November 1, 1893
Helena, Montana
Luke met Frankie Shanahan on the porch as he tied his horse off. “Haven’t seen you in a while. Did you bring me some mail?” The teenager who once led a group of newsies now held a more trusted messenger position when not in school.
“Got a letter from someone named Miss Gilbert.”
Luke bounded down the steps into his yard. “Let’s see it.”
Frankie flipped open his saddle pack and pulled out a newspaper and a tan envelope.
Luke opened the envelope, scanned the message, and looked at Frankie in awe. “She’s coming.” He hooted, tossing his hat in the air and grabbing the sixteen-year-old in a bear hug. “She’s coming now!”
Both men, one nearly to adulthood and one on the cusp of matrimony, dusted off their hats, grinning like fools. “She’ll be on the same train as our contingent returning from the exposition!”
“I’m right pleased for you, Mr. Edwards.”
“The train’s due in a couple hours.”
“I wouldn’t be too far behind it, then. Some other fella might be snatchin’ yer girl.”
Luke laughed, but they both knew the truth of his words. He sobered and took off toward the barn. “Frankie, there’ll be an extra tip in your pay this month. You’ve made me a happy man!”
Two hours later, Luke checked each window as the train pulled into the station. He ran along the length of it, searching as passengers stepped off, thrilled to be home. Then time froze as Bettina stopped in the doorway, searching the platform until she found him. Her smile bloomed, beckoning him to her as if a golden lasso dropped around his heart and tugged.
Bettina held out a hand, clad in the fine Spanish lace gloves he’d given her that first day, and took his, walking straight into his arms. Arms that had ached to hold her against a heart that had shredded in Chicago. He breathed in her scent as he pressed his mouth against her neck. “You came.”
He brushed off a tap on his shoulder.
“Excuse me, son, but that’s my daughter, and you haven’t asked my permission to be so free with her.”
Luke jumped back and stuttered. “Your—your—” He shot a look from the taller, well-dressed man in a vested suit to Bettina and back again. He turned to Bettina, one thought on his mind. “You did come to marry me, right?”
“Yes.” Bettina’s musical laugh soothed his sore soul. “Mr. Luke Edwards, I’d like to introduce my father, Mr. Robert Gilbert, and my mother, Mrs. Marion Gilbert.”
He greeted them but noticed several men hanging around the train watching with curious interest. He wasn’t taking any chances with the most precious woman in the world. “Sir, if you’d give me permission to marry your daughter, I promise to love and protect her every day of my life.”
“Wait a moment. I haven’t finished.” A mischievous smile played around her lips. “I’m sure you’d like to meet my brothers, their wives, and my nephews….”
As she named them all, he took in the large family gathering around them under the awning of the small Helena train depot. He swallowed. She told him she’d never leave her family behind. How many were there? Shock must have registered on his face as he kept nodding at each person. “Uh, pleased to meet you. And you. And you …”
Mr. Gilbert held out his hand. “We’re glad to meet you, too, son.”
Luke shook the older man’s hand.
“Our little Bettina about pined away missing you. If I were to deny you, I don’t think she’d ever forgive me.”
It took a moment to sink in, but then Luke grinned at his future father-in-law. “I’ll do my best to see she’s happy.”
“Now, let’s see about making this official once we find our lodgings.”
Nodding, Luke stared around the uneven circle. The sheer volume of them and the luggage being unloaded. What would he do with them all?
Bettina leaned in and whispered. “Papa has taken a position at St. John’s Hospital, as has my oldest brother. They’re sending carriages around.” She pointed to another man corralling a toddler. “You remember, that’s Daniel.”
No, but he nodded.
“Daniel will be working as a pharmacist. He has yet to determine whether the local pharmacy has room or if he’ll need to open another.”
“Ah, I see.” He gazed at her as she spoke. “And what about you and your dreams? You’re giving them up for me?”
Her brows drew together. “Absolutely not.” She folded her arms and announced, “I’ve been given a grant to study farming techniques in the West as part of a greater program being run through Oberlin.”
He moved to wrap his arms around her and then stopped, remembering Mr. Gilbert’s warning. “May I?”
“You may.”
He kissed his bride soundly as he heard Mrs. Fitch say, “There, you see, we’ve brought home seven medals and a bride. Well done, ladies.”