His hands lingered at her waist as he lifted her down, and the warmth in his eyes made her breath catch. “You all right?”
She nodded, though her pulse quickened under his steady gaze. “Just ready.”
“Me too.” Was that a twinkle in his blue eyes?
She couldn’t help a private smile.
Papa approached, brushing dust from his coat. “What about accommodations? You mentioned renting a room for the ladies?”
Robert gestured toward the boarding house with a grimace. “That’s the trouble. Mrs. Patterson’s full up with a group of surveyors passing through. But Mrs. Holbrook—” He nodded toward the mercantile across the street. “She’s offered her own chamber above the store for Mandie to dress. Says it’s the least she can do for such a special occasion.”
“How kind of her.” Mama’s face brightened. “Though I do hope it’s suitable…”
The creak and jingle of an approaching wagon drew their attention as Thomas arrived with Bea seated beside him on the driver’s bench. Even from a distance, the older woman’s face lit when she spotted their group.
“Bea!” Mandie called out, lifting her hand in greeting.
Thomas brought his wagon to a halt beside theirs, and Bea practically bounced with excitement as he helped her down. She hurried straight to Mandie, her wrinkled hands reaching out to grasp both of Mandie’s.
“Oh, my dear girl.” Bea’s eyes sparkled. “What a wonderful day this is. Thomas told me everything on the ride—how you and Lord Enoch finally spoke your hearts to each other.” She squeezed Mandie’s hands. “I have been praying for this day since you first arrived at our ranch.”
Warmth flooded Mandie’s chest. “I’m so glad you’re here. It wouldn’t feel right without you.”
Bea turned to clasp Mandie’s mother’s hands next. “You must be Mrs. Sinclair. I am Bea Wang. Your daughter has become very precious to all of us.”
“Mrs. Wang.” Mama’s wide-eyed expression showed some bewilderment at the housekeeper’s easy warmth. “Thank you for caring for Mandie after her injury.”
“Now then.” Bea pulled back and clapped her hands together. “Let us get you dressed for this blessed occasion.”
Within minutes, Mandie was settled in the Holbrooks’ private chamber with her case and her mother and Bea. Mrs. Holbrook had graciously provided tea, as well as a pitcher of fresh water and clean towels. Despite the simple furnishings, the small room was cozy.
Her mother hung the ivory-trimmed dress from a peg on the wall, and Bea ran her fingers over the silk. “This is beautiful fabric. It reminds me of the dresses my mother wore.”
Mama busied herself unpacking the small items they’d brought—a pearl necklace that had belonged to Mandie’s grandmother, a pair of cream-colored gloves, and the ivory combs she’d worn at her first wedding.
“I thought perhaps we could arrange your hair differently this time.” Mama lifted one of the combs. “Something softer, more suited to the setting.”
Mandie nodded, settling onto the room’s single chair as her mother moved behind her to begin working with her hair. Her fingers loosened the simple braid, then began brushing out the long waves. “Mrs. Wang, perhaps you could tell us about Enoch as a boy. Thomas mentioned you’ve been with the family since they lived in England.”
Bea’s face softened with memory. “Such a serious child, even then. He adored playing with Will, but he was always watching out for his younger brothers too. Always thinking three steps ahead.” She began unfastening the tiny buttons that ran down the back of the dress. “But he had the sweetest laugh when something truly delighted him—a bubbling sound that would start in his chest and roll out until his whole face transformed.”
Mandie couldn’t help smiling at her mind’s image of a young Enoch with that same careful way of watching the world. “I can imagine that.”
“He was always bringing me injured creatures.” Bea shook out a wrinkle from the silk dress. “Baby birds, wounded rabbits, once even a fox kit with a broken leg. His mother would scold him for it, but Enoch never stopped trying to fix what was broken.”
An ache settled in Mandie’s chest. Or maybe a longing. She wanted to slip her hand in his and be at his side as he worked to make the world around him a better place.
“There.” Mama stepped back to survey her handiwork. She’d swept Mandie’s hair into a soft arrangement at the nape of her neck, with gentle waves framing her face. The ivory combs held the style without making it too formal. “Much better for an outdoor ceremony.”
Over the next few minutes, they helped her into the elaborate gown, and she stood as her mother fastened the buttons, and Bea knelt to pull on her best slippers.
“There.” Mama stepped back to examine her, a smile glistening in her eyes. “You look radiant.”
Bea pushed to her feet, and a grin creased her face as she clasped her hands together. “Lord Enoch will be struck speechless when he sees you.”
Mandie smoothed her hands over the silk skirt. She and Mama were of a similar size, so the dress fit perfectly, the ivory trim catching what light filtered through the small window. But more than the gown, a deep sense of rightness settled in her spirit.
“I should go tell the men you’re ready.” Bea moved toward the door, but she paused before slipping out. “Any messages to pass along?”
