by Liz Crowe
“We make a good team. Tomorrow we’ll sit down, and you can tell me about the arrangements you’ve made. Although, I’m sure your choices would be what I would want, also,” he told her.
“Yes, Mr. Stuart, we certainly do make a good team! Now I’m sure there are things we can both help with for the party.”
“I’ve offered to make the punch,” he volunteered.
“I’ll help Ben with the decorations,” she said.
“But first,” Albert began, “I have a surprise for you. I want you to wait right here and close your eyes. I’ll tell you when to open them.”
“Albert,” she began.
“Anne, close your eyes and don’t open them,” he instructed.
Doing as he requested, she stood patiently in the middle of the courtyard.
Albert had arranged for Henry to bring the surprise he had for Anne to the ranch this morning while they were gone. After a few moments, he told her, “Open your eyes.”
Before her stood the most beautiful black mare she had ever seen.
“She’s yours. I thought it was time you had your own horse. Her name is Mariah, and she’s spirited and fast as the wind,” he explained.
“She’s perfect,” she excitedly exclaimed, going to the mare and petting her neck. “Thank you Albert. You spoil me.”
“Yes, and I always will.”
“When can I ride her?” Anne asked.
“Tomorrow, after church. We’ll go riding then,” he told her. “But for now, we should help with this part.” Taking his hand, squeezing it, she brushed away tears from her eyes.
Seeing this, he asked, “Anne, why the tears?”
Shaking her head, she told him, “You’re too good to me. Thank you. Now let’s go help.”
By late afternoon, everything was finished. Anne then excused herself to go bathe and dress.
“Did she like the mare?” Thomas asked.
“Yes, it was a complete surprise,” Albert told his father.
“Did you tell her about the house?” Thomas asked, watching as Anne went into the house.
“Yes, I did. I was going to tell her tonight anyway.”
“Did you tell her about San Francisco?” Thomas asked.
“No, that will be a surprise. I’ll tell her on our wedding night,” Albert confided.
“Your sister’s brother in law sent me a wire. He said your sister and Daniel were away and wouldn’t be back in time for the wedding,” Thomas told him.
“Well, that’s to be expected when you’re as ambitious as he is. Work before family. I’ll write her a letter when Anne and I return from San Francisco and invite them for a visit.”
“That’s an excellent idea,” Thomas agreed.“On another matter, I talked to Ray about the trial earlier today. With the evidence the court has, along with Anne’s and my testimony, it should be fairly short. If only John would admit his part in all of this, the judge would probably go easier on him, and a trial wouldn’t be necessary.”
“John will drag it out as long as he can,” Albert declared. “He’ll make it as hard as possible on Anne.”
As they walked into the house, Thomas went to taste the punch. Taking a small sip, Thomas’ eyes watered as he gasped, “Who made this?”
“I did,” Albert answered. “Why?”
“It’s just a little strong,” Thomas answered, taking his kerchief out and dabbing his eyes. “We’d better make one without liquor for the ladies.”
While the men were finishing last minute details, Anne had finished bathing and was now trying to decide on what gown to wear. She finally selected a deep green, off the shoulder, satin gown she had purchased in London before leaving to come west. The only jewelry she wore was emerald earrings and a matching necklace. She had pulled her hair back from her face, catching it in a matching clasp. After checking her appearance, she made her way downstairs.
Thomas Stuart was already dressed and on the porch having a brandy. “Anne,” he said, rising, “You look beautiful tonight.”
“Thank you. Is Albert down yet?”
“No, my dear, but he shouldn’t be much longer. May I offer you a brandy?”
“Yes, please, I believe I would like that. I want to thank you for everything, for this lovely party, the difficulties with Father. You’ve been so kind. I’ll never be able to re-pay your kindness. But most of all, for having the most wonderful man in the world as a son.”
“Anne, it is I who should thank you. You have given me back my son. Before Albert met you, he was so unhappy and very determined to leave here. Now, I not only will have my son, but a daughter as well. I cannot begin to tell you how pleased I am about yours and Albert’s engagement. He will make you a fine husband.”
