13
Lexa and Sammy could do nothing but stare at Travis Buchanan that evening, and Danny blushed to the roots of her hair every time he glanced in her direction. Eddie had never seen her sisters behave this way. She had exchanged more than one amused glance with Robert as well as Travis.
When Travis first arrived with their father, he, Robert, Morgan, Jackie, and Eddie all ended up visiting in the living room. The younger girls were helping with dinner, but they thought of innumerable reasons to come and ask something of Eddie or Jackie. At one point, Eddie mentally shook her head.
A rancher by trade, Travis looked the part in his dark jeans and cowboy boots. His wavy, dark brown hair was a little long on his neck, but his eyes were light blue and clear as a child’s. His teeth were startlingly white against his rugged features, and he was taller than Robert by two inches. His manner toward the family was courteous and gentle, and Eddie could tell that the girls felt very special when he spoke to them. Travis was very handsome, but the way her sisters were acting, she’d have thought they had never seen a man before.
Eddie was relieved when it was time for them to go off to bed. Even Jackie, who had been the only one not staring, was sent on her way, and the adults were finally alone. Eddie was on the verge of apologizing, but Morgan hadn’t noticed a thing and began to question Travis about the cattle business.
“How many head do you have?”
“About 1500. It fluctuates.”
“And to whom do you sell?”
“Whoever is buying. We drive cattle into the Denver stockyards and as far as Cheyenne.”
Morgan leaned forward intently. “How many men do you have working for you?”
“That varies with the season. I need more hands during roundup and less in the winter months.”
“Do you have trouble with thieves?”
Addy cleared her throat, and Morgan turned to her and smiled sheepishly. “Am I monopolizing the conversation, dear?”
Addy smiled in return. “Something like that. Sammy asked if you would come up and kiss her good-night.”
“All right. If you’ll excuse me,” Morgan said to the room at large and exited silently.
“I wonder if the girls will ever get to sleep tonight,” Addy commented. “It must be the wedding. I’ve never seen them this distracted.”
Eddie tried to stop herself, but at that moment she looked at Robert and they both burst out laughing.
“What did we miss?” Travis asked as his confused gaze met Addy’s.
“I don’t know,” replied the equally confused hostess.
“Mother,” Eddie nearly gasped. “They weren’t distracted; they were beheaded. And it’s not the wedding; it’s Travis. I’ve never seen Danny blush so many times in my whole life.”
Addy finally caught on. Her amused gaze went to Travis, who now understood as well. “Should I be worried that you’re going to elope with one of my daughters, Mr. Buchanan?”
Travis chuckled. “As lovely as they are, Mrs. Fontaine, I’m not in the market for a wife.”
They all laughed before Addy changed the subject and asked Robert if they were settled in at Mitch’s.
“Yes, we are. It’s very hospitable of him.” Robert hesitated. “He seemed tired, however.”
“Yes,” Addy agreed. “I don’t think he feels well. The winter is dragging on, and I think the wedding is on his mind. I might suggest he go see Doc Edwardson after next weekend.”
“He mentioned that he had something special for Eddie and me.”
“Oh, yes,” Eddie said, remembering that Uncle Mitch had said something to her before.
“He asked if we would come by sometime early next week and stay for dinner, just the two of us.”
“Oh,” Addy said, and Eddie turned to her and smiled.
“Do you know what it is?”
“Yes,” Addy smiled in return. “You’re going to be very pleased.”
Eddie was still smiling over this when Morgan joined them once again. They talked much too late. The following day was a workday, but a week was such a short time, and they all felt anxious for every moment.
Robert and Travis finally made their way to the back door of the store, through the shadowy interior, and up the stairs to Mitch’s rooms. His apartment had a door at the top of the stairs, but the main part of the living area was down a hallway, where the apartment split into several smaller rooms, all on one side. One room was a kitchen and dining area, and one was Mitch’s sitting room. The rest were bedrooms. Some of the rooms connected, and others stood alone. The original builder and owner had probably intended to rent the rooms out, but Mitch kept them for himself.
