Perfectly Matched (The Blue Willow Brides Book #3): A Novel (26 page)

Edward almost lost his breath when Anna, a vision of beauty, floated down the stairs wearing a beautiful velvet gown, her coat draped over one arm. “You’re breathtaking, Anna!” His eyes traveled from top to bottom, and he took her hands when she reached the landing.

“Thank you, my dear. I wanted to surprise you. By your expression, I’d say you like the dress.”

Not wanting to rumple her dress or her hair, he leaned forward to give her a peck on the cheek. “I see, then, that you have excellent taste. The dress looks like it was made for you. I’ll have to make a sapphire necklace to match the sparkle in your beautiful eyes. Let me run up and change, and I’ll be right back down in a few minutes,” he said, then bolted up the stairs.

Anna was certainly glad that she’d had the forethought to purchase the heavy velvet coat. The November night was very cold, and other than the light dusting of snow weeks before, tonight’s sky with low-hanging dark clouds appeared to promise Denver’s first real snowfall of the season. She sat as close to Edward as possible, a robe covering their laps.

When they arrived at Tortoni’s on Arapahoe Street, they were both hungry and eager to have a night away from the house. Anna was sure Edward wanted a break from her cooking. Heads turned and every eye was on her when Anna entered the dining room. Delicious smells from the kitchen permeated the restaurant, making Anna’s stomach growl and reminding her she hadn’t taken the time for lunch today.

After they were seated, Mary Elitch bustled over. “Hello once again, my dears! Order anything on the menu you desire. Dinner’s on me as promised, Anna.”

“How kind of you to do that, Mary,” Edward said, standing up and giving her a slight bow. “I’ve heard nothing but good things about your place.”

She laughed good-naturedly. “They’re all true! I’m only joking, of course, but I believe you will enjoy the food. And Anna, you look as fresh and beautiful as a columbine in springtime.”

“Thank you, Mary. I don’t believe I’ve ever been compared to a columbine. What is that?”

“It’s my favorite flower here. It ought to be our state flower. Well, I’ll leave you two alone now.” She scurried off to greet her other customers.

Finally they were alone. Candlelight and crisp white linens set the tone for an intimate dinner for two away from the crowd, a beautiful view of Denver in the background.

“I feel like I’m Cinderella about to go to the ball. Everything’s
so perfect.” Anna placed her napkin in her lap and glanced around the dining room.

“It’s perfect because you’re in the room. I saw how every man turned to gaze at you when we came in.” He popped his napkin open. “But I’m proud to say you belong to me and not them.”

Anna was secretly tickled. “A bit jealous, are you?”

“Probably . . . but don’t let that go to that pretty head of yours.”

“Oh, I almost forgot! Catharine sent me a starter set of Blue Willow china today as our wedding gift. Also, she’s expecting again.”

“How wonderful for them. That’ll be three now, won’t it? I can’t wait to meet all of your family one day. I only have my sister and Ernie.”

“You’ll love them, I just know it.”

“I’m sure I will.” He smiled. “Let’s look at the menu now. I’m starving.”

Throughout dinner, Anna felt Edward’s eyes lingering on her. The two of them took their time, oblivious to others nearby. The night belonged to only them, she thought.

They both ordered spaghetti and meatballs. Once, Edward leaned over to poke some dangling spaghetti into her mouth with his fork, and they both giggled like they’d just met. Then he wiped a fleck of spaghetti sauce from her chin. He was showing such a romantic side that soon she was thinking of no one but him.

“The food is great, don’t you think?” he asked after they’d devoured the strawberry gelato.

“Mmm, wonderful. It’s so nice not to have to cook tonight.”

“Yes, I know, and now you’re so busy. I worry you’ll have
too many irons in the fire. Perhaps soon with the money I’ll earn from the part-time jobs, we could hire a housekeeper to help out once a week. Would that help?”

Anna almost choked. “Are you serious?” He really was working on that list of his, but she would never say a word about finding it.

