T'on Ma (18 page)

They traveled several days, but at last, the wall-less fort rose into view. Over an hour later, the Cooper family reached the first outlying building.

"You're here!" Liam grinned when he saw them. He shook first Joshua's and then Nathan's hand. "Come to the Officers' Mess," he invited. The small band of weary travelers followed him in and, after yelling for the cook, Liam soon had them drinking hot, bitter coffee.

"The wives are going to be so excited that you got here," he laughed. "They've been working like crazy folk ever since I told them about the wedding. They won't let me see the dress. You'd think
I
was the groom!"

Nathan laughed at that. Christina just blushed.

"So, when will this all take place? Tomorrow? The next day?" Liam asked.

"Probably the next day," May said. "We need tomorrow to get a few things ready."

"All right. I'll spread the word. The cook is willing to help with anything you need, Mrs. Cooper. And I've already told the chaplain you'd be coming, Nathan, but I'm sure he'll want to meet you and Christina tomorrow."

"Just say when," Nathan answered, "and we'll be there."

"I don't know if there's room to put everyone up," Liam warned.

"We didn't plan on staying at the fort," Joshua said. "We brought a couple of tents. One for the men and one for the women."

"Why don't I get a room for the two young ladies? Then, you and your lovely wife can have a tent all to yourselves, and these young bucks here can share a tent. After the wedding, Lana can move out and Nathan can move in with Christina."

Again, Christina blushed. "Thank you," she managed to say.

In short order, the two young women were deposited in guest quarters, their clothing and personal items brought in from the wagon. The two tents were set up some distance away. The horses were allowed room in the stables, where they received oats as a treat with their dinner.

The next day went by in a hectic flurry. Lana and Christina's morning began at a knock on their door. After donning her robe, Lana answered the door to find several military wives outside. One held a large box, another a cloth-covered tray.

"Is the bride awake?" one woman asked cheerfully. "We've brought the dress to try on her."

"Of course. Come in." Lana stepped back and smiled as they entered one-by-one.

The women surrounded Christina in a matter of seconds, as she tried to learn everyone's name.

"We know it's still early," one of the wives smiled, "so we brought you some breakfast. I hope you like pancakes."

"We
love
pancakes," Lana peered eagerly at the tray the woman carried. Soon, Lana and Christina were eating delicious buttermilk pancakes made with light flour, drenched in butter and syrup. There couldn't have been a better way for them to start the day.

With breakfast over, and knowing that she would only be in the way, Lana quickly dressed, wanting to see the chapel. She wondered if she could find enough flowers for decoration.

The Cooper's also rose early. Nervous about his appointment with the chaplain, Nathan spent many careful minutes getting shaved and dressed.

May wanted to speak to the cook about arrangements for the bridal supper and, more importantly, for the wedding cake. After feeding her family oatmeal and coffee for breakfast, she made her way across the compound.

"Excuse me," she poked her head through the mess hall doorway. "I'm looking for the cook." One of the soldiers pointed toward a door at the back of the room. Thanking him, May followed his direction and soon stood face-to-face with a redheaded man.

"I'm May Cooper. I believe Lt. O'Connell informed you about my son's wedding," she introduced herself, her hand extended.

"Hello," he shook her hand. "I'm Sergeant Billings. How can I help?"

"I'd like to talk to you about the wedding supper and the cake, if you've got the time. I don't have all the ingredients I'll need, but I do have fresh eggs."

With that, the cook poured them each a cup of coffee while he shouted orders over his shoulder to the privates who had pulled KP duty. The sergeant and May quickly ensconced themselves at one end of the long worktable with menus and ingredients and deal making.

Joshua, Paul and Jake found it diplomatic to simply stay out of the way. They spent their day exploring the fort, the smithy, the prison, the stables, and the barracks. Joshua also kept an eye out for trading after the wedding. He hoped to return home with a dairy cow and, possibly, a calf.

Lana walked to their wagon after lunch, looking for a basket and knife. Once she found those, she headed out on foot searching for wildflowers. She had gone a mile from the fort when a column of soldiers came riding in. The one at the head broke away and rode over to her.

