Tara's Gold (15 page)

Tara nodded.

“Then there’s no time to lose. We have a wedding to plan.”

Epilogue

Two months later

Tara stood in front of the full-length beveled mirror, admiring the exquisite pattern of her wedding dress. Rays of morning sunlight broke through the stained glass window in the small room of the church, catching the silvery glint of the handsewn sequins that ornately lined the edges of the silky material. Following the style set three decades earlier by Queen Victoria’s marriage, the white dress was a work of art. There was one thing she couldn’t argue with. Her mother’s tastes were impeccable.

From the moment Aaron first spoke of his uncle’s adventures as an orchid hunter and his being related to President Jefferson, he’d managed to work his way straight into her mother’s world. It had been nothing short of a miracle in Tara’s eyes. Not that the planning of their wedding had been
completely void of arguments, but Tara had learned early
on that the best way for them all to get along was simply to let her mother work out the majority of the details. Whether lavender ham tea sandwiches or sage cheese wafers were served after the ceremony or which flowers adorned the bridal bouquet mattered little to her. All that she really cared about was the fact that she was about to become Mrs. Aaron Thomas Jefferson.

Even now, with the ceremony in less than thirty minutes, her mother had run off to discuss some grave concern with the minister. Tara wasn’t even sure what the issue was. She pinched her cheeks to add a touch of extra color to her complexion. Aaron had been right when suggesting they should have eloped, but they both realized that such an act would have robbed her parents of the joy of seeing their only daughter marry. And that was something Tara was unwilling to do, as much as the idea of the two of them escaping the frenzy of the wedding appealed to her. In any case, she and Aaron planned to board a train for Iowa where they would begin their life together this very day.

A sharp knock on the door drew her out of her reverie.

“Mother?” She opened the door partway, then sucked in a deep breath. “Aaron?”

“Hi.”

Her breathing quickened at the sight of him. “What are you doing here? Tradition forbids you to see me until the ceremony—”

“You look beautiful.”

Tara felt a blush creep up her cheeks, and her knees
threatened to give way beneath her. She regarded his colorful attire and his freshly shaved face, and she breathed in the fresh scent of his shaving soap. His mulberry frock coat and gray trousers made him look far more dashing than any other gentleman she’d ever seen.

Who really cared about tradition, anyway?

He leaned against the doorframe, his gaze never leaving her face. “Between formal teas in your honor and a constant array of wedding plans, I’ve missed you.”

She was certain he’d still be able to make her blush fifty years from now. “We’ll be married within the hour—”

“After which I must endure the five-course meal your
mother planned, along with hours of socializing and other such formalities.” He shot her a lopsided grin before leaning forward and brushing his lips across hers. “I just needed five minutes with you. Alone.”

His words brought a smile to her lips. “We should have eloped.”

He eyed the empty hallway. “There’s still time. We could be on the next train to Iowa. . .”

“My mother would send a pack of lawmen after us.”

“I know.” He laughed as he took her hand and rubbed her fingers. “I promise I’ll leave, but I’ve been thinking about something.”

“What’s that?”

“The missing gold might have only have been a rumor, but—”

“Someone will find the gold one day.” She flashed him a smile. “I’m certain of that.”

“Maybe, but I think there’s one thing we can both agree on.”

“And what is that?”

He leaned down for a second kiss. “The gold doesn’t matter anymore, because I’ve found something far better than any hidden treasure. I love you, Tara soon-to-be Mrs. Jefferson.”

She reached up to kiss him back. “And I love you, Mr. Jefferson.”

Tara stepped into his warm embrace and sent up a prayer of thanks. They’d both found treasure—not only in the rewards of their spiritual journey but also in each other. And that, in itself, was worth far more than any riches of this world.

About the Author

Lisa Harris and her husband, Scott, along with their three children, live in northern South Africa, where they work as missionaries. When she’s not spending time with her family, her ministry, or writing, she enjoys traveling, learning how to cook different ethnic foods, and going on game drives through the African bush with her husband and kids. Find more about her latest books at www.lisaharriswrites.com

Dedication

To my aunt Janelle, who’s always been an example to me on how to serve God with one’s whole heart.

A note from the Author:

I love to hear from my readers! You may correspond with me by writing:

Lisa Harris

Author Relations

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Uhrichsville, OH 44683