Chapter 24
It was early, Elizabeth noticed as she slid out of bed and went to her bedroom window. She wondered what Jonathan was doing. Was he awake? Was he thinking of her? She hoped he was looking forward to today, but she suspected he could be a little nervous after their last try.
She stood by the window, leaning against the wall as she waited for the morning sunrise to spread its glow silently across the horizon.
Finally, the orange ball peeked up over the trees, bathing the new morning with warmth. She opened the window. The air smelled of fresh pine and warm earth. It would be a beautiful day.
It was her wedding day. The day Elizabeth had waited for.
Then the queasiness struck.
She ran for the chamber pot. What was it about getting married that made her nauseated? Unfortunately, she knew the answer to her question. The harder she tried to ignore the truth, the more it persisted. She was wiping her face when she heard Sally behind her, clucking her tongue.
“You done done it again, didn’t you?” Sally asked.
Elizabeth chuckled. Her heart swelled with a special tenderness for Sally.
“Yes, Sally. It seems I’m pregnant again, but this time I’m sure I’m marrying the right man, and I know he will be happy when I tell him.
Do you know, Sally, that Jonathan’s crazy about Dawson?
” An easy smile played at the corners of Elizabeth’s mouth.
“He’s the spittin’ image of his ma. How could anyone not love him? Now, let’s get you dressed before you go gettin’ sick on me again or gettin’ cold feet and runnin’ off like you did before. I ain’t never gonna forgive you for that. That fellow was torn up when I saw him.”
Elizabeth hugged the big black woman. “I love you, Sally. And I’m not going to run off. Just think, soon you’ll have two babies to tend.”
“I'll be lookin’ forward to a new baby. But probably goin’ to have to convince all those people that attended your weddin’ last time.”
Sally helped Elizabeth dress in her lovely gown.
The bodice had an off-the-shoulders top made with delicate Brussels lace.
The long satin skirt fell to the floor. The prettiest part was around the hemline.
The seamstresses had embroidered pink roses connected by snowy pearls.
She would wear a simple wreath of roses around her head to hold her veil, and carry a single pink rose in honor of her mother.
Elizabeth had forgotten how lovely the gown actually was. As she gave herself a final look in the mirror, Dawson rushed in, dressed as a miniature Jonathan.
“You’re pretty,” Dawson told her. “Look at me.”
“You are very handsome.” She bent down and gave him a kiss. “You be a good boy in church. And do everything that Jonathan and Uncle Adam tell you.”
“Yes, ma’am,” Dawson said. He kissed her again and ran out of the room.
Elizabeth sighed as she stood. “He’s growing up too fast.”
“They all grow up too fast, Miz Elizabeth.”
“It’s such a pretty day, Sally. I’m going to walk to the chapel.”
“Well, ifen you goin’ to walk, I’m comin’ too so you don’t go messin’ up that pretty gown.”
They waited a half hour until they were sure everyone was at the church, then Sally and Elizabeth headed toward the chapel with Sally holding the back of Elizabeth’s gown so it wouldn’t get dirty. “Hear the birds singing, Sally.”
“Birds are always singin’, Miz Elizabeth.”
“But today is special. The birds are singing, the flowers are blooming, the air smells wonderful.” Elizabeth sighed. “I think I’m in love.”
Sally chuckled. “In love or just plum crazy.”
They climbed the steps of the beautiful gray stone chapel that sat in a grove of pecan trees. Wildflowers surrounded the church on all sides and provided a colorful array.
She went into the small room to wait. The room brought back many memories, some not so good. Had she made a mistake the first time? She would never know.
This was it. Now or never, she thought. She said a small prayer that her legs would support her during the walk down the aisle. The closer the time drew near, the more nervous she became. So much so that the thought of running crossed her mind.
Jonathan knew it was his imagination, but it seemed that everyone’s gaze was on him.
