Page 123 of Conveniently Wed
There was no ignoring that the vows he'd asked Owen to agree to were the same ones that Evan had spoken two years ago. She felt as if she couldn’t breathe.
"Owen," Hollis prompted.
His hesitation had grown noticeably long.
There was a fine line between his brows as he stared into her face. "I will."
Relief flowed over her, until Hollis said, "Wilt thou have this man to be thy husband..."
It isn't real. It's not a true marriage.
But no matter how much she argued with herself, the panicky feeling twisting inside her was a reminder that she was speaking these vows before God.
I can't do this.
"...obey him, and serve him, love, honor, and..."
She must do it. Say the words. Bind herself to Owen.
"I will," she whispered when Hollis finished speaking.
Owen was completely impassive. No hint of emotion crossed his expression. This was what she'd bound herself to for the duration of this journey?
It didn't matter. Couldn't. She didn't need him to care about her, to like her as a friend. She only needed to ensure her place on the wagon train.
But Hollis wasn't finished yet. They pledged their troth to each other, the memory of speaking the same words to Evan making her tear up unexpectedly.
It was only when Owen said quietly, "With this ring, I thee wed..." and pushed a simple silver ring over her knuckle to rest beside the gold band Evan had given her, that the enormity of what she'd done hit her.
She was married to Owen.
"I don't suppose you want to kiss her," Hollis drawled.
There was a faint flush high on Owen's cheeks.
"That's not necessary," she said fiercely.
Owen dropped her hands like her touch had burned him somehow.
"Pulling out in five," Hollis said. He’d tucked his Bible and prayer book beneath his arm and was already striding away.
And then August was there, slapping his brother's back. "Congratulations."
Owen shook his head as he stepped back. "Not necessary," he echoed her words from moments ago. One hand idly came up to rub his opposite biceps, where she knew he had a bullet wound beneath the sleeve of his shirt.
She was distracted when August swept her into a hug, his hands at her shoulders in a respectable way. She'd noticed that about him from the beginning. He was generous with his affection. A pat on the arm here, a hug for his adopted ward Ben, a young girl who'd been orphaned on the trail.
Owen was stingy with his touch. She'd never seen him embrace anyone.
Not that she wanted his touch. Or any man's.
When August let her go, he held her shoulders for a moment. “Come see me when my brother gets too bossy."
Felicity stepped close, but there was an uncertain moment, as if she didn't want to reach for a hug. Rachel had kept her distance from Felicity since August had made his preference for her clear.
Felicity stuck out her hand. "Congratulations."
Rachel shook it momentarily, finding a smile from somewhere. She wanted a moment alone. Wanted a wide bed in a bedroom that wasn't rolling across the prairie, a room with real walls. Wanted to curl up and let her muddled emotions find release.
