The Wedding

The morning light was soft in Jackson’s home.

It was a big house. Too big for one person.

Sarah had slept in the guest room. The groom couldn’t see the bride. Not yet.

Jackson moved through the rooms with a focused energy.

She adjusted the simple muslin dress on Sarah. She smoothed the fabric.

-I can’t wait to tell him, Sarah said.

She looked around the room. She looked at Jackson.

-About the house. About us moving in.

Jackson’s hands stilled. She set down a jar of blooms.

-He’s gonna love it, Jackson said. Her voice was thick.

She looked at the empty hallway.

-Place is too damn big for just me anyway, she muttered.

She cleared her throat. She shook off the feeling.

-Quit your dawdlin’, she said. Sundown’s comin’. That man of yours ain’t seen you in the dress yet.

The sun dipped below the horizon. The heat broke.

Jackson walked beside Sarah. Her hand rested on the small of Sarah’s back.

They stepped into the saloon.

It smelled of beeswax candles and desert wildflowers.

The guests were few. Three regulars. The attorney from Easttown. No kin.

The preacher stood near the makeshift altar. He looked stern. He wanted this over with.

Jackson leaned close to Sarah’s ear and held the small of her back.

-You ready, darlin’?

-Never readier, Sarah said.

Jackson gave a sharp nod. Her eyes glistened.

-Good, she rasped.

-Then let’s go get you married.

She guided Sarah to the front, holding on to her the whole time.

The preacher got through it.

His words were clipped. Efficient.

-Do you? he asked.

-I do, Tiny said.

-I do, Sarah said.

Jackson stood rigid. Her jaw was tight.

The preacher closed his book.

-Man and wife, he said.

The saloon was quiet.

-’Bout damn time, Jackson said. Her voice broke the tension.

Tiny laughed. The guests chuckled politely.

Tiny grabbed Sarah. He kissed her hard.

Sarah kissed him back.

But her hand reached out. It searched the air.

Jackson’s calloused fingers found it immediately.

She threaded her fingers through Sarah’s. She gripped hard.

She watched them kiss.

She didn't look away.

Tiny broke the kiss. He looked at Sarah. He looked at their joined hands.

He smiled at Jackson.

The ceremony was over.

The party moved to Jackson’s home on a patch just outside of town.

Jackson stood on her porch.

The sun was gone.

She leveled her revolver at the three regulars.

-Y’all enjoyed the whiskey, she said. You witnessed the vows.

She cocked the hammer.

-Now forget the location. This house ain’t on any map.

She holstered the gun. She pushed the door open.

Tiny walked in. He looked around.

-I always assumed you lived in the sheriff apartment at the station, Tiny admitted naively..

Jackson laughed.

-Mike did, she said. This place... this was always mine.

She leaned against the doorframe.

-Welcome home, Tiny.

Tiny looked at her. He looked at Sarah.

-What do you mean? he asked.

Sarah squeezed his hand.

-Jackson’s letting us live in the house, Bill, she said.

-It’s ours now. Our fresh start.

Jackson crossed her arms.

-Place is too big for one person, she muttered.

-Besides... you two deserve somethin’ real, not a backroom.

Tiny reached for Jackson’s hand. He held Sarah’s with the other.

-There’s still so much I have to learn about you, he said. Thank you.

Jackson’s fingers weaved through his. The grip was firm.

-Ain’t nothin’, she murmured. Just... don’t make me regret it.

She gave his hand a final squeeze. She pulled away.

She turned to the others.

-Now who’s thirsty?

-I’d take a sarsaparilla, Tiny laughed.