Chapter 6

Cassie tried once more to talk to her mother, but her mother either wasn’t home or wasn’t answering the telephone. Cassie also tried both her brother and her sister. She managed to get a hold of her brother, but he was drunk and Cassie suddenly didn’t feel like telling her family anymore. Let them find out at Thanksgiving, like all normal families.

After three more early mornings, up before the chickens, Cassie and Brendan waved good-bye to Captain Bob and his colorful crew (and lovely sweetheart, Carol). Everyone wished them good luck and Captain Bob took Cassie aside for a few minutes to talk before they left for Santa Fe.

“Now, Cassie, I know we don’t know each other that long, but working together like this, you get to know a person better than you think. I know you trust me, and I hope you respect my opinions, as well as my directives.”

“Yes, Captain Bob, of course I do.”

“Good girl. I’m just slightly worried about you, meeting and falling in love in a week is not as uncommon as it seems, but getting married within a week is pretty fast. Are you sure this is what you want? Divorce, even an amicable one, is not cheap or easy, and it leaves scars on you that no one can see.” Captain Bob laid his hand on her shoulder. “I care about you, Cassie, and I wouldn’t want you to get hurt. Brendan is a real nice man, seems that way at any rate. Tell me he’s the one and I’ll be thrilled. I just couldn’t let you leave without saying something.”

“He’s the one, Captain. Trust me, I never expected to come to the Balloon Festival and fall in love. I expected to get up early, work hard, and have a good time. This was on the top of my unexpected list. But I know he’s the one and we’ll be good together.” Cassie paused for a moment. “He’s my missing piece,” she concluded.

Captain Bob nodded. “Carol’s mine, I understand you. Best of luck and send me pictures of your babies. Hell, bring them here and we’ll fly them around.”

Cassie laughed. “Maybe in a couple of years, but not right away. I do still have some brain cells left that work.”

“Babies can fly as young as 2 weeks…” Captain Bob winked.

“Not my babies, they’ll be flyers, just when they’re old enough to stand and possibly understand.”

“Ah, you’re no fun!” Captain Bob grinned and gave Cassie a big hug. “You take care of yourself and your missing piece. They don’t come along but once in a lifetime, twice if you’re very lucky.”

“I will. You, too.” Cassie kissed his stubbly cheek before turning back to her missing piece.

Cassie thanked her lucky stars that Ainsel decided to stay behind in Albuquerque while she and Brendan drove into Santa Fe and got settled. She was not as thrilled when Brendan ordered two adjoining rooms at the El Ray and said Ainsel was expected for dinner. For some reason, she just couldn’t get past something about him, she couldn’t really put her finger on it, but Ainsel bothered her on a fundamental level.

Be that as it may, Cassie was thrilled to be searching for a church or a chapel that would perform a wedding on a day’s notice. They had decided that Sunday afternoon, after services, would be a perfect time to get married, and when they returned to the Denver / Boulder metro area, they wouldn’t have to ‘live in sin’ for any time at all. Technically, they weren’t living in sin now, more like vacationing in sin, which sounded like a tag line for a Las Vegas holiday. Although, come to think of it, all they had ever done was sleep, truly sleep as in with dreams, next to each other. Not even the night of the proposal did they ‘enjoy each other’s company’ in any more than the most platonic way (well, there were those very not platonic kisses).

“Darling? I have a strange question for you.” Cassie’s curiosity got the better of her.

“Yes, my love, what do you desire to know?” Brendan squeezed her hand and kissed her on the nose, where all the freckles gathered for a party.

“We’ve never, um, you know. Why not?” Cassie tilted her head up to look into his eyes. They were walking toward the Plaza, there were a few churches and chapels near by and of course the Cathedral, although Cassie didn’t hold out hope for the enormous edifice being available on such short notice.

Brendan steered them to an open bench and sat down, pulling Cassie with him. “Hrm… let me see. Why not? Well, I think we’re moving quite quickly enough, thank you very much. Truthfully, there has never been enough time and enough energy together in the same room for both of us. It’s been a grueling week, and I didn’t want our first time to be rushed or draining. Besides, I’m not that kind of man.” This last was said with a priggish, affected air and they both broke down in laughter.

After a few minutes enjoying people watching on the bench, they got up and wandered toward the cathedral.