They were probably wondering—would she or wouldn’t she? And the closer the time got, the more apprehensive he became. Surely Elizabeth wouldn’t run out on him again. She couldn’t possibly make him look like a fool twice. He glanced to the back of the church. Wasn’t it time for her to appear?
Adam leaned over to Jonathan. “She will show this time.”
“How can you be so sure?” Jonathan asked.
“Because we have some insurance this time.” Adam looked down at Dawson. “We have Dawson.”
Dawson glanced up at Jonathan and smiled. He was tugging on the neck of his shirt Jonathan bent down and loosened the collar for the child.
Jonathan let out a slow breath, feeling much better. Elizabeth Trent would never run out on her child.
The music began. The doorway was empty.
The congregation turned in their seats and looked to the back of the church. Suddenly, Elizabeth was in the doorway and walking toward him.
She was beautiful. A vision in white. And she was here. She hadn’t run. She was actually coming down the aisle. Was that a sigh of relief he heard from the priest? Jonathan smiled.
And then, as if in a dream, Elizabeth was beside him, holding his hand.
The simple service lasted only twenty minutes. Then the priest announced that Jonathan could kiss the bride.
Looking down at the woman whose hand he held, he realized that Elizabeth was finally his.
He smiled like a lovesick young lad. She had taken him on a wild chase, but that was behind them.
His lips pressed against hers, then gently covered her mouth.
He was shocked at her eager response to the touch of his lips, and he pressed closer until Adam and the priest finally cleared their throats to indicate that it was time to stop.
Reluctantly, they pulled away from each other.
As they walked down the aisle, Elizabeth winked at Jean and Pierre; then she smiled at all her friends who had come and given her a second chance.
Outside the church, they shook hands with everyone as their guests left the church. Dawson kept pulling on Elizabeth’s dress. Finally, when the guests had left, she bent down to her son. “What’s wrong?”
“Foot hurts.” Dawson pointed at his shoe.
Elizabeth sat him down and took off his right shoe and sock. There was a tiny stone that had somehow slipped into the shoe. She shook out his sock and was preparing to put the shoe back on when Jonathan stopped her.
“Wait a minute,” Jonathan said. He bent down and examined Dawson’s ankle. “Look at this.”
Elizabeth stared at the brown spot on the child’s ankle. “It’s his birthmark. It looks like the shape of a heart to me. He’s always had it.”
Jonathan immediately sat down next to Dawson.
“What are you doing?” Elizabeth glanced around and found Jean, Adam, and Jewel watching them.
“You’ll see,” Jonathan said as he removed his right shoe and sock, putting his foot next to Dawson’s. He pulled up the leg of his breeches. And there, on Jonathan’s ankle, was the identical birthmark. “It’s the Hird birthmark. My father has one, too.”
“Dawson is yours!” Elizabeth cried as she knelt down beside both of them. “I always wondered, but never had any proof. Oh, Jonathan, I’m so happy. No, wait. I feel bad.” She frowned. “I’m sorry I put you through so much when there was really no need. If only I had known....”
“I love Dawson whether he is mine or not,” Jonathan said as he hugged the child. “Now, it’s even more special between us.”
“This is wonderful,” Jewel said.
“I have some news that is just as good,” Elizabeth said, looking at her new husband.
“I can’t think of any better news,” Jonathan admitted. “I have you. I have a son. What else could there be?”
“How about another son or perhaps a daughter?”
Jonathan’s mouth fell open. “You don’t mean—”
Elizabeth nodded.
“Does this mean that you once again have compromised my sister?” Adam said from behind Jonathan.
“So it would seem.” Jonathan laughed. “Where your sister is concerned, I just can’t seem to help myself.”
Adam chuckled and Jean said, “I do recall Jonathan saying that he never wanted to see a woman again.”
“I remember that,” Adam joined in the fun.
“I didn’t want to see just any woman,” Jonathan said as he reached out for Elizabeth. “When you love only once there is only one woman.” He crushed Elizabeth to him and finally found the happiness he’d thought he’d lost.