Wiley Johns

by Ciana Stone

  "Yeah. Mercy said she'd like to have a bigger garden, and Kaylee wants a bigger play area, and you've been going on about this new friend you made who raises butterflies and has bees, so I thought this would make a perfect place to build us a house, and one for Mercy and everyone can have—"

  "Oh my god, you are the best man ever!" Molly threw her arms around him and kissed him all over his face as she chanted. "Thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you."

  "I'm guessing this means you like the wedding gift?"

  "Are you kidding? Wiley, this is – huge. I mean there must be acres and acres of land."

  "Sixty-five."

  "Sixty-five acres? Holy smokes."

  "And a nice size lake, maybe ten acres. It belonged to the town. Originally, they planned on developing it, but decided against it because it would sandwich a good chunk of homes between the main town and this parcel and residents weren't keen on that."

  "I'm surprised it wasn't bought and developed during that big oil boom they had a few years ago."

  "Apparently people tried, but the town wasn't interested."

  "Then why were they interested in selling to you?"

  "You can give credit to your friend Penelope Harlow for that."

  "Pene? How did she get involved?"

  "I had a couple of meetings with her about butterfly farming."

  "You did? Why?"

  "Because you were right. It's not just a good thing, but a very good thing. Pene gave me a lot of information and what I've learned convinced me we should build a big, and I mean big butterfly house and set up beehives."

  "Really?"

  "Really. I had no idea, but butterflies are the third most populous pollinator on earth, right behind the bee family and flies. And sadly, we're not just facing the possibility but an actual pollinator crisis. I seriously didn’t know but when I learned it hit me like a brick to the head. The entire food supply of this planet depends on pollinators, and there's not a scientist alive that has been able to figure out how to produce food without pollinators. This needs to be a priority. For us now and for our kids and grandkids. We might not be able to do a lot about the water crisis that is happening worldwide, but we can do something about this, and if there's one thing I'd like our children to learn from us, it’s to not just appreciate this world but work for it instead of against it.

  "I told the town what I want to do and they approved so I bought the land."

  "If I weren't already madly in love with you, I would have just fallen for you, Wiley Johns. This is the best gift ever, and I can't wait to work side-by-side with you, teaching our children and helping our planet."

  "Mercy is pretty honked up about it, and Pene said she'd gladly pitch in with us. She'll keep her bees and her little butterfly house that's devoted to just monarchs, but she'll sign on with us as our expert. She has a doctorate, you know."

  "I do. She's quite extraordinary."

  "Well, I don't know about that, but she's knowledgeable, passionate and easy to be around. It isn't hard to be friends with her."

  "No, it sure isn't. At least for people who are interested in bees or butterflies. Other than that, she's pretty shy."

  "You invited her to the wedding, didn't you?"

  "I did, and she accepted."

  "Good. And speaking of wedding, the countdown's on. In two hours, ten minutes and thirty-two seconds, we're getting married."

  "It's nice to know you've got the time down. You're not going to develop cold feet at the last minute, are you?"

  Wiley snorted and took her into his arms. "I've waited my entire life for you, Molly Little Fox. I can't wait to be yours."

  "Don't you mean for me to be yours?"

  "No, I said what I meant."

  "I love you so much, Wiley. Will you marry me in two hours, ten minutes and thirty-two seconds?"

  He checked his watch. "Make that two hours, nine-minutes and fifty-seconds, and it's a date, Foxy."

  She laughed and hugged him. "Then let's go get ready."

  Hand-in-hand, they returned to the house. It was a bustle of activity. Friends and family had come early to help set things up ahead of time for the reception and to decorate for the ceremony which was taking place in the front yard beneath the shelter of a massive mimosa tree.

  "You're headed over to Linc's, right?" Molly asked.

  "I am."

  "Don't you dare be late."

  "Not a chance." He kissed her and then she watched him get in his car and leave. Molly walked inside, and Kaylee flew up and grabbed her in a hug.

  "We're getting married, Mama."

  "Indeed, we are. And we want to look extra special pretty, so finish up helping Elisi, and then you can get your bath, and I'll fix your hair."

