by Rebel Carter
“I quite like the sound of that.”
“Perfect. Now come with me. We haven’t much time. I was just sent word that your mother is finishing at the dressmaker. We must make haste now. Step lively, step lively!” Ms. Hill ushered her towards the door with a wave of her hands.
Mary swallowed hard, her heart pounding at the news. “Oh, dear, oh dear.”
“Hush, she won’t catch you before the deed is done. Gold Sky is on the case and getting in her way. She’ll scarcely make it to the square by the time you say, ‘I do’ and by then it will be far too late, especially with the whole town knowing.”
“The whole town?” Mary’s feet turned to stone and she nearly tripped. “How will the whole town know?” she asked.
Ms. Hill was in front of her now and at the front door. She turned to look at Mary over her shoulder and grinned. “Why because they will all be in attendance. And you cannot deny or take back what an entire town has seen with their own eyes,” she said and threw the door open with a flourish. “See?”
“W-what?” Mary squeaked. No other sound was possible when faced with what appeared to be the entirety of Gold Sky standing at the steps of the boarding house. She swallowed nervously when several of them waved to her or called out greetings of good tidings.
“What do you mean what? Look and see for yourself,” Ms. Hill reached out and pulled her forward gently. “When there is a happy occasion, we all turn out to greet it together. Your wedding to Alex will bring so much happiness. She’s a good woman with a big heart, and you, I am seeing, are as well. You must be, if Alex chose you for her bride.”
“Oh, but it’s all just a favor really, it isn’t--”
“No time for words, Mary. You’ll be late to your own wedding.” Ms. Hill looped her arm with hers and guided her forward. “Make way, make way, the bride is coming!”
The crowd parted and Mary swore she had never seen so many smiles. All of them genuine and true. She had expected little happiness in her marriage and here she was being presented with buckets of it, and she hadn’t even laid eyes on Alex. She nearly pinched herself to see if she were daydreaming, but she didn’t dare chance waking from a dream as beautiful as this. Her walk across the town square and up the steps of the chapel happened in a flash and then the chapel doors were creaking open to reveal still more happy folk.
The entire town in attendance. For her wedding.
Mary’s eyes prickled and she sniffled back the tears. Ms. Hill patted her shoulder comfortingly and then stepped away from her. “Best you continue on your own, Mary.”
She nodded, knowing Ms. Hill was right and looked up the aisle to see Alex waiting for her. Mary felt the air punch from her lungs at the sight. Alex’s golden hair was combed neatly, and she was wearing a fine suit made of tawny material. Mary was sure the suit would perfectly set off the woman’s warm eyes and she smiled, taking her first step towards her soon-to-be wife.
On shaky legs Mary made her way up the aisle and to Alex who was looking at her as if she were the most important person in the world. Mary had not had such a tender expression aimed her way since her father’s passing and she hurried towards it without even a hint of the grace and poise she should have displayed after years of finishing school.
Airs and refinement had no place here. Not when her heart was beating wildly in her chest, not when Mary felt she could scarcely breathe without fainting. She had to be at Alex’s side. She must, and so she arrived with a breathy laugh and sweaty palms beside the blonde.
“You look beautiful,” Alex whispered, leaning close to Mary.
“You look dashing,” Mary offered in reply. Alex said nothing but the glow of pleasure across her features was unmistakable and Mary smiled knowing she had put it there. She would do her best to keep it so.
“Hello, you two.” The man in front of them smiled kindly. “I am Pastor Bruce, but you know that already, hmm?” Mary nodded, recognizing the man from her Sundays in church. He was a warm man who spoke frankly, and she quite enjoyed his sermons, far more than she had any in quite some time. It cheered her to have such a man conducting her wedding ceremony.
He cleared his throat and raised his bible in front of him, eyes shifting to the crowd. “I am happy you all made it out to our Alex’s wedding. Now, take a seat and mind your manners and we’ll get these two ladies hitched.”
A yell of excitement sounded from the pews and Pastor Bruce raised an eyebrow, eyes on the pages in front of him. “I said mind your manners and that means hollerin’, William Ansel.”
