JASON
Jason straightened his new suit coat in his brothers' cabin and checked his reflection in the old shaving mirror. Good enough.
Laurie had insisted that Richard take Jason to San Francisco to tidy up her loose affairs before they tied the knot, confessing that she hadn't told Jason about all her money. When Richard learned of Laurie hiding funds sprinkled across San Francisco, he coughed and said incredulously, "She's part chipmunk." Laurie had thrown a cushion at him. Jason had laughed but silently admired her. There were worse things than having a wife that knew how to save and squirrel away funds for a rainy day. He put the last of her money in her own private bank account based out of Olympia, and she burst into tears when he handed her the receipt. They were her funds to do with as she wanted.
While in San Francisco, Jason watched Richard and Kenna say their vows in front of a large crowd in a manicured garden. Her brother hadn't asked Laurie to come, and when Jason asked Laurie about it, all she said with a quick shake of her head was, "Kenna." It seemed some wounds needed more time than others.
Kenna looked lovely in a pink gown made of a shiny fabric that rustled when she walked. Fashionable folds of fabric and ribbon almost hid her condition from the world. Jenny looked happy enough and hugged Richard tight after the nuptials had taken place. Laurie had cried at that news too, just as he had expected. She could finally put that guilt to rest.
After the wedding, Jason had gone shopping with Doreen, splurging on a few items for Laurie and himself. He had needed a new suit and found a black one he liked. He hadn't worn his gentleman's tie of blue silk in years but decided for his wedding, it would do just fine. Laurie often complained that he never wore blue. He grinned at his reflection, thinking of the comments she would make later at the reception.
For Laurie, he met the famous Madame La Fève.
"You know what La Fève means, oui?" she had asked.
Jason had shaken his head. "No ma'am, I'm afraid I don't."
"It means, 'lucky bean.' I chose it when I came to America. Clever, no?"
Jason had looked at the prices with his lips smashed together. Lucky bean his right eye! Thank goodness Doreen had gone with him. He had been close to telling the French woman she should have given herself the name of "lucky bandit," when Doreen had stepped in. At the mention of "Mademoiselle Laur-ieee" needing a wedding dress and wanting a white one from her favorite designer, the willowy French woman practically gave it to him.
He didn't know how Doreen had done it, but he was eternally grateful. No matter how much he wanted to fulfill every whim Laurie had for her wedding, paying a price that would have had Aaron choking on his cigar was hard to swallow, even though the thought of disappointing Laurie wasn't something he wanted to entertain.
Madam La Fève already knew Laurie's size, and after Jason gave her a paper with Laurie's measurements and described the few obvious changes to his intended bride's body, the designer had taken a white dress of soft linen with cotton lace and adjusted it appropriately. A couple of days later, a woman modeled it for him in the small but elegant boutique.
The linen sleeves came just off the shoulders, lace peeking from underneath to gather on her mid-upper arm, and it had three-tiered bows in the back under an elaborate bustle. There was a long flap of linen in the front that would easily hide the tiny bump that had grown in Laurie's abdomen, trimmed with the same lace as her sleeves. A small rosette finished the look at the peak of her décolleté. He liked it. For Laurie, it must have been a good choice because her face had lit up like a child at Christmas when she opened the box and ran her fingers lovingly over the garment.
As he gave his hair one more brushing, Joshua and Jeremy walked in with Richard in tow. He paused, looking at his smirking brothers, and scoffed at them. "Just wait. It'll be your turn before you know it."
Jeremy rocked heel to toe and said, "Oh? Well, I think if you don't hurry brother, Laurie is going to get there before you. And how do you think she's going to feel about that?"
Jason looked at Richard questioningly. He had come back to walk Laurie down the aisle for a third, and final, time. In early December the sea was a rough ride, and Jason had watched Richard turn four shades of green aboard Clancey's boat.
"I'm on my way over there," he told Jason. "Thought I'd see what was keeping you."
Jason grabbed his father's tartan sash, pressed and laying on the back of a chair. "Nothing. I'm almost done. Here Jeremy, hand me that brooch, will you?"
Jeremy picked up their father's brooch, a humble, round item made of pewter, shaped to resemble heather. He helped Jason pin it in place and stepped back to give Jason a scrutinizing once over. "Looks good. And I got the other one back from Candy."
"Good. You're sure Candy doesn't mind letting us use it today?"
"No. She said it belonged to our family anyway, and since she and I... well, she ah, ah, she didn't mind." Jeremy handed him the box he had held carefully in his hands.
Jason reverently opened the box to look at the Bolt heirloom. The silver had been woven in an intricate basket weave, tiny diamonds encrusted in four silver petals surrounding four teardrop-shaped sapphires. A single pearl made the middle of the "flower," and a pearl between each petal completed the design.
