House of Shadows Read online

  “I’d laugh, but I think you’re right,” Miles said.

  We stood, and made our way down the path to the castle. As we reached the grounds of the estate, we stopped to watch.

  Vehicles of various kinds lined both sides of the long driveway. The chairs to accommodate our guests were in place, and several people were hard at work putting on the white chair covers and neatly tying the ribbons that fastened them.

  Several of my extended family members arrived, and parked in the driveway near the front doors of the estate. As they walked up the steps and into the castle, exclaiming at everything they saw, one of the staff carried in luggage while another moved cars to the garage.

  “Looks like a beehive, doesn’t it,” Miles said.

  “It does,” I agreed.

  As we walked through the garden, making our way around the many people who were busy making sure that our wedding would be perfect, we were swarmed by bridesmaids.

  “There you are! I can’t believe you snuck out on us!” Miriam exclaimed.

  “I can’t either,” said Annette. “We were keeping an eye on your door, waiting for you to wake up.”

  “You must have slipped by us when we were distracted,” said Miriam. “It was the strangest thing, a vase fell off one of the hall tables and smashed all over the floor. It happened right behind us, and there was no one around.”

  “I hope it wasn’t expensive,” said Jenny.

  “Probably, but it’s nothing to be concerned about,” Miles said. “I never liked that vase, anyway.”

  The glance and the smile Miles gave me, threw me into a fit of laughter.

  “Well it foiled our plans to bride-nap you,” Miriam said. “We had it all planned out.”

  “Then I have to say, I absolutely love that vase,” I replied, and Miles laughed.

  “You girls will have to take pity on me,” he said, wrapping both arms around me, and holding tight. “Now that I’ve got her, I’m not letting her go until it’s time to dress for the wedding.”

  “Me neither,” I said. I crossed my arms in front of me, and gripped both of his.

  “Oh, fine!” Miriam rolled her eyes, as the groomsmen joined us.

  “What’s up?” asked Xander.

  “Oh, Miles managed to get away with Anika this morning, and spoiled our plans to bride-nap her,” said Miriam, sounding slightly miffed.

  “Way to go,” said Xander, holding up his hand to give Miles a high-five.

  Miles kept hold of me with one hand, and returned Xander’s high-five with the other.

  “Aww, man! Sorry about that!” said Xander, as my bridesmaids practically knocked him out of the way, as they took that opportunity to make a futile attempt at nabbing me. Why they bothered, I have no idea. My fiancé is too strong even one-handed, for them to possibly succeed!

  “No bruising the bride!” Miles protested, scooping me up, and swinging me out of the reach of my determined bridesmaids.

  “You girls are going to have to give up and concede defeat!” I declared, my arms wrapped tightly around his neck. “Nothing’s separating us until it’s time to dress for the wedding.”

  “And after that, nothing’s separating us ever again,” Miles smiled, and so did I. I love the sound of that!

  “All right girls, we’re beat,” Annette laughed.

  We spent the rest of the morning staying out of the way of all the worker bees buzzing about the estate, with queen bees Mom and Grandma Polly directing.

  Lunch was light, in anticipation of the catered dinner that would be held in the ballroom after the wedding. It was just as well, I had no appetite, and I noticed Miles didn’t either. Talk and chatter went on around us, but I felt distracted, and had a hard time joining in. I held tightly to Miles’ hand, very glad my bridesmaids failed in their attempt to keep us apart.

  Lunch ended, and Miles and I toured the reception area. Set-up was nearing completion. As the musicians tuned and readied their instruments, I took a few steps with Miles across the ballroom floor. It was my last dance, and his too, before we were married.

  As we walked through the rose garden looking at the progress made in preparing for our wedding ceremony, my bridesmaids assailed us once gain.

  “Alright Anika, it’s time to come with us,” said Jenny. “The stylist is here, so it’s hair and makeup time.”

  Miles turned, and as my fiancé, he kissed me one last time.

  “I’ll see you soon,” he smiled.

