Saturday, June 25^th

They had worked quickly to put the wedding together in only two months. Darcey insisted that she didn’t want it too big or too fancy. Betty and Ivy grumbled but agreed. Still the old house at the Pines never looked more beautiful. Having been described as the finest example of early 19^th century “Dog Trot” architecture in the nation, the ancestral home of Betty Anderson’s family, the Belmonts, was in its glory.

The sun was bright. The forecast for temperatures in the mid-80s. Quite comfortable for late June. To be safe, Betty and Ivy, as promised, arranged for a large tent-like canopy to be erected. Fans and misters were set up all around the seating area where the wedding would take place as well as on the edges of the canopy.

Trent stood with the minister in front of the crowd dressed in a white linen suit, sans tie. His groomsmen, Jordan Baron and Jack Blake, wore black suits, also with no ties.

Two of Darcey’s cousins were assigned to escort Betty and Ivy down the aisle. As Ivy took the seat reserved for the groom’s mother, whispering was heard in the crowd. It wasn’t that anyone disapproved of a black couple at the wedding. There were, in fact, several black families, friends of both sides, in attendance. It was a surprise that she was honored by being seated in the chair reserved for the groom’s mother.

Not everyone in attendance knew that when his mother passed away unexpectedly Trent became very close to Ivy and Walter. Later, when first his father, then his mother’s aunt passed, Ivy and Walter became the only family he had. He insisted that they be publicly acknowledged.

But it was when Miles Diaz-Douglas made his way down the aisle to take his place as one of Darcey’s bridesmaids that the rustle of the crowd became truly audible.

Not knowing what to expect, Scott sat muttering quietly to himself, wishing he had another of Trent’s peach martinis. Still he had to admit Miles did make a stunning bridesmaid.

Miles happily pranced down the aisle in his black suit and pink linen shirt. He loved the pink shirt. It reminded him of sunsets and strawberry daiquiris. He held a bouquet of white flowers with one pink rose in the center. He took his place on Darcey’s side of the minister.

Jack Blake was nervous. “I don’t know about this guy, Trent,” he whispered. “It’s an election year, you know.”

“Yes,” Trent said quietly, “and do you know how many gay voters there are in this parish?”

“No.”

“Neither do I. But you just won all their votes.

“I see what you mean,” Jack said, now smiling. He looked over the assembled guests. Wondering.

Mandy Rillard followed Miles. She wore a fashionable black dress and carried the same bouquet of white flowers as had Miles.

The beautiful white flowers of the Spanish dagger, the plant that had come to be known as the Lord’s Candelabra in the soon to be combined Marshall-Anderson families, were in full bloom. It was those flowers that Darcey chose for herself and her bridesmaids to hold when they made their way down the aisle.

Trent watched Darcey walking toward him, her hand on the arm of Preston Johnson. The old man was elegant as always in his black suit. The sun glinted off his silver hair and mustache, the gold handle of his ever-present cane. He placed Darcey’s hand in Trent’s then took his seat beside Betty. He could not have been more proud had he been Darcey’s father.

Trent held Darcey’s hands. For years he had felt lonely even when surrounded by people who cared about him. He held her hands and felt the loneliness fade into the past. He didn’t know what the future held for them. He could hardly wait to find out.

The champagne flowed freely after the brief ceremony. Toasts were made by Jordan and Jack, Mandy and Miles.

Preston rose and tapped his glass, indicating his desire to make a toast. As the guests quieted, he spoke in his cultured tone.

“The phrase locum tenens usually refers to the medical profession. But I beg your indulgence to use it in a more general sense today. It has been my honor to serve locum tenens…temporarily… in the place of your father today, Darcey. I know he would be so proud if he was here. On his behalf, and in spiritual kinship with him, I wish you both a long and happy life together.”

As it turned out, Miles was a huge hit with the guests. The sheriff even insisted on having his picture taken with him. But Miles refused…adamantly refused…Darcey’s dare to ride one of the horses.

“Absolutely not,” he said, defiantly. “That is not the kind of animal I am accustomed…”

“Miles!” Scott interrupted.

Miles caught himself before he said something inappropriate.

“Well, no. I won’t do it. That’s all.”

Everyone laughed. Even the ones who weren’t quite sure why they were laughing.