Involved: Day 7

Word Count: 42,013

Summary of Events:

Samuel was enlisted to get Kelly out of the saloon and ended up meeting a man named Valentine Allison, who mocked Kelly, as well as slandered Isabelle; Samuel was prevented from beating Mr. Allison to a pulp by the sheriff. Ira and Violet were forced to reassess what they would be taking to Georgetown with them when the wheel on the large wagon they were going to borrow broke, leaving them only with Ira's small wagon. Samuel tried to find Mr. Allison to get revenge for his slander of Isabelle, but was again prevented from acting by the sheriff. Charlotte watched Ira and Violet's wedding with many tears, distraught to think her sister was getting married and she wasn't . . .

Excerpt of the Day:

Pastor Carrington released the pulpit and raised his hands, palms up, an indicator for everyone to stand, which everyone did. Charlotte felt unsteady and grabbed Neil’s arm. Neil reached over and put a gentle hand on her shoulder.

Just forward of the front pew Father and Violet stopped. Violet looked so beautiful in her dress and Charlotte could see that Ira was in awe of just how spectacular his bride was.

“Who gives this woman?” Pastor Carrington asked.

“Her mother and I,” Father replied.

Ira stepped forward and so did Father and Violet, Charlotte nearly wailed as she watched Violet’s hand be placed into Ira’s before Father turned away toward the front pew.

He sat down in the space waiting for him beside Mother while Ira led Violet toward Pastor Carrington, who silently indicated for everyone to be seated.

Charlotte was grateful to be no longer standing and released Neil’s arm. She couldn’t find her handkerchief to dab her eyes with and struggled to use her sleeve cuffs to catch the tears as Pastor Carrington started into the wedding message.

Neil’s arm touched Charlotte in an intentional way and Charlotte turned to see him holding a handkerchief for her.

Grateful, Charlotte took it and dabbed at her eyes furiously, fixing her gaze on Ira’s friend — who was already married and whose wife had recently given birth to a little boy — not wanting to see sympathetic looks from her friend, or Violet holding hands with Ira, listening intently to Pastor Carrington’s message.

Once the message was finished Violet and Ira turned to face each other for the vows and exchanging of rings. . . .

Ira and Violet then turned to each other and kissed while the congregation applauded and Charlotte had to do everything in her power not to cry out in devastation that she was unable to be standing with Oliver beside them being pronounced as Mrs. Charlotte Seland.

Violet and Ira, followed by their attendants, made their way out of the sanctuary, followed by family, and then everyone else started to file out, with many giving congratulations to the couple at the door.

Charlotte kept her face hidden and was gratefully escorted out by Neil, but soon she was left alone while Neil went over to Belva. Oliver came over to her before too long and looked at her with a sorrowful expression.

“Oh Charlotte please don’t cry so,” he said. “Violet is happy, and you should be too.”

“But I’m not,” Charlotte sobbed.

“Then what can we do to get you there?” Oliver asked.

“You can ask me to marry you,” Charlotte replied.

“I don’t have a ring,” Oliver replied. “And I’m sure your father would want to give his approval to the union.”
Charlotte turned away from him, dabbing at her eyes with the handkerchief.

“I would make you happy,” Oliver said. “But I can’t without a ring.”

Shaking her head, Charlotte continued to dab at her eyes.

“Oh Charlotte,” Oliver sighed.

She heard his footsteps as he came around her and wrapped her in an embrace so her head was against his chest. With sufficient muting in place, Charlotte sobbed aloud while Oliver held her close.