DASHED DREAMS (31 page)

“These rings are sacred circles, with no beginning and no end. You wear them as a sign of your love for each other. Robert John, do you take Jillian Louise to be your wife?”

“You bet I do.”

“Do you promise to love her, honor her, comfort her, and keep her in sickness and in health, to keep her as long as you both shall live?”

“I do.” Robert looked at Jillian. the
rabbit
. Jillian chuckled.

“Do you promise to love him, honor him, comfort him, and keep him in sickness and in health, to keep him as long as you both shall live?”

“I do.”

He handed the ring to Jillian. “Jillian, please place the ring on Robert’s finger.” Jillian slipped it on Robert’s finger.

“Having heard the vows you’ve just made with each other, under the sun and on Lake Tahoe, witnessed by your loved ones, by the power vested in me by the State of Nevada, I now pronounce you husband and wife. Go now and live in the joy this moment holds. You may kiss your bride.”

Robert leaned over and kissed his new bride. Jillian thought she was going to pass out from, excitement, as the love in her heart overflowed. His cologne had its same dreamy fragrance that had gotten her through many empty evenings, missing him. The minister leaned toward the couple and whispered, “Let’s finish the ceremony.”

He motioned for the couple to turn around and face their family. “Ladies and gentlemen, it is my pleasure to introduce Mr. and Mrs. Robert John Montgomery.”

The applause quickly faded as their guests engulfed the newlyweds.

After a slow sail back to South Shore, the yacht docked back at Tucker’s private dock. Limousines waited at the dock, ready to whisk away the guests. A white limo was decorated with crepe paper, cans tied on the back and windows written in shaving cream:
Just Married.
Robert said, “Hey, wife, I guess this is our car.”

Lionel was their driver. He gave them his congrats as he held the door open for the bride and groom. In the first black car the two sets of parents’ rode together and Jack, Lynda, Emma, Gary, Angyne, and Billy, rode in the other. The cars took the guests to Tucker’s. Walking into Tucker’s, several people stopped and pointed, recognizing the groom, but no one came close.

The reception was being held in the Tahoe Rim room, one of many private convention rooms. When the bride and groom arrived in the hall, Jack stopped them. Lynda stepped out and nodded. Jack said it was okay for them to enter. When they opened the doors, the room was dark except a spotlight upon them.

“Ladies and gentlemen, please welcome Mr. and Mrs. Robert John Montgomery.” They saw what seemed like hundreds of people there applauding for them.

Jack lead the couple to the head table. Jillian was happy to sit down, as her new shoes were killing her feet. She noticed that the table was enclosed, so she slipped them off under the table. She smiled with relief. Gary and Emma were seated on Jillian’s left and on Robert’s right, sat Jack and Lynda. A wireless microphone was on the table in front of Jack.

As soon as they were settled, a waitress brought a tray of sparkling drinks. They group had a choice of either ginger ale or sparkling apple juice. All ordered ginger ale.

Emma leaned over, “Jillie, it looks like almost all of Yerington’s here.”

“I noticed that. Do you think they chartered a bus?” The three girls laughed.

Lynda said, “But did you also see all the
stars
here. I saw Willie Nelson and his wife are here from Hawaii and they’re sitting with Tom and Dixie. We could call that the Texas table. Yeah, but Joanna and Chet are sitting with them.”

“How long have they been seeing each other?”

“I’d say several years Joanna said that Chet’s a really nice companion.”

Lynda continued, “Did you see that Alan Jackson’s here and I think I saw Reba and her husband come in. Clint and Lisa Black are over there. Jack needs to introduce me to these people.”

After drinks were served, Jack handed the mic to Gary. He stood up and tapped the mic. “Well, seems I’m the best man here.” Everyone laughed. He held up his champagne glass. “My toast to you both is that everyone in this room wishes you much happiness and peace forever.” Everyone toasted the couple by clinking glasses.

