopes up. Yesterday Josiah had said he was going to let others know at church this morning that she had arrived in town. She’d assumed that meant they were to attend church with him, but this morning, when he’d told them to remain at the house, he’d said he would plan a time for her to meet the townspeople. He hadn’t mentioned the boys, but surely he must plan on introducing them all at the same time.

      “Do you think there will be fried chicken?” Rhett asked, licking his lips.

      Guilt at getting his hopes too high struck her. “I truly have no idea.” Standing, she said, “This morning I had to gather dried grass to fry the eggs, so in case Mr. Melbourne brings something I need to cook, let’s go gather some more. I’ll show you how to twist it tight so it’ll burn longer.”

      “How do people live without wood to burn out here?” Wyatt asked as they all walked to the door.

      “I’m not sure,” she answered. The only reason she knew about twisting grass was from a woman back in Ohio whose sister had gone west on a wagon train and wrote her about such things.

      “Bre—Mr. Blackwell has a bunch of wood stacked over at his place,” Wyatt said. “And another pile by his blacksmith shop. Maybe he can tell us where he got it.”

      “I’m sure Mr. Melbourne will be able to answer all your questions,” Fiona said. “Just so long as you don’t make a nuisance of yourself by asking too many at once.”

      * * *

      The new preacher, Connor Flaherty, the same one who’d performed the weddings yesterday, was almost as long-winded as the mayor, Brett considered, but the preacher’s words about the ten commandments were worth listening to. A reminder of those was always good for the soul.

      His needed some reminding right now. Fiona and the boys were not in church. Josiah had arrived, alone, shortly after Brett had. Knowing he was too curious not to watch her place this morning, he’d headed over to the livery, where he could keep an eye on things inconspicuously. While doing just that, he’d shared a pot of coffee with Wally before the church bells had rung. Wally had forgone services, as usual, and had grumbled, complaining that the single men in town would starve if Rollie closed his eatery every Sunday morning.

      Thinking of that made Brett’s stomach growl. He’d skipped breakfast, choosing to give the last of the eggs to Fiona. He didn’t regret that. Nor did he begrudge Rollie for closing his eatery this morning. Rollie had married one of the brides yesterday, and the couple was in church this morning. Along with Rollie’s two young sons.

      When the services ended, Brett exited the building, shaking the reverend’s hand on his way out. He’d just stepped off the bottom step when movement behind one of the few trees caught his eyes.

      Teddy stayed as hidden as possible while waving at him.

      Brett glanced left and right, making sure no one else had noticed Teddy, before he walked to the tree.

      “What are you doing?”

      “Staying out of Abigail’s sight,” Teddy said. “I told her I wasn’t feeling well this morning.”

      “Why? What’s wrong?”

      “Why? So I could watch for your mother’s message. Nothing has come in yet, and I’m heading back over there. Just thought I’d let you know. Abigail’s having lunch with the new reverend at the eatery in order to interview him for her special edition, so I’ll have the office to myself most of the afternoon.”

      A good portion of guilt rolled around in Brett’s stomach. Teddy was so eager over the prospect of a new avenue to acquire brides, Brett didn’t want to squelch it, even though the idea was no longer exciting to him. “Thanks,” he said. “I appreciate it.”

      “Just remember our deal,” Teddy said, ducking as he left the coverage the tree had provided.

      Brett watched until Teddy made it all the way across the road and into the newspaper office before he turned and walked up the road.

      The hotel was indeed open, and the smell of fried chicken filled the air. Brett entered the building and, noting all the tables were full, went over to the hotel desk. “Rollie,” he greeted.

      “Hey, Brett, how are you?”

      “I’m good. You?”

      “Fine, better than fine, actually,” Rollie said as a woman stepped up beside him. “You know my new wife, Sadie.”

      “Sure do,” Brett replied, nodding toward the woman with pink cheeks. She was a tiny gal and sort of cute with her reddish hair all piled up on top of her head. He’d met her several times since she’d arrived along with the other brides, mainly right here at the eatery. Shortly after her arrival, Rollie’s cook had taken ill for a few days and Sadie had stepped in to help. Along with several others, Brett had figured she’d end up marrying Rollie, so he hadn’t pursued her. Besides, he couldn’t say he’d heard her speak other than a few whispered you’re welcomes. “Ma’am,” he said, tipping the brim of his hat.

      She smiled and bowed her head slightly.

      “What can I do for you, Brett?” Rollie asked while tugging his wife a little closer to his side.

      “Looks like you have a full house. Think I could get a meal to take home?” He and Wally did that often enough, especially when both shops were too busy to shut down long enough to go eat.

      “Of course,” Rollie said. “The special is fried chicken today, with beans, fried potatoes and sweet pickles.”

      “Sounds good.” Fried chicken was one of his favorite meals. Someday he’d buy a whole flock of chickens so his family could have fried chicken every Sunday if they wanted.

      “I’ll get it,” Sadie said quietly.

      “Make it a double order, my dear,” Rollie said. “Brett’s a hearty eater and one of our best customers.”

      The new bride nodded and said something to Rollie. Brett didn’t hear what because a shrill laugh had dang near split his eardrums in two. He recognized the laugh came from Abigail and leaned back to look around the corner and into the dining room. There she sat, along with the preacher and the mayor.

      The mayor? As Josiah ordered food from one of the young girls who also worked at the eatery, Brett’s spine stiffened even more than it had from Abigail’s laugh. A good bout of disgust heavily laced with anger filled him. As Sadie walked around him, Brett reached out and touched her arm. “Make that order enough for four people to eat,” he said. “Four hungry people.”

      She glanced at Rollie, and so did Brett, but didn’t say anything.

      “You heard him, dear, enough for four.” While his wife walked away, Rollie added, “The fried chicken smells so good you’re buying enough for tonight too, are you, Brett?”

      “Something like that,” Brett answered. “How much do I owe you?”

      Rollie told him the amount, and while Brett counted out the payment, anger roiled harder and faster inside him. He had half a mind to go pull Josiah off his chair by his fat neck and tell him that while he was stuffing his face, there was a fine woman and two little boys who hadn’t eaten a decent meal in weeks. Months mayhap considering they’d left Ohio penniless. The boys had inadvertently told him that and he believed it.

      He knew for certain Josiah hadn’t taken her any provisions. While visiting Wally, he’d