Mistletoe Mayhem: Clean Historical Western Cowboy Romance Novel (Dawson Chronicles Book 1) (19 page)

              When Snow Song appeared on Raven’s arm in the large archway of the drawing room, Joey’s heart beat rapidly as he took in her stunning beauty.  He thought he was dreaming as she walked gracefully towards him.  The besotted look on Joey’s face amused Sawyer.

              Looking at Devon, Sawyer was entranced by her loveliness.  He understood how Joey felt about Snow Song because he felt the same way for Devon.  He felt the urge to propose to her soon, but stomped on it, refusing to let the emotion of the occasion carry him away.  Devon returned the smile he sent her.  She thought him incredibly handsome in his gray suit with a black tie.  She hoped that one day they would stand before Matt exchanging their vows.

              As Joey’s eyes met Raven’s unwaveringly, they held a promise in them to always take care of the woman he was about to marry.  Raven smiled slightly and nodded in response before placing Snow Song’s hands in Joey’s.

              Happy tears escaped many people’s eyes as Mac walked the young couple through their vows.  They said them carefully and seriously, understanding the importance of the commitment they were making to each other.  Matt also took a little trip down memory lane as he wed them.  He’d christened Joey and Snow Song and had watched them grow into fine young people.

              He grew a little tearful as he said, “I now pronounce you man and wife.  You may kiss your bride.”

              Joey never hesitated as he took Snow Song in his arms.  Their kiss was brief but intense, conveying their deep love and happiness.  They smiled at each other and embraced again.  Pandemonium erupted around them as, in true Dawson style, the crowd cheered, stomped, and whistled in rowdy approval.

              Both D.J. and Sawyer took pictures, and Joey insisted that Sawyer be in some of them since he was an honorary groomsman.  The party atmosphere was ramped up as the feast began.

Skip tapped on a champagne glass to get everyone’s attention.  “I’m very honored to be Joey’s best man.  His friendship has meant a lot to me over the years because he’s always accepted me and been there for me. 

“We’ve had a lot of adventures and I’m sure that won’t change just because him and Snow Song are married.  Snow Song has been in on some of those adventures and she’s also been a good friend to me.  Both of them are some of the finest people I know and it does my heart good to see them happy together.  I wish you both every happiness in the world and many years of joy and love.  To Joey and Snow Song!”

Glasses were raised and clinked together along with shouts of “Hear, hear!” 

Matt said a blessing before the wedding party filled their plates first and then urged everyone else to eat.  The parents of the newlyweds sat together.

Lacey looked at Zoe and Raven.  “You know, it’s really not surprising to me in a way that two of our children would fall in love.  We’ve always been family and now we’re even more so.”

Raven smiled.  “I agree.  I just wish that Snow Song wouldn’t have been so afraid for anyone to know.  I would’ve liked to have watched them fall in love.”

“Me, too,” Joe said.  “I’m sure it would’ve been entertaining.  Although I don’t know if it would have been as funny as Emily and Bobby’s courtship.  There were so many times I wanted to kill them, especially Emily.”

Zoe laughed.  “Yes, they certainly kept everyone on their toes.”

Joe said, “She was so upset back in October because Bobby wasn’t here for Noah’s birth.  I gave her the idea of writing about their courtship in a journal to keep her spirits up and feel closer to him.  She’s been doing it.  I’m sure there’s a lot of stuff in it that we don’t know.  I can’t wait for her to finish it so I can read it.”

Raven said, “I’d like to read it, too.”

Lacey said, “I’m sure it’ll get passed around a lot.  I’m so happy that our boys will be coming home.  I would love for them and Hailey to get here before Christmas or even New Year’s.”

Zoe said, “That would be wonderful.  We’ve missed them so much.  I cried when we got Dusty’s letter and Hailey’s postcard.”

Raven grinned.  “She’s so much like Uncle He Who Runs.  It said, ‘I’m alive and I’ll be coming home soon.  More information to follow.’  Right to the point.  Her letters are much the same.”

