Chapter 4: Getting Ready
Belle had ridden out to the Larrabee homestead early that morning and told her sister about Mr. Standish's offer for the evening. Mary was thrilled and decided it would be the rehearsal dinner, since she had already talked to Josiah and he had agreed to perform the ceremony the next day, Saturday, so Belle wouldn't have class. "There's no point in putting it off any longer," Mary had said. "Vin's back and I know Chris will be happy to have the whole thing over with. I know I'm driving him insane."
Belle had wanted to ask her sister how she had known she loved Chris. She knew the two of them had had almost the same kind of attraction as herself and Vin, but they had had ghosts from their respective pasts that had kept them from behaving in the way she and Vin had last night: Mary had Steven and Chris had his wife. She hadn't asked, though; she didn't want Mary to begin asking questions that she herself didn't know the answers to. Like, were they going to renew their courtship? Were they just going to have a small fling, resulting in losing her dignity and self-respect, not to mention her job? She was so dreadfully confused.
As she rode into town to head for the schoolhouse, Mr. Standish walked slowly out to the street to greet her. His face held a smile, but his eyes were distant. She was in no mood to talk to him, but she smiled politely anyway and dismounted while he held the reins of her mare.
"Good morning!" she said cheerily. "Is there a problem?"
"I am unsure, mah dear," he drawled. "I feel I should apologize again for intruding last night." He walked her horse over to the hitching post and tied a careful, but tight, knot. "I should have known Mr. Tanner would have been in your presence after such a long time apart."
Belle felt her face heat up. She was hoping Ezra wasn't going to ask any questions about what had happened between the two of them. "It's quite all right. He just escorted me home from the school and I invited him to stay for dinner. Nothing infamous to intrude upon." She laughed softly.
Ezra returned her laugh with a rueful smile. "I'm going to bow out gracefully, Miss Isabelle. I realize you do not care for me in the same regard I do for you. If I could not sway you while Mr. Tanner was absent, there is no way to sway you while he is present."
Belle was shocked. It was true that Ezra had tried everything in his power to get her to commit to a relationship with him, short of showing his passion like Vin had done the night previous. Not that that would have helped his case, since only Vin could affect her in that way. But she never expected him to admit to his behavior.
"I hope," Ezra continued, "that you will still consider me a close friend." He took up her hand. "I couldn't stand losing you." He looked deep into her eyes and Belle could see how hard this was for him.
"Of course I consider you a close friend. I always will." She moved her empty hand to his cheek and smiled softly. "I hope you save me a dance this evening at the opening."
Ezra's expression instantly changed to one of joy. He was excited about his restaurant and word around town was that he had hired a band especially for the festivities. "Why, I would be delighted." He kissed her hand and said his goodbyes, then left her to her thoughts.
The day went by in a blur and Belle hastily returned to her sister after the school day was done, Billy clinging to her waist as she galloped toward his new home. He was going to the party too, but he was to be escorted home by his bedtime; Buck had volunteered to watch him that morning at the homestead, at least until Mary and Chris returned home. Belle had said she would do it, but Buck had insisted, a knowing gleam in his eyes that Belle hadn't wanted to think about.
"Mary, we're here," Belle yelled, letting herself and her nephew in the front door.
"Just a second!" Her sister's voice was coming from down the hall where she and Chris had made a makeshift newsroom for her, until he could build her a new office in town. She had given Ezra all of her property, completely forgetting about the office at the time and now regretted selling that piece of real estate. She was making due, but she longed for her own space once again.
Mary appeared in the front parlor with ink on her face and her hair in disarray. Belle laughed at the sight of her. "I'm so glad I'm here. You'll need a lot of help getting ready for tonight, by the looks of it."
She took her sister's hand and led her up to her room; Chris had set her up in a guest room when she had moved in a few months ago, out of propriety. Mary had insisted on living together for a time, just to see if they would be able to handle each other; after all, they were both strong-willed, and she didn't want to ruin the love they had for each other by bickering all the time. Belle had thought it was scandalous, but she supported her sister's decision, and obviously they were doing all right, what with the wedding set for the next day.
