Perfectly Matched (The Blue Willow Brides Book #3): A Novel (25 page)

Dazzling sunshine and crisp air made a perfect day that filled Anna with energy—and today she would need it. The bake sale started at two o’clock, and she was already wishing she had an extra set of hands. Still in her dressing gown, she pulled the living room curtains aside. Barren limbs, now stripped of their fall foliage, created a sharp contrast against the evergreens lining the distant hillsides. She was ready for that drive to the mountains outside of Denver. Hopefully Sunday would prove to be just as spectacular.

She finished her coffee, then donned a sage-green plaid dress with deep pleated cuffs and black trim lace at the hem. A deep rust ribbon held the pleated bustle at the top. A black feather adorned her plumed hat whose high brim was turned up. Very seasonal, she mused while looking at her reflection.

“You look wonderful, my sweet!” Edward said. He came up behind her, slipped his arms about her slender waist, and rocked side to side.

Anna loved the feel of his arms and stared at the reflection of the two of them—inseparable, they were. She couldn’t be happier. “You don’t look so bad yourself, dear husband of mine.” He was wearing a suede coat the color of wheat with
dark brown trousers. “I think we’re going to enjoy the bake sale. I’m glad that I got up early to make the apple dumplings. I just hope someone wishes to buy them!”

Edward turned her to face him. “You must be kidding. Of course someone will buy them, and if they don’t, I will. You know they’re my favorite dessert.”

She looked up, smiling back at him. He lowered his head to kiss her, lingering a moment or two until she gave him a gentle shove. “No time for tomfoolery now. We must get going. I promised Mary that I’d be there early to set up the tables.”

Edward pursed his lips, making a pitiful pout. “I’m offended,” he teased. “I’m ready when you are. Did you put Cricket in the kitchen? You know I don’t like her to roam the house—all that cat hair . . .”

“Yes, I did.” Anna tweaked his nose. “I’ll go get Frankie and Scruffy while you get the platter of apple dumplings.” She scooted out to get the dogs, anticipating her very first fund-raiser.

Sarah and Mary, Pastor Buchtel’s wife, were already at the church when they arrived. It had been decided the bake sale would be held in the church’s courtyard. Some men were carrying tables onto the lawn where they would place the baked goods. Chris had parked the ASPCA wagon right next to the sidewalk for all to see, and Sarah had hung the banner she’d made across the wrought-iron gate to direct visitors to the fund-raiser.

“Hello,” Anna called out, her hand gripped firmly around Scruffy’s and Frankie’s leashes while Edward parked their buggy.

Mary and Sarah looked up as Anna entered the courtyard. “Hi there, Anna—the star of the fund-raiser!” Mary said.

“I’m no star, but these fellas might be.” She patted each dog
on the head and they obediently sat back on their haunches. She rewarded them with a bit of jerky. “Good boys.”

“Is the plan for someone to adopt them today?” Sarah asked, unfolding a tablecloth.

“I hope so. If not, then they’ll just come back home with me.”

Mary gave the dogs a friendly pat. “Is the shelter finished?”

“Yes, and what a fine job Edward and Daniel did getting the place fixed up. Perfect timing for me to announce it today and beg for volunteers.”

Mary smiled. “Great! Why don’t you get the dogs settled, and then maybe you could help us tag the cakes and pastries as they’re brought in.”

“Absolutely,” Anna replied. She was just turning around when Mary Elitch came walking up with a huge and beautifully decorated chocolate cake. “Goodness! What a pretty cake, Mary.”

She beamed. “I had my chef make this especially for your fund-raiser.” She handed it to Sarah for the table.

“I have a feeling Edward is going to be your highest bidder.” Anna giggled.

Edward walked up at that moment. “Hello, Mary. Anna’s told me about you. And she may be right—I love chocolate.”

Mary nodded to him. “Edward, so nice to meet you. Your wife is really working hard to protect animals in our city.”

He nodded. “She certainly is,” he answered, flashing a grin at Anna. She was suddenly struck by her intense love for him.

“Mary, I could not have accomplished all of this unless Edward had been supportive of my plans. He’s not only been supportive, but he’s worked hard to get the shelter in shape with our friend Daniel’s help.”

“I see,” she said, giving Edward a look of appraisal. “You’re
much like my husband—my partner in the Elitch Gardens. We’re working hard to open soon. Surely you’ve heard about it?”

“Who hasn’t? We’ll be one of your first customers to visit the gardens,” Edward said.

