Epilogue
Two months later
T he garden was bursting with color. Bright yellow daffodils, tulips in reds, pinks, yellows, white, hyacinths purple and pink. Baskets and urns held arrangements of brilliant yellow and pink glads with roses in pale to bright pink. Butterflies waited to be released. The gazebo with its intricate scrollwork and fresh white paint, stood in the center ready to welcome the bridal couple. White chairs sat in a semicircle around the gazebo. Two harpists sat in a corner of the wraparound porch playing softly as guests arrived.
Jillie sat in the window seat in the second-floor bedroom watching the goings-on below. Her dress was a soft pink confection with a full skirt of tulle that fell to her ankles. Her hair had been curled to fall down the center of her back. A headband with sparkles in pale pink sat on her head.
Cassie came into the room in her bridal outfit…also in a shade of pink darker than Jillie’s. It was street-length with a full skirt also of tulle over satin. Her hair had been swept up on top of her head and held in place with a glittering clip.
“You need to get your shoes on your feet now, Jillie. We’re going downstairs soon.”
“But where is Tori? She said I could see her dress before we went down.”
“You can but only with your shoes on. Get a move on or we’ll have to leave you up here.”
“I’m going to check on her and I’ll call you when she’s ready.” She turned and remembered something. She took the basket with its pink petals out of the florist’s box. “You need to keep up with this now. You remember what you’re supposed to do when we get to the porch?”
“I know. I’ve been practicing.”
Cassie smiled. She had watched her niece from a window yesterday when she thought no one was watching. She had done the walk over and over. She took her job as flower girl very seriously.
“I’ll call you.”
Cassie left her alone. She crossed over the hall to another bedroom and was about to go inside. A voice stopped her.
“When does this party get started?”
“It’s about time.” Cassie grinned and did a quick skip over to wrap her arms around the cowboy’s neck.
“Hey,” he said with a laugh. “Don’t wrinkle this fancy suit. There might be some women in attendance that I want to impress.”
Cassie stood back and made a show of straightening the lapels of the gray western-cut suit. “Excuse me,” she said with mock contriteness. “I forgot how conceited my little brother could be. But I warn you that any women in attendance today will only have eyes for the groom. You’ve met your match. But maybe you can help patch up those broken hearts a bit.”
“Ouch.” He grimaced. “I came here to be insulted by my sibling? But who knows, maybe there will be one or two men here today that might be willing to take you on. Otherwise, you could possibly be the last old maid in our family since Tori is walking down that aisle today.”
“You might remember that our sister also carries a gun, little brother. And she is a better shot than you are.” Matt came up the last step of the staircase and met the handshake of his brother.
“Thanks for the reminder.” Rance grinned. “I hear that you and I are walking the bride down the aisle today?”
“Change of plans,” Matt said. “I’m taking my rightful place beside the groom. I’ve been elevated to best man. You’ll have to steady the bride down the aisle. Think you can handle that?”
“As long as I’m not the one standing in the groom’s spot in this wedding, I can do a great job.”
“One of these days,” Cassie said with a shake of her head, “you won’t run fast enough and we’ll be laughing at you as you say those vows.”
“I flew in here to be subjected to your taunts? I don’t think so. Where is this bride at?” Rance said. “Let’s get this party started.”
Cassie turned and motioned for them to follow. “Matt, please get Jillie and let her come in also.”
When Matt had rejoined them with an excited daughter in tow, she became even more animated when she saw her uncle Rance. He swept her up and around in his arms. “Now here is the prettiest girl at this wedding. Are you going to dance with your old uncle today?”
She nodded quickly. “Every dance. And we have a lot of cake to eat, too.”
Cassie opened the door and ushered them all inside.
They stopped and took in the sight, silence replacing the laughter.
Tori stood in front of the full-length mirror, the seamstress—having helped her with her gown—was now adjusting the full-length veil. Stunning white lace lay over a pale pink lining. The sleeveless, heart-shaped bodice had a wide swathe of pale pink around the waist and slender ribbons fell down the back to the edge of the skirt. When she walked, the skirt would flow around her softly. The veil was full and edged in the same lace all the way down to form a semi-train behind her. The dress was perfect. Tori had never been more beautiful. Cassie tucked another Kleenex into the edge of her demi-glove…to be on the safe side.
“Is it that bad that all of you are just staring and not saying anything?” Tori asked, looking at them in the mirror behind her.
“It’s you. Perfect. Gorgeous.” Callie found her voice first.
“You look like a real Cinderella,” Jillie pronounced in awe.
“Not bad, sis,” Rance said, something strange stuck in his throat.
