To Love and Cherish (32 page)

“My life?”

“Lawrence had to go along with the scheme until he knew you were safe, but it was his information that helped us foil the assassination plot.”

Melinda exhaled a sigh of relief and a sense of pride washed over her. Both her brother and Evan had helped save the president. “I'm so proud of you, Evan.” She leaned forward and brushed his lips with a fleeting kiss, then scanned the room for Lawrence. She wanted to thank him, but he'd disappeared.

The doors to the dining room opened, and a security guard, along with Mr. Morley and two other investors, escorted Mr. Zimmerman and the two men dressed in pirate costumes into the foyer and out the side door.

Melinda shook her head. “I can't believe Mr. Zimmerman was involved in this. How did you know?”

“At first I didn't. I unsuspectingly made things worse because I went to him after you told me what Emma heard.”

Melinda gasped and covered her mouth. “Oh no!”

“Fortunately, it all worked out, with Lawrence's help. Had I known Zimmerman was involved, I would have spoken directly to the security guards when the president first arrived. Instead, I only asked if he'd notified them.”

“And when he told you he had, naturally you believed him.”

Evan nodded. “I knew only you and Mr. Zimmerman were aware of my involvement. It wasn't until I heard Mr. Zimmerman shout to the other guests that the gunshot was part of the skit that I realized he was involved. But thankfully, nobody was injured.” He touched his finger to the welt on her neck. “At least not too badly.”

Melinda gave him a reassuring smile and leaned closer. “Where is Lawrence? He was here only moments ago, and now he's nowhere in sight.” She'd barely uttered the question when her brother bounded into the room waving several papers overhead.

He stopped in front of her, his smile as bright as a summer day. “Look what I found in Preston's room.” Lawrence pointed to the bill of sale. Melinda began to unfold the papers. “These are the papers that prove I own Midnight Flight
.
Preston stole them from my valise so that I couldn't prove ownership of the horse. He also threatened to harm you if I didn't aid him in his plot against the president.”

Melinda wrapped her arms around him and held him tight. “Evan told me you came to him. I'm so proud of you, Lawrence. And I'm delighted you've located the bill of sale for the horse.” She stepped back and grinned. “I suppose this means I no longer have reason to nag you.”

Lawrence chuckled. “I'm sure you'll find something else that needs improvement, dear sister.”

“Well, there is the gambling . . .”

He turned his attention to Evan. “You see? There's no pleasing this woman.”

“Perhaps. But I'd like to spend the rest of my life trying.”

She grasped Evan's hand. “Nothing would make me happier.”

———

Once the guards removed all of the perpetrators from the room, Melinda looked toward the president. He was standing beside his wife, who still appeared pale. She tipped her head in their direction and Evan understood. Together they crossed the room. Melinda took a deep breath. “I am so sorry, President and Mrs. McKinley. I'm very grateful no one was hurt, but I doubt you'll ever want to return to Bridal Veil again.”

The president tugged on his jacket. “Nonsense, my dear girl. There's no denying that the ordeal gave both my wife and me a fright, but there's been no harm done.” He patted Melinda's shoulder. “Now that the officials have removed the perpetrators and order has been restored, the orchestra members need to gather their instruments and offer us some music. We came here for a ball, and we're not going to let those criminals spoil our good time.”

He leaned closer and lowered his voice—his bravado fading. “I can't deny the attempt on my life has given me a good scare—and I must keep a close eye on my wife. However, we don't want the crowd to become even more alarmed. To continue with the festivities will send a message that all is well.”

“You're absolutely certain you want to proceed?”

He glanced at his wife, who had regained a bit of color in her cheeks, and then gave a firm nod. “The best way to dispel the significance of what they've attempted is to carry on as planned.”

Melinda looked at Mrs. McKinley. “Do you think you're up to any more excitement this evening?”

She smiled at Melinda. “I may not dance more than once, and I may depart earlier than some of the other guests, but I agree with my husband. The best way to set minds at ease is to carry on as planned.”

Evan wrapped a protective arm around Melinda's waist. “Are you certain you can do this? You've had a terrible fright, and I think everyone will understand if you decide to leave.” He smiled down at her. “I care more about you than anything else.”

“If President and Mrs. McKinley can stay, I believe I can, too.” Melinda looked into Evan's dark eyes that shone with love. “So long as you promise to remain by my side for the rest of the evening.”

He leaned close. “I promise to always remain by your side, my love.”

