Mel's Arc

Chapter 31 of 36

The barn was ready, but Mel's eyes kept drifting to the open doors. Wagons rolled up the road one by one. Any of them could carry a Caldwell rider. No one watched the road but the guests themselves, and by the time anyone saw trouble, it would already be inside. Mel stood in her gown and knew the ceremony had a hole in it wide enough to ride through. "We need eyes on the road," she told Ted. "Someone up high, before we start. If a Caldwell hand comes, I want to know while he's still far off." Ted frowned. "Every man here is a guest. We pull one to stand watch, we're short a witness." A boy near the door spoke up. Garrett Hawkins was maybe twelve, dressed in a worn field jacket, a brass spyglass shoved through his belt. He'd come with one of the neighbor families. "I'll do it," he said. He pulled the spyglass free and held it up like it settled the matter. "I watch the pass for my pa's cattle. I can see a rider before he sees the barn." Mel looked at Ted. A grown man could be missed at the vows. A boy would not. "Can you climb the loft ladder?" she asked. Garrett was already moving. He scrambled up the ladder to the loft window, braced his elbows on the sill, and put the glass to his eye. "Road's clear to the bend," he called down. "I'll holler if that changes." Cross watched from the front, red Bible in hand. "A good sentry," he said. "Nobody hurries a man who knows he's seen." Celeste Winters, one of the wedding guests in a pink dress and pearls, touched Mel's arm. She had ridden in early and knew the valley's gossip cold. "Smart," she said. "The Caldwells count on catching folks off guard. You just took that from them." Mel called up to the loft. "You see anyone come off the Caldwell road, you shout the second you spot dust. Don't wait to be sure." "Yes, ma'am," Garrett said. He didn't lower the glass. Mel breathed. The road was covered now. She turned to Ted, took his hand, and walked to the front where Cross waited. Guests filled the benches behind them. Celeste sat in the second row and folded her hands. Cross opened his Bible. "Friends," he began. From the loft, Garrett's voice came steady and clear. "Road's clear!" The guests laughed, easy now. Mel felt the room settle. No rider could reach them unseen. Whatever the Caldwells meant to do, they'd have to do it in the open, in front of every witness she'd fought to gather. Cross looked at Mel and Ted. "Then let's begin, before that boy's arms give out." Mel faced Ted and started to speak her vows.