The Widow Finds Love (Mail Order Bride Series) (7 page)

Friday and Saturday were days of getting acquainted with each other.  Sarah paid particular attention to Cassie, but was careful that Rebecca got her share of attention.
 

Saturday morning found Sarah and the girls dusting the living room.  “Cassie, I want you to understand something.  I am going to be your Mama, but I will never be your mother.  Do you understand the difference?”

“No ma’am, not really” she said.

“Ruth was and is your mother.  She gave birth to you and will always be a part of you.  I can never take that place.  Nor do I want to.  On the other hand, I am going to be your Mama, and take care of you, try to keep you healthy.  I will always love you and be here if you need me.  I want you to know and understand that.”

“Rebecca, I’m your mother and your Mama.  I will always love and take care of you.  I am here when and if you need me too.  I want both of you girls to understand that.  There will be no favorites.  Now get out of here, and let me get some work done.”

As they walked away, Sarah heard Cassie tell Rebecca, “I really like your mother.  She is really nice.”

“I know,” said Rebecca.

Clint walked into the kitchen.  “What was that all about?” he asked.

“Oh nothing, just girl talk.  What would you like for your lunch?”

“Whatever you have is fine with me,” he said.

“Why don’t we have Arthur and Suzy for dinner after the wedding?” she asked.

“We can’t do that,” he said.  “She beat you to the punch, and asked us to their house.  She also offered to keep the girls Sunday night so we can have some privacy on our wedding night.”

“How thoughtful of her,” Sarah said.  “Unless you think it would hurt her feelings, I would like for us to all be together.  The girls are going to be as much a part of our marriage as either of us.  I would like for them to be included from the beginning.”

“I’m sure she will understand.  I’ll tell her,” he said.

“Let me do it,” Sarah said.  “I want to explain my feelings, and my appreciation.  She is a thoughtful lady.”

What are you going to wear tomorrow?” she asked.  “Does it need ironing?  If you get it out, I’ll go over it and make sure it’s okay.”

He went to his bedroom and returned with a dark suit, that showed very little use.  When she looked it over, 
This hasn’t been worn very much.  Probably not since since Ruth’s funeral. 

“
This doesn’t show much use.  Are you sure you will be all right wearing it?”

“It’s the nicest thing I own, and I want to look good for our wedding,” he said.

“I understand why you’re doing it, but it would be just the same if you wore blue jeans and a white shirt.”

“I appreciate that, but I’ll be all right.”  He pointed to a yellow floral print dress draped across a chair waiting for her to iron it.  That’s a real pretty dress.   I’ll bet it will look good.”

“Mama made it for me,” she said.  “She’s very good with a needle and thread.  She made the dress Rebecca will be wearing also.

“I need to see if Cassie’s dress needs attention.”  She turned, went down the hall to the bedroom, paused and knocked. 

Cassie came to the door.  “Would you like for me to iron the dress you’re going to wear for church and the wedding tomorrow?” Sarah asked.

“Yes ma’am.  I’ll get it.”  She turned and walked back into the room, while Sarah remained in the hall.  Cassie returned with a blue gingham print dress,  “Do you think this will be all right?” she asked.

“Why don’t you try it on and let me take a look at it.  May I come in?” she asked.

“You don’t have to ask that,” Cassie said.

“Actually, I do.  Unless it’s an emergency, I won’t come into your room unless you or Rebecca invite me.  A girl needs to have her secrets, and I respect that.  Now let’s see how it looks.”

Cassie changed into the dress.  “Is it okay?”

“Turn around and let me see the back, too,” Sarah said.  Cassie spun around.  “You’ve grown a little bit since this was made.  I’ll need to let the hem down a bit and see if I can get a little more room under the arms.  We will need to get some cloth and I’ll make you some new things.”

“Can we?  I would like that.  I wear the same thing to school all the time.  My shoes are a little tight, too.”

“I’ll get some material the next time we go to the general store.  I made Rebecca some new clothes before we came out here, so she’s okay.

“Are you as excited about tomorrow as I am?” she asked Cassie.

“I bet I’m more excited than Papa even.  I’ve wanted it for a long time and now it’s going to happen tomorrow.”  She threw her arms around Sarah and said, “I love you Mama.  I’m glad Papa’s going to marry you.”  She hugged Rebecca too.  “I love you too, Rebecca.  I’m glad you’re going to be my sister.”

“I’m glad too,” Rebecca said.  “I never had a sister before.”

At the church…

Clint introduced Sarah and Rebecca to the Reverend Wells and his wife.  Then he began introducing her to the other congregants.  She was greeted warmly by all she met, and welcomed into the church.

Suzy, Arthur and their boys arrived shortly after Clint and Sarah.  “Are you ready for your big day?” Suzy asked.

“I am indeed,” Sarah said.  “We are all ready.  By the way, thank you for the vegetables.  They made a welcome addition to the table.  Clint says they have it all over the beans he and Cassie have been having.

“I need to get some plants in the ground for our garden, so I’ll have some vegetables to can.  Your growing season is longer than ours was,” she said.

“I would caution you about the heat.  August can be brutal and the plants won’t thrive in it.  You might start some of them in the house and then move them out in September. 

“Are you all settled in?” Suzy asked.

“Rebecca is set, thanks to Cassie.  I’ll begin getting my things put away tomorrow.”
 

“You aren’t in that tiny bedroom, are you?” 
Suzy asked incredulously.

