Her Christmas Surprise

by Cheryl Wright

  Beau’s heart beat ratched up, and he turned the helicopter in that direction. He was sorely disappointed. “It’s just that old shed where we used to store the hay.” He turned back to the direction they were heading before.

  They sat in silence for the next hour, both of them concentrating on the ground below them.

  Beau finally broke the silence. “We’re going to have to return home soon. Fuel is getting low.”

  “Wait! What’s that?” Hank pointed in the direction of what appeared as a small dot in the distance. “There, to your right,” he said. “Looks like it’s on the way out to the main road, so it could be your girl.”

  Beau looked in the direction Hank had indicated. His heart beat quickened. He hoped beyond hope it was her. It was difficult to tell this far away.

  The closer they got, the more convinced he was it was her. But Simone was nowhere to be seen. And that worried him. A lot.

  He hoped she hadn’t begun to walk for help. That would be catastrophic.

  “I’m going to land,” Beau told his brother. “And check it out, but it sure looks like Simone’s wreck.”

  He had to keep his head and make a smooth landing in the paddock. Luckily there was no stock around.

  “I’m certain that’s her car, but where is she?” He was getting really worried now.

  They both sat waiting for the rotors to stop moving before leaving the cabin.

  Beau was yelling her name before they were even close to the vehicle. She was nowhere to be seen. As he got close to the car and peered in the window, he breathed a huge sigh of relief.

  There she was, sound asleep on the seat, seemingly without a care in the world.

  He made a fist and banged on the window, startling her. He immediately regretted his actions.

  She quickly sat up, rubbing her eyes, adjusting to the sudden light. She was talking, but he couldn’t hear a word. He indicated for her to wind down the window.

  Instead she opened the door. “The window winder doesn’t work,” she said sheepishly.

  Impatiently, he pulled her out of the vehicle and dragged her into his arms. He hugged her tight. “What the hell, Simone?”

  She pulled back, trying to get out of his grip. “I, I can’t stay here,” she told him.

  He pulled her back into his arms. He was shaking with fear. Fear that he would never find her, but also the fear that she would reject him.

  “I love you,” he whispered in her ear. “I thought I was going to lose you today,” he added quickly. “But I’m not going to force you into anything.” He took a deep breath. “If you really want to leave, I’ll help you, but I pray you won’t leave.”

  She rested her head against his shoulder but didn’t answer. He looked down to see her eyes were filled with tears.

  Slowly her arms crept up his back. He lifted his hand to wipe away a tear as it trickled down her cheek.

  “I love you more than words can express,” he continued. “But I understand if you don’t love me.” His heart was breaking, and he hoped it wasn’t so, but he wouldn’t force her into anything she didn’t want.

  “I do love you,” she said softly, then grabbed at his jumper, holding him tight. If the situation weren’t so dire, his heart would be joyful. Right now, he was more concerned for her welfare.

  “You could have died out here,” he said quietly, knowing it was very true.

  She nodded and began to cry. “I know that now,” she said between sobs. “I don’t know what I would have done if you didn’t come looking for me.”

  He tightened his grip on her. “Of course I came looking. I couldn’t marry you if you’d died out here.”

  They stood there for long moments, neither saying a word until he heard his brother clearing his throat. “We’d better get going, Beau. Everyone is worried.”

  Beau motioned him away. “So what do you say? Will you be my wife?” His heart beat rapidly waiting for her answer. The waiting was killing him.

  CHAPTER FIVE

  Vern wasn’t impressed at the news they were to marry.

  “Now I have to find yet another cook,” he said. “You’re the best darned cook we’ve ever had,” he told Simone. “But don’t tell Mrs Simpson that.” He said the latter conspiratorially, as if the older lady would hear.

  “Why can’t I continue cooking,” she asked, confused.

  “You can’t do that when my grandsons come along,” Vern said, as though it was all straight in his head. “Anyway, enough of that. We’ll have to sort out living arrangements.”

