Dorie dug her fingers into the earth and pulled up a giant-sized weed. She tossed it into a bucket along with the others she’d yanked up and wiped her brow. She’d been at it all morning, clearing the dry soil readying it for her garden. With a straw hat on her head protecting her from late morning sun she looked about her homestead with honest eyes.
It wasn’t much.
But it was hers…and Jeremiah’s.
She’d managed all these years with little help. She and Jeremiah had food enough and clothes and a roof that didn’t leak…too badly. They’d been happy in Silver Hills for the most part, but Dorie couldn’t help wondering what life would be like for her brother living in New York with the Parkers. He’d have so much more than they had now. They wouldn’t have to worry about an especially bad winter or whether Mrs. Miniver’s ladies would tire of her creations.
Jeremiah had years to go before he’d be able to make a decent living working a ranch or lumberyard. And just maybe, he’d want better for himself. Just maybe, he would love to be schooled in other things. He could become a doctor or an attorney, or go into some other fine profession.
But as Dorie gazed down at the soil she’d just tended and smoothed readying for planting, she realized she wanted to see the garden grow. She wanted to anticipate the carrots coming up and the corn lifting to the sun. She wanted to witness her flowers blooming in spring. She wanted to make her life here. And Jeremiah did, too. She’d already spoken to him about it.
She’d told the Parkers she would think about their kind offer, so she had…all night long. Yet, she couldn’t imagine leaving the only town she’d ever known or the man she loved so desperately that her heart ached to see him once again.
Dorie planted her seedlings, covering them carefully and when she heard footsteps coming around from the front of the house, she said with newfound hope, “Jeremiah, lookee here, we’re going have vegetables in a few months.”
“It’s not Jeremiah.”
Dorie snapped her head up and her heart warmed immediately. “Shane!” She rose up and lost all rational thought, seeing him looking so handsome, just a few yards away. She ran into his arms, her hat flying off her head. He welcomed her, wrapping his arms around her, tucking her head under his chin. “I knew you’d come back. I knew it, Shane. Oh, it’s so good to see you. I’ve missed you something terrible.”
She lifted her head and pressed a kiss to his mouth. He resisted for a moment which caused her a measure of uncertainty, but then he kissed her back passionately, his lips locked to hers with dire yearning.
He pulled away all too quickly. “Dorie,” he spoke quietly, his hands coming to her face, his thumbs wiping soil from her cheeks. He held her that way, his eyes searching hers. “I came with news.”
“I know the news, Shane. I know the Parkers are in town. They came for a visit. We spoke for a time and we’ve come to an understanding. I think… I think they’ve forgiven me.”
“That’s good, honey.”
“Oh, Shane. It’s so good to see you.”
“It’s good to see you, too,” he said, his tone serious.
“I must look a mess.” She wiped soil from her apron, ran a hand down her hair, trying to tidy up a bit.
Shane took both of her hands in his. “No, you don’t look a mess. You’re the prettiest thing I’ve ever seen, Dorie.”
Dorie smiled wide, her insides melting. “Thank you.”
“Let’s talk.” He led her over to the shade of the barn, his hand holding hers tightly.
It felt so good, so right being with him. She couldn’t think past that. She hadn’t known if she’d ever see him again, and here he was just four days later seemingly unable to stay away. Oh, she’d prayed for this.
Shane braced his back against the wall of the barn. Dorie faced him still holding his hand. Unable to contain her joy, she simply grinned.
Shane put his head down. He wouldn’t look at her. “Shane?”
“This isn’t easy, Dorie.”
“What’s not easy?” she asked, puzzled.
He looked into her eyes finally. “Coming here, saying what I have to say.”
“You can say anything to me, Shane. Fact is, you pretty much have in the past.”
Shane winced, then on a heavy breath, he announced, “I’m getting married tomorrow.”
“Married?” She dropped his hand and blinked her eyes. The joy she’d felt just a second ago vanished.
“Marilee is home. Barkley found her. He set the wedding for tomorrow.”
“No, Shane. No.” She shook her head fiercely then turned away from him as overwhelming grief struck her system. She didn’t even try to hold back tears.
Shane braced her shoulders from behind. “I’m sorry. I didn’t want to hurt you, Dorie. I didn’t want any of this.”
“I…didn’t think this would ever truly…happen.”
