Plain Trouble (9 page)

A thousand reasons pelted her mind, but she refused to consider any of them. Rather, she reached across the bench and grasped Pa’s free hand then slid him a smile.

“We’re still gonna need you at home, Bessie Mae. Don’t you ever think you’re not welcome.”

Bess sighed. “Thank you, Pa. We’ll see how things turn out.” The last thing she wanted to be was the third person in a newly married couple’s home.

The buggy arrived at the church, and Bess slid out to hurry to the church’s side door. There she found Ida waiting for her. The older woman looked beautiful in the new dress Bess had helped her pick out.
 

“Where are they?”

Ida opened the door to the pastor’s study revealing the best Christmas gift of all: her sisters and their families. Lena and Sally both started chattering at once. Their combined five children, technically five and one half with Lena being in the family way, kept the room lively and the love flowing.
 

Ida, bless her heart, stood by patiently and waited for the noise to settle down before gently nudging Bess. “I think we ought to continue this later,” she said. “Pa’s waiting.”

Indeed, a glance around the corner proved that the groom now stood at the altar beside the pastor. As the music rose, Bess gestured to the door.
 

“Won’t you girls lead the way?” Ida asked. “I would love nothing better.”

“Shall we go out oldest to youngest, or oldest to youngest,” Lena said as she gathered Sally close.
 

“I think oldest to youngest,” Ida declared. “Now line up and let’s get this wedding started.”

While Sally and Lena’s husbands led the children down the aisle toward the family pew up front, Bess offered Ida a hug. “I’m so glad you’re going to be joining our family,” she said.
 

The men returned and Ida grinned. “All right, ladies, shall we?”

Linking arms with their husbands, Lena and Sally made their way down the aisle. Finally it was Bess’s turn.
 

“I guess I’ve got to go it alone.”
Bessie Mae, plain as day.
The statement haunted her for the first time since Joe left.

Ida reached for her overlarge bouquet then divided it in half. “Here, dear,” she said. “It’ll give you something to hold onto.”

Bess took it reluctantly, feeling a bit silly as she stepped into the church. None of her sisters held flowers so what would possess Idea to insist?

If only Joe was here.

Then she spied him. Standing at the altar. Beside Pa.

Her sisters were grinning. A glance behind her told Bess that Ida was, too.

“Go on, dear,” Ida said. “You and Joe can have your turn at the preacher first. Alpheus and I have waited this long. We can surely spare a few more minutes.”

“But, I…” She shook her head as she turned her attention to Joe. “He hasn’t even asked me to marry him yet.”

“About that.” Joe moved toward her. “You see, a fellow takes his time getting to know the young lady, but I’m due back in San Antonio by New Years’ Day. I’d have to say this makes our situation a bit of an emergency.”

Bess glanced around at the citizens of Bitter Springs gathered in the old familiar pews. Even Mrs. Schmidt smiled at her.
 

“But you…we haven’t courted properly.”

His gaze scorched her. “Considering the timetable we’re working with, I’d say our courting schedule might be hurried up a bit.”

“I see.” She smiled. “So, how long have we been standing here?”

“Going on a minute,” Cal Schmidt called, pointing to his watch.

 
Joe moved closer. “One minute already? Guess that makes it time.”
 

Their noses were nearly touching as he wrapped his arm around her shoulder. “Definitely time,” he added in a voice meant for her alone.

“Time for what?” she whispered against his cheek.

“Time for me to make up a new rhyme about you.” Joe paused to lean back a notch and look into her coffee-colored eyes. “Bessie Mae,” he said softly, “you’re going to kiss me today.”

And she did.

“Excuse me, you two” the pastor called. “There’s a little formality called a wedding vow you’ll need to speak before you can do any more of that.”

“Shall we, Bess?” Joe asked. Then he shook his head. “Wait, all teasing aside, let me do this properly.”

Right there in the middle aisle of the church, Joe got down on one knee. “Bessie Mae, will you marry me today?”

And the bride said yes.

So much for nothing ever happening in Bitter Springs, Texas.

Do you enjoy reading stories about Texas women,
 

past and present,

and the men they love?
 

Stories that show just what ladies from the Lone Star state are made of?

Stories that prove a cowgirl—or reporter, or Southern belle or…well, you get the

idea—always gets her guy?

Then look for the
Brides of Texas Novellas
logo!

Always set in Texas and never far from happily ever after
..

Books in the series:

Coffee Scoop

Plain Trouble

——————

Find out more about Kathleen Y’Barbo
 

by visiting her website at
 

www.kathleenybarbo.com