Chapter Ten

      Biddie Webster took special notice of every moment of the ceremony so she could give Seattle an accurate account of Katie and Joshua's wedding in The Inquirer. She tried to remember it all: Jeremy's voice which grew unsteady near the end of his song, Candy's non-stop flow of happy tears, Jason's proud stance as he gazed at the hopeful expressions of the bride and groom, and Aaron's futile attempt to hide the fact that he needed to wipe a few tears from his eyes as well. She'd tell her readers how Christopher and Molly Pruitt beamed with happiness from start to finish and about Lottie's fond expression as the couple solemnly proclaimed their love and commitment to one another. Biddie knew that some moments would be less precious if reported in a newspaper. She decided that Seattle didn't have to know how tenderly Captain Clancey reached over to take Lottie's hand when Reverend Adams broke from tradition to deliver warm personal words of encouragement to Joshua and Katie before announcing to the group that they were officially married. And, unless she could create new words for the English language, it would be impossible to recount the magic that circulated through the air when the joyful bride and groom shared their first kiss as husband and wife.

***************

      "And I thought we were coming to lunch!" Biddie exclaimed with a laugh as the group descended on the happy couple.

      "We intend on feeding you all," Kate promised.

      "The meal won't be much," Joshua admitted, "but it's the best my wife and I could come up with under the circumstances."

      "His wife!" Aaron hooted clapping the young man on the shoulder. "You say that like you've been practicing for months, Joshua."

      The groom smiled, "I have, Aaron, I have."

      Candy, Molly, Christopher and Biddie helped the new Mrs. Bolt slice the bread and the cheese, set out the foods the guests had brought and set the table.

      Lottie whispered to Jeremy as she opened up the wine bottles "If I would have known what they were up to I would have brought champagne."

      When the simple meal was finished, Jason rose to toast the newlyweds. "Well, you two certainly have pulled off the surprise of the century and although we're all still a little stunned I must say we couldn't be happier." He raised his glass to them and the others at the table followed suit. "Here's to Joshua and Kaitlyn Bolt and to their brand new life together. May the years provide you with twice as many joys as sorrows and may you feel this same love for each other every New Year's Day for the rest of your lives."

      "Here, here!" Clancey cheered as everyone took a drink.

      It was Joshua's turn next. "Katie and I thank-you all for the love and support you've given to us. We feel so blessed to have people like you in our lives. Our home will always be open to you—that is, as soon as we have a home," he said with a grin. Everyone chuckled at this 'minor' detail.

      Jason smiled, "I suppose you're going to want some time off from work to get yourselves situated."

      "It would make things easier," Joshua agreed.

      "How much time do you need Josh? ...a month? Two?"

      "How about three years?"

      Clancey choked on his wine and the others all spoke at once.

      "Three years?" Jeremy exclaimed. "Why would it take you three years to build a cabin?"

      "Oh, I don't need three years for that."

      "I should say not!" Aaron said.

      "You're taking a three year honeymoon?" Clancey gasped, overwhelmed by the thought.

      "No, Clancey, but that's not a bad idea," the groom laughed. "We need three years to travel to Scotland and back."

      "Scotland?" Jason repeated. Would the surprises never end?

      "I sort of promised my bride that we would buy Kilmaron back from the British."

      Candy tried to take all of this in but questions kept popping up in her practical mind. "But Katie, what about The Inquirer? Are you just going to run off and leave it?"

      Kate shook her head. "Never! Josh and I aren't planning on leaving right now. Restoring Kilmaron to the Bolt family is a dream of ours. We wouldn't really be ready to do anything like that for some time. My husband likes to get his plans in order ahead of time."

      A collective sigh of relief wound around those at the table.

      "Well," Barnabus began, "before you take off around the globe, I hope you'll allow Biddie and I to host a reception for you both at our home when you've returned to civilization."

      "You'd better take them up on it." Jason suggested. "Ben and Emily, Swede and Essie, the brides, the doc—they'll all be pretty put out when they learn what they've missed."

      "Thank-you, Barnabus, we'd like that," the bride accepted his offer gratefully.

      "And Katie, don't worry one second about the paper. Biddie and I will take care of everything," Candy assured her.

      "Josh and I will be back to work by the end of the week. We're not planning to go anywhere for a honeymoon in the dead of winter."

      "T'ank da heavens fer dat!" Clancey said grateful to avoid sailing the seas with these two for awhile. "And fer knowin' what you were doin' with that dress this morning, young Bolt."

      Kate and Joshua enjoyed every second of Clancey's account of the early morning fashion show. The group was laughing so hard by the end of the story they could barely breathe.

      It was Barnabus who first noticed the waning sunlight and the light snowfall. "I hate to be the one to break up this celebration but tomorrow is a busy day."

      The others reluctantly agreed that it was time to head for town.

      Jason and Jeremy brought in a load of firewood from the shed for the couple. Candy, Biddie, and Lottie hugged Katie as they made their way to the door. Christopher handed the bride a ring he had fashioned from straw while he and Molly had listened to the adults talking. "Here, Katie, you could wear this on your other hand."

      The bride bent low to kiss the lad on the cheek. "Thank-you Chris. I'll keep it always."

      Molly stepped up to say her good-byes as her brother ran out to the buggy.

      "He's so silly."

      "Why is that, Molly?"

      "He said he didn't think you would really marry Joshua. He was hoping you would wait for him to grow up." Molly shook her head. "I told him you weren't going to wait. I knew you were in love a long time ago."

      Kate smiled, "Yes, you did! Thanks for keeping it a secret."

      "It was fun," the blonde smiled. "So was your wedding."

      "Yes, it was," Kate agreed flattening the girl's bangs with a kiss. "I'll see you in a week, sweetie."

      Joshua lit the lantern and held it up high as he and Kate walked their family and friends to the waiting buggies.

      "Better not stay out here too long in that kilt, sir." Clancey warned Joshua as he eased into the back seat of Aaron's rig next to Lottie. "Wouldn't want a cold to ruin your festivities."

      Lottie smacked his arm. "Quiet, Fishface, you're embarrassing them."

      "Good-night everyone. We love you! See you soon." Joshua and Kate called out. They waved goodbye to their loved ones as the horses moved off toward the trail.

      Katie stood in front of her husband and as the last of the wedding party disappeared around the bend. She leaned back resting her head against his chest. He smiled down at her.

      "Tired, Mrs. Bolt?"

      Kate turned slightly encircling him in her arms as lazy snowflakes floated down around them. "Just a little, Mr. Bolt."

      "Wait here for one second. Don't move." Joshua ran up to the cabin and set the lantern inside. He left the door open and returned to his bride.

      "One adoring husband, at your service, ma'am." Joshua bent down and scooped his wife up into his arms. As he carried her over the threshold Katie could detect a new gleam in his eye.

      "Should I call Lottie back to help you with your buttons?"

      Katie's laughter was muffled from the rest of the world as the door closed behind them with a click.

---