Five days before the wedding...
Chapter One
Jasper Hickok hurried out of his house. He had volunteered to make his father’s rounds for him this evening. He would volunteer every evening from now until the wedding, as long as it kept him out of his house. He shook his head, seemed like everyone he knew had gone stark raving mad.
Emma Cain and her husband, Sam, along with their sons, Jack and Edward had
arrived last week. So did Rachel and her husband Roger. Rachel had married
a few years ago and made her home in
In spite of the fact, Rachel and Emma weren’t in Rock Creek anymore, they both continued to play the role of grandmother, even though they were far too young for the job. Both women considered themselves especially close to the Cross children, as their mother had died ten years ago. Emma had spent almost a year in Rock Creek, tending to Sally, Ike and Lilly’s emotional health after Jennifer had died. And when Emma left, Rachel took up the job.
The Codys were still in town, staying with the Hickoks. William Cody had just returned from his show. He thought the wedding would be over and done with by now. But instead of the one month he had expected to plan the wedding, it had taken over three months and Cody had to return to his show. He couldn’t just leave in some lackey’s hands. But now that the wedding was close at hand, he had returned. Louisa and the girls had stayed in Rock Creek while Cody was gone, as Cody had wanted his children to get to know their Pony Express family.
Ike, Sally’s younger brother and Jasper’s youngest sister, Bonnie were staying at the McCloud home, along with Emma’s sons. Even Buck had taken to spending all his days there, going home only to eat and sleep. Poor Nick, Jasper frowned, all the younger children were driving him to distraction.
Jasper knew in a few days, Kitty McCloud and his sister, Ellie, would move to the Cross home as well, to help Sally get ready for the wedding. He couldn’t for the life of him understand why these women needed so many days to get Sally ready. For all he cared, they could send Sally nude down the aisle. He smiled to himself at the thought. That was the worst part of it, Jasper hadn’t seen Sally in days and he couldn’t take it. Actually that was the second worst thing. The worst thing was how much he missed Sally. He missed talking to her, listening to her, just being with her. She was his touchstone, nothing made sense unless Sally was there. Just a few more days, he thought and it would all be over.
Jasper continued walking down the street, while a million thoughts ran through his head. He had just passed the livery when he heard something inside. He knew that no one should be in there that time of night. Slowly Jasper made his way to the stable and swung the door open. As he peered inside, someone leapt at him. He pulled out his gun as he went tumbling to the ground. When he pinned his assailant, Jasper was completely taken aback, it was no assailant, it was Sally.
Sally put her arms around him, “I couldn’t take it anymore,” she said breathlessly. She pulled his head down, pressing her lips against his.
Jasper kissed her, realizing then why he was putting up with all of this wedding nonsense. He loved Sally and he wanted her to have the wedding she deserved. Initially, he had tried to persuade her to run off with him, but then again he knew he didn’t want that. He wanted a grand wedding with all the trimmings, something Sally would always remember. He just wished it was all over with.
As he collapsed on her, Jasper grinned into Sally’s face, “You are gonna be the death of me.”
Sally pushed him off her and began to straighten her clothes. “Death of you,” she mocked. “Oh Sally,” she said, pitching her voice upward. “I can’t take not being with you. Sally, I’m going crazy without you.”
Jasper grabbed her and pinned her down again, “Admit it, you are a wanton woman,” he smiled, rubbing his stubbly chin against her soft cheek.
“Ouch,” Sally said, swatting him playfully. “I just missed you.”
Jasper rolled over, pulling Sally on top of him, as desire flooded him once again. “I know the feeling,” he whispered as Sally lowered her mouth to his.