Page 26 of Mail-Order Bride Runaway
There was only one way Andy could think to keep her safe. “Marry me. That will stop him.”
“Marry you?” Her eyes widened with shock.
“Just for now. I believe it can be annulled later if we… you know… if we don’t…” He couldn’t bring himself to say it. He swallowed hard. “If we don’t really become man and wife.”
She glanced past him to the window. She might not be able to see Mr. Hartman but she’d know he was close by and wouldn’t leave until he found her. She nodded. “Let’s do it.”
The door behind the pulpit opened, sending shock waves through her. She grabbed his hand and held on so hard his knuckles mashed together.
“Hello. Allow me to introduce myself. Pastor George Ames. Can I be of help?” The tall man with a thatch of white hair had a kindly look at him.
Andy introduced them both. “Pastor, we’d like to get married right away.”
The preacher studied them solemnly. “I see. Is there a need for the hurry?”
Andy drew in a breath that did nothing to steady his nerves. “I believe there is. You see, we’ve been forced to spend time together overnight without a chaperone and before we get home, there’ll be more nights with us alone.”
“Very well. Follow me. My wife and her sister can be witnesses.”
Della resumed her death grip on Andy’s hand as they followed on the preacher’s heels out the back door and across the few feet to the manse. Never before had such a short distance felt so far. So exposed.
Andy glanced toward where he’d last seen Mr. Hartman. That’s when he realized it was impossible to see the street from where they were. That meant it was also impossible for Mr. Hartman to see them. The fact did nothing to ease the tension that made his spine feel like it could splinter into a hundred pieces at any moment.
They entered a warm, bright kitchen. Two women sat at the table. They looked up, startled and curious, at the intrusion. Pastor Ames introduced one as his wife, and the other as her sister. They looked so much alike with matching faded blonde hair, blue eyes, and flowered dresses that Andy wondered how anyone told them apart.
Della pressed against him, urging him to follow the preacher into the parlor.
The preacher pulled a document from the desk. He asked for their names which he penned to the paper then indicated Della and Andy should face him. He opened a black book and began to speak.
The window behind the pastor allowed Andy to see the street. His breath stalled each time a horse and rider came into view.
“Marriage is a sacred ceremony and not to be entered into lightly—”
Andy’s insides developed a nervous twitch that felt like silent hiccoughs as the preacher continued. It was all Andy could do not to instruct the man to forget all the serious admonitions. This marriage was not going to be real.
A tall man leading a big bay horse strode into sight.
Della gasped. A sound matching the one Andy made.
“Do you Andrew Shannon take Della Epps—”
Andy didn’t wait for the rest of the question. “I do.”
The two ladies behind them giggled softly.
Mr. Hartman ducked into the store, his horse waiting patiently outside.
“Do you Della—”
“I do.”
More giggling from the pair behind them.
“Are there rings?”
“No rings,” Della and Andy chorused together.
“Very well. I declare you husband and wife. As soon as the register is signed, it will be official.”
