The Bride Wore Blue by Mona Hodgson Read Free Book Online Page B

and had arrived in Cripple Creek almost a week ago, but in many ways, today felt like the beginning of her new life. Since Father left her in Portland, Aunt Alma had served as her guardian. This morning, her aunt would board the train to return home, leaving Vivian here to sink or swim. She’d been sinking since her father left for Paris.
    At her dressing table, Vivian looked in the mirror. She tugged the collar of her purple serge jacket straight. She’d pin her hat on after breakfast.
    Today she’d strike out on her own and swim. She had plenty of ideas for costumes but no real experience with the business side of clothing design. Working at the shop in Victor would give her the know-how she needed to succeed in bigger cities like San Francisco or New York or Paris. Perhaps her father had done her a favor in telling her not to come to France. She wasn’t ready. Not yet.
    Vivian pulled back the curtains on her second-story window and looked down on the center of town. Banks. The stock exchange. Hotels.All represented people who might appreciate her eastern-inspired designs. The possibilities for success were endless.
    Satisfied she’d done all she could to prepare for the day, Vivian wrapped her shawl about her shoulders. She fairly floated as she made her way down the pine staircase, her steps made light by a newfound confidence. No music wafted from the phonograph this morning. Instead, Miss Hattie warbled, “Blessed assurance, Jesus is mine … praising my Savior all the day long.” Vivian peeked inside the parlor.
    Miss Hattie sat in a rocker in front of the fireplace with a Bible on her lap. She quieted and motioned for Vivian to join her. “Come in, dear.”
    Vivian took a slow step through the doorway. “I didn’t mean to disturb you.”
    “The Lord would probably welcome a respite.” The laugh lines that framed Miss Hattie’s blue-gray eyes crinkled like lace.
    Before Vivian could respond to the warm-hearted landlady, the front door opened and all three of her sisters and her niece swept into the parlor on a wave of chatter. Vivian wanted to hold baby Hope but didn’t dare take the chance of spoiling her dress before meeting Mrs. Ondersma.
    Kat looked around the room. “Where’s Aunt Alma?”
    Miss Hattie rose from her chair. “She insisted on cooking us breakfast her last morning here.”
    “Well, it smells wonderful.” Kat kissed Hope on the cheek and laid her in Miss Hattie’s open arms.
    Nell sniffed the air. “Skillet-egg-pileup. That pungent aroma is as recognizable as the scent of a pine forest after a good rain.”
    “My specialty.” Aunt Alma sashayed into the room wearing a well-floured apron.
    “I’m tired of hearing my stomach growl.” Miss Hattie patted her generous belly. “Is this mystery specialty of yours ready for consumption yet?”
    “Indeed it is.”
    They all fell into line behind Aunt Alma. Except for the butterflies flitting about Vivian’s midsection, breakfast was delightful.
    An hour later, she stood on the Midland Terminal Railroad platform with her sisters and Aunt Alma. A sharp whistle drew their attention to the top of the grade where the train puffed its way down the hill from Ute Pass.
    “In one of his infrequent letters, Father mentioned plans to—” Kat shouted as the train pulled into the station and the last loud puff of steam blew out from somewhere under the iron monster. The contraption then went eerily silent except for a faint hiss. “Ahem, as I was saying,” Kat continued, “Father mentioned plans to come to Cripple Creek next year. You could join him, Aunt Alma.”
    “We’ll see.” Their aunt swept a curl of copper hair behind her ear. “Oh, but I’m going to miss this little one.” She looked at Vivian. “And all my girls—young women now.”
    Finally, her aunt had accepted the fact that Vivian had grown up. Now all Vivian had to do was prove it to herself.
    Vivian boarded the train with Aunt Alma and sat on the aisle. She’d