A Mother in the Making (21 page)

“Why?”

“It sounds silly, but I feel as if I'm meeting your children for the first time.” She touched her hair. “Do I look all right?”

John could finally allow the truth to shine from his eyes. “You're the most beautiful woman in the world.”

“Miss Maren!” Lilly's voice carried over the snowy lawn as she jumped up and down on the front porch, waving with all her might. Petey appeared at her side, a grin on his face. “Hurry. We've made more gingerbread men!”

Marjorie grinned and started toward the house, her skirts gathered up in her hands as she climbed over snowbanks to get to the children.

John chuckled. It did his heart good to see their excitement for one another.

Dora appeared at the door, a dish towel in hand, and her eyes grew wide at the sight of Jeremiah. She rubbed self-consciously at the flour on her nose.

Jeremiah followed in Marjorie's footprints and met Dora at the door, just as John came up behind them.

“Merry Christmas,” Jeremiah said to Dora.

“Merry Christmas—what are you doing—?”

John walked around them and into the foyer, just as Jeremiah kissed Dora.

John closed the front door to give them privacy.

“Papa!” Lilly said as she tugged on his arm. “You brought Miss Maren home.”

“And she brought my airplane,” Petey said from Marjorie's arms. He flew his airplane over Marjorie's head and Marjorie used the opportunity to kiss his cheek. Instead of pulling away, Petey wrapped his arms around Marjorie's neck and squeezed her tight.

Marjorie turned to John, a smile on her face, even as tears filled her eyes.

Mother Scott entered the foyer holding Laura in her arms. Her gaze swept over Marjorie and disdain filled her face. “I see we aren't done with her.”

It was time to share their news. Mother Scott needed to realize that Marjorie would stay, whether she liked it or not.

“Mother Scott. Children.” John put his arm around Marjorie's waist. “I've asked Marjorie to marry me.”

“You're going to be our mama?” Petey asked.

“Not our mama,” Lilly corrected. “Our stepmother.”

Petey's little brow furrowed. “What does that mean?”

“It means she's going to take your mother's place,” Mother Scott said with a gravelly voice. “It will be as if Anna never existed.”

“That's the last thing I want to do.” Marjorie looked toward John, dismay on her face. She set Petey on his feet. “I will do everything I can to keep Anna's memory alive. I wouldn't dream of taking her place.” She turned her green eyes toward Mother Scott. “I love John and the children, and I know my love for them would not be possible if Anna's love had not come first. I will never replace her. I will simply carry on the legacy she began, and hope I can do her proud.”

Mother Scott harrumphed and then handed Laura over to Marjorie. “I suppose I don't have a say, so what does my opinion matter?”

“Mother Scott.” John took a step toward his mother-in-law and put his arm around her shoulder. She stood stiff and unyielding. “A great deal has changed in the past few months, and I know how difficult it has been for you. You're the children's grandmother and you'll always have a special place in their lives. But...” He looked at her closely, his voice serious. “Marjorie will become my wife, and if you cannot treat her with love and respect, you will not be welcome in our home.”

Mother Scott looked from John to Marjorie and back again. “I would never dream of being disrespectful.”

John wanted to roll his eyes, but instead he offered her a hug. “Please join us for supper tonight.”

She nodded, wiping at her eyes. “I'll be there.” She looked around John, her tears already forgotten. “Who's that on my front porch? Is that—” She put her hand to her chest. “Is that Dora
kissing
a man right out my front door?”

“That's Dr. Jeremiah Watkins.” John laughed. “And I do believe he is kissing your daughter. Pretty soundly, by the looks of it.”

“Why, I never! Right there, for everyone to see?” Mother Scott moved toward the door and peeked through the window. “Is he the young man who has been writing to Dora?”

“I believe so.”

Mother Scott grabbed the doorknob before John could stop her, and she opened the door. “Dora, what is the meaning of this?”

Dora turned to her mother, her cheeks pink, but she didn't leave Jeremiah's arms. “Mother, this is Jeremiah, and I'm going to marry him.”

