Five

Christmas Day. Her wedding day.

It was all beyond belief, so much so that Evie stood paralyzed into inaction in the middle of her bedroom. The bedcovers were rumpled from where Colin had fought his way back to her. She picked up a pillow and inhaled the male scent of him. Realizing they would return here after they were married, she quickly straightened the covers, sprinkling a bit of rosewater to freshen the linens.

Then she stripped to her undergarments and washed herself with snow she gathered from the windowsill, shivering as she breathed in the cold air of a bright, sunny day. She shut the window, dried herself, and turned to her wardrobe. Her collection of clothing was meager and utilitarian, but in a chest lined with cedar was a dress she had been unable to part with through all the years since that other Christmas Eve.

She pulled out the solid-green wool dress she’d worn that night. Colin had said it reminded him of the forest. She wondered if he would remember. Not likely. Men did not take much stock in such things. The important thing was that she remembered—that in choosing this dress to be married in, she was completing the circle they had broken that night.

She brushed out her long hair and left it hanging free, pinning the sides back with a pair of combs before turning to the mirror. She looked younger—happier. They were taking a risk, of course. Time and changes they had both experienced might stand in their way. But surely a love that had lasted through all that would sustain them. Still, if he had doubts…

“Evie?” Colin knocked and then opened the door and stepped into the room. He had put on his boots, and he filled the doorway with his height and breadth.

When he saw her, he sucked in a long breath. “You look so…” He shook his head and grinned. “You take my breath away, Evie, and we both know right now I don’t have a lot of breath to spare.” He offered her his arm. “Shall we?”

“You’re sure?”

“I think I’ve been sure pretty much since I saw that shingle swinging in the wind with your name on it.”

In her office, he held her coat for her and put on his jacket and hat while she pulled on her gloves and wrapped her shawl around her head and shoulders. Side by side, they walked out into the cold, clear day and arm in arm crossed the deserted street. They entered the courtyard of the adobe church and stepped inside the sanctuary.

Father Whitestone sat in the front pew, his Bible open. He was wearing the robes he wore to conduct services, and when he heard the door open and close, he stood and faced them. “Ah, you came.” He motioned to the altar. “Have you come to a decision?”

“Yes,” Colin said. “We’ve come to be married.”

“Colin,” Evie whispered, suddenly shy.

“Better late than never,” the priest said and motioned them forward as he took his position. “Tomorrow you can make arrangements to secure the official documents, but this ceremony before God is the important part.”

Evie savored the exchange of words she and Colin repeated to each other—promises and time-honored vows binding them together for a future they had both longed for and would now share. She had never been happier.

As Father Whitestone gave him their blessing, Colin held both her hands in his, and the way he looked at her told her they shared the joy of this moment.

“I’ll get you a ring,” he said.

“I don’t need a ring.” She stroked his cheek. “Just you.”

The priest cleared his throat. “Well, now, my young friends, in the absence of music or guests to cheer you on your way, I have an idea. Follow me.”

He led the way up the aisle and out into the courtyard to the bell tower. “It’s a doubly blessed day,” he said, handing Colin the rope pull and then placing Evie’s hands on it as well. “Let the bells ring out,” he said and stepped back to give them room to pull the rope together.

At one point, Colin let go so that the rope pulled Evie into the air, and she laughed as he caught her and pulled her safely back to her feet. While in the air, she saw doors open along the street and people coming out from their houses as they headed for the church, called by the bell.

When several had gathered, Father Whitestone led Colin and Evie forward and announced, “My friends, on this holy day we have just celebrated the wedding of Doctor Evelyn Prescott to Mr. Colin Foster. Please join me in prayer as together we bless this holy union and wish them much happiness.”

Everyone gathered closer, forming a circle around Evie and Colin. They held hands and bowed their heads as Father Whitestone placed his hands on Colin and Evie’s bowed heads.

“Holy Father, spirit of life and love, we ask all blessings upon Colin and Evelyn as they begin their life together. Bless them with patience in times of trial and tension; with kindness as they nurture and care for one another in times of joy or sorrow; and bless them with humor and the joy of appreciating all that will come their way. Finally let love be their guide—love they share with each other and with all they meet in their life’s journey. In the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen.”

There was a moment of silence, and then everyone started to cheer. They broke the circle and stepped forward to congratulate Colin and hug Evie. A few picked up a handful of the dry powdery snow and tossed it at them in the absence of rice or confetti. Before they knew what was happening, they were being ushered back inside the church, while the women hurried back to their houses to get whatever they could to make a proper wedding meal. The owner of the Paradise Saloon brought three bottles of elderberry wine he claimed to have been holding for just such an occasion, and everyone raised a glass in a toast to the happy couple.

Evie had never felt more like a part of this community. For the first time since she’d taken over Doc’s practice, she felt she could make a real difference for the families of Sagebrush. Oh, it would take time, but she was nothing if not patient.

As the meal and toasts gradually came to an end, Colin and Evie moved to the door, ready to offer their thanks and say their good nights. The sun was setting, and the sky was clear enough to expose the promise of a full moon. Someone pulled out a harmonica and played a carol, and others sang along.

They continued to stand gathered in the church courtyard, singing favorite carols until only the moon and the candles inside the church gave them light. Evie clung to Colin’s arm, loving the sound of his voice raised in song. But then she realized he was trying to suppress a coughing spell.

“Good night, all,” she said as she gently tugged his arm and started to cross the street to her office and living quarters. “The night air, you know. Thank you so much.”

