by Angel Wolfe
“I’ll get to it right away Mrs. Andrews.” Frank answered heading for the door. “I’ll be back as soon as I can with everyone in tow.”
“Thank you Frank. You’ll be a wonderful husband once we get Marie convinced.” Josephine praised before turning and returning to the dressing room. “Ok girls, Frank just left to get the rest of the wedding party for dressing. Kat, we still have to find a dress for you. Come out here and let’s look around and see what we can come up with while they get Angel out of her dress.”
“I’m afraid it’s quite hopeless Auntie. We’ll never find anything that looks decent on me let alone pretty. I faced the facts a long time ago; Angel got all the looks. I unfortunately am the byproduct of something very ugly.” Kat pouted.
“That’s one of the biggest batches of nonsense that I’ve ever heard.” Josephine said sharply. “Today is you’re wedding day and we’re going to make sure it’s perfect for you. I will not stand for any of this rubbish today. We will find a beautiful gown and it will be wonderful.”
“Ok Aunt Josie, if we’re going to find it, we’d better get to it.” Kat replied resigned to her fate. “What color do you think would be best on me?”
“The other day when Frances and I were here looking for dresses for the Spring Fling, I saw a beautiful ice blue creation that I think would be perfect. Now if I can just find it again. It’s such a pale blue that it’s almost white.” Her aunt told her.
“That would be nice Aunt Josie. Blue is my favorite color.” Kat agreed. “Oh look here.” She said pulling a dress off the rack. It was a simple flowing confection of a silvery blue-ice color. Holding it up against herself, it almost took her breath away.
“Oh, look at this. It’s absolutely beautiful.” Kat breathed. “It’s so light-weight that it would almost be like wearing a chemise.”
Taking the dress from Kat, Josephine turned it around and looked critically at the way it was made. Hooking it over a nail on the wall so she could look at the full length of it, she decided that it may in fact be the one for her.
“Let’s go get it on you and take a look. It may be just what we’re looking for. Looking at the way it’s made, I think it will flatter your figure while disguising your less attractive attributes.” Josephine agreed with a gentle smile.
“Hurry, hurry; I’m really excited to see how it looks.” Kat said, afraid to believe her own luck at finding it. “Do you truly think it will look as good on me as it does on the hanger?”
“There’s only one way to find out Niece. Let’s get to it.” Josephine laughed.
“Oh my goodness. That color is absolutely gorgeous!” Angel exclaimed as they came through the curtain. “I just knew you’d find something perfect for today.”
“Don’t get too excited Angel. I haven’t put it on yet.” Kat said quietly hoping that it would work for her. Peeling her clothes off carefully with her aunt and sister’s help, she raised her arms and allowed them to settle the dress over her smoothing it as it fell into place, being extremely careful of her ribs and leg.
“I do believe that this dress is about a perfect as I’ve ever seen for you Kat. The color matches your personality and the lines really do flatter your figure.” Josephine announced. “I think you’ve found your wedding dress.”
“Are we too late then?” Frances asked as she and Anna burst breathlessly into the dressing room with Morgan and Ali in tow. “Oh my, what a beautiful creation!” She said, her eyes wide in admiration.
“That dress is quite beautiful on you.” Anna agreed. “My brothers are two of the luckiest men in the county. I can’t wait to see them when they lay their eyes on the two of you.”
“Papa is going to love the dress Kat.” Morgan told her. “That silvery color makes your hair shine and your eyes sparkle.”
“Thank you Morgan.” Kat told her. “You don’t know how much that means to me.”
“Angel, why don’t you go help the girls find their dresses while I help Kat out of hers.” Josephine suggested. “We will need to find something suitable for Morgan and Ali. We have a lot to do today to get ready for the weddings.” She assisted Kat in taking the gown off and getting dressed back into her comfortable everyday clothes. Turning to Millie, “We will take this gown, the pale rose one there, which ever gowns that Anna and Frances come up with and we’ll see what we can find for these two girls. We will need matching veils and shoes, and of course undergarments. Please have it all boxed and delivered to my home this afternoon. We have two weddings to prepare for and not much time to linger.”
“Right away ma’am.” The proprietress replied.
“Come on girls.” Kat said joyfully to Morgan and Ali; her spirits high after finding her wedding dress. “Let’s see if we can find two more beautiful dresses out here.”
They looked through the racks for only a few minutes before Kat pulled out a small rose-colored dress with silver flowers and trim. Looking at Angel “What do you think? You know my clothing sense is next to nothing.” She laughed.
“I think it will match our dresses wonderfully.” Angel replied. “It has some of both our colors. I’d say today is our lucky day all the way around.”
“Now we just need to find something for Morgan.” Kat said. “Nothing too girly I think. We need something to show just how grown up she is. Rick may be mad at me but I think it’s time for him to open his eyes and see how things really are.”
“Do you really mean it Kat?” Morgan asked excitedly. “Do you think I can have a dress more my age?”
