Cassandra loved the dress she’d saved for her wedding. Arabella had worn it to the opera and then, as with many of the girl’s gowns, had never worn the beautiful creation again. The ice blue gros grain skirt was trimmed with three pinked flounces of the same material. An over-skirt of point lace draped behind in panier by means of two gros grain ribbons of the same shade as the dress.
The matching vandyked trim on the bertha top opened in front over a white lace underwaist confined by a cluster of small pink roses. Short sleeves flared slightly under vandyked edging at the shoulder. The vandyked points were beautifully done to flatter the wearer.
She stepped into her petticoats and skirt and fastened them. “I’m so excited and nervous. I hope nothing goes wrong.” Next, she donned her top.
“Turn around so I can fasten you.” Ophelia worked on the tiny buttons. “Nothing will prevent Sam from marrying you now. I’m eager to meet your brother. Is he your height yet?”
“Taller. He’s going to be a tall man. Our father was almost Sam’s height. With good food, exercise, and fresh air, I’ll bet Trenton grows even more. Oh, I’m so relieved he’s here with me.”
“And he can walk you down the aisle. Oh, no, we forgot your shoes. Hold on to the bedpost while I help you fit your feet into the slippers.”
Cassandra did. “I noticed you’re wearing those that go with your dress. Are they comfortable?”
Ophelia straightened from helping her and giggled. “They feel odd because I stuffed paper in the toe but they’re fine. Imagine having a pair of shoes for each dress.”
“She was very spoiled and spent more money each week shopping than most families live on for a year.”
Lydia rapped on the door. “Time to go, ladies. “Oh, my, don’t you two look absolutely lovely? If you were in the garden you would look like a painting by one of the masters.
Cassandra and her friend exchanged smiles and followed Lydia.
Downstairs, Mrs. Murphy handed Cassandra a bouquet of pink roses mixed with fern and tied with a blue ribbon. The stern lady was wearing her church best. “I remembered from when you pressed your dress that pink flowers were at the neck.”
“Thank you so much. You’re so thoughtful and observant. I’ll miss seeing the people in this home every day.”
The cook-housekeeper smiled. “I think you’ll have other people taking up your time.”
Adam, dressed in a dark suit, stuck his head in the front door. “Ladies, are you ready?”
Lydia smiled at him. “We are. My, my, Sheriff, you look handsome.”
Mrs. Murphy followed behind Cassandra and Ophelia. “Berta and I take turns going to events. This is my turn.”
At the church, Adam hurried inside so he could stand with Sam as his best man. By this time, Cassandra was so nervous, she was grateful Trenton came to help her descend from the buggy.
She introduced him to Lydia, Ophelia, and Mrs. Murphy. Lydia and her cook went to the church.
Cassandra’s heart blossomed with pride at seeing her brother. “Trenton, you look so grown up today.” She giggled and looked down at her clothes. “I’d hug you but I might crush my dress. I spent an hour pressing this skirt.”
He stood and gazed at her before he offered his arm. “Should I call you Cinderella? You look like a princess from a story book.”
“I feel a little like her after Prince Charming found her and the shoe fit. Doesn’t Ophelia look nice?”
“Like an angel.” He offered Ophelia his other arm. “From what my sister wrote about you, you are an angel.”
Ophelia took his arm. “Oh, you much have confused me with Angeline. Her little boy calls her Angel.”
They walked toward the sanctuary.
Trenton wouldn’t be dissuaded. “I remember which one is Angeline. No, she said you were like an angel.”
Ophelia held up her skirt as they reached the steps. “I can’t imagine why, but I appreciate the comment.”
Cassandra held up the hem of her dress and hoped she didn’t miss a tread. “You are an angel, Ophelia. I’ve never heard you say a bad word about anyone or raise your voice or be cranky.”
They stepped inside the church and Cassandra forgot about everyone else in the sanctuary. In his new suit, Sam looked as handsome as any Prince Charming could. His face broke into a smile and she was sure that was love’s light shining from his eyes.
