Rocky Mountain Sister (10 page)

The women left the maids to finish the cleanup and headed for the Parlor. The mess of ribbons and bows were wrapped around baskets and the ribbon into bows. The Harper ladies were excellent at decorating. Cassandra was amazed at how fast they made things come together. The wedding reception wasn’t to be held until the first week of July, but with their help, everything was coming together and the decorations were almost finished.

“So Harper, what really brings you to our little town? It is too early for you to be here for the wedding.” Christian handed Jessie a drink and then pour one for his self.

“Christian, I came to ask you for Cassandra’s hand in marriage. I have fallen in love with your sister and I think I would make a good husband for her. I do believe that Cassandra feels the same.” Jessie didn’t know why he was so nervous. He and Christian had become friends when he visited the Greenwood Ranch. Still he wasn’t sure if Christian would approve of him as a husband for Cassandra. “She won’t have a worry for anything and I wouldn’t keep her from visiting you and Tori whenever she wanted.”

Christian sat back in his office chair and propped his legs on the desk. He let Jessie plead his case, even though he knew Jessie would be a good husband.

“I will not be the kind of husband who demands all sorts of crazy notions out of her. Of course I think she would be lost without Rosa.” Jessie paced back and forth going on and on about how he would be good for Cassandra and how he would give her a good home and how she would be happy.

Christian sat relaxed in his chair until Jessie finally stopped talking. He lowered his feet to the floor and placed his folded hands on the desk. “Have you talked to Cassandra about this yet? How do you know she wants to marry you?” Christian was enjoying giving Jessie a hard time.

“No, I thought it would be the gentleman thing to talk to you first.” Jessie wasn’t sure he was winning his argument. Worried Christian might say no. “Christian, I am positive that Cassandra feels the same, I wouldn’t have come all this way if I wasn’t positive.”

Christian walked around the desk and patted Jessie on the back. “Jessie, all I can say is, well, welcome to the family.” Christian grinned at the man that would be his brother-in-law. “I was just fooling with you. You have my blessing to ask Cassandra to marry you.”

“Thanks for letting me worry, I will find some way to get you back.”

“Only condition is that I get to come out and go fishing whenever I want.” Christian said as he poured another drink. “Oh and to make you happy, Rosa will be going to Colorado with you. It is one of the stipulations that Grandma had in her will. Tori will be bringing her own staff for the kitchen when we marry.”

CHAPTER THIRTY-THREE

The women laughed and giggled and told stories while they worked, making the evening pass quickly. Cassandra wasn’t ready to go to bed. She knew she would be tired tomorrow when her sister, brother and grandmother would arrive.

“Oh, I wish it weren’t so late, I have enjoyed this evening so much. I don’t want it to end, but with my family arriving tomorrow, I don’t want to be tired.” Cassandra told the two women who finished putting boxes in a stack.

“Cassandra, we have plenty of time to visit, it has been a long day for us.” The clock on the wall struck ten. Anna sat down on the small couch. “Tomorrow will be another long day for all of us. I think we all need the rest.” Makenzie is going to love the city. Jefferson City is remarkable. “Why, it is nothing like Denver.”

“Mrs. Harper, Jefferson City isn’t anything special, but we do have a lot of visitors who pass through. People moving West, and some who are just going on Holiday.” Cassandra explained that the people came from all directions to visit Jefferson City. It was famous for the shipping yard in Vandevier Bend. She explained that when Vandevier Freight started, the shipping problems were very complicated at first. Then as things settled down, things were brought from all over.

“One time, this old Trapper was moving out west and wanted his family shipped. Papa tried to explain to the old man that they only shipped things that were not living. He certainly couldn’t put a family on a flat open boat to send west.” Everyone laughed at the thought of an old woman sitting on an old crate trying to hang on while the river rocked the boat.

“Papa finally agreed to have them taken by land in a wagon, but it would cost the trapper twice as much, because this was special freight and he would have to hire a wagon and people to take them.” Cassandra finally ended the story of the happy ending, everyone made it to their destination safe.

