A Bride For Christmas (Spinster Mail-Order Brides Book 2) Read online

  That wasn’t about to happen.

  All the businesses in Dayton Falls had begun to decorate their shop windows, as well as the insides. He’d never bothered – no one worried whether or not the Post Office was festive. At least they’d never mentioned it if they did.

  But it did look good. Cheerful. It made him feel excited for Christmas. He’d not felt that way since…

  “What do you think, Mr Williams?” Melody looked across at him expectantly.

  He came out from behind the counter and surveyed the room. “I rather like it, I must say.” She giggled, and it warmed his heart.

  “I have something for you, Mr Williams,” she said, reaching into a box.

  Mrs Grogan stood back and looked on proudly.

  “It’s a Christmas wreath – it hangs on the door.” She lifted it out and turned it to face him.

  It was incredible. He’d never seen anything like it. “It’s very beautiful. How on earth you made something so beautiful from all those pine pieces from off the ground, I’ll never know.”

  “They’re beautiful because of the ribbons you bought.” She didn’t give him a chance to answer, instead, went outside and fiddled about until she managed to get the wreath to hang on the door.

  He stood behind her and checked it out. “It looks superb sitting there.” It really did.

  She turned to him and smiled. “Thank you, Mr Williams.”

  “Call me Pete. Mrs Grogan is the only person in town who calls me Mr Williams.”

  “Thank you, Peter,” she said with a grin.

  Pete had his hand on the door handle and was about to open it but paused. “Melody,” he said quietly. “Would you come to dinner with me tonight?”

  He looked away. He didn’t want to see the pity in her eyes when she said no, as she surely would. “We’d go to Edna’s Diner. It’s a little more private than the hotel.”

  He stole a glance and was surprised when her eyes opened wide in surprise. “Of course I will. Thank you, Mr…Peter!”

  She leaned forward and hugged him tight. It felt so good, so right. He wrapped his arms around her, and pulled her a little closer.

  He knew he shouldn’t, especially with Mrs Grogan nearby, but when he glanced up, he saw the old dear staring at them and grinning.

  Melody sat on the bed and took a calming breath.

  An invitation to dinner was the last thing she expected from Mr Williams. He didn’t seem that sort of man. The dating sort that is.

  She glanced across at the open wardrobe. The hardest decision she’d had to make for some time was this one – what to wear.

  She wanted to make a good impression, so needed to look her best tonight. One good thing Father had done for her was to ensure she always looked her best. For that she would be forever grateful.

  She wavered between the pink gown with gold thread, and the soft blue gown with seed beads sewn into the button-up bodice and hem.

  Hearing a knock at the front door, she hurriedly decided on the latter.

  She dressed as quickly as she could, then pulled on her best boots, and last of all, chose her favorite hat.

  It was a soft velvet hat, that sat back on her head. Mother had bought this particular one because it matched the blue gown almost perfectly. It had pretty blue ribbons to tie under her chin, and was decorated with ostrich feathers, and pale blue silk flowers.

  Mother had loved this hat, and it was very special to Melody.

  There was a light tap at her door. “Miss Harken, are you ready? Mr Williams is here.”

  Her heart skipped a beat. She stared at herself in the full-length mirror.

  Would he approve?

  She straightened her skirt. Not that it needed straightening – she fully recognized her nervousness. It was silly to be anxious. They’d spend plenty of time together over the past weeks.

  But not on a date. This was a completely different scenario.

  Satisfied, she stepped out of her bedroom, and into the sitting room where she knew he’d be waiting. He stood as she entered the room, nodding acknowledgement of her presence.

  Then he froze. He literally stood there staring. His eyes scanned her from top to bottom.

  The silence became uncomfortable. Did he disapprove?

  When he finally found his voice, it was barely above a whisper. “You look beautiful, Miss Harken,” he said, emotion clearly overtaking him.

  Mrs Grogan handed him Melody’s coat, and he helped her into it.

  “I, I booked a table at Edna’s Diner,” he said. “Not that she’s ever full.”

  Melody didn’t know what to say, so just nodded.

