"I can't wait until we are married." Amelia smiled.
"Neither can I." He leaned toward her, kissed her on the forehead and walked off toward the pasture. Amelia wondered why the kiss didn't linger as his kisses usually did, but she suspected his eagerness to marry was part of it too.
Days later he and Hodge were out in the barn spreading fresh hay for the horses.
"You take honeymoon?" Hodge asked Cale.
"Well, since it's getting on into winter, I thought we would." Cale announced proudly. "Not much work to be done now."
Hodge nodded and they went to the house.
Mark came inside, "I fed and watered the horses, and chickens. Thought I'd get a jump on Amelia, she'd do it all, if we don't watch her."
Cale smiled. "I think you're turning into a great farmer, Mark. And even greater cousin. Thanks for looking after her."
"Don't tell her I'm doing that. She'll fuss at me. I kind of like it. Of course I might change my mind come plowing time." He laughed. "I'm sure adding on to the house will be pleasurable though."
That same afternoon an older man and a young woman came to the door. Mark was the only one inside and answered the door.
The man looked old enough to be the girl's father. He had thinning brown hair and deep set blue eyes, his daughter had the same coloring, only she was much more beautiful in her soft blue velvet dress and bonnet, Mark noted. He could tell instantly that she found him just as interesting, by the flash of her eyes and smile.
"Yes, may I help you?" Mark smiled at the young woman and glanced at the man.
The man opened the door and came through, with something dragging behind him.
"What's that?" Mark asked as he peaked around him to see.
"I'm Joe Brenner, and this is my daughter, Lucy. I'm a carpenter and I don't have a lot of fancy stuff, but I made this for Cale's children and thought Amelia might like it." He presented the homemade rocking chair. "That is her name, Amelia, right?"
"Yes, that's right." Mark glanced at it and his eyes widened. "You made this?"
"Yes…" The man replied. "Will it do?"
Mark was stunned, as his hand ran over the finely polished wood. "It's magnificent. The intricate work you've done on it is stunning to say the least."
"My father is a modest man. I told him it was the most beautiful thing he's ever made." Lucy smiled at Mark.
Mark was more than interested in the young lady, but the chair took his attention for the moment. "I work with wood too, and I've never seen anything like this. The carving you did on it. Never seen anything so exquisite."
"You really like it?" The man asked a little shy about bragging.
"She is going to love this, treasure it."
"Thank you. I'm glad. Is she home yet?"
"Home from the doc's but her and Sarah are gone to town for some finishing touches on the wedding dress. You two are coming to the wedding I hope. Won't you sit down. May I offer you some coffee?" Mark asked, turning his attention back to the chair.
"That would be lovely…" Lucy smiled. "And yes, Sarah came by last week and invited us to the wedding, this next weekend, right?"
Mark turned his attention back to the man. "Yes, that's right. Do you folks live around here?"
"The other side of town. Got a farm out that way. But I tinker with wood when I have the chance." Joe beamed from all the compliments.
Mark had never run into someone this talented and couldn't stop admiring the intricate work on the chair. "I've made a few fiddles in my time, but never anything so beautiful as this."
"Oh, you work with wood too?" Joe asked.
"Some, when I have the time, yes."
Lucy's smile widened, as she grabbed her father's arm.
"You should come out to our place and see some of dad's work. He's never had anyone he could talk to about it before." Lucy said shyly.
"Actually, my dream has been to open up a little shop in town and do special things, like chairs and stuff." Joe said. "But I'd need some help. I need someone that knows about wood to help me."
Mark perked up a bit. "Really. Well, I'd like to talk to you about it sometime. I've done some woodwork and enjoy it."
"Then maybe in a couple of weeks you could come over and we can talk about it."
"That would be wonderful." Mark beamed again. "Amelia is my cousin and I'm helping add on to their house."
"Really, well if you need any cabinet work, let me know, I'm really good with them." Joe remarked.
"Thanks, I'll do that." Mark beamed.
