"May I join you?" Fergus had walked through the hotel door and was standing in front of the settee now. Iris had been so absorbed in talking to Jasper that she missed him coming in.
"Of course, Fergus. I'd like you to get to know Jasper better too." She looked at Jasper and he nodded his approval.
"Jasper would like to stay in Clear Creek. Do you know of any work available?" Iris searched Fergus' face for a clue that Fergus would be glad to help her brother.
"Actually, if you're handy at carpentry, my brother could use a hand for a while, Jasper. The barbershop was damaged by fire the other night and needs repairs."
"I've done years of building so that would suit me fine. I'll talk to the local livery to see if I can stay in their hayloft so I don’t have to stay at the hotel though." Jasper looked pleased at Fergus' offer.
"I think my ma will talk you into staying at the parsonage until you find a place to live," Fergus smiled, and Iris knew that's exactly what would happen. So she and Jasper would have evenings to visit and get to know each other again.
"What happened at the jailhouse? I'd prefer to never set eyes on Morris again if I didn't have to." Thinking of the days she spent on the train with him made her skin crawl.
“Ma put on her pastor’s wife’s ‘halo’ while digging the bullet out of Morris’ arm, convincing him not to press charges, since he was set to kidnap you anyway." Fergus shook his head, probably thinking of the scene in his studio.
"Marshal put him on the train going east since he wanted to see a real doctor. He'll probably stop in Kansas City to recuperate before going on to Louisville. His goal now is to collect money from your brother since you wouldn't marry him."
"So I'm finally free from Morris?" Iris asked to be sure.
“Yes.” Fergus’ grin showed his relief too.
Relief washed over Iris. She was finally free of that nightmare.
“Oh, and the mystery of the fire was solved while we were at the jailhouse too.” Fergus continued. “Tolbert came in, confessing his son threw the brick through the barbershop window.”
“His son? He’s only about ten years old! Why?” Iris couldn’t believe it.
“The boy didn’t like living here, so he thought if his father’s shop was gone, they’d move back to Kentucky,” Fergus finished the story.
“Boy didn’t realize the damage he could inflict on people forever,” Jasper shook his head.
Just like the damage Master Kerns had done to her and Jasper. Hopefully the Tolberts would guide their son on to a better understanding of how precious life was.
***
Supper at the parsonage was a joyous occasion tonight with a dining room table full of family. Iris’ reunion with her brother plus the final confrontation with Morris lifted the tension, which had followed them from Nebraska to Kansas.
Seth and Tully hadn't made it into town last Sunday because of the extra chores a snowstorm caused, so they came in this evening to visit overnight and ride home early in the morning.
His ma had invited Angus and Daisy, Mack, Cullen, and him to supper tonight too so everyone could meet Iris' brother.
It was uncanny to see brother and sister react so similar, from mannerisms to saying certain words. Iris glowed with happiness with their reunion, and doing so seemed to have soothed Jasper's soul after he told about his family's accident.
"There's a reason and purpose to these events. It was God's plan to finally reunite you, Iris and Jasper," his pa added his pastor's view.
Fergus watched as his parents, on either end of the table, looked at each other, raising eyebrows in their communication. It always worried Fergus when they did that because it meant one of their sons was going to be stared at next.
Then Pa looked straight at Fergus and raised one eyebrow, then nodded his head toward Iris seated across from him beside Jasper.
Yes, Fergus noted their hint and planned to do something about it later this evening, once he could talk to Iris alone. Where could they go to get away from his family for a little while? Maybe they needed to walk to the studio for something.
Fergus smiled, happy his future was clear to him, providing Iris agreed of course.
"Iris, would you walk over to the studio with me? I'd like us to pick out some homesteader photographs to show everyone, including the one with your brother in it, but I'm not sure where you put it," Fergus asked as Iris, Daisy, and Ma started clearing dishes off the table.
"Um, I should help your mother. Just look through the pile that's on the worktable," Iris answered as she picked up the empty meat platter.
"No Iris, you go on with Fergus. The boys will take care of the dishes while you're out," Pa proclaimed.
"But it's not Sunday," Tully protested.
"But you still ate Ma's meal, so grab some dishes. You're washing this time for complaining," Cullen growled as he left the room with a stack of plates. The Reagan boys always had Sunday dinner pulled out of the oven and on the table by the time their parents came home from their church duties. Cleaning up was part of the routine, although they'd all protested it during their adolescent years. Tully was going through his phrase of grumbling now.
"All right. Jasper, do you want to walk with us?" Iris asked, but Fergus shook his head no behind her back so her brother would take the hint to stay here.
"We'll visit while you're out. Go on." Pa waved his hand indicating they should leave. Thank goodness his father was on his side.
They made small talk as they walked to the studio. Fergus kept Iris' hand tucked into his left side, wondering if she could feel his beating heart as he thought of what he wanted to say. Fergus unlocked the studio door, carefully counting the steps to where the lamp should be on the workroom table. He should have brought a lantern from the parsonage but the moonlight had been enough to guide their steps here.