  “Have fun,” Mrs Grogan said as they left.

  Mr Williams looked nervous, and hardly said a word as they walked the short distance to the diner.

  “Is everything alright, Mr Williams? You’re awfully quiet.”

  He glanced across at her. “I have a few things on my mind,” he said gently.

  Her heart beat rapidly. “Perhaps now is not a good time?” She hoped he didn’t change his mind, despite her words.

  He stared at her. “It’s now or never,” he muttered. At least that’s what it sounded like.

  Edna’s daughter, Lizzie, met them at the door, and took their coats. The warmth of the roaring fire was a welcome relief from the freezing temperature outside.

  She showed them to their table, which wasn’t far from the fire. “What do you recommend?” he asked before she had a chance to hand them the menus.

  “We have a Christmas menu at the moment,” Lizzie said. “Christmas dinner with all the trimmings. Plum pudding with custard for dessert.”

  He glanced across to Melody and she nodded her agreement. “We’ll both have that. Thank you, Lizzie.”

  Melody watched as Lizzie entered the kitchen where her mother was cooking. She felt his hand slip over hers. It felt nice, and she glanced across at him and smiled.

  “You don’t mind?”

  She shook her head. “Not at all.” She slid her other hand over the top of his. It felt good, and she didn’t want him to remove it.

  The flames from the fire played across his face, and the quiet in the diner made it feel very romantic. She’d never been on a date with a man before, and she wasn’t sure what to expect.

  Lizzie returned with some sliced bread, which she placed in the center of the table. She also left a good portion of butter for them.

  When they were alone again, Mr Williams reached over and held her other hand. “I was wondering, Miss Harken…”

  “Some water for you both.”

  Melody knew Lizzie was being helpful, but it was obvious Mr Williams was trying to tell her something, but was nervous. “Yes, Mr Williams?”

  “I was wondering…”

  “Here you are,” Lizzie said, dropping their plates in front of them.

  “Go ahead, Mr Williams,” she said quietly.

  He quickly let go of her hand. “It can wait until after we’ve eaten.”

  She looked at him curiously. He seemed a little agitated tonight. Melody wondered what was on his mind.

  “Mmmm, this is nice,” she said between mouthfuls.

  He looked up at her. “It’s not as good as your cooking. I’ve been spoiled now.” He grinned and she felt warmth flood her body.

  They finished their main course, and it wasn’t long before their plates were cleared away. The puddings arrived soon after.

  “Oh my,” Melody said. “This is scrumptious.”

  “That it is.”

  He plunged his hand into his pocket, then suddenly pulled it out again. Melody had noticed him doing the same thing several times throughout the night, but said nothing. She wondered if it was just nerves.

  When they finished eating, he ordered coffee for two. Melody took a sip.

  “Miss Harken,” he said, glancing across at her. “I feel I need to explain myself.”

  “Oh?”

  “When you arrived – I was very remiss. I had no ri
ght to send you away.”

  “Oh, but you did, Mr Williams. You weren’t expecting me.” She reached across and touched his hand.

  He looked down, and slipped his fingers through hers. “There are things you don’t know about me. Things you need to know.”

  He went on to explain about Priscilla and how she’d lost her life on the wagon train.

  “I’m so sorry, Mr Williams. What a terrible thing to endure.” She felt so bad for him, but wasn’t sure why he was telling her all this.

  “I sent you away because I felt guilty. I thought it meant I didn’t care for my dear Priscilla anymore, but now I know that’s not true.

  I’ve realized she would want me to be happy.” He stared into her eyes. This was obviously what had been bothering him.

  Melody didn’t know what to say, so just nodded.

  “Miss Harken,” he said, plunging his hand into his pocket again. “Will you forgive me?”

  Is that what he wanted? Her forgiveness? “Of course I do. What a silly thing to say.”

  Lizzie scooped up their empty cups. This was not the place to be if you wanted to talk, that much had become blatantly obvious.

  The moment the thought entered her head, Melody felt guilty. Lizzie was just doing her job.

