Page 74 of Landon (In Safe Hands)
“We’reall set up for ya over in the saloon,” Buckshot Bill tells us and leads thegroup to a large building with batwing doors. The place smells of the sawdustthat coats the floor and oil from the lamps that throw a soft light over theroom. Scrubbed wooden tables are arranged haphazardly around a small stagewhile the back half of the room is clear, I assume for dancing.
Atiny woman with hair so gray it’s almost white greets me with a smile. “Welcomeand congratulations. I’m Tippy Hardwell. Come with me, Miss. I’ve got somelovely dresses for you to choose from.” She motions to another guy dressed introusers and a tartan long sleeved shirt, and he approaches Landon.
“I’llget yer man here outfitted and back to you in two shakes,” he says, making melaugh. This place is awesome. I had no idea we’d be dressing for the wedding,much less in western clothes.
“Didyou arrange this?” I ask Landon, and he grins.
“Ithought it’d be a good wedding photo. And I have to see you in one thosedresses.”
We’relead away from one another into separate restrooms in the back of the saloon.Though the décor follows suit, the amenities are modern. No outhouses. An arrayof dresses hang on a rack in the corner. They’re all beautiful, but I choose asimple yellow prairie dress with full sleeves, a cinched waist, and a skirtthat flares out to touch the floor. Since my feet aren’t visible, I pass on theleather slippers that look a bit too large. I don’t want to trip and make afool of myself in front of everyone.
Aftertaking a moment to put my hair up in a quick twist, I step back and look in themirror. My face is flushed with excitement, and with the vintage clothing, Ilook innocent. Landon is going to eat this up. Tippy pronounces me,“beautiful,” and leads me back out to the saloon, which has quickly filled withpeople.
Isee quite a few I recognize from the XP group, but a lot that I don’t. We obviouslyaren’t the only group they’re hosting tonight. My hands start to sweat and Isurreptitiously wipe them on my skirt. This isn’t what I expected. I thought itwould just be Landon and me, maybe a couple of witnesses, but this place ispacked.
Mynerves settle and a giggle erupts when Landon approaches me. He looks sogoddamn handsome in a pair of high waisted trousers and an asymmetricalFlintridge shirt with pewter buttons down the right side. His shirt is tuckedin, showing off how lean and muscular he is. I so want to take this outfit homeand make him wear it in the bedroom.
“Youlook gorgeous,” he breathes, his gaze traveling up and down my body.
“Andyou are too handsome in that. I wonder if these clothes are for sale?”
Hiseyes light up with the possibilities. “You want to keep the dress?”
“Notas much as I want to see you wear that at home.”
Laughing,he shakes his head. “I didn’t know you had a cowboy fetish.”
“Ihave a you fetish. Cowboy, astronaut, fire fighter, whatever.”
“Wellnow.” Buckshot Bill interrupts us. “If you’re ready to get hitched, just followme on up yonder.” Of course Buckshot Bill is going to be the officiant. I can’twait to see how this goes.
Handin hand, Landon and I mount the stage and stand in front of Buckshot Bill, whoaddresses the audience. “Howdy, folks. We got two young whipper snappers herewho want to tie the knot. Since the constable is too all-fired lazy to conductthe proceedins, I’m honored to do the job.”
Theaudience claps, then instantly quiets when Buckshot turns to Landon. “Do youpromise to keep this beauty safe, love and respect her until you take the longdirt nap?” Soft laughter fills the room from the audience, and I try to stiflea giggle.
Landon’samazing ocean colored eyes delve into mine. “I do.”
“Evenif she nags you and hides your whiskey?” Buckshot asks, drawing more laughterfrom the crowd.
“Ido,” Landon repeats, a wide smile on his face.
“Betterput a ring on her, then, fore she changes her mind.”
Heturns to me. “Do you swear to love, honor, and respect him until he’s pushingup daisies?”
Landoneyes land on mine again, and the past months run through my mind at breakneckspeed. Meeting him at the bar and thinking he was the most arrogant assholeever, cleaning his house while trying not to fall for him, getting trapped by atornado and sealing our fate. It was then I knew I didn’t want to be withouthim. And when I almost lost him because of one psycho woman, I knew I’d neverbe the same without him by my side.
“Ido,” I reply, placing a ring on Landon’s finger.
“Evenif he gets all ornery and leaves his muddy boots on your clean floor?”
“Ido,” I repeat with a giggle.
“Allright then, if I can’t talk neither of ya out of it, I now pronounce you manand wife.” He turns to Landon. “Well, what are you waitin fer? Are youaddle-headed? Kiss her.”
Landonbrings his lips to mine and everything melts away. He’s mine, and I’m his.Forever.
Catcallsfrom the crowd eventually break us apart and Buckshot gives us a wild grin.“There’s refreshments on the table in the back. Now let’s bend an elbow tocongratulate the happy couple and have a hog killin time!”
