Chevonne: Bride of Oklahoma (American Mail-Order Bride 46) (12 page)

T
hree weeks later
.

C
hevonne put
a basket of freshly baked bread on the dining room table and stood back to survey her handiwork. The table was set expertly for six on a table cloth she’d sewn especially for that evening. A low display of wild flowers was in the center of the round table. She could be a homemaker with pride.

She and Trey had spent the last three weeks filling the house with furniture in between working on their projects together. Jewel-toned rugs covered the floors. Practical but comfortable furniture decorated the rooms. Vases filled with wild flowers were on many of the tables. The house was now a real home just as the couple who lived there was a real married couple.

Chevonne was now part of a real family, too. When a knock came from the front door, she rushed to open it to welcome her in-laws. They were there for Friday supper, a ritual Chevonne hoped would continue for a long time to come. Finally she could use those White House menus that Mrs. Gillette had so graciously included in her book.

The guests got comfortable in the sitting room for some conversation, drinks and appetizers before the meal. Trey sat down next to Chevonne on their new sofa. He put his arm around her shoulders and his fingers interlaced with hers, making her feel safe and loved.

“Thank you for having us over again, dear,” Iona said. “I’m afraid Buck is insisting on a White House supper every Friday evening, so you may be seeing more of us than you might like.”

“I told Trey just this morning while we were admiring the hills,” Chevonne glanced at Trey and saw him wink in understanding about where that early morning conversation had taken place, “that I would love for this to be a regular event for us. I love having a family to pamper.”

Iona wiped a tear from her cheek and turned to admire a vase she’d already admired before. She cleared her throat and said, “The place has really come together.”

“It’s a home now that Chevonne is here,” Trey said.

“I must say, she’s brought out the best in you, Son,” Buck laughed.

“I agree.” Trey winked again at Chevonne, causing her to blush in understanding.

Gary, never one for much small talk, said, “I’m just glad you didn’t get hitched to that awful shrew Sarah Perkins, ‘cause I’d hate to be sitting here having to make small talk with the likes of her.” He looked disconcerted when they all laughed.

Celia shared her news, “I heard she’s marrying Phinneas Gulch, who’s decided to settle in Oklahoma City and open a quack medicine shop. Seems he’s got lots of money in the bank.”

“Really?” Trey looked at Chevonne. “Isn’t that interesting?”

“Seems like those two are well suited,” Chevonne said dryly, eliciting another round of laughter.

“So, how are things going with your projects?” Buck asked eagerly.

After much debate, Chevonne and Trey had decided to always tell the family all about their respective projects. They liked their support and they hated the idea of keeping things from them.

“The man from the Patent Office was here last week,” Trey said. “It’s not clear that we have anything that we can patent. It’s tricky with designs. Inventions are easier. But we may be able to patent the way we use some of the materials.” He smiled at Chevonne. “Either way, we’re moving ahead, right?”

Chevonne nodded. “Yes. I’m hoping to get Anna Overholser to wear some of my designs now that she’s wearing two dresses I created for her. And, of course, you two already have some prototypes. Do they fit okay?”

“I’ll say they do,” Buck blurted out, causing Iona to giggle.

Trey and Celia exchange an uncomfortable look. Chevonne supposed they didn’t want to think about their father seeing their mother in her undergarments.

Iona asked excitedly, “If you’re going ahead, you’ll need a name for your business. Have you thought about what to call it?”

“Well, the whole idea was my Grandmother Victoria’s secret. I’d love it if we could name it after her somehow.” Chevonne snuck a sideways glance at Trey.

Trey favored her with an indulgent look. “Of course.”

“Hmm.” Iona pressed her index finger to her lips. “Let me think. Victoria’s Closet. Gram’s Secret. No, none of those sound exactly right. We’ll think of something. Gram’s Closet?”

“We have plenty of time for that,” Chevonne said. “I’d better check on supper.”

“What’s the menu tonight?” Buck called eagerly after her.

“Cream of Asparagus Soup, Baked Fish with Tomato Sauce, New Potatoes and Cream, Summer Squash and Sliced Cucumbers.” Chevonne nodded in gratitude at Celia the source of all her vegetables until she could plant up her own kitchen garden in the spring. “Roast lamb. And Charlotte Russe for dessert, with coffee and tea of course.” She smiled at Iona who made sure her daughter-in-law always had a full selection of all the teas they sold in their druggist’s shops, a special assortment they brought in from San Francisco each month.

“Uh-huh, sounds like it’ll do nicely,” Buck joked.

“Yep,” agreed Gary as he swiped another Cheese Pastry Ramakin appetizer to hold him over until supper was served.

Buck monopolized the bowl of Saratoga Chips, the paper thin potato slices fried to a light crisp then lightly salted.

Chevonne entered the kitchen, her heart full of happiness at the comforting sounds of conversation and laughter behind her in the sitting room. When she’d come out to Oklahoma City as a mail-order bride, she hadn’t known if she was making the right decision. But now she had a husband who adored her who she adored in return, a ranch house to make a home, a flourishing business they could share, and a whole family to love and share their lives with.

She’d had her fears about leaving Lawrence, Massachusetts, the only town she’d ever lived in. It was the place that had the most memories of the life she’d shared with her beloved grandmother. And there were all the good times with her friends India, Della, Dacey and Josephine, but they were all over the country as mail-order brides now. She prayed they were having as much success and happiness in their adventures as she was having in hers in Oklahoma.

As she stood at the sink gazing out at the beauty of the Oklahoma woods and hills and prairies, a monarch butterfly floated past the window. Chevonne thought of her grandmother as the sun brightened the butterfly’s orange wings so they seemed to glow. It flapped once, twice, seemingly floating in front of her, then it was gone.

A sense of peace filled Chevonne. She knew in her heart she was exactly where she belonged, where she would stay all her life long, where she would be loved and cared for, and where she would plant her roots and the roots of all the children she and Trey were blessed with, here in Oklahoma.

T
he End
.

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O
n November 16
, 1907, the Oklahoma and Indian Territory became the forty-sixth state in the Union of the United States of America and took the name Oklahoma. The state capital was Guthrie until 1910 then Oklahoma City.

Many of the businesses mentioned in
Chevonne
were actual businesses in Oklahoma City in the early 1890s.

Within months of arriving in Oklahoma City in 1889, eighteen-year-old Anna Overholser (1870-1940) married forty-three-year-old Henry Overholser (1846-1915) the "Father of Oklahoma City", instantly becoming the city's Socialite-in-Chief.

U
SA Today Bestselling author Leighann Dobbs
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