“Thank you, Mike.”
“You are so very welcome. You look absolutely beautiful,” he said as we inched closer to the end.
“Thank you.”
“I believe Josh thinks the same. He is already wiping tears away.”
“Yes, he is,” I said smiling at Josh. He returned my smile.
“This is it, Claire,” Mike said as he kissed me on the cheek. “I love you.”
“I love you, too.”
“Now I can officially welcome you to the family,” Mike said as Josh, put out his hand.
“Thanks, Mike,” Josh said, shaking Mike’s hand.
“You’re welcome, brother.”
Mike took my hand and placed into Josh’s hand. We stood in front of the justice of peace. The ceremony began.
“Dearly beloved we are gathered here today to join these two people in holy matrimony. If there is anyone here who objects, please speak now or forever hold your peace.”
Josh spoke up.
“I have something I want to say to all of you, but especially you, Claire.”
There were whispers amongst our friends. No one knew what to expect.
“I know we did not say that we would write our own vows, but I took the time to do it. I wanted to express to you exactly how I feel about you, about everything.”
“Okay,” I said with a shaky voice. He handed my flowers to Alison and grabbed both of my hands. His hands were nice and warm.
“Claire, I have loved you from the moment I saw you. That first moment I came walking up to your house, you took my breath away. It took everything I had to form a sentence. I knew right then and there that you were the one. I had never had those feelings toward another person before. You were the most beautiful woman I had ever seen in my life. As I gotten to know you over the past year and a half, I have fallen deeper in love with you. I don’t think that I can survive on this planet without you. I was lost before I met you, just wandering around. Today, I feel like I am a whole person. You are definitely the part of me that was missing all these years. I believe that we crossed paths for a reason. My family and your loving husband knew that we needed each other. I believe they are the reason we are standing here today. You are the light at the end of the dark tunnel I lived in for so many years. Every day with you is a blessing. I cannot wait to start our lives together as husband and wife. You are my beautiful bride. My Claire, for now and always.”
There was not a dry eye in the house. All the girls were wiping away tears and even some of the guys.
“Thank you, Josh,” I said. “But now I have something to say to you. I also took the time to write my own vows. Josh, the moment you stepped foot in front of my door you gave me butterflies. I had not felt that since John’s passing. There was something about you that seemed so familiar. Your confidence, the way you walked and your mannerisms reminded me of John. At first, it hurt to have you around, but once I began to get to know you I fell for you. It was not what you did like John that drew me to you, it was more of what you did differently. They way we could talk to each other about everything. You took the time to get to know me. You understood my pain. You held me on those nights I did nothing but cry over my loss. You took me to places your grandfather took you to clear your head. You helped me move on. You helped me come to the realization that I was not meant to be alone the rest of my life. I would not want to spend the rest of my life with anyone else, but you Joshua Jones. I will love you forever and always no matter where life may bring us.”
“I love you so much, Claire,” Josh said, bring my hands to his lips and kissing my fingers.
“I love you, too.”
“May we continue?” asked the justice of the peace. We both nodded our heads. “Do you have the rings?”
“We do,” Josh said. We both got the rings from our best man and maid of honor.
“Josh place your ring on Claire’s finger. Do you, Joshua Jones, promise to love, honor, and cherish, Claire for the rest of your lives?”
“With everything I have.”
“Claire place your ring on Josh’s hand. Do you, Claire Phillips, promise to love honor, and cherish Josh for the rest of your lives?”
“Yes, I will.”
“Then I now pronounce you husband and wife. You may kiss your bride.”
Josh put his arms around me and smiled. I smiled up at him. He slowly brought his lips to mine. Our friends cheered as we pulled a part and began walking back down the aisle to the waiting make shift reception area. Tents were set up near the house. The wedding party and us had to take photos while everyone else enjoyed the cocktail hour. We made the most of it with doing silly things and making each other laugh through the entire thing.
The reception was great. We had all of our favorite foods. There was dancing, drinking, and some even did a little karaoke, which caused a few laughs. The cake the girls picked out for us was stunning. They had a three tier royal blue cake with pink and white cascading flowers down the side. The cake was a white cake with fruit filling. It was almost too pretty to cut into. These ladies did a fantastic job with planning the wedding. They should really start their own business. Every detail was perfect. Rich stood up in the middle of the ceremony.
“Excuse me, everyone. I want to propose a toast to the happy couple.”
We all stopped what we were doing and looked at him.
“I have known Josh since he was eight years old. We grew up together. I met Claire for the first time when I was a teenager and she had become ill. She entered my father’s office for an appointment. Even then, I thought she was beautiful and her husband was a lucky man. She became a family friend. Now, that we are all older, I never thought I would see these two together, but they are. Josh has found the woman of his dreams and Claire has found her second soul mate. The love I have witnessed develop between these two is beyond amazing. They have taken the time to really get to know each other and be friends as well as lovers. They have grown as a couple. I have never seen two happier people when they are together. May you both remain happy and in love for the rest of your lives. To my best friend and good friend, congratulations.”
