Mail-Order Christmas Brides Boxed Set (74 page)

* * *

The next morning was clear and the sun was shining. The snow on the ground was melting slightly when Adam came in the cabin, saying he was going to ride over and tell the Hargroves to meet them at the church in Miles City while the women got dressed.

“I can’t wait until we have our own church out here,” Adam said before he left. “And a school. Jake says enough families are settling around here that we’ll have a community before we know it.”

Eleanor changed into her pink calico dress after he left and tried to tame her curls enough to make her hair look dignified.

“Here, let me,” Mrs. Martin finally said and managed to make her hair respectable for the day.

“Thank you,” Eleanor said.

The other woman waved her words away. “I have something for you, too. Let me get it.”

She came back with a strand of white pearls, unclasping them and putting them around Eleanor’s neck.

“My mother gave me those pearls,” she said. “I’d like to give them to you for a wedding present. The only request I make is that you give them to Hannah on her wedding day, too.”

Eleanor blinked back her tears. “I don’t know what to say.”

“Say we’re family,” the older woman said brusquely. “And don’t cry all over that pretty dress of yours.”

“Yes, Mother,” Eleanor said and watched the other woman as a slow smile spread over her face.

The ride into Miles City was shorter than Eleanor remembered it being when she went the opposite direction that day she had stepped off the train. Adam kept whistling, and Eleanor found herself humming along.

They stopped at the mercantile when they first drove into Miles City because Adam said the storekeeper would need time to get their order together. Eleanor was pleased to be given a letter from her friend Felicity.

“See, she is alive,” Eleanor told everyone once they were back on the wagon. “The woman I met on the railroad coming out here.”

“Well, what does she say?” Adam’s mother asked.

Eleanor opened the letter and read it quickly. “All is well. I need to write her back and tell her that Adam and I are getting married.”

“Well, of course you are,” the older woman said. “That’s why you came out here, isn’t it?”

Adam chuckled at that and Eleanor joined in. Then, right there in the middle of the street of Miles City, he stopped the wagon and turned to brush a kiss across her lips.

A cheer went up from a group of people waiting on the porch of the church and Eleanor looked over to see the Hargroves standing in front of several men, women and children.

“There’s our wedding party,” Adam said as he started the horses moving again.

“Hey, aren’t you supposed to wait and kiss the bride
after the ceremony?” one of the men shouted from the church.

Adam chuckled and yelled back, “I plan to kiss her every chance I get.”

And, to prove his point, he leaned toward her again.

Eleanor barely had sense enough after that kiss to wonder if she should recommend this mail-order business to some of her friends back East. Love happened in wonderful ways when it started with a letter.

Dear Reader,

I can practically see the candle in the window that shone out into the night. Few people in the Montana territory had many possessions, but almost everyone had at least that much to mark the day.

I am a big fan of traditions at Christmas, whether it’s a well-placed candle or an evening of caroling. This Christmas, I hope you will find a way to honor His birth that makes you feel closer to others. I always look forward to a Christmas Eve church service and would recommend you find one in your area. And then, afterward, stand and look at the sky for a few minutes, wondering what it would have been like for the wise men to follow a star that was leading them to Jesus.

If you have a minute, I would love to hear from you. Just go to my website at
www.janettronstad.com
and email me from there. May you have a blessed Christmas this year.

Sincerely,

Questions for Discussion

1. Eleanor McBride went West to marry a man she did not know because her father had died and her future was uncertain. Have you ever been in a situation where you have reached for something that was a little scary because you felt you had no choice? What happened?
   
2. One of Eleanor’s most precious possessions was the telescope that belonged to her father. What do you think that telescope says about her relationship with her father? Do you have something that represents a close relationship in your life?
   
3. I have often wondered how difficult it would be to homestead in the West. But, in truth, we all face new challenges in our lives—things we feel unprepared to face. What are some of those things in your life?
   
4. Because Eleanor was Irish, she saved a candle to put in the window on Christmas Eve. Do you have any Christmas traditions related to your heritage? What are they?
   
5. Adam Martin’s faith was dormant. It was there, but so weak he scarcely thought of God. What caused this for Adam? Have you ever found yourself in the same situation? What scripture verses
   would you recommend to someone who felt God had abandoned them?
   
6. Adam’s mother was so certain she knew what was best for Adam and his daughter, that she almost alienated them. What scripture verses would you suggest for her if she asked for some guidance?
   

We hope you enjoyed these heartwarming tales from

Love Inspired® Historical
.

Travel back in time and follow Christian characters as they face the challenges of life and love
.

Historical romances of adventure and faith.

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new
stories every month!

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eISBN-13: 978-1-4603-4925-0

Mail-Order Christmas Brides Boxed Set
Copyright © 2014 by Harlequin Books S.A.

The publisher acknowledges the copyright holder of the individual works as follows:

Mail-Order Mistletoe Brides
Copyright © 2012 by Harlequin Books S.A.

Christmas Hearts
Copyright © 2013 by Jill Strickler

Mistletoe Kiss in Dry Creek
Copyright © 2013 by Janet Tronstad

Mail-Order Holiday Brides
Copyright © 2013 by Harlequin Books S.A.

Home for Christmas
Copyright © 2012 by Jill Strickler

Snowflakes for Dry Creek
Copyright © 2012 by Janet Tronstad

Mail-Order Christmas Brides
Copyright © 2011 by Harlequin Books S.A.

Her Christmas Family
Copyright © 2011 by Jill Strickler

Christmas Stars for Dry Creek
Copyright © 2011 by Janet Tronstad

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