WestwardWindsV2Arebooks (11 page)

“Nice ring. It’s unexpected. I didn’t know you felt that way about me,” Charlie said.

Dean laughed. “Shut up, you old fart.”

Charlie chuckled. “So, you’re
gonna
ask her to marry you. I think it’s a good move. She’s a good woman and it doesn’t hurt that she’s easy on the eyes. The kids like her a lot, too.”

“I know. She’s funny and smart and, yeah, beautiful, and I’d be crazy to let her get away, right?” Dean said. “You know, I’m confident about everything else. The ranch, my kids, breaking horses, breeding cattle, and growing crops, but when it comes to a new woman in our lives, I get all twisted up inside.”

Charlie laughed. “I’m not surprised. It can be a hard thing. I think your head and heart are in the right place, though.”

“I’m gonna
ask her tonight. I can’t put it off any longer or I’ll lose the nerve,” Dean said.

Charlie nodded. “Yep. Good
thinkin’. Proposing is nerve wracking, all right. Best to do it and get it over with.”

Dean said, “Yeah. Wish me luck. The next time you see me, I hope to be an engaged man.”

Dean and Tessa lay out on a blanket in one of the pastures. Marcus stayed with the kids to make sure they weren’t disturbed. The kids didn’t mind this in the least since they loved spending time with their funny uncle. Dean rolled over and looked down at Tessa. The moonlight created a soft glow on her face. He loved the way she smiled at him.

“Tessa, you are a wonderful woman and we are so lucky you’re here. Since you arrived, you’ve made things better for us all, but especially for me. After Sarah died, I never wanted to get involved with another woman. I never wanted to open myself up to that kind of pain again. You’ve changed my mind about that and made me think that I could be happy again. I don’t want to let you slip through my fingers. Theresa Marie O’Connor, will you do me the honor of becoming my wife?”

Tessa’s heart filled with joy and tears welled in her eyes. “I’ve never met a man like you, Dean. Someone strong and devoted and honest. It’s wonderful here and I adore your children. I’ve always said that I didn’t want to replace Sarah in their eyes and I still mean it, but it means so much to me that you would trust me with them. I promise to be a good wife and a good mother-figure. I love you and, yes, Dean, I’ll marry you.”

Dean took out the ring box and opened it. The moonlight glinted off the small diamond and Tessa’s breath caught in her chest. Dean lifted her left hand and slipped the ring on her third finger. Tessa looked at the ring and thought it beautiful. However, what it represented was something much more meaningful than its beauty.

She wasn’t upset that Dean hadn’t told her he loved her. Tessa knew men well enough to know that they sometimes couldn’t say that kind of thing but she hoped that, one day, she would hear those words. Right now, she was happy that he’d shown her by asking for her hand and giving her a ring.

Tessa looked up at this handsome man she’d fallen in love with and pulled his head down so she could kiss him. They kissed each other tenderly as the moon shined its approving light on them.

Dean and Tessa broke the news to the children at breakfast the next day. Sadie was thrilled and wanted to know when they were getting married; Jack was happy about it but quickly moved on to more pressing matters, like what they were having for breakfast. The rest of the family was equally happy and the couple was congratulated by all.

Neither Dean nor Tessa wanted a lengthy engagement and the ceremony date was set for the next month when the circuit preacher would be in Dawson again. Tessa showed Lydia her dress.

“I can’t believe you brought it with you,” Lydia said. “It’s gorgeous.”

Tessa held it against her. “I wanted to be prepared and I wasn’t sure that there would be a dressmaking boutique near here. Do you really like it?”

Lydia said, “Yes, and so will Dean. He’s going to be bowled over when he sees you.”

“I’m so nervous, Lydia. Unbelievably happy, but nervous nonetheless,” Tessa said.

“Getting married is serious business. It’s not to be taken lightly because it’s for the rest of your life.” Lydia took Tessa’s hand. “I know that you and Dean belong together. I see the way you look at each other and it reminds me of Charlie and me. We were so in love and it didn’t take us long to get married either. So don’t be nervous. Just be happy.”

Bolstered by Lydia’s assurances, Tessa’s fears melted away and she concentrated on the festive occasion ahead of her.

