Chapter 23

Melody found herself in tears at the strangest times. Mourning her father came in ways that she could never have anticipated or planned for. Sometimes just smelling the coffee brewing would set Melody awash in sadness. Da had loved his coffee. It was one of the first smells she could remember as a child. There was always a pot of coffee on the stove.

Once, when she was helping Marybeth clean house, a memory came to mind of her father and mother. Mother had just washed the floor of their little apartment, and Da had come in from a deluge of rain. He tracked mud into the house from one room to another until he came to where Mother was still mopping. He had looked at her and then the floor and the mess he'd made. Without a word, he slipped off his shoes, then took the mop from her hands and went to work, dancing a jig and cleaning at the same time. Melody had been very young, but she could still remember her mother's laughter. Why did they both have to be lost to her?

Through it all, Charlie was the epitome of understanding and concern. He would allow for her tears, offering comfort and love in return. He never grew impatient with her or chided her for her sadness, and it only served to endear him all the more to Melody.

Charlie's mother arrived on Friday the twelfth. Melody went with Charlie and Mr. Decker to welcome her and her servants to Cheyenne. Melody had feared the older woman wouldn't like her or would feel that she and Charlie had known each other far too short of time. However, Abigail Decker was a charming and loving woman.

"You are as pretty as a china doll," she told Melody. "But I have a feeling you're made of much sturdier material." She embraced Melody and whispered in her ear, "We shall be great friends, my dear." Melody immediately loved her.

They went for dinner at Belham's, and Melody listened to story after story about Charlie and their family. They had grown up with plenty and had never known want. But Melody felt she had been just as blessed. Da had always provided for them, and while they may not have lived in luxury, they did live in love. She related this when Charlie's mother asked to hear something of Melody's childhood.

"I was an only child," Melody said. "And my father's darling girl." She smiled at the memory of him calling her that. "Da loved railroad work and moving from place to place. He was a wanderer at heart and never seemed to settle down. My mother took it in stride. She loved Da more than life. I was always amazed at their love for each other. It devastated us to lose her. I was only ten, but I knew what they had was special and prayed I'd know that for myself one day."

"And do you think you have that with Charlie?" his mother asked.

Melody glanced over at Charlie and nodded. "I know I do. I sensed it in our first words. Charlie was the kind of friend I needed and wanted. I had other friends, but Charlie's friendship filled a void that I hadn't realized was present. I enjoyed talking to him about everything, and he was gracious about it all. Even when I told him about my experiences with other suitors."

Charlie's mother smiled. "That sounds like my Charlie."

"It wasn't easy to hear her speak of being with other suitors, let me tell you," Charlie interjected. "I was quite happy to hear of her misery on those outings." Charlie's parents laughed at this, and Melody couldn't help but smile.

They continued to eat and talk until finally it was time to leave, and Melody couldn't suppress a yawn. It had been good to be with Charlie's family, however. Her spirits were more uplifted in this small gathering than they had been since Da's death.

They walked Charlie's parents back to the hotel and bid them goodnight. Before they could part company, Abigail Decker spoke up.

"Melody, I wonder if we might spend some time together tomorrow. Just you and me. I know you probably have a lot to do to ready yourself for the wedding, but I would very much like to have some time alone with you. I also have a gift for you."

"You're very kind. I would be happy to see you tomorrow. Charlie, why don't you walk her over to Marybeth's around ten? Marybeth and Carrie will be gone with Edward doing the shopping and such. We can have the entire house to ourselves."

"That sounds wonderful," Mrs. Decker replied. "I promise I won't keep you but an hour or so."

The next morning at exactly ten, Mrs. Decker stood outside on the Vogels' porch. Charlie was at her side, carrying a large box.

"Good morning," Melody said in greeting. She eyed the box and then met Charlie's gaze. "Please come in." She showed them to the front room.

"Charlie, just leave the box on the sofa and go. You can come back for me in an hour."

He deposited the box and kissed his mother's cheek. "I'll see you soon." He then came to Melody and gave her a kiss on her head before heading for the front door.

Melody turned to Abigail Decker and motioned to the empty part of the sofa. "Please have a seat. I'm anxious to know you better."

"As am I to know you. I've long prayed for Charlie to find a wife." She took a seat and added, "And you seem a perfect fit for him and our family."

Melody pulled Marybeth's rocker closer and took a seat. "Why do you say that? You've only just met me."