  "Okay, Mama. Isn't this the happiest day?"

  "It sure is."

  Molly watched Kaylee scamper off and jumped at the touch of a hand on her back. "Elisi! Wow, I was lost. She's so happy, isn't she?"

  "She is."

  Molly felt doubt rise and turned to her grandmother. "You know what Wiley has planned for her."

  "Yes."

  "Do you think we're doing the right thing? I want her to be happy and feel that he's every bit as much her dad as he is the new baby's, but I don’t want to rob her of—"

  "Stop fretting, Molly. It's a beautiful thing that Wiley's doing, and she's lucky to have a good man who loves her so much and wants to be her father. Don't deny either of them that relationship."

  "I won't. Thank you. And by the way, he showed me – well told me about my wedding present. It's – incredible."

  "It is, and he's a pretty remarkable man."

  "He is, isn't he? I'm so lucky."

  "I think you both are. Now, I have to finish up a couple of things and then get ready."

  "Yes, me too. I think I'll go ahead and get Kaylee in the tub in my bathroom."

  "Okay, if you need help, yell."

  "You've already done the lion's share. Thank you." Molly gave Elisi a long hug. "I love you."

  "And I love you. Now scoot!"

  *****

  Wiley shook hands with every man and hugged every woman assembled as he made his way to the mimosa tree. Crystals dangled from its branches, sending a rainbow of sparks dancing over the yard.

  The tree was positioned in the center of the yard. The crowd circled it, filling the yard to capacity. He was once more reminded of how lucky he and Molly were to have made so many good friends and to have family here with them.

  Unlike most weddings, this one was a casual affair. People wore shorts or jeans, or in the case of a lot of the SEALs, fatigues. Wiley had chosen black slacks and a white t-shirt, mostly because it was what Molly requested and he wouldn't deny her anything today or any day after this. He did add his own touch, however. In tiny print on the right side of his chest were the words, all you need is love.

  He shook hands with Billy Sweet who had recently been voted in as the new Mayor of Cotton Creek and had done what was necessary to officiate at the wedding. "You're marrying a real special lady, there, Wiley. Real special."

  "I am, sir. And with luck, we'll end up being as happy as you and your beautiful wife."

  "She is that, isn't she?" Billy looked over at Stella who stood with their family.

  A murmur in the crowd had Wiley turning. People parted as Molly walked through them. On one side of her was Elisi and on the other was Kaylee, and she held their hands as she smiled and greeted people.

  Molly had never been more beautiful. She wore a white and black dress that, in his opinion, was the sexiest thing he'd ever seen. It was an off the shoulder affair that made her look like an Indian princess as perceived by a fantasy artist. Elisi wore white with a black over vest and Kaylee was dressed in the frilliest, frothiest white dress he'd ever seen in his life.

  If he lived to be a hundred, he'd never forget this moment. Or the look he shared with the woman who was to be his wife. The expression, love shown in her eyes had probably been used a
million times, but today he saw it as a reality. Love did shine in her eyes, and it made his chest swell with emotion.

  She stopped, facing Wiley but still holding the hands of her child and Grandmother. Billy Sweet held up his hands. "Friends and family, we're gathered here today to witness not just the joining of a man and woman in holy matrimony, but the joining of a family."

  He looked at Wiley and nodded. Wiley dropped to one knee and reached for Kaylee's free hand. "Kaylee, I love you, and today I'd like to ask you to grant me a wish."

  "Okay." Kaylee smiled. "What?"

  "Would you be my daughter? If you say yes, then you'll be Kaylee Joy Johns."

  "Like you? You'll be my real dad, like Bernice's and Lily's dads?"

  "Yes, just like that."

  She looked around and shouted. "Did you hear that Bernice? I'm gonna have a real dad, too."

  "Oh yes, Daddy." She flung herself into his arms, hugged him tight and then looked up at Molly. "You hear that Mama. I'm Kaylee Joy Johns, and I have a real live Daddy."

  Wiley heard more than one throat clear or nose sniff at that and smiled through watery eyes of his own. Molly took Kaylee's hand. "Yes, you do, sweet girl."

