by Laura Moore
“Having Hot Lips healthy again has been the icing on the cake, so to speak. Cassie says she owes everything to you, Tod, not only because of the aqua tank, but also because you changed her training approach with Hot Lips. That mare’s practically a different horse now. It seems like her wild banshee days are over. There’s been a lot of changes around here, all to the good.”
Smiling, he thought of Bessie Thompson, who had conceded with a flattering blush, that yes, now everyone could call her Bessie, that being only logical since her new last name was O’Mally. She and Francis O’Mally had eloped three weeks before, an act of passion so exciting, so invigorating, Francis claimed he felt twenty years younger. The old devil. They would soon be moving into Caleb’s carriage house. And right here was more good news: Delia Harper with her beautiful baby asleep in her arms. She was rocking him gently.
“I’m so happy for them,” she said. “I know it’s going to be just beautiful. I can’t imagine a ceremony that would suit them so well.”
Hank laughed. “You’re right. Everyone is thrilled. Though I think we should all be deeply grateful Caleb’s not a plumber. Just picture it. We might instead be standing around, each one of us holding our kitchen sinks! If you’ll excuse me, I see Francis O’Mally has arrived. He and Finnegan are leading the canine retinue.”
By the time the minister had finished reading Saint Francis’s “Sermon to the Birds,” and had begun the blessing of all the animals assembled, Melissa’s handkerchief was a soggy mess. She nudged Hank gently with her elbow. He passed her a second, having brought several, just in case. Glancing up at her husband, she was gratified to see moisture in his eyes, too. It was so lovely, worth every sentimental tear she shed. Melissa’s hand searched out Hank’s, and they gazed on, fingers intertwined.
Dabbing her eyes as daintily as she could, she smiled mistily at the scene before her. It was a moving experience to stand there, side by side, a congregation arranged in a large circle. Family and friends, coming together, to participate in this joyous ceremony beginning with the blessing of the many animals in their lives, young and old, big and small. Each person or couple in the gathering was responsible for some kind of creature. Horses of course out in large number: Hot Lips, Limelight, Silverspoon, Arrow Pip, Topper, and even Barney the donkey. But other animals were present too. Barn and house cats; and dogs, such as Finnegan; and the two eight-week-old-puppies tumbling about Jamie and Sophie’s feet. Not to be forgotten was the splendid, snow-white cockatoo perched on the shoulder of Mark Winterer.
The blessing was a magical prelude that set the tone for the ceremony for when at last the time came for humans and animals to leave the circle they had formed, Caleb and Cassie would be wed, at last man and wife.
Everyone watched as the minister David Cosgrove walked slowly around the perimeter, blessing each animal in turn.
Then, he turned toward the center of the ring, and waited, watching the couple who stood before them all.
Cassie was dressed in an ivory gown that ended in a long, flowing train. The dress had belonged to her mother worn on her wedding day as well. A wreath of miniature roses and baby’s breath crowned Cassie’s head. She resembled a sylvan princess; the autumn leaves hanging from the trees nearby, her golden bower. Caleb, tall and dark in a formal cutaway, had never looked handsomer or as happy. They stood together, joy shining on their faces.
A movement, and into the circle’s center stepped a tall blond man, leading a dark horse. Alex Miller and Orion. The horse’s coat gleamed, his mane decorated with running braids, looped together to form a scalloped edge along his arched neck. Man and horse approached Cassie and Caleb. Embracing them both, Alex held out to them the stallion’s lead. As both Cassie and Caleb grasped it, Alex stepped back, taking his place at Jamie and Sophie’s side.
Then the minister spoke, his rich tenor reaching everyone. “Beloved friends, beloved family, welcome. Today is a day of great joy. On this day we come together to celebrate the life of Saint Francis and of all God’s creatures. This date was chosen with care by Cassie and Caleb. For today, we are invited not only to share in their love of animals, but also to stand as joyful witnesses as they pledge their love for each other. Here, in this large and wondrous circle, we are gathered to bless. And we are gathered to love.
“Before Cassie and Caleb exchange their vows and pledge themselves to each other, there is one last animal to bless. He stands before you all, a symbol of beauty courage, and life: a giver. It is Orion. Among the many animals Cassie and Caleb love, this dark horse holds a special place in their hearts. For it was through Orion that these two remarkable people came together and found what they were seeking. Through Orion, they received the most precious gift of all: the gift of love.”
