Abiding Love

by Melody Morgan

  She had insisted that he had no choice but to accept her offer of hospitality, since his own sleeping quarters had gone up in smoke. When he'd hesitated, she'd teased him about his worrying what the neighbors might think. To dispel that idea, he had quickly accepted her invitation.

  Now, rolling to his side, he pushed himself to a sitting position, both hands braced on the edge of the cot. The need to cough overwhelmed him, but he choked it back.

  "Good morning," Irene said softly from behind him.

  He turned and smiled. So far smiling was the only thing that didn't hurt.

  "Hmm. Can't talk?" she asked.

  He shrugged.

  "Not sure, huh?"

  He nodded.

  "Well, come into the kitchen. Mother is waiting to give you some of the doctor's medicine."

  He grimaced but obediently followed.

  Winnie stood ready to administer the proper dosage by spoonfuls. He opened his mouth determined to take it like a man.

  "The doctor said this would fix you right up," Winnie said, stuffing the man-sized spoon into his mouth. "One should do."

  He swallowed, unable to prevent a flinching reaction. Instantly he relaxed as the concoction slid nicely down his throat, soothing as it went just as the doc had promised.

  "Thanks," he croaked.

  Breakfast consisted of eggs, bacon, and fresh bread with butter, for everyone but him. He got a bowl of thickened gruel laced with molasses. He smiled politely and ate it like a man.

  Lydia sat across from him, chattering happily about anything and everything, barely giving the others a chance to speak.

  "So when is the wedding?" she asked.

  "Wedding? What wedding?" Winnie stared from Lydia to Ross to Irene. "Is there going to be a wedding?"

  "Mother, you've repeated yourself three times."

  "Don't dodge the issue, Irene. Is there?"

  Irene sipped her tea and smiled conspiratorially at Ross.

  "Now, listen here, young woman. I demand to know"

  She stopped immediately when Irene turned a blank stare on her. So she amended her sentence. "I would appreciate a little advance notice, if it isn't too much trouble. After all, there will he plenty of things to"

  Once more Irene stared blankly at her.

  "All right," Winnie acquiesced. "It's your wedding. But am I at least invited?"

  Smiling graciously, Irene said, "Of course you are. We'll let you know when we decide."

  "Well, I hope you know that it takes time" She shifted her glance to the food on her plate. "Never mind."

  A round of soft laughter filled the room.

  "How is Jonathan?" Ross asked, his voice half normal.

  "Sleeping," Irene replied. "We woke him several times during the night to give him the same medicine you took."

  "We also explained that he'd be living here and not going home with me," Sarah offered. "I think that helped him sleep a little easier too."

  Irene reached her hand toward Sarah. "Please don't be offended."

  "Oh, I'm not. In time he'll get to know me, and we'll be great friends. I'm anxious for him to meet William."

  "I can't wait to meet the twins," Lydia said.

  As the happy chatter continued, Ross reached beneath the table to grasp Irene's hand and tug it. When she glanced up at him, he tipped his head slightly toward the hack door. Repressing a smile, she rose from her seat, asking to be excused. Then he did the same.

  Outside in the bright morning sunshine, she stood waiting for him. Smiling unabashedly, she walked into his open arms.

  "Good morning, Mr. Ross Hollister."

  "Hello, Miss Barrett-soon-to-be-Mrs. Hollister."

  "Are you going to kiss me?" she asked.

  "What? With all the neighbors watching?" he quipped.

  "They may as well get used to it." She stretched on tiptoe and pressed her lips against his. ''This doesn't embarrass you, does it?"

  "Not in the least," he said, pulling her flush against him and kissing her soundly.

  "I could get used to this."

  "So could I," he said while nuzzling her neck.

  "Maybe we should get married before this goes, you know, much further."

  "Good idea." He nibbled her on the ear. "Is today all right?"

  She pushed him away. "Today!"

  "Okay. Tomorrow then."

  Laughing, she replied, "I thought maybe next month."

  "Uh-huh. Too long."

  "Two weeks?"

