"I don't think he's ugly," Henry stammered. "He's just . . . big."

"Yeah. Big and ugly and mean."

The two big were smiling at each other and Logan didn't look quite so fierce. Henry began to grin. "I think you're joshing me, Cooper."

"I think you're right, Henry," Logan said. "Our brother has quite a sense of humor."

Sylvia pulled an ap.r.o.n out of the travel bag that sat by the door, tied it around her waist, and went to the stove to help Ellie.

"I can't get over how much Henry looks like Cooper did at that age. Now, what can I do?"

"We'll have to set two tables. We'll feed the men first and get them out of the way, and then we women can sit down and eat. Did your husband come?"

"Oh my, yes. He thinks the sun rises and sets with Kain. He's putting away the buggy. Here he is."

"Hang your hat there beside the door, Arnie, and come meet the folks," Kain called to the man who stood beside the door shaking his head at all the confusion.

"I was fixin' to eat in the yard, Kain. Them fellers has a steer cookin' in a pit, 'n it smells larrapin'. 'Sides, I'd not have to listen to the hens acluckin'."

"Arnie! Behave yourself until these folks get to know you. They'll think I married an Illinois hillbilly," Sylvia scolded.

"Ah . . . there ya are, sweet thin'. I done told ya there ain't no hills in Illinois to speak of. I might a knowed you'd be right in the middle a the cookin'." He crossed to where Vanessa stood beside Kain and held out his hand. His friendly eyes smiled into hers and he held her hand between his two hard, calloused palms. "Hit's a good thin' ya got me afore I saw this little pretty, honeybunch," he said over his shoulder to Sylvia. "Or ya might not a got me a'tall."

"Oh, Arnie!" Sylvia threw up her hands. "He's just a talker, Vanessa. I couldn't get rid of him if I tied him to a span of mules and shot them in the rumps with a slingshot."

Rich laughter filled the room. Vanessa looked up to meet Kain's tawny gaze. She had seen those eyes in so many moods; they had laughed, teased, smiled, grown fierce with anger. Now they were filled with warmth and love and happiness. The smile she adored claimed his face.

He leaned down to whisper in her ear, "Look at Henry with Logan and Cooper. Look at Ellie and Sylvia. They're chattering away like a couple of magpies. It's working out for both of them."

"It's all your doing. Thank you, darling."

"I know how you can thank me . . . properly."

"I can't imagine how."

"I'll show you tonight," he promised.

Her mouth curved in a contented little smile. He was safe! With his friends here, he was safe!

By sunrise everyone had had breakfast except the children, who were still sleeping. The night before, long after the women had gone to bed, the men had sat around the kitchen table, drank coffee and talked. Now they were outside, gathered around the pit where Clay was cooking the steer. John called down from his perch beside the loft door that two riders were coming.

Fort and Bonnie Griffin rode into the yard amid shouts of welcome. At Ellie's urging, Vanessa threw a shawl around her shoulders and went out onto the porch. She saw a slim, wiry, young man jump from the saddle and pump Kain's hand vigorously. Cooper lifted the woman down. Lorna came from the house, vaulted off the porch, ran to the woman and threw her arms around her.

"Oh, Bonnie! It's been so long since I've seen you. Wait till you see how Douglas has grown."

Kain called to Vanessa and she went to meet his outstretched hand.

"Honey, this is Griff and Bonnie."

Bonnie smiled and nodded a greeting. She was as tall as her husband and looked even younger. She wasn't pretty. Standing beside the pet.i.te, curvaceous Lorna she looked thin and gawky. But she was sweet looking, with her wide mouth and large, soft brown eyes that made her appear vulnerable.

"I'm sh.o.r.e proud to meet ya, ma'am." Griff shook Vanessa's hand. "Kain saved my bacon a time or two." When he laughed he looked more boyish. "Cooper and Logan have, too. Cooper even cut me down from a hangin' tree once."

"There are times when I think I should have left him, huh Bonnie?" Cooper clapped him on the back.