“Perfect. Just perfect.” Matt seemed to have something in one eye and turned his attention to straightening his daughter’s dress. Then he stepped forward and stood in front of his sister. “I need to go and give some support to a nervous groom. But…well, you’ve got this. It will be the easiest walk you’ll ever take. And the one you deserve more than anyone. Love you, sis.” He bent and placed a quick kiss on her cheek. And then left the room.
“If you cry now, you’ll ruin your makeup,” Cassie said. “I’ll cry enough for both of us.”
“I hear that I have the honor of giving you away, today.” Rance spoke up, moving to give her a hug. He stepped back and gave her one of his usual grins that he often teased her with. “I always wanted to do that when we were growing up as little kids. But now…well, it doesn’t seem like a great idea for some reason.”
Tori shook her head. “None of you can get rid of me that easily. I’ll be here as usual. Full-time big sister. It’s a tough job but someone has to do it.”
*
“So is the bride ready? She’s upstairs, right?”
Matt shook his head as he looked at the man in the silver-gray western tuxedo, adjusting his hat on his head for the tenth time in front of the mirror. “Rest easy. I just checked on her and she is here and still planning to meet you in the garden in a few minutes. We tried to talk her out of it, but she wouldn’t be bribed even. No changing Tori’s mind when she’s determined. And she asked the same question about you. Wanted to make sure you had showed up.”
Cade grinned and turned to face the man.
“You didn’t tell her that I showed up two hours early, right? Don’t want to appear too eager, you know.”
Matt laughed. “I think that ship has already sailed. We’re going to have to keep you from running down that aisle, I have a feeling.”
“You just might,” Cade agreed. Then his gaze sobered as it met Matt’s. “Look, I’m glad that you agreed to stand up with me today. It means a lot. I know we haven’t had too much time to sit down and just talk lately, but I want you to know…all of you,” he amended. “I will mean every word of the vows I take today. I intend to spend every day I have in this life making Tori happy. She deserves all of that and much more. And I feel very honored that you all have welcomed me into the fold. It means a lot more than I can say. You are my family now and that is something that I will try my best to be worthy of each day.”
Matt walked closer and slowly put out his hand. Cade accepted it. “We all know that you love our sister. A blind man could see and feel that. And knowing how Tori feels about you…well, none of us could have asked for better in a life’s partner for her than you. You are a good man and we know you will take good care of each other. Cherish each other and each day you have.”
Cassie breezed in at that moment.
“The minister is here and the guests are being seated. Sun is bright, sky is blue, and there is a bride coming down the aisle in ten minutes. Take your places, gentlemen. And, Matt, you have the ring right?”
“That is at least the twentieth time you have asked me that question today, Cassie,” Matt replied.
“Well?” She was waiting.
“It is right here,” and he patted his jacket pocket.
“Very well. See you both at the altar.” She gave a wink and was gone.
Cassie nodded to the harpists, and they began the music. Jillie began her walk across the porch and down the runner toward the gazebo. Flowers were tossed along the way with great skill. Cade grinned at her and winked as she approached. She winked back.
Cassie walked the aisle next, smiling at the guests as she went. Cade met her grin with one of his. Then the music changed, and the guests rose. The bride appeared, escorted by her brother Rance. The guests were not disappointed in watching the groom’s reaction as he watched his bride walk toward him. His gaze never wavered from hers. He came down the two steps to meet her. Rance kissed her cheek and then gave her hand over to Cade.
The vows were spoken from their hearts. Tori’s voice held a bit of trembling at first, but then there was a gentle, warm pressure on her hands that were encased in Cade’s. His strength flowed into hers and his silent message was in his gaze. We’ve got this. And her heart took flight and so did any nerves.
Cade made his vows strong and sure. The prayers were beautiful blessings for long life and happiness. The preacher pronounced them husband and wife and as the couple kissed, hundreds of butterflies took flight throughout the garden.
The reception began, the cake was cut, guests partied. Cade thanked Jillie for their dance and went in search of his bride. He found her in the gazebo. Her face was aglow with the golden rays of sunset. He moved to slip his arms around her and she leaned against him.
“A perfect wedding. I’m glad you wanted to have the wedding here in your garden instead of the ranch. It turned out to be beautiful. What’s on my wife’s mind?”
Tori nodded, her gaze still on the sunset. “I came here a young girl with a stray cat and stayed because of the sunset. It was so beautiful that day when I stepped off the bus. I was scared. I had no idea what I was doing but I had to find a home. And that sunset spoke to my heart. I stayed and now here I am with another perfect sunset and my heart is so complete. I am not a stranger in this garden, and I’m not scared. I am home. Now and forever in Destiny’s River. In your arms.”
The End