AND JILL CAME TUMBLING AFTER

The ground had begun to harden over the tiny grave. In the harsh gray light of morning, Jack slowly walked through the fence and over to where Maddy was buried. She had gathered the nicest flowers she could find and held them in a bunch.

When she reached Maddy's headstone, she stopped and laid the flowers down. She stroked the cold wood, brushing away the dust and dirt that had accumulated.

"Hi, baby," whispered Jack. She knelt down beside the grave and gently pulled out the stray bits of grass and leaves entwined in the dirt. "It's Mummy, sweetheart. I've come to say hello."

Buck disapproved of her visits to Maddy's grave. He felt it was wrong to speak to Maddy as if she was still nearby. "Her spirit will hear you," he warned Jack. "And she will return to help you. You have to let her go so that she can rest from worldly cares."

Jack felt there was something in what he said, but she couldn't yet stop herself. And Jimmy and Teaspoon were vehemently supportive. "If it makes you feel better, honey, you keep doin' it as long as you need to," Teaspoon told her.

'I'll try to come out here less often,' Jack thought. 'I have to let go sometime.' Aloud she said, Mummy's getting married today, Maddy. To uncle Jimmy. I just came to tell you. And to tell you that I love you, and I miss you, and I can't wait till we're together again. I know you're in Heaven, and I hope you've found your daddy. And I want you to know that no matter where I am, no matter what I'm doing, I'll always be loving you, sweetheart. Always." Jack pressed a kiss to her fingertips and then touched the ground before her. Rising to her feet, she brushed her skirt clean and wiped away her tears.

She was met by May on the walk back to Kid and Lou's. Her pretty red hair flew around her face in the wind. She beamed at Jack. "Well hey there, Mrs Hickok!"

Jack grinned. "Not just yet."

"In a few more hours. Oh, Jack," May squeezed her hand, "how are you standin' it, sugar? I was on pins and needles the day I married Buck!"

"Oh, I'm pretty nervous," Jack assured her. "I just seem to hide it better."

May pealed with laughter. "That you do, Jack. You look just cool as a cucumber." They had reached the gate to Kid and Lou's. "Well, I've gotta run. I promised that ol' battle-axe I'd help her out before the weddin'."

Jack raised her eyebrows at May's playfulness. "Rachel?"

"Oh, honey, no! Lou!" May giggled again. "She's like one of them dictator fellas we used to learn about in school -- pushin' everybody around, barkin' orders. I think she wants everything to be perfect for you."

"The darling. Perhaps I should go help, too."

"She'd have another fit!" May was shocked. "She's not goin' to let you lift a finger, Jack, I promise you!"

"Oh, well...all right. I'll just head up to my little room and sit there and work myself up into a tizzy, as Teaspoon would say."

"Good idea. Now, I'd better run or she'll have my head on a platter."

Stopping by the kitchen, Jack was amazed to see Lou standing in the middle of the room, a large apron tied around her once-more tiny waist, shaking her fist at the group huddled around her: Teaspoon, Rachel, Buck, Kid, and Cody.

She was, as May had promised, barking orders.

"Cody, you keep your filthy fingers out of the strawberries! I swear if I see you touch 'em one more time I'm goin' to tan your hide! I told you to scoop 'em into the tarts, not scoop 'em into your mouth!" She whirled on Kid. "And *you* - you're just as bad."

Kid raised his hand, bewildered. "I didn't touch no strawberries!"

"No, but I've been watchin' you take a bite of the stuffing when you think my back is turned."

"Good Lord, woman, you got eyes in the back of your head or somethin'?"

Lou advanced toward her husband, her stirring spoon wielded like a weapon in front of her. It was an amusing sight, watching the tall, lanky man back up, clearly in fear of his wife. "I'm a mother," she answered crisply, "of course I got eyes in the back of my head!"

That broke the silence. Even Lou grinned at that. Her body seemed to relax then, the tension easing from her. "Come on, folks, let's get this thing goin'. We ain't got much time before the weddin'," she urged.

A collective nod went around the family before her and with utensils clattering against bowls, they all fell to work again. Lou finally noticed Jack standing in the doorway and she flashed her a grin and winked.

Get on out of here, you."

"I'm going, I'm going."

Trudging up the stairs, Jack felt a pang of longing for Jimmy. She wanted him dreadfully just now, to hold her hand and soothe away her nerves. He was the only person in the world who could do that for her. At the door to her room, her mother bustled by. After Maddy's death, Em had aged somewhat around her mouth and eyes, but she was still lovely and her eyes still twinkled with laughter and merriment. She regarded her daughter with adoration. "Hello, darling."

"Hello, Mum. Care to keep a girl company?" Jack asked hopefully.

"Oh, my, no. There's so much to do. Lou would kill me if she saw me sitting down on the job."

Jack groaned. "That little tyrant's got everyone at her beck and call!"

