Snuggled deep in the twisted covers of her soft bed, Evangeline awoke to the happy sounds of breakfast in full-swing down below in the dining room. Voices wafted up through the floorboards, a few words distinguishable but most slipped into a steady hum that rumbled into her heart. Content to listen, she closed her eyes and languished against the pillows. A smile wisped about her lips as a close memory drew near. Her mother and father had long held the routine of waking together and talking over cups of coffee until their daughter would join them for the morning meal. She remembered that she used to enjoy the happy wisps of conversation and loving voices those years ago, before she knew what grief was and only the charm of a new day had been on her mind. Tears pricked her eyes and she took a deep breath to quell the ache she felt for her mother's presence. How her father had loved the woman and how Evangeline had adored her too. Perhaps such happiness had been doomed from the start. After all, there weren't any happily-ever-afters, unlike what children's fairy tales promised. Opening her fearful eyes, she thought of her beloved and of the happiness that he had given to her of himself.
What if our life together would be cut short down the way? she mused, her mind racing with worry. What if he is ripped from my grasp and I am left all alone, without a husband and without a mother? Poppa would be broken and I would have to raise Jody by myself. What would I do without Adam? How would I live? I would die...NO! I must stop this! Your wedding is tomorrow, you silly girl, and there is so much to do. But...I need to see Adam...I need to know he is alright.
One desire propelling her to break free from such morbid musings, Evangeline kicked off the covers and opened her closet to make a choice between the two dresses hanging there that her father had brought with him the day before. She laid a hand on the right one, a blue dress with a white collar and cuffs, but then her fingers smoothed over to a garment of green silk, white gathers rising high up the back of the neck and framing the narrow neckline that ended in an embroidered bodice. The sheer sleeves were light and airy and the skirt was full, always giving a rustle when worn. She smiled, knowing how much Adam loved her in green and how he enjoyed a pronounced rustle in her dresses.
Her decision was made and she took the dress off the hangar, slipping it on after she had donned a camisole and cinched down her corset, among the other layers of correct undergarments. Splashing a hint of flowery scent on her wrists, she looked at herself in the mirror and admired her own image in glass. The viridan dress hugged her waist to perfection, showing off how tiny her waist was, and her hair was pulled up into a loose bun with tendrils of curls wisping about her face. Leaning forward, she pinched her cheeks to create a rosy glow and deemed herself ready except for one detail. On the nightstand, right where she had left it the night before, the cameo gold locket that Adam had given her lay shining in the morning light. The beautiful scene of green meadows and a cabin nestled in the sheltering crook of rolling hills gave her a thrill of excitement to see her new home during the hours to come. Quickly clasping the gold chain about her neck, she positioned the locket perfectly at her collarbone and whisked out of her bedroom to tiptoe over to Adam's so as not to alert him to her presence.
Nervous, she passed a hand along the side of her coiffure to be sure of its neatness then she tapped softly. Not hearing a response, she tapped again before opening the door just far enough to stick her head in hesitantly. The bed was empty and neatly made to her surprise and she scanned the room to find the object of her worry. Her eyes alighted on Adam, clothed in a red shirt and black pants, sitting by the window in an armchair, his legs crossed with a book in his lap. His back was to her but he appeared to be gazing out of the glass and with something deep on his mind because one hand held the book while the index finger of his other hand rested against his upper lip. A breath later, the hand lowered to the armrest as he sighed deeply, leaning his head back against the support of the chair.
A concerned expression settling on her face, Evangeline slipped in and shut the door, wanting privacy. Irritated now that she had chosen the crisp choice of dress, she walked carefully but he roused and turned his head to see who had invaded his peace. His face softened with a smile and her heart seemed to skip a beat when he extended a hand to her. Without a word, she slipped her fingers into his warm grasp and allowed herself to be pulled in front of him. The book dropped to the floor as Adam held her refined hands between both of his own and his gaze traveled up and down, taking in the dark beauty that was his wife-to-be. His eyes clamping onto hers, he couldn't help the grin that surfaced as a low whistle emanated from his throat.
"Good morning, beautiful," he purred, "You wouldn't be free for a small gathering tomorrow, would you? It is just a small affair and the only requirement is that you wear white. Can I have the pleasure of accompanying your loveliness to the ball?"
"No, my darling," Evangeline said firmly, leaning down to playfully touch a finger to his nose. She ran the tip over his lips, tracing their fullness before smiling into his confused eyes. Her voice lowered into a gentle whisper. "I won't accompany you but I will meet you there. How does that strike your sensibilities?"