Uncle Duncan had given the heirloom to Candy as a compromise to Jermey. Hung up on old traditions, he had originally denied his blessing to Jeremy and Candy's engagement because Candy lacked a dowry. Their uncle had given it to Candy with the understanding that when she married Jeremy, she would bring it back into the family. Since Uncle Duncan hadn't finished his travels around the United States, the subject of a dowry would never be one that Laurie would have to worry about, although between the sum she had given Jason previously and the funds he and Richard had collected, Jason was sure his uncle wouldn't have worried about it at all.
He examined the heirloom, turning it over in his hand, and said to Richard, "You're sure she doesn't know about this?"
"Absolutely. She's too infatuated with that dress you bought her to think about much else."
Jason grinned. At the wedding rehearsal, Laurie had barely paid attention. Jason guessed after having been through two of her own, it was old news, but there was one little piece of the wedding he had asked Reverend Adams to exclude from rehearsal that he knew she had never experienced. Nothing about this marriage was going to be what she'd lived through before, and he wanted their wedding to reflect it.
Putting his thoughts aside, he gave the heirloom back to Jeremy. Jason stood straight with his shoulders back and flashed his brothers a grin. "Well, how do I look?"
"Like a laird heading for Cinderella's ball," said Joshua. "Don't forget the glass shoe." His brothers laughed, and even Richard chuckled.
"Ha, very funny," Jason said and poured a few drinks into the glasses he had on the table. With those present, he raised his glass and said, "To Laurie, heaven help her." Everyone solemnly raised their glass and downed the Scotch easily. They set the glasses down and broke out in goofy grins.
"She's going to need it," said Joshua.
"I know. Not only does she have to live with me, but she's going to be with our child around the clock."
"Well, cheer up, Jason," said Jeremy, picking up the box with the heirloom in it. "Maybe it'll only take a year or two for the baby to sleep through the night."
Jason grinned at Joshua and shoved his brothers toward the door, thrust his arm in his coat, and picked up another box to shove under his arm while he finished putting his coat on. To Richard, he said, "All right. We're going."
Laurie's brother stood with his arms folded. "You're going to make her cry," he said, nodding to the box.
"Yes, but she'll be crying with joyful tears. I think she due for a few of those."
"Hmm. More like, she's overdue for some spoiling. You seem to be doing a good job of that, too." He shook Jason's hand and left for the saloon where Laurie was getting ready.
The chilly wind whipped around them, a few flakes of snow swirling through the air. December. Of all the times for a wedding, but Laurie said he was less apt to forget their anniversary on Christmas Eve, and he had to admit, she was right. The church was already decorated with pine boughs, pine cones, gold ribbons, and berries, and last night Laurie had giggled.
"What is it?" Jason asked, walking out of the rehearsal.
"The whole church. It's almost perfect."
"Almost?"
"Well, just make sure you have a drink before you come."
"What?" he asked, the unusual request taking him by surprise.
"The smell of pine. You always smell like pine and whiskey. We have the smell of pine covered, so make sure you have a drink before you come. I think it would be a lovely addition to what's going to be a perfect day."
"I didn't know I smelled like that."
She wrinkled her nose. "Well, most of the time. Sometimes... maybe not so much."
A laugh rose from his toes, and he put his arm around her. "Candid, as always."
"Outspoken and uncultured is what the nuns called me."
"Banish the nuns to St. Vincent's, Laurie. They're not your concern anymore."
He'd meant it too.
Reverend Adams greeted them, and they found themselves quickly escorted to their places, Jeremy taking the larger box, and Joshua kept her ring in his pocket. No cigar bands this time.
The church was full to spilling over. Most of the brides that had stayed in Seattle had come, some with their husbands, most with babies, and of course all their friends. Exactly what he'd envisioned for Seattle three years ago, with no thoughts of marriage for himself.
"She's here," he heard Corky whisper to Reverend Adams.
"She didn't keep you waiting long, did she?" Joshua murmured next to him while Corky hurried to sit down, and the reverend took his place.
"Just long enough not to seem eager," said Jason, barely able to hide the grin he wanted to spread over his face. The organ began its tune, and when the doors opened Jason's eyes widened with pleasure. The crowd rose and looked toward the door, and a buzz flew through the church.
Laurie's appearance made him suck in his breath and forget to breathe out. Madam La Fève's dress was lucky after all. The material cast a soft hue on her body, accentuating her curves to compliment her figure rather than attract the eye to her growing belly. She almost looked as thin as she had been when he had met her, with her face and top just slightly rounder than it had been before. The sleeves draped elegantly just below her shoulders, and her neckline was low enough to allow the pregnancy glow of her skin to show. A chain hung on either side of the rosette, his mother's locket dangling below her bosom. She had chosen a bouquet of pine cones and pine boughs, with a few white silk roses sprinkled here and there.
"At least they're white," she had sighed when looking them over before his trip. "I always wanted an all-white wedding. Like Queen Victoria." She sighed. "I guess it wasn't meant to be."
"Why not?"
