Iris (Suitors of Seattle Book 8) (8 page)

Tracy thought that over for a moment.  "I think Edith would enjoy the task if you don't have someone else in mind.  You'd have to train her, but she would be happy to do it."

Iris thought that over for a moment.  Edith wouldn't be needed as much to help her uncle once Iris married him.  It was the perfect solution.  "I think that would be wonderful.  Have her come talk to me in the morning, would you?"

Tracy nodded with a smile.  "I definitely will.  And don't worry, if you don't think she's right for the job, no one will be angry with you if you hire someone else."

Iris looked around until she spotted Edith in the corner with Samuel.  They seemed to be deep in conversation.  "Do you think she'll be married soon?"

Tracy followed Iris's gaze.  "I think they'll wait another year or two.  He wants to be able to buy his own spread before they settle.  If Edith is working, she can help him save for it, though."

Iris had come from a wealthy family, and money had never mattered much to her as a result.  She'd never really had to work to save money for anything.  "Will he let her help pay?"  Samuel looked like the kind of man who would want to support his family with his own money.

Tracy shrugged.  "I don't know, but there's only one way to find out.  Even if he won't let her help with buying the land or the house, he's not going to stop her from sewing curtains and a table cloth.  She can still use the money she earns for their future."

"I hadn't thought of it that way." 

"Are you coming to lunch at my place?  Francis and the girls will be there."

Iris bit her lip as she contemplated.  "I'm not certain that's a good idea."

"Do you have too much packing?" Tracy asked.

"Not exactly.  I just—I don't think it's a good idea for me to spend more time with Francis before we marry."  Iris dropped her voice to a whisper, her words only for Tracy's ears.

Tracy looked at Iris in confusion for a moment, before her eyes widened.  "Oh!  I see.  I could make sure you were constantly chaperoned."

Iris shook her head.  "As much as I appreciate the offer and want to come, I think it's best if I stayed in town today.  I'll be there next week."  Francis still had her hand in his, and he squeezed it.  "Thank you for watching the girls for us.  It's appreciated."  Iris really liked the idea of her first week as a married woman being with just her and her husband.  As much as she loved the girls, she knew that she and Francis needed the time alone together.

"I wish there had been someone to do the same for me when I first married Andy.  It's strange to be a newlywed with a house full of children."

"I'm surprised sweet Mrs. Pinkston didn't offer to keep them for you for a while," Iris said, her smile betraying her joke.

"Sweet Mrs. Pinkston?  You
have
met the woman, right?"

"I have."  Iris looked up to find Francis looking down at her.  "What?" she asked, slightly embarrassed.

Francis smiled.  "Just looking at the beautiful woman who will be my wife in a little over twenty-four hours.  I talked to the pastor, and he said to meet him here after school is out."

Iris blushed.  Would Francis always say things that would make her blush instead of others?  She quickly changed the subject.  "Edna Petunia is coming to the wedding.  Is that all right?"  They hadn't really talked about what they wanted from a wedding, so she was just planning on wearing her best dress, and coming with Edna Petunia, who would be her maid of honor.

"That's not unexpected.  You can invite whomever you'd like.  My brothers and sister and their families will all be here.  It may be short notice, but they love me, and it's a wedding."  He shrugged.  "Even Mattie is coming.  She said the tea you gave her is making a huge difference."

Iris smiled.  "I'm so glad.  I've wondered about her, and even thought about dropping by again, but I wasn't sure how she'd react to a doctor making two unexpected house calls.  I'm not so desperate for patients that I want to keep showing up on their doorsteps bothering them."

"Oh!" Francis exclaimed.  "There she is now."

Iris turned and saw Mattie waddling toward them, a huge smile on her face.  "How are you feeling?" she asked.

Mattie hurried to Iris, hugging her tightly.  "I had no idea you and Francis were courting.  Why didn't you tell me while you were at my house?  I'm feeling fine, by the way," she said laughing.

"I'm so glad.  I...I was unsure of what was happening with Francis when we talked that day, so I didn't say anything."  Iris glanced up at Francis, her hand reaching out to take his.  "I think I have a better idea now."

Mattie laughed again, the sound filling the church.  Iris was amazed at how much better she looked than she had less than a week prior.  "I can see that.  I'm so happy for you both.  My new sister is a doctor!  It will be nice to have a Dr. Harvey in the family."

