“You’re kidding!” Jessica’s squeal of joy came over the phone line. “For real? Today?”
“I would never kid about the most important day of my life. If you guys think I’m going to wait a second longer than absolutely necessary before marrying this beautiful woman, then you have another thing coming.
“Pierce is arranging everything as we speak, so put on that pretty dress you wore to his wedding, and tell your grandparents to get ready.”
“How soon are you coming home?”
“As soon as we pick up the license at the county clerk’s office in Jackson. Your mom’s making all kinds of noises that she needs more time to prepare, but since she couldn’t be more beautiful than she is right now, I’m not going to worry about it. See you in a little while, honey.” He hung up.
Sam had broken down, sobbing for joy.
He could relate. He, too, felt such relief that they would finally be joined. After kissing her again he said, “Ever since you drove from the airport with me, I’ve had a dream of marrying you in the Tetons’ rustic log Chapel of the Transfiguration.
“It’s near the southern entrance of the park. There’s a large window behind the altar framing the magnificent mountains. I can visualize us standing in front of it a few hours from now while we make our official vows to each other, before our daughter, our parents and our closest friends.”
“I can’t believe this is happening.”
“Believe it, sweetheart. The time for the Kincaid family to rejoice is finally here.”
“But how can we get married so fast?”
“Very easily. There’s no waiting period in Wyoming, no blood test. All we need is the license. Pierce has contacted the pastor and is arranging a private ceremony for us.”
“What about your work?”
“My work can wait. My love for you can’t.” He kissed the palms of her hands. “I need you in my bed before the day is out, but I don’t want you to suffer guilt because we once again anticipated our wedding vows.
“This time we’re going to do it right, sweetheart. Today is a shiny new beginning for both of us. I won’t allow anything to tarnish it. We’ll drive to the church and claim each other in front of everyone before we enjoy our honeymoon.”
He heard her breath catch. “That’s going to be hard on Jessica. She’s never been separated from both of us before.”
He kissed the heart-shaped mouth he craved. “Our daughter can stay at the house with your parents for a few days while we hang out here. Knowing we’re close by will help her.”
“You’re right. You’re always right.”
He could tell something else was bothering her. “What’s wrong, sweetheart? Why does the mention of a honeymoon make you nervous?”
She averted her eyes. “If you must know, I’m frightened.”
He put a hand under her chin and lifted it, forcing her to look at him. “Of what?”
Her eyes filled. “I—I’m not the seventeen-year-old you once made love to.”
Nick smiled. “I’m not the twenty-year-old.”
“You’re more gorgeous than ever.”
“So are you,” he said in a husky voice.
“No.” She shook her head. “My body has aged.”
“So has mine.”
“But mine has been sick. My hair’s not the same. I’m thinner.”
“You’re more womanly.”
“Don’t try to make me feel better, Nick.”
“Are we having our first fight?”
“Don’t tease me, darling. I want to be the girl you remember, and I’m not!”
“No. You’re not. You’ve grown up. I loved the girl you were, but I love the woman more. You’re wonderful and remarkable, and I need to be your husband before the day is out. Do you hear what I’m saying?”
“Yes.” Her voice trembled. “But what if I disappoint you?”
“In what way?”
Her face went red. “You know. I—it’s been a long time.”
“Did cancer rob your memory of the nights we made love in the dark on your father’s boat so he wouldn’t know we were out there?”
She hid her face in his neck. “You know it didn’t!” she admitted in a shaky voice.
Nick laughed before pulling her closer. “Do you have any idea how happy it makes me to know you’ve never been intimate with another man?”
“But that’s the problem.” She lifted her head. “I know you’ve been with other women, and I’m scared that I won’t compare.”
“You’ve got that wrong, Sam. There were a few women in the past, but none of them could compare to you. Why do you think I stayed single all these years? As Pierce said, I never fell out of love with you.”
Nick studied her lovely features. “I want to get you pregnant again so you can raise our next child. You were deprived of that joy with Jessica.”
“I don’t think it’s possible now,” she cried softly.
He smoothed some red-gold curls off her forehead. “Are you sterile?”
“I don’t know. Now that we’re about to be married, I have a lot of questions.”
“Then let’s call your doctor and get answers.”
“You mean right now?”
“Why not? This ought to be the perfect time to reach him.”
“My cell phone’s in the kitchen. I have his number programmed.”
“Then look it up and call on the house phone. If he’s there, I’ll pick up on this extension.”
“All right.”
“First I want something to help sustain me while you’re gone.”
“Oh, Nick.”
They kissed hungrily before reluctantly he let her go.
Once she left the bedroom, he took advantage of the time to dress in his formal blue suit. While he was adjusting his tie, he heard Sam call out that the doctor was on the line. Relieved they’d caught him either at home or on rounds, Nick hurried over to the bedside table and picked up the receiver.
“I’m here, Sam. Good morning, Dr. Blake.”
“Mr. Kincaid? I hear congratulations are in order.”
