A Western Love for an Unexpected Bride Bonus Scene

It was a beautiful morning in San Miguel.

As Mary stood on the balcony of the second floor of Bianca's house, her heart was full. The last two months had been some of the happiest times of her life.

She hadn't realized how confining the city had been. Now that she was free, Mary could breathe.

"Ay."

Except with the occasional scolding. Mary turned. "Good morning, Bianca."

"I should have known you would be out here."

"Is it time already?" Mary asked hesitantly. "I didn't forget any chores, did I?"

Bianca waved a hand as she joined her on the balcony. "No, my dear, no. I merely wanted to talk. Without the boys," she added playfully.

Before the wedding celebrations had ended two months ago, Mary had been offered a place at the Martinez ranch for as long as she liked.

That evening, she had ridden back with the family to the large house and was given the guest room.

Emmanuel had moved himself to Xavier and Regina's home. At first, it made Mary terribly nervous to be far away from him.

The anxiety did not last long. She was welcomed with open arms.

Dominic treated her like a sister, teasing her about Emmanuel. And he shared stories of them growing up.

Then Bianca's new husband, Jay Thompson, had been friendly and helpful in her adjustment to living there.

And there was Bianca.

That first night, everyone had gathered in the kitchen to hear her story with Emmanuel.

They took turns sharing what had happened.

Bianca had been the one to ask question after question. She made sure that Mary wouldn't get into any trouble. Then she invited them to start thinking about their future.

The woman was a force of nature, just as Emmanuel had described her.

But Mary could see the mother within the woman. Though she might have only birthed one child, Bianca Martinez Thompson took care of everyone.

That included Mary. When Emmanuel was busy, Bianca had taken Mary under her wing to teach her everything, including how to cook spicy food that made her eyes water.

But Mary loved it, just like Emmanuel had hoped. He had a lot of hopes. And so did she. They had talked about most of them.

Before she had been with them for a month, they had decided to be married.

It had happened quickly one afternoon when Emmanuel had taken her on his uncle's large horse that fit them both.

She felt safe with his arms around her.

"Everything here is so strange," she had said when they had slowed to a walk.

"And beautiful," she had amended when she heard him chuckle.

Her back had been pressed against his chest. When he laughed, she could feel the vibrations. Then he set his chin on her head. It made her smile from ear to ear.

"Like you," Emmanuel had responded before planting a kiss on her head.

That had made her laugh. "Me? Strange? That's not nice."

"You know what I mean. Every day is so new, I never know what will happen. I like it."

"Me too," she had agreed. "I've loved every day here. That's all because of you."

Craning her neck, she leaned back so they could kiss on the lips. The horse stood still, and Emmanuel tightened his arms around her.

After the kiss, he had said, "Marry me."

It had taken her a moment. Mary studied his long face and sloping nose, his dark eyes and curling hair. The whole world had fallen silent.

"I want this strange and beautiful life with you," he explained. "Every day with you is an adventure. I don't want to ever let go of you. Marry me?"

She grinned before throwing an arm around his neck. "Yes," she had exclaimed before kissing him.

Of course, everyone had been waiting for the good news. Their jokes had made Mary flush redder than she'd ever been in her life.

And now, in just a few hours, they really would be family.

Mary studied Bianca. "Without the boys?" she repeated anxiously.

The woman leaned on the banister. "I know we have hardly given you a moment to yourself. And now you are getting married. Are you nervous?"

She swallowed. "Only a little. But I know I want it. To marry Emmanuel. More than anything."

Bianca winked. "I would hope so. He's a good boy. I still remember the day he came. Xavier was a mess, all dirty and bloody. His hair reached his shoulders and his throat was so dry that every word was a growl. Like a bear.

"And there was a boy in his arms. I was your age and with child. With Dominic. Xavier brought the boy over and said his name was Emmanuel and that he was going to live with us. That he needed a family."

Mary listened carefully. Emmanuel had shared what he remembered, but sometimes it wasn't very clear.

"He was dirty and scared and shy. Several times, I'm sure he told you, he tried to run away. The boy has always had a restless spirit. But then for a long time, he was afraid to go, like he thought we might disappear. He holds onto what he wants.

"He is a good boy. Happy and kind and generous. I would like to take all the credit, but I cannot. Ay, a good boy.

"His spirit is strong, and he has been happier with you. I'm glad you're here, Mary. Not just for him, but I have seen you blossom. Besides, I've always wanted a daughter."

When Mary glanced up, the woman winked at her again. "Thank you, Bianca. That – that's very kind of you."

