Chapter Fifty-One

Once dinner was done the two wedding cakes were brought out to be served. One was a chocolate cake with thick chocolate ganache frosting; it was decorated with the ranch brand and horseshoes in gold fondant. The other cake was frosted with marzipan, decorated with fresh pink flowers and white frosting lattice work trim.

Priscilla called Heath and Sharon up to cut the cakes together, as Silas stood next to the table. Heath remembered how Silas had insisted that he would bake the cakes, and Sharon's request for something spring like. The cake with the marzipan frosting was in fact sponge cake layers, with raspberry filling. It was four layers, which were then covered in whipping cream; the marzipan sealed everything together.

Heath would later learn that the cake was Scandinavian specialty, and Maud had given the recipe to Silas. It turned out that the two had been corresponding on a regular basis. Now though, everyone was in awe of both cakes, and cheered as Sharon and Heath shared a bite of each one.

After the cake cutting there was dancing, with Heath and Sharon taking the floor first. They were joined by Jarrod and Victoria, then Priscilla with Nick, and Audra with Carl. Elspeth danced with Liam, while the Lt. Governor escorted Tara out on the floor. Everyone, but Heath, was entranced as Marcus walked Tara through the steps. As far as Heath was concerned the man was showboating for the crowd. Sean and Simon were busy getting additional helpings of cake since no one was watching them.

"Would it be too much that we can say our good nights?" Sharon came up to Heath, as he was talking with Caroline Peterson. He had made it a point to dance with her and had been surprised at how light on her feet she was.

"I think this is an appropriate time to say good night. You have certainly fulfilled your social obligations." Caroline laughed, and then went on to comment "I think at least Sean and Simon need to say good night before they eat the rest of the cake, and Tara is a little too young to be the belle of the dance floor."

"Yes, she has been quite popular." Sharon observed with a merry laugh, as she turned to look at Heath. "I think in about thirteen years we are going to have our hands full!" After the Lt. Governor had danced with Tara, Heath had also danced with her, followed by his brothers, and Liam.

Heath in fact was glad to hear that Sharon was ready to go. She had danced once with Marcus, and it had been totally correct. He was also ready to be done with the whole evening. Yes, it had been like nothing he had ever seen before, and he knew that he was very much envied. However, in the end he had spent a great deal of the evening feeling lonely.

The couple went to find Priscilla, who was onboard with their leaving. Her suggestion is that they sneak out, so as to keep the party going. She said she would round up the children and meet them all in the nursery. Heath and Sharon took advantage of her advice and took the back route to the house.

"Sharon why don't you go change, and I will help everyone get ready for bed." Heath offered, as he smiled at the children.

"No, I want to stay with Mum" Tara rushed over to her mother and clung tightly to her. Heath felt totally out of his depth, and not sure how to handle the situation.

"Lass, you can come with me, and help me change my clothes while Papa helps the boys." Sharon looked at Heath for confirmation, who nodded his head. It felt completely natural to be called Papa and be with the children. His thoughts were broken by Tara, who was starting to cry again. Heath realized there was a great deal he did not know about childcare.

"Tara, you know that Grand Da Liam talked to Uncle Nick, and he has promised to let you ride Moonstar on the lunge line." Sharon stroked the girl's golden curls, before she went on "but you have to be a big girl; do you understand."

"Yes Mummy." Tara sniffled, as she stopped crying. "I am going to miss you so much." She bit her lip as she made the announcement.

"I do not know about that. I know for a fact that in addition to riding, Grandmother Victoria has several fun things planned." Sharon laughed merrily. "Plus, you need to keep an eye on Sean and Simon." She winked at the girl, who giggled happily.

Heath watched as they excused themselves, before he turned to the boys. They were very cooperative about getting into their night shirts and took turns in the water closet. He said prayers with them, and then read to them, as a sense of contentment came over him. It felt so natural to be doing the bedtime ritual, and Heath found himself not annoyed about the reception.

"Rosalie, I am glad that you are here." Sharon's words broke into his thoughts, and he looked up to see her and Tara. Heath had not noticed Rosalie come in, but the older Latin woman was standing in the doorway. "Honey, go with Rosalie to get ready for bed, while I say good night to the boys." She indicated for Tara to go with Rosalie, who smiled at the girl.

Sharon had changed into a traveling outfit of olive-green poplin, with brown trim. Her hat was small and decorated with curled brown feathers. Heath noted how lovely she looked and was all set to say; he stopped though, reminding himself it was a business arrangement.

Tara came back in her night gown, and they said good night to everyone. The little girl gave her mother a tight hug, and then let Rosalie take her. There was a surrey waiting for them at the barn – their luggage had gone ahead to the train. As they started down the road to the gate a surprise waited them.

Lining the road were the guests, and ranch hands, all holding torches or flowers. They cheered as Heath drove the surrey down the road, while Sharon caught some of the flowers that were being thrown. Heath looked over at her, laughing, holding a lap full of flowers, as the glow from the torches illuminated her face. His breath caught in his throat, and he forced himself to concentrate on driving the surrey, as Sharon waved at everyone.

"Well so much for sneaking away." Sharon observed with a laugh, as she and Heath headed into town. "Tis was so nice of them to do that for us."

"I think our wedding will be talked about for quite a while. The reception was something else." Heath temporized, not wanting to reveal his true opinion of the event.

