A Flicker of Light In The Darkness

Chapter 16

The Engagement & Wedding

Newly sat up, his breath raw when he spoke. "I swear Calleigh, I don't know if I'm going to make to the wedding. You are ..." he let his eyes travel slowly over the body stretched beside him in the hayloft. "We need to get out of here. Go back to the dance."

Calleigh traced a finger across his lower lip. "We can go back to the dance... if you really want to."

The young man gulped hard and pulled himself to his feet. "Want your dad to shoot me? We can't do this. Not now. Not yet."

Calleigh laughed softly as she stood up, brushing the hay from her dress. Taking pity on her fiancé, she stopped teasing and kissed him all prim and proper on the cheek.

"Can't say Matt didn't try to warn me about the Russell women." He took her hand and they wandered back toward the music. As they stepped inside the barn, Calleigh spotted Matt and Kitty and started for the table. Newly called after her, "I'm going to get us some punch, I'll be right there."

Matt stood up as Calleigh reached the table and she kissed his cheek. "Hi, Sweet Pea. You two missed half the dance. Where have you been?" Kitty reached across the table and pulled a piece of straw from Calleigh's hair. No words were said, but the look that passed between them said a mouthful. Calleigh got the message loud and clear; there would be no more playing in the hay. The wedding was only a week away, best not to make waves.

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The wedding was wonderful. Matt walked his daughter down the aisle. Kitty cried. Doc cried. Festus cried. All in all, it was a joyous event.

Oddly enough, Calleigh didn't want the elaborate wedding she had tried to force on Kitty. Now she understood; being Newly's wife was the only important thing.

Under Kitty's supervision, the ladies of Dodge had planned a reception at the Town Hall. Streamers had been hung, a band was playing and there was enough food to feed an army. Matt spotted Kitty standing by the refreshment table talking to Mrs. Otis and Mrs. Buckner. Neither was vicious like Mavis Penshaw, but they were known to be a major source of gossip. Once the Marshal made an honest woman of Kitty, she was welcomed with open arms into the Dodge City Ladies Aid. Not that she particularly cared, but for Calleigh's sake, as the new assistant doctor in town, Kitty was gracious.

"She was a beautiful bride." Mrs. Buckner actually sounded genuine with the compliment. "And such a stunning gown. I heard it came all the way from St. Louis."

"I heard that too." Mrs. Otis echoed

Kitty smiled politely, knowing that between these two ladies, her next comment would spread through Dodge like wildfire, "Actually, it came from France. I had it specially made for her."

Matt had overheard Kitty telling the fashion news to the ladies. Knowing how much she was enjoying herself, he decided to add a little more excitement to the rumor mill. As he came up behind his wife, he slipped his arm around her waist, pulled her closer to himself and brushed his lips across hers.

As he expected, a shared gasp escaped from the ladies at such a public show of affection. "Well, we uh...we need to check on the food. Excuse us, Marshal. Mrs. Dillon." With a polite nod, they were gone.

Kitty buried her face in Matt's shoulder to hide her laughter. "Well, Marshal, that was quite the performance."

"You know, at first I did it just to get under their skin," he paused long enough to leave another kiss on her temple. "But I kinda like being able to kiss my woman any time I want. Why didn't we do this years ago?" The next sound he released was a low grunt, evidence of the jab in the stomach she delivered. He gave her a squeeze as he looked around the room. "Hmmm, guess who's missing?"

Kitty continued to smile to the guests. "They left about an hour ago. They are staying in the Honeymoon Suite at the Dodge House."

"The Dodge House has a honeymoon suite?"

She tossed her head to one side, "eh, I had them put some champagne on ice, a box of fine chocolates on a pillow and several dozen roses around the room. So, yeah—now they have a Honeymoon Suite."

Kitty turned back to the refreshment table, when Matt gave her a gentle nudge and nod toward the front doors. "Look who's coming in. Did you invite Mavis Penshaw to Calleigh's reception?"