  She smiled at Wiley, and he stood to take Elisi's hand in both of his. "Mercy Little Fox, will you bless me with your permission to marry your granddaughter?"

  "With joy, Wiley. With joy."

  He kissed her cheek, and she turned to Molly, gave her a hug and then stepped behind Molly, taking Kaylee's hand so that it was then just Molly, facing Wiley.

  Billy looked around and smiled. "Now, Wiley and Molly would like to speak their vows. Molly?"

  "Thank you, Mr. Sweet." She smiled at him and then looked at Wiley. "I'll never forget the first time I saw you. You were wearing fatigues and a tight t-shirt that said forget the horse and the cowboy. You had me, right then. Just walked up and took my heart without even trying.

  "It wasn't until later that I realized you were more than a man who made me think of all kinds of ways to fulfill the suggestion on that shirt. You're all I ever dreamed of, Wiley. You're good and kind and define the word honorable and hero. You saved my child. Risked your life for her and me, and you never asked for anything in return. You give your love unconditionally, and I feel so honored just to be in your presence. You bless me with your love, and I'll love you beyond time. Will you be my husband, my lover, friend, partner and mate?"

  Wiley smiled at her. "You made it come true, Molly. What I've wished for my entire life. You made it real. And when it comes to being caught, honey you had me at hello, lying there on that sidewalk, covered in grime and vine and looking like the most beautiful thing I'd ever laid eyes on.

  "Every day I feel humbled to know you. You see to the heart of people and make us want to be better just to bask in the light of your love. I don't know that I deserve you, or our family but I do know that Paul and John were right. All you need is love, and I've got an eternal supply of that for you.

  "The apostles?" Molly whispered.

  "The Beatles," he answered and earned a laugh from the people gathered. "Molly, I promise I'll spend every breath I'm granted taking care of and loving you and our family, and I can't wish for anything more than to be your husband, lover, friend, partner and mate. If you'll have me."

  "Mr. Billy, say those words and do it fast because I can't wait another second to be married to this man."

  Billy chuckled before speaking. "By the power granted to me by the state of Texas, and in the presence of this assembly, I pronounce you husband and wife."

  Wiley didn't wait to be granted permission. He pulled Molly into his arms for a kiss. "Mrs. Johns," he whispered.

  "Beloved," she replied.

  Cheers and clapping and hoots came from the crowd. When Wiley released Molly from the kiss, she clung to his hand and turned to gesture to Kaylee and Elisi. Elisi wrapped her arm around Molly's waist, and Kaylee went straight to Wiley, to be lifted in his arm.

  Wiley grinned, kissed Kaylee's cheek and then looked at his bride. "Do you believe in magic?"

  "Why Wiley Johns, I thought you knew. I am magic."

  He squeezed her hand. "Yes, you are."

  *****

  A three-quarter full moon sent shafts of light through the branches of the tree, dappling them as they danced. The guests had long ago left, Elisi had taken Kaylee to Netta's for the night, and they were, at last, alone.

  Wiley twirled Molly out and then back, and she smiled up at him. "It still seems like a dream."

  "Oh?"

  "You still don't get it, do you? Wiley, you are all that. You're GI Joe, Mr. Bond, Dirty Dancing, and Mr. Darcy all rolled up in one. You undo me with a look, and you lift me up with love like I never dreamed. I don't just love you. I live and breathe you."

  "I don't know that I'm worthy, but I hope I can live up to it."

  "I have complete faith," she said and twirled away from him with arms outspread and head thrown back. "I want to hug the world I'm so happy."

  Wiley smiled and watched. He'd shown up here to make amends with his brother and reconnect with family. It never crossed his mind that maybe fate had led him here for some other purpose, but here he stood, married to a woman he loved more than life, a stepfather to a little girl who'd claimed his heart and waiting for the birth of his and Molly's child.

  He caught her and danced with her in the moonlight, celebrating life and giving thanks that sometimes dreams really did come true.

  "You are magic, Molly Johns."

  "We're magic Wiley. The stuff dreams are made of."

