The Wedding
A Bring Milly Back Production
by Michelle Palmer
Chapter 11: The Last
Days
Mark watched his Pa as he made final preparations for church. “Just
think, Pa,” Mark declared. “Next Sunday we’ll be going to church as a
family.”
“Not next Sunday, son,” Lucas answered as he whistled.
“Why not, Pa?”
“Because, you will be staying in town at Lou’s.” Lucas looked at Mark
in the mirror. “Milly and I want our wedding night all to ourselves.”
“Oh…” Mark grinned as he looked at his Pa. “I get it.”
“You’re sure gonna get it if you don’t get that that wagon hitched up,
boy!” Lucas declared.
As Mark went to do his father’s bidding, he began to wonder if staying
at Lou’s was such a good idea. With all the trouble he had caused
yesterday, Mark couldn’t help but wonder if he would get his just
punishment from Lou. Though she was willing to help him yesterday, Mark
suspected it was more to save his life then because she was nice. If he
didn’t miss the look on her face, he knew she had already planned out
his just punishment.
Meanwhile, Milly hummed happily as she got ready for her last Sunday as
an unmarried woman. As she sat down at the kitchen table, she put her
chin in her hand and studied Lou. “You’re awfully tired, Lou. You
weren’t here when I got back from the hotel and…” Milly narrowed her
eyes at her friend. “I suspect that the ladies were ‘asked’ to invite
me over for tea. Is there any special reason?”
Lou smiled into her cup. “Oh, I had a small crisis to take care of.”
She studied Milly. “Speaking of which, how did your day go?” Lou
grinned.
“Well, the wedding’s still on, but I made Lucas do a lot of groveling.”
“And I’m sure he loved every minute of it!” Lou declared with a nod.
Then she frowned. “I’m sorry I got you into so much trouble. As your
helper, I should have noticed the mistake right away.”
“Oh, no matter,” Milly brushed it off. “It’s like my mother always
says: ‘All’s well that ends well.” The women giggled.
Lucas and Mark were soon on their way to church. As Lucas drove his
wagon down the road, he couldn’t help but smile. More than likely,
there would be no church for two of the McCain’s next Sunday. After
all, they shouldn’t be expected to be there after being married just the
night before!
‘The McCain’s.’ Lucas smiled as he thought on that. Today, ‘The
McCain’s’ consisted of two members. Next week there would be three in
the family. Mark wouldn’t be sitting beside him the next time he drove
to church. Instead, a raven-haired beauty would sit beside him while
his son sat in the back of the wagon. Lucas gave Mark a side-ways
glance and smiled. Then he patted Mark on the shoulder.
Mark looked over at his Pa. He could tell he was excited about
something. Mark figured that his father was thinking on the next time
they rode to church. He reckoned that a lot of boys his age would be
jealous thinking that a woman would take his place on the seat beside
his Pa. But Mark had been looking forward to this day for so long.
There was a yearning for a mother deep down inside him, regardless of
the fact that he was 15 years old. Mark still needed that.
He grinned as he imagined the next Sunday they rode to church. Milly
would be sitting beside his father. Perhaps his Pa would hold her hand
or put an arm around her. They would exchange one of those ‘looks’
every now and then. He’d have to sit in the back of the wagon. But he
didn’t care. He loved seeing his father in love again. Milly gave him
a joy that he hadn’t seen in his father before…Well, maybe it had been
there a long time ago, but Mark was too young to really notice those
looks.
Today was a special day indeed. After church, the church was putting on
a picnic to celebrate the engagement of Lucas McCain and Milly Scott.
Lou Mallory, of course, was in charge of preparing the feast; and she
was no doubt already slaving away. Sure enough, when Lucas and Mark got
to the church, Lou was nowhere in sight.
Milly smiled when she saw the McCain’s walk in. She half stood from her
seat and waved at them. Lucas took Mark’s arm and led him up toward the
front. He said hello to Milly’s mother as he sat down. Then he bent
over and whispered, “I thought I told you to wait outside. I was going
to walk in with you.”
