Chapter 33 – Wedding Prep
Thursday, Jack and Dee rode out early to check on things. Jack took him on a full rounds. That way if Dee did stay he would know the route for rounds. They hadn't said much to each other, but finally Jack felt he needed to apologize.
"Sorry about the way my mother was last night." Jack said.
"It is okay." Dee said. "If that wasn't her scary teacher face, then I really don't want to see anymore."
Jack just let out a small laugh.
"My mother can be a little intense." Jack said.
Dee just smiled at Jack and nodded in understanding. They continued to ride in silence. When they got back to town, they took care of their horses and then went to the jail. Jack made a couple quick notes about rounds.
"Let's go find some breakfast." Jack said.
Dee and Jack headed to the cafe and stopped to get Dee's parents on the way. The four went to the cafe and sat and enjoyed a nice breakfast. Charlotte was already there and joined the group.
"So what are you guys up today." Charlotte asked. "I think I am going to go help out at the church."
"I had planned on helping Abigail." Aunt Elizabeth said. "We still have things to get done for tomorrow and Sunday."
"I was hoping to steal Wynn and Dee." Jack said. "I am working on something and could use some help finishing it. I also need to move my few belongings from the jail over to the house."
"If we can help you Jack," Wynn said. "We would be more then willing."
After breakfast, the group split up. Aunt Elizabeth headed to the kitchen of the cafe. Charlotte headed toward Elizabeth's house and the guys headed out to the jail.
"So what are you up to." Dee asked. "And how can we help."
"I have been trying to get some bookcases made." Jack said. "They are a combination housewarming, wedding and Christmas gift. I had planned on making four, since Elizabeth has a ton of books. I have all the pieces cut, but I haven't had time to get them together. I also noticed that the church is running low on fire wood. I know that there is no school next week, but the kids will be there to practice for the New Year's celebration and Pastor Frank and I have talked about him keeping a small fire burning in the stove so that it doesn't take as much time to warm up."
"Let's go get those bookcases finished." Wynn said. "Then we can haul a load of wood."
The men headed out to finish building the bookshelves at the livery. While they were doing that, all the decorations were being moved to the church. Molly and Florence had their lists and knew what they wanted. There was tulle to add to the benches. Flower arrangements be placed. Molly realized that there was fabric to hang at the back of the church do that Jack wouldn't be able to see Elizabeth until it was opened. Then Florence realized that they would need someone to open the curtain. A plan was quickly formed and Florence went in search of Miles and Albert. She knew that the two boys would be able to handle it without practicing. They were brought to the schoolhouse and shown what they would need to do. Once Florence felt comfortable that they understood, they were allowed to go.
It was just after lunch that the church was finished. They had draped white fabric over the blackboard. There were red bows at the top corners. There were arrangements of white magnolias with holly berries and pinecones. There was also holly leaves and red ribbon tied around a number of candles near the front of the church. The ladies had used the shipping crates to make stands. Tulle or fabric was drapped over the crates with poinsettias tucking into the fabric for a pop of color. Tulle and flower arrangements had been attached to the end of each bench. Candles and pinecones had also been set on the window sills. They had enough flowers left over to make some centerpieces for the saloon, which they would arrange the next morning.
As the ladies were finishing decorating, a wagon pulled into town and was directed to the church. It carried the live flowers that had been ordered. There were poinsettias for the church and saloon. There were also white roses for the boutonnieres and bouquets. Molly took the roses to the cafe. Florence and Rosemary worked at placing the poinsettias. When they were finished, they gathered the stuff that was for the saloon and what was extra and took it all to the cafe. All the ladies were extremely happy with the way that the church turned out. They knew that there was plenty to decorate the saloon. There was also plenty of ribbon for the boutonnieres and bouquets. Those would be put together either that evening or the next morning.
Elizabeth Delaney had let the women know that the flowers could stay for Christmas and New Year's. She had no problem leaving everything in Hope Valley if they had a place to store it. Dottie Ramsey assured the group that she would be willing to store things and that the silk flowers could be added to the official town decorations and be used in the future. Both Wynn and Elizabeth agreed that was a great idea. They were happy that they had been able to provide the items for Beth's wedding, but were excited that the town would be able to enjoy the items for years to come. Elizabeth also thought that Beth would enjoy recalling her wedding seeing the flowers each year.
Elizabeth, Aunt Elizabeth and Abigail all went to check out the church that afternoon. They were all impressed how it came together. Elizabeth loved how they had arranged the flowers in the front to create a more intimate space. She couldn't believe how different the church looked. Elizabeth hoped that Jack would like it as much as she did. She had also been filled in on what they were going to be doing with the saloon. Aunt Elizabeth had also let Beth know that Uncle Wynn had brought a camera and that he or Dee would be taking a could pictures at the church as well as at the saloon later.
