The Scout

Chapter - 31

The Scout
Chapter 31 / Wedding Cake & Dancing
By; mike hurley

Grandma had found an old Polaroid camera in the attic and a few photos of the wedding party were taken. Amy's favourite of the 5 pictures sat on the mantle of her & Ty's home @ Heartland Ranch, for the rest of their lives.

Tables were set up all around the glorious wide shade of the red oak tree. A dinner of fried chicken, mashed potatoes & gravy, beef on a bun, Rocky Mountain trout, rice pilaf, green beans, corn on the cob, several salads, a fruit salad, 2 jello molds, and summer wheat rolls were served.
The Colonel said the blessing and the reception began. Many of the young men went for seconds. Amy & Ty's wedding was a respite  in many ways for a group of men and women manning a Billateral Fort on the front lines. They celebrated values the Rebels cared little about; like love, commitment, sacrifice, and freedom.

After dinner & before dancing began, Grandma stood and addressed the group.....

....In a few minutes, Amy & Ty will begin the dancing with a favourite song of Amy's. But first, for our many guests who don't know my
husband and me, or Amy & Ty well; I like to quickly tell you how we first met Ty.......

...... John and I agreed to offer our home as a 'SafeHouse' for the Marine Scouts operating in the area. One night I heard a noise & got up to investigate. I tip toed down the stairs & heard a mans voice, he seemed to be calming a dog.
I looked into the kitchen & there was a huge creature lying on my kitchen table. He was a wolf or a dog, I couldn't tell. The man was operating & removing a bullet. I stepped in and asked what I could do. In a few minutes I had made 2 lifelong friends, both Marines, one a Scout named Ty, and his wolf/dog Phantom.
They came many times to our farm, we adopted them into our family. Ty has become our son, and Phantom calls this place home; we're his pack!!

Then John and I met Amy, and fell in love with her too; she and Ty make a perfect couple, they care so much for each other. And here they come for the first dance of the evening. Our friend Nancy will sing; '1000 Miles' by; Jessica Campbell.

How are you doing?? Amy whispered to Ty, her arms around his neck, his arms around her waist.....  I'm the happiest I've been in years!!
How about you Amy??  I'm married Ty!!  I'm married to the man I love!!  What more do I need??

After an hour of dancing to slow music & fast, laughter & smiles, wedding cake was served &
Amy & Ty feeding cake to each other.

Colonel John saw Terrin walk into the canteen restroom; the two men were very different but recently had somehow become friends. John followed Terrin & said hi when he came out of the restroom.

So, how are you enjoying the wedding Terrin??
Oh, um, it's nice but I get nervous in crowds.

Well have you & Misti danced yet??

Oh God no!! I hate dancing, you have to be close to strangers & I can tell everyone is looking at me!! It's all scary John!!

Seriously, well I heard how you fought off those Rebels on the trail and protected Misti; I think you're a very brave man Terrin!!

I just did what I had to do to protect my wife.

So, see, you do have bravery in you!!

I guess.

Terrin, Misti would love to dance tonight & she told Grandma that she's afraid to ask you.

Maybe you should find that bravery again & ask Misti to dance, I know she'd be very happy!!

No, like I said, everyone would be looking at me!!

Well they might Terrin, but they'd be thinking of how courages you are and how you put your wife's happiness above your fears!! Lots of people at this Fort admire you!!