“I was waiting, but it got so late I thought you weren’t going to make
it. We decided to come in,” Milly answered.
“And risk the wrath of Milly Scott for the second day in a row? No
ma’am!” Lucas declared with a chuckle as he took her hand in his. “By
the way, do you get a feeling something was amiss yesterday while we
were gone?”
Milly nodded. “Lou said there was a ‘crisis’ she had to deal with.”
“Yes.” Lucas nodded. He looked into Milly’s eyes and smiled. “She was
at my house yesterday afternoon.”
“Oh?” Milly raised an eyebrow.
“Mark said she brought out the new curtains but…I’ve a feeling there’s
more to the story than that. I doubt Lou rode all the way out there to
deliver curtains.” Milly giggled. “The house was spotless…too
spotless…” Lucas bent down closer to her ear. “But what really worries
me is the fact that my son was spotless. He just had a bath.”
“A bath?” Milly lifted her eyebrows. “Mark? Without being told?”
Lucas nodded. She lifted her head to look at Mark sitting so
innocently beside them. He was pretending not to listen in to their
conversation. “Honey, do you think we WANT to know what happened?”
“It must have been really bad.” Lucas touched her nose as the Reverend
came in. “Perhaps we’re better off NOT knowing.” Milly nodded in
agreement, then turned as Reverend Gathers welcomed his congregation.
Before church was dismissed, Reverend Gathers asked the engaged couple
to stand up. “I have the pleasure of marrying these two fine North Fork
citizens next Saturday at one o’clock.” Reverend Gathers smiled.
“Micah has asked me to make an announcement that he needs all able
bodied men to meet him at his office for a few minutes following the
service. He has a few tasks that need taken care of in preparation for
the big wedding. I’m sure I’ll see every one of you there.”
As they walked out of the church, Lucas and Milly held hands. They
looked into each other’s eyes as they stopped at the wagon. He put a
hand to her cheek. “Well, Miss Scott, how did you enjoy your last
service as a single lady? Were there any bachelors that caught your eye
in there?”
“There was one, but I don’t think he’ll be available for long.” She
smiled up at him. “I’m going to marry him come Saturday.”
“Ohhh, please!” Mark groaned as he walked up to the couple. “Are you at
it again?”
Lucas smiled into his fiancée’s eyes once more, then he turned and gave
his son a raised eyebrow. “Get used to it, boy!”
They loaded on the wagon. Lucas and Milly had to sit really close
together so they could squeeze her mother up on the seat with them. The
closeness didn’t seem to bother the happy couple any though. As Lucas
started the horses toward the field where the socials were always held,
he got into line with the other wagons and horses headed that way.
There was merry singing coming from the other wagons and the McCain
wagon joined in.
When they arrived, they saw Lou hard at work. She was pointing as she
shouted orders. Several ladies brought their covered dishes and Lou
told them exactly where to set them. Milly watched with a shake of her
head. “Just look at her! She’d make a good warden in a prison. I bet
she’d have every one of those men afraid of her!” Lucas and Milly
chuckled as they started forward. “Oh Lucas, I should go help her, I…”
Milly started.
Lucas held tight to her arm. “No honey. This social is in honor of us.
You just relax today!”
The engaged couple had plenty to keep them busy. Every one of the
church members gathered around them at some point and gave them best
wishes for a happy future. The men engaged in a competitive game of
horseshoes while the ladies watched. Milly couldn’t help laughing as
Lucas sat back down beside her on the blanket and groaned that he wasn’t
the best at horseshoes. Why, his own son was better than he was!
Milly bent over and kissed him, trying to mend his wounded pride. “Is
that better?” she asked.
“Maybe,” Lucas said.
“Oh, it’s good for you to lose once in a while. It shows you that you
aren’t perfect!” Milly laughed as Lucas looked at her through narrowed
eyes.
After lunch, the adults watched while the older boys and girls taught
the younger boys and girls how to make kites. Even the adults got in on
the fun activity. It became a family affair as the parents helped their
children get the kites ready.