When Cale came in he shook hands with Joe and noticed the easy banter between Joe and Mark, he was very pleased. And when he saw the chair he was flabbergasted.
"For your Amelia…" Joe said bashfully.
"It's beautiful. But it's much too much. Let me pay you for it."
"I will not take pay, it's a gift. And if you want to help me you can tell people who made it." Joe smiled. "And let this young gentleman, Mark is it?"
"That's right."
"Let him come and take a look at my work. He seems interested in woodworking himself."
"Fine with me. As long as I can borrow him to help me with the add on to the house."
"That's a deal. Amelia is going to love it."
"When I was making it, I envisioned there being many children rocked from it." Joe smiled.
"Well, I certainly hope so." Cale laughed. "I'll do my best to make that happen."
But Cale somehow got Joe outside talking to Hodge and Mark and Lucy were alone in the house.
"Your father is very talented."
"I've told him so for years. It's been his dream to work in a little shop. He's never had anyone that took an interest in it in the family."
Mark considered her words. "Maybe it doesn't have to be a dream. Maybe we can make it a reality." Mark smiled.
"Who is Sarah, if you don't mind me asking?" Lucy asked curiously. "I've never seen her until she stopped by to invite us to the wedding."
"That's Hodge's wife." Mark shook his head. "I'm sorry, I should love to introduce you."
"She's Indian, isn't she?" Lucy asked.
"Yes," Mark answered carefully. He didn't know this young lady well, but she was merely curious, he expected. "She's a Huaco."
Lucy nodded. "I never realized Hodge got married."
"It wasn't that long ago." Mark replied.
"Oh…well, she's very nice." Lucy said. "And that brings me to you. I've never seen you here before either."
Mark chuckled. "Well, I came up from San Antonio when Amelia came looking for me. She and Cale invited me here, said they had a lot of work to do, so I came."
"Really? Well, I've met Amelia once when they came to invite us to the wedding, but I've heard about her." Lucy explained. "Is it true, she was captured by the Comanche and lived with Indians for four years?"
The way she said that, as though she couldn't quite believe it made Mark uneasy.
Mark felt defensive toward Amelia, but the young lady was innocent and he knew he was being over protective. "Yes, it is true. She lived with the Comanche for three years, and the Huaco's for a year, before she was found and brought home."
"That must have been terrifying for her." Lucy shivered.
"Yes, at first it was." Mark nodded.
"I also heard she'd been shot?" Lucy looked at Mark and her face went bright red. "I'm sorry, you probably think I'm some busy body. I mean no harm. But her story is so fascinating. A woman that's been through so much."
"It is out of the ordinary." Mark agreed.
"Did she suffer much?"
Mark bowed his head, "Yes, she did, with the Comanche. But the Huaco's were very good to her."
"Really. I don't know much about them." Lucy admitted. "But the Comanche has been terrorizing the state of Texas for some time. Everyone knows about them."
"I'm just glad she's here."
"I was told Cale rescued her." Lucy went on.
Mark felt uncomfortable talking about her.
"Yes, he did. Shall we go outside and join the others?"
"Oh…yes, of course. I'm sorry, I'm going on and on about it."
"It's natural to be curious, I suppose." Mark concluded as he escorted her outside. "But I'm very protective of my cousin; I wouldn't let anyone hurt her."
Lucy stared at him a moment, as though flabbergasted. "I'd never dream of hurting her. I’m sure she's suffered enough with those awful Comanche's."
When they joined the others, the discussion of Amelia was over and Mark began to relax again.
When her father was ready to leave, Lucy picked at her dress for a moment as though she might have said too much. "I hope you will come visit father."
"I'll be delighted to. And you too." He smiled.
"That would be nice…"
When they left Cale turned to look at Mark and a slow smile spread across his face. "She was quite taken with you."
"Was she?"
"I'd say so. She eyed you almost as much as you did her." Cale laughed.
"It's been a while since I was interested in anyone." Mark confessed.
