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  They bowed their heads and said a prayer for Percy and any family he had. After their prayer, Leer escorted Meg back to the Hearth and Home.

  Epilogue

  The end of March brought a few changes to Creede. The use of wood fires and hot coals worked well and enabled the carpenters to begin building the library well before the ground thawed. It also worked well for Leer as he worked on his home for him and Meg.

  The outer structure of the home was finished, and the windows and doors were in place. Leer had spent hours putting down wood floors and building cabinets for the kitchen. The home was plain, but Meg insisted she would brighten it up with curtains, wallpaper, and rugs. Leer didn’t doubt that for a moment.

  He strolled through the house pleased with the fireplace and the new cookstove he ordered. Yes, the house would be perfect for his bride. His bride. Leer checked his watch and breathed a sigh of relief. He wasn’t late. It would be a terrible thing to be late for his own wedding.

  Down the road, Delia was busy checking the last-minute details on Meg’s wedding gown. Delia had insisted that Meg’s gown come from her favorite New York designer and telegraphed the measurements and promised to pay extra if it arrived on time. The ivory gown arrived with a week to spare.

  Wes arrived home and commented, “You make a beautiful bride, Meg, and you look lovely, too, Delia. Blue suits you well.”

  Meg asked, “Leer isn’t with you, is he? He’s not supposed to see me before the wedding.”

  Wes shook his head. “No, he’s at your house checking on things. He certainly worked hard to finish it and wants everything to be perfect.”

  Delia fitted the veil on Meg’s head and turned to Wes, “It’s time we leave for the church. I hope Leer is paying attention to the time.”

  Wes promised, “I will drop you at church, and if he isn’t there, I’ll hunt him down.”

  Delia nodded, and Meg paled. “You don’t think he’ll be there?”

  “Of course, I do. It’s only if he gets caught up in something at the house and loses track of time. He wouldn’t miss marrying you for anything, Meg. Don’t worry. I have the buggy out front. Let’s leave, and I’ll find Leer.”

  “All right,” Meg agreed. “I suppose we can’t have a wedding without a groom and best man. Be sure to find him.”

  Wes just smiled.

  Leer left the new house and locked the door. Mister Thistlewaite was waiting on the small porch.

  “I was worried you might miss your wedding,” the elderly man said. “I’d like to walk to the church with you.”

  “I’d enjoy the company,” Leer answered.

  Leer was going to mention the lack of a coat but decided if the man enjoyed life without one, who was he to argue. Besides, he wasn’t sure if Mister Thistlewaite was a man or an angel. He did show up when needed and had information no one else did. If not for Augustus Thistlewaite, Leer might not have found Meg in time and might not be getting married.

  The two chatted amiably as they walked to the church.

  Wes and the ladies passed him on the way, and Wes told Meg and Delia they both worry too much because Leer was on his way to the church, but Delia said, “I can see he’s on his way, but he must be terribly nervous. He seems to be having a spirited conversation with himself.”

  Not being able to see Mister Thistlewaite either, Meg commented, “I hope he isn’t trying to convince himself he’s doing the right thing.”

  “No worries, Meg. Leer loves you, and he’ll be at church on time,” Wes answered just a bit concerned himself about his friend’s one-sided conversation.

  A few minutes later, they arrived at the church, and Delia soon had Meg ensconced in the small, private back room in the church. Wes quickly let them know that Leer had arrived, and the wedding would start as soon as they were ready.

  Delia hugged Meg and took her place at the front of the church. Meg waited for the music to begin and then began her walk toward the man she loved.

  Meg was nervous and wasn’t sure she heard everything that Pastor Theodore said, but she must have answered in the right place because suddenly there was applause behind her, and Leer was kissing her.

  Meg linked her arm with Leer’s, and they walked down the aisle. Meg noticed a small man in a top hat doing a little jig in the corner.

  “Who is that man?” Meg asked.

  “That’s Mister Thistlewaite. You can see him?” Leer asked surprised.

  Meg nodded, and they watched as Mister Thistlewaite removed his top hat, bowed, and then faded away.

  “What happened?” Meg stammered.

  “Nothing unusual for Creede, my dear. I believe he was my guardian angel and came here to assure I stayed and married my sunshine and warmth.”

  The End

  Thank you for reading my story. I hope you enjoy the Cowboys and Angels series as much as the other authors and I do writing them. If you have a free moment, please leave a review. It helps authors more than you know. Thanks, and God bless.

  You can find me at http://mariannespitzer.com/ or on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/mariannespitzerauthor/ All my sweet Western romances, the Mail-order Brides of Gentle Falls, can be found on my Amazon author page and all are available through Kindle Unlimited.

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