“Hi Josh, it is nice to meet you,” said Brian, sticking out his hand.
“Nice to meet you, too.”
“Claire, it is so good to see you,” Brian said planting a kiss on my cheek.
“You, too, Brian.”
“Big sister, come give me a hug.”
“If I have to, little brother,” I said with a laugh.
“Is this how she has become?”
“Yes,” said Josh. “She does it to me all the time. I blame Alison.”
“Hey, you shit.”
“For some reason, it would not surprise me it was Alison’s fault,” Mike said.
“You are both on my list now.”
“I feel sorry for the two of you. I have been there many times,” Bob said, laughing.
“Aunt Claire?”
“Yes, munchkin.”
“I need to tell you something.”
“What’s up?”
“Your boyfriend is very handsome.”
“Why thank you, honey,” I said, looking at Josh as his face began to flush.
“Thank you, little lady. You are quite pretty yourself.”
“Thank you,” she said, as the conveyor belt begin to go around. We walked over to get our things. Josh laced his fingers through mine and Madison grabbed his other hand.
“I think you may have a little competition,” Josh said cocking his head in Madison’s direction.
“She just has good taste,” I said with a wink. Mike came over and stood on the other side of Josh.
“Hey, you have it with you?”
“Yeah, it’s in my pocket.”
“What are you two up to?” asked Janie, giving me a questioning look. I shrugged and looked over at Vanessa and Alison grinning from ear to ear.
“Don’t worry about it, big sister. You’ll find out soon enough.”
“Should I be worried?”
“No,” Josh and Mike said in unison. We grabbed our bags off the belt and headed to the rental car counter. We rented a van that would suit all six of us and headed to the hotel. We checked in and went to our rooms. Thankfully, we were all able to get rooms on the same floor.
“I am going to shower and change before we head to dinner,” I said. “What to join me?”
“Um, no. I will take one after you get out.”
“Okay,” I said. I went into the bathroom and closed the door. ‘What is he up to? I hope the family did not scare him already,’ I thought. I quickly took my shower and got out and wrapped a towel around me, leaving the bathroom to get dressed.“Your turn.”
“Thanks, babe,” he said with a smile on his face. “I am starting to think I should have gotten in the shower with you.”
“Too late,” I said returning his smile. He grabbed his clothes and went into the bathroom. I heard him turn the shower on and I grabbed my phone. I texted Alison and Vanessa to see what was up. I needed to know if Josh was okay coming here. I did not want him to run. They obviously knew what was going on. Waiting for their texts to be returned I got dressed. Thankfully, the mirror and sink were outside of the bathroom and I could brush and blow dry my hair and finish getting ready. My phone beeped. Both of them claimed Josh was fine being here and that it was probably the flight that made him that way. I replied that they were probably right and left it at that. Josh got out of the shower and came out in just his pants. ‘Damn,’ was all I could think. I was pulling my hair up when he placed his lips on the back of my neck.
“You ready?”
“Yes, you?”
“Yes,” he said pulling his black t-shirt over his head. We left the hotel and met everyone at the elevator. Alison and Vanessa gave us a smile. They looked like they were ready to burst at the seems.
“What’s going on?”
“Nothing, we are just excited about being here. We can’t wait to get to know you brother’s fiancé better. She seemed nice.”
“She does and I am happy for Mike, but I can’t help but to think that there is something else going on with all of you. You have all been weird since we landed.”
“It’s nothing. Mine is nerves. I am nervous about getting to know everyone. From what you told me about your sister, I am waiting to be led to the slaughter.”
“The way she stuttered and hugged you earlier, I don’t think you have anything to worry about.”
“That was great,” Alison said.
“Yes, it was,” said Vanessa. “The look on her face was priceless.”
“You know she is thinking you are one lucky girl, Claire,” said Alison. “Can you imagine the thoughts that ran through her head?”
“Alison, not everyone thinks like you do,” Bob said.
“Did you not see the look on her face?” asked Vanessa. “She took the Alison route.”
“That is so wrong,” Josh said. We all laughed as his face reddened. The elevator dinged and we got out. When we arrived at the restaurant, everyone was waiting on us. We all walked in together. Josh was carrying Madison.
“I like you, Mr. Josh,” she said.
“I like you, too, Miss Madison.”
“Hey Josh,” said Nathan.
“Yeah, buddy.”
“Do you love my aunt?”
“I do.”
“Good.”
“Why is that good?” I asked.
“Because I just want you to be happy, Aunt Claire. I like it when you are happy.”
“Thank you, sweetie.”
“You’re welcome.”
“I agree, buddy. Aunt Claire deserves to be happy,” piped in Mike. Walking past us, he patted Josh on his shoulder and kissed Madison. ‘What in the world was going on between these two?’ We sat at the table. Josh pulled out my chair for me and placed Madison on the other side of him. He went around to help Janie get in her chair.
“Thank you, Josh.”
“You’re welcome, Janie.”
“So, Josh, now that I have had a chance to meet you. You seem nice enough, but please expand on my son’s question.”
“What do you mean expand on it?”
“He asked if you loved my sister and you said yes. Why do you love her?” she asked. Mike shot Janie a look, then looked at Josh.
