Epilogue 
Epilogue Just a few days shy of a month from the afternoon she and her sister rode the stage into Cactus Creek, Keeley sat next to her fiancé in church, anxiously waiting the end of the service. The double wedding would commence as soon as Pastor Rice finished his sermon. She reached over and stilled Katie’s jiggling leg for what must have been the twentieth time in the past half hour. Katie mouthed, “Sorry,” then turned back to try to focus on the message.
Keeley glanced to her left, where Connor held Jamie, peacefully sleeping sprawled across his lap. She glanced up, and Connor cocked his head, sending her that special smile reserved only for her. Oh, how she’d grown to love this rough, strong lawman. At the sting of tears, she widened her eyes and blinked fast to keep them from spilling down her face. When she’d first left Chicago in the wee hours of the morning those few short weeks ago, she’d been unsure about becoming a mail-order bride in the unknown wilds of Texas, but she’d put her trust in God’s direction. She couldn’t be happier with the results.
Even when Katie had suggested not marrying right away and had come up with the plan to not reveal who was who, she’d been uncertain. But the plan had been a wise one, because otherwise she would have married Brian. She couldn’t say what life would have been like had that happened, but now that she was so in love with Connor, she was very thankful for Katie’s wise suggestion.
Tonight she and Connor would share the rented house with Jamie, and Katie would be at Brian’s home. It would be her first night to be separated from her sister, but she would be all right, especially if she was wrapped in the arms of her beloved. Her insides spun like the dirt devil Connor had pointed out on one of their buggy rides. Paperwork to adopt Jamie was filled out and just waiting for her signature as Mrs. Connor McLoughlin. Soon she and Connor would be Jamie’s legal parents. She peeked at the child again. They’d decided on James Thurman McLoughlin for his new name. James, she recently found out, just happened to be Connor’s middle name. Only God could have worked that out so perfectly.
Soft organ playing jolted her out of her contemplations and back to the present. Sadly, she hadn’t heard much of what Pastor Rice had to say today, but there would be plenty of other Sundays to enjoy his wise teaching. Her insides danced. The special moment was almost here.
“Let us pray, and then we will begin the day’s exciting activities. This will be a first for Cactus Creek and for me also—two weddings at the same time.” He smiled in their direction then bowed his head. “Heavenly Father, we thank You for this most unusual day. We ask Your blessing on our work this week and that You would send rain to help our crops grow and keep our livestock healthy. May those with businesses in town prosper. We ask a very special blessing on the two unions taking place today. Thank You, Lord. Amen.”
As the parishioners stood, Katie squeezed Keeley’s hand. “Are you ready?”
Grinning, Keeley nodded. “Aye, so much.”
“Well, let’s get this show started.” Connor stood. Jamie had awakened. He rubbed his eyes then reached for Keeley. She took the wee lad she’d quickly come to love and kissed his cheek. Jamie grinned, leaned over, and slobbered on hers with an open-mouth kiss. Connor chuckled as he pulled his handkerchief from his pocket and wiped her cheek. “Looks like somebody loves you.”
Keeley’s heart stammered then kicked into high gear at Connor’s subtle meaning. He’d told her he loved her several times, and each time it was precious to hear.
Emily Willis, Connor’s landlady and a woman Keeley had met at the sewing circle, squeezed into the row in front of them, smiling. “Are you excited? It’s a historic occasion.” Her blue eyes twinkled.
“Aye, I am quite ready.”
“So, you’re getting married in a blue dress? It’s quite lovely.”
“I’ve heard that many American women are wearing white at their weddings these days, but blue is the traditional color for Irish matrimonial ceremonies.”
Emily swatted her hand in the air. “Most women around here are happy if they can simply wear a new dress when they get married. Some even wear calico, but white—” She shook her head and made a clucking sound with her tongue. “White simply isn’t practical for women like us.”
Keeley smiled at being included as one of the town’s women. “You’re right. White gets dirty far too easily.”
“Enough of me holding you up. I can see your man is ready to head outside. God’s blessings on your marriage.”
“Thank you.”
