The New Year's Bride (Holiday Mail Order Brides Book Two) by Kit Morgan

Elle stood.  “Now, off with your coat and bonnet so we can get started.”
    “My coat and bonnet?  Why do I need to take them off?”
    “Now don’t ask questions, dear.  We’re experts at this sort of thing.” Mrs. Riley said.
    “Experts?” Summer laughed.  “I don’t recall this much excitement when I went shopping for my wedding things.”
    “That was on account of your injury, dear.  We didn’t want to tire you out.” Mrs. Riley explained.
    “Oh no, that would ne ver do!” Mrs. Quinn added. “We went easy on you.”
    Elle and Summer glanced at each other, concern on their faces.  The two older women looked like a couple of contestants in a race that was about to start.
    “Now do as Mrs. Quinn says dear and take off your coa t, bonnet, and gloves while you’re at it.”
    Elle stood and stared at Mrs. Riley for a brief moment before she began to comply.  How could she let Spencer spend money on her?  What if they couldn’t be married?  How was she going to weasel out of this?  She didn’t want Mrs. Riley to go through all this trouble if …
    “If I decide I don’t care for something we’ve purchased, can it b e returned?” Elle suddenly asked as she began to unbutton her coat.
    Mrs. Quinn and Mrs. Riley went stock still as if she asked the most ludicrous question in the world.  “Why, yes …” Mrs. Quinn began hesitantly.  “If you really think it’s necessary.  You can exchange it or I can return your money…”
    “Oh but come now, Miss Barstow … Elnora … I’ve made up my mind to start calling you that from now on,” Mrs. Riley said. “We’re here to buy your wedding things, why in Heaven’s name would you even think to return something?”
    Elle swallowed and offered a weak smile. “What if something doesn’t match?”
    “Well that’s why we’re all here to help you dear, so that we get it right the first time!” Mrs. Riley explained.
    “Oh, yes… of course.  But I do need to get to the telegraph office, maybe I should take care of that first … oh dear!” Elle suddenly exclaimed as Mrs. Riley and Mrs. Quinn came at her at once.
    “No time for that now!” Mrs. Quinn said as she pulled Elle’s coat off.
    “You can do it when we’re done!” Mrs. Riley added while she whisked away her bonnet.  “Now, let us take a good look at your hair … what color ribbons, do you think?”
    “I have just the thing!” Mrs. Quinn said excited ly as she turned and hurried to a shelf behind the counter.
    Elle sighed in resignation and looked to Summer who stood doing her best not to laugh.  “Was it like this for you?”  Elle asked.
    “Oh no, they were much calmer when I was here to get my wedding things!”
    “Wonderful,” Elle mumbled under her breath.  Wonderful for everyone but her that is.  She wanted to be able to enjoy the moment, but her only thought was to get to the telegraph office.
    The door opened to pull Elle out of her lamenting.  She turned and sucked in a breath at the handsome man that came into the mercantile.
    Spencer!
    Oh she couldn’t deny her attraction now!  He was gorgeous! Beautiful (if one could use the word in conjunction with a man) and sauntered into the mercantile like he owned the place.  “Hello ladies,” he drawled. “Having fun yet?”
    “We’re just getting started,” his mother said.  “What are you doing here?”
    “Can’t I come say hello to my future bride?”  He asked and went straight to Elle.  “Hello sweetheart,” he said in a low voice and tipped his hat.
    Elle’s entire body grew hot.  Sweetheart?   He’d not used any endearments when addressing her before.  This was a first, and she hoped not the last as her back tingled with delight at his words. “Hello,” she said shyly.
    Ohhhh but she shouldn’t be enjoying this so much!
    He stepped closer and looked down into her eyes. “Find anything you like?”
    Elle’s breathing stopped.
    “Spencer, I told you we’re just getting started,”