Where the Wild Rose Blooms (52 page)

"We'd better go or Eddie will look back from Ray and Lena's wagon and have heart failure."

"Has the dust settled?"

"Here we go again." Roberts sigh was longsuffering and comical. "First it was wrinkles and now dust. I'm going to wish I'd sent you with them."

Jackie cried not to smile, but she couldn't pull it off. In the next few minutes Robert tucked her neatly into the buggy and moved them through town. They didn't talk much, but he looked over at her several times. Seeing Eddie's dress on her frame was a special treat for him. It looked better on Eddie—she'd filled it out more—and it was fun to remember how lovely she had been on that day.

"I hope Clayton is there."

"You're doubting?"

"Well, not that he'll show up at all, just that he'll get there first. Are you certain I look all right?"

"You look wonderful."

"I'll try to believe that."

It was quiet for a few minutes. Jackie listened to the sounds around her.

"It's an overwhelming thing at times, Robert,"
she told him softly. "I'll never see my husbands face or the faces of our children."

She had never talked about this before. Robert was surprised and didn't comment.

"But it could be so much worse," she went on. "I could have been blind from birth, and then Eddies telling me the new dress fabric is blue wouldn't mean a thing. Do you see?"

"Yes. You've found things to be thankful for amid the difficulty."

"And it is difficult, Robert, but not impossible. I had to make the choice to live with this, and of course you and Eddie were a huge help in that, but I had choices to make so that God could make this bearable for me. My only worry is that I'll have a baby and someone will take her from me."

"No one is going to do that, Jackie. Why would they?"

"Because I can't take care of her without my sight."

"You don't know that. Look at the changes in you these last months. There isn't anything you can't do

around the house."

"But she'll grow. What if she walks away from me and I can't find her?"

"We'll tie a bell onto her."

Robert's voice and matter-of-fact solution was so amusing that she began to giggle. When Robert said she was making her face all red, she laughed harder. They arrived at the church amid much silliness.

It was not a large wedding. The church family had been invited to a reception a week down the road, but today's gathering was small. The Langleys, Pastor Henley, his wife, Beryl, and Raymond and Lena, along with Travis, made the short guest list. Everyone was already inside when Robert stopped the wagon and Travis came out to lend a hand.

"Is Clayton here?" she wished to know.

"No," Travis teased her. "He jumped on the stage and ran for it. "

"Oh, Travis, you have to stop," she told him with more giggles. "Robert already said my face is red enough."

The rancher hustled her inside where Eddie and Lena were ready to make adjustments on her dress and to hand her over to Clayton. She had not wanted to walk up the aisle where she would have to grope about to find Clayton, so he was going to walk her up himself. When Eddie and Lena finally stepped back, Clayton, who had been watching all the proceedings with love-filled eyes, came to her.

"Hi," he said softly. Jackie beamed.

"I made it."

"Yes; you look beautiful."

She smiled and said, "How do you look?"

Clayton chuckled. "My hair was on end, but it's better now."

Jackie put her hand on his chest. He covered it with his own, and leaned to kiss her cheek.

"Ready to become my wife?"

"Yes," she said a little too loudly, and they both laughed.

Clayton turned her and started up the aisle. Jackie had not wanted music, and she'd asked everyone to stand for the ceremony. It was unlike anything any of them had ever done, but it was very special. The bride and groom stood opposite Pastor Henley while the rest of the party stood to the sides of them, forming a half circle around the clergyman.

It was not a long service, but serious and unique. Clayton and Jackie turned to each other and said the things that were on their minds. They wanted these special friends and family to witness these vows and hold them accountable.

"I love you, Clayton," Jackie began, her voice soft. "Before God and these dear friends, I promise to put your needs ahead of my own. I can't see your eyes, Clayton—not today or ever—but I put my trust in you that you will always tell me what's in your heart. I know God has prepared me for this day, and although I know there will be adjustments, I vow to you from this day forward that I will strive to be the wife you need."

"I love you, Jackie," Clayton began just after Jackie finished. "I vow before God and the ones gathered here that I will be the leader of our home the way God would have me to be. I promise to be there for you, Jackie, and also to tell
what's in my heart every day of our lives. I praise God that He brought us to this place. I know He will show us how to serve Him better.

"It doesn't matter today that you can't see me and its not going to matter tomorrow. I will always love you, Jackie, and cherish your love for me as a rare and precious gift."

Even before the pastor could pronounce them husband and wife, Clayton leaned forward and tenderly kissed the woman he loved.

Eddie bawled her way through the proceedings, and even Robert was overcome a few times. All in all, it didn't take very long, and there was much laughter and talking as they all filed from the church to head for the Langleys' for a special dinner.

