Their Mistletoe Matchmakers by Keli Gwyn

Author:Keli Gwyn
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Harlequin
Published: 2017-11-23T05:00:00+00:00

Chapter Ten

Two days had passed since Mr. Staples had made his startling announcement, and yet Lavinia was still grappling with the news. The kindly grocer had apologized profusely about the timing of the wedding and honeymoon trip, but he was taking advantage of the unexpected visit from his brother, who had agreed to watch the shop in his absence. Having been cheated by a clerk in years past, Mr. Staples wouldn’t leave his shop in the care of anyone but a trusted family member. Since his brother would be heading to the new state of Oregon the day after Christmas and wouldn’t be back in Sutter Creek for another year, Mr. Staples had seized the opportunity to marry the woman who had him smiling like a schoolboy.

Although Lavinia understood the grocer’s situation, it complicated hers. She’d been counting on Gladys to prepare the desserts for the party. But her departure would give Lavinia an opportunity to show the community—and Henry—that she could cope with challenges. That would serve to strengthen her case when it went to court.

She shook off her concerns. This was Gladys’s day, and she deserved to be happy.

The first time Lavinia had seen a bride beaming at her groom was the day Pauline had stood at the back of the small church the Hawthorn family attended and gotten her first glimpse of Jack standing beside the minister, waiting for her to walk down the aisle to him. It appeared Gladys was just as smitten with Mr. Staples. The skies might be overcast that Saturday morning, but the grocer’s bride-to-be was radiant.

Lavinia adjusted the simple veil she’d fashioned for Gladys the day before and turned her around so she could see herself in the mirror over Lavinia’s bureau. “If I’d had more time, I would have seen to it that you had a lovely wedding dress to go with this, but the emerald gown you’re wearing draws attention to your striking green eyes.”

Gladys gazed at her reflection with wonder, fingering the soft tulle that flowed around her in a cloudlike mist. “I could be wearing a flour sack for all I care. I thank the good Lord for bringing Emery into my life. I’d given up hope of getting married years ago, but that didn’t stop me from wanting to find a feller. At my age, I would have been happy with companionship, but God’s given me a man who adores me. I can be a mite prickly at times, but Emery said I just needed someone willing to peel back the layers.” Her laugh, although rusty, was a welcome sound.

“It’s easy to see how much he loves you. His eyes light up when you walk in the room, but we need something that will make his chin drop when he sees you at the top of the stairs. I have just the thing.” Lavinia opened her jewelry box and pulled out the strand of pearls Gladys had often admired. “I wasn’t able to get you a wedding present, so consider this my gift to you.

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