In less than an hour Isabel would say the vows that would make her Mrs. Myles Donovan. She stood by her bedroom window and stared at clouds floating in the afternoon sky. From nowhere, an old memory surfaced. She was a little girl again, sitting on the front porch with her mother, staring up into the night sky at a heaven full of stars. Isabel pointed. "Look at that bright star, Mamma. I'm going to wish on it." She closed her eyes. "I wish that my prince charming would come someday and carry me away on a white horse."
"It's better," her mother told her, "To wish on the moon."
Isabel opened her eyes. "But there is no moon tonight."
"Then you pretend. Close your eyes, pretend there's a moon, hold onto your dreams, and wish."
Isabel heard the sorrow in her mother's voice and sensed that she was speaking more to herself than to the child beside her. "Why should I pretend there's a moon when I can wish on a star?"
Pearl hugged Isabel to her. "It's a way to hold onto hope long after hope is gone."
That statement hadn't made sense then, now it did. Isabel closed her eyes, pretended there was a big round moon in the sky and wished that her marriage would be a happy one. She wouldn't ask for loving or even romantic, happy would do.
Mrs. Callahan stuck her head around the door. "Mr. Donovan and the judge are here. They're waiting for you in Mr. Jim's room."
Like a spinning kaleidoscope, Isabel's life was taking on strange new patterns. "I'll be there soon."
Mrs. Callahan lingered in the doorway. "The judge brought his secretary with him." Her solid body filled the entrance. "She's going to be the other witness."
"Jim and I agreed you would be the other witness." Impatience gave Isabel's voice an edge. "What made you change your mind?"
"Mr. Jim changed it for me. He wants this ceremony to be witnessed by at least one disinterested stranger."
Jim was tying up every loose end, trying to anticipate any future eventuality that might call into question the legality of this marriage. "That doesn't mean you can't come to the wedding if you'd like." Isabel pushed past the housekeeper.
"I would like." Mrs. Callahan followed Isabel down the hall toward Jim's room.
Myles, the Judge, and his frumpy secretary were standing around Jim's bed when Isabel and Mrs. Callahan came into the room.
For the next hour Isabel moved about and carried on rational conversations with people who didn't seem to suspect that she was operating on raw nerves and pure adrenaline. Later she would vaguely recall Myles introducing her to the pudgy little gray-haired judge who performed the ceremony. Judson Waverly seemed to be a person of some importance. Even Jim showed him grudging respect.
Myles had to nudge Isabel before she mumbled an almost incoherent, "I do." Later, the short ceremony would be nothing more than a blur in her memory.
"You may kiss the bride." The judge closed his book, signaling the ceremony was over.
Isabel lifted her cheek to receive Myles' kiss.
Myles tilted her chin with his hand before bringing his lips down on hers. What began as a brief meeting of lips slowly transmitted to a lingering, passionate kiss.
Isabel lost herself in the magic of the moment; melting under his touch, surrendering her lips in sweet capitulation. For a moment all that existed was this man and his mouth over hers.
Myles lifted his head and stepped back.
Isabel blinked, suddenly aware that both the judge and Jim were staring. She took a deep breath and sat on the side of Jim's bed.
Jim reached a bony finger to caress her arm. "Everything will be all right now."
Jim had never before displayed any sign of affection toward her. Isabel smiled at him with tender regard. She doubted that everything would ever be all right again. She knew that nothing would ever be the same again.
Jim's bony fingers plucked at his sheet. "Congratulations, Isabel."
"One should congratulate the groom." Isabel said, "Etiquette dictates that you wish the bride happiness."
Jim's gaunt features relaxed into a smile. "Then I wish you happiness."
Isabel reached to pat his shoulder. She drew her hand back before she could bring herself to make physical contact. "Thank you."
Myles announced that he and Isabel had an appointment to keep and must make a speedy departure. That seemed sufficient reason for the little group to disburse.
Judge Waverly and his secretary hurried through the front door and toward the Judge's buggy. Mrs. Callahan retreated to the kitchen.
The new Mr. and Mrs. Donovan rode away in Myles' buggy. They had driven several miles down the dusty road before Isabel said. "This is not the way to Aaron's Roost." Then she asked, "Where are we going?"
"To Pleasanton." Myles gave the buggy reins a slap, causing the horse to pick up speed. "There we will board a train for San Antonio." Maybe away from all that was familiar to both of them, they could begin to get to know each other. "I had Mrs. Callaghan pack a bag for you. I have reserved a suite at the Menger Hotel." As an afterthought he added, "I hope I haven't taken too much for granted."
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