  The girls swept me off for my appointment, and Miles joined his groomsmen.

  The stylist was a sweet lady in her thirties, with gorgeous long blond hair in a French twist.

  “Okay sweetie, let’s get you ready for your groom,” she said, smiling, and I smiled back.

  Laughter and chatter went on around us, as she did her magic. She applied makeup so that I looked natural—only better!

  “Oh my goodness, Anika! I love how she did your eye makeup,” said Annette.

  “It’s stunning,” agreed Jenny. “You talk about Miles making your knees weak, I think you’re going to turn the tables this afternoon!”

  That made me laugh.

  When the stylist was completely finished, she hurried me away from the mirror.

  “You can look once you’re dressed, and I attach your veil,” she said.

  I went along with it, although I was really curious to know what I looked like!

  The large dressing room was filled with bridesmaids, and rose colored dresses. Mom helped me into my dress, and carefully fastened the many eye-hooks of the fitted bodice. When she was done, she stood back and looked at me.

  “You are absolutely beautiful, Anika,” Mom said, wiping away a tear.

  “Thanks, Mom,” I said, as she hugged me very carefully.

  Grandma Polly helped me fasten the Bannerman heirloom diamond cluster necklace, and I put on the matching earrings. Then the stylist stepped forward with my veil, and carefully set it in place.

  “Okay,” the stylist said, with a satisfied look. “Go ahead.”

  I turned and looked in the mirror. I loved what she did with my hair and makeup! I still looked like me, but I was the very best version of me I could possibly be.

  “Thank you,” I said to her, beaming, and she smiled back.

  I spun in front of the full-length mirror, admiring my dress. This was a full skirt I could dance in. Or chase bad guys in! Not that I would be doing that anymore.

  “Now I understand why you wanted me to wear the diamonds instead of the pearls,” I said, smiling at Polly. I felt like such a princess.

  “The tiara is another Bannerman family heirloom, dear,” said Polly proudly, gazing at the diamond encrusted crown that held my veil in place. “It was not lost with the others, which is why you’ve never seen it before. It will be yours soon, but for now it can be your ‘something borrowed,’ dear.”

  I turned this way and that, enjoying the play of light through the diamonds in my ring, tiara, necklace, and earrings.

  “Perfect! I love it.”

  Polly leaned forward with a chuckle.

  “And Miles can be your something old,” she whispered.

  I started to laugh, and then Polly started to laugh, and we almost couldn’t stop. The other women in the room looked like they’d enjoy being let in on the joke, but there were only three people in on our family secret, and we intended to keep it that way.

  “Okay,” I said, fanning my face with my hands, and trying to calm down. “So I need something new, and something blue.”

  “Here you go,” said Mom, opening a case and removing a blue garter. “This is your something blue.”

  “And it’s new, so I’m ready!” I said, putting it on. “Thank you, Mom.”

  “You’re welcome, dear. And for the record, I couldn’t be more pleased with the man you’ve chosen to marry.”

  Mom smiled, and I smiled back, and she went to help my sister fasten the back of her dress and pin up her curls.

  My outfit compl
ete, I looked around the room at my friends, as they finished their own preparations. I closed my eyes and took a deep breath, counting down the seconds.

  “You’re the most beautiful Bannerman bride yet, dear,” Polly said, smiling and patting my arm. “I am so glad you’re marrying Miles. He thinks the world of you, and so do I.”

  “Thank you,” I said, hugging her. “I think the world of the two of you, also.”

  While the rest of the wedding party hunted for bobby pins, and took a last turn at the curling iron and fastened dresses and slipped on shoes, I stole to the window and looked down at the rose garden.

  The ushers were at work seating our guests. Most of the chairs were filled, and my heart fluttered. It wouldn’t be much longer.

  There was a knock at the door, and Mom answered it.

  “Okay girls, ladies, listen up!” Mom said, and the chatter silenced. “It’s time. Let’s all make our way to the stairs, in order.”