“I know, but I never lied to you, honey. This is how it has to be.”
She spun around to face him, wiping at her tears. “But tomorrow, Shane? It’s so soon. And what of Marilee?”
“She’s resigned to the marriage. Her father has given her no choice.”
Dorie closed her eyes. She halted her tears, realizing she had to face facts. Shane hadn’t lied to her about this. She’d known he was destined to marry another, but the ache of losing him sliced through her like a mortal wound. “Will you sleep with her?”
Stunned by the question, Shane snapped his head back. “She’s with child, Dorie. I won’t touch her.”
“And what about after…when she has the baby you’re intent on raising?”
“She’ll be my wife,” he said quietly.
“And you’ll be honor bound to do your husbandly duty?”
Shane’s patience seemed at an end. He flung his arms up. “Hell, I don’t know. I’ve haven’t given it a thought.”
“Well, I have! I can’t abide the thought, Shane. I can’t.”
Shane paced the small distance of the barn length with his hands on his hips. “Damn it, Dorie. Don’t think I want this. I don’t want to marry Marilee. I never did.” He turned to her then, his green eyes cast in shade and shadows looking dark as midnight. “I want you. I want you so bad I can’t sleep at night. I can’t eat a meal or take a drink without it burning in my gut.”
Dorie’s heart fluttered at his pronouncement. His words warmed her enough to thaw out the bitter cold consuming her. “Shane, there has to be a way.”
His face flamed with anger for a moment. She saw his frustration and pain and knew it matched her own. “Tell me, Dorie? I’m listening.”
“We could run off?”
Even she didn’t believe that would work, but she was desperate to find a way out of this situation.
“We can’t and you know it. And what’s worse is that I’ll be married to someone else and worrying over you, all the time.”
Dorie stood strong now, her self-respect taking a direct blow. She didn’t want Shane’s friendship any longer…or his protection. She wanted his love. She wanted to live her life with him by her side. If she couldn’t have that, then she wouldn’t have him living down the road from her, married to another woman, worrying about her. She folded her arms around her middle and lifted her chin. “You won’t have to worry about me. If you marry Marilee, I’ll leave town.”
Shane’s frustrated expression changed to bafflement. “What do you mean? You can’t leave town. Where will you go?”
“New York.”
Shane narrowed his eyes. “New York?”
She nodded and picked her pride up from the gutter. “The Parkers offered Jeremiah and me their home. They want us both, Shane. And they’d even set me up with my own dress shop. So you see, you won’t have one care about me, not one.”
“That’s where you’re wrong. I’ll always care for you. But it’s a good offer, Dorie. I’ll understand if you take them up on it.”
“You want me to go?” She couldn’t help raising her voice.
Shane ran his hand down his face before gazing into her eyes. He stepped close to her, near enough for her to see the flecks of gold sparking from his green eyes. Taking her hands in his once again, he spoke gently, “Dorie, you know what I truly want. It’s not to be. But moving to New York would be good for you and Jeremiah. You’d want for nothing and—”
“Nothing, but you,” she interrupted.
He continued on a sigh. “And you’d have a dress shop all your own. You could do what you love to do.”
“It’s always been my dream, Shane.”
“Then do it, Dorie.”
To love someone means to want what’s best for them. She recalled Mrs. Whitaker’s words. But she’d never told Dorie that doing what’s best could break your heart. Finally, she’d come to understand that there was no hope left for her and Shane. She’d had faith enough to spare, but it had all withered away the moment Shane stepped onto her land a minute ago with news of Marilee’s return.
Her mind made up, she nodded. “Guess I have no choice, either. I can’t stay here, knowing you’re…living with another woman. I can’t, Shane.”
Shane stared at her then in stony silence. He put his head down and spoke with regret. “I can’t imagine my life without you, sweetheart.”
Dorie couldn’t either. She’d expected life would have offered her better than this. In her heart she knew she’d never love another man again. She also knew that she couldn’t fathom seeing Shane and his new wife on the streets of Silver Hills with a new baby in tow. She couldn’t fathom seeing him smile at her or hold the child that should have been theirs. She couldn’t fathom aching for another woman’s husband every night in bed.
It had suddenly become clear in her mind that she had to leave the only home she had ever known. She’d regret never seeing her new garden bloom or the house painted up pretty again, but Dorie couldn’t stew on that any longer.