A short time later the president quietly explained the foiled assassination attempt to the guests. He then signaled the musicians. “Now, I ask that you please join my wife and me in the first dance.” The president escorted Mrs. McKinley onto the dance floor, and the remaining costumed guests took to the floor, also.

Evan took Melinda's hand. “Shall we?”

She bobbed her head. “Please.”

Evan gathered her into his arms, and as they swirled around the room, the palms adorned with silver stars twinkled in the candlelight—just like the stars in Melinda's eyes.

“I've been thinking.” He pulled her a little closer. “June the third is a Saturday.”

Melinda's eyebrows crimped in puzzlement. “If you say so. Is that day of some importance?”

“If you don't need additional time to evaluate your feelings about marriage, I think it would make a wonderful wedding day . . . don't you?”

She looked at him with wide innocent eyes. “Our wedding?”

“Who else's?” He chuckled. “I certainly have no interest in any but ours.”

She smiled and leaned in. “Why, President Washington, I believe that would be quite acceptable to me. Provided, of course, that the country can get by without you at the helm for a time.”

He laughed and whirled her in a wide circle. “I'm the president. Who would dare to interfere with my wedding day?”

June 3, 1899

Melinda stood as impatient as a child on Christmas morning while Emma secured sprigs of waxed jasmine petals to her wedding veil.

“Yar for sure the most beautiful bride in all the world,” Emma declared, taking a step back. “It was most generous of Mrs. Mifflin to pay for the gown. A pretty penny that must have cost her.”

It had been a surprise that the Mifflins had not only insisted on being invited to the wedding but had taken up the position of parents of the bride. Aided by the McKinleys, they had insisted that Evan and Melinda marry in a beautiful clubhouse wedding. And because this request had come from investors and the President of the United States himself, Victor Morley and the other investors had readily agreed. They asked only that the couple wait until after the official island season had concluded.

“I still can't believe Mrs. Mifflin did this,” Melinda said, touching her hand to her neck and the turquoise and silver pin Evan had given her last Christmas. The high-necked bodice made the perfect place to display the family keepsake.

“Well, ya look grand.” Emma wiped a tear from her eye.

“As do you,” Melinda said, motioning to the woman's new gown. “I think you should always wear that shade of blue.”

“Mrs. Mifflin called it niagara.” Emma turned to show off the dress, which was a hue somewhere between turquoise and peacock blue. “And your brother said it shimmers like the falls themselves.”

“That it does. You look like quite the grand lady.”

A knock sounded on the door, and Emma hurried to answer. “Why Harland, and don't ya look like the grand master himself in that new suit.”

Melinda smiled as Harland stepped into the room. “I'm nothing compared to the two of you.”

Taking hold of his hand, Melinda hugged him close. “How is Evan holding up?”

“He's mighty impatient. I'm here to tell you that it's time to get on with this affair. Pastor Webley had to fight to keep him from coming here himself.”

Emma laughed. “Well, we'd best get this affair underway then. Tell Lawrence that we have a bride in need of an escort down the aisle and request the music to begin.”

Harland nodded. “I'll do just that.” He leaned over and gave Melinda a quick peck on the cheek. “I wanted to be the first to do that. Blessings on this marriage and your life here on Bridal Veil.”

Melinda fought back tears. “Thank you, Harland. I'm so glad you were well enough to come and stand with Evan. You mean the world to him. You are practically the only family he has.”

“Then you must do your duty and remedy that matter quickly.” He turned to walk to the door. “I'm thinking Evan would like a dozen or so children now that he's been promoted.”

Melinda felt her cheeks grow hot, but she said nothing. Instead, as Harland left she took up her bouquet of flowers and drew a deep breath. “I'm ready,” she said in a barely audible voice. “I feel as though I've waited forever for this day, and now that it's here . . . well . . . it all seems to be happening so fast.”

“The best days pass quickly. That's why God gives us memories.” Emma gave Melinda's arm a gentle squeeze.

Just then the door opened a fraction of an inch, and Garrison O'Sullivan called out. “Are you ladies ready to put an end to our misery?”

Emma laughed and pulled open the door. “And fer sure ya'll be a sight more miserable if ya don't mind yar wild manners.”

He gave her a wink. “I'll be teachin' ya all about me wild manners after we get these two hitched.”

Lawrence entered the room behind him, and Melinda's breath caught in her throat. “You look like Papa.”

He came alongside Melinda and took hold of her arm in a most gentle fashion. “And you look like a princess.”

