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“I will!” Gabi noisily smacked Rena’s cheek, then wiggled down and ran off to find the Milton brothers, who had taken advantage of the goodbyes to disappear.
After shaking hands with nearly everyone there and thanking R.C. and Anne for hosting the reception, Josh and Rena climbed into the large carriage R.C. had provided from the livery. Maggie and Ian, who were also heading back to Baker City, joined them. Theo drove the two couples to the depot and gave Rena a parting hug that nearly squeezed the air from her lungs.
“Happiness always, to you both,” Theo said in a whisper before he let her go. He pumped Josh’s hand, tipped his hat to Maggie and Ian, then left.
“I can’t thank you enough for this fabulous gown, Maggie,” Rena said as they waited to board the train.
“It was meant to be yours, Rena. The fact that it fit so perfectly without a single alteration makes me think I made it with you in mind, even though we had yet to meet.” Maggie smiled at her. “You make the dress look beautiful, Rena, not the other way around.”
“I heartily agree,” Josh said, tucking Rena against his side and then kissing her temple.
Rena brushed her hand down the smooth silk along the front of the skirt. It felt both strange and wonderful to be wearing a dress once again. To feel feminine and pretty, instead of feeling like she was just one more of the hardworking miners trying to eke out a living.
Josh brushed his lips near her ear and whispered. “You look stunning, Rena. I look forward to undoing all of those teensy buttons running up the back of that remarkable gown later.”
A delighted shiver flowed over her as Josh guided her up the steps and into the passenger car.
When they were seated, with Maggie and Ian across the aisle, Josh took her hand in his and kissed her fingers.
“I meant what I said earlier, Rena.”
Emotions both foreign and familiar flooded through her, so she chose to lighten the moment with humor. “Which thing? That Scout ran you down and forced your surrender to love? Or was it the nonsense about love on targets?”
Josh grinned. “I was referring to saying you were beautiful. You are, you know, Rena, so incredibly beautiful and sweet and kind. I’m so very blessed you agreed to be my wife. You caught me off guard, again, walking down the aisle in that spectacular gown. I take it Maggie made it.”
“It’s a gift from her. I hoped it would be a surprise for you, Josh, to see me in a dress on our wedding day. I couldn’t very well march down the aisle in a pair of trousers and my work boots.”
He shrugged. “You could have, and it wouldn’t have mattered. I didn’t wed you for the clothes you wear or those you don’t,” he waggled his eyebrows at her. “I married you because I love you, Rena, and want to spend every day beside you, turning our dreams into cherished memories.”
Rena leaned her head on his shoulder. “Despite everything and how adamantly I denied it, I dreamed I’d one day find someone who would love me for me, scars and all. I just didn’t know it would take moving all the way to Oregon to make my dreams come true.”
“I’m so glad you came to Holiday, and will do my best every day to help your dreams continue to come true because I do love you, Rena. With all my heart, and all the rest of my days.”
