Chapter One
Oklahoma Territory, Early April, 1883
Dan woke with a smile and stretched. Today he was getting married to the spunkiest, funniest, prettiest girl he knew. Tomorrow morning he’d be waking up with his wife, Trixie.
Last night, he had gone by Crabapple Farm to give her a special present.
“You don’t have to,” he said softly, “but if you like, I’d kind of like you to wear it tomorrow.”
Puzzled, Trixie unwrapped the small package and gasped, as she stared at the most beautiful cameo she had ever seen. The background was a rich dark blue, the raised and carved profile a milky white with just a hint of pink.
“Oh, Dan,” she whispered.
“It was my mam’s,” he said. “Mother held onto all of her jewelry for me until a few years ago, when she gave me all of it.”
Trixie nodded. She knew her wedding ring had been his mother’s also. When Dan’s parents had been mugged, the thief only took the money, and left jewelry. The gunshots had attracted attention and he bolted, never seeing the cameo pin Eileen Mangan wore under her cloak, and not bothering to stop to look for it. The jewelry had later been turned over to Winthrop Frayne, Tim Mangan’s employer and Dan’s guardian.
“Of course I’ll wear it,” she murmured. “It’s so beautiful!”
The look of joy on Dan’s face was all she needed.
Throwing back the covers, he got out of bed and looked out the window. The grass was green, flowers were blooming and all was right in his world.
*
On the next farm over, Trixie Belden woke with a start, her stomach quivering. Her trunks had already been moved to the newly finished cottage on the lake. But her wedding dress hung on the door, the ivory dress with white ribbons altered to fit her.
Sitting up slowly, she exhaled. Diana was ecstatic to be married to Mart, Trixie’s older bother. Brian was enjoying married life with Lillian, though Trixie hadn’t seen much of them lately. It was her turn.
But it was different for boys, she thought. Plus, Diana had servants and Lillian only had the small apartment over Brian’s medical office. She would have the entire house to run by herself.
“You can do it, Trixie,” she muttered. “You know you can, stop being such a scaredy cat!”
She climbed out of bed and walked to the dress. With a smile, she reached out and touched it.
*
Adelia Cornwall woke her younger sister early. They would need time to dress before Jim came to pick them up for his brother’s wedding. She loved the deep blue dress he had given her last month that she wore to Mart Belden’s wedding. She wondered if it was really possible that Jim might marry her.
*
Lillian Belden woke her husband Brian with a gentle kiss to his cheek. A light sleeper, he woke startled, then smiled at her. Reaching up to touch her face he wondered if she would ever be willing to advance their marriage of convenience into a real one.
*
Ayla Malley woke with a strange sense of happiness. There was a wedding today, Regan’s nephew. She had agreed to go with Regan. He had been so happy these last few weeks. He lived in a different part of the house, but she saw him at meals. He went about his usual business with the horses, but sometimes she joined him in the stables, just to watch. They hadn’t really talked, not yet, but they were slowly becoming used to each other again. William adored him, and that meant everything.
*
Katje and Win Frayne woke with happy anticipation for the day. Their youngest son, Dan, was finally marrying the woman of his dreams. Their oldest son, Jim, had moved on from Trixie and was enamored with the young schoolteacher. They fully anticipated another wedding before the end of the year.
*
Helen Belden woke with a tinge of sadness. Her only daughter was getting married today. She adored Dan, her son-in-law to be, but it would be unusually quiet around the house with only Bobby. Mart had married just a few weeks earlier and moved out. Last night had been Trixie’s last night in her childhood home.
*
Dan was straightening his jacket when Jim wandered in, dressed in a similar suit.
“Adelia here?” Dan asked.
“Yep. She’s in the parlour with Mother. I think Regan, the Wheelers and the Malleys are on their way too.”
Dan just nodded.
“You all right, little brother?” Jim asked, amused. “You look a little pale.”
“I’m fine,” Dan said tightly.
“Hey,” Jim put his hands on his brother’s shoulders and faced him. “Everything will be fine. You’re getting an incredible girl.”
“I know,” Dan answered. “It’s not that.”
“Then what is it?” Jim asked.
“Trixie’s been kind of hesitant about everything wedding related,” he admitted. “I’m not one hundred percent sure she really wants to marry me.”
Jim frowned. “What? That’s not what I’ve heard, Dan. Madeleine says she talks nonstop about the wedding but yes, she’s nervous. Apparently she doubts her skills as to keeping house.”
Dan smiled but his dark eyes were still full of worry. “I hope that’s all it is,” he sighed.