Elizabeth spent the rest of the afternoon at the cafe with her Aunt Elizabeth, Abigail, and Mrs Graves. They finished the Christmas cookies and Mrs Graves was working on decorating the cake that Abigail had made. There was two roasts in the oven, so that they could have roast beef sandwiches. Aunt Elizabeth and Abigail were working on making bread. Elizabeth was mostly sitting talking and relaxing.
Jack spent the afternoon splitting wood with Wynn and Dee. They had finished the bookshelves for Elizabeth. When was all said and done they had split and hauled three loads of wood. When they were done with that, Dee helped move Jack's few belongings over to the row house. It was as Jack was moving his belongings, that he came up with an idea. He shared it with Dee. Dee wasn't sure that they could pull it off, but he was willing to help try.
Jack and Dee went off to the livery and saddled their horses and then Dee saddled Thor for Elizabeth. Jack went one way and Dee went to the cafe to get Elizabeth for a quick ride. Abigail and his mother tried to protest, but Dee reasoned that he hadn't gotten to spend anytime with his cousin, so he wanted to spend an hour with her. Finally his mother agreed. Dee and Elizabeth left on horseback, promising not to be out long. Dee lead Elizabeth out of town and down the road toward Jamison, but actually lead Elizabeth up to the ridge that Jack had taken Elizabeth when he told her about his orders to Cape Fullerton. When they got there, Elizabeth saw Sergeant and then she saw Jack there. Dee left them and said he would be back in forty-five minutes.
"Is there a reason that I have been brought up here." Elizabeth teased as she dismounted.
"I just wanted to kiss Ms Elizabeth Thatcher," Jack said. "Before she becomes Mrs Jack Thornton."
Jack took her hands and pulled her close and then slowly closed the distance to Elizabeth's lips. This kiss started as soft and sweet and quickly deepened in a very passionate kiss. They continued to kiss until they were completely breathless. As Jack pulled away, he rested his forehead on Elizabeth's as he usually did. They gazed into each other's eyes as the caught their breath. Elizabeth rolled her lower lip and then chewed on it.
"You know that drives me crazy when you do that." Jack said.
"Guess you will just have to kiss me again, then." Elizabeth said.
Jack did just that and then led her over to a fallen log, so that they could sit.
"Are you excited about tomorrow?" Jack asked.
"Yes." Elizabeth said. "What about you."
"Excited, and a little nervous." Jack said.
After another kiss, they just sat there with Jack's arms wrapped around Elizabeth. The shared a few more kisses, but most sat there enjoying the quiet. They both needed the time together and the quiet before the wedding to center themselves. Dee rode up at exactly forty-five minutes to take Elizabeth back to town. Jack went to do his rounds for that night.
"Thank you Dee." Elizabeth said.
"No problem." Dee said. "I figured that you could use the short time away from the chaos, I know that Sophie enjoyed having a little quiet time with Andrew before the wedding. But honestly it was Jack's idea."
With that Dee and Elizabeth headed back to town. They rode over to the livery and took care of the horses before heading to cafe to join Elizabeth and Wynn for supper. Charlotte joined them and everyone had a wonderful supper. Dee offered to walk Elizabeth back to the row house. Jack returned from rounds and took care of Sergeant and then headed to the cafe for supper himself. Even thought she had already ate, Charlotte joined Jack.
"You okay." Charlotte asked.
"Yeah," Jack said. "I am missing Dad, but I can't wait to make Elizabeth my wife."
"I know that Dad, would be proud of you." Charlotte said. "It is nice that Elizabeth's aunt and uncle are here, it is like a piece of your father is here. I also wanted to say that I am sorry for the way that I acted at supper, last night."
Jack finished his supper and then bid his mother a goodnight. He went over to the jail to relax. He finished his reports and then worked on a sketch of Elizabeth on her knew horse. Jack wasn't sure how his was going to be able to sleep that night, thinking about Elizabeth. He kept thinking about the wedding and all that would come afterward. He wondered what her dress would look like. He thought about what her creamy skin would feel like in his hands. Jack thought about his lips leaving a trail of kisses down her neck and across her shoulder. He knew that he had to stop or he would never make through the wedding. Elizabeth wasn't having a much better night trying to relax. She was thinking of the wedding and what Jack would think when he saw her in her dress. Her thoughts also drifted to what it would be like when they were together after the wedding. She couldn't wait to run her hands across his muscular body.
Friday, dawned bright and clear. It was a little on the colder side, but considering it was late December, it was actually a really nice day. Jack was up early and started to get ready to ride out on rounds when there was a knock on the door. Jack went to see who was knocking on his door that early and hoped that it wasn't trouble. Jack was surprised to see Dee standing there in his uniform.
