Thistle Down
Sherrie Hansen
Also from Second Wind Publishing
Novels by Sherrie Hansen
Night and Day
Love Notes
Maple Valley Trilogy:
Book 1: Stormy Weather
Book 2: Water Lily
Book 3: Merry Go Round
Wildflowers of Scotland Series:
Wild Rose
Shy Violet
Blue Belle
www.secondwindpublishing.com
Thistle Down
By
Sherrie Hansen
Beckoning Books
Published by Second Wind Publishing, LLC.
Kernersville
Beckoning Books
Second Wind Publishing, LLC
931-B South Main Street, Box 145
Kernersville, NC 27284
This book is a work of fiction. Names, characters, locations and events are either a product of the author’s imagination, fictitious or used fictitiously. Any resemblance to any event, locale or person, living or dead, is purely coincidental.
Copyright 2013 by Sherrie Hansen
All rights reserved, including the right of reproduction in whole or part in any format.
First Beckoning Books edition published
May 2013.
Beckoning Books, Running Angel, and all production design are trademarks of Second Wind Publishing, used under license.
For information regarding bulk purchases of this book, digital purchase and special discounts, please contact the publisher at www.secondwindpublishing.com
Cover design by Tracy Beltran
Manufactured in the United States of America
ISBN 978-1-938101-49-6
To Mary Ann Olsen, for being a friend through good times and bad, and now, even better. I appreciate your encouragement and willing heart.
Chapter 1
“Two weddings in two months must be stressful for all concerned.” Ian MacCraig reached behind his neckband, unbuttoned his clergy tab, and pulled it from his collar. He didn’t mind wearing the contraption when he was in the pulpit, but the day had been long and his neck itched from being confined.
“Stress? Not at all,” Edith Downey, the mother of the brides claimed. “Well, there was a little to-do about the date. Both girls had their hearts set on being June brides, and for various reasons, they chose the same weekend. I suggested that Emily should have first choice – she is the oldest. But then Chelsea started to cry...” Mrs. Downey had the grace to look chagrinned. “Chelsea really will be a good barrister once she’s passed her bar examination. Ever since she was a little tyke, she’s been adept at pleading her case.”
No stress at all, Ian thought.
“But then Emily got mad and started in on me for spoiling the girl. I supposed I was a bit prone to letting Chelsea have her way when they were children.”
“It’s a natural thing, I suppose.” He had only one sister, and he didn’t even want to go there. He couldn’t imagine the family dynamics that would come into play with five children.
“So Emily moved her wedding up to May?”
“Yes. I hope she’s not rushing things, but who am I to say?”
“Is there some reason for concern?”
“Well, they’ve only known each other for four months. But Emily staunchly defends her reasons for wanting to get married.”
Staunchly defends? Not, ‘Emily’s madly in love’, or ‘She’s so head over heels with the laddie that she can’t wait to be his wife’? He made a note on his tablet.
“And what about Chelsea? How does she feel about her sister beating her to the punch so to speak?”
“Well, there’s been the usual quibbling about Emily always having to have the best, and worries that nothing Chelsea does will rival Emily’s grand showing, but I just turn a deaf ear and hope it all goes away.”
No stress at all, Ian thought again. “I’ll look forward to meeting them all then.”
“The girls will both be up tomorrow to celebrate my birthday, if you’ve time to see them on such short notice.”
“Certainly.” No reason he couldn’t squeeze them in between the Nitters and Natters and his meeting with the Altar Guild. “We can take care of some of the logistics for the ceremony and use of the church, and schedule the pre-marital counseling sessions for each couple.”
“Neither of them really needs counseling.” Edith tugged at her hat.
“Not to imply that either couple is in need of my specific assistance, but it is part of the procedure for any couple I agree to marry.”
“But they both grew up in this church.”
“They were both grown and gone long before I came to St. Conan’s. I haven’t had the pleasure of meeting either of the men they’re marrying. Taking inventory of their relationship styles and talking about anything that bears discussing is a good way to get to know each other. Even if they have the perfect relationships and have no need for counsel.”
“I do understand. It’s just that their schedules are so busy. Emily and Benjamin are both very mature. They’re certainly old enough to know their own hearts. And they’d have to drive all the way from Glasgow.”
She didn’t say where Chelsea and Greg lived.
“Counseling is not an option. It’s a requirement.”
Edith remained quiet, but she did not look happy.
“I can concede that counseling may not be the most fondly anticipated part of getting married, but most couples do realize the wisdom in participating in the exercise.”
Edith sighed, opened her mouth to speak, then closed it again.
“You can trust me to handle this, Edith. You’ve enough to do being mother of two brides.”
“Yes.”
“Leave it to me to win them over then. I’m sure we’ll get on smashingly.”
“Yes. Well. Better you than Reverend Stout.”
Ian smiled. His predecessor had retired at the ripe old age of 87. “I do have the benefit of being about the same age as your daughters.”
“Yes. Maybe they’ll actually listen for once if it’s coming from you.” Edith laughed as though she was making a joke, but it was a hollow, half-strangled laugh that did not bode well.
“As I said, I’m sure we’ll get on famously.”
Edith left a few minutes later, still acting as though she’d signed on her daughters for the excision of impacted wisdom teeth instead of a few friendly chats about how to build a strong marital relationship.
