by Angel Wolfe
“I want to thank you for giving us your room.” She started, holding up her hand when he started to protest. “No, don’t deny it. I know that this was your room. Charley may have said it was his but well, I don’t think that these are his clothes in here.” She laughed looking pointedly at a small pair of girls bloomers.
“Ok, ok; you win. I admit it. This was my room but Emily stayed with the Andrew’s last night so she could hang out with Rick’s daughter Ali.” Mark admitted. “I knew that if you thought this was my room, you might not take us up on the loan of a bed and bath.”
“Well, either way I appreciate the offer. Patrick and I will really enjoy a bath and a real bed for once. For now though, I had better get some things unpacked and get ready.” She answered hinting that he should probably go to the other room.
Taking his leave, “We will come by in an hour to walk you to the reception if that works for you. Don’t forget to open the bathing screen over there in the corner. It will give you a little more privacy with Patrick in the room.”
“That’s fine. I’m looking forward to a quick soak and clean hair.” She laughed in response. “Patrick is never a problem; he might even go visit the two of you while I bathe.”
“Whatever works,” Mark told her. “I’ll see you later on.” He added as he closed the door gently and headed down the stairs and back outside the hotel. Squinting his eyes against the setting sun, he glanced around finally spotting the store he sought. He quickly walked across the street and down a few doors before turning into Millie’s Dress Shoppe. The little bell on the door tinkled merrily as the door closed behind him.
“What can I help you with?” A small older woman asked as she came around the corner from the back. “I do declare, I’ve had more business today then I have in almost six months.”
“I need to see if you have maybe a simple dress with undergarments.” Mark said a little nervously, looking around to make sure no one was there to overhear his request.
“How big do you need it and do you have a color preference?” She asked.
“Well, I don’t know her exact size because I just met her. She seems a little down on her luck and I thought to have these clothes sent over as an anonymous gift.” He said quietly as if telling a great secret. “From what I could tell, her waist is about this big.” He indicated spanning his hands to show what Millie expertly converted in her head to about twenty-eight inches.
“And her upper portions?” Millie asked without as much as a blush. “How large do you guess she may be? I know you just met her but to gauge the proper size I must make sure the bodice fits too.”
“To be honest, I’m not real sure. Her clothes and attitude didn’t really invite that much of a look.” He replied. “If I were to wager a guess though, I’d say maybe about this big.” He told her cupping his own chest causing the dressmaker to crack a smile.
“Let’s take a look and see what we have to work with; shall we? Do you know what color would suit her best? What color are her hair and her eyes; do you know what color they are?” Millie bustled towards a rack containing several ready-made dresses and began to sort through them waiting for his response.
“Her hair is a dark, almost brown color that has red flashes in it. Almost like a sorrel colored horse or a piece of mahogany wood.” He described attempting to get as close to the right color as possible. “Her eyes are as grey as a storm cloud though. I remember them well.”
Pulling a charcoal colored dress off the rack, Millie held it up looking critically at it. Taking it over to the wall, she hung it on a nail before stepping back to look at the flow of it. “Well, I can’t be positive since I haven’t seen the young lady in question but if your description holds true, this dress should fit her in all the important places. The color should show off her hair beautifully and make her eyes all that much darker.”
“That’s great, hopefully she’ll like it. Can you box it and some undergarments up for her?” Mark said taking money out of his pocket. “Then if you can tell me how much I owe you we can settle up and I’ll send someone over in just a few minutes to see about delivering those items for us. I need to get back over to the hotel and get myself cleaned up so I can make an appearance at the reception.”
“Thank you sir; and don’t worry about a thing. No one will ever know about this.” Millie told him, putting the money into her cash box that she stashed under the counter.
Mark quickly went back to the hotel and after stopping at the front desk to request his little errand to be done, he headed up to the room he and Charley would be sharing. Just as he was about to open the door, a door at the end of the hall opened and Kat and Rick stepped out, now looking a little more comfortable though they were still dressed in their wedding finery.
“Is it that time already? I was hoping to have time for a quick wash and change of clothes.” He told them looking down to dust off some of the dirt still clinging to clothes he had worn to the wedding before helping to round up the Brahmans.
“I’m sure we will be a bit early but Kaitlyn is determined not to miss the festivities.” Rick told his brother-in-law. “I think she’s convinced that if we don’t leave now I might have other ideas for the evening.” He added as he smiled down at his new wife.
“I’m glad you will make the reception Mark. Will Charley be there too?” Kat asked her stepbrother.
“I don’t think wild horses could keep him away. Speaking of which though, after rounding up all those cattle, we met their owner. I hope you don’t mind but since her usual mount is a big Brahman bull, I let her borrow your gelding that you had over at the Andrews place. She’s quite self-conscious about being new in town and not knowing anyone; I was hoping that you might speak with her tonight and maybe with any luck, the two of you might become friends.”
