delightful, taking them under her wing. With one discerning look, she chose the correct sizes for each of them. A pile of various pants, hats, and boots was collected within minutes. She carried the items to the counter to have them wrapped and rechecked the list Peter had given her. Catharine watched as the clerk folded the garments and wrapped them separately from the boots.
“Ladies, I think that’ll take care of the list. Next time you’re in town, I hope you’ll stop by and see our newest selections—they should be arriving any day. And later, when you start a family of your own, we’ll have everything you need for a baby,” Mrs. Moody said.
She couldn’t have known that Catharine’s heart ached at the mention of a baby. Anna patted her sister on the arm, and Catharine felt heat rising in her face as she stared down at Anna’s hand.
Peter’s face turned bright pink, but he smiled and said, “No doubt you’ll be consulted in that possibility, Mrs. Moody.” He paid for the purchases and handed Greta and Anna a few parcels to carry. He carried the boots and gave Catharine the hats to hold.
“ Dank U wel , Peter. This feels like Christmas morning,” Anna commented as she took the packages from him.
Greta giggled. “Not exactly, Anna. Remember, these are work clothes for life on a farm.”
“Maybe so, but I for one am looking forward to spending time outdoors,” Anna answered.
“Well . . . let’s hope you’ll still be able to say that after a few weeks of the constant wind and heat we’ll have this summer.”
Peter guided the sisters back to where he’d left the carriage. He squeezed Catharine’s arm affectionately on their walk back, moving rather quickly, Catharine thought, probably in order to keep the ceremony time. She was filled with a mixture of excitement and nervousness and wondered if his mother would come and be a part of this. She was surprised that he hadn’t told his mother, and she knew it wouldn’t bode well to start a marriage off on the wrong side of the fence with one’s mother-in-law.
Which made her wonder . . . what other surprises might Peter have, and how on earth was she going to tell him her own secret?
After storing all their packages, everyone got settled inside the carriage and headed to the courthouse. Catharine was disappointed that there hadn’t been time to change her dress, but then again, so many things in her life hadn’t gone according to plan. Anna and Greta sat in the back while Catharine shared the front seat with Peter. At least the cover helped a little to deflect the sun’s afternoon rays.
Peter seemed in high spirits as he guided the carriage through the throng of people, buggies, and horses around the city streets. “Peter, what do you know of Bryan Gifford?” Catharine kept her voice low, not wanting Greta to hear.
Peter glanced sideways at her. “Not much, I’m afraid. We have an army post here named Fort Russell. Many soldiers come and go, so I’m only acquainted with a few of them.” He cocked an eyebrow. “Why? Are you worried about Greta being friends with him?”
Catharine shrugged. “I suppose I am. Her care and Anna’s was entrusted to me after my mother and father died. I need to protect them, and Bryan did seem rather flirtatious, in my opinion.”
Peter chuckled and covered her hand with his, still holding the reins in his left hand. “Don’t worry your pretty little head about the soldiers. If Greta and Anna decide to stay, I’ll introduce them right proper to some eligible men. There are plenty in Cheyenne. Men outnumber women here and perhaps in most places in the West.”
His reference to her “pretty little head” flattered her. She’d never considered herself pretty with her freckled complexion and auburn hair. And she wished she wasn’t so tall. Catharine had inherited her father’s coloring, but secretly she envied her two younger sisters, who took after their beautiful mother with their blue