Chapter 15

15

T he July heat in the small room off the sanctuary of the church, where the women waited, forced Lorinda to remove her jacket. Mrs. Oleson opened both windows, then the door a small crack so they could hear every word. She broke out a folded fan and used it to stir the air around Lorinda.

Waiting was never easy, and today, the pastor seemed more long-winded than ever. She had no idea what he said. All she could think about was what would come after the service. Even with all the heat, her stomach felt as if a large lump of ice had crystallized there, chilling her insides while a drop of sweat made its slow way down her spine. She hoped the beautiful clothes wouldn't be ruined.

"Amen." The last word of the preacher's prayer penetrated Lorinda's attention.

"Oh, my goodness." She turned toward Mrs. Oleson. "I've got to put on my jacket."

The other woman helped her slip her arms into the sleeves and then worked the pearl buttons through the tight buttonholes.

"I have a special announcement." Pastor Nelson's smile shone through his tone. "You are all invited to stay and witness the marriage between our good friend Franklin Vine and his beautiful bride Lorinda Sullivan."

A few surprised gasps could be heard. But most of the people already knew about this wedding. They had even helped prepare the reception to be held in the school building. Lorinda figured those who were surprised must live the farthest from Breckenridge.

"After the ceremony," the pastor continued. "We will have a wedding luncheon in the schoolhouse. Many of you brought food to share, but if you didn't, you're still invited. With our church-wide meals, there's always enough for extra people. Help us celebrate with this well-loved couple."

Lorinda didn't feel "well-loved." Many of these people had never met her.

"If any of you need to leave now, I'm sure everyone will understand."

After the final words from the preacher, Lorinda listened for footsteps on the wooden floor, but none came. Evidently, everyone chose to stay for the festivities.

"Let's go out in the narthex." Mrs. Oleson waited for her. "The sanctuary doors are closed. Mary will start playing the ‘Wedding March.' It's become popular with brides for the walk down the aisle."

Lorinda had never heard about that or any of the other various and sundry things about weddings, and she wasn't sure she would be able to walk down that aisle alone.

"I'm going to stand in for your father and accompany you." Tears glistened in her dear friend's eyes. "You feel like the daughter I never had." Mrs. Oleson leaned over and pressed a soft kiss to her cheek.

Lorinda took a deep breath and slowly released it.

At least someone besides her son loved her.

Franklin stood at the front of the church, his gaze trained on the double doors at the back of the sanctuary. Rusty stood beside him, to be his best man. He surely was a better man than the traitor who was supposed to serve the post in his wedding to Miriam. He tried to shake that horrible memory out of his head.

That was the past. This was for the future.

Mary Nelson took her place at the piano. Everything was quiet and the people sat still, except for most of the ladies battling the heat with their fans.

He took a deep breath and slowly let it out.

The first notes of music brought his attention back to the double doors. Two of the men slowly opened them, revealing a sight that took his breath away.

Lorinda was more beautiful than any woman he'd ever known in his life. Dressed in blue and white that enhanced all her physical charms, she looked as nervous as he felt.

When Mary played a section of the music louder, Mrs. Oleson walked down the aisle holding Lorinda's arm. His bride carried a bouquet of mountain wildflowers. He'd always loved the summer blossoms, but her loveliness outshone them.

His throat felt dry, but his palms weren't. He wanted to wipe them on his trousers, but he refrained. He couldn't take his eyes from the vision of loveliness approaching him. How in the world would he keep his promise to her to not want a husband's physical rights?

Her outward appearance wasn't the only thing that drew him to her. Over the time she'd spent in his home, he knew she had a tender heart. She was a good mother, and her presence brightened every room she entered. Her love for the Lord was contagious.

As the two women reached the front of the church, Franklin let out a breath he hadn't realized he was holding. He still couldn't take his eyes off her.

His pastor and friend went through all the formalities of the ceremony. He asked who was giving the bride, and Franklin's dear housekeeper placed Lorinda's hand in his before settling on the front pew. Both of them answered the questions when Brian asked them. After speaking about the sanctity of marriage, the pastor asked if there were rings.