Adam stood beside him. Grady held his Bible and also smiled at her. When the music filled the small building, people stood and Ophelia started down the aisle. Cassandra counted to twenty as Lydia had instructed then followed. She prayed her legs supported her until she reached Sam.
Trenton guided her and whispered, “Steady, I won’t let you fall.”
She gave thanks her brother was there with her. Smiling down from heaven, she was sure her other family members were present, too. She knew they would have loved Sam if they’d met him on Earth.
That the church was filled registered with her, but she couldn’t have named who was present. All she saw was Sam waiting for her with a smile on his handsome face. When she reached his side, Trenton still stood by her.
Grady asked, “Who gives this woman?”
Her brother looked at her. “On behalf of the entire Bradford family, I, her brother Trenton Bradford, give her with a blessing to Samuel Drummond.” Then he placed her hand in Sam’s before he stepped away and sat on the front pew.
Ophelia pried the bouquet from Cassandra’s fist and stood even with Adam on Grady’s opposite side.
Cassandra couldn’t help the tears that filled her eyes. She was so proud of Trenton. After so much loss, she’d found family and a home. Through her tears, she smiled at Sam.
Sympathy in his expression, he caressed her hand and returned her smile.
Grady began the ceremony. “Dearly beloved, we are gathered here today to unite this man and this woman in the state of holy matrimony…”
She was too overwhelmed to concentrate on more of his words. Sam and his presence beside her consumed her focus. He gently nudged her when time for her response came.
In a hoarse whisper, she repeated, “I, Cassandra Eleanor Bradford, do take this man to be my lawfully wedded husband, in sickness and in health, for richer or for poorer, ‘til death do us part.”
That sounded too short and she blinked to clear her mind. The preacher left out the ‘love, honor, and obey part’. She gazed into Sam’s beautiful eyes. They twinkled and she understood he’d asked Grady to omit that portion. Sam slid a beautiful gold ring onto her finger.
Grady said a few other words before, “You may kiss the bride.”
Sam brushed his lips across hers, then pulled her close and really kissed her.
A couple of men made joking comments. Grady cleared his throat so they broke their embrace. She felt the heat of a blush and could hardly wait until she and Sam were alone.
Grady said, “Ladies and gentlemen, I present Mr. and Mrs. Samuel Drummond.”
He hurried her down the aisle and to his buggy. Adam was escorting Lydia, Ophelia, and Mrs. Murphy to the other rig and soon they followed.
Sam said, “You look so beautiful today, Cassie sweetheart. I’m the luckiest man alive.”
“That makes us a lucky couple. I’ve never seen you so handsome. Your new suit is much more becoming than sweet potatoes.”
His laugh rumbled from deep inside and she joined him.
At Lydia’s house, Sam helped Cassandra down as Mr. Ramirez hurried their way from the church.
The gardener motioned them toward the porch. “I’ll see to the horses.”
They hurried inside and upstairs to the ballroom. Berta Greenberg had arranged the food she and Mrs. Murphy had prepared into a bounteous buffet.
Cassandra stopped just inside the door. “We have to stand here and greet guests.”
Sam whispered, “How soon can we leave?”
She grinned at him. “I wish we could have gone straight to your ranch, but Lydia wanted to give us thi
s reception. After all she’s done, I’m obligated to appear to enjoy myself. Too, people enjoy wishing newlyweds well.”
“Sure, and eating the food.”
She giggled. “Yes, that too. Don’t worry, Mrs. Murphy and Mrs. Greenberg packed a little basket for us to take to your home.”
“Our home now.” He patted her hand where it rested on his arm.
She leaned her head against his shoulder. “That sounds wonderful.” She would have said more but she heard guests on the stairs.
Thirty minutes later, Trenton sidled up to Sam. “You want me to get on with the plan?”
“Absolutely. You know where your sister’s room is.”