  He considered that for a moment. "All right. But under protest only." Tipping her chin up, he asked, "What about a honeymoon?"

  Smiling, she replied, "That would be nice, but . . ."

  "We'll go to Colorado and we'll take the kids. I'll wrap up my business with Jeff."

  "The gold mine?"

  He nodded.

  "It sounds wonderful. Won't the children love it!"

  "I suppose it wouldn't really be a honeymoon with the kids along"

  "We'll do just fine." She spoke softly, staring into the depths of his smokey blue eyes. "Shall we go inside now and tell the others?"

  "In a minute."

  Then he gathered her close and kissed her in the most tender fashion, making her heart leap. Only a gallant hero could do something like that, she told herself.

  "Two weeks! Irene, you'll be the death of me yet."

  "Two weeks is enough. We want a simple ceremony in the backyard"

  "Backyard!"

  "where the roses are just beginning to bloom."

  "And we'll have the smell of the outhouse in competition."

  That was an exaggeration considering the layout of her garden and buildings, and Irene knew it.

  "Why not the church?"

  "I won't have anyone making comparisons between this wedding and the other one."

  "What about a dress?" Winnie asked, almost fearful to hear the answer.

  "I have plenty of dresses."

  "I mean a white satin-and-lace one like your sisters wore."

  "There isn't time to order the material and have it sewn. One of my other dresses will be just fine."

  "Hmph!"

  And so the subject was settled. A lovely arbor would serve as an altar while nature itself would be the chapel. A few close friends would be invited, and afterward there would be refreshments of cake and fruit punch.

  "Where will you be staying?" Winnie asked.

  "I don't know. Ross said he has that all taken care of."

  "Well, at least it won't be above a saloon."

  Ross pounded the last nail home, then sat back on his heels to survey the roof.

  "Well, the roof is finished and guaranteed not to leak," he called down to Ben and Howard.

  "And you've got a new front door, and all the window panes have been replaced," Howard called back.

  Climbing down the ladder, Ross smiled and said, "What more could we ask for?"

  Ben stuck his head around the door from inside, a mischievous smile on his face. "A bed maybe?"

  Ross grinned but said nothing.

  "Well, it's pretty sound on the outside, but there's still a lot of work to do inside," Howard commented, stepping through the doorway.

  Ben looked up the stone chimney. "Is it okay? The nights are still kinda chilly, you know."

  "I'll test it out when I clean up all this." He swung his hand with the hammer still in it to encompass the whole interior of the one-room cabin. He would tear down the old loft and sweep it clean before scrubbing it. He had purchased another bed, which should arrive from Toledo in another week, as well as linens of very good quality. Howard carried a fine selection of small rugs that would suffice. Other than that, there wasn't anything else they needed.

  "You plan on living here long?" Ben asked, looking around the small cabin.

  Ross shook his head. "She doesn't even know it's mine."

  "Not much room here for youngun's," Ben added skeptically.

  Ross agreed. "We'll be staying in town at her house until w
e can get a house built out here. That is, if she wants to."

  Their future lay before them unmapped, ready to be explored together. There were so many things to talk about and decide, so many things to plan. And they had a whole lifetime ahead to do it in.

  Chapter Twenty-Five

  Irene stood alone in her upstairs bedroom. The bright morning sun sent its dappled light through the leaves of the trees outside her window. With a nervous sigh, she placed her hand on her stomach to still the butterflies within.

  No need to be nervous, she told herself. Wasn't she marrying the man she'd been waiting for all of her life? Hadn't she dreamed about him during the day as well as the night? Yes, she certainly had, and with that acknowledgment the butterflies disappeared.

  Walking to the wardrobe, she removed the pale yellow satin gown she'd never worn. The simple yet elegant dress had struck her fancy on a shopping spree, but she'd lacked the appropriate occasion to wear it. Until now.

  She slipped it on, over the bustle and petticoat trimmed with pristine lace. She had applied the French lace herself. Something old and something new.

  After buttoning the front of the dress clear up to the soft, simple collar, she patted her hair in place. Curls framed her face while a thick braid coiled attractively at the nape of her neck.

