Nightwalker. Part 35

Timothy, tall and handsome, was waiting for her.

The ceremony was presided over by a minister and a shaman. Words were spoken in English and in Sioux, and Jessy was certain that the guests understood everything that was said, no matter what language. The ending was traditional, as the minister and shaman spoke together and said, "You may now kiss the bride."

Timothy kissed the new Mrs. Sparhawk, and the a.s.sembled group of fifty or so-friends and anyone from the home who wanted to attend-applauded mightily.

It was time for the meal. Jessy took her seat next to Dillon, and Adam, Brent, Nikki, Jerry Cheever, Doug Tarleton, Sandra and Reggie all joined them at the table.

"It was a beautiful wedding," Jerry Cheever said.

"Absolutely," Sandra agreed. They'd been on two dates already; this was their third.

"I should have been the flower girl," Reggie said, shaking her head.

"I was the maid of honor," Jessy told her. "I just happened to throw flowers, too."

"And you're too old to be a flower girl," Sandra said.

"You can be a bridesmaid at my wedding," Jessy told Reggie.

"Are you getting married?" Reggie asked.

"Well, if I ever do," Jessy said.

"If you want us to stick around for that wedding," Nikki said, "it had better be soon. We can't stay here in Vegas forever."

"Actually, if Jessy agrees, you might still be here for our wedding," Dillon said. His dark eyes flashed as he looked at Jessy.

"Is that a proposal?" she asked him.

He nodded.

"It wasn't a very good one."

Dillon laughed and slipped to his knees by her side. "Jessy, will you marry me? I know we haven't been together long, but I also know I'll never love anyone as much as I love you or want to spend my life with anyone else." He paused. "Was that better?"

She laughed. "Yes, yes, you can get off your knees. Why the hurry?" she whispered for his ears alone, but he just shook his head.

"Later," he whispered back.

"She'll be Jessy Sparhawk Wolf. Sounds like a zoo," Reggie said, shaking her head.

"I'll be going with you to pick out the bridesmaids' dresses. I do not wear pink or anything ridiculously frilly."

Everyone laughed, and the talk turned to planning and guest list.

That night, as they lay in bed together, she finally found out why Dillon was in such a rush.

"Ringo is leaving," he told her.

"What? Why?" she asked, distressed.

"He says he's a third wheel. But the truth is, he's finished what he's tried to do for over a hundred years. He told me he can feel the light calling to him, says he can see it in a way he never did before. And he's longing to go."

She nodded. She was sad, but she understood.

Six weeks later they were married. It ended up being a huge affair, with all the entertainers and casino friends Jessy had ever worked with in attendance, along with friends of Dillon's from Nevada, and beyond. Sandra and Nikki had gotten together to do most of the planning, and the end result was both traditional and contemporary. None of the tr.i.m.m.i.n.gs that came with a wedding meant much to Jessy, though. She was in love with a man who was also her best friend and her strength.

Two days after the wedding, Jessy and Dillon made another drive out to Indigo. Ringo was with them, squishing Jessy in the middle between himself and Dillon. She tried not to cry, but the tears came anyway.

He tried to comfort her. "Don't be sad. It's just time."

Construction equipment was everywhere around town. The old ghost town was coming into a life it had never known before. Whatever was being dug or built, however, the cemetery wasn't to be touched. The Paiute had a great respect for the dead.

At the cemetery, Ringo directed them to his grave. He gave Dillon a solemn handshake, then said, "What the h.e.l.l!" and hugged him. He kissed Jessy one last time. "Be happy," he told her. "Keep strong, and be brave, just as you are. And never forget kindness. Be generous and kind to all all around you, nightwalker," he said. around you, nightwalker," he said.

She nodded and set flowers on his grave as he turned away. The sun was setting, but the evening was suddenly ablaze with a beam of light. Ringo walked toward the light as Dillon and Jessy watched him.

Then the light faded and Ringo was gone.

Dillon tilted Jessy's chin and brushed her lips with a kiss. "We'll do as he asked," he told her softly. "We'll live bravely and generously, and remember the lessons of the past."

She smiled. "Live, learn and love," she told him.

He smiled and brushed her lips with his again. Then, hand in hand, they walked away and left Indigo behind them.

Also by HEATHER GRAHAM

NIGHT OF THE WOLVES.

HOME IN TIME FOR CHRISTMAS.

UNHALLOWED GROUND.

DUST TO DUST.

DEADLY GIFT.

DEADLY HARVEST.

DEADLY NIGHT.

THE DEATH DEALER.

THE LAST NOEL.

THE SeANCE.

BLOOD RED.

THE DEAD ROOM.

KISS OF DARKNESS.

THE VISION.

THE ISLAND.

GHOST WALK.

KILLING KELLY.

THE PRESENCE.

DEAD ON THE DANCE FLOOR.

PICTURE ME DEAD.

HAUNTED.

HURRICANE BAY.

A SEASON OF MIRACLES.

NIGHT OF THE BLACKBIRD.

NEVER SLEEP WITH STRANGERS.

EYES OF FIRE.

SLOW BURN.

NIGHT HEAT.