Where the Wild Rose Blooms (18 page)

Both Robert's and Eddie's protests stopped in their mouths. They nodded and let Mitch move about the entire store, selecting things for their home or their own personal needs. Eddie was feeling overwhelmed but managed to mention the shipping cost.

'There's no need to worry about that," Mitch told them. "I've two trunks in the back that belonged to your Aunt Clara. We'll load those up, and they'll go with you."

Eddie's sigh was heartfelt, and she hugged Mitch tenderly.

"You'll have to come and see us, Uncle Mitch, to see how we've used all these things you've given us."

Mitch patted her back. "I'm getting a little old to be traveling about, honey."

Eddie only smiled. "Well, we'll be back often, and we can write and tell you everything in between."

Mitch only smiled.

"I'd better run to check on this dinner you have started," Eddie offered, moving toward the stairs with graceful strides. Mitch watched her go, but then looked back to see Robert studying him intently. The younger man thought about Eddie's words but saw the truth in Mitch's eyes. The older man was very aware that he'd been found out. It took a moment, but his voice finally came low and solemn to Robert's ears.

"I don't want anything to spoil this Saturday for her. Do you understand that, Robert?"

"Yes, sir, I do."

Mitch's hand came out, and they shook. Robert thanked him, but it was an effort to push the words around the tightness in his throat.

"Uncle Mitch, Robert, I've put supper on."

"We'll be right up/' the older man called. With one more glance at each other, they started toward the stairs.

Eddie and Robert's wedding day broke crisp and clear, the sun shining off the snow and nearly blinding the Fontaine family as they headed to the church. Eddies face was pale with excitement. Seeing it, Jackie reached to squeeze her hand. The older girl didn't notice. Lexa directed a question to her oldest sister, and her response, or rather lack thereof, was the same. Jackie looked to Lexa and shrugged.

"I hope I get married someday," Sammy said with a wistful sigh.

"Are you also hoping that Travis Buchanan will wait for you?" her mother asked from the front seat.

Surprisingly, Sammy didn't blush. "He's so handsome" was her only comment, and Addy watched as a smile widened Morgan's mouth.

"You must think its funny," Addy said softly for his ears.

"No." The smile was still in place. "I just remember a young woman saying much the same thing when she didn't know that a certain young man was listening."

Addy smiled as well. "I knew you were there all along, Morgan Fontaine, and we both know I married you only because you were so homely I knew that no one else would have you."

All the girls, save the still-dreamy Eddie, wanted to know why their father was laughing, but he refused to tell. However, they could do their own figuring when Morgan brought the sleigh to a halt in front of the church and exuberantly kissed his wife.

An hour later Addy fussed with Eddies dress and veil as Morgan, with Jackie at his side, looked on. Jackie's dress was a velvet in a deep burgundy color, but Eddies was cream-colored satin, overlaid with lace across the entire bodice, up the high neckline, and down the long sleeves. When the mother-of-the-bride had finished her tucking and adjusting, she stood back and smiled at her lovely daughter.

"You're the most beautiful bride in the world, Eddie. Robert
will be
so pleased." Eddie smiled and the women embraced.

"I'd best get to my seat," Addy said to Morgan, and he saw her to the door. "Come outside with me, Jackie," Addy called before she left. "That way you can tell Eddie and your father that it's time to start down."

"All right."

The door closed softly at that point, leaving Morgan and Eddie alone. Morgan turned to look at his daughter, his throat feeling oddly tight.

"Well," she said softly, "this is it."

"Yes," Morgan said inadequately, but then his head tipped to one side. "It's too bad that a man can't experience this before it actually involves him."

"What do you mean?"

Morgan sighed. "Your mother married me against her fathers wishes. I haven't thought about what that day might have felt like for him until right now. You go with my blessing, but there's no way Robert can understand how I'm feeling until it's his turn to stand with his own daughter."

Eddie wanted to cry with the thought, but she forced herself to ask, "And how do you feel right now?"

"Proud," Morgan told her without hesitation. "Prouder than I've ever been in my life, but sad because you're leaving. I know we'll see each other, but it won't be the same ever again."

Eddie nodded. She'd had the same thoughts so many times.

"Change is not bad," she said softly, "but neither is it easy. I'll miss you more than I can say."

Morgan hugged her, and just ten minutes later Jackie announced that it was dme. Eddie went very white upon hearing those words, but Morgan whispered words of encouragement, and it wasn't long before she was given over to Roberts waiting hand. Her heart calmed then, but the whole thing overwhelmed her just a little. Robert was pale himself, and Eddie knew he was feeling the same rush of emotion. The ceremony was over before she knew it, and family and friends were crowding around them to offer congratulations.

They stayed at the church for over an hour, talking and thanking people for coming, before Travis reminded them that they needed to get to the house. Morgan, Addy, Mitch, and the younger girls had all left, as had most of the guests, but Jackie, as maid of honor, was standing by to go with the bride, groom, and Travis, who had stood as best man.

