Second Chance Brides (42 page)

She stared at the man she loved, barely able to comprehend that he’d proposed. Her heart soared, and she laid her hand against his cheek. “Are you certain?”

He cupped his hand over hers, his wonderful blue eyes ablaze with love. “More than I’ve been about any other thing in my life.”

Shannon’s heart overflowed with love and happiness. Could this actually be happening? “Aye. I’ll marry you, Mark Corbett.”

He snatched her up, and their lips collided in an explosive kiss that ended far too soon. He pulled away, touching his forehead to hers. “Will you marry me tonight?”

She smiled at his eagerness and shook her head. “A girl needs time to plan these things.”

“When, then? I don’t want to take a chance on your changing your mind.”

She caressed his cheek. “There’s not a chance this side of heaven that would happen.”

Suddenly he set her back from him, his expression solemn. “What about Rand?”

“I told him tonight that I couldn’t marry him. ’twas a difficult thing to do, but I’m so glad I did now.”

“Me, too, but I do feel sorry for him. He’s a decent sort.” Mark stared down at her. “Just why did you do that?”

“My heart broke for him. He was terribly disappointed, but he deserves to marry a woman who’ll love him as I love you.”

Mark’s wide smile lit up the darkening twilight. “I love you so much. I thought I’d go crazy wanting you.”

She stepped into his embrace, and this time his kiss was light, almost teasing. She leaned in for more, but he gently pushed her back. “Careful, now. Let’s save some for the wedding night. And speaking of that, just how much time do you need to get ready?”

She tapped her lips and stared up at the dark trees above her. Light from the sunset still illuminated the western sky with gorgeous hues of pink and orange. “Hmm…I’m thinking a day.”

Mark blinked and stared as if he didn’t comprehend what she said. “Just one day?”

She shook her head. “Not even a whole day. What about a half a day?”

He smiled and caressed her hand. “Tomorrow? After the service.”

She nodded, hoping the depth of her love shone from her eyes. “Right after Dan and Leah’s wedding.”

“What? How did I miss hearing about that?”

“I saw them just before you kidnapped me.” She walloped him again.

“Ow! You gonna do that every time you mention that?”

She cocked her head and batted her lashes. “Perhaps.”

Mark reached up and rubbed the back of his neck. “I just thought of a problem.”

“What?” She couldn’t for the life of her think of anything standing in the way of them marrying.

“Where will we live?”

Suddenly she realized the dilemma. Mark shared a house with his brother. “Aye, ’tis a problem. What if we asked to use the little house next to the boardinghouse?”

Mark stood with his hands loosely anchored to his hips and shook his head. “I don’t see how that will work since there isn’t a stove for you to cook on.”

She swallowed hard. “Perhaps ’twould be best if we kept a room at the boardinghouse until we’re ready to leave for Dallas. And to be honest, I’m not too great a cook. We didn’t have much to fix back home, mostly porridge or soup.”

Mark snapped his fingers. “Aw, shucks. I was hoping not to have to cook anymore.” He kept a smile on his face, so she knew he was teasing.

“If we stayed at the boardinghouse, I imagine Rachel would be willing to teach me to cook better.”

He pulled her close and nuzzled her neck. “That idea is sounding better and better.”

She wrapped her arms around his waist and rested her head on his shoulder. How this day had changed. She’d started out intending to marry one man, but ended up with the man of her heart. An hour ago, her life looked dismal. Hopeless. But now her hope knew no bounds. God sure was in the miracle-working business.

Mark kissed her forehead. “It’s getting dark, sweetheart. I’d better get you back home before Luke starts rounding up a search party.”

“I’m so happy, Mark. I thank the good Lord you finally came to your senses.”

He placed a quick peck on her lips. “Me, too, darlin’. Me, too.”

C
HAPTER
32

E
xcitement coursed through Shannon’s limbs. In the next half hour, she would become a married woman. She would no longer be alone, but instead, she would be married to the man who’d stolen her heart.

Soon she’d be Shannon Corbett.

Mrs. Mark Corbett.

If only her mum was here with her.