Everyone clapped. The festivities continued late into the night. Everyone left with a smile on their face, a plate of leftover food in their hands and an extra piece of cake. I tried to help Alison and Vanessa clean up.
“Get out of here!” Alison said.
“You need help. There is a lot to do here.”
“You don’t worry about it. It is your wedding night. Go home and be with your new husband.”
“Are you sure?”
“Yes.”
“Okay, I will be back in the morning to help you,” I said.
“No you won’t. Now get out of here. Josh!”
“Yes, ma’am?”
“Come and get your wife, please?”
“Coming.”
“She is insisting on helping cleaning up.”
“I kind of want to, too. I feel bad that your yard looks like this.”
“This is how we know they were meant for each other,” Vanessa laughed.
“Right?” said Alison. “Get out of here, the both of you. Make sure to open your presents as soon as you get home.”
“Why?”
“Just do it.”
“Okay,” we said in unison. We drove home holding each other’s hand. I could not believe that I was married again. Josh had awoken me in every sense of the word. I could not have asked for a better person in my life. When we got home, Josh hopped out of the truck and quickly unlocked the front door.
“Don’t get out of the truck,” he shouted over his shoulder. I smiled and waited for him to come back to me. He opened the door and reached his right arm under my legs and placed his left arm around my back. I put my arms around his neck. He carried me up the porch steps and over the threshold of our house. It was now our house. Our home to build new memories in. A tear escaped my eyes.
“Are you okay?” he asked, putting me down.
“You sit on the couch and I will get everything out of the truck.”
“Okay,” I said, breaking my hold around his neck. He went to the truck and retrieved the presents. They were all envelopes of cards with money or gift certificates in them. The last envelope was a little bigger than the rest. We opened it to find two plane tickets to Rome, Italy. The card read:
To our love birds,
We all thought that this would be the perfect honeymoon spot for you. We have arranged for the farm to be well looked after while you are away for the next two weeks. A car will be there to pick you up at 7. We all love you so much. Have a great time!
Love,
Alison, Bob, Vanessa, Jim, Janie, Brian, Mikey, Michelle, Rich, and Angelica.
We looked at each other in shock. We could not believe that they had all done this. The plane ticket said we were leaving at 11 am tomorrow. It looked like we had better get a good night sleep. The next day we began our lives as husband and wife in Italy.
The Paynes Prairie Murders
Unedited Excerpt Coming Fall of 2014
It was a busy Saturday afternoon on SR 40. It generally is this time of year. Gabriella was walking across the street to the library when a man in an electric blue Chrysler LeBaron pulled up along side her. He pulled over and got out of his car.
“Hey, where are you headed?” he asked.
“None of your business,” she replied.
“Come on, sweetheart, don’t be like that. I will be more than happy to give you a ride.”
“Get away from me creep.”
Gabriella turned to walk east on SR 40 and broke into a run. She dialed 911 on her cell phone.
“911, how can I help you?”
“Hi, I am walking down SR 40 and there is this guy practically stalking me. He is driving an electric blue car. He is wearing a burgundy shirt with Khaki pants and flip flops. He pulled over and got out of his car to approach me. I do not know this man and he is still following me. Please hurry.”
“Can you tell me what you are located near?” inquired the operator.
“I am headed east of the library,” she said choking back tears as she turned around and saw him still coming for her. “He is still coming for me, please hurry.”
“I am sending an officer your way.”
Officer Weston and Officer Michaels were driving east on SR 40 when dispatch put the APB out. They were close to where the library was located. They hit the lights. As the traffic departed, they saw the electric blue LeBaron on the side of the road with the driver’s door open. They drove just past it and pulled over. They could see the girl up ahead and the man following her. Weston was first to exit the vehicle.
“Stop where you are,” he shouted. The man continued to walk. Michaels shot past him in a dead run. Weston broke into a run.
“Stop where you are, now,” shouted Michaels. The man stopped and turned toward them to see who they where shouting at. When he realized it was him. He took off, heading toward the small wooded area that leads into a neighborhood. Michaels increased his speed, tackling the man halfway across the west bound lane of SR 40.
“Put your hands behind your back,” screamed Weston as he caught up. Michaels sat up, straddling the man. Grabbing one of his arms, he reached for his cuffs. The man began to fight him. Weston slammed one of his boots between his shoulder blades.
“Thanks, partner,” said Michaels.
“You’re welcome,” Weston replied out of breath.
Michaels grabbed the left arm of the man and proceeded to place the cuffs on him, reading him is Miranda right’s in the process.
“You have the right to remain silent,” he said reaching for his right arm. “Anything you say can and will be used against you in a court of law. You have the right to an attorney. If you can not afford an attorney, one will be appointed for you.” He heard the click of the second wrist lock. Weston and Michaels looped their arms in his and pulled him to his feet. Road rash was clearly visible on the man’s face. His right cheek was scraped up with specks of black top in it. Blood began to drip off of his chin.
