by Camille Eide
“Ian.” Maggie’s smile turned her cheeks into rosy mounds. “And yer bonnie lass.”
“Och, a wedding!” Claire squealed. “I’ll start a guest list.” She grabbed Ian’s arm. “Ian, you’ll have to find a way to bribe Kallie into wearing a frock. Maggie too, for that matter. I’ll help Emily find the perfect one for the wedding.”
Maggie’s smile fell. She sputtered and coughed. “Ye’re not putting a frock on me.”
“There’s going to be a wedding, dearie,” Aunt Grace said. “Ye can dress up this once.”
“No.” She crossed her arms and shook her head.
“What shape is that cottage in?” Claire asked Ian. “Oh, never mind. It does no good to ask a man. I’ll take care of it. We’ll fix it up cozy for you two.”
“The cottage?” Ian said.
Claire snorted. “Well, what else? You’ll be newlyweds. You didn’t think you were going to live in the house with those two, did you?”
“Aye, they can have the cottage,” Maggie said. “And that eejit telephone.”
“But is it big enough for the wee bairns?” Grace asked.
Claire turned a worried glance at Emily.
Emily frowned. “Bairns? You mean kids?” She glanced away to hide the disappointment in her face. That was a topic she and Ian would discuss, and it wouldn’t take long. Having children was out of the question.
“Well, let’s not get ahead of things,” Claire said quickly. “First things first. We need to set a date. Ian, find out what you need for a marriage license and see how long that takes.”
“Two weeks.”
Everyone fell silent and stared at Ian.
He cleared his throat. “I checked.” He met Emily’s gaze. “Do you have a birth certificate?”
“It’s at home. I’ll have to get my dad or Jaye to send—” Emily gasped.
“What is it?” Ian asked.
Dad. How could she tell him she was marrying Ian after everything he’d said?
“What’s wrong?” Claire laid a hand on Emily’s arm.
“I have to tell my dad,” she whispered.
“If it’s all right with you, I’ll tell him,” Ian said quietly. “I’d like to speak to him.”
Emily shook her head. “He’s dead set against—” She glanced at Aunt Grace and shot a meaningful look at Ian. “He’s not going to give his blessing.”
“Do you need it?” Claire frowned. “Is this some sort of American thing?”
Emily lowered her voice. “It’s more than that. It’s complicated.”
“Och, how hard can it be?” Claire snorted. “Let me talk to him.”
Emily bit her lip and looked to Ian.
He turned to his sister. “It should come from me. Man to man.”
“Fine.” Claire shrugged. “Maybe he’ll change his mind.” Her eyebrows shot up and she smiled at them both. “Emily did. Maybe it runs in the family.”
CHAPTER THIRTY-FOUR
Emily expected a certain amount of crazy to erupt with a wedding about to take place, but she wasn’t prepared for Claire. Ian’s sister moved in like a small tornado, scrubbing, painting, hauling stuff out of the cottage, sending Ian for supplies, and making the cottage tidy.
While Ian was gone, Emily spent some time looking online for a doctor. She could see Dr. Fletcher for an exam when she went back to close up the house in Juniper Valley, but she needed a prognosis now. Though she felt fine, HCM could be asymptomatic until a person experienced a sudden heart attack. She needed to know what to expect and what precautions to take, if any. And whether or not she could be running or doing anything strenuous.
During her search, she made a surprising discovery: Glasgow University had published articles about Freyer’s Syndrome written by Dr. Thomas Clark.
Uncle Thomas? Why hadn’t she remembered his work in Scotland?
And not only had he studied there, the genetics department at GU had a current study devoted to researching the disease.
She contacted the hospital and set up appointments for a full exam and DNA testing. With that done, a little of the weight troubling her lifted. This was good. She could accomplish something of significance, at least. But the rest of what tugged on her heart would remain unfinished. Maybe time would ease the guilt of abandoning the people she had been responsible for. She could only pray that her dad would be okay. Maybe, in time, he would be able to accept her marrying Ian. But what about the kids at Juniper Ranch? How would Hector and the others feel when they got the news that Emily wouldn’t be returning? Would they feel abandoned again?