"I can tell the sincerity of your heart. It's evident in your very nature. You are wholly unspoiled, and it no doubt drew Charlie's attention. He has long despised women who esteem themselves higher than others or demand to be the center of attention. Worse still were the ones who only showed interest in him because his family is wealthy and well-placed in society.

"You seem quite content to blend into a sea of people and draw no attention to yourself, and yet you are the very focus of their concern. I was touched at the number of people who stopped by the table to offer their condolences on your father's passing. It would seem you are both quite loved by this community."

"Da always had a way of making folks comfortable. He was a friend to all and never cared about social standing. Da left me quite an inheritance. He and his brothers had a business together in Ireland, and when Da knew he was dying, he sold his share back to his family. I'm not a pauper coming to Charlie for his money. I have no expectations of Charlie, in fact, except perhaps that he love the Lord."

"I know." She looked at Melody as if she had some special ability to see into her heart. "You are an exceptional young woman, and I believe you and Charlie will have a wonderful marriage." She lifted the box onto her lap. "I hope you don't mind, but when Charlie's father wired me that you were getting married, the first thing that popped into my head was about the wedding itself. Bertram mentioned that it would be a small affair, but I thought it important that you have a special gown for the ceremony. Have you already found one?"

"No, I don't have one. I figured to wear my Sunday clothes. It's not that I couldn't go to one of the shops and buy something. I just didn't feel like it, what with having lost Da. In fact, the last dress I bought was for his funeral."

Mrs. Decker nodded. "Well, I asked Bertram about your size. He said you were my size, and that made it rather simple. I do believe we are very nearly the same."

Melody had thought as much herself. The woman was quite petite and beautiful. Her face bore few wrinkles, and her salt-and-pepper hair seemed complementary rather than a reminder of age.

"Charlie is our last son to marry, and ... well, I just wanted to do something special for you." She removed the box's lid and set it aside. Pushing back the tissue paper, she revealed a gown of embroidered white silk.

"I wanted you to have something lovely to start your new life. You've had your sorrows, and although you will continue to have moments of grief from time to time, I'm hopeful that marriage to my son will bless you with happier days."

Melody was touched by the gift, but more so by Mrs. Decker's words. "You speak as one who knows."

She nodded. "I do. I lost my father the year I turned twenty, and my mother died a year later. I miss them to this day. There are so many times I have wanted to speak to them, show them something, or just be in their presence. With the birth of each of my boys, I wanted more than anything to get my mother's advice ... experience her approval and pride in her grandsons. With my father, I longed for his sage counsel."

Melody smiled. "My father was a wonderful counselor. I think I probably went to him at times when I should have gone to God. I have had moments of worry that God took him from me for that very reason."

"Never. That is not the nature of God. Yes, the Bible says He is a jealous God, but He is fully capable of winning our trust and affection without robbing us of the very loved ones He gave us."

A sense of relief washed over Melody. "It is reassuring to hear you say that. Da was just so very important to me, and without him, I feel a great emptiness. Sometimes the sadness just sweeps over me, and I realize once more that I'll never again have him here to talk to ... to laugh with."

"And for a while, each reminder will be like the first moments after he left you."

"Yes!" Melody said, nodding. It helped so much that Charlie's mother understood.

"Over the years, that will ease, but it will never completely leave you. There will always be moments when he's the only one you long to speak to or share something with. And, my dear, that is quite all right. It neither offends God nor need separate you from Him."

"I'm so glad you came today. I was nervous as to what you might say. After all, we aren't well acquainted." Melody gave the older woman a smile. "But I feel as if we've known each other for a very long time. I feel you can see right into my heart."

"God has put us together for a very important purpose," Mrs. Decker replied. "I have long loved and cared for Charlie, and now I will turn that task over to you. However, just be aware that I will go on loving him, as well as you. Now, why don't you try on this dress, and we'll see if any alterations are needed."

Melody got to her feet. "I feel so very blessed. Here I lost my da, but now I'm gaining another set of parents. I'll once again have a mother and father who care about me. That's a completely unexpected gift, and I will cherish you both."

The next evening, following the church service in which Dr. Scott spoke of God's goodness and mercy, Melody joined Charlie at the front of the church. She had never felt more loved or beautiful. The gown given to her by Charlie's mother was perfect in every way. It was closely fitted in the front with a curved neckline that had been trimmed in delicately embroidered flowers. The sleeves were full to the elbow and then tight to the wrist. There was a full silk skirt with an overlay of lace, and tulle that gathered with a silk train to spill out behind Melody's tiny frame.