  That meant I was last in the room, as my colorful maids preceded me out the door and down the hall and the stairs. At last it was my turn, and I walked between Mom and Polly. Dad waited at the foot of the stairs.

  “You look beautiful, honey,” Dad said, smiling as I took his arm.

  “Thanks, Dad,” I smiled back.

  “We’ll see you out there,” said Mom, giving me one last hug as she and Polly stepped outside and into the vestibule, and strains of music filtered in as they were each escorted to their seats.

  Jenny handed me my bouquet, and one by one, my bridesmaids slowly left me.

  “Okay, get ready, it’s our turn next,” said Dad, as the ushers opened the double front doors of the castle. We listened for our song to begin, and we began the walk down the front steps and into the garden.

  The beautiful, rose filled garden. The bower was covered in roses, also. On one side, stood my beautiful bridesmaids. Doreen, my sweet little sister all in pink, her twin cousin Sandra, in peach. Gorgeous Jenny, in mint green. Annette in lilac, and Miriam in rose. Trixie wore a large golden bow around her neck, and gave me an approving look. On the other side stood my little brother, looking so proud in his tuxedo, and next to him were Xander, John, Jeff, Paul, and Chip. In the center of the bower stood Pastor Gary, and beside him… Miles.

  His smile was dazzling, and I met it with one of my own. My heart fluttered again, and once more I wondered how it could be so full, and still fit in my chest.

  Dad laughed quietly.

  “Slow down, or we’ll get there before the music ends.”

  I didn’t want to slow down. I wanted to run. I was sure I could fly, given the chance! But my much calmer father prevailed, and we made our slow steady way towards my happily ever after.

  At last we reached the rose covered arch, and the music faded.

  The pastor spoke so slowly. I missed most of what he said, as Miles and I smiled at each other. I could hardly take in anything else.

  “Who gives this woman to be married?” dimly filtered in.

  “Her mother and I do,” Dad answered, then hugged me, and hugged Miles.

  I handed Jenny my bouquet, and Dad placed my hand in Miles’. I stepped forward, and we turned to face each other. I looked up at him, at his gorgeous hazel eyes and that smile I love so much. My heart swelled to the point I thought it would burst.

  The pastor began to speak.

  “Love is like a wedding band. A perfect circle. It has no beginning, and no ending. The love you have for each other…”

  Miles and I met with Pastor Gary for pre-marital counseling several times. It was hard for me to imagine that we needed the counseling, but I suppose everyone feels that way—or they wouldn’t be getting married! Miles pointed out that there was a good chance we’d run into conflict throughout the years, and it would be good to hear what the pastor had to say about conflict resolution, and communicating in a constructive, rather than destructive, way. Mom and Dad were won over by Miles long ago, but when they heard about the pre-marital counseling and that it was his idea, any worries they had about us moving too fast, were gone.

  I’m sure the pastor had wonderful things to say, and I’d be properly impressed when I watched our wedding video later. Right now though, all I could think about was the man I loved more than life, and that every second that passed, I felt less capable of waiting one second more to be his wife.

  Miles began to repeat after the pastor.

  “I promise to love, honor, and cherish…”

  I snapped my attention back to the proceedings, so that I could listen to Miles, and respond appropriately when it was my turn. I gladly promised all the same things.

  “Do we have the rings?” Pastor Gary turned to the groomsmen.

  Xander, Miles’ best man, stepped forward with a grin and handed them over.

  Miles slipped the wedding band onto my finger, and I smiled, loving how the afternoon sun was caught by the stone in my engagement ring, and the rubies and diamonds in the matching band, refracting and scattering the light. It was almost blinding.

  I placed the platinum band on Miles’ finger, and thought with satisfaction that now every girl would know this man was taken!

  I held my breath, waiting for my favorite part.

  “I now pronounce you husband and wife,” the pastor said with a smile. If the sun were to go on vacation, I’m sure our own smiles would light the world in its place.

  “You may kiss the bride,” he said.

  Miles lifted my veil, and with that melting look in his eyes, he kissed me as everything around us melted away.

