Kid and Jessie had a quiet breakfast at the hotel before Jessie dragged him all over town in search of the perfect dress and wedding cake. They had decided to have the wedding Sunday evening at Lom's house since he was officiating. Then Kid and Jessie would come back to the hotel for the night and board the train the following morning for the return trip to Great Falls.

At noon they met Heyes and Lom for lunch before Lom drove Jessie out to see Birdie Pickett and Kid and Heyes went in search of a ring.

"How long have you known Mr. Curry?" Birdie asked Jessie as they sat in a swing under a shade tree in the back yard of Birdie's nephew's home.

"Almost a year, Ma'am," Jessie replied.

"And you say you're a teacher?"

"Yes Ma'am, at a school for the Blind and Deaf in Great Falls."

"And Jed is making you give that up?"

"Oh no, Ma'am. The State of Montana is making me give that up. A married woman can't be employed as a teacher."

"Such a pity. I'm sure your services are very much in demand."

"Well, that's why we waited this long. I wanted to continue teaching for a while. But I know my priorities have changed over the last year."

"And I understand you are not...worldly in the ways of marriage?"

Jessie had to smile at her choice of words. "Oh, that's not it at all, Ma'am. Jed's concerned that my being blind might...get in the way, I suppose."

"Get in the way of what my dear?"

"Well, I've been blind my whole life, so while I know what a wedding night entails, I mean, I've had the business of farm animals explained to me, but Jed's afraid that...actually I'm not really sure what he's afraid of...But I think maybe he's afraid he might scare me off, if you know what I mean."

Birdie smiled. "He does look rather...healthy."

"Healthy, Ma'am?"

"I think what Jed wants to be sure you understand is that sometimes for a woman, especially the first time, well, the wedding night can sometimes feel a bit...uncomfortable."

"Uncomfortable?"

"Painful."

"Painful?" Jessie asked with some trepidation.

"Oh, you'll get over it, you'll get use to it...You'll even come to enjoy it. But it might take a little time. Be patient with him. He's not trying to hurt you. He's...well, he's just a man. You understand?"

"I don't think I do," Jessie said, feeling a bit confused.

"Just think of him as an over sized adolescent. He's going to want to...touch...and explore. Be honest with him. Tell him what feels good and what doesn't. He really does want to know that."

"Now I know why he was so insistent on my having this chat," Jessie said.

"Yes, dear. All men are quite insistent about 'the chat,' thought I doubt any of them know exactly what it entails."

"Well, you've certainly been very...enlightening, Miss Birdie."

"Aunt Birdie, Mr. Curry is out front. Shall I show him in?"

"That would be fine."

A moment later Kid arrived. "Miss Birdie, it's so nice to see you again. You know Heyes and me followed up on that amnesty flier?"

"Yes, I heard. I'm so proud of you Mr. Curry."

Kid smiled. "Thank you Ma'am... Jessie, you ready?"

Jessie stood up and Kid took her arm. "And thank you for your help here, Miss Birdie," Kid said but took a double take when he caught her winking at him.

"Jed, do you have any idea what 'the talk' is all about?" Jessie asked as they walked down the street toward town.

"Tells a woman what to expect on her wedding night," Kid replied.

"It tells a woman that she's marrying a thirteen year old adolescent.!"

"What?"

"Never mind. I'm just gonna make sure you grow up fast."

"Whatever you say, dear."

"Oh, and Heyes helped me find a dress, so it's gonna be a surprise to you tomorrow."

Kid felt the ring in his pocket and smiled. "Hopefully there will be a few surprises tomorrow," Kid said.

"See, thirteen year old adolescent."

A confused look crossed Kid's face, but he decided this was one of those moments not to argue.

0-0-0-0-0-

The following afternoon, with just a smattering of friends in attendance, Kid stood nervously in Lom's front room wearing his blue suit minus the hat. Miss Birdie stood as Matron of Honor, while Lom stood in the middle, prepared to lead the ceremony. When the bedroom door opened, all eyes turned to watch.

Heyes had a dual role, serving as the person to walk Jessie down the 'aisle,' then moving to Kid's side to serve as Best Man, the ring carefully guarded in his vest pocket.

Jessie wore an ivory colored long sleeve dress with a delicate lace collar and lace wrist trim. A shoulder length lace veil draped her face and she carried a bouquet of red roses and Lilly of the Valley. Kid was mesmerized by her beauty and his smile and eyes expressed pure joy at the site of her.

Kid stepped in and took Jessie's arm and Heyes moved quietly to the side.

Lom began the service, and with both Jessie and Kid's full support, the word 'obey' was absent from the vows. When it came time to exchange rings, Jessie gave Lom a discrete shake of the head, while Kid gave him an equally discrete nod. Knowing that Kid did have a ring for Jessie, Lome proceeded with Kid's portion of the ceremony.

Kid turned to Heyes who reached into his vest pocket and handed Kid the ring. Kid then reached for Jessie's hand, much to her surprise, and slipped the ring on her finger.

"With this ring, I thee wed..."

At the end of the ceremony, Kid lifted the veil and kissed Jessie. Then he wrapped his arms around her and gave her a hug and whispered in her ear.

"The ring is engraved with the words 'my love for all eternity."

The rest of the afternoon was spent eating cake and drinking spiked punch, and offering toasts to the happy couple.

Shortly before sundown, Kid and Jessie fled in the surrey to the hotel.

0-0-0-0-0-

Kid had champagne on ice waiting in the hotel room and poured them each a glass.

"This is honestly the first time in my entire life that I have envied people with sight," she said softly.

Kid left the glasses on the table and walked over to her. He took both her hands in his and and laid her hands against his face. "See with your hands," he whispered.

Jessie's fingers traced every inch of Kid's face. Her hands softly caressed his closed eyes, his slightly damp cheeks and came to rest on his very emotional smile.

"The happiest day of my life, and all because of you," he whispered.

Jessie smiled and leaned in to kiss him. "Mine too, because of you."

Kid reached for the champagne glasses and slipped one into her fingers. They intertwined their arms and sipped the champagne.

"Now what's this about a thirteen year adolescent?" Kid asked

Jessie smiled mischievously. "Don't worry, Jed," she said with a smile. "I'll make a man of you before the night's over."