"Should I have put that in our vows," she teases as they turn to greet their guests. Chase and Bronnah are humbled when the guests follow them back to the Doctors home for a reception. Each family brought a dish to share, and laughter and music flow as their first memory together as husband and wife is etched into their hearts.
One of the guests brings up his camera and offers the only gift he can give, a wedding photograph. Bronnah helped pull his wife from the river and carried his son to safety. "I would be honored to capture this memory for you." After the picture is taken, Chase moves off with him and gives him the family ranch address in Wyoming, and he promises to mail it to them.
The night goes on with guests offering thanks and giving what they can. Bronnah watches quietly and can almost see the ties binding each person together. She leans against Chase and sighs as he presses a kiss to her forehead. In the next few days, many of these people will move on to their intended destinations, and they will never see each other again, but this night will never be forgotten.
"One more surprise for you," Anna said clapping her hands to draw everyone's attention. "We have taken it upon ourselves to offer you a private cabin until you leave." Laughter and teasing flow as they rush outside to see a wagon decorated with flowers and ribbons.
Bronnah starts to object, but Chase sweeps her up into his arms to the delight of everyone watching. “A hearty thanks to you,” Chase said and marches with her straight to the wagon.
Dr. Higgins laughs and yells out, “Perhaps directions are in order.”
Bronnah laughs out loud and settles into her seat while Chase drops a blanket over her lap. He leaps down to talk to the Doc while Anna hands up a basket with food and their packed bags. “Oh, Anna I don’t know how I will ever thank you,” Bronnah said.
“Look around Bronnah, I didn’t do this alone. Your kindness will never be forgotten. Now go enjoy yourselves.”
“I will, thank you!” Bronnah waves at the group and Chase flicks the reigns.
It is a fifteen-minute ride to the small hunting cabin on Dr. Higgins property. Finding it is easy thanks to Anna's quick thinking. Every few miles a white ribbon gleams, guiding them to a well-worn path and a tiny glowing cabin.
Anna and the women of the church decorated a small, two-room hunting cabin with two big ribbons on the log pillars supporting the covered porch. Two lanterns are glowing to light the way inside. Chase leaps down and ties the horses off before lifting Bronnah down.
“Chase, I can walk,” he silences her with a soft kiss that quickly turns sensual.
"No. I find I like carrying you, it's one way to keep you out of trouble," he says with a laugh. Instead of placing her feet on the ground, he pushes open the door and carries her inside. Inside, they are surprised to find a charming room with a double bed against one wall, a fireplace, galley kitchen, and table. The second room is a bathing room. Compared to the dwelling she grew up in it looks like heaven to Bronnah
“I’ll be back. I need to see to the horses.” Chase sets her down and lights a lantern before heading outside.
Nerves are cracking between them. Bronnah chews her lower lip worried that he's upset with her for ambushing him. She moves slowly around the cabin and shivers at the cold. Two chairs flank the fireplace, and she hurries to start a fire. Leaning down to grab a log, she jumps when Chase returns.
“Don’t even think about it…” he drops the basket and two bags, kicking the door shut behind him.
“I just want to help, Chase,” she snaps.
“I know, I’m starved, could you see what that basket holds while I start a fire?” he asked grabbing some wood from the corner and loading the fireplace.
“Of course,” she carries the basket to the counter and opens it. Fried chicken, biscuits, fruit and a bottle of wine from a local winery with two crystal glasses. “God Bless you, Anna!”
Chase turns and stands slowly, staring at his bride. The glow of the fireplace fills the small cabin with a warm embrace, and he stares at her and can't believe the turn his life has taken. Bronnah glances up and stops moving.
“Are you angry at me, Chase, for ambushing you?”
“Of course not.” He's stunned that she would think that. “What I am is a man in disbelief. That you would choose me, of all the men in this world to call yours.”
Bronnah rushes into his open arms and struggles not to cry. She can't have tears on their first night as husband and wife. Taking a deep shuttering breath, "I love you, Chase Rivers."
He tilts her chin up and stares into her eyes, glittering with happiness. “I love you, Mrs. Rivers.” Softly he traces her mouth with his, tasting the sweetness of her kiss. Breaking away he reaches behind his back and draws his bowie knife. “Now, shall I help get you out of that dress?”
Bronnah’s eyes grow large with false horror, “Not a chance,” she pushes out of his arms and orders him to open the wine bottle. Chase laughs when she disappears into the bathing room. He pours wine and grabs a piece of chicken to eat while she changes, sitting next to the fireplace he pulls off his boots and thinks about the day. In two days, they will head to Wyoming, but for the next forty-eight hours she is his and his alone. He means to show her just how much he cherishes her.
Bronnah lights a lantern in the small
