The Farmer's Daughter: The Dragon Dream: Book One

by Robin Janney

  She nodded her head, a smile forming on her face. “Maybe.”

  He laughed. Standing back up, he kissed her again. “That’s what you said on the bridge too.”

  “Did I follow it up with definitely?” she asked. “I was planning to.”

  “You did.” He brushed hair away from her face. “Will you come in now? Please?”

  “Yes.”

  He bent down to grab her backpack as she passed through the threshold and gave one last look at their spectators. And then he shut the door to the town. He had a wife to love and a life to rebuild, and they had seen enough. Locking the door, he set the new security system to active and shut out the outside world.

  61

  T he day came together quickly and smoothly, leaving Craig to believe his in-laws had been planning this day since he’d first mentioned eloping with their daughter. The yard was filled with tables running from the maple tree by the pond to the newly paved driveway. Philip had cleared a portion of a hayfield for parking, and it was strange to see his father’s limo parked next to more than a few beat-up farm trucks.

  Craig lost track of who was all here. It seemed liked everyone. From Maeve O’Malley to Doc Maynard to Angela’s beloved Dr. Evans. All seven of his friends from college had been able to make it as well. A slew of the Barry’s. And family…so much of her family. But when he considered how much of his own family had shown up, he figured Angela probably felt as overwhelmed as he did.

  And what a sight she was to behold today. She’d been worried about wearing her wedding dress from Vegas, but Cassie had finally been able to convince her to. Their mother had pursed her lips when she saw it, but after a moment had relaxed and had given Angela what seemed like a genuine compliment.

  His wife had put gentle curls in her sassy hair, and he’d given her a crown of daisies and summer roses to wear upon her head. She was having a good day today and fluttered among their friends and family like a butterfly.

  The only sour note to the day was his stepmother’s presence. The list of people who knew of her past abuse of him was short, but they’d all agreed to tolerate her for the day. His wife had all but blown Veronica off when they had been introduced to each other, and his stepmother hadn’t liked it. He had found it rather amusing. Tyler’s Grove wasn’t the only thing he and Angela were leaving behind today, so Veronica was tolerated.

  When the time came for their ceremony, Craig waited with Philip and Kevin at the base of the same maple tree Angela had pelted with snowballs at Christmas. Michelle and her husband hadn’t been able to come today, as her doctor didn’t want her traveling this close to her due date. So, Angela had asked her sister to stand with her today, and the younger woman was walking through the aisle their friends and family made.

  And as their song began to play, Angela followed in her sister’s wake. His wife held his attention now, even as she had the night of their wedding. Her nervous happiness echoed in his own heart. She handed her little bouquet of daisies and summer roses to her sister and turned to face him. Her hands slipped into his easily.

  When the last strains of the song faded away, Philip, acting as their officiant, cleared his throat. He touched them both on their shoulders as he spoke. “We are gathered here today, to celebrate the union of this couple and share their joy as they reaffirm the decision they made in February. There were many who thought their decision was made in haste, but now as then – Angela’s mother and I knew the rightness of their decision. While we did not foresee the events which followed, we know how quickly life can change. None of us are guaranteed tomorrow.

  “With my daughter’s permission, I’d like to take a brief moment to address something which has come up. There are also some who have questioned the elaborate celebration we arranged for today. We had always planned a celebration for them. In fact, Maude insisted on it before she gave her blessing. When we learned…” Philip paused long enough to take a step forward to his daughter.

  Craig heard the other man whisper to her, “Are you sure, honey? You don’t owe anyone an explanation.”

  Angela, her eyes never wavering from Craig’s, whispered back. “I know. But it’s alright if they know.”

  Her father nodded and leaned away.

  “The injuries which put Angela’s life in danger, stole my daughter’s memory of her wedding.” There were ripples of whispers in the loved ones gathered. “There are other memories missing, which the doctor says may come back in time. Or, they may not. There’s no guarantee. So, her mother and I, as well as her husband, agreed that she deserves this day to be special. It will never replace those stolen memories, but we all agree she deserves this moment. Now, for the traditional vows:

  “Jeremiah Craig Moore…will you keep this woman as your wife, to live together in holy marriage? Will you love her, comfort her, honor and keep her in sickness and in health, and forsaking all others, be faithful to her for as long as you both shall live?”

