by Jillian Hart
Magnolia McPhee was late. Not terribly unusual for her, but no way was she missing Iris’s wedding. Not Iris’s. After everything her oldest sister had been through, the fear that she would never marry.
“Bye Magnolia!” Missy’s shout followed her out the bakery’s back door.
She didn’t take time to answer. She didn’t have a minute to spare!
The side street was quiet, painted with the purple shadows of dusk. The warmth of the spring day had faded, but not the smell. She drew in the scent of growing grass and pollen as she pounded around the corner, clattered up onto the boardwalk and nearly collided with Elise Hutchinson’s mother. The very proper woman gasped, a dainty, lace-gloved hand fluttering to her throat.
“My goodness, Magnolia McPhee! Watch where you’re going! That’s no way for a lady to behave!”
“Sorry, Mrs. Hutchinson! Coming through!” She barreled around the rather wide skirts of the older woman, wove around the various members of the Dunbar family, including the troublesome twins who were punching each other, and dashed up the stairs toward the real estate office.
“Tyler!” She threw open the door, not at all shocked to see him hard at work at his desk. Either he’d lost track of time, or his workaholic father had been pressuring him again. “We’ve got ten minutes. Ten. Up on your feet. C’mon, let’s go.”
Tyler set down his quill, and the look in his eyes as he took in the sight of her standing there was something out of dreams. The exhaustion vanished from his face. The lines unhappiness drew on his sculpted, handsome face disappeared. Love so big and rare lit him up—bright enough to light the world.
“Magnolia.” He stood, capping his ink bottle. “I lost track of time.”
“Then it’s a good thing that I knew you would.” She ignored his father’s disapproving hrrrmph from the corner of the room and waved at the middle Montgomery brother, Travis. He waved back. “I want to have enough time to see the bride before the ceremony.”
“What’s the rush?” Lance Montgomery, patriarch of the family, pushed his chair back and rose heavily. His face turned ruddier than usual. “It’s a home wedding.”
He said that with the same tone as you might say, disgusting, dead snake in the road.
“They can start the ceremony whenever they want.” Lance rose heavily. “Tyler, I need you to stay and finish reconciling the business account.”
“It can wait until tomorrow. I’ll get on it first thing in the morning.” Tyler circled his desk. He had to know his father had fisted his hands and looked angry enough to scare off an agitated, hungry grizzly. “How is Milo doing? I hear he’s up and around and doing pretty well.”
“We got lucky.” Magnolia was grateful for that. “He still has a bad headache. Not to mention some dizziness and balance issues, which is why he’ll be sitting down for the ceremony.”
“I hear the deputies brought in Zane to help track down the Klemp brothers.” Travis set aside his pen, the ledger in front of him forgotten. “I wanted to volunteer, but Pa wouldn’t let me off work.”
“You belong here,” Lance growled, crossing his arms over his chest. “That’s why we pay taxes. Let them do their jobs. You can stay here and do the job I pay you for.”
Travis gave a good-natured shrug. His father’s tough ways didn’t affect him the same way they did Tyler.
Magnolia took hold of her fiancé’s hand and gave it an encouraging squeeze. Strain corded in his neck as he reached for his coat with his free hand.
“Did you hear what I said, Tyler?” Lance boomed, a man used to getting his way. “I’m going to dock your pay if you leave.”
“I’m leaving, Father.” Tyler opened the door, holding it for Magnolia. “See you tomorrow.”
Ooh, it was too bad she was outside, because she thought she heard a rather interesting and creative use of cursing, but she was too far way to make out anything more than the tone.
“I’m sorry about that.” That’s all Tyler said.
She didn’t press him for more. She knew how hard it was for him to live up to his family’s expectations. The problem was that you loved your parents, faults and all, and it was hard to disappoint them. Besides, Tyler had given his word to his father many years ago. Tyler was a man who kept his promises, no matter how difficult.
That was one of the thousands of reasons why she loved him, but she really wished he could be happier. She knew he missed working with his hands building things.
“Will Zane make it for the ceremony?” Tyler asked as he untied his horse at the hitching post.
