I'm going to have a papa just like you promised. Faith held her daughter close, tears of happiness welling in her eyes. I didn't promise that, Emma. Yes, you did, Emma insisted. When we first came here, you said maybe someday we'd find someone who would love us both, and we did.
Mr. Yates loves us, and we love him. Yes, Faith agreed softly. We certainly do. A knock at the door announced Yates's arrival for Christmas breakfast.
Emma flew to answer it, throwing herself into his arms the moment he stepped inside. Mama told me, "You're going to be my papa for real." Yates caught her up in a hug, his eyes meeting faiths over Emma's head. "That's right, Miss Emma. If that's all right with you, it's the best Christmas present ever," Emma declared. "Even better than the saddle," Yates laughed, carrying her into the cabin.
"I'm glad to hear that." "And there's more good news if you and your mother agree. We thought we might have the wedding at the ranch. Mrs. Abernathy is already planning a feast and we could invite the whole town to celebrate with us. The whole town, Faith echoed, surprised.
That's rather a large gathering. It's not every day the most eligible bachelor in the county gets married, Yates replied with a wink. Besides, I want everyone to witness how fortunate I am to have won the hand of the most beautiful, intelligent woman in Montana territory. And me," Emma added. "You get me, too." "Indeed, I do," Yates agreed solemnly.
The greatest blessing of all. The next two weeks passed in a whirlwind of preparation. Faith finished the school term while simultaneously planning a wedding, packing their belongings, and preparing Emma for the changes ahead. Yates, meanwhile, threw himself into readying the ranch house for his new family, adding curtains to the windows, having a bedroom painted in Emma's favorite shade of blue, and clearing space in his library for Faith's books. Word of their engagement spread quickly through Redemption Creek, eliciting reactions that ranged from Martha Jenkins's delighted approval to Harriet Wilson's barely concealed displeasure.
Most of the town seemed genuinely happy for them, however, and acceptances to the wedding celebration poured in. On the morning of January 5th, 1878, Faith stood in Martha's guest room, staring at her reflection in the mirror. Her wedding dress, hastily sewn by Martha and Dorothy Lane, from the finest fabric the merkantile could provide, was simple but elegant. Its ivory satin complimenting Faith's honey blonde hair and fair skin. You look beautiful, dear," Martha said, adjusting the small wreath of winter berries and evergreen that crowned Faith's upswept hair.
Yates won't know what hit him. Faith smiled nervously. "I still can't quite believe this is happening." "6 months ago, I arrived here with nothing but hopes and prayers. And now you're marrying the most prosperous rancher in the county with a home and future secure for you and Emma. Martha squeezed her shoulders.
The Lord works in mysterious ways. A soft knock at the door revealed Emma respplendant in a new dress of pale blue silk gift from Yates. Mama, you look like an angel. Mr. Yates, I mean Papa is already at the ranch with Reverend Collins.