by Linda Ford
“Thanks. That means a lot.” He looked around at the others. “So let’s go find us a preacher to marry us.”
“Now? Today?” Judith’s mouth opened and closed as she tried in vain to find words to express her surprise.
“Yes, today. Did you think we would make the journey to Santa Fe without tying the knot?”
“Really, Luke, you’ve hardly given us time to think one way or another.”
“We can’t delay. We’ll be leaving in the morning. There’s a church just beyond the center of town. The preacher lives next door. Let’s go see him.” He waved his arm. “All of you.”
Judith glanced down. “Why, here I am in an old dress. I can’t attend a wedding like this. You’ll have to give me time to freshen up.”
“Us too,” Mary Mae said. “Come on, Donna Grace, you need to get ready for your wedding.” She led her sister to their wagon and they climbed aboard. They could be heard whispering and laughing, followed by Donna Grace’s murmured protests.
Warren and Luke looked at each other and then down at their clothes.
“I suppose we’re expected to get fancied up, too,” Luke said. He had one good shirt that he saved for special occasions and what could be more special than getting married?
Warren caught Luke’s arm. “You are about to become the husband of a woman carrying another man’s child.”
Again that unfamiliar burst of fierceness. “Would you love a child any less because of who the father is?”
Warren considered his answer. “No, I suppose not. But it’s not to say I would plan to raise such a child as if it were my own.”
Luke gave a tight smile. “I guess you and I differ in our opinion.”
Warren studied Luke a moment. “I can’t help but worry you’re making a mistake, but it’s plain you aren’t going to change your mind. So let’s get ready for your wedding.”
They announced their presence to Judith, then retrieved clean shirts from the wagon.
Warren chuckled. “If I’d known I was going to my brother’s wedding, I would have bought a new shirt.”
Luke nodded. “And I would have bought a ring.”
Judith poked her head out of the wagon and held out her hand. “Mother gave me this when she thought I was to be married. Said she wanted someone in the family to have it. It was our grandmother’s. You can have it.” A plain gold band lay in the palm of her hand.
Luke stared at it. He was about to take vows before God, vows of fidelity and forever. The ring symbolized an unbroken promise and the idea stabbed him because of his insincerity. He felt the accusing eyes of his parents and grandparents on him.
God would understand that he was doing this to help a woman and child.
He took the ring, and thanked Judith.
This was the right thing to do, and he didn’t intend to let doubts crowd into his mind.
2
Mary Mae opened her trunk and pulled out a black dress. “You’ll wear this.”
Donna Grace shook her head. The traditional black symbolized a bride’s devotion until death. She couldn’t bring herself to portray such dishonesty.
Yet you’ll swear before God and man to love, honor, and obey this man until death do you part?
She’d sworn it once before, and meant it with her whole heart. That promise would surely cancel out this one she’d be making without intent to fulfill.
“I’d never fit into it.” She pulled a steel gray dress from her trunk. Knowing how dusty the trail would be, she’d brought only dark clothing.
Mary Mae’s folded the dress with a look of regret. Then she brightened. “But you will wear this.” She lifted out Mama’s mantilla wedding veil.
Donna Grace stared. “I threw it out.” In a fit of anger after learning of Melvin’s deceit, she’d tossed the mantilla aside.
“I retrieved it. I thought I might get a chance to wear it.”
Remembering her sister’s own romantic disappointment, Donna Grace was stung that she hadn’t considered that the mantilla belonged to both of them. “I’m glad you did.”
Mary Mae fingered the lace. “It’s so beautiful. Just like Mama was.” She handed it to Donna Grace. “She would want you to wear it today.”
Oh, if only Mama was alive. Donna Grace wouldn’t have been so eager to rush into marriage with a man who proved to be a fraud. All Donna Grace wanted was to be the most important person in someone’s life. Something she hadn’t had since their mother died. But, she silently vowed, she would be that in her baby’s life.
“Let’s get ready.” They hurriedly dressed and helped each other with their hair. Donna Grace tucked the mantilla into a reticule that had been their mother’s. Mary Mae climbed from the wagon first and turned to assist Donna Grace, but Luke took her place and held out his hand.
Donna Grace hesitated. She’d gladly accept her sister’s help, but this man? This man, she reminded herself, was soon to be her husband and it would look strange if she didn’t allow him to assist her. Nor did she care to risk climbing down on her own. If she fell, the baby could be hurt. She would do anything for the child she carried, so she took Luke’s steadying hand, finding his strength provided much more assurance than Mary Mae did.
“You look nice,” he said.
She eyed him. He’d scrubbed his face and brushed back his dark blond hair. He wore no hat and had donned a clean shirt. The same color as her dress. Perhaps that was a good sign. “You look nice, too.”
He leaned close to murmur for her ears only. “I know it’s unusual for the groom to see the bride before the wedding, but nothing about our union can be considered usual. I have to ask, are you okay with this?”
Surprised that he should know or care about such details, she smiled at him. “We’ll have to get used to doing things our way, won’t we?” They were so close she could see the sun-bronzed color of his face, and the patience in his eyes—eyes the color of rich chocolate.
