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Shandra stood inside the women’s teepee on the Higheagle Ranch. It had taken some persuasion to talk her aunt and uncle into allowing the wedding to happen on the ranch. She didn’t want it at the Community Center after experiencing the celebration here in May.
They had finally agreed when Velma said she would officiate only if the wedding were on the ranch.
“How are you feeling?” Sandy asked, helping Shandra into the beautiful white doeskin dress Wendy had made for her. It was decorated with elk teeth and glass beads.
“Surreal.” Shandra hadn’t stopped grinning from her first step into the teepee. Aunt Jo, Wendy, and Sandy had agreed to help her prepare. Coop, Conor, and Uncle Martin were in the men’s teepee with Ryan. He would need less help since he was wearing his usual western attire. But she realized they were there for moral support as he waited for her to get ready.
“You are beautiful. Mother would be so proud to see you right now.” Aunt Jo dabbed at the corners of her eyes.
There had been a glow in her heart the minute she rose this morning. Shandra knew it was Grandmother telling her she’d made the right choice. “She’s with us.”
Aunt Jo peered into her eyes and smiled. “And you would know.” She placed a single eagle feather in Shandra’s hair. “This signifies you are single. After the ceremony we will place a second feather in your hair, showing you are married.”
Wendy peeked out of the teepee. “They are ready.”
The women each gave Shandra a hug and exited. The drum boomed twice.
She exited the teepee at the same time as Ryan. He grinned and raised an eyebrow.
The soft moccasins and leggings Aunt Jo had given her to wear, cushioned her steps as she walked to Ryan. He grasped her hand and led her over to Aunt Velma and a minister from the church in Nespelem. Shandra had been thankful that Ryan didn’t care if he were married by a Catholic priest or not. He believed in their personal vows more than he did the sacred vows of a church.
Their immediate family members stood on either side of Velma and the minister facing Shandra and Ryan.
Velma said something in Nez Perce then repeated it in English. It was the Lord’s Prayer. She continued to speak of the togetherness of nature and how so many animals get along while living in close proximity to one another and how we as people should learn from their co-existence.
The minister cleared his throat and read the scripture from 1 Corinthians 13:4-8. When he finished he extended his hand to Shandra. “I believe you have written your own vows.”
She nodded and cleared her throat. Holding Ryan’s hands and gazing into his eyes, she began, “Like the new born filly struggling to stand on her own, I struggled with who I was and how to stand on my own. I had finally found my legs after an experience that had left me wondering why? The day you walked into the art gallery, I felt your compassion, your strength, and your belief in me. Your belief in my heritage and who I am. For that I give you my strength, my faith, my love.”
She saw tears glittering in his eyes.
He raised her hands to his lips and kissed her knuckles.
Ryan cleared his throat and smiled at the best thing that had ever happened to him. “Shandra, from the moment I set eyes on you, I knew you were a strong, caring woman. Each moment I spend with you only increases my desire to be by your side for the rest of your life. You taking this step makes me believe we can live long and enjoy life together. I will never do anything to make you doubt my love, my trust, or my honor.” He turned sideways and reached out with one hand. Andy placed the lead rope to the colt he’d purchased into his hand. “I not only give you my heart, I give you your heritage.”
Shandra’s eyes widened as she studied the horse. “He’s beautiful! How? When?” She took the rope, ran her hands down the horse’s neck and looked him all over before handing the lead rope back to Andy. He led the horse over to the side.
“I picked him out right after he was born,” Ryan captured her hands again and peered into her eyes. The emotions swimming in her eyes made his heart swell.
The minister said words about the circle of life and held out their rings.
Ryan watched as Shandra put the ring she wouldn’t let him see on his finger. It was a small silver band with an engraved feather.
He picked up the silver and turquoise ring he’d had made by a silversmith. She inhaled as he placed it on her finger.
“It’s beautiful!” she exclaimed.
Velma stepped forward with a star quilt. She placed it around their shoulders, holding them together. She said some words he didn’t understand but it didn’t matter as he found Shandra’s hand and held on.
“I now pronounce you man and wife. You may kiss your bride,” the minister said.
Ryan pulled Shandra into his arms and kissed her.
~*~
“Traditionally, our family would have given Ryan’s family gifts and Ryan’s family would have given us gifts. But I think the two of you finding one another is enough gift for all of us,” Aunt Jo said, smiling at Shandra and grasping Ryan’s hand after everyone had filled their plates with salmon and other delicious food. “Welcome to the family.”
“Thank you. You’ve all made me feel a part of the family since I first met you,” Ryan said, putting his arm around Shandra’s shoulders.
The whole event felt like a big happy dream. However, Ryan holding onto her and seeing the Higheagle and Greer happy faces, she knew it was real.
“My only question is, you told me to take a week off from work for the honeymoon, and you’d tell us where we were going,” Ryan said, giving her aunt his best interrogation stare.
Uncle Martin held out a brochure. “A distant cousin of mine has a hunting lodge in the Wallowa Mountains. This time of year, it’s mainly backpackers and the like who wander through there. I thought you two could use a vacation away from everything.”
Shandra read the brochure. Charlie’s Hunting Lodge in the heart of the Wallowa Mountains. The only way in is by horse or air.
“This sounds very remote.” She glanced over her shoulder at Ryan. “What do you think?”
“If it’s some place work can’t call me and you aren’t heckled by gallery owners, then I’m packed and ready to go,” Ryan grabbed the brochure and started reading.
Shandra shrugged. “I guess we’re headed to Charlie’s Hunting Lodge.”