Dorothy Garlock - [Route 66] (39 page)

She laid Goldie’s letter aside before she locked the tin box. “I want Alvin to see this.”

While breakfast was being readied by Grace and Mona, Brady and Margie drew Alvin aside and gave him Goldie’s letter to read.

“I can see now what was eating at the man,” Alvin said after he had read the letter and put it back in the envelope. “As far as I can tell, you’ve got a clear title to everything he had, Margie. And I must say that I’m glad. I hated to think of his belongings going to a woman who had run off and left him.”

“We’re going to be married tomorrow in Gallup and go to Colorado,” Brady said. “We wanted you to know before we made the announcement to the others.”

“Congratulations to both of you.” Alvin held out his hand. “We’ll miss you on the rest of the trip.”

“From what I’ve seen of Wills and Taylor, you’ve got good men with you in case of trouble. I’d not leave you otherwise.”

Alvin took off his hat and scratched his head. “Ah … do you plan to take the truck?”

Brady looked at Margie. “You tell him, honey.”

“We don’t need it. I’m going to see if Jody would like to buy it. He can use it in the ice business you and Mr. Luker will start, and he can pay me in installments.”

Alvin seemed relieved. “If the Lukers can’t see their way clear to buy it, I will and hire Jody to drive it the rest of the way. We were counting on having that truck when we started the business.”

Jody was dumbstruck when Margie asked him if he wanted to buy the truck.

“Buy … the truck?” he stammered.

“I’m not a bit worried that you won’t send the payments.”

“Oh, I would. I want to talk to Pa. Back in a minute.”

He was back in not much more than a minute with a hundred-dollar bill rolled up in his hand.

“Pa says I can borrow the money from him to pay for it and pay him back five dollars a month when I’m hired to work for him and Alvin.” He had a wide grin on his face. “I can’t believe that I’m the owner of a truck! I mean me and Pa are the owners until I get it paid for.”

“I’m glad you will have it, Jody. Can I give you a kiss?”

“Yes, ma’am!”

“Hey, wait a minute,” Brady said. “This is getting out of hand.”

After congratulations had been passed around, Alvin led the caravan out of the campground. For Brady and Margie it was the last time. With Anna Marie still asleep on the back-seat, Margie sat close to Brady and they talked about the trip.

“So much has happened since we all met. The best part was meeting you and falling in love.” Margie turned sideways in the seat and hugged Brady’s arm. “The worst part was the storm and Elmer being killed.”

“Foley might have thought the worst part was Sugar running off, but I doubt that he thinks so now. He seems a different man than when we started out.”

“If not for you, the men up there in Oklahoma would have robbed us and taken Mona. I wonder what happened to them?”

“They’re probably still hanging around campgrounds stealing from folks who already are as poor as Job’s turkey.”

The sixty-three miles between Grants and Gallup went by fast even with one stretch of the highway unfinished. The caravan pulled into a campground at Gallup shortly after noon.

“This is your wedding day, sweetheart,” Brady said when he parked the car behind the truck. “Will you mind being married in the courthouse?”

“We’ll be just as married as if we said our vows in a great cathedral.” She looked at him with tender, loving eyes.

“I told Alvin that I was getting a motor court cabin for our first night together. Grace and Mona will keep Anna Marie, so I’ll have you all to myself. Why are you blushing, honey?”

“I … I don’t know.”

Brady laughed and kissed her on the nose. “By the end of the day you will be Mrs. Brady Hoyt.”

After Brady had rented a cabin in a court not far from the campground, he left Margie and Mona at a department store and went on to the courthouse to make arrangements for the wedding.

For the first time in her life Margie bought the dress she wanted without first having to consider the cost. The white dress had a full skirt, short puffed sleeves, a round neckline and a wide sash of pink satin. She bought silk stockings and white pumps. Then with Mona giggling and her blushing, she bought a white satin nightgown with a lace bodice.

When Brady picked the girls up outside the store, he’d had a haircut and shave and was wearing a new shirt and britches. His scuffed boots had been polished. The marriage license was in his pocket.

“What did you buy?”

“A dress and shoes.”

“Tell him what else,” Mona whispered.

“Oh, you blabbermouth.”

Grace, Mrs. Taylor and Mrs. Wills were making preparations for the wedding supper when Brady and Margie took Mona back to the campground. Jody and Rusty had found a bakery and bought a cake. The two of them and Mona were going to the courthouse with Margie and Brady to be witnesses.

