Charlotte marched into the mercantile, Billie on her arm. “Ladies! We have a bridal emergency!”

At the counter, Leona Riley whipped around with a swirl of skirts. “We do?”

Betsy Quinn, on the other side of the counter, clapped her hands. “Thank the Lord!”

“No time for celebration,” Charlotte barked. “When I say emergency, I mean emergency!”

Betsy hurried around the counter to join Leona. “What’s the matter?”

“Billie has cold feet – we need to heat them up.”

Betsy and Leona exchanged a quick look. “You can count on us,” Leona said. “After all, you wouldn’t be the first bride to get the collywobbles around here.”

“I’m not?” Billie said in surprise.

“Heavens, no, child,” Betsy said. “Just ask Charlotte.”

Charlotte shrugged. “Oh, you might as well know the whole story. I almost didn’t marry Matthew.”

“Yes, I heard something about that.”

“What you didn’t hear was that I almost married Tom Turner, and Matthew almost married Rose. Mother Quinn had sent away for Rose, and was very opposed to me – for good reason, given how I’d been acting. Both mismatched couples were already at the altar and if Tom hadn’t spoken up right then, we would’ve stayed mismatched for life, since my feet were cold enough to freeze my mouth shut.”

Billie gasped.

“It’s true,” Betsy confirmed. “And Miss Sneed, you’re about to marry one of the most wonderful men in town. You need to understand that.”

“What?” Leona said. “Are you having misgivings about Lucien?”

“No … not exactly.” Billie shut her eye tight. She might as well let them know. “It’s just that I … I don’t think …”

Charlotte wasn’t going to wait for her. “Her head is full of nonsense that he’s too good for her or some silliness like that.”

Betsy and Leona shared another look. “Oh, you poor dear,” Leona replied. “A case of the ‘I’m not worthy’ blues.”

“The what?” Billie said, her eyebrow raised in curiosity.

“Yes,” Leona said with a nod. “You should’ve seen my poor daughter-in-law Summer when she first came to town. If Clayton hadn’t shot her in the foot …”

“He did what?” Billie interjected.

“It was an accident. They fell in love while she was convalescing – at least Clayton did. Summer didn’t think she was good enough for him. Isn’t that right, Charlotte?”

Charlotte blushed. “Yes, and Mother and I didn’t help, since I had my cap set for Clayton. I was horrible back then, and I made sure Summer felt horrible about herself. And when that didn’t work, I re-set my cap for his brother Spencer, and made Elle suffer when she came to town.”

Betsy nodded. “You were a hellion for a while there. That’s why I was determined to keep you and Matthew apart. But you were already changing for the better – I just didn’t know it yet.”

“Indeed she was,” Leona added. “But everything turned out for the best and my two sons are happily married to wonderful women.”

“And I got a wonderful daughter-in-law,” Betsy said with a smile and gave Charlotte a hug.

When they parted Billie could see tears in Charlotte’s eyes. “You changed.”

“Oh, my heart was black as night then, Billie. But if I can change, so can you.”

“Change?” Leona said curious. “What are you talking about?”

“I’m talking about Billie wanting to marry Lucien,” Charlotte said.

“What’s the matter, child – don’t you want to marry him?” Betsy asked, bringing them full circle.

“No, I do,” Billie said. “There lies the problem.”

Leona blinked a few times. “Okay, I’m confused – will one of you kindly explain to me what this is about?”

“She doesn’t believe she deserves him,” Charlotte stated. “Or anyone.”

“All right, that’s what I thought before,” Leona replied.

“Well, if Charlotte, Summer and Elle could get past their fears, not to mention Bernice and a few others, then so can you,” Betsy said. “Land sakes, I don’t know why women think these things.”

Billie stared open-mouthed at the trio. It was as if her scars didn’t exist and her missing eye meant nothing. Nor did they consider her height, her proportions, her complete lack of domesticity. If she was so special, why couldn’t she see herself as they did?

Leona Riley looked her up and down. “White or ivory, Betsy?”

“With her hair? White, of course.” Betsy headed for a stack of fabric, grabbed a bolt and hurried back to the counter. “I wish Abbey was here – she could help.”

