CHAPTER14
Today was her wedding day. Not the one she had imagined in Charleston of her guests being the most prestigious in the town, but rather a low-key gathering here in Treasure Falls.
And she was glad.
This felt more real. While her men had not told her they loved her, they had said they would die protecting her, and from that statement alone, she thought they loved her. She felt certain that when the time was right, they would all tell each other they loved one another.
And she was patiently waiting for that day when they all realized that their hearts were entwined and would speak of their love for one another. She could wait.
No, this was not a traditional wedding at all, but rather between her and two men. And since she arrived in Treasure Falls, she had felt accepted. Like this was where she was meant to be. Like she belonged here.
This morning, Mary and Blanche and she had sat on the bed and asked each other if they were making the right decision and each woman agreed this was right for them. Each woman was happy with the two men who had chosen her, and each woman knew that after today, they would only see each other when they could. The months of living together were over and they were each beginning a new chapter of her life.
Daisy stood in her new yellow dress waiting for her turn to walk down the stairs, and her two men would meet her there, and once all the women were downstairs, the ceremony would begin.
Aunt Grace stood by the stairs. She hugged Daisy. “I’m so proud of you, Daisy. Good luck.”
“Thank you,” Daisy said, feeling the tears welling in her eyes. The woman was more like a mother than an aunt. She’d helped her overcome her fears and she would be forever grateful. Yes, the nightmare still resided in her mind, but she’d learned to overpower the pain and not let Thomas win.
Daisy began the descent and saw her two men waiting for her at the bottom. They grinned at her and when she reached them, they hugged her.
“Happy wedding day,” Lee said.
“Happy wedding day,” Ellis echoed. “Now you’ll be ours.”
She smiled at them. “And you’ll be mine.”
They grinned and walked her over to stand in front of the good doctor who would be saying the vows once all the couples were gathered.
Her knees were knocking, not because she doubted her decision, but because this was such an important day in her life. Today, she chose happiness.
After they said their vows, the doctor grinned at them. “Gentlemen, you may kiss your bride.”
First, Ellis leaned in and kissed her, making her knees weak. Then Lee kissed her, but he pulled her into his arms and covered her lips, molding her body against his. When he finally released her, she felt almost faint.
“Darling, I’m so happy you’re my wife,” he whispered as he leaned his head against her forehead.
“Me too,” she said, meaning every word.
The doctor glanced at the group of them. “How wonderful. Now we know the town of Treasure Falls will continue. May you be blessed with many children and long lives together.”
Afterward, they had dinner where there were toasts to happiness and well-being. The day seemed to go by in a blur, and soon, her men were taking her by the arm.
“The party is breaking up and I’m ready to go,” Lee said.
“Me, as well,” Ellis said, standing and glancing at Daisy. “Are you all packed?”
“Yes,” she said suddenly feeling very nervous. “Let me tell the girls good-bye.”
She walked over to Mary and hugged her. “Be happy.”
“You too,” Mary said.
Then she found Blanche who looked so excited.
“Daisy, I’m getting my dream. Another ranch. Promise me you’ll come see me,” she said.
“You know I will. Soon,” Daisy told her. “Be happy.”
“You too,” she said, hugging Daisy.
Last, she went to Rose, the fourth person who had been in the stage with them. She was considered dangerous, but Daisy wasn’t afraid of her.
“Good luck, Rose,” she said. “I hope you find a man in Charleston."
Rose grabbed her hands. “Thank you for being my friend Daisy. It means a lot to me.”
“Oh, Rose,” she said, never realizing until now how much the other girls’ ostracization had bothered her so much. “I'll never forget you.”
“We shared a journey,” she said. “I hope you're happy.”
“Yes,” Rose said with a shy smile.
The woman walked away and Daisy’s men came up to her.
“Are you ready to go,” Lee said, grinning.
The man was so eager to take her virginity. They could hardly wait to get her into bed and she was still a little nervous about being taken by two men.
“My suitcase is right there,” she said, pointing to the small bag Mrs. Newton had given her before she left Charleston. “Let’s go begin our life together.”
Both of her husbands grinned like she was offering them candy.
She hugged Aunt Grace good-bye and the woman whispered in her ear. “Remember, every time you get nervous, say stop, these are good men.”
“I will,” she told her and then they walked outside. Ellis had his hand on her elbow guiding her out the door.
“Goodnight, Aunt Grace,” he called. “Thanks for everything.”
“You’re welcome,” she said. “And, Lee, you too.”
He turned and grinned at her and blew her a kiss.
When the couples were outside on the front porch, they separated and went to their respective homes.
The air was chilly and she realized that it was almost the fourth of July. At home, it would be hot and sultry.
“What a gorgeous night sky,” she said, gazing up at the stars and the moon.
“We can go out and look at the stars any night you want to,” Ellis told her.
She grinned. “I’d like to especially go out and look at the full moon. A courting moon with my two husbands.”
They laughed.
When they reached the house, Lee scooped her up and she giggled. He carried her over the threshold.
“Mrs. Sanders, welcome home,” he said as they walked into the house.