“That would be grand. Well, it was lovely to speak with you, but let me move aside now. You have a line of people coming in with their donations.” Turning to Anna, she said, “I hope the fund-raiser is a huge success.”

“You’re not leaving, are you?” Anna frowned. She enjoyed Mary’s effervescent personality and energy.

“Oh no. I’ll be circulating around and about to put in a good word for you.” She winked, then strolled away.

Sarah and Mary Buchtel were soon very busy receiving the baked goods. Anna wrote down every person’s name and what they brought. When she had a moment, she walked over to where the dogs lay under a tree with seeming disinterest in all the comings and goings, and glanced over her prepared speech. Why did speaking always make her so nervous? A sudden gust of wind nearly tore her hat off, and her speech went flying away. She sighed, realizing she’d have to speak from her heart instead.

She looked up to see children running through the courtyard, the boys sometimes chasing the girls, who pretended not to care until the boys pulled their pigtails. She couldn’t help but laugh as she watched their carefree ways. Secretly she hoped to have her own children soon to enjoy. She wanted a son who looked like Edward but wasn’t nearly as restrained.

Watching him talking to Callie and Daniel and Pearl, she felt amazed at how far they’d come in a few short weeks. She felt sure God’s blessing was as much upon their marriage as her endeavors to protect His creatures.

Chris stood by the now-laden tables—which bore every kind of dessert one could imagine—and flirted with Sarah. Anna was glad they’d started courting, but even happier that Sarah had turned out to be such a jewel. She wasn’t sure how she could have accomplished everything without Sarah’s help. She smiled at them and thought they made a good match.

Ella and Ernie waved to her from the other side of the courtyard, and she returned the wave just as Harvey, led by Moose, showed up.

Anna crossed her arms, looking with satisfaction at the crowd—some of whom she didn’t know and others who had generously brought something to the fund-raiser today. She caught a glimpse of Patty and Polly talking with Pastor Buchtel, who signaled to her that it was finally time to begin.

“Ready, my little one?” Edward asked as he walked up.

Anna took a deep breath. “I think so. Wish me luck!”

Mary Buchtel rang the courtyard bell to get everyone’s attention, and folks crowded around. Near the food tables, someone had set up a small podium for her to speak from to begin the fund-raiser. Edward kept his hand at Anna’s elbow, steering her to the podium. He remained next to her as she began speaking.

“Friends, I’m so glad you all turned out today to be a part of the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals. I’m Anna Parker, and this is my husband, Edward.” She paused while there was applause from the crowd. Now that she was facing them, she was thrilled with the large turnout. “This wonderful organization started years ago in New York. The bake sale, or should I say fund-raiser, today will help our chapter for abandoned and abused animals. With the help of volunteers and citizens’ generous donations, the chapter is ready to open its first animal shelter this weekend.”

There was more applause.

“Thank you so much for your support, and if any of you would consider being a volunteer, please let me know after the fund-raiser. There are a lot of goodies for you to take advantage of. And if you look to your left, I have brought along two very sweet dogs that need good homes. To prove to you how valuable a dog can be, one that I’ve rescued has now become a seeing-eye assistant to a friend of mine. You can see Harvey sitting over there with his companion, Moose.”

Suddenly everything became a blur before her eyes. At the mention of his name, Moose barked loudly at Anna and ran toward her, and then Frankie and Scruffy took off after him. But before she could reach out to pet Moose, he ran right up to the table next to her, his lumbering body stumbling over her feet. Being as tall as he was, he was the perfect height for his face to land smack-dab in the center of Mary Elitch’s seven-layer chocolate cake. Before Sarah or Mary could move, the other two dogs ran barking toward Moose, enjoying the fray. They chased each other under the table while Moose turned his attention to Patty’s lemon pie, making himself a nice white mustache of meringue, oblivious to the yells of the frantic ladies.

Slipping right past Anna and Edward, Frankie and Scruffy went barreling toward Moose again, landing hard against him. Moose’s weight jarring against the table caused it to topple over. All the delectable desserts went sliding to the ground just as Frankie took hold of a corner of the tablecloth and dragged it through the yard. Moose and Scruffy followed, ears flying and tails straight out, as food containers rolled onto the grass.

All in a matter of seconds, the crowd gasped and yelled and Anna screamed, “Moose! Stop! Frankie!” She sprang
into action with Edward at her side, trying to control the dogs before they ran pell-mell into a middle-aged lady leaning over to place a silver tray of cookies on the next table. She never saw Frankie coming toward her from behind. He jumped hard against her, and she fell onto the table, arms splayed out into pies, gooey cakes, and brownies. Her face landed with a splat right in a large bowl of creamy vanilla custard and whipped cream.