“Of course Morgan; after all you are almost sixteen years old.” Kat affirmed with a grin. “It’s time your father saw that and treated you as such.”
“How about this one?” Morgan asked almost shyly as she pulled a conservative dove gray dress from the rack.
“It’s not too bad Morgan but not quite what I had in mind.” Kat told her gently. “What I’m thinking of has a fitted waist and bodice with a fuller skirt. Something…how should I say it, fun and flirty.”
“Like this!” Angel said pulling a pale blue dress with silver threads and small roses from the rack. “Not real subdued but not too flashy.”
“That should fit her perfectly.” Josephine said clapping her hands. “Frances and Anna have both found their dresses as well.” Turning to the storeowner, “It appears that we have found everything we came for, please have it all boxed up and added to my account.”
“Very well ma’am. I’ll have everything sent over with plenty of time remaining. I’m fairly certain I have sets of kid slippers that have been dyed to match if that will work for you.” She replied.
“As long as they all fit, that will be fine.” Josephine said as she nodded to Kat that they needed to move on. “Looks like it’s time for lunch. We’ll all head over at the hotel dining room. We shall have lunch and discuss plans for this evening. Sarah Jamison will be meeting us there.”
“Angel and I can ride and take the girls if Frances and Anna want to ride in your carriage.” Kat said. “We’re accustomed to horseback and it may be quicker than walking.”
“Sounds like a fine idea Kaitlyn. Shall we go ladies?” Josephine asked as she led the way out the door.
Several minutes later, Kat and Angel tied their mounts to the post out in front of the hotel while Frank stepped down from the driver’s seat and was helping the other ladies from the carriage. “Mrs. Jamison, Mrs. Simmons, Miss Lawrence, Consuela and Marie are all inside waiting.” He announced.
“Great, then we can start our little party.” Josephine laughed. “You girls don’t mind if we have a bridal shower luncheon do you?”
“Oh Aunt Josie, you’ve thought of everything.” Kat joined in the laughter. “Thank you so very much for everything. You’re making our day absolutely wonderful.”
“What bridal party would be complete without gifts?” Frances laughed. “Come on, hurry up! We were late to the dress shop because we were shopping.”
“You didn’t have to get us anything.” Kat
argued. “I’m just happy you’re going to be there to share our day with us.”
“Let them have their fun Kat.” Angel said. “It’s not very often that you actually have a gift to open. Just shut up and enjoy it.”
“Yes ma’am, Captain Carson.” Kat saluted her mockingly. “Let’s get to it then.”
They all made their way to the hotel dining area and were shown to a private room off to the side. “Everything is arranged as you asked.” The host informed Josephine as they found an empty seat. “Kaitlyn and Angel, I presume? If you would please come up and take a seat here in the front of the room.”
“Thank you.” Angel replied. “Just go with it Kat. Relax and let them have their fun. It’s customary to have a bridal shower before you get married.” She added in a whisper.
“Are you sure we’re supposed to get gifts just because we’re to be wed?” She asked a little in awe.
“I’m sure. Just have kick back and enjoy it. These ladies are happy for a reason to shop and get together for lunch.” Angel replied.
“Ok, as long as that’s the way these things work. I don’t want to be seen as a charity case.” Kat said quietly.
“Lunch is served.” The waiter announced walking in with the first of several aromatic dishes, setting the plates in front of Kat and Angel.
Waiting politely until everyone had been served. They picked up their utensils and tasted the food. Deciding it was good, Kat ate with relish; looking around from time to time to make sure she wasn’t making a spectacle of herself by thoroughly enjoying her meal. Once she was finished, the waiter reappeared to take her plate and inquire about dessert.
Looking at Angel for confirmation before agreeing, Kat hesitantly nodded. Minutes later, she was served a mouthwatering, warm from the oven, apple cobbler. Looking around again to make sure everyone else was served, Kat took a tentative bite. Savoring the warm, tart, cinnamon taste, Kat slowly ate every morsel barely stopping herself from licking the saucer.
Once the waiters had cleared the tables, Josephine stood and addressed everyone. “As you all know, Sarah Jamison’s sons will both be married tonight. They will be marrying two women that I only found last night to be my nieces. As such, I decided that they needed a party worthy of my family. Please enjoy yourselves and wish both my nieces good luck on their unions.”
Everyone mingled and talked and Kat and Angel met people that had lived in and around town that they hadn’t known before. After an hour of socializing, Frances went to the front of the room.
“Angel, Kat; both of you please come sit here on the window seat.” She requested. “We’d like to start the gift presentations.”
Kat looked at Angel as they sat side by side. “Can you believe that this time tomorrow we’ll both be married women?”
“I know, and in another six months there will be another Jamison.” Angel replied with a grin.
