Blossoms of Love (17 page)

Upstairs they stopped at the door of the bedroom she was using. Lamont said, “It won’t be long now until we’ll be saying goodnight in the bed together.” She said, “I know darling.” He kissed her, “Goodnight angel.” “Goodnight my love,” she purred.

Ellen came over the next day. She was as happy as the other girls were about the dress. Ellen’s dress fit perfect but it was a little too long. Mrs. Ellman said she would hem it. Everyone was busy all day. Lamont and David were busy on the ranch, Mrs. Ellman was baking a ham, cakes, and pies. The Agars were to arrive tomorrow. Natalie was getting everything ready at the church. The day passed quickly for everyone.

It was the day before the wedding. The Ellman house was in a turmoil. David left at noon to meet his parents and the others coming. Lamont had to go pick up the clothes he would be wearing tomorrow. Mrs. Ellman got the house in order. Alice helped her. Ann made fresh coffee. Ellen bought flowers from the flower shop and fixed two arrangements. Everyone was going and coming. Natalie was hurrying down the steps when she met Lamont who was going up the steps. He said, “Oh excuse me ma’am. I seem to have lost my bride. I haven’t seen her since this morning and I haven’t even got to kiss her today. Now could you tell me where she might be?” Natalie giggled, “You are a real nut but I love you. I know we’ve been busy today and there’s lots to be done yet. Don’t forget rehearsal tonight.” She looked at him, “I’ve got time for one kiss.” He leaned over and kissed her, “You better make this beautiful because I’ll never go through this again. I should have my head examined for doing it this time.” Natalie said, “Oh stop being such a grouch.” She kissed him on the cheek, “Darling we’ll only get married once.” He watched her hurry down the steps.

The Agars were given a warm welcome. To everyone’s surprise Mrs. Ellman and Mrs. Agar liked each other from the start. The rehearsal went off fine. They all gathered at the Ellman house.

The next morning when Lamont opened his eyes, it hit him, “This is it.” He got out of bed, went over to the mirror, and looked at himself, “Well old boy, I hope you know what you’re doing.” He got dressed, ate breakfast, and saddled his horse. He went riding toward the mountains. It was early, no one was up but Lamont and his mother. David was the next one up. He was still drinking his second cup of coffee when the others came downstairs. When Natalie learned Lamont had rode off alone she began to worry. She asked David, “Why did he go off like that today of all days?” David said, “I guess he just wanted to be alone for a while. Don’t worry sis, he’ll be back for the wedding.”

Mrs. Agar said, “I don’t see why anyone would want to get out in this cold weather if they didn’t have to.” Mrs. Ellman said, “We’re use to it.” Mr. Agar laughed, “I don’t think I’d ever get use to this cold.” Cindy (Natalie’s friend and maid of honor) said, “I think this is just beautiful country. It’s like living in a different world with these mountains that look like they touch the sky.” David said, “I feel the same way Cindy.” Mrs. Agar remarked, “Not me. I like the warm weather.”

When noon came and Lamont hadn’t come back, Natalie really was getting worried. Every few minutes she would go to the window and look out. Only three hours and they were to be married. By one o’clock, all the Ellmans had come to the house. At one-thirty the girls got Natalie to go upstairs to start getting ready. Natalie saw David talking to Leon. She motioned for him to come over to her. She begged, “Go see if you can find Monty. Dave would he back out on our wedding? Do you think something could have happened to him?” David put his hands on her shoulders, “Calm down sis. Nothing’s happened. You know Monty wouldn’t walk out on you. He just came in. He’s at the stables. He’ll be here in a minute. Now go upstairs and start getting ready.”

Suddenly she got angry because he had put her through all this worry, “I ought to kill him instead of marrying him.” David laughed as she whirled around and started upstairs.

David helped Lamont get ready, “Hey Monty, calm down or you’ll be too nervous to say I do.” Lamont laughed, “Yea you’re right. When you got married I couldn’t understand why you were so nervous. Now I know. I feel like someone fixing to go into combat.” David laughed, “Buddy you are fixing to go into combat for the rest of your life. This sister of mine is something else.” Lamont grinned, “You can say that again. She’s something alright.”

At the church, Lamont and David waited outside because they were early. Lamont asked, “What time is it?” David answered, “Five minutes later then it was when you asked before.” Lamont said, “You know what I feel like? A stuffed shirt in a monkey suit. Hey Dave, swap ties with me.” David said, “Monty that one you’re wearing looks good. I’m wearing a bow tie.” Lamont said, “I can see you are damn it. Come on Dave, this one is choking the hell out of me.” David took his tie off and gave it to Lamont, “Now you’re making me nervous. Don’t worry, I’ve got the rings right here.”