Jack took the mic from Gary. “I want to thank the Sage Hill Cowboys for giving up their Saturday afternoon to perform for us. Some of you folks from Yerington know these fellows quite well. Next time you’re in Yerington, stop by Dini’s and have a listen.” Everyone applauded. “Welcome to Tucker’s. Enjoy yourselves, we’re happy to have you here.” Lynda knew that her husband would continue to talk, so she gently tugged his coat with a gentle nudge to quiet him.

The Sage Hill Cowboys were positioned in the corner of the room, and a dance floor in front of the three singers. Doc hobbled over the head table. “Good afternoon, Mr. Montgomery. Would you like us to play a particular song for your wedding dance?”

“It’s RJ. Please,
The Wind Beneath My Wings
?”

“Sure you don’t want one of yours?”

“
No thanks. Doc, what happened to your foot?”

“
Well, that’s a whole other story. Later.”

He hobbled back to the stage and whispered to his companions.

“
Ladies and gentlemen, this song is for the bride and groom. It’s their song.”

RJ and Jillie walked over to the dance floor, and the music started.

The humbled singer pulled his new bride close. As they swayed to the music, he said, “Jillie, do you realize we did it? And dear, do you realize you have no shoes on?”

“
They were hurting my feet. Sorry.”

“
No matter to me. You know what I wish?”

“
What?”

“
I wish that I didn’t have to perform tonight and tomorrow night. I’m ready to leave, this second, so we can be together.”

“
We have now and the time in between. Anyway, we have to entertain our parents.”

Robert smiled and said, “That’s what our friends are for.”

The tap on RJ’s shoulder brought the couple back to reality. They hadn’t noticed that they weren’t the only dancers on the floor. Dan was tapping to cut in, Robert handed his new bride off to her father. As he started to walk off the dance floor, his cousin, Angyne, held out her hand, and they started dancing.

As Dan danced with Jillian, he said, “Didn’t I teach you any better. No shoes!”

“
Daddy, they were hurting my feet. Anyway, my dress covers most of my feet and if not, they’re clean.”

“
Happy?” Her father asked as he spun her around.

“
You know I am. I’ve dreamed about today for years. The groom’s face was always cloudy, but you and I were dancing at my wedding.”

After the song was finished, Jack made an announcement that after the cutting of the cake, the bride and groom would make their way around to each table to chat with their friends. The wedding cake was six tiers with three single-layer cakes beside the large cake. All of the cakes were decorated with garlands of gum-paste pearls, white gardenias, various white and red roses. Green hydrangea blossoms added some greenery to the white fondant tiers. The large cake was a white cake and the smaller cakes were chocolate, strawberry, and carrot - - something for everyone.

The bride and groom held the cake knife, and cut their cake, then each took a piece. Robert was soft in pressing the cake to Jillian’s lips, but she on the other hand shoved the cake into his mouth. He was shocked to suddenly have a whole mouthful of cake. She leaned over, and while kissing him, she licked the frosting from his lips. The crowd laughed, but no louder than the groom.

After Robert cleaned his face, the couple started making their rounds to each table.

Bobby from the Sage Hill Cowboys announced to the guests, that his band they would be taking requests, and they felt humbled to have so many entertainers listening to their music. When he finished making his announcement, Vicki stood smiling at him.

“Vicki, let me guess,
The Dance
?
We’ll be happy to play it for you.

She replied, “Cool.”

When RJ and Jillie came to the table at which Davette, Otto, Robin, and Vicki were sitting, they spoke to Clint Black and his wife. Everyone told Robert they’d be in his audience either for one of his performances.

It seemed like the entertainers were endless, but so were the Yeringtonites.

Next, they stopped at a large table that was occupied by Nevada’s former governor and United States Senator, Richard Bryan and his wife, Bonnie. Sitting with the Bryan’s were friends, Jim and Susan Bean. Also at the table were Yeringtonites George and Gretchen Dini, their daughter, Jennifer and her husband, Eric.

Jillian saw her mother talking to Tom Hamilton. Since her grandmother was a Hamilton, they were comparing their genealogy.

