He was surprised by how many people from town were already there when they pulled up, and for the first time, he wasthankful for living in a small town. When they walked in, a few of the women were still putting the finishing touches on the food, but the hall had been transformed into a stylish wedding venue, and he had to fight back the tears of gratitude. Rose would have her special moment; his mother had seen to that. Now, all he needed was his bride, and it would be the happiest day of his life.
The hall was packed with people when the big moment finally arrived, and the music began to play. He’d been sure that he was prepared to marry the woman of his dreams, but when he saw Rose, his knees buckled. Gratitude filled him again, followed by the warmth of the connection between them when she smiled at him, and his strength came back instantly. He was ready when his father handed her off to him, a smile on his face, a few tears in his eyes, and he knew without a doubt in his mind that he was doing the right thing.
***Rose***
Rose had never been happier in her life as she listened to Malcolm recite his vows, and when it came time for her to do the same, she said them loud and clear, feeling the depth of every promise that she made. When they were finally declared husband and wife, they turned to face their guests, a blush creeping up her cheeks when they all began to cheer and made their way back down the aisle.
“We did it,” he said, sweeping her up in his arms. “I don’t know how my mother pulled it off, but we’re married.”
Before she could answer, they were swept up by the crowd and there wasn’t a minute to chat until much later that night when the party began to wind down. “There’s nothing this town loves more than an impromptu celebration,” Malcolm said,wrapping his arm around her and pulling her closer. “They’ll be talking about this for months.”
“It was wonderful. I can’t believe your parents pulled this together so fast,” she said. “We should find them and thank them.”
“That’s an excellent idea,” he said, looking around the room. “They’re over in the corner talking to the mayor.”
They made their way across the room, stopping every now and then to talk to people. “There are the newlyweds,” Margaret said when she saw them. “Come over and meet the mayor, Rose, then it’s time for you to be off on your honeymoon.”
She looked over at Malcolm, who just shrugged, but quickly forgot about it while they chatted with the older man. When he was gone, Margaret clapped her hands, “Okay, everyone, it’s time for the bride and groom to leave,” she called. “Last chance to wish them luck.”
They were swept up by the crowd again and deposited outside the front door of the hall, then showered with dollar bills amid cheering and laughter. Malcolm joined in on the laughter when he saw the look on her face and started scooping them up. “It’s tradition around here,” he said, grinning at her. “We’ll probably clear a couple of hundred bucks.”
When the crowd had disappeared back inside, they were standing alone with a fat wad of bills and no idea where to go next. “Oh, my, wasn’t that fun?” Margaret said, coming around the corner. “I’m so happy we could share this day, but now it’s time for you to be on your way. The horses are waiting for you at the head of the trail to the falls; they know the way even in the dark.”
“Mom, we can’t go traipsing around in the dark,” Malcolm said, a confused look on his face. “We should just wait until tomorrow.”
Margaret shook her head. “It has to be tonight, it’s a special place, Malcolm, a place only for lovers,” she said, making Rose blush. “Just trust me, I’ve never steered you wrong before.”
“If your mom thinks that it’s important, then we should go tonight,” she said. “I know how to ride, we’ll be fine in the dark.”
They found the horses right where Margaret said they would be and headed up the trail, but after only about a mile, Malcolm’s horse turned off the trail onto what looked like a game trail. No amount of fighting would get the horse to change direction, and they finally gave up and let him take them deeper into the forest, where the trees blocked the moon. A few minutes later, they began to climb a steep slope, and it took all her skill to stay in the saddle, but the climb was quick, and before she knew it, they were standing on a big outcropping of rock.
She gasped when she saw the view, then turned to Malcolm, who was just as mesmerized as she was, but before they could get their fill, his horse turned and started for the rock wall in front of them. “Hey, hold on,” he called to the horse, then sat staring at something in front of him. “Look, there’s a cave.”
It took her a second to see the opening. “Oh, it’s hard to see it in the dark,” she said, then slid down off her horse. “I think this is where we’re supposed to be.”
“I think you might be right,” he said, trying to stop his horse from grazing on the grass. “This stupid horse isn’t going to move again.”
She laughed. “Leave him be, then,” she said, holding out her hand. “Let’s go inside. I think I see a light.”
“It must just be a reflection of the flashlights,” he said, shaking his head. “We’re miles from anyone.”
But as they approached the cave, the light got brighter, and when they stepped inside, it wasn’t just the light that surprised them. There was a small fire burning in the center of the room, a big bed covered in a fluffy blanket back in one corner, and asmall kitchen in the other. They both looked around the room, too stunned to speak, then looked at each other and let out a burst of laughter, before running over and throwing themselves on the bed.
“This is amazing,” she said, rolling onto her stomach. “I’m not even going to ask how it all got here, I’m just going to enjoy it.”
Malcolm rolled over and gave her a kiss, then held up his hand. “Hold on, do you hear that?” he asked, then cocked his head toward the back of the cave. “I’m sure that I hear water.”
She followed him to the back of the cave, where a little opening in the rock led to a smaller cave. The sound of water grew louder, and then they stood in a smaller cave filled with a steaming pool of the clearest water she’d ever seen. “Oh, it’s beautiful,” she said, then noticed two towels on hooks driven into the rock wall. “Let’s go in, I bet it will feel wonderful.”
“You’re on,” Malcolm said, taking off his boots and throwing them against the wall. “Last one in is a rotten egg.”
CHAPTER 22
***MALCOLM***
The water was already closing around Malcolm’s body before he realized that Rose was still standing on the side of the pool, fully clothed, an amused look on her face. “Aren’t you coming in?” he asked, sighing as he sank deeper into the water. “It feels amazing.”
“I’m coming, I just couldn’t resist watching you,” Rose said, shaking her head. “It’s good to know my husband can still act like a little boy.”
