From the Hat Down, page 40
“Mmm. . .” Gina sighed contentedly before she started singing softly against Meg’s chest. “If I fall, I’m bringing you with me,” she sang, making her own lyrics to a Dixie Chicks tune. “You’re coming home with me, baby. . .heart and all. . .”
Chapter 39
“Shit,” Meg muttered, looking at herself in the floor-length mirror. “Does this look all right?” She asked, louder.
“Girl, get out here and let’s have a look,” Sean said, laughing.
Meg smoothed her vest but left the top three buttons undone. She brushed lint off her black wool trousers then went into the other room. “Seriously. How do I look? Because I am so fucking nervous right now that I’m practically about to throw up.”
Sean stared. “Good God, that’s it. I’m leaving Ted. Hell, for one night with you looking like that, all straight women would abandon ship.”
“Whatever. A little help?”
“Meg, as much as you won’t admit it, you’re a total hottie. And it’s not just because you’re a good-lookin’ woman. It’s ’cause you’ve got that damn cowgirl vibe, which turns mere mortals to jelly.” She finished buttoning Meg’s vest, sleek and black whose Victorian cut and lapels gave it an old-fashioned western flare.
“God, this looks good on you,” Sean said under her breath as she turned Meg around and adjusted the strap and buckle on the back. “I love this. It’s so. . .frontier. I am so glad you went with this.” She turned Meg back around and studied her for a moment. “And this shirt—” she reached under the bottom of Meg’s vest and pulled her shirt down slightly then smoothed the front of the vest. “That pattern is amazing. Like what you’d see in a saloon. I love the banded collar. And the color is totally cool. It matches your eyes. Girl, I’m swooning here.”
“All right, all right.” Meg rolled her eyes, embarrassed but enjoying Sean’s reaction. “Pants? Hair?”
Sean giggled and her gaze swept down to the floor, to Meg’s traditional black cowboy boots, polished to a high sheen. “Nice toecaps. They match your belt buckle. You look better with silver accents than gold, I think. Good choice. I meant to tell you that about the rings, too. I love me some white gold.”
She turned her attention to Meg’s hair. “Hmm. Come here.”
Meg followed her back into the bedroom where Sean picked up a comb off the dresser
and fussed a bit with her hair.
“Wow, it’s gotten long. It’s practically past your shoulders. But I like it.”
“That’s a relief. Because I seriously doubt I have time to drive my ass to Saratoga to get it trimmed.”
“Please. Somebody on this ranch has the skills to do that for you. All I’d have to do is put out the call and a bunch of people would show up with scissors.”
“That’s what I’m afraid of.”
Sean laughed and put the comb back on the end table. She stood studying Meg. “Okay, don’t just take my word for it. Hold on.” She left and Meg went back into the living room of her dad’s place and let her gaze track over the walls. Already she could tell Alice lived here with him. No more clutter. She smiled and looked at the western-style and Native American art pieces that adorned the rustic furnishings. A framed poster hung over the mantle. Meg hadn’t noticed it when she came in to dress.
She walked over to it. As she neared, she realized it was a photograph enlarged to poster-size. A picture of Stan, standing next to Meg, who was five at the time. She was wearing jeans, a long-sleeved plaid shirt, and little black ropers. A black cowboy hat perched on her head as she watched him showing her how to hold a lasso. He was smiling and she looked like she was concentrating. She stared at the image and remembered the patience he had with her, showing her proper methods, using a sawhorse with a cow skull wired to one end. She’d worked hours almost every day on her technique, both hands. And on the mantle stood five of her trophies, including All-County Roping Champion, which she won as a junior and again as a senior in high school. She’d tried barrel racing in junior high. Those trophies sat on a small shelf near the fireplace.
“Honey, we’re home!” Sean announced as she opened the front door, followed by Mary, Angelica, Marcella, Grace, and Luisa. Marcella and Luisa wore dresses but the daughters wore pants-suits. Mary wore cowboy boots, as did Grace.
“Great. The entire matriarchy. Thanks, Sean.”
“Hey, you didn’t seem to believe me about your dashing appearance. Ladies?” Sean moved her arm like a game show host.
“Good Lord,” Mary said. “How the hell did Gina get so damn lucky? Meg, you have to have a twin sister you’re hiding. Give her up. Now.”
