Chapter Thirty-Seven
"I don't believe you were invited," someone else said.
Not a second after Lucas stared at Walden, he glanced to his side to find Nathan standing there.
"It was my understanding the party was open to the whole town," Walden said, a cold smile on his face. "I merely came to offer my… congratulations."
"Thank you," Lucas said tersely. "Now, if that's all…"
Walden took a step closer. At his shorter height, he failed to intimidate.
"You think you've won," he hissed, "but this isn't over."
Nathan stepped between Lucas and Walden. "Oh, but I think it is… unless you'd like to take it to the jail."
Lucas glanced beyond the men crowding around him, noticing the Pinkertons by the door. The tall one, Spurlock, had his eyes on Elizabeth and the ladies. He went to move toward her, but Bill placed a hand on his forearm.
"If you want proof, Walden, I'll be happy to show you the documents myself in my office first thing Monday morning. You were clearly misled or mistaken when you came into the valley and brought up the land. If it was a simple misunderstanding, then that was all it was, but if it was something more nefarious, well, I don't think I need to spell it out."
Henry got right in Walden's face, nose to nose. "That land was mine, Walden. Now it's Lucas' and Mike Hickam's. Fair is fair."
Walden glared from one man to the next. A vein pulsed on his temple, his face blotchy. He growled something incomprehensible and lunged at Lucas.
Nathan grabbed the smaller man and shoved him toward the doors.
"I think you've overstayed your welcome."
The commotion got the ladies' attention. The music stopped. Several gasps went up among the women.
Across the room, Lucas found Elizabeth's gaze. She looked worried, but he gave her a nod.
Walden righted himself and adjusted his coat. Standing next to his bodyguards, he said, "We'll see, won't we?"
He whispered something to Spurlock, who nodded. Then they were gone.
Lucas pushed his way through the men toward Elizabeth. She likewise made her way to him, amongst the hushed concerns from the women. The moment they reached each other, they hugged.
"Are you all right?" she asked.
He smiled. "I'm fine. Don't worry."
"But Wyman Walden and his men-"
He shushed her with a gentle kiss, not caring who might be watching.
"Hey," Lucas said. "Don't let them ruin our party. This is supposed to be a fun time. A time to celebrate. Walden is just angry because he's lost. There's nothing he can do."
Elizabeth glanced toward the doors, perhaps expecting Walden and the Pinkertons to still linger there. Then she met Lucas' gaze.
"You're right. I'm being silly."
"Of course I'm right. Now, I believe Gustave has a wonderful dinner prepared, and I hear Rosemary has a plethora of games ready to keep us entertained well into the night!" He said this last part in a loud voice.
Several cheers went up, glasses raised.
"That's right!" Rosemary exclaimed, coming to Elizabeth's side. She wrapped an arm around her dear friend. "Now, put away that concerned teacher look and put on that happy bride-to-be look."
Elizabeth frowned. "I don't have a concerned teacher look. Do I?" She glanced at Lucas.
He chuckled. "Actually, you do."
Her mouth slowly curled upward, until she laughed. "Well, maybe I do, but it's not for this night. Let's have some fun, shall we?"
"You stole my line." Lucas winked.
Elizabeth kept smiling. "It's a good line. Maybe you should copyright it."
"It can be your next book's title."
"Okay, you lovebirds," Rosemary interjected, "there's a table waiting."
Lucas escorted Elizabeth to their seats of honor. Everyone took seats at various tables, with their closest friends at the nearest.
With a glance toward the kitchen, Lucas spotted Gustave and gave him a nod.
The French chef returned the gesture and disappeared behind the curtain. A few moments later, he led a line of wait staff as they brought trays laden with bowls of soup.
"This smells delicious," Elizabeth remarked as Gustave himself placed a bowl in front of her.
"We wished for lobster bisque, but alors, it's January, so we had to settle for tomato bisque." He shrugged. "Champagne?"
He held up a bottle.
"It's a special vintage." Lucas grinned as his bride-to-be. "1895."
"Sounds wonderful."
Gustave poured the champagne after serving the soup.
Lucas gazed around the room, finding every round table filled with their friends. His heart was full, thoughts of Walden chased away by his love for Elizabeth and for this town.
After the servers finished, they exited. Chatter filled the air, and people tucked into their first course.
