Santa Rosa was blanketed in fog the morning of the wedding. The CLOSED sign that Rigg had hung on the doors of the mercantile the night before, was still in place long after the store should have been open.
Uncle Leo had surprised everyone by showing up on Thursday evening with his wife Ruth. It was his first visit since he’d moved to Texas. He announced that he’d come to run the store while Rigg was on his honeymoon.
This news came as more of a relief to Jeff than Rigg, since Jeff had agreed to take care of things while the bride and groom were in San Francisco. But even though Leo Riggs was on the scene, Rigg opted to keep the store closed on Saturday. That way everyone could enjoy the wedding.
Rigg had not banked on being so nervous that he couldn’t eat. Jeff had stayed the night at the house with Rigg and Sean and was able to observe his older brother in as close to a state of panic as he’d ever seen.
“Why don’t you eat some breakfast Rigg?” Jeff suggested.
“I’ll get something on my shirt.”
“You’re not wearing a shirt,” Jeff pointed out, but Rigg only stared right through him.
The wedding was set for one o’clock and, when Rigg disappeared to get dressed, he spent so much time in his bedroom that Jeff finally pounded on the door to tell him it was twelve-thirty.
Rigg hurried out, struggling into his coat and asked Jeff how he looked—something he’d never done before.
“You look good. In fact, Kate is so in love she’ll even forgive you for not shaving.”
Rigg’s hand flew to the heavy stubble on his jaw before he began tearing his jacket off with enough force to rip the seams.
“You don’t have time Rigg,” Jeff pleaded, but found himself ignored. Sean told Jeff he should have stayed quiet.
While this scene of bedlam was being played out at Rigg’s residence, a most serene bride was being helped from the wagon at the back of the church.
“Thank you, Gilbert.” Kate adjusted her skirts. “Do you suppose they’re here yet?”
“I don’t think so. Let’s get inside out of the heat.”
May had insisted that Kate go in Gilbert’s wagon and that they use the back door of the building in an effort to avoid most of the dust.
Tables had been set up under the huge trees that lined the churchyard. Arriving guests delivered every type of food, from hot dishes to fruit salads, to be shared at the reception following.
At three minutes to one, Gil joined Kaitlin in the small room in which she was waiting and told her that all the guests had been seated.
“Are they here, Gil?”
“No,” Gil answered and watched Kate in amazement. She didn’t seem to be the least bit upset that her intended was nearly late for his own wedding.
“What do you suppose happened? You don’t think Jeff is up to something, do you?”
“No, I don’t,” Gil said with conviction and then muttered, “he might do something after the fact but not before.”
“Should I be getting worried?” Kate asked but just then Bill came in with good news.
“Here’s Sean. We’re all set.”
Brother and sister were left alone to wait for the music that was to be their cue to come down the center aisle of the church.
“You’re beautiful, Kate.”
“You look quite handsome yourself.” Sean grinned over the compliment and straightened the neckline of his shirt.
“What happened to you guys?”
“We were all ready to go and then Jeff reminded Rigg that he hadn’t shaved.”
Kate giggled. “Did Rigg really forget to shave?”
“You can laugh, Katie, but I swear the man nearly panicked!” Kate was still chuckling when the music sounded and they moved into position at the back of the church. Kaitlin caught sight of Rigg and then lost him again when the congregation stood.
At the front of the church Sean handed Kate over to the waiting groom. She felt Rigg’s hand tremble within her own.
“Second thoughts?” she teased in a soft whisper.
“Absolutely not,” he assured her, his eyes dark with emotion.
The ceremony was perfect, not overly long but with everything they’d wanted. Kate thought her heart would burst when she was finally able to turn and look out over the sea of friendly faces as Mrs. Marshall Riggs. They came down the aisle, her hand in his, their smiles nearly stretching off their faces.
The reception was a delightful affair of laughter, best wishes, good food and precious fellowship.
Rigg no longer looked ready to flee and Kate teased him about being late.
“The best things come to those who wait,” Rigg teased her back and stole a pickle off her plate.
At different times throughout the afternoon, people had pressed in on the newlyweds and they’d been separated. They thought nothing of this, secure in the knowledge that eventually they’d be alone.
Kate was talking with Joey when Jeff approached and announced that he needed her inside the church. Kate figured he was taking her to Rigg who was going to tell her it was time to leave. She unsuspectingly accompanied her brother-in-law.
“Now Katie,” Jeff began to speak the moment they were indoors, “you just need to stay quiet and go along with my little plan. I promise Rigg won’t be the least bit upset with you.”
“Jeffrey,” Kate said, “what are you up to?”
