1. Honeymoon Hazards
Chapter 1
Circle C Ranch, California, June 12, 1886
Music! Dancing! Food! Merriment! Let the party begin!
Andrea Carter couldn’t wait to finish the wedding ceremony and get right to the reception.
She’d overcome the first hurdle—descending the wide staircase without tripping, thanks to Justin. She had stood patiently during Reverend Harris’s longwinded prayer and his even longer words about marriage.
Andi listened attentively while Riley recited his half of the vows. He only stumbled twice. Poor Riley! He looked as jittery as a bronc rider competing in his first rodeo.
Now, the last hurdle: her own vows. She knew them word perfect.
“I, Andrea Rose Carter, take thee, Riley Jared Prescott, to be my husband, to have and to hold—”
She paused when a breeze wafted through the open window, sending the aroma of prime, spit-roasted Circle C beef into Andi’s nostrils. She swallowed. Her mouth watered.
Then her stomach rumbled.
Amusement twinkled in Riley’s hazel eyes. He’d heard that loud, hurry-up-I’m-hungry growl.
A giggle bubbled up in Andi’s throat, but she squelched it. This was a serious moment. She willed herself to ignore the tantalizing barbeque odors and her grumbling stomach. She must focus on these all-important words. Now, where was I?
Her mind drew a blank.
A gentle squeeze to her hand brought Andi’s panicked gaze to Riley’s face. “From this day forward,” he mouthed.
“From this day forward,” Andi picked up where she left off. “For better or for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish; and I promise to be faithful to you until death parts us.”
The last hurdle conquered. Maybe nobody noticed her long pause. Or if they did, perhaps it would be overlooked out of consideration for the bride’s nervousness.
Ten minutes later, and after another long prayer, Reverend Harris finished the ceremony with his solemn, “I pronounce you man and wife.”
And just like that, Andi and Riley were married.
As a proper bride and groom should, they walked down the short aisle without looking to the left or right. Heaven forbid that someone might accuse the newlyweds of demonstrating “bad taste” by acknowledging their silent guests.
A minute later, Andi and Riley burst outside. She drew in a deep breath, enjoying the mouth-watering barbeque aroma to her heart’s content. As an extra gift from above, the usual scorching midday heat this time of year had dropped to bearable levels.
Andi knew this pleasant temperature would not last. If she wanted to dance and eat and enjoy the reception in her heavy wedding silks, she’d better not waste a moment. By late afternoon, she would be too hot to do more than sit in the shade and greet her well-wishers.
Andi clasped Riley’s hand and smiled up into his proud, happy face. “What about that first waltz, my knight in shining armor?”
Riley grinned from ear to ear. “Absolutely, my princess. Lead the way.”
*****
Andi lost count of the number of guests who swarmed into the Carters’ spacious backyard that afternoon. They admired the decorations swaying in the breeze and the profusion of flowers of all kinds and colors. They consumed quantities of Circle C prime beef, Luisa’s famous tamales, mounds of creamy whipped potatoes, and trays and trays of fresh fruit and small, decorated cakes. As the temperature climbed, they drank gallons of iced lemonade.
The Circle C ranch hands had outdone themselves putting the outdoor dance floor in order. They swept it clean. Not one speck of dust marred the hard-packed surface. Sid McCoy shook his nephew’s hand until Riley grimaced like it might fall off. Sid then took Andi’s shoulders and drew her close. For the first time in her life, the old foreman planted a fatherly kiss on her cheek.
“Welcome to the family,” Sid murmured with shining eyes. “I reckon you finally did grow up, and I’m mighty pleased.”
After recovering from her surprise at Sid’s kind remarks, she smiled and hugged him.
The rest of the afternoon passed in a whirl of merriment. True to Andi’s prediction, the day turned blistering. She felt sticky with sweat under her tight, hot stays. Her veil offered no protection from the bright sun, but she dared not ask her young nieces, Betsy and Hannah, to run find her wide-brimmed hat.
No, indeed! A black Stetson did not go well with her formal, white wedding dress.
As the afternoon grew hotter, Andi felt more like a limp noodle than a fresh bride. She sought out the shadiest part of the yard and headed for it, much like a snake seeking respite from the sun’s scorching rays.