“Actually, I am.  I told Clint I would prefer to wait until after the wedding to move into the master bedroom, and bless his heart, he agreed with me,” Sarah said.

“I assumed you’d be in there from the git-go,” Suzy said.

“I guess I’m a bit old fashioned,” Sarah said.  “Also, I didn’t want to send the wrong signals to the girls.”

“They wouldn’t have known the difference,”
Suzy said.

“Probably not, but I would have.  At any rate, today is the day and we will be together the rest of our lives.”

The piano began playing and the Reverend Wells was in the pulpit.  Grace, the wife of the reverend led the congregation in the opening hymn.  After the prayer, the preacher read a few general announcements and invited the congregation to the wedding of “our own Clint Thomas” and Mrs. Sarah Hutchison immediately following the service.

The sermon ended, the invitational hymn was sung, and the regular services closed with a prayer.  Reverend Wells asked the participants in the wedding services to come forward.  Sarah, Clint, Rebecca and Cassie came to the altar and faced the preacher.  “Sarah and Clint have met all of the church requirements, as well as the legal ones.  Sarah is  a member of the Yorkville, South Carolina Baptist Church, and they have the proper license.”

He went through the ceremony, then asked “If anyone can show cause why this couple should not be wed, let them speak now or forever hold their peace.  Clint, Sarah, please join hands.”

“Clint, do you take Sarah to be your lawful wedded wife, forsaking all others, to love, honor and cherish for as long as you both may live?”

In a strong voice, Clint responded, “I do.”

“Do you, Sarah, take Clint to be your lawful wedded husband, forsaking all others, to love, honor and cherish for as long as you both may live?”

“I do,” she responded.

“By the power vested in me by the Almighty God and the great state of Texas, I pronounce you man and wife.  Clint you may kiss your bride.”

Clint took Sarah in his arms, and kissed her firmly on the mouth.  “Ladies and Gentlemen, I present to you, Mr. and Mrs. Clint Thomas.”

The congregation came forward to offer their congratulations and best wishes.  There were smiles, hugs and handshakes from everyone.  There was no bigger smile in the church than the one on the happy face of Cassie Thomas. 

She had a Mama…

Clint’s sister and her husband had offered to keep Cassie and Rebecca overnight so Clint and Sarah would have the evening and night to themselves.  “
Suzy, I appreciate your offer to keep the girls tonight, I really do, but this is a special evening in their lives and I would like to share the evening with them.  I hope you’re not offended, and I don’t intend to do so.  Cassie as well as Rebecca have waited so long, and for Rebecca it has been nearly seven years, and I want them to realize how important they are to us.”

“How could we be offended when you want to have your children close on this special night?  I think it is wonderful you are putting them first.  It’s a grand gesture.  I’ll make another offer, anytime you need a free evening, bring them over.  I’d be delighted to give you a night off.

“You are coming to dinner with us, aren’t you?” Suzy asked.

“Yes, we are looking forward to it.  We’ll follow you home.”

“Good,” Suzy said. “We’re going to have one of Clint’s favorites… fried chicken.”

* * *

At the Johnson farm…

Under a threat of dire punishment, Suzy’s two boys were on their best behavior.  There was no hair pulling, and no chasing.  Cassie was protective of Rebecca hovering close by to ensure no harassment.  She sidled up to Clint and said, “Papa, can we go home soon?”

“It won’t be too long honey.  We’re just going to talk for a little while then we’ll be going,” he said.

Suzy was telling Sarah about some of the trouble she and Clint had gotten into as youngsters.  “It’s a wonder we survived,” she said.  “We nearly drove Mama up the wall.  Mama would finally tell us, “Just wait until your Papa gets home.”  Papa was easy.  I could get away with anything, but poor Clint always got caught.”

Clint stood, “Sarah, are you about ready to head for home?”

“I am,” she said.  “Suzy, this has been great.  You will have to come over for dinner next time.  Arthur, thanks for having us.

“Girls, are you ready to go?” she called out.

“Yes ma’am,” came the immediate response from Cassie.

Clint retrieved the horse from the barn and hitched him to the wagon.  He boosted Rebecca into the wagon and then held Cassie’s hand as she stepped onto the wheel and into the wagon box.  He took Sarah’s elbow and helped her to the seat before climbing up himself.  A chorus of goodbyes, and then final waves and they were on their way home, a short ride away.

Inside, Clint changed into his everyday clothes and started out to do the milking, and feeding the livestock.  Before he made it to the door, Sarah restrained him with  a hand to his shoulder.  She came into his arms and tilted her head to be kissed.  “Thank you for a lovely wedding and a good day.  I enjoyed it all around,” she said.

Surprised, Clint said, “I enjoyed it too.”  Tightening his arms around her, he brought his lips to hers.  The strong hardness of his lips came down onto hers, soft and smooth, culminating in a kiss that was slow and thoughtful, at the same time, surprisingly gentle.  Raising his mouth from hers, he looked into the dark pools that were her eyes, and kissed her with his eyes.

She raised on tiptoe to meet his kiss, parting her lips as they met his. The tip of his tongue touched hers, setting off tremors throughout her body. 

“You had better get your milking done.  I’ll see to the girls.  That was good.  We must do more of it,” she said.

“I agree,” he said, his voice husky from the feelings the kiss had aroused.  “I’ll be back,” he said.

“Promise?” she asked.

“I promise.”  As he walked out, his daughter grinned and turned her attention to her new Mama.