With sadness, she offered Shane a smile.
They stared at each other for a long moment.
And when Shane took her into his arms, she entered his embrace freely, knowing this was the last time she would ever feel his warmth. She let it seep into her, absorbing all the comfort she could.
He tipped her chin and kissed her soundly, a final farewell that lingered for more moments than was wise, Shane clinging to her this time, refusing to break the bond.
And when he did finally, his eyes softened to hers in a way they never had before. “Have a good life, Dorie.”
She swallowed, watching him turn from her and walk away.
When he was halfway through the yard, she called out, “I love you, Shane Graham!”
Shane stopped. He put his head down. She witnessed his chest heave. He didn’t look back but continued to walk away and out of her life.
She whispered quietly into the noontime air, “And I always will.”
Dorie spent the next few hours lying on her bed, sobbing. The thought of losing Shane forever was almost too much for her to bear. She loved him so. Tomorrow, he would marry another.
The past two weeks had led her down a path that she couldn’t have ever imagined. She’d kidnapped Shane, taken him hostage, implored him for help and then she’d fallen deeply in love.
Her life hadn’t been her own for so long. After losing her mother, she’d had the responsibility of raising Jeremiah. She’d struggled. They both had to keep what was theirs. She’d tried to make sense of what the Almighty had planned for them. She’d told herself that life would somehow get easier. She’d prayed for the day when she’d have some stability in her life.
Now, she had that. The Parkers had offered her a way out of the hard life she’d known. Little did she know that the very prayer that had been sent up every night for the past three years would solve her problems, yet make her the most miserable.
Dorie felt that she had no other choice. She’d been dreadfully honest when she told Shane she couldn’t live in this town knowing he was married to Marilee. Imagining him bedding her at night, putting his hands on her, making love to her, would surely destroy her. Dorie couldn’t stay in Silver Hills once Shane had married. The Parkers’ offer had come at the most opportune time. She would take them up on it.
Dorie rose from her bed. She poured water into a bowl and splashed her face with the cool liquid. Taking deep breaths she steadied her nerves. She needed to speak with her brother, to make him understand. When she heard the door slam and footsteps entering the house, she knew now was the time. “Jeremiah,” she called from her bedroom door. “Come in here.”
Within moments, Jeremiah popped his head inside her door. He took one look at her face and immediately asked, “What’s wrong?”
Dorie mustered a small smile. Her younger brother had become a blessing in her life. She noted the telltale signs of stubble developing on his otherwise baby face and realized that one day soon he’d be all grown up. “Come and sit down. I have something to tell you.”
Twenty minutes later, after explaining to Jeremiah what she felt in her heart and all the reasons the move to New York would be good for them, Dorie took his hands in hers. He’d met her with resistance at first, not understanding why they had to leave, but in the end he’d finally agreed reluctantly. “I don’t want to go,” he said.
“I know. I don’t want to either. But we must, and I bet once we’re there we might be glad of it. Trust me, Jeremiah. We’ll always be together. That won’t change.”
He slumped his shoulders and nodded. “If you think it’s best.”
“I do. It’s the only way for us now.”
“Okay,” he said quietly.
Dorie’s heart broke again seeing the trepidation and confusion on his face. She rose and helped him up, hugging him to her chest. “It’ll work out, Jeremiah,” she reassured bravely keeping doubt from her own voice. “Go into town and fetch your grandparents. Invite them to supper. They’ll be glad to see you, I’m sure. We’ll tell them together tonight.”
Once Jeremiah took off for town, Dorie set about making the meal for the Parkers. Though her heart wasn’t in it, she fussed in her kitchen, dusted the furniture and straightened out the house the best she could. Wishing she had flowers to set on her table, her thoughts turned to the garden she would never see flourish. She held back tears, refusing to cry anymore. She’d shed enough tears to fill a wishing well.
Dorie washed up then donned the blue cotton dress Shane had given her. Wearing it made her feel feminine and brought back tender memories that she kept close to her heart. She fastened the necklace the Parkers had given her around her throat and its new mate dangled prettily from her wrist. Next, she pinned up her hair partway, keeping it out of her eyes and allowing her curls to fall to her shoulders.
When Jeremiah returned riding in the Parkers’ rented buggy, she was ready. Standing outside the front door, she welcomed them graciously with the full realization that her life was about to change drastically in the next few hours.
