Chapter Thirty-One

"I'm a colt in your stable, I'm what Cain was to Abel, mister catch me if you can!"

Andrew sang along loudly to the Bon Jovi blasting from the speaker. Bethany smiled as she glanced over at him. He was grinning from ear to ear and playing the drums on her dashboard.

"Andrew?" she said and then she rolled her eyes and shook her head with defeat when she realized there was no way he would hear her over that music. She reached out and turned it down and he pulled his head back in the window and looked at her.

"I love that song," he admitted with a grin.

Bethany nodded as she slid her hair behind her ear, "I noticed." she replied and his grin turned sheepish.

"So rehearsal and rehearsal dinner. What are we rehearsing exactly?" Andrew asked.

Bethany sighed, "Their wedding."

Andrew frowned, "They gotta have practice?" he asked. "Are they really that forgetful?"

Bethany found herself laughing, "I'm not sure. I guess they just want to make sure everyone knows exactly what to do."

"It's not real complicated is it? The preacher says some words, the man and woman say some words then there's a kiss and boom it's done."

"Maybe we just make things too complicated nowadays," Bethany admitted. "I've always just wanted a simple wedding. Me, the groom, the few people who mean the most to us. And I always wanted to get married outside...." Bethany realized what her words probably sounded like and quickly clamped her mouth shut and focused on the road. She had no experience with men but even she should know better than to start describing the kind of wedding you wanted to a man you had only known for a little over a week!

Andrew grinned as he stuck his hand out the window and let the wind beat against it. A simple wedding outside was something he was fairly certain he could manage... Then he frowned. No he couldn't. Nicole had let him and his brothers know that times had changed. There were drivers licenses, I.D's., social security numbers and birth certificates. All of those things were things that you needed to get married and all of those things were things that Andrew did not have.

Bethany looked over at him and saw, with quite some shock, that he was holding completely still and he looked sad. She reached out and took his hand and he turned and offered her a smile, though she saw it didn't reach his brown eyes, "What's wrong?" she asked gently.

Andrew sighed and leaned his head against the headrest, "It's just sinking in, I guess, that I don't really exist in this time."

Bethany bit her lips as she pulled to a stop at a set of stop lights in town, "And that makes you sad?"

Andrew nodded and pulled her hand to his mouth, pressing feather light kisses against her knuckles that caused her to tremble, "I can't give you what you want."

Bethany frowned and then she let out a nervous bark of laughter, "You mean the wedding?" she gasped.

Andrew cocked his head to the side as he looked at her, "Yeah, why is this funny?"

"Andrew, I didn't say all that so that you would think that I wanted you to.... Um.. That is..." Bethany sighed and gave up on trying to speak. Her mind and her mouth just couldn't' seem to get in sync for some reason. Andrew frowned and rubbed his free hand up and down his thigh, "Are you saying you don't want to marry me?" he asked sadly.

Bethany jumped with shock when a horn blew behind her and she realized the light had turned green. She accelerated the car and licked her lips nervously, "Andrew, you don't even know me. Why would you want to marry me?"

"What do you mean I don't know you?!" Andrew demanded. This woman drove him crazier than he already was and that was saying something! "I know that you hate college and are only studying business to make your papaw happy. I know that you love to write stories and they are actually pretty damn good. I know that your favorite color is deep blue, not light blue because it reminds you of a dress your papaw made you wear when you were eight. I know that you love what you call rock and roll and I happen to like it too. I know that you cry a lot when you think nobody can hear you. I know that you still have a lot of pain in your heart from what your parents put you through. I know that you make me feel better. I know the way my heart gets lighter when you're around. I know that you have the biggest brown eyes I've ever seen and the softest lips I've ever kissed. I know that you can't handle whiskey, you're funny without realizing it and I love you with all my heart. Anything I don't know about you, I figure I'll learn in time."

"Oh..." Bethany said lamely, finding that her heart was beating too quickly and her mind racing too fast to come up with anything else to say. She pulled into the parking lot of the church where the wedding was taking place and she saw Andrew's jaw drop as he stuck his head out the window. She looked at the church and tried to see it through his eyes. It was more of a cathedral really. Tall and made of solid stone, with huge arches, crosses and stained glass windows.

"Wow, now that's a church," Andrew said with a nod.