At the cabin Brady parked at the side and produced a key to unlock the door.

“It’s not fancy, sweetheart.”

“It’s private, and that’s wonderful. We’ll stay at a fancy place on our anniversary.”

“Get ready, honey. I’ve got one more thing to do. I’ll be back in about half an hour. We have to be at the courthouse before six.”

Margie ran water in the bathtub for her first full bath since leaving Deke’s Garage. She hurriedly bathed, dressed and added a touch of rouge to her cheeks and color to her lips. She wished she’d had time to wash her hair, but had to settle for a vigorous brushing.

She was ready when Brady knocked on the door. She opened it and backed away. He stood looking at her, a proud smile on his face.

“Ah … sweetheart. A man never had a prettier bride.”

“Thank you. You’re … kind of pretty yourself.”

He came to her, kissed her carefully on the lips, then pulled a tiny box from his pocket, opened it and held up a chain with a small heart hanging from it.

“My gift to you on our wedding day. Turn around, darlin’, so I can put it on.”

Margie blinked rapidly. “I don’t have anything for you.”

“You’re giving me you. Nothing could top that.” He fastened the chain around her neck and kissed the nape.

“Thank you. I’ll treasure it always.” She turned and kissed his lips.

“Ready to go?” His voice was husky with emotion. “Jody’s here. We’re going to the courthouse in Foley’s car, so I won’t have to unload mine.”

She gave him her hand, and they went out the door.

“Stay right there,” Mona called. She was waiting by the car with a Kodak. “You’ve got to have a picture taken on your wedding day.”

“Smile, honey. We’ll have it enlarged and hang it on the wall.”

“Wedding pictures are usually of the woman sitting down and the man standing behind her.”

“You know why that is, don’t you?”

“No. Why?”

“I’ll tell you after we’re married. Now smile.”

Mona took several, then Brady helped Margie into the backseat of the car, where she found a bouquet of white roses.

In the cabin next door Sugar looked over her shoulder to where Homer lay naked on the bed. They had followed the caravan to Gallup. When it stopped so early and when Brady rented a cabin at the motor court, Sugar thought that maybe someone was sick.

“Well, dog my cats. The cowboy and the bitch are getting married, or my name isn’t Sugar Wadsworth Corning Hudspeth Williamson Luker. That’s why they stopped early.”

“What are ya talkin’ ’bout?”

“Come look. She’s all dolled up in a white dress.”

Homer peered out the window. “Well, shit, little pussy. This couldn’t be better. When he drove in here, I thought he was just goin’ to shack up with her for the night.” Homer got up and put his pants on.

“What are you going to do?”

“I’m goin’ to shag my ass over there while they’re gone and see if the key to our door fits theirs. This is a streak of luck, little puss. I’m goin’ to screw his bride while ya hold the gun on him. I want to see his face when I rip into her.”

“Are you out of your mind?”

“Jealous, little slut? There’ll be plenty left for you.”

“They’ll recognize you.”

“I sure as hell hope so. I want the son of a bitch to know who’s screwin’ his bride.” He came up behind her, reached around and pinched her nipple.

“You’re goin’ to kill them, aren’t you?”

“Sugar tittie, yo’re as dumb as dogshit. Almost as dumb as old Chester.” He opened the door, looked both ways, then slithered out and around the corner.

Sugar felt a tremor of fear go down her spine. At times her young lover was a cold, vicious little bastard. Even though she knew he could turn on her in a second, she also knew that she was in love for the first time in her life; and when all was said and done, she would do exactly what he told her to do.

Chapter 30

A
NNA MARIE WAS A BUNDLE OF EXCITEMENT
when Margie and Brady returned to the campground after being married. She wore the clean dress Margie had left for her. Grace had brushed her hair and entwined ribbons in her braids.

The wedding cake sat on a cloth-covered makeshift table. Surrounding it were platters of sandwiches. On a keg beside the table was a crock of lemonade, and on the kerosene stove the large coffeepot was sending up a plume of steam. The bride and groom stepped out of the car to a round of applause. Happy to have an excuse to celebrate, other campers had joined those from the caravan to make this a festive occasion for the couple.