"Poor girl," her mother clucked. "What about Jimmy? Can't he keep you company?"

"He insists that we can't see each other before the wedding."

Em laughed at her daughter's deep sigh. "It will all be over in just a few hours."

"I know. I can't bear the wait."

"Well, you'll just have to, now, won't you?" And Em patted her daughter firmly on the behind, nudging her into her room. "Now get in there and find some way to occupy yourself till Lou and I are ready to help you dress."

"Everyone's sending me away," Jack grumbled as she closed the door behind her. She found the place neat as a pin, the bed made, the dressers cleared, not a thing out of order. Suddenly she realized just how much she would miss this little room. This was the room where Maddy had tiptoed in during the still of night, climbing into bed with her after a nightmare; this was the room where Jimmy had cradled her in his arms and held her through the tears; she and Lou had exchanged secrets and whispers in this room. It was so full of memories that for a moment she was breathless thinking of them. Then she noticed the envelope propped against the pillows. It was addressed 'To the bride'. She recognized Jimmy's writing.

Quickly opening it, she withdrew the slip of paper folded inside.

The tears were spilling from her eyes, but her smile lit her face. She slid her hand under the pillow and brushed against something small and hard. Her fingers closed around the object and she slowly pulled it from underneath the pillow.

It was a necklace, tiny seed pearls clinging to a delicate chain. It felt light and smooth in Jack's hands. She watched as it spilled over her palms and through her fingers. "It's so beautiful," she murmured, her eyes misting over again. "How did he ever manage to...?" She kissed the necklace, sighing happily.

She found it mind-boggling that she and Jimmy were going to be married. The years she had been married to Magnus she had always believed deep down that she and Jimmy would never be together. She had lived her life being a good wife, a doting mother, and loving Jimmy Hickok with every ounce of her
being. If she felt disloyal to Magnus she did her best not to show it. He was a good husband and he did his best to make her love him, but he never succeeded. Always there had been Jimmy.

And after all the years apart, all the distance and time, even the secret she had kept from him, they were going to be together. It was more than she deserved. More than she could have hoped for. At noon Lou knocked on the door. When Jack opened it, the dark brown eyes peered at her, fiery with excitement.

"You ready for us?" Lou whispered.

"Yes. Why are we whispering?"

Lou laughed. "I don't know," she said in her regular voice. Behind her, Em and Rachel were giggling like schoolgirls.

"Let us in!" Rachel order insistently.

Jack opened the door wider. She was standing in her slip and bloomers, her hair hanging loose. She lifted her hands in an expectant gesture. "I'm ready. Do with me what you will."

For a moment the three other women could only stand and stare at Jack, as if they were only just realizing the event that was about to take place. Seeing Jack there, so sweet and happy and vulnerable touched each of them deeply as they remembered all that she and Jimmy had been through. Then Rachel clapped her hands together and cried, "All right, ladies, let's get to work!"

Lou laid the wedding dress out over the bed and Em set to working on Jack's hair. Her nimble fingers were quick, sectioning off portions of the long, dark waves, curving them into large curls. Rachel dusted the young woman's face with her powder, careful to leave her still looking fresh and not artificial.

They were done within the half-hour. Lou rubbed cream over Jack's elbows and shoulders and then the two friends were face to face.

"Time for the dress," Jack murmured.

"Time for the dress," echoed Lou.

"Lou...thank you for everything. Thank you *so* much."

She seemed surprised. "I haven't done anything for you that you haven't done for me."

"All the same...thank you." And she threw her arms around Lou.

"Good thing you're not wearing your dress yet," admonished Lou. "It'd be pretty dern wrinkled right now." But she hugged back enthusiastically.

Then Jack stood in the middle of the room, arms at her sides, while her mother lifted the dress from the bed. She could see the gray eyes were filled with tears. Jack stroked the side of her mother's face. "Oh, Mum. Don't cry."

"I'm just so happy, darling. So bloody happy."

"Mum! I can't believe you cursed!"

"Believe it, darling. Believe it." She kissed her daughter's cheek. "Now be a good girl and let me slip this dress over your head."

It fit like a dream; a simple, gorgeous dress of creamy white that trailed to the floor. Em buttoned it, patting it into place against her daughter's soft curves. Jack had decided against a veil, but like Lou before her, chose a crown of flowers that Buck had weaved together for her. Once settled in her dark hair, she was finished, and she stood before them, a vision of loveliness that made them all catch their breath.

"Oh, my. Jimmy's jaw is gonna hit his shoes when he sees you, sugar," said Rachel, her arms crossed over her chest as she surveyed Jack.

"You are the most beautiful bride I have ever seen," her mother added.

Lou beamed. "We're gonna have to scrape Jimmy off the floor."

Jack drew in a deep breath. She looked to see her hands trembling. Rachel thrust the bouquet at her.

