Joseph nodded and studied the floor for a moment before meeting his sister’s eyes. “I know, I’m sorry. I didn’t sleep last night, and I was worried. That worry increased when I went to the livery and asked Pap if Jason brought the sleigh back, and he said no. We have been looking for the sleigh and you since dawn. He’s down on the road now trying to right the sleigh. I followed the horse’s tracks.”
“Thank you for looking for me, but please put your anger away. We had an accident, and we’re getting married in a few days,” Charity said, hoping to calm Joseph.
“I can understand that, but the two of you still have to ride that sleigh back into town with everyone out doing whatever they do each morning. People will talk. With Holly watching Ben and Annie and me going with Pap to look for you, I couldn’t open the café. I can’t remember the last time we didn’t open except for last winter’s blizzard. You’ll be the talk of the town,” Joseph explained.
Charity sat back down on the cot and blew out a breath. “Let them think what they want. The people that know and care about me won’t think of anything except that something unexpected happened. I don’t care about what others think.”
“Charity’s right,” Jason offered. “People know her, and while they might think a man might take advantage, they won’t believe anything ill about Charity. We’ll be married in a few days, and the entire town knows that.”
Their conversation was interrupted by a knock on the door. Joseph pulled the door open, and Pap said, “I righted the sleigh. It isn’t damaged, and Miss Charity and Jason shouldn’t have any trouble getting back to town. I’ll ride along on my horse just to make sure.”
Joseph nodded, “I will, too.”
Charity spoke up, “Please allow me a few minutes to see if my clothing is dry enough to wear, so I don’t have to ride back into town wearing Jason’s pants, and we can leave.”
The three men waited outside while Charity changed back into her dry dress. Fortunately, the heated stones Jason placed in her boots dried them, too, and she could wear them without having to deal with wet feet on the ride back to town.
Pulling on her coat, she opened the door to find Joseph and Jason waiting for her and talking as if nothing had occurred.
“I’m happy to see you two are acting like friends. I teased Jason and said you might shoot him.” Charity giggled.
“I might have depending on what I found,” Joseph said. “Here, you can ride my horse with the saddle. I can ride the other horse bareback more comfortably than you can. By the way, if you were unconscious, how did you ride the horse?”
Jason explained, and Joseph bit back a smile. “I can imagine Charity was more upset about being flung over a horse than having to spend the night here,” Joseph added.
“I think you’re right,” Jason answered.
Charity stared at both men. “If you two are through discussing me like I’m not here, perhaps we can get back to town before lunch. I’m hungry.”
Jason bowed. “Your horse awaits, my lady.”
Joseph burst out laughing, and Charity scowled at him. “It wouldn’t hurt you to be a bit more romantic, brother dear. I think Holly might enjoy it.”
Joseph scrunched his eyebrows and stood silently as Jason helped Charity onto the horse. When she was settled, he mounted the remaining horse and followed Jason and Charity back to the sleigh.
Pap was waiting with a broad smile on his face. “I’m mighty happy to see you unhurt, Miss Charity. I was worried when you didn’t return. These sleighs are usually quite stable and safe, but from the tracks, I can see it slid off the road and tipped. Never can tell when something like that can happen.”
Charity thanked Pap and allowed him to help her onto the sleigh. When Pap had the two horses hitched up, Jason climbed onto the sleigh and began driving back to town.
Charity whispered to Jason as they rode along down the road. “Do you suppose people will talk? I don’t think that would be good given your position.”
Jason shrugged. “I agree with what you said back at the line shack. The people who know me won’t think badly, and those that do aren’t worth my time.”
“But you’re the mayor. What if this affects the next election?”
Jason shook his head. “I doubt people will even remember this at the next election. We’ll be happily married and settled in town. You’ll be the mayor’s wife. They wouldn’t dare say anything disparaging about you.”
“I’m not worried about me,” Charity replied.
“Please don’t worry about me. There are more pressing issues to deal with than the two of us getting stuck overnight alone.”