Iris frowned for a moment.  She hadn't thought about having to change her name.  Her credentials were all listed as Iris Sullivan.  She looked up at Francis.  "I hadn't considered that I'd be changing my name."  How would he feel if she said she didn't want to?

Francis frowned.  "Does that bother you?"

"I don't guess so.  I just...I worked hard to become Dr. Sullivan.  It will be strange to have a different name."

Francis hadn't thought about how she would feel.  Harvey was a good name, and he was proud of it.  "But you'll use Harvey once we're married, right?"

Iris nodded.  She knew it was expected of her.  "Of course I will.  What wife wouldn't use her new husband's name?"  Truly, she wanted to refuse, but her mother would have a fit if she heard about it.  She needed to not balk convention any more than she already had.

"Did all the other flowers change their names when they married?" he asked.

"Oh, yes of course.  But none of them had a medical degree in their maiden name.  I'm changing my name, Francis.  Truly."  Whether she wanted to or not, she knew it was the right thing to do.

Mattie looked back and forth between them.  "What other flowers?"

Iris grinned.  "All of my sisters have flower names.  I'm Iris.  I have a sister Rose, a sister Lily, and so on."

"And a sister Lavender?" Mattie asked with a grin.

Iris laughed.  "My mother quit having babies before she got to Lavender, I'm afraid.  There were only eight of us after all."

"All girls?"

Iris nodded, remembering they'd talked about that.  "I don't know if my father was happy or sad about that.  He never said, but he's always seemed content."

Francis smiled.  "I'm certain he didn't mind.  I have all girls too if you'll recall."

Iris looked at him, her head tilted to one side.  "And you don't want a son?"  She truly hadn't contemplated what it would be like to carry his child before that moment.  She found she rather liked the idea.

Francis leaned down and touched his lips to her ear, whispering, "I don't know if we should be talking about that in church.  I'd be happy to give you a son, though, if that's what you want."

Iris blushed, swatting his arm.  "Francis Harvey, that's not what I meant at all, and you know it!"

Mattie looked back and forth between the betrothed couple, not asking anything but just grinning.  "Are you coming out to Tracy's today?" she asked.

Iris shook her head.  "No, I think I need to stay in town and finish getting ready for the wedding tomorrow."

Mattie nodded.  "Can't risk being alone with my brother, can you?"

"No, I really can't," Iris agreed with a laugh.  "He won't keep his hands to himself!"

Francis raised an eyebrow at her.  "Do you really want me to?  Because I probably could manage if I tried hard enough."

"Yes, I do.  Today.  Tomorrow, after the wedding, probably not."  She winked at him playfully, expecting lightning to strike at any moment for the irreverent conversation they were having in the church.

"Only probably?" he asked, a perplexed look on his face.

"You never know.  By then, I may be angry with you again."  She looked at Mattie who was watching them with laughter in her eyes.  "No one in this world can make me as angry as Francis does."

"Then you're made for each other.  I think you only get that angry when you truly love someone."  Mattie glanced over at a man who had stepped up beside her.  "This is my husband, Richard."

Iris smiled, holding out her hand to shake.  "I'm Iris Sullivan.  You know, you should work at not making your wife angry while she's expecting."  She laughed at the perplexed look on the man's face.

"You should practice saying, 'Iris Harvey.'  You don't want to forget what your name is after we're married," Francis told her, a teasing look on his face.

Iris ignored him.  "I'm pleased to meet you."

Richard grinned.  "You're going to fit right in with the Harvey family.  No doubt about that."  He stroked his hand down Mattie's back, his eyes tender.  "How are you feeling, honey?"

Mattie smiled at him, and it seemed to Iris as if everyone else in the church disappeared for her.  "I'm doing much better.  The tea really is helping."  She rested her palm flat on his chest as if to soothe him.

"Good.  I've been worried about you."  Richard looked at Iris.  "I can't thank you enough for coming out to see Mattie.  She's been a new woman.  I just wish we'd known about that tea for her other pregnancies."

"I'll talk to the local midwife about it.  It's something anyone dealing with expectant mothers should just have on hand."  Iris looked around the church.  "Does she attend here?"

Mattie shook her head.  "No, she lives north of Nowhere and goes to church with our brother, whose name I can't remember.  It's always worried me that she was so far."

Iris patted Mattie's arm.  "Between the two of us, you're going to be fine.  Why don't you let me know when it's time for her to check on you again, and I'll make sure I'm there.  I can talk to her and give her some tea for her other patients."

