Just Between Friends (13 page)

***

     Mary and Aunt Alice had decided to leave ahead of everyone else, so they could be there when their guests arrived, and Miranda had told them she would ride back with Alec.  As the crowd began to arrive, Mary was nervous.  She wanted everything to go just right for her daughter, and hoped they had prepared enough food for all these people.  She had to stop worrying so much.  It wasn’t good for her, or the baby.  It would all soon be over, and for this she was thankful.

     Soon the house was abuzz with people.  The afternoon went by rather quickly, and soon it was time for the newlyweds to depart.

     As they prepared to leave, Cassie told all the young women to get ready, for she was going to throw the bridal bouquet.  Along with Miranda, there was Emily Simpson and five other girls.  Cassandra turned and threw the bouquet over her shoulder, and it landed in Miranda’s outstretched arms.  Alec, seeing this, wondered if this was a sign somehow.  He put this thought out of his head, for he didn’t want to get his hopes up too much.

     As the bride and groom departed, the crowd followed them, throwing rice.  Ben helped Cassie into the buggy, and as they drove off, they both thought, this was only the beginning of what they knew was going to be a wonderful life together.

     Everyone had gone, except for Alec.  He had asked Miranda if they could go for a walk after she had helped clean up.  As soon as she finished, she told her mother where she was going and to please lie down and get some rest.  When they left the house, she turned to Alec and said, “Everything went wonderfully, didn’t it?”

     “Yes,” he answered.  “They both looked so happy.  I hope it will always be that way for them.”

     “It will be,” she replied.  “Even the bad times won’t seem so bad when you love each other the way they do.”  They walked on.  Miranda felt tense.  She knew something was bothering Alec, but wasn’t sure what, although she had her suspicions.

     They had been walking for quite a while, when Alec suddenly stopped.  Taking Miranda by the hand, he remarked, “It’s so beautiful here, don’t you think?”

     Miranda took a deep breath, taking in the smell of the area around her where the different kinds of flowers fragranced the air, and nodded.  “Yes,” she agreed, “and quiet.  You can hear every little sound.”

     There was a small stream, and Alec led Miranda to it.  Spotting a log beside it, they went and sat down.  Alec reached out and picked up little stones that lay by his feet, and tossed them in the water.  He ran his forefinger over his chin, as if in thought, then spoke, “Do you remember when we were kids, and how we used to see who could make our stones skip across the water the farthest?” 

     ”Yes,” she answered, “and you always won, and you used to brag all the time.  I was always determined to beat you, but I never did.  That seems so long ago.”

     Alec looked at Miranda longingly.  “Yes, it was, but I still think about it all the time.  Not just that, but about everything we used to do when we were growing up.  I loved you then, and I love you now.  I always believed one day we would grow up and get married and have a family together.”

     He paused, before he continued, “We still could, Miranda.”  He turned to face her.  Taking her hand in his, he looked into her eyes.  “I know I can never be Steven, but I would do my best to make you happy, and who knows, maybe even someday, you could learn to love me almost as much as you love him.  What I’m trying to ask you Miranda, is, will you give us a chance?  Will you marry me?  You don’t have to answer right away if you don’t want to.  You can think about it for a while, but please, don’t say no right off.”

     Miranda felt confused. Even though this was exactly what she expected, she didn’t know how to answer.  She had even deliberated what she would say when he asked, for she knew that he would.  She could tell by the way he had been acting lately.  He was always touching her somehow.

     “Alec,” she began.  “I do love you, but I have to be honest with you.  I am still unsure about the way that I love you.  You have to know that I still love Steven, and I can never forget what we had together.”

     “I know that, Miranda,” he jumped in.  “I would never expect you to forget about Steven, but sweetheart, you can’t live in the past either.  You have to go on with your life.  I know it’s difficult, but you have to.”

     “I realize that,” she agreed, “but Alec, is this really the right thing for you?  You should never have to be second best to anyone.  You know Emily still has hopes you’ll notice her one day.”

     “Well,” he cut in, “It’s time she stopped living in that fantasy.  I like her as a friend, but nothing more.  It’s you I love.  It’s never been anyone else.”

     Miranda was silent for a long while, until she finally made her decision.  She looked at him and proclaimed, “I would be happy to become your wife, Alec.”  But even as she spoke this, something still just didn’t feel quite right, but she ignored what she felt, and told herself that this would be for the best.

     Alec’s face was glowing, and he looked as if he was in shock at her words, but he stood to his feet and reached his hands down to her.  She took them, and pulling her up, he drew her close.  She had never seen him so happy.  His piercing dark eyes, penetrated into hers.  “Do you mean it, Miranda?  Are you sure?  I don’t know if I could take it if I got my hopes up like this, and then you changed your mind.”

     Reassuring him, she touched his face and soothed, “I’m not going to change my mind, don’t worry.”  She had to chuckle.  “But, how do I know you won’t change yours, huh?”

     “Miranda,” he began, “That is something you never have to worry about.”

     He didn’t say anything more, but just lowered his head, and touched his lips to hers.  It was a small kiss at first, but then it deepened.  As his tongue parted her lips, and entered her mouth, he groaned. 

     Miranda placed her hands on his chest, and slowly pulled from his embrace.  “Alec!”  She demanded.  “We must stop!”  She could see the disappointment in his eyes.  She also felt a little worried, for she didn’t feel the desire she had felt when Steven had kissed her like that.