“I’m not real sure about that Mark. I have very few friends but I suppose it might be possible since I never dreamed I’d have all the family that I acquired today either.” She told him. “I would like to meet her though. I’ve been very curious about those Brahmans for a long time. Maybe we could work something out.”
“Matt is going to be extremely interested in getting more information on those cattle too.” Rick interjected. “He’s been wanting to cross my Angus with a Brahman just to see the outcome for quite some time.”
“We better get going. I don’t want to be late to my own reception.” Kat said taking Rick’s hand in hers before heading towards the stairway. “I wish I knew where Angel and Matt were.”
“I’m sure they will be along shortly Hun. Although if I know my brother, he might be taking advantage of their hotel room like I wanted to.” He laughed.
“We’ll have lot of time tonight to do that Rick. Then we won’t have to worry about being late for our own party either.”
“Ok, ok Kaitlyn. You win; I’m coming but could you please slow down to a relaxed trot? Running through the hotel and down the road can’t possibly be good for your leg or your ribs.” Her husband admonished.
Slowing her steps, Kat reluctantly agreed. “It’s still a bit painful to breath, even without that tight corset I had on. My leg has felt like it’s on fire ever since the doctor worked on it but I’ve kind of grown accustomed to the pain.”
“I want you to try to take it easy tonight. Please don’t overdo it if you can help it.” He pleaded. “While I’d love to dance with you all night; maybe we can settle for a couple, have a bite to eat, mingle with our neighbors, and escape back to our room.” He added with a mischievous grin. “I can hardly wait to have you all to myself for an entire night where you’re conscious enough to remember it.”
“I remember every time that you’ve made love to me. In fact, if I couldn’t remember then how would I have had the strength to make love to begin with?” She said smartly.
“Oh my sweet, I’m so glad that you’re feeling well enough to argue with me again.” He sighed. “It’s a good sign that you’ll be right as rain in just a few days. Just please don
’t do too much right off the bat. I don’t want you to suffer a setback and end up in bed unless you can be in bed with me.”
As they stepped out the front door of the hotel, Frank quickly opened the door to the carriage, and after making sure that Rick had Kaitlyn situated and comfortable, he picked up the reins and urged the horse on towards the Hall.
~XXXII~
“You haven’t had much to say about your brothers but I can tell there are a lot of thoughts spinning in your head. You want to talk about it baby?” Rick asked as they took the short ride. “After all these years of being gone I’m sure you have a mixed opinion about their return.”
“I honestly don’t know what to think. I am trying to be happy for Angel’s sake since they are truly her brothers but I can’t help but be a little bitter about the whole thing.” She sighed. “I mean, they actually left us to fend for ourselves when I was just thirteen years old. What kind of family does that to each other? They may feel bad about it now but they sure didn’t look back on their way out of town.”
“Do you want to know what I think?” He asked quietly, patiently waiting for her answer.
“You know I’m always open to your advice. I may not always take it and do what I should with it but I always want to hear what you have to say.” She replied.
“Well Kaitlyn; you and your sister have both grown into fine upstanding young women without their help. While they have returned home like the prodigal son, I don’t think their lives have been all that much easier than yours...Wait, let me finish” He said holding his hand up as she started to argue before his thought was complete. “I know that your brother Mark has definitely had some hard times since he only returned to town with Emily and Charley. Speaking from experience, I can tell you that it’s no picnic losing a wife no matter what the circumstances.”
“I’m not sure what their stories are either but I suppose that now that we have both moved on with our lives, I can afford to let bygones be bygones. Thanks for understanding.” She said as she snuggled her head against his shoulder. “I’m ready to get our life moving and settle into some sort of routine.”
“We can talk about all that in the next few days. For tonight, just try to relax as much as you can and have a good time. This reception is for you and Angel and you need to enjoy yourself. Forget about the past and don’t worry about the future. It will work itself out.”
“That’s easier said than done but I can at least admit to you that I am really looking forward to our wedding night.” She giggled. “You can rest assured that I will be sure to enjoy myself then.”
The carriage stopped and Frank hopped down and opened the door. “Do you guys need anything else this evening? Willie and James asked if I’d be willing to relieve them and watch the Sheriff over at the jail later so they could spend some time over here at the party too. I guess Mark is supposed to show up in a few hours to help me.”
“We can get back to the hotel on our own if that’s what you’re asking.” Rick replied as he carefully helped Kaitlyn down from the carriage. “If we leave together, either Matt or I can drive; and it’s not too far of a walk regardless of what we decide.”
“Well, if I don’t get to talk to you more tonight; congratulations. I guess we will try to get together in the next few days to discuss our situations and how we want everything to work?”
