Skye Lakota by Krista Janssen

Author:Krista Janssen
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Whiskey Creek Press
Published: 2015-09-11T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter 19

Holding her hat against the brisk May wind and wearing a radiant smile, Beth entered Kylerhae kirk on Fletcher’s arm. Dozens of townspeople, dressed in their Sunday best, crowded the pathway and applauded as she and Fletcher made their way to the church door. Her feet barely touched the ground as she floated on a happy cloud. She knew Fletcher was proud of her and pleased with the way the Mackinnon clan had begun to accept him as their future leader. The clansmen bore no animosity toward his English bride, and she was determined to become friends with his people. She would continue working for the cause of the poor as she had in London. Certainly these Scottish crofters needed help as much as the downtrodden English peasants. The primary difference between the two groups was that the English farm tenants were held under the thumb of wealthy overlords, while the Scots were neglected and left to struggle against hardship and the burden of high taxes demanded by their distant English monarch. These reserved Scots Highlanders had accepted her. She would return their trust by working diligently for their welfare and improving their living conditions. Of course, Red Mackinnon was still their laird, and she wasn’t sure how she’d deal with her strong willed, self-centered father-in-law.

As they entered the ancient kirk, she put aside her thoughts and concentrated on the joy of the occasion. Fletcher squeezed her arm in a private gesture of affection and led her to the front pew, where they were seated in a place of honor. An urn filled with white daisies stood on the raised platform. A plain, polished wooden cross was displayed on the wall behind the pulpit. Sunlight streamed through eight narrow windows on either side of the high ceilinged room.

The fiddle player from last night’s party stepped forward to play a Scottish hymn. Immediately following, the guests rose as the pipes echoed throughout the sanctuary to announce the arrival of the bride and groom.

A craggy faced minister led the way. Behind him walked Kenneth MacCrae, cleaned of feathers and dressed in his best suit. As the groom passed the front pew, Fletcher moved to stand at his side.

Beth caught Fletcher’s smile, returned it, and glowed warmly in the memory of the night they had just spent in one another’s arms.

Next came Ruth Gordon, dressed in a lovely white silk gown and lace veil, guided by her father’s extended elbow.

The song of the pipes ended and the ceremony proceeded. At the close of saying the pledges, the minister boomed out that Kenneth and Ruth were now husband and wife—and what God hath joined together, let no man put asunder.

To the rousing song of pipe and fiddle, the newlyweds joined hands and marched up the aisle and out into the courtyard beyond the front door.

Fletcher offered his arm to Beth, and the two followed the bride and groom outside into the sunny afternoon. Leaving Beth in a shady spot, he returned inside to witness the legal documents for the couple.

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