"Well, it's not appropriate, is it? This is my third wedding, and I'm pregnant... I can't wear white and a veil. I don't even know why we're planning a wedding," she said, shaking her head and plopped the flowers down on Lottie's table. "Honestly, Jason, it's too late for me. We should just go over there and say our vows like before and just be done with—"
He kissed her, hoping to stop her wall of words. When he leaned back, she was staring at him with her green eyes as wide as he had ever seen them. "There are no rules in Seattle, Laurie. No one here cares about that stuff here. Plan this wedding, please, if not for you, then for me. If you have to, think of it as the first wedding you wanted. Your first wedding to a man you're in love with. As far as the baby is concerned... well, if it bothers anyone, they can not come. It's that simple."
"It's that simple, is it?" she asked quietly.
He nodded. "So if a white wedding is your girlhood dream, then a white wedding you shall have," Jason declared, and with a wink, added, "Although this groom wouldn't mind his bride gifting him with a splash of blue." His eyes traveled down her dress so she would understand.
She sat quietly a moment studying him, and suddenly leaned over to whisper in his ear, "Then you better pick one up when you're in San Francisco."
Seeing her now, he sent a silent word of gratitude to Queen Victoria. Laurie's hair had been curled and braided. It was a little tousled by the weather, but mostly held in place by a veil that covered the top of her head. Delicate-looking wax orange blossoms on her headpiece brought the eye to rest on her beautiful blushing face that reminded him of the blush she wore after his roguish comments about buying her two garters: one for him, and one to share with their guests. His bride's lips were full and pink, and her green eyes were shining, but no tears. Only love, with a touch of excitement, shone from them.
To him, she looked perfect. Better than any queen. He could gaze at her forever, but couldn't deny the sense of urgency that he'd felt for weeks. Now he understood how other men had felt while he and the other bachelors had teased them. Somehow, when love was involved, there was no noose to be tied in matrimony. It was a relief, knowing she would be with him. Always.
Laurie was smiling as though she knew the effect she was having on him, and Jason smiled back. When she reached the altar, it was all he could do to wait to take her hand as the ceremony dictated.
Reverend Adams spoke clearly. "Folks, we are gathered here today..."
Jason straightened his shoulders. For better or for worse, this was it. No reprieves, no reservations. This time, he wanted it.
"Let us pray."
Jason listened to the prayer Reverend Adams uttered and felt his heart fill with gratitude. He murmured, "Amen" just as she did, and their eyes met again.
"Into this union, Laurie and Jason now come to be joined. If any of you can show just cause why they may not be lawfully wed, speak now, or forever hold your peace."
The church echoed silence.
The next few questions over entering the marriage covenant gave Jason goosebumps when Laurie looked past Richard at him with her heart in her eyes. With no restraint, she said, "I will." Jason responded in like with feeling, and he was certain that this time the shine from her eyes was from tears.
"Who gives this woman to this man to be married?"
Richard cleared his throat. "I do." He kissed Laurie's hand and stepped aside. She peeked through her lashes at Jason when he took Richard's place next to her. His heart slammed against his chest.
"We'll now be pleased to hear Jason's brothers sing, O Come Thou Fount."
Jason looked at Laurie in surprise, and her smile was impish. He shook his head and put his arm around her while his brothers sang. So she had planned a surprise for him too. He enjoyed listening, reflecting on the beauty of this ceremony in contrast to their first one among the shadows. When the song finished, he felt Laurie touch his arm.
"Jason, will you take Laurie by the right hand, please?"
Jason did so and found her to be trembling. They had chosen the same vows they had used before, despite his reservations of memories surfacing during the ceremony. He squeezed her hand, hoping to still her nerves.
She squeezed back.
"Jason, wilt thou have this woman to be thy wife, and wilt thou pledge thy faith to her, in all love and honor, in all duty and service, in all faith and tenderness, to live with her, and cherish her, according to the ordinance of God, in the holy bond of marriage?"
"I do."
They dropped hands, and with Reverend Adam's instruction, Laurie took his right hand while the reverend repeated the vow to her, verbatim, and with emphasis as Jason had requested. He had plopped Laurie in front of the reverend last Sunday and made her debate the obedience issue until he was sure she understood. While Sherman had added the words" obedient wife" to her vows, Jason had given himself to the tradition of his religion. There would be no vow of obedience to him. He wanted her to know in their marriage she would always have freedom of choice.
Eyes glistening, she said, "I do."
Joshua gave the reverend the ring to bless, the same ring Laurie had abandoned on the pages of their annulment before. The blessing was quick. The reverend gave it to Jason, and as he slipped it on her finger, he tenderly meant the words he quoted. "I give you this ring as a symbol of my love, and with all that I am, and all that I have, I honor you, in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit." He heard Laurie's breath catch in her throat.
"Now, I know you are expecting me to pronounce them man and wife," Reverend Adams said, addressing the congregation. "But Jason wanted to include one Scottish tradition that means something special to them. Jeremy?"
There was a quick murmur among the congregation, heads craning to see. Jeremy walked to Jason and handed him the box to hold. He opened it and brought out a matching sash to the one Jason wore, made of the Bolt tartan.