"Do you mind if I say something?" Lucas asked Elizabeth.
"To the crowd?"
He nodded.
"Not at all." She smiled.
Lucas stood, picked up his flute, and tapped it lightly with his fork. "Everyone, if I may please have your attention for just a moment."
The overlapping voices slowly quieted.
"Thank you." Lucas shifted his eyes around the room, taking in smiles and curious gazes. "I'd like to thank you all for sharing tonight with us. While I know Elizabeth and I aren't yet married-"
"But soon enough!" Henry shouted.
Several guys guffawed.
"Yes, soon enough." Lucas chuckled. "As I was saying before my esteemed best man interrupted, Elizabeth and I have yet to tie the knot, but I felt the need to share something now. After some unwelcome guests infiltrated our happy gathering, you all were quick to right the wrongs. When I first came to Hope Valley, I didn't know who to trust. I'd spent my life moving from town to big city to town, never quite fitting in, never quite happy. I learned shortly after my arrival here that Hope Valley looks out for its own, and that's what you've done once again.
"So, even though you're here to celebrate Elizabeth and, dare I say it, me, I want to celebrate Hope Valley and what it stands for: hope. Not only have I met the most beautiful woman in every way…" Here, he gazed down at Elizabeth and took her hand.
She blinked away tears.
Lucas gently guided her to stand. "...I've met true friends." He looked at Henry, then Bill and Lee and many others, finally ending on Nathan.
Lucas raised his glass. "Here's to friendship! Here's to hope!"
"Here, here!" the room echoed.
Glasses clinked.
Lucas resumed his seat.
"Lucas," Elizabeth said, "that was lovely."
He smiled. "Thank you. I felt compelled to speak. It wasn't planned."
"Well, you certainly spoke with as much finesse as you always do."
He raised his brows. "Finesse? Is that what you call it?"
They continued their light banter throughout the meal of filet mignon, scalloped potatoes, and asparagus. Elizabeth asked how Lucas managed to procure such food, but he simply winked, saying that would be giving away Gustave's secrets. And Lucas knew how protective the chef was of his recipes.
They mingled a bit with everyone. For the most part, Lucas sat or stood in silence, watching Elizabeth interact with their friends. He was happy to let her shine. He marvelled how this was only the bachelor and bachelorette party and knew that in a week's time, the festivities after the ceremony would need to outshine this spectacular night.
Once everyone was done with dinner, Rosemary took the floor. She used her theatre voice to gain everyone's attention, calling out, "Now that we've all had the chance to share in that wonderful dinner, who wants to play some games?"
Cheers filled the room, although a few groaned.
"I hope these games aren't like the ones at Florence and Ned's shower," Elizabeth said, perhaps more loudly than intended.
"They won't be," Lucas replied, taking her hand. Leaning in, he added, "Besides, I think we know the feel of each other's hands by now."
She pinked a lovely shade on her cheeks.
Lucas couldn't help the slight chuckle, although when he briefly exchanged glances with Nathan a few feet away, he sobered. The Mountie whisked his eyes away just as fast. Lucas wondered if he'd overheard Elizabeth's remark.
"Okay, the first game is Would You Rather?" Rosemary announced. "The rules are simple. One by one, you will come forward and pull a folded piece of paper from this hat." She held up one of Lee's bowlers. "There will be a question: Would you rather do this or do that? Of course, the "this" or "that" will be a surprise. Now, who's first?"
When no one volunteered, Rosemary said, "Lee, be a dear."
"What? Me?" He stood, looking around the room. "Doesn't anyone want to have the honor?"
"It's all you, Lee," Jesse said.
Lee approached his wife. "All right. I'm here. Just grab a paper out of the hat?"
"Yes, Lee, it's quite simple." Rosemary spoke in a syrupy tone, held up the hat, and shook it.
He reached in, almost wincing, like he was afraid something in that hat was going to bite. Removing a piece of paper, he unfolded it and read, "Would you rather go for a horse ride or a car ride with your sweetheart?" He chuckled. "Oh, that's not so bad. Well, I guess a car ride, seeing as I'm not much of a horse rider."
"True indeed," Rosemary said, patting her husband's arm. "Good job, dear."
Lucas and Elizabeth smiled at each other, trying not to laugh at Rosemary's treatment of Lee.
He's not her child, Lucas thought, amused.
