Pastor Frank shifted his attention to the groom. "And now, I ask you, Jack Thornton, do you take Elizabeth Thatcher to be your lawful wife, to have and to hold from this day forward, for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and health as long as you both shall live?"
"I do," Jack said, his voice hitching momentarily with emotion. The room seemed to sigh in unison at the lifetime declaration of love and commitment. Rosemary again dabbed at her disobedient, tear-filled eyes.
"Now," Pastor Frank looked towards the bride, "I ask you, Elizabeth Thornton, do you take Jack Thornton to be your lawful husband, to have and to hold from this day forward, for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and health as long as you both shall live?"
"I do," Elizabeth's voice sang out. The crowd murmured with happiness.
"And now for the rings," Pastor Frank motioned to the ring bearer, Cody, who stood at the end of the groom's line. He quickly ran up to the stage, handed the two rings to Pastor Frank, flashed a smile, and went back to his spot just like a well rehearsed ring bearer should do. Rosemary gave him a nod of approval before shifting her focus back to the couple.
Pastor Frank took the gold rings in his hand. He handed off the smaller one to the groom. "Jack, as you place the ring on Elizabeth's finger please repeat after me:
With this ring, I thee wed,
and from this day forward,
I consecrate and commit
my love and my life
to you alone."
Jack repeated the words after the pastor, his eyes glowing with sincerity, his voice low and intimate. Elizabeth offered her hand to him and the band was placed on her finger.
"Elizabeth," Pastor Frank handed Jack's ring to the bride, "please repeat after me:
With this ring, I thee wed,
and from this day forward,
I consecrate and commit
my love and my life
to you alone."
Elizabeth repeated the words flawlessly and slid the ring onto the groom's finger.
The room smelled like freshly picked flowers and tingled with excitement for the moment that was to come. It was almost official! She felt a surge of joy as Pastor Frank spoke the next words:
"With the power invested in me, I now declare you, Mr. and Mrs. Jack Thornton. You may kiss the bride."
"Finally!" Opal said from the fifth row next to Carson. The crowd laughed good-naturedly as Rosemary squinted. Was that Molly seated next to Carson? Why, yes it was, and she was wearing both her hat and a wide smile. It seemed the secret admirers had hit if off after all!
Rosemary turned back to the couple just in time to witness their first kiss as husband and wife. Jack leaned forward and kissed Elizabeth soundly, as she leaned into him, kissing him passionately back. A cat call whistle came from the back of the room where a few of Jack's serge friends sat and the crowd finally broke loose with their applause. Jack smiled mischievously and then swept Elizabeth off of her feet in one swift motion and walked down the aisle with her in his arms, light as a feather, as the recessional played. Of course Elizabeth blushed and looked tempted to swat at him, but half way down the aisle, with her still in his arms, he leaned in and kissed her again. Ah, the picture of wedded bliss.
(Later)
It had taken Rosemary longer than she planned to join the wedding reception out in the front churchyard, as she had to tend to hungry baby Madeline. But now, with the baby girl encircled in her arms, she made her way down the stairs of the church and into the front yard, where before her were long tables with a variety of potluck items including: a dressed turkey, roasted chicken and quail, and what looked to be separate serving plates of veal and lamb. Salads, vegetables, fruits, and simple desserts covered the rest of the spread. And there, on a small separate table was the wedding cake Abigail had hand crafted especially for her dearest friend and new husband. It was three layers tall, frosted in a simple buttercream with swirls almost making it look as if it were covered in flowers. On the top rested a small jar of wildflowers, with some of the vines cascading down the side of the cake. It looked simply stunning. How would they ever cut up such a masterpiece for the sole purpose of eating it?
Lee motioned to Rosemary from a picnic table across the yard where Dottie, Bill, Harriet and other friends were seated. She made her way over, but not without noting the placement of some of the newer couples of Hope Valley.
She saw Faith giggling next to Hickam, Florence chattering with Ned Yost who sat listening to her with a smile on his face, God bless the man. She even saw the new secret admirers, Molly and Carson, huddled together in intimate talk at the table with Opal acting as chaperone. Yes, Hope Valley was full of love this spring. Perhaps it would soon be necessary to retire her job as 'Hope Valley's Matchmaker' and take on the new role of 'Hope Valley's Wedding Decorator'.
She sat down at the table next to Lee, across from Harriet, Bill and Dottie with baby Micah in her arms. Rosemary handed Madeline off to Harriet before sitting down, and both the woman started clucking like hens over the babies. Rosemary reached for her own prepared plate, complete with chicken, mashed potatoes, and coleslaw. My, it smelled downright divine! She was just taking her first bite of coleslaw when low and behold Gowen himself came up to the table, two plates in hand, and slid one to Dottie before taking the spot next to her.
"Oh thank you, Gowen. As you well know I've never been able to say no to a good roasted beet salad," she said flashing him a big smile and accepting the plate from him as he settled onto the bench next to her.
Rosemary looked back and forth between the two. Dottie's heightened color in her cheeks, and Gowen's downright gentlemanly manner. What was going on? Sure these two had known each other since children… but perhaps was it becoming more than that? Dottie, blushed under Rosemary's watchful eye.