Laurie's eyes went from questioning to understanding in an instant, and her bottom lip quivered. Jeremy set it on her shoulder and pinned it to her with the heirloom.
"There is a tradition among the Scotts," Joshua said, loud enough for all to hear. "For the groom's family to pin their clan's tartan on the bride just before she and the groom are pronounced man and wife. It symbolizes she is now a part of them." He met Laurie's eyes. "She's family."
Someone blew their nose loudly, and Jason glanced up to see the women in the crowd fanning themselves or borrowing their beau's handkerchiefs to dab their eyes. Even Clancey looked misty-eyed.
He focused again on the ceremony in progress. Jeremy, having now finished, hugged Laurie, Joshua following with a hug as well. "My mother would have loved to have pinned that on you," Jason murmured in her ear. She lifted her head to meet his eyes, and as her brother had predicted, there were tears unashamedly running down her face.
"Thank you," she whispered back, her shaking fingers touching his face.
Reverend Adams cleared his throat, his voice suddenly sounding deep. "Yes. Well, now that Laurie and Jason have given themselves to each other by sacred vows, with the joining of hands and the giving and receiving of rings, I pronounce they are husband and wife, in the name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Those whom God has joined, let no one put asunder."
There wasn't another sound while the reverend prayed another blessing over them other than the appropriate "Amens," but when the reverend told Jason he could kiss his bride, there was a quick murmur of excitement among the watching congregation. Jason took Laurie's face in his hands and meant to kiss her tenderly on the lips, sealing their promises to each other, but she wrapped her arms around his neck and held him in place, prolonging their kiss a few beats more.
A joyous cry erupted throughout the congregation when she let him go, and the people fled the confines of the over-stuffed church to await them in the saloon. Richard kissed Laurie on the cheek. "I know you won't believe me, but I'll say it, anyway. Da would be proud."
She shook her head and threw her arms around him. "I don't know that I care anymore. I'm just glad you're here, and that I didn't want to wring your neck."
Richard laughed, startling everyone but Laurie with the sound. "I deserve that." He shook Jason's hand. "I'll be over at the saloon. I hear Miss Lottie spiked the punch."
Unable to shake his surprise that quickly, Jason solemnly nodded and said, "We'll be there in a moment."
"Careful, Jason," Joshua warned with a grin, taking his turn to kiss Laurie. "Your reception may not be outside, but I hear there's still rice involved."
Jason opened his mouth, prepared to quip something back, but Laurie kept standing on her tiptoes. "What is it?" he asked.
She pointed over his shoulder. He turned to see Jeremy and Candy holding hands, deep in quiet conversation. "When did this happen?" he asked Joshua, watching them with relief.
"Um, just now?"
Jason chuckled and looked down at Laurie. "Looks like it's Christmas miracles all the way around, wouldn't you say?"
She moved a little closer to him. "I hope so."
"They'll work it out," said Joshua, confidence in his voice. "I'll see you two over there."
"That's fine," Jason said, and while Joshua ran to the saloon, Jason threw his coat on and wrapped his bride up in the blanket she had used to arrive at the church.
"Ready to get rice in your hair?" he said after another kiss.
"Oh no, I know all about that," she said, giggling. "What do you think the veil is for?"
"Oh, I didn't know women used it for that. I thought it was just another piece of clothing to frustrate the groom with."
She shook her head, refusing to take his bait.
After another hopeful glance at his younger brother, he escorted Laurie outside. Together in a half-trot, half-run, they made it through the thickening flurry to the saloon, stopping on the stoop to catch their breath before entering.
"I was afraid my hair would be wet," she said, shaking out the snowflakes that stuck to her dress.
Jason bent down to kiss her cheek before saying with feeling, "You looked stunning. You still do."
"I was thinking the same about you. That necktie brings out your eyes."
"Oh?" he said, looking at her coyly, imitating the look she sometimes gave him. "I hadn't thought you'd noticed."
She blushed just as the saloon doors opened. Their friends flung rice at them before they could blink, and laughing, they broke into merriment as they entered the transformed saloon.
This time the reception lacked the traditional crepe paper. Instead, Laurie and Lottie had supervised the Christmas decorations into an elegant feast for the eyes: red velvet ribbon warmed the entire saloon; pine garland decorated the bar, the stair banister, and piano; pine cones amid the pine boughs with a candle in the middle adorned several tables; and food lined the bar as though another woman's bazaar had occurred, a pillar of white cake with red ribbons amid the trimmings.
He shook his head. "You did an amazing job," he said to Laurie, watching Lottie approach them.
"Only with help. Josh and Jeremy promised the reverend they'd put the nativity back for tomorrow's services, and this way Lottie's saloon is already set up for her Christmas party tomorrow." She smiled and hugged her friend, who had just set two glasses of punch down. Lottie's eyes signaled which one Jason should drink.
