Chevonne: Bride of Oklahoma (American Mail-Order Bride 46) by Leighann Dobbs Page B

when she opened her eyes, they were much closer to town. She looked off to the side of the road. Squirrels scurried along the edge. Birds flittered in the trees, their melodic chirps filling the air. She realized how content she was here, especially with Trey at her side.
    As she watched the countryside, a monarch butterfly flew up beside the buggy, keeping pace with them as if to say hello.
    Was it a sign from Gram?
    She hoped it was Gram letting her know she’d made a good decision. As she watched the butterfly, it flitted over to Trey, landing on his arm for an instant then flying off. How odd.
    Was Gram sending her a message?
    Trey sniffed.
    “Are you catching a cold?” Chevonne asked with real concern.
    Trey chuckled. “No, it’s just that ... well, you smell so good.”
    “Oh.” Chevonne blushed. “Thank you. I brought soaps from home which I used in my bath. The bath screen was a wonderful, and a very thoughtful surprise. I feel so clean.”
    “My pleasure, Mrs. Garner.”
    Chevonne giggled at their private joke, their pretend marriage.
    Trey drove the buggy into town then stopped it in front of a simple wooden building painted white with a tall spire for a bell that was yet to be installed. A stream of people was pouring into the church through the wide open double doors.
    Trey lifted Chevonne down then held out his elbow for her. She tucked her hand inside as if she’d been doing that for ages. They entered the church side-by-side.
    In the middle pew, Iona Garner twisted around in her seat, looking for them no doubt. Her face lit up when she saw Trey then her eyes drifted to Chevonne, the light on her face dimming.
    Chevonne didn’t let that bother her. She smiled even wider and clutched Trey’s arm even tighter. They joined the family in their pew and nodded their greetings just as the preacher approached the lectern.

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    T hrough mass , Chevonne was increasingly aware of Trey’s close presence next to her. It distracted her from the sermon. Sarah Perkins distracted her too. The young woman sat two pews in front of them, and she took every opportunity to dart glares at Chevonne.
    The First Methodist Church wasn’t as fancy as the church Chevonne frequented with her grandmother. Trey had told her over supper last evening that it was as old as the town, and the first services were conducted right on the plot of land at the corner of Fourth and Robinson the first Sunday after the first land run. Back then there was only a tent, but a church was soon built.
    It was sturdy and utilitarian. The pews were hard pine, the tall windows plain glass. Unlike the churches back home, there were no fancy carvings on the pews. The only similarity to the church she knew well in Massachusetts was the stifling air.
    To keep from dozing off Chevonne glanced around at the other women, taking note of their attire. For the most part, their dresses were plain, and their hats unadorned. But Chevonne could see a few women had used some extra touches. These were the women who would appreciate Gram’s designs.
    One woman who sat in the very front pew appeared to be particularly stylish. She was a young woman and Chevonne felt certain that she would appreciate the designs. Her clothing looked expensive so Chevonne assumed she had money.
    The warm air inside the church made it difficult to breathe. Chevonne was thankful she’d had a chance to bathe, but apparently many of the others had not. The smell was pungent.
    She fidgeted in her seat. Not only was the bench hard but the new undergarments she had carefully sewn had twisted around and were causing her discomfort. The design would need modifications to be wearable.
    Thankfully, the service was short. Chevonne was relieved when it was over and they spilled out the wide church doors where the air was fresh even though the temperature was not much cooler.
    The Garners and Celia and her husband Gary stood in a cluster off to the side of the crowd of parishioners. Trey stayed