14

Eddie and Robert’s wedding day broke crisp and clear, the sun shining off the snow and nearly blinding the Fontaine family as they headed to the church. Eddie’s face was pale with excitement. Seeing it, Jackie reached to squeeze her hand. The older girl didn’t notice. Lexa directed a question to her oldest sister, and her response, or rather lack thereof, was the same. Jackie looked to Lexa and shrugged.

“I hope I get married someday,” Sammy said with a wistful sigh.

“Are you also hoping that Travis Buchanan will wait for you?” her mother asked from the front seat.

Surprisingly, Sammy didn’t blush. “He’s so handsome” was her only comment, and Addy watched as a smile widened Morgan’s mouth.

“You must think it’s funny,” Addy said softly for his ears.

“No.” The smile was still in place. “I just remember a young woman saying much the same thing when she didn’t know that a certain young man was listening.”

Addy smiled as well. “I knew you were there all along, Morgan Fontaine, and we both know I married you only because you were so homely I knew that no one else would have you.”

All the girls, save the still-dreamy Eddie, wanted to know why their father was laughing, but he refused to tell. However, they could do their own figuring when Morgan brought the sleigh to a halt in front of the church and exuberantly kissed his wife.

An hour later Addy fussed with Eddie’s dress and veil as Morgan, with Jackie at his side, looked on. Jackie’s dress was a velvet in a deep burgundy color, but Eddie’s was cream-colored satin, overlaid with lace across the entire bodice, up the high neckline, and down the long sleeves. When the mother–of–the–bride had finished her tucking and adjusting, she stood back and smiled at her lovely daughter.

“You’re the most beautiful bride in the world, Eddie. Robert will be so pleased.” Eddie smiled and the women embraced.

“I’d best get to my seat,” Addy said to Morgan, and he saw her to the door. “Come outside with me, Jackie,” Addy called before she left. “That way you can tell Eddie and your father that it’s time to start down.”

“All right.”

The door closed softly at that point, leaving Morgan and Eddie alone. Morgan turned to look at his daughter, his throat feeling oddly tight.

“Well,” she said softly, “this is it.”

“Yes,” Morgan said inadequately, but then his head tipped to one side. “It’s too bad that a man can’t experience this before it actually involves him.”

“What do you mean?”

Morgan sighed. “Your mother married me against her father’s wishes. I haven’t thought about what that day might have felt like for him until right now. You go with my blessing, but there’s no way Robert can understand how I’m feeling until it’s his turn to stand with his own daughter.”

Eddie wanted to cry with the thought, but she forced herself to ask, “And how do you feel right now?”

“Proud,” Morgan told her without hesitation. “Prouder than I’ve ever been in my life, but sad because you’re leaving. I know we’ll see each other, but it won’t be the same ever again.”

Eddie nodded. She’d had the same thoughts so many times.

“Change is not bad,” she said softly, “but neither is it easy. I’ll miss you more than I can say.”

Morgan hugged her, and just ten minutes later Jackie announced that it was time. Eddie went very white upon hearing those words, but Morgan whispered words of encouragement, and it wasn’t long before she was given over to Robert’s waiting hand. Her heart calmed then, but the whole thing overwhelmed her just a little. Robert was pale himself, and Eddie knew he was feeling the same rush of emotion. The ceremony was over before she knew it, and family and friends were crowding around them to offer congratulations.

They stayed at the church for over an hour, talking and thanking people for coming, before Travis reminded them that they needed to get to the house. Morgan, Addy, Mitch, and the younger girls had all left, as had most of the guests, but Jackie, as maid of honor, was standing by to go with the bride, groom, and Travis, who had stood as best man.

“I think we had better get on our way,” he suggested. “They’re probably waiting for you.”

Eddie didn’t need to be asked twice. They had worked hard on the reception, and many people had offered to help. She wanted to be on hand to thank them all in person.

Travis bundled them all in the large sleigh, pulled by Mitch’s team of matched black geldings. Jackie was in front with the best man and the newlyweds were in the back. They were no more settled in the seats when Robert grabbed Eddie and gave her a long, hard kiss.

“We’re going to be entertaining everyone in town for the next several hours, so I thought I’d do that while I had the chance.”

Eddie laughed in sheer delight and leaned to kiss him again.

“I think they’re acting up back there,” Jackie said loudly to Travis.

“I think you’re right. I myself am blushing just at the thought.”

They pulled into the Fontaine yard amid much laughter. Sure enough, it looked as if the whole town had already arrived. Eddie couldn’t think how they would all fit in, but they managed. Food was served immediately, and folks stayed for hours. The cakes were delicious. With tears in her eyes, Eddie thanked her mother and Elaine Taggart for all their hard work. Both of the older women looked utterly drained, but when most of the guests had gone on their way, family and close friends gathered in the Fontaine living room to watch Robert and Eddie unwrap their gifts. Uncle Mitch had asked to be excused, and Morgan had run him to the store, but Travis and the Taggart family were present.