“You are most kind, Mr. Stuart. I know that Albert will make a wonderful husband. He’s so much more than I dreamed possible.”
As he handed her a brandy, he told her, “Sit with me a while, Anne, our guests won’t be arriving quite yet.”
Sitting beside the older man, whom she had come to love like a father, she told him, “I’ll make Albert a good wife, Mr. Stuart. I’ll love him and take care of him, don’t ever worry about that.”
“Anne, I’ve never doubted your love for Albert. I see the way you look at him and he at you. I have never seen two people more in love that you and Albert, other than possibly Elizabeth and me,” he said, smiling at her.
“Father, what are you doing giving my fiancée brandy without offering me one?” Albert asked, joining them.
Going to Anne, he kissed her, whispering, “You are beautiful tonight.”
Anne admired Albert in his black suit and pristine white shirt. “You’re the most handsome man I’ve ever seen,” she said, caressing his face, as her ring glistened in the light from the setting sun.
Thomas handed Albert a brandy and asked him, “Albert, did you see to that punch for the ladies as I asked you to?”
“Yes, sir, I did.”
“You made the punch, Albert?” she asked.
“Yes, but Father thought the one I made with brandy was a little too strong for the ladies.”
“May I try it?” she asked.
“I don’t think you should, Anne,” Thomas told her. “It’s far too strong.”
“Yes, sweetheart, it is strong,” Albert added.
“Nonsense, Albert. May I please try it?” she asked.
“All right, but you were warned,” he told her, winking at Thomas.
Albert went to get her a cup. Returning, he handed it to her, and said, “Sip it slowly.”
Shaking her head at both men, she took the first sip and thought her throat was on fire. Her eyes watered, and she couldn’t catch her breath.
“Albert,” she coughed. “That is stro. . .”
“Strong?” he added, handing her his handkerchief. “I tried to tell you.”
As Anne was struggling to catch her breath, Henry and Ben joined them. With just one look at her face, Ben asked, “Hey, you didn’t let Anne have Albert’s punch, did you?”
“I warned her,” Albert told them.
“Well, I don’t believe I want any more,” Anne coughed, handing it back to Albert.
“Albert’s punch is known county wide. The men line up for it,” Henry boasted. “No lady has ever tried it. You’re the first, Anne.”
“Hopefully, the last,” she said. “You are not serving this at our wedding.”
“Aw, Anne, it’s a tradition,” Ben told her.
“Not at our wedding,” Anne declared.
Albert gave his brothers a wink over her head, and then turned toward the sound of approaching carriages. “Our guests are arriving,” he told her, putting an arm around her shoulders. Anne and Albert together greeted each guest as they arrived, Albert taking care to introduce her to the people she didn’t know.
After everyone had arrived, and before dinner was served, Thomas made his announcement. “Friends, thank you for coming tonight. This is no ordinary Sky Valley party. We are her
e tonight to celebrate a momentous occasion. As all of you know, I’m extremely proud of all of my sons. My eldest son has recently made me prouder yet. It is with great pleasure that I announce the engagement of my son, Albert, to Miss Anne Wallace.”
Those in attendance were not surprised; everyone in Carson City had been expecting an engagement announcement for months. What they didn’t expect was Albert’s next announcement.
“Friends, thank you for coming tonight to help Anne and me celebrate this wonderful occasion. We would also like to announce that we have set our wedding date. It will be one week from tonight, here at Sky Valley.”
With Anne by his side, smiling, the young couple accepted the congratulations of their guests. Anne was invited to join the women, while a group of men whisked Albert away to the punch bowl. Doctor Martin asked, “Not wasting any time are you, Albert?”
“No, Peter, I’m not. I don’t want to give Anne a chance to change her mind,” he said, laughing, as he accepted another cup of punch.