"About as fine as that green dress, my lady," Adam grinned, a chuckle rumbling from his chest as she sank to her knees to be at his level.
The concerned worry reappeared on her face as she pressed the back of a hand to his forehead and on the sides of his face. "You feel cool to the touch. Were you able to get some rest last night?
Adam captured her caring hand and kissed the top then he smiled at her. "Slept like a baby, thanks to your ministrations of last night. I'm a little sore this morning but nothing I can't handle. Usually, it takes me a couple of days to feel this good after one of my little incidents but whatever you did worked like a charm."
"That is most likely because of Nurse Molly's trained techniques which you haven't experienced up to now. But, I have a question. You didn't go out of bed by yourself this morning, did you?"
With a shake of his head, Adam chuckled again. "Hoss left minutes ago. He gave my morning massage and insisted upon helping me dress. Satisfied?"
Her critical gaze softening into a fond lightness, Evangeline nodded and reached a hand out to tickle the strong curves of his neck, lingering at the pulse fluttering at his throat. Caressing the wavy black hair at the base of his neck, she pulled his head to hers and claimed a kiss. She drew away for no more than a second, enjoying the look of wonder and desire he had in his eyes before kissing him again. This time, Adam cradled her face in his hand, taking one of her soft, brown spirals between his fingers. Their lips dueled softly, touching briefly and teasing with care, careful to not nip or injure. Hands remained still, cradling one another's faces but content to linger. Devotion was being explored rather than passion as she drew away again, silencing his protests with a finger to his lips. Trailing the tip along his jaw, she cupped his face between her outstretched fingers and smiled daintily.
"Adam, promise me that you will never leave."
"Of course, I could never leave you," he laughed, ducking his head to kiss her again but he was confused when she sat back on her heels, clasping her hands tightly in her lap with her head lowered. When she looked up again, he was dismayed to see tears shimmering in her blue depths. Slipping off the chair tentatively, testing the strength of his back, he went to his knees by her side and pulled her trembling body into his chest as she began to sob, her tears soaking into the red shirt and staining it to the color of darkest blood.
"Sweetheart, what's wrong? What did I say? I'm sorry, I...didn't mean to make you cry..."
"You...you didn't...please, hold me...I need you to hold me," Evangeline buried her head against his deep chest, wrapping her arms behind him to grasp his shoulders. Her tears slowly trickled to a halt but her shaking took much longer to cease.
Adam stroked her hair, pushing her back so she would face him. His thumbs brushed away the wetness as he kissed her forehead, moving his lips down over each of her closed eyes. She sniffed, taking a deep breath as her eyelids flicked open and her eyes beheld the pained face of her beloved. Realizing how much worry and confusion he must be experiencing, she tried to smile and wiped at her cheeks impatiently, willing the tears to not start again.
"I am the one who's sorry, darling, I just...I don't know..."
Taking her hand, Adam drew her close again and rested his mouth against the side of her head. "Shhh, shhhh, don't worry about me. I want to talk about you."
"But I'm so confusing and you wouldn't understand..."
His eyes clouding, Adam remembered another woman who had said those three words on a daily basis until his ears had ached. His grip tightened about his love's frame. "Don't say that. Never say that. True, I may not understand all the time but I will always try because I love you more than my life. I never want you to suffer in silence, my darling. It is stupid and useless of me not to be there for you. We will be husband and wife in less than twenty-four hours after all. We don't have to talk about anything right now...take all the time you need but I'll be here should you feel the need to speak of what's bothering you."
Evangeline sat up and shrugged tearfully. "I am not sure what is bothering me to be honest. One minute, I am happy and the next, I am terrified that I will lose you like..."
"Like who, my love?" Adam prodded kindly, squeezing her hands.
"Momma..." Evangeline whispered, swallowing hard and casting her eyes down. "I miss her so much. She should be here with me today! I need her help in bringing this wedding together. What flowers to use, what shoes to wear...the look on her face when she sees me in her wedding dress. I need her! If she had to pass on, why before I met you? She would have loved getting to know her son-in-law and would have adored who you are, the same as I do," she choked back fresh sobs, "Adam...it...it hurts! Oh, it hurts..."
Instantly, Adam reached out to bundle her close to himself, holding her as she cried out her grief into his neck. A lump formed in his throat as he transitioned his gaze to the picture of his mother on the dresser. He sighed deeply. "I know, my angel...I know."
