Texas Twilight (38 page)

“Of course! Anywhere you want. By anyone you
want. You just say where and I’ll do my best to make your dreams
come true.”

“Is there a mission nearby?”

“Not too far. San Antonio. It’s a little over
a day’s ride by wagon. We’ll make a holiday of it and then go back
every year on our anniversary. I think it’s a wonderful idea.
Everyone will be happy for us, Lily. You’ll see—extremely happy.”
He stopped. “Well, maybe Dustin won’t. What about him?”

Dustin hadn’t even crossed her mind. “I feel
for him, but, I tried not to lead him on.”

“What about your family? You once told me
you’d return to Germany someday.”

She kissed his cheek, then brushed her lips
to his, enjoying his reaction to her caresses. “You are my family
now, John. I only want to be where you are. I could never have
understood that before I fell in love with you, of course.” She
smiled. “I will just have to bring some of my sisters to West
Texas, where they can find their own cowboy husbands to love.”

He smiled. “And, the jewel? I assume you’ve
talked to Harriett and found its origin?”

“All is well. I know everything and you need
not give it another thought.”

“You’re sure?”

“Yes. Now that that horrible man is dead, all
is fine.” She hoped that was the complete truth. For now, she
thought it was.

John looked at her for a long moment as if
deliberating on her words, then kissed her thoroughly,
passionately, until her senses thrummed with anticipation.
Everything else in her life paled in comparison.

L
ily hurried to
the wagon where John was loading her travel bag, and Brandon and
Charity sat their horses, ready to go. “Up you go,” he said, taking
her hand and helping her in. “The morning couldn’t be more
beautiful. Look at all the stars.”

She studied the dark canopy above. “So much
has happened in three days. It seems like a dream. I am excited to
see San Antonio. And the Mission too, of course.” She snuggled
close to his side.

“Is that all you’re excited for? I was hoping
there might be something else occupying your thoughts.” He tweaked
her nose, then laughed as he gathered the reins. Uncle Winston’s
eight well-armed men mounted up. His uncle wanted to make sure they
made it to Mission San José y San Miguel de Aguayo and home again
in one piece. The cowboys, all in extremely good humor, were
somewhat flummoxed at their extraordinarily fine fortune. Three
days of hanging around San Antonio—a town filled with restaurants,
saloons and beautiful women—hardly felt like work at all.

Being early, Dr. Bixby was the only
additional person on the boardwalk to see the group off. The others
had said their farewells the night before in a small pre-wedding
celebration. John waved to Bixby. “See you in a few days, old
timer. Take good care of everyone.”

“You can count on it, young rooster,” was his
gravelly reply. “Just don’t get to crowing too loud.” He watched
the wagon and horses pull out of sight.

“I’m so relieved Chaim is doing so well,”
Charity said, riding next to the wagon.

“He’s rallied like a true McCutcheon,”
Brandon added, riding on Charity’s other side. “And why wouldn’t he
with Emmeline and the rest of the family doting on his every whim.
I think he’s actually enjoying his convalescence.”

John nodded and smiled. Unfortunately, he’d
had to dash Harriett’s idea of coming along. The trip would be too
strenuous. She’d finally seen the truth in his words, relenting. “I
will be there with you in spirit,” she’d said, overjoyed at their
decision to marry. Madeline had generously volunteered to take care
of her, promising them she’d watch over her as if she were her own.
And, not to be left out, Theodore and Tucker had vowed that by the
time they returned Lily’s shop would be as good as new.

“You sure you haven’t forgotten anything?”
John asked. He liked the way her face deepened in color thinking
about the intimate things he was sure she’d packed away in the
suitcase. Ever since the announcement, the women folk had been a-
buzz with excitement, all but keeping Lily hidden from him, filling
her head with who knew what. “We’re going to be in San Antonio for
three whole days.”

“Your aunt made sure I have everything I
could possibly need. And then some. She is a real help to me, along
with your cousins—and sister, of course.”

“Of course,” he teased. “And it doesn’t
matter if you did forget anything because I’d buy you whatever it
was, or anything else your heart desires.”

