Page 35 of My Darling Clementine

Her Wedding Day

On the ride back to the Bates Hotel, they discussed which provisions they needed. She listened as Clem explained, “The only things we buy here are what we need to get across the trail. Once we get to California, we can get what we need for prospecting there. For traveling, we’ll need a pickax, shovel, saw, three rifles, bullets for those, knives, a whetstone, flint, buckets, barrels, and stuff I ordered from the hardware store.”

“What about food? How much can we carry?” Four months was a long time to plan ahead. “How often will we be able to restock?”

“Stops are few and far between, although there are more all the time along the trail these days. When it was me alone, I figured on a hundred pounds of jerky and three barrels of beans.” Clem shrugged.

Kizzy made a list including two kinds of flour, both corn and wheat, rendered lard, a sack of sugar, and another of coffee. Salted meat rather than jerky and a barrel each of root vegetables, potatoes, turnips, and carrots joined the staples. “I’d like to bring along some fruit, both dried and fresh. And along the way, I’ll need a grinder, several sharp knives of various sizes, a frying pan, large pot, and another, smaller one.” She added long-handled forks and spoons for cooking, along with eating utensils and cups. Thinking about four months of hard travel and unpredictable weather, she listed the bedding, towels, and sturdy clothing they would need. Her head was spinning with details by the time Clem pulled up the mules outside of the hotel, then jumped down and came around to help her.

“What if we forget something important? We can’t come back for it.” she worried, staring at the calm woman who would soon be her husband. Noting Clem’s firm jaw and generous mouth, she fought an impulse to kiss her. She’s quite handsome.

“True, but don’t worry about it now.” Clem pulled her watch and checked the time, then kissed the tip of Kizzy’s nose, tickling it. “There’s all day tomorrow to prepare. This is your wedding day. It’s already four, the only thing you need do is get inside, relax, and take a bath. I’ll stable the mules, and start loading the wagon. At five, I’ll use your room and leftover bathwater to wash and dress. I left my outfit with Mrs. Bates before leaving this morning.”

“It’s amazing, you’re so organized.” Kizzy stared up at Clem. “I still haven’t gotten used to the idea and you’re doing all the preparation for both our wedding and traveling by covered wagon.” She shivered with a mix of excitement and trepidation.

“When I make up my mind to do something, it gets done.” Laugh lines crinkled at the corners of Clem’s eyes. “If you don’t have second thoughts and run away by six, I’ll be downstairs greeting our guests and filling out paperwork.” Enfolding Kizzy in a comforting hug, Clem kissed her temple and rubbed her tense shoulders. “When the fiddler starts playing, that’s the signal for you to walk downstairs. I’ll be at the bottom to give you my arm, and we’ll walk into the parlor together. Then we’ll take our vows. How does that sound?”

“Like a fairy tale,” she said with an amazed shake of her head. All she could do was stare at Clem. Perfect weddings and incredible opportunities like this don’t happen in real life, not to women like me, anyway. She licked her lips and nodded, unable to speak around the lump in her throat. At least, the woman I was yesterday. Tomorrow morning I’ll be Mrs. Clem Dennison, whoever she is.

Clem pulled back to look at her. “If you’d rather, I’m sure Mr. Bates or Judge Winston would be happy to walk you down the aisle.”

“No, walking in with you is better.” Kizzy patted Clem’s arm as they walked toward the Hotel door. “Such impressive planning,” she shook her head, “in so little time.”

“I admit, I was inspired at the thought of you wearing my mother’s dress.” Clem smiled down at her and shrugged. “Better to know it now, you’re marrying a romantic.”

“I’ll say.” A loud sigh made them turn, grinning at each other as the eavesdropping serving girl’s blushing face disappeared back indoors.

“Enjoy your bath, Miss Walker,” said Clem, giving her a wicked grin and nodding toward the still-cracked hotel door with its listening ear. “An hour from now, my love, I shall drink your bathwater, counting down the minutes until I see you again.”

Another girlish sigh made them chuckle as they parted ways. At the same moment, they both looked over their shoulders and found nervous anticipation growing in each other’s eyes.

Kizzy blew Clem a kiss before entering the hotel lobby where Mrs. Bates stood smiling at the giggling serving girl. “Fetch another kettle of hot water, Gabby,” she said. “Bring it to Miss Walker’s room.”

Taking Kizzy’s arm, the hotel matron walked upstairs with her. “I’ve got the tub full, my dear, and you have plenty of time to relax in the water while it’s warm.” She laughed. “My nerves were a fright on my wedding day.” She giggled like a girl and winked. “They were even worse that night. You’ll learn a few things about men tonight. I hope your mother prepared you?”

Kizzy blushed as she realized what the woman meant. “Um, yes, I think so. She told me to let him do what he wanted after the service, but not before.” She crossed her fingers behind her back. “And I haven’t.”

“You’re a good girl,” approved Mrs. Bates. “Don’t worry, it only hurts the first time, and after that it’ll feel good, really good if you’re lucky.” She blinked, then looked at Kizzy from under lowered lids, “I’m one of the lucky ones,” she said, and winked. “Now let’s get you out of this,” she examined the clever ready-made dress, “and into that nice refreshing bath.”

Her deft fingers undid buttons, loosened ties, and removed bits and pieces until Kizzy stood naked in a puddle of her own clothing. “Hop in the tub, girl,” the woman said. “You don’t need to catch your death of cold.” She patted her shoulder, watching her lower herself into water that rose to her collarbone when she bent her knees. “Your husband’s a lucky man,” Mrs. Bates said with a critical eye. “He won’t be complaining in the morning.”

She was laughing as the door to the room banged open and Gabby staggered in, carrying a heavy pot of steaming water. Glimpsing Mr. Bates hovering with curious eyes in the hallway, his wife called to him. “We won’t need you for three-quarters of an hour. Then bring up Mr. Dennison’s clothes and empty some of this water.” She closed the door.

Gabby poured the entire kettle of boiling hot water into the tub all at once. “Yikes!” The sudden heat made Kizzy squeal, curl up in a ball, and spin around to distribute the water.

“Oh! I’m so sorry, Miss Walker.” Gabby looked distraught. “I wasn’t thinking.” She smacked herself on the head. “I’m so stupid.”

Kizzy interrupted her. “I’m fine, just a surprise.”

“I know, but you’d think I’d know better,” said the girl in an eerie imitation of her aunt.

Looking from one to the other, Kizzy said, “I think I’ll follow your kind advice, Mrs. Bates, and soak here for a while. In private,” she said, chin pointing at Gabby, “if you don’t mind?”

“I don’t. There’s a towel on the chair, and I’ll be back in a half hour to see what I can do to help you get ready. Just open the door and call if you want anything.” She smiled. “I’m sure eager ears will be happy to relay any messages.” She swept Gabby out the door before her, saying, “Go fetch more water from the well for heating. We’ll start warming it up for Mr. Dennison in the kitchen.” Mrs. Bates closed the door behind them.

Silence descended, she inhaled steam from the bath and relaxed.

Listening to the swish of water in the tub, adjusting to its heat, she thought of the cool stream and realized it might be months before her next hot bath. She remembered her mother’s warning about droughts, and spent ten minutes scrubbing nails, washing hair, behind her ears, and other spots not always easy to reach. When satisfied she was clean, she leaned back in the tub, staring at dust motes dancing in rays of sunlight through the window. Her heart raced, her chest ached, and deep doubts assailed her.