by Kate Morris
They talk another hour or so until it is decided that chores can no longer wait. The other thing that can’t wait is the children. They are rambunctious and wound up today. The separation from their family must’ve weighed heavily on their little minds. Paige will be happy if she never has to leave the farm again. Never again will she long to leave it. This is her home now. Wherever Cory, her brother, and their children reside is her home. Wherever the McClane family is will always be her home, too.
The day flies by in a flurry of activity as they not only tend to the daily needs of the farm but also prepare for her brother’s wedding tomorrow afternoon. Hannah and Bertie Reynolds are braiding dried flowers into artful, lovely arrangements that are smelling the dining room up in the most pleasant way. Sue is making adjustments to the gown Sam found two days ago when Cory took her to meet with Mrs. Browning in town. Paige wasn’t sure why his buddy, the town librarian, wanted to talk to Sam about a dress. She was never married and didn’t have kids, so Paige doesn’t understand. And the men are doing some work of their own outside in the horse barn where the ceremony will be held.
“Paige,” Ari says, coming up to her in the hallway, “my mom’s upstairs.” She emphasizes the word ‘mom’ because she is angry with her mother and wants everyone to know it. She even rolls her eyes like Reagan. Her chestnut hair that matches so exactly to her mom’s is a rumpled, unbrushed mess. “She needs your help.”
Arianna has been mad as a hen for the past twenty-four hours since she found out they are moving from the farm. She can’t blame her. Paige overheard Sue telling her daughter it would be like being on an adventure, but Ari had stomped off. This farm is all she’s ever known, or most likely all she remembers. She’s also a smart girl. She knows what’s out there.
“Sure,” she tells the young girl, who is becoming so pretty, her looks blossoming into a promising beauty. “Thanks, Ari.”
“Hey, Ari,” Huntley says as he comes down the hall, his waist-length black hair flowing behind him, a long blue bird feather tucked behind his ear. “Wanna’ go for a ride?”
“Yeah, might as well since I won’t be able to soon enough.”
He nods solemnly. They both seem upset at the prospect of her leaving. They are very close. All the kids are. G and Huntley don’t always get along, but Paige assumes they’ll eventually work things out. A lack of choices in friends tends to do that.
When she opens the door to her bedroom, where she hears Sue talking, she is stunned to find Sam standing on a chair wearing her wedding dress.
“Oh, Sam,” she exclaims and holds her hand over her mouth.
“What? Is it ok? Too…I don’t know,” Sam asks nervously. “Gosh, I knew this might look silly or something.”
“Where did you get that?”
“Mrs. B,” she answers as if Paige should already know. “She even steamed it for me.”
She asks confusedly, “But she’s never been married.”
Sam smiles, “I know. It was her great-grandmother’s. She had it in her attic all these years. Is it too…old-fashioned?”
“On you? No. No way. It’s…perfect, actually,” Paige says, telling the truth. Sam sighs with relief.
“I’m just pinning the bottom. I need to hem it just a tad,” Sue relates. “She’s just too tiny!”
Sam chuckles. Paige helps her pin the hem and make sure it’s straight.
“It’s a good thing you’re so small,” Sue remarks a while later. “Women were smaller then. Your little waist fits this just right.”
“Do you have a veil?” Paige asks.
“Yes, it matches,” she says and points to the box on her bed.
Paige takes a peek at it. The veil is just as lovely.
“Sam, I’m so glad you’ll be my real sister now,” Paige confesses and hugs her petite friend. They both tear up. So does Sue.
They work for a few hours sewing the hem in place, she and Sue. Then they go down for dinner and more talking with the family, discussing all of the new and exciting and not so exciting things happening in their family.
When the day is done, she is happy to walk through the woods with Cory and Tessa to their home. He already has a fire lit inside because gray smoke plumes swirly circles skyward from the chimney.
“Tired?” he asks after they have put Tessa to bed, in her own bed for a change.