Jim ruffled Dan’s dark hair and glanced out the window. “It’ll be fine, I promise. Now come on. The others just arrived. We have a wedding to get you to.”
*
Katje Frayne had enjoyed having breakfast with the young lady she suspected would be her next daughter-in-law. Adelia Cornwall was an educated, intelligent young woman who was also polite.
Personality wise, she was as opposite as could be from Trixie. Adelia was much quieter, more observant and graceful. But she was friendly and polite, shy, and stunning. Where Trixie was a pretty, fresh faced blonde, Adelia was a delicate, porcelain skinned, dark haired beauty. Her hair was almost as black as Diana Belden’s, her eyes luminescent blue. The pale skin and pretty mouth gave her a frail look but Katje was confident Adelia had the inner strength Jim needed in his woman.
Jim had good taste in clothing, Katje thought with amusement. The blue dress fit the girl perfectly and made her eyes glow.
The younger sister, Clara, was outspoken and sassy, and a delight. Katje wondered if this was how Trixie had been at that age. With her auburn hair, she’d fit right into the Frayne family and she had her sister’s eyes.
Ayla and William Malley arrived with Regan. Jasper would escort Madeleine, and they’d meet everyone at the wedding, along with Matthew Wheeler and Miss Trask.
*
The tables were set with cake and tea, the orchard decorated by Bobby and the Lynch twins. People were arriving and mingling.
Helen, Madeleine and Diana were helping Trixie dress. Helen took care with Trixie’s curls, pinning and combing so that they framed her face sweetly.
“Good thing it’s not quite summer,” Trixie sighed. Her mother’s dress fit her perfectly, and Helen had updated it just a bit to be more fashionable. The cameo glowed against her skin and the girls had oohed and aahed over it for several minutes when she showed them.
Helen sighed happily as she looked at her daughter with her best friends, going through the old adage of “something old (her dress), something new, something borrowed (Diana’s handkerchief she had carried at her wedding) and something blue (her cameo). Her little girl had finally grown up, and Helen knew Trixie was having butterflies of immense proportions. But she knew Dan was the right young man for her, and Trixie would be just fine running her own household.
When she was able to steal alone few minutes with Trixie, her daughter asked her a question Helen never expected.
“What about tonight?” Trixie blurted out.
Helen paused, her face flooded with red. “Well, Trixie, just enjoy yourself. Participate.”
“Participate?” Trixie squeaked.
*
Half an hour later Trixie stood facing Dan, her hands in his as the pastor took them through their vows. Dan had insisted he drop “obey” from the vows. “No wife of mine is subservient,” he had insisted, in their pre-wedding meeting.
The minute she saw him, her fears vanished and she felt the warmth of his love spread through her. Everything would be fine, she thought happily, as he held out his hand to her.
“You look amazing,” he whispered.
Trixie turned red and muttered a thank you. He looked so handsome, she thought, in his good suit. He had worn it to her brother’s wedding a few weeks ago but now, standing here, as her husband, with his hair combed back from his face, she realized what a truly handsome man he was.
After she murmured, “I do”, and the pastor turned to the crowd, to announce them, Trixie focused her gaze on Dan, who was smiling at her. Her husband. They were married, she realized. Then he was pulling her to him gently and kissing her, sending heat down to her toes. When he didn’t stop, there were chuckles from their friends and the pastor cleared his throat gently. Dan pulled away, grinning as he hugged her to him.
*
The dancing went on through the early evening, lively tunes that had everyone hopping.
Adelia finally had to sit down for a break as Jim danced with Clara, and the older sister fanned herself.
“Drink?” a soft voice asked.
Adelia looked up to see Lillian Belden, holding out a cup of tea.
“Thank you,” she replied gratefully.
Lillian dropped into the chair next to her. “They make such a lovely couple.”
Adelia nodded. “They do. And I’m glad. I know at one point Jim was courting her.”
Lillian nodded. “Yes, before I came here, apparently. But it looks like it worked out all right for everyone,” she smiled.
Adelia blushed.
“Anyways, I don’t get to see you much but I thought I’d come over and say welcome. It looks like you’re going to be joining the family and it’s kind of nerve-wracking to just be thrown in.”
Adelia chuckled as she blushed. “I thank you for that. How long have you and Brian been married?”
“About four months,” Lillian said quietly.
There was a pained look in her that Adelia didn’t miss.
“And is he…a good husband?” Adelia asked.
Lillian nodded. “The best. It’s just that we were married under some unusual circumstances, and…it’s caused some tension in the family. His mother doesn’t like me.”
