Free Cheyenne Mail Order Bride (Mail Order Brides Book 13) by Susan Leigh Carlton

Simpson. The best in-laws one could hope for.”
    Cal extended his hand. “A pleasure to meet you sir,” Cal said. “And you ma’am.”
    “I hope mine and Chris’s little thing didn’t make you mad,” Clarence said.
    “On the contrary. It just showed me there were people that cared for Jennie. I took no offense and was glad to answer your questions.”
    “We’re getting married Sunday,” Jennie said. “After church.”
    “Well good for you. Jennie deserves a good man, and you are getting a fine woman, Mr. Pierce. We’ve always been proud of her,” Bess Simpson said.
    “Papa Clarence, Chris is going with us. I hate to see the bank get the benefit from all of his hard work. Can you take care of the cotton,” Jennie asked.
    You’re dang right I will. I don’t want that… “
    “Clarence…” his wife warned.
    “I don’t want that scalawag to get anything. We’ll take care of it and send him the money for the sale.”
    “Great, thank you Papa Clarence,” Jennie said.
    “Are you staying at the farm, Mr. Pierce?”
    “No ma’am. I’m staying in the hotel until the wedding.
    After they were in the carriage and headed back to Je nnies, she said, “She just had to check, didn’t she?”
    Cal laughed and patted her hand. “They love you, Jennie, that’s all.”
    Back at the farm…
    Cal carried the packages into the house, and put them on the table.
    “You are the most generous person I have ever known,” she said, and came into his arms. They shared their first real kiss.
    “You deserve nice things, now go try one on. I want to see what my bride-to-be looks like in her new dress,” Cal said.
    When she returned, she was wearing a light blue gingham dress with white trim. She stood in the center of the room, shy a bout being the center of attention. “It looks wonderful on you,” he said. “What do you think?” he asked.”
    “I’ve never had store bought clothes before,” she said. “I feel pretty,” she said.
    “Pretty doesn’t describe it. Beautiful is the word you want.”
    Chris came in as they were ta lking. “Is that a new dress, Mama? It sure looks pretty,” he said.
    “Go look on your bed, Chris. You have a surprise.”
    When he came back, he said, “Thank you, Mr.… Cal. I really do appreciate it.”
    “It was my pleasure, Chris.”
    Sunday…
    Following the regular service, with most of the congreg ation remaining in attendance, Chris walked his mother down the aisle, and placed her hand in Cal’s. Pastor Roberts conducted the ceremony, and pronounced Jennie and Cal to be man and wife.
    Following the ceremony, the three of them, accompanied by Clarence and Bess Simpson had lunch in the café next to the hotel.
    Raising his glass of iced tea, Cal said, “I propose a toast to my lovely wife, Jennie, Chris, Bess, and Clarence. I drink to the good health of you all. May you lead a long and prosperous life.”
    “Amen,” said Clarence.
    “When are you going to leave?” Bess asked.
    “We will leave on the Wednesday train,” Cal said. “We will get to Cheyenne Saturday afternoon, and spend Saturday night at home on the Circle CP.”
    “Grandpa, I’ll bring the cows and the mule over Monday,” Chris said.
    “Will you need any help?” Clarence asked.
    “I’m going to help,” Cal said. “Tuesday, we’re going to the bank and give them the keys.”
    “If you don’t mind, I’d like to make a suggestion. If Bell knows the house is vacant, he might try to put someone else in there and do Chris out of the money for his cotton. I’d like to keep the farm until the crop is in. We’ll take care of that and the ginning, and you’ll have your money before Christmas.”
    “Thanks, Grandpa. That eases my mind a little bit.
    “Mama Bess, Cal got a trunk so we’re only going to have room for our clothes and maybe a few other things. Why don’t you come go through what’s there. There may be something of Christopher’s you’d like. You can’t have the picture