Lara laughed.
“Only if somebody brings fresh potatoes.”
The crowd laughed.
This time, she laughed with them.
Chapter 13: The Wedding at Whispering Pines
They married in June.
Not in a grand church.
Not in a fashionable Boston drawing room.
At Whispering Pines Ranch.
Beneath the tall pines near the river.
The day was warm.
Wildflowers covered the meadow.
The water moved softly past the banks.
Elias wore a clean dark suit that made him look uncomfortable until Lara laughed and straightened his collar.
She wore an ivory dress made especially for her.
The gown fitted her full figure beautifully, with delicate lace at the sleeves and a flowing skirt that moved softly in the breeze.
For once, she did not try to disguise her body.
She did not apologize for the amount of fabric required.
She did not worry whether people would stare.
She stood proudly.
Beautifully.
Completely herself.
Her wedding bouquet contained white roses, small blue flowers, and sprigs of rosemary.
Rosemary for remembrance.
For her mother.
For the woman who had taught her how to turn a kitchen into a place of warmth.
The ranch hands stood in clean shirts.
Neighboring families gathered beneath the trees.
Several former strangers from Deadwood attended.
Her brother was not invited.
Caleb was nowhere near the property.
And Lara did not miss either of them.
When the ceremony began, Elias took her hands.
The preacher asked whether he would love and honor her.
Elias answered without hesitation.
“I will.”
Then Lara spoke her vows.
“I came here believing I was unwanted.”
Her voice trembled.
Elias squeezed her hands.
“I thought I was entering a place where I would have to earn the right to stay.”
She smiled through tears.
“But you taught me that kindness could be given freely.”
Elias's eyes shone.
“And you taught me that love doesn't ask someone to become smaller.”
The guests grew quiet.
Lara looked directly into his eyes.
“I promise to stand beside you through difficult winters, uncertain harvests, long days, and every ordinary morning we're fortunate enough to share.”
Elias smiled.
“And I promise never to forget that you chose me.”
The preacher pronounced them husband and wife.
Elias kissed Lara.
The guests cheered.
The ranch hands shouted.
Someone fired a celebratory shot into the air far from the gathering.
And the woman who had once stepped off a train to the sound of laughter now stood beneath the Dakota sky surrounded by people celebrating her happiness.