Lily hugged him tighter. “Then you will not
have to part with any of your money because my heart only desires
you.”

John tucked Lily’s hand into the crook of his
arm and started for the Mission in the town square. From the corner
of her eye, Lily saw several people stop to smile at them in the
late afternoon shade. She carried a small bouquet of daffodils and
early spring roses held together with a pink sash, giving a splash
of color to the ivory dress that John’s aunt had borrowed from one
of her friends. It fit her perfectly and had a lovely cape that
draped over her shoulders, then hung midway down her back, making
her feel beautiful.

A woman called out to them, seemingly
overcome with emotion. She blew them a kiss, followed by some kind
of greeting in Spanish as she watched their promenade to the
church. John nodded, and pulled Lily’s hand up to his chest,
drawing her closer. “Excited?”

“Yes,” she replied. “This is the day every
little girl dreams of.”

Looking up into his eyes, she felt incredibly
shy. His eyes sparkled with warmth, and a promise of things to
come. Gently, his thumb grazed across her trembling fingers, and he
gave them a little squeeze. He was breathtakingly handsome in a
suit she’d never seen before. His hair, ruffled by the balmy
breeze, shone in the sun and smelled wonderful. Even his scar,
something they shared between them and would always remind her of
their first true encounter, was attractive to her. She stayed her
hand from reaching up and caressing it.

John stopped just before the gigantic stone
steps. The aroma of something sweet being fried nearby wafted on
the air. He turned Lily toward him and looked down into her face.
“What is troubling you? I hear it in your voice,” he asked amid the
flowers, the buzzing of bees, and brightly colored canaries hopping
around in the tree branches.

Lily
glanced away from his gaze, not wanting to put a damper on their
special day. Her heart thumped inside her chest. She
was
happy.
Excited. Thrilled
beyond her wildest dreams. In less than an
hour she would be Mrs. John McCutcheon. John’s bride, to have and
to hold, till death did they part. At least that was what Charity
said the minister would say. In Germany it was a little different,
yet much the same, too.

“Lily?” he coaxed, tipping her face up to him
with his finger. Worry creased his forehead as he searched her
face. “Are you having doubts? It’s not too late to change your
mind.”

“I would never have doubts about you. Or
about us getting married. It is just that I wish my family were
here for this day. My Mütti and Vatie. All five of my sisters. My
two brothers.”

“I was afraid you’d regret not having a big
wedding. If you want to wait—we can do that. We can even travel to
Germany and get married there. Anything you want.”

As usual, his words were a balm to her. “No,
I do not want to wait. That is why I did not want to say anything.
I knew it would hurt you, or make you feel sad. I love you. Today
is the happiest day of my life. Just thinking how happy my family
would be for me made me long to see them.”

“If you’re sure?” He started up the steps,
bringing her along, too. “I’m ready and willing. Let’s go—the
others must be wondering what happened to us.”

On the landing, John opened one of the huge
wooden doors and held it as Lily passed through into the cool
vestibule. All was quiet. On one side of the entry, a metal stand
held a multitude of flickering candles, which gave off a warm,
spicy scent. Like a welcoming sign from God, the sunlight beamed
though a small stained-glass window, making a splash of crimson and
gold at the beginning of the wide aisle where they would begin
their life together. Brandon waited on one side of the aisle in the
sanctuary, Charity on the other. The priest came out of a side door
and positioned himself in the middle. He nodded once, then the
strains of Ave Maria floated out from one of the side alters where
a young man drew the bow slowly, reverently across the strings of
his violin.

If he wasn’t the luckiest man in the world,
then he didn’t know who was. Lily’s hand trembled when he tucked it
protectively into the bend in his arm, and she looked up into his
face for support. “I love you,” he whispered as they walked. “Never
doubt that for as long as there are stars in the heavens.”

They walked down the aisle slowly and stopped
in front of the alter. The music faded away. Charity beamed.
“Here,” she whispered, gesturing to Lily to come and stand by her.
She took the bouquet from his Lily’s quivering hands and offered
her a confident smile.

