Cord helped Lilly move their things to the ranch and the night before the wedding she stayed in town at the hotel.
She went to see Mrs. Jones that night and she told her that Charlie could stay the night too, if he liked. Charlie and Freddie were already cooking up a fishing trip soon, so he was glad to stay with his friend.
But Lilly was alone now and she missed everyone, especially Cord. She thought about riding out there, but she knew if she did, she could easily spoil all she had in mind for their honeymoon. She wanted it to be so special. He deserved something special after all his work, and his kind deeds for others. A sense of pride assailed her. Cord was such a good man, it was a pity this town didn't appreciate him.
After Liam cooked up some stew and offered her some that evening. She told him to pack up his stuff and move out to Cord's. There were already big shipments arriving from Sorrels' and she wanted them to be out of there before he took over. Liam was eager to move. "Guess we'll see you at the church tomorrow, Miss Lilly." He chuckled.
"You bet you will," She smiled. She glanced around the place and Liam saw her, "Gonna miss it?"
"No Liam, I'm glad I'm through with it. But things are going to change here, and I want us out of the place. I want no part of that change."
She walked back to the hotel, letting the night breeze blow against her. She tried to calm her racing heart. She never felt so alive in her life, it seemed her life was just starting now. She could concentrate on raising Charlie and being a good wife to Cord. She wanted to be active around the ranch too and help where she could.
She waited a lifetime to be with Cord, and there were times she was sure he'd never come back. But he was back and at last they'd be together.
She went to her room and then had an idea. She rushed downstairs and out to the boardwalk. She went straight to Doc's place.
He was about to retire.
"Lilly what brings you here this time of night."
"Sorry Doc, but I forgot to ask, would you mind giving me away tomorrow?"
The old man's eyes lit up and he smiled, he reached to take her hands in his, "I'd love to Lilly."
"I don't know why I didn’t' think of it sooner. I'll meet you at the church then." She said and turned to leave.
"I'll be there with bells on." He laughed.
She went back to her room and after opening her window for some air, she laid down and let the happiness flow over her. "Oh Cord," she murmured to herself. "We're going to be so good together."
Tomorrow she'd be Lilly McCall, and nothing would make her happier.
Mrs. Jones promised to have Charlie there for the ceremony and most of the town would be there. Some couldn't believe the two of them were hooking up. But it was finally happening.
As she got up and stared out the window at the empty street, she decided she wanted to take a bath. She wanted to relax and smell sweet for her wedding. She had a tub sent up to her room and a maid brought her lots of hot water. She bathed and put some lavender oil in the water and laid back to relax. Her heart was pounding.
The next morning, she was too nervous to eat, and Mrs. Jones came to help her with her dress. It was blue velvet and she had a matching hat that had an attached veil, it was perfect. Her red hair made her stand out.
Doc came by her room and told her he would walk her to the church.
People gathered from all around as many knew Lilly from the saloon. Lilly found it amusing that the good Christians of Doubtful were sitting right alongside the riff raff of the area too. She'd invited all her friends from the saloon to come. Some turned their noses up at them, others stared at them like they'd never seen them before.
The church was decorated in daisies and someone was playing the organ.
Her and doc waited in the back room until a little girl came to tell them they were ready.
Finally, the wedding march began and everyone turned to see Lilly and Doc coming down the aisle. Lilly had a brilliant smile on her face, and Doc looked very proud as everyone stared at them.
Charlie was right up front so he could see his Ma and his new Pa as they got married. He grinned when he saw his Ma. The congregation sighed at the sight of her, she was so lovely. Lilly had the most glorious head of red hair that anyone had ever seen, and today it was perfectly curled into ringlets down her back.
Cord was speechless. His loins already ached. How could he have ever left her? He'd always loved her! It hit him like dynamite going off, he'd always loved!
"Who gives this woman in holy matrimony?" The Preacher asked. He was a short thin man with a thin mustache.
"I do," Doc spoke up quickly.
Lilly joined hands now with Cord. He couldn't take his eyes from her. She was nervous but the moment she saw Cord's handsome face, all spit and polished for her in a new suit and hat, she nearly gasped. He didn't have any idea how handsome he looked in his blue suit.
Charlie and Freddie had decorated the buggy outside, and couldn’t wait until they saw all the cans they'd tied. It would surely make a lot of racket.
The preacher spoke the solemn vows over them and Cord didn't hesitate to say "I do." Lilly felt a tear run down her cheek, but it was a tear of happiness.
When the preacher told Cord he could kiss her, Cord took her into his arms and planted a more than amorous kiss to her lips. The congregation had to clear their throats to get them to stop. Cord and Lilly laughed.
Charlie ran to them and hugged them both. "Now I got a real family." He cried for all to hear. The congregation laughed.
Doc kissed Lilly.
Pedro had been Cord's best man and he kissed her on the cheek too. "You have made the boss man very happy." He smiled.
Mrs. Jones told her not to worry about Charlie, they'd get along fine. Before they left in the buggy Charlie told them, "I can't wait to get to our home!"
"Me either, honey." Lilly assured him. "I'll see you in a few days."
Charlie nodded and smiled as everyone threw rice at them.
Cord saw the buggy and turned to wink at Charlie, "Good job, son."
Then he helped Lilly into the buggy and as they waved they drove off to the cabin.
Lilly had a bag packed for the occasion.
But once they were out of town, he stopped and turned to her.
"Something wrong?" She asked.
He leaned into her, "Not a thing, Mrs. McCall." And he kissed her warmly. It was a teasing kiss letting her know there would be more of that to come.
"We did it, didn't we?" She finally breathed.
"We sure did, honey." He smiled and whipped the buggy a little faster as though getting there in a hurry was important.
The cans played a music as they hurried along.
Lilly stared out at the prairie and sighed with such contentment now. The saloon was no longer her problem. She was going to have a new home, and best of all, they were going to be a real family now.
All the bad times seemed long ago and far away.
Cord was more than a little anxious to get her to the cabin. He'd waited for this day, wanting it to be so special for her. He come out here yesterday and fixed the cabin up real nice for her, stocked food, and candles and all kinds of extras. He opened the windows to air it out and he only hoped she wasn't disappointed.
He'd never wanted to please a woman more. He suddenly realized that he'd never be lonely again. That was a feeling he wanted to covet.
As they neared the cabin, she saw daisies growing outside and smiled. "Who did that?"
"Maria, she thought of it. Thought it would be a nice touch, she said she knew you loved daisies." he said as he slowed the buggy and drove up to the cabin.
A white lace curtain blew in the slight breeze. Lilly was impressed.
"You really worked on this place didn't you?"
"A little." He smiled. He reached to take her down and couldn't help but kiss her on the way.
She swooned in his arms.
"I thought this day would never come…" He whispered in her ear. "I've been thinking about it a long time, and I want it to be special for you."
"The place is lovely." She murmured turning to look at it.
He took her hand and guided her to the door, but there he stopped and looked at her. In one swoop he picked her up in his arms and carried her over the threshold.
She chuckled.
Inside there was Champaign cooling in ice, cheese and fruit covered in a bowl and flowers for her on the table.
"It's so lovely, Cord. I never imagined you'd go to so much trouble."
"I didn't consider it a bit of trouble. I considered you."
She tiptoed to kiss his cheek.
She twirled around in her dress and he watched her, admiring her.
"I've never seen anything more beautiful coming toward me, than you this morning." He sighed holding her in his arms.
"Oh Cord, I’m almost scared to be this happy." She cried.
"Don't be scared, ever again. I'll protect you!" He kissed her long and hard.