CHAPTER 31

JUNE 3, 1899

Melinda stood as impatient as a child on Christmas morning while Emma secured sprigs of waxed jasmine petals to her wedding veil.

“Yar for sure the most beautiful bride in all the world,” Emma declared, taking a step back. “It was most generous of Mrs. Mifflin to pay for the gown. A pretty penny that must have cost her.”

It had been a surprise that the Mifflins had not only insisted on being invited to the wedding but had taken up the position of parents of the bride. Aided by the McKinleys, they had insisted that Evan and Melinda marry in a beautiful clubhouse wedding. And because this request had come from investors and the President of the United States himself, Victor Morley and the other investors had readily agreed. They asked only that the couple wait until after the official island season had concluded.

“I still can’t believe Mrs. Mifflin did this,” Melinda said, touching her hand to her neck and the turquoise and silver pin Evan had given her last Christmas. The high-necked bodice made the perfect place to display the family keepsake.

“Well, ya look grand.” Emma wiped a tear from her eye.

“As do you,” Melinda said, motioning to the woman’s new gown. “I think you should always wear that shade of blue.”

“Mrs. Mifflin called it niagara.” Emma turned to show off the dress, which was a hue somewhere between turquoise and peacock blue. “And your brother said it shimmers like the falls themselves.”

“That it does. You look like quite the grand lady.”

A knock sounded on the door, and Emma hurried to answer. “Why Harland, and don’t ya look like the grand master himself in that new suit.”

Melinda smiled as Harland stepped into the room. “I’m nothing compared to the two of you.”

Taking hold of his hand, Melinda hugged him close. “How is Evan holding up?”

“He’s mighty impatient. I’m here to tell you that it’s time to get on with this affair. Pastor Webley had to fight to keep him from coming here himself.”

Emma laughed. “Well, we’d best get this affair underway then. Tell Lawrence that we have a bride in need of an escort down the aisle and request the music to begin.”

Harland nodded. “I’ll do just that.” He leaned over and gave Melinda a quick peck on the cheek. “I wanted to be the first to do that. Blessings on this marriage and your life here on Bridal Veil.”

Melinda fought back tears. “Thank you, Harland. I’m so glad you were well enough to come and stand with Evan. You mean the world to him. You are practically the only family he has.”

“Then you must do your duty and remedy that matter quickly.” He turned to walk to the door. “I’m thinking Evan would like a dozen or so children now that he’s been promoted.”

Melinda felt her cheeks grow hot, but she said nothing. Instead, as Harland left she took up her bouquet of flowers and drew a deep breath. “I’m ready,” she said in a barely audible voice. “I feel as though I’ve waited forever for this day, and now that it’s here . . . well . . . it all seems to be happening so fast.”

“The best days pass quickly. That’s why God gives us memories.” Emma gave Melinda’s arm a gentle squeeze.

Just then the door opened a fraction of an inch, and Garrison O’Sullivan called out. “Are you ladies ready to put an end to our misery?”

Emma laughed and pulled open the door. “And fer sure ya’ll be a sight more miserable if ya don’t mind yar wild manners.”

He gave her a wink. “I’ll be teachin’ ya all about me wild manners after we get these two hitched.”

Lawrence entered the room behind him, and Melinda’s breath caught in her throat. “You look like Papa.”

He came alongside Melinda and took hold of her arm in a most gentle fashion. “And you look like a princess.”

“Thank you for being here to give me away.” Melinda gazed into her brother’s eyes. “And thank you for agreeing to mend your ways. It’s the best possible wedding gift to hear that you will put aside gambling.”

“Well, what with a full-time job offer from the investors, I could hardly refuse.” Lawrence leaned down and kissed her cheek. “Besides, we all have to grow up at some point.”

“Papa and Mama would be proud.”

He nodded and smiled. “Indeed they would—especially of you.” He reached up to pull her veil into place. “Come along, princess. Your prince awaits.”