She shook her head and stared at herself in the tall oval mirror in her new room on the third floor. Rachel and Leah had helped her move her things up last night once all the cheers had died down after she and Mark had told everyone they were getting married. The bedroom was a bit larger than her last one, and it had a door leading into a small parlor. The place would be perfect for them until they moved to Dallas.

She couldn’t quit smiling. During this morning’s service, every nerve had been on edge. She hadn’t been able to quit bouncing her knees, and several times, Mark had actually held them down with his hand for a brief moment.

Her heart was so full that she was afraid it might burst. Crossing the room, she stared out the window and up at the sky. “I thank You, Father, for pulling me out of the misery I was in yesterday and changing my world. Thank You for stopping me from marrying Rand, and give him a wonderful woman to love. He’s a very good man and deserves a good woman.

“And thank You so much for opening Mark’s heart. For giving him the courage to put his past behind him and pursue his dream. Thank You for everything, even bringing me to this tiny Texas town. I see now that You had Your hand on me even when I wasn’t aware of it.”

She returned to the mirror and repinned a stubborn curl that didn’t want to be held captive by the hairpin. Smoothing down her new, light green dress, she studied her image. Would Mark like what he saw? Would he be disappointed that she’d opted for a more practical dress rather than wearing white like many new brides were starting to do?

A knock sounded, pulling her away from her concerns. It was time!

She opened the door, and Rachel stood smiling at her. “Oh, you look beautiful.” Her hand lifted to the Irish lace collar. “And this is perfect. You do such fine work. I bet you could make this beautiful lace and sell it in Dallas, if you need to make some extra income while Mark is building his business.”

“Thank you. ’tis a grand idea.” Shannon dreaded the day she’d have to say good-bye to Rachel and Leah, but she would. Supporting her husband and keeping him happy would be her biggest goal from now on.

Rachel looked past her into the room. “Will this suite work for you? I know it’s not as big as Mark’s house.”

“Aye, ’tis perfect, and we don’t have to share it with Garrett.”

“Indeed. There is that.” Rachel smiled and clutched her arm. “We’d better get going before Mark thinks you’ve changed your mind.”

“That will never happen.” She bounced on her tiptoes. “Were you this excited when you married Luke?”

“Even more, I believe. I’d waited so many years for him to forgive me, and then to become his wife…” She shook her head. “It was a dream come true.”

Holding up her skirt, Shannon followed Rachel down the back stairs. “I’m so happy for you that it all worked out.”

“And now it’s working out for you and Leah. Isn’t God good?”

“Aye, He is at that.”

Rachel shook her head at the bottom of the stairs. “We’re friends now, but when y’all first came to Lookout, all vying for Luke’s hand, I didn’t have hope the size of a pea that I’d end up with him. And having to house y’all here and provide meals, well, it certainly was a test of my faith. But now I see God’s plan in all of it.”

“Aye, me, too. At first ’twas such a mess, and I thought those Corbett brothers were full of nothing but foolery and blarney.”

Rachel lifted her face to the sky. “Our God is amazing. He orders our steps, and we fuss and fight Him all the way, at times, but He sees the whole picture.”

“Aye, and now I’m to marry.”

Rachel grabbed her arm. “So true. Luke has a buggy waiting out front.”

“But ’tis only a short walk.”

“Pish posh.” Rachel swiped her hand through the air. “A bride can’t walk to her wedding.”

They arrived at the front of the house and found Leah already in the buggy—a fringed-topped surrey. She looked charming in her light blue dress, complete with the lace Shannon had made for her. “And don’t you look lovely?”

Leah pushed her skirt out of the way as Shannon sat beside her in the backseat. “Did you look in the mirror? You’re stunning.”

“Thank you, and isn’t this buggy grand?”

Leah nodded. “It is. Dan borrowed it from a man he knows in Denison. I think it’s a bit extravagant since we could walk to the church faster, but he wanted our wedding to be memorable.”

“He’s a thoughtful man.”

Luke handed Rachel up into the front seat. “Where’s Jacqueline?” she asked.