"We didn't get to town till after dark," Bonnie said to Lorna on the way to the house. "Griff was bound to come on out, but I talked him into stayin' at the hotel. We shoulda come on. We didn't sleep a wink cause of all the racket in town."

Kain held onto Vanessa when she would have followed Lorna and Bonnie. He pulled her close and placed a quick kiss on her lips.

"Kain! Stop that! What'll they think?"

He let loose a rich, satisfied laugh. "They'll think that I'm madly wildly in love with you, which I am." He let her slip from his arms and she hurried to catch up with Lorna and Bonnie.

The morning slid away in a flurry of activity. The men were banished from the house.

"We're working on two weddings and we've got to get the kitchen cleaned," Sylvia said. "You men are not necessary."

"Not necessary?" Kain protested. "I'm one of the grooms."

"Very minor part. Now scoot to the barn. You and Henry can come in later and get yourselves cleaned up."

"See what yo're in fer, Kain." Arnie stood obediently and slammed his hat on his head. "But I don't reckon yore woman'll be bossy as mine. She takes the cake when it comes to bossin'."

"Oh, Arnie! You'd complain if it was rainin' soup."

"I do love ta tease that woman," Arnie said with a chuckle as he followed the men out the door.

Mary Ben and Bonnie took to each other right away. Mary Ben was fascinated by what Bonnie could do with one hand. Lorna had told them the night before how hard Bonnie's life had been until the time she met Griff. She told them that because Bonnie had been born with one hand, her folks were ashamed of her and sold her to a man who abused her, and that Griff had killed the man. Amid giggles, Lorna told about meeting Kain in town and that he had thought she was one of the girls who worked at The House. On a more serious note, she told them how Cooper, Kain and Griff had rescued her from the men who had burned her home and killed her father.

Bonnie and Lorna decorated the parlor with streamers Rosalee cut from folded paper. When they finished they stood back, admired their work, then scurried upstairs to dress.

When all was ready and they were waiting for the preacher to arrive, Ellie slipped into the room where Henry was waiting.

He was wearing a black serge suit and white shirt. "My, you look handsome. I'm just so proud of you." She went to him and placed a kiss on his cheek. "Mary Ben is ready, and she looks real pretty."

"Ma, I think I'm glad that old man's my pa. I don't want you to feel bad about it anymore. I sure do like Cooper and Logan. I never thought I'd have brothers. I think they like me, too."

"Of course they do. And I don't feel bad, son. We came out here to find you some kinfolk, and we never dreamed what we'd find, did we? We can talk about that later. This is your wedding day. You don't have to stay in here, you know. You can wait in the parlor. Mary Ben won't come down until the preacher gets here."

Ellie met Kain in the lower hallway. His wardrobe being limited, he had chosen to wear a white silk shirt and black tie. He had brushed his dark hair back, but the waves were even now rebelling against the brush. She held out her hand to him and he took it in his.

"How do you feel?" she asked softly. "You didn't drink coffee last night, did you?"

He smiled. "I feel fine, and, no, I didn't drink coffee last night. I drank a gallon of milk. You're going to have to get another cow," he teased.

"Things have turned out so well, Kain. I don't know how I'm ever going to thank you."

"Then don't, Ellie. You and Henry will be all right now, no matter what Adam Clayhill does. Cooper and Logan will keep an eye out for you. Both of them think we should send your papers, the tintype, and other pertinent information down to Denver to a fellow named Randolph. He handles Logan's affairs, knows his connection to Clayhill, and he'll see to it that the records are put in order."

"If you think that's what I should do, I will. I wish . . . Oh, Kain, you're as dear to me as Henry and Vanessa." Tears filled her eyes. "I don't know if I can beara""

"You can. I know you can, Ellie dear. It's been such a comfort having you know." His eyes caressed her face fondly. "Now don't pull a long face. This is the happiest day of my life. All of my friends are here and I'm marrying the most beautiful, wonderful, loving woman in all the world." His eyes shone like amber agates, and his happy smile made Ellie want to cry all the more. "I've asked Lorna to sing. Did you know she sings like an angel?"