"I think you should leave your gun in the car," Bethany stated and Andrew nodded. He stood from the car and Bethany couldn't help but watch his movements as he unhooked his gun belt and slid it from his lean hips. He tossed it on the floorboard of the car and turned to look back at the church as he shut the door, "Here's hoping the place don't collapse on my head." Andrew said with a grin.

Bethany frowned, "Why would it collapse on your head?"

"Well, you know, I haven't always been the picture of moral perfection that you see in front of you right now," he winked.

Bethany laughed and Andrew took her in his arms and hugged her tight. He loved holding her. There wasn't a better feeling in the whole world, except maybe for making love to her, but he hadn't done that since that night in the park.

"Aww, how cute. Such a lovely couple." Bethany turned quickly to see Lisa and Brian walking up to them. She felt Andrew stiffen beside her and knew that he was struggling with his loyalty to Nicole and his loyalty to her.

He had been all filled in on the history between Lisa, Brian and Nicole and Bethany hoped that he would keep the peace. Bethany simply didn't want to deal with any arguing. Arguing and fighting made her nervous.

"Thank you, Lisa," Bethany replied.

Andrew looked Brian up and down and had to fight back a laugh. Cavanaugh's face was healed from their fight but Brian still looked a little worse for wear. His eye had a green ring around it there was a cut on his lip. Andrew was very proud of his big brother for teaching this dog a lesson.

"I didn't know you were bringing a date," Brian said, sounding very surprised. "I'm Brian," he added as he held out his hand to Andrew. Andrew grinned and shook the man's hand, using just a bit more pressure than necessary, "I'm Andrew McEllis. I believe you've met my brothers Ian and Cavanaugh."

Brian's face became blank and then his eyes narrowed, "Right." He turned to Lisa, "We should head in," he stated quickly and he walked away with Lisa frowning back at them and following in his tracks.

"Andrew, please be nice," Bethany begged and Andrew grinned and kicked at the black tarred parking lot.

"I was nice." he assured her.

Bethany rolled her eyes and pulled on the bottom of her pink tank top. Andrew loved the way her shoulders seem to glow in the sunlight as her dark hair fell across them. And he couldn't stop himself from lowering his lips to her cheek and then brushing them across the soft skin of her shoulder.

A pick up truck pulled into the parking lot and Bethany gasped when she realized it was her papaw, "Oh no..." she groaned.

Andrew glared at the old man as he stared at them standing together. Andrew would like to punch the man but figured the crusty old man could probably whoop his ass, "Do you want to leave?" Andrew asked.

Bethany shook her head, "I can't leave. I'm one of the bridesmaids. They'll need me to be here."

Andrew nodded and slipped his arm around her waist as Silas got out of his truck and slammed the door behind him. He pulled off his baseball cap and threw it in the open driver door window before running his hand through his thin gray hair.

"Bethany." he stated gruffly as he walked past them.

"Papaw," Bethany replied, quietly.

Andrew could hear her sadness and it didn't set well with him. He grabbed onto Silas's arm and the old man stopped in his tracks and his eyes flashed with temper as he glared at him, "Unhand me, boy." he drawled angrily.

Andrew was happy to do just that and then he pulled off his own hat and ran his hand through his thick dark hair, "Sir, I think we need to get something straight."

"I'll tell you what we need to get straight." Silas growled and Bethany began to chew nervously on her fingernails, which she had just had done the day before.

Andrew noticed and he reached over and took her hand, twining his fingers with her own and keeping her nails away from her teeth. Instantly she began chewing on her lip instead, "Sir..." Andrew started.

Silas shook his head, "My Bethany was a good girl before you came along," he snarled.

"She's still a good girl," Andrew insisted. "I love your granddaughter, sir. I'll do everything I can to make sure she is happy and provided for the rest of her life. It's really hurting her that you have turned your back on her." Silas glared at him for several long moments and then without sparing a glance at his granddaughter he turned and walked to the church.

Andrew sighed and brought her hand to his lips, "I tried."

Bethany smiled sadly, "I know. Let's not get into any more arguments today, please. I just want to get this over with and go back to Nicole's." Andrew nodded, "I'll do my best," he replied, knowing that if anyone gave her too much trouble he was going to say something. It would be better not to make her a promise to definitely be good because he could end up breaking it.