Meanwhile at the house, Natalie was just as nervous. Cindy took her dress off the hanger, “Calm down honey or you’ll be a nervous wreck.” Cindy helped her put the dress on. Alice got her veil. Natalie said, “I don’t know why I let Mother talk me into a big wedding.” She sighed long and hard, “Everyone will be looking at me when I start down the aisle.” Ann said, “When the music starts and you take your Father’s arm, keep your eyes on Monty waiting at the alter. Remember, in just a few minutes he’ll be your husband. Don’t think about anyone looking at you.” Ellen said as Alice placed the veil on her head, “Natalie you’re lovely. Monty’s eyes will pop out when he sees you.” Cindy said, “Ellen is right. Monty will be very pleased and proud you’re his bride.” Alice said, “We better go. It’s almost time.” Natalie looked in the mirror again, “I feel like I don’t have everything.” Cindy asked, “Have you got something new?” Natalie said, “That’s it. I don’t have anything old.” Ann took a locket from around her neck, “Wear this. It was my Grandmothers. I wore it when I got married. No one could be happier than Leon and I.” Natalie said, “I’ll take good care of it.” Alice said, “That will take care of something borrowed too. What about something blue?” Natalie laughed as she pulled up her dress, “I have this blue garter.” Cindy asked, “Didn’t Dora want to be a bridesmaid?” Natalie answered, “No, she couldn’t come. Their little girl has the chicken pox.” Ellen said, “We sure better go. We’ve only got twenty minutes.”

As they started to the church, it began to snow. David met them as Natalie got out of the car. He said, “I was getting worried. I thought you weren’t going to get here on time. I’ll go tell Monty.”

Lamont was in the anti-room packing back and forth like a caged animal. David said, “She just got here.” Lamont said, “It’s about time. Have you got the rings?” David answered, “Yes bud, I’ve got them.”

The organ began to play. As Lamont and David took their place at the alter, they could see the church was full of people. Lamont wanted to get away, to be alone, but he knew he couldn’t now. Then the wedding march began. Lamont looked down the aisle and saw Natalie and her father. He had to admit to himself that everything was beautiful. The church was full of flowers and Natalie did a good job selecting the colors for the attendants. Mr. Agar looked very distinguished in his tuxedo. Then his eyes were fixed on him. If he’d ever had the slightest doubt she loved him or he loved her, it was all erased.

Lamont whispered to David, “She is absolutely breathtaking.”

When her father left her at the alter beside him he breathed, “I love you.” She never opened her mouth but her eyes told him, she loved him. A sudden calmness came to both of them as they repeated their vows. It seemed everyone could feel the love they had for each other and you could hear sniffles and weeping softly. Or course, they were tears of joy. This man and woman had a very rare love that was to bind them for always.

When the ceremony was over, Lamont slowly raised her veil, gently took her in his arms, and kissed her. Everyone gathered around them. All five of Lamont’s brothers had to kiss her. Lamont shook hands until his arm hurt.

They went to the basement where the food and drinks were. The can had seven tiers and the champagne was pink. While they were cutting the cake and having pictures made, Lamont’s brothers and David slipped outside to decorate the car. It was snowing hard. Mrs. Agar whispered to Natalie, “It’s time you were changing clothes.” Natalie squeezed Lamont’s hand, “I’m going to change clothes.” Lamont whispered, “Hurry up baby, let’s get out of here.”

Cindy went with Natalie. As Natalie dressed in a simple, knit suit with a fur collar, Cindy put her things in the bag. Cindy said, “Nat Monty is so handsome. He’d make any girl’s heart flutter.” Natalie said, “I know and he’s all mine.” Cindy said, “You know, I could go for Allen. He’s got that beautiful smile like Monty and he’s much taller and bigger. I just hope your Mother and Dad decide to stay a few days.” Natalie said, “I wouldn’t count on it, Mother doesn’t like it here. Why don’t you stay even if they don’t.” Cindy answered, “Oh I couldn’t do that. The Ellmans hardly know me.” Natalie said, “Sure you could. I know Mom Ellman wouldn’t mind. Allen won’t be here but a few days because of his job.” Natalie combed through her hair, “I noticed Allen looking at you a lot at the reception.” Cindy smiled, “Oh we’ve talked several times.” Cindy kissed Natalie on the cheek, “No need wishing you a happy time.” Natalie smiled, “No need. I’m on cloud nine right now.”

As they walked back into the room, Natalie spotted Lamont. Her mother and his mother had him cornered off talking. Natalie said, “Poor Monty. They’ve got him cornered off. He looked miserable. I better go rescue him.” When she got over to him she said, “I’m ready darling.” Lamont said, “Let’s get the hell out of here.” Of course, Natalie had to kiss her parents and Mrs. Ellman.

