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"When are we leaving for the boat?" She asked softly.
"I thought we could visit with your folks for a while today and leave at the crack of dawn, if that's okay. It'll mean spending the night here, but I hate to start out late. It will be a two-day ride, or longer and I want us fresh when we start. Do you mind?"
"No, not at all. Mama will be happy we are staying."
He glanced about at the crowd of people. "You certainly have a lot of friends."
"We've lived here all our lives." Beth explained trying to distance herself enough for a conversation.
She looked about and realized that this life she'd known would soon become a blur to her. The faces that were so familiar to her, would fade and she'd meet new people, new surrounding, and a new life, as a married woman. It exhilarated her and scared her.
"Must be nice to grow up in a community where you know all the people." Wade murmured.
She shrugged. "I hadn't thought about it much, but I guess I'm just now realizing how much I will miss about home. The people, the land, the fact that I know everyone and everyone knows me. I guess it is sort of a sheltered life in some ways. But I'm looking forward to learning more about your life now. I've never been on a riverboat before. I'm going to look at it as a great adventure."
He lifted her chin and looked into her very soul, "We'll make a new home, but you can always come back for visits."
"That's generous of you." She lowered her gaze. "And what of the talk of war?"
"Let's not ruin this day with such talk. Today is our day." He smiled and danced her about. "Today we celebrate."
"I guess it is," her expression lightened. He waltzed her around the place and they stopped for punch several times. Beth would introduce him to her friends, and all the women thought Wade such a catch. She had to admit deep down that she thought he was a catch too!
What would her life bring now? In some ways, getting married offered her a new world to see, and she was excited.
She hoped for the best!
Chapter Seven
"The Lady Belle", stood majestically in the distance, as they stared across the river, from the embankment. Lanterns were lit on the outside of the boat as it softly pedaled toward the shore line. They'd driven across the east end of Texas and into Louisiana and three days later they stared at the shores of the mighty Mississippi. It was very late, but she could see many couples on the boat. Women decked out in fine clothes, with matching hats and parasols, men in black top hats and ties. How grand they looked.
The ride had been long and dusty and Wade pointed out places of interest as they went. He kept her totally entertained the whole trip. They stopped to eat in several towns, and camped out in the woods at night. Wade had waited on her a lot, but she insisted she could make a camp.
They even managed to fish on the second night out and caught three catfish which he cleaned. She amazed him with her fishing abilities. "My brother Jacob taught me to fish. Said every girl should know how."
"Well you sure know how, you caught two and I caught one." He smiled.
She did cook them over a fire and they both enjoyed it.
At night they slept in separate blankets near the fire and he told her riverboat stores to entertain her.
It made it easier somehow not having to worry about sleeping together yet.
The countryside had changed to one of moss and willows lining the banks of the river. Huge trees dotted the banks of the river. The dock was a flat piece of land where many people came and went.
Beth had never seen the river and it fascinated her. The sites and smells and even the animals were new to her. The familiar sound of frogs croaking as the night air cooled made her sigh. However, the river was quite noisy this time of night. She heard a banjo and piano coming from the inside the boat. About to dock once more there were lots of people gathering.
"That's your new home, sailing down the river, I hope you like it."
"It's beautiful," Beth gasped, as the watched plumes of dark smoke billow from the forward stacks as steam rose from the smaller pipes toward the back of the boat. The steam whistle blew two sharp notes in the air, making Beth jump with enthusiasm.
The huge paddle wheel in back made a slow rhythm down the river. At the dock clearing many people were waiting to greet their friends and neighbors, others were about to board.
Beth took in the surroundings with interest, feeling the excitement of a new world opening up for her and Wade seemed eager to get them settled on the boat before nightfall. Since it was a good ride to the river's edge they had left the site before sunset.
All during the trip he had stopped to point out places of interest to her, and she found it interesting that her new husband knew so much about the country.
Now staring out at the boat, she realized this would be her new life, and there were many things she would have to learn. It seemed almost like a fairy tale.