They entered the church and Andrew looked around cautiously, waiting for the lightning bolt that was sure to come through the fancy stained glass window and strike him dead. A man like him didn't belong in a church! Gambling, whiskey and whores had been his entire life for a long long time. Though now his gambling was with chips, not money, and he hadn't had any whiskey in a week. And whores? Those were a thing of the past. The only woman he ever wanted to hold in his arms for the rest of his life was Bethany.

Andrew took a seat in a middle pew as Bethany walked up to the alter where everyone was gathered. He fidgeted and bounced for what felt like hours and finally grabbed a hymnal from the seat in front of him and began flipping through it as time seemed to drag on. Everyone was talking about flowers and escorts and music and Andrew was lost. He was happy however that everything seemed to be going smoothly. He had been listening close for any insults sent in Bethany's direction but that horrible Helen creature wasn't here and things had been remarkably decent.

Just then the wide doors opened and Andrew turned to see Helen walking in in all her skimpily dressed glory, "I made it! I made it!" she exclaimed.

Andrew felt his tension rise a little. Bethany had asked him to sit and let them get through all the rehearsals but he'd be damned before he sat back here and left her on her own against Helen the monster. He slid from the pew and stood in a swift, fluid motion that stopped Helen in her tracks, "Forgive me father, for I have sinned," Helen groaned as she looked him up and down, "You look even better the second time around."

Andrew was about to respond when he felt an arm loop through his own and looked down to see Bethany glaring at Helen, "Come on, Andrew, you can come stand with me." she said.

Andrew nodded and let her lead him up toward the alter where everyone was assembling so Lisa and Brian could practice their vows. Andrew could feel Helen's eyes following him and he simply pulled Bethany closer and kissed her soft hair.

The vows were said and then Helen stepped forward, "I already know I'm walking down the aisle with Tod," she said pointing at a tall teenage boy, "But who is Bethany walking with?"

"Alone," Bethany whispered. "I'm walking alone. Brian didn't have as many groomsmen."

"Hard to keep friends when you're not an honest man," Andrew muttered and then he grinned sheepishly at Bethany who glared at him. Brian was fuming but it was clear that he still remembered his McEllis brother whooping too clearly to risk having another.

"Right," Lisa stated, clearly trying to carry on with the previous conversation and pretend that Andrew hadn't spoken. "Bethany will be fine walking alone."

"I can walk with her," Andrew cut in.

Brian shook his head, "I don't remember sending you an invitation to the wedding," he snapped.

Andrew saw Silas sitting on the front pew and watching the discussion with narrowed eyes, "It just don't seem right for Bethany to have to walk alone when the other women got somebody to walk with," Andrew countered.

"I'll be fine..." Bethany said quickly.

Andrew shook his head but before he could say anything else Helen spoke up, "She'll be just fine there, cowboy. Bethany is used to being all alone. She likes it that way."

"She ain't alone no more, ma'am," Andrew replied, forcing a good natured smile to his face, though what he wanted to do was smack the stupid out of the voluptuous idiot.

"Clearly grammar isn't very important where you and your brothers come from," Brian stated.

"Naw, but knowing how to shoot the wings off a gnat from a hundred yards is. Ya wanna see?" Andrew drawled with a grin.

Bethany elbowed him hard in the ribs and he looked down at her with confusion, "Be nice," she warned.

"They started it," Andrew grumbled as he rubbed his free hand on his pants leg.

"I think we're done here for the day," the priest stated as he motioned toward the door, "Perhaps you would like to take your discussion outside?" Bethany nodded quickly and pulled Andrew from the church, though she realized that everyone else was following close behind.

"Time for dinner. We're treating everyone to 'Antonio's' tonight," Lisa stated with a smile.

"What kind of food do they got?" Andrew asked Bethany.

Brian took it upon himself to answer, "Fried possum and frog legs," he stated with a haughty sneer.

Andrew's eyes lit up, "Frog legs? Them things are delicious."

"Ew," a teenage girl stated and Andrew just shrugged. Just because these folks didn't realize how good fresh killed mountain critters tasted didn't make him wrong.

"So, Bethany," Helen said as she followed Bethany and Andrew toward Bethany's red car. "Did you buy some of those plastic pieces I showed you to help you fill your dress out? I see you haven't taken our advice about the tanner and you really should."