“Yes. I’ve been thinking about it, and it would give you more time to spend running your chapter.”

“Oh my goodness. It would. I don’t mean to annoy you, Edward, but you’re so particular . . .”

He grinned. “Yes, I suppose so, but you have to admit I’ve relaxed quite a bit where your housekeeping skills are concerned, and your cooking, well . . . you have improved a whole lot on that score.”

“I’m sorry that I’m not the best housekeeper. It’s just that so many other things call to me. I do the best I can.”

He reached over and took her hand. “I know that. I’ve accepted that fact, and I’m learning to relax some of my standards, but it hasn’t been easy for me.”

“I’ve noticed the difference in you. And Edward, I’m so grateful for all your help with the animal shelter.”

“Little one, I wouldn’t do it if my heart wasn’t in it. I don’t want to see one single animal abandoned or hurt either, but it’s funny how I never thought about starting something to remedy that. You are just amazing. I think God has His hand over you.”

Anna’s heart swelled. “I’d like to think He planted the notion in my head.”

“Oh, one other thing. I want you to make sure that you leave yourself enough time to paint when you can. Everyone needs something of their own to help them relax.”

“And you, Edward—what is it that you do?”

He pursed his lips while he thought a moment. “I wasn’t going to tell you, but I’ve been running over to Daniel’s, usually at lunch, and spending some time doing exercises. I enjoy it and actually look forward to it now.”

“Exercise? Why do you need that?” So that’s why he was always disappearing at lunchtime.

“Because I’m so sedentary most of the day from my work, and I’m getting soft. I needed something physical to do besides hitching up the carriage every now and then. It didn’t help when I saw how you and other women seemed to admire Daniel’s strength at the rodeo, so I asked him about it. He’s got all kinds of contraptions to use.”

She squeezed his hand and covered it with her other one. “I’m pleased that you want to look good for me. I thought you looked a little leaner and firmer the other night, but I couldn’t imagine why.”

Edward sat up straighter. “You mean you noticed?”

She giggled. “Of course I noticed. I always watch you get dressed in the morning, not to mention when we’re in bed.”

“Mmm . . . which sounds like a good idea about now.”

She shook her head at him. “You’re incorrigible.”

“If you’re finished with your dessert, I’d like to take you on a ride before we go home.” He had a funny expression on his handsome face. Something was up his sleeve, she was certain.

It was a superb evening, despite the cold. A break in the thick clouds allowed the moon to peek through, making the night all the more romantic. Anna was warm under the robe as Edward guided the carriage through the streets of Denver. She was completely lost and clueless as to where they were going, so she sat back to relax and enjoy the ride, noticing much less traffic than they’d had earlier. They turned down 17th Street and drove a ways past the Oxford Hotel until
she saw the lights of Union Station facing Wynkoop Street. It was a magnificent stone structure, and seeing it took her back to the first day she’d arrived in Denver with a mixture of anxiety and anticipation.

Edward drew the carriage up close to the sidewalk and parked. He hopped out, looped Cloud’s reins over the hitching post, and returned to extend his hand to help Anna from the carriage.

“We’re getting out here?” This was not at all what she was expecting.

“Yes,” he said. He slipped her hand through the crook of his arm and pulled her forward to stand in front of the station brightly lit against the cold, dark sky. He pointed up at the clock over the center of the building. “Perfect time. See?”

She leaned her head back and gazed up at the clock. “That’s a mighty big clock to have to work on. That’s why they called on the best man for the job.” She smiled at him. “I remember seeing it when I first arrived here.”

He walked her inside the huge waiting room framed by gigantic arched windows. The station was nearly empty at this hour. He guided her over to one of the long wooden benches that resembled a parson’s bench except for its length.

Turning sideways on the seat to face her, he took her gloved hands in his. “Meeting you here that day changed my life, but I didn’t realize it at first. I was so determined to keep things as they were that I almost lost sight of what was important—building our life together, as God intended. You are the very air I breathe, Anna.” His voice was low and heavy. “I want to show you just how much you mean to me, but I feel inadequate—except to say I do love you very much!”

