“Yes.”
“I’m ready to spend the rest of my life with you. Only you.”
“No Chicago?”
No Chicago.” she said.
chapter Thirteen
Will You Marry Me?
Those incredible green eyes…
CP looked into the incredible green eyes, and took her hands. “Carrie ‘Lizabeth, Will you marry me?”
She snatched her hands free and threw them around his neck. She tried to smother him with kisses, “Yes I will. I will. As soon as Papa can get here, I’m ready.”
“If it’s all the same to you, I’d like to have it in church.”
“Whatever, whenever you want,” she said. Holding his chin, she lowered her lips to his. Moving her mouth, she massaged his cracked lips with hers. His arms tightened around her shoulders. She parted her lips to allow him entry. When his tongue touched hers, she felt the electricity shoot through her body.
When they broke the kiss, she said, “Oh my goodness, that was something else. I don’t think I could stand up. Let’s do it again.”
He smiled and obliged her. When they broke, and Carrie opened her eyes, she became flustered. “I’m sorry, Aunt Carrie, CP asked me to marry him. I said yes, and then… well, you saw the result.”
“Don’t be embarrassed. It’s a natural thing. I think I did the same thing when his father asked me to marry him.” She kissed her son. “Congratulations, Darling. I’m happy for the two of you. I’ve been waiting for this since you were two.”
“Case,” she called out. “Can you come in here for a minute.”
“Be there in a second,” he replied.
When he walked into the room, his wife said, “We’re going to have a wedding! CP just proposed and Carrie said yes. “We’re going to have a wedding, and I’m going to have grandbabies.”
“Aren’t you rushing things, Mama?” CP asked.
“Not at all. I need to talk to Letty. We’ve got so much to do to get ready. I think I’ll go into town. Carrie, would you like to go? You know, you’re welcome to stay as long as you want, but I thought you might want to be the one to tell your mother. Maude can babysit our little boy.”
“I would like to go in with you. About staying here? I’m afraid there would be too much temptation if you know what I mean. “
“I do. Let me tell you a little story. When I first came to Helena after answering Case’s ad, I stayed at your house the first night. He was going to bring me out and show me the ranch, in case I wanted to change my mind. We planned to be married on Sunday. He asked your mother to chaperone. She suggested I stay out here and come in for the wedding on Sunday. She said, “I know Case well enough to trust, and I think I know you, and besides, what harm would it do? I stayed and nothing happened, and we were married on Sunday.”
“You left the part out about undressing me and getting in the bed with me.”
“I’d like to hear that part,” Carrie said.
“So would I,”CP said.
“We had a really bad storm come up that night. We had to go out with the herd and keep them from stampeding. It was a cold rain, and when I came back, I was soaking wet. She was using this bedroom, and I was in the one upstairs. I guess she heard me come in, and came into the kitchen where I was struggling with my boots. She helped get those off, and ordered me upstairs and to get out of the wet clothes. She came up to check and found me still shivering. She got into bed and hugged me until I stopped shivering. And that’s the truth, so help me. Your father performed the ceremony on Sunday, and the rest is history.”
“What a romantic story,” Carrie exclaimed.
“Mama, you went to bed with Papa before you were married?” CP said in a faux shocked voice.
“I guess I did,” his mother said.
Later that day, at the Owens home…
Letty greeted them at the door. “I guess seeing this contingent, the patient is better,” she said, with an expectant smile.
“He is,” her daughter said. “Mama, I’m going to be Mrs. Carter Patrick Jamison. He asked me this morning and I said yes. We’re going to be married.”
She hugged her daughter, fiercely. “I’m so happy for you, Honey,” she said. She turned to her best friend. “Our dream came true, huh?”
“Yes, it did. I think she made a big difference. She stayed right with him until I made her go to bed. When I went into the room the next morning, she was there, holding his hand, with her head on the bed, fast asleep. The first word he said was “Carrie.”
Letty said, “We are well and truly blessed.” She turned and called out, “Jack, come in here. We’ve got something to tell you.”
When he came into the room, Carrie said, “Papa, will you marry CP and me?”
“When did this happen?” he asked.
“This morning,” his daughter said.
He grabbed her and held her in a big bear hug. It would be my great honor and privilege to conduct the ceremony.
The week before the wedding…
Case and Carrie were sitting in their living room with CP and Carrie Elizabeth.
Case said, “We want to give you a honeymoon trip. Anywhere in the world, you would like to go.”
