by Nancy Hopper
Sam grinned at her. “Sadie, you’re a gem. Thanks.”
“My pleasure. See you later.” She grumbled.
When Callie woke up, she stretched and sighed. She sat up and saw Sam propped on the other bunk with pillows, reading. He was wearing wire rimmed glasses and a lock of hair had fallen down over his forehead. He looked up at her briefly, and smiled. He put a bookmark in his book, and closed it with a thud. Two seconds later, he was hovering over her.
“Feeling better?” he asked lightly.
“Yes. This is absolutely the softest, warmest, most wonderful bed in the whole world.” She purred.
“Glad you enjoy it. You’re going to be spending a lot of time in it.” He warned with a glint in his eye. “And it’s very tantalizing to sit over there and watch you. I must say, I’m feeling rather … no, very frustrated.”
She blushed and smiled. “Well, darling. You won’t have to go on that way much longer.” She promised. Her eyes were teasing him.
“You merciless flirt.” He accused. “The next two weeks are going to be living hell for me. But the first order of business, is to tell the crew. Clyde’s asking questions, and Sadie isn’t all that well known for keeping a secret.”
Callie laughed. “I know. It’s all right with me, Sam. I’d love to shout it to the whole world.”
He grinned. “Good. I think you should get on the phone to Rose and Peter tonight. Tell them I’ll take care of their tickets.”
Callie melted at his kindness. “Sam. You doll.” She responded. Her arms wound around his neck, and she kissed him soundly for his thoughtfulness.
“That’s my cue to exit stage right.” He chuckled. “Can’t take too much of that, just yet.”
“What’s the matter?” she asked innocently.
He chuckled. “Well, it’s like this. One thing triggers another, get it? A kiss triggers one thought; and looking at you in bed, triggers another. Knowing that I’m finally going to have you triggers a whole bunch of them, all at once. It’s just not a real bright idea for me to hang around in here alone with you, while you’re awake and dangerous.”
She smiled. “Well, darling. Just you keep thinking about our wedding night. I’ll guarantee you, I am.”
He growled at her. “Heartless fiend.” He accused.
Sadie was back in about three hours. As Sam predicted, she’d been able to work wonders. She’d ordered the cake and flowers, talked to two caterers, and she had two very large boxes in her arms.
“Cal, I hit the jackpot. Now if you don’t like these, they can go right back. I’ve got them on a hold with my credit card, so don’t panic. But they were such a fantastic deal, I didn’t want to risk losing them. No, sir! Take a look at this.”
Shaking aside the tissue paper, she produced the most beautiful dress that Callie had ever seen. In the lightest ivory, it had a tight lace collar that buttoned in the back. The bodice was lace, with satin underlay only high enough to cover her breasts. The sleeves were straight and lacy, very feminine. The skirt was layered, and full. Beading made it glimmer, as if it was lit by starlight.
Callie just stared at the dress. “It’s incredible. Too perfect for words.” She assured Sadie.
“Really, Cal?”
“It’s just got to fit.” She gasped excitedly.
“Oh, it’ll fit.” Sadie assured her with blazing eyes. “It's got 'Callie' written all over it! Give it a try, and you’ll see that I’m right.”
Callie slipped out of her clothes, letting Sadie help her into the dress. It was a dress that required some positioning, with the boning. At last, Sadie zipped it under the arm, and fastened the top button.
“Oh, my.” Sadie said, in sheer wonder. She opened the closet door, and let Callie have a look in the mirror.
She was astonished. It was utterly fabulous!
“There’s not one stitch that isn’t perfect on you.” Sadie sighed.
“Sadie, this is simply incredible. How do you do it?”
“I listen to the Lord.” She shrugged. “It’s going to be wonderful.”
“Yes, but can I afford this?” she asked helplessly.
“I think you can. You’d better sit down.” Sadie advised. “It was a special order dress. The lady put half down and never came back. This dress has been sitting in the shop for three years. It’s too tall, and yet a size seven; it doesn’t fit anybody. It was originally almost a thousand, but they want to move it. So, it’s yours for the low, low price of $99.98.”