A round of chuckles went through the church and Mary laughed along with them. It felt good to be a part of something so light-hearted and shared. Like a good cup of tea with friends. Mary calmed beside her wife-to-be as the Pastor began their ceremony.
The ceremony was short, sweet, and to the point. Mary was thankful at that, especially knowing her mother was nearby, and in no time at all it was time to exchange their rings and ‘I do’s.’
Mary uttered hers in a rush. Alex in a measured voice.
The rings were slipped on fingers and then Mary thought she would swoon as Alex drew her close and tilted her head back. The first brush of lips was gentle and seeking, chaste as anything. But Mary nearly did swoon when Alex deepened the kiss, pulling her tight to her. The kiss was short and ended after a moment but...but...
There was a spark of passion in her touch. Something needy and hungry that left Mary gasping as they parted. Mary blinked up at her new wife and swallowed hard.
“That was some kiss,” she whispered, as she swayed on her feet.
Alex leaned in, a gentle puff of breath tickling Mary’s cheeks when the other woman chuckled, and she dropped another to her lips. “Yes, yes, it was, Minnie.”
Mary scarcely had time to collect her thoughts before Pastor Bruce was stepping forward and raising their joined hands high in the air. “Let’s welcome Missus and Missus Pierce!”
The cheers were deafening but no more so than the staccato beat of Mary’s heart.
Chapter 9
Mary sipped at her punch and glanced around the town square. The space was alive and bright with energy. If she had thought she had seen the town square at its finest for the town fair, she had been mistaken. That event had been a truly memorable night yet paled in comparison to the joyous occasion unfolding in front of her.
And it was all for her wedding.
Or rather Alex’s wedding.
She was under no illusion the happy reception was done on her account. Yes, she had married Alex and was involved by proxy, but this was done by the town for Alex. They knew Alex, loved her, wished her to be happy and content. Mary felt her chest tighten as her eyes lighted on her new wife. The other woman cut a fine form in her suit, the setting sun casting a halo of warmth around her handsome face as she laughed, head tossed back, eyes closed, full lips parted.
She dropped her eyes and took another quick swallow. It would not do to stare at her new wife like a besotted girl. Alex had married her out of kindness, the day unfolding into one of unexpected freedom---pinning lustful and longing desires on Alex was unfair. She wished for her own bit of happiness but would not force it on Alex to uphold.
Mary blew out a breath, her hand going to rest on her stomach. She would find her own happiness in their arrangement. To want more was greedy of her, especially when her life was new and her own. She was free to create a happy home for her baby and herself, even if the road to such a life lay unformed in front of her.
“Mary?”
Her reverie was broken by a familiar voice she couldn't quite place, but she knew it was not her mother and for that she turned towards the voice with a smile.
“Yes--oh, Violet!” Mary nearly dropped her glass of punch in her rush to close the space between them. She came to an ungraceful stop in front of the dark-haired woman and cleared her throat. “I, well, hello! How are you?”
Violet gave her a tentative smile. “I’m well. I’m happy to see you again...I never w
as able to thank you for what you did for me.”
Mary’s mouth dropped open. “What? No, I never--”
Violet held out a hand silencing her. “You did do something for us. Please do not say you didn’t. If you hadn’t intervened that day I saw you and Julian picnicking, well, I--” she paused and dropped her eyes with a little shake of her head, “I never would have considered him, or my feelings, if you had not, ah, put things in such a blunt manner.”
Mary chuckled, fingers twirling the punch glass in her hands. “Blunt is quite an apt way to describe my handling of it, but I could not watch you both pine for the other so without speaking up, especially when I played a part in, well, keeping you both apart.” She frowned and bit her lip. “I am truly sorry for that, Violet.” When the other woman made to speak Mary took a quick step towards her until they were close and continued. If she did not speak her piece now, she feared she might lose her nerve, and a wedding reception seemed as proper as any setting for such an apology.