The ceremony was simple yet elegant, thanks to Lydia’s eye for detail. She and Sadie decorated the small chapel in Dawson with flowers and ribbons. The effect was very quaint.

Tessa became a little teary-eyed over the fact that her family wasn’t there to witness her wedding day, but she told herself that perhaps they could come west sometime and celebrate. She also felt guilty over sneaking away to start a new life without a proper goodbye. It had been necessary though, because she would have never been allowed to do so if she had been upfront about it.

Dean was incredibly nervous as he waited at the altar. He fidgeted with his tie and jacket. What if he was making a mistake? Once the ceremony was over, that was it; there would be no going back. He cared greatly for Tessa but wasn’t sure if he loved her. In a way, it wasn’t fair to her, but she didn’t seem to be worried about that.

Seth, his best man, kept trying to calm him down. Marcus also stood up with him. The preacher, John Williams, was a circuit minister and was in town for a week to minister to the parishioners there. Lydia acted as Tessa’s maid of honor and Sadie was thrilled to be her bridesmaid. Jack had happily accepted the duties of ring bearer. Charlie gave Tessa away.

Pastor John’s wife, Melody, played the wedding march on the piano. When Dean saw Tessa coming down the aisle, he couldn’t breathe for a moment. She was incredibly beautiful and he couldn’t believe she was marrying him. He was a lucky man and he vowed to do his best to make her happy.

Tessa’s hair was done in an updo
with baby’s breath woven into it. Her deep blue eyes were alight with happiness. She wore just a hint of color on her lips. The dress she wore was lovely with a tight, demur bodice and a full, flowing skirt. She carried a bouquet of lavender and baby’s breath.

When she reached the altar, Charlie gave her hand to Dean. He squeezed her hand and looked into her gorgeous eyes. Her smile was radiant as they said their vows. When they exchanged their vows, there were tears of joy in her eyes.

Pastor Williams said, “By the powers invested in me by the state of Montana, I now pronounce you husband and wife. You may now kiss the bride.”

Dean’s kiss was long and tender and Tessa lost herself in it. Sadie giggled and it made Dean and Tessa break apart. Dean leaned his forehead on Tessa’s and chuckled.

“I guess I forgot that there were other people here,” he whispered.

“Me, too,” Tessa said.

They turned and faced the wedding participants. The minister presented the newlyweds to them and they were congratulated and embraced. They held a celebratory meal in the basement of the chapel. It was a small affair, but jubilant nonetheless. They cut the cake and fed each other a piece amid cheers and laughter.

Lydia and Charlie took Sadie and Jack for a week to give the newlyweds privacy. Dean and Tessa bid them goodbye and drove off in their buggy, which had been decorated with ribbons and flowers.

Dean was quiet on the drive to their ranch.

“What are you thinking about, husband?” Tessa asked. She loved the way that sounded.

Dean smiled at her. “I was just thinking that I’m a lucky man and that I’m looking forward to our life together.”

“As am I,” Tessa said and leaned against Dean.

They turned onto the road leading into the ranch and, as the house came into view, Tessa had a true sense of homecoming and saw the ranch in a new light. This was her home now and she was now a married woman. Dean stopped the buggy by the house and helped her down.

“You go on in the house and I’ll get the horse taken care of and feed the stock quick, ok?” he said.

Tessa nodded. “Yes, of course. I’ll be waiting.” She gave Dean a coy look and then entered the house.

Dean hurried to the barn to get his chores done.

When he entered the kitchen, it was dimly lit by candles and two wine glasses sat on the table, over which a lacy table cloth had been placed. Tessa sat in one of the chairs. She poured them each a glass of wine.

Dean loosened his tie and undid several buttons of his shirt. Tessa swallowed at the sight of his bare throat and the top of his chest. “Come and have a drink.”

Dean pulled another chair over close to her and sat down. Their legs touched and Tessa felt the heat of his thigh against hers. Tessa picked up her glass. “A toast.”

Dean raised his in response.

“To a bright future and a new beginning for us all. May we all share love and laughter and happiness for the rest of our lives,” Tessa said.