At the next table, Robert’s pilot and his wife were sitting with Katherine Ross, and her husband, Sam Elliott, and Yeringtonites Malcolm and Gretchen Redwine, and Ron and Laverne Marwin. At another table sat Jillian’s cousins, Gary and Jennifer Blake with their children, Allicia, Jacob and Andrew, along with Jennifer’s aunt and uncle, Carl and Marsha Parry. Also sitting at their table were Mac Davis and his wife.

At the table everyone nicknamed the “Yeringtonites” table, sat Bob and Dorothy Duke, Bob had been hired by Jillian be the official wedding photographer. Before the wedding, his name was leaked and several “rag” magazines offered him a large amount of compensation for his celebrity photos. Sitting on the other side of the table were Jay Dini and his wife, next to, Justin and Jody Smith, Yerington veterinarians.

After making several more table rounds, the couple decided it was time to leave. It was four o’clock, and Robert wanted some quiet time before his show at eight. They said their quick goodbyes and headed off. Jack had slipped Robert the key-card for the Star Suite. He told Robert that Emma packed the couple each an overnight bag.

Once up in the suite with the door barely closed, Jillian excused herself. She came into the living room wearing only one of RJ’s denim shirts.

“Wow, girl! You’ve created stirring in this tired old man.”

“Maybe I could do something about it?

“Let’s go take a nap,” he said, taking her hand and kissing it softly.

Chapter 34

RJ awakened when the telephone rang; it was the automated wake-up service. It was 7 o’clock, an hour until his performance. He looked over at his bride, snuggled down in the bed covers, looking so inviting. He kissed her and she stirred. She reached out and touched his face.

“Hey, Mrs. Montgomery, it’s seven. I have to get ready for the show. I hated to wake you up, but it’s time. I’m going to hop into the shower.”

She listened to the water start, stretched, and got out of bed. She opened the shower door, smiled, and grabbed the soap.

On the ride down to the dressing room, RJ held his wife’s hand. She looked up at him and smiled. She’d never looked so radiant, so beautiful, and so desirable. They kissed, and when the door opened, Jack greeted them.

“Hey RJ, same some of your energy. We still have a show to do,” Jack said.

The couple stepped out, and Jack hugged them both. He told Jillian that Lynda was with the family in the showroom sitting in Tucker’s private booth. She wondered if that was Jack’s way of telling her to leave and let Robert get prepared.

“She’ll join them right before the show. Now, I want my wife by my side.” They sat in the dressing room waiting for the ten-minute call. Jack made the call himself, letting his star know that he’d escort Jillian to the show room.

“Ladies and gentlemen, please welcome, Robert John Montgomery.” The crowd went wild. RJ stood backstage, hearing the cheers and applause. Suddenly, the apprehension was replaced with the old feeling of singing and playing his music. The band started playing the intro to,
Loving You.

As he walked on stage, he felt all the exhilaration of previous shows. I’m back, he thought. He held up his hand to stop the applause. “Please.” The noise stopped.

“Thank you. May I have the house lights, please?” The darkened room quickly brightened, and he could clearly see the audience.

“Most of you probably know, but for those who don’t, I was married today.” The audience interrupted him with applause. He held up hand and continued. “I’d like to introduce my wife. Doc, please stand up. Please welcome my wife, Mrs. Jillian Montgomery.” Jillian stood, took a quick bow, and sat down.

“My parents, Mike and Natalie are here from Homewood, Iowa. Their visit’s a real treat, as they haven’t seen many of my concerts. Mom and Dad, please stand up.”

“Jillian’s parents, the James are here from Cleburne, Texas are sitting next to my parents. Dan and Grace, please stand up.”

“My cousin and her husband, Angyne and Billy Bean from Mannsville, Oklahoma. If you’ve seen my show before, chances are they’ve been in the audience. As always, thanks for being here, please stand. There are too many celebrities here in the audience to mention, you know who you are.”

The audience recognized all his family with their applause. Someone shouted from the audience, “Welcome back!” The crowd roared their approval. RJ acknowledged with a bow. The lights dimmed, and a spotlight circled on Robert John Montgomery.