  Beau held on tight to Simone. “I’m going to build a cabin for us to live in.” His father looked confused. “For now we’ll use one of the empty cow-hand cabins. We can stay there until our own house is built.”

  “You’re not putting my daughter-in-law in one of those run-down wrecks!” Vern quickly came to her defense, much to Simone’s surprise. “You should stay in the house until your own place is ready.”

  She’d never been inside any of the cottages the hired hands lived in, but knowing this family, she was certain they weren’t wrecks. She had an idea of her own. “My room is perfect. Why can’t we stay there for now?” Of course they weren’t married yet, and she quickly back-tracked.

  “I mean after we’re married of course.” She felt the color creep up her face. Beau squeezed her shoulder and grinned.

  After Vern and Beau agreed to her suggestion, they began to work on wedding plans. Being the only cook on the property, she would have to do most of the catering, but Vern decided to ask Mrs Simpson to help out. Simone was not going to object.

  “Now for a date,” Beau said. “Let’s have a Christmas wedding. I know it’s only a few weeks off,” he said. “But I think we can manage.”

  “I’d love to hang around here all day,” Simone interjected, “But I have some baking to attend to.”

  She pulled out of Beau’s arms and started for the kitchen. As soon as she was out of the room, she heard Vern talk sternly to Beau. “You’ve got a good woman there, Son. Don’t lose her.”

  Simone smiled and hugged herself. She had no intentions of ever leaving Beau again.

  * * *

  With the wedding only days away, Simone and Beau were headed to Hidden Valley where her dress was being made.

  Because time was precious, Beau piloted the ranch plane. It would save them over two hours in real time. The irony was not lost on Simone.

  Only a handful of months ago she was sleeping in her car, wondering where her next meal was coming from. Today she was flying to the nearest town to have the last fitting for her extravagant wedding gown.

  She’d protested of course. She was happy to wear an off-the-shelf dress, not necessarily a wedding dress. Beau was having none of it.

  Vern had a few stern words to say too. He wasn’t having his future daughter-in-law wear just anything to her wedding.

  The result was a custom wedding gown, despite all her protests. If her parents had been alive, Simone would be ecstatic right now. Instead it was a bitter-sweet time for her.

  He glanced across and frowned. “What’s up? You don’t look too happy.”

  She looked down into her lap. “Just thinking about my parents. I wish they’d been around to see us married. To meet you and your family.” She swallowed back her emotion.

  He nodded. “Yeah, I wish my mother was here too. But it is what it is.” He reached across and squeezed her hand.

  “I love you, Simone, and nothing is going to change that.”

  Her eyes welled with tears. “I love you too, Beau.” A stray tear trickled down her cheek.

  “What’s this then,” he asked, wiping her tear away. “Happy tears I hope. Not having second thoughts?”

  She shook her head. “Never. You’re the best thing that’s ever happened to me.”

  After they landed, they headed toward the bridal shop. Beau tried to insinuate himself into the store. “Oh no you don’t,” Simone said sternly. “You can’t see the dress until the
wedding day!”

  She dropped his hand and pushed him out the door. “Off you go. I’ll call you when I’m ready.” She stretched up on her toes, then brushed her lips across his more than willing mouth. “Go.” And then he was gone.

  * * *

  Simone stared at herself in the full-length mirror. She didn’t recognize this beauty.

  Two staff stood around her. “It’s stunning,” she said, tears threatening to fall. “I don’t know what to say.”

  The dressmakers grinned. They’d worked hard on this dress, Simone knew they had, and they’d fulfilled her every request.

  The dress was made of off-white silk. She preferred that since pure white made her look ill with her pale skin. The bodice was Queen Anne style – a style she’d admired for as long as she remembered. She also didn’t want anything too revealing, so it was the perfect design.

  She’d asked for an A-Line dress, coming in taut across her waist and stomach, then flaring out, which suited her trim figure.

  Pearls peppered the entire dress.

  She stared at herself again; was the image staring back really her?

