Mail Order Barbara (Widows, Brides, and Secret Babies Book 14) Read online

  Barbara examined the donated materials, most of which were sturdy fabrics in subdued colors, which would be entirely appropriate for travel costumes. She would design a basic dress and travel coat and then make each unique with furbelows and trim, she decided. The dull colors would hide the grime which would naturally accumulate on everything, and would be a splendid background to the embellishments she envisioned for each outfit.

  Rail travel was not especially clean, with wood or coal smoke belching from smokestacks and blowing through open windows. Not that she’d ever been on a train herself, but she’d read the descriptions of the vagaries of travel in Godey’s Lady Book while checking out the latest trends. She was pleased at the much narrower skirts being worn, with a modest drape. They would require far less fabric and be much less cumbersome to travel in.

  Working with the best seamstresses in the school, every sewing machine that could be begged, borrowed, or commandeered was set up in the ballroom, as the girls called the large room in which they enjoyed their monthly dances.

  Barbara cut out each costume herself, pinning the pieces together and basting a nametag into the pocket seam. Then she passed it on to her teams who worked in stages. The basted outfit was then fitted to its recipient and adjusted seams and hems sewn before being draped on a dress form. With ten ladies to sew for, the loan of a few extra forms was appreciated.

  Barbara was sorry that a few more of her specialty workers were not coming with her. She had carefully trained the girls to do buttonholes, embroidery, frogging, and create unique details to set each dress apart.

  “Cindy, how am I to manage in Kansas without you? No one can turn a facing the way you do!”

  “Let’s do military style buttons on this one for Judith. She can carry it off nicely.”

  “Shelley, I am going to pin the navy draping to show the final shape. Did you want to do the silver edging first or would it be easier to work with the final shape?”

  She had also taken a number of the bolts back to the store from which they had been purchased and, with careful negotiation, traded them for other fabric more appropriate for day dresses, obtaining fabric swatches and bolt ends to use for décor.

  Each dress, when complete, was as distinctive as Barbara had envisioned and, by dint of carefully placed swaths of color, each gave the impression of being of its accent hue. One did not notice the dresses were gray or brown but saw them as pink or red or green. And the drapery was subtly different for each, designed to highlight its owner’s best features and, when necessary, mask flaws.

  Day dresses came next, and because space in their luggage would be quite limited, Barbara designed drapes and fichus to modify each basic garment to appear to be three different dresses, and then, in a brilliant stroke of genius, if she said so herself, created a separate bodice for evening wear, a bit lower cut, although still tasteful, which would be useful should they ever again have the opportunity to dance. A bit of basting to attach it would be required, but all the girls, even the fumble-fingered, could manage that chore quite nicely. And it would also serve for evening entertainment at home.

  Judith’s clothing featured pleats rather than ruffles, while Maria’s flounces had flounces.

  These were the dresses the girls would wear to Gracie’s wedding.