"Sylvia told me. She's so fond of her."

"Just as I'm very fond of you."

"What's going on back here?" Cooper came down the hallway. "Is he trying to sneak out the back door? Hold onto him, ma'am, the preacher is pulling into the yard."

The parlor was a large square room with windows on two sides. Everyone filed in. The women sat in the chairs, and the men stood. The Hookers and John came in last. John's hair was slicked down on the sides and his bald pate shone. He had sc.r.a.ped the whiskers from the upper part of his face, leaving only those on his chin, and was wearing a new shirt. His hands clutched each other and twisted nervously. This was clearly the most uncomfortable moment of his life.

Mary Ben and Vanessa came down the stairs and were met at the bottom by Henry and Kain. Vanessa's low-necked dress was almost exactly the color of her eyes. Her shoulders and arms gleamed like white marble. Her hair was piled high and secured with a bright comb, and tied around her neck was the blue ribbon Kain had given her.

Kain took her hand and slipped it into the curve of his arm. He stood for a long silent moment, gazing at her as if mesmerized, then he said softly, "h.e.l.lo, pretty little red bird."

Henry gaped at Mary Ben. The pink dress set off her clear skin and brown eyes. Her hair had been curled and piled on the top of her head and a pink satin bow was tucked saucily in the front.

"You just look so pretty. Don't she look pretty, Van?" Henry was fairly bursting with pride and his voice boomed, bringing smiles and laughter.

"She sure does. You look pretty good, too."

"How about me?" Kain whispered.

Vanessa stood on tiptoe so she could whisper in his ear, "You look better . . . bare naked."

Kain whooped with laughter, caught her close, and twirled her around, bringing more smiles and laughter. His friends had never seen him in such an open, happy mood.

When they were all in the parlor, Lorna began to sing. She lifted her face, and her voice, true and clear as a bell, filled the room. It had an unearthly quality, like the wind. It was full of love and pain, joy and sorrow, yet sweet and strong.

"Beautiful dreamer, waken to me, Starlight and dewdrops are waiting for thee.

Sounds of the rude world, heard in the day, lulled by the moonlight have all pa.s.sed away."

The music coming from the small woman was so hauntingly beautiful it was frightening. Not a soul stirred in the room. Vanessa felt a tingling start low at the base of her spine and travel upward. She glanced at Cooper. He was watching his wife with rapt adoration on his face. Lorna was beautiful in a rose satin gown that hugged her full b.r.e.a.s.t.s and tiny waist. Beneath the hem Vanessa could see the toes of beaded, white moccasins. Sylvia, holding Douglas on her lap, saw them too, and smiled.

Logan stood beside his wife's chair with his hand on her shoulder. Their son leaned against her knee.

Bonnie sat in one of the parlor chairs in a green silk gown with full sleeves and Griff stood beside her.

It had been decided that Henry and Mary Ben would be married first. When the song ended, with a little prodding from Kain, they moved up in front of the preacher who stood with his back to the fireplace beneath pink and white streamers.

The service uniting Mary Ben and Henry was short.

"Who gives this woman to be married to this man?" The preacher asked.

There was a long silence, then John stepped forward, cleared his throat and said, "I do."

After Henry and Mary Ben were p.r.o.nounced man and wife, they stepped back, and Vanessa and Kain moved forward to say their vows. Vanessa had asked Henry, as the male member of their family, if he would be the one to give her to Kain. When the preacher asked, Henry spoke the words loud and proudly.

The ceremony was over and Kain was kissing her, holding her close, whispering just to her that this was the happiest day of his life. Everyone began talking at once, the men insisted on kissing the brides, and Ellie wiped away her tears. Douglas, frightened by all the noise, began to cry.