Connor reached out from the aisle to her. “I’m glad to see you’re making friends.”
“’Twas difficult at first, but once I started attending the sewing circle, I began meeting people.”
Brian strode toward them. “What’s taking you two so long? Katie sent me back in to get you.”
Keeley hiked her chin. “I was talking with a friend.”
“Were you now?” Brian smiled. “I suppose that’s a good reason to be delayed.”
Connor gave her a gentle nudge from behind. “We’re not late. They can hardly start without us.”
“That’s true.” Brian nodded. “Honestly, I think more people are eager to eat that fine potluck and roasted calf than to see our weddings.”
Connor slapped his hat on as he neared the door. “Well, that’s just too bad. They can’t eat until we’re married.”
“True again. See you at the arbor.” Brian trotted down the church steps.
Keeley squinted as she stepped out into the bright sunshine. Jamie sneezed twice, as he tended to do whenever they first went out on a sunny day. God had blessed them with the perfect day for a wedding. She gazed past the crowd to look at the lovely arbor that had been erected and decorated with flowers Brian had ordered from Dallas. What a delight to get married under the beautiful arbor.
“Let me have the boy while you finish getting ready.”
She passed Jamie to Connor then looped her arm around Connor’s free one and descended the steps. He escorted her to the tent that had been set up for the women to finish their wedding preparations. Connor bent down and kissed her. “See you in a few minutes, wife-to-be.”
Inside the tent, Mrs. Rice was placing one of the floral wreaths that Keeley and Katie had made just before the service on her sister’s head. Katie straightened and turned toward her, looking so pretty with her long, dark hair hanging freely past her waist. The lovely wreath of white flowers and greenery wrapped around her head, and in the back, blue ribbons that matched their dresses flowed down her back. Katie’s headdress also had white ribbons, while Keeley’s had medium blue ones as well as some that were a lighter shade, so that everyone could tell them apart.
“Your turn.” Smiling, Mrs. Rice turned to Keeley, holding her headpiece.
Keeley pulled the pins from her hair, letting it cascade around her shoulders and back. In short order, she was ready. Katie held her bouquet of white, yellow, and purple flowers. Mrs. Rice handed Keeley hers. “Don’t you two look lovely. Connor and Brian are blessed men, and you are fortunate as well, especially considering how things started with the four of you. I hear the music, but I would like to pray with you first, if that’s all right.”
“Of course,” Katie said, although Keeley recognized her anxiousness by the way her sister nibbled her lip.
Mrs. Rice laid a hand on each of their shoulders. “Dear Lord, thank You for these lovely women You’ve brought to our small town. I ask that You knit each woman’s heart together with her husband’s, and that You establish solid marriages that will produce many godly children. Thank You for this beautiful day. Bless these women, we ask in Jesus’ name. Amen.”
Keeley opened her eyes to see Katie’s moist brown eyes shining back.
“Come, sister. We have important business to attend to.”
“You two line up at the back of the crowd, and I’ll go get that sweet little boy from Connor.” Mrs. Rice held open the tent flap, and Katie walked out first then Keeley followed. It looked like the whole town had showed up for the wedding, even some people who hadn’t attended church. Keeley followed Katie as they walked behind the people. Murmurs of delight drifted through the crowd. The guests stood in two sections, leaving a wide aisle. Keeley stepped up next to her sister.
Smiling, Katie reached out and squeezed her hand. “I’ll miss you tonight.”
Keeley grinned widely and shook her head, unable to resist teasing her. “I seriously doubt it.”
Katie chuckled, her eyes glistening. “You’re probably right.”
The violin and guitar music started, and Pastor Rice gestured for them to come forward. Her heart dancing a lively jig, Keeley walked alongside Katie, all the time staring into Connor’s delighted face. Brian had the same excited expression as he gazed at Katie. Only God could have foreseen this day months ago when they’d chosen to answer Connor and Brian’s ad in the matrimonial newspaper instead of one of the many other advertisements from men looking for a woman to marry. Things may have started with a standoff, but God had truly answered their many prayers for a happy, secure life and a permanent home.