"Mama will be upset about the rain," Janie said softly.
They were the only two in their bedroom, so there was no worry of being overheard. They'd rushed home after the Sunday morning service to don the dresses Mama had splurged on. Rob and Nathan waited at the church with their wedding guests.
Liza caught Janie's eye in the looking glass as she checked that her hair hadn't come out of the braided bun Janie had so carefully designed and grinned.
"Will you miss Mama fussing over you?" Liza asked.
Janie considered the question, her head tilting slightly. "Maybe a little."
Mama's hovering had been even more persistent in the two weeks before the double wedding. Rob had stayed overnight with Nathan that first night but then had to return to Sheridan. He'd arrived on yesterday's train and spent all afternoon with the Bennetts.
Liza had apologized to Rob on more than one occasion, like when Mama had attempted to make a four-course meal, most of which had been inedible.
Rob had borne it with a patient smile, and when she'd brought it up again on a private walk, he'd kissed her to distraction and reminded her she'd be far away from Mama soon enough.
Janie's lips quivered slightly. "I can't believe you'll be in Sheridan."
Liza turned to her sister, reaching for her hand. "It's not so far. We'll come down for Christmas. Maybe sooner."
Janie sniffled. "And Nathan and I can come to you."
"See? It'll be fine. Besides, Nathan is so besotted with you that he won't allow you time to be lonely for me."
Janie giggled. "I never knew it was possible to be this happy."
"Shall we return to the church before the men wonder if we've changed our minds?"
Janie nodded. "Let me check your skirt once more."
Liza whirled, the pale blue fabric she'd chosen for her wedding gown floating around her.
"It's perfect," Janie said.
"Now you."
Janie turned, the pale pink gingham hugging her slender curves in all the right places, the skirt flaring around her ankles.
"You're beautiful," Liza said.
Janie clutched her hands. "Promise you'll write once a week."
Liza laughed. "I'm not sure I'll have that much news to share. I expect Rob won't make me cross quite that often."
He'd felt badly about the ranch calling him away in light of their engagement and had returned with a stack of letters hand-delivered. She'd only had time to read two before exhaustion had overcome her last night. She couldn't wait to read his words of love in the rest.
She pulled Janie through the bedroom door, where Papa and Mama and Kitty waited to walk with them to the church.
Mama dissolved into tears the moment she spied Janie.
It was Papa's hug for Liza that almost sent her into her own spate of tears as he gave a wet sniffle. "I'll miss you, Liza dear."
"I'll miss you too, Papa."
But her heart tripped with excitement as they pressed out the apartment door and outside.
"Mrs. Bennett will complain about the weather all afternoon," Nathan murmured.
Rob considered his friend. "Do you mind very much?"
Nathan grinned. "Nothing can ruin this day for me."
They stood together near the front of the tiny Calvin church, waiting for Janie and Liza.
A small crowd of friends and the preacher had remained in the sanctuary after the morning service. They spoke in low voices, leaving Rob and Nathan to their own devices.
Danna and Chas sat on the front row with their toddler daughter and their adopted daughter, Katy. Danna was beaming. When he'd broken the news of his engagement, she'd confessed to her suspicions all along. His sister, the detective.
Janie appeared first in the open double doors, and Rob heard Nathan's quick intake of air.
For certain, Janie was lovely, but it was Liza's appearance on her father's other arm that put a catch in his own breathing.
Liza was beautiful. He'd seen her during the worship service, but she looked different now. It wasn’t just the dress, either. It was the love shining in her eyes that seemed brighter than ever. He hoped seeing her never got old. That he never forgot the feeling—the outright joy that suffused him right now.
She smiled, her gaze never leaving his. Her eyes were shining, like she might be close to tears.
For so many weeks, this moment had seemed out of reach. His every dream was coming true. He was marrying Liza.
The trio reached the end of the carpeted floor runner, and Mr. Bennett handed off both girls.
Rob took Liza's hands in his, peripherally aware of Nathan and Janie linking hands as well.
"You look beautiful," he whispered.
Soft pink rose in her face. "You already told me,” she whispered back. “This morning."
"I'll probably tell you again before the day is over."
Her eyes sparkled up at him.
The preacher started talking, and Rob clasped her hands, content to hold her as the man talked about God's love and the institution of marriage. And then it was time to exchange vows.
Nathan was first. Rob heard the catch in his friend's voice as he promised his life to Janie.
And then it was Rob's turn.
His voice was rough with emotion as he repeated after the preacher. "I take thee, Liza, to be my wedded wife, to have and to hold from this day forward, for better for worse, for richer for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish, till death us do part."
Her eyes sparkled with tears as she looked up at him while Janie promised her life to Nathan. He squeezed her hands in his, blessed beyond measure that Liza had chosen him.
She repeated her vows. "I take thee, Rob Darcy, to be my wedded husband, to have and to hold from this day forward, for better for worse, for richer for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love, cherish, and to obey, till death us do part."
The swell of emotion wouldn't be contained, and he had to clear his throat.
Her return smile was tremulous. And then the preacher pronounced them husband and wife.
Rob cupped Liza's jaw and brushed a kiss across her lips. Applause rose from their guests as they turned to face the crowd.
He leaned close to whisper, "Nathan has a surprise."
Janie found her joy could grow beyond what she'd known only this morning.
Nathan had hired a photographer all the way from Denver, Colorado, to take several tintypes of the wedding party.
When she protested the expense, he only laughed and kissed her.
"I want to remember this day for always," he said.
Looking up at his joy-filled expression, so did she.
The only gray cloud was Mindy's absence. Though Nathan had written and invited her, her answer had been an unequivocal no. Janie prayed daily for the relationship to be repaired, but only time would tell if Mindy softened toward her half-brother.
Nathan didn't let go of Janie, even when the photographer tried to separate them, even when the family laughed.
And then when everyone else had walked down the boardwalk to the shop to partake of the wedding cake Mama had made, Nathan pulled her to a stop.
She looked at him questioningly, and he pulled a small paper-wrapped package from behind his back. "The tintypes weren't the only wedding gift."
"What? Nathan..."
His boyish grin melted her heart. "Here."
She unwrapped the paper to discover a small music box.
"Nathan.” She studied the beautiful piece, imagined what it must have cost. “You shouldn't have. It's too much."
He bussed a kiss on her cheek. "You're my wife. Spoiling you is my prerogative."
His wife.
After what she'd been through in Cottonwood Cove, she'd never thought to hear the words.
She'd never expected Nathan. Hadn't known a love so pure and true existed.
She tilted her chin up, inviting a kiss, which he eagerly supplied. She stayed in his arms, content beyond anything she'd ever felt.
When he pulled away, reminding her in a whisper that they were expected, she couldn't help hugging him close once more.
"I love you," she whispered.
"I love you, Janie. For always."
"For always."