Rusty dropped the ring Franklin had bought for Lorinda into his hand, and Mrs. Oleson placed a golden circle beside it. He wondered where that came from. He'd have to ask her later. Right now, she was slipping Lorinda's left glove from her hand.

Lorinda glanced up at him as he eased the ring on her trembling finger and repeated the words the pastor led him through. Then her gaze dropped to the jewels that adorned her hand.

When her time came to put the ring on his finger, she shook so hard, she couldn't get it past his knuckle. He grasped her fingers with his other hand and helped her move it into place. A strange tingle shot up his arm.

Finally, the minister pronounced them husband and wife.

"What God has brought together, let no man put asunder." Brian smiled at each of them. "You may now kiss your bride."

Without a pause, Franklin reached for the bottom of the veil that stretched across her face. Gently, he peeled it back far enough to uncover her ripe cherry lips. He planned to barely touch them. As if they had a mind of their own, his lips settled against her soft mouth. Heat rushed through his body like a wildfire. He thrust his fingers into the silky curls to hold her even closer.

A kiss had never touched him with the depth that this one did. He wanted it to go on forever.

When Pastor Nelson uttered the last words, Lorinda expected Franklin to maybe drop a kiss on her forehead or cheek. She wasn't prepared for the touch of his lips on hers. Never had she felt the strong emotions that rushed through her.

His fingers caressed her head, and her arms, of their own accord, slid around his waist. She barely noticed the tinkling sound of hairpins hitting the wooden floor. The racing thrum of her heartbeat almost obliterated it. Rock-hard muscles flexed under her fingertips. She lost herself in the amazement that flooded her. A new awakening shook her deep inside. She never wanted the kiss to end, but it must. If he doesn't want our marriage to be real, why is he kissing me like this? Her whole body flooded with fire.

When she slowly moved back from her new husband, he let her go, and she felt bereft. Finally, she realized they were standing in front of the whole congregation. No one had moved, and every eye was on the two of them.

Since some of her curls now lay against her neck, she figured her hat must be askew as well. The heat of a blush raced up her neck and across her cheeks. How would she ever face everyone again after that intimate display?

Then some woman clapped her gloved hands. Soon everyone joined the applause, and some of the cowboys hooted and stomped their feet. Someone even whistled.

Mary Nelson started playing a lively tune as Franklin led Lorinda back up the aisle. When they reached the narthex, he stopped.

He stared down at her. "I'm sorry if I embarrassed you."

"It's all right." She had to force the words out.

Nothing would ever be right again.

Even though the schoolhouse wasn't far from the church, a buggy with blue bows and streamers tied to it awaited them when they went out the door. Most of the congregation lined the road, and the clapping, hooting, and whistles accompanied them as Rusty drove them slowly toward the other building with its two storeys and tall bell tower.

Lorinda had read about parades with dignitaries and royalty. She felt like a princess as she saw each smiling face. She once again glanced at the ring her husband had slipped on her finger. A blue stone she assumed was a sapphire was set in gold with tiny diamonds surrounding it. She wondered if this had also belonged to Franklin's mother.

Most of the crowd made its way into the schoolhouse while Franklin helped her down from the buggy. His hands spanned her waist, burning an imprint of their presence. When she was steady on her own feet, he possessively placed his hand in the middle of her back as they walked toward the doorway. He was playing the part of an adoring husband too well.

"Congratulations." Rusty took off his hat and held it over his heart. "I'm mighty proud to know you, ma'am, and I know you'll make the boss happy."

She gave a quick nod toward the earnest cowboy. What would he think if he knew the truth?

An enormous amount of food covered the tables set up along one side of the room. Lorinda didn't feel hungry, but the wonderful fragrances of fresh-cooked vegetables, meats, and warm cakes and pies wafted through the warm air.

"This could be a long afternoon. We need to eat something first. I think they have several things in mind for the celebration." Franklin gave her a plate and picked up one for himself.