Jeremiah grinned at Dora, but Mother Scott's mouth sagged. “You're going to what?”

“I'm going to marry him. Tomorrow.” Dora laughed, and the sound made everyone but Mother Scott smile.

Instead, Mother Scott's mouth hung open as she stared at Dora. “And when were you going to tell me?”

“I've been trying to get up the courage for weeks now.”

“Why were you afraid?”

“Because I'll be moving to Minneapolis after we're married.”

Mother Scott didn't say anything for a long time, and the children seemed to sense the magnitude of the moment, not saying a word. Finally Mother Scott nodded once and then climbed the stairs without looking back.

Dora glanced at Jeremiah, her smile gone.

“It will take her some time,” John said.

Dora bit the inside of her bottom lip and nodded, though John could see a glimmer of moisture in her eyes.

“Can we go home now?” Lilly asked, tugging on John's arm again.

“Later.” John took Laura from Marjorie's arms and lifted the baby in the air. He was rewarded with a giggle and a stream of drool from her little mouth. “For now, I must check on Charlie and let him rest. Marjorie and I will come back for you in a few hours when supper is ready.”

“I hate to leave the children so soon.” Marjorie put her arm around Lilly's shoulder. “We've only just been reunited.”

“I'll take good care of them.” Dora took Laura from John's arms. “The children will be ready when you come for them.”

John looked at Jeremiah and then back at Dora. “Are you sure?”

Both Dora and Jeremiah nodded, so John offered Marjorie his arm and they kissed the children on their cheeks before walking out the front door.

They went back to the sleigh and John drove it around to the carriage house. Together, he and Marjorie rubbed down the horse and wiped the sleigh, sharing smiles as they worked. When the tasks were complete, he kissed her soundly, and then they walked toward the house, hand in hand.

John pushed open the back door and they stepped into the warm hall. “Will you be ready for the preacher in the morning?”

She offered him a dazzling smile. “I'd be ready by suppertime, if I needed to be.”

“Tomorrow morning, then?”

She nodded. “I can't wait.”

They took off their coats and hats and walked up the stairs to Marjorie's old room.

Mother and Paul were sitting in the room with Charlie, who was awake. Mother was spoon-feeding him steaming broth and Paul was reading the
Little Falls Daily Transcript
in the chair. All three looked up when John and Marjorie entered the room.

“Merry Christmas,” Marjorie said to them all.

“Miss Maren!” Charlie's dull eyes lit up and a smile played about his tired mouth. “You came home.”

Marjorie sat on the edge of Charlie's bed and put her hand on the side of his face.

Charlie lifted one hand to touch hers and he looked happier than John had ever seen him.

“I'm back, Charlie, and I'm not ever going to leave again. You must promise to get well and stay well.”

“I will.”

John put his hand on Marjorie's shoulder. “Marjorie is going to marry me.”

“Congratulations, John,” Mother said, rising with the bowl of broth in her hands. “I'm so happy.”

Paul also rose and extended his hand to John. “Congratulations.”

Mother set down the broth and gave Marjorie a hug and a kiss. “Welcome to the family, my dear.” She held up Marjorie's left hand and admired her ring. “It never looked lovelier.”

“Thank you.”

Charlie watched the whole scene unfold with a quiet smile on his face. “God has given us a gift, hasn't He, Papa?”

John knelt beside his son, but his eyes were on Marjorie. “He has indeed.”

Chapter Twenty-One

M
arjorie reached into the back of her wardrobe and lifted the green silk gown off the hook. She pulled it forward and heard a sigh behind her.

“It's just as beautiful as I remembered,” Lilly said from the edge of Marjorie's bed.

Charlie had been moved to the guest room after supper the night before, and Miss Ernst had returned and cleaned the governess's room so Marjorie could sleep there on her final night before becoming Mrs. Orton.

Now it was the morning after Christmas, and Marjorie was getting ready for her wedding.

“Are you happy to marry my papa?” Lilly asked.

Marjorie laid the gown on the chair and then turned to the bureau mirror where she looked at her reflection. She noted her flushed cheeks and her shining eyes. “Yes. I'm very happy.”