“She’s something else,” Joe said.  “She and Minx could be sisters with the way they act.”

“It’s going to be so strange without the kids in the house,” Zoe said. 

Lacey’s eyes twinkled.  “You and Raven could always start over like Black Fox did.”

They all laughed before Zoe said, “Don’t give him any ideas.”

Raven just grinned and continued eating.

*****

              It was close to ten o’clock that night before Joey and Snow Song left—they’d wanted to stay for the charades and other games.  They left in the Model T since it could handle the road to the Dwyer family cabin well.  The hardy cars were great on all sorts of roads in almost any weather.  Joey drove away with Snow Song leaning out the passenger side window, waving to everyone. 

              With an arm around his wife, Joe wistfully watched them go.  Lacey leaned her head on his chest and he kissed the top of her head.

              “Me, too, darlin’.”

              Once the car was out of sight, they went back inside to their guests to keep the celebration going.

              The Monday after Joey and Snow Song’s wedding, Sawyer was due to have his cast removed.  He’d asked Devon to take him.  He was nervous about how his ankle would be and having her there would help him. 

              “Are you still having a lot of pain?” Ben asked him as he showed them into an exam room.

              “Not really.  I’ll bet it’s gonna be really stiff,” Sawyer said.

              “For a little while.  We’ll get those muscles built back up,” Ben said.  “All right.  Let’s take a look.”

              He sawed off the cast and Sawyer saw the scar on the inside of his ankle. 

              “Go ahead and move it,” Ben said.  “The incision healed without any trouble.”

              Devon put a hand on Sawyer’s shoulder as he experimentally pointed his toes towards the floor and back up.

              “How does that feel?” Ben asked.

              Sawyer grinned.  “It hurts some, but it feels great to be able to move it again and to not have that heavy cast on it.  I was hoping the last time you checked it that you wouldn’t have to put a new cast on it.”

              “Sorry.  I wasn’t going to do anything that would jeopardize the healing process.”  Ben put him through some gentle exercises.  “You have good range of motion and sensitivity to touch.  I’m very pleased with it.  You can walk on it now, but don’t overdo it.  No ranch work or dancing yet.  If it starts to swell, which it might, soak it in cold water or put ice on it for a while.  Why don’t you try to walk so I can watch how it acts?”

              Sawyer gingerly placed weight on his left foot and it felt so strange to do so after weeks of holding it off the ground.  Slowly he put more weight on it as he stood up straight.  Ben kept a good hold on his arm as he took a step and then another.

              Sawyer let out a laugh.  “I can walk!  It’s sort of painful, but mostly it just feels awkward.  I’m not used to walking anymore.”

              Devon said, “You’re doing great.  Look at you!”  She clapped her hands a little as he turned around and walked back to her without Ben’s assistance.

              Ben chuckled.  “You’ve got decent heel-to-toe action, which I’m sure will improve the more you walk.  Walking is the best thing for it, but I want you to come see Marlene, who’s very good at physical therapy.  She’ll put you through your paces and get you as close to normal as possible.”

              A determined expression settled on Sawyer’s face.  “If I can fight in a war, I can get through physical therapy.”

              “I know you can,” Ben said.  “Now, wear your work boots since they lace up and will support your ankle when you’re outside.  Don’t be snow sledding right away and avoid ice if you can.”

              Sawyer put on the other sock and work boot he’d brought.  “Uncle Mike told me about wearing the boots, so I came prepared.”

              Ben shook his head.  “Always poaching my patients.  You’re all set.  Make an appointment on your way out for two weeks from now, but come back sooner if you have any problems.”

              Sawyer held out his hand.  “Thanks, Dr. Walker.  I appreciate everything you’ve done.”

              “You’re welcome,” Ben said, shaking hands with Sawyer.

              They said goodbye to him and left the office.  Sawyer walked carefully as they went to the front desk and made his checkup appointment.  Once they were outside, Sawyer raised his hands over his head and let out a holler.