"I'd be happy to.  Thank you for being so concerned."

"I have to be.  You're going to be my sister tomorrow!"

Mattie laughed.  "And that's the only reason?"

Iris grinned.  "Of course not.  I'm concerned about the health of everyone in town.  That's why they call me doctor."

Francis and the girls drove Iris home a few minutes later.  In the wagon on the way there, Francis asked, "Are you sure you don't want to come to lunch at Tracy's?  She's making fried chicken and mashed potatoes.  Tracy makes the best fried chicken I've ever tasted."

Iris smiled.  "As wonderful as that sounds, I really do have a few last minute things I want to do before tomorrow."  She needed a bit of time to contemplate things before the wedding. It wasn't just that she wanted to avoid Francis, which she did.

"Like what?" he asked.

Iris just shook her head.  She didn't want to tell him about the nightgown she and Edna Petunia were making for their wedding night. It only needed to be hemmed, and Edna had told her she could do that on her own.  The older woman was off again, but Iris was determined not to worry about it.

Francis stopped in front of Iris's tiny house and jumped down to help Iris, telling the girls to stay where they were.  He helped her down and then walked her to the door.  "I can't wait until tomorrow," he told her, his voice deep as it got every time they kissed.

Iris smiled.  "I can't either."  She stood on tiptoe and kissed his cheek before opening the door.  She waved to the girls.  "I'll see all of you tomorrow!" With a wink at Francis she closed the door behind her.

Once she was inside, she went to the stove and put the leftover stew to cook on low heat.  It would be a lonely meal without Edna Petunia, but it would be tasty.

Chapter Eight

Iris dreamed of Francis that night.  She dreamed they were in a huge field of flowers, and she was standing in front of him, her body swollen with child.  "But it has to be a flower name.  Mattie said we have to name her Lavender," Iris told him earnestly.

"But it's a boy.  I know it is."

"Will you still love me if it's another girl?" she asked softly.  She pointed to the row of cradles behind her, each one with a baby in a frilly pink dress.  "I can only have girls."

She woke then, sitting straight up in bed.  She shook her head as she glanced out the window.  It was almost dawn by the looks of the sky.  Instead of trying to go back to sleep, she rolled from her bed.  It was her wedding day.  She had to look her best.

She found Edna already in the kitchen frying eggs and bacon.  "It's early, Edna Petunia.  Why are you up?"

Edna shrugged.  "I couldn't sleep.  This is a big day for both of us."  She pulled toast from the oven and buttered it.  "Do you want coffee or milk?"

Iris frowned.  "I'd better just have milk this morning.  I'm already so nervous that I think coffee would just make me worse."  She poured herself a glass of milk and automatically poured Edna some coffee.  "What are your plans for the day?" She walked around to sit at the table, facing Edna as she cooked.

Edna Petunia evaded her eyes as she'd been doing for weeks.  "I'm going to be your maid of honor, of course.  I see you finished hemming your nightgown."

Iris accepted the change of subject with no argument.  She wasn't going to ask any questions when she knew she wouldn't receive the answer anyway.  For a woman who was completely open with people she'd just met, it was odd that she was being so secretive.

"I did.  I stayed home yesterday to do it."

"You mean you stayed home because you were afraid of being alone with your fiancé.  Admit it."  Edna gave Iris a fiendish smile, as if she was delighted that Iris was only human when it came to the urges of the flesh.

Iris shrugged.  "I'm not ashamed of the feelings I have for Francis.  I think women should embrace their sexuality, not try to hide it."

"You've always been a smart one."

Iris laughed.  Edna acted as if she'd known Iris since birth when in all honesty, they'd only known one another for a few years.  "I'm not afraid to say that I'm looking forward to my wedding night."

"Are you in love?" Edna asked, her eyes sparkling with excitement.

Iris shrugged.  "You know, I'm not sure.  I think I could easily fall in love with Francis.  He's a good man, and I certainly feel a lot of passion for him.  Love?  I'm not sure if I know him well enough yet."

"Do you think he's going to make you happy?"

"I think we'll make each other happy."

"That's what really matters," Edna Petunia said as she put the food on the table.  "It's our last breakfast together."  She had tears in her eyes, but Iris knew she was trying to make light of the situation.

"It is."  Iris reached out and took Edna's hand in hers.  "I'm going to miss you, Edna Petunia.  I hope you won't disappear from my life altogether."