“You're not sad you won't be in the movies?”

Marjorie lifted the dried rosebud Charlie had given her on the first day she arrived and she tucked it into her blond curls. “I'm not even a little sad. Because I know my life will be even better than the movies. It will be full of love, adventure, comedy and plenty of drama.”

Lilly stood and walked over to Marjorie's gown. “Do you think I could wear this dress someday?”

Marjorie glanced at her reflection once more and, seeing she could do nothing else with her appearance, turned to Lilly. “I would love for you to wear it someday, but I have a feeling when you're old enough to wear it, the dress will be out of fashion and you will be ready for something new.”

Lilly blinked up at Marjorie, her blue eyes filled with love. “Will you be there? When I'm all grown up, I mean.”

Marjorie took the little girl in her arms and held her tight. “God willing, yes, I will be there.”

Lilly squeezed her back. “I'm glad.”

“Are you almost ready?” Mrs. Orton asked, knocking at the door.

“Come in,” Marjorie called. “I'm just about to put on my gown and then I'm ready.”

Mrs. Orton stepped into the room, already wearing her best dress. “Shall I help?”

Marjorie nodded and allowed Mrs. Orton to help her slip the gown over her head and then button up the back.

“It's even prettier on,” Lilly breathed.

“Let's hurry,” Mrs. Orton said. “Everyone is waiting downstairs. The other bride and groom have already arrived.”

Mrs. Orton walked out of Marjorie's room, followed close by Lilly and then Marjorie. They crossed the upstairs hall and began their descent down the steps.

Mrs. Orton and Lilly hurried ahead of Marjorie into the parlor, so Marjorie stood alone at the bottom of the stairs.

She took a deep breath. This was it. The moment had come. Once she said I do, she could never walk away again. There would be no quitting this time.

John appeared near the parlor entrance. He wore a black evening coat tailored to fit his body to perfection. His dark brown hair was combed to the side, and his brown eyes sparkled with love. He walked toward her, and her heart quickened in her chest.

“You look stunning, Marjorie.” He offered his hand.

Marjorie didn't even hesitate. She placed her hand in his. “Thank you.”

“Are you ready?”

She couldn't help lifting her eyebrows. “Are
you
ready? You do recall all the trouble I cause?”

He pulled her into his arms and hugged her. “How could I forget? It's why I fell in love with you.”

“Because I cause trouble?”

He kissed her forehead. “Because there's no one else like you.”

“Stop that, now!” Mrs. Scott said from the parlor arch. “You haven't said your vows.”

“Shall we?” John asked Marjorie.

She nodded, unable to contain the shiver of excitement that raced through her body.

They walked into the parlor arm in arm. The room was festive with Christmas decorations. The tree still stood in the corner, decorated by the children just before Charlie had become ill. All the candles had been lit, offering a gentle glow. Mistletoe hung from the ceiling in the center of the bay window where Dora and Jeremiah waited with the preacher.

Charlie had been brought downstairs for the ceremony and was lying on a sofa with a blanket around his legs. His pale cheeks were a reminder of the ordeal he had been through. Though he wanted to be present for the wedding, John insisted that he be brought back to bed the moment the ceremony was over. The grin on his face indicated he was feeling as good as could be expected.

Lilly stood in a beautiful red dress with a matching ribbon in her hair. Petey wore his blue sailor suit, his hair slicked down and his airplane firmly grasped in his hand. When he saw Marjorie enter, he ran to her side and wouldn't budge. Even Laura had been dressed up in a white gown, a red ribbon encircling her downy head. She sat in Mrs. Orton's lap, cooing to anyone who would pay attention.

“Are you the other bride?” the preacher asked.

Marjorie nodded at the jolly little man. “I am.”

“Good.” He lifted his hands. “Everyone, please find a seat.”

Paul and Mrs. Scott took a seat near Mrs. Orton and the children—all except Petey, who continued to stand by Marjorie's side.

Jeremiah's parents, Mr. and Mrs. Watkins, had come on the morning train and they sat on the other sofa. Mrs. Gohl and Miss Ernst had also been invited, and they stood near the door.

