by Nora Nolan
"I'm uncomfortable with the level of familiarity you two had without the benefit of marriage. It's unseemly. There are men who would think this delicate flower is no longer marriageable," said the reverend.
Aaron and Evie both looked at the Rev. Copperfield. "Delicate flower?" Evie continued. "I'll have you know I can take care of myself. I don't need a man. You heard the part where I was on my own for three weeks on the trail, camping out, hunting and killing and cooking my own food, right?"
Aaron could see Evie getting agitated and wanted to calm her. It was bad enough that she was nervous and saying so much, but nervous and angry with the same time would likely be a whole other bucket of dynamite.
"I don't think he meant it as an insult, Evie. He's concerned for your welfare. He just doesn't know you very well, and I feel confident he's never met a woman as accomplished as you are." He turned to the reverend. "I'm sure there's no need to do anything rash. Let's let cool heads prevail. We came here tonight so Evie could borrow some clothes from Molly, just so we could help stave off gossip. I know I'm in a precarious position here and could lose my job if there were a scandal. She's a young woman who needs some help at this point, and I'd like to help her. But truly, her virtue is intact. She's not compromised. I haven't touched her."
"Well, that might not be exactly right, either." She looked back at Aaron. "You touched me plenty when you walloped my bare backside!"
Evie caught herself but not in time. She was dismayed to see the newest reactions from around the table. The coffee Philip had just sipped came out his nose. The reverend stood up so fast his chair turned over backwards. Mrs. Copperfield threw both hands up to her face and shrieked. Molly and Bethie looked at each other knowingly and silently laughed, and Amy and Derek both grinned and shook their heads.
It was the sheriff who finally spoke up, grinning broadly and stroking his beard. "Aaron, my friend, I believe you just got yourself a wife."
"Wait. What?" Evie asked. "What's happening here?"
"Evie, sweetie," Aaron explained, "what's happening is that the reverend thinks I've taken liberties with you that only a husband should have the right to take. He wants to marry us."
"You and me? Married?"
"Yes, dear," the reverend said. "Tonight. That will take care of any improprieties. Otherwise, I'm afraid your reputation would be soiled and people would think very poorly of the deputy. This way, the community can look upon it as a joyous occasion."
"But, it's so soon! Oh, I don't know about this."
"I don't see any other way, Evie. I think they're right," Aaron said.
"Well, maybe, I mean, I thought about it when you kissed me, but now that it's about to happen, I just don't know! I'm not sure. No, no, I'm sure. It's too soon! I'm not ready."
Aaron stood and pulled Evie to her feet. "Derek, where can I speak with Evie privately? It might get loud."
Derek pointed down the hall to the back of the house. "Woodshed's out back. Get as loud as you want to."
Mrs. Copperfield coughed and fanned herself nervously.
Molly called out to them as Aaron pulled Evie by her arm. "I'll have a bath ready for you, Evie, and your choice of some dresses!" Then she turned to some of the others and spurred them to action. "Sheriff, please pour that hot water into the tub for Evie. Derek, Aaron needs a bath, too, after being on the road for two days. Would you please run out to the bunkhouse and have the men get a bath ready for him there? Tell the hands they're welcome to the ceremony and the food. Bethie, come with me to pick out some dresses and underthings. Amy and Mrs. Copperfield, would you get out some more plates and things for the men if they want something to eat or drink?"
All moved to action quickly.
ONCE THEY WERE outside the house, Evie became agitated and anxious. "Aaron, you aren't going to spank me again, are you? I'm so sorry. I told you I babble when I'm nervous. I never dreamed they'd react like that! I'm sorry you have to marry me!" She was already crying as he half dragged her to the woodshed. Once there, he saw a bench and sat down on it, pulling her into his lap.
"Evie, you don't have anything to apologize for. Everything you said is true. Nobody could fault you for that."
"But if I'd kept my mouth shut, we might not have to get married."
He searched her eyes. "Would that be so bad? Being married?"
"What? What do you mean?"