“Papa, to tell the truth, we were thinking about a house here on the Lazy J,” CP said.
“Good point. Your mother and I have talked about this a good bit lately. When you finish school, and come back home, I want you to take over the ranch. I’ll still be here for advice, but it’s going to be yours to run. We’ve been thinking about doing some traveling.
“You know, I haven’t been out of the state since your grandpa moved us here when I was a kid. We haven’t even taken a vacation since we were married, and it’s time we saw some more of the world besides Montana. If we do that, then this big old house would sit empty, and that would be a shame. We were kind of hoping you two would live here. We could fix a space for you.”
CP looked at his fiancé. “Pop, it sounds good. Let us talk it over.”
Carrie was staying at the ranch and using CP’s bedroom, since the stairs were out of the question for him. “What do you think?” she asked.
“Well, you know how I feel about the Lazy J. I would love it, but could you live with Mama and Papa?”
“I could, and I think it’s a wonderful idea. What about Maude. Will she stay here while your Mama and Papa are gone?”
“It wouldn’t be home without her, he said, “but she may want to slow down. She has her own house over by the bunkhouse.”
The next morning, they told his parents they would accept the generous offer. “Mama, what about Maude What do you think she will want to do?”
Case said, “Honey, let me talk to that. Maude has a home on the Lazy J as long as I’m alive. Whether she continues to be the housekeeper and cook is between you and her. Why don’t you talk to her about it?”
* * *
Two weeks later on a crisp and cold Saturday afternoon, in the Christian Church of Helena, Carrie Elizabeth Owens and Carter Patrick Jamison were united in Holy Matrimony. Lucinda Palmer was the maid of honor. Luke Haskins was best man.
An announcement ran in the Helena newspaper, the Independent Record,
On Saturday last, Miss Carrie Elizabeth Owens, daughter of Reverend Jackson and Letty Owens was wed to Carter Patrick Jamison, the son of Case and Carrie Jamison.
Reverend Owens conducted the ceremony. Miss Lucinda Palmer attended the bride as her maid of honor. Lucas Haskins was best man.
After a wedding trip to San Francisco, the couple will make their home on the Lazy J Ranch, until the fall, when both will continue their education at Montana State University in Bozeman.
chapter fourteen
Mr. and Mrs. C.P Jamison
CP and Luke were facing the front of the church when the first notes of The Wedding March sounded on the piano. The sanctuary was packed, and they all turned, anxious to catch the first glimpse of the bride, as she walked down the aisle on the arm of her father.
She
was wearing a wedding gown that had been used twice before, once by her mother, and the second time, after Letty had loaned it to Carrie when she married Case. The gown was a pale green, and she wore a matching veil bought especially for this wedding.
There was a collective gasp from the congregation when they saw her. Her long dark hair, was still visible under the veil.
A beam of sunlight came through the window and bathed her in its glow. And those incredible green eyes were sparkling. She wore a smile brighter than the sunbeam. She carried a small bouquet of roses.
I always knew she was a beautiful girl, but this is unbelievable, CP thought. He smiled and stepped forward to take her hand from her father, who then assumed his place as the presiding minister.
Jack began the ceremony with a call to prayer. His voice broke when he said “We are gathered together to unite Carrie Elizabeth Owens and Case Patrick Jamison in Holy Matrimony.”
He made it through the remaining words and said, “I now pronounce you man and wife. CP you may kiss your bride.”
CP lifted the veil, and took her in his arms. “I love you Carrie Jamison. She beamed and whispered, “I love you too,” He kissed her on the lips, chastely.
Her father said, “Ladies and Gentlemen, I present to you Mr. and Mrs. Case Patrick Jamison.” The recessional music began and they walked slowly down the aisle. Outside, they were mobbed by the congregation, most of whom had known them since their childhood. A carriage was waiting to take them to the International Hotel for the reception, and where they would spend their wedding night.
Carrie broke with tradition. Instead of tossing her bouquet over her shoulder, she walked over to Lucy and said, “This is for you. Without your kind, loving words, this might never have happened. She hugged her friend tightly, as their eyes filled with tears.
CP hugged Lucy. “Thank you, Lucy. I know you helped. I’ll always remember.” Then he kissed her, turned and helped his wife into the carriage.
After a long discussion with Jack, Case had rented the Grand Ball Room for the reception.