His smile sent fan lines from his eyes. He had a generous mouth.
She pulled her attention from him. He meant nothing to her except as a means of getting to Santa Fe. And a name for her baby.
His family joined them, as they headed toward the center of Independence, Missouri. Mary Mae clung to her on one side as they walked, and Luke was on her other side. She welcomed their support as her nerves began to tremble at what she was about to do.
They reached the church and went to the manse. The preacher opened the door. “Yes, what can I do for you?” he asked.
Donna Grace’s mouth had gone dry as autumn grass. She couldn’t have spoken to save her life.
Thankfully, Luke answered. “We’d like to get married.”
The preacher’s gaze dropped to Donna Grace’s absent waist line. “I think you better come in and attend to a long-overdue matter.”
They followed him into the parlor. Donna Grace wondered if she should correct the man’s assumption that it was Luke’s fault they hadn’t married before making a baby.
Luke caught her gaze and gave a tiny shake of his head and an encouraging smile.
She tipped her head very slightly to indicate she understood his meaning and pulled the mantilla over her hair. If only Mama could be here. Or Papa.
She’d have to let him know of her marriage. She almost asked to delay until they could find him, but she couldn’t keep everyone waiting.
At the preacher’s direction, she stood before him with Luke at her side. Their family members gathered behind them.
Luke pulled her arm through his. He must have felt her quivering, for he placed his hand on top of hers and squeezed.
“Is there anything to hinder this marriage?”
She curled her fingers. If only Melvin had answered that question truthfully, she wouldn’t be in this awkward position.
“No sir,” Luke said with conviction.
Donna Grace realized the preacher waited for her answer. “None.”
He directed his gaze to those behind her and received their an
swers. “Very well. Let’s proceed.”
She heard the words and responded appropriately, all the while telling herself God would forgive her for this.
Luke slipped a ring on her finger. She hadn’t expected a ring. Didn’t that make it more real, more binding? She curled her fingers into her palm.
“I now pronounce you man and wife. You may kiss your bride.”
She jolted out of her half stupor and turned to Luke, wondering if her eyes were as large as they felt.
He pushed the veil back from her face. “You are now my wife,” he whispered.
She shuddered. Was he going to demand things they hadn’t agreed to? Things he had a right to as a husband?
Had she made another huge mistake?
His smile reassured her as he leaned close and brushed her lips in a kiss so gentle and quick she didn’t have time to react.
They signed the necessary papers. Their family ushered them out the door.
Out in the street, Luke signaled them to stop. “We are going to celebrate this event by eating at the hotel.”
“My father should be here,” Donna Grace said.
“By all means. Where can we find him?”
“I don’t know.” She’d been so shocked and dismayed at her father changing his mind about taking them to Santa Fe that she hadn’t heard his entire explanation.
Mary Mae answered. “He’ll likely be with his cronies in the barber shop.”
“Then we’ll go that direction.” The five of them marched down the street, turned left, and drew to a halt.
“I’ll go in,” Donna Grace said. “Perhaps it’s better if I go alone.”
“No,” Luke said. “We’ll do this together.”
Again, she wasn’t sure if his offer was because he meant to be in charge, or if he wanted to protect her. Either way, it sent tremors up and down her spine. She wasn’t about to be subservient to a man she’d married simply to get passage on the wagon train, nor was she in any need of his help.
But as she climbed the steps to the shop, he stayed at her side.
She spied Papa sitting forward on a chair, likely telling the other men of some of his exploits. “Papa?”
He looked up. “Donna Grace, what are you doing here?”
“I’ve come to tell you Mary Mae and I are leaving for Santa Fe tomorrow.”
“How did you persuade Buck Williams to let you go?”
She stood back and indicated Luke. “I’d like you to meet my husband.”
Papa came to his feet suddenly enough to send his chair skidding back. “Your what?”
Luke stepped forward and held out his hand.
Papa ignored Luke’s outstretched arm and pulled Donna Grace aside. “What do you mean, you’re married?”
“It’s not hard to understand. We visited the preacher and tied the knot.” She gave him a hard look to match his own and held out her hand to show him the ring.
“Where did you meet this fellow, and more importantly, when?”
“He’s one of the traders on the Santa Fe Trail. I thought you might have met him. He and his brother have been back and forth a few times.”
Luke had edged closer. “Of course we’ve met.”
“That’s of no importance.” He turned back to Donna Grace. “Why have you done this?”
“I mean to get to Santa Fe and start a new life there.”
Papa studied her a moment then faced Luke. “You better be a more upright man than the last one.”
“I can assure you I am. I have nothing in mind but doing what is right for Donna Grace and her baby.”
The men eyed each other for a moment. Papa’s friends all leaned forward, anxious not to miss a word of this drama.
Donna Grace could well imagine it would fuel much speculation and storytelling for several months.
“What’s done is done,” Papa said, his tone indicating he didn’t like it.
“We are on our way to the hotel to celebrate the wedding,” Luke said. “We’d like for you to join us.”
“Of course I will.” He draped his arm about Donna Grace’s shoulders. “The least I can do is wish you well and give you a proper send off.”