  “I will,” answered Craig, steady and sure. He gave his wife’s fingers a gentle squeeze and received one in reply.

  Philip smiled, and his hesitation was barely noticeable. “Angela Starlight Destiny…will you keep this man as your husband, to live together in holy marriage? Will you love him, comfort him, honor and keep him in sickness and in health, and forsaking all others, be faithful to him for as long as you both shall live?”

  She had given her father a brief glance when he’d voiced her birth name, but at the end her gaze was back to Craig’s. Her voice was as steady and sure as Craig’s had been. “I will.”

  “The rings please.”

  Craig turned to Kevin, took from him Angela’s wedding ring. Turning back, he lifted her left hand. He looked at Philip, who gave him a nod. He didn’t know why he was nervous, but his fingers trembled a little as he slipped the ring onto her finger. “I give you this ring again, as a symbol and token of my love and devotion. To remind you that my heart has not changed, and I will stand side by side with my Fearless Angela Carman to face whatever may come.”

  Love shown in his bride’s eyes. She turned to her sister Cassie, getting his ring from her. Angela’s face was hesitant as she turned back, taking his left hand in hers. “Mine’s not as long,” she whispered.

  “Doesn’t have to be, Angel.” He reached out his right hand and gave her cheek a quick caress.

  She nodded and slid the ring onto his finger. “I give you this ring again to remind you that you are my beloved, and I am yours. You are my heart, my life, my everything, and I will shine for you in the darkness.”

  There was a moment of silence, during which the soft sounds of sniffles and throats being cleared could be heard.

  “Go ahead, son,” said Philip. “You can kiss your wife now.”

  Craig did so, intending to keep it gentle and brief. But she needed more, her hands gripping his shirt, and maybe he did too. So, he wrapped his arms around her and deepened the kiss.

  Everyone kept silent as the kiss drew out, knowing the price which had been paid for this moment.

  The exuberant honking of a passing car caused Craig to end the kiss. He took a moment to caress his Angel’s cheek, a delightful shade of pink as she smiled up at him.

  “Alright then, Mr. and Mrs. Moore, family, friends – let’s eat!” Philip rubbed his hands together.

  Two hours later, as Craig stepped to the drinks’ table to refresh his coffee, he caught sight of Angela walking out to the family cemetery. She was ready to leave.

  Tossing the dregs of the coffee into the grass, he tossed the disposable cup into the trash can and walked to the edge of the pond to watch her from afar. He wasn’t surprised when her father joined him.

  “Angela told me she was going to say goodbye to Randy and then the two of you would be taking off.” Philip’s arms folded across his chest. “In all the times we’ve spoken this week about this moment, I haven’t asked because I’m afraid I know the answer. Do you think you’ll ever be back?”

  Hesitating, Craig wa
tched his wife kneeling at her brother’s grave. “We haven’t talked about that in depth ourselves,” he admitted. “We’ll be back for visits, graduations, and holidays. Between the store and this farm, I have a business interest to keep track of, but I don’t know if she’ll accompany me on those trips. Personally, I don’t think we’ll ever be back to live.”

  Philip nodded. “Yeah, can’t say that I’m surprised. Did she remember anything when you two were at Barry’s Bridge?”

  “No. I think part of her remembers, on some level. She’ll say things from those days. Like when she stood on my doorstep and I proposed then, she said the same thing she did that day.”

  “And that was?”

  “Maybe.” He smiled as his father-in-law laughed at him. “I kind of deserved it. I put her through hell for far too long because of that ‘maybe’.”

  “Has she talked about returning to school?”

  “She has. She’s not ready to go back. I think she’s forgotten more than just a few days.”

  Philip sighed. “I kind of get that feeling too. Is she going to be getting help?”

  “Eventually. She’s asked me to find doctors for her once we get settled in. We both want to take time to just be with each other.”

  “That’s understandable,” his father-in-law said. “You both lost the first six months of your marriage. What did she say about your graphic novel?”

  Now Craig laughed. “That it was about time I did something with my talent, even if it wasn’t our story and the angel had too much red in her hair.”

  Philip shared in his laughter. “Some things will never change!”