He hurried around the front of the surrey. “She’s helping Jenny Evans with her camera. Miss Evans is taking pictures. She thinks the double wedding is the biggest news since we got married.” He chuckled and climbed into the buggy. “I’m glad Jack’s friendship with Miss Evans wasn’t hurt long-term after Miss Evans published that article about the words painted on the buildings.”

“Me, too. When Jacqueline’s helping Jenny, she’s kept busy doing something productive and maybe even learning a trade.” Rachel leaned against her husband’s arm.

Shannon couldn’t wait until she was married and was free to show her husband affection in public. She glanced at Leah. “Are you certain you and Dan don’t mind having a double wedding? Mark and I are perfectly content to let you two marry first, if you wish.”

Leah grabbed her hand. Her blue eyes sparkled like only a bride-to-be’s could. “No, we love the idea. It’s perfect. You and I came to town to marry, but neither of us are marrying the man we thought we would.”

Shannon nodded and wrung her hands together. Now that the time was here, her nerves were all a twitter. Her happiness knew no bounds, but she was a simple woman. Could she make Mark happy?

The lot next to the church looked almost the same as it had when she’d left it an hour ago. With the sun shining bright and the cooler, early October temperatures, they’d decided to hold the Sunday service and wedding ceremony outside to accommodate the large crowd expected. Fortunately, no storms brewed on the horizon this day. And it looked like nearly everyone in the county, save Rand, had showed up.

“Look!” Leah pointed to where the pastor stood with Dan and Mark on either side of him. “Someone’s erected an arbor.”

“Aye, and attached flowers to it. How lovely!”

The buggy stopped, and Luke hopped out and helped each of them down. Shannon’s stomach swirled. The chicken leg and roll she’d had for dinner weren’t sitting too well, just now. Her gaze sought out Mark, and even across the distance, she could see his wide smile and twinkling eyes. Oh, how she loved him.

Rachel stood in front of her and Leah. “Let me make sure everything is perfect.” She straightened collars, checked bows, and then tapped her lips. “Something is missing. Luke?”

Luke stepped out from behind them and handed each of them a beautiful bouquet of colorful wildflowers. White, purple, yellow, and red blooms had been gathered up and tied with long, flowing ribbons that matched their ivory lace collars.

“Oh, they’re lovely.” Shannon thanked Rachel with her gaze.

Leah hugged Rachel’s neck. “Everything is perfect now.”

The fiddler and guitar player from the Saturday socials started up something that sounded like a minuet. All heads turned toward them.

“It’s time.” Rachel smiled. “Leah, you go first and join Dan, and then Shannon will follow.”

Leah stole a quick glance at Shannon. “I know we started out as adversaries, but I’m so grateful to God that we became friends.” She gave Shannon a quick hug and started up the aisle.

Dan’s nieces and nephews turned in the seats on the front row, and the oldest boy yelled, “Hurry.”

A chuckle reverberated through the crowd. When Leah was halfway up the row between the benches, Rachel gave Shannon a gentle nudge. “Your turn. Go meet your beloved.”

Shannon’s heart took wing and sailed high. She peeked at Luke as she passed by, and he winked at her. Then her gaze found Mark’s. He stood tall, so handsomely dressed in a new black suit. His curly blond hair gleamed in the afternoon sun, and his eyes drew her like a butterfly to a flower’s nectar.

He held out his hand as she drew near, then pulled her to his side and leaned close to her ear. “You’re the most beautiful thing I’ve ever seen. Looks like Corbetts’ Matrimony Service has another success story.”

Shannon giggled.

The pastor cleared his throat and eyed Mark over his glasses. “Shall we begin?”

Shannon listened to his opening words, and then the pastor moved to his right and let Dan and Leah recite their vows first. She listened, but her thoughts were elsewhere. She was awed at the steps God had taken to bring her to this point in life. First she left Ireland because of her da’s restlessness and desire to live in America. But her parents died, and a series of events left her so desperate that she’d agreed to become a mail-order bride and marry a stranger. Then she was one of the leftover brides—the boardinghouse brides—when Luke chose Rachel, but God brought Mark into her life.