Juliette listened to the grateful family from her place next to Stone. Hearing of his bravery from the McGregors made the danger seem even more real than it had sounded the night before. He was a hero.
“Not one word,” Stone cautioned Juliette when they were alone. “I don’t want to hear anymore about that hero stuff.”
She went back to her task of cleaning his wound and putting fresh padding on the area where the bowie knife had done its work and on his head. “But you are—”
He held a palm up toward her. “I said, no more!”
“No more what?” Doc Meeker asked as he pushed open the door and made his way to his patient’s side.
“That hero stuff. I don’t like it and I don’t deserve it,” Stone explained as Doc pulled up a chair and sat down beside him.
“Oh, I see. You’re a bit modest, eh?”
Juliette stepped back with a slight snicker as she let Doc take over. “Modest? Stone?”
“Well, you’d better get used to the title. Seems everyone I’ve met on the street this morning is calling you a hero.” Doc pulled the cloth off the deep wound. “Looks pretty good, considering.”
“Considering?” Juliette repeated as she leaned in for a better look.
“Considering the man was out to kill him instead of wound him,” Doc reminded both of them as he inspected the wound.
Hearing Doc’s words suddenly made her sick to her stomach. The wound was meant to kill Stone. If he hadn’t been able to overpower the man, like her father had said— A tremor coursed through her body, and her knees felt weak.
Stone flinched as Doc poured a solution of some kind onto a cloth and applied it to his shoulder.
“Burn a bit?”
“Whew! What is that stuff? Liquid fire?”
Doc let out a chuckle. “Almost, but it’ll help start the healing. If I let you go home today, you have to promise me you’ll have America dab some of that on each time she changes the bandages. I mean each time, not just once in awhile. Understand? Wouldn’t hurt to put some on that cut on your head too, if you’re man enough to take it.”
“You mean I can go home now?” Stone asked with an anxious look toward the woman who’d been taking care of him.
Doc nodded. “Yep. No better place to rest and recover than in your own bed.”
❧
Reuben tugged on the reins, and the buggy came to a stop in front of Stone’s home. America opened the door wide and motioned to Juliette. “Hurry on in here! That wind’s mighty chilly. We don’t want that baby takin’ no cold.”
Juliette hurried in and found Stone sitting in a chair by the woodstove, looking much more fit than she’d expected.
He grinned and held out his hand. “Thought you’d never get here.”
“I’m here now.” She took off her cape, pulled the blanket off Andrew, and slipped into a chair beside the man she was going to marry. “How are you? How’s the shoulder? Are you feeling any better? Let me see your head.”
He held up his hand. “Whoa, Woman. One question at a time. I’m doing just fine. And, yes, I’m feeling much better, especially now that you’re here. He pushed the hair back off his forehead with his good hand. “The bullet only grazed my head. See? It’s healing nicely.” He reached out and took Andrew’s pudgy hand in his. “And how is this little man? He’s really growing, isn’t he?” He let loose of Andrew’s hand and reached for hers. “How are you? I’ve missed you.”
She allowed a weary sigh to escape her lips. “I’m doing all right, I guess. With Mother gone, it’s been pretty difficult at the hotel these past few days. I never realized how much she did. Father is so lonely without her.”
“Does he have any idea when she’ll be ready to come home?”
She poured a fresh glass of water and handed it to him. “Yes, he does, and it’s good news. While Gordon Haynes was in Conner’s Corner visiting his aunt, he looked in on Mother. She said to tell Father she was feeling rested and much better. Her aunts and Molly have been taking care of the twins for her, and she’s ready to come home anytime he can come and get her.”
“Does this mean—”
She nodded, her face aglow with joy as she thought of their upcoming marriage. “Yes, we can set a date for our wedding. When shall it be?”
He grinned and shrugged, wincing a bit. “I’m ready. How soon can you be ready?”
She thought for a moment. “One month. Is that too soon?”
