I really do not have a Christmas story, per se. I’m not sure why I have never written one but my characters have just never chosen to play out their tales in that setting. But then I recalled that I do end one book with a Christmas wedding! Since it is a romance, readers are going to expect there will be a happily ever after sort of ending, so this excerpt will not give away too much–I cut out a bit or two that might have been spoilers but here is a joyful occasion in the town of Graveyard Gulch which is pretty much an analog of Tombstone, AZ in my modern western thriller-romance, The Man in Black. To know how they got there, you will have to read the book–or maybe win it in the third gift basket today!

The Man in Black by Gwynn Morgan, ISBN 1-59279-340-1 (E)   1-59279-801-2 (P) Amber Quill Press www.amberquill.com/   Here is the buy link for it  http://www.amberquill.com/ManInBlack.html

And here is the wedding:

The Gulch Gang, apparently feeling a proprietary interest in the event, went all out for Melissa and Lawton’s wedding. The ladies decorated the main room of the clubhouse, practically hiding the adobe walls with streamers and garlands of scarlet and green, bows of red velvet and lacy rosettes. Wreaths of evergreen boughs, decorated with red and white poinsettias and carnations, hung at close intervals along the walls. Bells and cherubs added a festive touch.

Every available chair had been commandeered, arranged in slanting rows facing the end of the long room, leaving an aisle down the middle. A carpet runner of deep green marked the aisle. At the room’s end, the platform, which served as a stage, had also been carpeted. Huge baskets of red and white poinsettias sat on each front corner flanking the row of tall candles along the forward edge. A space had been left in the middle, where the two steps led up from the floor.

The day came at last. At six fifty on the evening of Saturday, the sixth of December, all was in readiness. With every chair occupied, a few late arrivals stood along the walls. The spicy perfume of pine and carnations hung in the air. To the left of the stage, a handsome older woman sat at an electronic keyboard, softly playing familiar love songs. On the opposite side, three men stood together, talking quietly.

As a hush fell over the room, they stepped up on the platform and took their places. Jason “Deacon” Barnes, elegant in a charcoal gray frock coat and ruffled shirt, faced the crowd. On his left stood Eric Landis, dressed in a lighter gray, his suit also cut in the style of the Nineteenth Century. On Eric’s left, Lawton waited. Clad in his customary black, his darkness was relieved by a dazzling white shirt and a red carnation boutonniere.

At Deacon’s nod, the organist switched to the opening bars of the Wedding March. At the first notes, everyone turned, every gaze centered on the procession starting down the aisle.

First came two little girls in white organdy dresses with red and green bows gracing their short, curly hair. Each carried a little silver basket from which they scattered white rose petals along the aisle as they walked. The darker one wore a beatified expression of sweet sobriety while the blonde seemed barely to contain her bubbling merriment. Jo followed, dressed in a bell-skirted gown of emerald green. The little girls turned aside to sit near the organist, but Jo continued on. Deacon helped her up the steps.

Then, all eyes turned to the final couple. Charlie Brock, dashing in a western cut suit of pearl gray, escorted the bride. His splendor was all but eclipsed by the radiant young woman on his arm. At the head of the aisle, they hesitated a moment, as if dazzled by the candles and the rich, heady scents. After a moment, they continued at the stately pace of the traditional music.

The bride wore a Gibson-girl gown of ivory satin with a fitted bodice, sleeves puffed at the shoulder and fitted from the elbow down, and a narrow skirt which flared back into a graceful train. Imported lace lavishly trimmed the sleeves, bodice and hemline. A crown of tiny white carnations woven into sprigs of pine and holly graced her dark head. Her face held a radiance that outshone the tall candles on the platform. As they proceeded down the aisle, the lights went out, bank by bank, to highlight their progress.

Almost overcome by awe and shyness the first few steps, Melissa looked up and met Lawton’s gaze. The blazing pride and love in his eyes reached out to sustain her. Could she possibly be worthy of such adoration? Yes, she was! On this night of nights, she felt every inch a princess, more privileged than ever in her life.

