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you.”
    The heavyset Mr. Dunleigh, more reserved than his wife, nodded at her scuffed luggage. “May I take your bags? There’s a man outside waiting to take them to the ranch.”
    “Yes, please.” Cassandra had repacked her pistol, bullets and books, and now welcomed the help. She looked at her wild roses. “I nearly forgot about a bridal bouquet. These will do.” She picked up the bundle of roses, dried off the stems and wrapped the moist ends in a blue lace handkerchief. She wondered if Jack had imagined when he’d given them to her that she’d be carrying them down the aisle.
    Ten minutes later, they were walking to the church. It was only a few blocks from the hotel, but even so, Cassandra attracted lots of attention. Shop owners peered out of their windows, a man sweeping the boardwalk stopped to stare, people on horseback craned their necks and a small child grabbed at her mother’s skirts and pointed.
    The church on the corner was covered with clapboard. A tall steeple rose above it, shaded by redwoods.
    “There has to be some mistake,” said Cassandra, drawing nearer and noticing all sorts of buggies lined up along the street. “We’re having a small ceremony. Just a few people. Maybe this is the wrong church.”
    “No mistake.” Mr. Dunleigh said matter-of-factly. “This is the correct location.”
    Mrs. Dunleigh leaned over to whisper, “I don’t know what’s gotten into Dr. McColton today. I heard him inviting everyone, whatever friends happened by the ranch. Said he should’ve announced the wedding weeks ago....”
    Cassandra moaned softly. Had Jack assumed that she wanted a large ceremony because of her comment yesterday that he hadn’t told many people about their impending nuptials? It was kind of him to think of her...but this wasn’t what she’d meant. These were strangers to her, and would only increase her jitteriness.
    “Come along, miss,” Mr. Dunleigh urged. “We’ll go through the side door and leave you with Reverend Darcy.”
    “Leave me? Oh, no, please,” said Cassandra.
    Husband and wife turned to her. The housekeeper’s spectacles slid to the bottom of her nose as she peered down at Cassandra. “Yes, what is it?”
    “Mrs. Dunleigh, surely you’ll understand, but may I borrow your husband, please? My father’s not here, and I feel awkward asking a stranger. But it would mean the world to me if Mr. Dunleigh could stand beside me and walk me down the aisle.” Cassandra’s mouth went dry as she peered at the gentleman. “Please, Mr. Dunleigh.”
    His wife pulled a hanky from her long sleeve and sniffled into it. “Of course, my dear, we wouldn’t have it any other way.” She gave a pointed look to her husband, who didn’t appear to be convinced.
    His eyebrows were raised as he deliberated. When he hesitated too long, he was reprimanded by his wife. “Yes, of course,” she prodded, “he’d cherish the moment. Wouldn’t you, dear?”
    “Absolutely,” he said with a simple nod. He wasn’t enthusiastic, but was gentlemanly about the matter.
    Mrs. Dunleigh entered the front of the church. Cassandra and Mr. Dunleigh took the side stairs and stepped into the alcove at the back. Reverend Darcy, with short gray hair and a long black robe and collar, greeted her kindly. “Good evening. Welcome, welcome, lass.”
    He gave her instructions on how they’d begin, then quickly departed. Cassandra stood nervously beside Mr. Dunleigh in the alcove. Judging by the shuffling of feet and amount of murmuring behind the wall, it sounded like a packed congregation.
    When the pianist began “Here Comes the Bride,” Cassandra placed her hand on Mr. Dunleigh’s elbow and came out of hiding.
    Up at the altar, Jack turned.
    He looked splendidly handsome in a formal black tailcoat and blue cravat. His black hair caught the light cascading from an arched window, and the corners of his mouth lifted upward in what appeared to be approval. He glanced briefly at her burned cheek.