"Yes, well, if Jason had told us he intended to put that Bolt tartan on you, we could have made your something blue a little more conspicuous," said Lottie. Jason's knowing smile betrayed his knowledge of what they were talking about. "But I suppose this way the green brings out your eyes."
"Oh, there ya are! All right now, let me have a look at yas."
"Clancey, they were having a moment!" Lottie scolded him, rolling her eyes.
The ship captain blinked and open and shut his mouth like a fish out of water. "But, but, but dearie, that's what the wedding reception is for! So we can all admire the bride and tell the groom how lucky he is. Why would ya be fussin' over that?"
Laurie giggled, and Jason put his arm around the old sea captain. "Clancey, thank you very much. Would you like to have the first dance with the bride?"
"Oh, no, no, Jason, that's for the two of ya..."
"I insist."
"Me too," Laurie said and pulled the semi-protesting captain along with her to the area where other couples were already engaged with a lively tune.
"Well, Lottie, how about a dance?" asked Joshua, sticking his arm out for her.
"Thank you, Joshua, I think I will. Jason, keep an eye on my bar."
Jason watched them a moment, drinking a more potent version of punch than the women were drinking. Aaron appeared by his side, Biddie in tow.
"Oh, hello, Aaron, Biddie. Glad to see the two of you here. Biddie, you look absolutely radiant."
"Oh, thank you, Jason. You know how it is," Biddie said, touching the high collar on her blue gingham dress and looking toward the ceiling. "Newlyweds and all."
"Ah, Biddie, Laurie's supposed to be the one blushing, not me." Aaron took in Jason's unabashed grin and said, "Hey, you know, I think Harv was complaining he didn't get to dance with you at our wedding."
Jason had made it back just in time for that affair, and it had been another for the Seattle history books, with Biddie's flabbergasted "I do" out staged by Aaron's clear answer at the alter. He'd never seen the man more decisive, and Biddie seemed to blossom overnight in his arms. Laurie had told him her mother had made her cream-colored dress, and with the veil Laurie and Candy had put together, he'd been astonished he was looking at the same girl that had rushed to sign his contract in New Bedford.
"Well, Aaron," Jason said, still grinning, "That's because you hogged her the whole time."
"Oh Jason," said Biddie, waving a little hankie in front of him and looking down at the floor. "You say some of the prettiest things."
"Yeah," said Aaron with a frown. "Harv! Here she is!" Aaron yelled over the crowd, and a very confused Harv walked over and gave his boss a tentative smile.
"Jason, congratulations," Harv said.
Jason mumbled his thanks, waiting for the next line.
"Mr. and Mrs. Stempel. What can I do for you?"
"Harv, here's your second chance for a dance with my wife." He handed Biddie off to his confused foreman and said, "Go on. Have a good time." Aaron swirled back around and drank a very stiff shot of whiskey.
Jason watched Biddie leave with Harv. He leaned against the bar and said, "Uh, Aaron, I think you ought to go easy on that."
"Jason, I love her. And I'm enjoying being married. I do not love or like dancing. I tolerate it for the softer sex."
Jason watched him take another drink. "Hmm. I suppose you didn't consider that before...?"
"Oh sure, sure I did." Aaron gingerly nudged a pile of rolls out of the way, leaned against the bar with Jason, and gave him a wolfish grin. "But that's the perk of owning a sawmill. She wants to dance? Well, let her dance. I have enough employees that I don't have to do it every time."
Jason laughed, and with an ornery thought, clamped his hand down on Aaron's shoulder. "You know, Aaron, I think it's fitting. You got married first, and I'm having the first baby."
"Mm? Well, only by a technicality."
"No, I mean it. Maybe Laurie's right. Maybe our baby will be a boy. It's perfect."
Aaron's brow knitted, watching his wife, or possibly Jason's wife just beyond, laughing while dancing with their partners. Clancey, Jason noted, was holding Laurie like she was a bottle of his favorite whiskey. Aaron put his attention back on Jason and put his hand on his hip. "What's perfect?"
"Why, the end of the Bolt/Stempel feud, of course. Romeo and Juliet. I can see it now, my son and your daughter..."
"Now wait a minute. What if your baby's a girl?"
Jason looked into the crowd, his eyes glazing over as though he were having a vision. "A girl? Oh no, no... No, Aaron, that would never do. I could never agree for her to marry a man younger than herself. No, Aaron, I'm afraid it will have to be a boy."
"Jason, I'm not arranging a marriage for my daughter! She's not even born yet!"
"Well, of course not! They'll have to grow up together. He'll tug at her pigtails, and she'll chase him around the schoolyard."
Aaron poured himself another drink with a scoff. "Not if I have anything to say about it."
"And then he'll carry her books home, and she'll break his heart a few times."
"Hang on. Why does my daughter have to be the heartbreaker?"
"Well, you know how girls are. Why they pinch their cheeks and wear their best dresses and look at the boys they like through their eyelashes. Just enough to keep the game going, just enough to break the heart."