Chris, Daniel, and their helper Alan were in hot pursuit of Frankie and Scruffy about the same time that Edward caught up with Moose. Anna stood surveying the disaster with shock and horror, her arms akimbo, heart pounding, skirt twisted, hat askew, and hair a mess. How could this have happened? The fund-raiser was ruined! Sarah and Mary were picking up the flipped-over desserts with hopeless expressions. Mary shook her head, and the long look on Sarah’s face said it all.

“Well!” The middle-aged lady, who was being assisted by Alan and Edward, attempted to wipe the creamy custard off her face, and Alan started laughing. Anna saw the look on the lady’s face and shot him a stern look. He instantly clamped his mouth shut. Harvey stood shaking his head, apologizing to Mary and Sarah, whose hands were now covered with a variety of gooey delights.

“I’ve never been so humiliated in all my life. Trained assistant dog, huh?” the lady exclaimed. “Don’t expect a donation from me, Mrs. Parker.” Then she stalked off before Anna could reply. A few others began to leave. With no baked goods, there was no reason now for anyone to stay.

What could she say? No one would want to adopt Frankie or Scruffy now! She scolded the dogs, now that Alan and the others had them in control.

Anna began to cry. The crowd, quelled by the mishap,
stood wondering what to do next, while some of the ladies who’d brought desserts quietly turned to retrieve their dishes, admonishing their children not to laugh.

Edward took her hand. “Anna, it will be all right. It’s not your fault,” he said gently.

The others nodded. “Folks won’t blame you,” Daniel said.

Edward gave her his handkerchief, and Anna wiped her eyes. Mary, the pastor’s wife, was speaking from the podium, saying something about planning an event for next week, when Mary Elitch walked up to her.

“May I?” she asked.

Mary Buchtel nodded, an odd look on her face, as Anna watched.

Mary Elitch cleared her throat. “Please, can I have your attention for just a few minutes longer?”

Everyone who was left in the courtyard stilled.

“My new friend Anna has worked so hard to make our city aware of the needs of our animal friends. What started out with a vast variety of delicious-looking desserts was quickly ruined by three playful and, ahem, unruly dogs. But remember, these dogs weren’t given a home with a master who trained them—they were dropped off in the cold streets of Denver.” She paused. “Now, some of you know that my husband and I are working to create a theme park for families to enjoy. Part of the showcase will be animals—some exotic. God has blessed us in many ways, and I consider it an honor to contribute to the ASPCA. I will match dollar for dollar each and every donation you make today. But today only!”

“What?”
Anna could barely speak. A twitter carried throughout the surprised crowd until it became a loud crescendo. Edward hugged Anna, and there was a hoot from Alan. Daniel and Chris clapped and others followed suit.

Mary smiled at Anna. “So if you want to contribute, please come now. If Anna will make her way to the podium, which looks to be the only thing still standing, she will be happy to tally up the donations. Then I will make my personal contribution.”

Anna started to cry again and tried to pull herself together as Edward urged her to the front of the crowd. Amid thundering applause, dozens of people made their way forward. “God has answered my prayers,” she whispered to Edward.

The fund-raiser results astounded Anna. Because of Mary Elitch’s gracious offer to match donations, her ASPCA chapter had more than enough to hire someone to be at the shelter part-time to begin with. Although some left grumbling and complaining about the waste of time and food donated, Alan and his mother both agreed to volunteer a couple of days a week once things got under way.

“I’m not sure I’ve ever seen you look as happy as you do right now,” Edward commented on the way home.

Anna tilted her head and gave him a sly look. “Are you sure about that?”

Edward’s face reddened. “Well, I . . . uh . . . there were those other private times.” He chuckled.

“That’s better! I was beginning to wonder if those times had made any impression on you.” Of course she knew that
he
knew what she was talking about.

She was in a great mood. Even the look of horror on Patty’s face when Moose had taken a hunk of her lemon pie couldn’t dampen her spirits now. She laughed.

Edward glanced at her. “What are you laughing about?”

“I was thinking about the look on Patty’s face and the lady who fell into the custard. It’s all so funny in hindsight.” She
started laughing hard, holding her sides, and Edward joined her. They cackled until tears ran down their faces.

“What a mess those dogs made!” Edward wiped his eyes, then nudged Cloud homeward.