  Wiley grinned and twirled her around. He knew what would be on his next t-shirt.

  Life is good.

  An Excerpt from

  Once upon a time … No, that’s not the start of the excerpt, but a note from me, Ciana, about this tale.

  Ideas come to writers from sometimes strange sources. This book is a prime example. I had a bad case of laryngitis and it hurt to talk. That made communication a nightmare. At the same time I was reading about Conor Newman, an archaeology lecturer at the National University of Ireland at Galway, and his work opening the Hill of Tara.

  Now, if you’ve followed my writing, you know I’m a real sucker for mystery, paranormal and anything fantastical. I wanted to do something incorporating the find at Tara into a tale, but what?

  Thanks to not being able to speak, I couldn’t tell my honey man about my idea and that’s when it hit me. What if my tale was about someone who – through tragedy or betrayal – lost the ability to speak and I mean, can’t form a word if his or her life depended on it?

  Thus, was born this story. I really hope you enjoy it.

  Chapter One

  “Ain’t you fergettin’ sumthin’?”

  Nikki jumped at the sound of the voice and turned away from the door, feeling behind her to make sure it was locked. Her landlord, Milton Sprull, stood at the top of the stairs glaring down at her. She sighed and turned to look up at him, focusing on his broad forehead, and trying not to see the stained T-shirt stretched over his rotund belly or the leer on his face.

  “Look, I know I’m a little late, but I’ll have the rent by the end of the week, Mr. Sprull. Promise.”

  “That’s what you said last week, and the week ‘fore and the week ‘fore that. I can’t have no freeloaders. You pay up by the end of the week or yer out. Got it?”

  “Yes, sir.” Nikki hitched her backpack strap more securely on her shoulder and walked away from the rundown house where she rented a makeshift apartment.

  What little pride she had left was fading fast. Thanks to Bob McDonald, her latest ex-boss, she was a month behind in rent, had nothing saved and only twenty-three dollars between her and going hungry. Like it or not, her dreams were about to go the way of the dinosaur and pass into extinction.

  Nikki climbed into her old Toyota and headed for Wanda’s Diner, one of the few places she could afford to eat. As a rule, she was able to convince herself to be optimistic by belie
ving the old cliché that attitude is everything. Tell yourself you’re going to be in a positive mood, and you will be.

  It wasn’t going to work this time.

  As she parked in front of the diner, she looked at herself in the rearview mirror, her hand going unconsciously to the pendant lying against her chest. A fantasy tugged at her mind. It would be so easy to give into it. Just let it take her. Block out the harsh reality of her life.

  Just that moment of weakness allowed the fantasy to take control. Her eyes no longer saw the sad reflection in the mirror. Now her mind was filled with him. Eyes the color of a twilight sky set in a face that belonged to myth. The face of a warrior. Strong and chiseled, yet possessed of great tenderness as he gazed at her.

  She felt his hands alight on her shoulders, tightening as he pulled her close. The heat from his body ignited a fire inside her. Her breath quickened, and her pulse spiked. Every nerve ending in her body enlivened, making her skin tingle with a near electric sensation.

  His lips were soft against hers, his taste sweet. She moaned against his mouth and the kiss deepened to one of passion and need. Strong hands moved to cup her breasts, thumbs scraping across her nipples.

  Her hands moved to fist in his hair, her lips slanting across his, demanding more.

  “Hey!” someone yelled into the car window.

  Nikki jerked back to reality and embarrassment flooded her with heat she was sure registered on her face.

  One of the diner’s regular patrons, another college student she was casual friends with, Cecilia, stood beside the car door. “Damn, where were you?” she asked.

  “Just thinking,” Nikki replied.

  “Oh, okay. Well, I just wanted to say hi. On my way to class.”

  Nikki gave her a smile. ‘‘Thanks, Cecilia. Have a great day.”

  “You too.”

  Nikki watched Cecilia walk away then cut her eyes back to the rearview mirror. Sure enough, her cheeks were flushed. This whole fantasy thing was getting a little out of hand. She really needed to get it under control. Not even her precarious situation was an excuse to go off the deep end.