Bethany nodded and slid her hair behind her ear as she bit her lip and sadness filled her eyes, "I have an appointment this evening." she replied quietly.

Andrew snapped. He had no idea why this beautiful, smart, charming, strong woman would let these pieces of trash treat her like this but he wasn't putting up with it any longer. If she wouldn't stand up for herself then he was going to do it for her.

"I'll tell you what, ma'am." Andrew said as he took a step toward Helen.

Her eyes narrowed as she looked him up and down, "What's that, cowboy?" she asked with a wink.

"Why don't you take them plastic pieces you're so fond of and shove them about ten inches up your ass while you go and get lost in that damn tanning booth?" Helen's eyes widened with shock and silence fell over the few remaining members of the wedding party. Most had already left but those there couldn't believe that someone had just put Helen in her place.

"You shouldn't speak to a woman that way," Brian scolded.

"That ain't no damn woman, it's a mean, bitter, jealous, whore dressed up as a lady," Andrew snapped, feeling his temper rising. His fists kept clenching and unclenching and he shifted his weight from foot to foot.

"Andrew!" Bethany gasped from beside him.

"Well it's the damn truth, Bethany," he insisted as Helen's eyes filled with tears and she ran off to her car. "You are beautiful, smart, funny and caring and that damn woman has to put you down every chance she gets. For some reason or another you won't stand up to her so someone has to do it for you.'

"No one has to do it for me!" Bethany exclaimed as she flamed with embarrassment. "I'm just fine without you fighting my battles!" she added and she jumped in her car, fired the engine to life and then drove off, leaving him standing there watching her disappear.

"Andrew, I think it would be best if you didn't come to the wedding tomorrow," Lisa said.

"Yeah probably," Andrew replied sadly as he watched the now empty road. Lisa grabbed Brian and the two of them walked away to their car. Andrew was about to begin the long walk home and think about how he was going to fix whatever he'd done wrong when he heard footsteps approaching him. He turned, and then waited for the worst when he saw Silas approaching him.

Instead Silas just stood beside him and then put his arm around his shoulders, "I might have judged you wrong, boy," Silas admitted. "Thank you for defending my girl. I've done it in the past but found that she doesn't like it that's why I didn't say anything today."

"I don't care if she likes it or not. Nobody is going to be mean to her while I'm around without me saying something about it," Andrew replied. Silas nodded, "Well come on then. I'll give you a drive back to Nicole's." Andrew nodded gratefully and climbed in Silas's black truck.

It was amazing to him that Bethany was so quiet and meek with everyone else, allowing them to say or do anything they wanted to her, but whenever she was angry at Andrew, she had no problem putting him right in his place.

"You don't have any Bon Jovi, do you?" Andrew asked Silas.

The old man shook his head. "Nope but I've got some George Jones." he replied and he fired up the CD player as 'White Lightning' came bursting from the speakers. Andrew decided that he liked this song too as he stuck his head out the window and enjoyed the breeze.

***

Bethany was sitting on the porch steps when Andrew and Silas pulled up. Silas sighed, "Make sure to tell her to call me whenever she wants. Tell her I'm not mad anymore," he said.

"You should tell her," Andrew stated as he picked at the cracked leather of the truck seat.

Silas shook his head, "Not right now. Right now you need to talk to her. I'll wait my turn."

Andrew nodded and then slid from the truck, slamming the door behind him. He wiped his hands on his jeans and then started toward the porch. Bethany stood up as he approached and she waved at her papaw, who returned the gesture and then drove away.

"Sorry I left you there," Bethany said softly.

Andrew just shrugged, "That's okay. Your papaw introduced me to George Jones. Not quite as good as Bon Jovi but a close second."

Bethany found herself smiling and then tears filled her eyes and Andrew pulled her into his chest and held her tight, "I'm so sorry, Andrew."

"Why are you sorry?" he asked gently.

"I never should have treated you like that. You were just trying to help me."

"Why do you let her treat you like that?" Andrew asked. "And why are you spending time with people who let her treat you like that?"

"I don't know," Bethany replied with a sniff as Andrew led her to the porch swing and they sat cuddled together. "It's always been like that. Everyone has always put me down and I guess I just got used to it. And I hate fighting and confrontation. It makes me nervous."

