Vancouver Chapter XXXII. "Wedding Plans"

              Vancouver- city of adventurers

                          Chapter # XXXII

                          Wedding plans

 

        It was Thursday morning. The Mac Adams brothers had awakened, to the sea bird sonata as usual. The salt smell of the ocean was different in their nose than the heavy pine smell of the forest. They dressed, saddled up their horses and rode over to Lowry’s. Ian was anxious to see the future Mrs. Mac Adams again.  

       In the diner, Jim suggested,” Why don’t you and Laura go and talk for a bit. I will sit with John over coffee. There is no real urgency for us at the yard.”  Ian only smiled and made for the kitchen.

       “Good morning Jim” said John Lowry. “How was your vacation in the woods?”

        “It went well enough, John.” said Jim. “We got everything done that Hank Phelan contracted for. He was pleased with our work.”

          “That will be an important endorsement,” said John. “When Hank Phelan speaks, men listen.”

           “I sure hope so, John,” said Jim. “Ian and I have to start cranking out business, or we will be in here washing dishes for you.”

            “Go on with you, Jim,” said John. “Two talented masons like you lads will never go hungry. Did you run into any of the rascals in the woods?” asked John.

             “We did,” said Jim. “But they were as tame as house cats. We had no trouble with then at all.”  John only smiled and shook his head. “House cats with very big claws, I would think.”

               Jim called out to Ian. ” Ian lad, are we going to eat and get off to work, or had you planned the day spooning with Mrs. Mac Adams?”

             Ian made his good byes with Laura and came back to the table. “Sorry, Jim. It has been a few days since we have last seen each other. We had some things to talk about,” said Ian.

              “No matter Ian,” said Jim. “Let’s eat and then get going, or people will think we have abandoned the yard.”

              They dug in as heartily as if they hadn’t eaten in days.

              “We are off, John,” said Jim, with a wave. They mounted their horses and rode off towards their brick yard.

               Their routine for the next two days was as expected. “Make ‘em and bake ‘em” became their mantra. Selkirk would be in on Saturday. They would ask him to keep turning out wooden crates for the next expected order. Some would think their tasks mundane. But the rhythm of physical labor, especially when it was done on your own behalf and in your own facility, was never boring. Each push of labor was happily done, in anticipation of success in their commercial efforts.

               Friday night brought them in to Gassy Jack’s for a few beers. The old geezers were speaking wistfully, of their gold hunting days, like they had done for the last forty years.

            They ordered beer and whiskey and sat back to take their ease.           “Is it your wedding you and Laura are talking about so earnestly?” asked Jim.

             “It is” said Ian. “Now that the yard is open and running, we thought we might move up the wedding to mid-April. Will that be a problem?”

               “I don’t think so,” said Jim. “Now that everything is running smoothly, I can always bring in day laborers to help out when needed. You won’t be going off to England or a few months on your honeymoon, will you?” Jim asked with a smile.

                “We thought we might take the Canadian rail eastward for a few days and see some of the country,” said Ian.

                 “That sounds interesting,” said Jim. “I don’t think I have been out of Vancouver since I came here from Bristol.”

                 “Nor I,” said Ian. “I like the idea of seeing some of this grand republic of Canada that we are building. Laura and I are going to discuss our plans tomorrow. I am taking her on a ride up through Stanley Park. We will sit at the top of the hill in the Pulpit and plan our ceremony.”

                 “Brother Ian,” said Jim. “ I wish you both every happiness in this marriage. I could never have managed any of this without you.”

                  “Thanks, Jim,” said Ian. They both raised their glasses, clinked them together and downed a fiery ounce of whiskey.

   

                          

 

                  The next day, on Saturday morning, Jim saddled up and rode off early to the brick yard. He and Selkirk Sadler would be working on both making bricks and crating wooden crates.

                   Ian saddled his mount and rode over to Laura’s. She was ready and standing next to her saddled mount.

                   “Good morning, Mrs. Mac Adams,” said Ian with a big smile.

                   “Go on with you Ian,” said Laura smiling. “Until you have managed to marry me in church, I will still be Laura Sadler.” She handed up to Ian a basket, with provisions for the day, then mounted her horse.

                   They rode lazily, enjoying the pleasure of each other’s company and the beauty of the forest around them. The sun was shining on this cool day in March. But, they could see the glistening channel of light, reflected out across the ocean.

                    “You know I almost wish we could be married here in the Park amidst all this beauty,” said Laura. The she laughed, thinking of the shocked reaction of all their friends and family.

                     “Your family would have a cow,” said Ian. “Their screech of indignation would be heard in Seattle,” Ian said smiling. “We would have to move into the woods and live here as hermits.”

                      “As long as I am with you,” said Laura. “I don’t care where we live.”

                         Ian reached across and took her hand. “The same with me,” said Ian. “But I suppose we would get tired of living here in the woods. The bears might not like it either. Perhaps we better start thinking of family and friends,” he said.

                They reached the Pulpit, dismounted and tied their horses to a tree. “You would think we might get tired looking out over the ocean, but I never do,” said Laura.

                “Me either,” said Ian, “Especially with you at my side.”

Laura turned, took Ian in her arms and kissed him passionately. “I will be with you always, Ian.” She said breathily.

                 They spread their blanket and picnic things, sipping sweet tea as they talked.

                 “Peter says we have the Christchurch Cathedral whenever we need it.” said Laura. “And John Lowry would be absolutely crushed if we didn’t have a brunch of party at his place afterwards.”

              “Aye, we all owe that sainted man a debt of gratitude, so that is settled,” said Ian.

            “And for a date ?” asked Laura.

             I told Jim we would be looking at mid-April, like we discussed,” said Ian. “He is fine with that. He thinks he can get day laborers in to help out when we are off.”

             “He is a dear,” said Laura.

             “Aye, and he thinks you are a saint,” smiled Ian. “The real task will be to get Jim inside of the Cathedral, without the building falling down on all of us.”

                “The good Lord knows who decent men are, Ian. He would welcome Jim home on that day,” said Laura.

              “Well, I guess that settled most of the issues,” said Ian. Jim will stand up for me as best man. Who have you in mind for a brides-maid?”

               “I am still thinking that over,” said Laura. “Two of the girls at Lowry’s are close enough friends for me to ask. I will figure that out later.”

                “Well, let’s eat and enjoy this beautiful afternoon. I will remember this spot and this day forever,” said Laura.

                 “I will too Laura. Many years from now, we will come here and remember our early days.”

 

 

                 Back at the Brick yard, Jim and Selkirk were having lunch. They had gotten a lot accomplished this morning.

                “You are leaving school at term’s end this year, are you not”” asked Jim.

                “I am, Mr. Mac Adams,” said Selkirk.

                “And what are your plans after school,” asked Jim.

                “I guess I haven’t thought that far out,” said Selkirk.

                 “Well, Ian and I have talked,” said Jim. “We would be ready to offer you a full-time position at our yard, if that would interest you? Of course, we would pay you much more and add raises when we can.”

                  “I would definitely be interested,” said Selkirk. “Let me talk to Uncle Peter and Aunt Laura first.”

                   “Aye, we have time,” said Jim. “A lifetime of it.”

                                                  -30-

                                          ( 1,428 words)

                                     Joseph Xavier Martin