"That has to be the most ridiculous thing I've ever heard."
"Of course, when they're the right age, he'll ask her to dance, and she'll accept," Jason continued, using his hands to animate the story he spun. "Him with his curly brown hair and her with her lacy bonnet and big brown eyes. The lights will be low—".
"They better not be," muttered Aaron, taking another swig of punch.
"—and they'll dance... no, glide across the dance floor. And you, Aaron. You and I will see the writing on the wall. We'll be old—" he said, watching his friend with a mischievous smile.
"Humph. You perhaps."
"—and then they'll go behind the barn..."
"Hmm. Yeah." Aaron's eyes had drooped a little, as though envisioning it all, but now they snapped open and he straightened his frame. "What you mean behind the barn?!"
Jason opened his eyes wide as if Aaron had surprised him. "Well, Aaron, a young couple in love..."
"Well, who said she was in love with him?! One measly dance doesn't mean—"
Jason almost lost control of his expression and said, "Now Aaron, take it easy. It's just young love."
"Just young love? Just young love?!" Aaron pressed his lips together, and he took a deep breath before jabbing his finger at Jason. "Now see here, Jason. I'm not about to let my daughter go behind any barn with your or anyone else's son. If I catch those two together, I'll, I'll..." He looked at Jason, who was barely holding his laughter in. "Oh. That's not very funny."
Jason let go, laughing so hard it almost took his breath away. "Oh, Aaron, I'm sorry. I couldn't resist."
"Yeah? Well, next time try a little harder."
"What's going on?" Laurie asked, approaching him, her arm looped with Joshua's.
"Oh, nothing," Jason said, still snickering. "Aaron's going to be a good father someday."
Aaron gave him a good-natured glare and then beamed at Jason's wife. "Laurie, you look sensational. Jason, I tell you what. I agree to have the same gender of kids you do. That way they can be friends and end the Stempel/Bolt feud without any romantic interludes. Deal?"
Jason nodded, still not quite in control.
"What are you talking about?" asked Joshua.
"Ask him," said Aaron, and polished his drink off. "Well, I guess I do owe Biddie a dance or two. Congratulations, to both of you."
Jason watched Aaron make his way through the crowd, still not able to straighten his face. It had been too long since he'd been able to tease Aaron like that. It felt good. He suspected Aaron, for all his protests, had enjoyed it too.
"What happened to Clancey?" he asked, putting his eyes back on Laurie. He found the flush on her skin enticing.
"Lottie took over so I could bring Laurie to you," Joshua said. He waved, and Jason saw Jeremy and Candy elbow their way through the dancers. "Jeremy caught our attention. I think he wants to talk to us."
"Oh, well, look who is... holding hands?" said Jason, afraid to say too much as the couple drew close.
"Yeah, well, we're not announcing anything today," Jeremy told him, and then he smiled at Laurie. "We wouldn't do that."
"It's fine," she said to him. She and Candy smiled at each other. "Sisters again?"
Candy nodded, and the both of them burst into a hug, the men watching in fascination.
"Women have it so easy, don't you think? Could you imagine if we showed affection like that?" Joshua teased. "People would think we were plain loco."
"It's all that sweetness and softness," Jason said, taking a sip of spiked punch, acting as if he were serious. "All a man needs a good handshake. Otherwise, we'd just bounce off each other." His wife, Candy, and his two brothers looked at him like he was crazy, and suddenly Laurie burst out in a fit of giggles. He grinned at her. "Tell you what, the next time I'm teasing someone, remind me not to have you around."
"You're in a mood. And poor Aaron, I wasn't here to rescue him. Will you excuse us, please? I think it's time I danced with my husband," Laurie said to Candy and his brothers. With a bow, he led her to the dance floor, leaving the three of them still laughing.
"By the way," she said as he grasped her hand in preparation to dance. "I love how the tie brings out your eyes. I like your choice."
He grinned. "I knew you would." She giggled and shook her head. He looked around them and stood a little taller. "Where's your brother?" he asked, realizing he hadn't seen Richard for a while.
"He's over there," she said, waving toward the piano. Jason saw him watching them across the room. "He's talking with some men about Sherman." She rolled her eyes to show her annoyance, and then said, "Enough play. Now romance me."
He grinned, and his eyes grew dark. "Well, I've been dying to see that something blue I bought you. There's a room upstairs..."
She laughed and playfully swatted the air in front of her. "Romance, Jason, not ravage. That comes later."
He exaggerated a mock sigh, and placed one hand at her waist, and taking her hand, led her into a waltz. "Well, as long as it comes later, yes, darling. Whatever you wish."
"Careful, I could get used to those words," she said, peeking through her eyelashes. Jason wondered if he should be worried she seemed to have made it a new habit.
"Hmm. Will you settle for, I love you?" he asked, determined not to fall for the same trap his hypothetical son had.
She bit her lip as though considering his question seriously. "I don't think that's settling. But I will make a compromise."
One of his eyebrows shot up. "Oh?"