The wedding feast lasted all afternoon. The Hookers carried in huge platters of deliciously cooked meat, and stayed, one at a time, to join the celebration. Arnie had fashioned an extension to the table with a door he found in the barn, and everyone was seated. First Ellie and then Sylvia hopped up every so often to refill the bowls, to serve pie, or fill coffee cups. Even Mary Ben lost some of her shyness and laughed when Cooper wanted to kiss his new sister.

Lorna was persuaded to sing again. She sang several gay tunes and then sang the one she said was hers and Cooper's special song.

"Down the stream of life together, We are sailing side by side, Hoping some bright day to anchor, Safe beyond the surging tide.

Today our sky is cloudless, But the night may clouds unfold; Though the clouds may gather round us, Will you love me when I'm old?"

Vanessa looked into Kain's face and her eyes filled with tears that overflowed and streamed down her cheeks. She would never know the happiness of growing old with him. She would never see him when his dark hair was streaked with gray or when age lines deepened the creases around his mouth. She would grow old alone, with only the memory of this day to sustain her. Was she strong enough to live her life without him? Right now, at this moment, she knew she was not. Without him, life wouldn't be worth living.

His amber eyes, so full of love, told her that he knew what she was thinking. He took her hand, gently drew her to her feet and they left the room. As soon as they reached the hall, out of sight of the others, she turned into his arms, pressed her face to his shoulder and clung to him.

"I'm . . . sorry. Oh, Kain, I've ruined your day. I can't keep from thinking about it . . . hoping and praying . . ."

"Don't be sorry, love. Nothing could ruin this day for me. We'll pray for a miracle, darling, but they seldom happen." The raw pain in his voice made her raise her eyes and look deeply into his. They stood for a long, silent moment gazing at each other.

"If only my love could keep you safe," she whispered.

His eyes devoured her face. This woman, his bride, was so sweetly, sublimely beautiful. Her pink lips were slightly parted and the breath that came from them warm and moist. Her long, tear-spiked lashes framed eyes shining with love. She stood looking up at him, a tight little core of misery. Kain felt a deep sadness for what she was suffering, and searched for words to comfort her.

"We have now, my honey, my love. We'll put a lifetime of loving in the time we have left." His voice was shaky and his breathing ragged in her ear. "You've made me happier than I ever imagined. You're the bright star in my heaven, the shining light of my life. I want to live each day with you as if it were my last. Come, darling, let me dry your eyes."

Evening came, the children were put to bed, and quietness settled over the house. The women changed once again to their everyday clothes to help with the cleanup, and the men gathered in a tight knot around the pit in the yard where Clay was lifting out the rest of the meat to send home with the guests. They had discussed how best to handle the situation if a group of fellows from town should decide to come out and shivaree the newlyweds. The night before, Kain had told them about Primer Ta.s.s and his obsession with Vanessa, how he had trailed them to Junction City, and how he had tried to kill him.

"The bird's crazy as a coot 'n sly as a fox," Jeb said. "Me 'n Clay's run into him a time or two. Loner is what he is. Ain't got no feelin' 'bout killin' a'tall. Twas said he'd kill a man fer a chaw of tobaccy if he wanted it."

"Sounds like a lobo." Griff was squatting on his heels, whittling on a twig with his pocketknife.

"Coldest looking b.a.s.t.a.r.d you'll ever see."

Kain told them about the hair Ta.s.s had cut from the top of Vanessa's head and how he wore it around his neck with a b.u.t.ton from her shirt on the end of it. While talking about it Kain could feel his stomach stir restlessly.

"I didn't know about that," Henry said.

"Vanessa didn't want to worry you and your mother."

Logan stood, and the others followed suit. "We'll take care of the shivareers and Ta.s.s if they come without any help from you two. This is your wedding night. Unless you want to be dunked in the horsetank, you'd best get back to your brides."

A big grin slashed Kain's dark cheeks. "I sure don't want a dunking, do you, Henry?"

"Why would you do that, Logan?" There was apprehension in Henry's voice.