Marybeth had arranged her hair in a twist of curls and topped it with the veil that Abigail Decker had included with the gown. The only thing missing had been the shoes, and Granny Taylor had managed to find a pair that were simple but perfect for the outfit.

Meanwhile, Charlie had dressed in a new three-piece suit. The dark gray color suited him and the occasion. Melody wondered if his mother had also brought it from Chicago.

Dr. Scott asked the congregation to stand as he offered prayers for the marriage. Melody was grateful that Charlie's father still held fast to her arm. The warmth of the room, despite the open windows, was causing her to feel a little uneasy. And the gravity of this lifelong decision was rather overwhelming. Even good things could be somewhat unnerving.

Once the prayer was completed, the congregation took their seats and Dr. Scott continued. Charlie's father handed her over to his son and took his seat alongside his wife. Melody thought they were a lovely couple. Both had welcomed her into the family with such affection that she couldn't help loving them in return.

"Friends and family, we are gathered here today to join Charles Decker and Melody Doyle in holy matrimony," Dr. Scott began.

It seemed to only take a moment for them to pledge their lives to one another, and then Charlie was slipping a ring onto her finger.

She was surprised by the ring. They hadn't discussed it at all, and yet Charlie had produced the most beautiful piece, a gold band with a large diamond surrounded by smaller emeralds.

"With this ring, I thee wed," he said, and then leaned forward to whisper, "I thought the emeralds would remind you of Ireland and your father. I know he's smiling down on us today."

Tears pooled in her eyes. She felt her da's presence too. Whether it was just her desire to have him there or if he truly was looking down on them, she wasn't sure. Either way, she knew he would always be a part of their lives.

At the conclusion of the ceremony, Charlie offered her a chaste and gentle kiss before Dr. Scott turned them to face the congregation. "Let us pray.

"Father, we bring to You Charlie and Melody. They have married according to the laws of the land and the spirit of Your Word. May they be blessed and happy. May they serve You all the days of their lives and know Your peace upon their household. In Jesus's name, amen."

Melody and Charlie rode in a small horse-drawn carriage for the drive to their new house. The driver had said nothing to them as they took their seats. He saw them settled, then tipped his hat to them. Soon the horse was in motion to the cheers of the Methodist congregation.

Charlie put his arm around Melody, and she snuggled against him, feeling a great sense of satisfaction.

"I hope you like the surprise my father and mother arranged."

"Another surprise?" she asked, leaning away just a little to see his face. There was hardly enough light to make out anything but his outline. She lay back against him once more. "I think they've done more than enough."

"They have, but they're taking such joy in it that I could hardly say no. I wish you had heard my father as he helped me plan out the school."

"How wonderful that he wants to be a part of it."

"Wonderful and shocking all at the same time," Charlie replied. "I still can't get over the change in him. Only God could have done such a work."

The driver arrived at their house. Someone had gone ahead of them to light lamps. The soft glow emanating from the windows was most welcoming.

Charlie gallantly carried her from the carriage to the front door. With little trouble, he opened the door and carried her inside.

Melody gasped at the scene. The place had been completely changed since she'd seen it last. Someone had papered the entryway and completely furnished it with a receiving table and artwork on the walls.

"This is ... Why, it's ... stunning."

"You can thank Mother for it. She hired an army of people to decorate it in a fashionable way that she thought would suit our needs. She's made the local merchants quite happy with the inventory she demanded." He put Melody down and drew her into the front sitting room. "She somehow knew you liked shades of blue and did this room up accordingly. What do you think?"

Looking around the room at the lovely powder-blue upholstery on the sofa and chairs, as well as the darker blue patterned draperies and white sheers, Melody couldn't have been more pleased.

"I will be exploring this house for days—maybe weeks. It's beautiful."

"Not as beautiful as you are." He turned her to face him. "When I saw you in that dress, it took my breath away. In fact, every time I see you it's like seeing you for the first time."

She smiled up in adoration. "I still can't believe you're mine. What a precious gift from God."

"I was thinking much the same." He pulled her close and ran his hand gently down the side of her face. "I love you, and with all I have, I will endeavor to be a good husband to you and the best friend you could want."

"Oh, Charlie. You will always be my best friend and dearest love." She wrapped her arms around his neck, and Charlie tightened his hold on her for a long and very satisfying kiss.