"I do say…" Rosemary cut her chicken into pieces, "isn't it interesting how many lovely couples we have right here in Hope Valley? The town is simply overflowing with love."
Lee looked up from his serving of mashed potatoes and gave her an odd look. He must have sensed her match making ways.
Harriet bounced Madeline on her lap. "Bill and I were just saying the same thing the other day, weren't we?"
Bill nodded. "Hope Valley looks to have its preservation lined right up. With all the younger couples, children—" he nodded towards Madeline and Micah, "it looks as if our town is approaching its prime. And with the capture of the most recent criminals… I'd say Hope Valley is the perfect place to live."
"Hear, hear!" Harriet piped in from across the table. Rosemary smiled. The woman was making Hope Valley her home, and she couldn't be happier.
"Speaking of the safety of Hope Valley, I heard an update on the criminals," Bill looked to Lee, Rosemary and Dottie. "They have been transferred to law enforcement in Calgary where they are awaiting trial before heading to Granville Penitentiary. Those guys won't be bothering you ever again."
Rosemary finished chewing a bite of chicken. " Bill, I never properly thanked you for all you did for me. For us," she motioned to the babies.
A look of regret passed over Bill's face. "I'm just sorry the thieves were able to target your house in the first place…"
"You were able to capture them and bring them into jail. That's all that matters," Rosemary said as Lee slipped his hand into her own.
Dottie and Harriet nodded.
Lee shifted forward, facing Bill. "There is still something I'm wondering about. How did the criminals know about the coin? That it was in the sewing machine?"
Dottie looked to Bill, "I can explain what I know."
He nodded.
"Before Silas departed on what would be his last trip, he made me swear to always keep my sewing machine. I figured it was because of the sentiment it brought us thinking about our first days as man and wife. I never in a million years would have guessed he was so insistent because of the coin."
"Why didn't he tell you about the coin inside?" Harriet questioned.
Gowen ran a hand through his hair. "Figures. The man was never a proper provider and caretaker for you, Dottie. He had a fortune in his hands, and instead of being man enough to correct his ways or to inform you about it, he hid it. Now if that doesn't say all…"
Dottie patted his hand in an effort to calm Gowen down, but Silas' failure to care for Dottie and her future had proved to be a trigger for the man.
Bill scooted forward and placed his elbows on the table. "I guess the story is that years ago, Kirill, Fife's partner, tracked down Silas after he stole the money. Silas begged off, saying he was soon coming into an inheritance. That he'd pay the whole debt of two thousand dollars plus a generous interest if Kirill would just be patient. Kirill, being a new con man at the time, trusted him, and went back to report to Fife."
"Oh," Lee commented, "I am sure that did not go over well with Fife."
Bill nodded. "Fife was livid, and being the leader, he would have demanded Silas sell his house and all his possessions instead of waiting for an inheritance that could possibly never come. Fife rode out to collect his money from Silas, even if it meant leaving Silas and Dottie homeless in the streets. But Silas, who was more cunning than originally thought, had skipped town with his wife and come out west to Hope Valley, a town not even on the map at that time."
Dottie nodded warily. "I didn't know any of the details. Just that we had to move, and fast. I knew Silas' past would catch up to us one day. I just didn't imagine the magnitude of it."
"Well, to continue the story…" Bill continued, "Between stints in jail and other scuffles with crime, Fife and Kirill were hunting for Silas' new location, and heard news of him in Hope Valley. Of course, by this time, Silas had already died in the accident, but they didn't know that. They sent a spy out to scope out the whole situation, including the local enforcement." Bill glanced at his sheriff's badge. "The spy was working undercover as a traveling blacksmith. Does anything about that ring a bell, Dottie?"
Dottie scrunched her forehead. "Oh… oh yes. It was nearly a year ago… the traveling blacksmith just happened to stop by town. He asked if anyone in town needed repairs. I had just broken my treadle on the sewing machine, and hired him to come out for a look. But I didn't trust that man. He was poking around, cursing, and just plain mean. I think he was scoping out the place."
"Oh, how scary!" Harriet said, shielding baby Madeline to her bosom.
"He definitely was scouting out the place," Bill rubbed his hands together. "He must have had a glimpse of the coin in the sewing machine before you called me over, and I asked him to leave."
Rosemary couldn't believe the story she was hearing. Those criminals had been after the Ramsey's for far too long.
"The spy went back and gave the full report to the criminals: that the Ramsey's didn't seem to have anything of extreme value, but there seemed to be something of worth hidden in the sewing machine."
"So that's how they knew," Lee said.
"So of course our two criminals had to come out and see for themselves. But they had a hard time getting into the sewing machine. They must have tried when they broke into your home, Dottie. And again when they broke into the Dress Shop. But then, due to you loaning the machine to Rosemary, they had no idea where it up and went to. Until—"
Rosemary gasped. "Until the accomplice Saunders heard us ladies talking at the Edmonton Mercantile over the tables of fabric. That the sewing machine had been transferred to my new home."
Bill nodded.
