Sharon Read online

  Again the long tables held refreshments and the traditional cakes. The bride’s cake was four alternating vanilla and chocolate layers with white cream icing and a ring of candy roses around the top layer and at the bottom. A bride and groom were on the top. The groom’s cake was butter pecan with butter cream icing.

  Martin and three of the male volunteers served as ushers and Keanu was the very proud best man. “You’ll be my brother-in-law, so, you might as well get in this shindig from the beginning,” David grinned at him.

  Again news reporters and TV cameras were present. The editor of the Zephyrhills News hugged Sharon and said, “Just relax and ignore it, honey. You’re as much a celebrity around here as they have in Hollywood. Everyone knows your story and is so pleased for you that this is turning out to be a fairy tale ending.”

  David wore his dress Marine uniform because technically he was still a marine. He had been released on special permission to work with DEA on drug enforcement. He planned to seek an honorable discharge. Much to his embarrassment, he shed tears when Martin told him that he had had David’s mother and sisters flown out for the wedding. They came the morning of the late afternoon affair and would be staying with Lynn for two days. Several of his superiors were present.

  Keanu looked like a fashion model in his full dress tux of light blue. He made quite an impression with his coal black hair, beautiful dark eyes with long lashes, copper complexion and standing proudly straight and tall. A grin never left his face.

  All of the volunteers were invited to participate if they wished. The boys made a line on one side of the aisle in their dress suits and ties. The girls in a gown of their choice made a line across from them. Megan did cry from happiness this time.

  A dear, sweet, elderly man Manley Wakefield, from the church, an ordained minister, performed the ceremony. Singers from the church performed and the youth orchestra provided the music.

  Two of the young women volunteers met people and kept the Bride’s book. This left Sheilah, Ashley and Jardine to serve as bridesmaids. They wore Victorian-styled dresses of lime green, sky blue and pink. George was a hit on her coal-black Hanoverian stallion. Her bright red Spanish-style dress stood out on the black horse. She sat proudly to lead the carriage in.

  Two large, pure white Andalusian stallions were brought in special to pull the white carriage that Sharon rode in with Sean and Malcolm. Silver ribbons and flowers decorated the carriage. They dismounted and Sharon stood between the two men. Her ivory satin gown with ivory lace and short veil were complimented with white elbow length satin gloves. She carried a white Bible with two white orchids on it.

  Sharon and David, too, had written their own vows. At their request, the congregation sang, “My Lord Is Near Me All The Time”. A friend played “Amazing Grace” on the bagpipes.

  When Sharon turned her back and threw her bouquet, much to the amusement of the crowd, ninety-nine year old Eliza Younger caught it.

  David yelled that he needed help to pull Sharon from Keanu’s arms. He hugged her so many times that she began to think she’d never get away.

  At the reception, the volunteers and Keanu surprised everyone by performing skits, which they had written, about David and Sharon. The television news reporters got a charge out of this and put it on the late news. Too, pictures of the young volunteers and exclamations of what they were doing, were placed in all the newspapers.

  The newlyweds left for a tour of New England and a trip to Niagara Falls. Sharon put her head on David’s shoulder and prayed aloud, “Thank you, Heavenly Father, for this wonderful man. I know you put us together. You’ve given me so many blessings that I can’t name them all.”

  David finished, “And, Lord, we promise to have a Christian home and raise any children that you bless us with in a Christian atmosphere. Guide me in a choice of a job and be with us and all of our family and friends.

  Epilogue

  Months went by with the usual joys and tears. Sharon looked around the room with satisfaction. It was almost frightening, after all they’d been through, how relaxed and at peace everyone was.

  She was justifiably proud of the fact that she had completed college and had a Masters in Guidance and Psychology and was now teaching at Zephyrhills High. I’m happy I turned down the job of Guidance Counselor. I love working with the youth in classrooms.

  Keanu was well into his studies for an attorney with the promise that he could train with Malcolm and his father, Sean. Keanu had developed a keen interest in investigations and, later was going to solve the mystery of the horse rustling in Pasco County.

  Lynn, with all the publicity around the two weddings, had become well known and had a much bigger practice run successfully with Sheilah as a partner. Ashley and Jardine were working closely with Lynn hoping to become part of the business when they finished college.

  Martin came in one day fairly bursting with news and beaming as a kid does at Christmas. He was so excited that it took several gulping breaths for him to share his news. “Lynn and I have known for several weeks that we’re pregnant.” he had to pause until the cheers and congratulations were called. “We didn’t tell our news because we wanted to wait for a sonogram. Well, we’ve had one and ---” he hesitated and looked around with a big, silly grin, “it’s twin boys!”

  Everyone shared the joy with them and the room was filled with laughter and good wishes. When Lynn walked in there were more cheers, whistles and hugs, as well as tears of joy.

  Sharon was so pleased for Lynn and Martin. She kept smiling as she kept her news to herself. She didn’t want to take the attention away from Lynn. David didn’t even know yet that he was going to be a father. She was so thrilled that she could hardly contain her joy. She knew everyone would assume she was so pleased for Lynn, and she was. Their babies would grow up together just as she and Lynn had.

  Sean, Megan and Malcolm walked in to join in the joyous news. Lynn had already called them and told them her good news. Sean and Megan were overjoyed at the news. “You didn’t think we could stay away when we’re expecting our first grandchild,” Megan was thrilled.

  Malcolm was overjoyed for the happiness of his two precious girls. Agnes would never again be healthy and sane. She would remain in the hospital for the remainder of her life.

  The Soaring Eagle was filled with peacefulness, love and joy. Some of the mares had new little foals and all was going so well that Sharon felt there was surely a glitch going to happen.

  Lynn had sold two acres to David and he and the young men had built a house for him and Sharon on the property. Sharon was breeding big draft horses with Thoroughbreds to develop some good heavy hunters. Her favorite was a big nineteen hand Shire stallion that was bred with a beautiful Thoroughbred. Both sire and dam had such easy-going temperaments, and were so easy to work with, she was sure she’d have a gorgeous little fellow to raise and train. Her joy was complete.

  Other books by Sioux Dallas

  Liisa

  Desperate Wish

  Sharon

  Death in Three Quarter Time

  The Perfect Spouse

  Montana Madness

  Dangerous Hilarity

  Amish Dilemma