Putting her hand over his, she said, “That goes without saying. Let’s go.”
* * *
The sun had set, but there was still enough light to see by when they pulled into the stables at Les Eaux de Guérison. The adults all climbed from the wagons and the horses they rode, the children pushing and shoving to get out of the wagons. The McDonough children gathered around to help unload.
One of the McDonough boys tripped over a carpet bag when a girl not much older tried to push past. He began to cry and Johanna’s oldest sister-in-law, Charlotte, stepped in, chastising the girl, who went back to help. Se bent over and tried to pull the boy up, but he would have none of it.
He shoved her away and said, “You’re a cotton head, Ellen McDonough! Nothing but fluff in your head!”
Her second sister-in-law, Rachael, stepped in. “Phillip McDonough! Is that any way to speak to your cousin, let alone a lady?” The blonde’s fists on her hips.
He wiped away the tears with the back of his hand and got up. “She’s not a lady. She’s a girl! A silly cotton-headed girl!"
Rachael stepped to the wagon and pulled him down. “It doesn’t matter how old a girl is, she’s always a lady. Now you apologize to your cousin!”
He looked up at her. “But, Mama—”
“No buts! Apologize!” Johanna fought a laugh. Her family was so Irish it was rather humorous, never mind that they’d lived in the States their entire lives.
The boy finally gave in. “Sorry I called you a cotton head, Ellen,” he said, a bit resentfully. It was clear to everyone involved that he truly wasn't sorry, and was only apologizing because his mother had forced him.
The curly haired red-head responded, nodding her head regally. “That’s okay, Phillip. You’re too little to know any better.”
Johanna bit back a laugh and turned away, taking Benjamin by the hand and leading him into the hotel. Margaret was there acting bubbly, as usual. “Father wants to see you and Benjamin in his office.”
Nodding, she didn’t say a word, just continued down the hall to her father’s office, knocking on the door.
“Come in,” he called out in his deep bass.
Benjamin opened the door for her, and they went inside. Father half stood and beckoned for them to take the padded chairs in front of his desk, which they thankfully did, after a day sitting on a hard buckboard. Johanna's bottom was more than a little sore.
“I’ve got some information I thought you might be interested in. Pastor Shobert was found. He’d been tied up and put on a train that took him to Ohio. He’s on his way back now, with his gardener and the others. They are safe, if a little bruised and battered.” Father shook his head, obviously disgusted by the entire situation.
A tight spot in Johanna’s chest unwound at the news, relief flooding over her. She hadn’t even realized it was there. “Oh, thank heavens! I’ve been so worried!” They'd attended Paster Shobert's church since they'd moved to Dakota Territory when she was six.
Father nodded. “We all have. And he did confirm via telegraph that your wedding vows were indeed legitimate, and he sent the certificate off to the territory governor the day he was attacked. Evidently you are married, though—we would love to have a second ceremony and celebration so both of your families could participate.” He almost sounded nervous to ask, but that seemed impossible. Johanna had never seen him nervous.
Benjamin spoke for both of them. “We’d be happy to do that, sir. I think both of us were sad when our family couldn’t be there.” He took Johanna's free hand, as she was still cradling the pup against her, and gave it a squeeze.
Johanna nodded. “Is Mother back yet?” She'd gone to visit her family in New York City a couple of months before. She hadn't stayed long, but the trains, though better than any other form of transportation, were slow.
Father nodded. “She returned just yesterday. The timing for all of this was perfect.”
"I'm so glad she'll be here for the wedding!" Johanna couldn't imagine a large ceremony without her mother at her side.
“On another note,” he continued, “I’ve discovered some rather disturbing things about Edmund Berkeley.”
Johanna stiffened. That was a name she would prefer to never have to hear again.