“I should not have said what I said or allowed my mother to do as she pleased. I should have stopped her that day in the boarding house, and most certainly in the mercantile when she sought to tarnish your reputation. It is a time in my life that I am most ashamed of. I am sorry, Violet. Truly. I do not expect you to forgive me, but I mean to make Gold Sky my home and I hope that you will be able to give me a chance to prove my character to you.” Mary gave the other woman a watery smile and found that she could not breathe. In the background she heard laughter, the strum of a guitar and the telltale sound of feet on the makeshift dance floor merry makers were enjoying. Her eyes stayed on Violet. She didn’t expect for her to accept her apology, but Mary hoped she would at least be able to begin to make amends to her on this day.
Violet reached out and grasped her hand. “I forgive you.”
Mary blinked in surprise. “You do? Just like that?”
“Just like that.” Violet squeezed her hand. “It doesn’t do well to hold grudges and Julian and I, well, we are leaving Gold Sky soon. It wouldn’t do for me to leave with a heavy heart when you expressed yourself so clearly to me then.”
“But I was horrible to you.”
“We all do things we aren’t proud of...and your mother is not a woman I can see allowing for difference of opinion.”
“That is true, but I should have--”
“It’s all right, Mary. Honestly. I am happy to be here with you and even more glad to know your heart.” Violet smiled brightly at her and continued on, “Alex has chosen you as a bride and that has to count for something. You are now a part of Gold Sky. We have a way of taking care of our own. That includes forgiving them when apologies are made.”
Mary moved then, throwing her arms around the other woman. Punch sloshed over her cup and onto the ground, but she scarcely paid it much mind in her scramble to embrace Violet.
“Thank you, Violet. Oh, thank you.” Mary squeezed her tightly, the feeling of warm happiness Violet’s words had given her growing and bubbling up until it was practically spilling over. Violet squeezed her back and when the women parted, they were both smiling at each other.
“When are you leaving town?” Mary asked. “I would like to--”
“Mary Sophia James! What is the meaning of this?”
Mary went stiff. It was her mother, and she sounded none too pleased.
Both women turned to look over their shoulders to take in the sight of Sarah James striding towards them. The crowd of townsfolk parted in front of her like the Red Sea before Moses, and Sarah James was a vengeful Pharaoh.
“Oh no,” Mary whispered. “She’s here.”
“Did she not know you were marrying?” Violet asked.
“She knew, but not in this manner and not now...nor did she know to whom.”
“Oh no, oh dear.” Violet whispered.
“Oh no is right,” Mary moaned. She forced herself to stand tall. She was a married woman, the entire town had seen and even if her mother was unhappy with it, or her, she was no longer beholden to her mother’s whims.
“What is going on here?” Her mother jabbed a finger at Mary as she came to a stop in front of her daughter.
“My wedding reception, mother.”
“Who did you--what?” Sarah James’s eyes went wide at Mary’s response. “What do you mean a wedding reception? Why are you in your dress?” She gestured at the plain white dress Mary wore and came forward to snatch her daughter’s wrist. “You are meant to wear that to marry Mister Pierce, not parade about with riffraff.” Her eyes cut to Violet as she spoke, and Mary felt a surge of anger overtake her. All of the cheer and good feeling her reconciliation with Violet had brokered vanished in an instant, and she snatched her wrist away from her mother.
“Stop it.”
“Stop--” Sarah James’s mouth dropped open and she shook her head slowly as if she had been struck. “Stop what?”
“Speaking about Violet like that and-and grabbing me so. Neither are agreeable and I will not have you speaking of one of my guests in such a manner.”
“A guest?” Her mother laughed and crossed her arms over her chest. “Your guest is it then? Tell me, what man has you feeling tall enough to raise your voice to your mother?”
“I’m no man.”
Mary felt her heartbeat quicken at the familiar sound of her wife’s voice. She looked to the side to see her striding close, resplendent in her suit, blonde hair shining like a polished gold halo, her brown eyes stern, and her full lips pressed into a thin line.