Then Micah lined all the kids in the contest up into a straight line and
said, “You will have fifteen minutes to soar your kites. We have a
nice, windy day for the event so this should be fun. If your kite
crashes, you will be disqualified. If you are caught pushing or shoving
another, you will be disqualified. The person with the highest kite
will win this silver dollar donated by Lou Mallory. We will then allow
those who have the ability to do tricks with their kites to compete.
The one able to do the most loops will get a silver dollar. And the
one who is able to do the fanciest loops will get a silver dollar. Only
one silver dollar per person.” Micah took his gun and held it up in the
air. “On your mark…Get set…” Then he shot his gun.
The adults cheered as they watched their children race down the field.
Soon there were many kites soaring in the air. The children raced away
from each other to keep their kites from getting tangled. Lucas jumped
up and ran to help a little boy who was having trouble. He stayed
beside the little boy the whole fifteen minutes and taught him how to
keep his kite in the air. Everyone was amazed at how high the kites
went. After 15 minutes, the winner of the highest Kite was announced:
Jeff Connors.
Then the older boys started looping. Lucas sat with his little boy,
Matthew, and helped him loop the kite. Lucas managed to get three loops
in and Matthew jumped up and down and clapped. Freddie Toomey won that
race.
The final contest was won by Billy Davis. Mark flew his kite for a
little while longer then brought it down. As he sat down beside his
father, he groaned. “Well, it doesn’t look like a good day for the
McCain’s to win any contests!” Milly declared.
“I should have gone over to Freddy’s and practiced yesterday instead of
us staying at the ranch and…” Mark shot a hand to his mouth. His eyes
grew wide. “Say, isn’t it about time for ice cream?”
Lucas shook his head and raised an eyebrow at his son. He turned and
looked at Milly. “If Freddie and Mark were both involved, I don’t want
to know!” Lucas declared.
Milly laughed. “Well, at least they didn’t blow up the house!” she
said. “Whatever it was, I’m sure Lou set them straight on it.”
After ice cream, people started packing up and going home. Long after
many went home, The McCain’s and Scott’s sat around talking and getting
to know each other. Lucas and Milly looked at each other and smiled
several times as they thought on their upcoming wedding in only six
days.
***
“Five days???” Milly jumped out of bed and hurriedly dressed. She took
the stairs two at a time as she hurried to Lou who was checking in
guests who had just arrived on the train. “Lou, the wedding is in five
days!” Milly screeched.
Lou smiled apologetically to her new guests and took Milly by the arm.
“Ye need some good, strong coffee!” she declared. “Come with me!” She
took Milly into the kitchen. “Now ye just sit here and…”
“Lou, I don’t have time to sit and drink coffee! The wedding dress
isn’t done yet…We have a hotel to decorate and I’ve got to get to the
General Store…Oh, and I must teach in the afternoons and I…” Milly’s
voice became more and more panicked as she spoke rapidly.
Suddenly, Lucas hurried inside. “I thought I heard a damsel in distress
back here,” Lucas declared. “In fact, I could hear Milly’s panicked
voice all the way out in the lobby!” Milly opened her mouth to
question his reason for being in town. “I came to pick up a few items.
Toomey said he’d have them ready for me this morning.” Lucas smiled.
“I thought I’d have breakfast with my gal, and I see I came just in
time.”
“Lucas…” Milly grabbed his forearms and looked into his eyes. “Lucas…I
have exactly five days to get everything ready! I am still working on
my dress and we have to decorate and…Oh Lucas, how am I ever going to
get it all done?” Her eyes were wide with excitement and panic.
Lucas took her hands and led her toward the table. “Well first of all,
you are going to sit down.” Milly started to protest, but Lucas gave
her a stern look. After he had her seated at the table, he said, “Now
then, you are going to eat this breakfast.” Lucas thanked Lou for his
own breakfast as he started eating.
Jenny Scott walked into Lou’s private kitchen as they ate. “Morning.
