Angel In The Saloon (Brides of Glory Gulch)
Page 24
“Oh, but yes you are.” Amelia informed them. “You see, my dear ladies, my late mother always told me that when one attends a party in someone’s honor, it is considered rude to speak poorly of the guests of honor.”
The ladies faces went pale.
Paul and Jeremiah looked on with amused interest.
“What I just overheard you say were some of the most vile, offensive words I have ever listened to.” Amelia’s jaw tightened her face intense, her accent intensified. The ladies’ shoulders were sinking and it became obvious they wished to escape, but their young hostess wasn’t through yet.
“I will not tolerate you coming to my wedding party and insulting my husband and me like that.” Amelia’s voice rang loudly through the saloon. Nearby conversations quieted and several couples stopped dancing. “You’re right. I cannot cook or start a fire in the stove or wash clothes or even boil water without getting hurt. But Paul does not need me to do that. Mrs. Scranton does that for him, and she has agreed to continue to do so after we are married. My Paul loves me for who I am and for what I can do, and I have much to offer him. It doesn’t matter to him what I can’t do. And you’re insinuation that Paul married me out of lust . . .” Amelia stopped, shaking her head. “I am afraid I must ask you two ladies to leave my party. You are no longer welcome here. Please, just go.” She pointed to the door, which surprised Jeremiah that she could think straight enough to know in which direction the door was.
As the ladies left hurriedly in complete embarrassment, applause erupted around the stairway. Amelia heard one man say, “Someone should have told those two ladies off years ago.”
Jeremiah turned to Paul and laughed. “Hey, Strupel, your Angel has a bit of spitfire in her. You sure you can handle her?”
Amelia turned back to Jeremiah, her face taught, her body rigid, and she was obviously trying to regain her presence of mind.
“Jeremiah, I believe we haven’t finished our dance.” She put her arms out in dance position and he took her hand to lead her back to the dance floor.
“I believe I’ll take this dance, if you don’t mind.” Paul whisked her away, holding her dangerously close. His mouth brushed against her cheek, and he whispered in her ear. “When I saw you walking down the aisle today, I thought I was looking into the face of a real angel, and my heart leapt at the joy that you would actually say ‘I do’ to me.” She relaxed in his arms as he continued to whisper romantic expressions of his love and devotion to her.
› › ›
The sleigh pulled up to the Strupel house very late that night in November.
Jeremiah had borrowed Paul’s key earlier, promising to have a warm, cozy fire going in the bedroom and lamps lit so Paul could find his way easily and not stumble and fall while carrying the bride over the threshold. Paul had been reluctant, thinking this would be an opportune time for his friend to pull a prank, but the look on Jeremiah’s face told him he was sincere, so he gave him the key. Jeremiah also had made sure that Amelia’s things were moved from the saloon to the house. Paul was proud to have this one, good friend in his lifetime. This particular friendship was more valuable than a dozen casual acquaintances, and he thanked God for him often.
He guided his new bride up the walkway and stopped on the porch to reach above the door jamb for the key. There it was, like Jeremiah had promised. He opened the door, and then swooped up Amelia into his arms.
This surprised her and she squealed and grabbed his neck. He liked that and kissed her before he carried her over the threshold into his big, cozy house.
He gently put her down in the entryway and kissed her passionately and unrestrained. From this moment on, Paul knew that this big house would forever be permeated with music, laughter, love, passion, and the sweet voice of an Angel.
THE END