With that everyone said their goodnights and headed to their room. That is when Cassandra remembered they would have to make other sleeping arraignments tomorrow when her brother, sister and Grandmother arrived. “Mrs. Harper, Jordan, I am so sorry to asked this, but I was wondering if you would mind sharing a room when my brother and sister arrive. We seem to be short a few rooms.” Cassandra looked sympathetic at the women. She really hated to ask them, in fear of being a bad Hostess.

Jordan smiled a Cassandra. “Oh dear, we didn’t even think either, and we knew they were coming. It will be no problem at all. Now don’t you worry yourself one bit. Tomorrow morning we can have everything switched.” Lydia’s soft face told Cassandra that it was no problem at all.

“Thank you, Jordan, Mrs. Harper. We are all going to such a wonderful time.”

In her room later that night, Cassandra worried about the sleeping arrangements for family. She didn’t want them to think that she didn’t want them staying at the house.
Oh Makenzie, please don’t be upset that we must share a room.
Cassandra thought.

Cassandra was soon in bed and more things kept running through her mind. She wondered what Jessie and Nathan were up too. She wanted to know if the kiss she and Jessie shared was real on his part.

CHAPTER THIRTY-FOUR

Christian and Jessie sat at the table with some friends of Christian. They were teasing him about getting married. He didn’t take their teasing seriously; they had been friends their whole lives, he knew they would harass him.

“So Christian, does this mean your nights out with the boys will stop. Your little bride might not like you running with the hounds of Vandevier Bend and Jefferson City,” Christian’s childhood friend spoke up.

“Haha, Jason, I am sure that my bride will let me come out play with the hound dogs.” Christian laughed as he raised his glass. “My hound dogs forever. No woman shall separate the pack”.

The group laughed at his statement. Charlie looked over at Jessie, “Well Jess, you being the new pup in the pack, what are your plans for the future? Are you planning on being bringing a bunch of pups to the pack?”

“Thank you for the offer of being in the pack, but I think I live to far away to have mutt meetings, but to your question. Yes, I plan on taking a bride come Spring.” Jessie knew the group of men were being more playful with him. Christian had explained some of the situation before this night.

“Well fellows, looks like our hearts are going to be more civilized then. I have to admit, I have been eyeing a little cutie from Jefferson City myself.” Jason spoke up very proud. “We are going to have to start having puppy play dates instead of Hound dog meetings. Times sure are changing.”

“So Jessie, when is the big day for you?” Charlie asked in between drinks.

“I haven’t even ask her yet, but I am hoping in the spring. I intend to ask her right after Christian takes his bride.”

Jessie smiled a wide smile. He seemed very proud of wanting to ask someone special to marry him.

“Now Jessie, why are you waiting until after the wedding? Cassandra is bursting with feelings, she has been moping around the house since she came home.” Christian was very serious in last statement. He hated seeing his sister unhappy.

“Just don’t want to take Victoria’s day from her. If I asked Cassandra now, Victoria might think I am just being selfish. We can’t have family fighting before we are family, now can we?” Jessie took a long drink after telling Christian why he was waiting.

“Tomorrow, we can discuss this matter. Let’s have fun and celebrate our brides to be tonight. I have a feeling you won’t be waiting until after my wedding to ask her. I think you should ask her now before she ask you.” Christian patted Jessie on the back with a good hardy laugh.

The four men drank until a little after midnight. They knew tomorrow was a going to be a long day.

The following morning Cassandra woke early, she could barely wait for Makenzie to arrive. She didn’t even know what time they would be here. She hurried up and dressed and headed down stairs. Rosa was already in kitchen making breakfast.

“Good morning Rosa, you are up early. I just am so excited, I barely got any sleep.” The excitement in Cassandra voice made Rosa smile.

“Child, what am I going to do with you? For weeks you moped around here and now you are up before dawn bouncing off the walls.” Rosa poured Cassandra a cup of coffee and set it on the table for her.

“Thank you Rosa, I just can’t believe everyone is going to be here. The pressure of hurrying up Christian’s wedding is going smoothly. Grandma and Makenzie and the others will be here today.” Cassandra poured the cream and sugar in the cup.

“I know that you are excited about Mr. Jessie being here to. Don’t you try and hide that fact. Why you are like a kid in a candy store. You haven’t stopped smiling since the Harpers arrived.”

