Song of the Meadowlark (Intertwined Book 1) (29 page)

Cora flipped through her mail as she sat at the kitchen table eating her lunch. Susie sat beside her eating spaghetti rings, an orange ring around her mouth. “What’s this?”

“What?” Susie took her attention off the bowl full of her favorite lunch.

“It’s a letter from some friends I used to live with in South Carolina. They were like my parents.”

“Oh. What does it say?”

“Let me see.” Cora opened the envelope and pulled out the letter. With the letter was a gift card. Cora smiled.

Dear Cora,

We love you so much and are so happy for you and Rex. God has been good to bring new love into your life. We send our best for your blessed day and will keep you in our prayers as you start your new life over. We will not be able to come to the wedding, though, because Ben is taking me on an anniversary trip to Hawaii! We’re so excited. Please take this gift card and get you something for your new home. We love you and can’t wait to see the pictures. Love, Judy

A tear slid down Cora’s cheek. As she put the letter back into the envelope, her cell phone rang. She put the letter on the table and reached into her pocket for her phone. “Hello?”

“Hey.”

She smiled. “Hey. What are you doing?”

“Just takin’ a break to cool off.” Rex let out a heavy sigh.

“From what?” Cora watched Susie climb down from her seat at the table. She snapped her fingers at her and motioned for her to wipe her mouth with her napkin.

“Veronica.”

“Veronica?” Cora hopped out of her chair.

“Yep. She just drove out here to see me.”

“What did she want?” Cora put her hand on her hip.

“Me.”

“You? You’ve got to be kidding.” She reached for Susie’s bowl and carried it to the sink.

“No, and she was firin’ mad that we’re gettin’ married.”

“Really? Well, I don’t blame her. I’d be mad if another woman stole you from me too. What did you say to her?”

“I told her I had banished her from my property and that banishment still stood. I told her I was in love with you, and I didn’t want to see her again.”

“Did you hurt her feelings?” She wiped her hands on the hand towel, while looking out the window at the cows walking by.

“No, way. I don’t think that woman has feelings. She’s just a sore loser. She already knew we were gettin’ married. That’s why she drove all the way out here. She can’t stand for someone to have something she wants.”

“And she wants you still.”

“She wants the O’Reilly name and money.”

“I’m glad you chose to stay with me.”

“I’d never go back to that woman. I love you and always will.”

“I love you, too, Rex.”

Chapter 22

Today Cora would become Rex O’Reilly’s wife. The previous few months had mimicked the long wait for garden crops to come in after the planting season. Cora found the long nights dreaming about her future man almost unbearable.

Over the winter, in preparation for their marriage, Rex completely redecorated the cabin with the help of Anne over the phone and Internet. He and Cora chose furniture, colors, and patterns that would suit them both.

Dad and Mom purchased twenty-five acres near the city and built a retirement home. Although not completely furnished, they lived there nevertheless. Cora breathed a sigh of relief that Mom and Dad were close by if she needed them, but not too close, in case she needed space from them.

Matt and Anne’s relationship blossomed over the winter. She was sweet and patient with Matt and his arrogant ways. Cora had given her some insight into how the O’Reilly men ticked. Living on the ranch with all three men had turned Cora into an expert on the topic.

Susie helped Cora with wedding details, looking through wedding magazines with her, and helping her decide on what type of dress to wear for the wedding. Susie also chose her own dress, complete with a wreath of flowers for her head. She’d also been sweet about letting Cora spend time with Rex alone without trying to break them apart. Cora couldn’t have asked for a more loving child. Now if Cora’s allergies would clear up from the Bradford pear trees on the ranch, making her scratchy throat and runny nose disappear, she’d be completely ready for the wedding.

Rex still kept the identity of the musician a secret. Cora had begged him to tell her repeatedly, but he wouldn’t.

The afternoon sun sank over the mountains as the crisp spring air settled in for the evening. The guests arrived—one hundred of them, including all of Cora’s close friends from Panama City. A huge tent in the left pasture housed chairs for guests to sit in and a small platform, where Rex, Cora, and the minister would stand, along with R.L., the best man, and Mom, the matron of honor.

As car after car arrived at the Southern Hope, Cora got dressed in her bedroom in the pool house. She fidgeted with her veil and the bodice. “Anne, does this look all right?”

“Yes, Cora. It’s beautiful.”

She smiled at her reflection in the mirror. “Hey, are you okay with the fact I asked Mom to be my matron of honor?” She whispered so that Mom wouldn’t hear.