  “I think it would make me sad if that part of her changed.” She was rising from the grave, Princess at her feet. He wanted meet her. As he stepped away to do so, Philip stopped him with a hand on his arm.

  Craig gave the older man a hug. “Thank you for trusting me with your daughter.”

  Philip returned the embrace. “Take care of my little girl, Craig.”

  “I will.” Turning away, he began to walk along the pond’s edge.

  T he Beast had watched the ceremony and festivities from afar, perched on a gravestone. He wasn’t much of a beast right now. Even though there were enough people here who would fear him, Craig and Angela were too powerful for him to be able to maintain the image he wanted.

  His dark heart was conflicted. On one hand, he should be glad they were leaving his kingdom. While it had been a humiliating defeat, Lucifer was allowing him to remain the ruler of this little kingdom. One last chance to redeem himself. Their absence would allow him to do so without interference.

  On the other hand, he had watched Angela and the King play in their field of daisies. Had watched as she made her decision to leave her reality to return to the desert of this world…for love of the man she’d saved. She’d left willingly, knowing it for the sacrifice it was, when she could have stayed.

  It had made him sick. It had broken his dark heart. To be loved like that. To love like that. He envied them.

  The yellow dog Princess preceded her charge and sat next to him by the gravestone. Her tongue hung out of her mouth as she panted, and her shaggy tail wagged happily.

  “I suppose congratulations are in order,” Beast growled at her. “You won.”

  The creature of light in canine form laughed. It was a light ringing of bells. “Come now, Beast,” she said, her voice light and airy as her laugh. “You know you’re not that upset. You bungled this so well, I almost think you let me win.”

  “Did not!” he growled in reply, his ears drooping.

  She laughed again. “Please. You didn’t even try that hard to kill me.”

  “No, I suppose not.” His small wings slumped. “Can you blame me? Even alone, she outshines you pathetic creatures. When they are together, they outshine the sun. Their happiness will be the death of me yet, but I long for it.”

  “There’s hope for you yet, Beast. Quiet now, here she comes!” The creature of light subsided as the demon hopped down and hid behind the gravestone.

  Unaware of her supernatural company, Angela knelt in front of Randy’s gravestone. She had asked Craig if he had been the one to pay for her brother’s funeral and stone years ago, but he said he hadn’t. Maybe someday she’d be brave enough to ask Everett if he’d been the one.

  There was darkness here, but it no longer scared her. The light outshone it. Looking at Princess sitting by the ornate gravestone, she returned the canine’s smile. Angela ran her hand over the dog’s droopy ear. “I don’t know what you’re laughing at girl, but I like your attitude!”

  The dog gave a quiet yip.

  Laying a small bouquet of twelve daisies at the base of the stone, Angela addressed the air. “I know you’re not here, Randy. I could say this anywhere and you’d hear me. But this is right. For so long, your grave has been the focal point of my life. And it’s not anymore. I will honor your sacrifice by choosing life. I hope you understand why I couldn’t stay. I belong here, with Craig. I love him, more than I ever thought possible.” She ran a hand over the stone. “Goodbye.”

  Rising to her feet, Angela turned her back on the grave and on the past she didn’t fully remember. Walking towards the celebration of their love, her heart quickened at the sight of her future in the form of her husband as he walked around the pond to meet her. The closer she drew to Craig, the more joy filled her. Breaking into a run, she ran to her beloved and flung herself into his outstretched arms.

  Craig caught her in his arms and lifted her off the ground. He swung her around once, and the air was filled with the sound of their laughter. “Come on, Angel. Let’s go catch our flight.” His lips landed on hers, and all was well.

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  ABOUT THE AUTHOR

  In her younger days, Robin Janney traveled the galaxy with the likes of Luke Skywalker and Captains Kirk, Picard and Sisko. Today she lives with her husband and dog in Northeast Pennsylvania where it is common to experience all four seasons in the same week. She now travels the continental United States as an Over the Road Professional Truck Driver… with husband and dog.

  You can follow her in the following locations:

  Blog – https://robinjanney.blogspot.com/

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  Twitter – https://twitter.com/RJanney_Author

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  Email – robin.janney.author@gmail.com

  Thank you for reading The Farmer’s Daughter and don’t forget to leave a review at Amazon.