“Well said,” Dean agreed.

They touched their glasses together and then set them down. Dean leaned over and cupped the back of her head. He brushed his mouth gently over hers and such desire as he’d never known rushed through him. Tessa’s lips tasted of the wine and added to her own sweetness.

Tessa placed her hands against his chest and leaned closer. She enjoyed the strong flesh under her palms and became bolder. Pushing his suit jacket from his shoulders, she shifted even closer to him. Dean began removing the pins from her hair, letting them fall to the floor. Once the silken tresses were loose from their confinement, Dean buried his hands in her hair.

A soft moan escaped Tessa’s lips and their embrace became even more passionate. Together they got rid of Dean’s suit jacket completely and he trailed kisses along Tessa’s neck to her collarbone. Dean could take no more and rose from the table. Taking her hand, he led her to their bedroom.

The next two days were filled with happiness for the newlyweds. Dean still took care of the stock and Tessa kept the house, but they also had many passionate moments together. One night, they lay in a pasture after they’d made love. They watched the stars and lay close against each other.

“Tell me about the winters here again. You told me about them in your letters and it felt as if I were there, it was so descriptive,” Tessa requested.

Dean fought the fear that gripped him. He had no idea what Marcus had told her and he certainly wasn’t good with words like Marcus was. “Well, that was a little while ago, so I’m not sure if I remember exactly.”

Tessa snuggled even closer. “I know. It’s all right. It’s very hard to recreate something like that.”

Dean cleared his throat. “Let’s see. They’re cold, of course.”

“Winters generally are,” Tessa said with a laugh.

“The storms can come on real quick. We usually get at least one blizzard each winter. It can get down below zero sometimes and we have to make sure the cattle don’t freeze. When we see a blizzard is coming, we string a rope between here and the barn so that we don’t get lost going out to feed them. You can’t really see where you’re going because the snow comes down so thick and fast,” Dean told her and mentally cringed.

Tessa was puzzled. Dean was giving her a general description, but nothing like what his letters had described. As a writer and a student of writing, she recognized that the voice was not the same at all. It was as if someone else had written those letters. Maybe it was just because she had put him on the spot. She had an idea.

“Yes, and you said that the clouds become dark gray, like dull metal,” Tessa said.

Dean nodded. “Yep, I did.”

Tessa tensed beside him and raised her head so their eyes could meet. “Your letter said no such thing. You didn’t write those letters, did you?”

Dean knew his goose was cooked. “Look, I’m not good with words, so I had Marcus help me out.”

“Marcus? He wrote them?” Tessa moved away from him as shock took hold of her. “Did he read the letters I wrote back?”

“Yes. He had to so he knew how to answer them,” Dean said. It seemed reasonable to him.

Fury blurred Tessa’s vision for a few moments. “I said many personal things in those letters, Dean. Things I didn’t think anyone else would ever read! How could you do that? How could you lie to me?”

Dean propped himself up on an elbow. “I didn’t lie. Everything in those letters was true.”

Tessa got up and pulled her dress over her head. Anger showed in every movement as she pulled it down and straightened it. “How would you know?” she shouted. “You didn’t write them!” She gathered up her petticoats, turned away, and headed for the house.

Dean hurriedly put his pants on and went after her. He caught her arm and turned her back around. “Everything in them was true. Marcus only wrote what I told him to write. He just said it better than I can,” he said.

“Did you approve them before he sent them?” she asked stiffly.

Dean scowled. “No. I figured he knew what he was doing.”

Tessa looked down at her arm. “Kindly unhand me. I don’t care to be touched by someone I don’t know.”

“What? You can’t be serious. Not after the past few days,” Dean said.

Tessa colored because she knew he was referring to their lovemaking. “Yes, well. That won’t be happening again. That was when I thought I knew the man I married.”

“Tessa, you do know me,” Dean insisted. “And I know you. I read every one of your letters, over and over. And we’ve spent so much time together over the last couple of months. How could we not know each other?”

Tessa ripped her arm out of Dean’s grasp. “I said let me go. I came here based on what was said in those letters. You don’t even know what was in them! I fell halfway in love just from what they contained. I think I married the wrong brother.”