by Sara Lindley
“Well Mr. Henderson said that we needed to find a Pa quick because he was afraid that Aunt Ada in town would swoop out here and start takin’ over. He was surprised that it hadn’t already happened. So we’ll vote.”
Mac banged the table with the knife butt again.
“All in favor of River adapting us as his children raise your hand and say ‘aye’.”
Becca bit her lip thinking she should say something. This was serious business.
“The word is ‘adopting’ Mac and that is a very serious thing. Do you understand that it would mean River will be your father? That he will be in charge of raising you? And it may mean changing your name?”
Mac frowned and looked at Mazie as she nodded to him.
“Well Mama. After me and Mazie got over bein’ mad at Pa and takin’ it out on River, we talked a lot about what we would like.
So when we all went to the mercantile last week, Mr. Jeb and me, we talked. He had a notion that it might be good if River added to his name instead of us changing ours if y’all decided to marry. Which by the way, after Mr. Jeb quit laughin’ he said it was a great idea.
He said that it would tickle the crap out of Pa that River marry Mama and take his last name after them being so close and all. After all, they were brothers so to speak.
So me and Mazie had a talk about it and we liked that idea. River wouldn’t be changing his name, he is just addin’ to it. Me and Mazie liked the name Still River McGann.”
River was astonished. He had never thought in a million years that the children would honor him with their name. They had voted? Voted! And they all agreed that he should marry his Becca?
He was feeling very humble and full of happiness.
Becca eyes were sparkling as she gazed at him. She seemed happy too. River sat with his usual expression of being unmoved. Becca smirked.
“What do you think about that River? Would you add to your name and become Still River McGann?”
River raised a brow and started telling a tale. Something he usually did to teach the children something important.
“I will tell you that when I was baby. Ina (Mother) name me River. Then as River grew to be walking, River ran everywhere. River was running everywhere in the way of people. He was pest like fly in face!”
Mac and Mazie laughed and Becca grinned, shaking her head.
“When River came to age of boyhood, he was again named by council, ‘Running River’.
The people thought name very funny because River ran everywhere. So when Running River came to age to be warrior, he want to keep running instead of learn to use knife and bow.
Ahte (Father) finally took control of Running River and sent him to woodshed with words. Running River calm down and pay attention to learning to be warrior.
The people so happy they tell council to rename River again. Council name River ‘Still River’. Chief thought it very funny and had special ceremony to name me ‘Still River’. The people laughed much over that name for Still River…still ran.”
Mac and Mazie as well as Becca laughed and giggled at that tale.
“Is that the truth, River?”
River nodded. “It is the truth. Every word. I would tell you no lie. Sioux change their names many times during life. To change name to add my brother name would be honor.
I will change name to Still River McGann.”
Mac and Mazie clapped their hands in glee and Becca clapped too grinning at River. River saw in her eyes many nights of love and him giving her many children including raising these two treasures.
Becca stood and moved around to him and wrapped her arms around his neck kissing him. River grinned as the children joined in kissing his face. Mac stopped and banged the knife butt on the table.
“Motion is passed…Ahte (Father).”
That night as River lay on his sleeping bench. He contemplated how quickly life changes. Just yesterday he was sure he would never marry. So sure he would never have the love of Becca. He was so sure they all hated him now. And in just a moment of time, it had all changed. They had voted. They held their own council meeting as a family and voted! They had asked him to forgive. Make peace with them. All was done now.
He would forgive and start a new life with Becca and the children. They would go through this life together as a family.
CHAPTER EIGHTEEN
The next morning the dawning Sun seemed to shine brighter, The air smelled cleaner and the birds in the trees were singing a sweet song. River stood outside watching the show while pulling on his shirt and buttoning it. He had washed earlier, he was dressed and he was also hungry.
He gathered the eggs and milked the cow taking his bounty to the kitchen door. He opened it finding a smiling woman. His Becca.
“Hau Becca.” River smiled back at her.
She is so beautiful. My Becca, my woman.
“Good morning, River.”
She took the eggs as he set the milk on the counter. As he turned to her she slipped into his embrace as she rose on tip-toe and kissed him. Their lips seemed to fuse together, drawn together by a pulling from each of their hearts. River turned his head to get a better taste as Becca slid her hands over his broad shoulders and down his muscled arms.
They moved away from each other smiling. Becca broke the silence as she brushed his cheeks with her hands.
“I’ll have breakfast ready in a few minutes. How does your favorite sound?”
River’s eyes glowed with happiness.
“Flapjacks?”
Becca giggled.
“And eggs…and bacon.”
River nodded. “Good.”
Becca grinned and got busy.
Breakfast came easy and they ate in peace. River of course ate like he hadn’t eaten in years. After he had eaten his fourth plate of flapjacks, he looked up at Becca. “When do you wish to marry me?”
Becca had been meaning to talk about this with him, now was as good as any.
Well, as you know, Harrison and I married at the church in a hurry. I still want to marry in the church and I thought it would be nice to marry today.