Fergus felt the tin box of matches, lit a match so he could see to take the glass chimney off the lamp. He swiped the match across the wick to light it, then blew on the match to snuff it out. Fergus adjusted the wick to brighten the light in the room, then replaced the chimney on top.
Iris pulled off her gloves but kept her coat and hat on since it was cold in the room. The single lamp light gave a soft glow to the side of Iris' face as she sifted through the stack of photographs she had on the table.
"Here's the one with Jasper in it. Thank you for printing a duplicate for me. I can't wait to show your family and tell the story behind it."
Iris looked up realizing Fergus had been standing in the same spot and hadn't said a word.
"Fergus?"
"I was just thinking of all that has happened in the studio today, but I want to add to it."
Fergus inhaled deeply, steadying his nerves. How would she react to his questions?
"Congratulations on your news from Attorney Bramble, Iris. I'm sure it was very unexpected, but I hope the gift gives you some closure on your life in Louisville. Even if Mr. Kerns wasn't your father as Jasper suggested, the man must still have thought kindly of you."
"Or he felt guilty of what he did to my real family. Our four lives were destroyed because of that man." Iris commented with venom in her words.
Fergus drew a deep breath, trying to think how to get his talk back on a happier note.
"Nonetheless, you'll have a large sum of money on your birthday."
"Yes, I will," a small smile spread across her face. "I might even buy myself a new dress for Christmas. And I can buy Christmas presents for my new friends too."
Fergus was happy she was in a better mood thinking of things she could buy.
"But I plan to give half of the money to Jasper. He suffered so much more than I did." She turned to look up at him and Fergus nodded his approval.
"He might reject it at first, but it could be his chance for a fresh start he's needed. I was glad he and Mack hit it off so well at supper tonight. I think they'll work well together."
"It will be strange to have a brother in my life again, althoug
h your brothers seemed to have adopted me." She bent her head to straighten the stack of photos, maybe embarrassed that his brothers liked her so much to include her as part of the Reagan family.
Which brought up the point he needed to talk to Iris about...
"Iris, I wanted to talk to you in private tonight."
Her eyes brightened and she stood taller, so maybe he was on the right track.
"We work well together, but..." No, that wasn't the right way to start.
He'd looked away a second to think and then looked back to her, now seeing her crushed look as she backed away from him.
"No! I started wrong, Iris. I—"
Iris tried to contain a sob with her hand as she darted around him, heading for the door to get away from him. Fergus dashed to the door first and put his back against it so she couldn't leave.
"I knew you'd push me away because I was a mulatto. Your mother said you wouldn't, but you still can't have me in your studio because it will turn away customers." Fergus watched the tears stream down Iris' face as she choked out the hurtful words.
"No, Iris." Fergus put one hand on her shoulder and used his other to tip up her chin so she'd look at him.
"I love you, Iris, inside and out." He stared into her dark brown eyes, hoping she'd believe him this time.
"No, you can't." But her words didn't match the hopefulness in her eyes.
"I do. And I should have said we work well together...and I'd like to take the next step, when you're ready."
"The next step? What? You want me to invest my money in your studio?"
"No. I don't want your money, and that has nothing to do with how I feel about you and our future."
Iris' lips pursed and she drew her arms tightly around her middle. She was getting mad instead of saying she loved him too. Maybe she didn't want a future with him.
"Growing up as a pastor's son, I've practically memorized every important service that my father has done because we've always attended. Baptisms, funerals, weddings. That's why it was so easy for me to perform the service for the homesteader's wife and child."
Iris took a deep breath, hopefully calming down to comprehend his words.
"And we sons have also been taught to honor the vows we give to our future wives at the altar. For better, for worse. For richer, for poorer. In sickness and in health. To love and to cherish. Till death us do part."
Iris nodded. "Your parents raised a set of fine sons."
"They had to work hard at times to get us there, because life doesn't always run smoothly, but I think we turned out all right—or will be when Tully finally grows up.
"The point I'm trying to make is that I love you, and would like you to consider a future with me as my partner and wife. I know I'm serious and quiet, compared to Angus or Mack, but I think we're both alike and different enough to make a good marriage."
Even after his heartfelt speech, she still wasn't jumping for joy. Well, shoot! What was holding her back?
Fergus stepped forward, wrapped his arms around her, and pulled her close. She sighed and melted against him when he kissed her forehead.
"The vows I'd like to say to you cover everything, so please tell me what's bothering you."
"With my heritage, my children could have dark skin," Iris whispered into his shoulder and he squeezed her tightly to console her worry.
"I know people can and will be prejudice or mean at times, but my love for our children, whether their skin is white, black, or purple will show them that they are loved no matter their physical features."
Iris pulled away to look up at him. "You are the most decent, kind man I've ever met. I do love and trust you, Fergus. I'm so sorry you've had to put up with my doubts."
Fergus couldn't help grinning, loving the words she’d said so sincerely.
"So, since I think we're on the same page this time..."
Fergus got down on one knee in front of Iris and took her hand, ready to ask the most important question of his life.
"Miss Iris Kerns," Fergus said intently while staring in Iris' beautiful eyes, "may I have the honor of becoming your husband—when you're ready to marry?"
