Page 226 of Conveniently Wed
“A wedding?” one said.
“Whose?” the other added.
“Girls, it isn’t our business,” their mother whispered.
“Stella and Bruce,” Mrs. Kinsley said. “As soon as breakfast is done.”
Matching dark eyes about popped from the Andrews girls. Their mother nudged them, and they turned their attention to the food before them.
The rest of the meal passed in silence, as if everyone needed time to digest the news of a sudden wedding.
As soon as the meal was over, they made their way to the front room. Mrs. Andrews and her girls followed.
With Aunt Mary on one side of them and Mrs. Kinsley on the other, they faced the preacher. Donny pressed to his mother’s knees. Blossom squeezed in between Bruce and Stella.
“Dearly beloved,” the preacher began. Seconds later, he had them repeat their vows. “From this day forward, for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish, till death do us part.”
Bruce spoke the words. Promised himself he would live up to them to the best of his ability. And prayed Stella would find that satisfactory. From somewhere an accusing voice mocked him.Who are you to expect she’ll see you as enough? A little orphan boy from a wandering family. Who knows what sort of stock you’ve come from?
He recognized the words as those thrust at him by Louella when she realized he would no longer court her. They carried just enough truth to bother him.
But the only acceptance he expected from this union was care for his aunt and a family for her. In exchange he would work the farm and provide them all with a permanent home.
“You may kiss your bride.”
The preacher’s words slammed through him. He should have explained it wasn’t that sort of a marriage. Would Stella be offended if he kissed her? Or offended if he didn’t, giving all these witnesses reason to judge their agreement?
“Kiss her,” Aunt Mary said.
He caught Stella’s shoulders and leaned in. She turned her head, so his kiss landed on her cheek. That’s as it should be. Their marriage was solely for appearance’s sake.
The preacher spoke a benediction, and there followed a flurry of activity. Stella carried two bags downstairs and out to the wagon.
“Is there more to bring?” Bruce asked.
“That’s all there is.” Seeing the surprise on his face, she added, “We don’t need much.”
He stowed the bags. She climbed into the back of the wagon to help prepare a bed for his aunt. Their hands brushed as they smoothed a quilt. She jerked away and sat back on her heels.
He leaned back too. He felt a strangeness at the contact. A sudden warmth. A rush of unexpected awareness. “We’ll get used to each other.”
She nodded. “I expect we shall.”
They finished spreading the quilts, but he noticed she was careful not to touch him again.
It was only because they were strangers about to embark on a journey together, he told himself, not because of who he was.
Would he ever truly forget the sting of being found begging on the streets?
I am no longer that boy, he reassured himself. In fact, he was now a homesteader. He grinned at the knowledge.
With the preacher’s help, he carried Aunt Mary to the back of the wagon, aware that every movement brought more pain.
The children stood behind the seat, eager to be on their way.
He assisted Stella up, feeling her tremble at his touch.
And then they were ready to leave. The preacher and his wife waved goodbye. Mrs. Andrews and her daughters watched from the window.
