Jesse laughed. “Our town? That won’t take long. Sure, I will. I know you and your bride will want some time alone.”
“Thank you, my friend. I’ll see you at the church at two o’clock, then?”
“I’ll be there.”
Jesse picked up Delia at the general store. On the way to his home, he told her about Sean’s news. “He surprised me when he asked me to be his best man. He also wants me to show her chaperone, Charlie, around the town, so I won’t be able to have lunch with you tomorrow.”
As he lifted Delia from the wagon, she said, “If this Charlie is a nice chap, bring him into the saloon later in the evening, and I’ll buy you both a drink.”
Jesse paused, still holding onto her waist, while thinking of a good excuse. He couldn’t go into the saloon to watch Delia flirting with all the men.
“I can’t. Sean expects Charlie back by dark.”
Jesse carried the picnic package she’d brought.
“Sarah, the saloon’s cook, didn’t have a basket. She said this was the first time anyone had asked her to pack a picnic lunch.”
“It’s not the container that counts; it’s what’s inside,” Jesse said as he spread the cloth under the tree.
Having been pressured by her brother-in-law, Delia knew she had to make the first move since Jesse was such a gentleman. Though he’d kissed her once, he admitted it had been almost an accident.
She had to get him to propose.
“Jesse,” she asked sweetly while he unpacked the food, “do you fancy me?”
He nearly dropped the plate he was holding. “Excuse me?”
“Do you fancy me?” Feeling frustrated, she added, “Are we more than friends?” Delia held her breath, waiting for his answer, which seemed to take forever.
“I consider you more than a friend. You’re a special friend,” he added.
Delia nibbled on her sandwich. “Then I think we should take our relationship to the next level.”
Jesse had taken drink from his jar of water, and her words nearly choked him. He coughed repeatedly. When he recovered he asked, “What’s the next level?”
“More of the delicious kissing and some hugs, perhaps?”
Jesse smiled. “I’d be more than happy to oblige.”
They continued eating quietly. Delia felt happy about his response, so much so that she was emboldened. “Why do you never come back to the saloon?”
Jesse picked up the remnants of the lunch and didn’t answer right away. Finally, he said, “Because I can’t stand to watch you flirting with all the men.”
“It’s my job.”
“Fine. I understand that, but I needn’t sit and watch it.”
“It means nothing. Do you think I enjoy flirting with those old coots?”
Jesse laughed sarcastically. “Not all the men are old.”
“True, but Marcie always gets to the young ones first. She has seniority.”
“So none of the younger men approach you, hoping you’ll flirt with them?”
“A few do, but they are just part of the job to me. None of them give me the same feeling as you do.”
“What kind of feeling?”
“Oh, you know, that warm glow inside. When you touch me I get goosebumps.” Delia wasn’t lying about that. Her feelings for him were real, which made what she had to do the most difficult thing she ever had to do in her life.
She reached over to take Jesse’s hand. “You are the only man that can set my heart to racing.”
Jesse put his arms out, and Delia flew into them. He hugged her tightly and whispered in her ear, “I feel the same.”
Delia felt Jesse pull away slightly and disappointment flowed through her. Then he pecked her lips briefly, and she felt herself sway with dizziness. How could she go through with her brother-in-law’s plan? She didn’t want to trick him or see him dead.
Jesse arrived at the little church at exactly two o’clock, wearing a suit he hadn’t wore since his cousin Bert had married eight years ago. That was the last time he'd been in a church, too.
He walked up to Sean who was waiting in the small lobby. “Are you nervous? You look pale.”
“I’m a wreck. I’m marrying a stranger, Jesse. She’s pretty, though, and personable. Just the same, she could turn into a nag after we say the vows.”
Jesse clapped Sean’s back. “I rather doubt it. If she starts nagging, you set her straight right off the bat by walking out and going to the saloon.”
Sean laughed. “I like that idea.”
The piano music started, and Sean paled again. “Here we go.”
The two men walked down the aisle, and Jesse saw two women at the altar. One had hair the color of sand and wore a lovely ecru dress with a flower pinned to her chest. She smiled at Sean, so Jesse figured that was Sophia. He only glanced at the other woman, but Sean led him to stand beside her. She was on the petite side, with hair the color of buttercups. He remembered that his mother had had hair that same color. The girl was attractive—not beautiful like Cordelia but cute, with wide eyes and a button nose. She didn’t smile at him, but she did nod.
After the couple had repeated their vows, Sean gave his bride a quick kiss. Jesse and the woman stood next to each other to sign the pastor’s book. Then, Sean finally introduced him. “Jesse, I’d like you to meet my sister-in-law, Charlie.”
Jesse felt speechless. All he could do was nod in her direction and mumble, “Nice to meet you.”
“This is my bride,” Sean said proudly, “Sophia McMullen.”
Sophia took both of Jesse’s hands in hers. “It’s nice to make your acquaintance, finally. Sean has told me so much about you.” Her eyes drifted to her sister, Charlie.
Jesse finally figured it
