Epilogue
Two weeks later, Nathaniel and Chloe were married in the town church.
As far as Chloe was concerned, Nathaniel had never looked so handsome wearing his Sunday best. Lillian and Dalia had helped Chloe to spruce up what they had purchased at the general store, unable to order a dress because of the short notice of their upcoming wedding date.
“You look lovely,” Lillian said, admiring her in the standing mirror that stood in the corner of her bedroom in the boarding house.
They’d changed out the dark blue buttons with cream colored ones that matched the lace. Only moments ago, Eliza had thrust a posy of flowers into her hands and Chloe had watched, blinking back tears as Dalia had tucked a few into her hair, fashioned into an elegant upswept chignon.
Her heart beating nervously, Chloe finally entered the church while she held Eliza’s hand, but she calmed immediately when she spied Nathaniel standing in front of the altar with the reverend wearing a dark brown woolen suit with a cream colored shirt, a high neck collar, and a dark brown bowtie to complete the ensemble.
He stood proud and tall, and the smile he sent her way when he laid eyes on her filled her with a warmth that almost made her knees grow weak.
Her heart raced, but not with fear or anxiety, with excitement and anticipation. This felt so right and she couldn’t wait for the ceremony to commence and then for the Rev. to announce them as man and wife, a man she deeply loved, admired, and wanted to spend the rest of her living days with.
The small church of Cedar Bluff was filled to bursting.
Reverend Kropp smiling kindly at her as she made her way down the aisle.
The bench seats and the bottoms of the windows were decorated with sprigs of flowers.
The windows had been opened on each side to allow some air into the space as well as to offer a view for those who came to witness the wedding from distant ranches or farms to watch even though there wasn’t any more room inside.
Before she even repeated her vows, Chloe knew that she would forever cherish and honor Nathaniel until she grew old and gray and wrinkled. She’d finally found her place and it was right beside Nathaniel Cross and her daughter.
After the ceremony there would be a celebration and picnic in the churchyard.
The newly married couple would retire to the cabin behind the boarding house, at least for the time being.
Nathaniel had already purchased a large plot of land and come fall, after the cattle drives were over and the fields harvested, he and a growing number of men would help them build their new home on it.
Suddenly, she was jolted from her thoughts as the reverend began to speak.
“We are gathered here today in the sight of God, to witness and bless the joining together of Chloe Whitfield and Nathaniel Cross in Holy Matrimony …”
Afterward, she would be embarrassed to admit that she barely heard a word that the reverend said until it came to the vows and the I do’s, because the ceremony passed in a blur. However, she did remember saying I do, and she also remembered the sound in Nathaniel’s voice as he affirmed the same.
Then the reverend gave the closing words. “Now, Nathaniel and Chloe, having witnessed your vows of marriage before God and all who are assembled here, by the authority invested in me, I now pronounce you husband and wife.”
Chloe watched with hidden amusement as the reverend turned to Nathaniel, hiding a grin. “Nathaniel, you may now kiss your wife.”
Chloe looked up at Nathaniel as he looked down at her, his eyes searching for a moment, a twinkle in his eye as he dipped his head and chastely kissed her on the lips.
The congregation chuckled with amusement and clapping broke out, and then it was over, but in that brief, gentle kiss, Lillian had been assured of the promise, devotion and the love that Nathaniel felt for her.
Her spirits soared. Clapping broke out, along with a couple of whistles and then the congregation watched them walk down the aisle, offering well-wishers, some clapping and laughing.
After the ceremony, she and Nathaniel stood in the yard while everyone enjoyed punch and lemonade and cookies and slices of pie.
After all the pats on the back and the words of congratulations, Chloe noticed Thomas approaching.
Lillian and Dalia stood a short distance away, their eyes on him as he approached Nathaniel.
Nathaniel noticed Thomas and glanced at him with a lifted eyebrow. “Thanks for coming, Thomas,” he said. “You having a good time?”
Thomas nodded. “I am, but I got a question to ask you, Nathaniel.”
Chloe noticed that the young man’s cheeks flushed slightly and she glanced up at Nathaniel. “I’ll leave you two—”
“No need,” Thomas assured her with a small, nervous grin.
Nathaniel gave his friend his full attention while Chloe wondered at the worried expression on his face. She watched Thomas’s Adam’s apple bob as he swallowed, cleared his throat, and stared at Nathaniel.
“I know that this isn’t typical, Nathaniel, but under the circumstances …”
Nathaniel lifted an eyebrow, waiting.
“Nathaniel, I’m in love with your sister,” Thomas said, speaking quickly as if in a hurry to get it out. “I want to marry her and I’ve asked her and she said she would, but now I’m asking you if you would give us your blessing. I mean, I …”
Chloe’s heart soared and she glanced beyond Thomas toward Lillian and Dalia, both watching, hopeful smiles on their faces.
Nathaniel grinned. “You have my blessing, Thomas, and I hope that you and Lilly will be happy and blessed. But I am going to tell you one thing that you have to agree on.”
Thomas blinked, waiting.
“You have to live here in Cedar Bluff, all right?”
Thomas smiled, shoulders sagging with relief as he nodded.
“I was planning on it, Nathaniel. In fact, I got me a job over the Bascom ranch as his foreman. He’s got a little cabin there on his property where we can live until I save up enough money to build us a house of our own, just like you are with Chloe. ”
Nathaniel smiled as he glanced over at Chloe, who at that moment turned to him, a brilliant smile curving her lips. She saw the love in his eyes meant solely for her and didn’t think she would ever be any happier.
Nathaniel nodded toward his sister and mother. “You’d better go tell your fiancée that you got her brother’s blessing before she works herself into a state.” He chuckled softly. “She’s been known to do that on occasion, so be forewarned.”
Thomas laughed as Nathaniel gave him a clap on the back and then nudged him toward the others.
At that moment, Chloe wrapped her arms around Nathaniel’s waist, watching with nothing more than contentment and affection as the people of Cedar Bluff shared the joy of this day with them, all of them smiling and laughing.
“I’ve been blessed,” Nathaniel murmured.
“As have I,” she said, looking up at him. “As have I.”
THE END