Straightening up, Bianca touched her shoulder. "It's time we dressed you for your special day. But before that, I wanted to make sure of something. Your own mother is not here. Do you know what happens between a man and a woman after marriage?"

The straightforward question caught Mary off guard. She stepped back with her eyes wide. Her mouth dropped before she could find words.

"What? Yes. Yes! I do. It's fine," she stammered in embarrassment.

Bianca laughed, pulling the girl into her arms. "Ay, don't be worried! All of marriage is scary. But all of marriage is also good. I would not be a good mother if I did not check, yes?

"Well, then. Off to your room. Come, come. Ay, we don't have much time."

Bianca was good at distractions, and the woman was more than thrilled to dress her for her wedding day. So they hurried to her room to get ready.

Looking to combine their cultures, Mary and Bianca decided upon braiding much of her hair.

For a dress, they used Regina's wedding skirt and a fresh blouse. Much of it was white with green and red flowers.

When she put it on, Mary felt pretty.

But it wasn't until she stepped outside where Emmanuel was staring at her that she truly felt beautiful.

His jaw dropped. Immediately he scooped her up in his arms, twirling her around. She was still giggling when he set her down and kissed her.

"You are beautiful," he confirmed. "Even more so than usual. Perhaps it is because I'm finally marrying you."

"Ay," Bianca called out in exasperation. "You're not supposed to kiss until after the ceremony. It's tradition."

"Then we're making another tradition," Mary giggled before kissing Emmanuel. "Let me get a good look at you."

Holding his hands, she stepped back and admired the handiwork of the man she was about to call her husband.

He wore the jacket from his mother's wedding. But they'd changed the collar to a dark green that matched her dress.

It suited him well, fitted to his broad shoulders and narrow waist.

She brushed a strand of his hair back and then slipped her hand back in his.

He didn't move, watching her with his own smile.

"Well?" he asked finally. "Handsome enough for Miss Mary MacDougall?"

"Almost too fine," she beamed.

Bianca coughed beside them. "Ay, and you'll both be fine and beautiful standing here all day if you two don't join us at the church. Mary, will you join us in the wagon?"

Emmanuel answered for her as he spun her into his arms. "She's riding with me. Xavier said we can take his horse."

"Of course he did," his mama rolled her eyes. "Ay, you two are inseparable. We bring your own horse back and you've hardly ridden him."

He rested his chin on the top of her head. She couldn't stop grinning even as Bianca tossed them a look.

Dominic had traveled to a nearby town just days ago where Emmanuel's horse and goods had been kept since they returned on a different train. Most of his goods had been sold, though he'd given a few to his family.

"I rode him yesterday," Emmanuel pointed out as Xavier and Regina arrived. "And I'll ride him tomorrow. But first, I am going to be married. Shall we?"

Mary glanced up at him. "We shall."

Bianca chuckled. "Then we must go. Jay? Jay! Ay, where did that man go?"

Jay Thompson waved from the wagon below. "Bianca, I'm waiting." He had been there the whole time.

The woman laughed in amazement, hurrying over to him. Everyone sorted their rides and prepared for their journey into town.

"Don't be late," Bianca called over her shoulder.

Emmanuel waved. "Right behind you!" Then he nudged Mary, but she couldn't smile any wider. Her eyes trailed after the family before allowing her husband-to-be to tug her towards the horse.

"You know," he told her, "we could just run away now."

She chuckled as they reached the horse already saddled for them and with flowers in its mane.

"And have your family despise me? I think not." Mary bit her lip as she put her hands on his shoulders and he took her by her waist.

In one movement, he lifted her onto the horse. It always took her breath away.

Horses still made her nervous, but she was getting used to them. Especially with the way that Emmanuel trained them. She could see how much he loved them. It was hard not to love them in return.

Even if they were ten times bigger than she was.

He climbed on behind her. "My family is your family. And they adore you."

She felt him kiss her head. She liked those kisses. She liked every kiss.

Leaning into his chest, she inhaled deeply as they started off. "I don't know if they will when we tell them we're not staying."

"Mama knew I was planning to leave," Emmanuel shrugged. "Before you arrived. They may have guessed. We'll tell them later."

Mary was quiet because she could feel the tension in his shoulders. It had already been decided, and it was what they wanted. Only neither of them wanted to be the one to tell his family.

When they arrived at the church, he started to hum an old tune. Mary frowned as he slid down and reached for her.

As her feet touched the ground, she swatted him. "I told you I didn't like that song."

It was the tune he had sung when they were climbing down that mountain in Utah.

