by JL Brooks
Vivienne came up behind us, a little uneasy on her feet and holding the bottle in her hands, no longer using the small plastic glass. “You should get married here tomorrow. We can have a big party and invite everyone down. C’mon, Shepard needs to know what he’s getting into. I can do your henna in the morning; it will be dry in time. Get you laced up again.”
Shepard’s eyebrows quirked up immediately with the biggest grin and I knew it was over. The next day, Alessa and Vivienne worked furiously to get everything ready. Fortunately, it simply required a call to the local pastor, a catering company, and a lot of alcohol. Shepard and my father dug a giant pit in the back yard and collected enough wood to last through the night. Hay bales were pulled from the barn for seating and an area was reserved for tents if people wanted to camp.
As the sun started to set, I called for Vivienne to assist me in getting ready. She braided my hair into an intricate, four strand, coiled design and tucked in wild flowers along the plait. I laced up in a sheer white shirt with a cream colored bodice that had gold paisley designs swirling around it and a long filmy skirt. For a touch of humor, I duct taped my breast to enhance the way they popped out of the top of the bodice, knowing full well Shepard would be distracted the entire evening looking at them.
Vivienne told me it was time, and not a sound could be heard aside from the bells attached to my ankles and the crackling of the fire. His face glowed as I walked out of the house down the makeshift aisle to where he was standing in front of the warm embers. I had to keep from laughing as he kept looking down at my chest while the pastor spoke. I was pleasantly surprised that a woman had taken over the town church. Reverend Cole was more than happy to accommodate the last minute request. Being familiar with the town’s temporary guest and customs, she didn’t bat an eyelash at being summoned.
As the multicolored ribbons were tied around our wrist, the internal dam broke as Reverend Cole spoke.
“No one is ever promised tomorrow. Therefore, today we must greet each other with love and patience, trusting in the plan God has for every one of us. As Violet and Shepard make a promise to each other before you today, they willingly accept a life of sacrifice and eternal devotion. Therefore, what God has joined together, let no man separate.”
Although she continued to speak, I was lost in the vortex of adoration. Never had I imagined standing in this place, feeling the overwhelming love bursting forth and all around me. As I blinked, her final statement before we exchanged vows rang through my soul.
“I cannot promise you that it is going to be easy, but only that it will be worth it.”
Tambourines banged loudly along with drums and whistles as we sealed the agreement with a kiss. Forever. We broke tradition and entertained the crowd for the first dance, knowing we wanted to escape as soon as possible. Shepard played nothing in particular yet kept the tempo molto vivace, while I danced around the fire, pulling up the bystanders to join in. Later disappearing off to the spot by the creek, he unrolled the blanket from earlier that was tucked next to the trunk along with another he brought to ward off the chill. Off in the distance, drums could still be heard echoing loudly in the valley under the light of the moon.
As he lay on his back, I hurriedly lifted my skirt to make love to him for the first time as Mrs. Shepard Leone. Dropping my head back in ecstasy, I opened my eyes to the sugar coated night sky, stopping at the bright beam of light twinkling down on me. It was Shepard’s star. Sated by exhaustion and bliss, his fingers trailed aimlessly along the top of my arm as we looked out over the water.
“You better be here when I wake up.” Resting my head on his bicep to curl further into his embrace, I watched his chest rise and fall, my hands tracing the shadows of the leaves along his skin. Feeling sleep beginning to overcome me, the breeze started to blow lulling me even further. Just as I closed my eyes, his lips touched my forehead.
“I’m right here, Violet.”
Acknowledgements
First, I want to thank God for giving me the talent and drive to pursue writing with a passion and to experience life beyond anything I could ever imagine.
My husband for allowing me to chase whimsy no matter how absurd it appears.
My friends and family for the love they give.
And of course, you…
___________________________________________
(Your name here)
Thank you for being a part of my story!
There were also some very special people who encouraged this journey from conception to what you now hold in your hands. Despite starting as a bet, (thanks Lisa), to changing the entire course of my life, I am forever grateful.
My amazing editor Audrey Harte, thank you will never be enough, Snyder Smith at Regimental Design for making my vision a reality, Kimberly Knight for months of guidance and no bullshit, Lisa Sax for being the best partner in crime ever, Nichele Reese because science is amazing as well as our friendship, Nacole Stayton for helping me to stay humble and trusting in God, my fellow Tasty Crew hotties: Jenn Cole Besterman, Megan Hoelscher, Melanie Dawn, Kelsie Leverich, Jaimi Mac, Elaine Brenson and Janessa Osborne-you ladies rock, Shana Shaffer-Ficks for teaching me about strength, Weston Roodhouse-your input, humor and encouragement carried me often, Holly Malgieri at I Love Indie Books for giving me a stage, Erika Taylor for giving me the push to come out of the writers closet, E.k.Blair and Tania Penn Hernandez for giving me tools to share this story, Laura Tepedino Hampton for keeping me accountable, Mike Gleason, Rory Benson, James Turlington, Justin Adair and Corey Robertson-thank you for many years of honest friendship and unwavering support, Rachel White and Nicole Brooks for embracing this side of me, Julie Bryant, JoEllen Noble, Rebecca Bilby, Kim Kretzer, Linda Fultz and all the other incredible ladies at the HD who have cheered me on, All of the talented Indie Chixx who give me a reason to smile on an hourly basis, the fantastic authors, bloggers and readers I have met over the past year, and last but not least, my mama, Rev. Peggy Brooks for always being proud, no matter what I do.
Thanks dpgroup forum.
About the Author
JL Brooks lives with her active family along the Ohio River at the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains. A former columnist turned novelist, she spends most of her time engaged in women’s health issues and education. Believing everyone has a story to tell, chances are she will encourage you to tell yours.
[email protected]
www.facebook.com/authorjlbrooks
www.authorjlbrooks.blogspot.com
http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6587442.J_L_Brooks
