Judith: Bride of Wyoming (American Mail-Order Bride 44) by Hildie McQueen

done, is there?”
    Eloise frowned. “I suppose not. How can you be so calm?”
    “My stomach is in knots. I can’t eat. I’m too nervous,” Judith admitted, patting her stomach. “I can’t believe the day is finally here.”
    “Then tea is a good idea. I’ll nip some spearmint from outside. We’ll put it in our tea and it will help settle your stomach some.” Seeming relieved to have a task, Eloise plopped her son on the floor, shoved a toy into his chubby hands and dashed out the back door to where the garden was. Judith let out a sigh and looked out the window toward where the blacksmith shop stood. From the house, she could make out Sean talking to a man. He wore the usual long apron, his shirtsleeves rolled up to his elbows. Something the man said amused him because he threw his head back and laughed. Judith smiled at the sight of her handsome, soon to be husband being in good spirits.
    The sun gleamed brightly. The day was perfect for a wedding. She’d bathed and pinned up her hair, waiting for it to dry naturally before loosening it for the wedding. Her dress was pressed and hung from the back of the door. She didn’t want to take a chance Sean would come and see it. Although he’d been warned to stay away, one couldn’t be too careful.
    “There we are,” Eloise said returning with a handful of sprigs of spearmint. “It’s growing so big. I brought enough for an entire pot of it. I’m suddenly craving it.”
    They sat at the table minutes later with two large mugs of tea. Judith smiled. “I have to admit the tea and biscuit helped. I’m sure it’s nerves, so I’m not too worried about it.”
    “It’s understandable. Today is your wedding day. Every bride is nervous.”
    “Why didn’t Sean marry Bethany’s mother?” Judith wasn’t sure why she asked. Perhaps it was a question she should have posed to Sean.
    Eloise shrugged. “From what he told me, they met when he went to Casper to help with some horses for the cavalry. She was one of those women, you know.”
    “Oh no, I don’t know anything about her.”
    “The kind that sells their favors, I think. Please don’t think ill of my brother. He was a single man, after all.” Eloise hesitated. “Anyway, next thing we know, an older woman claiming to be the woman’s mother came and dropped off Bethany to Sean. According to the woman, Bethany’s mother, Angela was her name, had died during childbirth.”
    “How sad for her,” Judith said and let out a sigh. “I’m thankful they didn’t just abandon her.”
    Eloise frowned. “I prayed Bethany was, indeed, Sean’s daughter. I mean, after all the woman was not the respectable kind. But Bethany looks so much like him, there is no doubt in my mind.”
    “Mine either,” Judith replied. “I love her.”
    Eloise pressed her lips together with a mischievous expression. “What about Sean? How do you feel about him? Anything yet?”
    “I do feel deeply for him. My heart flutters when I see him. I can’t stop thinking about him and oh my goodness, I sound like a schoolgirl.” Judith covered her cheeks with her hands. “I think I love him.”
    “That makes me so happy, so very happy for you both. I suspect Sean feels the same.”
    Both jumped at the knock on the door and Eloise rushed to the window and peered out. “It’s Sean. Hide.” She made shooing motions with both hands. “The rascal is trying to be sneaky.”

    “You know very well it’s bad luck to see the bride before the wedding,” Eloise blocked his entrance into the house and Sean couldn’t help being annoyed. He’d hoped to come and steal a few kisses from his intended before the wedding and now his nosy sister kept him from seeing her.
    “Where’s Judith?” He looked over her shoulder to the empty space. “Did she go somewhere?”
    Eloise pushed her finger into his chest. “She’s hiding. Now, get going. Go get something to eat at my house.”
    “What about Bethany?” Once again, he attempted to step