Page 68 of Mail-Order Bride Mommy

The Shannons and Wally rode horseback beside the buggy holding Gwen, Matt, and Lindy, all dressed in their best finery. It was a rowdy, happy bunch that went to the church. Pastor Ingram and his wife were available and eager to facilitate the marriage.

Gwen stood before the preacher, her hand in Matt’s, Lindy at her side. Matt’s brothers and Wally crowded around them.

Joy overflowed Gwen’s heart. To be part of such a large, loving unit amazed her.

The preacher spoke the words uniting Gwen and Matt in marriage. They signed the documents making it legal.

“Lindy can ride with me,” Luke offered.

“Wait. I have something for her,” Gwen called. She pulled the doll she’d finished from her satchel. “Lindy, I made this for you. You can play with it anywhere you want. I wanted you to have it to celebrate this special occasion. I hope you like it.”

Lindy hugged the doll to her neck. “I love her. I’m going to call her….” She considered her answer. “Birdie.”

Luke lifted her to his saddle. Lindy held the doll in front of her, smiling widely. Waving, the men rode away. Matt lifted Gwen to the buggy and climbed up beside her.

“Shall we go home, Mrs. Shannon?”

“I couldn’t think of anywhere I’d sooner be.”

He waited until they had left town before he stopped and kissed her. “I must be the happiest man on earth.”

“And I, the happiest woman.” They resumed the journey. “Matt, I never thought I’d have this.”

He quirked an eyebrow at her. “What do you mean?”

She lowered her gaze. She wanted Matt to understand her doubts and fears. “I never thought a man would value me. Just for me.” She was saying it poorly, but she knew his love wasn’t dependent on what she did. He loved her for who she was.

He pulled the wagon to a halt. “Why not? The way I see it, a dozen men must be back east, mourning the fact that they didn’t ask you to marry them before you left.”

She looked into his dear, kind face. “I never felt loveable before.”

“Before now?”

“Yes. To know I’m loved is the greatest feeling.” She leaned in and kissed him. She’d meant it to be quick. But he caught her shoulders and pulled her closer for a deep, lasting, promising kiss.

They continued homeward, his arm across her back, her head pressed to him.

“While we’re confessing things,” he began.

Her heart didn’t so much as lurch because whatever he said, it would not be something to hurt her.

“I never felt this way about Corine. I was a young man with a young man’s dreams. I didn’t know the power of love to heal hurts, to warm my heart, and to promise a future of shared joys.”

She wrapped her arms around his waist and squeezed hard. “God has richly blessed us. I am so grateful.”

The others greeted them as they returned home. Andy said Lindy would stay in his house for the night. She and Matt hugged the child who said she wanted to show Birdie her old house.

His brothers shook Matt’s hand and hugged Gwen and one by one departed.

Luke was the last to say goodbye. “You know, seeing Matt so happy makes me think I should write to that lady friend of yours and ask her to find me a mail-order bride. Someone like you.”

“That sounds like a good idea.” Gwen waited until Luke left to ask Matt, “Do you think he’s serious?”

“I can’t say.”

He closed the door behind Luke, pulled Gwen into his arms, and kissed her soundly.

“Welcome home, my dear Gwen.”

She hugged him hard. A home, a child, and a husband who loved her. God had indeed blessed her beyond her wildest dream.