Rescue Me (Colorado Blues) (12 page)

“Well
now, Rory. Tis a strange request you have there.” The priest seemed to ponder
the situation. “At the end of the day, you would have been married anyway so I
really don’t have a problem with it so long as I think you’re well suited and
you can arrange a license. It’s the way I work and I can’t change that for
anything, goes against my principles you understand. When do I get to meet the
young lady in question?”

“That’s
up to you, Father. I can bring her down or you can come up to the ranch. We’re
staying at Chance’s place until our house is renovated. Place is pretty run
down as it’s been empty for over twenty years.”

“I’d
love to see her down here if you don’t mind. Perhaps she can come and bring the
little man with her tomorrow? We can have a coffee in town and I can show her
the church and see if it’s what she has in mind for her wedding. Don’t want to
go scaring the dear.”

“Thanks.
I know she’d appreciate that.”

“Tell
me, Rory. What are the chances of you mending fences with your dear father? I
know he’s missed you and a wedding in the family would be the perfect timing,
don’t you think?” The priest looked at him keenly.

“I
visited him the other day. Seems things were not as we were led to believe when
we were younger.”

“Now
isn’t that always the way, Rory? You have to understand, he’s a changed man
now. I’m sure he’s sorry for his behavior, but he doesn’t deserve to lose his
sons over it. He already lost so much.”

Rory
sat with his hands clenched. He had been prepared to forgive his father because
he knew how he felt losing the love of his life, and he didn’t know how far
Chance would go. That would be between the two of them. “I agree, and I’m doing
the best I can.” He stood up and held out his hand. “I’ll get Gina to come in
tomorrow and have a chat with you. Thanks for everything, Father.”

“You’re
a good man, Rory, and you’ll make a great father to the wee lad. Tell your
brother Chance I’d like a word with him sometime soon too, will you. Seems like
I missed his wedding and that saddens me greatly.”

Rory
swallowed a grin and stood up, shaking the father’s hand. He put his hat on
once he strode out of the little church and headed across the park and back to
work. When he walked into the office, he called the ranch to tell Gina the
news.

“Thank
goodness. I’ve been so worried.” He could hear Fisher chatting in the
background.

“Told
you we’d fix it somehow or other. Once you’ve met the good father you can start
organizing the wedding. I have to leave it up to you and Callie to arrange, I’m
afraid. I have my work cut out for me with the house renovations and things
here at the office.”

“I
don’t need a flash wedding, Rory. Just family will be fine.”

“That’s
how I feel too.”

“Callie
is doing her best to organize me. Wants to take me dress shopping tomorrow
since I don’t have anything at all suitable.”

“Now
that sounds good. You can go in and see Brother Thomas while I look after
Fisher and then you girls can pick him up later. What do you say? I can use my
little sidekick to bust the local criminals and stop crime.”

“It’ll
work a treat. Can’t wait to see you tonight.”

***

The
following day she was a bundle of nerves on the trip into town.

“Stop
fretting. You’ll be fine, I promise. I’ll come to the church with you and then
we can drop off Fisher with Rory while we shop up a storm.”

Gina’s
nerves were on a knife edge by the time Callie parked the car in front of the
little white church.

“Oh
my goodness, it’s so pretty.” Her future sister-in-law climbed out of the car
and stood looking at the old building, her mouth open wide.

“Regretting
the Las Vegas wedding?” Gina watched her as she reached in to take Fisher from
his seat.

Her
head whipped around and she frowned at Gina. “What? No, no way. It’s just not
what I would have chosen if it was left up to me, that’s all. And I love old
places and this is beautiful. Really quaint and pretty.”

Gina
hitched her boy up onto her hip and shut the car door. “It is lovely, isn’t
it?”

Callie
turned and frowned at her. “Would you rather get married here than at the
ranch?”

“If
I had the time to do it the way we wanted to, yes I would. It has a nice feel
to it, you know?” She walked over and stood next to Callie. “The ranch is
lovely and all, don’t get me wrong, having to rush things like this seems so
damned unfair. I always imagined I would get married in a pretty little church
just like this one with a big fluffy white dress like a princess and have my
father to give me away.” She gave a strained laugh. “Well, that’s not going to
happen now, is it?”