As she drew closer, she began to see herself through her beloved’s eyes and for the first time recognized her own beauty. Reflecting his adoration, she began to glow. Although shyness touched her, under the intent gaze of the crowd, she sensed nothing but warmth and love from them all. Borne by the magic of Lawton’s loving gaze, she floated up to the edge of the platform.

Lawton watched his bride come down the aisle knowing he had never seen anything as lovely. Her radiance dimmed every other light, bringing a lump to his throat. Joy and pride surged through him so intensely it almost hurt. The music died on the final triumphant chord as Melissa took her place. Then Deacon’s deep, mellow voice filled the stillness.

“Dearly beloved, we are gathered together…” The ageless words had never sounded so real, so right. Their power lifted every heart for they were solemn and joyful, ancient and novel, a bridge across eternity and relevant for all times. Charlie answered the first question before he steered Melissa to Lawton’s side. When he held his hand out to her, she slipped hers trustingly into his clasp and moved to stand near him.

“Whither thou goest…and the greatest of these is love…love endures all things and love never dies…” They turned to each other, lost in one another’s reverent, loving gazes. Finally, their attention was fully captured by Deacon’s next question. “Lawton, do you take this woman”¦?”

“I do.” His low voice resonant and sure, he spoke the vow with pride, his gaze never leaving Melissa’s face.

“Melissa, do you take this man?”

For a moment, overcome with emotion, she could not speak, but then her words came. “I do. Oh yes, I do!” She smiled up at Lawton her eyes alight with love.

From the back of the stage, almost in the shadows, a small figure came forward, steps not quite certain but with determination in every move. The child held aloft a dark green cushion, which bore two wide bands of gold. Lawton picked up the smaller ring. He released Melissa’s right hand to take her left in his as he slid the ring carefully onto her finger. Then she, with hands shaking only a little, took up the other and put it on him. They stood then, facing each other, hands clasped.

“I now pronounce you husband and wife,” Deacon intoned.

They moved together, ivory and black. She reached up and he bent down until their lips met. The kiss went on forever but ended too soon. The joyful music boomed out as they stepped down off the platform, walking up the aisle together, past a sea of beaming faces, many shiny with tears.

***

The Veteran’s League Hall, also decorated with seasonal and wedding themes, literally overflowed with food, drink and merriment. Lawton and Melissa cut the huge cake with an antique cavalry saber, toasted each other with champagne and greeted friends with whom they had not already spoken.

Glancing around the crowded room, Melissa saw everyone was far too busy and involved to stand aside or stay in a corner. Although she and Lawton were the center of the events, no one had been left out. After everyone had eaten, the live band tuned up and broke into a rollicking Texas two-step tune.

She turned to Lawton, mischief in her smile and eyes. “Would you like to dance?”

He smiled down at her, sharing the memory. “What will people think?”

“Probably that we’ve got something going, maybe even that we’re in love. But I don’t care!”

“I guess we can live with that. I’ve never danced with anybody so beautiful though. Doubt if I can tell my left foot from my right.”

“Neither can I, but it doesn’t matter, as long as you’re the one holding me.”

Hand in hand, they walked out on the floor; she turned into his arms. When they saw the pair move onto the floor, the band switched tempo and began to play a waltz.

Lawton held Melissa as if she were a priceless treasure. She leaned her head on his shoulder and gave herself completely to the enchantment. They moved together as if they had been born dancing, with a grace and lightness born of joy and nourished with love.

“You never danced this way before,” Melissa said softly.

“I’ve never been quite this happy before. I could probably fly if I tried, if you flew with me.”

“I’m already flying! Just keep holding me.”

“Until you ask me to let go.” Then he drew her closer, pausing mid step to kiss her smiling mouth.

“Right here in front of everybody!” She laughed breathlessly. “And you wondered what people would think.”

“I hope they think we’re the happiest, luckiest couple in the world.” Lawton silenced her agreement with another kiss.

“I think the man in black has come in out of the corner for good,” Melissa said, when he finally drew back.

“All it took was one sweet lady with the love and courage to take him in.”