Donna Grace wanted to say how she would rather be traveling with him, but that conversation was over, and there would be no point in him changing his mind now.
They joined the others and continued to the Sharps Hotel across the street from the majestic courthouse. Mary Mae paused to admire the structure.
“I’m going to miss seeing this,” she murmured, but then Mary Mae always placed a good deal of store in proper places.
Donna Grace didn’t care where she lived so long as she could provide for her baby. It could be a tent or the back of a wagon, for all it mattered to her.
For the next two or three months, it would be one of those places.
And she’d have a husband.
What would that mean on a daily basis? She clamped her jaw tight. So far as she was concerned, it would mean nothing different than if they’d been traveling with Papa.
Luke looked around the table. Donna Grace sat on his right, and on her other side, her father. Seeing the older man’s concern about his daughter made Luke realize what an enormous step they had just taken. They both knew it was temporary, but even so, it carried responsibilities and expectations. Mr. Clark had made him see that.
He would live up to those responsibilities to the best of his ability.
He lifted his glass. “I’d like to make a toast to my beautiful wife and the journey we are about to embark on.” He’d been struck by her beauty as she faced him before the preacher, her face framed with the lacy veil. Her eyes full of determination.
He turned to her now. “To Donna Grace.”
“To Donna Grace,” they others said, and the tinkle of china followed.
Mr. Clark got to his feet. “My daughter is a special woman. She has been all of her life. I hope you all realize that. And you, Luke Russell, I ask that you allow her to be the strong woman she is, while treating her as kindly as she deserves to be treated. I wish you both happiness in the future.” He lifted his cup. “To Mr. and Mrs. Russell.”
More clinking of glasses and then the meal was brought to them and conversation died as they concentrated on the thick slices of roast beef, mounds of mashed potatoes and gravy, and buttery baked squash. A delicious meal, and knowing he would not enjoy this kind of cooking for several months, Luke dug in with pleasure.
Half way through the meal, he noticed Donna Grace was mostly moving her food about on the plate. He slowed his own eating and leaned closer to her.
“Eat up. Last meal like this for some time.”
She nodded and lifted a forkful to her mouth, but she didn’t take another bite.
“Are you okay?”
“I’m fine.” She met his gaze, her eyes filled with an emotion he couldn’t identify. Was she afraid? Ill? Tired?
Ah, it was likely the latter. He knew mothers-to-be tired easily. He’d seen it with Warren’s wife. Donna Grace needed to be back at camp, resting. Though if this little bit of activity wore her out, how was she going to manage to walk all day and tend to camp chores? Yes, she had her sister to help, but right then and there, Luke promised himself he would do everything he could to make life as easy for her as possible.
Satisfied that he could handle the challenge, and still carry his share of the work keeping the Russell freight wagons going, he settled back to enjoy his food and the conversation around the table. They finished and no one seemed inclined to linger, least of all, Luke. He had much to take care of before they departed in the morning. One of them was to assure Donna Grace that he would help her.
Mr. Clark bid them goodbye, hugged each of his daughters, shook hands with Warren then faced Luke. “If I hear you’ve done her wrong in any way, I will find you and exact justice.”
Luke hung back. “I hear you. I won’t be found wanting, but it seems to me if you are so all-fired concerned about either of them,
you would be escorting them yourself.”
The man looked flustered. “They could just as easily stay here. Would save a long trek with winter coming off the mountains soon.”
“You know why she doesn’t want to stay.”
“It’s not her fault.”
Luke’s mouth tightened until he could hardly speak. “Explain that to the gossips.”
Donna Grace hung back waiting for him, likely wondering why he was in such an intense conversation with her father.
“She’d get used to it after a bit, and learn it didn’t matter.”
Luke’s insides soured. It did matter and she shouldn’t have to get used to it. He lowered his voice so she wouldn’t hear. “What you’re saying to me is she isn’t worth the effort to leave your cronies and escort her and her sister to Santa Fe.”
Mr. Clark blustered a response, but he didn’t deny it. “You just see you do what’s right for her.” He strode away before Luke could respond. Not that there was anything more to be said. The man had made his decision and was prepared to justify it no matter what.
Donna Grace waited, her eyes full of darkness.
Luke went to her side. “Tell me you didn’t hear what was said.”
She shrugged, a weary gesture if he’d ever seen one. “It’s nothing I haven’t heard before.”
He wasn’t sure what she meant, but he could well imagine her father’s words and actions hurt. Seems this young woman was the brunt of more than one man’s neglect. He had to make her understand he would be different. “You can count on me to take care of you and keep my word.”
She ground about to face him. They had fallen behind the others. Strangers rushed past without paying them any heed, allowing them to speak freely. “How can you even say that? We just vowed before God to be together until death do us part, with no intention of keeping that vow. I fear God will punish us for that.”
He pulled them out of the hurry and scurry of the street into a quiet alcove. “Is that what’s been bothering you?”
She nodded.
“I’m sure God understands the circumstances. After all, they weren’t of our making.”
She rocked her head back and forth. “Dare we venture down the trail without God’s protection?” A shudder crossed her shoulders.