  Despite her protests, Beau had paid for everything. She was beginning to understand the depth of wealth the Hadley family had, but it would never mean much to her. She loved the simple life.

  After checking all the adjustments, and the length, the two women nodded. “Everything is perfect,” Karina said.

  “Now try the headpiece,” Marie told her.

  They lifted it above her head, and lowered it down, then pulled the veil forward. The headpiece completed the outfit. She was a real bride.

  “Oh my Lord! Don’t you cry!” Karina grabbed a box of tissues, then whisked the veil off her head.

  Simone dabbed the tissue to her eyes. “I can’t help it – it’s all so beautiful.” She blew her nose, then stepped out of her bridal gown.

  “What about shoes,” Marie suddenly asked.

  Simone hadn’t given them a thought. “I have cowboy boots,” she said, lifting one foot for them to see.

  Karina spun around, snatching up a box. “That will never do. Let me see again.” She assessed Simone’s foot then nodded. “These should fit.”

  The bride-to-be gaped at the Cinderella-style shoes now on her feet. She thought she might cry again. Everything was so surreal. It had all happened so quickly.

  Marie frowned. “Let’s put the dress back on to ensure the length is still okay with those shoes.” They all breathed a sigh of relief when it was.

  Karina whisked the entire bridal outfit away and boxed it up, ready for Simone to take home.

  Home.

  Silver Shoe Ranch was now her home. Her forever home.

  Which was just the way she wanted it.

  CHAPTER SIX

  It was three days before Christmas, and also their wedding day.

  Simone sat in the tiny chapel she’d visited so often over the last several months since she’d arrived. She prayed quietly as specially hired staff decorated the chapel in preparation for their wedding.

  She prayed for the Lord’s blessing over their marriage, and for healthy babies when the time came. She prayed for a sign that her parents, and also Beau’s mother would be looking fondly over them on their wedding day.

  “There you are!” Beau’s worried voice broke through her prayers. “I thought you’d run off again.” He looked so forlorn standing there.

  She stood and pulled on her jacket, preparing to go out into the cold Montana winter.

  “No such luck,” she said, smiling, despite her nervousness. “I just needed a little alone time.”

  He watched the workers as they added small bouquets of flowers to the end of each pew. “It looks lovely.” He pulled her close as they walked outside. “Nervous?”

  “Very.” She glanced at her watch. “It’s nearly time to go and get ready.”

  Simone made her way back to her room. It was going to be tricky not letting Beau see her in the wedding dress before she made it to the chapel.

  Vern met her at the front door. “I’ve got a surprise for you,” he said quietly. “I hope you don’t mind.”

  He held the door opened and she peered inside. It was her best friend Amy, who she hadn’t seen for quite a while.

  The two women squealed. Vern winced.

  They ran into each other’s arms. “I’ve missed you so much,” Amy said.

  Simone hugged her tighter. “I’ve missed you too.”

  “You needed a bridesmaid,” Vern said, looking rather scared.

  Simone turned to him and hugged him tight. “Thank you so much,” she said between tears.

  “Off you go. It’s time to get ready,” he told them.

  They sat on the side of the bed. “I can’t believe you’re getting married,” Amy said. “And living all the way out here.”

  Simone leaned over and hugged her again. “I can’t believe you’re really here. Those Hadley’s really know how to surprise a girl.”

  “They flew me out here. No expenses spared,” Amy told her. “Sent the money for the bridesmaid’s dress as well.” She stared at her friend. “I hope you like it,” she said quietly. “It’s your wedding but you had no choice on the dress.”

  “I’m sure I’ll love it.” Simone brushed her concerns aside. “Just having you here is amazing.”

  Amy checked her watch. “We’d better get a wriggle on. Time is running away.”

  She changed into her bridesmaid’s dress, and pulled out her make up bag. Then quickly applied her own make-up.

  Once finished, she applied Simone’s make up – much more carefully. “Next up is your hair,” she said. “All those years at beauty school are finally coming in handy.”

