Chapter 17, Nauvoo
They finally fell asleep–Garrett on his couch and Cathee curled up with Christina. The storm had passed sometime in the morning after they’d drifted off. The grass was wet but the birds were happily singing when they moved upstairs to share a brunch. It was too late to call it breakfast.
“It feels so nice not to be worrying about Juan.”
Garrett wrapped Cathee in his arms to give her a hug, then stepped back. “You don’t have to tell me that.” He sent her a lopsided grin then continued stirring the eggs. “I hope you like your eggs scrambled.”
“That’s fine.” Cathee was searching through his cupboards so she could set the table. She found what she was looking for and set the table for three. Garrett settled the plate of scrambled eggs and another of bacon on the wooden table. The table fit the huge kitchen nicely. It was a table meant for a large family.
After a blessing on the food, Garrett announced, “I’m going to call my parents as soon as we finish eating.”
“How do you think they’ll react?”
He laughed. “They’ve been begging me to date for years. I think they’ll be very happy.” He bent over to kiss her head lightly. “I’m sure they’ll love you and Christina.”
Cathee’s expression changed to one of worry. “I know this is kind of...awkward, but we don’t know much about our families. We haven’t had much time to talk.”
He agreed. “We have had other things on our minds, haven’t we?”
She nodded. “I was an only child, but my Uncle Joe and Aunt Elaine have six kids. They usually get together at Thanksgiving.” She paused and a shadow of fear washed across her features. “I never introduced them to Christina. I’d like to spend Thanksgiving with them this year. Is that ok?”
He reached over to cup her chin in his hand. “Whatever you want, as long as you’re happy.”
He released her chin to dish up his food.
“What about you? Do you have any family I should know about?” Cathee asked.
Garrett nodded. “I’m the oldest. I have two sisters and a brother. Clara lives with her husband and three kids in Yakima, Washington. My youngest sister, Tina, is still attending BYU. She’s dating someone pretty steady, so I think we’ll be getting a wedding announcement soon. Tom is working on his doctorate in Chicago. He’s married and has two children.”
“Do you get together often?”
“We try to get together in the summer. It’s too hard to travel in cold weather. We usually meet in Utah. There are a lot of places to camp and fish.” He watched her face carefully. “No boating required.”
She relaxed. It sounded like she didn’t have to worry too much about fitting in with his family. Everything would be fine.
* * *
The call to her Uncle Joe and Aunt Elaine had been hard. Garrett made the call. “Hi. Is this Joe?” He watched Cathee’s face carefully as he made the connection.
“I’m Garrett Andrews. I was wondering if I could take your niece, Cathee, to the temple along with her daughter, Christina.”
Shocked silence had met his announcement. He handed the phone over to Cathee, whose Aunt Elaine had taken over the call. “Aunt Elaine? This is Cathee. I met a wonderful guy. Garrett is going to marry me in the Nauvoo Temple on October 19. We’d like you to come.”
“I’ll put it on our calendar. We’re so happy for you, dear.” Cathee could hear the tears in her aunt’s voice. She should have called her years before.
* * *
The next few months flew by. Wedding preparations, even with the efficient help of her Aunt Elaine, had a way of condensing time. Cathee went back to work in Wichita but put in her notice for the end of September. There wasn’t an office in Salina, and Wichita was too far of a drive. Besides, she had always wanted to be a stay-at-home mom for Christina. Cathee and Garrett had already talked about more children, and Cathee didn’t anticipate they would wait long for the next one to arrive.
The temple ceremony was everything she had anticipated. When she stood at the mirrors staring at their multiplied reflection, she thought of Jill. Jill had a part in preparing Garrett for her, and she was eternally grateful.
After the wedding, they moved outside to take pictures.
Christina pointed up excitedly. “Look, Mommy, there’s a hawk!”
Cathee watched the soaring bird a moment, remembering the day in June when Christina had pointed out the other hawk.
It had been nothing but a predator then. It meant something else now. She could see the beauty in its silent flight.
She looked up at the man who had been willing to work past the sorrow in her heart. She was looking forward to a lifetime to spread her wings, and she knew Garrett would be there to fly with her.
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