“Just do it now, man, so she quits her shit. This is supposed to be a nice dinner, but she won’t let up. Go for it, buddy.”
“Well, Janie. I am going to tell everyone at this table exactly why I love this woman,” he said, getting off his chair. Taking my hand, he got down on one knee. I stared at him, open mouthed. “Claire Phillips, you make me the happiest man alive. I would still be lost in this world had I not found you. Being with you these past few months has brought me a lifetime of happiness. I want to spend the rest of my life on this planet with you and only you. I love you, so much. Please, will you marry me?”
“I love you, too, Josh,” I said through tears. “Yes, I will marry you.”
“Yes!” shouted Alison, Vanessa and Mike. My sister sat there staring. Everyone was clapping except Janie.
“Hey, Janie, you now have a lifetime to get to know Josh. Can you stop with the questions for tonight and let us eat in peace?”
“I am sorry, Janie. I planned on asking, Claire for her hand while we were here tonight. I wanted all of you to be a part of it. I know how much family means to Claire. I grew up with just my grandparents. I lost everyone early on. I never really had a family like this one. I hope you can accept me into the family. I promise, we will sit down before we leave and I will answer any questions you have for me. Just please understand that I love your sister with every fiber of my being. She is the best thing to ever happen to me.”
“It is okay, Josh. I can see by the look on my sister’s face and the reaction of her friends that you really do love her and make her happy. We can talk another day. Claire?”
“Yes, Janie.”
“I am happy for you.”
“Thank you.”
“You three were in on it with him weren’t you?”
“Yes, Jo
sh called me and told me he wanted to ask you, but wanted all of us there when he did. I told him I would set this dinner up,” said Mike.
“Vanessa and I helped him pick out the ring.”
“That is why you were all weird today.”
“Yes, we wanted to tell you, but did not want to ruin his moment.”
“Thank you for not ruining it.”
“You’re welcome and congratulations. Alison we have get on the planning circuit as soon as we get back.”
“Yes, we do, Vanessa.”
“I think we are in trouble,” I said to Josh.
“Me too. Maybe we should just elope.”
“Hell no,” said Mike. “If I have to have a wedding so do you two. Welcome to the family, Josh.”
“Thanks, Mike. I look forward to getting to know you, all of you.”
“Can I call you Uncle Josh, now?” asked Madison.
“You may.”
We finished eating dinner with many laughs and went back to our hotel. When we got back in our room, I sat on the bed looking at the ring. I played with it.
“Are you okay?”
“Yeah, I am. I never thought I would get here, again, but I did. I have you to thank for that. I love you, Joshua Jones.”
“I love you, Claire, more than I can ever express to you.”
Mike’s wedding was the next day. Josh wore his charcoal gray suit. I was in a red dress that stopped above the knees. Josh wore a red tie to match my dress. When we all arrived at the church, we were ushered up to the front. We waited while the bridesmaids were all ushered in. They all had on a royal blue dress. My sister was included in the mix. The gowns were gorgeous. Even my sister could not be mad at the way she looked in it, despite being almost ready to give birth. She looked gorgeous. She looked at Josh and I and smiled. She seemed happy. Little Madison and Nathan came down the isle as flower girl and ring bearer. As soon as she saw Josh she dumped all the flowers and came running. She was just as smitten as I was.
When we returned home, we told Rich and Angelica. Rich already knew he was going to ask, but was not sure if I would say yes. Angelica knew I would. We set a date for the wedding. The planning began immediately.
EPILOGUE
One year later
The past year has been a whirl wind. The farm is thriving and we have hired on a couple of new farmhands. My sister’s little boy was born on February 5th, John’s birthday. She named him John Phillip. Sending me a picture with his name on it. I cried and showed it to Josh. He held me close and wiped his own tears. Josh and Janie never did sit down and have their talk before we left, but she had plenty of time to get to know him over the past year. They visited during the summer. Madison would go out to feed the animals with Josh every morning and even rode on the tractor with him. A couple of times, in the middle of the night, I heard laughter coming from downstairs. Janie would be feeding John and Josh would be sitting there talking to her. He had obviously won her over. Janie knocked on my door, breaking me out of my reflection.
“Hey, you. Someone wants his auntie,” she said, putting John on the bed. He crawled up to the pillows, putting his head down next to mine with his butt in the air.
“Good morning.”
“Are you ready for today?”
“Yes, I am. I have no idea what is planned as Vanessa and Alison planned the entire thing. The only thing I had any say in was my dress.”
“I am sure whatever it is it will be great.”
“I am sure it will be. Are you ready to be my bridesmaid?”
“I am. I cannot believe I am going to say this, but I am excited for you to start this part of your life. I never thought you would be able to find someone as great as John was, but you have and I could not be happier for you.”
“Thank you, Janie.”
“You’re welcome. Now, get your butt out of bed. We have to start getting ready.”
“But I want to snuggle with my little man first.”
“Okay, but you only get five minutes.”
“Five minutes? How about ten?”
“Okay ten, but no more. I will be back.”
“Yes, ma’am.”
