* I want to thank Cyn Ann for encouraging me to sit down and write this story. It is based on an actual event that took place in my own life three years ago. While I did write poetry at the time to help deal with it I never really sat down and 'got it all out'. Thanks to my Beta Reader too—though all mistakes are still my own.

Always in My Heart

CHAPTER TWO

SCENE TWO

The church was beginning to fill up. The voices of various family members and friends were almost raising the roof. Nick and Heath were in one of the class rooms getting ready, while their brides were in another. "They really should find the guy that invented these things." Nick growled as he started doing his tie over again.

Heath chuckled as he worked with his own, "Why do you say that?"

"So we could hang him for inventing this damn thing!" Nick barked as he finished getting ready.

Heath let out a small chuckle; no man he knew was downright in love with 'those things. He, himself, could tolerate one better than Nick-when he had to. He had to chuckle even more as Nick couldn't seem to sit still. "You're gonna wear out the carpet before yer even married."

"I think I'm glad Elizabeth and I just eloped." Jarrod watched his brothers in amusement. Gene also chuckled.

"I'll save myself the headache either way," Gene grinned, "I just won't get married." That brought laughter from both grooms while Jarrod simply gave him a small smile. Gene had confessed to him that morning he'd been getting ready to ask a gal to marry him only to have her die in a freak accident before he could. He'd begged Jarrod not to say anything though-he didn't want to spoil his brothers' day.

While the brothers were talking Anna and Lilly were being helped by Victoria and Elizabeth; Audra was busy with the guests. "Let me look at you." Victoria stepped away from Lilly as the young woman turned around. Her hair was done up in a bun on the top of her head and a simple crown of flowers kept the bun company. Her dress, which held small white pearls that formed a v shaped on the top half, and an upside v shape on the lower half, sparkled in the light.

"I feel like a nervous school girl on the first day of class." Lilly was nervous and happy at the same time.

"I don't think I'm much better." Anna laughed as Elizabeth helped her button up her dress then handed her the veil that went with it. After putting the veil into place she too turned around. Her hair too was done up in a bun, but it was set on the back of her head instead of the top. Her veil hung almost to the floor; a lacing forming a u shape covered the top portion of the upper half while the bottom half sported sparkling white beads.

"You both look wonderful…" Victoria started speaking only to be interrupted when Jarrod knocked on the door and entered. He was all smiles as he looked at the brides.

"I'd say Nick and Heath did a pretty good job. You're both very beautiful. And to think, I get to give both brides away." Jarrod rested his hands on his hips as he spoke.

"Just don't get too much pleasure out of it, Counselor," Elizabeth teased as she took a hold of his arm, "or I just might decide to prosecute."

Jarrod's eyebrow raised in amusement as he asked, "Is that a promise?" Before his wife could answer, McCall stuck his head in; the man looked like a duck out of water in suit.

"They're ready." The ranch hand was all grins; this was the best wedding he'd been to yet.

Victoria and Elizabeth left to take their places. Jarrod smiled as each bride took hold of one of his arms. When the music started playing they made their way out of the room, down the hall and up the aisle.

Nick and Heath stood on each side of the preacher while Gene stood next to Nick. Neither groom could take his eyes of his bride. 'To think I was so bent on getting home I almost didn't stop at your house, girl.' Nick didn't even like to think on how close he'd come to riding right past her place.

Heath couldn't help but sport one of his rare huge grins as Lilly took her place beside him. 'Never thought I'd be grateful for being thrown from my horse and being injured as bad as I was.' Even when the preacher began he couldn't take his eyes off of his bride. Nick wasn't any better; and better yet…no baby arrived to interrupt the ceremony.

SCENE THREE

Gene was sure all the laughter and chatter outside could be heard from one side of the ranch to the other. Nick and Anna stood next to Heath and Lilly meeting guests and shaking hands. He stood in line as long as he could take it then quietly excused himself. Making his way through the crowd that had gathered he managed to slip down to the corral.

He was leaning against the fence when Jarrod walked up. "Want to talk about it?" He rested his arms against the fence.

Gene shrugged his shoulders and gave Jarrod a sad smile. Out of the three brothers Jarrod was the one who best understood him; knew him well. After all; while Nick had been outside 'learning the ropes' it had been Jarrod who had helped Gene with the books. There had been more than one day his older brother had sat down with him and helped him with his studies. "I was thinkin' 'bout Sarah, but don't worry I'll be fine."

