The Unforgiven Patriot
Goings On About Town
January 12
Carly Beauchamp, granddaughter of Nancy and Leroy Beauchamp, and Austin Davis, son of Marguerite and Robert Davis, were finally married on January 12, in a beautiful ceremony at the First Baptist Church of Unforgiven, with Rev. Scooter Schmidt officiating. Two triple rings were exchanged, representing the commitment to each other, and their unborn baby. The bride was attended by her best friend, Jessica Bowmain, and Troy Davis, the groom’s brother, was the best man. The bride was resplendent in an empire waist beaded bodice gown of pale yellow chiffon. The reception was held in the basement of the church following the ceremony, after which the couple flew off to a honeymoon in Galveston, Texas. When they return, they will settle into the Davis homestead house.
We wish our hometown favorites the best, and hope this isn’t the end of their escapades; they’re just too entertaining.
* * *
April
Carly
I wake and reach across the bed for Austin, to touch cool sheets. I check the alarm clock on the nightstand—two. At the cooing and whispers from the baby monitor, I relax. I’ve got a minute.
The moon spills in the window, illuminating our huge master bedroom in soft gleam. Being a mother is every bit as amazing as I imagined, all those years. Austin is as smitten with Faith as I am. She’s got my red hair, but I’m betting her eyes are going to lighten to ice blue. Austin says he hopes so; says she’ll be striking. He’s already bought a new shotgun for when she wants to date.
At a lip-smacking sound from the monitor, my milk lets down. One more nightgown to wash. I throw aside the covers, toe into my slippers, and pad out the door.
The nightlight spotlights my loves. Austin, hair tousled, is standing in his boxers, his big hands cradling our baby to his chest. His head is bent, and he’s whispering.
He turns to me with a warm, sleepy smile. My name on his chest bows like a rainbow over Faith’s head. “You didn’t have to get up. I’da brought her to you.”
“What, and miss this?” I step over and wrap my arms around his waist, the baby between us.
He bends his head to kiss me. “I was just telling Bean that her uncle and his family are coming to visit for Easter today.”
I reach for the soft drape over the back of the rocker, wrap it around my shoulders, and sit. “Hosting Easter for the first time is a big deal. I’ve got statistics homework, but it’ll wait.” Who’d’ve guessed I’d like accounting? But when I get my associate’s degree, it’s a job I’ll be able to do from home. Austin wants me to get my bachelor’s and sit for the CPA, but my dreams are smaller; a part-time accounting job, working from home while raising babies, suits me to the ground. He hands Faith to me. “I still can’t get over that Troy was the ‘consortium’ who gave us the money to jump-start the business.”
I settle her in my arms. “Your brother is a good man. I’m so glad it’s worked out for him and Darcy.”
“Yeah, I never thought my brother would be a ‘kept man,’ but he sure seems happy, so I’m not knocking it.” He leans back against the crib.
I lower my nightgown, and Bean latches on. She’s such a good baby. I run my fingers over her softer-than-down cheek. “Your grandma and great-nana will be here today to spoil you spitless.”
We talk about everyday things until Bean is dozing in my arms.
“Tig.”
I look up. How can a smile be tender, sleepy, and sexy all at the same time?
“Do you know how much I love you? The woman you are is so much more interesting than the girl—even when we disagree.” His smile is soft in the moonlight. “I’ll never forget that I’m the luckiest guy in the county.”
“If you help me get your princess back to bed, you might just get even luckier, cowboy.”
He rushes to take her from me.
I smile, knowing in my heart that no one could get luckier than me.