"Okay, who's next?" Rosemary asked.
Lee returned to his seat. The others around him shook his hand and murmured among themselves.
"Oh, I'll go," Jesse said, getting to his feet. "Clara, do you want to join me?"
"Sure, this looks like fun," she said.
The couple joined Rosemary. Jesse had to choose between eating raw fish or frog's legs. His greenish face went well with his answer of frog legs.
"Well, you go, then," Jesse said to Clara as she giggled at his reaction.
"Fair enough." With an anticipatory smile, she reached into the hat. Then she read, "Would you rather dance alone in a room full of couples, or would you rather have a dance partner who constantly steps on your feet?" She looked at Jesse. "Well, it's a good thing you're a good dancer, but if you kept stepping on my feet, even then, I'd rather dance with you than alone."
He took her hand and whirled her around. She laughed as he kissed her hand. The pair bowed, then returned to their seats as applause filled the room.
"Thank you, Clara and Jesse," Rosemary said. Her eyes landed on Lucas and Elizabeth. "I believe it's now time for our couple of honor to come up!"
Lucas took Elizabeth's hand. "Are you ready?"
She smiled tentatively. "As ready as I'll be."
Together, they stood and walked over to Rosemary.
"Ladies first," Lucas said.
Elizabeth gave him a playful glare, then sighed. "Oh, all right." Eyeing Rosemary, she said, "There had better not be anything too risque in that hat."
Rosemary waved her off. "Oh, Elizabeth, you know it's all in good fun. Now, don't keep us waiting. The anticipation is too much."
Elizabeth rolled her eyes, then dipped her hand into the hat. Opening the small piece of folded paper, her eyes widened. "Oh, come on. I can't choose."
"What's it say?" Lucas asked, trying to see the words.
Elizabeth snatched it away, holding it to her chest. "No peeking."
"All right." He chuckled.
Taking a deep breath, she read, "Would you rather spend an evening having a romantic dinner under the stars or enjoy a picnic on a sunny afternoon?"
Lucas laughed.
"We've already done both of those," Elizabeth said. "Like I said, how can I choose?"
Lucas took her hand. "Yes, we have. I enjoyed both."
"Okay, you get a pass," Rosemary acquiesced, "considering you're the bride-to-be and my best friend, after all."
Elizabeth mouthed, "Thank you."
"Okay, Lucas, your turn," Rosemary said.
He withdrew a paper and read, "Would you rather honeymoon in Europe or in a tropical region?" Lucas took Elizabeth's hand, kissed it, and said, "Well, although we aren't taking our trip until the summer, I'd have to say we're both more of the travel-Europe types, wouldn't you, my darling?"
"Is that a hint?" Elizabeth asked, positively beaming.
Lucas winked. "Maybe."
"Wonderful!" Rosemary exclaimed. "Lee and I loved our South American cruise, but Europe! Oh, my! I especially love Paris! Et tu peux parler en francais avec l'autre."
"Exactement," Lucas replied. "Well, I believe we've both done our part, so moving on…" He stepped away, Elizabeth in tow.
The rest of the game passed in entertaining and fun fashion. Almost everyone had a turn.
"Okay, for our next game," Rosemary said, "you're going to have to totally trust and depend on another person."
Curious murmurs drifted through the crowd.
"If you aren't here with a partner, try to find someone who you trust."
"That's a lot to ask of some of these folks," Henry piped up. "Some of us don't have our sweethearts with us!"
Lucas glanced at Nathan, who was avoiding eye contact with the whole room. Armed crossed protectively over his chest, the Mountie kept his gaze on the table in front of him.
"Just what is this game?" Elizabeth asked.
"Well, Lee and I can demonstrate," Rosemary said. "Lee, be a dear once again."
Lee stood with a good-natured sigh and joined her. "Now what am I being asked to do to make a fool of myself in front of all these kind folks?"
Rosemary laughed. "Very funny. You'll only make a fool of yourself if you don't trust me."
"Oh, that makes me feel so much better."
Laughter echoed throughout the saloon.
Lucas smiled at the couple, then at Elizabeth. "Well, I know I'm in good hands." He took her hand to emphasize his point.
"Lee, please have a seat," Rosemary said. "Oh, and put on this blindfold."
"Not another game with a blindfold!" he complained.