Rosa poured herself another cup of coffee and sat down with Cassandra. The smell of breakfast cooking filtered through the kitchen.

Soon everyone was up eating their fill of pancakes, bacon, eggs and biscuits and gravy. Christian and Jessie left for the Shipyard, Cassandra and the Harper women decided to switched Makenzie’s thing into Mrs. Harper’s room. Later Cassandra was going to show them around the grounds.

It was late afternoon before Makenzie and Anna arrived at the house. Sounds of laughter filled the rooms. Cassandra was over joyed at the fact that Makenzie didn’t mind sharing a room. Makenzie told her it would be like old times when they were younger and would sneak into one another’s bedroom. Nathan was unable to make the trip do to an unexpected emergency with one of the cowhands being hurt.

CHAPTER THIRTY-FIVE

The next two weeks flew by, everything went perfect. After the ceremony the small group of family and friends gathered at Vitoria’s parents for a wedding dinner. That table was decorated with bells and ribbons. A beautiful chandelier hung low from the ceiling. Christian and Victoria were seated in the middle of the table, her father sat at his usual place at the head of the table and Jessie and Cassandra were seated directly across from the Bride and Groom.

Christian stood and waited for everyone to quiet down. “I want to thank you all for coming and sharing this day with us. It would not be complete without you all being here. As you know, Victoria and I love sharing magical moments.” Christian lifted his glass in the air. “Tonight we will be given one of the greatest wedding gifts any one could give us.” Nathan looked across the table at Jessie. “Jessie, I now give you the opportunity to share the gift you have chosen to make Victoria and me happier, even though it isn’t about us or for us. There isn’t anything that makes me happier except marrying Victoria.”

Jessie was nervous. He didn’t know half of these people sitting at this table.
Go ahead big guy, this is your moment. No better time than now.
Jessie stood and rubbed his hands together. He looked around the table. He saw a tear roll down his mother
’
s cheek. She must have an idea of what he was about to do. He gave her a nervous smile. She smiled back at her only son.

Jessie looked at Victoria and Christian. “I want to thank you both for this opportunity to share this special day with us. You are both very special. I know how much Cassandra loves you both.”

Cassandra looked at the three of them in turn ending with Jessie. The confusion on her face gave the three a giggle to themselves. Cassandra had no idea what they were up to. Jessie continued, turning toward Cassandra, the woman he loved and was about to declare his love for her in front of everyone here. He hadn’t planned it this way. He had planned to take her somewhere alone with the night stars shining down upon them. He and Christian had discussed it and then Christian discussed things over with Victoria, she was the one who thought that it would be a good idea for Jessie to ask Cassandra to marry him at their dinner.

Jessie put his hand in his pocket and then bent down on knee. He looked her straight in the face. “Cassandra Greenwood Vandevier, I have fallen madly in love with you. With God and these family and friends here as my witness as I declare my love. Will you be my wife.”? Jessie held up a beautiful diamond ring his eyes pleading for her to say yes.

Tears immediately started down her face. Cassandra moved her hands to cover her open mouth. This was the last thing she expected during Jessie’s visit. Oh course she wanted him to declare his love for him but a marriage proposal. It was too much. It was wonderful. Cassandra looked over at her brother, she certainly wasn’t expecting this. Both Christian and Tori were smiling at her.

“Well, Cassandra, are you going to answer him or now?” Christian asked his sister.

Everyone at the table was quiet, they were waiting for an answer.

“Jessie, oh Jessie, I can’t believe it. Yes, yes ,yes. Of course I will marry you.” Cassandra held out a shaking hand as Jessie slipped the ring on her finger. Cassandra wiped the tears from her cheeks looking around the room, she stopped when she set her eyes upon Christian. The smile on his face told her everything. Christian loved her more than anything and wanted her to be happy. Nothing would make him happier than seeing her happiness, even if it meant sharing this night. “I love you both for this. You two didn’t have to share your wedding day with us. I could never be happier. We will be able to celebrate your wedding and our engagement together.”

The rest of the evening was filled with joy and laughter. They talked of future children and trips to the Rockies. Cassandra new she would not be missing out on things here either. She could visit as often as soon could, five-hundred miles was nothing compared to the love she had for her brother.