"I've thought about it. These last two or three days, I've thought about it. I think we could be happy together, Evie. I said earlier I enjoyed your company. I do. I think we're good together. Didn't you think so? You said, yourself, you felt comfortable around me. Did you mean it?"
"Yes."
"And when we kissed, I know you felt it much as I did. I wanted more. You did, too."
"Yes!" It was a whisper.
He stood up and set her down on the bench while he dropped to one knee in front of her.
"Evie"
"Evelina."
"Evelina, that's a pretty name. Evelina, will you do me the honor of becoming my wife?"
"Yes, I will!"
He was so tall that with him on his knees, he was almost the same height as she was sitting on the bench. He leaned in and pulled her to him for the best kiss yet.
As they made their way back to the house holding hands, Evie smiled and looked up at her fiancé. "When you told Derek you needed a private place and it might get loud, I thought for sure you were going to wallop me. This was much better."
Aaron laughed and hugged her to his side. "I was afraid you'd argue with me."
"I didn't think you allowed arguing. Discussing and questioning, yes, but not arguing."
"Look who's learning the rules." He hugged her to him even tighter.
"So, you really will punish me if you think I need it?"
"Yes, ma'am, I will. I'll never beat you, though, and I'll never slap you or punch you. I don't hold with that."
"So spanking only, then, right?"
"Oh, I expect I can get more creative than just that."
"What do you mean?" He just looked down at her and grinned.
"Aaron, should I be worried?"
"Not as long as you're a good girl." That thought combined with his grin and the gleam in his eyes made her feel that mushy feeling again deep down.
They walked into the house and Aaron hollered out, "Is everybody ready for a wedding?"
Molly ran and grabbed Evie as she answered, "We're getting that way! We ladies are going to take care of Evie, and you, Deputy, are going out to the bunkhouse and taking a bath. Do you have any clean clothes?"
"Yes, ma'am, in my saddlebag. What makes you think I'm dirty?"
"My eyes and my nose and the fact that you're a man who's been on a horse for two days. Now git! Time's a-wasting!"
Aaron laughed and went about doing what she said to do. He grabbed a clean set of clothes from his pack and headed for the bunkhouse, accompanied by all the men.
"I can take a bath by myself, men. I'm fairly certain I don't need any help."
Derek responded, "We just want to make sure you know what to do on your wedding night."
Aaron laughed. "Oh, I believe I can figure that out on my own. Sure do appreciate the thought, though."
"I don't know if you can, my friend. We probably need to share some marital secrets and tips," Philip offered as the other men guffawed. "You know, I wish we still had that trapeze from my wedding night. I'd lend it to you. That was a hoot."
Derek joined in. "Well, and that rope swing we had over our bed was fun, too. The only way to go. Still use it sometimes."
The sheriff wasn't about to be bested. "No, no, no. It's the pulley system that packs the most punch. You get the right angle on those pulleys, and you can go at it like there's no tomorrow."
Even the reverend couldn't help laughing. "Pulley system," he said under his breath, shaking his head.
In the bunkhouse, the bathtub was isolated behind a wall. It didn't prevent conversation, though, and when the ranch hand
s joined in, it got quite bawdy. The reverend quietly slipped out and went back toward the house, stopping to sit on a porch swing. He thought his mind needed a cleansing prayer before joining this couple in holy matrimony.
BACK IN THE HOUSE, the ladies had poured rose oil in the tub and Evie thought it smelled wonderful. She washed her hair with the rose scented shampoo and used the sweet-smelling French milled soap to scrub herself. She had never felt so pampered. While she was drying off, Molly knocked and came in with a pretty shift and lacy drawers. Evie had not seen such finery before and was overjoyed that Molly would share something so delicate. Molly insisted on applying some rose scented powder mixed with baking soda and magnesium hydroxide to Evie's underarms, explaining that it would prevent underarm odor. Evie got all excited and made Molly promise to show her how to make it. Again, she'd never seen such a thing. "I'll send some home with you, dear. I promise it'll make you feel fresh longer when you, um, uh, perspire with your husband."