Edna shook her head.  "Of course, I won't.  I need to make certain you're happy with your marriage.  Your mother would never forgive me otherwise."

Iris sighed.  "She's never going to forgive
me
as it is.  I wonder if she's received my letter yet."

"You'd have heard her screech all the way from Seattle if she had.  It's fine, though.  I think you came up with a good compromise that will keep her content."

"I sure hope so.  I don't want to completely alienate my mother."

"You won't."  Edna Petunia gave Iris one of her knowing smiles.  "She loves you too much to push you out of her life."

*****

Iris wasn't surprised when she picked up her mail at the noon hour to find a letter from her mother.  What shocked her were her mother's opening words.  "Iris Sullivan, I don't care if you're a doctor or not.  If you marry that Mr. Harvey without me there, I'm going to scold you like a small child.  I refuse to let you run off and marry like your sisters did.  You will wait a respectable amount of time and allow me to plan a beautiful wedding.  Do you understand me?"

Iris put her hand over her mouth as she read the words once more.  How had her mother known?  She tried to remember exactly what she'd written in the letter home right after Mallie had broken her arm, but she only remembered complaining about the man who'd come for help and not wanted his daughter to be treated by a woman doctor.

Edna Petunia was right behind her, so she handed the older woman the letter.  Edna laughed.  "What did you expect?  Your mama knows you and your sisters.  You all do the same thing.  You meet a man who you fight with and a few weeks later you end up married to him.  It's like you're all living out your own bad romance novels."

Iris shook her head.  "Have you been reading bad romance novels again, Edna Petunia?"  She knew the old woman had a habit of buying dime novels and hiding them under her pillow, reading a little every night until the book was finally finished, and then she'd sneak off and buy another one.  She didn't know why Edna Petunia felt the need to hide her romance novel habit.  It wasn't like there was anything wrong with reading them.  At least she was reading.

"So what if I have?  I like them.  They keep my juices flowing."

Iris closed her eyes for a moment, not wanting to think about the older woman's "juices flowing" as she'd so delicately put it. 

"What?  Do you think old people don't have those feelings?  You think sex is just for young people?  Well, you're wrong!"  Edna's voice got louder and louder.

Iris looked around the mercantile where they'd picked up the letter.  No one appeared to be listening.  "I know, Edna Petunia.  If you want your juices to flow, they can flow any time."  She tucked her hand through her companion's arm.  "Let's go get ready for the wedding."

They walked along slowly, neither of them really willing to admit that their time together was over.  Iris had thought they'd at least get to work together after the wedding, but apparently even that wasn't meant to be. 

Edna carefully arranged Iris's hair and helped her dress.  The last of Iris's things were packed into a trunk.  Finally, Edna Petunia looked at the clock.  "It's time to go to the church."

Iris nodded.  "I'm ready."  Francis had promised they'd stop by her house to get the rest of her things on the way out to the ranch after the wedding.  As excited as she was to be marrying him, she suddenly felt extremely nervous.  Laughing softly, she put her hand over her stomach, trying to still her nerves.

"Butterflies in your stomach?" Edna Petunia asked.

Iris laughed.  "More like eagles.  I didn't expect to be this nervous."

"You're about to promise to spend the rest of your life with a man you've only known for two weeks.  Why wouldn't you be nervous?"

"Well, thanks for helping me calm down.  A simple, 'Everything's going to be okay,' would suffice."  Iris opened the front door, determined to walk the short distance to the church.  It was only two blocks, and there was really no need to hitch up the buggy for that short distance.  Maybe it would help calm her nerves.

When the two women reached the church, they were still arm in arm.  Tracy was waiting outside.  "Francis didn't want to see you before the wedding.  He said his first wedding didn't work out, so he wants to do everything just right on this one."  She pulled out a handkerchief.  "This belonged to Francis and Andy's mother.  It will count for something old, borrowed, and blue.  Do you have something new?"

Iris nodded.  "My hat is new."  Edna Petunia had worked hard to make her just the hat she wanted for the wedding.

"It's pretty."  Tracy's eyes landed on Edna Petunia's hat, but she didn't comment.  "I don't think I've met you yet.  I'm Tracy Harvey."

Edna accepted Tracy's outstretched hand.  "I'm Edna Petunia Blue."

"Another flower name?  Are you related to Iris then?"

Edna laughed uproariously.  "No, of course not.  I just feel like a member of the family, so I took on a flower middle name.  Do you like it?"