“Hello,” Helene said, coming up the steps. She always wore the finest clothes, tonight a beautiful sunny yellow taffeta gown and a matching hat that relayed her position of great wealth, yet her smile was genuine and her face was lit with joy. Dorie had liked her from the moment they’d met, though she’d feared what both Helene and Oliver represented—a means to take Jeremiah away from her. But now, Dorie looked upon both of them differently. If truth be told, they had become surprisingly like surrogate parents to her.
“It’s good of you to come,” Dorie said graciously.
“Why wouldn’t we come?” Oliver boomed in that big voice of his. “We’d love any chance to see both of you again.” When he winked her way, Dorie’s nerves settled down.
“Come in,” she offered, “please. Supper is heating on the cookstove.”
They both entered while Jeremiah saw to the buggy and horse. “Please have a seat.” Dorie wished her sofa was in better repair, but it couldn’t be helped. She wasn’t ashamed of their home but she wondered what the Parkers’ had thought about the meager surroundings.
Helene and Oliver took a seat on the sofa.
Dorie asked, “Would you care for something to drink?”
“Not unless you’ve got a cold beer in there,” Oliver said with a grin.
Helene jabbed his arm. “Honestly, Oliver. Must you always tease?”
Dorie chuckled, releasing the tension she felt moments ago. The two seemed hopelessly devoted to each other, even through their silly bantering. “Sorry, I have no beer. But I have iced tea and lemonade.”
“No, dear. We’re just fine. Mmmm,” Helene said lifting her nose slightly. “Something smells very good.”
“It’s nothing fancy. Beef stew, vegetables and biscuits.”
“Oh, how lovely. Is there anything I can do to help?”
“No, not at all. I thought while supper is cooking we could take time to talk.” Dorie swallowed the lump in her throat. “Jeremiah and I have come to a decision about your kind offer. We, uh, would very much like—”
Loud knocking on the front door startled her from her next thoughts. Had Jeremiah been locked out? She didn’t think so. She hadn’t put the latch on the door that she could recall. “Excuse me. I can’t imagine who that would be,” she said, rising and walking to the door.
When she opened the door, the last person on earth she thought she’d ever see on her doorstep stood ramrod still, beseeching her with marked desperation in her eyes. “Hello, Dorie.”
“Marilee?”
“I’m sorry to disturb you, I must speak with you. May I come in?” She darted her gaze behind her to the path, the gate and the road beyond that. “Father doesn’t know I’m out. I have to get back home quickly.”
Dorie had never liked Marilee with her prim and proper, I’m-better-than-you ways, but she realized that most of her disdain had stemmed from Shane’s involvement with her. In truth, she didn’t know Marilee all too well. The woman standing before her now didn’t appear prim and proper at all. No, she looked frightened, determined and distressed. Seemed the roles had reversed. Dorie stood there appearing the prim one now. “Come inside,” she offered, stepping out of the way to allow Marilee entrance.
Relief registered quickly on her face the moment Marilee stepped inside. “I don’t have much time.”
“What’s wrong?” Dorie didn’t have an ounce of pity for the woman about to marry Shane Graham. What she wouldn’t do to be in her shoes. “Why are you here?”
Dorie realized that the Parkers were privy to the conversation but she didn’t feel it appropriate to make introductions. Marilee hadn’t much noticed them anyway. “I couldn’t marry Shane tomorrow without speaking with you first.”
Anger bubbled up. Had Marilee come for her approval? Well, she wouldn’t get it, or her blessing. “I know about the wedding. Shane rode over this morning to tell me.” She let go a labored sigh. “You’re getting a good man, Marilee.”
“I know, but that’s just the point.” Marilee looked Dorie directly in the eyes. “There’s no way to ask this politely. Do you love Shane?”
“With my whole heart,” she answered without hesitation. “Not that it’s any of your business.”
“It is my business. And yours, too, if you’ll hear me out.”
Dorie didn’t want to see Marilee gloat over her admission of love for the man she would marry. Marilee and her devious father had won the battle. Dorie had lost Shane. There weren’t enough words in the world to make things right now. Dorie opened the front door for Marilee as cool evening air wafted inside. “I think I’ve heard enough. What more is there possibly to say?”
But Marilee persisted refusing to use the door Dorie had opened to see her out. “So much more, if you truly love Shane.”