With that she left the room. I put my arm around little John. He looked up at me with his hazel eyes and smiled a toothless grin. I smiled back at him. Whenever I visited or they visited here, he followed me everywhere. It was like he was mine and not Janie’s baby. He put his head under my chin and began sucking his thumb. I held him there, tears streaming down my face. Kissing the top of his head, I wiped the tears away. Closing my eyes, I rocked him. He giggled. He loved when I did that.
“Little man, do you want to meet the man you were named after?” I asked. Getting up on his knees he shook his head yes. I reached into the nightstand drawer, pulling out the photo album that Alison made. He saw the picture of John and I’s wedding day on the cover. He clapped his little hands as he bounced up and down on the bed. “That is your uncle John. It is a shame you will never get to meet him in person, but I know that he would have loved you to pieces.” I turned the page to show him the next photo. He cooed. “This is us when we were very young. We used to have a lot of fun together. Alison and Bob used to get in on it. He was a great man, who’s life ended too early. One day when you are older, I will tell you more about him. Would you like that?” He shook his head yes and bounced up and down. He was so excitable. I heard the step creak. I knew my time was up and it was time to get ready. The bedroom door opened up.
“Let’s go, young lady. It is time for you to get dressed.”
“Okay, let’s do this,” I said, putting the album back into the drawer.
“Are you okay?”
“Yes, Janie. I am. I was just introducing John to his namesake. He would have loved him to pieces.”
“Yes, he would have. Are you sure you are okay?”
“Yes, I know that John would have wanted this for me. He never wanted us to be apart, but he always said that if something happened to one of us we should find someone to fill the void. The fact that Josh walked into my life was a sign from him telling me it was time to move on. As much as I resisted and fought it, I knew. I could not have asked for two better men in my life. I am perfectly okay. Now, we have a wedding to get ready for. Let’s do this.”
“Okay. The girls are down stairs waiting for you with your dress.”
“Well then, what are we waiting for?”
“Okay. C’mon, little man. Let’s get you in your suit,” she said, holding out her arms to John Phillip. He leapt into them.
“He is going too be to heavy for that one day soon. You better be careful, sis.”
“I know. He just enjoys it. It is quite funny. Nathan was the same way. Maddie, no so much. She was too dainty. She keeps asking where her uncle Josh is. I told her she will not get to see him again until the ceremony.”
“Is she okay with that? I can have one of the girls take her over to Alison’s house now.”
“She can go over with the rest of us. She does love him.”
“Do you blame her?”
“Not in the least,” she laughed. I joined her as we headed down the stairs.
“It is about time,” said Alison.
“I was coming, but I needed a little time with my little man.”
“Okay, I will allow it, because he is too cute.”
“Yes, he is. I was introducing him to his namesake.”
“Are you okay?” asked Vanessa.
“I am wonderful. I am excited for the day, yet, a bit scared because I had nothing to do with the planning.”
“It will all be fine. We did not want you to have to worry about it. It will be beautiful.”
“Okay. Let’s get ready.”
“I am so happy this day is finally here,” said Vanessa with tears in her eyes.
“Aww, Vanessa don’t cry. You are going to get the rest of us going.”
“I can’t help it. I never thought Josh would find the perfect person for him, let alone one of my
best friends.”
We all put our arms around her. She was more emotional than I was. I knew the minute I walked down that make shift aisle I would be a mess. I stepped into my dress. It was a blush colored fit and flair with a cream colored lace overlay. It had a sweetheart neck line and a blush colored belt. The built in corset laced up in the back. Poor Alison was doing the honors. I had my makeup already on. Angelica wanted to do my hair. She was waiting for Alison to finish.
Once Alison finished lacing me up, I sat in the chair and let Angelica do her thing while the rest of the girls got ready. Angelica swept my hair up in an elaborate up do. Placing pins with pearl ends throughout the style to give it that little something extra. The girls were all wearing a crimson red satin dress with spaghetti straps. Their bouquets were made of yellow daisies and pink tulips. My bouquet was made of white winter lilies that cascaded down. We all looked at each other and giggled. Angelica went to get ready. She finished just as the car pulled into the driveway. The driver got out, opened the door, and came to the porch door leading each of us girls down to the car one by one.
“Congratulations,” he said to me.
“Thank you.”
“All of you ladies look very beautiful.”
“Thank you,” we all said. We drove over to Alison’s house where they had set up the wedding. I could see Josh’s silhouette in his tuxedo waiting at end of the barn. It was a moment I wish I had my camera. The girls climbed out of the car one by one. Each one met with their usher and walked down the aisle. It is a moment I wished my dad was here to walk me down the aisle again. Madison climbed out of the car with her basket of flowers and headed toward Josh. This time she calmly threw the flower petals on the ground. Being a year older she understood what she was supposed to do. I expected to walk down the aisle alone, but when I climbed out of the car I was met with my brother.
“Are you ready?”
“Yes,” I said with tears in my eyes.
“Let’s get you down to your future husband,” he said with a wink.
“I thought I was going to walk alone.”
“I could not allow that to happen. You are my sister and giving you away to Josh will be my pleasure. I could not in good conscience allow you to walk the aisle by yourself.”
The Stable Boy Page 25