Mattie’s stomach churned. Although Laura told her to stay calm, Mattie couldn’t pull herself together. She clenched her eyes shut, held her breath, and then let it out, while she fidgeted with the ribbon on her petticoat. Laura stood behind her, pulled her corset tight, and tied it.
Laura twisted Mattie’s auburn masses into a stylish bun and secured it. Several pink rose buds with thin, white ribbons balanced on the top of her dark auburn hair. Mattie turned her head from one side to the other. “I like it. Do you think James will?”
“I’m not sure he will even notice. I suppose he is as jittery as you are.” Laura hugged her.
Mattie slipped into her dark blue velvet dress with white lace ruffles on the neckline, sleeves, and waist. Her polished and buffed shoes shimmered with a deep shine.
A knock on the door and an announcement of the judge couldn’t have come a moment too soon. Laura guided Mattie to the landing for her trip down the staircase.
****
James never wavered from his spot. He stood near the bottom of the staircase. The look on his face shouted ‘run,’ but his feet were frozen to the floor. His blue suit fit just right.
His eyes caught Mattie’s. The breath tightened his chest, as his world seemed to stand still. She was making a graceful descent down the elegant, beautiful steps. Soon, she would be his for the rest of her life. His heart beat with overwhelming desire. She paused on the last step. A lifetime of pictures embedded in his mind forever.
Mattie’s sleek movements brought her to his side. Her arm raised and entangled in the crook of his elbow. He didn’t know how she felt inside, but his knees were quaking.
The small service turned into a blur. They stood for a moment. He was taken in by her radiance and hadn’t realized the ceremony was over. Mattie locked eyes with his, their lips joined in a passionate kiss. He couldn’t risk another kiss to add to his burning desire and stir his deepest, darkest recesses.
The reception moved to the rose garden. The table was covered with an assortment of meats, vegetables, fruit, and dessert dishes. In the center of the table sat a familiar, china teapot filled with fresh cut roses. James felt in some small way, Mattie’s parents had joined them.
Light pink and white streamers flew from trees; laughter and small talk filled the air. The bright sun was sinking in the west. “Would you take a walk in the woods with me?” James’s eyes held a promise of passion.
Mattie took hold of his extended arm. They disappeared through the edge of the massive trees and crept along to the clearing. The last rays of sun floated across the water in a melting pot of gold. Lily pads of white, yellow, and pink faded into green leaves resting on the water.
“This is where we will build our home, Mattie. Would you like that?”
“I love it here, James. I do not care where we live. I will be happy where you are. My home is in your heart.” Mattie smiled at James. Standing on her toes, she kissed his cheek.
“I can live there happy and content.” James slid his index finger down her nose.
“We better get back to our guests, James. They may think we have abandoned their efforts to make our day special.” Mattie boldly patted his bottom.
“I suppose you’re right, my love.” He extended his arm once again to lead her back to the small crowd.
After a couple of hours, wedding guests trickled down to a handful. Most left or retired to their rooms after cleaning up. Debris from the decorations lay scattered on the ground. The streamers in the trees and on tables were left until morning.
Climbing the stairs to James’s room, the two slipped behind the closed door for the night.
****
Rays of a golden sun streamed through the curtains into the sleepy eyes of Mattie and James. Jumping from the bed, Mattie dressed with fury. “I’m late for work. I need to help your mother with breakfast,” she said. Kissing James, she slipped out the door.
She drew in a deep breath and crept along down the stairs to the kitchen where Rose busied herself with platters of food placed on the counter. Mattie greeted Rose and carried the platters to the dining room.
Rose brought more coffee, refilled empty cups, and returned to the kitchen. Mattie could see the distress on Rose’s face. Following her back to the kitchen, Mattie stared a few seconds at Rose’s methodical movements. Pots and pans rattled, and Rose swiped her face a couple of times.
“What’s bothering you, Rose?” Mattie hugged Rose.
“When I asked you to be my partner, I was being selfish. Mattie, would you rather be in the medical field? You are very good at that type work.” Rose’s eyes filled with tears. “I understand the need for someone who can benefit the town.”
“Rose, I am shocked. I can help when I am needed. Otherwise, I will be here most of the time. I want to be here helping you.”
Mattie did not miss Rose’s upturned lips and sigh of relief. It was thoughtful of Rose to give her an option to work full-time in the medical field. However, her heart was here at The Rose Garden Boarding House with James and Rose.
James entered the kitchen for a cup of coffee. He walked to Mattie and stood beside her as he took a sip from the cup. Rose turned to the couple. She pulled an envelope from her apron pocket.
“This is your wedding present from me.” Rose handed the envelope to James.
Opening the letter, James’s mouth dropped. He read a deed to the large two-story cabin next door. “Mother, when did you get this?”
“Around a year or two ago, I reckon. Remember I wanted to build onto The Rose Garden. It came up for sale, and I bought it. Then I realized I didn’t need extra space, and the tenants here provided enough for me to make a decent living.”
“But—” James started, and Rose shut him up.
“When your children come, you will want a place to raise them. There’s no reason to leave the big, beautiful house next door vacant.” James hugged his mother.
James grabbed Mattie by the wrist and pulled her to the house next door. Staring at its roughness, he glanced at Mattie, motioning for her to go inside.
Opening the door, James stood back and let Mattie enter the large, open room with its winding staircase. Mattie’s eyes filled with tears. She ran from one marble fireplace to the next, room to room, gasping at the simple log cabin.
“Well? What do you think, Mrs. Parker?”
“I think it will make a nice home, Mr. Parker.”
****
Mattie and James sat on the porch swing of their cabin. Their arms entwined, and Mattie’s head rested on James’s broad shoulder. They stared at the moon glistening through trees and laughed at shadows dancing across the grassy lawn. The aroma of roses from next door floated in with a hint of another rain.
Leaning down to his wife, James’s lips nestled close to her ear. “Have I told you how beautiful you are today?”
“I love you, James.”
“I love you, Mattie.”
Mattie and James rose from the swing. The boards from the porch creaked beneath their feet. Mattie stopped at the door, turned, and glanced over her shoulder. The porch swing’s swaying slowed. She turned her gaze to her husband. His hand possessively rested at the small of her back. They made their way to their room. The room they would share for the rest of their lives. For the first time since she had left Georgia, she was truly happy she had made the choice to run to Texas.