Andi sat down on the bench and winced. What a terrible comparison! How could she think of snakes on her wedding day? Riley would certainly get a kick out of it when she told him.
A smile played across her lips imagining Riley’s reaction. She leaned back against the valley oak’s rough bark and closed her eyes. This feels much better.
“You look beautiful today, Mrs. Prescott.”
Andi’s eyes flew open, and she sat up.
Riley slid onto the bench beside her. “I’m happy to just sit here and look at you.”
Heat jumped into Andi’s cheeks before she could order her emotions back into a corner. Mrs. Prescott? That sounded like an old lady, not a girl who had turned eighteen years old only a month ago.
Riley sure seemed to enjoy saying it, though. He’d called her “Mrs. Prescott” about a dozen times already, ever since the ceremony ended three hours ago.
A stray thought tickled Andi’s mind before she could shoo it away. What have I gotten myself into?
Yesterday she’d been a free and laughing young girl. She and her colt, Shasta, had ridden all over the Circle C ranch from dawn ’til dusk. Her only worry had been wondering if big brother Chad would find something to boss her about.
Andi smiled. At least that part of her life was over. No more big-brother bossing!
Riley chuckled. “What are you smiling about?”
“Chad can’t ever boss me again.”
His eyebrows shot up. “That’s what you’re thinking about on your wedding day?” He burst out laughing.
Andi felt the heat in her cheeks spread over her face and down her neck. Good thing the sun was hot and bright. It would look like a sunburn.
She ducked her head until Riley put his arm around her. “I’m sorry, my princess. I couldn’t help it. You always make me laugh. Don’t ever change. I want you to make me laugh every day.”
That shouldn’t be too hard, Andi thought. It didn’t take much to make life-loving Riley Prescott laugh or break into a wide smile. “All right,” she agreed. “Just so long as you promise never to boss me. I’ve had enough of that for eighteen years, and I’m done with it.”
“Cross my heart,” Riley said solemnly. “I love you too much to boss you.”
“I love you too,” Andi whispered.
She peeked past her new husband and studied the crowd from this shady, out-of-the-way spot. Everybody was laughing, eating, and dancing despite the rising temperature.
The Mexican music reached a fever pitch. Old Diego strummed his guitar as if he were a young vaquero again.
“¡Otra vez, otra vez!” the Mexican guests chanted when Diego paused to rest. He laughed, nodded, and played another song, one even faster than the previous tune.
It looked inviting, if only Andi were allowed to change clothes and rest awhile before the next round of merrymaking. She slumped against Riley’s shoulder and stifled a yawn. “I’m tired.”
“I know.” Riley squeezed her hand. “It’s been a long day. I feel a little glassy-eyed myself.”
The wedding ceremony had been a quiet family affair, but the barbeque reception afterward swelled with more well-wishers than Andi had expected. It appeared that half the valley had accepted the Carters’ invitation, and nobody looked in a hurry to leave.
“I had no idea your family would host so many guests,” Riley said. “I’ve talked to every friend and relative you have.” He grinned.
“Well, not every relative.” It was Andi’s turn to smile. “Uncle Benjamin, Aunt Lydia, and Daniel weren’t able to attend.” Thank goodness, she added quietly. Even after two years, Andi’s knee sometimes twitched painfully, a stark reminder of how her cousin had nearly destroyed all their lives.
“Thank the good Lord for small blessings,” Riley murmured. “I don’t miss that young man’s company.”
A loud yee-haw brought the couple around. Across the yard, two scruffy-looking soldiers descended on Riley’s father, Captain Prescott, and slapped him on the back in congratulations. His glass of lemonade went flying.
“I’ve met all your relatives and friends too.” Andi giggled at Riley’s embarrassed look. “Half the soldiers from those forts you lived at showed up for the barbeque. I was sure there must be an Indian uprising somewhere when I saw all those blue uniforms.”
“Pa’s men have some rough edges,” Riley admitted, “but they’re good soldiers.” He shook his head. “They’ve added a bit of extra commotion to this gala, I’m afraid.”
