Chapter 11

Sissy

Christmas Eve morning soon came and was beautiful. A soft blanket of white snow covered the ground, and frost clung to the tree branches. Sissy and Vincent didn't have much time to plan, but she was satisfied with the results. She had made herself a beautiful floor-length beige dress with small pink roses, and a simple, beige lace veil that extended down her back. She had also made a detachable train made into a waistcoat that covered the sleeves and extended to the floor behind her.

As she approached the church with Millie, Harrison, Paul, and the other members of the restaurant and hotel, she noticed that nearly every member of the town was in attendance.

"Are you ready for this?" Millie asked, handing her a bouquet of red poinsettias and greenery.

Sissy nodded, a smile lighting her lips. "I'm nervous, but I'm definitely ready. I love Vincent, and I want to spend the rest of my life with him."

"Very well." Millie smiled as she took a small package out of her reticule. "Then, I'd like you to carry this. It was my mother's. It can be your something borrowed and something blue."

She handed it to Sissy, and she carefully opened it. Inside was a beautiful embroidered handkerchief. "Oh, it's lovely, Millie!" Sissy pulled her in for a hug. "I'll give it back to you after the ceremony."

Millie nodded, tears filling her eyes as she smiled. "I know you will."

Harrison cleared his throat. "Since your father isn't here, I'd like the honor of walking you down the aisle, if you don't mind."

Sissy nodded, tears filling her eyes, touched at the gesture. "I'd like that. Thank you."

"Well…." Millie pulled her in for a dainty hug and kissed her cheek. "We'll go on in. See you inside."

"Thanks again, Millie." She squeezed her hand and watched as she and Paul headed inside.

"Well? Are you ready?" A smile lit Harrison's lips.

"Definitely." Sissy dabbed at her eyes, careful not to smudge her gloves.

Harrison held out his arm. "Then, let's not keep that man of yours waiting."

She took his arm, and he led her into the vestibule of the church and music was playing inside. As they approached, two men opened the huge wooden doors, and the church was filled.

As they stood in the back of the church, "The Bridal Chorus" by Felix Mendelssohn began to play. Everyone stood and watched as Sissy and Harrison walked down the aisle. But the only person Sissy saw was Vincent.

He stood at the front of the church before the altar. Vincent wore a black suit and tie, and a crisp white shirt. His dark hair was combed to perfection, and his shoes were polished until they shone. Dirk stood beside him, also dressed in a nice black suit, and Rev. Henley stood before the altar.

Tears filled her eyes as they approached Vincent.

"Who gives this woman to this man in Holy Matrimony?" Rev. Henley asked.

"I do." Tears filled his eyes as he kissed her cheek, and then placed her hand in Vincent's and then took his place beside Millie.

"We gather here today to witness the joining of this man and this woman in Holy Matrimony." Rev. Henley smiled as he looked out over the crowd. "Should anyone present know of any reason that this couple should not be joined in Holy Matrimony, speak now or forever hold your peace."

Sissy held her breath, thankful that Elmer Webster wasn't there. She was sure he would arrive with the U.S. Marshall sometime soon, but so far, he hadn't. The only thing she wanted was to be able to marry Vincent, and she hoped Mr. Webster did nothing to ruin it.

Satisfied, Rev. Henley nodded, smiling as he turned to Vincent. "Do you, Vincent Micheal Gains, take Sissy Mary Spenser for your lawfully wedded wife, to have and to hold from this day forward, for better or for worse, for richer or for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish, until death do you part?"

"I do." Vincent smiled as he gazed into her eyes.

Rev. Henley nodded. "And do you, Sissy Mary Spenser, take Vincent Michael Gains for your lawfully wedded husband, to have and to hold from this day forward, for better or for worse, for richer or for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish, until death do you part?"

"I do." Tears filled her eyes as she looked into his.

"Do you have a ring?" Rev. Henley asked Vincent and he pulled a lovely ring from his suit coat and handed it to him. Then, Rev. Henley held it out to him. "Place it on her finger and repeat: With this ring, I thee wed."

Vincent took the ring and slid it onto Sissy's finger, sincerity coloring his eyes. "With this ring, I thee wed."

Rev. Henley smiled. "Then, I pronounce you husband and wife." He grinned at Vincent. "You may now kiss your bride."

"I love you, Sissy." So much love filled his eyes that Sissy thought her heart would burst receiving it.

"I love you, too." In fact, she had never loved anyone more in her life than she loved Vincent in this moment.

He gently pressed his lips to hers as passion overtook them both. Everyone laughed and then Rev. Henley cleared his throat and Vincent pulled back, holding her to his side as she blushed.

Rev. Henley chuckled. "May I present for the first time anywhere, Mr. and Mrs. Vincent Gains!"

Just then, the church doors flew open, and Elmer Webster stood in the back of the church, flanked by his brothers and a man who looked to be the U.S. Marshall.

"You married him?" Elmer's voice boomed throughout the church.

"Gentleman, please take it outside," Rev. Henley announced, his smile fading. "This is a house of God."

Elmer glanced over at the U.S. Marshall, and he motioned with his head toward the door.