The last time I was in town Marie Ettles saw me in the mercantile and practically held me hostage before I would tell her who I was going to marry…and soon. She wanted me to marry her son who is eighteen.
Mac looked horrified.
“Eighteen?”
Becca nodded and made a funny face.
River snorted. “What did you say?”
Becca raised a brow.
“I told her I already had two children to raise.”
River leaned back and roared with laughter. Becca had never seen River laugh and his laughter was contagious. It was deep and full of merriment. Becca started laughing and continued her tale.
“She told me to get to it! She said that widows don’t last long around here unless they were very mean or very ugly. She said it wasn’t going to be long before I had men lined up at my door.”
River laughter faded.
“We should marry soon then. I do not want men lined up to marry you. You are mine now…unless you have changed your mind.”
Becca stared at River gritting her teeth.
“Just stop! I have NOT changed my mind!” Becca took a breath.
“Besides following the wishes of my late husband’s will, I have found no other man that I trust to care for me or my children. My mind is set on you, River.”
She shifted in her seat and placed her napkin in her lap.
River gave a nod.
“So we go to town today and have ceremony. You marry me.”
Becca giggled and served her plate.
“I bet Preacher Paul is there just waiting for us since gossip has no doubt hit town about you and me. Yeah, you know those cowboys in the bunkhouse are a bunch of old women when it comes to gossip.”
Taking a deep breath, River nodded. “Then we dress and go.”
River had just taken a bath in the stream when Becca came into his tipi with a sui
t. He stood there in a towel looking absolutely marvelous. Becca blinked and walked to him already smelling the mint that was his special scent.
“River? I didn’t want to offend you, but…well, this is a suit of Harrison’s that was too big for him. I didn’t know if you had one, or if you would wear one. It is up to you.”
River laid it on the bench bed and nodded. Becca brightened and danced out of the tipi.
“I have to go get dressed.”
As they rolled into town, people stopped and stared at the sight. A beautiful white woman in a Ivory wedding dress and a smiling Indian in a black suit and fancy vest. They were a handsome couple full of contrasts. They stopped off at the Law offices and talked with their lawyer. An hour later they walked out and got back in the wagon heading for the church.
As River drove the wagon to other side of town he dropped the check rein out in front of the church. There were at least twenty-five people following from town walking or on horseback to see what was happening. Men and women filled the church and sat waiting for something to happen.
With Becca in a wedding dress and River suited up looking his handsome self, there was no doubt there was going to be a wedding.
The preacher ran out to the sanctuary looking at the couple in astonishment and the crowd behind them.
“Becca and River? What can I do for you?”
Becca smiled remembering it wasn’t too long ago that she heard those same words to her and Harrison.
River and Becca stood in front of the pulpit and spoke softly with the preacher. The preacher grinned and asked a few more questions. Preacher Paul grinned again and shook River’s hand.
“I know Harrison is up there smiling about this, River. Becca? You sure about this?”
Becca smiled and nodded. The children stood silent waiting for the ceremony to begin.
The preacher stood up to his full height of five foot eight and looked seriously at his flock that had gathered.
“This is a day for rejoicing! We were all shocked and upset about the death of Harrison McGann and eight other cowhands during the twister that raged through our area into Kansas. Many of our town suffered great loss and we will miss every soul that met the Lord that day.
Harrison’s widow Becca was a Mail Order Bride all the way from Virginia. Her son now, Mac, was the one who wrote her the letters getting her out here. He even used his own money he had been saving to get her here. The reason was, he wanted a Ma. A woman who would love him and his sister enough to sacrifice and marry their Pa who we all know was very bitter after his wife left and divorced him.
Becca came to town and married Harrison on their way home. I conducted the wedding myself and they had only a few short weeks of marriage until Harrison left for Kansas with his herd.
Harrison had made several requests in his will for his widow and his very best friend Still River.
We will be taking care of all three of these requests today.”
Preacher Paul grinned at Still River and winked.
“Still River is a man we all know and respect. He has never caused any trouble and is a credit to our community. So I’d better not here any lip from any of yah!
River and Becca have showed me what they want and they will get their wish.
So first I will say that River will now be known legally as Still River McGann. Harrison’s children down right demanded it. The papers have been legally drawn up and witnessed and so from this day forward we will address River as Still River McGann.”
There were a few hushed whispers through the sanctuary and the preacher frowned.
Next is that the papers have been drawn up and witnessed to have Mackenzie and Mazie McGann adopted by Still River McGann to be their father and guardian until their majority. Becca, Mac and Mazie all agree whole-heartedly to this as requested in the will of Harrison McGann. So from this day forward Still River McGann is the legal guardian along with his wife Becca to Mackenzie and Mazie McGann.”
Aunt Ada in the back isle started clapping and before you knew it the entire congregation was joining in the joy of the moment. The preacher smiled pleased at the response.
“Now the last wish of Harrison McGann was that his blood brother and best friend Still River McGann marry Becca, if he should pass away.
