A/N: Up next is The Wedding. This one is pure fluff. Hoss deserved a happy ending and in my universe I gave it to him, so no worries about Forever here. It won't involve Hoss dying, I promise you that. For all you Hoss fans out there, this one's for you. As always, I own nothing but my OC.
"Missy Annie get out Hop Sing kitchen!" The little cook darted across the room, cleaver raised, and she scuttled backwards, hands in the air, bumping into Candy, who scrambled out of the way. Furious Chinese spilled from his mouth, so fast she only caught one word in ten, but it was enough to make his point clear. He shook the cleaver at her and she ducked behind the settee. "Hop Sing cook, no need distraction!" He whirled around and vanished back into his domain, still muttering.
Candy whistled softly and she poked her head up with a narrow-eyed glare that made him laugh. "What did you do, sweetheart?"
"Nothing," she protested. "I was just asking if he wanted any help."
"You should have known better than that, little sister." Hoss lumbered downstairs and folded his arms over his chest. She parked her hands on her hips.
"Have you seen the menu he has tacked up?" She jerked a thumb over her shoulder. "Between a cake to feed three dozen, ten chickens, a whole hog, and the steer I know he has hidden away in there somewhere, I figured he'd be happy to have another set of hands." Hoss shook his head.
"Not old Hop Sing, the man's happier than a pig in new mud, so let's just let him be, all right?"
"The wedding is tomorrow."
"He knows. And he'll have everything ready in time, without a single spot on that apron. I don't know how he does it, but he does." Hoss scratched his head. "Pa back yet?"
"No," Candy replied. "But he should be here anytime now, unless the stage was late." Candy chuckled. "Wonder how much she's grown in the last year?" Annie snickered.
"Hoss should be more concerned about how she's going to take the news he didn't wait for her to grow up." Her brother scowled.
"Hush you two, just hush. Martha will have explained it to her, I'm sure." They traded glances. "Uh-uh, don't you two start. I swear it's like I've got three younger siblings stead of two." He headed for the door. "I'm going for a ride with Erin." It slammed behind him and they laughed.
"You know, sweetheart, he's really happy."
"Why shouldn't he be? They're perfect for each other."
"Yeah. Yeah they are." His voice caught and she threw him a look. "Dust from the hay." He waved it off and cleared his throat. "Who all's coming to this shindig anyway? I didn't realize Hop Sing was planning to feed a regiment." Annie sat down and shook her head.
"I think half the town. The Purcells, Doc, Roy and Clem, George, all the hands, Lloyd, Warren …" she frowned. "Pa had to invite Mrs. Smith, though I wish he hadn't. We tried to reach Clay, but he must have moved on, we never got a reply. Cousin Will and Laura are coming with Peggy, though. And of course Martha and Sam." Her face darkened. "Adam still hasn't responded." Wheels rattled in the yard and they hopped up and ran for the door, flinging it wide.
"Aunt Annie! Uncle Candy!" Sam jumped from the buggy before it had completely stopped and ran inside. She leaped into Candy's arms and threw hers around his neck. He spun her around with a laugh and Annie's throat closed. Sam turned and she forced a smile and hugged the little girl, too. "Grandpa gave me my own horse! She's yellow and white and really sweet." A pout twisted her mouth. "But he said Honey couldn't come with us."
"No, I don't think she'd enjoy a stage trip," Candy said, his eyes twinkling.
"Samantha!" Grandpa Dorcas swept into the house with a frown. "How many times have I told you not to jump out of a moving buggy?" His face softened. "You could get hurt."
"Sorry, Grandpa." She sighed and looked around. "Where's Uncle Hoss and Uncle Joe?"
"Hoss is out riding with Erin and Joe went to town for the mail." Annie hid a smile when the little girl's face darkened.
"He was supposed to wait for me."
"Now, Sam, we discussed this." Martha hurried inside on Ben's arm. "It's wonderful to see you all again. Sam, come along, we need to change out of our traveling clothes and then you can go outside and play."
"Missy Sam!" Hop Sing stood in the kitchen doorway, hands on hips. "Have lot of work to do for wedding feast. Need assistance of chief bottle washer."