  She braided Simone’s blonde hair and twirled it to fit perfectly under the bridal headpiece.

  “And last of all,” Amy told her, “The dress.” She opened the lid to the bridal box that had been sitting on the bed.

  “Oh my gosh, Simone!” She declared. “This is an amazing dress. If you’re fiancée doesn’t swoon seeing you in this, there’s something wrong with him.” She grinned at Simone and prepared to help her into the dress.

  “Are you ready?”

  Simone shook her head.

  Amy reached out and took her hand. “You’re shaking.” She pulled her into a big bear hug. “Take three deep breaths.”

  She watched as Simone did just that. “Feeling any better.”

  “Maybe.” She was still nervous but at least she didn’t feel faint now.

  Amy held out the dress, and Simone stepped into her fairytale wedding dress.

  “I’ve got your something borrowed. The garter from my mother’s wedding.”

  “Blue nickers for my something blue,” Simone added. “Oh, and Beau bought me a necklace to wear today – that can be my something new.”

  “What about your something old?” Amy seemed quite concerned.

  Simone scrounged through the bag she’d arrived with, frantically trying to find the tiny box she’d placed there so long ago. When she finally found it, she flipped the lid open. “My mother gave this brooch to me when I was ten. It was the last thing she ever gave me.” Simone swallowed back a sob.

  “Oh my, that is stunning.” Amy took the box from her and pinned the tiny brooch onto the dress.

  “It’s not worth a lot, but it’s very special to me.”

  “Of course it is.” Amy closed her eyes. Simone could see the emotion she was fighting back. They were a good pair.

  There was a tap on the door. “Ready?” Vern called.

  “Is Beau gone?”

  “Sure is.”

  She opened the door. Vern was a sight to behold – the old cowboy scrubbed up pretty good. Which got her to wondering about Beau.

  “Have you seen Beau,” she asked.

  Vern grinned. “Don’t you go worrying your pretty head about my boy. But I have to say,” he took a deep breath. “You look a pretty picture, if I do say so.”

>   She hooked her arm through his and they made their way to the little chapel, along with Amy. At first, she wobbled a little on the Cinderella shoes, but soon got the hang of it. Give me cowboy boots any day, she thought.

  As they stood in the entrance to the chapel, Simone craned her head to see inside. The pews were filled, unlike this morning when she sat praying.

  Everyone had been given the day off in honor of their wedding, and all the cowboys, and Mrs Simpson, sat inside, eagerly waiting for the bride to arrive.

  As she looked to the front, she spotted her soon-to-be husband, in his Sunday best. His brothers Hank and Nash by his side.

  She hoped someone had remembered the rings.

  Suddenly the music began – her cue to proceed. Vern squeezed her hand. “You ready to do this?” he asked. He was her proxy father for the day. She was so grateful to him. If he hadn’t stepped up, she would have been walking down the aisle alone.

  Everything seemed to pass in a whirl, her head a buzz.

  “Who gives this woman to this man?” Vern offered her to Beau. “I do,” he said with a grin. With three sons, it would probably be the only opportunity he had to give a woman away, Simone realized.

  As she stood next to Beau, he held her hand tightly, as though he would never let her go.

  “Do you take Simone to be your lawfully wedded wife…”

  “And do you Simone, take Beau…”

  As if he knew she was feeling overwhelmed with it all, Beau put his arm around her waist. “I do,” she said quietly.

  “I now pronounce you man and wife. You may kiss your bride.” Beau whipped her off her feet and kissed her passionately.

  “Get a room, Son,” Vern told him.

  “I just may do that, Dad,” he said, grinning.

  Simone couldn’t wait for the evening when they were able to consummate their love for each other.

  * * *

  As they walked down the aisle back out of the chapel, something came over Simone. She felt a presence. It was as though someone touched her on the shoulder.

  She glanced around. No one was there – except for Beau, and he held her hand. They were arm in arm, and there was no way he’d touched her shoulder.