“Of course. Besides, I was your maid of honor before…”

Cora smoothed out the skirt of her long shell-pink wedding dress, and fingered the sequins and pink pearls. The dress, tight against her figure and flaring out like a mermaid’s fin at the bottom, fit her perfectly. She turned around several times in front of the mirror to inspect the fit. She wore her long dark hair pulled up in a bun, with a wreath of baby’s breath cradling her head. Her bouquet consisted of delicate pink roses, tied together with a ribbon of white lace. Her lavender eyeshadow lit up her olive green eyes.

“Rex won’t tell me what he’s wearing. Have either of you seen him?”

“Maybe.”

“Anne!”

Anne smiled, practically revealing all of her teeth. “No, I haven’t.” She adjusted her bra strap.

“No, Honey. It’s a surprise for us all.” Mom, dressed in lavender, said. “Come here, Susie. Let me fix your wreath.” Susie twirled around Mom’s legs.

“Do you think he re-shaved his beard? I can’t wait to see him. I can’t wait till the honeymoon, wherever we’re going.”

“It won’t be long now.” Anne rubbed her shoulders.

When the knock came on the pool house door, Cora jumped.

“Cora, calm down, Sweetie. It is only Dad,” Mom said. “I’ll let him in.”

“You are so beautiful.” Dad’s eyes lit up. “Cora, you make me so proud. I am so pleased with the man you are marrying. He is truly for you.” Susie ran over to Dad and jumped into his arms. “Hey, there, Susie.” He kissed her on top of the head and turned his attention back to Cora.

“I know, Daddy.” Cora hugged him, enclosing Susie in her embrace.

“Well, are you ready? They want us to head that way now. I brought the car around so you wouldn’t have to walk.”

“Thank you. I appreciate that.” Cora squeezed his arm. “Let’s go.”

Once outside, Dad opened the car door and Cora, Susie, and Anne climbed in the back seat. He walked around to the passenger’s side of the vehicle and let Mom in. When he got back into the car, he cranked it and drove around the back of the house to the tent. He pulled up at the place designated specifically for the bridal car.

As the ceremony began, the afternoon sun completely disappeared and the moon shone bright and full. Tiki lights and citronella candles glowed all around the tent. A piano and an acoustic guitar played soft music as Matt escorted Pearl to her seat in front, and sat down beside her. From the back of the tent came R.L. and Mom. They walked slowly up the center isle to the platform. R.L. took his place next to Rex, while Mom waited for Cora to join her.

The pianist played the wedding march, and Cora took her first step with Dad toward the front of the tent. When she saw Rex, she nearly fainted—dressed all in black, with black boots and a black Stetson on top of his head. The sparkle in his eyes revealed that he found pleasure in her choice of wedding dresses. His freshly shaven face uncovered the strong jaw she loved to touch. When she reached her groom, she bit her lip to keep from kissing him. She grinned at the little drop of sweat on his lip. He winked at her, and her heart fluttered.

Before she could think about kissing him further, the minister began the ceremony. The pianist continued to bless them with his melodies. “There’s a special bond called love that many of us are blessed to find once in our lives. Rex and Cora have been fortunate to find it for a second time. If anyone here has any doubts about them marrying again, he should wipe them from his mind. Their love is as pure as first love—and maybe more. And now, we will have the exchanging of the vows.”

Cora and Rex said their vows to each other, exchanged rings, and then the minister turned to Rex. “Rex has a word he’d like to say.” He signaled for Rex to begin.

“Cora, I know I told you at Christmas I wanted to wait to get married until spring. I said there was a special singer that I wanted to be here.”

“Yes, you did.”

Turning to the guests briefly, then back to Cora, Rex began again, “If everyone would try to remain as quiet as possible, and if the musicians would stop playing, you’ll be able to hear the song I planned for Cora.”

Cora crinkled her nose and eyebrows. She listened with her ears and with her heart until…. There it was—the song of which Rex had been speaking. Tears came to her eyes as the meadowlark sang from a tree nearby. No one else would understand the significance of this bird, but she did. The song of this bird had first brought Cora and Rex to common ground. She looked deeply into Rex’s eyes and squeezed his hand; a tear slid down his cheek.

“Thank you, Rex. I know you had no idea whether or not that bird would sing for you tonight, but you had faith, and it did. I’ll never forget the beautiful song of the meadowlark, because it’s been with us since the beginning—since before we had a beginning.”