“She’ll be here in half an hour for tea,” Charlotte said. “In the meantime, let’s get Billie’s measurements.”

“Splendid idea,” Betsy went behind the counter, disappeared for a moment, then hurried back with a measuring tape. “Come here, child, let’s see what we’ve got.”

Billie blushed as she remembered Maitred’s attempt at measuring. Well, at least this time she didn’t have her bosoms wrapped up – that would save time and embarrassment.

“I’m just curious,” Leona said as she approached. “Why don’t you think you’re fit for Lucien?”

Billie gaped at her. “Look at me!”

Leona did. “I don’t see a problem, really. Yes, you’ve got a few scars – that doesn’t make much difference.”

“How can you say that?” Though she was beginning to understand.

“Honey, around here things are different. This isn’t a big fancy city with fancy folk. Out here we have to take care of each other – we don’t let silly things like scars get in the way. Besides, out here on the frontier we get nicked up all the time – there just about isn’t a soul in town who hasn’t been shot or nipped themselves with a knife or broken their arm falling out of a tree or gotten kicked by a horse. Where did you come from?”

“England, actually.”

“No, after you came here and had your little misadventure. Did you spend any time in small communities?”

Billie shook her head. After her father’s death, she’d gone to Trenton, which was a good-sized city. Then Philadelphia, Cincinnati, Gary, Kansas City and Denver, substantial towns all. That was where the jobs were, until she decided to try the mail-order bridal route.

“Well, that explains it,” Betsy said.

Billie sighed. “I think the only thing it explains is that Nowhere is special.”

“It is, but so are a lot of places. The point is, people change and grow in a place where everyone knows everybody else. You have to, or at least make the effort.” Betsy looked at Charlotte.

Charlotte nodded. “It’s true – I made the choice to change. So has my mother … though it is taking her longer.”

Betsy nodded. “Well, we older folks get more set in our ways,” Leona replied.

Billie sighed again. “I’m not used to being around people like yourselves. I’m sorry if I’m offending you.”

“Offending us?” Betsy said. “Child, you don’t offend us – you’re too sweet for that. Besides, you wouldn’t be the first person who had an accident of some sort, then married. Who’s that man in Clear Creek Harlan told us about, Leona?”

“Oh yes, Cutty!” Leona recalled. “My brother Harlan Hughes was sheriff in Clear Creek, Oregon for years and years. A fellow there named Cutty suffered horrible burns, plus he had a past you wouldn’t believe. But he’s happily married now. In fact, he and his wife are both English like you, and both got a second chance at love. They weren’t as young as you when they met, either.”

“Oh,” Billie said, eyes wide. “Oh my.” Something had shifted, something important, though she wasn’t sure what. It was as if someone had blown a trumpet and the walls around her heart had fallen like Jericho’s, or like a steady wind had blown up after days becalmed at sea. “Oh my …”

“Stop saying that – the suspense is killing me,” Betsy said.

Billie shook her head, unable to clarify. She was still trying to figure out what was occurring herself.

“Let’s get you measured, dear,” Leona said, ignoring her revelations. “Then we’ll decide on a few things.”

Billie stood in stunned silence as the women measured her, but they didn’t make any off-hand remarks, simply took her measurements and jotted them down. They moved on to picking out different bits of lace, buttons and other fripperies to adorn the dress.

By the time they were done, Abbey had arrived. “What’s this?” she asked as she looked at the stack of goods on the counter. “Are we finally making your dress, Miss Sneed?”

Billie was still too stunned to speak. She felt different somehow and wondered how long it would last. There was nothing wrong with how she felt. On the contrary, she felt… right? Fixed? Healed?

“Billie?” Charlotte said with concern.

She looked at her. “Thank you.”

“For what?”

Billie’s jaw trembled with emotion. She went to Charlotte and flung her arms around her. “Thank you.”

“What did I do?” Charlotte asked, eyes wide.

She took a step back and wiped a tear from her eye, feeling as if her emotions were pouring out like the tide. “Thank you …” They were the only words she could manage, or needed.