Meg blushed furiously, which sent Marcella to laughing. “You embarrass so easily. Turn around, please. Let us all see.”
Meg complied and Luisa said something in emphatic Italian. Angelica and Grace started laughing and Mary snorted. Meg looked over her shoulder, questioning.
“She said it’s too bad she’s so much older. She’d consider leaving the Church for you,” Angelica translated.
Meg swallowed. “Geez,” she muttered and Luisa laughed, eyes twinkling.
“You look really good,” Grace said, nodding. “That ensemble is you.”
“I told you.” Sean’s voice held a triumphant note. “All right. Thank you all for your expert opinions. Now you know the kind of work you have to do to get Gina up to speed.”
Angelica shook her head sadly. “That’s a tall order, Sean. We’ll try.” She flashed a smile at Meg and led the entourage out the door. Sean closed it behind them.
“Where’s your frock coat, darlin’?” Sean drawled the words like a Southern belle.
Meg motioned at the bedroom and Sean left to get it. She returned within seconds and held it while Meg inserted her arms into the sleeves and shrugged into the shoulders. Sean stepped back.
“Oh, hell, yeah. Meg, that is totally rockin’. You look like a western sheriff. Or a vigilante. Which is so entirely sexy because you could be either, depending on your mood. Hell, all you need now are pearl-handled Colts. Yum.” She leaned in and brushed something off Meg’s left shoulder. When she looked up, Meg saw tears in her eyes.
“Are you okay?”
Sean smiled. “I’m just so happy for you. And I’m so proud of you, for taking the bull by the horns and letting Gina in.” She wiped her eyes. “God, I’m such a baby.”
Meg hugged her. “Thanks for being my bestest friend. And my maid of honor.”
“I kept hoping,” Sean sighed. “You know I secretly harbored this desire to be just that at your wedding. Or best man. Whichever.”
“You never told me,” Meg said with a laugh.
“And jinx it? Are you crazy?” She pushed Meg away. “Do I pass muster? Can you be seen in public with me?” She twirled, her light western-style skirt fluttering.
“Nice boots.” Meg smiled. “They look like you use ’em.”
Sean smacked Meg lightly on the arm.
“Ow! Just for that—”
Sean raised her eyebrow with an expression that could bring immediate order to rowdy classrooms.
“You look fabulous,” Meg relented, grinning. “Beautiful. If I didn’t have Gina, I might just make a play for you.”
“Whatever. Hell and high water won’t come between you two. All right, now stay right here, Doctor Horse Chick. I’ll go see how things are proceeding.”
Meg nodded. As soon as Sean shut the door, she started pacing. She looked at her watch. Two-thirty. In a half-hour she’d be walking out to stand in front of a crowd of people and declare her love and devotion to the most wonderful woman she had ever met. She paced all over the living room, but did notice in spite of her increasing nervousness that Alice had put more photos out showing Meg from her younger years. Her first time on a horse alone, at age three. Rolling around in the meadow with three cattle dogs Meg recognized as Jibby, Tracer, and Howdy. Ten years old at a branding.
She moved to another photo. Meg at her high school graduation in Saratoga. Black hat and black boots. Some things clearly never changed. Another set of photos of her in college and then in vet school. Graduation from vet school. She shifted her eyes to the next image and caught her breath. Gina standing with her outside the lodge goofing off during their first summer together. Meg had her arms around Gina’s waist and Gina had Meg’s cowboy hat on her head at a jaunty angle. Alice had taken that photo. The door opened and Meg looked up.
“Are you just about—oh, honey.” Alice stood regarding her, shaking her head with a broad smile on her face. “You look beautiful. Just beautiful.” Her eyes shined and Meg smiled back.
“Thanks, Alice. You look wonderful yourself.” Meg liked the Old West cut of Alice’s dress. The cornflower blue brought out her eyes.
“It’s just about time,” Alice said, hands on her hips. She wore her hair down today, and Meg was struck by how curly it was. She looked ten years younger.
“Can I just say that I’m so glad you and Dad finally hooked up?”
Alice grinned. “You and me both. He’s a tough one to catch, though.”
