Merry Christmas, My Love

Mama dabbed at her eyes and held her arms out. Priscilla walked up to her and gave her a hug.

“Be happy, my daughter.”

“Thank you, Mama.” Priscilla picked up her veil and laid it over her arm and took a deep breath. “I’m ready.”

Watching Mama with her eyes filled with tears had been bad enough, but when Papa took one look at her and blinked rapidly, she thought she would crumble. “Papa, don’t.”

He extended his arm. “Are you sure you want to do this?”

“Very sure, Papa. I love him so much.”

He took in a deep breath. “In that case, let’s get you to the church. I’m sure there is a very nervous young man waiting there for you.”

They attracted a lot of attention, driving the automobile down the main street of Dogtown, Colorado. Priscilla looked from side to side, remembering when she first arrived in the mail coach. How small and quaint the town looked. Now it was home. The streets were still muddy, the same storekeepers stood outside waving as she rode by, and her entire class of students was lined up in front of the church. All of them with shiny faces and dressed in their Sunday best.

They passed the general store where she first saw Mitch. She had climbed from the mail coach and literally fell at his feet. She smiled at the memory. Who would have thought then that she would one day be riding with her papa to the church to marry the man who had ordered her back onto the mail coach?

Life had its twists and turns.

She waved to all the children as she climbed the steps to the door of the church. Papa held firmly onto her arm as they entered. She gasped at the amount of decorati

ons. Her mama was truly a miracle worker. The music started, and she and Papa walked down the aisle. Mitch was handsome in his suit and tie, with Paul standing alongside him, smiling brightly.

Ian and Andrew waved to her from the pew where Mama had slipped in with them. Papa shook Mitch’s hand, gave her a kiss on her cheek, and placed her hand in her soon-to-be husband’s.

“You look beautiful, sweetheart.”

“And you clean up pretty good yourself.”

Grinning at each other, they turned and faced the pastor who smiled brightly, then in a slow, deep voice began. “Dearly beloved, we are gathered here in God's presence to witness and to celebrate the marriage of Mitchell Lincoln Beaumont and Priscilla Margaret Cochran…”

“Lincoln?”

Epilogue

Eight months later, Dogtown, Colorado

“Are you sure you can’t make him stay inside for another month?” Mitch stood in front of Priscilla, staring at her rolling belly, his hands fisted on his hips.

“Don’t be ridiculous,” Priscilla panted, grabbing the sheets and twisting them. “I can’t make her do anything. She’s telling me what to do.”

“Jesse will skin me alive when this baby comes a month early.”

“Miitttcchhhh!”

Sweat broke out on his forehead. “What? What do you want me to do?”

“Where’s the doctor?”

“I told you already, he’s on his way. He was finishing up his dinner. He said first babies take a long time.”

“How would he know? How many babies has he given birth to?” she growled.

“Why don’t I rub your back?”

She stared panting again. “Not…just…yet.” A low moan started in her throat and then turned into a wail.

“Pa, Mrs. Sweeney is here. She said the doc asked her to sit with Priscilla until he comes.” Ian looked askance from his pa to his ma. “Is Ma going to be all right?”