The Shepherd's Betrothal (19 page)

“He'll love it,” Grace supplied and Sally echoed. “Just remind him about how he advertised Tara and Conall. He won't have a leg to stand on.” Grace winked.

“Ye are beautiful, darlin',” Sally wiped tears from her eyes.

“Oh, Mum, don't cry.”

“I can't help it.”

Sally nodded.

Grace looked at Hope. “The two of us are quite a pair. Three, if you count Mercy. I married Richard within three days of our decision to marry. You are waiting a bit longer, what, an entire week?”

Hope laughed. “Yes, a week.”

“Mercy held out longer, she waited a month. She also had a bigger wedding. Richard and I were there with Manny and the minister. You'll be having a small wedding but a larger wedding dinner. Richard took me out to dinner at a restaurant.”

Hope chuckled. “There was that cruise you went on.”

Grace smiled. “One could never forget the sailing voyage we took. Speaking of which, where is Ian taking you?”

“Don't know, he isn't saying.”

“I know.” Sally winked.

“Where?” Hope stood in front of a mirror, shifting her body back and forth to see the various angles on the dress.

“Nope, I gave me word.”

Hope groaned.

“But I know ye will like it.” Sally adjusted her hair. “Hair up or down? Ringlets coming down on the side of your face?”

“I don't know.”

Grace rubbed her tummy and stepped in front of Hope. “I think up, with small ringlets coming down in front of your ears.”

“But Ian likes it down.”

“And how much fun will it be for him to take it down,” Grace teased. Hope blushed.

* * *

Ian worked hard getting the ranch ready for his departure. He left the arranging of the property for the wedding dinner in the capable hands of Mable Sanders, which in many ways was like having his mother here for the wedding. With Mable and Mrs. Lang working on the wedding dinner, Ian didn't have a care in the world about that part.

Even though Ian had been concerned about the addition that Mr. Lang wanted to give them as a wedding present, he was grateful for it. Last night, having seen all the wedding gifts at the Langs' home, he had no clue where they would put all the items. Most of the gifts were coming from Mr. Lang's clients who, even though they weren't invited to the wedding, wanted to express their love and goodwill. This cemented Ian's opinion of the man who was soon to be his father-in-law.

“Ian,” Gabe Lang called out as he approached on horseback.

“Gabe, how are ye today?”

“Good.” Gabe lifted himself and swung his leg up and over the horse. “Forgive the intrusion but I thought you might need a hand.”

Ian noticed that Gabe was dressed in workman's clothes. “Don't ye have a business to run?”

“Not today, or tomorrow. Father decided to close down the office for a three-day weekend. So I'm all yours. What do you need done?” Gabe clapped him on the back.

Ian smiled. “Ye be a good brother.”

“Aye, that I am, and don't you forget it. She's my sister and, well, you know.”

Ian chuckled. “You'll straighten out this crook in me nose if I don't treat her right.”

“You betcha. Tell me what to do, Ian. I'm all yours for the morning.”

They worked hard and broke for lunch. “How about a dip in the river?” Gabe asked.

“Sounds refreshing.”

Gabe raced ahead. “Last one in is it.”

Ian laughed. “What are we, seven?”

“Nope, but I'll still beat you.”

Ian sped forward. Being the third son he had to fight and scrape to keep up with his older brothers. Gabe was his age, albeit, he was a city boy. “Good luck, Gabe.”

Gabe struggled to keep up. Ian stopped at the water's edge to remove his work clothes. Gabe plunged into him and knocked him into the river. Ian jumped up, madder than he'd been in years. “Ye fool.” Ian stomped out of the water.

“What?”

“Me grandfather's watch. It was in me pocket.”

“I'm sorry, Ian. Is it ruined? I'm sure if I bring it to the jeweler he can get it working.”

Ian calmed himself. Gabe was just being playful and letting off some steam. Tara and the puppies came trailing after them. Ian pulled his grandfather's watch out of his pocket and set it on the bench, which he'd built the day after the house-raising party. “I know ye didn't know, Gabe. I'm sorry for getting so upset.”

