The Montana Doctor's Love (New Montana Brides Book 8) (6 page)

Chapter Twelve

We’re Getting Married

“Will you go with me to tell Mama,” she asked.

“Of course. I have a suggestion, though,” he said. “Let’s go to the courthouse and get a license.”

“Good idea.” She stood, and hugged Elizabeth. “Thank you, for having such a nice son. I’m going to be a good wife,” she whispered.

“I know you will, dear. Your mother and I have wanted this for years,” Elizabeth said.

“Emily, are you ready to go to Grandma’s?” Mary Louise asked her daughter.

Patrick paid the Clerk of Court for Lewis and Clark County three dollars in exchange for a marriage license.

“All set?” he asked when they were back in the buggy.

“Let’s do it,” she said.

The Circle P Ranch…

Patrick said, “I’ll get the baggage.” It took two trips to get it to the door. A quick kiss on the lips and they went inside.

“Mama… “We’re back.”

“I didn’t know you were coming home. When did you get in?” Charlotte asked. “We would have met you if you’d let us know.”

“We got in today, I wanted it to be a surprise. Patrick brought us home.” Mary Louise said. “Where’s Papa?” she asked.

“He should be in anytime. I don’t know what he and Hiram were doing,” her mother said.

“What do you think, Patrick? Now?”

“Why not?” he said.

“Mama, Patrick asked me to be his wife, and I accepted. We’re going to be married!”

“I’m glad. You got things straightened out then?” her mother asked.

“It never was Patrick. It was me. I realized he was what I wanted all along, so I called and asked him to meet us. We talked about it and here we are. We already have the license. We just have to pick a date. And make arrangements wherever we decide to have it.”

“Well, I’m flabbergasted. Happy for you, but flabbergasted”

“I didn’t talk her into anything, Mrs. Parsons. She called Monday and asked me to meet them. You know how I feel about both of them. It’s been what I’ve wanted since high school,” he said.

“Me too,” Mrs. Parsons said. “Does your mother know?”

“Yes, that’s where we talked. Mom was delighted,” he said.

“I am too. Now, when and how do you want to do it?”

“As soon as possible, that’s why we already have the license,” Mary Louise said. “He asked Emily if it was all right with her, he called it a deal breaker.”

“Well, what do we have here?” her father said as he walked into the room. “Hello Patrick. You brought them out? I appreciate it.”

“I had an ulterior motive, Mr. Parsons, I’ve asked Mary Louise and Emily to marry me,” Patrick said. “They both said yes.”

Zebulon’s face broke into a big grin. “Well by God, that makes it a happy day. It’s about time you two got together. When?” he asked.

“Do you have a preacher handy? We have the license.”

“Patrick, tomorrow or Sunday?” Mary Louise asked.

“Tomorrow,” Patrick said. “You might change your mind if we wait until Sunday.”

She put her arm around his waist and leaned into him. “Not a chance. Papa, shoot him if he tries to back out.”

The phone rang in the parsonage. The deep voice of Jack Owens said, “Hello, this is Jack”

“Jack, Patrick Palmer. Are you up for a wedding?”

“I’m always ready for the marriage ritual. Did you find someone willing to marry you?” he asked.

“I did. Mary Louise Wells and I want to get married,” Patrick said.

“Whoa, hold on, you’re serious, aren’t you?”

“I’m as serious as a heart attack. We’d like to tie the knot tomorrow. Is that possible?” Patrick asked.

“If you have the license, it is possible. Where?” Jack asked.

“We do have a license. Your house, the church, our house, the Circle P, it doesn’t matter. I would prefer the church if it’s available,” Patrick said.

“I will perform the ceremony, and anywhere you want, however, why deprive the town the pleasure of seeing two of our own wed?” Jack asked.

“I hadn’t thought of it that way. You do have a way with words. Hold on.” He turned to Mary Louise, “Jack says he will marry us anywhere we want, but he asked why we would want to keep the town from the pleasure of witnessing our wedding. He makes some sense for a change.”

“Sunday is fine with me as long as it’s okay with you,” she said.

“We both reluctantly agree you’re right. Sunday it is.” Patrick said. “See you in church, Jack.”