“I love you, Cora. I hope there’s always a song in your heart for me.” Rex then turned to the minister.

“Rex, you may kiss your bride.”

Rex obeyed the minister without hesitation. The guests applauded as he sealed their wedding vows with the kiss. Matt put his fingers to his mouth and whistled. When Rex finally released Cora, they turned toward their guests. “It’s my pleasure to present to you Mr. and Mrs. Rex O’Reilly.”

Everyone crowded around the blissful couple to say their congratulations at the reception. Rex’s eyes sparkled in the glow of the tiki lights, and Cora wanted to sneak off with him and show him how much she loved him. But her friends and family surrounded her, filling her ears with compliments about her new husband, and she’d be rude to run away from them now.

“Cora?”

“Ike! How are you? Thanks so much for coming.” Cora hugged the detective around the neck. “Rex, Ike is here.”

“Howdy, Ike. Thanks so much for comin’ tonight.”

“I wouldn’t have missed it for the world. I’m so happy for you guys. And a little jealous of you, Rex. You’ve got the prettiest wife I’ve ever seen.” He winked at Cora.

“Yep. I sure do. And she’s all mine.” Rex grabbed Cora around the waist and squeezed her.

Once everyone had partaken in the feast, Rex took Cora’s hand in his, and moved her to the center of the tent where the two danced the slow two-step to a tune played by the band. The fiddle and steel guitar floated out into the spring night air and the guests joined in the celebration. Rex danced with Susie in his arms and then with Pearl and next Mom. After over an hour of dancing, guests said their good-byes.

“Before everyone leaves, I have a gift for Cora.” Rex drew her close to him.

“Another gift? I’m not so sure about this. Every time you surprise me with something, it always knocks me off my feet. Should I sit down?”

“No, no. You stand right here beside me, young lady. Here, open this.” Rex handed Cora an envelope, tied with a gold ribbon.

Cora untied the ribbon and opened the envelope, revealing two plane tickets to New York and tickets for a cruise to Bermuda. “Rex! What are these?”

“This is your—I mean, our honeymoon tickets. I’ve never been to New York or to Bermuda. I thought this would be a perfect opportunity.”

“Oh, Rex. You’re so precious. I can’t believe it.” She threw her arms around his neck, and he spun her around. “I couldn’t have asked for a better gift.” Rex gently sat her back down. “I finally have the man of my dreams, and I’m going on the most exquisite honeymoon ever. You’ve made me so happy.” Cora grabbed Rex and kissed him with all her might.

“We leave in two days. I hope that’s okay,” Rex said.

“It’s wonderful. That’ll give us time to recuperate from the wedding and have a little honeymoon here at home.” Cora wiggled her eyebrows at her groom. The guests laughed at Cora’s boldness and at Rex’s blushing face. “But what about the B&B and everything around the ranch and Susie and—”

Rex placed his index finger over Cora’s lips. “Everything here at home will be just fine. Mom and Dad have Susie covered. Anne has agreed to stay and help out with the B&B, and Matt is handlin’ the ranch. I mean, after all, a cowboy deserves a break every now and then.”

“Thank you, Anne, for staying.” Cora hugged her best friend.

“No problem.” She grinned at Matt.

Matt smirked at Anne. “Yeah, we’ll keep her busy. She’ll never even know you’re gone. In fact—”

“Matt, wait.” Anne held up her hand to stop his words.

“Oh, okay. I get the drift.”

“What? What’s going on?” Cora looked back and forth from Anne to Matt. She stared at Rex, who seemed equally as confused.

“Well…,” Anne started.

“What? Tell me!” By this point, all of the remaining guests, plus the family, encircled the two couples.

“Matt asked me to marry him last night!” Anne squealed.

Cora’s mouth flew open, and she grabbed Anne. The two jumped up and down like schoolgirls. “Oh, Anne! Oh, Matt!”

“Put her here, big guy.” Rex held out his hand to Matt.

Matt placed his hand in Rex’s, and Rex grabbed him in a bear hug.

The cheers from the family and the guests drowned out the music and the cows mooing in the pasture. Dad and Mom hugged R.L. and Pearl; Susie grabbed on to the back of Rex’s legs. He bent and scooped her up into his arms. Susie reached for Cora and the three shared their first family hug. When the excitement died, the faint song of the meadowlark in the distance filled the ears and hearts of Cora and Rex, promising a bright future.

Scripture used: Psalm 71:20 (NIV)