  “May I present Mr. and Mrs. Miles Bannerman,” said the pastor, and we turned and smiled at our guests.

  The orchestra began to play. Jenny handed me my bouquet, and we led the way down the aisle and back down the garden path, to the castle.

  I looked up at Miles. We were both still smiling. Perhaps we’d never stop.

  “You are absolutely gorgeous, Mrs. Bannerman,” Miles said admiringly.

  “Thank you, Mr. Bannerman,” I laughed. “You are absolutely gorgeous, yourself.”

  We climbed the steps of the castle, our wedding party following behind. We waited in the entryway as our guests retreated through another doorway into the ballroom, where the reception was being held.

  “Congratulations,” said Jenny, giving me a hug. “I’ve never seen a more beautiful wedding.”

  “Thanks,” I said, as Annette and Miriam congratulated me also, and each gave me a hug.

  Xander shook Miles’ hand, and John, Paul, and Jeff, congratulated him as well. Everyone was happy and excited and talking at once.

  “Does this make you my real brother?” Tryon wanted to know.

  “That’s right,” Miles smiled.

  “Cool,” said Tryon, breaking into a grin.

  I hugged Doreen and Sandra.

  “You look beautiful, Anika,” Doreen smiled.

  “Like a princess bride,” said Sandra, her eyes shining.

  “Thank you, you girls are absolutely lovely yourselves,” I said. They really were. Guys better look out, in a very few more years, these girls would be heartbreakers.

  I felt Miles’ hand on my waist, and turned.

  “I think they’re ready for us,” he said.

  We led the way back to the garden, where the wedding photographer was setting up.

  So many pictures! I would be glad to have them in an album later, but right now I’d be glad to have them already taken, so we could join our own reception!

  At last the photographer was satisfied, and we walked with our wedding party to the ballroom.

  Xander threw open the double doors and announced loudly, “Introducing Mr. and Mrs. Bannerman!” Family and friends turned and applauded, as we entered.

  The ballroom was beautiful. Whoever Polly hired to decorate, did an outstanding job. Heavy white tablecloths with a rose pattern woven in gold thread, covered the round tables where family and friends sat and chatted. Centerpieces containing candles and roses of e
very color, graced the center of each table. Every part of the room which could be decorated with roses, was. They were interspersed with candle stands, woven around doorways, and it all worked together to create a very romantic atmosphere. The light was soft, and gold stars of differing size, hung from the wires attached to the high ceiling. I wasn’t sure how stars fit in with the theme, but it was beautiful, and it worked. They glittered in the light of the candles, as they slowly spun back and forth.

  Miles and I stood in the receiving line, greeting our guests.

  “Your wedding was lovely,” said Aunt Louise, giving us each a hug. “Just lovely!”

  “If only we could tell her what a big part she played in our story,” Miles said softly, so only I could hear. “We owe her so much.”

  I nodded.

  “We do,” I whispered back.

  All of my family was in attendance, including… Lydia.

  “Congratulations,” she managed, even if her expression was rather sour.

  “Thank you,” I said.

  “You certainly lucked out,” she couldn’t help but throw in, as she looked around, and then back at my rather impressive rings, necklace, earrings, tiara, and husband.

  “I’m more blessed than lucky,” Miles said with a smile. “To have Anika as my wife… I can’t imagine a greater blessing. Luck had nothing to do with it, although it did take extreme measures for her to date me in the first place, much less marry me. I intend to spend the rest of my life making her thankful that she did.”

  Lydia looked surprised, and Miles gave me a melting look. I put my arms around his neck and kissed him.

  “Me too,” I said softly, and then the distant chatter of our guests and family reminded me we weren’t alone.

  Lydia was thrown off her game. Before she could recover, she was carried along by the tide of family and friends, as the next one came forward to offer congratulations.

  I looked up at Miles between guests.

  “I’ve never seen anyone silence her before.”

  Miles smiled.

  “Imagine if I gave her the details, and told her I came back from the dead to be with you,” he said quietly.

  I laughed. I could just imagine!