“We’re set for Sunday afternoon. That gives our mothers time talk us out of this,” he said.

“Not from me,” Charlotte said.” My only request is that you don’t get tied up on a house call or surgery. And miss it.”

“I’ll convince Dad to take any calls, but that is the life of a doctor. Always on call.

“Mary Louise, let’s take a walk. We have a lot to talk about,” Patrick said.

Charlotte was looking through the window. “Zebulon, come look at them. They’re holding hands. Isn’t that sweet.”

While they watched, the couple stopped, kissed, and continued their walk. “Those two were meant for each other. It’s a shame it took so long for them to get together,” she said.

“It is,” he agreed.

Later…

“Elizabeth, isn’t it wonderful? After all these years.” Charlotte said,

“It is. They were here when Patrick proposed. They had talked in the living room, and came out to tell me. Did they decide when?” Elizabeth asked.

“Patrick called Jack and asked about tomorrow, but Jack talked them into waiting until Sunday. I’m glad. This is going to be a day we’ll all remember and the congregation can share it. Besides, it gives me time to get a new dress, and see if I can find anything for two red haired girls,” Charlotte said.

I have the feeling Patrick wouldn’t mind if they dressed in sackcloth,” Elizabeth said. “If you’re coming into town tomorrow, stop by, and we’ll compare notes.”

Chapter thirteen

The Wedding Day

Shedding his white smock, Patrick donned his best suit and tie for his wedding. His father, Carter would stand up for him… if he did not have an emergency call. His mother called it ‘one of the best days of my life’.

Mary Louise had chosen a green dress for herself and the same color for Emily. When she started down the aisle, Patrick’s jaw dropped.
I knew she was beautiful, she’s beyond beautiful today
. Her emerald green eyes sparkling, perfectly matched the color of her dress. The bit of sun that penetrated the stained glass window bathed her in a rainbow of colors as she passed through the beam.

When Zebulon placed her hand in his, Patrick felt a warm tingling race through his body.
I’ve been waiting for this a long time.

She smiled at him and mouthed, “I love you.”

He squeezed her hand and whispered, “I’ve always loved you,” as Jack began speaking.

“It is seldom that I have had the privilege of uniting a couple in holy matrimony, who have grown up in our church. Like many of you, I’ve personally known Mary Louise and Patrick since they were toddlers. Today I have the privilege officiating at their wedding. I’m glad you are here to share it with me.” He raised his hands and said, “Let us pray.”

The vows were exchanged, the pronouncement was made. Patrick kissed his bride and they began to move down the aisle. He stopped at the Parson’s row and held his hand out in invitation to Emily to join them. Hand in hand, the three of them made their way out of the church.

With happiness written on their faces, the newlyweds received congratulations from their many friends. They heard “it’s about time” many times that day.

The two families celebrated the union with a small party at the Cosmopolitan Hotel

“What are your plans?” Zebulon asked. “Where are you going to live?”

“We talked about that,” Mary Louise said. “Since Patrick is on call, living on the Circle P is not practical. The Palmer’s said we are welcome there. We would like to have a place of our own though. Both of us want more children.”

“Hear! Hear!” Elizabeth said.

“We’re going to stay here tonight,” Patrick said, and we’ll come get Emily tomorrow morning. If that meets with your approval.”

“What about a honeymoon?” Carter asked.

“We haven’t even given that any thought,” Patrick said.

“You should think about it.” Carter said.

“I agree,” Elizabeth said.

Patrick looked at Mary Louise. She said, “I’d like for us to get settled before we think of anything else.”]

The families had left. Patrick carried their valises previously left at the front desk, turned to his bride and said, “Shall we go upstairs?”

“Let’s”, she said.

“You are the most beautiful bride, I have ever seen,” he said. “I’m so glad we found each other again. I’ve missed you all these years. I didn’t realize how much, until I saw you coming down the aisle today.”

He wrapped his arms around her and pulled her close. Taller than she was by several inches, he bent his head until their lips were at the same level. He traced the outline with his finger, and brought his mouth to hers. When their lips touched, he probed the opening. She parted hers allowing him entry.

When his tongue touched hers, a low moan escaped, as a shock wave raced through her body. He explored the interior, sending new spirals of desire down her body. It was a divine ecstasy. When they broke the kiss, she said, “You never kissed me like that before.”

