Adam chuckled. “You’re nervous as a goose the day before Christmas. Relax. You’ve wanted to marry Violet since we were in our teens.”
“I know. It’s just…” Simon couldn’t put into words all the emotions he was experiencing today. Excitement. Happiness. Thankfulness. Panic. Mostly the latter one the past half hour.
The door opened and Simon hoped Reverend Fitzpatrick had come to tell him it was time. He wouldn’t survive having to wait much longer. Instead, his father stood there. “Roland, there’s been a carriage accident. We need you, son.”
“Coming right away.” Roland hurried out the door, following on AJ’s heels.
“What…” Simon called, but the door closed behind them. He turned to Adam. “What do you figure happened?”
Adam shook his head. “I don’t know. But we can’t worry about that now. Violet is due here any minute.”
“You’re right. But if Roland isn’t here to walk her down the aisle…” Simon felt the blood drain from his face. “Pa insisted I hire Ray and his carriage to drive the women to the church. What if it was Ray’s rig that was involved in the accident? Violet could have been involved in whatever happened.”
Simon rushed toward the door, but Adam grabbed his arm and held on tightly. “Wait. If Violet was hurt, Pa would have said something. He needed to fetch a vet, so horses must have been involved, but not any people.”
Simon yanked his arm out of his brother’s grip. “I need to be certain she’s all right.” He dashed out the room and slipped out of the church through the side door.
* * *
Violet and the ladies waved Ray and his beautiful rig and horses on the way and then climbed the church steps. Violet took a deep breath; she couldn’t believe she was minutes away from becoming Mrs. McLennon.
Nellie Sheridan opened the door and Violet entered. All of the ladies slipped their coats off and stood in the foyer.
“I’m going to find my seat with Sammy,” Nellie whispered.
“I’m finding my husband,” Amanda added, searching the pews for Sheriff Manning. She spotted him and waved. “Good luck, Violet.”
“Adam will be waiting with Simon. I’m sitting with Jackson and Iris,” Lily explained, touching Violet’s arm. “I’ll see you after the ceremony.”
Violet smiled. “Thank you, ladies.”
Faith stood off to the side, smiling.
“Hello,” Violet whispered. “You must have finished up with chores on time. No further problems with Atlas?”
“None,” she replied. “He’s completely recovered. Even with the colder weather, his cough hasn’t returned. He shouldn’t have a lick of trouble all winter.”
“That good.” Violet wrung her hands.
They stood in silence for several minutes. With Violet a bundle of nerves and dozens of butterflies dancing in her stomach, it felt like an hour. “I wonder what the delay is?”
Faith rocked on the balls of her feet. “I don’t know. I’d only been waiting for you for a few minutes. No one mentioned anything beyond waiting for the bride to arrive.”
Reverend Fitzpatrick rushed forward and met Violet standing inside the door, a concerned expression on his face. “We need to talk, Miss Campbell,” he muttered, grasping her elbow and walking her toward his office.
“What’s wrong?”
Reverend Fitzpatrick dragged his hand down his face. “Well, truthfully, I’m not certain.”
“Is… is Simon here?” Violet found herself holding her breath. Why wouldn’t Simon have arrived yet? One reason came to mind, but she couldn’t bring herself to consider the possibility.
“No, he’s… he’s not here.” The reverend confirmed her worst fear.
Violet closed her eyes against the painful realization; Simon had changed his mind. Her groom decided he didn’t want to marry her after all. What had changed? He’d told her last night that he couldn’t wait for them to exchange their vows today. Had he outright lied to her? Had he intended all along to humiliate her by leaving his bride at the altar? Was he annoyed she’d thought he’d tricked her again by buying the ranch out from under her? She’d believed they’d straightened out that misunderstanding long ago, after she’d talked to him following Roland’s explanation at the clinic. Had something else happened to cause him to change his mind?
“Simon was—”
“I don’t require any explanation.” Violet interrupted the reverend. Clearly, there wasn’t any reason for further discussion. Simon wasn’t coming. She wouldn’t become Mrs. McLennon today. Or ever. Something or someone had changed his mind. She reached for her coat.