Charlotte shrugged. “You’re welcome. I think I have an idea what you’re thanking me for.”

“I don’t,” Abbey said in confusion.

Leona smiled. “That’s all right, dear, we’ll fill you in later. Right now we have a dress to make.”

Lucien paced to one side of the sheriff’s office and back. “Nothing can be done?”

“I’m afraid not,” Spencer said. “If Billie gave a description of the scoundrel to the law in New Jersey, they’re the ones to take care of him,” Spencer said. “Without a name, it’s like finding a needle in a haystack. And we certainly can’t do much about it here.”

“He’s right,” Clayton added.

Lucien nodded. He’d happened into Spencer and Clayton in front of the sheriff’s office while coming back from seeing Pastor Lewis – he’d had to tell him the wedding was being pushed back. Warren Johnson strolled by and joined the group, and the four men conversed about their wives (or in Lucien’s case, wife-to-be). Then it occurred to Lucien to ask how the man that assaulted Billie and killed her father could be found.

“The thing to do now is marry the woman,” Warren said. “Get her involved with the other ladies in town. Have her spend more time with Bernice if it helps. My wife didn’t think I’d want her, the fool thing. She understands what Billie’s going through.”

“Thank you for being so understanding, Warren,” Lucien said. “I appreciate it. Billie enjoyed the other night, and so did I.”

“The picnic will be a fine time to introduce her to folks,” Clayton said. “Be better if you could introduce her as your wife.”

Lucien nodded to himself. The town picnic was a week from Saturday. If Billie wanted a wedding dress and Charlotte and Abbey worked on it, they could be married beforehand, and he could introduce her as his wife. But what if they didn’t finish it, and they had to wait until after the picnic to marry? What if Billie didn’t want to wed until afterwards?

“What are you thinking?” Warren asked.

“Timing,” Lucien said as he paced the room.

“When you marry the gal doesn’t matter,” Spencer said. “Sure, it would be nice to introduce her as your wife during the picnic, but is it necessary? Marry her when she’s good and ready, that’s my advice.”

“Sound advice,” Lucien commented, but didn’t stop pacing.

“As to the other matter,” Clayton said, “you can’t take revenge on the man who harmed your bride, but you can rescue her.”

Lucien’s eyebrows rose as he smiled. “I’ve been trying.”

“Good – it’ll take time, but you’ll do it,” Clayton said. “Speaking from experience.”

“Thank you for your advice, gentlemen. I’ll speak with her. Just do me a favor – if you see her trying to leave town, don’t let her.”

“Leave town?” Warren asked. “Why in Heaven’s name would she do that?”

Lucien sighed as he put on his hat. “Because she’s convinced herself she’s no good for me.”

Spencer smiled. “I’ll do better than stop her. I’ll arrest her.”

Lucien laughed, shook Spencer’s hand and left the sheriff’s office. It was time to once again show Billie Jane Sneed he meant business.

Billie stared at her reflection as she modeled the frilly yellow day dress. Charlotte, Abbey, Betsy and Leona stood behind her. Nellie added the finishing touch, a pretty yellow hat trimmed in lace with flowers. “There, you look a vision,” she said. “Mary Weaver outdid herself with that hat.”

Billie reached up and touched it. The hat really was lovely – and, she had to admit, so was she. She’d never thought of herself as pretty before – passable, perhaps; average on a good day. But with these clothes and her hair done up in the latest style (compliments of Abbey), she was actually pretty for once. Well, maybe the eyepatch with the daisy on it was a bit much … but it was nice of Betsy to whip it up out of cloth scraps and a silk flower.

“Lucien will love this,” Charlotte commented. “And these are ready-made clothes.”

“This dress is … stunning,” Billie said as she continued to stare.

“Isabella Weaver is quite the seamstress,” Nellie said. “Even Mrs. Jorgenson, our local dressmaker, thinks so.”

“She certainly is,” Billie said as she turned this way and that to see the back of the outfit. “Your Mrs. Jorgensen must rejoice that the woman lives out of town.”

“Believe me, she does” Leona drawled. The other women giggled.

“Shall we try on another?” Abbey asked.