“Evidently, he’s spent all of his inheritance and wanted to marry you in order to get his hands on the hotel. His father loaned us the money to start Les Eaux de Guérison, and though we paid it all back with interest years ago, Edmund has always resented it and felt it belonged to him because of that startup money. He’s been pressuring me to marry you for nearly a year. I’m sorry that I gave in, Johanna. No woman should be forced into marriage these days. I’ll admit to being very relieved when Benjamin won the contest, though to be honest, I’d probably have chosen him as winner anyway.”
Benjamin looked surprised. “You would? I had the impression you didn’t like me, sir.”
Father waved his hand. “Oh, I’ve liked you just fine, from the day I met you. And let’s stop with this ‘sir,’ business. I gave you a list to choose from.”
Johanna watched Benjamin’s face break into a grin. “Yes, Father.”
“That’s better.” Father nodded. “Now, go and enjoy your stay. Tomorrow will be all about preparing for the wedding, so relax tonight." He frowned, looking slightly embarrassed. "I do have one request.”
“Yes?” Johanna asked.
“Until it’s official for the rest of us, for our sakes and so we can pretend you weren’t already married, can you sleep in separate rooms? I know that is probably asking a lot considering you've been married for over a week—”
“Oh, we never—”
“It wasn’t like that—” they both answered at once, then looked at each other. Johanna felt the heat crawl up her neck, and Benjamin’s cheeks were bright red.
Father looked at them both incredulously. “You’re saying you’ve spent over a week together, married, and haven’t made it official?” He looked back and forth between them, obviously expecting their answer to change.
Johanna couldn’t meet his eyes. “No, sir.” Benjamin answered for the both of them.
“Even though you slept next to one another.”
“That's right." Benjamin expounded just a bit. “She wasn’t ready, sir, and I respected that.”
Standing, the old man came around his desk. Benjamin stood as well, and Father wrapped his arms around Johanna’s husband. When he pulled away, his eyes actually brimmed, though she knew he wouldn’t want her to see it. “You have gained my respect all the more, son. I’ll be honored to be your other father.”
They shook hands, then Mr. McDonough waved them toward the door. “Go. Enjoy your evening. Go sit in the hot springs, if you want. I’ll see you tomorrow.”
* * *
The hot springs were very welcome after the week they’d had. Johanna felt muscles she didn’t know she had. She relaxed to her neck, her swimming dress floating around her. Benjamin seemed as relaxed as she was, his head back against the stone and eyes closed. They soaked in silence for a while, when Benjamin spoke, startling her.
“Where’s Little Fuzzy? You didn't leave him alone in the hotel, did you?”
“Oh! I left him Margaret. She had some ideas for an ointment to put on his leg. He didn’t want to go, but settled down after a bit.” She too leaned back and closed her eyes. A question popped into her mind.
“How many children do you want?” She could visualize the two of them sitting in rocking chairs on his front porch, children and puppies tumbling through the grass in front of them.
It was a credit to him that he didn’t sit up in a panic like so many men would. It seemed a natural question to him. “Oh, I don’t know. As many as we have, I guess. It’s not like you can really control these things. It would be nice to have at least one of each, but I’m not sure I could handle a bunch like your brother.”
“What? You don’t want eight children to help with the farm?” She was mostly joking.
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He sat up and looked at her. “Only if that’s what you want,” he said.
Her heart melted, and she took his hands. “I don’t care, so long as they are a piece of you.” They drew close together, lips meeting, arms around one another.
Benjamin was everything she’d dreamed of more. And how many girls get to say they married the man of their dreams twice?
Not many. She was incredibly blessed.
Chapter Twenty Two
The next morning was a whirlwind. Benjamin accompanied Johanna as she visited with Chef Bird to determine the reception meal the next evening. They spoke with one of the girls who took care of the bouquets for the dining room to see if she could create arrangements. She didn't need anything elaborate. Just having the flowers was enough.
Johanna’s brothers kidnapped Benjamin for a bit and had him fitted for a suit of his own, which was amazing. He’d never had one of those, and to have one that fit so well, was a dream. The tailor had one almost completed that he said he could finish within a few hours. Of course, the McDonough money obviously helped with that some. Benjamin almost felt bad for the man it had initially been meant for, but not bad enough to turn the speedy delivery down.