“Not to pry, but may I ask why?” Adelia realized the girl needed someone to talk to. Lillian was around her age, she figured. And lonely and nice. She resolved to spend more time with the doctor’s wife; they both lived in town.
“My previous employment was a disgrace,” she said softly. “And Mrs. Belden isn’t thrilled with it. Brian married me to rescue me, it wasn’t for love.”
Adelia suddenly remembered hearing the story of how the town doctor had married a local whore. She hadn’t realized it was Brian Belden. Lillian was awfully nice, she thought, and no one willingly chose that lifestyle.
“Do you love him now? It appears so.” she asked.
Lillian nodded. “Yes. He’s such an amazing man. And I know it hurts him to not see his family enough but he tries to spare me the awkwardness.”
“Do you think he feels the same now?” Adelia asked.
Lillian hesitated. “I’m not sure. I know he cares for me. He’s very gentle and sweet.”
“I think he does love you,” Adelia said. “I’ve been watching him tonight. He’s always watching you, and usually with the look of a man in love.”
Lillian smiled. “I can only hope.”
Adelia reached out and squeezed the other girl’s hand. “Maybe if she saw you two together, she’d realize the feelings are genuine now. Some of the greatest loves I’ve ever seen weren’t necessarily love at first sight. Sometimes it takes time to build up, to really make something worthwhile and lasting.”
Lillian dabbed at her eyes. “I must apologize. I never meant to start talking about all of this. You barely know me!”
Adelia smiled. People had always been drawn to her and confided their feelings. “Not to worry. I think we’re going to be great friends.”
“I hope so,” Lillian smiled at her. “Besides, if you do marry Jim, we’ll be family.”
Adelia paused, trying to work that out.
“Jim is Dan’s brother,” Lillian said. “Who just married Trixie whose brother is Brian, my husband.”
Adelia laughed. “Wow.”
“And Dan’s uncle Regan is a cousin to the Wheelers, who are old friends of the Fraynes.”
“Talk about intertwining!”
Lillian nodded. “They really are all wonderful people.”
“Even Mrs. Belden?” Adelia teased.
Lillian laughed. “Yes. I think she is a marvelous woman. I just wish she’d forgive me my past, and realize I do love her son.”
Neither woman had noticed Helen Belden standing a few feet behind them the entire time, looking thoughtful.
*
Dan and Trixie finally departed, walking in the cool evening towards their new home.
Some of the older men had thought to give them a good old fashioned shivaree but Jim put a stop to that. He knew how much his brother had been looking forward to this.
Occasionally through the night he had felt a small pang in his heart, but seeing how happy they were together eased it, and then he’d glance at Adelia, and he realized everything had worked out the way it was supposed to.
*
Brian caught Lillian by the hand and pulled her into his arms for a final dance before they headed home.
“Have I told you how beautiful you look?” he asked.
Startled, she shook her head.
“You do,” he said, holding her tight. The rose colored dress she wore added pink to her fair skin, and made her pale blonde hair gleam and her eyes very blue.
“Thank you,” she said softly.
Without warning, Brian impulsively brushed his lips against hers. Lillian smiled at him happily. Maybe they could take that step sooner rather than later.
*
Dan easily lifted Trixie into his arms once he unlocked their door. She giggled as he carried her over the threshold. Of course her clothes and personal items had been brought over already, and she would find out shortly that Dan had already made the bed up.
Dan shut the door behind them and locked it, not quite trusting his friends to not get a little rowdy.
Trixie had been in the house and seen the rooms, smelled the fresh wood, and would start to unpack tomorrow. Tonight was for her and Dan.
Dan carried her to their bedroom, setting her on her feet gently. She stared up at him, eyes wide with innocence and wonder.
“I’ve waited a long time for you,” Dan murmured, drawing her to him.
“Me too,” she admitted.
“Nervous?”
“A little,” she confessed.
“Don’t be,” he said, pressing his lips to her and igniting her insides on fire.
*
Brian shut the door behind him, watching Lillian as she removed her coat and hung it up.
“It was a lovely wedding,” she smiled at him, holding her hand out for his coat. He removed it silently and handed it to her. “They looked so happy.”
“Dan will be good for her,” Brian commented. He stepped up behind her, startling her when she turned around.
"Are—are you all right?” she asked, breathlessly. Having him so close made her a little dizzy.
“I’ll be better if I can kiss you,” he said, his dark eyes locked onto her.
Heart pounding, Lillian nodded. “So will I.” She wrapped her arms around her husband as he lowered his head to hers.
 
***
Author’s Notes
- A huge thank you to Julie, my editor! As always, she did a marvelous job editing, and to Lindsay, who helped name it.
- Word Count, 2,640
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