A Mail Order Bride for the Undertaker (Love by Mail #1)(6)
“Who’s the lucky groom?” Helena asked, but before either Mercy or Claire could answer, the tiny bell at the door rang followed by footsteps against the creaky old floor. “Oh, I’ll be back with you in a moment.”
And with that, she left them.
“What do you think?” Claire picked up several pins and started trying them on Mercy’s hair.
Mercy stared into the small hand mirror unable to find words to answer.
“It’s true then?” It was a low, but strong whisper somewhere at the front of the shop. “Cole Beckett’s got hisself a mail order bride?”
“Shh! They’re gonna hear ya!”
“Don’t mind them,” Claire told Mercy, and picked up a bracelet with three small blue stones in the center. “These match your eyes.”
“He’s so desperate he had to get someone outside town, huh?”
Mercy’s ears burned.
“Such a handsome man. Too bad he’s one odd fish,” The other woman replied.
Claire cleared her throat and said louder than was necessary, “So, which ones do you like?”
Mercy pointed to the bracelet, some pins, and a set of earrings.
Claire grabbed the items and pulled Mercy back to Helena, who was in the middle of delivering what might have been a juicy tale, by the eager looks on the other women’s faces.
“We’d like to buy these.” Claire smiled at the women. “Mercy, this is Edith Jenkins. Her husband is the town baker.”
Mercy smiled at a woman wearing a light blue bonnet.
“This is her daughter, Maria,” Claire continued and Maria nodded quickly and fanned herself.
“And this is Bridgett Haynes. She’s a very skilled seamstress.” Claire clapped her hands together. “Ladies, this is Mercy Elkwood, she’s new in town.”
A weak round of “Hellos” followed.
Mercy handed Helena the money.
“Thank you,” the shop owner replied.
Claire turned to Mercy. “Would you like to buy a dress?”
“Oh no, it’s all right.” She pocketed the rest of the money. “These are enough.”
“Are you sure? You only get married once!” Claire beamed.
“The Lord did say, ‘There is great gain in godliness with contentment’.” Mercy smiled.
Claire rubbed her arms. “I’m so happy you’ll be part of our town.” She turned to the huddled women. “Aren’t you?”
They smiled weakly.
“Well, we better go.” Claire dragged Mercy out of the shop.
“May the Lord bless you!” Mercy waved goodbye, but the women just shifted uneasily.
*
Mercy paced back and forth in the brightly-lit room of Pastor Shepard’s guest bedroom. This was her big day and she barely got any sleep the night before. All this time she had been sure of her decision, but now, so close to the ceremony…
Claire entered the room with a huge bag, ruffles sticking out of it. “Why are you not yet dressed?”
She hurriedly set the enormous bag on the bedside.
“I – uh – I’m not sure I can do this.” Mercy gnawed on her fingernails and twisted her curls. “Maybe this was a wrong decision, Claire.”
Pastor’s sister sighed and placed her hands on Mercy’s shoulders.
“Mercy, I know you’re scared. That’s a normal reaction for any young lady about to be married. And you’re about to marry a man you’ve known only through letters, but Cole is a good man. An honest man. He’ll take care of you.”
Mercy drew a deep breath and smiled at Claire. “You’re right. This is what the Lord has called me to do.”
“Hurry now, you wouldn’t want to be late for your wedding.”
Claire helped Mercy into the new petticoat and tied the ruffles by her waist. She bound her dark curls into a high bun with the new pins and placed a crown of daisies on her head.
“Beautiful,” Claire exclaimed. “Now off to the church!”
A coach waited outside the house ready to take them to the church. Mercy picked up the trails of her gown and boarded it with Claire following behind her.
A thousand butterflies scoured the pits of Mercy’s stomach as they drove to the church. She focused on the pristine white coating of the church that stood out in the open field. This would be her new home now, her new church.
As soon as the coach halted, Mercy expected a few townspeople to greet her. But to her astonishment, not a single soul stood on the steps outside the church.
“Where is everybody?” Mercy asked with eyes wide open.
“It’s just us, Mercy.” Claire replied and handed her a fresh bouquet of lilies. “Your groom awaits on the other side.”
Mercy cleared her throat and positioned herself in between the great doors of the church. She walked in as soon as they flew open. Three men stood by the altar: Pastor Shepard, Cole, and a portly older man who stood behind them.
“That’s the sheriff,” Claire said. “He’s here as witness.”
Mercy sighed and nodded. Her hold on her bouquet tightened.
Mercy’s heart pounded as she walked down the aisle. Cole stared unblinkingly at her. It made Mercy’s knees weak.
She made it to the altar and Cole stretched out his arm. They stood side-by-side before a smiling pastor, a gently sobbing Claire, an impassive sheriff, and a hundred empty pews.