"Hop Sing!" Candy set her down and she hurried over to hug their cook. "Of course I'll help. Be right back." She skipped up the stairs, Martha following behind with a smile. Calvin Dorcas shook his head slowly.
"I'd have missed all this if you hadn't talked some sense into me. I want to thank you again." He stretched out his hand and Ben shook it. "Yes, grandchildren are a treasure." She thought her father's smile looked a tad forced, but Dorcas didn't notice if it was. "Well, I better get the bags. You haven't seen anything until you've seen two women pack for a week-long trip. And one of them's half-size," he called over his shoulder on the way out the door.
"I'll help," Candy said, and hurried after him. Ben sighed and ran a hand through his hair.
"Do you think there'll be a letter?" Annie bit her lip.
"No," she said softly and he sighed again.
"It's been over two years, why doesn't he write?"
"I don't know, Pa." She could have written to Lotta and gotten the full story, but she wouldn't. If he didn't want to keep in touch, that was his decision, and she wouldn't force the issue.
"I wish he could have seen Hoss' wedding." Ben turned and shuffled towards his desk. Annie bit her lip. He'd sit there all afternoon, thinking up all sorts of terrible reasons preventing Adam from writing, when the simple truth was her brother didn't care.
"I'll take care of the buggy, Pa." He waved in acknowledgment and leaned back in his chair, staring at the far wall. She slipped out the door and joined Candy and Dorcas at the buggy. A mountain of trunks sat on the ground beside the tailgate, and more waited to be unloaded. Dorcas wiped his sleeve over his forehead.
"I think my ladies brought everything but the sink out of the kitchen."
"I don't know." Candy frowned at the pile. "Some of these might hold a sink." The two men chuckled and kept unloading while Annie moved to unhitch the team. She led the animals into the barn and her throat closed when she passed Reno's stall. It wasn't empty, they'd brought the bald-faced bay pinto she'd ridden to Arizona down from the remuda, but the sight of a different face still choked her up.
"I'm sorry, boy," she whispered hoarsely, and led the mares on down the aisle.
"Nervous?" Erin caught her eye in the mirror and shook her head.
"No. I'm marrying my Hoss, why should I be nervous?" She picked up a silver comb and tucked it into her curls. Annie hid a smile when she noticed the other woman's hands shook.
"It's supposedly normal."
"I wouldn't know," Erin replied with a cheeky grin. "I've never been married before." She rose from her stool and twirled in front of the tall mirror next to the dresser. "Would you look at me now? I never would have believed I'd own such a fancy dress in my life. A far cry from buckskin to be sure."
The dress was beautiful, with long sleeves and lace trim that only made her sister even prettier. Hoss wouldn't know what hit him when he saw her a few minutes from now. Mrs. Bowen had outdone herself yet again.
"One of these days, Annie, I had better be getting the news I'm to make a wedding gown for you." She shivered slightly. No, that wouldn't be happening. Annie glanced out the window and found Candy seated in the front row with the rest of the family.
"Annie? Is something wrong?" She blinked and turned back to Erin with a smile.
"Just wondering if they can keep Hoss out of the feast until after the ceremony." Her sister sighed.
"That will be a problem, for sure, but I think Hop Sing and Sam have it in hand." She bit her lip. "Annie, Pa isn't upset that I asked Bear Hunter to give me away, is he?"
"No. He understands." She touched her sister's arm. "Are you ready?"
"Yes." Erin picked up her bouquet of Indian ricegrass and desert Marigolds. They left the room and met Bear Hunter at the foot of the stairs. The brave was decked out in his best, ceremonial paint coloring his face. He draped a beaded necklace over Erin's neck and offered his arm. Annie rushed ahead to open the front door, almost tripping on her hem in the process. Blasted dress. She pushed at the heavy blue velvet and stopped in the doorway.
"Wait until I sit down, then count to three and follow." Erin smiled and Annie hurried outside. They'd forgone attendants, since Hoss couldn't make up his mind about a best man, and Erin had said she didn't want any bridesmaids. Alicia or Mrs. Bowen would have been happy to stand with her, but Erin wasn't comfortable enough with the people in town to consider it yet.
She took her seat between Candy and Joe, both of them raising eyebrows at her attire. "Will you look at that, Candy? It ain't every day little sister gussies herself up."
"No." He looked her over and she flushed slightly. "It's a shame she doesn't."