“You were never my wife before,” he said.

“Is this the way it’s going to be?” she asked.

“If I have anything to do with it, yes and more,” he said.

She pressed her open lips to his, she kissed him, lingering, savoring every moment.

His fingers found the buttons on her dress. The first one was undone, then the second. After the third one, he slid his hand inside and found the warm soft mound of flesh under her bra. He slid her dress off her shoulders and let it fall to the floor. When she raised her arms, he pulled her chemise off and discarded it with the dress. He unsnapped her bra and pulled her to him. She removed her bloomers and stood, before him. Her perfect body revealed to him.

He felt the burning touch of her body through his shirt. Her eyes never left his as she unbuttoned his shirt and pushed it from his shoulders. He removed his undershirt, unbuttoned his trousers and let them fall to the floor.

He felt the sharp intake of breath when he cupped her breast in his hand. He kissed her cheek and neck. He lowered his head and took her breast in his mouth, and felt her tremble as sh pressed against him.

“Make love to me Patrick. I want you so much, I ache.”

He lowered her to the bed. Slowly, gently, they consummated their marriage.

On his side, he raked his eyes over her. She smiled and enjoyed the love she saw in his gaze. “Mrs. Palmer,” he said, may I say, you’re magnificent? I am the luckiest man in the world. Not only are you mine, I get a daughter in the deal.

“I will never do anything to hurt you, and will work to keep our love fresh and strong,” he said.

“I know that, and I will do the same,” she said. “I love you with every fiber of my being. It took being apart those six weeks for me to realize just how much you meant to me.”

He pulled her to him and kissed her with a growing hunger.

Much later, Patrick went downstairs and convinced the restaurant to fix a dinner for them to eat in their room.

The next morning…

They came downstairs the next morning, and walked outside. “Somehow the sky is bluer today, he said.

“You’re seeing it through the eyes of love, my darling,” she said.

“If that were the case, it would have been this blue for a long time,” he said.

“I wish I had known, she said softly.

“I wish I had told you,” he said.

“Well, now we both know,” she said.

“Shall we go get our daughter,” he asked.

They walked to his parent’s home, where they would be living until they could find a place that suited their needs.

Chapter fourteen

A New Life

“Good morning, you two,” his mother greeted them. She hugged Mary Louise and said, “Welcome home, darling. I’m glad you’re going to be staying with us, for a while at least. This house is your house, and I want you to treat it as such.”

“If there’s anything you need, just let Thelma or me know. We doctor’s wives have to stick together.”

Mary Louise laughed. You’re going to have to teach me the ropes. About being a doctor’s wife, I mean. I love hearing that. ‘A doctor’s wife.”’

“Well, the first thing you have to learn is when a patient calls, they come first. I’ve eaten a lot of meals alone,” Elizabeth said. “You have to share the sadness when they lose one, but you get to share the joy when one is saved.”

“Thank you Mrs. Palmer,” she said.

“That’s another thing; please don’t call me Mrs. Palmer. Call me Elizabeth, or mother, but not Mrs. Palmer. It makes me sound older than I am.”

The housekeeper, ever practical, said, “Mr. Patrick, Miss Mary, did you eat?”

“Not much, Thelma. We’ve got to go get our daughter,” Patrick said.

“Not until you eat,” Thelma said.

Circle P Ranch…

“Emily, your mama’s here,” Charlotte called from the bottom of the stairs.

Emily ran down the stairs and to the front porch. “Mama! You’re back.”

Mary Louise knelt down, and embraced her daughter. “Of course we’re back. We told you we’d be back this morning.”

“She’s been asking all morning when you were coming,” Charlotte told them.

“Honey, we would never leave you,” Mary Louise said. “Do you remember when Patrick asked you if it was okay for us to get married?”

“Uh huh,” Emily said.

“Remember at the church yesterday. Well, that’s what happened. We got married. Now, he’s your papa, and he’s going to live with us.”

“Here?”

“No, we’re going to live in town. We’re going to stay with Patrick’s mama and papa until we get a house of our very own,” Mary Louise said. “We’re going to have lunch with grandma and grandpa, and then we will get our things and go into town.”

