simple nod in greeting, then stiffly returned her attention to the fabric. Abby rolled her eyes. “Never mind her. She’s been like this the last couple of days. ” Abbey leaned toward Summer and whispered. “It’s been wonderful really! She hasn’t been this quiet since Clayton dumped water on her the first time she faked a swoon in front of him!” Summer stifled a giggle then looked to Elle. “Definitely the blue, like Spencer said.” Elle stared at the beautiful blue ribbons Mrs. Quinn held out before her. “They’re lovely.” “They’re yours!” Mrs. Quinn happily said and returned them to their box. She set the box aside then quickly followed Mrs. Riley to examine the bolts of cloth Charlotte was looking over. “Are they going to pick out everything?” Elle asked astonished. “No, you’ll choose what you want. I think they just like the process more than anything else. They certainly did with me!” Elle smiled but thoughts of the telegraph office kept entering her mind. She needed to get her message sent! “What’s the matter?” Summer asked. “Nothing,” Elle said quickly. “You don’t look like you’re having a very good time.” “Oh but I am!” Summer took her by the elbow and steered her over to a display of shoes while Abbey joined the others. “Elle, are you sure you want to marry Spencer?” Elle swallowed hard. This could be her one chance to gain more time. Even if she got her message out today, how long would it take for Mrs. Ridgley to get back to her? “I … I ... I’m not sure.” Summer faced her. “Being a mail order bride isn’t like getting married the normal way. There’s not much courtship, no months of getting to know one another. It’s two people who agree to make a life together so they can survive. Like the good Book says, things are better with two. When one falls down the other can lift them up. Two can stay warm better than one …” “I know that, but I’m … overwhelmed.” Considering she didn’t know if she’d be arrested by her future husband, it was an understatement. “Yes, but you can’t put him off either. You signed an agreement. Clayton and I had a few weeks to get to know each other because of my injury. Whether you wait another week, a month it doesn’t matter. Elle, you signed a contract. Personally I don’t know why you have cold feet. I can see you’re attracted to Spencer.” Elle looked over her shoulder at the others who were all admiring a bolt of cloth Spencer’s mother was holding up. “I know I signed a contract. I just need a little more time. I … I really need to … to let Mrs. Ridgley know I got out here all right.” “You aren’t going to wire her to tell her you want to go back are you?” “Of course not!” Summer’s shoulders slumped as she relaxed. “I’m glad to hear it. I know you’ve been worried about getting to the telegraph office.” She took Elle’s hands in her own. “Please promise me you’ll give Spencer a chance. He’s a good man and the Riley’s are a wonderful family. Don’t be hasty and make a wrong decision.” Elle felt a chill go up her spine. If only she could tell her friend what happened but she didn’t dare. What would she do? They’d been taught at the orphanage to always do right by others and to protect those they loved. But in this case, whom would Summer protect? Elle didn’t want to put her friend in that sort of position so it was better she remained quiet. “I promise I’ll give him a chance,” Elle said, her heart in her throat. She hoped and prayed that Spencer Riley would do the same for her if it came down to having to tell him what she’d done.
Six
Spencer walked slowly. Should he ignore his mother’s reques t and go back to the mercantile? But she said they’d be done in an hour. He could wait an