by Montana West
What should I do? was all she could think of.
Chapter XI: The Union of Hearts
MCNEAL RANCH LAND, Near Cheyenne, Wyoming Territory, August 1885
A crowd of people was gathered in the late afternoon at the McNeal Ranch, an uncharacteristic sight for the cattle business if ever there was one. Though Margaret had hoped to keep the guest list for the wedding small, it seemed only right to invite the number that had come. All of them were seated on hastily built but sturdy wooden benches that were arranged in the same formation as those of church pews, complete with a center aisle.
Mingled among the guests were the ranch hands, several of Margaret’s business contacts in Cheyenne, a few of her more amiable rivals in the cattle ranching industry, many of the town’s show riders, and a few other friends the McNeals had come to know over the years.
Perhaps the most surprising guests in attendance were Chase’s fellow show riders and Professor Monro himself. Leyla had practically begged Margaret to allow them to attend, seeing as how they had, in one way or another, helped her reunite with Chase.
The weather seemed to cooperate for the day as well, with the usually hot August temperatures remaining mild and the sun’s light covered by dense white clouds rolling through the sky as though they were silent observers of the union that was about to occur.
Inside the McNeal homestead, however, all was not as calm as the outside.
This is it, Maggie thought, looking herself over in the mirror again and again, trying to discern some flaw in her appearance or her dress that might ruin the whole ceremony. Never in a million years would she have thought this day would happen, but here she was, moments away from marrying John Baldwin.
A hand clasped her gently on the shoulder and she turned to see her mother dabbing at her eyes with a handkerchief.
“Wherever he is,” Abigail sniffed, trying to maintain her usual composure, “I know your father is looking down on you right now and smiling.”
“If I knew the man at all, I’d say his smile would be giving the sun a run for its money in brightness,” came the melodic brogue of Fergus Finnegan.
Both Maggie and Abigail turned to look at Fergus and they couldn’t help but giggle. Fergus, in lieu of having any kind of proper formal clothing, had dug out his Union service uniform, patched it up where he could, and put it on. He still wore it fairly well, despite the slight tightness around the waist, but overall the old Irishman looked rather well in his uniform.
Maggie moved over to her godfather and gave him a kiss on the cheek, the bristles of his chops tickling her smooth cheeks. “Thank you, Uncle Fergus,” she said, trying to keep her own emotions in check. “I know Papa would be proud to have you do this.”
“Proud nothing,” Fergus quipped with a mischievous glint in his eye. “I’m doing this so he doesn’t end up haunting me for going back on my word of looking over his daughters until I join him.”
All three laughed at that, each of them knowing that Peter McNeal would have said as much were he there.
Leyla entered, having put on an old dress that she and Abigail had found the time to sew new life and color into, making it appear as though it’d just been purchased from one of the upscale shops in Cheyenne. She crossed the room and gave her older sister a hug, the two sharing a tender moment as they’d done since their childhood.
“I’m so happy for you, Maggie,” Leyla whispered, though her voice still betrayed the fact that she was trying to keep herself from crying. “You and John are going to be so happy together.”
Maggie gave a slight sniffle as she kept embracing her sister. “Oh hush, Leyla,” she replied, attempting to keep her own tears in check. “It’s not like John and I are going anywhere. We’ll still be right here on the ranch to keep an eye on you and Mama.”
There was a slight pause before Leyla pulled away, something that Maggie couldn’t quite put her finger on, but the moment had passed and the two of them smiled at one another.
Looking around at the people she loved the most, Maggie felt as if she was going to be overwhelmed. But as was her usual case, she drew strength from the well of her confidence and flashed a winning smile to her family.
“Well now,” she declared happily. “No sense in keeping that handsome ranch boss waiting, is there?”
JOHN BALDWIN STOOD in a simple but elegant suit before a gathered crowd of Cheyenne’s citizens. His long blond hair was slicked back and the skin of his face was freshly shaved. To his right stood Father O’Shay, a priest from one of Cheyenne’s various churches. From what Abigail had told John, Father O’Shay was another old friend of the McNeal family who was more than happy to conduct the ceremony at the ranch instead of in his parish church.
While John was still waiting for the whole thing to begin, he made idle small talk with the priest.
“Much obliged for you agreeing to do the wedding here, Father,” he said gratefully, his tone calm and continuing to mask the anticipation building inside him.
“Think nothing of it, Mister Baldwin,” the priest said with a laugh and a wave of his hand. “Unlike some of my brothers of the cloth, I view the whole world as God’s house, not just the places where we’ve hung a cross and put out the holy water.”
John was impressed with the priest’s open view of worship. “I can see how that might rattle a few of the other fellows,” John replied.
Father O’Shay gave John a conspiratorial wink. “Well, you didn’t hear this from me, but I prefer it this way. The church gets hotter than the lakes of Lucifer himself around this time of year.”
The two chuckled and continued to talk. However, both of them fell silent when they saw Chase and Leyla appear at the edge of the gathered guests, arm in arm and ready to proceed up the center aisle.
