Chapter 25
“I can hardly believe you came to Cheyenne,” Spencer said, welcoming his former boss and dearest friend.
Aloysius Gable embraced Spencer with a powerful grip. For a man in his sixties, he was still as strong as a man half his age. “I figured I missed the first wedding. Didn’t want to miss the second. It’s so good to see you, Spence.”
Spencer hugged the older man tightly, then released him. Stepping back, he couldn’t believe it had only been a matter of months since he’d last seen his friend. It seemed years had passed. “It’s been so long.”
“It has been too long.”
The busyness of the train platform created a cacophony of sounds that made normal conversation difficult. Spencer reached for Al’s suitcase.
“Let’s get out of here so we can talk.” The older man nodded and allowed Spencer to take the case and lead the way.
Once they passed through the depot and out onto the street, a whole new scene just as noisy as the last greeted them.
Freight wagons were busy lining up to receive shipments of goods while the trolley noisily clanged away.
There appeared to be even more people rushing from place to place than had been inside.
“So the wedding is on Saturday,” Al began. “Are you still determined to see this through? No more merely posing as a husband.”
“I am more than happy to become a real husband to Carrie Vogel. Al, she’s everything I’ve ever wanted in a wife and more.”
“I’ve heard you talk enough about her this last year that I easily recognize your admiration of her. These last few months playacting as husband and wife must have been interesting for the both of you.”
“It was . . . at times very hard. I have to admit.” Spencer shrugged. “She completes me in ways I didn’t even know I needed completing. We both have a strong faith in God, and even as it has been tested, we’ve drawn closer and closer.”
“Have you had any fights?”
Spencer saw an opening on the busy street and motioned Al to cross. Once they were safely on the other side, Spencer gave his answer.
“We’ve had a couple of misunderstandings and arguments, but my wife is extraordinarily logical. When her emotions start to get the best of her, she retires to think things through, and in those moments of quiet contemplation, we both tend to rethink the matter and see things in a different light.”
“Sounds most unusual, to be sure.”
“Carrie is most unusual. She’s older in some ways than her twenty-four years.”
“I hope she’ll be a tremendous blessing to you, Spence. I’ve only ever wanted good things for you. Your pa and ma wanted that for you as well. I know they’d be proud of you.”
“Even though I’ve quit the Pinkertons?” Spencer smiled. “My pa was mighty proud of being a Pinkerton man and looked forward to me being one as well.”
“And you were, and you did the jobs you were given. Now God is calling you to another season of life. Do you know yet if you’ll stay here in Cheyenne?”
“I do. Carrie and Dr. Compton, the man she intends to partner with on brain research, have concluded that Cheyenne is a perfect place to set up business. It’s on the main rail line, so getting supplies and patients won’t be difficult.
It’s also home to both Dr. Compton and Carrie.
They know so many of the people here. And as the territory is about to become a state, there are all sorts of opportunities for me with the government. ”
“Will you now go into politics?” Al asked, looking at Spencer with a concerned expression. “You never struck me as a politician.”
Spencer chuckled. “I only meant that they will be expanding the government operations here. I believe I’ll have ample opportunity for employment.
I have a college education and can move in a variety of directions.
I’ve even considered becoming a state attorney.
I’m very familiar with the law and qualifying to practice wouldn’t be impossible. ”
“Give it a lot of prayer, son. Government work can be vexing. You know from working with the agency that there’s a lot of paperwork to sort through. New laws every day, it seems.”
“Yes, that’s true, but someone has to keep the place running in an orderly fashion.”
They reached the Inter Ocean Hotel and stepped inside. The place was always busy as far as Spencer had seen. The large lobby was a popular meeting place for businessmen and proved no different today.
Spencer helped Al register and then went upstairs with him to his room so that they could drop off his suitcase.
“I really want to show you around town. I’m thinking, once you retire, you might enjoy moving here.”
Al looked at him with a wry smile. “So you’re going to sell me on Cheyenne, eh?”
Spencer unlocked the hotel door and stepped inside the room. “I plan to try.”
The room was well-appointed with a full-sized bed, small night tables on either side, and a washstand across the room. The papered walls were evidence of quality, and the fine bed linens suggested great care had been given to making the visitor feel a sense of opulence.
“I don’t know that you’ll have to do much selling, to tell you the truth. After all, it has one thing that I truly appreciate and find valuable in my daily life.”
“What’s that?” Spencer asked, placing the older man’s suitcase on the bed.
“You.” Al folded his arms and fixed Spencer with a serious look. “You’re the only family I have anymore. Never married or had children. My folks are long gone, as is my brother and his wife. You’re all I have left to consider as family.”
“And I am your family, Al. You’ve always been there for me, and I intend to be there for you. You could move here, and we could go into business together. I’m not sure what we’d do, but I’m willing to take a chance at most anything.”
Al laughed and gave an enthusiastic nod. “Let’s get some lunch and talk about the possibilities that await us.”
Spencer had hoped this might be the man’s response. “I know just the place. There’s a restaurant down the street that serves the best steaks you’ve ever had. You thought Chicago was famed for fresh beef, but you’ll be amazed at what you get here.”
“The dress fits you perfectly,” Mama told Carrie as she checked first one side and then another.
Carrie felt like a princess in the beautiful white satin gown. Greta had insisted on advising Carrie of the latest fashions but made certain the dress was completely to her sister’s liking. Having never been one who worried about such things, Carrie had appreciated her sister’s insight.