Evan watched as Emma made her way down the aisle of the little church. He’d never seen her so grandly attired, but the older woman looked quite regal and very happy. She threw him a wink before stepping to the side opposite of where he and Harland stood.

The congregation stood just then, and the piano boomed out in a wonderful wedding melody. Evan wiped his moist hands against his suit coat and gave a small tug at the mail-coach cravat Mr. Mifflin had helped to secure at his neck.

And then the moment he’d waited for came, and Melinda, gowned in white satin, appeared in the doorway on the arm of her brother. Evan swallowed hard, unable to push down the knot that had formed in his throat. She was beautiful—angelic, like something from a dream. Her veil hid some of the details of her face, but Evan knew without a doubt that she was smiling.

Pastor Webley stepped forward as Lawrence came to a stop with Melinda on his arm. “Dearly beloved, we are gathered together here in the sight of God, and in the face of this congregation, to join together this man and this woman . . . in holy matrimony. Who giveth the bride?”

Lawrence grinned at Evan. “I do . . . her brother.” He extended Melinda’s hand to Evan and pressed his hand atop Evan’s as he took hold of her. “Treat her right or you’ll answer to me.”

Evan nodded. “I promise you, I will.”

Lawrence then stepped back and took his seat as the pastor continued. Evan hoped Melinda didn’t feel the trembling in his hand as he tucked her arm against his. He thanked God for bringing the two of them to this point. His only regret was that his mother hadn’t lived to know Melinda. He was sure they would have been the closest of friends.

The vows were given and repeated and the rings exchanged. Before Evan knew it, Pastor Webley was instructing him to kiss his bride. His heart swelled with joy as he lifted his wife’s veil and could see her face in full.

She smiled and whispered, “My husband.”

“Beloved,” he murmured and settled his lips on hers for a most passionate kiss.

“Where are you taking me?” Melinda asked as Evan drove the buggy farther from the clubhouse and past the hunting lodge. She looked at him in confusion.

“It’s a surprise.” Evan snapped the reins to hurry the horse a bit.

Making their way along a lovely little lane, Melinda was surprised when a small cottage came into sight. She’d never seen the little house before, but it was quite fetching. Someone had gone to a great deal of trouble to pattern it after some of the grander dwellings but on a much smaller scale.

Evan pulled the horses to a stop in front of the house and set the brake. “Well, what do you think?”

Melinda looked at him in confusion. “About what?”

He laughed and jumped down from the carriage. “Our new home—Mr. Morley’s gift to us for as long as I’m overseeing Bridal Veil Island.”

Her eyes grew wide and her heart leapt. “Ours? Truly?”

Evan helped her down from the buggy. “Ours indeed. I think you’ll be quite pleased. Mr. Morley spared no expense. He said he was under the direction of the investors and the president himself to make us a suitable place to start our new life.”

Melinda shook her head. “I can scarcely believe it. It’s beautiful.”

“As are you.” Evan lifted her into his arms.

Melinda giggled and wrapped her arms around his neck.

“I know you didn’t like the wait, but I promise you now that we’re married . . . you’ll realize just how worthwhile the delay was. I want to give you the best life.” He leaned down to kiss her forehead as he carried her toward the house. “I never want you to be afraid of going hungry or of having a roof over your head.”

Melinda sighed and buried her face against his neck. A hint of bayberry and spice tickled her nose. The heat of the day bore down on them, but she didn’t mind at all. To be in his arms was all that she had ever wanted.

“God purposed our lives together.” Evan stepped up to the porch and shifted her enough to open the screen door. “And I intend to honor that purpose by making you a promise here and now. The same promise I gave in our ceremony. I will love and cherish you, Melinda Colson Tarlow. Every day, every moment.”

She tightened her hold on him as he carried her over the threshold. Her heart nearly burst with joy. The long wait was over, and God had blessed them on their journey. The love He had given them was richer than she could have ever imagined.

Looking up, Melinda met his intense gaze. “And I will love and cherish you, my most precious Evan . . . with all of my heart . . . always and forever.”