Anna thought her heart would burst from his admission of love. She loved hearing him tell her he loved her. Tears blinded
her as she looked into the eyes she adored. She removed her gloves and cradled his sweet face between her hands. “Oh, Edward, my dear one, I think I loved you from the start, and even through all our difficulties, my heart knew the truth. Only after you put aside your own concerns about the animal shelter and offered your help and support for me did I fully come to realize what a sacrifice that was for you. That’s when I knew I truly loved you. I
do
love you, Edward, with all my heart!”

Anna was surprised as a tear slid from the corner of Edward’s eye down his cheek. He quickly wiped it away. “Anna, I’m so glad you answered my ad for a bride. I’m so honored to be your husband that I’ll do my best to make you happy. In fact, I have something to give you.” He reached inside his overcoat pocket and pulled out a small velvet case. “I made this for you. There’s not another one like it. It’s for your eighteenth birthday. With everything that’s been going on, there hasn’t been much time for celebration. But I didn’t forget it.”

She took the box and slowly opened its hinged lid, marveling at the stunning gold watch in the shape of a heart, with a matching delicate gold chain cradled against the velvet. “How beautiful! Edward, this is exquisite!” She held it up, fingering the coolness of the gold metal and the scrolling under her fingertips.

“Turn it over,” he urged.

Anna flipped over the watch to read the inscription on the back.

“I am my beloved’s, and my beloved is mine.” Sgs. 6:3

Forever yours—Love, Edward

Below that, he’d inscribed “E & A” in a beautiful script.

“This is the best gift I’ve ever received!” she cried, throwing her arms around his neck and hugging him hard.

“Even better than the Blue Willow dishes?” He laughed.

“Absolutely. Thank you, thank you!” She pulled back from the hug, but he wouldn’t let her go until he kissed her soundly, lingering until she could hardly breathe. Finally, he placed the chain around her neck and stood back to look at her with an admiring gaze.

By now they’d drawn the attention of a few people in the station who were staring at their display of affection, but she didn’t mind at all. Nothing could spoil this moment for her.

“Your timing is perfect, Edward. I just wish I had something to give to you,” she said, nearly breathless. “The best I can do is give you my all—my love that will be forever timeless.”

“And that’s good enough for me. I guess you could say that it’s timeless perfection at its best.”

Stepping back outside, they walked arm in arm, her head against his shoulder, back to their waiting carriage. Anna paused to gaze up into the night sky thick with heavy, gray clouds, and whispered a prayer of thanks as delicate, fluffy snowflakes began to fall on her nose and eyelashes. Her heart was full of love and promises for the future.

I once lived in Aurora, Colorado—a place that’s considered the “Gateway to the Rockies.” As long as I live, I’ll never forget my first glimpse of the magnificent and panoramic view of the Rocky Mountains as they loomed before me when I first entered the city on Colfax Avenue. That view has long stayed in my heart, creating this deep love affair with the Rocky Mountains, Colorado, and the West. One of my favorite cities is Denver, so that’s where my story is set. Two overarching themes, other than the romance in the story, are reflected in my love for all God’s creatures and for all sufferers of any type of disorder that controls their life. I hope I was able to convey those in my story.

Denver gets its nickname, the Mile-High City, because of its elevation of a mile (5,280 feet). The mountain panorama that I spoke of is 120 miles long. The weather there is usually superb, having over 300 sunny days per year on average. It was the first large city in the world to give women the right to vote. Colfax Avenue, which I mention in the story, is twenty-six miles long and is the longest continuous street in the United States. Denver
implemented America’s first—and the world’s second—electric streetcar system a couple of years before my story takes place.

The love for my own pets through the years is how I came up with Anna’s desire to help prevent any cruelty to animals. Here are a few that I’ve had: Jody, a Shetland sheepdog that lived more than sixteen years; KatyKat, my sweetest cat that lived to be nineteen; Amelia, a calico that lived to be seventeen years old; and Snowball, my cat when I was six.