Shane stood in a small room behind the altar, adjusting his string tie and waiting for the ceremony to begin. Only a few weeks had passed since he’d done this very same thing, yet so much had changed in his life since then. He’d fallen in love with a young impetuous woman who had proven to be more than a match for him. He’d always admired Dorie’s courage and gumption, but now that he truly knew her spirit, he believed no other woman would ever compare to her.
No one was more surprised than Shane that his feelings ran so deep. He hated hurting her and couldn’t imagine any joy in his life without her.
He stood in that room like a man going to his own execution. When Tobias Barkley walked in dressed in a three-piece suit in true father-of-the-bride fashion, Shane’s day went from bad to worse. “What the hell?”
“You’re in the Lord’s house, boy. Be careful what you say.”
“You’re a fine one to speak about the Lord, Barkley. Last time I noted, the Lord didn’t hold much for blackmail.”
“Not blackmail, just incentive. As soon as you are properly married to my daughter, those notes I’m holding on your ranch will be burned. And as a wedding present to you and Marilee, I’ll be adding to your herd with one thousand head. A man’s got to be able to feed his wife and child properly.”
“I can provide for my…family.” Shane had trouble getting the words out. Lately, he’d come to think of Dorie and Jeremiah as his family.
“I insist. The heir to my fortune won’t want for anything. I’m just making sure of that in advance.”
“Forgive me if I don’t thank you.”
“Now, now.” Barkley slapped him on the back. “I hope we can put all this unpleasantness behind us, Shane. Soon, you’ll be married into the family, raising my grandchild.”
Barkley poked his head out the door and nodded. “Yep, soon. The church pews are all but filled. Won’t be long now. I’ll leave you. Oh, and I made sure there won’t be a repeat of what happened last time. I have men watching out for that McCabe woman. She won’t get within fifty feet of the church.”
“I don’t think you need to worry about Dorie anymore,” Shane said, “but isn’t it funny how one little woman’s got you putting up guards around the church?”
Barkley grunted and didn’t respond. When the organ music began, he said, “I’d better get to my place in church. Marilee is being stubborn. I won’t be walking her down the aisle this time, but I’ll be in the front row.”
Shane watched him leave then drew a big breath. This was his cue to walk to the altar and wait for his bride. With forced steps he made his way inside the church and stood on one side of the altar. All eyes seemed to focus on him.
He took a deep breath.
When the music stopped, heads turned toward the back of the church. Marilee stood there wearing veiled white, holding a bouquet of yellow roses.
The organist began playing again.
Marilee took a step toward him.
Shane looked at her, without really seeing. He wanted to be anywhere but here.
She took another step then another moving slowly, as if she too were walking toward her own execution.
Shane’s gut clenched.
Marilee continued on, only steps away from the altar.
Shane silently prayed for strength.
Marilee finally made her way to stand beside him.
Shane knew that this time no one would dare stop the wedding.
Marilee turned toward him, her full lacy wedding gown rustling softly in the stonily silent church.
“Shall we begin?” Reverend O’Malley asked.
Slowly, Shane nodded.
Marilee lifted her veil.
And smiled.
Shane’s heart thumped hard in his chest. He looked straight into the beautiful blue eyes of Dorie McCabe.
“Are you okay with this?” she whispered urgently.
Shane didn’t know how she managed it, but he’d never been happier in his life. “More than okay. I’ve dreamed of this.”
“Oh, Shane. So have I, but this isn’t a dream.”
By then the entire congregation had caught on. Their shocked mumblings were immediately outdone by Tobias Barkley’s boisterous outrage. “Wait a minute! What have you done with my daughter! Where is Marilee?”
Dorie spoke softly to Shane, unmindful of Barkley’s rantings. “She’s with her beau. They are probably married by now. She needed this time to get away.”
“Married? Where?” Barkley’s face nearly exploded with fury. “This is unacceptable. Graham, we had a deal!”
Shane ignored him and stared into Dorie’s eyes. “The deal’s off.”
“I’ll ruin you! You won’t have a dime to your name when I get through with you! You owe me!”
“No, he doesn’t, Barkley,” a voice boomed with clarity. “He doesn’t owe you a dime.”
