CHAPTER 12
The following summer, Jack stood at the altar looking even more handsome, if that was possible, in his Mountie uniform waiting for his bride to come down the aisle of the church in Hope Valley, the building he and the townsmen had labored over to build.
Cat Montgomery played the organ while young Emily came down the aisle dropping flower petals.
Lee Coulter and Bill Avery came in and took their places. Jack's brother Tom came in from the side and stood next to Jack as best man. Jack looked over the crowd. Both families were present, including Aunt Agatha who gave him an ornery smile and a wink. He grinned wide and winked back.
The church was packed. Almost everyone had been able to make it. Elizabeth's mother nodded her approval as he looked her way. His heart warmed as his eyes met those of his mother's. They gave each other warm smiles.
Viola entered, followed by Abigail, and then Julie. The music then changed. All stood and turned. Jack's eyes went down the aisle to the woman he loved with all his heart. She looked absolutely stunning in her white dress; she took his breath away. He thought of nothing else but her. It was like a magical dream. William Thatcher led his daughter down to the front. Jack briefly took his eyes off Elizabeth and looked at William who smiled and nodded his approval. Then Jack fixed his eyes once again on the woman who would soon be his wife. Elizabeth brushed a tear from her eye as she gazed upon the man who would soon be her husband, her Mountie, standing tall in his red serge.
Pastor Frank asked, "Who gives this woman to this man?" William, with pride in his heart, responded, "Her mother and I do." William then gave his daughter a kiss, gave her hand to Jack (who anxiously took it) and took his seat next to his wife.
Pastor then began the ceremony. "Family and friends, the day has arrived. A day many of us have awaited for a very, very long time." There were soft chuckles, some a little louder from Elizabeth's students. Pastor continued by reading I Corinthians 13:4-7. "Love is patient. Love is kind…"
When it came time to exchange rings, Tom reached in his pocket. The ring wasn't there. He patted his vest and pants pockets. "Oh, Jack, I'm so sorry. I must have left it back in the jail." Tom gave his nervous brother an impish grin.
"What?!" Jack couldn't believe it.
"Wait. I think I know where it is." Tom then whistled. Jack couldn't believe his brother. Then in sauntered Rip coming to the front with a bowtie around his neck and carrying in his mouth a pillow. On that pillow was tied the ring with a bow. Rip let out a muffled bark as he approached the front. Everyone laughed.
Jack slapped his brother on the back. "Nice, Tom!" Jack bent down, gave Rip a hearty pat on the head and took the pillow from him. "Looks like you're Rip the Ringbearer today. Thanks, buddy!"
"Roof!"
With a little snap of the fingers from Tom, Rip waddled over to Tom's side and...laid down, but with his head up watching as the couple he loved and helped get back together in the mine continued the ceremony.
Jack had stood up and untied the bow. He slipped the ring from it and playfully shoved the pillow into Tom's chest forcing him to take it, then he turned to prepare to slip the ring on the left hand of his bride…
The exchange of vows was completed, and Pastor Frank told the starry-eyed couple, "I now pronounce you man and wife. Jack?" Pastor Frank paused dragging it out. When the pastor didn't say anything else, Jack turned and looked at him expectantly. Pastor Frank grinned and finally said, "You may kiss your bride."
Jack turned back to Elizabeth with a dimpled smile, placed his hands on her arms, leaned in and tenderly kissed her. Light applause broke out, and she heard some of her students giggle; there may have even been a whistle, possibly from Gabe. Elizabeth chuckled and blushed.
Pastor Frank said, "Family and friends, I present to you Constable and Mrs. Jack Thornton!" Then everyone applauded as Jack and Elizabeth turned and began to walk down the aisle as Cat played music on the piano.
Their family, friends, and of course the school children had prepared a wonderful reception in the saloon. Jack and Elizabeth were able to speak with everyone who attended. But Jack was anxious.
As the reception neared an end, Jack held out his hand for her. "Go for a walk with me."
"In my wedding dress?"
"Perfect," He replied. She accepted his hand and allowed him to lead her out holding her train up with her other hand. She realized he was taking them to their special spot in the meadow.
She stopped him. "Jack, you said we wouldn't be able to come here anymore, that someone had purchased the property."
"That's true. Someone did purchase it. I did."
"What?"
He led her around the corner, and Elizabeth let out a gasp as she saw before them a modest house. "What do you think?"
"Jack, it's beautiful! And…it's ours?"
He nodded. "Ours. I like the sound of that."
"So this is really why we haven't come here for a while," she said. "You've been building this!"
He flashed his handsome dimpled smile. "It's only the beginning. I've held back some of the reward money from the counterfeiting case. I have plans to add on and make it bigger. But it's a start for now. For us, Elizabeth. For the times I have to be away, it should be close enough to town that you should be all right."
They walked hand in hand to the front door.
"Your mother brought over all your belongings earlier, and she and your father helped furnish the house as a wedding gift."
She looked lovingly into his eyes as he scooped her into his arms. His thoughts went back to their time in the mine when he carried her in his arms and later when they first declared their love for each other. "I love you, Elizabeth Thornton!"
"I love you, too!"
He kissed her, then carried her across the threshold. "Welcome home, Mrs. Thornton." They kissed again as he nudged the door shut behind them.
He whispered in her ear, "Does this mean I don't have to sleep on the floor in the barn anymore? … Ouch!"
The next morning they left on the stage coach for their honeymoon.
To be continued...