Chapter 14
Adam’s eyes lit up when he saw his mother had an envelope in her hand. Millie had written back! He snatched it from her and tore open the envelope before his mother had a chance to sit down in the office chair.
Dear Sir,
I have received your letter and will accept being your mail-order bride—if you will agree to my conditions also.
First, I want us to live by this old Irish proverb. “Don't walk in front of me, I may not follow. Don't walk behind me, I may not lead. Walk beside me and just be my friend.” We will be equal partners and make important decisions together for our family.
Also:
You will try to be as safe as possible in your job, and will take the suggestions of a policeman’s daughter if they are offered, because she does have experience with this kind of work.
You will help raise my nephew as your own son, along with as many children as the good Lord gives us.
You will allow our family to get a medium-sized dog (preferably one that doesn’t yap all the time).
You will always have a one-pound tin of powdered sugar in our bedroom for “Baker’s Kisses”.
If you are interested in this particular bride and conditions, please be waiting for me at the altar this Sunday after church, for our marriage ceremony.
With love,
Millie Donovan
“She said ‘Yes’! I’m getting married on Sunday, Ma!”
***
Millie stood with Adam on her right and Sarah on her left at the front of the church, trying not to visibly shake as the preacher started their wedding ceremony. She was outfitted in a beautiful dark blue silk dress with a high bustle in the back. It was trimmed with white lace on the collar and wrists and was the most gorgeous dress she had ever worn. A fashionable hat, made from the same fabric and lace crowned her curly red hair.
As soon as her new sisters-in-law heard she was joining the family on Sunday, they sprang into action. Cate insisted Millie and Tate spend Saturday night at the Wilerson ranch before the ceremony. Rania moved Millie’s and Tate’s belongings back to Adam’s house, except what she and Tate needed overnight. Meanwhile Sarah drove Millie out to the Bar E home for Cora’s surprise contribution. The women went through Cora’s vast wardrobe to find the perfect Boston-made gown for Millie to wear for her wedding. Irish brides wore blue for their weddings so Millie wanted to go with a blue theme for her special day. Cora even insisted Millie keep the dress and hat as her wedding gift.
Millie felt so blessed standing in front of the church with the Wilersons surrounding her and Tate with love, understanding—and patience. There was no doubt in Millie’s mind that she was supposed to be Adam’s wife, so she was marrying a marshal today. She was prepared for the good and the bad that could happen in their future, because she’d have the support of his family and town if worse came to worst.
Her only regret was not having her Irish family here today, but Kaitlyn Reagan tried her best to fill that gap. Trying to work in Irish traditions, Kaitlyn wrapped blue ribbon around a new horseshoe for Millie to carry with her flower nosegay. The horseshoe, open end up, would be nailed above their front door for good luck after the ceremony.
Adam probably wondered about the short piece of rope that was draped across the altar, but it would be used during the ceremony to wrap around their clasped hands to symbolize their “tying the knot”, or their agreement to spend their lives together.
Cate had asked Millie to take off Sam’s ring she had been wearing. She wasn’t sure what Adam had in mind for a ring, but she’d soon find out.
Millie turned her attention to Pastor Reagan when he cleared his throat and said, “Dearly Beloved, we are gathered here today in the sight of God and angels, and the presence of friends and loved ones, to celebrate one of life’s greatest moments, to unite Adam and Millie in holy matrimony”.
Millie heard the back door of the church quietly open, then an infant’s soft cry. She tuned out the sounds and turned her attention back to Pastor Reagan.
“If there be anyone who has cause why this couple should not be united in marriage, they must speak now or forever hold their peace.”
“I do,” boomed a man’s voice in the back of the church. “We need to start over. I have the right to walk me daughter down the aisle first.”
“Da?” Millie turned when she thought she heard her father’s voice. Then the whole congregation turned to see a large man with a ruddy complexion and orange-red hair beaming at this daughter, and a thin young woman who matched Millie in looks.
“Momma?” Tate, being held by Sarah, who was standing beside Millie, squirmed down to the floor when he saw his mother in the back of the church.
“Wasp?” The elderly Mrs. Benson yelled, slowly pulling herself up by the seat back in front of her as Tate streaked by her pew.
***
They began the service again, with her father walking her down the aisle and Darcie following them carrying Tate. Darcie’s neighbor Flora Davis, holding baby Amelia, was seated in the front row with a beaming Kaitlyn Reagan.
Millie joyously stated her vows in a clear voice, knowing she would be happy with Adam, living in their little prairie town. The only thing that surprised her was when Adam slipped her wedding band on her finger and whispered, “Let love and friendship reign”. Kaitlyn had helped Adam pick out a ring that had a heart in the design, to symbolize the Irish Claddagh ring. The design of the traditional ring has three key elements: a heart for love, a pair of hands for friendship, and a crown for loyalty, and Adam’s simple statement was the motto of the ring’s symbol. Millie believed the wedding couldn’t have been better if they had weeks to plan it.
Now the congregation had moved outside to set up the picnic reception, and Millie was introducing her family to the Wilersons.
Millie never would have guessed when she answered Sam’s letter to be his mail-order bride, that she would be marrying his friend instead, and gaining an extended network of family and friends in the bargain.
And now her immediate family would fill Adam’s and her house to capacity, but she knew Adam welcomed them with open arms, just like the rest of the Wilersons and Hamners. The luck of the Irish delivered them all safely to their new home in this little Kansas town.
“Saint Catherine, I want you to meet Saint Flora,” Millie grinned with pleasure. Both women laughed but with questions on their faces. “Cate, you were my ‘saint’ helping me here in Clear Creek, while Flora was Darcie’s in St. Louis.
“Every morning, when our father left the house to go to work, our mother said, ‘May the good saints protect you and bless you today.’ When my sister and I were down on our luck, you ladies came to our rescue. We can’t thank you enough for your protection and guidance.”
“And Darcie, these are my new sisters, Sarah, Rania, her twin Hilda, and our special friend, Cora who gave me this gorgeous gown…” Millie stopped talking and looked down when she felt a tug on her skirt.
“Auntie Illie, Unca Adam needs a kiss,” Tate solemnly stated. Millie felt her face flush with embarrassment, and excitement.
“Oh, does he have a boo-boo that needs a Baker’s Kiss?” Millie asked Tate, while watching Adam sneak up behind her to wrap his arms around her waist. Darcie and Flora looked clueless, but the other women chuckled, knowing how Millie took care of Tate’s little mishaps and worries.
“Where are the tins of magic sugar and cookies?” Millie asked, still talking to Tate. She melted in Adam’s arms though when her whispered in her ear, “Up in our bedroom…”
Yes, Millie married a marshal—but she was sure with her luck—they would have a long life together, filled with lots of love and kisses.