“Who are you?” Sarah James asked, her voice rising as she watched Alex come to Mary’s side. Her green eyes darted between them and lighted on their hands when Alex moved to take Mary’s in hers. Her mother’s hands balled into fists and she raised her eyes to her daughter.
“Do not tell me you have done this foolhardy thing.”
Mary knew what her mother meant. Her preference for women had always been known without her ever saying the words aloud. Sarah James had always been observant, and she had headed off her daughter at every pass. They both knew what ‘foolhardy thing’ she referenced. Mary lifted her chin in defiance.
“I have. But my wedding is not foolhardy. It is the one true thing I have done for myself.”
Sarah James’s eyes shut, and she sucked in a shuddering breath. “Your papa spoiled you rotten,” she hissed through clenched teeth. Opening her eyes, she shook her head slowly at her daughter. “First you find yourself compromised, spoiled goods, and now this.” She flung a hand out towards the couple and then waved towards the chapel. “Do you know how difficult it will be to remedy this? There is no way Mister Pierce will be foolish enough to take you as a bride now, you stupid girl!”
Mary shook her head and squeezed Alex’s hands tighter. “There is no remedying this. I’ll not undo it.”
“And aside from that, there is no Mister Pierce,” Alex interjected with a raised eyebrow.
“What do you know about it? I have the correspondence as proof.”
“Yes, you do. From an Alex Pierce, yes.”
Sarah James bit her lip and raised an eyebrow at Alex’s comment. Mary could see the wheels in her mother’s mind spinning wildly. The woman was trying to work out what Alex meant but when she could not, finally gave a stiff nod acknowledgement.
“Yes. And what of it?” she asked.
Alex continued speaking then, “You really ought to not assume things simply by a name. Alex is a fitting name for both a man... and a woman.”
Her eyes widened and Sarah James nearly gasped. “You? Alex Pierce, is you?”
Alex nodded. “My full name is Alexandria, but I much prefer Alex. I know you do not approve of the match, but your daughter has married, and she has done it in front of the entire town to boot. There will be no undoing this or sweeping it away. We are married in truth, as wives, with all of Gold Sky as witnesses.”
Sarah James staggered back a step at the revelation. “The entire town?” she whispered, hands coming up to ru
b her temples. She looked at Mary accusingly. “You did this on purpose, you brat. You tricked me! How could you do such a thing to your own mother?”
“I would do it again in a heartbeat,” Mary admitted, not shrinking from her mother’s accusing eyes. “All my life you have wanted me to be someone I am not, something you wanted to fit into a perfect life. I’m not perfect, mama. I never wanted to be, and now you can’t make me do it. I’m a married woman and free of what you want.”
For a moment no one said anything. Violet stared at the trio with wide dark eyes. Alex clutched Mary’s hand and for her part Mary scarcely found it in her to breathe. Then Sarah James did what she did best. She recovered her sense of decorum and pride as she saw fit.
Mary watched with bated breath as the familiar icy facade her mother preferred slipped into place, the fire went out of her just like that and suddenly it was as if they had never known each other. They were no longer mother and daughter, but two strangers gazing upon one another though Mary’s did so with longing and hurt while her mother looked upon her dispassionately.
“You’ve made your bed then. Make the most of it, as I will not take you back.” She then turned on her heel and just as quickly as she arrived, took her leave. Back straight and steps purposeful, Sarah James cut through the crowd. Mary watched her mother’s figure until she could no longer distinguish her form from the partygoers. She bit her lip and sagged against Alex with a shake of her head.
“That was dreadful,” Violet whispered. “Are you all right?” She asked Mary gently.
Mary was quiet for a moment and then nodded. “Yes, yes, I am. Thank you for asking, Violet.” It was painful knowing her mother had left her then, but it was also freeing. Mary had never been under any illusion that her mother would love her as she was, and now with the lines and ties being neatly drawn and cut as they were, Mary was finally able to breathe without the feeling of impending loss looming over her.
“You’ve got me,” Alex told her, drawing her close into an embrace. “I’ll never leave you, Minnie. We are family now. You, me, and the little one on the way.”