“Please don’t leave, Violet.” Reverend Fitzpatrick waylaid her at the door. “Let’s wait for a few minutes.”
Violet contemplated his request and then nodded. She respected the man of the cloth and met his eyes. “All… all right,” she stammered, not believing for a moment that Simon would arrive.
She returned her coat to the rack and dragged her palms down the skirt on her dress. Her hands felt like ice. She’d peeked in through the open doors and spotted half the town’s citizens seated in the pews. Would everyone know she’d been made a fool of by Simon McLennon? Again? Well, few people knew about the bank loan he’d co-signed behind her back. But soon everyone would know about this. Why did Simon insist he loved her when he intended to betray her at every turn? She couldn’t imagine what she’d done to deserve such poor treatment from the man.
She paced the foyer, the swish of her skirts grating on her nerves. She’d been so happy, anticipating Simon’s expression when he caught the first glimpse of her in the beautiful dress. Now, it represented a hurtful reminder of her foolishness for trusting the man who’d claimed to love her. How could she have been so wrong about him?
Amanda slipped out of the pew and hurried up the church aisle. “What’s the delay?” she whispered, touching Violet’s hand.
Violet met Amanda’s eyes, blinking the tears blurring her vision. “It’s your brother.” She took a deep breath and swiped at the tears wetting her cheeks. “He’s not here. I’m afraid he’s changed his mind.”
Amanda gasped. “You must be mistaken. There has to be an explanation.”
Violet shook her head, wavered on her feet, and almost collapsed. Reverend Fitzpatrick wrapped an arm around her preventing a fall as he guided her to a nearby chair. Thankfully, she hadn’t fainted and embarrassed herself further. Should she compose herself sufficiently to leave as soon as possible? Or was Amanda right? Was there a reason for Simon’s absence? She hated thinking the worst of the man she loved.
Perhaps she should wait a wee bit longer.
Chapter 37
Simon looked back spotting his twin brother following him out of the church.
“Wait a minute,” Adam called.
Simon continued on knowing his brother would easily catch up. He spotted Sheriff Robertson standing in the street beside Ray Cochrane’s rig. The outfit he’d hired to drive Violet and the other ladies to the church after they prepared for the wedding at his sister’s store. Simon looked back seeing no one, including his bride, standing outside the church. Had his greatest fear been realized? Had Violet been involved in the accident? Or were they in the church already?
Please, Violet must be all right. Please, she has to be safe.
He raced across the street and peeked inside the carriage. Empty. Perhaps Ray hadn’t made it to Amanda’s store yet. Or he’d delivered his passengers already. He approached the lawman.
“What happened?” he demanded.
Sheriff Robertson turned and met his eyes. “Apparently, three large dogs raced into the street, barking and carrying on, probably just being playful. Ray’s horses spooked and the mares reared up, then one of them got tangled in the harness. The carriage tipped to the side and Ray was caught off guard. He toppled from the bench seat. Landed hard. Lots of blood lost, so I suspect one of the mare’s hooves grazed the side of his head on the way to the ground. A passerby driving a buggy loaded up
Ray and took him to Doc’s clinic.”
Simon spotted Roland bent over one of the horse’s lying on the ground. “How are the horses?” he called.
Roland ignored him, intent on his doctoring.
The sheriff shook his head. “I don’t know. Billy sent someone to fetch Roland before I arrived.”
“AJ came to the church. Was only the one horse injured?” Adam stood hands on hips.
“I rode to the church with Ray. Managed to remain seated through most of the accident. I noticed the mare on the left was holding up one rear leg before she went down,” Billy Turner piped up. “The one horse looks fine and Doc Campbell’s checking the other mare. We should know something soon.”
“Hopefully, she didn’t break a leg. We’d have to…” the sheriff left the thought hanging.
Simon frowned. He didn’t want anyone shooting a horse on Main Street on his wedding day. The sound of the pistol could carry to the church, putting a decided damper on his wedding ceremony.
Suddenly, the horse attempted to stand and Roland stepped back. Soon, the mare stood but favored her one leg.