Callie looked at her incredulously, and then they both began to laugh. It was too much. “Oh, my goodness! Help me out of this thing, I’ve got to call Mom.” She exclaimed.
They boxed the dress up, with regret.
“We’ll have to hide it. Sam can be very snoopy, you know.” Sadie warned. “Tomorrow, we can look at hats and veils and things. And the two caterers I talked to are going to have the menu possibilities ready, so we’ll see them tomorrow, too. The cake order is in, and so are the flowers. You just have to tell them what colors you want.”
Callie shook her head. “Sadie, you’re incredible. Unbelievable.”
“Yeah, yeah. Do you want to see the dress I got for myself?”
“Of course!”
Sadie had found a Topaz velvet dress that defied description. It was much like Callie’s, only plainer. It was simple, and outstanding.
“Now, if you don’t want this color for the wedding, I’ll get something else. I just had to have the dress, anyway.” She assured.
“No, no. It was my first choice, remember?”
“Yes. All right, then. Should the flowers and the cake have any color on them, then?”
Callie drew a thoughtful breath. “No. I think all white.”
Sadie raised her eyebrows, stifling a smile.
“What’s so funny? Do you think that’s a poor choice?”
“Nope. That’s what I told them you’d want.” She chuckled. “It’s just amazing to hear you say it.”
Rose was so excited to hear from Callie that she could hardly contain herself. “Oh, honey. It’s so good to hear your voice! I’ve been wondering how the seizures have been.”
“What seizures? I haven’t had one since I got back to the tent.” Callie advised happily. “Sam keeps praying for me, I think he’s chased them away for good.”
“And how is Sam?”
“He’s fine. Mom, I wish you liked Sam a little bit.” She teased.
“Well, honey. He’s just not your run of the mill kind of guy. How can I help liking him?”
Callie laughed. “Well, why don’t you come down and see us?”
“Oh, honey. I’m not sure. It’s so hot down south.”
“Yeah, I know. But you have to come. And bring Pete and Shelly, too.”
“Callie, what’s up your sleeve?” Rose drawled.
“Well, I’m getting married, actually. Mom, I met the most wonderful guy.” She bubbled.
Rose was absolutely silent. Finally, she pulled herself together. “Another wonderful guy? Callie, what about Sam?”
“Oh, he’ll be there.” Callie brushed it off lightly. “You are absolutely going to go bonkers over this guy, mom. He’s funny, handsome, smart, sweet.”
“Sounds like Sam.” Rose bristled.
“Can’t fool you, can I? It is Sam.” Callie giggled.
“Oh!” Rose grumbled. “You had me going, Callie. If I thought for one minute you were marrying someone else, I’d have torn you limb from limb.”
“Gee. Glad I chose the right one, then.” Callie teased lightly.
“Me, too. Congratulations, honey. I am so thrilled!”
“So are we.” Callie assured her. “Listen, I hate to cut this short, but I have to get to a meeting. Sam’s going to tell the crew. So you guys get on down here, and Sam will take care of the tickets. Let us know what you want, and Sadie will make the arrangements.”
“Oh, my!” Rose sighed. “That’s going to be expensive.”
“Well, it’s what
Sam wanted. And what Sam wants, Sam gets.”
They chuckled together.
“When is the wedding?”
“September first.” Callie sighed happily.
Rose gasped. “Callie, that’s only two weeks away!”
“I know. It’s all the time Sam would give me. And what Sam wants, Sam gets.” She repeated. “Mom, I gotta go. I love you.”
Callie ran to the tent, just as Sam was walking in from the other side. The tent crew was all seated, though restless. Sam didn’t call a special meeting very often. Usually, he left that to his team leaders. So, everyone was wondering what was going on.
“Must be something big. Sam’s got on a tee shirt.” Someone teased.
Sam grinned, and shook his head. Whenever he was out of his suit, he got teased by the crew.
“Now, cut that out.” He chided. “It’s hot enough to fry an egg on the sidewalk. There’s no call to get mean.” He looked at some notes on the clipboard, and sighed heavily.