Marjorie wished her parents could be in attendance. Hopefully, one day, they would find it in their hearts to forgive Marjorie and embrace her new family.

“I'll have both couples face me,” the preacher said as he opened his Bible.

Marjorie caught Dora's eye and they smiled at each other. Dora wore a pretty blue gown, and Marjorie couldn't help thinking how much she looked like Anna. Was this how Anna had looked eleven years ago when she married John?

It felt good and right to sense Anna's presence today. Marjorie looked at the four children, all of them smiling at her, and knew that Anna was with them, and would always be with them.

John watched Marjorie. “You look happy.”

“I am happy.”

He squeezed her hand. “So am I.”

“Dearly beloved,” the preacher began, “we are here today in the sight of God and man to join these two couples in holy matrimony. Marriage is an institution ordained of God, and it is not to be entered into lightly or unadvisedly, but reverently, deliberately and only after much consideration, for in coming together in marriage you are committing yourselves exclusively, the one to the other, for as long as you both shall live.”

Marjorie looked at John once again, and he smiled down at her.

“Knowing this,” the preacher continued. “I ask you this question. John, do you take Marjorie to be your lawfully wedded wife, to have and to hold, from this day forward, for better or for worse, in sickness and in health, until death do you part?”

John studied Marjorie, his eyes filled with a deep understanding of the vows he was committing to. “I do.”

“And, Marjorie, do you take John to be your lawfully wedded husband, to have and to hold, from this day forward, for better or for worse, in sickness and in health, until death do you part?”

Marjorie looked at John, and then at Charlie, Lilly and Laura on the sofa. Her gaze went to Petey, who looked up at her with adoration. She touched his little chin and then turned her full attention to John. “I do.”

John smiled at her and then took her hand as they listened to Dora and Jeremiah speak their vows.

“Then, by the authority granted to me by God and the State of Minnesota, I now pronounce both couples husband and wife.” The preacher closed his Bible. “Gentlemen, you may kiss your brides.”

John took Marjorie in his arms and kissed her thoroughly. When he pulled back, his gaze was filled with love and hope.

There were congratulations all around, with many hugs and kisses for the brides and grooms. Only Charlie remained seated, though he watched everything with a smile on his face.

Marjorie leaned down and picked up Petey while John took Laura from Mrs. Orton's arms. Together, they went to the sofa to join Charlie.

Lilly nestled next to Marjorie. “What will we call you now, Miss Maren?”

“We shall call her Mommy,” Petey said with finality.

Marjorie put her arm around her daughter. “You may call me whatever you'd like, Lilly Belle.”

“But not Miss Maren,” John said with a wink.

“Why not?” Charlie asked.

“Because she's no longer Miss Maren. Now she's Mrs. Orton.”

“But we can't call her Mrs. Orton,” Lilly said.

“Let's call her Mommy,” Petey said again, this time with a bit more force.

“I like Ma,” Charlie said.

“And I like Mom,” Lilly said with her arms folded.

John sat on Marjorie's other side, and he took her free hand. He leaned over and whispered in her ear, loud enough for the children to hear, “I shall call you My Love.”

Charlie rolled his eyes and Lilly wrinkled her nose.

Marjorie offered him a kiss and then looked at the children, her heart full. “I don't care what you call me, as long as you call me yours.”

Lilly leaned her head against Marjorie's shoulder and played with the new ring on Marjorie's left hand. Petey placed his cheek over her heart, clutching his airplane close to his chest. Charlie grinned from his place on the sofa, his eyes wandering to the rosebud she had placed in her hair, and Laura reached for Marjorie's necklace.

But it was the look in John's eyes that brought her the sweetest joy. He quoted from Proverbs thirty-one. “‘
Her children arise up, and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praiseth her.'”

Large snowflakes began to fall just outside the windows as Marjorie snuggled on the sofa with her new family, content to stay forever.

* * * * *

Keep reading for an excerpt from
A RANCHER OF CONVENIENCE
by Regina Scott.

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