Catching her reflection in the mirror, Carrie had to admit the gown was beyond her expectations, especially the bodice with its intricate workings of lace, silk, and satin.
The rounded neckline was finished to the middle of her neck in a delicate lace that was as soft as angel’s wings, according to the woman who’d made it.
Carrie had to smile remembering that she had wondered at the woman’s reference.
How did she know what angel’s wings were like?
However, wearing the gown and experiencing the lace firsthand, Carrie thought the woman might very well be right. Such fine work seemed almost heavenly in origin.
She turned to see the skirt and train that were created in banded silk and satin. The shimmering piece fell gently over a small, bustled back and splayed out across the floor in an elegant half circle.
“I’m sure I’ve never worn anything so fine.” Carrie turned to look at her sister and mother. “Thank you for insisting I have a special dress.”
“You only have a day like this once,” Greta said, smiling in a dreamy way. “I just want it to be perfect and lovely. I’ve never been happier in all my days. I get to marry with my sister and family around me.”
“And half the town,” Mama added. “Goodness, but this wedding will be even larger than the Kuydendall-Moore wedding at St. Mark’s Episcopal.”
“And bigger than Ida Bergman’s ceremony,” Greta added. “Not that size is all that important.”
“I should say not. Mama and Papa got married in a very simple way, and no one could have a better marriage than them,” Carrie said.
“Well, just remember nothing matters as much as keeping God at the center of your marriage,” Mama said, smiling at her girls.
“The most important day of your life is when you seek Jesus as your Savior. The second most important might well be your wedding day. It’s important to be matched with someone who believes as you do.
The Bible makes it clear that being unequally yoked with unbelievers is not to be done.
It only leads to heartache, whether in business or marriage.
If you can’t at least agree upon your positions of faith, there’s little hope for much else. ”
“Well, on that account you needn’t worry, Mama. Our men are solid in the Lord,” Greta countered. “They are good, Bible-believing Christian men who love God.”
“And love you both as well,” Mama said, embracing both of her daughters. There were tears dampening her eyes, and it made Carrie realize just how special this moment was. How glad she was that she hadn’t missed out on it.
I truly belong and always have. I just couldn’t see it in full until now. Carrie swiped at the tears that came. She would never again feel that sense of loss.
“Do you, Greta, take Michael to be your lawfully wedded husband in the eyes of God and man?”
“I do,” Greta replied, looking to Michael Decker with great solemnity.
Carrie watched as the minister continued to lead them in their vows.
She waited patiently for her own turn, knowing it would still be hours before she and Spencer would have time alone.
She looked at the man who would soon become her husband once again, but this time with a pledge of commitment to God as well.
Spencer gave her a reassuring smile and squeezed her fingers. In a matter of moments, the minister was leading Carrie and Spencer through the same recitation of vows that Greta and Michael had just made.
“Carrie, do you take Spencer to be your lawfully wedded husband in the eyes of God and man?”
“I do.”
Someday she’d tell their children that their parents were double married.
First in Chicago and three months later to the day in Cheyenne.
No doubt they would ask questions about why it had happened that way, and Carrie and Spencer would fill them in on all the exciting details of their work for the Pinkertons.
The minister combined the ring ceremony for both couples, having them place their rings and pledge their lives together at the same time. When all was said and done, the organ began to play, and the grooms gathered their brides up for a kiss to seal the deal.
And then they were surrounded by friends and family with congratulations and tears flowing all around.
It really was a perfect celebration, Carrie thought as they made their way to the catered reception downtown at one of the second-floor opera house halls.
There would be feasting and dancing throughout the evening, but for the moment, she was seated beside her husband in a carriage, with well-wishers she didn’t even know waving to them from the side of the street.
Cheyenneites never needed much of a reason to celebrate.
“Are you sure we have to go to the reception and dance?” Spencer asked, leaning his head toward hers.
“It was all planned for Greta and Michael long before we decided to join in, but I do believe we’re obligated to share in the festivities.”
Spencer laughed and followed her in waving to the people who had stopped to cheer them along the way.
“We’re Cheyenne royalty,” Carrie said, glancing over her shoulder.
“That’s what Greta told me. We’ve been here since the beginning of the town, or very nearly so.
We are a founding family. As such, we are important.
Add to that, Papa is chief of police and Michael’s father runs the finest boys’ school in the entire territory, and there’s no possibility of us escaping the day to be alone. ”
“I was a Pinkerton, and I know a lot of ways to disappear.” He put his arm around her and pulled her close. “If you change your mind and want to escape, I’ll figure out a plan.”
Carrie laughed and snuggled closer against him. “Life will always be an adventure with you. Here I thought I’d always be focused on my work, but with you I find reason to step away and enjoy other things in life.”
“Like a moment to love and be loved?” he whispered before placing a kiss on her neck.
She shivered with delight and straightened in her seat to wave to a group of people gathered near the opera house. “I hope there shall be a great many moments. A lifetime, in fact.”
The carriage came to a stop, and Spencer jumped up from his seat and down to the ground before the driver could assist them. He reached up to lift Carrie from the carriage and put his arm around her waist as he released her.
“I promise you a lifetime, my love.”
Their gazes met, and Carrie saw the love reflected in her husband’s eyes. She whispered a prayer of thanksgiving, then drew a deep breath. “Let it begin.”