"How come?"
"Judy mostly. Kind of nice not to have her around telling me why I shouldn't be interested." Mark's words were a bit bitter.
Cale stared at him a moment and put his hand on his shoulder. "Well nobody will tell you that here. Lucy is from good people."
"I kind of thought so. But…"
"But?"
"She asked a lot of questions about Amelia." Mark glanced at Cale and Hodge who had joined them. "I found myself becoming uncomfortable talking about Amelia. You know when she was captured there was all kind of talk and a lot of it came from Judy, but others too, after Judy told such stories about it. It made me a little sick. She got to where she lied about it to people, exaggerating so much. I don't ever want to do that to Amelia. She's been through enough."
"You're a good man, Mark." Cale nodded. "It's natural. People are curious. And we aren't really prepared to answer that curiosity yet. I guess that is one thing we'll all have to work on. How much to tell and how much to just let go of. Most everyone in town knows she was captured by the Comanche. They also know what that means most of the time. Some people, will jump to the wrong conclusions. I guess it will be up to us to gradually put everyone at ease about it."
"Are you at ease about it?" Mark asked looking straight at Cale.
Cale smiled, "I am."
"Good, that's all that matters then." Mark said and walked off.
Hodge grunted but walked off smiling.
Chapter Twenty-Six
The day of the wedding had half the town coming out to the farm.
Sarah and Amelia had prepared a lot of food, and all the guests brought food along too. They made a huge table outside and brought chairs, stools and barrels to sit on.
Lot of children came too and ran about the place.
After most of the people arrived, Sarah made Amelia go inside and start getting ready.
When Amelia tried the dress on, it was so lovely it took her breath away. Sarah didn't have a lot of experience with white women wedding dresses, but somehow she had managed to make one that outdid most white women's sewing.
When Amelia had tried it on, Sarah nearly cried. "It is beautiful."
"Thank you, Sarah." Amelia ran to hug her to her.
"You cry?"
"Happy tears." Amelia looked at her and smiled.
"Today we are sisters, both married and both happy." Sarah said.
Amelia stood holding Sarah at arms distance and real tears came to her eyes. "I never thought I'd have a wedding."
Sarah hung her head. "Because of the Comanche?"
"Yes…oh Sarah. When he sees my back, I don't know how he'll react." Amelia cried out.
Sarah took her into her arms and smiled. "Cale love you. Cale does not care about the scars. He sees beyond the beauty on the outside, to the inside. When he looks at you, I see what he sees. You have nothing to fear."
Amelia pulled away and looked into her eyes once more. "You really think so?"
"I know. When true love comes…nothing matters but the love." Sarah explained.
"I've been so afraid, thinking about it."
"Do not fear. Cale loves you. He loves your heart, and your beauty." Sarah smiled.
"Oh Sarah, what would I do without you?" Amelia cried and hugged her again.
Mark practically flew into the room and then came to a dead stop when he saw her. "My God, Amelia…I didn't know you were so pretty."
Then he broke out in a laugh.
She hugged him.
"The preacher is here, so whenever you are ready, we'll get started. I need to ask you something." He looked quite serious at her.
"What, is something wrong?"
"No, not a thing. But…well, since your folks aren't here, may I have the pleasure of giving you away?" He asked.
"Oh…Mark…thank you!" Amelia cried and clung to him.
"None of that crying. You've got a very eager groom waiting for you. And I don't think crying was what he had in mind. So wipe those tears away. Today is a very happy day for all of us." Mark beamed at her.
Suddenly, he pulled out some blue and handed it to her. "Something blue…for you."
It was a garter and Amelia was a little shocked. "Where did you get this?"
"Don't ask, just take it." Mark encouraged with a chuckle.
Amelia bent down and slid it on her leg. Mark whistled. Sarah shook her head.
"And I have something borrowed," Sarah took a beautiful stone necklace off and put it on her neck, it was a piece of leather and a gorgeous turquoise stone.