Shane and Dorie turned to see Oliver Parker standing in the back of the church. He looked at Shane squarely. “My wife and I are paying off his debts as a wedding present. And we’ve bought the Whitaker place. Seems they’d like to spend some time with their grandkids back east. Jeremiah will be your partner, Shane, if you desire. He’ll help you run both ranches as one. You won’t need Barkley’s grazing land or anything else he’s held over your head.”
Barkley’s eyes bugged out then he narrowed them on Oliver Parker. “Who are you?”
“I’m Dorie’s kin and there’ll be no more threats to her or Shane from now on. Kindly leave the church. The preacher has a wedding to perform.”
Barkley darted his gaze around the church. He opened his mouth to speak then clamped it shut. He’d been defeated and he knew it. Everyone watched as he strode out of the church with purposeful steps.
Once he was gone, Shane turned back to his love. “Dorie McCabe, let’s make it real this time. I love you deeply and I’m asking you before God and all these fine people, to be my wife.”
Dorie beamed him a beautiful smile. “Yes, Shane. I’ll be your wife.”
Shane smiled also then kissed his bride-to-be. Reverend O’Malley cleared his throat and Shane apologized. “Sorry, but it’s an engagement kiss.”
“Shall we proceed with the wedding?” the minister asked.
Shane and Dorie turned to the Parkers. They were seated with Jeremiah in the back of the church, smiling.
Dorie and Shane smiled back. Then they turned to the Reverend, and Shane said, “Please, go on. I’ve been waiting all my life for this woman.” He turned to Dorie. “And I don’t want to wait another second.”
Holding Dorie’s hand in his they spoke vows from the heart ensuring that she’d never need a temporary husband again.
Dorie stood beside Shane at the front desk of the Silver Rose Hotel as he registered for their room. “Mr. and Mrs. Shane Graham.”
“It’s nice to have you and the Mrs. back, Mr. Graham,” the desk clerk said.
“It’s nice to be back,” Shane replied.
“Will you be needing anything?”
Shane shook his head then peered into Dorie’s eyes. “No, I have everything I need now.”
Dorie’s heart rippled with joy. They walked up the stairs together with smiles on their faces and once they reached the door to their room, Shane lifted her up into his arms. He carried her over the threshold and set her down gently, placing a kiss on her lips. “It’s for real now, sweetheart.”
“I’m truly your wife,” she said breathlessly.
“Finally.” Shane took her into his arms.
“Marilee came up with the perfect plan. I slept inside the church last night and when she arrived two hours before the wedding, we switched clothes in the bride’s room. It was all terribly easy.”
“My thanks go to Marilee.” Shane removed his hat.
“And what about Helene and Oliver coming to our aid just when we needed it. I surely misjudged them.”
“Uh-huh.” He loosened his string tie.
“Did you see how happy Jeremiah was? I’ve never seen him grin so much in his life.”
“Yep.” Shane unfastened his belt.
“And what of the Whitakers? I’d never have guessed they’d want to sell their ranch. I suppose Alberta wanted to spend her days with her children. But Iggy? I wonder if he’ll be happy—”
“Dorie?”
“What?”
“Get naked.”
“Oh!” Dorie gasped at her husband’s blunt command. Then she giggled and turned around, her gown swishing between them. “Undress me, Shane.”
“Gladly.”
An hour later, Dorie stood above the man she loved with her whole heart, admiring his form, the sated peaceful look on his face as he lay across the bed. She’d never tire of looking at him, of appreciating his strength and dignity.
He opened his eyes and stretched lazily. “I’m a lucky man.”
Dorie bit her lip. She still had doubts, not of his love, but at the way they’d entered into this marriage. “Are you sure about that?”
“Because, well, most men don’t get, uh…”
Puzzled, he lifted his head and looked up. “What, honey? What don’t most men get?”
Dorie hesitated a moment wondering if she should speak her mind. After all, Shane had married her. He’d spoken vows and made incredible love to her just minutes ago, yet she still needed a measure of reassurance. “They don’t get shanghaied, Shane. Not just once, but twice.”
Shane sighed then with undeniable pleasure. “I know, sweetheart. As I said, I’m a lucky man. Now, come over here. There’s something else we have to do twice and it has nothing to do with the butt end of your gun, and everything to do with making me dizzy.”
Dorie smiled and lowered herself down on the bed.
She had an understanding husband after all.
She’d shanghaied her groom.
And he’d stolen her heart.