A hush fell over the crowd as the two slowly made their way forward to join John and the priest in front of all of the guests.
DESPITE BEING ON THE arm of the prettiest girl in all the Wyoming Territory, Chase felt nervous as the pair strode slowly down the aisle between the two sections of guests.
It didn’t help that Chase still felt he was woefully underdressed for the occasion, especially when compared with Leyla’s breathtaking dress.
The day before, John had taken Chase into Chester’s Haberdashery to help the younger show rider find something that he could wear to the wedding that was a little less trail-worn than his riding clothes and less garish than his show riding uniform.
Chase was now dressed in a new pair of trousers held up by new braces along with a fresh white shirt and a simple waistcoat that matched the trousers. He’d had his boots polished to a mirror shine and had even taken the time to dust off his hat. Professor Monro had even lent him a turquoise bolo tie just to complete the entire ensemble.
Still, Chase was nervous. He was dead certain he had the ring John would put on Margaret’s finger in his pocket, so that wasn’t a problem. No, what was likely making him so nervous was all of the curious stares he was getting from those gathered.
Dammit, how is it that I’ve performed stunts in front of crowds from here all the way to New York City and all of a sudden I’m bashful? he asked himself repeatedly.
He forced himself to calm down, looking to the beautiful vision that was Leyla for comfort. Together, the two marched slowly in step until they reached the “altar” and parted ways, with Chase taking position next to John and Leyla standing opposite them. Father O’Shay maintained his spot between them.
The gathered guests rose together as the backdoor of the homestead opened to reveal Margaret McNeal cloaked in a beautiful white wedding dress, her figure accentuated perfectly without becoming overbearing. Behind her, Fergus Finnegan emerged in his Union blue uniform, a smile widening his face in glee as he offered his goddaughter his arm and she gratefully accepted it. The two began the slow procession between the gathered guests toward the others.
THOUGH NEARLY ALL OF the eyes present were focused on Margaret and Fergus’s progress, Leyla and
Chase had their eyes on one another.
The two couldn’t help it, despite how nervous both of them were about Leyla’s answer to Chase’s offer the previous day.
I want to go with them all, but would it be right to Maggie. she fretted over and over again.
Uncle Fergus and Margaret reached the altar, where the old Irishman gave his goddaughter a chaste kiss and a loving embrace before offering a strong handshake to John. He then took position next to Leyla, though Leyla could see that the mischief-eyed man she’d known her entire life was now more misty-eyed than anything else. The sight of it couldn’t help but make her smile.
John and Margaret then turned to one another and joined their hands together as Father O’Shay began to speak.
“BY THE POWER VESTED in me by God and before these gathered witnesses, I now pronounce you man and wife,” Father O’Shay declared. “You may kiss the bride.”
John needed no further incentive as he wrapped his arms around Margaret’s lithe waist and pulled her into a passionate kiss before God and everyone else present.
The gathered guests erupted into cheers, thrown hats, and even a few fired pistols. Margaret McNeal was now married to John Baldwin, and all those who witnessed it couldn’t have been happier.
Of course, the two would still have to sign their marriage certificate with Judge Backstrom at some point, but the old and kindly judge had brought the documents with him so they could fill them out at their leisure during the evening.
With John and Margaret officially married, the celebration really began as fires were lit and the air came alive with the succulent aroma of all manner of delicious foods being cooked. The McNeals had hired a few of the local butchers and produce suppliers in Cheyenne to bring their finest stock along with a few of the better cooks to be found in the town.
While the gathered guests waited for the feast to be ready, Fergus made his way to the barn and opened it to reveal a king’s ransom in liquor. Bottles and barrels of every kind of alcohol the man could get his hands on in time for the wedding was waiting, and he was more than happy to start serving everyone.
Midway between the house and the stable was where a band had set up, playing a wide collection of songs, ballads, and jigs that had the guests dancing around with one another in no time.
Even as the sun began setting and the stars and moon arrived to observe the festivities, the celebration showed no signs of letting up. At one point, thoroughly plied with whiskey and none the worse for wear because of it, Fergus was coaxed by the band to perform a rendition of “Lannigan’s Ball,” a merry number that had the guests trying to step in time with the odd moves the song commanded.
Of course, Abigail McNeal, in a rare mood for performing herself, followed her late husband’s friend with a stirring and unexpected performance of “The Wild Rover.” Her melodic voice commanded the attention of all who were present and led to thunderous applause as she finished, the older redhead giving a slight curtsy before she strode proudly away.
Maggie found herself talking with Chase’s fellow show riders, discussing their signature moves with one another, where they’d learned them from, and eventually a debate over who had the best horse of them all.
Everyone danced, ate, drank, and celebrated the new Chapter of the lives of the now John and Margaret Baldwin.
Well, almost everyone.
IT WAS AROUND MIDNIGHT that Leyla found herself sitting at a table with Chase, her mother, Maggie, John, and Professor Monro. Uncle Fergus was also present but only in the sense that he was physically present as he was currently splayed unconscious in his chair, his uniform unbuttoned long ago.
