Page 23 of Mail-Order Millie (A Mail-Order Mystery #1)
A s it turned out, after questioning the Dunnigans, Wallers, and Van Cleets, along with James Ruggles, Bram concluded the man that followed Millie to Bram’s office was indeed Mr. Crafton. Millie was the only one to have seen him since the ball. No doubt he was making himself scarce so he wouldn’t get caught. Which put Bram in a pickle. Did he stay in Baker City and see what else he could find out? Or should he head back to Washington? Either way, there was something he needed to take care of and told Millie it was going to be done today. And so, that’s how she found herself in Fiddler’s Gap, a tiny town eight miles out of Baker City, standing before their preacher reciting her wedding vows.
“And do you, Millie Ann Scott, take Bramford Joseph Henry to be your lawfully wedded husband?”
Millie gave the preacher a big smile. “I do.”
“Then by the power vested in me by the great state of Oregon, I now pronounce you husband and wife. “Bramford, you may kiss the bride.”
Bram lifted her veil, wrapped her in his arms, and kissed her soundly. This wasn’t the first time they kissed, but it was the first time they kissed as a true husband and wife.
When Bram broke the kiss, he gazed into her eyes. “I love you.”
She smiled. “I love you too.”
Bram’s eyes grew bright. “Now we’re official.”
She smiled back. “Does this mean you’re going to order that new bed?”
He laughed. “No, but it does mean we’re going to spend the night here in the hotel.” He kept one arm around her as he faced the sheriff and his wife. “Thank you for standing in as witnesses.”
“It was our pleasure,” Sheriff Cole said. “And I want to hear all about this Crafton fellow when you have a chance. Cyrus Van Cleet told me about what happened at the ball. We were so caught up in dancing, we didn’t pay any mind to Verity going home.”
“I’ll do that,” Bram said. “But first, I’d like to spend time with my new bride.” He looked at Millie. “My beautiful, wonderful, bride.” He turned to the preacher. “Thank you, Reverend Murray. We appreciate you marrying us on such short notice.”
“No problem son. Ellis and Arabella down at the hotel are making something special for your wedding supper.” He gave them a wink.
Millie thanked Reverend Murray, along with the sheriff and his wife, Penelope, then let Bram escort her out of the church. She was no longer the wife of William “Bill” Krantz, but of Bramford Joseph Henry, and she couldn’t be happier. He and his fellow spies still had work to do, and to keep her safe, Bram wanted her to stay in Fiddler’s Gap under the watchful eye of Sheriff Aubrey Cole. As soon as they located Crafton and rounded him up, they would leave for Washington and her new home. Bram said it was a might bigger than their little cottage in Baker City, and he always smiled when he mentioned it. She had a strong feeling it was a lot bigger.
But she didn’t want to think about that now. They were strolling down the street, Bram wearing the suit he wore to the ball, and she in her ballgown. It was the closest thing to a wedding dress she had, and Mrs. Murray had been able to fashion a veil for her in short order.
They entered the hotel, went up the stairs and down the hall to the last door on the right. Bram grinned at her, unlocked the door, then scooped her into his arms.
Millie giggled. “Bram!”
He looked down at her. “I have to carry you across the threshold. Didn’t you notice I never did as Bill Krantz?”
Her eyes widened. “That’s right, you didn’t.”
Bram looked into her eyes. “I couldn’t because I knew we weren’t really married.”
“But we are now.”
“Yes, sweetheart, we are.” He carried her over the threshold into the room and smiled at her. “And now I can make you mine.” He kissed her, closing the door with one foot, and did indeed, make her his.
THE END