“I hope you’re right,” Charity said as she snuggled closer to Jason to try and keep warm. “It’s cold this morning.”
“At least it quit snowing. Now, please stop worrying. You should think about important things like our wedding. Do we have everything planned?”
“I think everything is taken care of. Holly and your mother have been a great help. I couldn’t do it all on my own.”
“Good.” Jason smiled at Charity, relieving some of her concerns.
As they neared the town, Charity scooted away from Jason.
“Hey, come back here. I like you sitting close to me.”
Charity shook her head. “People might talk, especially if they think we were alone all night.”
“We’ll find out in a few minutes,” Jason said and smiled at her.
Charity inwardly groaned as they entered the town and saw quite a few people already out milling around and shopping. Everyone smiled or waved at them, and no one stopped, pointed, or stared.
“See, I told you it would be all right. It looks as if people think we’re out for an early morning sleigh ride.”
“Are you coming to the café for lunch?”
“I always do, and today won’t be any different,” Jason told her.
“We’ll see if people talk or point at us, and then we’ll know,” Charity said and bit her lip in worry.
Jason drove the sleigh to Joseph’s house, and Charity could see Annie and Ben waving from the front window. “My children are happy to see me, at least they won’t ask too many questions, I hope.”
“They’ll believe anything you tell them. They love you and so do I. Remember that,” Jason said before whispering. “If they weren’t watching, I’d kiss you.”
“Not here right on the street. That would certainly get tongues wagging,” Charity admonished.
“I don’t see why,” Jason stated. “People in love kiss all the time.”
“Yes, they do, but at home.”
Jason winked and replied, “Then just wait until Saturday when I get you home.”
Charity blushed and allowed Jason to help her down from the sleigh, said goodbye, and hurried in to see her anxious children.
Chapter 13
February 18, 1882
The Saturday after Valentine’s Day dawned cold and bright. The children were knocking on Charity’s bedroom door the way they did each morning, but Annie’s excited voice was louder than usual.
“You awake, Mama. Get up, Mama. We’re getting married today,” Annie called from the other side of the door.
“I’m awake,” Charity answered as the door burst open, and both excited children jumped on her bed, asking more questions than she could answer.
Charity said, “Both of you settle down. I’m going to make breakfast, we’re all going to have a bath, and then we’ll get dressed. The wedding isn’t for a few more hours, and we have a lot of time. Do you want bacon and eggs or pancakes?”
“Pancakes,” Annie and Ben shouted at the same time.
After pancakes were eaten, the kitchen cleaned, and the children’s’ baths taken, Charity breathed a sigh of relief. “So far so good,” she mumbled to herself.
A knock at the door interrupted her thoughts.
“Now, who could that be?”
Peeking out the window, she saw Holly and Peggy standing on the porch.
<
br /> “Good morning, what brings the two of you here so early?” Charity questioned.
“From the looks of your hair, it appears we arrived just in time,” Holly teased.
“My bath was the next thing on my agenda,” Charity defended.
“Good,” Peggy said. “Do you have Ben’s wedding clothes available? Matthew is outside in our buggy. He’s going to take Ben to our house so he can spend the morning with the men and get dressed there.”
“Yeah, I get to be away from all the girls,” Ben shouted. “All my stuff is on my bedroom chair.”
Peggy followed Ben into his room and, after finding a small satchel in his closet, packed up his things and walked an excited Ben back into the parlor. She helped him with his coat, and the ladies watched Ben hurry to the buggy carefully carrying his satchel and waving.
As the buggy pulled away, Charity said, “Ben never even looked at me or said goodbye. He really cares for Jason, and that’s a good thing.”
“It is,” Peggy agreed. “And Jason loves your children.”
“Now,” Holly interrupted. “Take your bath, and we can get you ready, too.”
Charity smiled and nodded as she disappeared down the hall to her bathing room.
