by Mary Moore
Of course I trusted you, darling, and loved you. I loved you from the moment I found you, oh, so beautiful, and oh, so angry, in my car. But how could I ask you to marry me ? There was not only the twins, but Nan only has her pension. She was also my responsibility, and would have had to live with
Us.
`As if that would have worried me!' Judy interrupted indignantly.
I know, I know, but there was always the chance I would lose the farm. If I could have counted on swinging the farm I would have risked it, but it's always been so close to the margin I couldn't be sure. If I lost that and had to take another farm advisory appointment, my salary wouldn't have stretched to you, as well as Nan and the twins.'
`And now it can.' Judy nestled closer to him.
Yes, now Paul and Betsy will come home and take their horrible little brats away, and Nan will live with them as she has always done. You and I will be together, perhaps not on the farm, but I don't care, just as long as we're together.'
A thought struck Judy. ' What about Zelda ? Is she going to be terribly hurt ?'
`She is not, you silly goose. Zelda has been a good friend to me, and always will be, but nothing more. She's keen on a chap she met in Aussie. She's been giving me the works because I wasn't honest with you, but I felt it was better, if you had to go, not to complicate matters further by telling you I loved you but had no hope of being able to marry you?
' Okay, okay, break it up ! ' Lucky was back. You'd think when a bloke brings a girl four thousand feet up a mountain that he could at
least be sure of being safe leaving her alone for a couple of hours. I came back an hour ago, but saw you were busy, so I roamed around being tactful, but enough is enough. I'm starving. We're having venison for lunch —that is, if food isn't too mundane a subject to mention.'
Mark built the fire while Lucky prepared the venison. Judy thought the meal was delicious; she was really hungry after the climb and even being in love had not affected her appetite.
As they tidied up Lucky remarked, `I suppose congratulations are in order. You want to watch her, Mark, she's too fond of getting her own way. Don't ever let her get the upper hand or you're done for !'
I'll keep your advice in mind, Lucky,' Mark replied with a grin.
`Well, seeing you're here, you can have the responsibility of taking her home. I'll stay up here the night and have another go tomorrow, if that's okay by you.'
`Thank you for bringing me, Lucky. It has been a marvellous trip,' said Judy as she watched Lucky pack his gear into the pack.
Right, that's settled,' Lucky said as he straightened up, and looked at Mark. 'As I won't be at your wedding, do you mind if I kiss the bride now ? I've danced miles round the ballroom with her, dragged her miles up this damned hill without getting a kiss, and I
reckon I deserve one. So with your permission . . . ?'
To Judy's surprise, Mark nodded, and Lucky took her in his arms and kissed her with practised skill. ' If he doesn't treat you right, chicken, you just let me know.' He picked up his pack and gave them a mock salute. So long, mates, see you around.'
Judy watched him striding away, and thought what a good friend he had been to her, and just now his words and action had been to clear any small doubts that Mark might have been harbouring in his mind concerning their friendship. Lucky reached the ridge, turned and waved and disappeared from view.
Judy and Mark did not hurry home. Their love was so precious, so new, they wished to keep their wonderful experience to themselves, if only for a few hours.
The wedding was over, and Judy sat by Mark as he drove the car through the traffic. On her finger was a square-cut emerald ring and a wide band of bright gold, her wedding ring. Mac had provided the gold for her ring, and offered it with his customary dignity, wishing them lifelong happiness. A tender smile touched Judy's lips as she thought of Nan's loving kindness and Vicki's wild excitement when she and Mark had returned from the hill. Peter had been quite smug, pointing
out that he had suggested Mark should marry Judy ages ago. Paul and Betsy had arrived home and then the wedding had been ar-ranged. Zelda had been delighted when Judy had asked her to be bridesmaid, and Vicki had been a beautiful flower-girl. Judy turned to smile at Mark, her husband, all the love in her heart shining in her eyes.
Mark pulled over on to a quiet part of the road. Don't you dare look at me like that when I'm driving, my lovely, lovely wife, or you may have us off the road ! ' He took her in his arms and kissed her.
Later he said, You know, I'm a remark-ably lucky fellow. Today I got myself a wife. She may not be much to look at, but she can cook, and a man can't have everything. Now, now control that nasty temper !' He kissed-her again, then continued. I haven't had time to tell you, but I also own a farm. Yes, old James, the solicitor, gave me the title deeds at the wedding—a present from Uncle Jack, the old rascal. He apparently wanted me to have the farm all the time, but he also wanted to make me sweat a bit first. The clause about me marrying Zelda was only to make sure I didn't marry her. He told old James that she wasn't the girl for me, and he knew me well enough to know that if he put that clause in the will, Zelda would be the last girl I would marry. Cunning old devil ! I wish he could have seen the beauty I picked for myself.'
" Oh, Mark,' whispered Judy as he drew her close, ' I love you so much . . .' and that was all she had time to say.