“I think he’s coming expressly for it and then leaving again.” Magnolia held out her hand, palm up, hoping Clancy would acknowledge her. He gave her a distrustful look but did not turn his head from her. “Hey, I’m making progress. I’m going to win him over. You wait and see.”
“You’ve been trying for a long time. He’s stubborn.”
“So am I.” She gave Clancy a kiss on his cheek before he could protest and darted into the buckboard. “Your father seemed like he was in a pretty good mood today.”
“Yes, it was a nice change.” Tyler’s dimples flashed as he settled onto her next to the seat. “This is my favorite thing. Spending time with you.”
“Soon you’ll get to do it every day.” She snuggled against him. “Are you ready for that?”
“Are you kidding? If I get to come home to you every day for the rest of my life, it will not be enough.” He reined Clancy down the street and slipped an arm around her shoulders.
The minutes were ticking by. Magnolia kept an eye on her lapel watch as Tyler pressed Clancy into a fast lope. They dashed down the side street, whizzed down the residential streets and clamored to a stop in the street in front of Milo’s house. (It was already crowded with horses and buggies).
“Slow down!” Mrs. Crabtree snarled from her front porch. She stopped sweeping long enough to scold them. “What’s with young people these days?”
“Hi, Mrs. Crabtree!” Magnolia gathered her skirts and leaped into the road. “Good evening to you! Come on, Tyler. Run!”
“I have to tether Clancy.” Amusement rumbled in his voice as he moved in the shadows, deciding on a low hanging tree branch to use as a post. “You go on. Your sisters are waiting.”
And they were. Daisy, Verbena and Rose glared at her. “Hurry!”
They charged up the stairs, and she went too, barreling down the hall and into the room where Iris stood in front of a beveled mirror.
Magnolia skidded to a stop and blinked, but she still couldn’t believe her eyes. “You look like a princess. I’ve never seen a lovelier bride.”
“Oh, you’re just saying that because it’s my wedding day.” Iris waved off the compliment, blushing with pleasure.
“No, Iris, you’re simply stunning.” Magnolia wanted to remember this moment, as she had with her other sisters. The flush of excitement, the glow of happiness, that moment when her beloved sister’s life changed. This was everything she’d ever wanted for Iris.
“See? It’s not just us,” Daisy chimed in. “You’re gorgeous, Iris.”
“Amazing,” Rose agreed.
“Breathtaking,” Verbena added.
“It’s the dress.” Iris smoothed her hand over the delicate lacework skirt. “It’s Aumaleigh’s dress. I swear I can feel the love in it.”
“No one can argue that.” Verbena’s hand flew to her heart. “When I wore it, that’s what I felt too.”
“Me, too.” Daisy wiped a tear from her eye. “I know you did too, Rose. And soon it will be Magnolia’s turn.”
“I can’t wait.” Magnolia took a moment just admiring the dress. The princess style cut, the softly belling skirt, the pearls sewn into the bodice, the intricate lace overskirt—it was incredible.
But that was not what made it special.
Aumaleigh stepped into the room, elegant as always with her dark curls and kindness. “Iris, you look like a dream. You are going to take Milo’s breath away.”
“It’s time.” Aumaleigh couldn’t help moving in to fuss with the bride a little. Straightening the pearls she wore around her neck, patting the girl’s cheek. Oh, she loved her nieces. She wanted every happiness for them. “Are you ready to become Mrs. Milo Gray?”
“I feel as if I’ve been waiting a lifetime.” Iris took Aumaleigh by the hand. “Walk with me.”
“It would be my pleasure.”
She escorted the bride along the hall and down the staircase. Family and friends had all arrived and were waiting in the parlor. Aumaleigh smiled at her nieces Annie and Bea, who were sitting with her nephews-in-law—Beckett, Tyler, Zane, Seth and Adam. She nodded at the girls’ friends—Elise, Penelope, Gemma, Dottie and Leigh.
Her heart stopped at the man standing in the back, all dressed in black. It was his familiar, dimpled smile that made her miss her step. She grabbed the wall for support.