Gabriella had stopped running when she heard the officer’s giving chase to the man after her. She sat in the grassy median crying as she watched the arrest take place. Another police car pulled up and took custody of the man. Weston and Michaels made their way over to Gabriella. They noticed that she was wearing jeans and a baggy, stripped t-shirt with white sneakers. Her long dark hair was pulled up into a bun. Seeing them heading toward her, she stood up and walked toward them. She noticed the contrast in their size. One was her height, around 5 foot 6 inches, with a build that looked like he could break your ribs just by hugging you and the other was 6 foot 2 and thin as could be. He was the faster of the two when it came to catching the man.
“Miss, can you tell us what happened,” asked Weston.
With a shaky voice, Gabriella recounted the incident that took place. She began to sob again.
“Miss, we are going to need you to come to the station within the next couple of days to give us your full statement,” said Michaels.
“Okay,” she said through the tears. “I will get someone to take me there tomorrow morning.”
“Do you have someone that can come and pick you up?”
“Yes, I can call my neighbor,” she said as she began to dial the phone with shaky hands.
“Miss, do you need one of us to dial the phone?” asked Weston.
“Yes, please,” she said.
“Okay,” he said holding out his hand for the phone. “What’s the number?”
“369-5869,” she said beginning to sob again.
“I need you to tell me their name and yours,” said Weston. “Can you do that?
“Yes,” she said. “Her name is Cynthia and mine is Gabriella.”
“Okay, Gabriella. Thank you for telling me.”
“You’re welcome,” she said calming down.
Weston dialed the phone.
“Hello, Cynthia?” he said into the receiver.
“Yes,” replied Cynthia in a questioning voice. She was wondering who was on her neighbors phone.
“This is Officer Weston,” he said.
Cynthia swallowed hard fearing the worst for her friend.
“I need you to come to SR 40 between the library and the Kangaroo gas station to pick up Gabriella. There has been an incident and she could use a ride home.”
“What happened?” Cynthia asked beginning to panic.
“I will let Gabriella tell you that when you pick her up? Can you get here?”
“Is she hurt?”
“No, ma’am, she is not hurt, just really shaken up.”
“Okay, tell her I am on my way,” she said and hung up. Officer Weston looked at the phone in shock.
“Gabriella, she is on her way. We will wait with you until she arrives,” he said as he handed the phone back to her.
“What happened?” asked Officer Michaels.
“She just hung up without even saying goodbye, it kind of through me off.”
“You never had anyone hang up on you before?”
“I have, but it still shocks me every time.”
Michaels and Gabriella began to laugh.
“I am sorry she did that,” said Gabriella.
“It is okay,” he said. “She is just worried about you. I can understand that.”
Cynthia pulled up in her black Toyota Camry and slammed it into park. Getting out of the car, she ran over to Gabriella and wrapped her arms around her neck.
“What happened?” she asked.
“I will tell you on the way home,” Gabriella said.
“Deal,” said Cynthia.
“Thank you, officers, for waiting with me. I really do appreciate it and I will get to the station tomorrow to give you my full statement.”
“Okay,” she replied.
Cynthia led Gabriella back to her car. The officers return to their car. They proceeded to go back to the station to question the suspect.
“I am surprised you didn’t say something to Gabriella’s friend about hanging up on you,” said Michaels.
“I couldn’t,” responded Weston. “Did you see the look of concern on her face? I am surprised she remembered to put her car in park.”
“I know,” Michaels said. “She flew out of that car. I think she will be okay. I hope her friend stays with her or allows her to stay with her at least for tonight.”
“She probably will. They seem to be close.”
“Yeah, I think we need to find out just what is going on here,” said Michaels.
“Definitely,” said Weston as they were pulling into the station.
They wanted to know just what he wanted with this girl and if this has happened before.
“Hey, guys, your suspect is in interview room one,” stated Caroline, the front desk clerk.
“Thanks, Caroline,” said Weston.
Before entering the room, another officer approached them.
“Hey, your suspect has been identified as David Checkowich. He is a snow bird and has a place out on SR 326. It looks like he lives alone, but has been coming down for the past 15 years. His other home is in Wallkill, New York. From what we could tell, so far, there is no wife or kids. We are still searching, though. I will let you know if anything new pops up.”
“Thanks, Paul,” said Michaels.
“Let’s get to the bottom of this,” said Weston, reaching with his right hand for the file Paul had. Walking down the narrow, beige hallway toward the last door on the left, Weston scanned the file quickly before handing it to Michaels. Michaels read over the file, snapping it shut before they entered interview room one. Their suspect was sitting there cuffed to the interview table. Normally, suspects were not given this treatment, but he resisted arrest with Michaels and Weston and tried to run while in the station. They could not take a chance with this guy. His hair was a mess. The road rash on the side of his face had been cleaned and bandaged. It was still bleeding which was evident by the red patch seeping through the bandages.
The Stable Boy Page 26