Cowboy Take Me Away (Rough Riders 16)

“Carolyn. You look beautiful.”

“You really think so, Aunt Hulda?”

“Yes.” She dabbed at her eyes with an embroidered handkerchief. “I came prepared because I expected this.”

“I’m just happy you’re not crying because you think the dress is ugly.”

She laughed. “No. But I will suggest a few adjustments. I like what you’ve done with the lace overlay and how it leaves the strapless satin base visible. But I think the neckline is too high. A modified boat-style with rolled lace will accentuate your graceful neck. Show it off while you can, sweetie, because you’ll have an old lady wattle like mine before you know it. Where’s the extra lace?”

Carolyn picked up the bag containing scraps. “So just add that on?”

“First clip the top section. That’ll be easier than trying to cut the side seam and roll it since you’ve added sleeves.” She had a long piece of lace that she’d gathered and draped just below Carolyn’s collarbones. “Like that.”

“Can you pin it please?”

She reached for the pincushion. “I also think you should add something to the waist. A sash perhaps, in a wide swath of gathered satin that mimics the drape of the lace. You’ve got such a trim waist. Be a pity not to draw a little extra attention to it too.”

They’d worked in silence for many years, so the quiet never bothered her. But an expectant pause hung in the air this time. “Is there something on your mind, Aunt Hulda?”

“Child, are you sure you want to marry this man?”

“Why would you ask me that?”

“Because I’m an old meddling busybody.” She pulled another pin from the pincushion. “Or because it happened very fast.”

“I’m not pregnant,” Carolyn said defensively.

“Of course you’re not. This suddenness brought to mind that old saying ‘Marry in haste, repent in leisure’ so I want to hear that you’re entering into this marriage for the right reasons.”

“What are the right reasons?”

“There aren’t any besides love.”

“That’s why I’m marrying him; I love him.”

“It’s also important you have things in common. I was very happy to hear he’s a Catholic boy.”

Carolyn smiled, wondering the last time someone called Carson a boy. “I understand that, but I also think we’ll find common interests after we get married.”

A moment of silence followed as her aunt pinned the lace.

“You know, I’ll grant you that argument, Carolyn.”

“Thank you. But I’m not trying to be argumentative, I promise.”

“I realize that. And I hope you realize I’m not trying to discourage you from marrying him. I worry you don’t have anyone to talk to because you’re isolated here. Kimi is living with me; your friends from high school are in Montana. And your mother… Has she been helpful at all in offering you advice or even just lending a willing ear?”

“About Carson?”

“About him, about marriage.”

“She has, actually. I told her about Carson the night after we met. She told me not to let past grievances with his family be a deciding factor in whether I pursued a relationship with him.”

Her aunt harrumphed. “Smart advice from my sister for once. But I’ll remind you since there’s bad blood between your families, there will be a dividing line between those who will accept your marriage to this man and those who won’t. Are you prepared to forego a relationship with your brothers and possibly your father to be with Carson?”

Carolyn didn’t even hesitate. “Yes.”

“That right there gives me the answer to all of my questions.” She paused. “Turn.”

Then Carolyn was facing her aunt. “Thomas said something to me a few weeks ago about you.”

“And what was that?”

“That you offered to pay for mine and Kimi’s private Catholic education because you felt guilty about taking something away from the church and wanted to give something back by turning us into nuns.”

“Your brother is wrong. I paid for your education because I didn’t want you to be an indentured servant to your family.”

“There’s nothing wrong with pitching in and taking care of your family,” Carolyn said defensively.

“When you’re an adult. I saw the responsibilities your family piled on you at age twelve because your mother was too frail to continue to run her household.” She squeezed Carolyn’s hip. “Your father and your brothers would’ve let you slave away for them and not thought twice about it. Without you here they had to step up. With your mother’s failing health…your father had two built-in housekeepers and caretakers. Even your mother didn’t want that for you. She’s the one who asked for you to be educated not only in the Catholic school, but for me to teach you a useful skill.”

Carolyn twisted her ring around her finger.

“You’ve been a blessing to me, child. I always hoped with as talented as you are that you’d take over my business one day.” She paused. “So if this marriage doesn’t…work out, remember you can always come live with me.”

“You sound like you don’t expect it to last.”

“Physical attributes change. I hear he’s a handsome man. You sure you’re not in love with the way he looks? He won’t look like that in ten, twenty, thirty years.”

“I’m not in love with his looks. Though it certainly helps that he’s nice to look at.”

“It’s more than lust and passion between you two?” her aunt pressed.

Carolyn blushed. But she wouldn’t back down. “What do you know of lust and passion?”

Her aunt laughed. “I got a priest to leave the church and marry me, so I know plenty—plenty—about lust and passion. We only had ten years as husband and wife before he passed on, and God didn’t see fit to bless us with children, but they were ten good years. I want you to be certain you’re choosing the man you see yourself spending the rest of your life with and not him just because he’s close by.”

She locked her gaze on her aunt’s. “Do you know what my father said to me? I’m an idiot to fall for the first man who pays attention to me. Now you’re saying the same thing.”

“No.” She reached for Carolyn’s hands and repeated, “No. I’d be remiss in my duties as your godmother if I didn’t question you from every angle about this major step in your life.”