  With one last look in the mirror, she topped off the outfit with a hat of pure confection. Wide-brimmed, to shield her from the sun, it was decorated with gathers of white organza and laced with yellow flowers.

  Giving herself a quarter turn, she smiled, pleased with what she saw, and hoping that Ross would like it too. At that thought, the butterflies sprung to life once more.

  With him uppermost in her mind, she crossed the room and made her way down the narrow stairway. The sound of his warm laughter reached her through the open windows, and she paused to listen as he greeted their guests in the garden.

  You're a lucky woman, Irene Barrett, she told herself again as she stepped into the parlor, where the minister waited with her mother and Lydia.

  "You're so beautiful!" Lydia cried. "I'd like to hug you, but I don't want to wrinkle your dress."

  "It would be well worth it," Irene said, smiling and drawing her close.

  "Everyone's here," Lydia went on excitedly. "Even Emma and the baby. She's such a darling! Wait till you see her."

  "Where's Jonathan?" Irene asked, fighting down the panic that so easily arose whenever he disappeared.

  "He's been with Ross since early this morning," Winnie said, beaming with pride at her daughter. "And wait until you see him!"

  "Are we ready to begin, Miss Barrett?" asked the reverend, who stood patiently by waiting for his chance to speak.

  "Yes, I guess we are." The butterflies returned.

  They went over the procedures and everyone departed, except Winnie who stood before her daughter with her eyes glistening and her chin quivering.

  "I just want to say . . . you're a wise and beautiful woman, Irene. And today I'm more proud than ever that you're my daughter." Then she caught her in a fierce hug, holding her tight, unconcerned about wrinkles on either of them.

  "I love you, too, Mother," Irene responded, her voice hushed with emotion.

  Releasing her daughter, Winnie stepped back and brushed Irene's tears away with a handkerchief. "I guess I'll be leaving for Cincinnati in a day or so. You know, it's a wonder Janie hasn't had that baby yet." Then, with pretended briskness, she shooed Irene through the house to the back door.

  But Irene hesitated in the doorway, surveying the small crowd, until she found her children and Ross. He was dressed in a dark suit and tie, carrying a brand-new hat. Standing nearby was Jonathan, also dressed in a dark suit and tie and wearing a brand new hat. Once more she felt the awe and wonder of fulfillment spread over her as she gazed with happiness at her new family.

  Ross glowed inside like a million suns when he spotted her in the doorway. As she walked across the yard toward him, Lydia stepped into her path and handed her a bouquet of flowers. Bending, she kissed the girl's cheek, then proceeded toward him to where he stood in front of the arbor. Within seconds she was at his side.

  Irene turned toward Ross, nearly unaware of those who watched, and clasped his hand lovingly in hers. They were united in their purposes, their goals, their beliefs, and especially their honesty and devotion. These, she pledged silently, would be the foundation of their marriage.

  An abundance of blossoming roses surrounded them, filling the air with the heady scent of spring's perfume, while overhead the birds added their own chorus of love to the moment.

  Then the reverend began speaking the familiar words,

  although now they seemed brand new, and each promised to love and keep the other.

  Then it was over and she was in his arms, returning his kiss with a promise of her own. This is how it would be forever, he thought, the two of them together.

  Congratulations were given and accepted. Cake and punch were served and eaten. And all of it was like a blur of time and place and people. Warm sunshine beamed down upon them, adding a special brightness to Irene's face, and Ross thought she had never looked more beautiful.

  As the afternoon wound down and the guests began leaving, a carriage pulled up to the backyard. A young driver hopped out, then ambled toward Ross. He gave the boy a coin, clapped him on the back, and went in search of Winnie.

  "Did you fix us a hamper?" he asked when he found her in the kitchen.

  She produced the familiar basket and set it on the table. "It's heavy. Irene's good dishes and silver are in there." In a lowered voice, she added, "I found a bottle of sherry wine in the pantry."

  With a wink of appreciation, he kissed her cheek. "You're a sweetheart."