"Do you mean during marital relations?"
"Yes."
"We'll get sweaty?"
Molly giggled. "If it's really good, you will." They both giggled.
"So it's good, right? My ma died when I was twelve, and I've never talked to anybody about these things. I know what men have in their britches because I have five brothers, but that's about it. Molly, please, what else should I know?"
"I'm sure Aaron will show you everything you need to know, but I can tell you a little bit, to ease your mind. The first time, it will probably hurt some, but only for a little bit, and you'll get right over it quickly. There may be blood, too, so don't let that alarm you. He'll probably do it quickly, so you can begin enjoying it."
"Blood? Why blood?"
"Girls usually have a thin little skin barrier that the man has to tear a bit to have relations. It's where you release blood each month. The man has to enlarge that opening to accommodate that part of his body. It's over quickly, and then it can start being wonderful."
Evie smiled. "Wonderful, huh?"
"Even better than wonderful. Now, let's finish getting you dressed and fix your hair."
The other ladies came in with a few dresses to choose from or try on, and Evie selected her favorite. They brought in some shoes, too, and found that they fit. Molly was even happier than Evie was. They set her down so they could work on her hair. They trimmed it a little where Evie had gotten it uneven. Molly towel dried it to where it was only slightly damp, then she and Bethie took combs and started lifting up small strands to dry a little faster.
Amy remembered when Bethie and Molly had done the very same thing for her on her wedding day. Molly shared how it was the wife and daughters of the stagecoach swing station master who had gotten her all ready for her wedding, since she was set to marry Derek on the first day she arrived in Big Rock, without ever having met him in person before. By the time she was through with her story, Evie looked beautiful. Even with her short hair, she had some curls with ribbon woven throughout. She looked like an angel, complete with a halo. When they turned her to look in the mirror, she couldn't believe what she saw. She could only whisper, "I never dreamed I could look like this."
They heard the men coming back in the house, their coarse comments and lewd laughter dying down. The ranch hands came with them. It's not that they particularly enjoyed weddings, but any party with free food and free flowing alcohol was a good thing to them. They'd been to enough of them here to know that the alcohol was kept in Derek's office, and before long, each man made his way in there and helped himself.
Mrs. Copperfield took hold of Bethie's hand then took Evie's in her other one. "Evie, dear, we've had several weddings here in Big Rock, and Bethie has sung at each one of them. Would you like for her to sing a song? I know she would love to."
"Oh, would you, please?"
"Yes, of course! Do you have any preferences?"
"I don't know any. My mother used to sing hymns around the house, but I don't remember much about them."
"All right. I'll choose one, then."
Mrs. Copperfield stepped out to confer with her husband then came back. "We're about ready to start, Evie. Your groom looks very happy, and handsome, too! You stay in here with me, until they're ready for you to come out. The other ladies will go on out. I'll tell you when to go join the groom in front of the fireplace. It'll make a lovely setting for the vows. First, Bethie will sing. Then, you'll walk in slowly to join Deputy Glover. The reverend will lead you and tell you when to speak. You'll repeat some vows, then the most important part is a happy "I do" when the time comes. You seem a little nervous, dear. There's no need to be. I believe you've already made friends here tonight, and we all want this to be a joyous time for you. Just take deep breaths and enjoy the evening as it unfolds." She gave Evie a reassuring hug.
The ladies went out and joined their husbands, except for Mrs. Copperfield. Seating was scarce with all the additional ranch hands joining, so the ladies sat down while the men stood behind or beside them. The reverend had moved some of the furniture to ensure an open pathway aisle was available for the bride to walk from the back of the room where she would enter to the fireplace. The pastor told Aaron he could sit down while the song was being sung, then he was to stand when it was over. The pastor and his wife exchanged nods, their own signals to each other, well known from experience. He smiled at Bethie and gave her a silent signal to begin.
She stood and began singing Love Divine, All Loves Excelling by Charles Wesley. Her voice, unaccompanied, rang sweet and pure. Everyone quieted so they could hear every note, even the men who were much more at ease with bawdy saloon songs. There was just something about Bethie's voice that made people want to listen. It was a happy song and most appropriate for a wedding. When it was over, the people in the room took a collective breath in wonder.
