SAM

Together

They exchanged their vows in front of a preacher the next day. Bryan had felt proud when Samantha had walked in a cream dress. Her breasts high on the tight bodice a skirt that opened at her waist. She wore a crown of flowers around her head. She looked like a fairy of those books he had seen his mother read.

Cecile looked stunning in a velvet dress that made her eyes greener than emeralds. His mother was beautiful in a blue dress she had complained about having to wear on such short notice.

George was all smiles, his dream was coming true. George had never imagined her as a bride in such short hair but she looked breathtaking. He saw his daughter in a new light, she was a pretty child, her eyes were light gray a sign of her excitement, yellow specks danced in her eyes, her slender nose and her full mouth all proportioned giving her face an incredible balance that wasn't perfect because her chin was just a bit square, but all together gave her a strange beauty he hadn't seen before.

When the ceremony was over and the preacher was about to leave, Sam took the preacher's arm and walked with him toward her father. "You are out of a chaperone," Sam smiled, "I think it's time you made an honest woman of Cecile."

Bryan burst in laughter and George raised his shoulders in a sign of mock defeat. Sam pulled up to his ear and whispered quickly, "On your knee. Ask her to marry you!"

George's shoulders shook in laughter but when he turned around looking at Cecile with all the love he felt for her and knelt to ask her to marry him, everyone was stunned into silence. Cecile knelt in front of him and said she would be honored and hugging they got up together.

Sam was feeling choked, so trying to break the spell said, and "Well Mr. Preacher Man get to it." Bryan hugged her as he laughed and Sam looked at his parents, suddenly conscious of their presence and saw them laughing too.

All the men from the ranch and nearby, their wives and children had come to the wedding party. Sam glowed and Bryan felt proud of her knowing that everyone here had watched her grow and loved and appreciated her for what she had done for them. He had known they loved her but when he looked at her and saw her place her wedding crown on the head of a small girl, he knew she had given them all her love too. The small girl jumped into Sam's lap and hugging her neck kissed her cheek. The boys were a little shyer around her today--they were not used to seeing her dressed in woman's clothes. Bryan saw the young boy who she had bet on trying to get close to her, then take some steps back. Sam turned and saw him, lowering her body to him, opened her arms. The boy looked at Bryan, defiantly for a minute, and ran to Sam hugging her waist and almost making them fall over. Bryan heard her laugh, her head thrown back her laughter rich. Sam lowered her head to hear what he was telling her and wiping tears from her eyes she hugged the boy to her chest.

"You should rescue your wife", he heard his fathers voice beside him. "She must be something. I've either heard the tallest tales of my life here or you are in for a lot of action," he said patting his son's back.

"I'm in for the ride of my life!" Bryan retorted feeling happy.

"Maybe it's time you head home. She'll be exhausted. I've watched her joke with the men, carry babies, hug more children than I have seen in a long time and talk to some of the women who are here. Not to mention the young boys that keep walking up to her just to wrap themselves around her waist." Bryan stiffened feeling a stab of jealousy and then laughed knowing his father was ribbing him.

"Yes, I think it's time I rescue my wife and take her home." He said proud of the way that sounded, "my wife".

Bryan Senior watched his son bend over to say something to his wife as he placed a hand on her waist, showing everyone who she belonged to. He saw her look up to him and nod. He had told his wife yesterday when Bryan had broken the news that he thought Sam would be the one to make him happy. Bryan had finally gotten Jane out of his heart for good. This girl and her strange ways had pulled out the biggest thorn Bryan had ever carried in his chest. He looked for his wife feeling a little tired himself. They had been invited to stay at the guest house a couple of days to let the newlyweds begin their new life alone.