“Didn’t they?” She sobered. “I couldn’t believe old Moose could even move that fast.” She paused, licking her lips. “I was so afraid that after we cleaned up, you’d be telling me that you wanted no part of this crazy scheme of mine to rescue animals.”

Edward pulled the carriage to the side of the road, draping the reins over the side as he twisted in his seat to face her. Taking one of her hands in his, he held her eyes. “Anna, I admit to those doubts in the beginning when all this started, but your genuine love for animals won me over. You know it’s not that I never liked dogs before.”

Anna started to speak, but he placed a finger over her mouth, shushing her. “I’m beginning to enjoy the dogs and yes, I’ll admit, Cricket too. I admire what you’re trying to do, and anything you’re passionately involved in I want to know about and help with if possible. I’m starting to think you’re a lot more complicated than I first thought. But I’m in this with you, and I couldn’t be prouder!” He tapped her nose. “Now, not another word. Let’s get these dogs home and feed that whining cat of yours.” He chuckled.

Tears filled Anna’s eyes, and she was speechless. She nodded, squeezing his hand.

The trolley stopped at Wynkoop and 17th Street. Edward quickly leapt off and, with a spring in his step, made his way across the street to Union Station. It was a magnificently large building, and he paused to gaze up at the massive clock centered high above the stone entrance. It read 10:25 as he
pulled out his pocket watch. The clock was wrong—it was 10:30. The maintenance people clearly did need him.

He stepped inside the vast waiting area, looking for the main offices. This was the very place he’d first laid eyes on Anna, and he recalled how sweet and innocent she appeared. This would always be a special place to him.

He smiled. Things were working out very well at the bank, his shop was gaining more customers, and he felt confident once again—mostly because he’d married a gal who made him feel like there wasn’t anything he couldn’t set his mind to and accomplish. Who would’ve ever thought that a mail-order bride would turn out to be the person he truly wanted to spend the rest of his life with? He’d heard tales of other brides who came but then left just as suddenly.
Yes indeed, Edward, you’re a very lucky man God has smiled upon.

He pushed past the long line of folks waiting to buy train tickets or waiting for arrivals and saw the sign pointing to the offices upstairs. He was eager to get started on perfecting the time.

Callie was coming over any minute to style her hair, so Anna hurried through her chores, returned two phone calls, and fed the dogs and the cat. No one had adopted Frankie after the shenanigans that he and Moose pulled at the fund-raiser, but she hadn’t placed him in the shelter because of Edward’s growing affection for him. Maybe, just maybe, Edward would want to keep him as his own dog.

The doorbell rang, but when she answered it wasn’t Callie. It was a special delivery.

“Are you Mrs. Edward Parker?” the man asked.

“Yes, that’s me.”

“Wait right here, I have a box to deliver to you.” He looked down at his clipboard. “From a Mrs. Peter Anderson?”

“Oh yes. That’s my sister.” Anna couldn’t imagine what Catharine could be sending to her.

The delivery man jogged back to his wagon and proceeded to haul a medium-sized box up to the porch. “If you’ll sign here, ma’am.”

“I’ll be happy to.” Anna scribbled her name. “Do you mind bringing it into the living room for me?”

“Not at all,” he answered and carried the box inside. “Here ya go. Have a nice day.”

“A moment, please.” Anna walked over to her desk for some coins from her purse and handed them to the man. “Thanks so much.”

“Much obliged,” he said, tipping his hat, then scrambled down the walk back to his wagon.

She took the scissors from the desk and sat down on the couch with Cricket next to her, wondering what Catharine had sent. Her school mementos? Some clothes she’d left behind? She slit the cord, opened the box, and found a note from Catharine lying on top.

My dearest Anna,

I’m so sorry that I missed sending you a wedding gift, but I’ve never been so busy—I’ve been preparing a nursery for another baby!

I’m happy to hear about your plans for homeless animals. Do write me soon.

Best wishes for a bright future with Edward.

Love, Catharine

What in heaven’s name did you send, Catharine?
Anna set the letter aside, lifted the heavy paper, and found individually wrapped items beneath it. She unwrapped one of the lumps of paper and exclaimed loudly enough that Cricket jumped off the couch. “Oh my dear sweet heavens!”

She let the paper fall to the floor, revealing a Blue Willow plate—just like her mother’s and Catharine’s. Tears of joy sprang to her eyes as she recalled how Peter had given Catharine a set of Blue Willow dishes. Their mother’s china had broken on their voyage to America, and Catharine had managed to salvage only a few pieces from the set.