Trenton grinned impishly. “Thanks for all you’ve done, Sam. You’re the best brother-in-law I’ve ever had.”
Sam laughed and punched him on the upper arm. “Same goes for me, Trenton. We’re leaving anytime now. As soon as you’ve changed, mosey on down and tell Mr. Ramirez we’re on our way.”
“Give me two minutes head start.” Trenton slipped out into the hall.
Sam laughed. “Gonna have to watch that boy—he can make himself invisible.”
“I imagine that’s how he survived for five years at you-know-where. I’m not ever going to mention that name again. Where’s my brother going?”
“We made a plan.” Sam raised his eyebrows at Lydia and she nodded. “Come on, Mrs. Drummond. Time for us to follow your brother’s example and disappear.” He slipped his arm around her waist and they stepped into the hall.
Someone yelled, “They’re leaving.”
People rushed after them. Outside, Sam’s buggy was decorated with white ribbons and signs that said Leg shackled and Parson’s noose. Slim and Adam stood grinning at them. Wearing his work clothes, Trenton was with them.
Sam helped her into the buggy and she spotted the little basket of reception food.
While he hurried around to the other side, Trenton spoke to her. “I’m eager to see where we’ll be living. Sam said you’ve never been there.”
“No, but in about two hours we’ll see it.”
“I’m riding with the ranch hands. Bet we beat you there.” He stepped away.
Onlookers cheered and shouted good wishes as they drove away.
Cassandra relaxed against the seat, happy but tired. The last couple of days had been busy and exciting. “Ours was a wonderful wedding, wasn’t it?”
“You look so beautiful you took my breath away.”
“Tell me more about the ranch. For instance, how far from your house to the next house?”
“By buggy from our house there’s an hour’s ride to the Hamilton ranch headquarters, two hours to Traveland’s place, and you know we’re two hours from town. Lydia’s ranch is the closest, and her foreman lives there. Of course, I’m sure you ride and the distance is much less by horse.”
She asked, “How many men work for you?”
“Well, the number varies from time to time. Permanent are ten and that includes Cookie. At roundup, we hire on extras. Then our cook-housekeeper is Maria Lopez. She’s a widow and lives in a room off the kitchen.”
“I’m looking forward to settling in and being a good wife.” Cassandra pulled off her make-believe crown and laid her head against Sam’s shoulder. The next thing she knew, Sam had stopped the buggy.
“Cassie? Cassie sweetheart? Wake up and see the first sight of your new home.”
She sat up and scanned before them. In a lush green valley stood numerous buildings. The two-story house was long with a wide porch wrapping around the front. A stream wound across the land. Cattle grazed in one pasture and horses in another.
“Oh, what a beautiful scene. I see the house and the huge barn, but tell me what the other buildings are.”
“There’s the hen house, the smokehouse, the foreman’s house, pig pen, sheds… I’ll take you on a tour, I know you always go to church, but I’m hoping we can skip tomorrow.”
“Of course. If you’re as tired as I am, we’ll sleep too late.”
He leaned near and nuzzled her neck. “Especially since we won’t get much sleep tonight.”
She knew she blushed. “Let’s go home, cowboy.”
He clicked the reins and the horses trotted along the narrow road. Apparently they were ready for the barn and their food.
As they pulled up, the cowboys stood in a line with Trenton at the end. On the porch, a tall, thin woman stood. She wore a red flowered dress and her dark hair was pulled into a bun.
Cassandra was amazed. “The men were at the wedding and reception. How did they get here before we did?”
“Horses don’t have to follow the road plus they travel faster. They’ve probably been here an hour.”
He set the brake and climbed down, then reached for her. She slid across the seat and let him help her descend. She’d met the men at the reception but couldn’t remember all their names.
“On behalf of the men and me, Mrs. Drummond, welcome to the Bar D Ranch.” Slim nodded toward Trenton. “That boy can sure ride like he was born on a horse.”