Callie
leaned over and slipped her arm around Gina. “Aw, honey, so long as you get
married to the man of your dreams, who cares. I know what you’re thinking and
lots of girls want the traditional wedding. I thought I would too, although I
wouldn’t change what I got for the world.” She squeezed Gina tight. “It’ll be
fine on the day, you’ll see.”

Gina
gave wobbly smile. She didn’t want to correct Callie. It was not having her
father here to give her away that hurt the most, not the church although that
had a part in it too. “Let’s go and meet Brother Thomas shall we, then we can
palm this young man off and go shopping.”

Together
they walked to the door and peeked inside. The sun shone through into the
vestry and down the aisle of the small building. Gina led the way, her shoes
tapping out a pattern on the polished wooded floors.

“Hello.”

She
looked up into the shadows of the pulpit and blinked, letting her eyes adjust
to the shadows inside the church.

“You
must be Gina. I’m Brother Thomas.” He hurried down to meet them, holding out
his hand in greeting. “And this must be young Fisher, it’s a pleasure to meet
you.”

He
glanced past Gina to Callie. “And who have we here?”

“Callie
Watson.” She shook his hand.

“Oh,
you’ll be Chance’s wife then.” He looked at her, his head tilted to one side.
“I’ve been wanting to catch up with you two. Congratulations on your marriage.
I’m sorry I missed it.”

“Oh
right, well we got married in Las Vegas. Kind of a rushed thing.”

“Such
a lovely accent. You’re not from around here then?” He smiled and led them down
the front to sit in a pew. Fisher wriggled and Gina let him down.

“No.
I was born in Australia.”

“Now
that sounds interesting. I’ve often thought of visiting there. We must chat
about it when we have time, it all sounds very interesting.” He placed a hand
on Fisher’s head and was rewarded with a big toothy grin. “So young man, your
mama is getting married. That’s very special, Gina. Rory told me of the
circumstances and how things have developed between the two of you.” He cast
his keen eyes on her.

“Right.”
She twisted her fingers together, striving for calm. “Sadly we have to do it in
a hurry to appease certain people, and that can’t be helped. It would be nice
to get married in your church, although we have decided to get married at
Chance and Callie’s ranch because of Fisher. Rory would like you to marry us. I’ll
understand if you can’t do that.”

“I’m
not saying that at all, dear girl. I told Rory I wanted to make sure you were
both well suited which is what I do for all my weddings, regardless of where
they’re held. If I think you are, we can get a license and go ahead. Now is
there any reason why I wouldn’t marry you, do you think?”

Gina
looked to Callie for help, taken aback by the question. “I um, look, to be
honest I really don’t know. I know he will provide for us and he’s already a
great father figure to Fisher.”

“What
about you, child? What is he to you?” Brother Thomas looked at her, a small
semblance of a smile on his lined face.

“Well,
he has quickly become the man I’ve fallen in love with. I guess you know the
story anyway, he was prepared to give us a home and his name without meeting in
person. I figure that alone makes him a nice guy with our wellbeing at the
forefront.” She looked down at her hands, twisting the small ring around on her
finger. “We fell in love though. It was pure and simple. He makes me very happy
and I know he feels the same way.”

The
brother smiled and patted her hand. “That’s all I needed to hear. I’d be
honored to marry you both where ever you see fit. Now, how would you like to
join me in a cup of coffee? I know just the perfect place to celebrate.” He
stood up. “You’ll have to get a license of course. That shouldn’t be too
difficult and then you can let me know what date you have planned. I’m sure
Rory can arrange that through the courthouse himself, and they can give it to
you on the same day as long as you have the correct paperwork.”

“I’m
pretty certain we have everything we need.” She reached for Fisher’s hand,
holding the little fingers in hers. “A coffee sounds wonderful. I’ve been a
bundle of nerves this morning worrying about everything.”

Brother
Thomas led them out of the church and across the street to a café not far from
the sheriff’s office. They settled outside in the sun at a small table and
ordered.

“Now
tell me, ladies, have you met your father-in-law yet?”