Jackie and Clayton ended up on chairs close together. Other than smiling at Clayton a few times that day, they’d had no chance to talk. Clayton glanced at her lovely profile and wanted to tell her that she looked beautiful in her new dress, but there was something vulnerable about her right then and he refrained. It occurred to him very suddenly that this was the end of life as she had known it. Her closest sister, roommate, confidante, and friend was leaving. Clayton found himself praying for her heart as the gift-opening began.

“Oh, aren’t they pretty,” Eddie commented as she pulled out two embroidered pillow slips. “Look at the workmanship.”

“Very nice,” Robert agreed and worked on the next package.

“Who is this from?” Eddie wished to know.

“The card said ‘The O’Brien Family.’”

“I think you met them, Robert. Paddy O’Brien is a good friend of Milly and Danny.”

“I think I did too.”

“Oh, it’s a bread tray!” Eddie exclaimed when Robert brought it forth. “Isn’t it elegant?”

They loved the spoons from Clayton and had a wonderful time with all the gifts. Indeed, there was much laughter on several occasions. At one point Eddie opened a gift and held it aloft, her brow drawn down in puzzlement.

“What is it, Robert?”

“I was hoping you would tell me.”

Both husband and wife looked to Addy and Elaine, who stared at the silver creation and then at one another. When everyone realized that neither one could identify it, the room erupted in laughter. The last burst of merriment came just a few minutes later when Eddie opened a box and inside was a baby’s bib. She blushed to the roots of her hair and wouldn’t hold it up. Robert took it and did the honors, a sweet smile on his face.

Eddie was still blushing amid the laughter when she said, “All right, who’s responsible?”

No one would own up to it, but Eddie suddenly caught Jackie’s eye. The younger girl could not hold her laughter.

“Jacqueline Faye!” Eddie scolded her, now laughing as well. “You rascal!”

“I saw it at the store and couldn’t resist, Eddie. I’m sorry.”

Eddie only shook her head, and after that, the party began to break up. Addy announced that she was going to fix something to eat and everyone was welcome to stay. Elaine, Milly, and Danny went with her, and Robert took that moment to lean close to his bride.

“Are you hungry?” he asked.

“Not a bit, but I am starting to feel tired.”

“I think we’ll say our goodbyes and head to the hotel. If you decide you want to eat, I’ll have the hotel fix us something.”

Eddie nodded, and Robert went to tell the others. Thankfully, only Addy and Morgan came to the door with them.

“We’ll be over to join you for lunch tomorrow after church,” Robert informed them. “Eddie’s tired, and I think we need to sleep in.”

“All right, Robert,” Morgan agreed with him. “I’m not sure we’ll even make it out ourselves, but we’ll look for you around noon.”

Addy hugged them both, and Travis came through the front door to tell them that the sleigh was ready. Just minutes later they were on their way.

The hotel staff was very accommodating, and one of the men came out to stable the horse for the night. Robert had seen to the baggage that afternoon, so without fuss they walked up the oak staircase to the second floor of the hotel. Room 6 was spacious, with two double beds and a private bath. Several lanterns were lit, and Eddie preceded Robert into the room. Robert closed the door and leaned against it. He stared at Eddie where she had stopped at the corner of the bed.

For a time they didn’t speak, but then Eddie, feeling self-conscious, began to move around the room. She went to the windows and glanced down at the alley below, but it was too dark to see outside. She inspected the chandelier, peeked into the closet and bathroom, and then moved to sit on the edge of the far bed. Robert pushed off from the door and moved to sit on the bed opposite her. He stared at her for several more seconds before he shared the thoughts of his heart.

“Every day I confidently run a large bank in a booming town with a certain measure of ease, but here, now, with you, I feel completely unsure.”

“Unsure about me, or about this night?”

“This night. I’m 29 years old, Eddie, but you’re the only woman I’ve kissed who wasn’t my mother, aunt, or cousin. I’ve saved myself and I’m not sorry, but this is the first time in a long time that I haven’t known exactly what to do.”

Eddie shrugged as an adorable grin covered her mouth. She wasn’t very sure herself, but the hard worker was coming to the fore.

“Well.” Her voice was bracing. “It can’t be too complicated.” She shifted a little, and the mattress bounced beneath her. “I mean, we love each other, and I think we start with a kiss, and we both enjoy that.” Again she shrugged and smiled.

Suddenly Robert wanted to laugh with hysterical joy. She was unlike anyone he’d ever known. He stood just long enough to take her hand in his and bring her over next to him to sit on the bed. They settled in, side-by-side, and just talked. Robert relaxed and Eddie leaned against him, her adoring eyes on his face as they shared their thoughts from the day. There was no pomp or ceremony when they began to kiss and hold each other, just warmth and caring.