Anna, knowing that people may have overheard part of that comment came up and began handing the women gifts in attempt to divert conversation. There was double of everything until the very end. They received pillowcases, sheets, quilts, and even small scented pillows for their wardrobe closets. The last gift was a total surprise to Kat; Angel had opened hers and found a figurine of a small boy and girl playing in a mud puddle. When Kat opened hers, tears came to her eyes. It was the figurine that matched the one she had recently been given to replace the one that had been destroyed. It was a Palomino foal, an Australian Shepherd puppy and a small boy sleeping in a stall.
“Oh Josephine, how can I ever thank you? First the replacement figurine and now the matching piece.” Kat whispered as tears ran down her face. “Thank you so very much. I will treasure this forever.”
“It’s just a little bit of something that I knew you’d love to have.” Josephine replied as she looked at her watch. “Now, we’d better get everything packed up and head back to the house or we’ll never have time for everyone to get ready.”
Angel hugged her sister as they began to gather up their new gifts. “Is there room in the carriage Auntie or should we have the hotel send everything over to your house later?” Angel asked.
“Probably be best to stack it all up and I‘ll speak with the hotel personnel about delivering it to the house.” She replied. “We are going to have to get moving if we want to make it over to the courthouse by 5:00. Attention everyone, before you all leave I just want to invite everyone to the joint weddings that will be held at the courthouse at 6:00 tonight with a reception and dance to follow at the Jamison home. Thank you all for coming on such short notice.”
It was agreed that Kat, Angel, Frances, Anna, Morgan, and Ali would head straight for the house and that the carriage would be sent back for Josephine and the gifts. Marie would do as she chose and would show up at the weddings later if she decided she wanted to go.
Kat and Angel mounted up and Frances helped Ali up in front of Kat. Morgan, choosing a more sedate mode of travel climbed into the carriage. “We’ll meet you at the house.” Kat told them as she turned her horse, following Angel and Star up the street.
“Well Kat, are you ready for tonight?” Angel asked her sister with a grin. “I know you had plans for marrying me off but I don’t think you ever thought much about getting yourself hitched.”
“I suppose I’m as ready as I’ll ever be, besides, I’ll have this one to keep me out of trouble.” She laughed as she ruffled Ali’s hair. “I just don’t know if I’m ready to hand over all the decisions of my life to someone else. I’m not sure that I’m ready to leave our ranch and move somewhere else either.”
“I know you’ve worked really hard for all we have Kat; but it will always be there and if things don’t work out for you and Rick, it’s still your home.” Angel replied. “Just so long as I can always send Matt back home too if he doesn’t behave.”
“It’s a deal!” Kat agreed enthusiastically. “I just wouldn’t want to put the two of you out if something happened. I guess I shouldn’t really be worried about that though. Rick and I seem to get along fine when we’re not verbally bashing each other.”
“That’s a great way to put a positive spin on it.” Angel laughed so hard she almost fell out of the saddle as they rode up into their Aunt’s yard. “Let’s get these horse’s turned over to the groom and go inside so we’ll have plenty of time to make ourselves beautiful for our husbands.”
“How about this for an idea, you make yourself beautiful and I’ll just concentrate on making myself presentable enough that he doesn’t run the other way when he sees me.” Kat threw in sarcastically. “One thing’s for sure, I’m very lucky that he knows what he getting beforehand; that sure would be embarrassing to see him turn and run for the back door when I walk down the aisle.”
“Oh Kat, stop!” Angel protested as they walked into the house though the back door. “He loves you and you know it. Don’t make this out to be some pity offering when you know it’s not true.”
“Fine then, but just keep in mind that all brides aren’t nearly as beautiful as you’ll be.” Kat sulked and looked down at her soon to be daughter. “I am so sorry Ali. I shouldn’t be so negative while you are within earshot.”
“Kat, why don’t you think you’re pretty?” Ali asked quietly. “I think you’re one of the prettiest girls I’ve ever known. I’m glad you’re going to be my new mama.”
With tears in her eyes, Kat gathered the little girl up against her and hugged her tight, then said with a smile; “You know what? I’m glad I’m going to be your new mama too.”
They went upstairs, and into the room Kat had slept in the night before. Minutes later, the room was invaded by three laughing women. “We made a bet about who would get here first. Morgan won.” Frances laughed. “You, Angel and Ali beat us here. I thought that because you had Ali with you we might be able to beat you but Morgan said that even injured you ride too well for us to get ahead of you.”
“Thanks for the vote Morgan.” Kat winked. “It won’t be long before you
’re just as good.”
“Me too?” Ali asked, wanting to be part of the discussion.
“Yes, you too.” Kat told her with a smile. “One of the first things we’re going to do after I get moved in is find both of you an appropriate saddle mount; if you don’t already have one. I’m surprised your father doesn’t already have both of you riding.”
“All of this will have to wait until after the wedding though.” Anna laughed as she held the door open for a disgruntled Thurston and a smiling Frank.
“See Thurston, I told you we would find all the women in the same place.” Frank announced. “Sure makes delivering all these frilly things a lot easier.”
“Willie is just lucky he’s not around to receive a piece of my mind.” Grumbled Thurston, “Deputy duties my eye.”