Holly asked Peggy, “Would you like a cup of tea while we wait for Charity?”
“Yes, thank you.”
Thirty minutes later, after the ladies shared a pot of tea and Annie drank a glass of milk and ate two sugar cookies, Charity emerged from the bathing room in a soft pink robe doing her best to dry her long golden blonde hair.
Holly jumped up from her chair. “I can help you with your hair.”
Charity smiled, trying her best to hide her nerves that were dancing on edge.
“I’d appreciate the help. My hands seem a bit shaky this morning.”
“It’s only right to feel nervous on your wedding day, my dear,” Peggy told her. “I know you said you didn’t want to wear a veil, but I made some small silk roses and attached them to a comb. Your hair is much too pretty to hide under a hat today. The roses on the hair comb match the roses in your wedding bouquet.”
“Thank you,” Charity said. “You both have been so kind, I don’t know what to say.”
Holly hugged her tightly. “Then, don’t say anything. Keep smiling, and we’ll do our best to make you look as beautiful as possible. Your job is to enjoy your wedding day. Leave the rest to us.”
Charity nodded as the excitement in her grew with each passing moment.
“Mama,” Annie announced. “Grandma is going to curl my hair, so I am beautiful, too.”
“You’re already beautiful,” Charity answered.
“That’s what grandma said, too, but I’m going to be special beautiful,” Annie insisted.
It took the ladies nearly an hour, but Holly finally announced that Charity’s hair was finished, and Charity stepped into the blue satin gown Holly had made for her. As Holly was finishing fastening the last of the pearl buttons up the back of the dress, a knock interrupted their chatter.
“Who could that be,” Charity wondered.
“I’ll find out,” Peggy said. “It best not be one of the men come snooping.”
Peggy returned a few moments later and explained. “It was Pap. Jason had him deliver his carriage for us with this note for you, Charity.”
Charity took the offered note and smiled as she read it. She looked at Peggy and said. “Your son is quite the romantic. He wrote, ‘My carriage awaits you, my princess.’”
“I raised him to be a gentleman. He must have learned how to be romantic on his own, but it’s nice to know he’s both.”
“Yes, it is.”
Holly exclaimed, “The wedding’s in a little over an hour. We need to leave, so we have enough time for you to assure your dress is perfect, and we can check that everything is in place.”
“And not run into Jason,” Peggy added. “But I doubt he’ll arrive this early.”
The three ladies and Annie rode the short distance to the church in Jason’s comfortable carriage. Peggy and Holly carried the bundles of silk flowers while Charity gripped Annie’s hand so the little girl wouldn’t slip and fall messing up her new dress.
Charity’s nerves didn’t settle once they were in the church’s small anteroom. She didn’t think she could feel more nervous, but as the minutes ticked away, so did what little calm she held onto.
A light tap at the door caused Charity to jump.
“Calm down and breathe,” Holly told her. “It’s only Joseph. It’s time for Peggy and me to find our seats. Have Annie walk ahead of you and Joseph and remember to breathe.”
Charity just nodded.
Joseph held the door for Peggy, and Holly then closed it behind him and whispered, “Are you ready? You look beautiful, Charity. I’m ready to escort you down the aisle. Jason is a fortunate man, and if he ever proves not to be the man I think he is, you come to me, little sister.”
“I don’t believe that will ever be a concern,” Charity answered as Annie tugged at her hand, saying, “Come on, Mama, we have to get married.”
Charity smiled at her daughter, took her brother’s arm, and allowed him to escort her when they heard the music begin. Charity was grateful for his support since she thought her knees might give out at any moment.
When they reached the front of the church, Annie ran to stand next to Holly, and Joseph whispered to Jason before he relinquished Charity’s arm. “Be good to her.”
“I will,” Jason answered and took Charity’s arm.
Until that moment, Jason hadn’t given in to his nervousness but seeing his beautiful soon-to-be bride, his brother, Drew, standing next to him grinning, and much of the town’s people in the church behind him gave him a moment of apprehension.