"Here -- hold onto this."

"You all look lovely, as well. All of you. So beautiful."

"Never you mind how we look," Rachel said dismissively. "All eyes are gonna be on you and you're pretty as a picture."

Lou seized her arm. "Are you ready, Jack?"

Suddenly stricken speechless, Jack could only nod.

"Want me to hold your hand?"

Jack nodded again, grateful, and seized Lou's free hand. Rachel and Em walked out first, to the landing and down the stairs. Jack watched as they disappeared into the parlor.

Lou whispered, "Want me to go down there first?"

"Lord, no!" Jack shook her head vehemently. "Don't you dare move a muscle, Lou. You stay right here with me."

"Nervous, Jack?"

"Oh, be quiet."

"Jack, I just can't tell you how touched Kid and I are that you and Jimmy wanted to have your weddin' in our home."

"Oh, Lou...you and Kid have been such wonderful friends to us. And your home is so beautiful, just the way we want our own home to be. We couldn't think of any place else we'd rather be married. It's like home to us, as well."

In the instant that their eyes met, glowing with friendship and affection, each fancied she could see the past in the other's eyes. Jack saw Lou as she had been all those years ago, sitting next to her on the bed that first night: her hair cropped to her chin, her spectacles perched on the end of her nose, dirt on her face, adventure in her eyes, as she leaned over her and whispered, "I thought I was the only one!"

Lou saw Jack, hobbling about the station on crutches, victory in her blue eyes as she finally mastered them, throwing her head back to laugh in triumph. And young, so very young. They could hear the commotion downstairs, voices rising and falling, excitement filling the house. And then the sounds died away. A sharp cry was heard from baby Daniel's forceful lungs, and then all was still. Kid came to the foot of the stairs.

"Jack!" he called softly. "We're ready for ya!"

Lou squeezed Jack's hand once more for luck and kissed her cheek. They smiled at each other, and then Lou swiftly descended the stairs, patting her husband's shoulder as she passed him by.

Kid dashed up to stand at Jack's side. "You ready?"

"Yes. I'm ready, Kid."

"Slip your arm through mine, then, and hold on tight. Just hang on to me, Jack, I won't let ya fall."

"I know you won't. Thank you, Kid, again...for everything."

"Why, Jack," he said, his face lighting up, "it's my pleasure."

She inhaled deeply. "All right. I'm ready."

It seemed that they reached the parlor in no time. The wedding guests looked up from the benches that had been placed in the room for this purpose. She had never felt so shy in her life. She ducked her head and waited as they all rose to their feet. The music began then; not the traditional wedding march, but a piece by Beethoven that had caught Jack's fancy. Jimmy had thought it lovely, too, and they had agreed to play it at their wedding. 'Moonlight Sonata'.

Jack walked among friends and family, feeling their love and strength and support though no words were said. May was at the piano, playing the music so slowly, so wonderfully, that Jack felt her heart would break at the beauty of it. At first, her eyes skimmed over the guests: Cody, Buck, the children, the doctor, several of the townspeople she had befriended. But then she saw Jimmy and could look no further.

He was so handsome! Bangs falling into his eyes, just the way she loved, his eyes sparkling, looking fresh and clean-shaven, his suit pressed, his shoes shining. Hands folded together, he was watching her as she walked to him on Kid's arm. He had eyes only for her, and as she approached, his smile grew bigger, wider, and still happier. When they reached him, they stopped. Jack still clung to Kid's arm.
Between Jimmy and Lou stood a handsome, black-haired man, smiling benevolently. There were flecks of gray in his dark hair that had not been there a few months before, but he seemed very happy now.

"You may be seated," he told the guests. His accent was soft and elegant. He looked at Kid. "Who comes today to give this woman in marriage?"

Kid cleared his throat and spoke the words just as Jack had asked him to.

"Her mother, her father, her family, and I do." Then he released Jack and went to take his place next to Jimmy.

Jimmy and Jack drew closer together, eyes full, smiles playing about their lips, and then they turned to the black-haired man, Ken, as he opened the Bible and spoke, his voice thick with emotion, trembling, yet strong, as he said the words that would forever bond his cherished daughter and this man he already thought of as a son.

"Dearly beloved..."

CHAPTER 1 ¤ CHAPTER 2 ¤ CHAPTER 3 ¤ CHAPTER 4 ¤ CHAPTER 5 ¤ CHAPTER 6 ¤
CHAPTER 7 ¤ CHAPTER 8 ¤ CHAPTER 9 ¤ CHAPTER 10 ¤ CHAPTER 11 ¤ CHAPTER 12 ¤ CHAPTER 13 ¤ CHAPTER 14 ¤ CHAPTER 15 ¤ CHAPTER 16 ¤ CHAPTER 17 ¤ CHAPTER 18

TO BE CONTINUED...