Cassandra smiled, proud of her brother. “He practically was. Our father let him ride in front of him as soon as he turned one. By age three, he had his own pony. By the time he was six, he could ride any horse we had.”
The men glanced at Trenton with respect. She knew he’d still be tested but he appeared to have passed the first rung.
“I appreciate you men doing the good job Slim reported while I was courting my wife. Sure appreciate you coming to the wedding, too. I’ll be home and available more from now on. But first, I’m going to show my bride and brother-in-law the house.”
Hat in hand, Slim said, “Boss, we have everything under control and there haven’t been any problems. We don’t expect to see you for a while.”
“Thanks, Slim. I reckon I’ll take a few days for our honeymoon and see my wife settles into the place.” With his hand at the small of her back, he guided her to the house.
She’d blushed when he mentioned a honeymoon, self-conscious that the men knew what she and Sam would be doing tonight. The prospect of having a home overshadowed her embarrassment and she eagerly climbed the steps to the wide porch.
“Buenos Dias, Señora Drummond. Muchas bendiciones en su boda. I am Maria and I cook and clean for you and Señor Sam.”
Sam whispered in her ear. “Many blessings on your wedding.”
“Thank you for the good wishes. I’m pleased to meet you, Maria. Please call me Cassie. I look forward to getting acquainted with you.”
Maria’s bright smile peeled years from her face. “Sí, Señora Cassie. Me also.”
“Trenton, would you get the door?” Sam swept Cassie into his arms and carried her across the threshold.
He set her down and kissed her. “Mrs. Drummond, welcome home.”
Maria folded her hands I front of her. “I will be in my room until time for your supper.” She smiled and walked away.
Trenton shifted from one foot to the other. “I already picked me out a room, Sam. Mind if I go look at the horses? The men said I could eat with them.”
Sam clapped him on the shoulder. “Go right ahead. Hope you can make friends. You have any problems, let Slim or me know.”
“I won’t have problems.” Trenton was out the door so fast she could hardly believe he’d been inside.
“Good kid. Knows when to make himself scarce.”
“Show me your… our house, Sam.” She lowered her voice. “A quick tour so I can get out of this corset.” She glanced at him. “I guess I can say that to my husband.”
He pulled her close for another kiss. “Why don’t we begin the tour upstairs? Let’s start with the master bedroom, shall we? I can help you with that corset problem.”
She couldn’t keep from smiling. “That sounds promising.”
He guided her toward the staircase. “I look forward to helping you undress and this time I don’t have to turn my back.”
Heavens, all she was d
oing was smiling, but she couldn’t help herself. She was too happy. “You’re remembering when we got caught in the rain, aren’t you? I’m embarrassed when I think how bold I was to remove my dress with you present. Other than that, ours was such a lovely day.”
At the top of the stairs, he clasped her hand to tug her down the hall. “You have no idea what a time I had controlling myself, Cassie sweetheart. I wanted to make love to you and for us to stay in that cabin all night.”
“You probably aren’t surprised to learn I wanted the same thing. You were so protective and kind. I so wanted to tell you how much I’d come to love you, but I had committed myself to that darn dinner.”
“I almost came to blows with Tucker. Adam had to threaten to jail us to separate us. I was surprised the banker came to the wedding. Hell, forget about him. This is our wedding day.”
She chastised, “Sir, your language.”
“If you weren’t smiling, that reprimand would have more effect.” He led her into a large bedroom. “Here we are, my precious wife. This is where I intend to make love to you, where our children will be conceived and born.”
She slipped her arms around his neck. “Only a couple of months ago I was miserable and sad. Now, I’m the happiest woman alive.”
He held her gently. “I intend to keep you that way, my love. You’ve made me the luckiest man in the world.”
She stepped away and turned her back to him. “Now, please unfasten this dress and the dratted corset so I can breathe.”
Dear Reader,
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Cassandra (Bride Brigade Book 3) Page 14