| |
Before he left her, Daniel raised Annie’s hands to his lips. Evelyn had demanded the details of the wedding, but they’d had none to give her. “I’d like to make the plans, aroon. Will you trust me?”
“Of course.”
“Is there any special thing you want?”
“No. Just something quiet—simple.” She crinkled up her nose. “Not a thousand people.”
“Not like Frank and Patricia?”
“No. It... it just wouldn’t feel right.”
“I love you, Annie. I want to do this for you.”
Her kiss gave him all the permission he needed. He left her reluctantly, knowing he wouldn’t be alone with her again until they married. His desire was as strong as ever, but the edge had been taken from his need. He didn’t regret the day, but he’d wait until she was rightfully his to touch her again.
His heart was full as he walked home and he found he was singing aloud—the same song over and over and over—until he reached the gates of his family’s ranch. Then he stood and watched a silver crescent peek from behind the trees and he sang it once again,
The farmer rides proudly to market and fair,
And the clerk at the ale house still claims the great chair,
But of all the proud fellows, the proudest I’ll be
While the Maid of Llanwellyn smiles sweetly on me.
He checked the fuel level in the lamp and went into the house. His steps made no sound as he entered the back parlor. Molly was reading to Jake. John Patrick was smoking and staring into the fire with Irene sitting at his feet, and Brian was dozing in the armchair. Daniel stood before his mother, took the book from her hands. He pulled her up and held her close, unprepared for the strength of his own emotion.
“What is it, my son?”
“May Day.” His voice was barely more than a gurgle. “She’ll marry me. May first.”
Their words hadn’t been heard by the others in the room. John Patrick exchanged a glance with Jake, who shrugged helplessly. Brian was still sleeping and Irene seemed not to know of the woodsman’s presence until her father nudged her away. John Patrick left his pipe behind, went to them and drew them both into his embrace, saw that Molly’s face shone with happiness.
It’s all right, then. I was afraid for a moment that he’d lost her. His voice was louder than he intended, and gruff. “I take it you’ll be married.”
Daniel’s head bobbed up and down erratically.
“The first of May,” said Molly. She hugged her son again, then turned to her husband. “The first of May.”
“Yippee!” cried Jake.
Brian started up. “What? What?”
“Daniel’s getting married!” Irene sang out. “Oh, let’s go tell the boys!” She ran upstairs, shouting for Frank and Patricia, while Jake took off for Geordie and Suzette’s cabin. Soon the room was filled with laughter as they congratulated and teased their quiet brother, pounding him on the back.
John Patrick broached a keg of porter and handed glasses around. He offered his mother’s Homeric blessing:
“There is no fairer thing,
Than when the lord and lady with one soul
One home possess.”
They raised their glasses to him and drank, remembering the lilting, ancient voice that had first spoken the words. They could all feel her presence, knew that she shared their joy. They fell again into each other’s arms, laughing and crying, happy and sad, demanding the details he couldn’t yet give them, and offering their help and anything else he wanted.
***
WHEN THE OTHERS HAD all gone up to bed, the woodsman sat with Irene curled up against his shoulder like a kitten.
“Daniel,” she asked, “do you think I’ll ever get married?”
He chuckled inwardly—it seemed no time at all since Jake had asked him the same question. “Of course, mavourneen. You’ll have your pick of men. You’re the prettiest girl in the Territory. Aside from Annie, of course.”
“Of course.” She rolled her eyes and Daniel poked her in the side. Laughing, she said, “I wonder who it will be.”
“Well, I know of at least two possible candidates.”
“Who? Tell me who!”
“Nope. It’s up to them. But Irene, don’t rush into anything. Be very sure you love the man you accept. ’Cause you’ll be stuck with him for a good long time.”
“I know,” she sighed. “I think I want a man like Adam. Or like you.”
“Thank you, mavourneen. That’s the nicest thing anyone’s ever said to me. Now I think it’s time for you to be in bed.”
She turned back to him at the door. “I’m happy for you, Daniel. I think Annie’s a very lucky girl.”
***
IN THE MORNING DANIEL took himself to the Rocking Chair Ranch, hoping he’d find Jesse in good health. Hoping Brian had honored his wish to be the one to break the news. He was astonished to find her with rosy cheeks as she greeted him with a hug.
“The boys aren’t home,” she told him. “Adam went out to the lake to see if there are any new calves and Brian went to town for supplies. Come and see Fancy—you won't believe how fat she got over the winter!”
He let her pull him into the barn where he admired not only the filly, but her pet calf Li’l Feller. As they walked out into the sunshine again, a huge tawny cat presented his mistress with a dead mouse.
“Thanks, Boy-o,” she crooned at him. She dangled the mouse by its tail in front of Daniel’s face. “See what kind of presents you get when somebody loves you?”
He laughed as he tossed the creature into the sycamore grove. The cat gave him a look of pure disgust, turned his back and began washing his tail.
Jesse giggled. “Got quite a way with animals, haven’t you? But let’s go have some tea. Then maybe Adam will be home. I want to hear all the news. How’s Evelyn feeling? And what about Annie?”
“Evelyn’s fine, but the doctor’s got her resting most of the day. Lowell says she’s getting kind of restless, but she’s feeling good.”
“Oh, I’m glad.”
“You’re looking fine, too. How do you feel?”
“Fine. Mother made me a new tisane when the other one didn’t work. It’s taken most of the sickness away.”
“That’s great.”
“Want another cup of tea?” Jesse asked. “We could take it out to the porch—it’s too nice a day to spend indoors.”
“Sure.”
Jesse settled herself on the swing. “Daniel, you haven’t said one single word about Annie since you got here. Is something wrong?”
“No, mavourneen, I was just waiting until Adam got back to tell you the news.”
“Tell me. Oh, Daniel, are you getting married? Tell me now.”
“First of May.”
He barely had time to put his cup down before she jumped into his arms, hugging him, laughing and crying, kissing his cheeks, then hugging him again.
“Oh, I’m so happy for you! Oh, I know you’ll be so happy!”
“Thank you, mavourneen. I’d like to ask you for a favor.”
“Anything,” she promised rashly. “Anything at all.”
“Annie’s left all the plans to me. We’ll be married at the house. I think she’d like you and Evelyn to stand up with her.”
“Oh, Daniel...” Her face was radiant through her tears. “Oh, thank you. I’d be so proud.” He caught her up in his arms again as she began to cry in earnest.
He turned his head at the sound of a horse, saw his brother’s appaloosa approaching. Adam dismounted, a frown creasing his brow. “Not bad news, is it?”
The woodsman shook his head.
“Oh, Adam,” Jesse said, reaching for his hand. “Daniel’s getting married! On May first. Next week!” Shyly she added, “He just asked me to stand up with Annie.”
Adam wrapped a long arm around Jesse’s shoulders and leaned back against the porch rail, and regarded Daniel seriously.
“About damn time!” he said. “You’re a lucky man. Why she’d want you, I sure don’t know, but then I’ve never understood women.”
Daniel gripped his brother’s hand and drawled, “Don’t guess I ever will. But I’ll tell you somethin’, brother.” Adam raised a single eyebrow in question. “I’m sure not complainin’.”