When they opened the church door, the snow blew in. Lamont put his arm around her shoulders as they started down the steps. Everyone began throwing rice. Just as Lamont told Natalie to watch the slippery steps, Natalie slipped on some ice. Lamont tried to catch her, but she fell down three steps. He got to her first, “Natalie are you hurt?” She said, “Help me up. My ankle, I think it’s broken.” Lamont lifted her up in his arms. Everyone was crowded around. David said, “Come on, let’s get her to the hospital.” David drove while Lamont cuddled her to him, “Are you hurting anywhere else?” She said, “No, just my ankle.” He kissed her on the cheek, “I’ve never been so damn scared.” Natalie cried, “Oh Monty I’ve spoiled everything.” “You’ve spoiled nothing.”

They took Natalie to be x-rayed. Lamont and David were in the waiting room when the Ellmans and the Agars arrived. Lamont smoked one cigarette after another. The doctor came into the room. He asked, “Which one is Lamont Ellman?” Lamont came forward, “I am.” The doctor said, “Mr. Ellman, your wife has a broken ankle. We’re putting a cast on it now.” Lamont asked, “She isn’t hurt anywhere else?” The doctor answered, “She has a badly pulled tendon in her leg. Otherwise, she’ll be alright. I would like for her to stay all night here, in case of swelling, but she insists on leaving. If her ankle begins to swell very much bring her back. Now she must not put any weight on her ankle. I’m not going to let her have crutches for two weeks. She should stay in bed.” Lamont said, “I’ll see that she does.” David asked, “Doc, how long will she have the cast on?” He answered, “It’s a very bad break. Since the break is in the ankle, she’ll have to wear it at least eight weeks, maybe longer. It depends on how it heals.” Lamont asked, “When can I see her?” He said, “The cast should be on by now. Come with me.”

As Lamont and the doctor walked down the corridor the doctor said, “Mrs. Ellman tells me you and she just got married.” Lamont answered, “Yes. We were leaving the church when she fell on ice down the church steps.” The doctor said, “That is tough luck.”

Natalie was in a room where a lot of tables and medicine cabinets were. She was sitting on one of the long tables. The cast covered most of her foot and half way up the calf of her leg. The doctor said, “She can leave just as soon as I write a few prescriptions for pain and swelling.”

When the doctor left the room, Lamont went over to her, kissed her, and asked, How are you feeling baby?” She said, “Angry with myself for falling.” She looked at her husband of two and half hours. Suddenly she burst out crying, “Oh Monty, I’ve ruined our honeymoon. Our wedding was so beautiful but our honeymoon won’t be.” Lamont put his arm around her and said softly, “Don’t you think I can make love to you with your ankle in a cast?” She cried, “No, not with me like this.” He kissed her on the neck, “You’re wrong.” Still crying she said, “Oh I sure will look sexy won’t I?” Lamont said, “First of all you’ve got to cool it. You’ve got to wear this cast at least eight weeks. Do you think I’ll not make love to you until it’s off? I’m not gonna wait and I don’t think you want me to. We’re gonna have our honeymoon just like we planned.”

The doctor came back to the room. He gave Lamont the prescriptions and told him to get them filled on the main floor of the hospital. A nurse wheeled Natalie to the car that had “Just Married” written across the back. The family gathered around the car. Lamont picked Natalie up in his arms and put her in the car. The families talked to Natalie while Lamont went back to the hospital to get the prescriptions filled.

Soon they were on their way to the Mountain Sky Lodge where Lamont had reservations for a week. It took two hours to drive there. The shot the doctor gave Natalie made her sleep all the way there. Lamont parked as close to the front door as he could get. Lamont carried her inside. Ben Fry, the manger (who was a good friend of David’s and Lamont’s) got a wheelchair for Natalie. The bell boy carried their bags to their room. They kept several wheelchairs there because a lot of people got their legs broke skiing. Lamont registered their name. Ben said, “So you’re the one who really caught Monty? Consider yourself lucky. I didn’t think anyone would ever get him.” They all laughed. Natalie said, “I admit it took me a long time.” Ben smiled, “Monty, I believe you’ve got some girl here.” Lamont agreed, “I know I have.”

Ben looked at her foot, “Do you care to tell me what happened? Monty didn’t get mad at you, did he?” Natalie said, “No. We haven’t been married that long. We’ve only been married about five hours. When I was coming down the church steps, I slipped on ice and fell down the steps.” Ben remarked, “Hey, that’s tough luck.” Lamont said, “Ben, in about an hour I want you to send us two steaks, all the trimmings, and a cold bottle of champagne. Oh, one steak well done, the other medium rare.” Ben smiled, “Sure thing. It will be there.”