“Dad? Hard to get?” Meg chuckled. “Nah. Just clueless.” She joined Alice at the door and removed her black Stetson from one of the pegs.
Alice smiled. “True.” She stood looking at her. “Ah. The dress hat. Very nice. Put it on.”
Meg dipped her head, and placed the hat on her head, a practiced, habitual motion that always positioned it just right.
Alice let her breath out between her teeth. “You’ve become such a fine woman, Meg. I’m proud to know you and I’m so glad you and Gina found each other. I’m looking forward to having you two around.”
Meg cleared her throat, fighting tears. She hugged Alice. “Thanks for taking care of Dad. I know I’ve never had to worry about him with you here.”
“Pshaw, girl. T’warn’t nothin’ to it.” She raised her eyebrows and motioned toward the door. “All right. Let’s get you married off.” Her eyes twinkled with excitement and amusement.
Meg took a deep breath and followed Alice outside, into the early October sun. She clenched and unclenched her hands, not sure what to do with them. She smoothed the front of her vest then her jacket as she walked. She heard faint music and voices, along with laughter. She and Gina had decided to hold the ceremony in the meadow behind the lodge, where they’d be treated to a panoramic view of the eastern Medicine Bows.
She headed across the parking circle just as Sean and Stan rounded the corner of the lodge and approached. “Girl, your timing is perfect. Come on.” Sean looped her arm through Meg’s right arm and Stan looped his through her left. Alice took Stan’s left arm.
“Honey, you look great,” Stan said, patting her hand. “Hell, I’m getting all choked up and the damn thing hasn’t even started.”
“Dad, you look amazing. Wow.”
He glanced at her and grinned. He wore a gleaming white tuxedo shirt and a vest the same color blue as Alice’s dress. His dark gray trousers matched his hat and Meg noticed he was wearing his traditional black boots as well. “I clean up pretty good, huh?” he asked.
Meg bumped him playfully. “About as well as I do, I guess.”
He bumped her back then went serious for a moment and released her arm so he could face her. “I want to be clear that I’m sorry your mom made the choice she did. I hope some day she comes around, but I don’t want you to think that it’s something you need to chase after. You can only do that so much. Focus on what you’ve got and take care of the relationships that make you happy. You’ve got a lot of love around you today. Don’t forget that.” He smiled and took her arm in his again.
“Thanks,” she said, touched.
“Speech done. Let’s get this rodeo started.” They passed the lodge, arm in arm, and Meg gasped at the number of people gathered in the meadow. She knew how many had RSVP’ed. She just didn’t realize what that would look like when they were all gathered. “Wow,” she whispered again. “God, I’m so nervous.”
“You’ll do fine,” Stan said.
“You’ll be awesome,” Sean concurred as she moved closer. “Lordie, I’m crying already.” She wiped at her face with her free hand.
Ted stood waiting at the fringes of the crowd, wearing jeans and cowboy boots with his tuxedo jacket and cummerbund. He, too, wore a cowboy hat and it looked good on him, Meg thought.
“There’s my best man,” Meg laughed. “Join my posse, sir,” she said as they approached.
He looked her up and down. “Good thing I’m not a lesbian. I’d give Gina a run for her money.” He looped his left arm with Sean’s right and she stuck her tongue out at him.
“And me, handsome,” Sean teased, as the crowd parted for them.
Meg smiled and nodded at the assembled guests if she caught their eyes. She recognized most of Gina’s relatives and friends, though many she didn’t know very well. Four of her cousins and their families were in attendance from Gina’s father’s side of the family. Several cousins couldn’t come for various reasons but they sent their blessings. Her father’s brother Jed and his wife nodded at her, smiling. Her friends and colleagues from vet school and college cheered as she passed and she felt another flush zoom up her neck. Roy and Cynthia waved. Ginny smiled at her and all the vet techs did fist pumps. Mark couldn’t make it, but he sent his best. Randy was there with his wife, and they waved.