How is everyone?”
Milly half stood up before Lucas grabbed her arm and motioned for her to
stay seated. “Oh mother…” Milly swallowed as she stared at Jenny.
“Mother…there is just so much to do! Do you know everything we have
left? Mother, my dress isn’t even done yet!”
“There, there, sweetheart!” Jenny sat down and took a sip of her coffee.
She patted her daughters hand and motioned for her to keep eating.
“Lou and I have everything on paper – to the smallest detail.
Everything is under control! You just leave it to us.”
“I don’t know, Mother…” Milly closed her eyes as she calmly took a bite
of her eggs. She opened them wide as she stared at her mother. “I
just…KNOW that something terrible is going to go wrong! I can just feel
it!”
Jenny laughed softly. “Daughter, every woman feels that way when she’s
getting married. I just KNEW something was going to go wrong, and once
your father and I resolved our little…” Jenny cleared her throat.
“…well, maybe not so little…tiff, our wedding went off without a
hitch!”
Milly stared at Lucas. Lucas winked at her mischievously. He cleared
his throat. “Uh…Mother Scott, ‘hitch’ may have been a poor choice of
words.” She studied him. “A slang way of saying you’re getting married
is to say you’re getting ‘hitched.’” Lou and Jenny laughed.
Milly banged her coffee cup down on the table and glared at the others.
“Well, I don’t see anything funny about this! SOMETHING is going to go
wrong! I still have my dress to finish, Mother! And I have to teach in
the afternoon’s and…”
Lucas cleared his throat. “About that, Milly. I think you should take
off after tomorrow.” He raised his eyebrows at her to let her know it
wasn’t a suggestion.
“Oh, but they’re already going to miss a whole week next week, Lucas!
I…” Milly sighed and closed her eyes when she saw the warning in his
eyes. “Of course you’re right…”
After Lucas was finished eating, Lou chased him out so the ladies could
get started on planning out their week. Though Lou and Jenny spoke
calmly about their plans, Milly just shook her head. “I’ve been around
North Fork long enough to know that nothing goes as planned! SOMETHING
is going to go wrong!”
Lou and Jenny helped Milly on the wedding dress for two hours that
morning. Then Jenny took her daughter into the dining room to eat lunch
before she had to leave for work. That afternoon, while Milly was
teaching the students, Lou and Jenny worked on the special wedding gift
with the other North Fork ladies. It would soon be done and Lou would
take it with the other things to the McCain house so they could get the
home ready for the new bride.
That evening, Milly hurried to hotel; where she was immediately whisked
into the dining room. It seemed like these days Jenny and Lou had to
remind Milly to eat and sleep. After she finished eating, they sent her
up to her room to grade papers.
The next day, the ladies worked on the wedding dress some more. It was
really coming together, and Milly tried it on and looked in the mirror.
Lou and Jenny jerked and pulled and prodded as they tried to figure out
where they needed to take in and take out. Milly showed them where she
wanted the ivy laced in her dress and smiled when Lou gave her approval.
Jenny announced she’d work on the hairpiece the next day.
“I don’t want a veil,” Milly declared. Then she shot a hand to her
mouth. “The truth is…it’s Lucas who doesn’t want the veil. He said I
was so beautiful and he didn’t want me covering my face. I want to put
my hair up and have a hair piece that wraps around it in the back.” Milly
turned around and looked at her mother. “Can you do that?”
“I think that’s wonderful, Daughter.” Jenny placed her hands on Milly’s
cheeks. “You are much too beautiful to hide this face. I think Lucas
is right. You SHOULD show it off.”
But regardless of all the help Jenny and Lou were offering Milly, by
Tuesday afternoon, Milly felt as if she was almost to panic mode again.
Lou and Jenny kept her at bay as best they could, but they knew she
wouldn’t rest until the wedding was over. Milly finished up her last
day of teaching until after she became Milly McCain. It was really
starting now! Final preparations were under way.