Colin came willingly, and that told her he was exhausted and needed to rest. All he could manage as he covered his coughing was a hand raised in appreciation.

Once inside, Evie dropped any pretense that everything was fine. “Come on,” she urged as she led him to the bedroom, her arm around his waist supporting him. “Sit,” she instructed when they reached the bed. She threw off her coat and shawl and bent to remove his boots.

“Evie?”

“Take your jacket off,” she said, “and get under the covers. You’re shivering.”

“Not unless you get in here with me,” he managed through coughs.

“Stop talking.” She tossed his boots aside and helped him out of his coat. “Lie down.” She covered him. “I’ll be right back.”

In the kitchen she put the kettle on to heat, then went to her office for the last precious dose of aspirin. She was stirring the medicine into water when she returned to the bedroom.

“Some wedding night, huh?” Colin joked.

“Take this,” she said, holding the spoon of medicine to his lips. “Swallow. Good.”

“Did I ever know you were this bossy?” He lay back against the pillows.

“If you didn’t, you weren’t paying attention.” She fussed with the covers, pulling them up to his chin.

He caught her hand. “Stop playing doctor, Evie, and just be my wife.”

She hesitated, then set aside the glass and spoon and crawled under the covers next to him.

“You’re overdressed,” he whispered.

“So are you,” she replied.

He chuckled. “Seems like all along we’ve gotten things backward, Evie. In a perfect world…”

“In a perfect world, you would never have gotten so sick, and then you would never have shown up outside my office door and we wouldn’t be here at all. If that’s getting everything backward, then count me in.”

She snuggled closer to him, resting her face in the curve of his shoulder.

He kissed her temple. “Do you have any idea how many nights I dreamed of you being here next to me like this?”

“I’m here, Colin, and not going anywhere.”

He pulled her close so that she was curled in to him, and moments later she heard his even breathing. Once she was certain he was sleeping soundly, she slipped out of bed and removed her dress. When he woke, she hoped maybe the medicine would have taken effect and the wedding night they had both dreamed of would finally become a reality. She closed her eyes and slept.

* * *

Colin thought he must be dreaming. Evie was lying close to him the way she always had when they lay together by the creek or in the loft. Only now the warmth they shared came from the piles of bedcovers and not the sun. Outside it was dark. A log that was reduced mostly to ash crackled and shifted in the fireplace. He eased free of Evie’s embrace and sat on the side of the bed. In the firelight he saw her green dress draped over a bedpost and looked back at her. She was wearing only her undergarments, and that made him smile.

He stood and lowered his suspenders, then pulled his shirt over his head and removed his trousers. He hung both on the bedpost opposite the one where she’d hung her dress. He paused, taking in the sight of something shared—this bed. For the first time not a field of grass and wildflowers or a hayloft, but a real bed. They were married. From this day forward, they would share whatever the day might bring.

From her office, he heard the clock chime ten times and realized it was still Christmas Day. There was still time to seal their vows. He shut his eyes and imagined them as one and felt the stirring of desire.

“Colin?”

Her voice was foggy with sleep. She rose up on one elbow and looked at him, a slight frown marring her lovely face in the ebbing light of the fire.

“Just putting another log on the fire,” he said as he made his way unsteadily to the woodpile next to the hearth. He was so damned weak. For a minute he wondered if he’d even be able to perform his part in the consummation of their marriage.

“Let me…” She was out of bed and next to him, barefoot and wearing only her chemise and pantaloons.

“I can…”

“We’ll do it together,” she said softly, taking the log he held and kneeling to place it on the fire before reaching out for another. She dusted off her hands, then stood. “Come back to bed,” she said, holding out her hand in invitation.

He stepped closer and cradled her face in his hands. “My wife,” he whispered, and then he kissed her—a long, tender kiss absent the rushed, frantic passion they had found so necessary in the past, lest they be caught. Finally, they had time—all the time in the world.

He finished undressing. She watched, chewing her lower lip. “Maybe it’s too…” He undid the ribbons and buttons that held her undergarments in place.

She pressed her body to his, then pulled her lips free and smiled. “Well,” she said, “seems like maybe you’re feeling better—stronger. Perhaps a little light exertion would not be…”

“Shut up, Doc,” he said as he half carried, half dragged her back to the bed.

She giggled as she fell backward and he fell on top of her. He knew the sound of that laughter—it came from the girl he’d fallen in love with five years earlier. And as if there had not been years of loneliness and regret between them, they rediscovered all the hidden places each knew would bring pleasure to the other. And when he entered her and at long last they were one again, he let out a ragged sigh of pure relief and pleasure.

Slowly he moved within her, watching her expression as her features softened and her eyes drifted shut. She rose to meet each thrust, clinging to his shoulders as she urged him deeper. When he exploded within her and cried out, she held him until his breathing calmed, then gently pushed him away so that he was lying next to her.

“Rest,” she whispered, kissing his ear.

But that wasn’t the way he and Evie did things. Once in a while they shared the miracle of coming at the same time, but he knew she hadn’t yet gotten there. So he rolled to face her and began stroking her inner thighs.

“You have a short memory, Mrs. Foster,” he whispered and grinned as he felt her tense beneath his probing fingers. “I guess we’re a little out of practice. Let’s see if I can fix that.”

“Colin, really I… You…”

She gasped, telling him she was so close, and when she arched and cried out, her fingers digging into his shoulder, he wrapped her in the warmth of his embrace—his love.

“Merry Christmas, Evie,” he whispered and feathered kisses along her face as he added, “My wife. My one true love.”