A chair's legs scraping over the floorboards got Lucas' attention. Nathan was already on his feet, making a hasty exit for the back door.
Elizabeth noticed the Mountie's actions as well and looked at Lucas with a frown.
"Do you think he's okay?" she whispered.
Lucas shrugged. "Best to leave him alone. We all know what happened last time there was a blindfold involved at a party."
Elizabeth blushed. "Yes, well, I didn't want to play that game."
"It was just a silly game. Besides, we're so far past that."
Elizabeth pursed her lips. "I know. It's just… part of me still worries about Nathan."
"You're a good friend, Elizabeth. He knows by now where things stand, and at least from what I can tell when I've spoken with him, he seems to have made peace."
Elizabeth didn't look convinced, but he didn't press her. A shriek from Lee diverted their attention back to the couple on display.
Lee sat with a cupcake in front of him, although, to be accurate, it was only the remains of one. A good deal of the frosting covered his mouth and nose.
"Oh, my," Rosemary said, trying to suppress a laugh. "I'm so sorry." She giggled nonetheless. She released Lee's hands and covered her mouth.
Now free, Lee removed the blindfold. He ran a finger along his lips and tasted the frosting. "Mmm, buttercream. Well, at least it tastes good."
"It should, Lee!" Lucas called. "Your wife made the dessert!"
"Very well done, dear. It's delish."
Rosemary leaned in for a kiss, and they shared a frosting-covered moment. Afterward, Lee wiped the rest of the white from his face.
"So, you get the idea," Rosemary said. "I had to be Lee's hands for him."
"Yes, but unfortunately, you apparently didn't know where my mouth was," Lee countered.
"Wait a minute," Bill said. "Do will all have to wind up with frosting on our faces?"
"Not at all," Rosemary said. "Whoever is the hands for the blindfolded person gets to pick what action they do."
"This oughta be interesting," Henry muttered to Ned.
"Now, who's next?" Rosemary asked brightly, clapping once.
"I have full trust in your abilities," Lucas said to Elizabeth.
She giggled. "I won't try feeding you a cupcake."
"Thank you. That would be hard to get out of my beard."
Lucas and Elizabeth raised their hands.
"We're ready," Elizabeth said. "I think Lucas is volunteering to be blindfolded."
Rosemary scurried over. "Here you go." She handed the scrap of fabric to Elizabeth.
"You're either very brave or very foolish, Lucas!" Lee yelled.
Several of the guys chuckled.
"Oh, ye of little faith!" Lucas returned as Elizabeth tied the blindfold over his eyes. Everything went dark.
He heard shifting, like Elizabeth was moving around. Her footsteps faded, then returned. Something clunked as she set it on the table. A popping sound. The soft touch of her palm over his came as she guided his hand toward something. He felt along the smooth glass, realizing it was a wine goblet. Then her other hand took his free one and gripped more glass. Lucas knew it was the neck of a wine bottle.
"Ready?" she asked.
"Let's do this."
"Okay." The hint of a laugh touched her voice.
He wrapped his hand around the bottle, her hand still on top of his. The bottle lifted, slowly, slowly, and poured. Lucas' hand shook some, unsteady and awkward without the ability to see what he was doing. Elizabeth and he set the bottle down. Their hands on the wine glass held it. Drawing it toward his mouth under her guidance, Lucas prepared to drink. He tasted the dry, buttery chardonnay and was about to pull away, but the glass tilted too much for too long, and some of the wine poured down his chin. With a cough, Lucas withdrew.
"Oh, my goodness! I'm sorry!"
Lucas laughed heartily, taking off the blindfold. "Well, at least it's easier to clean out of my beard than frosting."
Elizabeth joined him in laughter, followed shortly by many others.
"Perhaps it's time for dessert," Rosemary announced.
"Between cupcakes and wine, I'd say we're covered," Lee said.
Elizabeth took the seat next to Lucas. He scooted his chair until it touched hers. Wrapping an arm around her, he kissed her.
"Mmm, I taste the wine," she said.
"And I taste a lifetime of sweetness together."
Elizabeth gave him a playful shove. "You're something else, you know that?"
"I've been called worse."
As dessert was served, Lucas marvelled all over again as his good fortune. No, his blessings.
I'm blessed beyond measure, he thought, looking around the room. This town. These friends. And this amazing woman and her son… who's probably sleeping. Thank you, God.