“Not for me. How about you?”
“Where shall we have it? If we have it on a Sunday afternoon, we could have it at the saloon.”
“The saloon will be too small if we invite as many folks as we said.” He thought for a moment. “How about the mission?”
She clapped her hands together as her smile broadened. “Oh, what a good idea! That’ll be a lovely place for a wedding. Maybe four weeks from this Saturday? In the early afternoon?”
“Perfect.” He squeezed her hand. “I’ll write my sister and tell her to have the boys here by then.”
“Oh, I do hope they’ll be able to come early. I’m so anxious to meet them.”
“You’re going to be my wife now. I want you to purchase anything you want on my account at Thomas Ward’s store. That means anything, Juliette.” He grinned sheepishly. “From shoes for Andrew to any personal items you need for yourself. Get anything you need to make our wedding the biggest and best Dove City has ever seen.”
“And you’ll wear a black coat and a pleated white shirt?”
“If you want me to, I will.”
“And Caroline will be my bridesmaid.”
“Of course, John will walk you down the aisle.”
“Let’s have cake and cider at our reception.”
“We’ll invite everyone we know.” He braced his arm on the chair back with a groan. “But promise me one thing, Juliette.”
“Of course. What?”
“Since you haven’t been a widow very long, I understand why you have to wear those dark dresses; but do you think maybe your wedding dress could be that pretty mauve color? Or maybe dark blue?”
She smiled at his request. “I think that’s a reasonable request. Which do you prefer?”
“Green.”
She threw back her head with a giggle. “Green? I thought you said mauve or dark blue.”
“I like green better. I just didn’t know if it was proper.”
“How about dark green? About the color of the oak leaves?”
He grinned. “That’d be nice.”
“Then green it is. I like green too.”
“Juliette?”
“Yes.”
“Why don’t you have that dressmaker, Lettie Farnes, make your wedding dress? I’ve heard tell she does good work. Maybe have her make you a couple of new dresses to wear around the house after we’re married. Something more colorful than those black and gray things you’ve been wearing.”
She gave him a mischievous smile. “You don’t like my black and gray dresses?”
“Ah—sure I do,” he said, obviously fumbling for words. “You look pretty in them, but I think it’d be nice for the boys to see you in color. That’s all. What do you think?”
She laughed. “I think you’re absolutely right. I’ll drop by and talk it over with Lettie as soon as we announce our engagement.”
“You’ve made me so happy, Juliette. I know my—ouch!”
“Stone! You’re hurting. Why didn’t you tell me?”
America pointed her finger at her boss as she came in from the kitchen. “Ya better stretch yourself out on that daybed for awhile. I’m gonna go put some extra pillows on it so you’ll be comfortable.”
“Yes, Stone, please do as America says,” Juliette told him with great concern. Then smiling, she added, “I’d hate to have to help you down the aisle at our wedding.”
“Whatever you ladies say.” Wincing again, he struggled to his feet. “I’ve gotta get this wing of mine healed so I can carry you across the threshold.” He
reached for his bride-to-be’s hand. “I can hardly wait for you to move in. It’s going to be nice having you and the baby here in this house. I’ve been so lonely since—”
“Since Lucy died? That’s the way I felt when I lost David. Especially when I’d go to bed at night. At times, I thought I’d die from the loneliness.”
He took on a serious expression. “We’re going to be a family soon. But I want you to know, once you’re moved in, you can be assured of your privacy. I will never come into your room uninvited. As we’ve agreed, we won’t—”
She put a finger to his lips. “I understand, and it’s good to know you don’t expect me to—” She gulped awkwardly. “Either.”
“This is going to be your home as well as mine, you know. I want you to make any changes you’d like. Anywhere, except—”
She frowned. “Except where?”
“Never mind.”
She confronted him directly. “No, let it out. I want to know exactly what you were about to say. No secrets.”
He sucked in a deep breath. “Except the room I keep locked.”