Roland strode toward them. “No need for any shooting. That mare will be fine. She bruised the leg when it tangled up in the harness, but nothing seems broken. I’ll keep an eye on her. Pop by Ray’s barn for a few days to ensure it’s nothing more serious.”
“That’s good news.” Simon blew out his breath.
“What the dickens are you doing here?” Roland demanded, swatting the groom’s arm. “You should be saying ‘I do’ with my sister.”
“You should be walking her down the aisle,” Simon countered. “I’m not even certain Violet made it to the church yet.”
Billy smiled broadly. “Oh, Miss Campbell’s there all right and looking pretty as all get out. We dropped them ladies off and then this happened while we was waiting for the bride and groom to come out of the church. We was supposed to drive them to the hotel next.”
Simon nodded; that was the arrangements he’d made.
“I figure the bride’s still there. Unless she’s reckoned you’ve changed your mind since you’re nowhere in sight.” Billy shrugged. “Maybe she lit out for home, guessing you left her at the altar.”
Simon felt his face pale. “I’d never change my mind.”
“Then you’d better skedaddle back to the church and say the ‘I dos’, son,” Sheriff Robertson suggested.
“I’ll walk Ray’s rig to the livery for now and keep an eye on Daisy, as well. Everyone knows she’s Ray’s favorite mare,” Billy offered.
“Thank you.” Roland slapped him on the back. “What will Simon do now? He still needs to get his bride to the hotel.”
“I’ll send Pa to the church with this rig after I hitch up a couple of my rental horses.” Billy chuckled. “Leave it to me, Simon. Go and get yourself hitched.”
Simon nodded and high-tailed it back to the church. He appreciated Billy sending his pa to drive them to the hotel. Roland hurried alongside him, having completed his horse doctoring.
A few minutes later, Simon stood at the altar up front beside Reverend Fitzpatrick and Adam, shaky legs and all. Roland stood nearby. The reverend assured him Violet was in the foyer waiting for him.
Thankfully, she hadn’t left when she learned her groom wasn’t here. Simon’s heart skipped a beat. Soon she would be his wife. He inhaled deeply and shook out his hands at his side. This was it. The time had come. He was getting hitched to the most wonderful girl in the whole of Montana Territory.
“Duty calls,” Roland said, cheerfully.
“You still got the ring?” Simon whispered.
Roland stopped and patted his pockets, then patted them again.
Simon felt his face pale.
Roland winked at him and hurried away to walk his sister down the aisle.
Adam burst out laughing.
Simon glared at him. Not funny. He should ask Sawyer how many years a man would be imprisoned for shooting his brother-in-law.
Chapter 38
Violet stood gazing at the many citizens of Milestone, staring back at her as she stood in the doorway. Family and friends and fellow parishioners occupied every pew. A couple women waved and everyone’s face creased with a smile on this special day.
Reverend Fitzpatrick had talked with her a few moments ago after speaking with Simon and Adam. She hoped Ray would be all right, and her brother’s doctoring should ensure the horse survived. Now that she learned the truth behind Simon’s delay, she enjoyed seeing everyone who’d taken time to come and share this moment with her and her groom.
Her brother strode toward her. “Are you ready?” Roland smiled and hugged her quickly.
Violet nodded. She’d waited for this moment so long and now that it had arrived, she wasn’t certain her legs would carry her the length of the aisle. Was Simon as nervous as she? Violet took a deep breath and slipped her hand around the bent arm her brother offered. “I’m ready,” she whispered, breathlessly. “Now that we have a groom.”
“You weren’t worried he’d changed his mind, were you?” Roland met her eyes.
“Perhaps for a moment or two,” she admitted. No one could ever learn how distressed she’d become when she believed Simon had left her at the altar. She silently chastised herself for such foolishness. She’d developed a nasty habit of doubting his love for her. Never again.
Mrs. Fitzpatrick played the wedding march on the piano as Violet and Roland moved slowly toward her groom, following behind Faith, her bridesmaid wearing navy blue which complemented the bride’s wedding dress. Miraculously, Violet hadn’t tripped. But her brother would have prevented a fall if she had. Before releasing her hand, he bent close and kissed her cheek. “You look beautiful today. Pa and Mama would have been delighted to see the wonderful young woman you’ve become.”