"It was over the top, but very enjoyable to put together. It reminded me of Ireland, and the last party at the castle before I left." She sighed, and Heath realized that he knew very little about her life before America. He thought back to when they were courting all those years ago, but somehow the subject never came up.

"Do you miss it? Ireland?" Heath asked with great interest.

"Sometimes I do. But if I had stayed, I would never had had Sean and Tara." She scattered the flowers out of the surrey, much to Heath's delight. He felt like he had smelled flowers all night. What she said next surprised him though.

"Are we doing the right thing by going to San Francisco? I have never been away from the children before." Her eyes were wide, and he thought of how Tara had looked at the idea of saying goodbye to her mother.

A part of Heath wanted to bail on the trip, because San Francisco was not his style. He did not mind it for a day or two, but now the thought of two weeks in the city had him feeling itchy. Heath knew though that they had to do a honeymoon, to keep up the pretense of the wedding.

"Here I thought you were all excited to shop? Plus, the opera and theater?" He hoped by changing the subject it would make her feel better. "You know the children will be well taken care of. As soon as Tara gets on Moonstar she will not have another thought on her mind." Heath looked over at her and saw her perk up.

"Thank you for that Heath." They spent the rest of the ride into town talking about the wedding and reception. When they arrived at the train station, a hand from the livery was there to take the surrey. Heath had arranged for this earlier; the horse and surrey would spend the night in the livery and go back to the ranch tomorrow morning.

"Welcome aboard" Soo Lin bowed as they entered the car. Sharon found herself looking around with awe, even as she had ridden in the car once already. She wanted to pinch herself that she was actually married to a man whose family had the wealth to afford such a luxury. Only a few noblemen in England, along with the royal family, could such vehicles.

Soo showed them to the bedroom, and Sharon was relieved to see that she had her own room. She did not know it, but Heath had told Soo Lin to make up both bedrooms.

"We will have breakfast around 8:00am, and then head into the city." Heath explained, after Soo had left. "I hope the swaying of the train does not bother you." He added, before he said good night.

Sharon used the small water closet to get ready for bed, and then slipped between the smooth, cool sheets. It felt good to have her corset off, and she realized how tired she really was. Her nightgown was short, cream colored lawn inset with lace. Priscilla had introduced them to her, saying how much cooler they were than the long gowns.

She suddenly felt sad, as she thought of the elaborate green silk and lace peignoir set that was packed away in her luggage. Her wedding night with Paul had been horrid – he took her back to the small cottage he shared with his mother. Paul by then was very drunk, because of all the toasts that had been done at reception.

Paul had ripped her clothes off her violently, and then carried her into the bedroom. What he did next made her feel like an animal that was there to satisfy his needs. She had lain in the bed, her clothes torn, and bleeding from her privates, as her husband snored loudly.

By the next morning she was up early, so as not to face her husband. Sharon cried inwardly, wishing she had a female friend to discuss it all with. She was aware of arranged marriages among the titled folk and had heard on more than one occasion a story similar to hers.

A wife had to fulfill her duty, and bear children – preferably sons – but the husband held all the cards. The only saving grace was that she became with child very quickly. Paul would not have relations with her while she was enceinte. However, as soon as Sean had been born, Paul was demanding his conjugal rights. Sharon found herself pregnant very quickly; it was hard with a baby, but Mother Flynn had been there to help.

Paul was always careful about his behavior when his mother was present. Oftentimes though, she would be off helping someone else, which gave Paul free reign for his drinking and gambling. Sharon rather thought that the woman knew more than she let on, but Mother Flynn was traditional and religious. She helped Sharon as much as she could, while saving both their pride and dignity.

Now she brought her mind back to the present, reminding herself that she had started a new chapter in her life. Yet, not just her life, but the children also. Their future was secure, and she said a prayer that she could bring happiness to Heath.

Heath was in the spare room, which was smaller than the main room. He had wanted Sharon to be comfortable, which the reason he gave to Soo Lin for the two rooms. The Chinese man nodded his head in approval, and Heath knew he only saw concern for his wife.

He normally had no problems sleeping on the train, but tonight was different. Heath had been careful with how much wine he had drunk, but the food had been richer than what he normally ate. There were also all the emotions that had threatened to overtake him – how beautiful Sharon had looked as she came down the aisle – and the sense of Magda being there as Simon walked with Tara. He replayed the sense of forgiveness he had felt, as it had all happened.

The reception had been a top-notch social event – by now Heath knew all about how society did things. As he turned in the narrow bed, he saw irony in how different his two weddings had been. Sarah had been prepared to elope, while Sharon clearly had different standards.

Heath, turning yet again, saw how her standards and expectations met up with his family's so well. Everyone else in the family, including Silas, had been happy with Sharon's choices. He huffed, as he realized his only input had been the chocolate cake.

Well, you told her she had to go along with your family, you should be pleased at it all! The voice in his head and heart scolded him – Heath could swear it was Hannah talking. He sighed inwardly; he had put this all into motion and could not blame anyone else.

However, he had setup the whole agreement, based on Sharon being the simple Irish colleen he had known. Clearly though, marriage and motherhood had changed her. Heath knew he should not be surprised, as he could admit he was very different now, compared to when they were courting the first time.

Heath turned in the bed, and decided to think about Simon, Sean, and Tara. The happiness on their faces came to him, and he smiled, which eased the knot in his stomach. This marriage was for the children, and he swore to himself that he would give them a good life and be a father they were proud of. That was his last thought before sleep overtook him.