Chapter Ninety Five

"Do you Nicholas Jonathan Barkley take thee Anna Rosemary Devereaux to be your lawfully wedded wife, to love honor and cherish till death do you part?" Jarrod asked the couple with a twinkle in his eyes.

When Nick asked him to marry them, he was honored and to be standing with them; today was extremely emotional for Jarrod. He knew better than anyone how Nick longed for a lifetime commitment, a loyal woman to stand beside him and challenge him as a husband and a father… All the broken hearts and jokes at his expense for falling hard had wounded his brother more than anyone knew. Nick kept his feelings close but Jarrod knew—He knew.

Nick uncharacteristically answered in a soft voice "I do" with a tear in his eye and a deep swallow in his throat.

Jarrod swallowed in unison at the raw emotion of his brother.

As soon as Anna said her vows, "I do." Nick raised her hand and kissed the top of it. Her eyes filled with tears at his gallant and gentle gesture.

Victoria used her handkerchief to wipe the tears from her eyes. My rambunctious little boy has found his tether. The land and a woman to stand beside him—-Lord willing and children, Tom's and my grandchildren to raise up.

Carl grinned from the front seats. Heath, and Gene stood next to their brother. Audra stood beside Anna and Amelia in the rose garden. Kai along with Annie, Drew and Arthur sat together behind Victoria and their mothers in their wedding clothes Silas and Rosa and the rest of the servants filled in the back with McColl, Fred and the Merars. Nat and Alice Springer sat with Macklin and Esther in the intimate seating. Their aunt Jane and her family finished out the group.

Lisette sat near the arbor playing her violin; Grete was next to her turning the pages of the music for the pair. Henry was playing his violin in a simple harmony.

When Henry had announced one breakfast that his mother could play the violin and they were in their traveling trunks, Anna had begged Lisette to play.

"My father and mother played duets together growing up. It would feel like honoring them," when she asked Lisette to play at her wedding.

Jarrod couldn't keep his eyes off Lisette and Henry when they played. He was full of love and pride for his family and another talent he had discovered about the mother and son. They were hidden in plain sight in his home. Soon he hoped and prayed the whole world would know he had a wife and son. But today, it had to be enough for them to be with his family, safe and sound.

The song ended and Jarrod pronounced them, "man and wife". In true Nick fashion, he swooped her down in his arms with an exaggerated long kiss. Everyone applauded and Jarrod announced, "Mr and Mrs Nick Barkley."

Nick's grin was wide and Anna's look of excitement was contagious. The family and friends congratulated them as they walked out of the rose garden.

Nick whispered in her ear as they were alone for just a minute as the guests filtered into the house.

"I love you, Mrs. Barkley."

"I love you, Mister Barkley."

Silas and Rosa were seated at the family table but they had overseen a banquet for the 40 guests at the ceremony. Grete had made a four layer wedding cake; each almond layer had a different flavor: vanilla, peach, strawberry and blackberry. She had decorated the cake and table with rose petals and fresh fruit. No detail was left undone in Grete's labor. In fact, Lisette had sketched it when it was finished as another memory of the day for Anna. She had already completed the painting of her bouquet of red roses surrounded by the California Maids Anna had braided to hold her mother's veil. She chose the white flowers since they grew readily by the pond where they first kissed.

Anna took Nick's arm when all of the guests were seated. She looked down at her charm bracelet begun by her mother when she was young; it made her smile. Amelia had thought to bring it along with the wedding dress and veil. A heavy cedar hope chest arrived with the Devereaux's of three generations of their family treasures. Amelia had brought her grandfather's saddle with the intricate braids also on the visit. Anna was thrilled and Nick told everyone how lucky he was that "my woman gets excited over a saddle instead of diamonds."

A frog, made from Barkley gold, was the latest addition to the charm bracelet. Nick had it made for her and given it to her after the fireworks on the square. She wept with joy and initiated a big kiss.

"That's what I am talking about," he teased her.

They walked into the room and greeted everyone again. They cut the wedding cake and toasted with champagne from Lisette's family. Jarrod toasted the new couple and then gave the attention to his mother.

"Before we get settled into this marvelous feast Silas, Rosa and Grete prepared, Anna,I wanted to give you my gift. We had to bring it in before breakfast just in case you came down. You told me several months ago how much you loved your Grandmother Rose's china you inherited but since you would be living here, you wouldn't need it. Well I hope that is not the case. Amelia and I unpacked them and they are truly lovely. The roses seem to come alive around the rim. So if you look to your left, I bought a china cabinet for you. This is now your home, Anna and I want you to feel that way. And I hope we all get to use them soon."

Gene pulled a sheet off an ornate cherry china cabinet that her grandmother's china resided in. Everyone clapped as Anna ran over to Victoria and kissed her,

"Thank you Mother."

"You are very welcome, my daughter. Now if Heath will say grace, let's all eat."

The reception went swimmingly. All the family members on both sides laughed and told stories about the couple and the family. The special friends added a few of their own.

Jarrod noticed the antsy look in his brother's eyes as the reception winded down.

"Well family and friends, I think it's about time to bid adieu to my brother and his lovely wife. They have a train to catch for the week. And lots of goodbyes to say to our new family back East."

He lifted his glass of champagne, "Here is to Nick and Anna. May they always find each other in the sunshine and in the rain."

"Here here." and the families gathered around them. Andrew Devereaux led a prayer for their marriage around them. Jarrod kept his arm around his mother as she shed a few tears of happiness. And one eye on Lisette—-

—-&—-

Nick had been working on the small cabin his father built at the edge of the waterfall and pond for several years. He often went to it and slept overnight when he needed some time to think. The hands reroofed it last year and fixed the small porch. It was one big room with a stove, cabinets, and a bed. Nick sent over two rockers from the lumber mill and a new headboard for the bed at the same time. Rosa's daughter-in-law cleaned it completely and primed the pump. Clean sheets, new mattress and fresh curtains were hung. He had never bothered with such when it was just him getting away but now—

The idea had come to him after he proposed. He and Anna were cuddled on his balcony and he asked her where her favorite places were—

"Our cabin in still doesn't have a water closet but I don't care. Just to be free and quiet and hear the wind in the trees."

"So no fancy hotel?"

"Oh I love those too with big tubs and room service. Lots of fresh flowers—-"

He knew exactly how he wanted to plan their honeymoon.

—-&—-

Victoria and Nate walked out on the verandah as the reception dispersed.

"Mrs Barkley, I have what you asked. I have gone over it with a fine tooth comb."

"It's legal in all aspects?"

"Yes. The surety company took the five thousand dollars as you wired them; they are holding it as bond. The insurance policy lists sentimental reasons for value. I have the drawing, weight,and the photograph with the exact dimensions in the policy."

"Thank you, Nate. I appreciate this. My family is not—- to know, yet."

"As your attorney and friend you have my word—and may I say Jarrod got his cunning from his Mother."

"Of course, he did." she winked.