“No, I would be furious, too. Do you think it will be all right?”

“It's seen worse over the years. But if ye would take it to the jewelers and have him clean it out and oil it, I'd appreciate it.”

“I'd be happy to. With any luck he'll be able to do it today for me so you can take it on your honeymoon.”

“Thank ye. It was probably in need of a good cleaning.” Ian turned and faced Gabe, who seemed horrified. Ian decided in a flash what would break the mood and tackled Gabe down with a splash. Gabe roared, and the two of them wrestled for a bit in the water. It was good to have fun like this.

“You miss your family, don't you?” Gabe sat down in the water at the river's edge.

Ian sat down beside him, enjoying the cool waters washing over him. “Aye, that I do. But I made me choice, and ye and yer sister will make a good family in America.”

“Good, because I decided what I wanted to give you and Hope for a wedding present. Now, before you say no, hear me out. I know you purchased a cruise on the St.Johns for her but what I wanted to give you was a round-trip ticket for the two of you back to Ireland.”

Ian started to protest.

Gabe held up his hand. “I spoke with Daniel and he's willing to take care of the ranch. I will pay Daniel's salary as part of my gift. Also, I spoke with Mr. Sanders as well as Mr. Hastings. Between those two, Daniel shouldn't have a problem running the ranch. There's a ship leaving for London from Savannah on Monday.”

“Gabe, I can't accept that. It's too much.”

“Ian, you and Hope need some time alone, private time. What better way than to take a ten-day cruise to Bristol, then a trip on to Ireland, and spend a week or so with your family then another ten days coming back to America? I can afford it. Look at it from my point of view. You are good for my sister. You are encouraging her to use the gifts God has given her and still be your wife. Very few men would do that, especially from our homeland, and you know it.”

“Aye, I had to battle some of those notions meself”

“That's what I'm talking about. My sister means the world to me. I want her to be happy and to grow into the woman she's meant to be. I know that her work will take a backseat for a while when she's raising your children. But I believe Hope is the kind of lady who can raise her kids and oversee her business. And I believe you will be encouraging her in whatever she would like to do.”

“That I will. But that's a lot of money. I know. I just came here meself.”

Gabe placed a hand on Ian's shoulder. “Ian, I have more wealth than you know. I can afford it, many times over.”

“I could afford it, too.”

Gabe chuckled. “I know what you have in the bank. However, this is my gift to you and Hope. She's special, and I want to give the two of you a gift that will last for years to come. Daniel's willing to stay for two months. That should give the two of you the time you need, plus some.”

“I don't know what to say.”

“‘Thank you' will suffice. Besides, it will give the men Father hired to build the addition more time to get the work done.”

“Yer family is too generous.”

“We've been blessed and so we like to share the blessings. You'll learn that more as time goes on.”

Ian nodded. He'd already seen some of the benevolent behaviors of the Lang family. He had no doubt once he became a member of the family he'd be entitled to know more of their inner workings. “Thank ye, me friend. Hope will be so blessed.”

“Good. I'll have Mother pack her trunk with enough clothing for the long voyage. And I'll take care of the various details. You'll need to pack for a month, as well. Do you need some dress clothing?”

“I'll pick up an outfit in town today before we meet with the minister.”

Gabe nodded and got up. “I'd better get going.”

“Thank ye, Gabe. I'm speechless.”

“What's a brother for? Besides, I'm your best man.” Gabe winked.

Ian chuckled. “I might have made a mistake there.”

Gabe roared. “You'll fit right in, brother.”

Ian was overwhelmed and yet grateful to Gabe. What a surprise for Hope. He'd tell her, of course, who paid for the trip, but Ian's mind was working overtime. He would travel home with his new bride. But he would extend the trip a bit, travel through some of the countryside of Ireland. Inside his cottage he pulled out an old book from his sea chest. Inside he found his stash of British sterling. Yes, he would show his bride a wonderful time in Ireland. Ian smiled at the possibility.

* * *

Hope worked on the last piece of her going-away outfit, a conservative dress suit with a very slight bustle, similar to the outfit she'd seen in a magazine from London. She'd give Ian the dress to bring to his house so they could change after the wedding dinner. Gooseflesh rose on her arms just thinking of the intimate moment. “Tomorrow, tomorrow,” she reminded herself.