“This won’t take long, there are just a couple of things I need to share. First, we are going to move the tent to Corpus Christi, Texas on September second. We’ve got a new group sponsoring us there, and so we’re going to adjust the schedule a bit. We’ll pack up on the second, and leave on the third.”
“There is also going to be a special event at the tent on Saturday, September first. This is a private party, and we have all been asked to assist. I told them I thought we could work something out. Are you all going to be available that day?”
“What kind of duty are you talking about, Sam?” Sean asked dubiously.
“Easy stuff. Decorations, food service, clean up. That kind of thing. There will be plenty to eat, and time to play, too. Maybe even some music.”
The crew members looked at one another curiously. “Who’s putting this thing on?”
“Are you really going to allow the tent to be used for just a … a regular old party?
“Do they want all of us to work? How many people are coming?”
Sam held up a hand. “Whoa.” He insisted, chuckling. “A couple of ladies approached me about this, and I think it will be just fine to have it here. You are all invited to attend, and I don't think that there will be all that much work to do. Now, you don’t have to be here if you don’t want to. But if you do come, dress nicely.”
“I’m sorry, Sam, but I have to ask. They aren’t going to have alcohol in here, are they? Because if anybody spills booze in the tent, we’ll never get the smell out of the canvas.” Clyde grumbled.
“There might be some light Champagne.” Sam mused. “We are planning to serve all the food and drinks outside, unless it rains.”
“Don’t you think we’ll be criticized for allowing Champagne in the tent?” Suzie questioned slowly. “Most people don’t approve of any alcohol.”
Sam seemed to consider. “Well, on special occasions, I think a toast is in order.”
Clyde began to chuckle. “Samuel, what are you up to?” he asked suspiciously.
Sam grinned and shook his head. “What do you mean, Clyde?” he asked innocently.
“I mean, exactly whose party is this?”
“Sadie is organizing it, actually.” Sam advised.
“Who’s it for?” Clyde taunted.
“Clyde, can’t I have just a little fun, once in awhile?” Sam complained.
“After what you’ve been putting us through? I don’t think so!” Clyde snorted.
Sam laughed. “All right. All right, it’s a wedding.” He admitted.
Everyone sat up very straight, and stared at Sam with rapt attention.
“A wedding, huh?” Clyde parroted in a shocked voice.
“Yes, a wedding.”
“Who’s officiating?” Clyde challenged slyly.
“Actually, it will be Bishop Terrell Sutherland.”
“And do we know the lucky couple?”
“I believe you've probably met them. They're from New York.”
Sam let the information soak in, and just benignly watched the faces before him, as they processed the mysterious information. But, there was not one sound. And, they continued to just stare at him.
Sam finally gave up, and laughed. “I know just how a bug feels as it’s being pinned to a piece of cardboard. Callie, come here, will you, please?”
Callie joined Sam, and he put an arm around her. He looked down at Callie with tender adoration. “This lovely lady, believe it or not, has agreed to become my bride. Sorry for the short notice, but that’s the way I want it. You’re all invited. It will be at two o’clock on Saturday, September first.”
He tore his eyes from Callie's, and looked up into the stunned faces of the crew. Then suddenly, such a clamor and shout arose, that Sam and Callie cringed.
Sam laughed, and drew Callie into his arms. He finally kissed her the way they’d all been waiting to see him kiss her. The din just got louder and more joyous. They all crowded around the couple, whooping and hugging them.
“I thought you’d never get around to it, Sam.” Clyde growled in his ear. “Only a blithering fool would keep that sweet little thing pining away for so long!”
“Well, I wouldn’t have waited so long, if she hadn’t split her head open.” Sam assured Clyde in a low voice. “And, actually, I did ask her four days into the New York crusade. Took me awhile to get her to say she would, didn’t it?”
Clyde’s face showed the shock, as that tidbit of information filtered through his brain. Sam just grinned at him, and slapped him on the back, before walking away.
