Perry finished, then turned to find him reading the papers. A smile spread across his face as he read.
"Reverend Cleland!" he shouted. "Would it relieve your mind if I could show proof that your document from Wade is a forgery?"
"How?" Cleland glanced over his shoulder without letting go of the basket edge.
"I have here birth documents of Perry's mother and of both Perry and Andrew McLain. Hunter held the papers tightly in the wind. "Perry's mother must have feared that old forgery might turn up."
All aboard the tiny craft gathered around as Reverend Cleland examined the documents. After several minutes he huffed. " 'Pears to be in order. I fear I may have been tricked by Wade." He hated admitting his error but saw no point in insisting he was right when the evidence was so obviously on Hunter's side.
A few minutes later he married Hunter Kirkland and Perry McLain among the clouds somewhere over North Carolina. Then they gently lowered the balloon and set him aground several miles from his church. Though he walked many hours to reach home, the reverend never stopped thanking God his feet were on solid ground.
Epilogue
Perry awoke to church bells sounding outside her window. She looked around for a moment, confused. She remembered the long balloon ride, then climbing onto a horse and traveling several hours. Finally, when she could no longer hold the reins, Hunter held her in his arms. Vaguely she remembered being carried upstairs and tucked into bed.
"Good afternoon, Mrs. Kirkland." A woman appeared from the doorway. "I hope you slept well. The mister left orders for a bath to be brought in as soon as you awakened."
Perry looked up, confused.
"Mrs. Adams." The woman pointed to herself. "I'm the housekeeper. Mr. Kirkland has gone to see the president. He'll be back soon."
Perry couldn't believe the beauty of the room before her. Everything was exactly as she would have dreamed a perfect room to be. The walls were sky blue and the furniture dark mahogany with one wall lined in bookshelves. All the curtains were pale blue, trimmed in ivory lace. A warm corner fireplace welcomed her.
When Mrs. Adams went to fetch the bath, Perry jumped from the bed and walked through the open connecting door. A master bedroom greeted her, this one decorated in mahogany and midnight blue. The room could belong to no one but Hunter. Every book, every map posted on the walls, reflected his personality.
She couldn't resist curling into the huge wing-back chair by the fire. She pushed into the velvet and closed her eyes.
"Mrs. Kirkland," the housekeeper whispered, "would you like your tea now, or after your bath?"
"I'll wait for my husband," Perry answered, and heard the housekeeper withdrew.
There was a long silence before the door closed. "Your husband is home," came a low voice from behind the chair.
Perry opened her eyes as he pulled her up into his arms. The look of love in his own gray depths left her speechless.
He carried her to his bed and laid her down gently. "I told you once, whatever your price, I'd pay it." He straightened and removed his shirt, his eyes never leaving her face.
"I ask no price but your love."
Hunter lay beside her and pulled her into his embrace. "Before I met you I thought there was no freedom and joy, except in the Star when I was among the clouds. Now I know my heaven is here in your arms. I love you beyond any limits."
Perry delighted in his touch as she rolled close to him. "I love you, but there is one thing we must clear up."
Hunter raised on an elbow and studied her. "And that is, my wife?"
Perry brushed his bare chest with her hand. "You should know one thing. I plan on having only blond children with gray eyes."
Hunter pulled her beneath him and whispered against her ear, "We'll talk about it in the morning, my angel. Right now I plan to give all my dreams wings."
JODI THOMAS