"Lana," Liam greeted her. "Picking flowers, I see."

"Yep. I'm hoping to get enough to decorate the chapel."

"That will be nice." He dismounted to walk beside her.

"Shouldn't you be with them?" she asked, looking over her shoulder at the disappearing soldiers.

"They know how to get back. At least, I
hope
they do." He laughed at his own joke. Ignoring his attempt at humor, Lana knelt to cut some Johnny-jump-ups and Sweet Williams. Liam watched her a few moments and then broke the silence. "So, how've you been?"

She looked up at him, squinting against the sun. "I've been fine."

Reaching for her elbows, he pulled her up. "No, Lana. How have you been? Honestly."

Sighing once deeply, she frowned. "Well, I had that talk with my folks like I promised."

"Good. How'd that go?"

"They were shocked, just like I thought they'd be. And I was a mess having to remember all of it again."

"So, it didn't help to talk about it? Even a little?"

"Yes," she admitted. "It
did
help. I just didn't like it at the time. But it helped." Spying a patch of showy primroses and bachelor buttons, she walked over to them, leaving Liam and his horse to follow.

"I'm probably gonna get in trouble asking you this," Liam said as Lana knelt again. "But have you thought any more about our talk?"

"Our talk about the Kiowa?"

"Yes."

"I've thought a lot about that." Placing the flowers in her basket, she stood up. "Centas Yi came for me a few weeks ago." Trying to sound as nonchalant as possible didn't help. She still felt the pang in her heart.

"I see." Liam wasn't sure how to proceed. "It's obvious you didn't go with him. What happened?"

"I asked him about taking captives for the Apaches." She winced. "And he admitted it. What's worse, he doesn't see anything wrong with it." Lana looked over her shoulder under the pretense of finding more flowers, but, in truth, she hid her trembling chin. "So I told him I wasn't going to marry him."

"Oh." Liam and his horse followed her to a patch of bluebonnets and corn poppies. "Well, for what it's worth, you made the right decision."

At those words, Lana whirled around to face him, her angry eyes brimming with tears.
"The right decision?
It just about killed me. And I know it just about killed him! There's nothing
right
about it!"

"I'm sorry," Liam backed up a step when he saw how upset she was. "I was just trying to say something comforting."

"I know, Liam. I'm sorry." She reached across and touched his shoulder. "Please, forgive me?"

"On one condition," he said seriously.

"What?"

"That you dance with me at the wedding."

"Of course I'll dance with you! I was counting on it." She finally smiled, bringing a smile to Liam's face as well.

"There. That's my girl. Then all is forgiven," he grinned. "That's a much prettier face, by the way."

"Oh, please!" she rolled her eyes. Then, changing the subject, she asked, "Do you think I've got enough flowers?"

"Probably. Besides, I know for a fact that one of the officer's wives grows irises behind their quarters. If I ask real sweet, she might let you have some."

"Oh, for the bridal bouquet," Lana said happily.

"Have you seen the bride's dress yet?"

"No. Christina didn't want me to see it until it was finished. I'm hoping to after dinner."

Liam laughed. "I thought there was going to be a small war among the wives over who was going to make the lace."

"Liam," Lana hooked her arm through his as they headed back to the fort, "it's awfully sweet of you to do this for my brother and Christina. Especially the dress. She's talked of nothing else since you offered it. Curiosity just about killed her, wondering what it would look like."

He patted her hand contentedly as he explained, "I've come to think of your family as my own. I'd do just about anything for you." Her response of a kiss on his shoulder surprised and delighted him.

The day of the wedding dawned with the promise of beautiful weather. The Coopers had breakfast eaten before the sun was fully up. The wedding would take place late that afternoon, and the entire fort buzzed with activity. Everyone had been invited, from the lowest ranking private to the fort commander.

May and the cook outdid themselves preparing the feast. Not only was the cake made out of light flour, eggs, butter and fresh milk, but there were bits of shaved chocolate in the batter
and
a chocolate frosting,
and
it was a triple layer cake. May had never heard of using chocolate in a frosting and learning a new recipe thrilled her.

