CHAPTER 66

Bea thought it best to leave the dress out of its bag now, let it breathe, and flow as it should for 24 hours. She hung it on the wardrobe doors and stood back to look at it. The actual cut of the dress was true art deco, very close-fitting to just above the knee then if fanned out, this was slightly different as the fan effect was created by 8 fluted panels. The dress had an underlayer that was the palest lilac colour, it suited Bea so well, but the overlayer made it so special. It was voile in very palest silver grey, it went so well with the lilac, and had the most incredible crystal beading. It was sleeveless, had broad straps and was V fronted, and had a deep V back that went right to the waist. The bodice had swirls of beading that all ended at the waist and then formed a deep crystal waistband of about 3 inches. The swirls then flowed out of the waist and shot down the length of the gown like shooting stars. They ran down between the voile fluted panels to the bottom. She had fallen in love with it the moment she saw it in the boutique in Newcastle and after trying it on and not needing one alteration she knew it was made for her.

It would have had to be a very special occasion to wear it but never for one minute had she thought it would be for her own wedding. Would she have worn it for a chapel wedding? No, she didn't think she would, it was far from a typical wedding gown, but for the wedding they wanted, the day they wanted it was perfect. Nathan's reaction would be the one that let her know if she had chosen right.

After taking the other items in the wardrobe out and laying them on the bed to pack later she hung it in there remembering that Nathan or Colin would be collecting her cases and they mustn't see it.

Picking up her purse she had a look around, yes all she needed was wrapping paper. Remembering to be careful on the stairs she headed off to the livery. Hero saw her coming, she missed going out on him but that wouldn't be until Wednesday or Thursday at least. Her eyes automatically went to the board, "MBG Don't even think about it, ask Colin to walk him. Rest, won't be late back. "

She was laughing when Jed appeared from out the back, "You do as he tells you to mind Bea, we don't want anything spoiling tomorrow. I have to tell you the wife is so excited, mind I am a bit too."

"Are you sure you can't make it to dinner tonight? You both are so welcome to join us. Did Nathan tell you about Lee and Rosemary? "

"He did, so that makes 9 of us that know he says, the whole town will know by the time we come out of that office" he was laughing. " It's a bit of a ride for us to come in at that time of the day Bea but we will be here good and early tomorrow, we want to do our bit and enjoy every minute."

"Well we are so glad you are doing this for us, we couldn't have chosen better. Oh, I wanted to ask, have you got a spare stall for a few days, Colin will need one for Mack if you have?"

"Yes, tell him to use the one next to Newtons, it is free at the moment. I am getting a bit too old to run a full house these days. In fact, if someone offered me a good price for the place I might even think about selling up. Would have to feel right mind, but retiring is crossing my mind of late. Anyway, you get on your way Bea, tell Colin just to bring Mack over, and we will see you tomorrow. Oh and Bea careful as the Constable says."

"I will and thank you again." She kissed his cheek which made him blush. He reminded her of Stan in so many ways, salt of the earth, hard-working people and there was the opening to buy the place. He would sell to them she knew that, after Tuesday Nathan and her would maybe have a word with him, she would mention it to him later."

As she turned the corner onto the main street she saw Florence, Molly, and Minnie all chattering away then heading into Lee's office. Shaking her head and smiling to herself she thought "what are they planning." Ned was looking a bit flustered when she went into the mercantile, he had a couple of customers and the exchange telephone was ringing.

"Shall I answer that for you Ned? Looks like the ones we have at home I should be able to do it"

"Please Bea that would be a great help".

It was more or less the same and she managed without a problem.

"Thank you for that, Florence has left me in the lurch a bit, I don't know what is going on but Rosemary telephoned, and off she went. Now, what can I get for you, oh and I have letters for you, and two crates arrived this morning. I know you have been expecting some packages but I don't think they are those. Do you want me to show you, Nathan will need to collect them. They are heavy."

Bea was puzzled at first then saw the stamp in the wood itself. More happy tears, what a time for these to arrive, and for the men back home to have sent them all this way. If she was right the crates contained 12 bottles of whisky each.

"I will send Nathan and or Colin over for them Ned if that is alright with you, and I was after some brown wrapping paper if you have any?"

"I will get it for you, will one roll be enough?"

"Best give me two Ned just in case."

Having paid and picked up the letters she headed back to the saloon. Looking across towards Lee's office she wondered what they would do if she popped in." She wouldn't spoil their fun, plans were afoot.

Coffee was needed, she would have a cup before she attempted the stairs, her leg still felt a bit weak, no twinges though which was a good sign.

One of the letters was from Uncle Charles, the other from Alan Dunn the manager of the Moragbea Distillery letting her know that 2 crates of her special vintage had been sent. He also told her they had only bottled half the casks, the others would be left for another 8 years, pre-orders meant very few bottles would find their way onto the open market, and it was superb.

With everything that had gone on, and no Uncle Charles to remind her, she had totally forgotten about the bottling this year. Wait until she told Nathan they owned a distillery, that is something else to sort out when they went back next year. She felt another list in the making.

Completely lost in thought she jumped when the arms went around her shoulders and a kiss was planted on her head. " Hi sis "

"Colin" she went to stand.

"You stay where you are young lady, I have been hearing all about you from a very worried Mountie. I bumped into him on my way in, how is it really? "

"My leg feels weak but no more pain and I am being good for once. I was just having a coffee before I headed up the stairs, now I can lean on you because that is what brothers are for you know."

"Are we" he laughed

"We have booked a room for you here Colin, let me see Clara and get you your key, oh and I have jobs for you already, sorry."

"I will get it, do I just ask at the bar?"

"Yes, just ask."

Bea hadn't seen Clara when she thought about it, Jesse was working which was strange for this time of the day."

"Got it, the room next to yours, and thank you for doing that sis. I will go and get my bags in, Mack is tied up out front, then I can help you up. Be back in a minute."

Bea watched him go out, it was good to have him back, would be even better to have him in town all the time.

He helped her up the stairs and into her room. Then went and dropped his things off next door.

He was back in ten minutes, "Right, what jobs have I got then?"

"Well I spoke to Jed and Mack can have the stall next to Newtons, so all three of our boys will be side by side. Would you just give Hero a walk around the pond for me, I feel like I have neglected him this last couple of days. Actually, he needs shoeing so I wouldn't be riding him far anyway. We will be your first customer. Lee has sorted everything and the forge is yours if you want it, tools and everything, please say yes."

"I will call in and see him then, and if that is the case it will certainly be a yes. I will make Hero my first customer just for you. Next job ?"

"Well if you have seen Nathan did he ask you to stop by the jailhouse later?"

"He did."

"Well I should see him but if I don't could you both go to the mercantile for me, two crates arrived from Scotland this morning, they are really special, something I had forgotten all about. They will be heavy, one could come here, the other may as well go straight home. That's it though, well unless I think of any other brother jobs."

He laughed, "Come here sis, I have missed you, both of you, I need a bro hug."

After he left to do his chores as he jokingly called them, she sat and wrapped the ties and tie pins. The brown paper and tartan ribbon worked so well together. She wrapped Nathan's watch the same way but used the broad ribbon on that. While she had been in the stationery shop, in secret she had bought some card, sketched the cottage on it, and made a Happy Birthday Husband card for him. They could go into one of the cases going over home, she would give him those when they were alone. That thought filled her with so much joy, in just over 24 hours they would be married. She would be Mrs. Morag Beatrice Grant, wife of Constable Nathan Grant and the happiest woman on the planet.