  And now for the wedding dress, thought Barbara, as she gently stroked the ivory muslin she’d gotten for Gracie. She’d also purchased some pure white thread and four different nuns were creating exquisite lace with which to trim the bodice and veil. Everyone was pitching in.

  ~~~

  The donated valises arrived, sturdy, practical, drab, and identical. Barbara’s first thought was to picture Judith grabbing the wrong bag and trying to get Barbara’s skirt to fasten closed. Judith’s statuesque figure dwarfed Barbara’s petite frame. Once her giggles subsided she decided the most practical solution was to personalize the bags with the color of the owner’s travel garments and, perhaps, her initials. She suggested the project at dinner that night, offering to help with ideas.

  Judith loved the idea of pinstripes to be added to her bag, but insisted on a pale yellow. Barbara shrugged after pointing out the impracticality of pale anything for luggage, which would be handed and abused, but Judith remained firm of resolve. The end result was charming, and helped distinguish hers from any other, and Barbara so liked the look that she modified Judith’s dress to include the detail.

  CHAPTER 17 – Wedding Bells

  Word had gotten out in school of the forthcoming nuptials. Gracie had been extremely popular among all her classmates and various girls sought out Barbara to request an invitation.

  When she talked with Mother Evangeline she learned a large number of the boys were also pressuring the brothers to try to arrange for invitations. Mother and the Abbott had discussed the matter and agreed it would engender good feeling among the congregation to be included in such an auspicious event.

  When Mother had mentioned the situation to Mrs. Arbuthnot of the Ladies Sodality the good lady had suggested the Sodality would like to provide the bride a modest dowry—in exchange for invitations to what looked to be a grand finale to the social season and an opportunity for girls not yet out to attend a gathering at which they might get their feet wet.

  Then she suggested the Knights of Columbus could host the reception. Their hall would be perfect for what would probably prove to be a crush.

  Such august sponsorship would do much to aid Jack in his goal to one day own his own store—or chain of stores!—but Mother Evangeline begged leave to consult with the bridal couple first. It was, after all, their wedding, and their wishes should be consulted.

  Mrs. Arbuthnot nodded her head sagely. “By all means,” she agreed. “But my daughter, Carol, has had Gracie over for tea and beneath that light and fluffy appearance is a mind like a steel trap.”

  Mother could naught but laugh and agree.

  ~~~

  The proposition actually brought tears to Gracie’s eyes.

  “I only ever envisioned a small ceremony in the chapel with my closest friends in attendance. This is like a fairy tale come true!”

  ~~~

  The newspapers had gotten word of the upcoming event and requested the opportunity to take photos. After consulting with Mrs. Arbuthnot, Mother had agreed, but only if the photographer would first do portrait photos of each of the girls who would be traveling plus a group photo to send west. She suggested at least two copies of each would be appropriate so each girl would have a memory to pass on to her children.

  All of the girls had agreed to have individual portraits made so Mother might have a copy, but Christine, Maria, and Elizabeth had requested they not be included in the group photo as they were not going as brides and didn't want to cause confusion.

  The photographer, Ned Shanks, was anxious to use this story, especially since he had the photos. But Sister Benedicta suggested that doing so now would interfere with the wedding story and that it might be better to wait and take a picture of the group departing on the train which he could caption “Mail-order Bride Adventure.” She promised that she herself would write an appropriate paragraph for the newspaper and give to him when they departed. Satisfied, Mr. Shanks took off to have the pictures developed and returned the next morning with the prints. He had also taken a portrait of the bride which he presented to her with a wink.

  “My husband shall have this as his wedding present. Thank you so much!” Gracie beamed.

  “My dear,” smiled Mr. Shanks, “he is getting the original, which is a far better gift.”

  “Oh, be off with you, Ned Shanks, and be sure you save me a copy of the newspaper for when we return from our wedding trip.” For one of the congregation had gifted the couple with a weekend in Boston.

  ~~~

  Mother Evangeline had written a letter the night before and she quickly slipped in the picture and had sent it off to the post office and on to Kansas within ten minutes of Mr. Shanks’ arrival.

  CHAPT
ER 18 -- Surprises

  Despite the speed of preparations, everything was shortly in order for the wedding of the season. Mother Evangeline was going to give away the bride.

  Emily could not be convinced to come into the public arena. Although she still attended Mass, she did not go out of the building otherwise. Besides, someone was needed to attend to the Nursery and Sister Teresa Rose had known Gracie most of her life and should be allowed to attend.

  However she did come up to Gracie with a small box which she presented with a devilish look in her eye.

  “I think you will be needing this within about ten months,” she said.

  Gracie opened the box to find an exquisitely embroidered christening gown.

  “Oh, my, Emily,” she sighed. “This is just perfect. Although, to be honest, the whole idea makes me nervous.”

  Horrified at what she had said, Gracie gasped and put her hand to her mouth.