He wanted insure that his children and his widow would be protected and happy with someone he trusted. So I have agreed to marry them for I know for a fact they love each other and want to be happily married.”
The preacher was about to start the ceremony when Sam Jones yelled.
“That just ain’t right! It’s against the law for her to marry an Injun! Them damn Sioux have killed a lot of white people and it ain’t right he gets to marry her. It’s just sinful! She’ll be no better than a low down…”
There was a lot of grumbling in the congregation. The preacher interrupted him quick!
“SAM JONES? SHUT YOUR MOUTH RIGHT NOW!”
Sam was so surprised he did shut up. The preacher looked at all of them.
“These two people come before God to marry. Who are we to tell them they can’t? Remember, he who is without sin, cast the first stone? I’m ashamed of yah!”
The preacher stared at his flock.
“Sam Jones? Are you without sin?”
Sam Hunkered down in the pew.
“No preacher!”
The preacher turned his eye on Marie Ettles.
“Marie Ettles? When your barn burned down, who helped you round up your horses and helped you build a new barn. He even put in your fencing?
Marie Ettles stood.
“It was Still River wad done it! And I told Becca she ought to get him quick before she had a bunch of no-goods showin’ up at her door!”
Mary chuckled and sat down. The Preacher then turned his eye on another.
“Eunice MacIntosh? when your Elsbeth was burning up with fever and your carriage broke a wheel on the way to the Doc. Who stopped and brought you and your daughter to the Doc and then went back and fixed your wheel and brought your carriage to yah?”
Eunice looked at River and smiled.
“It was Still River. He bundled up my Elsbeth and me and carried us to the Doc on his paint.
We would have died in that cold if he hadn’t come along.”
The preacher turned to Mrs. Grimes who was as old as God.
“Mrs. Grimes? Who is the man that always climbs that huge Sycamore tree of yours to save your cat for the one hundredth time?”
Mrs. Grimes chuckled.
“Still River McGann, that’s who! And he don’t bitch about it none either.”
There was more laughter and snickering as the pastor looked around.
“I could stand here all day and ask each of you about things this man has done for you and asked for nothing in return, even YOU Sam Jones!
Now, I don’t know about the rest of you, but this here is Colorado Territory! Not Washington D.C.! So we do what we want out here. And I say these two people should marry and that’s what I’m gonna do. Not by the laws of man but by the laws of GOD!”
Marie Ettles slammed the tip of her cane on the ground.
“You tell ‘em preacher! I’ll say an AMEN to that!”
There were signs of agreement among the flock.
The preacher adjusted his coat and looked at River smiling.
“Okay let’s get you two married.”
Preacher Paul looked out to the flock again and saw Mac coming down the aisle. In his hands was a blanket.
River stared at the blanket and tears formed in his eyes. Becca turned and she saw what Mac had and started crying. Mac stood and turned to the congregation.
“This blanket was made by my Ahte’s Ina or in English My father, Still River’s Mama, she made the blanket before she was killed by the government troops.
Sioux use blankets instead of wedding rings to show they were married. This was the blanket his Mama made for River was to use. During the tornado this blanket was lost. But he never lo
oked for it. He was too busy helping us and getting’ back the ranch in order.
I found it in the Henderson’s wheat field and washed it in the big stream by our house. It’s now ready for my Ina or my Mama to claim her husband.
Becca had been crying and wiped her eyes. She took the blanket and kissed Mac’s cheek.
“You rascal you!”
She took the blanket and laid it over her shoulders feeling the warmth of the blanket. Becca stepped forward and threw the blanket around River and they stood together. So Becca and Still River McGann stood before the preacher wrapped in his Mother’s wedding blanket and were married.
The words were said and River’s voice boomed across the sanctuary with his “I do” just at the right time as was Becca’s soft but sure “I do”.
In the end the preacher said with a big smile on his face.
“Now what God has joined together let NO MAN put asunder! I now present to you, Mr. and Mrs. Still River McGann.
River? You may now kiss your bride.”
River smiled and nodded to the preacher. River turned to his wife Becca wrapped in his wedding blanket and she kissed him deeply. They smiled at each other as Marie Ettles stood and started to clap. Soon others were clapping and the good wishes were being shouted.
The couple and their children left the church with good wishes all around them.
The ride home was silent but pleasant. River sat next to his wife as the children chattered and squealed. As they pulled into the yard to get to the porch the cowboys walked out and were whooping and shouting their congratulations.
They all entered the house and Mr. and Mrs. Henderson and Seth were there to congratulate them. There was a chocolate cake. Hot coffee and a lot of goodwill.
The party got lively as Tuck pulled out his harmonica giving his rendition of Turkey and the Straw. Seth finally spilled the beans as he pulled River into the corner of the kitchen.
“River? I took your suggestion. I mailed an advertisement for a bride. I hope I am lucky enough to find a girl as sweet as my Nola who will marry me.”