Epilogue
The newlyweds occupied the nicest room on the first floor in deference to CP’s crutches. Dr. Palmer had put the injured leg in a cast and told CP he would have to wear it for at least six weeks. Since the wedding was nearly five weeks after the accident, it would still be in a cast. The doctor suggested the possibility of having it checked in San Francisco and the chance of a less cumbersome one.
Despite the cast, the couple managed to consummate their marriage to the immense satisfaction of both.
The next morning, lying in bed in each other’s arms, CP said, “In case you’ve forgotten, I love you.”
“I won’t forget, darling, and I love you more.” She said.
“No you don’t.”
“Yes I do.”
“Do not.”
“I’ll prove it.”
He tried, but both agreed their love for each other was equally strong.
“We’d better get moving. We don’t want to miss our honeymoon train.”
* * *
CP rented a house near the Montana State University Campus where they lived until their graduation. Degrees in hand, they returned to the Lazy J, where CP assumed the role of running the ranch, with occasional advice from his consultant.
With Maude in attendance, Carrie gave birth to a son the next year, whom they named Patrick Jackson. The following year, brought forth a dark haired little girl, whom they named Lucinda.
Lucinda was blessed with the same incredible green eyes as her mother.
Lucy Palmer obtained her medical degree from Georgetown and joined her father in his practice in Helena. She was a frequent visitor at the Lazy J, along with her husband, the vice president of the Helena National Bank.
Case and Carrie Jamison were away from the Lazy J on an extended year traveling to all of the major cities in the United States and Europe.
About The Author
Susan lives in a gated community just outside Tomball, a small Texas town, 26 miles northwest of Houston, with her husband; two toy poodles, Bobby and Charlie; and Lissie, the cat..
“Carrie’s First Love” is her latest book to be published by Amazon. She says, “Carrie’s First Love is the third in the new series, The New Brides Of Montana. This was the most difficult of all my books to proof read. Tears kept rising in my eyes. It also marks a significant change in the style of my writing.
This story involves the son and daughters of the families in The Montana Doctor’s Bride. And Rancher’s Bride.
Susan passed through Helena many years ago, but memories fade, and if she had a bucket list, another visit would be near the top, and in particular, the area of Yellowstone. (Note: 3% of Yellowstone National Park is in Montana.)
She continues to monitor all of the reviews and comments. A real treasure comes from the emails from readers. She says “I revise my writing process and style accordingly. This is a learning process for me and I love every minute of it.”
The names of all her books are on the pages following this one.
Susan says, “My thanks to you readers. I appreciate your taking the time to read them. As an avid reader myself, I will read several books during the time I am writing. Our kids love to read, as does my husband. He takes his iPad with him everywhere and reads during waits for the doctor, He would take it when we go out to eat, but he knows I would do him bodily harm.
“I would like to thank those of you who cared enough to email me about the plots and the style. For someone to have the interest and take the time to email… well it makes my day. I had an email from a gentleman who lives in the area I used as the setting for “In Search Of Love”. Since I research the geographical setting of my books, the trails, creeks and towns were familiar to him.
Another reader emailed me a picture of her great-great grandfather after reading “The Widow Finds Love” which is based in part on my great-great-great grandmother and her 1888 trek from South Carolina to Utah.
“Thanks again. Now I can begin research on my next effort. If you have suggestions for additional books, I would love to hear them. Email them to me or enter them as comments on the website.”
Susan
Susan’s Other Books
The Montana Rancher's Bride
The Montana Doctor's Bride
Texas Oilman's Bride
In Search Of Love
The Widow's Mail Order Husband
Yankee Mail Order Bride
Not Quite A Mail Order Bride
Tainted Mail Order Bride ***Amazon Best Seller Book***
Jedadiah's Mail Order Bride ***Amazon Best Seller Book***
A Reluctant Mail Order Bride
She Found Her Love In Washingron
The Lonely Cowboy
Cake and Pie Recipes From MaMaw's Kitchen
Love On The Brazos
Loving A Firefighter
Loving An Airborne Ranger
Diabetes: You Can Live With It Or Die From It
Bobby and Charlie's Great Adventure
Diabetes: You Can Live With It Or Die From It
Pies From MaMaw's Kitchen
Cakes From MaMaw's Kitchen
Cakes and Pies From MaMaw's Kitchen
Visit Susan’s Website
Visit The Lonely Cowboy Saga Website
Carrie's Montana Love: New Montana Brides (New Montana Bride Series) Page 6