Gabriel. What was he doing here?
“You’re our ma now.” Sadie bounded up to take Iris’s hand. “There ain’t a better one.”
“Mitsy loves you.” Little Sally came up, solemn as a judge, and so Aumaleigh stepped aside to let the girl have the place of honor beside the bride. Sally gave a little sniffle and the purple tiara she wore slipped a bit sideways. “I love you too, Ma.”
“Oh, my precious girls.” Iris crouched down, dress and all, and took both girls into her arms, holding them, just holding them.
You could feel the love. Aumaleigh’s throat ached, full of gratitude for the happiness her niece had found. She felt Gabriel’s gaze on her, as bold as a touch. When their eyes met, her heart skipped two beats, the way it used to do when they were young.
“Are we ready?” Pastor Ammon cleared his throat and opened his bible.
“We gotta wait for Fluffy!” Sally dashed out of place beside Iris and patted her knee. “C’mon, girl.”
Amused chuckles filled the room. Aumaleigh tried to keep her attention on the puppy who looked up, abandoned the piece of rope she was chewing and darted to Sally’s side. But it was Gabriel who stayed at the edge of her peripheral vision, Gabriel who seemed to affect every beat of her heart.
“Dearly beloved,” the pastor began, and those age-old words were the same ones she’d once looked forward to reciting.
Did Gabriel know that was the dress she’d made for him? It was the single, slight nod and the brightness in his eyes that told her he did.
All she could do was to stare hard at the floor and pretend she didn’t want to go back to that time—to that sweet, sweet time.
But she did.
Gabriel pulled his rattling wagon to a stop in the shadow of the Ohio ranch house. Actually, ranch house wasn’t an accurate description of the sprawling, Tudor-inspired structure. He felt uncomfortable around such fanciness, he was a country boy born and raised, but at the sight of Aumaleigh through the big kitchen window, all other thoughts and feelings fled.
Something tugged at his hat brim.
“Sully, knock it off.” He playfully batted the gelding away, the big lug.
Aumaleigh. He couldn’t take his eyes off her. She was incredible. Her lustrous, dark hair was drawn back into two long braids, framing her face in the sweetest way. Intent on her work, she gave the rolling pin a push over the dough, and the long lean line of her arms and the curve of her shoulder painted the prettiest picture—one he could look at all day, every day for the rest of his life.
He was going to marry that woman. She was going to be his wife. How he got so lucky, he didn’t know, but he was grateful. One hundred percent.
She looked up, turning toward him as if by heart. The instant their gazes locked, it felt like they were one. As if when he breathed, she did too. In that still silent place, staring into one another, he could feel her there, in his soul.
She swiped her forehead with her rolled up sleeve, pushing a shock of dark hair out of her eyes. He felt brighter when she smiled, like standing in full sun. She came toward him, opening the door and stepping out into the light.
What a dear face she had. Heart-shaped. Framed by unkempt little strands of falling down locks that were adorable. Her slope of a nose, as cute as could be. Eyes the color of bluebonnets that sparkled with unassuming kindness. Sweet, unaffected, she swished toward him down the path in her plain calico dress.
A dream, that’s what she was. A dream he was afraid he’d wake up from.
“Gabriel!” She ran toward him. His engagement ring sparkled on her finger. “You’re early!”
“I couldn’t help it. I wanted to see my special gal.”
She came into his arms like a summer’s dawn, filling him with her light and her softness. He wrapped his arms around her, treasuring the sensation of her against him. He breathed in the rose scent of her and smiled at the sensation of her hair catching on his whiskery jaw.
“I’m almost done with my work.” She stepped back in his arms. “I hate to make you wait.”
“I don’t mind. I’ll just sit here on the porch until you’re done.”
“I’ll hurry.” She went up on tiptoe and brushed her lips across his.
That was about the greatest thing he’d ever known. Letting her go wasn’t easy. Watching her skip away from him about tore him apart. He stood there in the glare of the summer sun, lonely without her.
“Hey there, Daniels.” John ambled by, cowboy boots kicking up dust. “Come by to take Aumaleigh on a buggy ride? Aren’t you a little early?”