Pastor Elkins cleared his throat. “Good afternoon, everyone. We’re here today to usher these two happy people into the state of harmonious matrimony.”
“And me and Ben too,” Annie informed the surprised pastor.
A few snickers and giggles could be heard in the church.
“None of that,” Pastor Elkins instructed his congregation. “This is a solemn moment.” He then began his explanation of marriage, and what it meant to the couple and the family they would or already have.
Charity didn’t hear a word. Her heart pounding in her chest and ears drowned out the sounds in the small church. Charity was sure she would faint. She was vaguely aware of Jason, saying “I do” before Pastor Elkins repeated her name, and she looked at him.
“What?”
“Do you take this man to be your husband, Charity?”
“Oh, yes, I do. I’m sorry. I’m not sorry I’m saying I do, I’m sorry I didn’t hear you.”
The church erupted in laughter, and Charity blushed.
“Then, by the laws of God and the territory of Wyoming, I pronounce you husband and wife. You may kiss your bride.”
Jason pulled Charity close and kissed her soundly while she melted against him.
The church erupted in cheer and applause, and Jason took Charity’s hand and walked her back down the aisle.
~ * ~
Jason and Charity walked into The Paradise Hotel, and the beauty took Charity’s breath away.
“This is lovely,” Charity said to Jason as she looked at the white bunting covering several walls, red paper hearts trimmed with white paper lace hanging from the ceiling and the large crystal chandelier, and vases of colorful flowers. The center staircase was also adorned with red hearts and flowers. “Where did they get fresh flowers?”
Jason shook his head. “I’m not certain, but I’ve heard they can be ordered from a Cheyenne shop that acquires them from Texas and California.”
As the townsfolk began entering the hotel, Jason guided Charity into the dining room, where the center of attraction was a three-tier wedding cake. Several tables were set around the edges of the dining room and held platters of meats, rolls, salads, vegetables, fruit, and several crystal punch bo
wls offering lemonade and fruit punch.
After greeting most of their friends from town, Jason and Charity picked up plates and enjoyed the meal prepared by the hotel. Peggy and Holly had tended to the children, which involved more cookies than vegetables, but Charity didn’t say a word. Today was a day for celebration and a bit of excess.
Jason heard the music start from the back-dining area and whispered into Charity’s ear, “Come on, wife. I want to dance with you.”
“All right, husband,” Charity answered and held his hand as they strolled to find the music.
Jason slipped his arm around Charity’s waist and swept her out onto the dance floor. After several dances, Charity said, “I think my feet need a rest, and I would enjoy some lemonade.”
Several chairs had been placed around the edge of the room, and Jason led Charity to one and said he’d be right back with something for her to drink.
Annie and Ben saw Charity sitting alone and ran up to their mother.
Ben said, “Are you having fun, Mama? I am. Aunt Holly said Annie and I can sleep at her and Uncle Joseph’s house tonight, and he’ll make us pancakes for breakfast. Will you miss us?”
“Of course, I will, my darlings. You be good for Holly and Joseph, and I will see you tomorrow. We’ll move into our new house then and I will be home with you every day.”
“It’ll be fun if you’re home every day,” Ben told his mother.
“Maybe I should speak to your aunt and uncle before you leave. They should come in here and dance and enjoy the reception,” Charity said.
“Aunty Holly can’t,” Annie stated.
“What can’t she do?” Charity asked.
“Dance. Unca Joseph said no,” Annie informed her mother quite emphatically.
“What on earth is wrong with my brother. He loves to dance.”
“Don’t know, but I don’t think the baby likes to dance.”
“What baby?” Jason asked.
“I don’t know, but Unca Joseph told Aunty Holly to sit and rest the baby,” Annie told them.
Jason raised his eyebrows, and Charity confirmed what he was thinking. “Yes, she’s having a baby, and my brother is reacting exactly the way I thought he would.”
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