"I think we had better get on our way," he suggested. "They're probably waiting for you."

Eddie didn't need to be asked twice. They had worked hard on the reception, and many people had offered to help. She wanted to be on hand to thank them all in person.

Travis bundled them all in the large sleigh, pulled by Mitch's team of matched black geldings. Jackie was in front with the best man and the newly weds were in the back. They were no more settled in the seats when Robert grabbed Eddie and gave her a long, hard kiss.

"We're going to be entertaining everyone in town for the next several hours, so I thought I'd do that while I had the chance."

Eddie laughed in sheer delight and leaned to kiss him again.

"I think they're acting up back there," Jackie said loudly to Travis.

"I think you're right. I myself am blushing just at the thought."

They pulled into the Fontaine yard amid much laughter. Sure enough, it looked as if the whole town had already arrived. Eddie couldn't think how they would all fit in, but they managed. Food was served immediately, and folks stayed for hours. The cakes were delicious. With tears in her eyes, Eddie thanked her mother and Elaine Taggart for all their hard work. Both of the older women looked utterly drained, but when most of the guests had gone on their way, family and close friends gathered in the Fontaine living room to watch Robert and Eddie unwrap their gifts. Uncle Mitch had asked to be excused, and Morgan had run him to the store, but Travis and the Taggart family were present.

Jackie and Clayton ended up on chairs close together. Other than smiling at Clayton a few times that day, they'd had no chance to talk. Clayton glanced at her lovely profile and wanted to tell her that she looked beautiful in her new dress, but there was something vulnerable about her right then and he refrained. It occurred to him very suddenly that this was the end of life as she had known it. Her closest sister, roommate, confidante, and friend was leaving. Clayton found himself praying for her heart as the gift-opening began.

"Oh, aren't they pretty," Eddie commented as she pulled out two embroidered pillow slips. "Look at the workmanship."

"Very nice," Robert agreed and worked on the next package.

"Who is this from?" Eddie wished to know.

"The card said 'The O'Brien Family."'

"I think you met them, Robert. Paddy O'Brien is a good friend of Milly and Danny."

"I think I did too."

"Oh, its a bread tray!" Eddie exclaimed when Robert brought it forth. "Isn't it elegant?"

They loved the spoons from Clayton and had a wonderful time with all the gifts. Indeed, there was much laughter on several occasions. At one point Eddie opened a gift and held it aloft, her brow drawn down in puzzlement.

"What is it, Robert?"

"I was hoping you would tell me."

Both husband and wife looked to Addy and Elaine, who stared at the silver creation and then at one another. When everyone realized that neither one could identify it, the room erupted in laughter. The last burst of merriment came just a few minutes later when Eddie opened a box and inside was a
baby's bib. She blushed to the roots of her hair and wouldn't hold it up. Robert took it and did the honors, a sweet smile on his face.

Eddie was still blushing amid the laughter when she said, "All right, who's responsible?"

No one would own up to it, but Eddie suddenly caught Jackie's eye. The younger girl could not hold her laughter.

"Jacqueline Faye!" Eddie scolded her, now laughing as well. "You rascal!"

"I saw it at the store and couldn't resist, Eddie. I'm sorry."

Eddie only shook her head, and after that, the party began to break up. Addy announced that she was going to fix something to eat and everyone was welcome to stay. Elaine, Milly, and Danny went with her, and Robert took that moment to lean close to his bride.

"Are you hungry?" he asked.

"Not a bit, but I am starting to feel tired."

"I think we'll say our goodbyes and head to the hotel. If you decide you want to eat, I'll have the hotel fix us something."

Eddie nodded, and Robert went to tell the others. Thankfully, only Addy and Morgan came to the door with them.

"We'll be over to join you for lunch tomorrow after church," Robert informed them. "Eddies tired, and I think we need to sleep in. *

"All right, Robert," Morgan agreed with him. "I'm not sure we'll even make it out ourselves, but we'll look for you around noon."

Addy hugged them both, and Travis came through the front door to tell them that the sleigh was ready. Just minutes later they were on their way.

The hotel staff was very accommodating, and one of the men came out to stable the horse for the night. Robert had seen to the baggage that afternoon, so without fuss they walked up the oak staircase to the second floor of the hotel. Room 6 was spacious, with two double beds and a private bath. Several lanterns were lit, and Eddie preceded Robert into the room. Robert closed the door and leaned against it. He stared at Eddie where she had stopped at the corner of the bed.

For a time they didn't speak, but then Eddie, feeling self-conscious, began to move around the room. She went to the windows and glanced down at the alley below, but it was too dark to see outside. She inspected the chandelier, peeked into the closet and bathroom, and then moved to sit on the edge of the far bed. Robert pushed off from the door and moved to sit on the bed opposite her. He stared at her for several more seconds before he shared the thoughts of his heart.

"Every day I confidently run a large bank in a booming town with a certain measure of ease, but here, now, with you, I feel completely unsure."