Now the two guests moved as silently as possible in order not to disturb their host. Once in their room, which sported two small beds, they found he had left a lantern burning.
“Well, what did you think?” Robert whispered as both men sat on their own beds to undress.
“I think you’re marrying the kindest woman God put on the earth.”
Robert smiled, his chest filling on a huge sigh of contentment. “She’s wonderful. That big house has been just plain lonely without her.”
“It isn’t long now.”
“No.”
The men were silent as they continued to ready for bed. Robert was under the covers first and said, “It’s too bad Jackie’s not a little bit older.”
“It wouldn’t matter, Robert; she would still seem too young. Even Eddie seems young.”
Robert raised up on one elbow and stared across the room.
“I don’t know what you mean, Travis. You’re younger than I am by three years.”
“It’s not a measurement in years, Robert. Eddie is very mature, and she’s going to make you a wonderful wife.” Travis fell silent then, and Robert gave him a moment. “I haven’t shared a lot with you, Robert, but my life before Christ was pretty worldly. I did a lot of wandering. I look into the eyes of those sweet girls, and I know they haven’t seen anything of what this sinful world has to offer.”
This Robert could understand. A man wanted a wife who would understand him, and even have an understanding of what he was thinking before he said it. Eddie had done that on countless occasions in her letters; she could read between the lines and guess Robert’s thoughts before he voiced them. Travis was not saying he wanted a worldly wife, just one who would understand where he’d been.
“I’m glad you told me, Travis.”
“Yeah, me too. Good-night, Robert.”
“Good-night, Travis.”
“Now,” Mitch’s eyes sparkled, his color looking better than it had all week, as he locked the front doors of the store and turned to his niece and Robert. “I’ve made some dinner, but first I want to give you your gift.”
Eddie smiled in anticipation. Mitch’s mood was infectious.
“My gift to you is to pick out anything you’d like.”
Eddie gasped. “Oh, Uncle Mitch, how sweet.” She turned to Robert. “How shall we ever decide?”
Robert looked surprised as well and shrugged helplessly. “I don’t know.”
“Well, there must be many things you need, settling into a new home and starting a life together,” Mitch said with vigor as he began to move about the store. “You’re sure to need this satchel, Eddie. And here, Robert, is your shaving brush in good shape? This hairbrush is a good one; I’ve carried this brand for years. And these gloves, Eddie. Even if yours are in good shape now, you could lose one on the trip to Boulder.”
It took Eddie and Robert a moment to realize he meant anything and everything they needed. Eddie was shaking her head, but Mitch spoke with the firmest voice she’d ever heard from him.
“I want to do this, Edwina. You’re my niece, and I have a store full of goods that you won’t be able to shop for in the future. I will do this.”
Both Robert’s and Eddie’s protests stopped in their mouths. They nodded and let Mitch move about the entire store, selecting things for their home or
their own personal needs. Eddie was feeling overwhelmed but managed to mention the shipping cost.
“There’s no need to worry about that,” Mitch told them. “I’ve two trunks in the back that belonged to your Aunt Clara. We’ll load those up, and they’ll go with you.”
Eddie’s sigh was heartfelt, and she hugged Mitch tenderly.
“You’ll have to come and see us, Uncle Mitch, to see how we’ve used all these things you’ve given us.”
Mitch patted her back. “I’m getting a little old to be traveling about, honey.”
Eddie only smiled. “Well, we’ll be back often, and we can write and tell you everything in between.”
Mitch only smiled.
“I’d better run to check on this dinner you have started,” Eddie offered, moving toward the stairs with graceful strides. Mitch watched her go, but then looked back to see Robert studying him intently. The younger man thought about Eddie’s words but saw the truth in Mitch’s eyes. The older man was very aware that he’d been found out. It took a moment, but his voice finally came low and solemn to Robert’s ears.
