The Bride Wore Blue (34 page)

Miss Hattie pressed her lips together and shook her head. “Perhaps we should turn our attention to the refreshments before we ready ourselves for the ceremony.” She set two cinnamon rolls and two deviled eggs on her plate and passed the dishes to Kat.

Nell retrieved the fountain pen off the table and began writing in the Bible.

William Judson Archer 1897, 27 July, a special delivery gift to Judson and Nellie Jean Archer

Nell turned to the page for recording marriages and looked up at Vivian, her blue eyes glistening. Vivian poised the fountain pen on the line below Ida and Tucker’s.

Vivian Dee Sinclair and Carter Alwyn wed 1897, 26 October

She sighed, remembering her journey to this point.
“Thank you, Lord.”

An “amen” chorus echoed off the papered walls.

Two hours later, Vivian stood at the top of the stairs, breathing in the sweet scent of her bridal bouquet. Willow and Miss Hattie watched her from the entryway, each of them holding a baby, while Kat and Nell descended the steps in front of her. Vivian stroked the sky blue satin sash, highlighting the narrow waist of her wedding gown.

“You look gorgeous.” Ida cupped Vivian’s face. “I couldn’t be happier for you.”

“Thank you, sis. God is good to shower us with grace and mercy … to clothe us in His righteousness.”

“And good to send men our way who love us.” Ida winked. “You ready to step into your future as Mrs. Carter Alwyn?”

“I’ve been ready since the day he flung me over his shoulder and hauled me up that mountain.”

Ida laughed and then proceeded down the stairs and into the parlor. Vivian followed close behind. At the doorway, she paused and
looked upon the other family and friends who had gathered to share in her and Carter’s joy. Morgan and Judson stood with their wives. Otis and Naomi Bernard and their four boys. Deputy Jon Ondersma and his wife. Deputy Gilbert Neilson from Victor. A polished Boney Hughes joined Miss Hattie near the window.

Carter stood beside Tucker at the hearth, his hands pressed together in front of him. He looked as though he was praying, but his eyes were wide open, brimming with love and watching her every move as she glided toward him. Toward their future as husband and wife.

“I do.” The words escaped her lips before she reached the hearth, and warmth rushed up her neck.

“I do too.” Carter’s hearty baritone reply gained them a ripple of laughter from the onlookers.

Her brother-in-law cleared his throat, his grin poorly disguised. “Dearly beloved …”

R
EADERS
G
UIDE

  1. Vivian is the
baby
in the Sinclair family and the last of the four sisters to make the move west. One of Vivian’s defining characteristics—and her defining struggle—is her natural rebellion. What’s good about Vivian’s determination to stand on her own two feet? What’s bad about it? What emotional state led her to make independence her highest goal?

  2. Deputy Carter Alwyn struggles to live up to his father’s law enforcement legacy. When in your life have you felt the pressure to perform? Did you eventually discover God’s will for you in that circumstance?

  3. Vivian’s disappearance and the discovery of her association with the brothel create tension between Ida, Kat, and Nell. What are some emotions or situations that often cause friction between siblings? What strategies did the Sinclair sisters use for reconciliation?

  4. Under the weight of shame, Vivian feels unlovable and, therefore, doesn’t consider herself marriage material. But God brings Carter into her life, and Vivian falls in love with him despite feeling unworthy of his love. Has God ever brought someone into your life who surprised you with an outpouring of grace?

  5. The “good people” of Cripple Creek look down on the “other women” and, by association, Vivian. Do you rate some sin worse than others? What does Romans 3:23 and 1 John 1:9 say about God’s view of sin?

  
6. Vivian is influenced by many different people in this book, including, her sisters—Kat, Nell, and Ida; Aunt Alma; Opal; Hattie; and Carter. How does their influence affect her? What qualities do you look for in a mentor?

  7. Vivian is descending into a life of secrets, lying to the very people who love her and could help her heal from her mistakes. Often it takes a crisis, hitting rock bottom, before a person recognizes the need for repentance and change. What was the turning point for Vivian? Like Vivian, have you ever faced a crisis that sent you in a new direction, giving you a fresh start?

  8. Doc Susie is a historical figure who lived in Cripple Creek at the time this story takes place. Dr. Susan Anderson contracted tuberculosis while in medical school. Still, she returned to Colorado to practice medicine in mining camps. What qualities do you imagine Doc Susie must have possessed that made it possible for her to become a successful female physician in this era?

  9. Vivian is updating the records in the family Bible. Is there a family Bible in your household? Is anyone in your family tending to the family tree? What does legacy mean to you?

10. Which of the Sinclair sisters do you identify with most? Feisty, stubborn Kat? Gentle, romantic Nell? Ambitious, determined Ida? Independent, misdirected Vivian? What about that sister draws you? Why?

Mona is available for book club conference calls where she joins your book club for a pre-scheduled fifteen-to-twenty-minute conversation via speakerphone or Skype. When possible, she’s happy to add an “in person” visit to a book club in a city she’s visiting. For more information, please contact Mona through her website:
www.monahodgson.com
.

A
UTHOR’S
N
OTE

I
don’t consider myself a historian by any stretch of the imagination. Instead, I am a writer of historical fiction, who enjoys doing the research involved in delivering a compelling story steeped in history. My historical fiction features actual people, events, and places.
The Bride Wore Blue
characterizes three factions prevalent in Western boom towns like Cripple Creek—outlaws, lawmen, and soiled doves.