  Emily's face clouded up for a moment, but then her face cleared. “I am told it is usually quite a pleasant experience, especially if one is with someone she loves,” she replied softly.

  Reaching over to grasp that hand, Emily comforted Gracie.

  “Don't worry. I need to move forward. I have given far too much time to something that took far too little time to have done so much damage to me in my life. But God blessed me with a wonderful gift to show He has accepted my sacrifice. Despite my struggles, I would change nothing because I have my beautiful Emilene.”

  The girls hugged and then Emily went back to the nursery to relieve Sister Teresa Rose so that she might attend the ceremony.

  Gracie and her attendants hustled off to get dressed. Since nearly everyone within the convent would be attending, there was a general rush to rooms to change into wedding finery.

  Sister Agatha had met with Gracie in private and given the girl her personal blessing, excusing herself from attending the ceremonies as too much bustle at her age.

  “Besides, someone needs to mind the place while everyone is off celebrating. Just be sure to drop by to see me now and again. You know you will always be our baby girl.”

  Gracie smiled tearily as she leaned forward and kissed sister Agatha on the cheek.

  “Thank you for rescuing me and treating me like your own daughter. And we are all your daughters of the heart.”

  Handkerchiefs were brought out by both women and a warm hug was exchanged before Gracie left Sister Agatha to her cup of tea.

  ~~~

  When they arrived at the church, Gracie and Clara, her maid of honor, were whisked to a side room so they could wait out of sight until the ceremony began. Mother Evangeline joined them and, after checking to make sure they weren't primping or otherwise in dishabille, open the door again and let in a tall, handsome young man sporting a fine handlebar mustache, who walked with a bit of a limp.

  Clara starred in shock at her older brother Tom whome she had not seen since before her mother's funeral.

  “It seems,” said Mother dryly, “that all the publicity about the wedding allowed Tom to find Jack, for whom he has been looking this past six months since returning home.”

  Still staring at him in stunned shock, Clara suddenly gasped and started running forward. Tom quickly braced himself for the bundle that had launched herself at him, still very nearly falling down.

  “Oh,” she said, “I didn't mean to hurt you. Are you all right?”

  “Just a minor injury from the war.” His nonchalant shrug belied the slight grimace of pain. “But it did take me a while to recover. I hadn't realized mother had gone or I never would have left you two alone. I feel awful for not having been there for you.”

  “You know big brother, I have thought about this more than once and come to realize that had you stayed, we would probably still be living in deep poverty trying to scratch from one meal to the next, because you had no training and I certainly was not getting any. And Jack was just another ignorant boy on the street ready as not to get into trouble, as well.

  “We all just thought her cough was from dust in the street. Mother went so very, very fast when she got sick. You had no way to know and none of us had any way contact each other.

  “But,” Clara went on, “the Franciscan Sisters and Brothers have taken such incredible care of us that we are both able to read and write and have learned skills with which we may conquer the world. Look at how wonderfully Jack has been able to succeed in the haberdashery business.”

  She stepped back and looked at her brother.

  “I'm assuming you took advantage of his expertise?”

  “I did indeed baby sister. And I must admit my own opportunities were probably far better even as a young foot soldier than as a troubled street urchin. But I must go right now and join Jack at the altar. He has invited me to join him as best man alongside Anthony, who I understand will be accompanying you out west. But we'll catch up later.”

  Nodding, Clara gave him another big hug and then grabbed her handkerchief to dry her eyes. Mother held up a dampened cloth and suggest a Clara put it on her eyes for a few moments so she would be ready when the music changed. Gracie just beamed in at happiness for her friend. She knew about the penny candy.

  ~~~

  And suddenly it was time. As they had been taught, the girls took in a deep breath and then let it out slowly. Nodding to each other, they hugged and the proceeded down the hall to where they’d begin their march down the aisle.

  When had it grown so long?

