Her Texas Cowboy Protector (The Winchester Cowboys #3)

Chapter Fifteen

Tahlequah, Oklahoma, was a bigger town than Landon had expected. When Natalie had suggested that they get married there surrounded by all her relatives, he’d agreed, knowing how much her heritage meant to her and how happy it would make her family.

In the year and a half since their engagement, they’d had plenty of time to plan the details.

Her father and grandparents had really wanted her to have a traditional Cherokee wedding ceremony, but they’d taken care of the legalities with a civil ceremony at the Justice of the Peace’s office the day before, and there would be a reception in San Saba for his family and friends who weren’t able to travel to Oklahoma. Landon appreciated his parents understanding how important it was to him to have the kind of wedding that made Natalie happy.

He glanced at the sky. The sun had nearly set in Wilma Mankiller Park. The wedding would start soon. The ceremonial fire they’d been given special permission for had been lit an hour ago and was burning strong. Joseph had found a beautiful location for the wedding in the fifteen-acre park, and relatives and friends now sat on blankets surrounding the fire, their colorful traditional tear dresses and ribbon shirts resembling a summer garden.

Landon wore a black ribbon shirt with a chevron design made of red, white, green and blue ribbons with the ends hanging down the sides of the design. He also wore black slacks and black moccasins.

Carson stood beside him carrying a beautifully woven basket filled with Landon’s traditional gifts to Natalie, which she’d receive during the ceremony. Her grandmother had helped his mom prepare the venison Debra had brought from their freezer, and Natalie’s grandfather had contributed the wonderfully soft rabbit skins it held.

Out of the corner of his eye, Landon caught sight of the holy man who would perform their ceremony. Adahy Mayes was an elderly Cherokee man of middle height with silver hair in braids hanging down his chest. He wore a yellow ribbon shirt with a colorful ribbon design on the front, black slacks, and black moccasins.

As Elder Mayes made his way up the cleared aisle space toward the ceremonial fire, Carson nudged him. “Look who’s coming this way.”

Landon turned around and broke into a smile. Natalie, surrounded by the women dearest to her, approached them.

She wore a white polished-cotton dress with long leather fringes hanging from the elbows of her wide sleeves down to below her wrists. Although her neckline came to her collarbone, fringes also hung in a V-shape from her shoulders to a point between her breasts before falling below her tightly belted waist. The many-colored beaded belt accentuated her small waist, while the narrow skirt that fell to just below her knees accentuated her slender hips. The skirt ended in long leather fringes that reached to her ankles, and white doeskin moccasins completed her beautiful outfit.

His heart pounded at the vision she made.

His mother walked up to him holding a blue blanket and settled it around his shoulders.

Natalie’s mother covered her daughter’s shoulders with a similar one.

He reached for Natalie’s hand, and, followed by their closest family, they walked down the improvised aisle.

When they reached Elder Mayes, most of their family found places on blankets near the fire. Left standing near them were Carson holding Landon’s basket and Natalie’s cousin Ronnie, whose Cherokee name was Salali, meaning squirrel, who held her basket. They’d been especially close growing up.

Elder Mayes held up his arms and welcomed everyone. Then he said, “Landon Winchester and Natalie Onacona Walker, the marriage ceremony is sacred among the Cherokee. Fire is also sacred to our people and always has been. It’s a living memorial. It’s been with the Cherokee since the beginning of time.

“Your blue blankets represent your old ways of weakness and sorrow, of failures and depression. You will soon start a new way.

“I am honored that you picked me for this sacred occasion.” Then he began his blessing in Cherokee.

Landon didn’t understand what he was saying, but Natalie knew the language well, and he watched her expression change subtly as she listened. Her face was so full of joy it made him smile.

Then the elder said, “You, their family and friends, must support these young people.” Then he began to bless the onlookers too.

When he finished, it was time for them to read their vows. Elder Mayes nodded to him. He took Natalie’s hands. “Natalie, I promise to love and cherish you no matter what problems we face. I’ll provide for you and our children, should we be blessed with them, and I’ll never leave you. I love you, honey, and I’ll love you for the rest of my days.”

He slipped the beautiful fire opal with a yellow-gold band onto her finger. He’d chosen it because opal was traditional for a Cherokee wedding ring.

Then Carson handed him the basket. Landon said, “Natalie, the contents of this basket symbolize my promise to feed and clothe you for as long as I live. I love you, honey.” He handed the heavily laden basket to her and was rewarded with a brilliant smile.

She said, “Thank you, Landon. I love you too.”

Her mother came and took the basket from her.

Natalie looked at him. “Landon, I promise to love you with my whole heart and soul. I’ll take care of you and nurture you and I’ll love you and bear your children, if God wills it so. I’ll love you, sweetheart, every day, forever and ever.” Then she slipped the traditional turquoise wedding ring onto his finger and smiled as tears slipped down her cheeks.

Ronnie handed her the basket he held, and she put it into Landon’s hands. “This basket symbolizes my promise to make a home for you and to always feed and care for you.”

The smell of freshly baked bread assailed his nostrils, and beautiful multicolored ears of corn were nestled between the loaves. “Thank you, honey. I love you.”

Natalie’s father stepped forward and removed the blue blankets from their shoulders. Then he put a white blanket around them both.

Elder Mayes said, “This white blanket represents your new ways of happiness, fulfillment, and peace.”

Then stomp dancers came up to the sacred fire and performed for them. The drum music and calls really got everyone’s blood pumping, and the wedding guests enjoyed the performance immensely.

Afterwards, Elder Mayes prayed for him and Natalie again, ending with, “This is not a closing prayer, but a prayer of continuance. Your love and dedication to each other will continue for the rest of your lives.”

Landon drew Natalie into his arms and kissed her softly. Night had fallen, and the soft glow of the fire shone on her face. He’d never forget how she looked in her beautiful dress before all her relatives in the firelight. He’d love his white owl forever.