Homespun Bride

Worthington.
    Matilda’s steps padded a little heavier than usual down the hallways. “Uh, I don’t know why Mama is going on about Miss Bell. You know that Angelina was smoking behind the outhouses. The more Mama refuses to see it, the more outrageous she behaves.”
    Noelle heard a muted clunk, realizing that Tilly was carrying the warmed flatirons for their beds. She rinsed and dropped her toothbrush into her cup by the basin. “Henrietta loves her daughters so much, she cannot find a single flaw in any of you.”
    How she wished she still had her own mother to do the same.
    “Mama made comments all through dinner how she thought my wedding should be, much grander, of course, than Lanna’s.” The bedclothes rustled and snapped. “Who does she think I’m going to marry? No one has ever come calling. I’m not exactly pretty like my sisters are.”
    “You are lovely in your own way.”
    “That’s another way of saying that I’m plain.” She sighed deeply.
    “No, dear heart, not at all.” Poor Matilda. Noelle rembered when she had been that naive and young—it had been like walking with her heart wide-open. Fairy-tale love could lift a girl right out of her shoes. She might have walked on thin air for the better part of her courtship with Thad—and probably had for half of this evening, too.
    “I’m just starting to fear I’ll have to live with my mother forever.” Tilly sighed again.
    Noelle listened to the rustle and chink as the flatirons clinked into place. “I know what it is like to have a heart full of love to share and no one to give it to.”
    “Perhaps we shall be old maids together. I’ll read to you at night, and study from the Bible as we do now. I’ll take care of you.”
    “I would not wish such a fate for you, to take care of me. You deserve a good man to love you truly.” She went to her bedside table. “I owe you an apology, Tilly.”
    “Whatever for?”
    “I gave you some bad advice about Emmett Sims.” She pulled open the drawer and felt for her button-hook. “I should have told you that I hope he feels the same way about you, and if he does, to hold on to that love and protect it from all things.”
    “But I thought—”
    “I told you that love is frail and not to place all your hopes on it, but there is nothing greater than love. The Bible tells us so. I think I’m finally understanding. God’s love for us is not trifling or fleeting or simple. It is the greatest strength, the greatest loyalty, and it is complex. Love is the only thing strong enough to put your hope on.”
    “Is that what you did once? With Thad?”
    She had thought it was love—and Thad—at fault, but that was not true. As she unhooked one button and then the next, she thought of all that had happened, all that she had lost.
    Oh, Papa, how could you have done such a thing? Her father’s intervention and his stubborn will had changed her life. He had destroyed her one real chance at loving Thad. Now it would be forever too late. Thad was going on with his life. She had to go on with hers. Maybe Matilda would have a better experience.
    “Don’t give up hope, Tilly.” She started loosening her other shoe. “Perhaps we ought to have our next dress purchases delivered. What do you think?”
    “Oh, Mama would not approve of that.”
    “Spring is almost here. You might need a few new dresses and bonnets. I can arrange it when I’m in town next.”
    “Oh, I would be too embarrassed. As much as I wish for it, I don’t think Emmett Sims is interested in me.” Matilda, the dear she was, didn’t sound sad, only wistful. Her bed ropes squeaked as if she had sat down on the edge of her mattress. “A few more years, and I’ll be on the shelf. I’m never going to get married.”
    I know the feeling. Noelle ached for her younger cousin. “I would hold out hope, if I were you. Something tells me that Mr. Emmett Sims might have noticed you.”
    Tilly remained quiet, but there was hope in the air. The floorboard outside the door gave a tiny squeak. Was it Angelina? Noelle wondered, as bare feet padded quietly into the room.
    “Angelina!” Tilly scolded in a low voice. “You are not supposed to be out of bed. Didn’t Mama just hand down a punishment?”
    “Yes, but she’s helping Papa, so she won’t know that I’m out of bed unless you tell her.” Angelina’s whisper floated closer.
    Noelle felt the foot of her bed dip and turned toward her troublesome cousin. “Do you really think