Chapter Thirty-Six
Come morning, Heath was repairing a fence around the sheep pen when a wagon pulled into Rachel’s yard. It had come! His gift to his soon-to-be bride.
“Is this the Malloy place?” the driver asked.
“Yes, sir, it is.” He hurried to the wagon and threw back a tarp covering the load in back then nodded. “It’s perfect. I’ll show you where to put it and there’s extra for you just like I promised.”
“Thank you, sir. Climb in and show me where to go.”
They drove to the spot and Heath helped unload it then stood back. A lump settled in his throat. Rachel stepped from the house then came toward them with curiosity in her eyes.
He went to meet her and put an arm around her shoulders. “A gift to you, honey.”
The little hitch in her breath told of expectation. “What is it?”
“Come see.” He led her to the burial plot. “This needed to be done so I arranged it.”
The granite tombstone sparkled under the sun. Rachel’s fingertips touched the little lamb on top and read the words, “Here Lies Alice, The Beloved Daughter of Rachel Malloy.”
Tears streamed down her face as she swiveled in the circle of his arms. “This is very precious to me, and whatever led you to do it, thank you. I love your big heart, Heath Lassiter.”
His reply had a huskiness he couldn’t smooth out. “You needed this to show the world how much you loved your daughter and to claim her as your child.”
“Yes.” Overcome with emotion, Rachel nodded and smiled through her tears. “You know me so well. I can’t wait to be your wife.”
“Soon, sweetheart.”
The white dove flew down and perched on the cool stone.
“Our talisman, a sign from God that everything is right and good.” Heath squeezed her tighter.
“I’ve never seen a dove do this,” the driver said. “I’ll tell my boss.” The man climbed into the wagon and set off for the rim.
Bathed in the early morning sun, they stood arm-in-arm, watching him go.
“I’ve got to check on Eden.” Rachel glanced toward the house, wiping her eyes. “Jax is babysitting.”
“That’s one smart dog. I’d swear he’s almost human.”
“I love the tombstone, Heath. It’s better and more meaningful than a sparkly diamond.”
The dove cooed and lifted its white wings in flight.
“It doesn’t rival your shimmering eyes though.” He kissed her there in a shaft of golden light, his heart bursting with love and God’s goodness.
All their bright tomorrows were waiting. They only had to claim them.
Two weeks later, Heath lookedover the yard of Rachel’s house that was packed with wagons, buggies, and horses. It seemed folks had come from all over the county for the big celebration.
Their friends and neighbors stood all around the yard talking and laughing. Food weighed down long tables and a group of fiddlers were warming up for the dance.
Birds sang and the water gently lapped along the shoreline of the lake. It was a slice of heaven.
He drew in a calming breath. In just a few short minutes he’d stand with Rachel and they’d say their vows.
God had answered his prayers. It was more than luck that the circuit preacher just happened to be in the area. God had had a hand in that too.
Anson Ledbetter was courting Sally and they were making plans for their wedding. They would live in the soddy until Ledbetter got a house built. He’d split profits from the herd with Heath until Ledbetter got his own herd established.
Heath and Rachel would live here on her land. He had big plans on how to make it turn a profit. The soil was rich and water plentiful. It should be perfect for growing things.
He’d had a busy two weeks. After the gunfight, they’d built a strap-iron jail for the outlaws and kept them in the open in front of Singer’s Trading Post. Finally, a column of army soldiers had taken possession and marched them on foot all the way to Clarendon. It had taken some doing to keep Zeb from going to jail but in the end the marshal decided that Zeb’s good deeds far outweighed the bad. The marshal had dropped the charges against him in return for his testimony against the others.
Then, Heath rode over to the tent saloon and found out the name of Eden’s mother. He looked toward the graves under the cottonwood tree where they’d reburied her. Alma Montgomery would be pleased with the marker he erected marking her time on earth. It had put a big smile on Rachel’s face. He learned a long while ago that putting the kind of smile that lit up Rachel’s eyes made him the happiest man in Texas.