The rest of the evening was spent visiting with their guests and laughing. Anne was given unsolicited advice from the older women of what marriage would be like. “Young lady,” the widow Bennett began, “prepare yourself for the duties of being a wife, and I’m not talking about cooking and cleaning. It’s a wife’s duty to allow her husband liberties. From what I hear, that Albert Stuart is some powerful man, so he will be wanting those liberties often.”
“Yes, ma’am, I’ll remember that,” Anne responded, fighting the urge to blush. Seeing Albert, she excused herself and went to join him.
“What was the widow Bennett bending your ear about?” he asked, slipping an arm around her waist.
“Telling me what my wifely duties would be after we were married,” she told him.
“Widow Bennett,” Albert whispered, holding her close, “has no idea what your wifely duties will be with me.”
“Albert, you best hurry on that house. I don’t know how much longer I’m going to be able to listen to all these ladies giving me advice on marriage. I would rather find out for myself, first hand,” she told him.
“One more week, sweetheart, one more week,” he said, hugging her. As he finished telling her this, the musicians began playing. With his hand at the small of her back, he led her to the dance floor that Henry and Ben had set in place at the center of the courtyard earlier in the day. Going into his arms, she relaxed as her fingers toyed with his hair at the nape of his neck.
“Anne, you have no idea what that does to me,” he told her as he kissed her cheek. “You’re making it hard for me to remember that I’m a gentleman.”
“I’ll be glad when you don’t have to remember to always be a gentleman,” she laughed.
Pulling her closer, he whispered, “That time is very near, dear. You may regret that statement after we’re married. You’ve never seen that side of me.”
“I love all sides of you already. The ones I don’t know, I look forward to discovering,” she said with a playful smile. “You know Albert, you just might be surprised in me. Don’t forget I wasn’t hidden away in a convent all my life. I promise you, our life will never be dull.”
“I never thought it would be,” he replied.
Ben and Henry took turns dancing with Anne, much to the disappointment of their dates. After a while, Thomas rescued her and told his sons, “You two have young ladies to attend to. You’ve both been remiss in seeing to their needs. Now go on and let me have a dance with my new daughter.”
“Are you having a good time, Anne?” Thomas asked after he shooed his sons away.
“Yes, sir, I am,” she replied. “It’s been a beautiful night and a beautiful party.”
“Anne, now that you’re going to be my daughter, do you think you could call me something other than Mr. Stuart? Perhaps, Thomas or Father?”
“Yes sir, I would like that, although I could never call you Thomas. Is Father all right?”
“Father is just fine, Anne,” Thomas said, kissing her cheek.
With the party being such a happy occasion, most of the guests stayed until almost midnight. Somehow, despite the late hour, the Stuart family managed to attend church the following morning. At the service, Albert and Anne’s wedding plans were announced. The couple spoke to the minister after the church service, arranging for him to perform the ceremony the following Saturday.
As they left the church, they found Ray waiting for them, “Morning, Anne, Albert,” he said removing his hat. “I wanted to catch you before you left. The trial is set for Wednesday. Anne, your father still wants a trial. He refuses to cooperate and plead guilty. I’m sorry, Anne, but it should be a fast one.”
“Thank you, Sheriff, for letting me know. I’ll be there.”
On the ride back to the ranch, Albert began, “I am going with you. I hope the judge will make short work of this trial. Your father doesn’t have a leg to stand on.”
“I know, I just hoped that he would take a plea and not go to trial,” she mused. “But then I knew he wouldn’t.”
Albert hated that she had to go through with this trial. He would do his best to make it easy on her, and after the trial, they would be finished with John Wallace, finally. He would see that no matter what the outcome, her father would never have access to her again.
After they returned from church, they changed, and Albert took her riding on Mariah. Albert knew that riding always made Anne relax and that this would be the only time he would have to go riding with her until after their wedding.
“Anne, don’t take her out alone for a while. I would prefer to be with you the first few times you ride her. She’s high strung,” he explained.