“Kaitlyn and I will be getting the girls and heading to Dark Magic Ranch in the morning. Why don’t you and James ride out tomorrow evening; you can get settled then we can discuss our plans to move forward.”
“Sounds like that should work. Ms. Kat; please try to relax and enjoy yourself. I’ll see you both out at the ranch house tomorrow evening.” With that, Frank tied the horse to the post and walked off at a brisk pace towards the jail.
“One thing about it, Frank will never talk as much as Marie.” Kat laughed.
“You made a good choice when you hired him and James. They’ll make good hands and we’ll never have to worry about bad dealings with either of them. I have a feeling that they’ll always be looking out for your best interests. Can’t hardly ask for more than that.”
“Well, what do you say Rick? Are you ready to face the townspeople?”
“I’m ready whenever you are Kaitlyn. Just remember, try to take it easy on your ribs and leg tonight, and try not to overdo it. I’d rather take you to bed for other reasons than to recoup from another injury.” He winked.
Taking his hand, Kat took a deep breath and slowly let it out as she let him open the door and lead her into the hall. Within seconds they were surrounded by family and friends; glancing around as everyone spoke at once, Kat saw Frances and Anna over at a table looking at the biggest cake she had ever seen.
“Well, I see you managed to get your wedding taken care of without any assistance from me.” Rick’s mother announced as she came up. “Since I have at least met Angel; I’d like the courtesy of being introduced to your new wife Rick.”
“Mother, as you already know this is Kaitlyn. My sweet, this high-strung woman is my mother. Please ignore her ranting, she’s not always like this. In fact, I have even known her to be pleasant a time or two.” Rick introduced his mother sarcastically.
“I’m glad to finally meet you Mother, I look forward to getting to know you better, and I’ll try my best to take care of your son.”
Giving a huff of mostly surprise “You’ll do Kaitlyn; you’ll do. Please call me Sarah though, or mom if you’d like. Mother is just too stuffy.”
“Only if you agree to call me Kat. For some reason, your son will only call me Kaitlyn; and I let him get away with it.” Kat laughed lightly.
“Agreed; you look like you’re feeling much better than we heard you were.”
“I’m working on getting better but I still had to promise Rick that I wouldn’t overdo it tonight.”
“And you shouldn’t. It is after all your wedding night so things should be perfect all the way around for you. Is your room acceptable?”
“Our room is wonderful Sarah. I appreciate your gift very much. Having the room was one less thing that we had to worry about.”
“Well, let’s get this party underway.” Sarah announced loudly so everyone in the hall could hear her. “We need some music, drinks, and dancing.”
“I suppose we really should mingle Mother.” Rick said as he tugged his wife out of his mother’s clutches and moved her towards the table where Frances and Anna waited, adding under his breath “I can sure see why Anna is in such a hurry to get moved out and into a place of her own. I can just imagine how domineering mother acts towards her.”
“What was that about domineering mothers?” Anna laughed. “I can only wager a guess since I saw that Mother caught the two of you before you were able to make it to us.”
“I was just grumbling under my breath; nothing unusual. You of all people know how mother is.”
“Well just ignore her, today is about my brothers and their wives; not our domineering parent.”
“What do you two think of the cake?” Frances asked nervously. “Ruby just delivered it a few minutes ago. She said that she knew she wouldn’t have time to make separate ones so she just increased the size of this one...quite a bit by the looks of it. I think she outdid herself with this creation.”
“It’s absolutely beautiful.” Kat breathed. “It looks like a small castle with all the pillars and towers. I can’t wait to taste it.”
“I’m sure it will taste as good as it looks, probably even better. I’ve never known of anything that Ruby makes to taste bad.” Anna replied.
“Mother has the music group ready and Matt and Angel just showed up. We better get our first dance under way before Mother bursts a button.” Taking Kat’s hand, Rick pulled her out onto the makeshift dance floor and was soon followed by the other newlywed couple.
Soft strains of violin, harmonica, and guitar music floated in the air as the town’s musical talent played the first song of the night. In Rick’s arms, Kat
rested her head on his shoulder and allowed him to guide her through the motions of the dance. She felt as if she were floating on air and nothing bad could ever happen again.
“You positively took my breath away today. I want you to know that no matter what, I’ll always love you and think you’re beautiful.”
“You didn’t look half bad yourself. I just can’t believe that I was so nervous that I had to empty my stomach before our ceremony.”
“You what? Kaitlyn honey, why didn’t you tell me you were sick? Maybe we should go back to the hotel so you can rest. I knew I shouldn’t have let you overdo it.” The music ended and a new song began as Kat staunchly refused to let Rick pull her off the floor and end her evening.
As they argued silently about leaving early, James approached with Consuela then spun her closer to the couple. “Care if I cut in and swap you partners Boss?”
“Actually…” Rick started.
“He doesn’t mind a bit” Kat interrupted.