Happy tears flooded Margie’s eyes. These people were the nearest to a family she had ever known. She glanced up to find her new husband beaming. He knelt down and opened his arms when Anna Marie ran to him.

“Uncle Brady! We’re gonna have cake. Aunt Grace made lemonade. See my ribbons?”

Brady laughed, hugged her and set her on her feet. She went directly to Margie.

“Aunt Grace said you’re my Aunt Margie now.”

“I guess that’s right. I married your Uncle Brady.”

She pulled Margie down so she could whisper in her ear. “I wanted you to be my mama.”

“Oh, honey. You can call me that if you want to. You and I and your Uncle Brady are going to make a home together. Tomorrow we’re going to his ranch in Colorado. I’ll tell you all about it later.”

“Can I tell Lucy?”

“Sure you can.”

Mona insisted on taking a picture of the table and one of Margie and Brady standing behind the cake before the sun went down. That done, she talked nonstop about the ceremony in the judge’s chamber that made Brady and Margie man and wife and insisted that Margie show the gold band Brady had put on her finger.

Mrs. Wills held Mrs. Taylor’s baby while she helped Grace with the table. The nearby campers had been invited, and those who came brought an assortment of food: deviled eggs, potato salad, pickled peaches.

By the time the meal was over and the table cleared, it was near dark. Lanterns were hung, and a place was cleared for dancing. Alvin got out his violin and Rusty his guitar.

“I can’t dance in these shoes,” Margie whispered to Brady, who had not left her side.

“I’ll get your moccasins out of the truck.”

When Alvin’s voice boomed that the first dance was for the bride and groom, Rusty began to play “I Love You Truly” on the violin. Grace and Alvin sang in perfect harmony. Smiling, Brady took Margie’s hand, and they began to dance.

“I love you truly,” he whispered in her ear.

“I love you too.” Margie floated dreamily in the arms of her new husband.

The dance ended with more applause. When the music started again, Alvin played the violin, and several couples, including Rusty and Mona, began to dance. Later, after Rusty had danced with the bride, his mother and Mona again, he took the fiddle so Alvin could dance with the bride, then with Grace.

Harry Wills, who had brought a pillow and tucked it behind his wife’s back, squatted on his heels beside her. His alert eyes swept back and forth around the area. A nagging unease was at the back of his mind, and he was determined to speak to Alvin about it as soon as the festivities were over.

Out of respect for the other campers Alvin put a stop to the party after a couple of hours.

“Many of the campers,” he explained, “will be on the road before daylight and need their sleep.”

With Margie’s hand tucked in his, Brady stood with her beside Alvin.

“My wife and I want to thank you for the reception, for your good wishes and for helping to make our wedding day so festive. Now, as every one of you who has been a bridegroom knows—I want to be alone with my wife!”

Whoops and hollers greeted the statement. Margie hid her face against Brady’s arm. Grinning broadly, Brady put his arm around her as they went to say good night to Anna Marie before leaving for the cabin. Mona and Rusty were standing close together at the end of the truck.

“She’s already asleep,” Mona said.

“Thank you for looking after her tonight. Tell Jody that when we come back in the morning, I’ll take my things out of the truck. Rusty, I love your new song. I’ll be listening for you on the radio.”

“Don’t hold your breath. California is probably full of singers.”

“Not as good as you.”

“It’s what I’ve been telling him,” Mona said.

“Is that what you’ve been doing?” Brady teased. “All this time I thought you were standing over here kissing.”

“I notice you’ve been doing your share,” Rusty retorted.

“It’s going to be hard to say good-bye in the morning.” Margie, suddenly tearful, put an arm around Mona.

“We can keep in touch. Maybe someday Mona and I can come visit.”

“Really?” Mona said. Then again, “Really?”

Rusty laughed and pulled Mona to him. “You can never tell. I know one thing: I’m not letting this woman get away from me.”

“Oh, I hope you do come see us—together.”

“So do I,” Mona said, and laid her head on Rusty’s shoulder.

“Come on, honey.” Brady pulled Margie away. “We’d better go so they can smooch.”

“Thanks, Brady,” Rusty said. “I knew you’d understand.”

“Darn right, I do. I want to smooch with my wife.”

Jody, who had struck up an acquaintance with a girl from another camp, had offered to drive them to the cabin. Not wanting to cut short Jody’s time with the girl, Brady and Margie had decided to walk the short distance.