              “It feels amazing!  It hurts, but I don’t have to walk with crutches.  You have no idea how free it feels,” he said.

              “I can tell,” she said, smiling.  “Do you feel like driving?”

              “I feel like it, but I’m not sure I could work the pedals right yet on your Model T.  If you had the Brougham, it wouldn’t be a problem, but I don’t want to crash your car,” Sawyer said.

              “I understand.  You’ll be able to do it soon,” Devon said.

              Sawyer opened the driver’s side door for her.  “I can do this again.  It’s been so strange having women open doors for me.”

              Devon was touched.  “That’s ok.  I didn’t mind.  You’ve always been a gentleman.”

              “That’s how I was raised,” he said, getting in the car.  “My foot feels so light.”

              “I’m sure it does.”

              “Thanks for bringing me.  Mama couldn’t since today is the first day back to school.  She was excited about going back to work.  Everyone else was working, too.”

              “I wanted to come with you,” Devon said.  “I’m glad you asked me.”

              Sawyer watched the familiar scenery go by as they drove through town and pulled over in front of his shop.  “Thanks, honey.  Do you want to go to a movie tonight?  My treat?”

              “That sounds great.  I don’t know what’s playing, though.”

              “I’ll find out.  I’ll telegraph Hector over in Wolf Point and he’ll tell me,” Sawyer said.

              “Ok.  Is six ok?”

              “Sure.”

              She kissed him quickly.  “Great.  I’ll see you then.”

              “See you then,” he said, getting out.  He waved as she pulled away and then went to open his store.  He’d been trying to think about how to get more business and he wanted D.J.’s input on an idea he’d had.  Going inside, he sat at his desk and worked on it for a little while.  Then he gathered up his tablet and other papers and locked up since no one had come in yet.  He put up a sign that said “back in one hour” and walked slowly towards the newspaper office, feeling free and completely content.

*****

              About two weeks into December, Joe and Joey went to a horse auction over in Wolf Point to see what they might have of interest.  They needed to start replenishing their stock since the army had completely depleted their supply of appropriate horses.  The army still wanted more even though the war had ended and Joe wanted to see if he could pick up some relatively good horses that could be trained quickly.

              They sat in the stands, watching horses being paraded around the ring.  A gentleman next to Joe struck up a conversation with them.  The three of them had a good time together talking about their families, the war, and horses.  Once the auction was over, they parted ways, the Dwyer men taking their four horses home in their Vincent Horse Box van that Joe had bought the previous year. 

*****

              Devon ran into Renee in Elliot’s on that same day.

              “Hello, Devon,” Renee said in a friendly tone.  “How are you?”

              Devon’s response was crisp.  “Fine, thanks.  And you?”  She tried to control her dislike of the other woman, but it was hard.

              “I’m fine.  How are things with Sawyer?”

              Bristling, Devon said, “I don’t think that’s any of your business.”

              Renee chuckled, her brown eyes sparkling.  “Don’t tell me you’re still jealous.  That was all an act.  I was never interested in Sawyer.  I just wanted to make the both of you see that you belong together.”

              Devon was puzzled.  “Why would you care?”

              “Well, I’m Sawyer’s friend and I could see how miserable you both were.  You’re very welcome,” Renee teased.

              “Was it Sawyer’s plan?” Devon asked.

              “No.  It was mine.  I’m glad it worked because now you’re happy together the way it should be.  Well, I have to go back to work.  My lunch break is almost over.  Take care.”

              Devon muttered a vague response, but her mind was elsewhere.

*****

              Sawyer was just finishing up a photo shoot for a woman and her two children when Devon entered his shop.  The woman wanted to send the photos to her husband, who wouldn’t be coming home for a while since he was one of the troops who were remaining behind to occupy Germany. 

              His idea to take portraits for that express purpose was taking off and business was picking up nicely.  Not all soldiers were returning right away and having pictures of their families would boost their morale.  After setting up a day to pick up the pictures, the customer thanked him and bid them goodbye.