“Yes. Now that we’re going to be married in a few hours, we have some questions for you. In light of Sam’s medical history, we need to know what to expect. I’ll let Sam talk now, and I’ll listen to the answers.”
“Very good. Go ahead, Samantha.”
“As you know, I never thought I’d be getting married, so the issues having to do with pregnancy never entered my head. Now everything has changed, and long before this morning our daughter let me know she has always wanted to have a little brother or sister.”
That didn’t surprise Nick. Jessica was crazy about Cory. She would go nuts over a baby in the house.
“Naturally, we’d love to be able to make that dream come true. I can’t imagine how wonderful it would be to have another baby with the knowledge that Nick and I could nurture and love it together.
“But considering my recent illness, I’m wondering if I’m sterile, and if I’m not, would getting pregnant give our baby cancer?”
“I doubt very much you’re sterile. Give it a year. If you haven’t conceived by that time, then make an appointment with a fertility specialist to find out why.
“To answer your question, most women who’ve been treated for cancer in the past and are currently disease-free like you can plan on a pregnancy with the greatest of confidence.”
“Honestly?”
The excitement in her voice brought more tears to Nick’s eyes. He knew something would always be missing in her life if she weren’t given the opportunity to mother a newborn. The doctor’s words had just offered them hope.
“I’m very sure. You came through your treatment beautifully, with no long-term effects from the chemo or medication. Are you still having regular periods?”
“Yes.”
“Then that’s an excellent sign.”
“It’s the best,” Nick interjected. The news was getting better and better. He felt euphoric.
“Let me reassure you that cancer only affects about one in a thousand pregnancies.”
“I had no idea,” Samantha murmured.
“It’s too bad there are so many misconceptions out there. You may have heard that pregnancy can allow cancer to develop and grow more easily, but the statistics don’t seem to support this.
“If you should get pregnant and your cancer does recur at the same time, your challenge will be to diagnose it early.”
“We’ll make sure Sam is tested regularly,” Nick interjected.
“That’s good,” the doctor answered. “Once she’s pregnant, it will be vital, because at some point you’ll have a difficult decision to make about whether you want to start treatments that could place the fetus at risk.
“Then, of course, you may have to consider terminating your pregnancy in favor of pursuing the most aggressive therapies available. But that’s a decision to be contemplated much further down the road between the two of you, should such an eventuality occur.
“My opinion, for what it’s worth, is to ‘go for it,’ as my grandson says. We only get one stab at this life, so why not take all the risks you can to make your dreams come true?”
“My sentiments exactly,” Nick replied. “That’s why I’m making Sam my wife today. Thank you for talking to us.”
Nick could hear Sam clearing her throat. “I want to thank you too, Dr. Blake. We’re going to take your advice. Bless you for being such a wonderful doctor.”
While she was still on the phone, Nick hung up the receiver and raced through the house to the kitchen. Sam took one look at him and flung herself into his arms. They clung to each other while she wept for happiness.
“MOM? Are you ready?”
“Almost.”
Samantha emerged from her closet. She’d just put on the top of her cream-colored suit and was fastening the buttons. It happened to be the only outfit in her wardrobe appropriate to wear to her own wedding. Jessica looked adorable as usual in a dressy two-piece knit.
“That shade of blue is heavenly on you.”
“Thanks. Leslie helped me pick it out before her wedding.” Her eyes studied Samantha. “You always look beautiful in everything!”
“How come I’m so lucky to have a wonderful daughter like you?” She hugged her. “This outfit wasn’t my first choice, but I’m afraid your father didn’t give me a chance to buy a wedding dress.”
“Do you care?” she asked with the faintest tinge of concern in her voice.
“No, darling.” Samantha smiled. “I’ve dreamed about this moment for years. Nothing else matters.”
Relieved once more, Jessica said, “Dad’s so excited, he’s been walking around the house whistling. I’ve never heard him do that before.”
“Sometimes he used to whistle while he was waiting to surprise me with something special. It was a dead giveaway.”
“I didn’t know that. You and Dad really loved each other.”
Samantha nodded. “We really did. My greatest regret is not marrying him when he first asked me. But that’s all in the past now. I’ve closed the door on that chapter and am never going to think of it again. Today we’re starting our new life together.”
“I have a gift for you. It’s something borrowed.”
“What is it?”
“I’ll lend you my locket because it has Dad’s picture in it.” She took it off her neck and put it around Samantha’s.
Nothing could have touched Sam more. She felt its shiny smoothness with her fingers. “Do you have any idea how much I love you, Jessica?” She put her arms around her once more.
“I love you, too. Mom?”
“Yes?”
“Dad says you’re going to honeymoon at our other house. How come you’re not going away some place exciting?”
She eyed her daughter covertly. “You wouldn’t mind?”
“Of course not!”
Her dear little liar. “To tell the truth, I think Grand Teton National Park is the most exciting place I can think of.”
“Well, it is, but since you’re always going to live here, you should go some place fabulous like Hawaii!”
“I’ve been there with your grandparents and it is fabulous. I’ve been thinking our family and Cory’s ought to vacation on Maui over your spring vacation.”