It wasn’t even ten o’clock when they sat down in the dining room to rest and eat. Margaret approached. “May I sit?” she asked.
Johanna looked at her a bit suspiciously, but nodded and gestured toward a chair. The girl cleared her throat. “I wanted to apologize. I know we haven’t always seen eye to eye, and we’ve had our bad moments, but I truly am happy for you.” She looked across the table at Benjamin, and he could tell she was sincere. She then looked back at her sister. “He’s a fantastic catch, Jo, and I pray someday I find a man as decent for myself.”
Johanna didn’t say anything, just looked at her sister. What did she want?
Margaret looked uncomfortable, fiddling with her hairpiece and looking down.
“I honestly don’t know what to say,” Johanna finally answered. “I didn’t expect that. Thank you, Meg.”
The girl looked up suddenly, with a smile. Evidently the nickname was one she hadn’t heard for a while. She reached over and took Johanna’s hand, now completely earnest. “What can I do to help? There’s not much I’ve been able to do to help but check in the Jarrett family. I want to help.” She repeated.
Johanna looked at Benjamin, and her lips twisted in thought. She turned back to Margaret. “Well . . . would you be my maid of honor?”
Margaret squealed, jumped out of her chair and bent over to hug, Johanna, her hair moving in odd ways across her head, until it slid sideways and covered her ear, leaving the top of her head lopsided again.
Margaret nodded slowly, her face full of wonder. She then turned to Johanna. “I’d be thrilled to be your maid of honor. This man has got to be a part of our family. May I hug him?”
Johanna laughed. “But of course!”
Meg came around the table and did just that.
* * *
The formal dinner that had been missed before they were married was now in session. All of Benjamin’s family, nieces and nephews included, were a part of the celebration. Johanna had spoken to her father ahead of time and asked him to provide a simple lesson on the silverware, rather than complicating things.
Father stood and used his spoon on a glass to get everyone’s attention—not an easy task with so many children in the room. He counted, and between the two families there were thirteen boys and nine girls, and that wasn’t counting the older ones. Twenty-two children and eighteen adults.
“Thank you for coming tonight,” Father said, speaking over the kids, who eventually quieted. “We are honored to gather together and celebrate the marriage of Johanna and Benjamin—for a second time—and we appreciate their humoring us with going through all of the ceremony a wedding provides, but that so many of us thrive on.”
Everyone in the room chuckled.
Father gave a brief lesson on the usage of silverware, before he lifted his glass in a toast to Johanna and Benjamin.
Everyone cheered, particularly the kids, and Benjamin grinned. It was going to be a grand meal and celebration.
He wasn’t wrong. He watched his bride to be as she snuck pieces of her meat to the wolf on her lap, always making certain her mother wasn't watching her.
As he went to sleep that night, his hands tucked behind his head and missing his stars and the warmth of Johanna at his side, he smiled. One more night. One more space of time alone, and then Johanna would be his forever.
Those thoughts sent him to sleep with a smile on his face.
Chapter Twenty-Three
Johanna awoke to many women entering her room. The first one she saw was her mother, which got her out of bed and into her arms almost instantly. “Mother! Oh, Mother, I missed you! No more long trips to New York without me. Two months is far too long!”
Kathleen McDonough chuckled. “So I see! I leave for two months and come back to a near disaster and discovering my daughter is married and about to be married again—properly this time.” She shook her head. "I was so tired when I got in, I didn't get a chance to see you yesterday. I've missed you."
Johanna let go of her mother, suddenly aware that she held something between them. She pulled back, looked down, and gasped, tears springing to her eyes. “Oh. Oh. Really?” It was as if every dream of her wedding day had suddenly come true for her.
Mother smiled and laid her wedding dress across the bed for Johanna. “I can’t imagine it won’t fit. You’re thinner even than I was. I’ve kept cedar with it all these years, so, though some of the threads may be fragile, it won’t be moth eaten.” She seemed almost shy then. “Would you wear it, Johanna? For me?”