Ian returned just after lunch. He thundered up the stairs to the study, pulled her into his arms, and kissed her. “The sun is calling, love. Let’s take a walk.”
They went through the back gate and headed for the woods. The sun had dried up the last of the rain, bringing the grass on the meadow and hillside springing to life.
Emily breathed in the mingling woodland scents.
“Your dad sent what you need. Global express. It should arrive tomorrow.”
She stared at him. “Really? How did he sound? Was he upset?”
He shrugged. “He agreed to send it, that’s all I know.” He took her hand as they climbed the hill. “Emily, how do you feel about leaving your life in the States behind? Your dad, the kids at the home, the study in Portland. You’re okay with letting all that go, then?”
She gave his hand a squeeze. “I’ll keep in touch with my dad as much as he’ll let me. And I’ve been thinking about the kids.” She shrugged. “I would’ve had to say good-bye to them eventually. It’s just they’ve been through a lot.”
Hector’s face came to mind, and a weight of sorrow pressed on her.
“I’m just afraid my leaving will only add more to the sting of being abandoned.”
He drew a deep breath. “When we go back to close up your aunt’s house, let’s spend some time there. Give you a chance for a proper good-bye with the kids. And your dad.”
“I’d like that.” She turned to him with a smile. “And it looks like I’ll be able to take part in research here. I found a Freyer’s Syndrome clinical study in Glasgow.” She explained what she’d discovered. “I have an appointment next week.”
“For what?”
“A full exam and official prognosis. Then they’ll start blood work for genetic tests.”
“I’m going with you.” He stopped and looked at her, hope dawning in his eyes. “Maybe we’ll find out if they’ve made any progress on a cure.”
She kept walking, pained by his expression. How long would he hope for a cure that wasn’t coming?
They reached the glen and Ian led her to the center of the clearing. Honeysuckle, warmed by the sun, filled the air with a powerful, sweet scent.
Inhaling, Emily drank in the beauty of the quiet sanctuary.
“Will this do for the wedding then?”
She spun around. “Really? We can have it here?”
“If you fancy.”
She wrapped her arms around him.
He searched her face, her hair. “I dreamed of you. The same dream, again and again. You’re always coming to see me, just like you did that day in your white dress with your hair up and a few curls sneaking down. In my dream, you’re coming to say you’ll marry me. But then I’d wake and find ...” He let out a sigh, then smiled lightly. “It was just a dream.”
A tear trickled down Emily’s cheek. Perhaps one day she could make him understand that she’d had a dream of her own, and he far exceeded it.
CHAPTER THIRTY-FIVE
Emily adjusted the strap around her heel and stood for one last look in the full-length mirror. Maybe if she stood here staring at the woman in white long enough, she could convince herself the day had really come, that this was truly her wedding day.
Thank You for today, Lord. This day is all I can hope for. All I need.
The simple, white dress brought out the warm tone of her skin, but the glow came from within. Her hair shone with co
ppery highlights, swept up in the back with tendrils cascading down around her neck and shoulders. Maybe not exactly the way Ian remembered it that day, but close, hopefully.
A knock rattled the door and Claire burst in, draped in blue and out of breath. She stilled, eyes shining. “Oh, Emily. Look at you; you’re so beautiful. You’re absolutely glowing. Poor Ian is going to faint dead away.” She grasped Emily’s hands. “Everything is set. Davy took the last of the guests up to the glen and he’ll be back for you next.”
“Aunt Grace and Maggie made it up there okay?”
Claire dabbed at her eyes and snorted. “Barely. Ian got the log trailer rigged up with a bench, so getting them up there wasn’t the problem. The problem was Maggie battling over who was going to drive the tractor. But Aunt Grace set her straight.”
Emily chuckled. She had no trouble picturing that.
“Oh, I almost forgot. Our parents send their congrats and apologies. Da is laid up sick and can’t make the trip. They’re sending the Peruvian coffee and chocolate they meant to bring as a wedding gift.”
A triple rap on the door made Emily jump.
“Perfect timing,” Claire said with a grin and raised her voice. “Come in.”
Emily stilled. Ian wouldn’t try to see her before the wedding—would he?
Short, magenta hair poked around the door.