The priest smiled. “Let us begin. In the name
of the Father…”

Lily had a hard time concentrating on
anything the priest said. Glancing down she marveled at the
beautiful gold band John had placed on her finger moments before.
It had been a surprise, something she hadn’t expected until he was
slipping it on. When the priest raised his hand to give them a
blessing, somewhere high in the rafters, a bird trilled out
joyfully, another sign that the heavens were jubilant over their
union.

“I now pronounce you man and wife.” Like
magic, the church bells began pealing, the magnificent sound
announcing their love across the whole city of San Antonio. “You
may—”

John pulled her into his embrace, kissing her
passionately until the priest made a small sound in his throat.
Charity giggled. When they came apart, Brandon grasped John and
embraced him for a good ten seconds while Charity hugged her. As if
he couldn’t stand to be away from her for even a moment longer,
John pulled her back close to his side as congratulations were
given all around.

“W
hat do you
think of it,” John asked as they followed the maitre d’ to their
table. Yesterday, he and Brandon had scouted the most renowned
restaurant in San Antonio and reserved the best table in the house.
It overlooked a stone courtyard alive with a barrage of blooming
flowers. Butterflies flitted here and there, much to the women’s
delight. A three-tiered fountain bubbled in the center of the
patio, making the afternoon feel cooler by a few degrees just by
the sound of running water.

“It’s stunning,” Lily said as she oohed and
aahed over everything. “I do not think I have ever seen any place
like it.”

“Me either,” Charity agreed. “Mother would
love this.”

Three musicians strummed their guitars under
the shade of a wisteria-covered lattice, smiling whenever Lily or
Charity looked their way. John pulled out Lily’s chair and helped
her get seated as Brandon did the same for Charity.

A handsome young man with dashing eyes and
olive colored skin approached. He wore snug-fitting pants and an
immaculate white shirt adorned with ruffles. A black silk vest
added a finishing touch. It was apparent to John the rake played
his roll well as he made his way across the semi-crowded room,
smiling fetchingly at every lady who caught his eye. A white linen
cloth was draped over his arm and he held out a bottle of champagne
for John to inspect. “Our finest, sir, as you requested.”

John nodded and the waiter promptly opened it
and poured a small taste into John’s glass. After the approval, the
waiter filled the glasses and set the bottle in an earthen jug that
he placed it in the center of the table. “May I offer you my
congratulations, Señora,” he said, his eyes dancing as he boldly
admired Lily’s beauty.

When he walked away, Brandon raised his
glass. “I’d like to make a toast to the bride and groom. May they
share many happy years together. May they produce a passel of new
McCutcheons to populate West Texas—and—and—to a lot less drama in
all our lives for at least a few days.”

The four laughed, as did a few of the people
seated close enough to hear the salutation. Charity made a salute
of her own, and again they all drank heartily. The waiter was back
with a platter of mushrooms stuffed with some sort of meat, herbs
and melted butter. After serving Lily, he leaned down and smiled
into Charity’s face. “Señorita …”

By the time they were finished with their
dinners and the waiter brought a small cake to the table, Lily knew
she was tipsy. She sucked in her breath at the creation, then, for
no reason at all, giggled like a school girl. The waiter handed the
knife to her and John to make the first slice, then he finished the
cutting and served it.

“How did you have time to arrange all this?”
Lily asked, leaning onto her husband’s shoulder and looking up into
his face. “I am amazed. You can do anything.”

“Which question would you like me answer
first?” His gaze held hers. “The one you just asked or the one
lurking behind your enchanting blue eyes?” She laughed nervously at
his question, then felt her face go hot when he brought the tips of
her fingers to his warm, pliant lips and kissed them.

Charity gaped at the romantic gesture. “I
can’t believe my eyes.”

“It’s a good thing this celebration is almost
over,” Brandon added, chuckling as he forked in the last bit of his
cake. The other patrons had dwindled down to just a few as the four
of them lingered over each course of their dinner, taking time not
to rush. Aunt Winnie had given Lily and John specific orders to
enjoy every moment, as a wedding day was once in a lifetime.