“Thank you for being here to give me away.” Melinda gazed into her brother's eyes. “And thank you for agreeing to mend your ways. It's the best possible wedding gift to hear that you will put aside gambling.”

“Well, what with a full-time job offer from the investors, I could hardly refuse.” Lawrence leaned down and kissed her cheek. “Besides, we all have to grow up at some point.”

“Papa and Mama would be proud.”

He nodded and smiled. “Indeed they would—especially of you.” He reached up to pull her veil into place. “Come along, princess. Your prince awaits.”

Evan watched as Emma made her way down the aisle of the little church. He'd never seen her so grandly attired, but the older woman looked quite regal and very happy. She threw him a wink before stepping to the side opposite of where he and Harland stood.

The congregation stood just then, and the piano boomed out in a wonderful wedding melody. Evan wiped his moist hands against his suit coat and gave a small tug at the mail-coach cravat Mr. Mifflin had helped to secure at his neck.

And then the moment he'd waited for came, and Melinda, gowned in white satin, appeared in the doorway on the arm of her brother. Evan swallowed hard, unable to push down the knot that had formed in his throat. She was beautiful—angelic, like something from a dream. Her veil hid some of the details of her face, but Evan knew without a doubt that she was smiling.

Pastor Webley stepped forward as Lawrence came to a stop with Melinda on his arm. “Dearly beloved, we are gathered together here in the sight of God, and in the face of this congregation, to join together this man and this woman . . . in holy matrimony. Who giveth the bride?”

Lawrence grinned at Evan. “I do . . . her brother.” He extended Melinda's hand to Evan and pressed his hand atop Evan's as he took hold of her. “Treat her right or you'll answer to me.”

Evan nodded. “I promise you, I will.”

Lawrence then stepped back and took his seat as the pastor continued. Evan hoped Melinda didn't feel the trembling in his hand as he tucked her arm against his. He thanked God for bringing the two of them to this point. His only regret was that his mother hadn't lived to know Melinda. He was sure they would have been the closest of friends.

The vows were given and repeated and the rings exchanged. Before Evan knew it, Pastor Webley was instructing him to kiss his bride. His heart swelled with joy as he lifted his wife's veil and could see her face in full.

She smiled and whispered, “My husband.”

“Beloved,” he murmured and settled his lips on hers for a most passionate kiss.

“Where are you taking me?” Melinda asked as Evan drove the buggy farther from the clubhouse and past the hunting lodge. She looked at him in confusion.

“It's a surprise.” Evan snapped the reins to hurry the horse a bit.

Making their way along a lovely little lane, Melinda was surprised when a small cottage came into sight. She'd never seen the little house before, but it was quite fetching. Someone had gone to a great deal of trouble to pattern it after some of the grander dwellings but on a much smaller scale.

Evan pulled the horses to a stop in front of the house and set the brake. “Well, what do you think?”

Melinda looked at him in confusion. “About what?”

He laughed and jumped down from the carriage. “Our new home—Mr. Morley's gift to us for as long as I'm overseeing Bridal Veil Island.”

Her eyes grew wide and her heart leapt. “Ours? Truly?”

Evan helped her down from the buggy. “Ours indeed. I think you'll be quite pleased. Mr. Morley spared no expense. He said he was under the direction of the investors and the president himself to make us a suitable place to start our new life.”

Melinda shook her head. “I can scarcely believe it. It's beautiful.”

“As are you.” Evan lifted her into his arms.

Melinda giggled and wrapped her arms around his neck.

“I know you didn't like the wait, but I promise you now that we're married . . . you'll realize just how worthwhile the delay was. I want to give you the best life.” He leaned down to kiss her forehead as he carried her toward the house. “I never want you to be afraid of going hungry or of having a roof over your head.”

Melinda sighed and buried her face against his neck. A hint of bayberry and spice tickled her nose. The heat of the day bore down on them, but she didn't mind at all. To be in his arms was all that she had ever wanted.

“God purposed our lives together.” Evan stepped up to the porch and shifted her enough to open the screen door. “And I intend to honor that purpose by making you a promise here and now. The same promise I gave in our ceremony. I will love and cherish you, Melinda Colson Tarlow. Every day, every moment.”

She tightened her hold on him as he carried her over the threshold. Her heart nearly burst with joy. The long wait was over, and God had blessed them on their journey. The love He had given them was richer than she could have ever imagined.

Looking up, Melinda met his intense gaze. “And I will love and cherish you, my most precious Evan . . . with all of my heart . . . always and forever.”