"And," Rosemary continued, "When they heard about the bridal shower and the men's shooting out at the range event, they figured the place would be abandoned and they'd finally be able to get the coin. Only, my quick trip back home wasn't in their plans…"
Lee shook his head. "And to think, all this for a little old coin."
Bill exchanged looks with Dottie and she nodded as if giving him permission to share an important detail. "Well, it is said this 'little old coin' is valued at upwards of five thousand dollars."
Lee whistled through his teeth. "Truly?"
"Yes," Dottie exchanged looks with Gowen, "and it is now in the safety of the large and trustworthy bank of Edmonton where it will remain. I may withdraw as needed."
"What a story…" Lee said for all of them. The table was silent for a moment.
Harriet was the first to shift at the table. "Good riddance, such serious talk matters on a celebratory day like this. It doesn't seem right."
Bill leaned forward until his face was close to Harriet's, a playful smile on his face. "What else would you rather talk about?" His voice held a distinct note of flirtation and even a challenge.
Harriet immediately blushed. "Oh you know…The babies, this glorious day, new love," Harriet motioned at the newlyweds.
Bills eyes rounded softly and he put an arm around Harriet's shoulders. "Love? I'm open to talking about love with you at any time."
Rosemary and Lee shared a smile, accustomed to their bantering back and forth.
"Oh hush now," Harriet's cheeks were even brighter red. "I think it is almost time for cake. Let's help clear the table."
"Yes, it sure does look like time for cake," Dottie said looking over at the table where the bride and groom started to gather.
Rosemary continued to watch the odd exchange between her mother and Bill.
"Okay, I'll help as long as I can steal a kiss from you." Bill said, grabbing several plates and silverware from the table.
"That would not be appropriate!" Harriet said as everyone at the table shamelessly looked on at the awkward and flirtatious exchange between the couple.
"Well, why not?" Bill asked. "When would it be appropriate? Perhaps when you are my fiancé?"
Rosemary smiled into her napkin.
"Bill, not right now," Harriet said, but the way her eyes sparkled dismissed her curt tone.
"For the sake of the wedding," Bill held the pile of dirtied dishes, "I will put off my feelings, but woman you better know I am going to be asking you a very important question here pretty soon."
Harriet whispered again, "Not now, Bill," she handed Madeline back to Rosemary and rolled her eyes, "That man thinks he has grand ideas."
Bill laughed from across the table, "Yes, I do. And I'd love to discuss them with you."
"Oh, hush," Harriet said with a shy smile on her face as the walked away with the dishes in hand.
Her, Lee, and Dottie and Gowen laughed. "Looks like those two may be next to the altar," Dottie teased, baby Micah asleep in her arms.
Gowen leaned forward and whispered something unknown to them in Dottie's ear and she laughed. "Yes, well…"
Rosemary exchanged a knowing smile with Lee and they excused themselves from the table, Rosemary with the baby girl in her arms. She would gather the rice packets for the upcoming departure of the bride and groom, while Lee would go to the cake table to prepare for the toast.
Sure enough, in just the matter of ten moments, the toast had been offered, the rice had been thrown and Jack held the door open for his bride as she scooted into the Model T loaned to them from Gowen for their honeymoon to Edmonton.
Rosemary dabbed at a tear or two from her eyes for their dear friends had finally tied the knot. Madeline squirmed in her arms and then blinked sleepily while Rosemary rocked her. Lee came to her side with Micah asleep in his arms, and then noticed the tears in her eyes. Silently, he grasped her free hand with his own. "You're happy aren't you?"
"Genuinely," she answered, tears still leaking from her eyes. "And not just because of Jack and Elizabeth… it's all of this—" she gestured to the members of Hope Valley who were all gathered around the car to wish the bride and groom farewell. It was community. Her community. She belonged. She was fully loved and accepted here. Just as she was.
She felt Lee's eyes on her and knew he understood. Living here came with a deeper level of living: There were friends to count on and to be counted on from, a new relationship with her birth mother that could continue to blossom, new challenges to face and memories to glean from their family of four.
She sighed and looked down at the sleeping baby in her arms, her heart so full it felt it could overflow. No, this was not the life she would have dreamed of on Broadway— it was better. It was real. Somehow, in this process she had shed the mask she had worn for so long, and become real. And wonder upon wonders, her fears were put to rest. She was not rejected, but instead completely and fully accepted. By God, by wonderful Lee, and by her whole passel of friends.
She squeezed Lee's hand, and he turned to her, his blue eyes sparkling. Yes, their true journey had just begun. She knew who's hand she held, and Who's strong infallible arms held her every step of the way. And that was better than all the riches— not to mention glamour and pizzazz— the world had to offer.
The End
Author's Note: I know that many of you are sad, as am I, that "The Rosemary Chronicles" has come to an end. I have loved having each and every one of you come along for Rosemary's journey. Oh, how we have seen her grow and change and what a ride she took us on.
I'd like to invite you to follow me on my blog (please message me) where I will be posting news about the new stories I am working on. (an some on the same vein as our story here).
Again, thank you for your faithful readership and for a wonderful journey.