“Oh, it’s just an old custom called, ‘stealing the bride.’ ”
“No!” Kate spoke adamantly and turned to leave but Jeff grasped her hand and began to hurry her toward the front of the church. He was making jokes as they went, and Kate became weak with laughter. She also didn’t believe he would really go through with this.
Kate tried to reason with Jeff but he was talking as fast as he could and she couldn’t do anything to make him release her hand. Jeff stopped at the front of the church and opened a small door.
“In you go.”
“Not on your life,” she refused. Kate glanced into a small room, little more than a cubicle really, and gasped in surprise. Jeff had set a chair and small table in place on which sat a cup filled with something and a plate full of food.
“How long have you been planning this?”
“Since I found out Rigg was in love with you and if you don’t get in there right now, you’re going to ruin all my work.”
Kate looked at him indulgently. “Jeff,” she said with the patience of Job. “There is nothing to keep me in there, just as soon as you walk away, I’ll let myself out.”
“That’s a risk I’ll have to take,” Jeff told her sagely.
Kate shook her head, but being the good sport she was, she walked in and sat down. Jeff grinned, winked at her and shut the door.
“I hope you’ll forgive me Kate!” Jeff said softly as he flipped the small lock shut—a lock that Kaitlin hadn’t noticed. “Now that I think about it,” Jeff said, still speaking out loud, “I hope Rigg forgives me.”
“Where in the world is Katie?” May asked her newly married son.
“I don’t know. I haven’t seen her for about fifteen minutes. But she was talking with Joey just before I saw Jeff come and claim her.”
“Well, if you see her, please ask her to find me. I want her to meet the Crawfords.” May sailed off at that point to check on the food.
Rigg was stopped by a few more people but he answered them a bit distractedly. Where was his wife? Rigg checked with his father, Sean, Marcail, and then Nate. He’d decided to run Jeff and Gil down and question them when he spotted them in deep conversation at the edge of the reception. The closer he got to them, the more convinced he was that Kaitlin had not disappeared on her own.
“All right, where is she?”
“Who?” Jeff’s face was angelic.
“You know who!” Rigg said with a smile.
“You’re not having trouble keeping track of your wife already are you Rigg?” Jeff was appalled. “Now, let me see, why it’s only four-thirty! Married just these few hours and already apart. That’s not good, Rigg my boy, not good at all.”
Rigg was trying very hard not to laugh. Gil, on the other hand, had succumbed until tears came to his eyes. Jeff opened his mouth to start again when suddenly the shoe was on the other foot.
“Hello Rigg. Hello Jeff and Gilbert.” Kate’s voice was saccharine sweet. “I’m sorry I was gone so long, but a certain gentleman detained me. He insisted that I sit down in private, and have a bite to eat.”
Jeff’s eyes were sparkling with laughter and he gave Kate a mock bow. “You, madam,” he stated with great finesse, “are a worthy opponent.”
“Thank you.”
“Just what did he do with you?” Rigg finally asked.
“I’ll tell you later, after we’re on our way. Hopefully by the time we return, you won’t want to strangle him.” Gil began to laugh again and Jeff joined him. Rigg broke into their glee.
“Speaking of being on our way—” the bridegroom let the sentence hang.
“I’ll get my things.” Kate said good-bye to her brother-in-laws, her eyes telling Jeff he was forgiven.
“How did you get out of there?” Jeff whispered when he hugged her.
“Joey followed us and witnessed the whole thing.” Kate’s smile was so audacious that Jeff roared.
They took some time to say their good-byes to the family and remaining friends. Their plans for a honeymoon trip began in town with supper at the hotel and then back to their own home for the night. They would board the mid-morning stage the next day and start in the direction of San Francisco.
When they arrived in the city they’d stay at Aunt Maureen’s for a few days before taking the stage home again. A substitute teacher had come for the following week and Rigg left without a qualm, knowing Uncle Leo was in charge.
The days in San Francisco were idyllic as they toured the city by day and spent most of their evenings in the privacy of their lavish bedroom, having supper and falling even deeper in love with every minute they spent together.
“We start home tomorrow,” Rigg said almost sadly; it was their last night at Aunt Maureen’s.
“I’m looking forward to getting back.”
“You are?”
“Mmm hmm. My class will call me Mrs. Riggs. Doesn’t that sound wonderful?”
“Indeed it does. But I know something that sounds even better.”
“What’s that?”
“I love you Kaitlin, and praise God for our marriage.”
Kate gaped at him. He’d said the words in perfect Hawaiian. “How did—”
“Sean’s been working with me ever since I proposed.”
“Say it again.”
Rigg obliged. Kate, laughing in delight, threw her arms around her husband.
“The language isn’t important you know,” Rigg said as he kissed her softly. “No matter how I say it Katie, I’m head over heels in love with you.”