RNWMP: Bride for Theodore (Mail Order Mounties)(31)

Jess had to laugh. “I’m sure if you can find a chef willing to marry Nolan, he’ll accept her on the spot!”

“I’m sure he would. Well, you talk to them and get them to ask me to find them brides. Then you’ll have friends.”

“How about we think about one wedding at a time?” They had arrived at the church, and Jess stood at the back.

Miss Hazel walked down the aisle in front of her. She’d insisted that it was necessary because she was both the matron of honor and the mother of the groom. As Jess watched her go, she thought about how much her life had changed in just six short weeks. Miss Hazel had taken her from her boring existence and brought her to the point where she was truly happy as she married the only man she’d ever loved.

Slowly she walked toward the front of the church, her eyes on Theodore. He looked so sharp in his Mountie uniform, and she realized it was the only thing she’d seen him wear since she’d arrived in Squirrel Ridge Station. When she got to the front of the church, he reached out and took her hand, and they both gave all their attention to the preacher.

Not twenty minutes later, they’d been declared husband and wife, and Teddy pulled her into his arms, kissing her in a way that made her toes curl. “Now you can’t go anywhere,” he whispered.

“I never wanted to be anywhere but here!”

Back at his cabin, Miss Hazel served the stew Jess had made for their supper when she’d been cooking on Wednesday. There was enough for everyone, because Miss Hazel had made biscuits to go along with it. Otherwise, Nolan never would have let part of his share go to the pastor.

Jessica and Teddy cut the cake together, laughing as they fed each other small bites. It felt so strange to eat from a man’s fingers. She had a feeling many things would seem odd as she got used to being newly married.

At the end of the night, it was decided that Miss Hazel would stay in Joel’s cabin, and Joel would move in with Nolan for the week. Nolan hadn’t liked the idea of losing his privacy until he’d realized it meant food. Then he was fine with it.

After everyone had gone, Jess sat with Teddy in the backyard looking up at the stars. “I’m going to miss your mom being around. She certainly keeps things interesting.”

“That she does.” He took her hand and pressed it to his lips. “I promise you from this day forward that I won’t try to guess what you want in life. I’ll ask you. I may still make some decisions that upset you, but you have every right to tell me how you feel about things as well.”

Jess smiled, resting her head against his shoulder. “I’m so glad you caught me before I got on that train.”

“Me too! I wasn’t looking forward to having to go all the way to Ottawa to drag you back.”

“Drag?” she asked with a grin.

“Beg you to return with me?”

“I like that so much better.”





Epilogue





September 15th, 1910



Dear Miss Hazel,



I’ve talked to the Mounties, and they’re all in agreement. They want you to send them brides. You might as well just train four at once, so they can all travel together. It will be safer than sending them off individually.

Being married to your son brings a smile to my face every single day, and though I don’t agree with how you got us to marry, I thank God every single day for your interference in my life. I didn’t realize this much happiness was even possible.

If you’re going to send brides for the Mounties, try to talk to my friends JoAnn and Lisa. If one or both of them could come out here, I would be the happiest woman alive. I do find myself lonely for female companionship during the long days while the men are out on patrol, but I just keep telling myself that it’s worth it to be with my Theodore every day.

Teddy sends you his love.

Your favorite daughter, Jess Hughes

P.S. I love signing my whole name. Jess Hughes sounds so much better than Jess Sanderson. Don’t you think?





Sneak Peek at Kendall





Chapter One



Miss Hazel Hughes hoped she wasn’t sinning. She was going to church with the intention of finding just the right brides for the four Mounties who served with her son out West. Finding the woman for the youngest of the men should be relatively easy. She already had someone in mind for him—it was the other three she was searching for mates for.

As she thought about it, she realized she couldn’t possibly be sinning. God wanted the men to be happy, after all. They were serving Canada, and surely God wanted the Canadian Mounties to be happy. If Canada wasn’t His favorite country, why was it the most beautiful place on earth?

As soon as Miss Hazel stepped into the church, her eyes locked onto her first victim—err, bridal candidate.

JoAnn Watson. She made a beeline for the young lady, determined to convince her that going to British Columbia to marry a man she’d never met was the best idea she’d ever had.

*****

JoAnn saw Miss Hazel rushing toward her, and she briefly considered hiding behind her friend, Lisa. It would be of no use, however, because everyone knew that once Miss Hazel had made up her mind to do something, there was no stopping her. Instead, she put on her bravest face and smiled as the woman bore down on her.