Vincent sighed. "Well, we knew this day was coming."

Sissy nodded as she slid her hand into his. "Let's get this over with, then."

"Are you ready?" Sheriff Clark asked, flanked by Colton and his wife and children.

"I'll take the children and will meet you back at the house." Ella's voice was low beside Colton.

Colton shook his head, looking deeply into her eyes. "No, wait here inside. I don't want you to go out there with the children."

"Be safe," she said, placing her hand on his cheek and then led the children to a nearby pew.

"Well, shall we?" Colton asked the sheriff, now that his wife and children were safe.

"I'm with you, too," Harrison added, stepping up close, along with Paul and several other men of the community.

"Okay, but no one pulls a gun," Sheriff Clark announced. "We're going to do this peacefully, if I can help it."

"Agreed." Harrison nodded and everyone headed out.

Outside, Elmer and his brothers stood several feet away.

"The name's U.S. Marshall Daniel Dorsey." The U.S. Marshall approached Vincent with Sissy by his side. "Vincent Gains, is it true that you're a member of the Holloway Gang, and you did knowingly robbed banks and committed murder in their name?"

"I was a member of the gang for a short time, but I didn't rob the bank. I held the horses. And I never killed anyone in malice. I killed a man once… to protect the woman I love. It was either her or him, and I had to make a choice, a choice I'll never regret." Vincent gave Sissy's hand a gentle squeeze. "After leaving the gang, I ran and came here to Whiskey River."

"Then, I hereby arrest you for being a member of the Holloway Gang and for being a willing accomplice." U.S. Marshall Dorsey slapped a pair of handcuffs on him behind his back, breaking Sissy's heart.

"Wait a minute, Marshall." Daxton Clark approached. "Vincent, would you be willing to give up the other members of your gang in exchange for immunity?"

Vincent's eyebrows rose. "Yes, of course."

Sheriff Clark nodded as he turned toward the U.S. Marshall. "Then, may I suggest you leave Vincent here in our care while this mess is sorted out? I'll personally vouch for him."

"As will I," Colton chimed in.

"Me, too," Harrison added.

"And I will, too," Dirk replied, smiling.

The U.S. Marshall nodded thoughtfully. "Vincent, you do realize that these men are putting their freedom and reputation on the line for you, don't you?"

Vincent nodded. "Yes, sir."

"Well, let me be clear," Daniel Dorsey said sternly. "If I call you to court and you refuse to appear, then these men who vouched for you will be arrested until you can be found and returned. Do you understand?"

"Yes, sir." Vincent held his head high, his arm firmly around Sissy's waist. "But I don't plan on going anywhere."

The U.S. Marshall sucked in through his teeth, thinking as he looked around. "Then, I hereby release you to the custody of Sheriff Clark." Everyone cheered as he removed the handcuffs from Vincent. "Mr. Gains, you are a very lucky man to have such good friends. See that you don't disappoint them."

"I won't, sir." Vincent lifted Sissy into his arms and spun her around as everyone cheered.

"Wait!" Elmer stormed toward them as everyone took a step back, giving him a wide berth. "She was to be my wife! She's my mail-order bride!"

U.S. Marshall Dorsey chuckled. "Well, it looks like you're too late, mister." He tipped his hat toward Vincent and Sissy. "Congratulations to you both."

"Now, wait a minute—"

"Does she owe you any money that you spent on a matchmaker or on train fare for the lady?" The U.S. Marshall's eyebrows rose.

"No, she paid me back for the train fare," Elmer mumbled. "And there wasn't a matchmaker."

"Then, you no longer have a claim on the lady." Daniel Dorsey smiled. "I hereby proclaim the matter closed." Then he folded his burly arms over his broad chest. "Now. I suggest you leave these nice folks alone so they can enjoy their wedding. And, may I remind you that if you cause any trouble while you're here, I'll lock you up myself in Laramie and will throw away the key!"

Everyone laughed.

"That's not fair!" Elmer kicked the snow, resembling more of a spoiled child than a grown man. "Come on boys!"

They mounted their horses and headed out as everyone cheered.

"Thank you, Marshall." Vincent smiled as he shook his hand.

"Don't thank me." He winked, a smile lighting his lips. "Thank Sheriff Clark here and the good people of Whiskey River. If it wasn't for the sheriff, I'd be forced to take you back with me."

"Thank you." Then, Vincent turned to Daxton. "Sheriff, I can't thank you enough for what you did."

Daxton shook his hand. "Just make sure you don't leave town until this mess with the Holloway Gang is over." He released him and gave him a manly slap on the arm. "Congratulations on your new bride!"

"That's right, everyone!" Harrison smiled as he turned to the crowd. "Come to the restaurant! We have a wedding to celebrate!"

"Ready?" Vincent asked Sissy, giving her hand a gentle squeeze.

"Definitely."

Even though she wished her father could be there with her on her wedding day, she knew that both her parents were there in spirit. And as she walked across the snow-covered street headed toward the restaurant with her new husband, Sissy knew she was the luckiest woman on earth, for she had just received the best Christmas present of all… a family.