A whine drew his attention. Heath bent his tall frame to stroke Jax’s silky fur. The dog wore a pink bandana around his neck. “How you doing, boy? We finally did it, didn’t we?”
The dog looked up at him with complete adoration as he licked Heath’s hand.
The door opened. The vision in wedding finery stood in the shaft of light and his breath left him in a big whoosh. He’d never seen anything so beautiful.
“There you are, cowboy.” Rachel’s new rose-colored dress rustled as she strode to his side. She slipped her hand in the crook of his elbow. “I was afraid you’d changed your mind and hightailed it out of here.”
“Not a chance. I’ve waited too long for this moment.” He kissed the tip of her nose. “Besides, I’d be too worried you’d come after me with that butcher knife. I’ve seen the results of your work.”
“Just don’t forget it. Seriously, what are you doing out here?”
“Waiting. Taking stock. Counting my blessings.”
“You have a lot of those, do you?”
“Too many to count, ma’am,” he said softly.
“That’s the way I feel too. I never dreamed I’d find this kind of joy and contentment. I can’t think of a thing more that I need.”
“You’re awfully pretty today. Don’t exactly know how I managed to find a woman who’s prettier than a golden sunrise and smart in the bargain.”
A rosy blush colored her cheeks. “You sure know how to sweet talk a lady.”
“Expect a lot more because I’m just getting started.”
Sally stood holding Eden under the arbor she and Anson erected for the ceremony and shouted, “Get a move on. We’re waiting for you. This preacher don’t have all day.”
Heath ground his teeth and groaned. His sister sure cornered the market on bossiness. He was glad that she’d soon be Ledbetter’s problem. It hadn’t surprised him that they’d decided to get hitched. But hitched was an accurate word for it. It was two old mules yoked together to pull a wagon…or a plow. Heath didn’t know which one was the most contrary.
The sound of Rachel’s laughter was music to his ears.
“Are you ready, Mr. Lassiter?” she asked.
“Born that way.” His pulse beat wildly. This was God’s plan for him, for them both, and he was happy to fulfill it. “You’re my angel, Rachel. And I promise that you’ll never be forgotten. Not by God or me. This is our day, our life, our future. For as long as we both draw breath and even beyond that when we’re taken to Glory. You’re mine forever.”
Rachel’s skirt swished against Heath’s pant leg as they walked. He loved the sound and his bride’s closeness.
“Heath, I wish my family was here. My stepmother Jane would love this. And Alice could meet her baby sister.”
“Sweetheart, they’re watching and smiling down upon us. They know what you’ve been through and how rocky the road has been.”
“I hope you’re right.” She chewed her bottom lip.
“What else are you fretting about?”
“I don’t know how to dance. I’m afraid I’ll look like a dunce.”
“You’re in good company because I don’t know how either. I reckon we’ll be just fine.” He kissed her cheek.
They took their place in front of the preacher. Just then the white dove flew down to roost on the preacher’s shoulder. The bird’s coos provided the music.
“Dearly beloved, we’re gathered here to join Heath and Rachel in holy matrimony,” the reverend began.
Rachel met Heath’s gaze, her pale green eyes shimmering with tears. She was his beloved and that would never change. He had lots of plans for his bride. First he intended to build her a big house with plenty of room for all the children he knew would one day fill it.
From the corner of his eye, he noticed Becca whispering something to Sally then reaching for Samuel Eden. Becca was a loving big sister, and it didn’t make a hill of beans what the girl called the baby that had stolen all their hearts. Becca’s father had given his blessing and the girl moved in with Sally. Becca wouldn’t want for anything, that was for sure.
“Do you, Heath Lassiter, take Rachel as your lawfully wedded wife?” the preacher asked.
Heath gazed into her face and saw honesty, truth, and a love for God shining. “I do. For now and for always. To eternity and beyond.”
He squeezed Rachel’s hand and murmured low so that she was the only one who heard. “You give my life color and noise and wild adventure. I love you, little mama.”