"Not exactly; I mean the whole town was invited, I guess. I just never thought she would come." Kitty peeked at the intruder out of the corner of her eye,

"You know she's leaving town?" Matt offered a grunt-like response. "After her husband shot himself, I guess she's having a hard time facing people here. She has a brother somewhere that's taking her in."

"Does she know he was messing around with one of your girls?

"I think that's what led to the suicide." She turned quickly, facing Matt. "Oh brother, here she comes. Try not to make a scene."

Matt smiled at the obese woman heading toward them. He brought his cup to his mouth to hide behind as he responded, "Me? You're the little hellcat." He lowered the cup and braced himself.

Kitty turned back around as Mavis approached them. Donning her most engaging smile and polite tone, Kitty greeted the woman, "Mavis, how kind of you to come."

"Miss Rus- Mrs. Dillon," Mavis corrected herself quickly, "I guess you heard, I am leaving town." She paused giving Kitty a chance to speak, but was only met with a polite nod. "Yes, well I just wanted to say congratulations. You seem to have been born under a lucky star. Married to the most respected man in town; living in the finest house; and your daughter a doctor. You do seem to have it all." She paused, as she glanced at the people around her, all having a good time. "Well, I won't take up any more of your precious time. As I said, I just wanted to offer my congratulations." With a sharp nod, Mavis turned and left the party.

Kitty stood silent and unmoving. After a moment, she reached over taking Matt's glass and chugged the contents. "What was that?"

Matt chuckled softly, "I don't know, but I want you to know, my money was on you all the time, babe. I think you could have taken her."

Kitty shifted her attention ever so slowly from the departing woman, to Matt. Under half closed lids, she cast him a contemptuous glance. "Well, if you ever want me to take you again, you'll shut up now." Matt pulled her close, his laughter dismissing any fear of her threat.

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Newly swept his bride up into his arms and carried her into the suite. As he let her slide down to the floor, their lips met again. What started gently, quickly built in passion. Newly finally released her mouth long enough to take a breath. "Did I tell you I love you, Mrs. O'Brian?"

She leaned back letting their intertwined fingers serve as her lifeline. "I believe you did, sir. But I like hearing it again."

"You look so beautiful today."

"You like this dress, wait 'til you see the nightgown she bought." Calleigh bit her bottom lip seductively and pulled away in a teasing move. In her next move, she disappeared behind the privacy screen. He watched as pieces of petticoats and satin things were tossed over the top of the ornately carved panel. Newly swallowed hard and blew out a deep breath. His tie was beginning to feel like a noose. He pulled the ends, releasing the entire knot. For the first time, he actually took notice of the room. It was quite nice...and... "Hey, champagne!"

"What?" Just eyes and the top of her head appeared over the edge of the screen.

"We have champagne. Oh, and chocolate. …and about a thousand roses," he mumbled under his breath.

She disappeared once again behind the screen. "I'm sure that's Kitty's doing."

Newly pulled the bottle from the ice bucket and studied the label. "Honey, do want me to open the champagne?"

"What?"

Newly turned and was about to repeat his question, when Calleigh stepped out from behind the screen. The bottle slipped from his hand, back into the ice.

"Like it?" she purred softly, as she slowly stepped towards him. She had pulled all the pins from her hair, freeing the long fiery curls to flow down around her shoulders. Her body was covered, or at least scantily covered, in a white satin corset, adorned with tiny pink rose buds. She was wearing a short dressing gown, made of the sheerest lace he had ever seen. With each step she took, she released another hook on the corset.

Newly's lungs finally went into survivor mode and forced his body to breathe. "I like it." As the shock wore off, a grin appeared. Again, he had taken her into his arms, only this time, he deposited her on the bed. Shedding his own clothes didn't take nearly as long as she'd taken behind those panels. Calleigh looked up at her husband of four hours and smiled. Not a seductive smile, but one that said, "I will love you for the rest of our lives."

The young groom released his bride from the constraints of any clothing. His eyes swept over her, his hands following close behind. They began to explore, each searching for that special place or special touch that would please the other.

TBC