“I love it when you kiss me,” Eddie told him, blue eyes twinkling into gray. “For a moment there I thought you were going to suggest we each take a bed.”

Robert chuckled low in his throat and kissed her again. He should have known that God would honor his desire to stand righteously before Him on his wedding night. After all, God had given him Eddie, and at the moment Robert could find nothing over which to be more thankful.

The time after Sunday dinner the next day was a little busier than Eddie had hoped for, but there was much to be packed before she, Robert, and Travis left the next morning. The trunks were readied, the newlyweds spent some time with Uncle Mitch, and they also went to see Clayton. Eddie wanted to cry when they parted, but Clayton reminded her that he would be living in Denver in the fall, and just maybe there was a chance he could get to Boulder later in the year.

This did comfort Eddie some, but her throat was still tight. As she left, all she could do was pray that she would make it through this separation from her family and friends. She also asked God to help Clayton and Jackie grow closer. Jackie needed someone, and so did Clayton. It seemed so ideal to the young bride that her sister and friend should form a friendship.

That evening Robert and Eddie spent a wonderful few hours with Eddie’s whole family. Travis was with them as well, and it was a night full of memories to be cherished. Travis went back to Mitch’s for that last night, and Jackie took the small room off the kitchen so Robert and Eddie could take the bedroom she’d shared with Jackie all these months. When they were settled in the room, all the changes in Eddie’s life overwhelmed her. Wondering how she was going to leave them all, Robert held her as she cried.

“What if one of them dies before I can see them again?” she sobbed.

“You know where they’re going,” Robert comforted her. “You’ll see them in heaven someday.”

“Not my father,” Eddie whispered fearfully. “I’ve never been sure about him.”

“But he must be placed in God’s care as well, Eddie. It’s the only way you’ll have peace.”

Eddie continued to cry, and Robert prayed softly, his mouth close to her ear. Eddie calmed some and then kissed him with a kind of tender desperation. For a time their departure was forgotten.

In the morning only Morgan went with them to the stage office. Eddie was trembling slightly, but God had touched her heart early that morning as she’d read the Word and prayed, and peace surrounded her. She was going to hurt over this departure, but this was what she had longed after and prayed for for months. She was Robert’s wife, and it was right and good. Knowing that, she trusted God to take her on her way.

That afternoon Clayton picked the girls up from school and was not at all surprised to find them rather subdued. Milly had gained permission to stay and be with Danny for a time, and as it happened they all climbed out ahead of Jackie. She was just moving to step down when Clayton turned and spoke to her.

“Are you all right?”

Jackie sat back against the seat and looked at him. To his utter astonishment, he watched as tears filled her eyes. Clayton worked at not responding with the surprise he felt.

After a moment Jackie said, “I just can’t believe she’s gone. I gave her the bib as a joke, but she probably will have a baby, and I won’t be there to be a part of it. There was talk that we might be together at Christmas, but if Eddie’s about to have a baby—” Jackie cut off and turned away. Clayton’s voice came gently to her.

“Don’t borrow trouble, Jackie. Eddie and Robert may not have children right away. It’s impossible to know. And maybe your father will decide that all of you need to go and visit them this summer. So much can happen between now and then.”

Sniffing, Jackie scrubbed at her face. Clayton watched her helplessly. Finally she turned back.

“Will you go and see them when you go to Denver this fall?”

“I don’t know. I’d like to, but it all depends on my finances and studies.”

Jackie nodded and glanced out over the snow-covered mountains and then down the canyon before looking back at him. He was still watching her. She hadn’t wanted to talk about this on Saturday, and somehow he’d known that. Jackie thought he must like her some, but she was afraid to find out that she might be wrong.

“You had better get inside,” Clayton said, breaking the silence, “or we’re both going to freeze.”

“Would you like to come in?” Jackie offered, feeling as though her heart had stopped.

“I’d love to,” Clayton answered, his eyes drilling straight into Jackie’s and causing what little breath she had left to lodge in her throat. “But I have some survey reports to chart before I leave town on Thursday.”

Jackie told herself to make light of it. Tell him you didn’t mean it anyhow and that he’s still a pest, but the words would not come.

“I hope you’ll ask me again,” Clayton added, his eyes now smiling tenderly.

Jackie only nodded, her eyes still held by his.

“I will, Clayton. Thank you for the ride.”

He watched as she climbed from the sleigh and then as she went toward the door. She turned and lifted a hand before she slipped inside, and Clayton managed to wave back in return. He was thankful that the horses knew the way home; he couldn’t see anything but Jackie’s huge blue eyes and the way they’d filled with tears.