Chapter Five

      Emily Perkins dressed her son quickly the morning after Christmas. She secured the two-year-old in his high chair with a set of blocks to entertain him then readied the store for the day's customers. While she worked she kept one eye on the boy and the other on the dormitory door across the way. Candy Pruitt had given her her word that she would come in early to tell her if Joshua and Katie had made any announcements during dinner.

      As Emily watched for Candy, the morning stage rattled up between the store and Lottie's. Several passengers stepped down out of the coach and into the welcome arms of friends and family members. Across the way Kate Macready, with carpetbag in hand and Candy at her side, left the dormitory and approached the waiting stage. Emily grabbed a broom and wandered nonchalantly out to the porch in hopes of hearing what was going on.

      "I'll only be gone for a few days," Kate assured her friend. "There's a list of everyone's assignments on my desk. Please hand them out this morning. If our reporters get right to work, the next edition will be ready by the time I return."

      Kate stepped into the now empty coach and Candy shut the door securely behind her.

      "I wish you'd let one of us go on this trip with you. I don't like to see you traveling alone."

      "It's only to Tacoma." Kate smiled. "I'll be staying with the town's editor and his wife while I'm there."

      The driver was in a hurry to get back to his Christmas holidays at home so as soon as Kate was settled, he flicked the reins and they were off.

      Candy made her way over to Emily shaking her head with a sigh.

      "What is it, Candy?"

      "Emily, if I ever try to make a match again please, please, please, tell me to mind my own business."

      The older woman pulled her friend inside the store so she could get the entire story.

      "For heaven sakes, why is Katie going to Tacoma? What happened last night at dinner?"

      "I don't know, exactly. Joshua went out to the barn to bed down the horses and then Katie followed him out with a present. They were both gone for a long time. Just when I was about to suggest to Jeremy that he go check on them, in they walk as silent as sphinxes. Not only that, but Joshua had a swollen lip!"

      "She hit him?" Emily asked, wide-eyed.

      Candy shrugged, "We don't know. Neither one of them would explain anything."

      "Did Josh have a present for her?"

      "I didn't see anything."

      "Maybe that's why she hit him. Men can be so aggravating."

      Candy shook her head. "Katie and Josh argue but they've never actually come to blows."

      "Then what could have happened? They've been so close since the quake. I was certain they were on their way to the altar."

      "Me too." The women puzzled over the mystery.

      Emily continued to search for an explanation. "They didn't say anything when they came back?"

      "Katie announced she was heading for Tacoma on business and would be gone until the thirtieth."

      "What did Josh say about that?"

      "He said he'd be leaving for Olympia later this afternoon."

      "It doesn't sound as though they're engaged."

      "Well," Candy said placing her hands on her hips. "I, for one, am through with hoping for anything to happen between those two. This is all just too exasperating."

      Joshua met Kate in front of Tacoma's courthouse the morning after they'd left Seattle. They congratulated each other on pulling off their great escape without anyone having a clue about what was really going on.

      "Did Jason or Jeremy ask you anything?" Kate smiled.

      "I think they're convinced that you belted me in the mouth and they don't want to embarrass me by asking about it." He laughed, "I think they think I'm leaving town until the swelling goes down."

      Kate inspected his upper lip.

      "It looks fine today. Couldn't tell anything had happened. Hey, do you want me to do it again just in case we see anyone we know?" she asked with a grin.

      "Ah, no, that's all right," he smiled.

      Kate looked through the windows of the courthouse. The couple had arrived fifteen minutes before the building opened for business.

      "Josh, when do you think we'll have a courthouse like this in Seattle?"

      The young man settled himself on the concrete steps. "Oh, within the year. Aaron's brought it up to the town council and everyone's in favor of it."

      "That's wonderful! We should have a bank, and a hospital and..."

      Joshua's laughter cut her off. She came over and sat beside him.

      "Are you laughing at me?" she asked, poking him in the side.

      "Yes,"

      "Why?"

      "Seattle will have all those things, " he said as he put his arm around her. "Right now we need to be a little more practical."

      "All right, future husband, what would be more practical?"

      "Well, for one thing, we're going to be married in five days and we don't have a place to live."

      "You mean I can't bunk in with you and your brothers?" she feigned disappointment.

      Joshua rolled his eyes. "No, we're not sharing a cabin with my brothers."

      "Darn," Kate said with a grin. "What did you have in mind?"

      As Joshua explained his vision of the new cabin, Katie listened wide-eyed. Their home on Bridal Veil Mountain would be a perfect reflection of their personalities: simple but spacious with all the modern conveniences of the day and "a shameless number of windows" throughout the house. Kate marveled at his ingenuity. She must have been staring at him in amazement because he paused in his explanation.

      "What? Don't you like the plans?"

      "I love the plans. I'm just wondering how in the world someone like me could be marrying the most intelligent, charming, wonderful man in Seattle."

      Joshua blushed beet-red at the compliment.

      "I'm not that man, Katie, but it pleases me to know you believe it's true." He stroked her hair gently. "I'll try hard to live up to your opinion."

      The two gazed at each other, letting their eyes share what was in their hearts. Suddenly, Katie jumped up and returned to the front door.

      "Oh, why doesn't someone come and open this door?"

      Joshua laughed, "They'll be here soon. Getting a marriage license is not such a big deal."

      "Oh, really?" Kate smiled. "And when have you ever gotten one?"

      "Two years ago," he answered with a yawn.

      "Did you come down with one of the loggers when they applied?"

      "Nope, I got a marriage license for myself and Peggy."

      "Peggy?" Kate was stunned. "I don't know any Peggy, do I?"

      "She was one of the brides." He saw Kate's jaw drop open so he explained. "She married a surveyor about a year ago. Last I heard they were living in Clearwater."

      "Wait a second! Are you trying to tell me that you've been married before?"

      "No, we just got the license. Do you want to know the whole story?"

      "Please."

      Just then a man walked past the frosted windows within.

      "Someone's moving around inside. It looks like they're about ready to open up."

      Kate placed her hand on his shoulder holding him down on the steps.

      "Hold it right there, Squid! I'd like to know the whole story before I become the second girl licensed to marry you."

      Joshua obliged his love and recounted the entire complicated tale.

      "...So, what's the verdict? Am I still marriageable?"

      "I guess I can't blame Peggy for wanting to marry you but I'm glad you both had sense enough not to go through with it."

      "We were standing right here when we realized we couldn't do it. It would have ruined both of our lives."

      "And you wouldn't have been able to marry me." Kate pointed out with a grin.

      "So you still want to go through with this even after you've heard all the details?"

      "I do."

      "You don't have to say that when you get the license, you know," he whispered to her.

      Leaned toward him and whispered back. "I'm just practicing."

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