“I don’t want anything to spoil this Saturday for her. Do you understand that, Robert?”
“Yes, sir, I do.”
Mitch’s hand came out, and they shook. Robert thanked him, but it was an effort to push the words around the tightness in his throat.
“Uncle Mitch, Robert, I’ve put supper on.”
“We’ll be right up,” the older man called. With one more glance at each other, they started toward the stairs.
14
Eddie and Robert’s wedding day broke crisp and clear, the sun shining off the snow and nearly blinding the Fontaine family as they headed to the church. Eddie’s face was pale with excitement. Seeing it, Jackie reached to squeeze her hand. The older girl didn’t notice. Lexa directed a question to her oldest sister, and her response, or rather lack thereof, was the same. Jackie looked to Lexa and shrugged.
“I hope I get married someday,” Sammy said with a wistful sigh.
“Are you also hoping that Travis Buchanan will wait for you?” her mother asked from the front seat.
Surprisingly, Sammy didn’t blush. “He’s so handsome” was her only comment, and Addy watched as a smile widened Morgan’s mouth.
“You must think it’s funny,” Addy said softly for his ears.
“No.” The smile was still in place. “I just remember a young woman saying much the same thing when she didn’t know that a certain young man was listening.”
Addy smiled as well. “I knew you were there all along, Morgan Fontaine, and we both know I married you only because you were so homely I knew that no one else would have you.”
All the girls, save the still-dreamy Eddie, wanted to know why their father was laughing, but he refused to tell. However, they could do their own figuring when Morgan brought the sleigh to a halt in front of the church and exuberantly kissed his wife.
An hour later Addy fussed with Eddie’s dress and veil as Morgan, with Jackie at his side, looked on. Jackie’s dress was a velvet in a deep burgundy color, but Eddie’s was cream-colored satin, overlaid with lace across the entire bodice, up the high neckline, and down the long sleeves. When the mother–of–the–bride had finished her tucking and adjusting, she stood back and smiled at her lovely daughter.
“You’re the most beautiful bride in the world, Eddie. Robert will be so pleased.” Eddie smiled and the women embraced.
“I’d best get to my seat,” Addy said to Morgan, and he saw her to the door. “Come outside with me, Jackie,” Addy called before she left. “That way you can tell Eddie and your father that it’s time to start down.”
“All right.”
The door closed softly at that point, leaving Morgan and Eddie alone. Morgan turned to look at his daughter, his throat feeling oddly tight.
“Well,” she said softly, “this is it.”
“Yes,” Morgan said inadequately, but then his head tipped to one side. “It’s too bad that a man can’t experience this before it actually involves him.”
“What do you mean?”
Morgan sighed. “Your mother married me against her father’s wishes. I haven’t thought about what that day might have felt like for him until right now. You go with my blessing, but there’s no way Robert can understand how I’m feeling until it’s his turn to stand with his own daughter.”
Eddie wanted to cry with the thought, but she forced herself to ask, “And how do you feel right now?”
“Proud,” Morgan told her without hesitation. “Prouder than I’ve ever been in my life, but sad because you’re leaving. I know we’ll see each other, but it won’t be the same ever again.”
Eddie nodded. She’d had the same thoughts so many times.
“Change is not bad,” she said softly, “but neither is it easy. I’ll miss you more than I can say.”
Morgan hugged her, and just ten minutes later Jackie announced that it was time. Eddie went very white upon hearing those words, but Morgan whispered words of encouragement, and it wasn’t long before she was given over to Robert’s waiting hand. Her heart calmed then, but the whole thing overwhelmed her just a little. Robert was pale himself, and Eddie knew he was feeling the same rush of emotion. The ceremony was over before she knew it, and family and friends were crowding around them to offer congratulations.