Emmanuel grinned. "I was wondering if you would notice. Ay, Mary, your head has too many thoughts. It's weighing you down."

"I dinna know what you're talking about," she drawled, knowing how much he liked her accent. "Are we getting married or no?"

It wasn't a conventional type of wedding, she knew. And she felt certain that her family would be upset for her not marrying properly in their church.

But this felt right. Mary had felt more at home in San Miguel than anywhere in a long time. It only seemed right to celebrate there with his family.

They stepped inside and found everyone waiting. All of Emmanuel's family and a few friends from town. Her breath caught, but she was relieved she wasn't alone.

When Mary tightened her grip on Emmanuel, he stepped closer and guided her down the aisle.

She was only glad that her ankle wasn't bothering her anymore, though she had kept her cane.

For the last couple of weeks, everyone had been helpful and patient as she adjusted to the west.

And she loved every part of it.

Even marrying after such a short amount of time with Emmanuel didn't make her nervous.

Before it started, her cheeks were aching from smiling. When he slipped a gold band on her finger, it took all her strength not to cry tears of joy.

It was a short, sweet ceremony that ended with a kiss. Emmanuel didn't let go until they heard everyone cheering.

Mary flushed red, but she didn't mind. Not now that they were married.

She was in a daze as everyone congratulated her, and then they made their way to the café to celebrate. There was no need for such a big celebration as Bianca's, but a family party felt right.

Sitting beside Emmanuel, their knees touching, Mary looked around. They were her family now.

Bianca winked as if she knew what was on her mind.

After all those years, she had another family. It was a strange idea. But a beautiful one. Mary squeezed her husband's hand. She had a husband.

They had been through so much in so little time. Mary recalled confessing to Emmanuel that she was afraid they had only been caught up in the moment and that their feelings would fade.

But Emmanuel had replied that they could cling to their feelings as long as they liked.

And he was willing to wait a lifetime in the hope that they never changed.

He was a lovely man with a lovely soul.

No matter what doubts he had, for he had confessed some, Mary hoped he had an idea of how loved he was by his family and by her. Though she wished he had not been left in the desert, she was glad they had found each other.

It filled her heart with joy, just knowing he was hers.

After a few toasts, Emmanuel stood to make his own. "Thank you, everyone. I know we had another wedding recently, but as most of you know, I couldn't wait."

Dominic scoffed playfully, and everyone chuckled.

"I'd like to make a toast to life. Because good things often come in disguise. Whether it's being lost on a hot summer day," Emmanuel gestured to Xavier, "or stranded in the snow with a pretty stranger, I have been luckier than I deserve.

"Life isn't easy. But it is good, and it is even better when we are together." He raised his glass, and everyone clinked theirs.

Her grip tightened on her own glass as Emmanuel gave her the look. It was time. Her stomach churned as she prayed for strength.

Mary climbed to her feet.

"I don't have a toast," she apologized. "But I do have news. Well, we have news."

Everyone glanced around curiously. She could feel her heart pounding as her mouth turned dry.

When Mary didn't say anything, Emmanuel nudged her. "We're going to Ireland."

Everyone froze.

Mary bit her cheek as she studied them. She hadn't wanted to tell them but knew they would have to do it eventually.

They would think she was getting them killed or lost or that she was stealing Emmanuel away. That was the last thing she wanted.

But in the cool evenings when they walked under the stars, Mary had discussed her desire with Emmanuel, and he had decided that they should do it sooner rather than later. There was no need to wait.

"Not forever," Mary hastily explained in the silence. "We intend to return.

"The journey is safe. But we want to find my family. At least to see them. We'll be back sometime next year, I'm sure. We'll send telegrams and – and letters."

Mary glanced at Emmanuel. Her chest felt tight. He looked apprehensively at her and then his family. Their family. She hoped they weren't mad.

It was Bianca who broke the silence.

"Ha!" she cried out and began to clap. "I knew it!"

Everyone followed with a cheer. Mary's eyes widened. Beside her, Emmanuel laughed in relief and wrapped his hand around her waist.

His touch reminded her of everything they'd been through, from meeting on the train to that very moment.

There would be more adventures. Trials and blessings, too.

But she wouldn't be alone. Though the idea of trekking across the west was terrifying, she loved the idea of traveling with her husband.

They had their lives ahead of them and for the first time in a long time, she couldn't wait to get started.

Mary smiled up at Emmanuel. He was everything she had ever dreamed of and more. She couldn't get any luckier than she was in that very moment.

A grin spread across his face as though he were thinking the same thing.

As if they were reading each other's mind, they leaned in for another kiss.

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