The other guests were either passed out around the smoldering fires or had departed earlier in the evening. There would be plenty to clean up tomorrow in the wake of the celebration, but that was a matter for the future.
The group sat there conversing with one another while sharing one of the remaining pies.
The professor patted his protruding stomach appreciatively, a smile evident under his waxed mustache. “I must say that I’ve not been privilege to such a feast since the days of my youth,” he sighed contentedly. “Miss McNeal, er, pardon me, Missus Baldwin, I cannot adequately express my gratitude for your invitation to partake in the celebration of your nuptials.”
Margaret answered the professor’s eloquence with a laugh. “Thank Leyla, Professor,” she replied, jerking a thumb at her younger sister. “She said that you and all the other show riders helped Chase figure out how to get her to listen to his explanation.”
“Oh, we played small but humble roles in Chase’s quest for redemption,” he chortled.
Leyla, who had been content to sit quietly with Chase up to that point, stood up. Clearing her throat, she addressed the table. “Everyone,” she began, her voice oddly succinct despite how much she had been drinking earlier, “I have something to say.”
The table’s occupants shifted their attention to the young redhead as she made her stand.
Even Chase looked surprised by her sudden declaration.
Leyla drew herself up to her full height and spoke with conviction.
“Yesterday, Chase asked me a question that I’ve dreamed my whole life of hearing,” she said. “Chase asked me to join his team of show riders as they tour through the west.”
Leyla paused as she braced herself for the immediate “no” that was certain to come from Maggie or her mother. When nothing came, she continued speaking, though she turned to Chase and took his hands in hers.
“Chase McAllister, I would like nothing more than to join the show and travel with all of you across the west, but I can’t bring myself to leave behind all of my responsibilities here and—”
“No.”
Leyla jumped slightly at the sound of her sister’s voice. She had clearly said “no,” but what part was she saying “no” to?
Maggie, her hand still entwined with John’s atop the table, smiled at her younger sister. “Leyla McNeal, I will not have you using my ranch as an excuse to not pursue your dreams,” she said firmly, a beautiful smile spread across her face.
Leyla couldn’t believe what she was hearing. “But-but Maggie!”
Maggie shook her head. “No ‘buts’ except yours in a saddle performing for the folks further west, Leyla,” she said firmly. “You’ve got an opportunity in front of you, and I say you should take it.”
This is a dream, Leyla thought feverishly. There’s no way my sister just gave me the go ahead to follow Chase and the rest of the show. She looked at her mother for guidance.
Abigail smiled encouragingly at her younger daughter. “If Maggie thinks you’re ready for it, then I’m in full agreement with her,” she said proudly.
As a last ditch effort, Leyla looked to John. Surely, her newly minted brother-in-law would have some kind of logical argument against it.
But John just sat there and smiled at her, his hand reaching over to brush his bride’s cheek softly. “You’ve worked hard for all of your riding expertise, Leyla,” he said in that strangely wise way of his. “Why shouldn’t you put it to use?”
Leyla was still convinced that none of what was happening was actually happening. She looked around the table for some sign, any sign, that this was some fevered dream.
She looked to Chase, trying to find the words to say to him, but there was nothing.
“I-I...” she stuttered.
“If I may politely interject,” Professor Monro said, leaning forward. “Though I claim to be an expert on many worldly matters, I am, in truth, a master of little outside of the travelling show which bears my name. However, one matter I can speak with full authority on is the readiness of performers to step before a crowd and amaze with their talents. Young Lady Leyla, I would like to advise a trial of sorts, to see if you are truly ready to part ways with your loving family. Accompany us to Laramie and we shall see how well you perform in the spotlight before the roaring crowds. I’d even be willing to say you join us as far as
the borders of the Wyoming Territory, after which I’ll be more than happy to see you and your mount sent safely back here to Cheyenne. I’d say that’s more than a fair shake, eh?”
Though she didn’t say it, Leyla knew the professor’s assessment was right on the mark. Despite how much she’d learned and trained with Maggie and Chase, she wasn’t certain that she was ready to be a full-time professional.
All of the eyes were on her, but the ones she remained locked onto were Chase’s. The two, one seated and one standing, were alone with one another and their thoughts once more, waiting for something to happen.
“Yes,” Leyla finally said at long last.
Chase shook his head as though he were clearing himself from a trance. “R-really Leyla?” he asked incredulously. “You’ll come with us as far as the territory border?”
Leyla smiled at the brown-haired show rider and answered him with a kiss, not caring a lick for propriety’s sake.
Across the table, Margaret, John, Abigail, and the professor quietly applauded the young couple, now about to embark on a new adventure together in show riding.
Abigail held a glass high and smiled warmly at everyone gathered at the table. “Cheers to my daughter Leyla’s successful show riding, and double congratulations to my daughter Maggie and her husband John as they start a new life together.”
Around the table, the others drank whatever they had within reach and smiled as one couple began a new life together while another was just finding their way.
THE END
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