"If the baby is a girl, I'll be content."
He looked at her smile and realized he'd never grow tired of her, jumper and all. He leaned down and kissed her softly amid some whoops from their friends, and whispered, "I hope she looks like you."
LAURIE
Jason picked Laurie up and walked her over the threshold of the brand-new front door of their rebuilt cabin. There was laughter and waves from their friends and family as they dispersed, but Laurie noticed one lone figure watching her from outside while Jason walked back to close the door. Richard had stayed on the outskirts of the crowd, and it was a comfort to see him so relaxed. He had danced with her toward the end of the day and shyly admitted how happy he was for her. It was the best wedding gift he could have given.
"Well, we're legally married now," Jason said as he locked the door.
"Yes, that we are," she said, smiling so hard her cheeks hurt.
He closed the gap between them and put his hands lightly on her shoulders. "Happy?"
She nodded.
"No misgivings, second thoughts... you're ready to be Mrs. Jason Bolt for the rest of your life?"
She giggled. "It's a little late to be asking, isn't it?"
"Indulge me. I'm curious."
"I'm actually excited about it."
He gave her an amused smile. "Is that a fact?"
"Mm-hmm. You've spent your life getting in and out of trouble as a single man, and I've been in and out of trouble as a single woman. More than our share, I'm told. So, I'm excited to see what sort of mischief we can create together."
Jason laughed and caressed her belly while holding her to him. "Darling, I think we've already started in that direction."
"Me too."
He kissed her for a few moments, his fingers brushing the top button at the back of her dress. Her stomach growled, and he pulled back in surprise. "Hungry?"
She groaned. She knew she should have eaten more at the reception, but she hadn't felt like it. Everything had been perfect, and she couldn't remember the last time she had fully enjoyed herself without the slightest worry. There would be tough days ahead. She wasn't naïve, but today, on her wedding day, God had given her perfection. Even the snow had added a bit of magic, and she was excited to see what her own very tall Santa Claus was bringing her for Christmas.
"Just a little. Do you have any cheese in that understocked larder?"
He laughed. "For the record, I remembered what you usually kept in there, and Candy finished rounding it out. There are some advantages to a second wedding."
Laurie shook her head and let him go. She unpinned the Bolt heirloom and carefully placed it on the table. "Is that so?"
His eyes swept over her and in a husky voice he said, "Knowing what's coming, the anticipation is killing me."
She took the tartan sash off and draped it over a chair. She fluffed her hair, her veil discarded sometime during the reception, knowing he was watching her. "Cheese and coffee? Will that be fast enough?"
"No wine?" he asked in mock surprise.
She shook her head. "I've already settled my nerves tonight, Jason. I'm excited, not afraid."
"Cheese and coffee it is. Maybe the girls left us some bread too."
"I can come help..."
"No. You sit down and try out the new furniture." He helped her sit on their new settee in front of the fire and kissed her nose. "I'll be right back."
"Who warmed the cabin for us?" she asked, staring at the fire.
"Josh," he said, smiling from the doorway. "He slipped out about an hour before we were ready to come home."
He disappeared into the kitchen, and Laurie sighed. Restless, she got up and walked to the Christmas tree he had told her about the night before.
"It'll be our first Christmas together, you know," he had told her, stroking her fingers with his thumb as they sat waiting on Reverend Adams for the wedding rehearsal in the church. "I got us a tree."
"A tree! Jason, you didn't need to do that."
"Oh, I know I didn't need to, but I didn't want a single Christmas to go by without a tree in our home. Some traditions are worth starting right away."
She smiled and traced his lips. "Our home," she whispered.
"You can decorate it on your wedding night," said Joshua, breaking the spell. "It'll give the two of you something to do."
Jason looked at him like he'd lost his mind. "Uh, Josh..."
"I mean, you already have a baby on the way. Is there another reason to pick back up relations?"
Jeremy snickered beside them, and Reverend Adams chose right then to walk into the room. Jason stood and helped Laurie to her feet, quiet. She was about to ask him if he had nothing to say when he looked Joshua in the eye.
"There's only one thing I can think of," he said solemnly. Then he winked at Laurie and lost his composure to the largest grin she'd ever seen him wear. "Practice."
The memory made Laurie chuckle while fingering the popcorn garland, candy canes, and gingerbread men. It made her heart swell to realize how hard he had worked to make their wedding day perfect for her. Right down to candles on the Christmas tree. No woman she had ever met had been so spoiled. There was still a lot to do in decorating their home and preparing for the baby, but for a man creating a love nest, she had to admit, he had outdone himself. If his intent was to sweep her off her feet and make her feel adored, he'd succeeded.
Jason reentered the room and put a plate of cheese on the table. "Took me a moment to get the fire going in the stove," he said apologetically, removing his brooch and sash, placing them with hers. "But I've got coffee on the way. No bread, I'm afraid."
She shook her head and took the hunk of cheese he offered. "I'll make some tomorrow."