She snuggles into his side once he is in bed beside her. “Yes. Exhausted.”
His fingers tickle up her spine and bury in her hair. Then Cory kisses her like he always does. As if the world might end any minute and he wants to go out with the taste and feel of her as his last experience on this earth.
“Not tired anymore,” she says honestly when he pulls back.
Paige straddles him and allows her hair to drape them in shadow.
“Apparently not,” he says with a smile.
“Don’t start what you can’t finish, mister.”
“Oh, that won’t be a problem,” he teases and pulls her down for another searing kiss.
Later as she rests nude and sated on her husband’s equally bare chest, Paige asks, “Did you notice, Cory, that Reagan was acting strangely?”
“I think she’s more upset over her father than she wants anyone to know.”
“Do you think so? She always acted like she hated him,” she comments.
“He was still her father. She didn’t hate him. She hated what he did. I’m sure she still loved him, or part of him. I think whatever happened up there was profound. If it changes her, I’m assuming it will be for the better.”
How the hell did he suddenly become the Dalai Lama? Of course, Cory has a side that most people never get to see, and that is something she loves knowing is her little secret.
“Do you think I should try and talk to her? I tried tonight, but she was busy with Charlotte, and then Mary came into the room.”
“You could,” he says as his fingers stroke through her long hair, which is a tangled halo around them now. “Don’t be disappointed, though. Reagan isn’t much of a sharer. I know even John has trouble getting her to talk.”
“Yeah, I’ve noticed,” she says.
“I’m just glad they’re back,” he admits.
“Yes, having Kelly gone must be hard on you,” she adds and traces circles and shapes on his chest.
“I’m just relieved they didn’t want Kelly and Hannah and my niece to move there,” he confesses. “I don’t think I would’ve liked that.”
“No, me, neither. I don’t want Sue and Derek to go, either. I don’t want anyone to leave!”
He sighs before saying, “Me, neither, sweetheart. He’s the best man for the job, though.”
“Yes, but at what cost?”
Neither of them says anything else. Eventually, his breathing evens out, and she knows he is asleep. She rises to look at Cory. His shaggy, too long black hair is a disheveled mess. He looks so innocent and childlike when he sleeps. It’s the only time he looks this relaxed or this innocent. Paige lies back down, this time in the crook of his arm where she feels safe. As long as she always has Cory by her side, she’ll always carry that feeling of safety and security with her.
Chapter Thirty-two
Sam
She takes one last look in the floor-length antique mirror in her room and gives a firm nod to Paige, who is standing by the door waiting for her to go down. Her gown is all ivory lace, every last bit of it. The sleeves are long and sheer beneath the lace, and the style is A-line, flaring just slightly below her hips. It clings to her curves in a subtle way so as not to be indecent. This dress was from a time when women didn’t wear lingerie trying to pass it off for a wedding gown. Under the gown is a champagne lining, which keeps it modest. The back dips low and leaves the upper part of her back bare. A long row of buttons begins at her lower back and go all the way to the floor. A coordinating champagne satin ribbon ties around her waist and creates a bow in the back. The bodice is what Sue called sweetheart style and fits her well without bein
g too revealing.
“Do…do you think Simon will like it?” she asks nervously.
“Yes, but I’ll like it better if you put on your veil,” Paige tells her and comes over to assist with a bright smile.
The veil is sewn from the same vintage lace but is made to drape the sides of her face but not cover it and trail halfway down her back.
“Do you think this is ok?” she questions.
“I don’t know what part of gorgeous you don’t understand,” her friend teases. “You look so lovely, Sam. Like something out of a bridal catalog from a time gone by.”
“Oh, no,” she says. “That sounds too old-fashioned. Do I look stupid? Are you sure?”
“You’re so pretty I could cry,” Paige tells her and gives her a comforting hug. “I probably will.”
Sam smiles and follows her from the room where her uncle is waiting at the top of the stairs.