Callie
and Gina shared a glance. “No, we haven’t, but I’m open to the idea even if
Chance isn’t.”

“Going
against your husband already, Callie?”

She
sat up straight and Gina smiled. She was so easy to stir up. “Not at all. We
both have different ideas of what is acceptable and what isn’t, is all. I lost
my parents in an accident and believe me, if it was only my mother who’d died
and Dad hit the bottle, I could understand it.” Callie gave a small sad smile.
“I’d probably do the same so I have no reason not to feel for Chance’s father.”

“And
you, Gina. Do you feel the same way?” Brother Thomas looked at her.

“Yes,
I suppose I do. I don’t remember my mother. Dad was there for me when I needed
him until he passed away. I’d give anything for him to be back with us now.”

“Well,
I’m pleased to hear it. I know Jock would love to meet up with you so maybe I
can arrange that sometime.” The waitress brought out coffee and placed it on
the table in front of them. “Thank you. Now, do you think you’ll be inviting
him to the wedding, Gina?”

“Do
you want him there then?” Rory watched her face as she handed Fisher over.

“I
think it’d be nice, don’t you? I mean, if my father was here he could give me
away but he’s not, so I thought maybe...”

“If
that’s what you want, I have no objection to it. You might want to meet him
first though. We can go and call in on him once we get the license sorted out.
I want to tell Chance first so he doesn’t have a dummy spit over it.”

“He
said he would try.”

“I
know he did, it would be polite to forewarn him about it though. Just think it
would be a good idea is all.” Fisher plucked at the badge on Rory’s shirt,
drooling down his chin.

Gina
reached up and wiped up the dribbles with a tissue before throwing it in the
bin. “Poor little man is teething again. If he starts to fret too much, call me
and I’ll come back and get him.”

“We’ll
be fine, won’t we young buddy?” He kissed Gina on the lips and winked at
Callie. “You ladies have fun and buy something stunning. My bride is going to
look incredible on her wedding day regardless of how many people are there.”

“She
will, trust me on that one.” Callie smiled and grabbed hold of Gina’s arm.
“Come on, we have shopping to do. See you guys later.” She waved and pulled
Gina out of the office.

“I
have no idea of where to start first.” Gina looked down the street both ways
and sighed.

“Well,
if you go down there, you have the Evans Emporium and they have just about
everything known to man under one roof. If we head the other way there’s a cute
little dress shop, I haven’t had a chance to go in and look yet.”

“Dress
shop it is then.” Gina hooked her arm through Callie’s and they hurried down
the street. “I have no idea what I’m going to buy, no idea at all.”

“Let’s
wait and see what they have and we can see what takes your fancy first.” She
laughed. “I’m so not a girly girl so you’ve picked the worst person possible to
go dress shopping with, I tell you.”

“No,
I haven’t. You’re my friend and I value your opinion. And I know you’ll tell it
like it is.” They both burst out giggling over Callie’s trademark saying,
lightening the mood and soothing Gina’s frazzled nerves.

The
little dress shop was painted a pale mint green with baskets of flowers out on
the path in front of the large bay window. They stepped through the open door
into a feminine room filled with mannequins displaying dresses in soft colors
and a wide variety of fabrics and styles. The smell of vanilla filled the shop
and soft music played in the background.

“Can
I help you ladies?” A petite dark-haired sales assistant walked up to them.

“She’s
on the hunt for a wedding dress.”

“Lovely,
I’m sure I can help out. What exactly are you looking for? A short, long or
evening type of dress?” She stood with her hands clasped in front of her
waiting for Gina to answer.

“Um,
look to tell the truth, I have no idea. I’ll know when I see it.” She glanced
around and was overwhelmed by the dresses on display. “I’m sorry I’m not much
help. It’s going to be a small wedding at home so nothing too over the top.”

“Let
me see what we have in your size then. I’m guessing a six?”

“Yes.”

“Right,
you go into the dressing room and I’ll start bringing the dresses I think might
be suitable in. We can try every dress in the shop if you like, until you find
what you’re after.”

Callie
pushed her toward the back of the shop and into the dressing room. “Strip.” She
stood at the door and waited for the first dress to arrive before handing it
over to Gina.