Bethie took her chair again, and Philip put his hand on her shoulder and squeezed. He was so proud of his wife and loved her more than he ever imagined he could love another person. He hoped Aaron and Evie would find as much happiness together.
AARON STOOD, and the pastor indicated he should stand beside him and look toward the door through which Evie would enter. Mrs. Copperfield nodded at Bethie, who began humming the Wedding March. They had their signals, too.
The pastor's wife stepped inside where Evie was. "Now, walk very slowly down the pathway they made for you. Very slowly. Take a small step, then stop. Then take a small step, and stop again. Do that all the way to the fireplace. The reverend will indicate where you should stand. My advice is to keep your eyes fixed on Aaron's as you walk. You'll see in his eyes everything you need to see." She kissed her cheek. "Now go."
Evie took a deep breath and stepped out into the room. All the men, because they hadn't seen her transformation, caught their breath at the sight of her. The women all exchanged conspiratorial smiles, knowing this would happen. Aaron was spellbound, intoxicated. He looked into her eyes and saw the hope and affection there, and his own smile widened. If he'd had any lingering doubts, they were gone.
He watched her walk down the aisle they'd made and felt profoundly proud to be marrying this woman. As much as it would have been nice to have his brother beside him, he realized he wouldn't change a thing. Even the circumstances that had brought them to this point had worked out for the best.
A calm came over Evie when she saw Aaron's smile. She could scarcely believe everything that had happened, and so quickly. She was amazed that these ladies—she already thought of them as friends—could make this lovely ceremony happen and make her ready for it, in so short a time. It was almost as though magic, mighty forces were swinging her way. She was grateful.
When she came to the fireplace, the pastor placed the couple in front of him, facing each other. "Now, Miss Evie, and I suppose this is the last time anyone will call you Miss," he winked at the crowd and they chuckled, "I need to know your full name, please."
"Evelina Simpson Goodacre."
Aaron and the sheriff rec
ognized the last name and exchanged a brief look acknowledging that recognition. When Evie turned back to her groom, he was already gazing down at her again.
The vows went smoothly, and Evie learned that Aaron's middle name was Joseph. When the pastor told Aaron he could kiss the bride, everyone giggled when he had to lean down so far to kiss her that he finally just picked her up and brought her to his level. When he put her down, the reverend whispered to them to face the group. "I'm delighted to present to you Deputy and Mrs. Aaron Joseph Glover." The women clapped, and the men cheered and hooted. Bethie howled a little bit, too. "Please congratulate them, and may we all join in fellowship as we celebrate with them and enjoy the largesse of our very generous host and hostess." More cheers followed that and Philip hollered, "It's about time—we never did get a chance to eat!"
Molly pulled Derek aside and whispered, "I'm going to send some clothes and things home with Evie, sort of a wedding present. Would it be all right if they take our wagon home? We can take his horse back in a day or two and get the wagon."
"Of course, Molly Wolly. I should have thought of that myself." He motioned to a couple of his men, and before long, they had the wagon in front of the house, loaded with the newlyweds' things, awaiting them, and they had taken care of Big Boy and tucked him away in the barn.
The celebration continued for another hour or so as people were finally getting to eat, and the celebration gave the men leave to drink more than they normally might have. Many of the men made suggestive and even clever remarks, but none rose to the level of being offensive, so even the reverend and his wife giggled at a few.
Once they had eaten, Aaron stood up and pulled Evie up to stand beside him with his arm protectively around her shoulder. She liked how it felt. "My friends, I had no idea when I woke up this morning that I'd be going to sleep a married man." He looked down at Evie. "But I thank God and my guardian angels and my lucky stars that I am. I guess I should also thank Reverend Copperfield for insisting on it."
The pastor winked and said good-naturedly, "I am merely one of those mysterious ways in which the Lord works." He bowed and drew laughs from the gathering.