“That storeroom?” She could tell he was uncomfortable talking about it. Why would an old storeroom be such a problem?
“Yes, the storeroom. I don’t want you going in there.”
“But you said it was filled with things you should probably throw away. Maybe I can help you clean it out.”
He grabbed her tightly by the wrist, and she pulled back in surprise. “No. Stay out of that room. Don’t ever go in there.”
“I won’t!” she agreed, wondering why the mere mention of a simple storage room would make this peaceful man behave in such a strange, aggressive way.
He released his grip and leaned back against the pillow, his hand covering his eyes. “I’m sorry. I don’t know what got into me. I must be more unnerved by my injuries than I thought. I didn’t mean to upset you.”
“I’m—I’m not upset. Just surprised,” she explained, masking her concern. “I didn’t know the old storage room was that important to you. I’ll keep my distance from it, if that’ll keep you happy.”
Stone extended his hand. “Don’t be mad at me, please.”
“I’m not, honest I’m not. With all you’ve gone through—”
“That doesn’t give me the right to take it out on you. There’s never an excuse for anger, especially when the other person has done nothing to provoke that anger.”
“Really, I understand.” She took his hand in hers and gave it a slight squeeze. “I’ve got to be going now. I promised Caroline I’d help with supper.”
He went from a frown to a grin. “Four weeks from Saturday?”
“Yes,” she said as she gazed into his tired eyes. “Four weeks from Saturday.”
“Can we announce our engagement at church this Sunday?”
“Yes, let’s, if you feel like going. Everyone will be surprised.”
“They’re going to wonder how an old geezer like me could snag such a beautiful young woman.”
Juliette felt a flush rise to her cheeks at his compliment. “Let them wonder. It’ll be our secret.”
“Does that mean you don’t want me to tell them you asked me to marry you?”
❧
The time passed quickly as Juliette bustled about each day, preparing for their wedding. Finally the big day arrived.
“Wake up, Sleepyhead. It’s your wedding day.” Caroline giggled as she pulled the covers off her sister.
Juliette sat up with a start. She’d lain awake most of the night worrying about last-minute details, going over them one-by-one in her mind until she felt completely worn out. “What time is it?”
“Nearly eight,” Caroline answered with a shake of her finger as she turned and moved into the hall. “You’d better hurry if you plan to make it to your wedding on time.”
Juliette whizzed through the morning, packing a few final things for their move to Stone’s, spending time with each of her siblings, and saying her good-byes. She knelt at her mother’s side just before going to her room to dress for her wedding. “I want you to know how much I love you, Mother. What a wonderful example you and Father have been to me. While Stone and I are not marrying because we love each other, I do plan to use your example to create a happy home for our new family.”
“Then listen carefully, Juliette. What you’re about to hear is the most important advice I can give you.” Her mother kissed her cheek, then wrapped Juliette in her frail arms. “Love God with all your heart and keep His commandments. Put God first in your life, your husband second, your children next, and yourself last.”
Startled by her words, Juliette pulled back and stared into her mother’s big brown eyes. “Put Stone above Andrew? When I don’t love him?”
Her mother nodded. “Yes, put him above Andrew. He’s going to be your husband, Juliette. In some countries, parents pick their children’s spouses. Couples learn to love each other after they’re married. You can do the same thing, if you try. If you really want to. Stone is a good man, one of the best. See that you honor him.”
Juliette thought long and hard about her mother’s words as she readied herself for her walk down the aisle. The advice sounded good, but would she be able to do it?
❧
John and his prospective son-in-law stood at the front of the great room in the mission house.
“Nervous?” John asked as he pulled out his timepiece for the fifth time.
“Me? Nervous?” Stone fingered at the tight, black string tie. “Think she’ll go through with it? She won’t back out?”
John shook his head. “Not a chance. The two of us had quite a talk last night. She’s determined to marry you. By the way, you’re looking good in that black suit and white pleated shirt. Never seen your hair slicked down like that.”
