Chapter 86: Union

 

She’d waited for this for so long, Jenny thought when Mac’s lips touched hers. This was where she was destined to be. In Oregon. In Mac’s arms. This was why she hadn’t felt anything when Zeke kissed her. Because she was meant to be with Mac. Her fingers squeezed the silly gray sock he’d given her.

His arms tightened around her, holding her close. For one moment, she recalled the men who’d attacked her so long ago, but only for a moment. Then the love in Mac’s kiss pushed all memory aside, and she clung to him as tightly as he held her. The kiss deepened and blotted out all other thought.

“Mac,” she whispered, when she could take a breath.

“How soon will you marry me, Jenny?” he whispered back.

“Tomorrow.”

“And tonight?” At Mac’s rough, deep voice, Jenny felt a flare from her breasts to her womb.

There was only one answer. “Tonight I am yours,” she murmured and led him to the bed.

And it was true. Through the night, Mac made sweet, careful love to her, with Maria nearby and William snoring softly in the loft overhead. In between lovings, they talked. They told tales from their pasts and built dreams for their future.

As she drifted into sleep in Mac’s arms, Jenny’s memories of past troubles faded and her doubts vanished. She had everything she wanted in this small cabin in Oregon. She basked in the joy and contentment of knowing she’d found her place in the world.

In the morning Jenny woke to see her son beside the bed peering at her and Mac. “That man still here,” William said. “And that baby.”

Beside her, Mac lifted himself on an elbow. “I’m staying,” he told the boy. “I’m your father.”

“I don’t got a papa,” William said. “He’s in Cali . . . Cali . . .” His face wrinkled.

“California,” Mac said. “I was in California, but I’m home now.”

“Come,” Jenny said, hearing Maria fuss in her cradle. “We have to dress for church. We need to be there early.” Then she whispered to Mac, “To talk to the preacher about marrying us.”

Mac leaned over and kissed her. “We’ll be there in time.”

Jenny bustled about the cabin. She told William to put his clothes on, while she bathed Maria, laughing at the baby’s splashing in the wash bucket. She thought blissfully of the passion she and Mac had shared during the night. She wished they could have stayed in bed all day, but she had a family to care for.

A family.

From being alone with William to having a family in one night. Her mind could not take it in, and she hummed every sweet song she knew. She patted Maria dry and held the baby close before digging out the prettiest dress she could find in Mac’s saddlebag.

Two children were a lot more work than one, Jenny realized, and she smiled thinking of Esther’s brood. Mac brought in wood and water and harnessed Poulette to the wagon, while Jenny clothed and fed Maria. Somehow, they were ready early. As a family, they could manage life well together—she was sure of it.

“Let’s stop by the Tullers’ farm on the way,” Jenny said, when Mac lifted Maria up for Jenny to hold in the wagon. “They can stand up with us before the service.”

Mac grinned, jumped to the wagon bench, and tapped the reins on Poulette’s back to get the mare moving. They rode side by side as they had on the six month journey to Oregon, though now Mac pressed his thigh against hers and planted a kiss on her temple. And she smiled at him brightly.

“For God’s sake, McDougall, where the hell have you been?” Doc Tuller shouted when they pulled into the Tullers’ yard.

“Doesn’t matter,” Mac said. “I’m back now. Ready to do what I should have done three years ago. We’re getting married.”

“She’ll have you now?” Doc asked in his gruff voice.

Jenny blushed and nodded. “We’re headed to the church. We’d like you there with us.”

Mrs. Tuller clapped her hands. “My stars, child, I’m so happy for you. Of course, we’ll come.”

“A baby?” Doc asked, his eyebrows coming together in a frown at the sight of Maria on Jenny’s lap.

“My adopted daughter, sir,” Mac said.

The doctor raised one shaggy eyebrow, but said nothing.

Jenny’s back stiffened and she lifted her chin. “Her name is Maria,” she said.

Mrs. Tuller pulled back a corner of Maria’s blanket to reveal her face. “Such dark eyes,” she exclaimed. “How precious.”

“We’ll be right behind you,” Doc said. “Soon as I harness the mules.”

The two wagons rolled into Oregon City and entered the churchyard. Jenny led Mac to meet with the minister in the parsonage, while the Tullers minded the children.

It took a while to explain their story to the minister’s satisfaction.

“Are you certain this is what you want, Jenny?” The preacher steepled his fingers in front of his face. “I’ve never heard such a tale. You lived together pretending to be man and wife, then parted. And now you want to marry after three years’ separation?”

“Yes, Reverend,” Jenny said. “I’m sure. I’ve always loved Mac. Though perhaps I was too young to know it before.”

“You’re putting right what God wanted long ago, I suppose,” the man said doubtfully. “But what if Mr. McDougall leaves again?” He frowned at Mac.

“I won’t leave,” Mac said, taking Jenny’s hand. “I’ve lived with Jenny and apart from her, and now I know—I want to spend the rest of my days with her. There’s nothing that means so much to me anywhere else on earth.”

“Those words are as good as any vows I’ve heard,” the minister said, standing. “Call in your witnesses, and I’ll bless your union.”

Mac brought the Tullers and children into the parsonage. The minister conducted the brief ceremony, while Mrs. Tuller wiped her eyes. As they recited their vows, Mac held Maria, and William leaned against Jenny.

“I now pronounce you man and wife,” the preacher concluded.

Mac kissed Jenny as tenderly as he had the night before. They signed the registry and filed into church for the Sunday service.

As the prayers began, Jenny heard whispers all around. Zeke slouched frowning in the back of the church. Esther leaned forward from the row behind and tapped Jenny’s shoulder. “Do tell, what has happened?”

“Mac is home,” Jenny said, and she couldn’t keep the grin off her face. “To stay.”

Around her the music rose, and Jenny sang, Mac’s voice harmonizing with hers,

 

Amazing Grace, how sweet the sound,

That saved a wretch like me.

I once was lost but now am found, . . .

 

Found, Jenny thought. Mac had found her so long ago, and now they’d found each other again. Whatever came next, they would face it together. Her hand reached out to clasp Mac’s.

He squeezed her fingers gently. “Found,” Mac whispered.

Jenny smiled while their voices soared together.

 

 

THE END