RNWMP: Bride for Theodore (Mail Order Mounties)(30)

“Oh, they are!” Teddy smiled at his mom. “You’re going to have to go back to Ottawa by yourself. I’m keeping her.”

“I’m so relieved!” Miss Hazel said, hugging him tightly.

“Relieved? Why are you relieved?” Theodore asked, confused.

“Because I thought my only child didn’t have the brains God gave a goat. Now I know you’re not stupid, after all!”

He laughed, shaking his head. “My mother has so much confidence in me. Makes me feel good.” He turned to Pastor Robert Wilson. “Would you mind waiting for the other Mounties to get back to town for the day? You wouldn’t be able to ride out until seven or so.”

The pastor shrugged. “I can stay here for the night if there’s cake involved.” He looked at Jess. “I’ve heard marvelous things about your cooking, young lady. Is there cake involved?”

Jess laughed out loud, truly happy for the first time in days. “I think Miss Hazel and I can make a cake happen pretty quickly.”

“Then I’m staying the night. You ladies hurry off and get ready for this wedding. I’m ready for cake!” The pastor rubbed his hands together.

Theodore smiled at Jess. “Yes, you two go get ready. The other Mounties will be back in about two hours. Could you meet me at the church then?”

Jess nodded. “We’re off to bake a cake and get ready for a wedding.”

Theodore picked up both suitcases and carried them toward his cabin. “Is this all you brought?” he asked.

“Miss Hazel suggested I wait to have her ship the rest of my things out after we married. I didn’t understand it at the time, but I sure do now.” Jess looked at Miss Hazel who had an innocent look on her face.

“Where am I going to stay this week?” Miss Hazel asked. “I know I’m not staying in the newlywed cabin.”

Jess blushed as Teddy hurried to answer the question. “I’ll ask Nolan to share with Joel, I think. Joel will do it because we’ve been friends for a long time, and Nolan will do it because he knows he’ll get good food out of it. I’m not sure which of the men is neater, so you’ll have to determine that.”

“We can still have all our meals in your cabin,” Miss Hazel said. “You’ll have to work every day, so I don’t think any of us can pretend this is a real honeymoon.”

Theodore shrugged, pushing open the door. He didn’t really care if everyone ate with them, as long as they left after the meal. He stopped short just inside and dropped both suitcases, turning to Jess. “Even though you felt rejected by me, you made me muffins before leaving to go back to Ottawa.”

She nodded. “I wanted you to think of me after I was gone.”

“How could I ever stop?” He took two muffins, kissed her cheek, and left the cabin, closing the door behind him.

Jess looked at Miss Hazel, a look of panic entering her eyes. “We have a lot to do, and not much time.”

“I’ll start on the cake. You get your dress ready.”

Jess hurried to open her suitcase and air out her dress. She’d had it laid out most of the week, hoping that it would be worn, but she’d packed it the day before. It was a bit wrinkled, but nothing that a quick press with an iron wouldn’t fix. She went into the bedroom and laid it on the bed before hurrying out to Miss Hazel. “I’m going to fill the bathtub and wash my hair.”

“Oh, do you think you have time? With as long as your hair is, I don’t think there’s any way it’ll be dry before the Mounties get back from work.”

Jess frowned. “I want to look my best.”

Miss Hazel looked at Jess, obviously thinking. “Why don’t I style it? There’s a pretty hairstyle that was all the rage when I was younger, and I’ve never seen you wear it that way. I could hurry out back and cut some flowers to add to it.”

“Oh, yes, please, Miss Hazel! Hurry and get the cake in the oven, and then you can start on my hair.” Jess stood for a moment, wondering what she should do next. She hurried and put the iron on the stove, deciding that pressing her dress was the most important thing at the moment.



Two hours later Jess was ready. Her dress was a simple white day dress, and she had a white hat with lace hanging down on both sides of her face. It may not be the fancy dress she’d have worn if she’d married back in Ottawa, but she still felt she looked her very best. The white leather slippers she wore would be dirty by the time she reached the church, but that was to be expected when you married in a place that didn’t have proper streets.

As she walked alongside Miss Hazel, she sighed contentedly. “This is what I thought we’d do as soon as we got to town. I still can’t believe you tricked us both the way you did.”

“All’s well that ends well!” Miss Hazel said, happy as a clam. “I should find wives for the other Mounties here, don’t you think?”

“No! Miss Hazel, promise me you won’t do that unless they ask you to!” Jess didn’t want the kind of confusion that would come from more women showing up expecting to marry when there were no men planning to marry them.

Miss Hazel frowned. “It worked out so well this time!”

“Not for me! Not for Theodore! We had a very rough week.”

“I know. All right. I won’t find them brides unless they ask me to. Do you think they’ll ask me to?”