The rodeo scene reflects the many rodeos I’ve enjoyed, and now Denver hosts the largest rodeo every year—the National Western Stock Show. The announcer, Billy McKinley of Cheyenne, along with judges H. H. Metcalf, Carey Culver, J. H. Gorman, and P. G. Webster, were actual men at the 1887 rodeo, but since my story takes place in 1888, I used poetic license to include them.

City Park, where Anna sets up her easel, is situated between Broadway and York on 314 acres and was built in 1880. Denver has the nation’s largest park system.

Although the Denver Public Library was established in 1889, books were housed in Denver High School until a library was built in 1910.

The Denver Dry Goods, a beautiful brick structure built in 1879, was where Anna shopped for her dresses. It was once the largest store in the Central West. It was also known as “The Denver.” It was acquired by May D&F and eventually closed in 1986, then was turned into apartments in 1994. I had the privilege of shopping at The Denver back in the eighties when I lived in Colorado.

Mary Elitch was a real historical figure who, along with her husband, built the famous Elitch Gardens—a family theme park that opened two years after this story takes place. She was a lovely, gracious woman who loved animals, so for story
purposes, I took the liberty of having her donate to Anna’s cause. She and her husband did have a restaurant named Tortoni’s on 15th and Arapahoe Street, where Anna and Edward have their romantic dinner.

Reverend Henry Augustus Buchtel was really the pastor of the historic Trinity Methodist Episcopal Church, the oldest church in Denver, where he served from 1886 to 1891. He became Colorado’s seventh governor. His wife’s name was Mary (not to be confused with Mary Elitch). The minister of music was Isaac Blake, another historical person in the story. Reverend Buchtel was able to save the fledgling church by rallying its members to commit to relocate from Lawrence Street to a new church on Broadway. The church’s sanctuary originally opened for worship in December 1888, but I took the liberty of having it already open at the time of my story. The fund-raiser that took place there in the story is purely fictional, and I have no proof that Reverend Buchtel or Mary held a fund-raiser for the ASPCA.

The church’s steeple is divided by three sandstone bands and topped with a cross and has stained-glass lancet and wheel windows. It was the tallest stone tower in the United States in 1888. The church is now called Trinity United Methodist and is on the National Register of Historic Places. It has some intriguing mysteries: Why did the glass artisan use a different color in a tiny piece of the rose designs? And who wrote the messages in the rafters that can only be viewed by climbing into the attic?

John A. Valentine, a Denver Realtor, did actually own Park Floral Company, where Edward purchased his flowers. Valentine had a desire to send flowers across the country and later brought a group of florists together to form the Florists’ Telegraph Delivery (FTD).

In 1866 Henry Bergh started the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA), which Anna is so passionate about. For further reading and to find out how you can help prevent cruelty to animals, see 
www.aspca.org
.

James Sargent invented the theft-proof lock, a combination lock that worked on a timer, which Edward was responsible for in the story. The safe could only be opened after a set number of hours had passed, thus a kidnapped bank employee could not open the lock in the middle of the night, even under force.

In the story, Edward mildly suffers from obsessive-compulsive disorder, which was considered religious melancholy in the seventeenth century. Concepts about it began to evolve in the nineteenth century, and the term OCD emerged in 1877. For further reading, see
www.ocfoundation.org
.

Harvey’s visual problem was called age-related blindness years ago, but now it is labeled macular degeneration. Moose, once referred to as an assistance dog, is now called a guide dog. Moose is the real name of my son’s dog, a Rhodesian ridgeback. That breed did not arrive in the United States until the 1950s, but I modeled Moose in the story after him because of his size and sweet personality. Sadly, my son’s dog died suddenly a month after I finished this book.

Frankie, another dog in the story, was modeled after my daughter’s dog, Frankie, a beautiful golden retriever. However, that breed didn’t arrive in the United States until the 1890s.