Tears filled her eyes and she wanted to swat her brother for playing on her emotions. She blinked to clear her vision and took a deep breath. But she shared his sentiment—their parents had often remarked on how proud they were of both of them—and she appreciated her brother’s thoughtful words. “Thank you,” she whispered as Roland returned to his seat beside AJ.
Violet’s thoughts moved through the ceremony in a blur; she couldn’t take her eyes off her handsome groom seeing his love for her in his gaze. How could she ever have doubted his intentions? Despite the distraction her groom provided, the reverend’s words penetrated her conscience and she spoke her ‘I dos’ in the appropriate places.
“You may kiss your bride, Simon,” the reverend declared, ending the nuptials.
“I love you,” Simon whispered for her ears only seconds before their lips touched in the sweetest of kisses.
Violet forgot to breathe for several seconds afterward and she inhaled sharply to prevent herself from fainting. She tingled clear down to her toes. Would his kisses remain this intoxicating fifty years from now? She prayed their love for each other would continue to grow as the years passed.
“It’s my pleasure to present for the first time, Mr. and Mrs. Simon McLennon.” The reverend waved his hand, indicating they should exit the church now.
Simon grasped her hand in his and together they walked down the aisle, pausing to don their coats in the foyer before stepping outside into the brisk air. “Time to celebrate.” Simon waved to Mr. Turner seated aboard Ray’s rig. He drove the horses forward and stood holding the harnesses while Simon helped her aboard, and then her groom settled on the seat beside her.
“There are quilts to snuggle beneath if you’re chilly,” Mr. Turner called, climbing onto the bench seat and taking up the reins.
“Thank you for your thoughtfulness.” Simon tucked a large patchwork quilt over her legs and wrapped an arm around her shoulder and snuggled her close.
“I won’t even ask how you managed to find replacement horses and a new driver.” She gazed into those beautiful blue McLennon eyes. “But I couldn’t be happier than I am this moment.”
“Neither
could I.” Simon kissed her lips. “I love you so much.”
“Did you hear anything about Ray?” Simon called to their driver.
Mr. Turner turned and smiled. “I dropped by the clinic on the way over here. Doc Bennett told me Ray will be fine. Stitched up the cut on his head. Seems Ray got himself into a tizzy when he feared Daisy was badly injured. But Ray’s heart’s strong and when he learned Roland had checked Daisy and his favorite mare hadn’t broken a leg or there wasn’t anything more serious than some bruising, he settled down.”
“That’s good news,” Violet remarked.
“Sit back and enjoy the ride,” Mr. Turner called.
After partaking of a lovely romantic drive through several streets in town, they arrived at the Milestone Hotel. Someone took their coats and they lingered inside the doorway for a brief moment before Richard Green from the Milestone Weekly Gazette hurried toward them. “Sorry, I’m running a bit late, folks. I’ve set up my camera in a large alcove over here for your wedding photograph. Follow me, please.”
“Thank you for doing this,” Simon offered. “Of course, it’s becoming a tradition for you to take a wedding photograph of every McLennon bride and groom.”
“That it is,” Richard agreed, smiling. “And I’m honored to accommodate your family. And anyone else who weds in our fine town.”
After careful positioning of the newlyweds with Simon seated on a chair and Violet standing at his side with her hand on Simon’s shoulder, Richard took their photograph. A profuse thank you from each of them followed, and then the newly married couple headed for the dining room. Farley Johnson, the hotel owner, welcomed the newlyweds to the dining room reserved for their wedding meal. Soon they were surrounded by guests and received heartfelt best wishes and congratulations.
“Welcome to the family, Violet.” AJ kissed her cheek.
“Thank you.” She smiled at her new father-in-law. Having lost her own father so tragically this past winter, AJ would be a welcome addition in her life.
The rest of the McLennon family members, several of their ranch employees, and numerous citizens and friends offered their best wishes before the hotel owner clanked a spoon on a porcelain cup.
Inherit A Dream (Sons Of A Gun Book 4) Page 21