Johanna turned, tears streaming down her face. “Would I wear it? Mother, I’ve dreamed of wearing your dress since I was a little girl. I would be honored.” Johanna had a beautiful memory of her mother pulling the dress out of a trunk and showing it to her when she was little. She had been afraid to touch it then, but now, she would have the privilege of wearing it!
They hugged again, both a little teary.
And then Ida Mae took over. “All right ladies,” she said with a clap. “Let’s get this bride ready.”
Johanna looked around to see not only her mother, but Benjamin’s mother, Nancy. Her sister, Margaret, sisters-in-law, Charlotte, Rachael, and Clara, and Benjamin’s sisters-in-law, Annabelle and Ruth. Nine people to help her get ready? And then she realized it wasn’t about how much she needed help. It was about the people who loved her, about family being there to assist in whatever ways she needed.
It was about love. What an amazing thing. She put herself in their capable hands and let them go to it.
They washed her hair and put it up in elaborate coils, with small, white flowers woven in. They brought in new underthings and helped her change, then brought in new petticoats, all before she was allowed to slide Mother’s dress over her head. It fit nearly perfectly, needing only a few lacing adjustments in the back.
When she looked in the mirror, she hardly recognized herself. How had they made her beautiful?
“It’s time,” her mother whispered, taking her hand and putting it in the crook of her elbow so they could walk slowly behind the others, who raced ahead and were soon gone—even Ida Mae. “Johanna, it is such an honor to be able to escort your downstairs like this. I had the opportunity to visit with your Benjamin after dinner last night, and he is wonderful. You picked a good one.”
Johanna laughed. “Actually, Grandmother picked him. I was just along for the ride trying to get out of marrying that other man.” She refused to say his name. She adjusted her arm so the puppy that was nestled in it would be more comfortable.
Kathleen groaned. “Are you sure I can't talk you out of carrying that silly wolf pup down the aisle as if he were a bouquet of flowers? I can't believe you'd even consider it.”
Squeezing her mother’s arm, Johanna said, “He's a baby! He needs me.�
�� She shrugged. "I'd rather carry him than silly old flowers any day."
In another few moments, they were downstairs. The dining room had been cleared of tables so the wedding could take place there in front of the large fireplace. Only a few of the smaller tables remained along the walls of the room, filled with floral arrangements that were beyond anything Johanna had expected in the short time her florist had to make them. There was also a large, tiered wedding cake, fancier than anything she’d ever seen. She had no idea whether Chef Bird had made it or someone else, but she was certainly going to thank them when she found out.
Mother took her into the coat closet, which had also been cleared of coats and instead contained two small tables of flowers and cushioned chairs. Kathleen gestured for her to sit. “I’ll stay for a bit, but will have to go before the ceremony starts. Your grandmother is playing the wedding march on the piano, so you’ll have to listen carefully. It would have been better to do this at the church, but the pastor isn't back yet, so we’ve made do. There will be other music played as your wedding party walks down the aisle, and then your father will come and get you when the wedding march begins. That is your cue to come out.” She took her daughter in her arms and squeezed tight. “I am so proud of you!” She kissed Johanna’s cheek and then left, shutting the door behind her.
Johanna sat for several minutes, her stomach fluttering. She looked at little Fuzzy and wondered how he'd react to her first child. Already she could picture that baby in her arms while Fuzzy slept on her feet.
She was already married to Benjamin, so she couldn't imagine why she was so nervous? And then she realized what it was. After all those nights sleeping at his side. After kissing in the water when he’d seen her mostly undressed. After all of the times he could have claimed her as his bride and didn’t because she wasn’t ready, she realized the difference.
It was time. She was ready. The realization made her smile.
Just then the music began and her father stepped through the door, keeping it cracked so they could better hear. He looked over his shoulder at her, his eyes widening. “You look beautiful.”
Johanna (Dakota Bound Book 1) Page 12