They stayed at the church for over an hour, talking and thanking people for coming, before Travis reminded them that they needed to get to the house. Morgan, Addy, Mitch, and the younger girls had all left, as had most of the guests, but Jackie, as maid of honor, was standing by to go with the bride, groom, and Travis, who had stood as best man.
“I think we had better get on our way,” he suggested. “They’re probably waiting for you.”
Eddie didn’t need to be asked twice. They had worked hard on the reception, and many people had offered to help. She wanted to be on hand to thank them all in person.
Travis bundled them all in the large sleigh, pulled by Mitch’s team of matched black geldings. Jackie was in front with the best man and the newlyweds were in the back. They were no more settled in the seats when Robert grabbed Eddie and gave her a long, hard kiss.
“We’re going to be entertaining everyone in town for the next several hours, so I thought I’d do that while I had the chance.”
Eddie laughed in sheer delight and leaned to kiss him again.
“I think they’re acting up back there,” Jackie said loudly to Travis.
“I think you’re right. I myself am blushing just at the thought.”
They pulled into the Fontaine yard amid much laughter. Sure enough, it looked as if the whole town had already arrived. Eddie couldn’t think how they would all fit in, but they managed. Food was served immediately, and folks stayed for hours. The cakes were delicious. With tears in her eyes, Eddie thanked her mother and Elaine Taggart for all their hard work. Both of the older women looked utterly drained, but when most of the guests had gone on their way, family and close friends gathered in the Fontaine living room to watch Robert and Eddie unwrap their gifts. Uncle Mitch had asked to be excused, and Morgan had run him to the store, but Travis and the Taggart family were present.
Jackie and Clayton ended up on chairs close together. Other than smiling at Clayton a few times that day, they’d had no chance to talk. Clayton glanced at her lovely profile and wanted to tell her that she looked beautiful in her new dress, but there was something vulnerable about her right then and he refrained. It occurred to him very suddenly that this was the end of life as she had known it. Her closest sister, roommate, confidante, and friend was leaving. Clayton found himself praying for her heart as the gift-opening began.
“Oh, aren’t they pretty,” Eddie commented as she pulled out two embroidered pillow slips. “Look at the workmanship.”
“Very nice,” Robert agreed and worked on the next package.
“Who is this from?” Eddie wished to know.
“The c
ard said ‘The O’Brien Family.’”
“I think you met them, Robert. Paddy O’Brien is a good friend of Milly and Danny.”
“I think I did too.”
“Oh, it’s a bread tray!” Eddie exclaimed when Robert brought it forth. “Isn’t it elegant?”
They loved the spoons from Clayton and had a wonderful time with all the gifts. Indeed, there was much laughter on several occasions. At one point Eddie opened a gift and held it aloft, her brow drawn down in puzzlement.
“What is it, Robert?”
“I was hoping you would tell me.”
Both husband and wife looked to Addy and Elaine, who stared at the silver creation and then at one another. When everyone realized that neither one could identify it, the room erupted in laughter. The last burst of merriment came just a few minutes later when Eddie opened a box and inside was a baby’s bib. She blushed to the roots of her hair and wouldn’t hold it up. Robert took it and did the honors, a sweet smile on his face.
Eddie was still blushing amid the laughter when she said, “All right, who’s responsible?”
No one would own up to it, but Eddie suddenly caught Jackie’s eye. The younger girl could not hold her laughter.
“Jacqueline Faye!” Eddie scolded her, now laughing as well. “You rascal!”
“I saw it at the store and couldn’t resist, Eddie. I’m sorry.”
Eddie only shook her head, and after that, the party began to break up. Addy announced that she was going to fix something to eat and everyone was welcome to stay. Elaine, Milly, and Danny went with her, and Robert took that moment to lean close to his bride.
“Are you hungry?” he asked.
“Not a bit, but I am starting to feel tired.”
“I think we’ll say our goodbyes and head to the hotel. If you decide you want to eat, I’ll have the hotel fix us something.”