Page 21 of Riches Beyond Measure (Golden State Treasure #3)

Fourteen

Cord’s piano playing at church on Sunday morning had a particularly joyful ring to it. And he couldn’t keep the smile off his face.

He glanced out to see his pretty Annie sitting in the front row, Caroline between her and Mrs. Lewis, the parson’s wife. Hattie Lewis had helped save Tilda when her brother kidnapped her, a story Cord had heard a few times.

For the closing hymn, he played “A Mighty Fortress Is Our God,” and it sounded as though all the voices raised in song might just lift the roof off the small church building.

As he played and sang, it felt like a prayer, as if he were beseeching God for His blessing and protection over the marriage he and Annie would embark on later that day.

Cord felt the music deeply and put all that feeling into his playing, but today especially, his wedding day, his feelings and the music both soared to new heights.

After the hymn ended, Parson Lewis announced, “For those who’d like to stay, there will be a wedding ceremony immediately following today’s service.

Our much-loved pianist Cord Westbrook and our beloved Annie Hart Lane are to be married.

You’re all welcome to join us in celebrating their blessed union. ”

Cord rose at the same moment Annie did. They met Parson Lewis at the front of the church and faced him together.

“I hope this means you’ll be staying with us permanently, Cord,” the parson said. “Our services are much enriched by your musical gifts.”

Cord looked at Annie, who only smiled in return.

He turned back to the parson. “We don’t know what the future holds, Parson Lewis. For now, though, our home is right here in Dorada Rio at the Two Harts Ranch. Our future together is in God’s hands.”

“Of course. Now, let’s have a moment of prayer, shall we?” The parson lifted his left hand high in the air, his right gripping the Word of God.

Cord listened closely to the vows he was taking.

He wanted to make his promises solemnly and fully.

He stood there holding Annie’s hand and didn’t hesitate to vow to love, honor, and cherish her for the rest of his life.

She promised the same right back with the promise to obey thrown in.

Yet she was an agreeable woman, capable and smart, and he wasn’t the type to order people around.

He suspected they’d deal well with each other.

“I now pronounce you man and wife,” Parson Lewis concluded, his smile bright enough to dim the sun. “Cord, you may kiss your bride.”

Cord turned to Annie. He probably should have bought her a ring. He wished his ma and his grandparents could have come to the wedding ceremony today. He should have—

Annie kissed the thoughts right out of his head, replacing them with thoughts only of her.

They drew back, then turned to face the sanctuary. Their family. The cowhands, a good chunk of them with their wives and children. The folks they’d befriended as a church family.

The indomitable Mrs. Lewis had moved to the piano and now played a rousing version of “Joy to the World.” Though it was considered a Christmas carol, its lyrics were exactly right for the moment.

With a big smile, Cord escorted Annie a few paces down the center aisle to where Caroline stood between Brody and a very pregnant Ellie.

They were in the front row, along with Grandpa.

Cord shook hands with his grandpa, who offered his congratulations.

He’d been understanding about Cord settling in at the Two Harts, but he hadn’t exactly approved.

But when it came to the marriage, Grandpa had given his hearty approval.

Cord reached out a hand to Caroline. She beamed and rushed forward to grasp his hand.

Cord hoisted her up with his left arm, with Annie holding tight on his right.

The three of them made their way down the aisle toward the propped-open doors at the back while greeting all those who’d attended the ceremony.

Cord had just joined a big, happy family.

As the afternoon wore on, Annie found herself on the verge of collapse from all the celebrating.

Every woman on the ranch, including the bunkhouse cooks, had brought their tables, chairs, and utensils outdoors, arranging everything in preparation for a meal of roasted hog supplied by the Hart family.

Gretel and others had baked bread and potatoes as well as cakes and other desserts to add to the wedding reception.

One person had brought a fiddle, another a squeeze-box, and there’d been lots of dancing, laughter, and feasting.

Now the music had died down, and the tables and chairs were being carried back inside.

With the sun nearly set, a large fire roared at the center of the revelers as the night cooled.

Annie was taken aback every now and then by the realization that she was a married woman again. It made her a little dizzy to think of it, yet it also delighted her.

Cord came up and wrapped an arm around her waist. She couldn’t remember the last time she’d seen him. They’d been pulled in different directions by well-wishers and treasure hunters. Mercifully the well-wishers had outnumbered those raring to go trekking into the wilderness.

They’d invited Professor Hardy to the wedding ceremony.

He hadn’t made it to the church, but he’d shown up for the reception on the ranch.

In fact, she couldn’t recall his ever attending church in town.

But the professor seemed to enjoy the roasted hog, two or three helpings of it.

She’d recently spotted him and the loyal Mr. Rombauer riding toward town at a decent pace, almost a canter, and wondered what they were up to.

Leaning close, Cord said, “Caroline fell asleep in my arms during the last dance. I carried her up to bed. Michelle said she’d get Caroline into her nightgown and tuck her in since Leah is already asleep.

As for us, Josh said they cleaned their things out of the housekeeper’s room, and you and I could stay there for the night, maybe longer.

They’ve been busy building a new guesthouse; he and Tilda may move in there permanently and stay in the ranch house whenever there are guests on the ranch. ”

Annie’s eyes went wide. “I told my brother not to bother making the guesthouse too comfortable, thinking we could have Professor Hardy stay there on occasion. I sure hope it’s fit for Josh and Tilda to live in.”

“I think the crew building it has been informed it might be for Josh to live in. And you told him that before we had the professor start staying in town instead of here. He’s not that great of company, in my opinion.”

Annie gave a half smile. “That’s a widely held opinion.”

“He’ll be back here early tomorrow morning to start on what he refuses to call a treasure hunt. It’s an ‘archeological expedition.’”

Annie groaned. “I’m starting to have my doubts about his coming along with us.”

Cord shrugged. “Too late now. He said he’d be here just before first light, ready to head out.”

“Too late is right,” she agreed around a big yawn.

“Let’s go inside, Annie. We’re both plain tuckered out, and most everyone has left. The party’s winding down.” He chuckled. “At last.” He leaned down and kissed her.

When he pulled back, she said, “Let’s go in, Cord.”

Arm in arm, Annie and her new husband started their married life exhausted but full of joy and hope for the future.

In the meantime, they both needed to get some sleep. The archeological expedition was to begin first thing in the morning, and it was sure to be a long journey.