She turned and smiled at her students. “Now, remember children that you
will have the rest of this week and all of next week off.”
“How come?” Roger asked as he straightened in his chair.
“Miss Scott is gonna get married, dummy!” Susan declared as she rolled
her eyes.
“Oh yeah.” Matt raised his hand. “Miss Scott?”
Milly smiled. “Yes Matt?”
“My Pa said it only takes a few minutes to get married.”
“Well…” Milly nodded. “That’s true, but ours will take a bit longer.”
“Then why do you need a whole week off?” Matt asked.
Milly opened her mouth to answer. “That’s so they can spend time alone
together, dummy!” Susan rolled her eyes.
Matt frowned. “Why do they want to spend time alone if they just got
married?”
Milly giggled. “Alright, children. I hope to see you all at the
wedding on Saturday.” Susan raised her hand. “Yes Susan?”
“What will we call you when you get married? Mrs. Rifleman?”
“That’s stupid!” Roger exclaimed. “His name is Mr. McCain!”
“My Pa always calls him Rifleman!”
“That’s just cause…”
Milly stopped their arguing again. “My name will be Mrs. McCain.” She
wrote it on the board. She smiled as she studied it. “This name will
be on the board to remind you when you return to school a week from
Monday.” She looked around at her students. “Okay. Class dismissed.”
Milly smiled as she watched the children scurry out the door. She
looked up to see Matthew still sitting at his desk. He hung his head
and had big tears in his eyes. Milly walked over to him and bent down
in front of him. “Matthew?” Matthew raised his head. He wiped a tear
from his cheek. “What’s wrong?” she asked as she laid a gentle hand on
his shoulder.
“I really like you, Miss Scott. I don’t want you to go away!” Matthew
cried.
Milly gave him a concerned look. She shook her head. “I’m not going
anywhere, Matt. I’ll be at my new home next week…at the McCain Ranch.”
“But you won’t teach me anymore!” Matt protested. “Pa said you’ll be
too busy cookin’ an’ cleanin’ and such. He said Mr. McCain won’t let ya
teach…that a wife can’t teach!”
Milly smiled as she looked Matt in the eyes. “I WILL be here come a
week from Monday. You better be here on time or I’ll mark you tardy.”
“Yes ma’am.” Matthew hung his head. “Miss Scott?”
“Yes Matt?” Milly smiled.
“Supposin’…” Matt hung his head. “Supposin’ I ferget everythin’? Will
you be mad at me?”
Milly shook her head. “You just keep reading next week. I bet you’ll
have some new words for me to…” Milly stopped and closed her eyes. She
remembered Matthew’s words from earlier. “You won’t forget anything,
Matthew. And if you do forget, then we’ll start over again. You’ll do
fine.”
Matthew stood up. “Miss Scott?” Milly raised her eyebrows. Matthew
started to say more, but he suddenly threw his arms around her and
cried. “Thank you for learnin’ me!”
Then he turned and ran out. Milly turned toward the desk and burst into
tears. She slammed a fist on her desk in frustration and wondered if
the day would ever come when parents took the education of their
children seriously. She wondered how she could convince these parents
that education was indeed important. Then she wiped her eyes. She’d
have to put that problem on the shelf for a later date. Right now she
had a wedding to think about.
Milly hurried back to the hotel. She had a dress to finish. Lou was in
the lobby shouting out orders as several men, including Lucas,
rearranged furniture to get ready for the wedding. “Don’t ye break that
now!” she demanded to one man. “Just set it over there!” Milly
chuckled as she saw Lucas roll his eyes.
“Lucas!” She called from the stairs. “When you’re done here, the church
needs rearranging!”
“Ha ha!” Lucas retorted as she dashed up the stairs.
She came down an hour later and hurried to the General Store. There she
saw Mark. He held a small package in his hand and suddenly put it
behind his back. “More surprises?” she asked.
“Uh..yeah. Something like that,” Mark answered.
“Mark, I wanted to talk to you about tomorrow. Now, I spoke with Mr.