“Think Juliette will like it?”
“She’d better. She’s gonna be stuck with you for a lifetime. Your sister get here all right?”
Stone smiled as he nodded. “Yes, late yesterday. I can’t believe how my boys have grown. Gonna take them awhile to get used to having their old dad around again.”
“Well, don’t worry about it. Between the two of you and Andrew, they’ll soon warm up and be calling your place home.” He checked his timepiece again. “In five minutes, I’m going to walk my daughter down the aisle. Think you can make it on your own, or do you need Reuben to hold you up?”
Stone offered a nervous chuckle. “Never fear, John. I can make it. You know I’ll be good to your daughter, don’t you?”
John shook his friend’s hand. “I’m counting on it. May God be with you both.”
❧
Juliette blinked back tears of happiness as the double doors at the back of the big room opened and the pianist began to play. She glanced down at her dress, smiling at the lovely color—green, the color of oak leaves—as she held on to the arm of her beaming father. It was her wedding day, and she was happier than she’d ever expected she could be.
How generous Stone had been when he’d told her to purchase anything she’d need to make their wedding the biggest and best Dove City had ever seen. She moved slowly down the aisle, passing chairs filled with family and friends, her gaze fixed on her husband-to-be. Her heart pounded loudly within her, so loudly she was sure those seated nearest the aisle could hear it. But she didn’t care. This was her wedding day.
The sight of so many people and the sounds of the music from the piano made her giddy. She wanted to laugh out loud, to tell everyone how happy she was. Could I actually be falling in love with this man like my mother said?
As she approached the first row of chairs, she pulled away from her father’s grasp, bent, and kissed her mother’s cheek. “I love you, Mother,” she whispered before smiling at her precious Andrew, who was tugging at his grandmother’s beads.
Her mother smiled up at her. “I love you, Juliette, my baby girl, my dear one. God be with you. And don’t forget what I said.”
Juliett
e proudly took her father’s arm. Again, the two of them proceeded down the aisle to stand beside Stone, with her father between them and Caroline at her side.
Pastor Tyson opened his Bible and the ceremony began. “Who gives this woman to be married to this man?”
Father took Juliette’s hand and placed it in Stone’s. “Her mother and I do.”
❧
Stone wrapped his fingers around Juliette’s delicate hand and grasped it tightly as he gazed into her eyes, but it was not Juliette he was seeing. It was Lucy. His heart broke, and he found himself pressing back tears as he remembered a wedding of seven long years ago.
After the pastor read from the Bible and explained what God’s Word had to say about marriage, he challenged the couple to live for each other and for Christ. But Stone’s thoughts had wandered to another time, another place.
“Stone?” Pastor Tyson whispered. “Are you listening?”
Stone straightened and took a deep, cleansing breath. “Yes, sorry. I–I’m listening.”
❧
Juliette watched as Stone seemed to have a battle going on within himself as he struggled for words. She wondered if he was having doubts or experiencing the same last-minute jitters that had plagued her all day. But the smile he sent her way and the squeeze she felt on her hand assured her nothing was wrong.
“Do you, Juliette Baker Martin, take Stone Jason Piper to be your lawfully wedded husband?”
She turned to the man standing beside her, so handsome in his black coat and white shirt, with his hair slicked down the way she liked it. “I do.”
“Do you, Stone Jason Piper, take Juliette Baker Martin to be your lawfully wedded wife?”
Stone paused.
Juliette felt herself gasp. What if he didn’t answer? Or said no?
Pastor Tyson seemed agitated by his delay. “Stone? Do you?”
She watched as Stone took a deep breath, then let it out slowly as he stared into her eyes, almost as if he didn’t see her at all.
She squeezed his hand and waited as a lump rose in her throat. Was their marriage going to be over even before it began?
“I, ah—I do,” he whispered softly.
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