  “Miss Harken,” Mr Williams said again, only this time much more quietly. He reached into his pocket and pulled out a small velveteen box, then opened it to reveal an engagement ring. “Will you marry me?”

  Chapter Eight

  Arriving back at the Grogan’s, Melody showed the ring to Mrs Grogan. “Mr Williams asked me to marry him,” she said happily. “It’s a beautiful ring.”

  Mrs Grogan beamed. “When is the wedding to be?”

  “Uh,” he was flustered. “We haven’t thought that far ahead.”

  “Sit yourself down, Mr Williams, and we’ll have coffee.” Mrs Grogan stoked the fire to coax the flames higher, and soon enough the kettle boiled.

  She put a mug in front of him, and pulled a tin from the cupboard, placing slices of pound cake on a plate. Pete reached for a slice – his belly was full, but he couldn’t resist Melody’s cooking.

  His fiancé filled the other mugs and they all sat around the table discussing the wedding.

  “We don’t want to wait too long,” he said. “At least I don’t. What about you, Miss Harken?”

  Mrs Grogan took a sip of her coffee. “For goodness sakes, are you two going to go through life calling each other Mr Williams and Miss Harken?” She looked annoyed.

  The young couple looked at each other, then began to laugh. It was true, they were being far more formal than necessary.

  He reached across the table and gently took Melody’s hand. “Do you think Preacher Brown would agree to Christmas Eve, Mrs Grogan?”

  She near choked on her coffee. “Christmas Eve? Are you crazy? That’s a little over a week away!”

  “I have my wedding gown. Well, my mother’s wedding gown. I don’t know about Mr…uh, Peter, but I don’t want a big fuss.”

  “That works for me,” he said.

  Mrs Grogan cleared her throat. “Every bride should have a proper wedding,” she said abruptly. “And you, Miss Harken, will have a proper wedding.”

  Doctor Grogan had said barely a word up to this point. “You go and see Preacher Brown tomorrow, Pete. Book that date.”

  “I’ll organize the Ladies Auxiliary for the reception. Everyone will be happy to pitch in. This is exciting – our first-ever wedding!” Mrs Grogan stood. “And now, Mr Williams, it’s time for you to leave. We need to do a fitting for that wedding dress.”

  He gulped down the last mouthful of his coffee. There was no way Pete was going to argue with Mrs Grogan.

  He pulled on his warm coat and wrapped his scarf around his neck. He pulled his hat down over his head and pulled on his gloves.

  Melody walked him to the front door to say goodnight. It felt a little cheeky, but he lightly kissed her lips. She gazed at him, and put her fingers to her lips.

  His still tingled when he arrived home.

  He lit the fire in his sitting room. The house felt so cold; it had never bothered him before.

  Before Miss Melody Harken that was.

  Before his life meant something again.

  Before he thought there was even a smidgeon of hope that he’d feel happiness ever again in his life.

  He was marrying the woman he’d once rejected. Back then, he didn’t know her. But now he did. Now he had a whole new perspective of the alluring Miss Harken. Melody.

  His soon-to-be wife. The woman he loved.

  Melody stood at the back of the Dayton Falls church, her arm hooked through that of her surrogate father, Doctor Henry Grogan.

  In the short time she’d known him, Doc Grogan had become like a father to her, and when he’d offered to walk her down the aisle, she’d cried. Her own father should have been there to do that, but sadly he wasn’t.

  He stood proudly next to her, in his Sunday best suit, talking quietly, trying to calm her. Not that she was terribly nervous; she was ready to marry Peter Williams. He’d turned out to be such a kind and gentle man, despite her first impression of him.

  She wore the dress her mother had worn for her wedding, and apart from a hem adjustment, it fitted just fine.

  The one thing she didn’t have was a veil to wear with her dress. Mother’s had been lost when they moved to Westlake for her father to take up his post as doctor there.

  When she mentioned it to Mrs Grogan, the older woman quietly left the room, and returned with a hat box. “It’s not perfect,” she’d said. “But it’s better than nothing.”