"Stop it, Candy, I can't work cattle dressed like this." Movement caught her eye and she shushed them both. "Here she comes." The guests stood, some acting only out of politeness, not out of genuine feeling, she was certain. Or maybe not. She eyed the crowd, noted the smiles and the murmured well-wishes as Erin walked past.
Her actions with the posse had won Erin some respect from the men who'd ridden with her … had it transferred to their wives as well?
Erin reached the preacher and Hoss standing in front of the barn and Bear Hunter offered her brother Erin's hand, then stepped back and stood with the rest of his braves on the edge of the crowd, arms folded over his chest.
"Dearly beloved, we are gathered here today to join Eric Cartwright and Erin O'Donnell in holy matrimony. Let us rejoice with them, for they have found their soul-mate …" The man droned on for several minutes and Annie shifted in her seat. Candy leaned down and whispered in her ear.
"If he doesn't hurry, Hoss is gonna start eating the pine boughs off that arch he's standing under." She smothered a laugh and kicked his foot under the chair. "Hop Sing wouldn't let anyone in the kitchen this morning and your brother is half starved."
"Please, repeat after me. I, Eric, do take this woman, Erin to be my lawfully wedded wife …" Joe nudged her side and they shared a grin. Up front, Hoss was beaming with pride as he recited his vows, his gaze never leaving Erin's face.
"I do." He slipped a gold ring on her finger and Erin sniffed, wiping her eyes with her handkerchief. Her soft voice shook slightly when it was her turn, but the nerves quickly fled and she repeated her vows in a strong voice that carried in the stillness of the afternoon.
"I do." She slipped a ring onto Hoss' finger and a few women in the crowd sighed.
"Then, by the power invested in me by God, and the State of Nevada, I now pronounce you man and wife. What God hath joined together, let no man tear asunder." He closed his Bible sharply. "You may kiss the bride."
Hoss swept Erin off her feet and the women giggled. Sam leaned over and whispered to Martha and her mother shushed her. When they broke apart, the preacher stepped forward. "I now present to you Mr. and Mrs. Eric Cartwright!" Cheers rose and Ben stood up.
"It's time to celebrate!"
"More punch, sweetheart?" Candy held out a crystal cup; Annie pushed it away.
"I'm shipping more water than Dixie." She set her plate down. "I can't eat another bite."
"Maybe you need to dance it off." She eyed the whirling guests and shook her head.
"I'm not much for dancing."
"It's easy."
"And where did you learn?" Candy grinned.
"The Army did have officers' balls, you know." Her eyes narrowed.
"Your father was a non-com." He laughed and set down his own plate.
"If their daughters needed a dance partner, they didn't care if I was a mere scout." His face clouded. "More than a dance, though …" Her chest tightened and she grabbed his arm.
"I'll dance if you will." He looked down at her hand, then around to the assembled guests. He started to shake his head.
"I don't think that'd go over well, sweetheart."
"It's my brother's wedding and you're our foreman, they won't think anything of it." Still, he hesitated, and she tried again. "Please?" He might have sworn he'd never kiss her again, but he'd said nothing about dancing.
"All right." He took her hand and led her into the midst of the dancing guests. His other hand slipped around her waist and she suppressed a shiver. If he knew … she'd lose him. They spun past Hoss and Erin, past Alicia and Wayne. She looked up into his face and the celebration blurred into nothing, lost in the blue of his eyes.
Calvin had Samantha perched in his arms, spinning her through the crowd while the child laughed in delight. It sounded to Annie like they were miles away, the blood roaring in her ears drowning out everything else.
She forced herself to look away before she did something foolish, and the spell was broken. Seconds later, the music stopped and Candy released her hand with a smile and backed away. She watched him go, her eyes stinging.
"Aunt Annie, dance with us!" Samantha ran over and grabbed her hand. "Grandpa asked for a reel, come on!" She tugged her hand and Annie let herself be pulled along, avoiding looking over her shoulder.
She couldn't break, it wasn't worth ruining their friendship over stupid feelings. He'd never even hinted at anything deeper … he'd be horrified if he knew. She just had to get over it, they'd surely fade with time. It was just a reaction to almost losing him as a friend, that was all.
So why couldn't she convince herself?