His eyebrow lifted. "Darling, you'll be so busy, we'll be lucky to make it to church."
"Jason!"
"What? You're the one who wanted to be married on Christmas Eve."
She took a bite and chewed slowly. "Hmm. Who decorated the tree?"
"Biddie and Candy. Like it?"
"Yes," she said, watching him remove his suit coat. She rubbed her pinky finger over her bottom lip. "But it needs an angel on top."
Jason walked to her and smiled. "Well, we'll get one for next year." He kissed her soundly, his hand cupping her breast. She sighed when he let go and squeezed back when he embraced her. "Go lie down and I'll bring the coffee in a few minutes," he murmured in her hair.
"It's not in danger of boiling over, is it?" she whispered in his ear.
"No. Why?"
She pulled away and peeked through her eyelids. "We could practice a little before it's ready."
"Practice?"
Her eyebrows rose.
"Oh," he said, dragging out the word. "You mean practice. You think we have time?"
"Mm-hmm," she said, her hand boldly running over his chest. "Not for..."
He kissed her, his hands traveling over her arms.
"...everything. Just a..."
He kissed her again, his hands caressing her hips.
"...taste."
"Hmm." He kissed her again. "You know, I bought you two little blue things, but I only felt one on your leg. I think Clancey was scandalized by catching it."
She giggled. "And that's why I threw the bouquet straight at Lottie. They don't have a prayer."
He chuckled. "That was almost as funny as Aaron getting an eye full of cake."
"Well, you weren't supposed to duck," she said, laughing.
"I was afraid you were going to smash it into my face after that comment I made about a woman's lack of aim," he admitted, laughing with her.
"I still think we should play horseshoes sometime, just to prove you wrong."
"Not on my life," he said, still chuckling. "I've already lived dangerously."
Jason grew serious again. He brought his hand up to bury his fingers in her hair as he dipped his head down to kiss her fully, his tongue lazily teasing her lips. She moaned, wishing he'd stop playing with her. She didn't want to be aggressive, but she was finished with courting. Maybe there was a reason her marriages had been arranged before now. She didn't seem to be the coy, playing-on-a-man's-emotions type. More like the take-it-or-leave-it type. Being previously married had some advantages. Mostly those experiences had helped soothe her when she worried she had been a little too forward with him. Thank heavens he hadn't seemed to care. If anything, his habitual twinkle had told her he liked it.
He ended the kiss and stared into her eyes. "So I've been wondering all night what happened to the second blue, ah, thing," he said, his voice still teasing.
"I bet you have," she said, and he laughed. She pulled him toward the bedroom. "Think you've got time to find it before the coffee's ready?"
He didn't hesitate. He swooped her up in his arms and she squealed as he carried her straight to the bed and laid her down, his hands roaming while they kissed. Laurie arched her back in response to his touch and felt desire burst through her like flames. Knowing it had only been months since they had enjoyed relations didn't matter. It felt like it had been years since she'd felt his sinful touch. She was dying to make love to him too. He pulled back and with a grin, ran his hand under her petticoat toward her thigh. The scream of the coffee pot made them both freeze.
"I thought you said we had time?!"
"Blast it!" Jason swore. He wrenched himself away from her and launched himself out the door.
Laurie propped herself up on her elbows to stare after him. And then it hit her. It was so perfect. It was exactly what she would have expected from life with Jason. She let her head fall back and laughed from her toes.
"Oh, you think it's funny, do you?" said Jason, reappearing in the doorway with the coffeepot in one hand and two cups in the other. "Do you have any idea how hard it was to wait until today? Hell, I wanted to take you so badly two nights ago, I nearly told your brother to take a swim. He was stuck to your side like Clancey to a bottle of booze. He knew what I was thinking."
She couldn't blame him for the swearing. He wasn't the only one who wouldn't have minded sending Richard for a swim that night. She smiled and moved her skirts over her leg so just a hint of blue high on her thigh showed in the folds of her skirts. "Come undress me, lover. I think my appetite has changed for something else entirely."
A thrill danced up her spine when she observed his breath quicken. He set the items down on the bed stand while still staring at her as if she might disappear in front of him. He took off his tie tack and set it next to the food. Before she could blink, his vest and tie were on the table and he had unbuttoned his top two buttons. Jason laid down next to her, his hand traveling up her leg to her inner thigh, stopping to brush against the garter. His eyes devoured her.
"You are so bold," he murmured with reverence.
"You keep telling me that," she said and kissed his cheek. "Just wait until I'm settled into my role as your wife again. This time you won't be able to handle me."
He groaned and kissed her neck as he lay her back to continue their interlude. "I know exactly how I'll handle you," he said, his voice hot and rough. He kissed the top of her breasts and pressed her into the bed while his hands moved to the back of her dress. Laurie felt a button tug and give way to his fingers. She quickly flitted her gaze to the window. She smiled before closing her eyes and relaxed while her fingers played with his curls as the next button popped.
The curtains were closed.