My Heart is Yours (21 page)

“Lots of nighties.” Sarah said.

“And cooking stuff.” Christina pointed out.

“Wonder what that says about us.” Trisha said.

“We like food.” Sam suggested.

“And somethin’ else.” Juliana muttered with a
grin.

***

S
he stood in the wedding
dress. The muted orange ribbon was tied into a bow that flowed down
her waist. Only this time it wasn’t to try on. This was for real.
The day they had so long awaited had finally arrived. Friday,
January 12, 1969. The ceremony was being held at their local
church. Everyone in town knew of it. And everyone in town knew
Pastor Daniel. He had known Sam and Jason most of their lives.

Sam stared at herself in the full length mirror
she’d gotten one Christmas when she was fourteen. The reflection
looked so much different standing there in a wedding dress. Who
knew she’d be in her wedding dress six and a half years later? She
spun and a mess of satin and tulle spun out around her. She wished
her father were here to see her. He’d never believe she was so
dressed up if he didn’t see it for himself. She realized he’d be
seeing her in the dress her mother was in when they got married. A
tennis ball seemed to lodge itself in her throat. She wanted them
to be here so badly it was making it hard to stand. Her make up
almost began to run. She pulled herself together just as the knock
on the door came.

Craig walked in clad in his rented tuxedo. His hair
was slicked back a bit with gel. Those icy blue eyes stood out even
more. They glowed with warmth. “Beautiful.” He said. The corners of
Sam’s mouth turned quickly. “Are you ready?” She nodded. “Let’s get
going.”

They made sure they were extra careful on their way
to the car. This wasn’t just Sam’s wedding dress; it was her
mother’s as well. As she slid her white cowgirl boot clad foot into
the car Craig leaned over and whispered “If I give you a kiss on
the forehead will I mess up your makeup?” She smiled at this out of
character question. “No, just be gentle. And don’t ruffle my hair.”
She added. Her hair was half up and set in perfect curls. Craig
leaned down and gentle as a dandelion brushed his lips against her
forehead. Then he slid into the driver’s seat and Sam, her brothers
and Juliana headed to the church.

The petite stone building stood on a dead end street
five minutes from their house. Their parents had taken them there
and they continued to go after they passed away. The building was
simple with one large stained glass window in the front. Inside
awaiting their arrival were Sam’s bridesmaids, the rest of the
guys, a few of Sam’s professors from her past classes, Juliana’s
family and Jason— her soon to be husband.

Juliana got out of the car first to go in and make
sure the groom wasn’t coming out. She rushed back outside in her
sunset orange dress that matched Sam’s ribbon around her waist.
“Coast is clear.” She said. They scurried into the back of the
church to wait for the classic wedding march to begin. They lined
up in order: the bridal party with Sam and Craig behind them. He
hooked his arm around hers to walk her down that aisle.

“Ready?” He asked.

“Let’s go.” She said just as the wedding march began
to drown out her words. The procession of bridesmaids seemed to
slide like snails until it was time for the bride to walk. Sam
stepped over the threshold to the church door into a new chapter of
life. Her cowgirl boots had to be reminded a few times to slow
down. Once she saw Jason, she only wanted to get to him. Her feet
finally carried her to the church altar.

“Who gives this woman to this man?” Pastor Daniel
asked.

“Her brothers and I do.” Craig answered.

Sam stepped forward but she fell back where she was.
Craig hadn’t moved. “Craig.” Sam whispered. “Let go.”

“Oh. Sorry.”

A hushed giggle filled the room. Jason came forward
and they went to the altar. Pastor Daniel launched into his sermon
about how he had known Jason and Sam most of their lives. How he
had seen their love and affection for each other and he knew this
was meant to be. He ended with a bible quote. Corinthians
13:4—8a.

As they slipped the rings onto each other’s fingers
their eyes stayed locked. Light blue into dark brown. Eyes holding
dark pasts. No matter how dark their pasts were, they would build a
brighter future together.

“You may kiss the bride.”

Timid Jason surprised everyone by dipping Sam and
planting a passionate kiss on her lips. Out of breath they broke
apart from the kiss, beaming.

“I now present Mr. and Mrs. Jason Channing!” Pastor
Dave announced.

Still beaming they nearly skipped down the aisle.
The wedding march playing in the background as daisy petals flew
down around them.

Juliana’s lush backyard easily fit the entire guest
list. Round tables with white table cloths and folding chairs had
been set up. As discussed, pictures of Sam and Jason were the
center pieces. From inside the kitchen, Juliana’s mom Catherine
called, “Okay. Everyone quiet please. It’s time for Jason and Sam’s
first dance as husband and wife.” She turned on the record player
and the sounds of “Earth Angel” floated out into the yard.

Stepping into Jason’s arms Sam felt an overwhelming
sense of right come over her. She knew this man was meant to be her
husband. They were meant to always be together. “You look
beautiful.” Jason whispered in her ear.

“I love you.” She whispered back.

“I love you too, Mrs. Channing.” He smiled and
winked at her.

Her brothers stood by and smiled. Matt gave them a
thumb’s up. Jason had chosen him to be his best man. They were
always the closest.

The crowd clapped as the song came to an end.
Another slow song began to play.

“May I cut in?” John bowed, his shiny hair falling
perfectly over his face.

Sam laughed and smoothly went into his arms.

“You know, I’ve wanted to have this dance with you
for a long time.” John said.

“You have?” Sam asked. She tilted her head and her
pale blonde curls fell into her eyes.

“Hell, yeah. You and Jason are meant for each other.
And I just have to dance with you at your wedding. Besides, if
anyone will make it you and Jason will.” John planted a gentle kiss
on Sam’s forehead just as the song ended. John bowed again and
said, “She’s all yours.” Jason didn’t waste a second. He pulled Sam
into his arms and they danced the night away.

***

T
he house was a modest
white one story about ten minutes from Sam’s brothers. They had
been there a month and it was beginning to look like their own.
Pictures of Sam and Jason’s wedding had been hung on the walls and
the wedding album Jason gave her last Christmas sat on the coffee
table that they had picked up from a yard sale. It had a few
scratches in it but it was cherry wood, Sam’s favorite. Photos of
their makeshift family filled the walls as well. Sam took care of
the kitchen. Like her friend Christina, she had an affinity for
cooking. She loved to cook. It was one of the things that soothed
her. They had gotten some basic pots and pans and kitchen supplies
so her kitchen was stocked well enough for now. The color scheme
was white and a green close to sea foam. Tonight for dinner she was
making breaded and fried chicken breasts with homemade buttermilk
mashed potatoes and roast broccoli. She set their plates down on
the hand-me-down white kitchen table from Juliana’s mom.

“Mmmm, this is really good, babe.” Jason said
through a mouthful of potatoes. Sam grinned.

“Thanks hon.” Sam scooped some mashed potatoes onto
her fork.

“You don’t always have to cook.” Jason reminded her
for the tenth time.

“You know I like to cook. I don’t mind. And it’s not
like you know how to cook.” She teased.