“Oh, Samantha,” he says and kisses her cheek. “You look so beautiful, honey.”
She smiles under his praise. He walks her down the stairs, careful of her dress, and out the back door. She touches a photo of Grams on the way. She wishes she could be here, and her own family, too. Once they are outside, the last rays of sunshine warm her skin, even though there is still a chill in the air. He walks her to the horse barn, which is where she wanted to hold the ceremony. Since it will soon be dark out, they must have the lights on inside because it is illuminated, a soft glow coming from under the big doors. Paige goes ahead of her. Then her uncle turns to her.
“Ready, honey?” he asks, to which she nods.
Then the door is opened for them. It’s John, and he’s beaming a brilliant smile at her. She bites her lower lip and returns his smile with one of her own. He ushers them inside and closes the door behind them.
Sam’s jaw nearly hits the dirt floor of the barn. Somehow the family hid this from her. They’ve strung white Christmas lights along the rafters. Beeswax candles burn in small pots they’ve tacked onto each stall door. Hay bales act as pews, creating a center aisle where candles light the way. It’s so pretty and quaint and perfect, more perfect than she could’ve even imagined. She only wanted something simple, nothing this fancy or to have put the family out with a lot of work. This was definitely a lot of work. Behind her, John must’ve picked up his guitar because he begins playing a wedding march on it.
Then her eyes catch sight of him, Simon. He’s at the front of their make-believe church waiting for her. His dark navy-blue suit looks so nice and neat and clean on him. He’s so tall and handsome. So everything she could’ve ever asked for in a man. He’s courageous and strong. He’s tender and sweet. He protects her, is willing to lay down his life for her. He’s her best friend. And, he looks so calm and happy and proud. He’s smiling at her without his usual guardedness. He’s smiling unashamedly at her. Sam felt nervous seeing all their friends, neighbors, and family sitting on their hay bale pews, but she no longer sees them at all. Everyone else just disappears. All she sees is Simon now, and he’s staring at her with such pride and love that her heart feels it might explode.
When her uncle hands her off, he presses a kiss to her cheek. She remembers that much. The rest is a blur. They say traditional vows, repeating them after Grandpa, who holds the Bible. When he is told to kiss his bride, Simon smiles and pulls her close. He takes his time. He doesn’t seem to care that everyone is waiting for them to kiss. Simon pushes back a lock of her hair. Then he cups her face with both hands and smiles at her. He presses his forehead against hers and finally, lowers his mouth to hers. She is vaguely aware they are kissing for a long time when John and Cory start clapping and hooting and hollering. She laughs and pulls back. Simon doesn’t even seem to notice the other people. He’s only staring intensely down at her.
“Great! Let’s go eat!” someone in the audience announces, making everyone laugh. She thinks it might’ve been Kelly.
They leave first to the awaiting vehicle, which is running and warm inside and wait for everyone else.
“Mrs. Murphy,” Simon says next to her. He must’ve placed a blanket in the truck because he pulls it up over her shoulders and links his fingers with hers.
Sam doesn’t say anything but smiles at him. Simon wraps his arm around her shoulders, too. She isn’t cold. Her heart is too filled with love today to be cold. All she feels is warmth.
John hops in the front seat while his wife rides shotgun, and he drives them to the Johnson’s barn where it seems as if the festivities have already kicked off. The place is packed, swarming with people. Even some of the people from Dave’s compound, including Dave and his wife are present. Perhaps everyone is afraid this will be their last time doing something so nice since they are all well aware of the President’s impending arrival. Sam puts that out of her mind and admires the decorations and lighting instead. It’s just like the horse barn. Everything is illuminated by warm lighting or candles. The flower arrangements are pretty and add a fragrance to the air. They eat a feast of food donated by everyone who is attending. After dinner, John and a few others from town and Zach Reynolds play instruments, and people dance gaily. She and Simon slow dance to everything. Nothing else feels important. Unfortunately, others want to dance and offer their congratulations. She is happy to make time for a dance with Grandpa, though.