Needing to give himself some ease, he moved his back against the wall under the window and remained still, content to rub her waist and pause from time to time to give a kiss to her face. He whispered little nothings in her ear, sweet murmurings of his love, and felt her tremble at the solace he was trying his hardest to provide. At length, she grew quiet and the only sound in the room was both of their breathing.
"Dearest?"he ventured, craning his neck to see her face, "Are you alright?"
She melted away, rubbing her cheeks decisively and gracing him with a sad smile. "I was rather emotional, I'm afraid. I do apologize for being so dramatic."
A gentle chuckle brought a smile to Adam's lips as he brushed her cheek with sensitive fingers. "We all deserve a little drama in our lives. God knows that I have had enough of late. You have every right in the world to grieve and you must. Is there anything I can get for you? Some breakfast perhaps?"
"No, I confess to not being very hungry," she sniffed, casting her eyes over his reclining posture for the first time, "Oh, dear, your back. Let's get you into the chair. Come on, no argument."
In silence, he complied with her sensible wishes and carefully rose to slide into the seat again. She fussed around him, slipping a pillow behind him and squeezing his shoulder so he would ease into the comfort. Even though he didn't appear cold, the room was too chilly for her taste so she took a soft blanket and draped it around his shoulders. He watched her without complaint, his hazel eyes failing to read the blank expression on her face as she avoided eye contact. When she had finished her plumping, the faraway smile returned.
"There you are, all warm and toasty, dearest heart. Are you in need of something to eat? We can go down when you are ready or I could bring a tray up. Which would you prefer?"
Adam tried to think of a way to scale the emotional walls she had put up but he thought it wise to play along. Smiling, he caught her hand and squeezed it, pausing long enough for her to look up. "I am not too hungry either just now. How would you fancy a ride into town with Pa and I? We can all dine at The Helping Hand, you can check up on operations there and then we can get on with the final preparations. We really couldn't go without Pa, seeing as how you drafted him as the director of wedding planning."
While blowing her nose on a handkerchief he handed her, Evangeline couldn't help but shake her head with amusement. "If I remember rightly, he volunteered. An excursion does sound like fun but I won't have you bounced about on the road. The doctor is coming later and you must be hear to welcome him. You are still injured and don't make me continually remind you of your duty to stay healthy for the ceremony tomorrow."
A pout made Adam's bottom lip protrude slightly. "Oh, alright, but you should still go, my love, with Pa. Get some fresh air, enjoy the countryside and bring back tales of your escapades. Please go...for me?"
Evangeline stared down at his beseeching face with doubt ingrained in her features. "I don't wish to leave you but I know you are right. I miss the restaurant and really need to put my mind at ease over it. Poppa said the new cooks are doing very well but I want to see for myself. Ben's company will be most appreciated as to the shopping. But...are you certain? What if you have another episode?"
"Hoss will stay close by, I know, but I am really doing so much better. I want you to go have some fun and I insist, Angie," Adam smiled, "I also have a surprise for you. Jody and I were talking yesterday and we came up with the idea to have a housewarming party, or casual get-together really, tonight at The Running J. Only the family and your father, if that is okay."
Evangeline's face lit up at this news and her laugh comforted Adam greatly. "That sounds delightful! Oh, I shall love to see it! Can you and I go early so that we can see it for the first time, just us?"
"Of course, darling, although I thought I wasn't allowed on the road," Adam had a twinkle in his eyes.
Evangeline snorted with derision, not to be trapped into his logic. "An almost two hour journey up mountain trails to town and then back again is a far sight from a quick drive to our home," her eyes were bright with excitement and she began to pace in front of him, "Our home...think of that, Adam! I can hardly wait! You are so good to me, to give me hope right when I needed it. I am so excited and am as jittery as Jody's colt, I daresay! Please, let me get you something to eat or drink or...or perhaps another blanket. Are your shoulders sore at all? I could give them a thorough going-over. Oh, I need to feel useful. I need to do something with this giddiness!"
Adam laughed, feeling quite energized by her spirit. "Calm down before you make yourself ill, my dearest one. As I have tried to tell you time and time again, you have given me more than I can ever repay and what I do is only what I wish with all my heart. I too can't wait to share these special moments with you," his voice lowered into a hushed whisper, "And many more new things to explore are yet to come. You are so precious to me, I hope you won't ever forget that."
Blushing, Evangeline allowed herself to be coaxed onto his lap. She met his kiss halfway, this one desperate and full of promises that flew between their hearts though no words were spoken. None were needed.