“What
do you think?” Gina gazed over her shoulder to see how the back looked and
pulled a face at her reflection.

“Nah,
not you. If it was, you would know right away. Here’s the next one.” She passed
in a frothy bundle of baby blue tulle and stepped back. When Gina was dressed
she eyed it critically. “Nope, next one.”

Gina
was desperate for a drink of water by the time they’d gone through eleven
different dresses. “This is really pretty.” Callie handed her a cream dress
with a wide flowing skirt of lace and thin straps over the shoulders.

 A
wave of relief rolled over her. This was it, the dress she wanted to get
married in. Gina stepped into it and pulled the straps up over her shoulders.
She turned to the mirror as Callie did up the zipper for her. The color brought
out highlights in her dark hair, and she twirled to get the effect of the wide
skirt.

“It’s
you, isn’t it?”

“Yes.”

“That
looks really pretty. I thought it would.” The sales assistant stood at the door
clasping her hand to her heart. “I love it when I see the right dress on
someone.”

“How
much is it?” Gina reached for the tag, but Callie quickly turned it over so she
couldn’t see it.

“I
have instructions that you aren’t to know that part.”

Gina
didn’t try to argue because she knew it would be pointless.

“How
about shoes to match? I have some lovely stilettos that color.”

By
the time they had the dress and shoes packaged up, Gina was missing her little
boy. She let Callie use the credit card Rory had given her to pay for the
purchases while she looked the other way as instructed. If that was all it took
to make her new bestie happy, it was the least she could do.

They
walked back toward the sheriff’s office to collect Fisher, relaxed and happy that
the two things on their list today had been achieved without spilling blood or
having to beg.

Rory
was standing on the steps watching the passersby, chatting and keeping in touch
with the locals when the girls arrived. Fisher squealed and reached for his
mother. She passed her parcels to Callie and took her son. “How is Mama’s
little man? Been working hard?”

“Yeah,
he sure has. Been charming the ladies like you wouldn’t believe.” Rory leaned
down and gave her a smoldering kiss.

“Taking
after your daddy already.”

Rory
grinned and puffed out his chest. “Been showing him a thing or two. Little
fella is a keen learner. So, I see by the parcels that you had a successful
shop.”

“Yes
we did, thank you. I have my dress and shoes and Callie even made my buy new underwear.”
She sighed. “And she wouldn’t let me see how much money I spent either.”

“Get
over it, Gina. It’s for your wedding day so make the most of it.”

“Exactly
what I said when I told her to go with you.” Rory winked at his sister-in-law.
“You don’t need to know. We got the license too. Should be ready to pick up
later today so I’ll get it on the way home and then we can set the date.”

Gina
closed her eyes for a moment, blinking to clear her mind.

“You
okay?” Rory had his hand on her shoulder and looked into her eyes.

“Yes.
It’s just got real. Silly of me I know. Before it was a possibility, now we
have a license and a dress.”

“And
shoes and sexy underwear.” Callie nudged her arm. “And now we have to organize
the food and you know how good I am at that.”

“Call
into the café and see if they can put together a spread of finger food or something.
You’re not doing it, ladies. You’re having the day off from cooking.”

“I
can do that.” Gina watched helplessly as her future husband and sister-in-law
organized the rest of the wedding. Callie offered to do the flowers as well and
suggested a new suit for Fisher.

“He
should be dressed the same as you, Rory. Show me what you’re wearing and I’ll
get onto it.”

“There’s
no holding you back, is there?” Her enthusiasm made Gina pale as more nerves
set in.

“Gotta
make up for what I missed out on. Not saying it wasn’t fun or anything, but
there’s a big difference with Elvis marrying you and that guy across the
street.”

“What
about your family, Rory? Do you want to ask them to come?” Gina knew they were
all close, and the two youngest brothers were still living away from the town.
She wanted to give them time to come as well.

“I’ll
call them, but I really don’t think we have the time to wait according to
Layla. Don’t worry about it. It’s not the end of the world. Getting married to
you and making a home for this little man is more important.”

“You
say the sweetest things, Rory Watson. Is it any wonder I’m head over heels in
love with you?”