Joy walked the aisle with her father toward her future—Walker. Dressed in a tux he looked so handsome and he smiled so lovingly that it sent sunbeams through her heart. In front of her, Misty's gossamer wings glittered. She was truly a wee-one fairy princess.
Remembering Misty's reaction when Joy had stepped off the train a month earlier sent more sunbeams through her heart. The little girl had jerked free of her Aunt Octavia's hand and run to Joy, throwing her arms around her legs, and shouting, "Joy, Joy! You're back!" From that day until now, the child had talked every day.
For Misty's sake, Joy had planned a fairy tale wedding, and Walker had hired a photographer from Portland to capture magical moments from the wedding and reception.
Amidst ooohs and aaahs from the guests, they reached the altar. Pastor Pearly asked, "Who gives this woman to this man?"
Joy heard the catch in her father's voice when he said, "Her mother and I." Then he leaned over to kiss her cheek before placing her hand in Walker's. Walker also lifted her hand to kiss it, and the guests sighed audibly.
While planning their wedding Walker had said with conviction that it would be talked about for years to come because, to his knowledge, no one had ever been to a fairytale wedding. Everywhere flowers and greenery abounded with miniature fairies hiding beneath petals and leaves, thanks to Mrs. Piper's sewing skill. Even now, a tiny tot said, "Mama, there's another fairy!"
Joy glanced up at Walker and they both laughed. Then she turned her head to see her loved ones and smiled. Every member of her family had made the journey from Two Rivers, and rather than separate the groom's family from the bride's, they had all mingled together, with Aunt Zena sitting in their midst beside Joy's cousin, Eva. Her cousin was beautiful beyond words, with a heart to match.
On the other side of Eva sat Cookie. Her friend gave a big wave. Joy had recently confided to Cookie that she considered her to be the sister she never had, and the girl had placed her head in her hands and wept the words, "I never thought I'd be part of a fam'ly again. Thank you, Joyrider!"
Joy thought about the surprise she and Walker had for Cookie. After returning from their honeymoon, they were going to announce their purchase of the milliner's shop. Cookie would now have the business she'd always dreamed of. When she and Walker had approached the proprietress about possibly buying her out, the woman had been overjoyed. She'd said it was an answer to prayer because her arthritis was making it difficult to continue her craft, and she wanted to move to Seattle to be with her son.
Joy glanced at the pew behind Cookie where Crusty sat with his ladylove, Aliza. He winked at Joy. The revelation that he was the author of the famous book, Stage Coaches West, still amazed her. His secret had been discovered when her Uncle Luke, meeting Crusty and Aliza after their arrival for the wedding, said, "Laird Decker, is that you?" Crusty had looked dumbfounded, and slowly nodded. Luke had extended his hand. "We met years ago in New York when you received the Western Writers' Award. This is certainly an honor, sir."
Crusty had shaken Luke's hand and said, "From the first time Joy chastised me on the train for my rudeness, I knew she was special. But finding out that Luke Samson, alias Dawson Jeffries is her uncle, goes above and beyond the realm of coincidence. Luke Samson, you are my favorite author."
Luke had replied, "As you are mine. Perhaps we should think about collaborating."
Joy sighed with contentment and shifted her gaze back to Walker as Pastor Pearly began the ceremony. Silence blanketed the sanctuary while she and her beloved promised to love and cherish each other until death. Inwardly, Joy smiled. Her experience had revealed that not even death had power over love.
Finally, the pastor said those miraculous words, "I now pronounce you husband and wife. Walker, you may kiss your bride!"
Walker grinned at Joy and bent to kiss her long and deep. The guests sighed yet again. Then the pastor asked the newlyweds to turn and face the congregation. Joy laughed when Walker reached to lift Misty into his arms and her wings bumped his nose. Placing her hand in the crook of her husband's elbow, the three of them happily exited the church amidst shouts of congratulations.
Joy's eyes sparkled as they descended the church steps under showers of rice. She now wore many hats: wife, mother, homemaker, artist, teacher, and she loved every one of them.