Belle fussed over her sister's hair and face, doing everything in her power to make her look even more beautiful than she was. She pulled her sister's hair out of its normal bun and then brushed it out into soft waves. She pulled it all back up into a tight twist and clipped some fresh roses into it, letting soft wisps frame her face. Her actual face she did little to; Mary was already so naturally beautiful, she needed little help. Then she helped her into a pretty royal blue ball gown with small cap sleeves that fit her older sister like a glove.
She wanted to leave her own hair down in its natural curls, but thought it would be improper, so she mirrored what she had done to Mary, but with bits of honeysuckle woven in it, thanks to her nephew's quick feet. Her own dress was a pale rose color; it was long and clung tightly to her trim waist before billowing out in a full skirt made of soft chiffon. She added a little color to her cheeks and was all set, amazed at the woman who stared back at her in the mirror.
"Oh, Belle, you look wonderful!" Mary came to stand beside her in the mirror. The family resemblance was stunning and it made a tear form in the older girl's eyes. "Mother and Father would be so proud of you."
"They would have loved Chris," Belle murmured back.
They hugged and heard the front door open. Male voices drifted up to them. It sounded like Chris and a few of his friends, ready to come claim the women and Billy. The sisters started down the stairs, Mary in the lead as she was unable to contain her excitement to see her future husband. She rushed to his arms as soon as she was down the stairs, reminding Belle instantly of how she responded to Vin just the other day. She took the stairs more slowly, enjoying how grown-up the dress made her feel. As she rounded the landing to take the last few remaining stairs, she looked over at the other men with her future brother-in-law.
Mr. Wilmington was smiling up at her. He walked over to the stairs in his suit jacket and slacks, and held out a hand to help her down the rest of the way. "Belle, you sure look lovely in pink." He kissed her cheek in a friendly manner.
"Thank you, Mr. Wilmington!" Belle considered the older man to be like a brother, and she knew the feeling was mutual. She squeezed his hand softly and let him lead her over to the rest of the group.
Chris took his eyes off his bride long enough to glance at the younger girl. "You look great," he muttered, mirroring Buck's kiss.
Belle smiled at him. She expected no words from the groom, but was appreciative of what he did say. "You look very handsome too," she answered, gesturing to the suit he was wearing. Mary must have ordered it for him. He looked slightly uncomfortable, but the black-on-black attire suited him, even if it was formal.
The last person in the room was Vin. He was wearing his buckskins, though they looked freshly cleaned. She smiled softly at him; she would have been disturbed if he had shown up in a suit, as it would not have been like him at all. He was staring at her, open-mouthed.
"Mr. Tanner, are you quite alright?" Her voice was warm and her eyes kind, but she desperately wanted to laugh at him.
"Cat's got his tongue, Belle," Buck answered for him, fighting down a chuckle.
Vin snapped out of his daze and shot Buck a scornful look. His attention returned to the youngest Manning girl and he smiled down at her. "You look prettier than the sunset."
Belle flushed at the compliment. She lost all words but nodded at him in thanks.
"Shall we get this over with?" Chris muttered, clearly unhappy about the dinner plans, but extremely satisfied with his future wife's attire.
They all agreed and headed out the door: Buck was walking with Billy, who looked cute as a button in his own little suit, Chris escorting the future missus, and Vin awkwardly holding out his arm to Belle.
Belle accepted and smiled at him. "Thank you."
"You smell like honeysuckle again," he murmured to her under his breath as he led her to the wagon he and Chris had carefully lined with straw and blankets. His frustration at this fact was evident.
Belle laughed. "Naturally. I carry a satchel of it on my person, most days, so I smell sweet." She used her free hand to indicate her hair. "I laced some in my hair this evening."
Vin groaned. "You're out to torture me, I swear."
Belle's smile widened. "I assure you I am not. But it is nice to know you enjoy the smell of honeysuckle."
Vin stopped her just short of the wagon. "You're treading into dangerous waters, Miss Belle." The look he gave her was somewhat dark, laced with intense desire.
"I'll take my chances," she whispered slyly before climbing into the wagon, Vin on her heels.