She glanced up at the clock. Ian would be here any minute. They were meeting with the parson tonight to go over the ceremony.

She placed the outfit in a garment bag and tied it up with a hanger coming out of the top so Ian could simply hang it in his closet.

“Ah, me love, ye are more beautiful than ever.”

Hope turned and found Ian smiling as he leaned against the doorjamb. “You don't look… Have you been swimming?”

Ian chuckled. “Yes, Gabe came by and gave me a hand and we decided to take a swim after our work was done.”

“I hope you won't be offended but I, too, like to swim.”

Ian came up beside her and wrapped her in his arms. “I look forward to swimming with ye.” He kissed the nape of her neck.

She turned in his arms. “And I with you.”

“Tomorrow can't come soon enough.” Ian smiled.

“In less than twenty-four hours we'll be husband and wife.” She kissed him on the cheek.

He turned his head and kissed her on the lips. A peace engulfed Hope, a comforting peace, a settling peace. She and Ian had made the right decision to marry. She knew it now, and in his arms, she had no doubt. “Ian, I do have a question.” Ian stepped half a step back. “I'm wondering about children. How many do you want?”

“As many as the Good Lord gives us. I'm not anxious to have a dozen or so. But probably more than two.”

“I'm comfortable with that. I'm glad you don't want a dozen.”

Ian chuckled. “I breed sheep and dogs. Children are an inheritance, and they will require more of our time.” Ian paused. “Sweetheart, I was keeping our honeymoon as a surprise. But something came up today and I wanted to speak with you about it.”

Hope stepped out of his arms. “All right.”

“Gabe came by, as I mentioned, and he wanted to give us our wedding present.”

Hope nodded.

“He's giving us a trip to Ireland.”

Hope's eyes widened. Gabe was a generous man. “Are you wanting to move back to Ireland?”

“No, sorry, a round-trip back and forth from Ireland.”

“Oh, my.”

“Yes, it is a very generous gift. We will leave Savannah on Monday to Bristol, England. From there we'll take a voyage to Dublin, then a carriage ride out to me parents' farm. However, if ye are agreeable, I'd like to stay longer and show ye some of the other sights in Ireland. Gabriel has arranged for Daniel to live at the ranch and care for the sheep for up to two months. Gabe feels it will give us the alone time we need and haven't been able to have too much of here.”

“Gabe is a wonderful brother. I love it. I'll have to repack.”

“Gabe is speaking with your mother and she'll help out.” Ian stepped closer. “Is this acceptable?”

Hope leaped into his arms. “More than acceptable. We'll have such a wonderful time. And I won't have to cook or clean for the entire trip.”

Ian laughed. “True.”

Hope pointed to the dress bag. “We'll leave this here while we visit with the pastor then I'll need you to bring it to your house so I can change from my wedding gown to this.”

“I can't wait to see ye in both outfits.”

“Soon, love, soon. You know, I've been thinking. Isn't it odd that our parents arranged our betrothal not knowing who we would turn out to be, and yet we're a perfect match?”

“Aye, perfect with some growing room. It would have been wrong for us to marry as soon as I came to America. I needed to grow and change.”

“And I needed to get over the issue of my parents arranging my life. For so long I resented them for that.”

“Aye, me, too. Which is why I think Gabe's gift is wonderful. Me parents will be pleased to see how much we love one another.”

“I look forward to meeting them. But more importantly I look forward to being Mrs. Hope McGrae.”

“And I look forward to becoming the best man I can be for me bride. I love ye, Hope.”

“I love you, too, Ian.”

I
an tugged at his collar.

“Stop that,” Gabe whispered and nudged him.

Ian mumbled. The starched collar chafed. He had to admit he looked professional in his wedding clothes but he preferred his flannel shirts and open collar much more.

Hope.
He focused his mind on the reason he'd dressed this way. She was worth every uncomfortable minute of this strangling attire.

The organist started playing.

“That's our cue. You ready?”