In some respects, the wedding itself was something of an anticlimax. As promised, Simon kept some of the good stuff on him, but Matty didn’t need it. As soon as he saw Jolene walk down the aisle, Katie and Bethie pacing carefully behind her, he knew for absolute and sure certainty that this was the right thing.

And Jolene looked beautiful. She’d let her coil of hair down, and it swung just on the swell of her hips, thick and lustrous. Her dress was plain, but the hem was covered in fresh flowers, stitched on that morning by her friends, and she carried a bouquet of sun orchids.

Standing in front of the Preacher, holding her hand, he blessed the day he’d met her, back when he was seven years old, and as Jayne handed over the rings, a grin so wide on his face he looked half his age, Matty could have floated to the ceiling.

“Ladies and gentlemen, may I present to you … Mr and Mrs Cobb.”

There was a huge burst of applause that went on for many minutes as the newly-weds walked down the church, congratulated on either side by friends and family.

Everyone hurried to the hall, where food and drink had been set up, and a small band of local townsfolk were tuning up various fiddles, guitars and something that looked like a miniature set of bagpipes.

Matty and Jolene were installed at the doorway, and as the guests entered they greeted the couple with smiles, jokes, and many a heavy hand on the shoulder accompanied by a knowing look.

Serenity’s crew hung back, being the last to enter.

Jayne went first. “Done it now,” he said to his brother.

“Reckon I did.”

“Can’t go back on it. Least, not from what River tells me.” He glanced at Jolene’s flat belly.

Matty blushed “Yeah, well, I …”

“Looks like you’ll be needing this.” He dropped something over Matty’s hand, who clutched automatically at it.

“What the …”

“Wedding gift,” Jayne said succinctly,

“Is this what I …” Matty asked, gazing at the nugget in his palm.

“Yep,” Jayne admitted, adding hurriedly, “And it ain’t from aro