Page 112 of Native Hawk
Chapter 33
Getting ready for her wedding in Claire’s upstairs bedroom at the Parker Ranch, Catalina could hardly contain her excitement.
But it was her soon-to-be sister-in-law who was squirming as Catalina arranged the long white veil over Claire’s short blonde hair, pinning a violet spray of lupins across the top.
“Be still,” she scolded with a laugh. “Ah, better. The pins, they are not biting you?”
“No, they’re not biting me.”
When she finished, she tugged Claire over to the full-length mirror. “So. Do you like?”
Originally, Catalina had wanted a fashionable white gown like the English Queen’s. But Claire said that since the red Paradise dirt stained everything, she preferred darker colors. Catalina shuddered, remembering the ugly browns and grays of Claire’s regular wardrobe.
They’d managed a compromise.
Sketching out the designs for their wedding dresses, Catalina had suggested the colors of the local wildflowers—the vibrant hues of the lupins and poppies that draped the foothills in spring like brilliant swaths of cloth.
For green-eyed Claire, she’d designed a pale lavender gown with a high buttoned neckline and a darker violet insert in the skirt. Narrow cream-colored ruffles edged the flounces and belled sleeves. The vivid fresh lupins that anchored her veil drew attention to Claire’s delicate face, and more lupins filled her bouquet.
For herself, she’d created a soft peach dress that seemed to float on her frame in layers of sheer silk, caught up with bows to reveal playful ruffles of orange beneath. Her dark hair made a good foil for the crown of bright orange poppies that secured her white veil.
“It’s perfect,” Claire murmured.
They exchanged smiles in their reflection.
Catalina loved having a sister. And she was suddenly very glad she’d insisted on a double wedding, considering the trouble they’d been given.
If people thought Catalina’s bustle was scandalous, they were a hundred times more offended at the idea of a white woman marrying a half-breed. None of the churches would allow them to speak their vows at the altar.
To make things worse, despite Catalina’s innocent association with The Parlor, most people judged her harshly for it.
As for Claire, many treated her as if she’d gotten herself kidnapped on purpose.
Many townsfolk would neither speak nor look at them.
In the end, they’d decided to face the fire—and the scorn of society—together. They would hold a double wedding in the new barn at the Parker Ranch. That way, they knew whoever attended would be true friends.
“I think we will be very beautiful flowers today,” Catalina decided.
Claire turned sideways to the mirror and giggled. “Are yousurethis looks right?”
Catalina wondered if Paradise would ever get accustomed to bustles. “Oh,si, si,”she assured Claire. “It is the latest fashion.”
She turned to the side as well to make sure her own bustle was straight. Then, with a secret smile, she ran a hand over the front of her skirt. Fortunately, she wasn’t showing too much yet.
A movement at the window caught her eye, and she rushed over to peer at the drive below. The guests were starting to arrive.
Catalina grinned and straightened with pride as she watched them. The ladies of The Parlor, mincing along the drive with their elegant parasols and their extravagant hats, could have passed for the aristocracy of Italy. She’d dressed them in so many beautiful colors, they looked like a lovely rainbow as they ambled past.
Then she spotted the twins.
“Come, come quickly,” she said to Claire. “Come see our beautiful men.”
Catalina had chosen their suits as well. She’d wisely dressed them in different colors. Though Claire and she could easily tell the brothers apart, most could not. Chase’s suit was the deep rich brown ofespresso.Drew’s was the dark blue shade of the night sky.
Claire leaned against the window with a dreamy sigh.
She wasn’t the only one appreciating the handsome twins. Catalina could see ladies whispering behind their gloves and young girls blushing as the brothers passed.
