High Plains Bride
Page 27
“When the good Lord said be fruitful and multiply, Mr. West, he meant after the wedding feast.”
“Yes, sir,” muttered Thomas.
Major Brennan offered his elbow to Lucie. The chaplain motioned to the door, waiting for Thomas and Sarah to exit before him. He ushered them across the street to the officers’ mess, seeming to feel that they needed a shepherd to ensure they did not cut away from the herd.
Inside, red, white and blue bunting hung from the head table, now draped in a pristine white linen cloth. On a small table sat a lopsided two-tiered wedding cake dripping with white and pink icing.
Sarah looked so pleased that Thomas felt selfish to have almost made her miss her celebration. He threw himself into the moment, enduring the not-too-subtle jokes of the men and enjoying more congratulations from the women. Most touching of all was to see Lucie conversing with the very women Sarah had expected to shun her.
He held his bride’s chair as Sarah took her seat and then he moved to his place beside her. Lucie and Major Brennan sat at the head table as well. Thomas stared out at his guests. Sarah had been right. This moment was not to be rushed.
The attendees settled into their chairs as their meals were brought directly to their table. Prime rib and mashed potatoes and baked beans with bacon, of course.
Sarah avoided the beans. “I’m afraid to stain the dress.”
He avoided them, as well, but for completely different reasons.
He finished first and waited for the last of their guests to lay aside their forks. Thomas drummed his fingers on the table until Sarah rested her palm over his hand.
He stroked the satiny sleeve of the gown.
“Pretty,” he said.
“You know what they say. Something old, something new, something borrowed, something blue and a tuppence in her shoe.” She leaned in conspiratorially. “I had to use a penny.” Sarah lifted her wine glass and took a tiny sip.
He watched her long throat arch for a moment as she swallowed and felt himself heat.
“The dress is borrowed and old. The new?” he asked.
She cast him a devilish smile that caused him to lean closer, inhaling the scent of lilacs and powder. “The new and the blue are both the same.”
He surveyed her wardrobe.
“I don’t see anything blue.”
“That’s because it’s under the dress.”
His brow knit in confusion.
She cocked her head and fed him another tidbit of information. “You gave them to me the day you bought me a ‘proper coat.’”
Thomas shook his head.
“To hold up my silk stockings?”
Thomas slapped his hand on the table.
“The New York garters!”
Heads turned. Sarah pressed a finger to her lips and shushed him but he couldn’t keep from grinning from ear to ear.
“You wore them?”
She laughed. “Yes, Thomas. Finally.”
“Silk stockings, too?”
“Stockings, as well.”
He rubbed his hands together in anticipation. “Well, hot damn.”
Lucie leaned in. “Papa, p-lease!” She exaggerated her words. “You’re embarrassing me.”
Sarah tried for a chastising look but she giggled, completely ruining the effect.
“Shall we cut the cake?” she asked, rising.
“Oh, Mama, you have no bouquet to throw!”
Thomas had completely missed the lack. She’d carried a small prayer book, bound in white leather and no doubt borrowed, as well. Of course, she couldn’t throw that or she’d raise a lump on some poor woman’s head.
Again Thomas absorbed a pang of regret. Of course, there would be no fresh flowers for a winter bride.
“You deserve to be a spring bride, Sarah, with an armful of white roses.”
“A spring bride.” She scoffed. “You can’t wait another ten minutes and you want to wait for the roses?”
He chuckled. “You’re right. I just want everything perfect.”
She squeezed his hand. “Don’t fret, Thomas.”
Lucie dabbed her eye. “I wish I had a proper wedding gift for you both.”
Sarah took Lucie’s hand and then captured Thomas’s as well. “I have the only gift I ever wanted. We are a family at last.”
ISBN: 9781426801549
HIGH PLAINS BRIDE
Copyright © 2007 by Jeannette H. Monaco
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