Emily caught a sharp breath. “Jaye?”
With a squeal, Jaye rushed into the room and pulled Emily into a hug. She squeezed her long and hard, then stepped back and stared. “Oh, Emily.” Tears filled Jaye’s eyes. “You’re stunning!”
“But—I thought you couldn’t come.”
Jaye shrugged with a grin. “Surprise? But really, how surprised could you be? You’re the girl who swore you were never getting married. No way was I going to miss this!”
Emily wiped her eyes. “I hate to tell you this, but there’s no castle.”
“No castle?” Jaye winked at Claire and leaned close to Emily’s ear. “No worries. I’ve seen Johnny and it’s all good. Besides, I’m allergic to cats.”
The hum of a tractor drifted in through the open window.
Claire craned her neck and looked out it. “And here’s my husband with your chariot.” Her smile beamed. “Ready, love?”
“Ready?” Emily met Claire’s gaze. She drew in a deep breath and glanced toward the hills. “Marrying Ian is a dream I never dared hope for.” She turned to Claire and Jaye, unable to contain her joy. “I couldn’t be more ready.”
The approaching growl of the tractor stopped.
Emily drew a deep breath. “Claire, there’s something I want to ask you. Because you’ve become like a sister to me.”
Claire let out a little snort, a feeble cover for a fresh batch of tears. “I am your sister now. Your older sister and you’d better not forget it.”
Emily smiled. But as the sound of footsteps on the stairs drew closer, her smile faded. “It breaks my heart to think about all those years Ian was alone. Claire, I want you to promise me something. Don’t let him go back to being alone after I’m gone.” She swallowed back the rising ache in her throat. “Promise me?”
Claire dabbed the corner of her eye. “Well. I suppose I could do that. For you.” She aimed a look at Jaye. “Though I make it a strict rule never to meddle in my brother’s business.”
Emily burst out laughing and hugged her.
A knock parted them.
Emily stood and ran her hands along her dress as Claire went to the door and swung it wide.
It took three heartbeats to realize the man standing there wasn’t Davy.
Dad?
Ray Chapman stood in the doorway, stiff, unmoving, and staring at Emily.
A wave of numbness spread through her chest and flooded her, pooling at her knees. He wouldn’t come this far to try to stop her, would he? Heart racing, she could only stare at him and wait.
Jaye took hold of her elbow and leaned close to her ear. “You all right?”
Dad cleared his throat and took a step into the room. “Congratulations, Emily.”
Her dad was ... congratulating her? “Thank you.”
He drew a deep breath. “I came to apologize.”
Claire and Jaye looked at each other and slipped quietly from the room.
The shock of his words sent Emily’s heart racing, oddly magnifying the slowly passing seconds.
Dad looked her over again, then cleared his throat. “This is your special day and I don’t want to spoil it. I just want to say it was wrong—no, unpardonable—to keep such a secret from you.” He cleared his throat again, but the words still came out strained. “But what I’m most sorry for is all the time I threw away that you and I could’ve ... been a family.” He stared at the framed pictures on the dresser. His jaw worked and struggled, as if he had more to say.
Emily waited in silence, throat too thick to speak.
“I can’t make up for what you’ve lost. I can only tell you that I’m truly sorry and ask if you can ever find it in your heart to forgive me.” His gaze stayed fixed on the dresser.
Love and sorrow and relief filled her with an almost dizzying force, bringing on a swell of tears. “Of course I forgive you, Dad. I love you. I always have.”
Dad nodded but just stood there, breath held, frowning at the pictures.
Emily went to him.
He was stiff but he allowed her to hug him. Though he trembled, she held on.
With a deep sigh, he relaxed, then wrapped his arms around her and hugged her back. Tightly. “I’m sorry, Em,” he whispered, voice choked. “So sorry.”
“All’s forgiven, Dad,” she whispered back. “Really.”
They held each other for a long time.
When he finally let her go, he cleared his throat again, wiped his eyes. “I know it’s way too late. I don’t expect any—”
“No, it’s not too late. It’s never too late. We’ll start fresh today.” She smiled and took his hand. “I’m so happy you’re here. I couldn’t ask for a better wedding gift than having you with us.”