As they walked beside the table, he recommended his favorites to her. So many things to choose from–roast, fried chicken, ham. Various cooked vegetables were right beside sliced fresh tomatoes and salad. On a separate table, a tall layer cake was covered with some kind of white fluffy frosting.

"That's our wedding cake." Franklin's whispered words were accompanied by warm breath against her ear. She hadn't realized he was so close behind her.

She had often enjoyed viewing the turning patterns of the kaleidoscope that rested on a table in the parlor at the ranch. With all the colors and patterns moving around her, she felt as if she were in the middle of one right now. For a moment, dizziness gripped her and she swayed.

Franklin grabbed her plate before she dropped it. Leaving his sitting on the edge of the table, he led her to a chair beside a table near the wedding cake.

"Are you too warm?" Concern colored his tone.

He glanced around, looking for something. She didn't know what.

Mrs. Oleson noticed them and rushed to where they were. "Is something the matter, Franklin?"

"Lorinda needs more air and something cool to drink."

"I'll see about it." She gave them both a smile. "You just take care of your precious wife."

Precious wife? If only she were.

Mrs. Oleson went around the room opening the windows all the way. She also opened the door. Then she came back with several of the women wielding fans.

Franklin knelt beside her chair. "Let me help you slip off your jacket. You'll be more comfortable that way."

"I can do it." Knowing his fingers could accidentally brush against her, she didn't want him unbuttoning her jacket, so she quickly finished that task.

She did let him help pull it from her arms. Now she felt cooler, and the moving fans that almost surrounded her created quite a breeze.

Franklin left and soon returned with his full plate. He took the chair beside her, then turned toward the women around her. "Thank you so much for helping, but I think I can take care of her from here."

Mrs. Oleson returned with a tall glass of iced lemonade. "A shipment of lemons arrived on yesterday's train. Chris Kaiser over at the Market let us have the whole shipment for today's reception, and there's plenty of ice in the ice house."

"Thank you, I'm much better now." Lorinda did feel better–calmer and cooler.

If only her hair wasn't in such disarray. When she reached to feel how messed up it could be, not a hairpin remained, only the hatpin that held the hat atop her head.

"Here, let me." Franklin reached toward the hat before she could stop him.

He quickly removed it, and all her curls fell around her shoulders and down her back.

"I have an idea." He jumped up and hurried through the door.

He soon returned with a length of blue ribbon in his hand. He deftly pulled her hair back and tied it at the nape of her neck with the streamer. Memories of how rough her father had been when he combed and braided her hair after her mother died contrasted with Franklin's gentleness. She felt him tie a bow and wondered what it looked like. It didn't matter. With most of her hair up off of her neck, she was even cooler.

As they finished eating, people started bringing gifts to their table. Lorinda opened each one and thanked the giver. More embroidered sheets, pillowcases, and towels than she'd ever imagined owning. Some people brought baskets filled with their own specialties–jams, fruit breads, a handwritten book of family receipts so Lorinda had more choices of what to cook, cuttings from fruit trees, seeds for flowers, so many things she almost couldn't keep up with them.

Mrs. Oleson had arrived near the beginning and made notes of who gave which gifts. Lorinda looked forward to expressing her thanks to the generous people with the thank you notes she'd been told about during the wedding preparations.

Soon the owner of the Arlington House hotel stood before them. "I've got a gift for your wedding night." He gave a smug smile. "I know you'll enjoy it."

Lorinda hoped so. So far every gift had been special to her.

"Franklin, remember when I turned two of the rooms into a special suite for those men from back East that were coming out here to see about buying the larger mines for their companies? I fixed it up real fancy for them."

"Yes, you showed me after you'd finished it. Looked real nice."

Lorinda wondered where this was leading.

"Well, you and your pretty wife–" He smiled straight at her. "–can spend your wedding night there, free of charge." He put his thumbs under his suspender straps and rocked up on his toes and down again.

Wedding night? That's what they got for not telling the truth about their marriage. In a hotel alone with Franklin overnight? No...no…no...never!