“I’m so proud of you, Miss Samantha,” he praises, choking her up. “You’re such a good girl. You deserve every happiness this life could possibly have to offer you.”
“Thank you, Grandpa,” she says, feeling so sorry for him because he just buried his son. It seems to have aged him, too. She wants time to stand still. She doesn’t want him to age another day. Or the children. Or Simon. Sam just wants to put everyone in a time capsule and stay in this happy, celebratory moment forever.
Next, she dances with Kelly and then Derek, who uses his cane. She loves her family so much. Simon is busy dancing with his sister. He looks above Paige’s head at Sam and grins as if he is ready to leave the party but is being indulgent. She feels the same way.
John cuts in on his brother, “My turn, bro.”
Derek chuckles and dances with his wife instead.
“Are you happy, Sam?” John asks her in a serious tone.
“Yes, yes, I’m so happy, John,” she says. “And before I forget, thank you so much for saving my mother’s ring.”
He smiles. “I’m just glad I was able to give it to Simon and not some other guy. Took him a while, but he finally figured it out.”
“Me, too,” she says in agreement and feels tears sting her eyes.
“I love you, kiddo,” he tells her. He’s so open and honest with his feelings, always is.
Sam throws her arms around his neck and hugs him tight. “I love you, too, John. You don’t know how much you mean to me.”
He takes a deep breath and then expels it into her hair, “You, too, kid. You ever need anything, even just to talk, you can always come to me.”
“I know,” she says, trying not to full-blown cry on her wedding day on the dance floor. It’s difficult to hold in so much emotion. “I love you.”
He pulls back and walks away as another person taps his shoulder. She wonders if he, too, is feeling overwhelmed. The next man wanting a dance is Henry, who she hadn’t seen come in.
“Can I have this dance, Sam?” he asks politely. He looks nice, dressed unusually well in a dark suit and plaid, coordinating shirt.
“Yes, absolutely,” she says, feeling a whole lot worse than she had earlier dancing with Grandpa. She feels terrible. She didn’t even have time to talk to Henry about all this.
He slides his arm around her lower back and holds her at arm’s length.
“You look lovely,” he compliments.
“Thank you,” she answers, unable to make eye contact.
“And happy.”
She tries to grin but can’t manage it.
“I’m glad, Sam,” he says kindly, catching her attention this time. “I am. I’m sorry
it wasn’t me you picked, but if your heart was here, then I’m glad you married Simon. I kind of thought there might be something between you two.”
“I’m sorry, Henry,” she says, looking up at him. He has grown a full beard for the winter, his hair is slightly longer than usual, and he looks rather handsome tonight.
“I’m not,” he says. “We’re still friends, right?”
“Oh, yes,” she says quickly. “I’d like that very much.”
“Me, too,” he says and gives her an affectionate hug.
Her husband must not like it. Simon is at her side in an instant.
“Simon,” she says, pulling back.
Henry extends his hand, and Simon shakes it. Then he says, “I’d say the better man won here, Simon.”
“Thanks, Henry,” Simon answers. “I appreciate that.”
“No hard feelings, man,” Henry says.
“None at all,” her husband says and shakes his hand again. Then Henry walks away. “Is everything ok?”
She nods and dabs at her tears and tries to offer a smile to reassure him. This has been an emotional day. He just hugs her close, capturing her hand in his between them and nuzzling into her neck for another dance. Nobody interrupts them this time. A short time later, Sue comes and tells them that they are free to leave.
“Finally!” Simon jokes, making Sue laugh.
“Yes, well, you two have stayed an ample amount of time,” she assures them and gives Sam a final hug.
They are able to covertly sneak out to the Jeep, which someone must’ve brought over. It’s even running already and warm inside like the other vehicle. Wedding day privileges are pretty nice.