Beef roasted on a spit beside the Mess Hall, its mouth-watering aroma filling the compound. New potatoes were ready to be boiled and buttered. Running the risk of encountering the Supply Sergeant's wrath, the cook made a huge batch of buttermilk biscuits entirely of light flour. Smoked ham, roasted turnips, creamed onions, spiced peaches and fresh greens filled out the menu.

The wild flowers Lana had gathered and arranged brightened the chapel. The chaplain's eyes lit up when he saw her work.

"You know what would make this even lovelier?" he asked. "Candles. Lots of candles." Leading Lana to a back storeroom, he showed her dozens of yellow candles.

"Oh, you're right," she exclaimed. "These will be perfect!"

The chaplain picked up two tall candelabra and placed one on either side of the pulpit. Lana put the candles in and then carefully straightened them so they were in perfect alignment.

"Lana," Jake came running in. "Christina needs you."

"Oh, all right." She turned to the chaplain. "Thank you for your help. But if you'll excuse me?" At the wave of his hand, she hurried out the door.

Lana burst into Christina's room and stopped. Christina stood there in her wedding dress.

"What do you think?" Christina asked.

"Oh, my," Lana said breathlessly. "You are so beautiful!"

The Army wives had done themselves proud. One of them had sacrificed her own wedding dress to be altered for Christina. In the style of the time, the dark brown satin shimmered in the light. Some of the most intricate lace Lana had ever seen adorned the high neckline and bodice. Lace also trimmed the long flowing sleeves. Dozens of tiny satin buttons went down the back. The scalloped hoop skirt revealed a beautiful black underskirt, also covered in lace.

"Nathan is going to be so proud," Lana said as she sat on the bed to admire the dress up close.

"I hope so. You know, I love him more than life itself."

"I know. I can tell. You don't seem nervous. Are you?"

"Maybe a little," Christina admitted. "But only a little. I know I'm doing the right thing." She touched Lana's shoulder. "I don't love just your brother. I love his whole family." Christina teared up from the emotions of the day. "I don't know what would have become of me if your family hadn't taken me in."

"Oh, don't talk like that!" Lana fussed as she wiped her own tears away. "Of
course
we'd take you in. I've always wanted a sister. And now, I've got one!"

The two young women hugged each other.

"Where's Ma?" Lana asked. "I thought she'd be in here with you."

"She was, but I think she went to make sure the cook was doing everything just right."

"That sounds like Ma," Lana laughed.

"Oh, I almost forgot. Liam sent this over for you."

"Sent what?" Lana followed the direction Christina pointed. On the wall hung something covered in a blanket.

"What on earth?" Lana asked as she walked across the room and took down the blanket. There, to her amazement, hung the most beautiful dress she'd ever seen. "This is for me?"

"There's a note pinned to it," Christina informed her.

Lana found the note close to the hem. Taking it off, she read:

My dearest Lana, I know the bride is supposed to be the most beautiful woman at her wedding. But, as true as that may be, I know you'll be the most beautiful to me. With my compliments, Liam O'Connell

"Try it on," Christina urged. "He had the wives make it so you could wear it to the wedding."

"I don't know," Lana shook her head, but the light in her eyes belied her curiosity.

"Oh, come on!" Christina walked over and took it down. "Here."

"All right, all right." Lana quickly took off her own dress. "I won't be able to wear my camisole with this," she said, noting the dress's design.

"So? It's for a wedding and a dance. It's
supposed
to be a fancy dress. Haven't you and I dreamed and dreamed about getting to go to a dance and about what we'd wear?"

"Yes," Lana admitted. She hesitated only a moment before she slipped it over her head. Once it was on and the sash tied, Lana turned to face her reflection.

The creamy, light blue silk dress fit her perfectly. The off-the-shoulders bodice trimmed with plum satin ribbon accentuated her graceful throat and shoulders. A plum sash encircled her waist and tied in the back to form a graceful bow. The skirt fell in layers of light blue over a dark purple petticoat that peeked out flirtatiously as she swirled. "Oh! Oh my goodness," she cried. "I look like a fairy princess."