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"I figured it might cause less problems for everyone if we had it at my house. Women are much better at planning these things than men, anyway. And a traveling preacher doesn't usually put up a fuss about who he's marrying, as he doesn't stay in the vicinity long."
"It will be great, I'm so glad you thought to ask him," Clay patted her hand and smiled at her.
"You should see the dress we got her for the wedding. You will not believe how gorgeous she looks in it." Cora bragged. "But you can't see it until the wedding, it would be bad luck."
"I can't wait," Clay smiled and winked at Willa.
"I'm not going to invite anyone to the wedding Clay, I think it best not to. I hope you understand. If there is someone you want there, just tell me."
"It's a good idea," Clay agreed.
"If you can think of anyone you can trust, then feel free."
"We might need another witness." Charlie chimed in.
"How about the doc?" Willa asked. "He wanted to be there."
"I forgot about him. That's a good idea, Willa. Then we'll have the doc there to witness for us and no one else." Clay agreed.
"Well," Cora sighed with such relief. "I'm glad that's settled. We'll have cake and punch and lots of eats. I'll need Willa over there a day or two to help me cook."
"Sounds like we got it all figured out then," Charlie chuckled.
"I think so."
When Cora got ready to go home, Charlie offered to take her. Clay smiled; he liked the idea of his dad getting closer to Cora.
Cora was a bit surprised but happy about it. Charlie told her he didn't like her traveling so late alone. So, he tied his horse to the back of her buggy and took her home. On the way they talked forever about the wedding, about Willa and Clay being so happy together.
"I'm glad you approve of Willa," Charlie told her.
"Approve? Why Charlie, she's a sweet little thing, how could I not? And I'm already in love with little Elan."
"Me too," he laughed. "But the truth is, she's a breed, and in this territory a lot won't approve of her or the marriage."
"I know that Charlie, that's why I'm not inviting the town's people. The doc will be fine, he's a fair and good man, but I wouldn't invite anyone else."
"I'm also glad you helped Willa find a dress, I figured if we went to town with her, it would cause a ruckus. You even fixed her hair and gave her a dress to wear, that made it much easier. It's not that we're ashamed she's a breed, it's just I hate to put her through what the town might say and do."
"You are right about that, and I'm afraid Laura might really stir the pot."
Charlie sighed heavily, "I had her pegged all wrong. Clay saw through her, I didn't. I was too worried about getting Clay married off to see it."
"She's the biggest snob in town and the biggest gossip. She is way too high and mighty for my liking." Cora told him. "But why were you in such a hurry to get Clay married off. Didn't you know he'd grab the gal that stole his heart?"
"Well he's thirty years old and hadn't found a girl."
"Age ain't got nothing to do with falling in love."
Charlie shot her a quick grin, "Your right about that."
Cora blushed but didn't continue in that conversation."
After a short silence, Cora asked. "Willa didn't know her father well?"
"No, he was a travelin' man and he left them at the reservation, so they wouldn't be alone so much. But Willa says her mother told her all about him. And it was another reason I wanted her to stay with us. It's hard to put someone in the ground you love and walk off and never see the grave again. She had nowhere to go… And her mother wasn't buried, so there's nothing to visit there."
"It was kind of you to hire her like you did, Charlie." Cora glanced at Charlie with a slight smile.