“Albert, I can handle her,” she said as they rode through the pasture. “You should know that by now.”
“Sweetheart,” he said reining up Diablo. “I don’t want you riding alone and not just because Mariah is high-strung. You forget Joe Young hasn’t been captured yet.”
“You said yourself he is most likely hiding out in California. He wouldn’t come back here, everyone knows him,” she said confidently.
The next two days were filled with activity. Albert finished the house on Monday. After his father and brothers left, Albert took his time checking every detail. He first walked around the exterior of the house, including the porch and balcony. Then the interior. Entering the foyer of the silent home, Albert was rewarded with the pleasant smell of wood and fresh paint. Running his hand over the burled oak walls, he stood admiring the hand polished oak floors. Entering their bedroom, he delighted in the beautiful view of the lake and mountains through large windows. Anne and I can lie in bed and enjoy this every morning, he thought. Opening the French doors leading to the balcony, he stepped out as contentment washed over him. I hope Anne loves this house as much as I do. Once we move the furniture and our personal effects in, it will be our home.
Mrs. Rogers had brought Anne’s wedding gown to Sky Valley while the men were away working on the house. As she fitted the gown on her, she congratulated herself that only minor adjustments were needed. “Miss Wallace, I just need to take the waist in a bit. I can do that right here.”
“Mrs. Rogers, you’ve done a beautiful job,” Anne told her. “It’s perfect. Did you bring the other items I ordered?”
“Yes, Miss Wallace. I brought the rest of your order. Mr. Stuart is a very lucky man to have a wife with your taste. Miss Wallace, with a wedding gown this elegant, may I suggest you wear your hair up, something a little more formal?”
“Thank you, Mrs. Rogers, I’m so happy you approve of my choices,” she replied with a touch of sarcasm. “However, I resent your informality. The other day in your shop, you embarrassed me, and if my wedding was not in just a few days I would cancel this gown right this minute. As to how I wear my hair, that, ma’am, is none of your business. Furthermore, should you ever make a remark like you made to me the other day, I will never order another item from you. Whether or not my husband-to-be appreciates my figure
is certainly none of your concern. I detest gossips. The only thing I detest more is someone who gives unsolicited advice.” With this, Anne paid the woman and saw her out,taking care to hang the gown in the corner. If Albert entered this room, he would not be able to see it.
She heard Thomas and Ben return. Meeting them downstairs, she asked where Albert was.
“Albert is triple checking everything. He’ll go back there again and again before you two move in to be sure everything is just so,” Ben laughed.
“Leave your brother alone, Benjamin. Albert is a perfectionist. This house is very important to him and he wants everything perfect for his bride,” Thomas said, smiling at her.
Albert moved all of the furniture he had ordered into the spacious house on Tuesday, returning home at dinnertime. Anne knew he was physically exhausted, and by the way he walked, she knew that his back was bothering him. She told him to go to his bedroom, lie on his stomach, and she would give him a back rub. Helping him remove his shirt as he lay on his stomach, she kneaded his shoulders and told him, “You’ve done too much. Now will you take it easy?”
“Mmmm, a little lower, please,” he told her. “Yes, I can slow down. I have the most important details completed.”
Moving her hands down his spine, across the broad expanse of his back, to his waist and hips, she gently kneaded and rubbed the tight muscles. “You need to get a hot bath and soak for a while,” she said, admiring the handsome back and then kissing his shoulder. “That will help relax your back muscles. I’ll go see that George has hot water for you.”
Her touch, though light, sent a current coursing through his body. As he stood up and his shirt on, he told her, “Thanks, Anne, but we had better stop this. It’s very hard not to. . .you’d better stop now. I appreciate it, but I’ll go talk to George.”
Smiling, she asked innocently, “Did I do something wrong, Albert? If you tell me what I did wrong, I can correct it.”
“Anne, that’s the problem. You did everything right, and being this close. . .” It was here that Albert realized Anne knew exactly what he was talking about.