Tracy nodded slowly, obviously trying to decide what to think of the older woman.  "It's lovely."

Edna smiled, straightening her hat.  "I think so too."  She opened the door to the church and peeked inside.  "It looks like everyone is in place.  I'm going to go in and stand at the front."

Iris nodded.  "You do that.  I'll be right behind you."

As soon as Edna Petunia had disappeared into the church, Iris looked at Tracy.  "She's been a wonderful companion to me."  She felt like she should apologize for the older woman's quirky ways, but she just couldn't make herself do it.  "I love her like an aunt."

"She seems like an interesting woman," Tracy said carefully.  She obviously didn't want to offend Iris.

Iris laughed aloud.  "She's the most interesting woman I've ever met in my life."  She took a deep breath.  "I'm nervous."

Tracy smiled.  "You'd have to be superhuman not to be nervous.  It's hard to marry a man you've only known for a short while.  I would know."

"Oh, that's right.  You were a mail order bride.  And you've been married how long?"

"Over twenty years," Tracy said with a smile.  "It worked out well for me.  I married a good man.  You're marrying a good man as well.  He's had some rough years since Katherine died, but I think you two will be good for each other."  She paused, making a face.  "Just be patient with him."

Iris took a deep breath.  "I will be.  I need it to work.  Those little girls deserve nothing but the best."

"They're easy to love, aren't they?" Tracy asked.

"They are."  Iris closed her eyes and concentrated on breathing deeply.  "I'm doing the right thing, aren't I?"

Tracy smiled.  "I think so.  Of course, you don't know me at all."

"I'm a good judge of character though. I know you wouldn't steer me wrong."  One more deep breath and Iris announced.  "I think I'm ready."

"Oh, I almost forgot."  Tracy picked up a small bouquet of flowers she'd placed on a bench beside the front door of the church.  "Francis said to give you these."

"Oh!  My irises.  I almost forgot!"  Iris took them and inhaled deeply.  "My mother has insisted that each of her daughters have her own flower on her wedding day.  Thank you so much!"

"Francis told me you had to have them."  Tracy smiled.  "Your father's not here to give you away.  Do you want Andy to do it?  Or would you rather skip that part?"

Iris thought about it for a moment and finally shook her head. She'd seen her father walk four of her sisters down the aisle.  There was no one who could take his place for that. "If my father can't do it, then I'd rather not have anyone.  Thank you, though."

"Let me open the door for you then.  Walk straight down the aisle to the front where Francis is waiting.  The girls are bouncing up and down in the front pew on the right.  They're so excited."  She patted Iris's arm.  "It's going to be all right."

Iris smiled.  "I'm glad you're keeping them for a few days, but I'm just as glad they'll be mine soon."

"I understand completely.  You do need the time alone with Francis first."  Tracy walked to the door and opened it wide, holding it for Iris.

Iris walked slowly down the aisle toward her future husband, surprised at the number of people who had turned up for their wedding.  With only a week's notice, she'd expected most people to skip it, but it looked as if the entire town of Nowhere had come.

When she reached the front of the church, Francis took her hand in his, looking down into her eyes. 

The next few minutes were a blur as the pastor carefully led them through their vows.  Iris would never remember anything else about the ceremony except the words, "You may now kiss the bride."

Francis leaned down and kissed her, but not a sweet peck on the lips like she'd expected. He pulled her into his arms and dipped her back, kissing her madly.  The congregation laughed and cheered for them as he set her back on her feet.  The pastor introduced them as Mr. and Dr. Harvey.  The name seemed strange, but Iris knew she was doing the right thing by taking it.  She needed to have the same last name as her husband and the girls.

The girls jumped up and rushed Iris, all but knocking her down again.  Katie buried her face in Iris's bosom.  "I'm so glad you're my new ma."

Iris leaned down and kissed the top of the girl's head.  "I'm glad to have such a sweet daughter."

Mallie just stood and beamed at Iris, as if she couldn't believe her luck.  Ettie stood beside her sister.  She looked pleased but worried as well. 

Iris reached out and stroked Ettie's cheek.  "Is something wrong?"

Ettie shrugged, obviously reluctant to talk about what was bothering her.  "Not really."

Iris looked at Francis for a moment, ignoring the crowd of people around them.  "If you'll excuse us, I need to have a talk with my new daughter."  She put her hand through Ettie's arm and walked with her outside of the church, leaving Francis staring after them.