Out at the wagons, Clayton helped his bride become comfortable. Robert was going to ride with Travis in order to give Jackie and Clayton some time alone. Eddie went ahead with Lena and Raymond. Pastor and Mrs. Henley were on their way as well.

The two men had just come to Travis' wagon when two girls, looking to be around 14, passed by. That they found the big rancher good-looking was more than obvious, and as the man climbed aboard the seat, they shared a smile.

"You get stared at by a lot of women, Travis," Robert suddenly commented.

"Do I?"

"Yes. I just never realized it before now. Maybe its time you get married," Robert teased him.

Travis, who had raised the reins, went very still. He forced himself to turn and look at Robert, who looked right back.

"I'm already married, Robert. I'm sorry I never told you before."

The banker stared at him. "You're married?"

"Yes."

Robert was silent for a full 30 seconds.

"Where is your wife?"

"I don't know," was the pained reply, and Robert only nodded. "Maybe someday I can tell you about it."

"Sure." Robert's voice was kind. "Whenever you want to or don't want to, Travis."

Travis thanked him and slapped the reins. Robert was a good friend, and Travis felt relief at having finally told him. Maybe someday it could all come out, but not now. Now he needed to go and help Clayton and Jackie celebrate and get off to a good start. His prayers were that their marriage would be far different than his own.

"Okay, do you remember where everything is?"

"I think so," Jackie told her husband, who had just shown her around their bedroom.

"Would you like a few minutes alone?"

"Yes."

Clayton turned to leave, but Jackie's voice, a little uncertain, stopped him. "Are you going far?"

"No. I'll be right outside the door. When you call, I'll come back."

Jackie smiled. "All right. And my gown ... its here?"

"Yes. Right over the footboard."

Jackie smiled again and this time didn't call him back. She was married. She was married to Clayton. Her Clayton. It was just too wonderful to be true. With hands that shook just a little, she began to undress. She laid her clothing very carefully on the chair and slipped into her new white nightgown. It was lacy and soft, and Jackie checked the buttons twice to see if she'd matched them all up.

"Clayton," she said softly and stood very still by the edge of the bed.

"All set?" His head came back in the door.

Jackie moved her hands nervously down the front of her gown. "Eddie made me a new nightgown; is it pretty?"

"Oh,
yes"
Clayton breathed the words and came to her. He kissed her brow because it was one of their favorite things and held her close.

"Did you know, Clayton? Did you know it would be this special?"

"I don't think I could have imagined this," he admitted to her. "I love you, Jackie."

She raised her face for his kiss and moved
her
hands over his back. He was finally hers. She could "see" him all she wanted.

There was no wedding trip because Clayton had to be at the schoolhouse on Monday morning, but it didn't matter. They spent Sunday alone, talking, cooking, touching, and learning more than they had ever known before. It was the beginning of two lives joined at the heart and settled in for a lifetime of love.

Spring 1877

Lena poked her head out the bedroom door. "Come in, Robert; you have a son."

The woman's voice was so calm. How could she be this calm? It had felt like years since Eddies pains began. He'd been pacing the hallway for hours, and now he had a son. He walked into their bedroom as if in slow motion. Lena passed him on her way out, but he never saw her. Eddies eyes were closed, and lying in the crook of her arm was a bundle of blankets. He stared at the unmoving bundle until he realized Eddies
eyes
had opened and she was watching him. Robert smiled at her.

"Hi."

"Hi, yourself," she said with a weary smile of her own. "We have a son."

"Lena told me. How are you?" bore.

Robert grinned. Their voices were both very hushed. "Can I see him?"

"Yes, but I feel too tired to move."

Robert's long-fingered hand came out, and he shifted the blanket aside until a tiny, sleeping face peeked out.

Eddie had been holding on very nicely, but when she saw her husbands tears, her own fell. They sat together, Robert close to her side and holding their son, drinking in his tiny features and limbs. He was a wonder to them, and all they could do was marvel.

"I need to see my sister," Eddie suddenly said. "I need Jackie."

"Okay."

Lena knocked at that moment, and Robert called for her to come in.

"Jackie and Clayton are downstairs. I did not tell them, but she said she needed to see you."

"Send her up," Robert said with a smile and opened the door wide. He took a seat across the room, between the two largest windows, and told himself not to make a sound.

"Eddie?" Jackie's voice finally called from the upstairs hall.

"In the bedroom, Jackie."

"Hi," she spoke when she came in the room. "I hope this isn't a bad time, but I need to show you something."

Come on in.

On those words, Jackie knew something was different. She stopped a few feet inside the door, a scrap of lace hanging from her hand.