"It's beautiful, thank you Sarah."
Then they heard the music.
"It's time," Mark offered her his arm.
Amelia reached for her stomach first, then his arm.
"Butterflies?" He asked her.
"How'd you know?"
"A lady once told me that getting married caused all kinds of butterflies in the stomach." Mark chuckled.
Outside Hodge and Cale had erected a archway where they were to be married and covered it with flowers.
A piano had been brought and sat in the back of a wagon, while an old man played the wedding march.
A crowd had built and when they saw the lovely dress that Amelia was wearing the women gasped and awed over it.
Amelia had little flowers in her hair and she had eyes for the man at the end of the long passageway. Cale stood in a handsome blue suit, freshly scrubbed, his hair neatly combed and a smile on his face that lightened Amelia's heart when she saw him.
"I'm so happy for you Amelia," Mark whispered as he helped her down the aisle.
Amelia beamed, but she couldn't take her eyes off Cale. He looked so handsome.
The preacher smiled as Mark turned her lose, kissed her on the forehead and joined Sarah and Hodge in the front row seats.
It was a beautiful day for a wedding, not a cloud in sight.
Cale took her arm and they turned toward the preacher.
"We are gathered here in the sight of God, to join this man and this woman in holy matrimony…" The preacher began.
Cale glanced at Amelia and their eyes met, their smiles matched and she squeezed his arm slightly.
When the preacher had finished, they kissed for a long time until some of their friends busted them up and kissed Amelia too.
Suddenly a fiddle began playing and the man on the piano joined in.
They went to cut the cake and Amelia gave Cale his first bite. He licked her finger and she blushed.
After all the well wishers settled down, everyone gathered around the long table to eat. There was a mountain of food and the music was lovely.
When they danced their first dance, they didn't take their eyes from each other. Finally, the others joined them.
Mrs. Summer came up later and kissed Amelia on the cheek. "I'm so happy for the two of you. I know you will be very happy together."
Cale beamed. "
Thank you Mrs. Summers, it means a lot to us that you said that."
Mr. Summers joined them, "I told you being married makes a lot of difference. And you are just the man for her Cale."
Cale laughed.
When they changed clothes, they rushed off the porch for the carriage that was decorated with flowers and streamers.
Everyone threw rice at them and Cale practically lifted Amelia up into the carriage. They waved everyone goodbye. Hodge and Sarah stared after them. Mark was standing beside Lucy.
"Where are we going, Cale?" Amelia asked as the crowd of people disappeared from the horizon.
"First to Dallas, and then on a honeymoon."
"A honeymoon?" Amelia gasped. "Where?"
"That's a surprise…"
"Oh Cale," she whispered and grabbed his arm. "I don't deserve to be this happy."
"Of course you do. And you'll be thrilled when you see."
"Aren't you going to tell me where we're going?"
"Nope…you'll see soon enough."
"Why are we going to Dallas?" She asked curiously.
"Because, I have a beautiful little room for us in Ma Purdy's boarding house, it's off to the side of the big house and secluded. It's actually not just a room, it's the best room."
"Cale…can we afford such a luxury?"
"I'm a thrifty man, Amelia. I don't waste my money. I save it. For special occasions. Farming life can be hard and frustrating at times. A man should plan to enjoy some of his life. And this is one time, I want to enjoy and share good times…with you!"
"Oh Cale…you don't know how wonderful you are, do you? You're such a modest man. You've done so much for me. And now this?" Amelia glanced around the area and beamed. "I'm so happy. I never thought I'd be this happy."
"You know that's funny, but…neither did I?"
It was very late when they pulled up at the boarding house. The lights weren't on, but Cale had the key to their little cottage way in the back, among many trees.
The town was dark and there was little to see of it. But Cale lifted her down from the carriage, kissing her long and passionately as he carried her toward the cottage.
Inside a small light flickered, illuminating the beautiful little room. The bed was white chenille and scattered about were rose petals. There was a bottle of champagne waiting for them.
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