"I was hoping to catch you." He said. "Dad said for you to relax, I have rounds today and tomorrow morning."
"Thank you." Jack said. "But are you sure?"
"Yes." Dee said. "I just need to get my rifle from you for rounds."
Jack went to the gun cabinet and opened it, getting out Dee's gun and handed it to him. He then showed Dee where the extra key to the gun cabinet was kept as well as the extra keys to the jail cells if they were needed. After Dee left, Jack decided to shave and then go get some breakfast. He didn't have anything to do. His boots were shined, his dress uniform was ready and the wedding wasn't until the afternoon. He gathered the rest of his stuff and had it ready to be taken over to the house. He laid down and was able to relax. When he got back up, he worked on another sketch before he had to start getting ready for the wedding. By lunch time, Jack was too nervous to eat. He had gone and made plans to have a wagon to bring Elizabeth back to the row house after the wedding and then to have Bill come and take the wagon back later that evening.
Elizabeth woke up to sounds coming from downstairs. At first she thought it was Jack, but then she heard a woman's voice. She quickly wrapped a robe around herself and headed downstairs. When started down the stairs, she saw her Aunt Elizabeth at the stove. The when she got downstairs, she also saw Charlotte. While her aunt was cooking her breakfast, Charlotte was getting a large tub set up so Elizabeth could have a bath.
"Morning." Elizabeth said.
"I was just going to come up and get you." Aunt Elizabeth said. "I have breakfast almost ready and Charlotte is working on getting a bath ready for you. We will help wash your hair and when you are ready, we I will do your hair before we head to the cafe."
"Rosemary will be waiting to do your makeup." Charlotte said. "Then we will help you with your dress. The ladies will decorate the saloon this morning and make sure everything is ready."
Elizabeth sat down ate the eggs and toast that her aunt had made her. Charlotte had put up a sheet, so that she would have some privacy when she took her bath. They also had towels sitting by the stove so that they would be warm. By the time that Elizabeth was done eating, her bath was ready. Between the fire in the large stove in the kitchen and the potbelly stove in the corner, the room was quite warm and Elizabeth enjoyed the relaxing bath. Aunt Elizabeth had even turned on the victrola. Elizabeth couldn't think of a better way to start her wedding day. Breakfast had been cooked for her, she was enjoying a nice bath and then there was going to be people to help her get ready.
While Elizabeth was in the bath, Aunt Elizabeth and Charlotte had gone upstairs and put clean sheets on the bed and made it up with a beautiful quilt that she had brought. It was a quilt that Aunt Elizabeth had received for an anniversary present from a community that her and Wynn had been posted in at the time. Charlotte went about setting up some candles that would be lit later. She also left a packages of flower petals for later. Aunt Elizabeth and Charlotte had enlisted the help of Cat Montgomery to come over and make sure that the stove was stoked, the candles lit and to spread the flower petals all before Jack and Elizabeth came home.
Charlotte went downstairs first, to help Elizabeth with her hair. When Aunt Elizabeth came downstairs, she had brought a clean clothes for Elizabeth and her hair brush, perfume and make-up. She didn't want Elizabeth to see the surprise that had been set up in the bedroom. By the time that she got back downstairs, Charlotte was just finishing up washing Elizabeth's hair. She finished drying off and slipped back into her robe and went to sit by the large kitchen stove. She towel dried her hair while Charlotte emptied the bath.
When Elizabeth was ready, her Aunt Elizabeth started to brush through her hair and then pinned a few sections back. She pulled a couple of smaller sections forward to curl so that they framed Elizabeth's face. After curling those sections, she also placed a loose curls in the back to that the cascaded down her back and would look lovely with the veil. Aunt Elizabeth had brought some fancy undergarments and a beautiful snow white corset for Elizabeth to wear. She figured it would be just easier for her to put it on their then have to change once at the cafe.
Elizabeth was a little embarrassed about the lace undergarments that she slipped on. She stepped into the corset and her Aunt helped her tighten it and tie it in the back. Elizabeth then slipped into the simple dress that her aunt had chose for her to wear into the town. After Elizabeth had gotten dressed, the three of the women headed back into town. Aunt Elizabeth insisted that Elizabeth wear her beautiful white coat with white gloves. They made their way to town, with Aunt Elizabeth carrying a large basket with Elizabeth's makeup and perfume.
Elizabeth wanted to see the saloon, so Charlotte walked her toward the saloon as Aunt Elizabeth dropped off the basket that she had brought with. The ladies of the saloon had spread white tableclothes on the tables and there were either flowers or candles as centerpieces. Each candle or vase was tied with a red ribbon. They had strung some tulle from the post to the center of the saloon. There had also been a space cleared for dancing. There was a table set up for the food. Everything was so beautiful, Elizabeth couldn't believe how everything had come together.