Andi didn’t worry about the wedding festivities spiraling out of control. Her brothers would keep things well in hand. She glanced up through the oak leaves at the blazing, late-afternoon sun. Fatigue swept over her in another wave.
As much fun as this fiesta had been, Andi was ready to admit she’d had her fill. Too much sun. Too many people. How much longer before she and Riley could slip away to start their Yosemite wedding trip?
Andi had never been to Yosemite, but she’d heard plenty about its natural wonders from the townsfolk who had made the trip. When the Fresno Daily Expositor ran a story about trailblazer John Muir’s efforts to turn the wilderness into a national park, Andi plopped the newspaper onto Riley’s lap. “I’d like to go here for our honeymoon.”
Not everyone had expressed enthusiasm for the young couple’s destination choice, however. Melinda let out a disappointed groan when she learned Andi wanted to explore the High Sierra. Big sister sang the praises of her own bridal trip with Peter Wilson to San Francisco a year and a half ago. The opera! The Palace Hotel! The Embarcadero!
Andi shook her head. San Francisco held no good memories. It was the last place she would choose for any destination, much less a weeklong honeymoon. No sirree! Yosemite sounded like heaps more fun than the city. “And the sooner, the better.”
“What did you say?” Riley asked.
“Oh, just wishing we could—”
“So, this is where you two snuck off to,” Chad greeted, strolling up. “I haven’t had a spare moment this afternoon to wish you congratulations, little sister.” He winked. “You know, of course, that Justin and I arm wrestled to see who would walk you down the aisle in Father’s place.”
Andi rolled her eyes. “Sure you did.” It was never a contest. Justin had taken over for Father more than ten years ago.
Laughing, Chad pulled Andi off the bench and into a hug. “I’m going to miss you.”
“I’m not moving back east,” she retorted. “You know our new place is only a half-hour ride on a fast horse.”
“Ah, but you are so much easier to tease when we’re living under the same roof.”
The flamboyant Mexican music suddenly slowed to a waltz. Chad cocked his head to listen. Then he took Andi’s hand and looked at Riley. “One more dance with my sister?”
When Riley nodded, Chad led Andi across the yard to the dance circle. He kissed the top of her head and whispered, “For luck.”
*****
Andi wriggled out of her hot, heavy silk gown. She carefully hung it from the top edge of her wardrobe and added her veil. “You are very pretty,” she told her wedding apparel, “but certainly not suited for a week in the wilderness.”
She wasted no time slipping into her familiar split skirt and plaid shirt. Then she unbound her stiff bun and braided the mass of dark waves into one long, thick plait. “There,” she declared to the floor-length mirror. “I’m back to the Andi that Riley knows and loves.”
Before she looked away, Andi caught the reflection of a gold ring encircling her finger. A cobalt-blue sapphire with diamond chips on either side sparkled. A warm glow enveloped her when she remembered Riley’s words on the day he’d presented it to her.
“I want you to wear a ring that matches your eyes.”
It was a beautiful ring. “I will never take it off,” she promised her reflection.
“Andrea,” her mother’s voice called from the hallway. “You’ll miss the train if you don’t hurry.”
Andi glanced around her room. She thought this morning was the last time she would linger in her childhood surroundings. But no. She’d forgotten she had to change, so this time really was the last time.
The Circle C was no longer her home. Even on Sunday dinner visits, this would not be her room. “Don’t be silly,” she scolded herself. “Riley and I have a house of our own. That will be my home.”
Still, Andi couldn’t stop the shiver that skittered up her spine. She had just taken a major step in life. What had she written in her journal this morning? I will always remember June 12, 1886, as my most memorable milestone.
She smiled. Her journal whispered the truth. The wedding ceremony was memorable, and the reception even more so. She would never forget the laughter, the food, the dancing, and being together with her family and her new husband.
Everything had gone perfectly. Then why was she feeling such a sudden, inexplicable wave of anxiety?
“Andrea!” Mother’s voice grew insistent.
“Coming!” Andi called.
No time for further musing. Her guests waited downstairs. She and Riley must say their good-byes. Andi squared her shoulders, picked up her traveling satchel, and left her childhood room behind once and for all.