The wedding took place on a cliff top at Randolph Fear’s mountain retreat in Colorado. A dirt road led up to the majestic lodge, built like a pioneer cabin, perhaps the biggest log cabin ever built. The building was wide and low, tucked into the rock outcropping behind it, chimneys lining the red slate roofs.
The mesa stretched beyond the lodge, tall grass and wildflowers on both sides of a winding path. Blue sky as far as you could see. The mesa ended in a jagged rock cliff, a steep drop to the canyon below with its dark boulders and a narrow ribbon of a river.
Beautiful—as if a painter had created a perfect rustic mountain scene. This was where Rebecca wanted her wedding. She said she wanted to be married at the top of the world, and this spot came close.
Ruth-Ann’s parents begged her to come to the wedding rehearsal. But she refused, claiming she had a stomachache.
She had no intention of being part of the wedding party. She didn’t plan to walk down the long white aisle with her mother and father. She planned to sit quietly near the back of the seating area, watch the ceremony, then retreat to her room.
The morning of the wedding, while everyone was having breakfast, Ruth-Ann sneaked out of the lodge and climbed the mesa to inspect the wedding site. The sky above her was cloudless; a red morning sun hung low on the horizon. A warm breeze hinted of the perfect day to come.
Ruth-Ann shielded her eyes with one hand and watched two red hawks swoop low overhead, then glide away.
Rebecca got her perfect day and her perfect setting for her perfect wedding.
An altar had been constructed at the top of the mesa. An arch had been built over that, and covered in white peonies and stephanotis. A narrow podium for the minister stood beneath the flowers.
The white-carpeted aisle stretched between two sections of folding chairs. The carpet made its way down the path to the lodge, tall grass and wildflowers swaying on both sides.
Ruth-Ann stood under the arch. The flowers smelled sweet. She gazed down over the edge of the mesa. Then she raised her eyes to the white flowers covering the arch.
This is where Rebecca will stand. This is where she will stand with Peter.
She suddenly realized she was making it all even more painful for herself. Why was she standing there? Why had she come up here this morning?
Abruptly, she turned and hurried down the aisle, following the carpet down the sloping hill to the lodge. She had a light breakfast. Then guests began to arrive.
The wedding was large. Her parents had invited two hundred people. But Randolph Fear would spare no expense for his eldest daughter. He had rented an entire train to bring them all to Colorado from the East.
After breakfast, Ruth-Ann retreated to her room. Lily was the maid of honor. Of course, Ruth-Ann hadn’t been asked.
Her parents had bought her a dress nonetheless, violet with white lace, long pleated skirt to her ankles, a cute vest over a frilly top. She didn’t want to dress up. Still, Ruth-Ann had no choice but to wear it.
The wedding was scheduled for one o’clock. As Ruth-Ann got dressed, she heard scurrying in the hallway, excited voices. Last-minute preparations had everyone tense.
A knock on her door startled her. And when she pulled open the door, she had an even bigger surprise.
Rebecca stood there. She was in her wedding dress but held the sparkly tiara-shaped headband in her hand. The dress was a beautiful ivory, open at the back, beaded all over, with lacy butterfly sleeves and a filmy sweep train flowing down the back. Her hair was tied with a wide silk ribbon so that it flowed like a golden waterfall down the back of the train.
“Ruth-Ann—” she started. Then she stopped and narrowed her eyes, as if she didn’t know what to say next.
Ruth-Ann pulled the door open a little wider. “Rebecca? What are you doing here?” She couldn’t hide the coldness in her voice.
“I—I need you to forgive me,” Rebecca stammered. “Please, Ruth-Ann. I know what I’ve done. I know I’ve hurt you. But . . .”
Ruth-Ann had never seen her sister so unsure, so nervous, almost unable to speak. She took a step back, allowing Rebecca to enter the room.
Rebecca rolled the sparkly white headband between her hands. “Please say you forgive me,” she said, locking her blue eyes on Ruth-Ann. “Please say it. I’ll spend the rest of my life trying to make it up to you. I promise.”
Ruth-Ann’s mouth dropped open. Was Rebecca really saying these things?
“It’s my wedding day,” Rebecca said. “I need for it to be perfect. And it won’t be perfect unless I have my whole family behind me, especially you.”
The two sisters stared at each other. The silence grew heavy and awkward. Finally, Ruth-Ann relented. “Okay,” she said in a whisper. “I forgive you.”
“Oh, thank goodness!” Rebecca cried. She flung her arms around Ruth-Ann. She pressed her cheek against Ruth-Ann’s. Her cheek was hot and wet with tears.
Ruth-Ann pushed her back gently. “You’re going to spoil your makeup.”
Rebecca stepped back, wiping her eyes. “Help me with this headband, okay? And with the train. It got all twisted.”
“I forgive you, but I won’t walk down the aisle,” Ruth-Ann said. “I’ll be there for you, Rebecca. I forgive you. I really do.”
“That’s enough,” Rebecca said, taking both of Ruth-Ann’s hands in hers. “Thank you, Ruth-Ann. Thank you.”
They were the last words Rebecca ever said to her sister.