Anna continued to unwrap the package to discover that it was a four-place setting—a starter set, but oh, how it made Anna’s heart soar. She wished her sister had a phone so that she could call her personally.

Carefully she set the dishes back inside the box and carried them to the dining room table as Cricket ran ahead. She couldn’t wait to tell Edward, but he’d gone to Union Station this morning and was now busy with customers in his shop, so she wouldn’t interrupt. Tonight they were having dinner at Mary Elitch’s restaurant—just the two of them. It would be nice to get away from all the demands they’d both had the last few weeks.

“Anna?” Callie called out.

“I’m in the dining room, Callie,” she answered. She’d almost forgotten their hair date.

“The door was open, so I let myself in. Hope you don’t mind,” Callie said as she entered the dining room.

“Not at all. Come see what my sister Catharine gave me as a wedding gift.”

Callie peeked inside the box. “Blue Willow dishes! They’re lovely. What a thoughtful sister you have.”

“
Ja
, she is indeed. Catharine was busy decorating a nursery. She already has twins, a precious little boy and girl.”

Callie smiled sweetly. “So you’ll be an aunt three times. Perhaps soon it will be you!”

“Not too soon, I hope. Edward and I are just now beginning to understand each other, I think. But of course I want to have his baby.” Even the very thought of a baby of their own made Anna feel like crying. Who would the baby look like? Her or Edward?

Callie grabbed her hand. “In that case we’d better get started on your toilette and hair. I can see by your expression that you’re somewhere in dreamland.”

“Mmm, sorry. I was just imagining what our baby would look like.”

They walked upstairs to Anna’s bedroom. “I can tell you—precious!” Callie said. “Since your sisters aren’t here, I want to be the surrogate aunt.”

“Absolutely. I can think of no one better when that happens. But by then you and Daniel will be getting married.
Ja
?”

Callie’s face colored a deep pink and she suddenly looked shy. “Well . . . er . . . actually, last night Daniel asked me to marry him.” Her face glowing, she pointed to Anna’s chair in front of the dressing table.

“
Uff da!
And you didn’t tell me? Oh, how wonderful! Congratulations, Callie!” Anna gave her a big hug, then sat down and looked at her friend’s face reflected in the mirror. “You will make a beautiful bride.”

“Thank you, Anna. I’ll need you to help me plan the wedding. It won’t be a very large one, because neither of us have a lot of money, although I think Daniel thought my father left me well-off. But you know that’s not true.”

“Don’t you worry. We’ll make it very festive, and it’ll be fun. Have you set a date yet?”

“Not a firm one. It’ll be either Thanksgiving or Christmas. We’re going to talk about it tonight.”

“Oh, I can just envision it. If it’s Thanksgiving we can decorate with fall flowers and vegetables. If it’s Christmas—well, there’s no end to ideas or colors I could come up with.”

Callie giggled. “I knew you could, being the artist that you are. Say, have you painted anything lately?”

“No, I’ve been a bit busy, as you know, but I will have time to now that we have a shelter and someone to help me. Anyway, just let me know your wedding date, and I’ll start giving you ideas.”

“Oh my! Look at the time. We’ve got to get busy with your hair.”

They chatted away about weddings, babies, and children while Callie curled her hair and created a style that Anna knew she’d never be able to duplicate. The time flew by, and Callie helped her with her dress since Edward would be closing his shop any moment and would want to change for dinner.

“Your dress is lovely, Anna.” Callie stood admiring her.

“It is, isn’t it? Edward has never seen this dress. I bought it from the Denver Dry Goods and kept it hidden for something special. You know we never went on a trip after we were married or anything like that.”

“Go take a look at your beautiful self in the mirror. I promise he won’t be able to take his eyes off of you!”

Anna stood far enough away to see herself from head to toe. Her blonde hair was swept up high, and Callie had curled pieces of it to hang here and there, with trailing wisps down her neck. Her dress, a deep royal-blue velvet, matched her
eyes. The low sweetheart neckline was complemented by a bertha of antique lace veils and large balloon sleeves, and the skirt, with a slight train at the back, fell on godet pleats just above her black heels. The effect was a very pleasing one, she thought. What would Edward think?

“All I need is a piece of jewelry to match.”

“Or a matching velvet wrap to keep warm. Maybe one day Edward will make you a choker to match the royal blue. You look like a princess!”

“
Dank U wel
. And thank you for doing my hair. I feel beautiful. I did buy the matching coat since it gets so cold at night now.”

“Good. Now I must go. I want to hear all about your dinner tomorrow.” After a quick hug, Callie proceeded down the stairs.