Love at First Sight

The first time I saw her she was standing there, shielding her sparkling sapphire eyes from the sun in spite of the large yellow hat pinned slightly askew on her straw colored hair which was piled loosely on her head. Her blue and white gingham checkered sun dress drifted softly in the breeze around her tanned legs accentuating her shapely figure. My breath caught in my chest and I had to force myself to breathe.

She shouted, "Go! Go! Go!" as the horses ran around the track and she squealed with delight when the one she had cheered for won the race. Smiling, she grabbed the hand of her younger female companion and urged her to follow her to the winner's circle. They disappeared into the crowd and that was the last time I saw her that day. I never even got the chance to ask her name or where she was from, but the memory of the scent of her jasmine perfume lingered long after she was gone.

I have held that memory of the horse race at the Wilton County Fair for three years, and I could not tell you which horse won to this day. Even though I have been home for visits often, my mother, who usually can tell you everything about everybody, has no idea who she was, but she still asks around. If she hasn't found out in three years; she isn't going to. I've dated a few times, but no one has captured my heart and soul at first sight, or even the third, like the beautiful blonde in the gingham dress did that day.

My mother is hounding me to find someone since the chances of ever seeing her again are slim. It doesn't help that here I am standing up as best man for my cousin John in his wedding. We were like brothers growing up, so of course I agreed to do it, and he, like me, put off the whole marriage thing until he was absolutely sure. Divorces are rare in our family. I never knew his bride, but damn, she sure looks familiar. I can't put my finger on it. I don't think I had ever even seen her until he introduced us the other day, but maybe she is related to someone I have seen.

My cousin is sweating and I am trying desperately not to laugh at him. I handed him my handkerchief to blot his forehead as we wait at the altar.  The guests are coming in and being seated by the ushers on one side for the bride and the other for the groom. I gave a cursory glance at the audience for something to do more than anything. And then I saw her, the girl the bride reminds me of; the younger girl, now a young woman, from the fair. She will know who my mystery woman is. Oh, God, I hope she isn't involved with someone already, or worse – married.

The ceremony commenced. The bride glided down the aisle on her father's arm and was given in marriage to John. As lovely as she was, looking at him in that special way, I could only think that I couldn't wait for this to be over so I could ask whoever that was she looked so much like who was at the fair that day. She'll probably laugh hysterically at me, but I don't care. The toasts were made and the cake was cut and then the dancing commenced. At last I had a chance to ask Brenda, the bride, who the younger woman was.

"That's my kid sister," she said, with a laugh. "She's really pretty, don't you think? Interested?"

"Actually, I saw her at the fair a few years ago with someone. I was wondering if she could tell me who that was." I felt like an idiot as her laughter ceased momentarily. I gave her the description just in case.

"That had to Jessie – Jessica," she corrected. "She's our cousin from North Dakota. She loves horses and she also loves to wear hats. We always made fun of her for the hats."

Brenda introduced me to her sister Cindy and confirmed that it was their cousin Jessica. Jessica was not able to make the wedding, but was arriving for the reception, and in fact was due any time.

I sensed her arrival before anyone had to tell me she was there. I turned toward the door just as she walked into the reception hall. She wore a form-hugging black cocktail dress and a red netted hat.

Brenda said something about Jessie thinking she was in New York City rather than lower Iowa, and did she think she was at a wedding reception or a funeral? I ignored her as I could only stare. Brenda turned to John and told him she'd be right back.

And then, I saw Brenda, my new cousin, take the hand of Jessica and drag her over to our table.

"I believe this gentleman would very much like to dance with you," she told her, referring to me.

I almost knocked over my chair trying to stand up. I gave a little nod with a slight bow (where did that come from?) and offered my hand to the stunned Jessica, who hadn't even had time to be properly introduced to anyone, especially me. Brenda and Cindy giggled like little girls and then Brenda raised a knowing eyebrow to John, who only smirked.

Jessica shrugged and placed her small evening bag on the table. "Okay. I'm game," she said, sweetly. "Congratulations, you two," she added as I ushered out to the dance floor, hoping I wasn't being too forward with my hand on the small of her back.

"Hello, I'm Jessica," she told me. "Have we met before?"

"I'm Jackson, John's cousin, and we have never met, but I saw you once at the horse race during the county fair. I've waited three years to meet you."