In each of the Sinclair Sisters of Cripple Creek novels, you’ll meet at least one real-life woman from Cripple Creek history. Doctor Susan Anderson, known as Doc Susie, is the primary real-life woman in
The Bride Wore Blue
. Her portrayal in the story is a fictionalization. Pearl DeVere serves as a second real-life woman from Cripple Creek history. Her portrayal is also fictionalized; however, many of the colorful details of Miss DeVere’s death and funeral are gleaned from Mabel Barbee Lee’s book
Cripple Creek Days
.

In keeping with my commitment as a storyteller of historical fiction, I played with the actual dates of Susan Anderson’s return to Cripple Creek and Pearl DeVere’s death to meet the needs of Vivian Sinclair’s story.

Harper’s Bazar
, the magazine I feature in the series, offers a spelling twist. If you’re like me, you wanted to add another
a
after the
z
, but until the November 1929 issue, the magazine was spelled with only two
a
’s.

I look forward to our time together in these stories.

May you walk in peace having been justified by faith in the Lord Jesus Christ and rejoice in the hope that is yours because of His redeeming work on the Cross.

M
ONA
H
ODGSON

A
CKNOWLEDGMENTS

W
riting is a team sport. Yes, I may be the one pitching the story to you, but many people are involved in creating a home run, which I hope we have done with
The Bride Wore Blue
. Here’s a listing of the key players who assisted me.

• My hubby, Bob.

• My agent, Janet Kobobel Grant of Books & Such Literary Agency.

• My critique partner and writing bud, DiAnn Mills.

• My editors, Shannon Hill Marchese and Jessica Barnes.

• The entire WaterBrook Multnomah—Random House team.

• My prayer partners.

A big thank-you to all who are listed, and to all who aren’t, who served on the infield and in the outfield.

Dedicated to the Head Coach, Jesus—
the Way, the Truth, and the Life.

A
BOUT THE
A
UTHOR

M
ona Hodgson is the author of The Sinclair Sisters of Cripple Creek Series as well as dozens of children’s books. Mona’s writing credits also include hundreds of articles, poems, and short stories in more than fifty different periodicals, including
Focus on the Family
,
Decision
,
Clubhouse Jr.
,
Highlights for Children
,
The Upper Room
,
The Quiet Hour
,
Bible Advocate
, and
The Christian Communicator
. Mona speaks at women’s retreats, schools, and writers’ conferences. She is also a regular columnist on the Bustles and Spurs blog.

Mona and Bob, her husband of forty years, have two grown daughters, two sons-in-law, and a growing gaggle of grandchildren.

To learn more about Mona, to find readers’ guides for your book club, or to view her photo album of current day Cripple Creek, visit her website:
www.monahodgson.com
. You can also find Mona at
www.twitter.com/monahodgson
and on Facebook at
www.facebook.com/Mona Hodgson
Author Page.

1898

H
attie pressed her lips, covering her mouth, but the giggle escaped anyway. Boney Hughes lay under her kitchen sink, his upper body concealed by the cupboard. His gangly legs sprawled over her linoleum flooring.

Boney scooted out from under the sink and peered up at her. “You think me rappin’ my old knuckles on these leaky pipes is funny?”

Unable to stifle her amusement, Hattie nodded. “You look like a …” She fanned herself, trying to regain her composure.

He stood.

“Like a fish out of water.”

Boney’s winter-white eyebrows arched. “A big old river catfish?”

Giggling, she studied him from his wiry beard to his worn boots. “A smaller fish perhaps, but surely one with a big heart.”

“You’re still a charmer, Hattie.” He hooked his thumbs in his bib overalls. “Wore my best duds for coffee this mornin’. If I knew you planned to put me to work—”

“You would’ve shown up anyway.” She smiled and pulled two mugs from the buffet.

“You know me all too well, Adeline Prudence McFarland … Adams.” He said her married name with an air of reverence.

George had died within months of finishing the boardinghouse. He would’ve relished the ever-changing company the house afforded. Hattie sighed, picturing her late husband leaning against the sink.

“I still miss him too.” Boney cleared his throat and looked out the window.

She poured the coffee and set their cups on the kitchen table beside the lemon meringue pie she’d baked that morning.

Boney washed his hands under the running water, then bent to look at the pipes beneath the sink. “Fishy or not, ma’am, I fixed it. Not a single wayward drop.” His eyes shining like polished silver, he joined her at the table and gulped his coffee.

Hattie stirred a pinch of cinnamon into her coffee. “You’re a good man, Mister Hughes.” Bracing her cup with both hands, she sipped and savored the bold warmth as she did the same with the memories. “It’s nice to have someone to share coffee and a chat with. The house has been too quiet lately.”

“You got spoiled having the Sinclair sisters in the house.”

“I surely did.” A melancholy softened her tone. She missed witnessing the first hints of affection between the ladies and their gentlemen, the questions, the discoveries, the surrendering of two hearts to become one. Their journeys to the altar. She missed the excitement of the weddings.

She couldn’t love those four girls—young women—any more if they were her own daughters. George would have too. Each of them had found a good man and married him. Vivian, the last born and the last to arrive in Cripple Creek, had wed nearly a year ago.

The house had definitely been too quiet these past few months.

Willow Raines Peterson was back in town, and she was as close to being a Sinclair sister as one could get without the blood, but—

Boney cleared his throat, derailing her thoughts and drawing her gaze. Her friend had cut the pie and dished two pieces. “Where’d you go?”

“I was on Tenderfoot Hill, May 30, 1896, watching Kat and Nell wed Morgan and Judson. The next minute at the church, listening to Ida and Tucker’s vows. Then in the parlor remembering Vivian and Carter’s ceremony. And just now, I was wondering about Willow.” She sighed. “Praying she is … content.”