It turned out to be a wedding like few others. There was a grassy knoll, a backdrop of Dogwood trees and Rhododendrons, and a bride so beautiful that people caught their breath. There was a canopy filled with flowers, and a curved trellis covered with sweet roses, and a deep blue southern sky. There was a groom almost overcome with emotion, and a mother who had a hard time holding her tears. There was a tent crew who didn’t even try.
Callie was a wee bit overawed by her bridegroom, when it came down to it. He was so tall, and handsome, and so full of love when she met him at the altar. In the end, she’d decided to wear nothing on her head but a soft tiara of flowers weaving through her braided coronet, with tulle spilling over to form a lovely veil. The rest of her hair waved around her hips, and she could see that Sam liked it that way.
He was so tender and solemn when he spoke his vows, that Callie could hardly get past the lump in her throat to say her own. She didn‘t really understand her shyness, or her own, deep tenderness. She supposed that perhaps, she’d never thought that it would actually, truly happen. Now that it had come so suddenly, she was left a bit breathless and swept off her feet.
When the deep-voiced bishop, (whom Callie had barely had time to meet, just a smile and a brief handclasp before it all began), pronounced them husband and wife, Callie looked up at Sam timidly.
He tipped his head just a little bit, to look down at her with amused affection, and touched her cheek with a gentle finger. He let his dimples jump into his cheeks. He scanned her eyes, but couldn’t tell what she was thinking or feeling. His smile faded and his hand caressed the back of her head, drawing her closer as Bishop Sutherland advised him that he could kiss his bride. His eyes were so serious. So intent, and piercing.
Callie closed her eyes and just let Sam take the reins. He did, without any hesitation. Crushed against his chest, with his arms wrapped around her, he took his kiss, and with it took his bride.
Callie felt all of the strength flow out of her legs, the air from her lungs as he took his kiss. She remembered him telling her in the front yard of her mother’s house that for her, he was the only one, and that he’d love to prove it to her there and then. She discovered then, with a fluttering heart, that he’d known what he was talking about. She'd thought that Sam was just being old-fashioned when he talked about the bonds between husband and wife. Now she knew there was a great deal more to it all, than that.
There was something in th
is kiss that was so different. So real, and captivating. She was captive, now. His. And she knew he’d never let her go. He would always have her heart, now.
She didn’t quite see how it had happened, but there was an authority in Sam that she would always respond to. Always bend to. Not that she sought it, nor that he would enforce it. It was just there.
Instead of the hoots and giggles that usually accompanied long wedding kisses, there was a hush that hovered over the glen. Everyone was watching, as if they could feel the bond of a husband taking his bride, sense the things that Callie felt as Sam kissed her.
When it was over, Callie opened her eyes and tried to focus them, blinking hazily. Sam was still looking down at her, with the hint of a smile around his mouth, and a twinkle in his eyes.
Callie dimpled and blushed. She couldn’t continue to meet his eyes, somehow.
“Beloved, it is my distinct pleasure to present to you all … Mr. and Mrs. Stringer.”
Sam grinned and hugged Callie close, while the glen erupted with jubilation
They had a wonderful afternoon, filled with music, and laughter, joy and tears. When at last it was over (without a single drop of champagne spilled on the tent), Sam and Callie said their goodbyes to their friends and loved ones.
Peter took Sam’s hand with a humility and gratefulness that touched his heart. “Congratulations, Sam. I guess you really did tame the tigress.” He admitted. “I never thought to see Callie Anna’s eyes turn away from any man’s gaze, or a blush on her cheeks, again. She was hard and cold to the bone after … well. Congratulations. And believe me when I say, I’m awfully glad I didn’t have to make good on my threat of coming to look you up.”
Sam laughed heartily, and smothered Peter in a bear hug. “Me, too, Peter.” He admitted. “Me, too. Instead, perhaps I’ll have a brother. I always kind of thought it might be good fun to have one. Whaddaya say?”
Peter fairly froze, before he looked up at Sam with his heart in his green eyes. He managed to chuckle. “Well, for a number of years Callie Anna damn near filled that role, but … somewhere along the line, she dropped the braids and scuffed up knees, and went and turned into a girl. I suppose that it might be handy, at that, to have a brother big as Tarzan.”
