They got married the next day in the minister's parlour. Polly looked beautiful in a yellow dress and he swore that for as long as he lived he would never forget how happy she looked, or how it felt when he kissed her for the first time after they said their vows. They spent their first night together as 'husband and wife' in what he had come to think of as 'his room' at the hotel – Martha safely tucked upstairs with Sue.
***** L ***** L *****
He arrived at Lancer two days after the wedding, ten minutes late for supper. Murdoch, Scott and Theresa looked up at him when he came in the door, and Maria, as if by some sixth sense that he had arrived, brought him a plate, patting him on the shoulder before she returned to the kitchen. Before he could sit down, Murdoch walked over and hugged him saying, "I was worried about you, son. Sit down and have some supper and tell us about your trip." Johnny felt happy about the unexpected greeting and sat down quickly filling his plate and starting to eat.
Murdoch watched him for a couple of minutes and said "The cattle you bought arrived today – they look pretty good, particularly considering the price you paid, although I'm not sure it was worth you being gone so long." Johnny just smiled at that comment, thinking about the best way to share his 'news'.
"So, little brother", Scott said as Johnny continued to eat. "Is Barranca better now? Did you find a way to pass your time in that little town, whatever it was called?"
"Barranca's fine, Scott, thanks for askin'" Johnny replied "I think the trip back might have been a bit hard on him – two days of riding and all – but I think that after a few more days rest he'll be fine.".
"And how did you pass your time, little brother" Scott continued in a teasing tone.
"Well Boston", Johnny replied, sensing the perfect opening "I got married".
Everyone at the table stopped what they were doing. "Johnny", Murdoch admonished, "That's not funny."
"Maybe not, Murdoch", Johnny replied, "But it's true".
"Oh really, little brother," Scott said, sensing a rising of tempers, "So where is this new bride?"
"She's comin' on the stage – should be here in a couple of days, barrin' any breakdowns."
"And do we happen to know this mystery woman?" Scott asked, looking around at the astonished faces at the table.
"Yes", Johnny replied, "Her name is Polly Foley – well Polly Lancer now", and he smiled at the thought.
"Johnny" yelled Murdoch, "You've taken this joke far enough".
"Murdoch, I ain't jokin'" replied Johnny. "Polly and I are married. She – and Martha – will be arriving on the stage in two days." "
"Johnny … " said Scott warningly.
"I'm serious, Scott," continued Johnny, "You'll see Saturday when they come. Theresa," he said, turning to the young woman, "Can we get a room ready for Martha? I'd like us to have someplace of our own, but don't think it'll happen real soon."
Murdoch looked at his youngest son, trying to judge how serious he was, and then got up from the table and left the room without another word.
"I'd a thought y'all would be happy for me" Johnny said, defensively, looking at his remaining family.
"It's not that we're not happy for you Johnny …" started Theresa.
"It's just that we're surprised," finished Scott. "You have to understand that. Tell us what happened" he continued, and so Johnny told them, of how he had met Polly that first day, and how they spent time together, and everything just felt right, and all he could think about was continuing his life with her and Martha. They talked into the night, and Johnny tried to ignore his disappointment that Murdoch was not there, part of the conversation and learning to understand his son's decision.