     Alec backed away.  “I’m sorry, Miranda,” he apologized, his voice very ragged.  “I got carried away, that’s all.  When you said yes, I just couldn’t control what I was feeling any longer.  Please, forgive me.”

     “It’s alright,” she consoled, “you was only excited, that’s all.  We’d better be getting back.  I told mama we wouldn’t be gone long, besides, I have to tell them all our good news.” 

     She knew she was supposed to feel happy, but to be honest, she was feeling sad.  This wasn’t supposed to be the way a person felt upon becoming engaged.  Maybe this was wrong, but she had agreed to be Alec’s wife, and she would keep her word.  It didn’t matter anyway, the true love of her life was gone, and wasn’t coming back.  She would just have to learn to be happy somehow.

***

     By the time they arrived back at her
home, it was growing dark.  They entered the house, and all was quiet.  They found everyone in the parlor.  Her father was in his chair, smoking his pipe.  Her mother was lying on the sofa and Aunt Alice was busy knitting an afghan for the baby.  When her father saw them, he exclaimed, “We were wondering what became of the two of you!”

     Miranda cleared her throat.  “Well, Papa,” she explained, “Alec and I took a walk, and well, we have something we want to tell you.”

     Mary sat up, and with suspicion in her voice, she asked, “What is it, honey?”

     She looked at her mother, then her father, then back at Alec, and taking his arm, announced, “Alec has asked me to marry him, and I said yes!”

     Aunt Alice, who hadn’t said anything, suddenly lay her knitting aside and jumped up from her seat, and ran to hug them both.  “This is wonderful news!”  She exclaimed, ecstatically.  “I’m so happy for you both!”

     Even though her mother and father knew she would have been happier with Steven, they felt Miranda could find happiness with Alec.  They both knew how much he loved her.  They arose and hugged their daughter.  Mary then hugged Alec and Frank shook his hand and offered congratulations.

     “But son, I have to warn you, just as I did Ben.  You’d better take good care of my daughter or you’ll have to answer to me.”  He then laughed, and shaking his head, declared, “Losing both my daughters so close together.  I don’t know how I’ll possibly stand it.”

     “Me either,” Mary jumped in.  “I hope I at least get a chance to get over losing Cassandra, before I lose you too.”

     Miranda looked at her mother and in a comforting voice, said, “Mama, you’re not losing us.  We’ll see each other all the time.  Besides, I wouldn’t dream of leaving until after the baby is born, and you’ve gotten on your feet.”

     Feeling very relieved to hear her say that, Mary slumped back on the sofa and admitted, “I’m glad.  I don’t think I could take another wedding so soon.”

     But Alec didn’t feel relieved.  He had been hoping they would be married sooner than that, but he knew Miranda was right.  They couldn’t add any more strain on her mother, but he at least hoped it wouldn’t be too long.

                                              ***

     Ben and Cassandra had arrived at their new home several hours earlier.  It was a beautiful place.  Ben, along with the help of his father and brother had put many hours into building it.  The two-story wooden structure was situated on a farm, only a few miles from each of their families.  Cassie just knew she was going to love it here.

     It was now late evening, and the closer the time came to retiring, the more nervous they both became.  They had eaten a delicious candlelit dinner, prepared by Ben’s mother, who departed promptly so the two could be alone.

     The whole day had seemed like a dream.  Everything had gone perfectly.  Ben walked up to Cassie and wrapped his arms around her waist and she instinctively put hers around his neck.  She felt all warm inside as he said, “Well, Mrs. Williams, I think it’s time for bed, don’t you?”

     She was feeling those butterflies again, but did her best to ignore them, as she just answered, “Yes, I suppose it is, Mr. Williams.”

     He reached out and touched the side of her face, and she felt her legs grow weak.  “I love you, Cass,” he declared, voice shaky.  He kissed her lightly, then drew back and waited for her response.

     “I love you too, Ben,” she responded, “so much.  I’m just a little nervous, that’s all.”

     “I know, Babe.  So am I.”  They stood there a moment longer, then Ben took Cassie’s hand and they went upstairs.  Their bedroom was large, with a huge wooden-framed bed, matching dresser, and built-in fireplace.  Cassie loved it.  Ben had worked very hard making this house for her.  She didn’t want to be a disappointment to him.

     As she opened her mouth to speak, Ben said, “I hope everything suits you in here.  I did the best I could.”

     She was aglow inside with the love she felt for him.  “Oh, Ben,” she exclaimed, “it’s beautiful!  I love it.  In the winter, when it’s all cold outside, we can be in here all cozy by the fireplace.”  Her cheeks flushed at the thought.  She was sounding way too forward.

     Sensing this, Ben acted as if he hadn’t noticed.  He walked over to her and said, “Darlin, I love you.”   Running his hand down the length of her arm, it made her feel all strange inside.  Suddenly Ben swept her into his arms, and carried her to the bed.  As he laid her upon it, she knew the union between them this night would stay in her heart forever.  Two bodies became one, as the night swept into morning.

     The summer of 1866 had dragged by very slowly.  It had been almost unbearably hot and dry.  There had hardly been any rain for nearly two months.  It was now the third of October.  All through the night, there had been such an eerie calm to the air.

     Mary had been given instructions by Doctor Mitchell to take to her bed until after the baby was born.  He was concerned with not only her health, but that of her unborn child, as well.  No-one would let her do anything.