"Well then don't get mad when I fight your battles for you," Andrew warned. "Because I defend those I love and I won't stand by and watch you be mistreated."

Bethany stared up into his deep brown eyes and felt her heart break free from the defenses she had tried to keep around it, "I love you, Andrew." Andrew's eyes widened and then a smile so big that Bethany feared it would crack his cheeks appeared on his face, "I love you too," He lowered his lips to hers and kissed her tenderly and then pulled away when they heard a vehicle approaching.

Andrew saw that Leslie's car was in the drive and he was sure he could hear voices in the backyard. He turned to see that it wasn't Cavanaugh and Nicole pulling in but an unfamiliar truck he had never seen before, "Who is that?" he asked.

Bethany moaned, "Helen and her brother."

Andrew nodded and stood up. He had left his gun in Bethany's car but he wasn't too bad with his fists. He was aware of Bethany behind him as he walked off the porch and Helen got out of the truck. Andrew watched the driver as he stepped out as well. He was average height at around six foot but he was muscular and heavily tattooed. He seemed like the kind of man who knew how to take care of himself and he looked real good and angry.

"Did you call my sister a whore?" he growled as he stormed toward Andrew with his fists clenched.

"Yes, yes I did," Andrew replied. He and Bethany didn't notice Ian who had come around the house and was watching.

"You fucking bastard!" the man yelled and then he swung his fist out and Andrew dodged it before running at the man and tackling him to the ground. Bethany screamed for them to stop as she felt her heart begin to thunder nervously.

"Whoop his ass, Hank!" Helen exclaimed and then Helen cried out when Andrew landed a hard punch against Hank's jaw and then jumped to his feet. The more muscular man climbed to his feet as well and Andrew was laughing as the man swung his fists at him and Andrew dodged them.

Andrew shot out his fist again and caught Hank in the nose and Hank clutched it with his hands as blood poured between his fingers.

Bethany felt rage fill her when Helen leapt on Andrew's back and Hank used the distraction to punch Andrew hard in the jaw. She had to protect Andrew. She didn't even think about what she was doing as she grabbed Helen by her hair and yanked her off of Andrew's back.

The woman swung around with shock and smacked her across the face and Bethany retaliated with a punch of her own that was full of a lot of years of pent up anger and aggression and sent Helen sprawling on her ass in the dirt.

Hank yelled and started toward Bethany and just as Andrew was preparing to tackle the man again a gunshot filled the air. Everyone stopped moving and turned to see Ian standing there looking very entertained as he holstered his revolver.

"That was one hell of a show," he said appreciatively. "But it's over now. Get on out of here you two."

"He called my sister a whore!" Hank bellowed, though his voice was muffled and air kept whistling through his broken nose.

"She probably is one," Ian replied with a shrug and Hank took a step toward him but stopped quickly when Ian's hand went to rest on the handle of his revolver. "Like I said, get out of here."

After Hank and Helen had driven away, Andrew collapsed on the grass. His body ached, his jaw was throbbing and he was panting as he tried to catch his breath. That had been one big bastard.

"You kids gonna be alright now?" Ian asked with a laugh and Andrew just waved his hand in the air and Ian was laughing as he walked back around the house and out of view.

Bethany went to Andrew and sat down beside him, "Are you okay?"

"Never been better," he replied as he looked at his swollen and split knuckles. "This is the best day of my life so far."

"It is?" Bethany asked with a frown and Andrew nodded and pulled her into his arms, bringing her body down on top of his. He smoothed her hair back and kissed her lips gently.

"Yes it is. It isn't everyday that the woman of my dreams tells me that she loves me. And I found out you have one hell of a right hook."

Bethany bit her lip, "I've never hit anybody before," she admitted as she blushed with embarrassment.

"You should," Andrew replied with a laugh. "You're good at it." Bethany just shook her head and cuddled up next to him as they gazed up at the sky and the fluffy white clouds that filled it, "I guess this will probably mean neither one of us will be welcome at the wedding," Bethany finally whispered with amusement.

Andrew grinned and kissed her hair, "I can think of a few better things to do anyway." he replied.

Bethany sighed with contentment and curled up against him, "Yeah, me too."