              When he tried kissed Devon hello, she moved away.  “What’s wrong?”

              “I have some questions for you and I’d appreciate honest answers,” she said.

              His brow furrowed, Sawyer said, “Ok.  Of course I’ll be honest.”

              “Were you in on this plan of Renee’s to get us back together?”

              A stab of alarm shot through him.  “Uh, well, it’s sort of complicated.”

              “I don’t believe it!  Was it all a game?” she asked angrily.

              “No!  I swear.  I didn’t even know anything about it until Renee mentioned something to me and even then I was out of the loop.  Skip and Renee got Joey and Jared involved,” Sawyer said.  “It wasn’t malicious.  They all just wanted to see us happy.  And I am.  Aren’t you?”

              Devon was furious over all of the deception.  “Why didn’t you just come talk to me?  Why go through all of that?”

              Sawyer said, “I didn’t know anything until after Renee and I went to dinner.  I thought she was really interested in me, and you and I weren’t even talking at that point.”

              “But after that night, you knew?”

              Sawyer bit the bullet.  “Yes, I did.  Renee made me see that if we were jealous over seeing each other out with other people that it meant we still had feelings for each other.”

              “And just how did she bring this to your attention?” Devon asked.

              Sawyer blushed, remembering Renee’s aggressive pass.  “I refused her advances and she said that it must mean that I still loved you and she was right.  I—”

              Devon put her hand up.  “Just don’t.  I can’t believe you would do this to me.  I should have stayed away from you.  This was such a mistake.”

              “Devon, please let me explain,” Sawyer said.

              Shaking her head, Devon said, “No.  I understand perfectly.  Leave me alone.”

              Sawyer followed her as quickly as his weak ankle would allow, but she was too fast for him.  She ran out the door and down the street, leaving him standing in shock in the middle of his shop.  In a daze, he tried to work, but he knew he couldn’t develop pictures right then because he’d most likely ruin them.

              He sat down at his desk and put his head in his hands.  He accepted responsibility for his actions and knew he had to make it right, but how? 

              “Renee, I should have never listened to you,” he said on a groan.

*****

              Joey, Snow Song, Randall, and Emily were sitting in the parlor when Devon arrived home.  Randall had just started reading a book to Hunter and Jasmine when she rushed into the room, heading straight for Joey.

              “How could you go behind my back like that?” she asked. 

              Joey’s eyes widened.  “What are you talking about?  I didn’t do anything to you.”

              Devon’s smile held anger.  “Your little plan with Renee.”

              “Oh,” he said sheepishly.  “Let me explain.”

              Randall cleared his throat.  “If there is going to be unpleasantness, step out of the room, please.”  His dark eyes met theirs in turn and his authoritative air brooked no argument.  The butler was family and had acted in a fatherly and grandfatherly figure to many in the household.  He’d changed diapers, soothed hurts, and provided encouragement and sage advice.  So when he spoke, they listened.

              “You’re right, Randall,” Devon said.

              Joey followed her out onto the veranda.  “Devon, we knew that neither of you were gonna approach the other, so we just gave you a little nudge.  What does it matter?  You two are together and happy now.”

              “What matters is the deception, Joey.  You’re good at that, and apparently so is everyone else, including Sawyer!  I shouldn’t be all that surprised that he would be a part of something so juvenile since you and Skip are his best friends!”

              “What’s that supposed to mean?”  Joey’s temper ignited.

              “You’re still kids and you pull stupid stunts like this!  I thought going away to war would’ve matured him, but I guess not,” Devon said.

              “I’m not a kid anymore,” Joey protested.  “I’m married, remember?  I know my responsibilities, too.  You’re my sister and I love you.  I want you to be happy.”

              Devon shook her head.  “I’m anything but happy.  How do I know that all of this wasn’t just a game to him?  Revenge for turning down his proposal?  That’s what it seems like.”