  She pulled out an aged wedding veil. Once pure white, it was now off-white in color, but still in pristine condition. It had been well preserved.

  It had an off-white band, with a piece of off-white velvet strewn across it. A small ruffle of tulle held two imperfect white feathers, and there were small gems scattered on each side.

  “I couldn’t,” Melody said, staring at the piece of beauty before her.

  Mrs Grogan patted her hand. “I would be honored if you would, my dear.”

  Melody reached up to ensure the headpiece sat firmly on her head, and it did. As she looked down the aisle, she saw Peter standing there, gazing at her, waiting for her arrival.

  The church held as many parishioners as it had on Sunday. This being the town’s first wedding it had been a big attraction. At least that’s what she’d been told.

  Mrs Jensen from the Ladies Auxiliary sat at the organ, and began to play the Wedding March. She looked across at Doc Grogan who patted her hand. “Ready?” he whispered.

  With no children of their own, this would be the only opportunity he’d have to walk a bride down the aisle. Melody was happy she would be that bride.

  The town had been a flutter with not only Christmas organization, but preparations for the wedding. Peter had been adamant they’d marry Christmas Eve. She wasn’t quite sure why.

  Her heart did a little dance as she was delivered to her groom, and when he took her hand, warmth spread through her body.

  Despite her age, despite the circumstances of their meeting, Melody knew this man, Peter Williams, was her forever man.

  “I love you, Melody,” he said softly, then leaned in and kissed her cheek. His eyes sparkled, and his smile set her heart alight.

  “I love you too, Peter,” she said, fighting back tears of joy.

  “We are gathered here today…”

  The reception was a huge success.

  The Ladies Auxiliary had been more than a little excited to be catering for the town’s first wedding, and they’d ensured it was spectacular.

  As she looked around, Melody couldn’t believe the array of food available. She sat next to Peter at the bridal table, with the Grogan’s by their side.

  They’d become like parents to them both, and the four were all very close now.

  Melody had decided to bake the wedding cake, despite t
he protests from Mrs Grogan. “A bride should never have to bake her own wedding cake,” she’d said. But Melody didn’t mind.

  It wasn’t every day you got married. Besides, there was no one else in town who could do it. She’d carefully decorated it, and was more than a little pleased with the results.

  It now stood proudly on the bridal table, and soon she would get to cut the cake with her husband. She fought back a sob.

  Two months ago she was living in Westlake, with not a care in the world. So much had happened in that time. She’d lost her father, her home, and had met the most wonderful man.

  Now she was looking forward to what life as Mrs Peter Williams would bring.

  Doc Grogan stood up, and tapped on his glass to quieten down their guests. “I’d like to propose a toast to the newlyweds,” he said, and lifted his glass to his lips.

  This was the most animated Melody had ever seen him. He didn’t often have much to say, except to his patients.

  “To the newly weds,” everyone repeated.

  After the doc had sat down again, Peter stood, his glass in hand. “Less than two months ago, I was living a very lonely life,” he said, gazing down at her. “I’d never set eyes on this beauty. Then one day she came into my life, and everything changed.”

  He reached down and took her hand. “But I was a cad, and rejected her at first,” he said. “I’m not sorry for that,” he added, and Melody heard the gasps from their guests.

  “I’m not sorry because it meant I got to know her better, and I’m so glad that I did.” He lifted her hand to his lips and kissed it. “I got to know what a kind and gentle soul she was. We spent time together, we learned to love each other.

  I’d like to thank the Grogan’s for all their help, especially Mrs Grogan for her devious plan to get us together.” Everyone laughed, even Mrs Grogan. “Oh, and I’d like to add, my wife is an amazing cook.”

  He smiled down at her, and Melody realized she’d never been so happy in her life. “To my beautiful wife.” He lifted the glass and took a sip.

  “To Melody,” the guests said in unison.

  With the formalities over, everyone was left to enjoy the food. Peter and Melody wandered around, talking to the guests. It gave her an opportunity to get to know people better. She knew she was going to love living in this outback town called Dayton Falls. But most of all, she knew she was going love getting to know her husband better.