Iris wrapped her arms around his neck and answered "yes" before touching his mouth with her petal-soft lips. Fergus stood to pull her against him, happy he'd found his bride.
After several kisses, he pulled away, anxious to ask the next question.
"So when would you like to marry? This spring or do you want to wait longer?"
"Hmm. I'll have my money on my birthday...so how about we marry on Christmas Eve?"
“The next day after your birthday?”
“Yes. Your mother insisted she can put together a wedding in hours, so this will give us over a week to prepare,” his beaming Iris proclaimed.
Fergus was startled at her answer, but it showed she was ready to commit to their marriage. She’d faced her fears and was prepared to start her new life, with him at her side.
“All right. Let’s go home and tell our family.”
Fergus proudly walked his future bride back to the parsonage. He drove up to Nebraska to photograph homesteaders’ start on the Nebraska prairie, never thinking he’d find his future wife there. But fate put him there for a reason—to meet Iris.
Chapter 14
As much as Mack had kidded him before the ceremony, Fergus had never felt more calm and sure of himself in his entire life.
This was right, saying his wedding vows to Iris in a few moments. His father always said you’d know the right woman when you met her, and he did, even if she didn't want to live that day. God had intervened so they could meet and fall in love as Iris healed.
Iris was a vision of floating white silk as she came down the aisle on the arm of her brother. Mary had whipped up a beautiful dress for Iris in a week's time. After the ceremony, they'd have a celebration reception and supper at the Paulson Hotel.
Iris requested a small intimate wedding with family and close friends only, and Fergus readily agreed. He wanted to concentrate on Iris and their vows, sharing them only with the people who truly mattered in their future.
Tonight they'd be together in their apartment above the photography studio. Tomorrow morning they'd attend the Christmas church service and sit in the back of the church with Angus and Daisy, instead of the front pew with his mother and single brothers.
He glanced back at his father before turning to accept Jasper's transfer of Iris' hand to his.
His father's eyes shone with emotion, and pride for him. "Well done, son, well done." His father whispered before looking back at Iris and Jasper's arrival.
Yes, this was the right woman to share his life with, no matter what might come their way. Their vows to each other would guide them through life’s difficulties.
***
Iris couldn't help thinking of weddings in Kentucky she'd attended throughout the years. Elaborate church weddings with voluptuous bouquets of flowers perfuming the air, gowns designed by the best dressmaker in town involving yards of satin, tulle, and lace.
But her wedding was simple and so much better here in this little community church with their family and close friends.
The fresh-cut cedar tree standing in the corner of the church nave gave off the perfect, calm, clean scent to add a festive touch to their wedding ceremony. This morning several children in town had decorated the tree with white paper stars and tied red ribbon bows on the end of many of the branches. Carefully lit little white candles held in metal clips gave a soft glow to the church’s interior.
Because fresh flowers weren't available from anyone's gardens this time of year, Iris carried her mother's ivory fan.
Her wedding was complete because her brother walked her down the aisle. Having him and Fergus in her life had given her more strength, courage and sense of well-being than she’d ever felt in her life. Standing at the altar, Iris sent a silent thanks to God for putting Fergus in her path on that fateful day.
“Fergus please take Iris’
hands and repeat after me,” Pastor Reagan instructed while giving each of them a serious look.
“Fergus, will you have this woman to be your wife; to live together with her in the covenant of marriage? Will you love her, comfort her, honor and keep her, in sickness and in health; and, forsaking all others, be faithful unto her as long as you both shall live?”
“I will,” Fergus stated while staring intently in Iris’ eyes.
Fergus held up the thin gold band he’d bought in Nebraska for her protection and smiled. Iris insisted she wanted to wear that ring forever instead of buying a bigger one.
He slid the thin gold band on her left ring finger and then squeezed her hand as he said, “Iris, I give you this ring as a symbol of my love, and with all that I am, and all that I have, I honor you, in the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.”
“Iris, now it’s your turn to repeat the vows.
“Iris, will you have this man to be your husband; to live together with him in the covenant of marriage? Will you love him, comfort him, honor and keep him, in sickness and in health; and, forsaking all others, be faithful unto him as long as you both shall live?”
Iris squeezed the hands that had saved her in so many ways, “I always will.”
“Fergus and Iris, in so much as the two of you have agreed to live together in Matrimony, have promised your love for each other by these vows, the giving of this ring and the joining of your hands, I now declare you to be husband and wife.
“May the Lord bless you and keep you. May the Lord make his face shine upon you and be gracious unto you. May the Lord lift up his countenance unto you and give you peace.”
Pastor Reagan’s final blessing filled Iris’ heart with peace as Fergus bent to touch her lips for their first kiss as man and wife.
Fergus had proved to her, repeatedly, that she could always count on him to be truthful, protective, and loving to her, and to their future children.
Fergus was a true groom of honor…and she’d love him forever.
~*~*~*~*~
Gabe’s Pledge
Grooms with Honor Series, Book 3
Grooms with Honor Series, Books 1-3 Page 25