“I don’t want to live in town,” Emily said.

“Emily, remember we lived in town until your papa got sick. Your papa was my husband. He’s gone now and Patrick is my husband, so we live with him now.”

“I don’t want to,”

“I’m sorry you feel that way, but our place is with Patrick. He loves you, and he’s going to take care of us. In town,” Mary Louise said.

Emily began crying.

Patrick approached them. “What’s the matter with Emily?”

“She says she wants to stay here.”

“What are you going to do?” he asked.

“Do? We’re going to do as we have planned. We’re going to stay at your house until we find a place.”

“Let me see if Dad can cover for a few days and we can stay here until she gets used to me being around,” Patrick said.

“I don’t think that’s a good idea,” Mary Louise said, “She has to learn she can’t get her way by crying. She’s been spoiled since Press died. She was the center of attention then and now she has to share my attention.”

“You mind if I talk to her?” he asked.

“Of course not.”

“Emily, will you take a walk with me?” he asked.

Still snuffling, she nodded. She took his offered hand and they started off.

“What’s your most favorite place here?” he asked. “Will you show me?”

She led him around the house and to a tall cottonwood tree where her Uncle Hiram had hung a swing. “Do you like to swing?”

She nodded.

“Your mama loves you. You know that, don’t you?”

Once again she nodded.

“Well, I love her, and I love you too, and I want you to be happy, but I want your mama to be happy too. For her to be happy, she needs both of us. Right now, she’s upset because you were crying.

“Your mother has had a hard time for the last year. First your papa got sick and then passed away, leaving her alone, with the job of making sure you had what you need. I want to make her life easier. I can do that, but only if you help.

“I’ve known your mother since she was a little girl. I’ve loved her most of that time. We lost track of each other for a long time while she went to college, and I studied to be a doctor. Now we are back and we will be together for the rest of our lives. I’m asking you to help me. If you don’t, I will have to do it by myself and it won’t be easy. It’s up to you.”

“Do you want to talk some more, or go back?” he asked.

“Go back,” she said.

When they returned to the ranch house, Mary Louise looked at him, the question showing in her expression. “I don’t know,” he responded to the unasked question. With his arm around her, they went inside.

Emily said nothing more about not wanting to go to Helena. At three-fifteen, Patrick asked, “Are you two about ready to go? I’ve got your things loaded up.

“Emily, I kept your doll out. I thought you might want to hold on to her.”

“I’m ready,” Mary Louise said. She looked at her daughter, “What about you?”

“I’m ready too,” Emily said.

The Palmer home…

“Emily, I’m glad you’re here,” Patrick’s mother, Elizabeth said. “I’ve got a surprise for you. Let me show you.”

“What’s that all about?” Mary Louise asked.

“I don’t know,” Patrick confessed,

“Did you know I have a daughter?” Elizabeth asked.

Emily shook her head and said, “No. Where is she?”

“She’s all grown up like your mother. Her name is Lucy, and she’s a school teacher. She might be your teacher. What grade are you in now?”

“Third,” Emily said.

“Look what I did. This was Lucy’s room. I fixed it all up for you. You have a dresser for your clothes, and I found Lucy’s doll house and cleaned it up for you. You may be too old to play with it, but it looks nice.

“This was one of Lucy’s favorites.” She picked up a music box and wound it up, and lifted the lid. It began playing a minuet. She put down the lid, and the music stopped. “You have to be careful with it and not break it.”

Mary Louise and Patrick were standing in the doorway. Patrick put the trunk with Emily’s clothes on the floor. “What do you have here?” she asked.

“Look Mama.” She lifted the lid and the minuet played.

“I had one of those when I was little, but Hiram broke it. It wasn’t as nice as this one,” Mary Louise said.

“Was this Lucy’s room?” she asked.

“Yes. Most of the things in here were hers,” Elizabeth said.

At dinner that evening, Carter said, “Elizabeth and I have been talking. We have this big house here, and with Lucy gone, it’s been just the two of us. We’d love to have you live here. It’s convenient to everything, and besides, I don’t know of any houses available this close in. Think about it. ”

“We will, Dad. We appreciate the offer.”