Meg glanced to her left and her gaze met Haley’s. Meg grinned at her and Beth. They waved, obviously excited. A few guests whom Meg had come to know over the years had also shown up, including Marjorie, who waved ecstatically and blew her a kiss as Meg passed. Meg laughed and lifted her head to the breeze and sniffed as they walked, noting the shift in seasons in the faint, crisp odor of fallen leaves carried from the mountains and the cold undertones of the snow that already capped the tallest peaks. The meadow’s grasses had given their green to next year’s spring and their stalks rustled against each other, with a sound like dry reeds. An autumn evening lingered just behind the late afternoon sun and Meg saw it building in the shadows that slanted from the west across the tops of the mountains. A perfect day.
They neared the wooden platform thirty yards from the lodge where she and Gina would exchange vows—Jackson and Stan had built it, five feet square, accessible with three wooden steps from all four sides. Margaret Gates, a solid, matronly Unitarian minister from Laramie, stood beaming at her. Meg’s heart pounded and her knees nearly buckled. She was glad to have her dad and Sean on either side of her because she was sure if they weren’t, she’d be face down on the trampled grass. She glanced to her right and saw a small knot of people approaching the platform through the crowd, at a right angle to her. Gina’s “entourage,” as she and Meg laughingly referred to the people who were to escort her from the motel part of the ranch. Meg’s group stopped at the base of the steps. Sean and Stan released her and moved aside. Someone turned the music off.
Meg swallowed and waited the few seconds for Gina’s group to arrive. She kept her eyes focused on Margaret because she knew if she looked over toward Gina she really would collapse. Margaret caught her eye and nodded once and Meg ascended at roughly the same time Gina did, her bootheels nearly matching the cadence of Meg’s on the wood. Meg took her position to Margaret’s right and allowed herself, finally, to look at Gina.
Oh, my God.
She nearly passed out at the sight.
Meg tried to swallow but her mouth and throat had gone dry.
She watched as Gina took her position to Margaret’s left. Meg stared at her, stomach flip-flopping, heart slamming her ribs. Gina wore black tuxedo pants, black tails, a bone white shirt, and a deep blue vest that shimmered in the sunlight. Instead of a tie she wore an oval-shaped brooch at her throat dominated by a smooth black stone Meg guessed was onyx, set in sterling silver. Meg saw cufflinks that matched the brooch peeking beneath the ends of Gina’s jacket sleeves. Her hair fell around her shoulders like it had that day just over ten years ago, when she brushed it out of her face to look up at Meg the first time they met.
Gina stood, hands clasped in front of her. She caught Meg’s gaze and held it, smiling, and Meg saw the years they shared in her eyes, the strength of the connection between them, and the light of future dreams. She stared, powerless to do anything but smile back.
“Welcome,” Margaret started as she opened her slim black binder, “to this magnificent day and this beautiful proclamation between two wonderful people.” She, too, wore black trousers and cowboy boots. A tan blazer covered her denim shirt and she wore her vestments draped around her neck, a white scarf, tasseled ends decorated with rainbow stripes.
“We have come here today in a community of love,” Margaret continued, “in celebration of this occasion, recognizing the solemnity and responsibility that comes with the union of Meg and Gina, who seek to join their lives and build new roads into the future. We recognize, also, the sheer joy of that union, in the coming together of two people in the fulfillment of their love for each other.”
Meg knew the ceremony. She and Gina helped write it. But she couldn’t, for the life of her, stay focused on it because she kept stealing glances at Gina, kept seeing her in the parking lot of Saratoga Feed, kept remembering the instant Gina’s gaze latched onto hers. From that moment, Meg thought. From that moment on, she’d loved her.
Margaret’s voice, a rich, mellow alto no doubt effective when she worked a pulpit, rose in a certain cadence and Meg snapped back to the ceremony.
“This adventure—this wonderful, exciting adventure—begins with the honesty between Meg and Gina and among all of you who witness this event. Be it known here that the responsibility for the integrity of this covenant rests upon their own hearts, and upon the hearts of you, friends and relatives in the community. We are thus gathered here to join Meg and Gina in the recognition of their love and partnership.” Margaret paused and Meg responded to the cue, taking Gina’s hands in hers. The warmth emanating from them shot up Meg’s arms.
They’d rehearsed the ceremony. Meg knew her vows, had already inscribed them onto her heart. But for a long moment she completely lost her mind, staring into Gina’s eyes. Gina must have noticed because she winked and Meg stifled a laugh as she snapped back to attention. She cleared her throat as Margaret continued.