Her eyes lit up. “That would be so cool!”
“It would. As for a honeymoon, I’d rather be with your father in the home he made for the two of you. I just need to be with him in the place where he’s most comfortable and familiar. We have a lot of catching up to do. I can’t think of a better spot.”
Jessica looked totally relieved. “It’s kind of like when you and Dad took me around Fort Collins, huh.”
“Yes. It’s exactly like that. I want him to show me around his life, let me see it through his eyes. We have years and years to take other trips and create new memories. Right now it’s important to savor what we have right here.”
“Mom?” Something serious was on her daughter’s mind. “Do you think you would ever want another baby?”
“Yes. It’s something I’ve always longed for.”
“Could you have another one? I mean—” She stopped midsentence. Samantha could tell she was uncomfortable, yet the hope in her eyes was blinding in its intensity.
“It’s all right, darling. You can say whatever is on your mind about my illness, ask me anything you like. The answer to your question is yes.”
“Honest?”
“Yes. Your father and I talked to Dr. Blake this morning. If we’re meant to have another child, he says it’s fine.”
“Oh Mom!”
While they held on to each other, Samantha could hear Nick calling to them.
“Dad’s in a hurry.”
“So am I, but I have one more phone call to make before we leave for the church.”
“I bet I know who it is.”
“I’m sure you do.”
“Okay. I’ll tell Dad you’ll be right out.”
“Thanks, darling.”
As soon as she was alone, she phoned Marilyn. “Guess what’s happening to me in about forty-five minutes?” she said when her friend came on the line.
“Something tells me you’re getting married.”
“Yes! Our wedding will be at the church in the park. I’m so sorry you won’t be here.”
“It doesn’t matter. What’s important is that we’re both going to live. Let me be the first to congratulate you, Mrs. Kincaid.”
“Can you believe it?”
“After our miraculous recoveries, I can believe anything!”
Tears sprang to her eyes. “Marilyn? How can I thank you for all you’ve done for me? If it weren’t for you, I—” She couldn’t talk. Too much emotion made it impossible.
“I know what you’re trying to say. I feel the same way about you. How would you like a houseguest for a weekend next month?”
“Do you even have to ask?”
“Yes, I think I do. By then Nick might just be willing to share you.”
“He and Jessica are going to love you as much as I do. I’ll call you in a few days and we’ll have one of our long talks.”
“I guess you don’t feel you can take a lengthy honeymoon knowing your daughter would miss you too much.”
“You understand everything.”
“Maybe not everything, but I do know your husband-to-be won’t appreciate your staying on the phone any longer. Your future’s waiting for you.”
Samantha could hear Nick calling to her from the hallway. “You’re right. I’ll talk to you soon.” She hung up, then rushed out of the bedroom, straight into his arms.
He flashed her that old heart-stopping smile before his head lowered and he drew a deep kiss from her.
“Hey, you two.” Her dad had made an appearance at the end of the hall. “We’re ready to drive you to the church. Much more of that and you’ll be late for your own wedding.”
“We’re coming,�
�� Nick assured him after tearing his lips from hers. They were both out of breath. Samantha felt like a teenager who’d been caught on the front porch making out with her boyfriend.
Thank heaven she wasn’t that teenager any longer. She was the woman Nick had always wanted to marry. He was the man she’d always worshipped. They’d found their way back to each other.
His thoughts echoed hers when half an hour later they stood before the pastor and Nick whispered, “We’ve come full circle, my love.”
Samantha felt him slide a ring on the third finger of her left hand. When she looked down, she discovered it was the same ring with the etching he’d couriered to her in Denver on Valentine’s Day over thirteen years earlier.
She lifted tremulous eyes to meet his adoring gaze.
The pastor cleared his throat. “By the authority invested in me, I now pronounce you, Samantha Frost Bretton, and you, Nicholas Pratt Kincaid, husband and wife from this day forth. You may kiss your bride.”
EPILOGUE
Jackson, Wyoming
June 3
It’s ten at night and I’ve decided to catch up on some writing. Nick is out taking care of a pair of black bears causing trouble at the Signal Mountain Campground. The house is quiet.
Our darling, brown-haired, two-year-old Tyler, named after his grandfather Kincaid, is finally asleep. Jessica, who graduated with top honors from Jackson High School three days ago, left today on a bus trip with all the seniors for a chaperoned vacation to Disneyland.
We’re very proud of her. She’s been offered a four-year academic scholarship to either UCLA, Stanford or the University of Utah. My parents are overjoyed to think she might attend their alma mater, but I have a hunch Jessica will stay closer to home and choose to attend college in Salt Lake. She’s her daddy’s girl and always will be.
I just got off the phone with Marilyn. She and her husband, Rich, will be coming to the Tetons for the Fourth of July. He’s a pharmacist she met at her job in Phoenix. They fell in love right away and had a fabulous wedding Nick and I attended with the children. They’re expecting their first baby in October.
To Be a Mother Page 23