Griswald today and he said it’s okay if you miss school tomorrow.”
“If Pa finds out, Milly, he’ll skin me!” Mark declared.
“He’ll understand once he knows why, Mark.” Milly looked at the clock.
“Shouldn’t we be getting over to the train station? I think your
father’s surprise is arriving.” Milly smiled excitedly.
“About that…” Mark stuck a piece of liquorish in his mouth. “There’s a
slight problem.”
“A problem?” Milly’s eyes grew wide. “Mark, now is no time for
problems! I can’t have any problems right now! What? What’s the
problem?” Milly asked, suddenly panicked.
“Well…Pa’s still at the hotel.”
Milly threw a hand to her mouth. “Oh, that’s right! I can’t believe
he…” She stopped as Lucas walked in. “Shouldn’t you be at the ranch?”
She snapped at him without even thinking about it.
“Should I be?” Lucas asked as he looked from Mark to Milly with raised
eyebrows.
“Yes, Pa! We still have things to do before the big day! We should be
getting…” Mark started.
“There’s no rush, son. I thought we’d stay in town and have dinner with
Milly,” Lucas announced as he smiled at her.
“Oh no!” Milly declared. Lucas raised his eyebrows at her again in
surprise. “Oh…uh…no! I uh…I…I…” She looked toward Mark for help.
“Pa, Milly is so busy! She probably wants to have dinner with her
mother.” Mark turned. “Don’t you, Milly?” Milly shrugged. She was
never too good at hiding secrets, and now was no exception. She had
hoped Mark would have been a bit more help.
“Oh.” Lucas nodded, suddenly understanding. “I get it. Okay, well
let’s go, Mark.”
“Oh, well I have a few more preparations to do here first, Pa. I…” Mark
stopped, unable to think of a good excuse.
Fortunately, Lucas was of the understanding type. He merely grinned at
Milly and his son. “So many surprises!” He shook his head as he took the
small box from Mark’s hand. “Very well. See you at home, son.
Remember, it’s a school night.” Lucas shook his finger at Mark
sternly.
“Oh, uh…ye…yes sir!” Mark nodded.
As soon as Lucas was out of sight, Milly and Mark dashed toward the
train station. They made it just as the train was getting in. Milly
and Mark were happy to greet their guests who had just arrived. Some
other guests came in for the wedding as well. Milly smiled that so many
were showing up for the event. Mark and Milly assisted them to the
hotel and sternly reminded them that they were to stay out of sight
until 5 o’clock tomorrow night. The townspeople were supposed to keep a
keen eye open for Lucas, and at first sight of the rancher, they were to
warn the town immediately.
As a safety precaution, Toomey told Lucas he would deliver the rest of
his finished products to the ranch the following day.
Meanwhile, at the ranch Lucas was still working on getting the house
ready for his wife. Mark had the buggy ready and in the barn. Milly’s
new colt was in his stall waiting for his master to meet him.
Everything was falling nicely into place.
Then on Thursday morning, Lou rushed down the stairs. She had baked
chicken to prepare, as well as a slew of other things. Milly and Jenny
worked at putting the finishing touches on Milly’s wedding dress. That
afternoon, they joined Lou in the kitchen as they flew around trying to
get everything ready. Various pies and cakes were cooking on the table.
Some men set up long tables for all the food. Milly shook her head as
she thought of all the money Lou was spending on food. She refused to
take a penny for all her cooking, stating she enjoyed doing it. But
between the surprise supper for Lucas that night, the wedding rehearsal
supper the following night, and the wedding reception, Milly knew she
was spending a lot of money.
At three o’clock, Mark came in, announcing the last of the guests had
finally arrived. The guests helped set everything up before Mark went
to fetch his father. Milly’s heart began beating faster at the
anticipation of seeing the look on her fiancé’s face when he saw his
surprise. Finally, Lou and Milly looked around the room. They nodded
in satisfaction. Now all they were missing was the guest of honor.
The Wedding
—
Lucas's Surprise