  She flapped her hands at him. "Oh, go on with you." But inside she was pleased beyond measure.

  Outside, he found Irene with Emma, cooing and laughing at the baby. When he took Irene's elbow, Emma eyed the hamper in his hand and colored profusely. Making her apologies, she went in search of Howard, leaving the two of them alone.

  "Now it's our turn to go," Ross whispered.

  "But our guests . . ."

  "Those who are left will be well taken care of by your mother. Besides, we're going on a picnic." He hefted the basket for her to see.

  "A picnic?" she asked, laughing. "Where?"

  "That's a surprise," he answered, grasping her by the elbow and escorting her toward the waiting buggy.

  Lydia and Jonathan had spied their leave-taking and called out cheerful farewells. The others, including Winnie, came through the kitchen doorway to wave and wish them well.

  As they rode along the river road, Ross kept his gaze trained on Irene until she blushed and had to look away; then, unable to resist, she looked back again. They smiled at each other, enjoying the pleasant ride and especially each other's company.

  "Did I tell you that you're the most beautiful woman I've ever seen?" he asked.

  As she tilted her head to see him better, her large hat angled in a very becoming way. "How is a woman supposed to answer a question like that?" she replied softly, her lips teasing a smile.

  "I don't know." He grinned. "I guess maybe just your smile is enough."

  A companionable silence drew them closer, although each was thinking separate thoughts about what lay ahead.

  When they approached the turn-off toward the cabin, Ross felt a new apprehension. Maybe he'd made a mistake thinking the cabin was a good idea for their first night together. It was so rustic, so bare, and nothing at all like she was used to. As the horse ambled toward their destination, he almost changed his mind.

  Alert to her surroundings, Irene sat a little forward, looking expectant. "This is the way to your little cabin."

  Too late now to turn around, he nodded, deciding that after the picnic they would go back and get a room at the inn. He pulled into the clearing where the cabin and barn stood in good repair and the fields beyond lay planted in hopes of a bountiful harvest.


  "Why . . . it looks as if someone lives here!" She stared at the stacked woodpiles, the fences, and the neatly cleared barnyard. "Didn't you say Howard owns this? I can't imagine . . ."

  "He did. It's ours now." With quiet trepidation, he waited for her reaction, wondering what he'd do if she was displeased.

  Surprised, she repeated his words, "It's ours?"

  "Whoa," he said softly, pulling the horse to a halt. Then he climbed down and circled the carriage to her side.

  "Do you have animals? Oh, Jonathan and Lydia will be so pleased! How did you manage to keep this a secret?"

  A wave of relief flowed over him as he caught the excitement in her voice.

  With a grin, he answered, "We didn't tell Emma."

  She laughed and the sound filled his head like soft music. Lifting her down, he set her feet on the ground until her toes nearly touched his. With his hands still on her waist, he held her close until the brim of her hat grazed his forehead.

  He leaned toward her. "Mrs. Ross Hollister," he said just before he brushed her lips with his own.

  "Mmmm. I like the sound of that."

  "So do I." He stepped back slightly. "Would you like to see the cabin?"

  "Very much."

  Careful not to catch her dress on any brambles that had escaped his blade, he ushered her toward the newly renovated building.

  "A new door," she said, approvingly. "And window panes, too."

  Before he opened the door, he stood between her and it. "I tried to make it more presentable, but I'm not sure" He stopped. "I mean, it's still just a rough cabin."

  She reached up with her hand and placed her fingers over his lips to silence him. "Anywhere you are, that's where I want to be."

  With those words, the last remaining tension went out of him, and he stepped aside to allow her to enter.

  The first thing she saw was the fireplace, its hearth neatly swept and a stack of dried wood waiting nearby. Off to the side and beneath a window sat a table with two plain chairs. And opposite the fireplace, occupying the greatest share of the room, was a large four-poster bed covered with a colorful quilt which brightened the otherwise darkened space. Beside the bed was a stand holding a glass filled with a variety of wildflowers he had picked just for her. And everywhere there were rugs to warm the pine floors.