“No, she won’t,” Betsy said, hands on hips. “We need to get her wedding dress started. If we all pitch in, we can have it done in no time.”

Leona grinned. “Then you can be married.”

For once, the thought didn’t frighten Billie. “You all have been so kind.”

“It’s our pleasure, dear,” Leona said. “Besides, who doesn’t love to try on pretty clothes for fun?”

“That dress was made for you,” Betsy said with a smile. “Won’t Lucien be fit to be tied when he sees you?”

Billie turned back to the mirror. “I hope so.”

“Hope so?” Charlotte said. “We know so.”

Billie hugged Charlotte again. “Thank you, thank you so much. I don’t know what happened, but I … I feel different.”

“It’s called confidence,” Nellie replied. “Have enough confidence and you can do anything – right, Charlotte?”

Charlotte rolled her eyes, then smiled. “Yes, but watch how you use it. Take it from us, we were masters at using it to get what we wanted.”

“Were?” Nellie said. “Speak for yourself, dear daughter – I’ve still got a ways to go.”

“Nellie, don’t start,” Leona said. “Billie gets the idea, don’t you, dear?”

Billie looked at each of them in turn and nodded. “I’m beginning to. I … I’ve never had friends like you before.”

“You’ve never lived in a small town before either, from the sounds of it,” Betsy said. “Until you arrived, Lucien Miller was our most eligible bachelor – and this town doesn’t have any eligible females. That’s why he had to send away for a mail-order bride to find the woman who was right for him. And you are right for him.”

Billie turned back to the mirror, pulled off her eyepatch and stared. “That’s what he says too. It still seems hard to believe. But I’m beginning to.”

“Good thing you didn’t have to worry about competition,” Nellie added.

The other women gasped. “Mother!” Abbey scolded.

Billie frowned at her reflection before turning to face them. “If a man had his choice between me and someone prettier, I’d not marry – is that what you’re saying?”

Nellie sighed. “No … I didn’t mean it that way …”

“Mother, enough,” Abbey said. “You’re confusing her.”

“I was only trying to help.”

“Better stop trying for now,” Leona replied, taking Billie in her arms.

Nellie gritted her teeth, narrowed her eyes at Leona, then snatched up her shawl and reticule, turned on her heel and left.

“Oh, fiddlesticks,” Charlotte said. “She’ll be in a sour mood the rest of the week.”

“And I’m staying with her,” Abbey said weakly.

“Nonsense,” Leona said. “She’ll get over it. I think she’s just mad at herself.” She let go of Billie. “You’ll have to excuse Nellie. She’s slowly mending her ways, but sometimes she just can’t help herself.”

“Our mother sees things … differently,” Charlotte explained, putting an arm around Abbey. “But I have to admit, she is getting better. In fact, ever since you arrived, she’s been making little changes.”

“But was she wrong?” Billie asked.

“In this case, yes, she was,” Betsy said. “You’re a wonderful girl. Maybe some other men might not find you to their liking, but Lucien isn’t some other man, is he?”

“I suppose not,” Billie admitted. Everything he’d said had indicated that she – tall, wide, somewhat masculine, scarred and half-blind – was pretty much his beau ideal. If he’d wanted some short, spindly girl with a heart-shaped face who could cook oysters on the half shell, he’d have sent away for one. But instead he’d sent away for her, and didn’t send her back when she arrived. That said something.

“We understand, dear,” Leona said. “I have two daughters-in-law who were just as unsure as you are now, only their scars were all on the inside … well, except for the bullet in Summer’s foot. They healed up – it just took time.”

Billie wiped at her good eye. “Thank you. Thank all of you.” These women were her friends and she was quickly growing to love them – thoughts of leaving faded with every moment spent with these lovely women. Okay, so Nellie was a wild card, but she was trying to change. Shouldn’t Billie do the same?

The women gathered around her and gave her a hug. In that moment, Billie felt loved. And that love was worth fighting for. It was high time she started believing what Lucien said, and let him show her how serious was his intentions. Because if she continued to fight him, she might convince him she didn’t want to marry, when in truth she did. She just didn’t realize how much, until she got a little help from her friends.