Homespun Bride

to him.
    If her heart squeezed with caring, then it was an emotion she could not afford to acknowledge. Wherever he was this morning, she hoped the Lord would bless him and hold him safe.
    * * *
    After attending Sunday service, Noelle felt more at peace. Of course, the delicious roasted goose and trimmings for Sunday dinner might have helped, too. Full and content, she sipped at her piping hot cup of tea while Sadie padded around the table, clearing away the dessert plates. She might not have seen Thad for the better part of a week, but he was never far from her thoughts.
    The family’s cheerful din rose up around her. There was some discussion as to the extent of Angelina’s bad behavior earlier in Sunday school. Voices rose and fell in discussion, and Noelle had to wonder. If her parents had not intervened, she would be married to Thad. Would she have children? Would she and Thad have been happy? Would she still have her sight and her parents? Would she still be the full-hearted girl she’d once been?
    “Noelle, are you feeling well, dear?” Henrietta’s concern broke into her thoughts. “You look troubled.”
    Troubled? How could she begin to explain? “I’m fine, truly.”
    “You were overheated at the dress shop yesterday. It’s a wonder you haven’t caught your death. A heater in every room is lunacy. What are people thinking nowadays? You ought to lie down for a bit.”
    “Goodness, no.” She couldn’t resist teasing her aunt just a little. “I actually feel quite healthy. Perhaps that is due to that overly warm dress shop.”
    Angelina burst out laughing. “Yes, Mama. We must get a heater in every room. Maybe even a furnace.”
    “It would be very practical,” Minnie chimed in. “We wouldn’t have to wear our woolen underwear all the time. It’s scratchy.”
    “Girls.” Henrietta did her best to sound shocked at the mention of undergarments, but there was the warmth of amusement in her voice. “Settle down and stop this teasing. We’re at the table.”
    “Where we could use a heater,” Minnie pointed out. “I’m always stuck in the drafty corner.”
    The maid padded from the direction of the kitchen. “Looks as if we have company on the way.”
    “Company? On Sunday afternoon?” Henrietta’s chair scraped against the floor, as if she were standing up to take a peek out the window. “Goodness, it’s a horse and sleigh. I don’t know that horse. Whoever could it be?”
    There were rustles of movement as if everyone were taking a look. Robert’s low chuckle was sheer amusement. “It looks like a caller coming for one of the girls.”
    “A suitor!” Angelina sounded intrigued. “But Mama won’t let us have a beau until we’re eighteen.”
    “Perhaps it’s for Matilda,” Minnie offered.
    “Oh, there would be no one coming for me.” Matilda’s tone was light.
    Noelle wasn’t fooled. She didn’t know if she was the only one who could hear the quiet despair—or, maybe it was just empathy. Matilda might be without prospects, but she wasn’t the only one. She regretted her words to Tilly.
    Dear, Lord, she prayed with all her heart. Please let it be someone for Matilda.
    “I know who that is!” Minnie’s voice hit a few high notes of delight. “It’s Mr. McKaslin.”
    Thad? Her teacup hit its saucer with a clatter.
    All around her chairs were scraping back, shoes beat away from the table, and Robert chuckled warmly. “I wondered how long it would take that fellow to get up his gumption.”
    “The gumption for what?” Noelle asked him.
    “You’d best get your coat. Looks like he’s coming up to the door.”
    Sure enough, the door was rasping open and Henrietta’s voice rose above Angelina’s and Minnie’s footeps. “Mr. McKaslin! What a pleasure to see you on this fine afternoon. What can I do for you?”
    “Is Noelle at home?”
    So he’d come for her, just as he’d promised. Noelle tried to ignore the buzzing expectation in the air and everyone’s advice. From Matilda’s quietly spoken, “Oh, just what I’d been praying for!” to Robert’s advice, “Go on, now, go have a nice time,” to Angelina’s shocking comment, “I’m predicting a May wedding. June at the latest.”
    She truly hoped Thad had not heard that. She was on her feet without realizing it. Matilda had her elbow and guided her to the front door. Henrietta thrust the coat into her hands. And Thad was there, his unmistakable presence had her turning toward him, and she felt