Jarrod sighed. He knew the pain of losing someone you loved all too well. "What was she like? This Sarah of yours." He kept his eyes on his baby brother as Gene tilted his head to one side and started grinning.

"Physically? She was 'bout five feet five inches; her hair was auburn and, when it wasn't done up in a bun, it hung to her waist. Her eyes were hazel. She loved to teach," Gene sighed, "she was a great teacher and loved the students she worked with. She never would have…" he quit speaking

As much as Jarrod wanted to know what his brother had been going to say he didn't push the subject. After all if he pushed too hard 'the lad' might just shut down and never open up all the way. "Come on," Jarrod prodded, "Let's get back to the reception before mother comes hunting us."

Gene chuckled, "Yea, guess I'd better. Last thing we need is mother going off on us."

0000

By the time Nick and Anna got to their new home (they'd built within a couple of miles of the main house) it was getting dark. Nick hopped down from the buggy and then helped Anna down. "Welcome to your new home, Mrs. Barkley." He opened the door then scooped her up in his arms before stepping inside.

"I keep on feeling like I'm in a dream and I'm don't want it to end," Anna ran her fingers up and through his hair, "I can still remember you riding up to my house. Truth be known, I think I fell in love right then and now. Maybe that's why I offered you John's clothes and pulled you into help with Thatcher. Figured I could not only get Thatcher but I'd have time to get to know you better." Her eyes laughed as she spoke.

Nick smiled as he answered, "Truth be told I didn't take off the next morning because I wanted to get to know you too-after all if you were a weakling you'd never have survived out there."

"I wish the day could last forever." she whispered as she kept her eyes on his and let her fingers slide down the side of his face and onto his lips. Nick could hear his heart pounding and the need to get to know her even better rising. Wasting no time he headed for the bedroom, "It's not over yet."

00000

Lilly laughed as Heath struggled to get the bedroom door open. "It might be easier if ya'd put me down."

"Uh-uh," Heath smiled as he finally manage to get the thing open, "I ain't putting ya down quite yet." He kicked the door shut once they were inside.

As Lilly looked at Heath she couldn't help but let some tears fall. "Hey," Heath instantly grew alarmed, "What's wrong? I'm not gonna hurt you." He hated the idea she might be that afraid of what he'd be doing to her.

She started smiling from ear to ear, "Nothin's wrong; it's just that," more tears ran down her face as she rested the palm of her hand on his cheek, "it's just that you are carryin' me and walking! I know ya've been walkin' without havin' to use anythin' to do it for a while now. I jist…" she smiled through her tears, "I'm jist so happy is all."

Heath gave her a lopsided grin, 'I'll never understand women cryin' over everythin'' he thought but wisely kept his mouth shut on the subject. Only when they were beside the bed did he set her on her feet. "I don't know about you, but I'm hungry." He started unbuttoning her dress.

Lilly knew full well what he meant, but she figured she might as well have a bit of fun with him before either one of them had their fill. She started to pull away and said, "If you're hungry the food's downstairs."

Heath shook his head and chuckled, "Uh-uh," he pulled her back to him and finished unbuttoning her dress, "I'm having my meal right here, right now." He laid her down on the bed and started kissing her as his hands went to wandering.

By the time the moonlight sent in its light to say hello Lilly was curled up next to Heath and resting in the crook of his arm. "Mama never said it would be like that." She ran her fingers through the hairs on Heath's chest.

He pulled her as close as he could and smiled, "I'll take it you weren't disappointed."

"Uh-uh," she rested her hand on his shoulder, "No way." Lying in peaceful quiet they were both soon fast asleep.

0000

Gene was standing by the living room window gazing out when his mother walked in. "I talked to Jarrod," she stood alongside her youngest son, "Why didn't you tell us?"

He shook his head; "As I told Jarrod-why rain on their day?" he turned away from the window, "Besides, I didn't come home just because she died on me. I came home for many reasons. I've seen enough of the world. I want to settle down right here; either on the ranch or, at least, in Stockton. Who knows, maybe I'll even try my hand at roping one of those steers Nick likes to brag about." He laughed at the thought.

Victoria couldn't help but laugh herself, "Now that's a sight I'd love to see!"

Jarrod, who had walked out of the den and headed for the living room, had stopped and listened to the entire conversation. He quietly turned and walked away deep in thought.