“That’s another thing I wanted to say.” He took in her dress, her hair, then shook his head. “You and Ian know as well as I do that there will be pain down the road, and yet you’re not letting that stop you. Your courage to face this thing together is inspiring.”
Emily wiped her cheeks. “Thanks, but I don’t have the courage. Not on my own. The only way I can face the future is to look to God and depend on Him every day for strength.”
Dad took a long look at her. “You sound like Ian.”
“Ian?” Emily stared at him. “When did you hear that from him?”
“He called. We’ve talked a couple times.”
“Really.” Emily smiled. Would Ian ever cease to surprise her?
With moist eyes, Ray studied Emily again. He lifted his chin, as if bracing himself. “I wish I’d found that kind of strength a long time ago. When you needed me.”
Emily laid a hand on his arm. “I still need you.” A sudden idea sent a burst of joy through her. “Dad, will you give me away?”
He looked straight into her eyes for the first time in years. “Emily, I’d be honored to walk you down the aisle. But”—he shook his head slowly—“please don’t ask me to give you away.”
When the tractor came to a stop a short distance from the grove, Emily asked Davy and her dad to go on ahead. She followed on foot, wanting time to collect her thoughts.
Lord, I’m trusting You to keep Ian close to You. Please be his strength and bring him through whatever comes. And be with me. Help us to look to You for our every need.
The path into the grove was much wider than before, with strands of white flowers adorning either side. The sun warmed the little sanctuary, filling it with the lovely, sweet scent of honeysuckle. A small crowd of people filled a circle of chairs.
Aunt Grace and Maggie sat together talking, Jaye beside them.
A few of the faces, she didn’t recognize—probabl
y church friends and the MacLeans’ neighbors.
My neighbors now. She smiled.
Her dad waited at the edge of the clearing and Emily went to him, too thrilled to speak.
The chairs formed a circle around the clearing with an opening near the big Scots pine. Next to the tree, the minister was speaking to Ian with one hand on his shoulder.
Ian nodded.
The sweet, lilting sound of a wood flute fluttered and danced above the murmur of guests.
Emily held her breath to quell the excitement rippling through her.
Ian looked stunning in a black waistcoat and plaid kilt, crisp, white shirt, and black tie. Stopping in mid nod, he turned, saw Emily, and froze.
She froze too, but only for a second. With a hand resting on her father’s arm, she urged her feet forward. The sound of the wood flute floated over the thicket as she locked eyes with Ian. The rise and fall of his chest and the way his eyes took in every inch of her sent Emily’s heart pounding.
When she reached him, Ian’s mouth opened, but not a sound came out.
Emily turned to her dad and kissed his cheek.
With trembling fingers, Dad squeezed her hand and took a step back.
Then Emily looked into Ian’s eyes.
He found his voice. “I’m not dreaming, then?”
The depth of his tone unleashed a wave of joy through her. She smiled. “Is this anything like your dream?”
His gaze swept over her again as if capturing every detail. He shook his head slowly. “No. My dreams don’t even come close.”
The minister welcomed everyone and invited Emily and Ian to join him under the big pine.
“Wait!” Maggie shooed Kallie and Hannah over to join them.
Emily tore her eyes away from Ian long enough to wink at Jaye, then she turned to him and whispered, “So you’ve met Jaye?”
Ian glanced over her shoulder at her friend. “Aye. But she keeps calling me Johnny.”
Emily grinned and glanced over the crowd.
A slightly familiar-looking woman was seated beside Jaye.
Reverend Brown addressed the guests. “Friends, we’re here today because Ian and Emily have formed a very special bond. But that bond is about to change.” He turned to Emily and Ian. “The Bible tells us that a cord of three strands is not quickly broken. Marriage joins two people together to form a new bond. But a marriage centered on Christ creates a much stronger bond. Your love for one another, woven together with God at the center, will form a three-part cord of tremendous strength. Cling to the Lord daily, for God is faithful. Storms will come, but you will weather them all if you keep your hearts and eyes on Him. God’s love, strength, and faithfulness will carry you through. Let us pray.” He prayed and blessed them, and when he finished, he invited them to exchange vows and rings.