“I totally agree.It’s a smallcompromise.”
The cowboys were still for a long time,basking in long-time friendship and the fresh earthen smells aroundthem.Their horses nibbled and swatted away offending flies.
“… Mind if I bring Amy to the wedding?”
“You’re kidding,” Sandy blinked.“You andAmy?”
“Yeah, I seem to stuck with your leftovers,”Jason teased.
“I wish you guys well.Love is the best.Iwish you some.”
“Thanks, buddy.”And then they sat stilllistening to the coyotes yipping in the far away distance, thinkingtheir own individual thoughts.The horses shifted gracefully,loudly munching and chewing the moist grass.
* * *
Half the town milled and socialized inSandy’s backyard.Fragrant flowers were everywhere, giving the aira mixed smell of roses, hyacinth and lilac.An archway had beenbuilt out in the huge grassy area.Earlier, Jeanne, Page and a fewfriends had been busy putting lace all over it, plus more flowersand decorative art.An area was set aside for the cowboy band thatwould play later at the reception.Of course, drinks and food wereset up in another area with tables and chairs.It looked to be ablowout of a party.
Lily was dressing in their bedroom, whileSandy and Jason had been kicked out to another bedroom to dress.Jeanne and Page brought in the wedding dress and helped Lily put iton.She looked beautiful!They had flown up to San Francisco tofind a gown and this one looked incredible on her.The skirt hadmiles and layers of satin with a strapless beaded bodice.Shewanted no veil but designed an upsweep hairdo with decorative combsholding it back.Her makeup was minimal, maximizing her beauty.
“Ouch, watch it there.”Lily winced.“That’sskin you’re trying to zip up with the dress.”
“How in the world could that dress be snug?”Page wondered aloud.“It fit beautifully two months ago when youbought it.”A light bulb appeared above her head and Jeanne’s atthe same time.
“…Lily, honey,” began Jeanne.“Why is yourdress tight?Anything you care to tell Page and me?”
They folded their arms and stood therewaiting for her answer.Page tapped her toe.
“No, Jeanne, nothing at all.”Lily’s eyesdanced.
“…Lily, are you…are you pregnant?”Pageclapped her hands together.“Are you?”
Jeanne let out a yip.
Lily gave them a stern look.“Look, you two.I haven’t even told Sandy, so I can’t admit anything to you.”
“Okay, then, just nod if you are or shakeyour head if you’re not.”
Lily nodded her head.Jeanne and Page eachgave her a big hug and started wiping tears that slid down theirhappy faces.
“That is so wonderful, sweetie.I’m happy foryou both.”Jeanne searched for a tissue from a box on thedresser.
“Me too, Lily.What wonderful news.Sandywill be thrilled,” sobbed Page.
Jeanne handed her several tissues.
“You two pull yourselves together.My mascarais starting to run and I need your support right now.Not yourhankies.”Lily patted her cheeks with her soggy tissue.
“Absolutely right, Lily.”They helped herwith the finishing touches.“We’re here for you, sweetie.”
A few minutes later came a knock on thebedroom door.
“You decent in there, honey?It’s show time…”Sam came in wearing a tuxedo and Jeanne about swooned.His smoothface and salt-and-pepper hair made him look like Sam Elliott morethan ever.
He stopped and sighed just looking at hislovely daughter in her wedding dress.“I wish your mother could seeyou now.She would be so proud.”
“Dad, you’re going to make me cry again.Imiss Mom too,” Lily sniffed.“Especially at a time like this.”
Meanwhile, at the altar, Sandy and Jason werenervously shifting their feet.Jason’s bow tie felt a little tightand Sandy’s cummerbund pinched him in the back.They weren’t usedto such elegant clothes, but many of the women in town looked onadmiringly.Amy was giving Jason the once-over, which he liked.