“Yep, I just couldn’t wait.”
“You’ve got it bad, don’t you?” John tipped his Stetson and followed the path to the kitchen porch.
There was no denying it. He had it bad for Aumaleigh, in the best, most wonderful way. He swept off his hat and trailed up the walkway. Found a comfortable seat in the shade and watched the butterflies flutter by.
The screen door slapped open and she rushed out to him, with a streak of flour on her cheek. “Here, it’s nice and cool. I got the pies in the oven and Cook told me to mix up more bread dough.”
“No worries.” He took the glass of lemonade and kept his opinion to himself. “You’re worth the wait.”
Her beaming smile was his reward. She whipped away, as sweet as a song and disappeared into the kitchen. If he leaned back in his chair, he could just see her through the window, rushing around the work table to disappear into the pantry.
“You’re back.” The chill in that voice could turn the Great Plains into a glacier field. Maureen McPhee limped around the corner of the porch, with a handful of roses from her prized garden. “Guess you’re holding out for more money than the thousand dollars we offered you.”
“You’ve got it wrong, Mrs. McPhee.” He swept off his hat respectfully, although it wasn’t easy to keep calm or respectful. Not with all that had happened and all he knew about the woman. “I’m not interested.”
“There isn’t a single reason why you’d want that homely girl in there, and you know it.” Low that voice, carefully pitched so no one inside the kitchen could hear. “Trust me when I say you aren’t getting your hands on my money. Aumaleigh has been cut off. Disinherited. We took her name off the will the moment we found out she’d been sneaking around with you.”
“I don’t care. That doesn’t matter to me.” That was simply the truth.
Too bad Maureen McPhee wasn’t a lady who cared much about truth. “You and I make a deal right now. Two thousand dollars, that’s a fortune to someone like you. You can outfit a ranch with that. Buy all the livestock you need. Two thousand dollars, you walk away and we never see you again.”
“I feel sorry for you.” That was the truth too. “Money isn’t the be all and end all in this life.”
“Boy, it’s the only thing that matters. You can count on money. Money never lets you down. But love.” Maureen’s face pruned up,
full of disdain. “Love is a lie. It dies, and what do you have then? Nothing, you fool.”
He watched her walk away, but he wasn’t thinking about the money. He glanced over his shoulder, catching sight of Aumaleigh emerging from the large pantry, with a flour canister in her arms. She was moving like lightning, rushing here and there, grabbing a mixing bowl and accidentally dropping a handful of wooden spoons on the table.
He imagined there would be a few more last minute tasks assigned to her, designed to keep her from having her Sunday afternoon off, thereby leaving him waiting for her. But he didn’t care. Nothing and no one was going to separate him from his Aumaleigh. His love was stronger than that.
“Pa?” Leigh elbowed him in the side, pulling him out of his thoughts. “Isn’t this a nice wedding?”
He blinked, glancing around, realizing the bride and groom had just finished their first kiss as man and wife. Poor Milo sat propped up in an armchair by the hearth, looking ashen and wobbly. It was hard not to have sympathy for the fellow.
“I heard a little rumor.” Leigh leaned in, going up on tiptoe. “The dress Iris is wearing? That’s Aumaleigh’s. It’s the one she made to marry you.”
His jaw dropped. Words failed him. It was a beautiful dress, and so her. Simple but lacy, sweet and garnished with pearls. His ribs cinched up tight, making it hard to breathe.
“Although I completely understand why she would give your ring back.” Leigh’s smile sparkled. “Ma always talked about what a mess you were. How she had to train you up right. You were a disaster.”
“Can’t deny that.” He’d been a wreck for a long time. His heart in pieces, disillusioned and disenchanted. He’d given his heart to her.
“Your mother loved me in spite of it.” His voice cracked, because he was grateful for that. “Your ma made my life.”
“So did I. Admit it. You need me, Pa.”
“That I do.” A father’s love filled his heart, too great to measure.
The ceremony was done, the party started and his gaze drifted over to Aumaleigh. He wished he knew what to say.