  With a quick glance at Mother Evangeline, Clara pretended she was Queen Victoria reviewing her troops. She reigned her grin in to the small, polite smile she’d learned, and strolled gracefully toward the altar where she saw Jack, waiting anxiously with Tom and Tony by his side.

  Reaching the altar, she genuflected to the cross and stepped to the side, turning to face the open door.

  And then the music changed and there was Gracie. The dress Barbara had created might have come from Paris, it was so elegant, but all eyes were captured by her beatific smile and incandescent beauty as she and Mother Evangeline, also beaming, walked slowly up the aisle.

  A collective gasp had greeted the vision and there was a slight whispering of murmurs as they approached the altar. Gracie’s eyes were locked on Jack’s and Clara saw, when she glanced over at her brother, that his shone with tear of joy.

  Clara stepped forward to receive the bride’ bouquet as Mother Evangeline placed Gracie’s hand in Jack’s, then both women genuflected before Mother took her seat in the front pew and Gracie, hand clasped tightly in Jack’s turned her eyes to Father Michael who was beaming down at the two of them.

  Gracie and Jack had agreed they wished to have a full wedding Mass said.

  “I’m only going to do this once,” quipped Jack, “so let’s do this right!”

  ~~~

  Years later Gracie told her children, “I’ve been to weddings that were not much more than an exchange of vows, where the procession took longer than the ceremony, and I wanted to have time to enjoy the most memorable day of my life up until that point. But all I can recall even now is just flashes of golden light streaming through the stained glass and shining on your father’s face. And then I was standing next to him and he was slipping a ring onto my finger . . .”

  She raised her hand, the lamplight reflecting off the gold band, and turned her head to each of them in turn.

  “. . . and then he was kissing me and we were walking away. I know we had a most lavish reception but I couldn’t tell you what we ate or even if we ate. But just as in all the very best fairy tales, we’ve lived happily ever after.”

  She had ended her story staring into the eyes of her still-handsome husband.

  “Fortunately for your mother, the newspapers covered the wedding quite thoroughly, from her designer dress to the lavish reception, listing all who were in attendance. I’ve overheard people I know couldn’t possibly have attended claiming they were sitting at the head table.”

  Reaching forwar
d he claimed Clara’s hand, kissing each finger to the squirming embarrassment of his youngest daughter.

  “And we were just a couple of very lucky orphans,” he quipped.

  CHAPTER 19 – Love Letters

  Billy stared at the picture that had accompanied the letter from Mother Evangeline. There were seven girls, but one, with a solemn face and abundant hair, seemed to stare straight at him, sharing his sadness. She was the most beautiful girl he had ever seen.

  She looks like an angel, he sighed. She looked just like what he imagined his mother must have looked like. She had died before he was three, and his father and older brothers had dragged him up and taught him how to ranch.

  He knew about all there was to know about horses. He could practically “whisper” unbroken stock into becoming calm and powerful trail and cattle animals. It was his talent with horses that had gotten him the job with the Tri Brand. But the time he had spent learning the tricks of his trade was time he had not spent in school, so he could barely write his name or print his letters.

  Reading was pretty much beyond him although he could pick out some of the words. A number of the other hands had read the accompanying letter out loud, not much better at reading than he was but they could at least sound out the words. He had made Jeff repeat the names until he had all the girls memorized.

  The one who had caught his eye was called Barbara. That was a beautiful name. He knew there had to be a saint with that name. She certainly looked like a saint.

  The men all knew that they didn't need to do anything, that the girls would be coming in a couple of weeks, but he didn't want to wait until they arrived to introduce himself to Barbara. So he asked Jeff to help him write a letter. It was the first letter he had ever written but Jeff had always been kind to him and didn't tease him about the fact that he didn't know his letters too well.

  “Dear Barbara,” he wrote.

  You are the most beautiful girl I have ever seen. Your face tells me you have known sadness and sorrow and might understand about missing a mother.