Page 290 of Conveniently Wed
“Thank you.” Aundy warily studied the horses. With a childhood spent in the city in an apartment, she had no experience with animals, other than two kittens that had belonged to her sister, Ilsa. She’d made it clear to Erik from the beginning of their correspondence that he’d have to teach her about his farm and livestock. Through his letters about his day-to-day activities, she had gleaned information about his horses and Shorthorn cattle, as well as the pigs and chickens he raised.
Although she wanted to crane her neck and stare at everything she could see, Aundy instead glanced around inconspicuously, taking in a variety of interesting faces and places. Erik had written the town was growing and was one of the largest cities in Oregon. She hoped to have time to explore her new home another day.
She watched Erik walk with his head and shoulders above much of the crowd as he collected her trunks.
He soon returned, easily carrying one of her trunks while two younger men struggled to carry the others. He set them in the back of the wagon, tossed each man a coin with a nod of his head, and climbed up beside Aundy.
“I let the pastor know to expect us as soon as the train arrived,” Erik said, turning the horses so they began lumbering down the street.
“The pastor?” Aundy worked to keep from swiveling her head back and forth as Erik drove past stores and business establishments. There were so many interesting buildings and fascinating people.
“Pastor Whitting.” Erik looked as though he struggled not to stare at her.
Aundy didn’t know what he saw when he looked at her. She was young, and tall. By his reaction, she assumed he found her appearance more pleasing than he’d anticipated.
“You know, most of my friends thought I’d lost use of my mental faculties, sending away for a bride,” Erik said, keeping his gaze on the horses. “But I’m tired of being alone and don’t have time to find a wife or properly court a woman, even if there was one in town that I fancied, which I don’t. I know this is all kind of sudden-like for you, Miss Thorsen, but I promise to spend the rest of my life showing you how special you are to me. It might seem a little crazy, but I fell in love with the girl in the letters you wrote, and I think it will be an easy thing to fall in love with the woman sitting right here beside me.”
“Mr. Erickson, that’s … I don’t know what to say, other than thank you.”
“That’s plenty enough. I was sure I was going to get a plain-faced old maid, not a beautiful woman with smooth skin, a freckled nose, golden hair, and eyes as blue as a summer sky.” Erik grinned at her as she blushed. “I thought we could get married, have lunch, and then head out to the farm. I wanted to have time to show you around the place before it gets dark.”
He laid out his plans so plainly, as if getting married was an ordinary occurrence, that Aundy needed a moment to absorb his words. It looked like her mother’s wedding dress would stay packed in the trunk, and a bath would have to wait. Resigned to exchanging vows with Erik in her current state of disrepair, she smiled at him and put a hand on his arm. “That sounds fine.”
“Good.” Erik grinned, resembling a happy boy as he turned the horses down a side street. Aundy could see the church ahead and tried to calm her nerves. The warmth of the sun beating down, despite it being February, forced her to remove her coat. Erik tucked it behind the seat, placing it on top of one of her trunks.
After he stopped the horses close to the church steps, Erik walked around the wagon, and reached up to Aundy. When she started to put her hand in his, he gently placed his hands to her waist and swung her around, setting her down on the bottom step.
The breath she was holding whooshed out of her and she looked at Erik with wide eyes. She’d never been handled so intimately by a man and wasn’t sure if she liked it. Part of her thought a repeat of the experience might be in order for her to make up her mind.
“Shall we?” Erik asked, offering her his arm as they went up the church steps.
Before she could fully grasp what was happening, she and Erik exchanged vows. He slid a plain gold band on her finger, then the pastor and his wife offered congratulations on their marriage. They exited the church into the bright afternoon sunshine. Aundy had to blink back her disbelief that she was finally a married woman.
“We can eat just around the corner, if you don’t mind the walk,” Erik said, gesturing toward the boardwalk that would take them back toward the heart of town.
Aundy nodded her head as Erik placed a hand to the small of her back, urging her forward.
Soon, they were seated in a well-lit restaurant, enjoying a filling, savory meal. Several people approached their table, offering words of congratulations. Aundy smiled when a few of the women invited her to stop by for a visit sometime soon.
It appeared that Erik was a well-liked member of the community and for that, Aundy was grateful. She’d never lived in a rural town, but assumed getting along with your neighbors spoke well of a man’s character.
Aundy watched Erik finish his piece of pie and hoped this marriage would be a blessing to them both. She didn’t know what had prompted her to act so boldly, writing to a stranger, but right at this moment she was glad she had sent Erik that first letter.
“Well, Mrs. Erickson, are you ready to go home?” Erik asked as she took a last bite of cherry pie and wiped her lips on a linen napkin.
“I suppose so.” Realization that she was no longer Aundy Thorsen but Erik’s wife struck with a sudden force.
Erik left money for their lunch along with a tip on the table. He stood and put on his hat, offered Aundy his arm, and escorted her back to the wagon.
Although Aundy expected him to help her into the wagon, she was surprised when he pulled her into his arms, right there in front of the church for any and all to see as they passed by.
“Thank you for coming, Aundy. For marrying me.” Erik kissed her quickly on the lips. He seemed unable to stop himself from giving her an affectionate hug. “I promise to be a good husband to you.”
She looked into his eyes and saw the questions there. Aundy tamped down her unease at having a man who was still a stranger kiss her. She placed a hand to his cheek and patted it with a growing fondness. “I know you will be. And I’ll do my very best to be a good wife to you.”
“You could start by giving me a kiss,” Erik teased, waggling a blond eyebrow at her.
Aundy smiled and kissed his cheek, grateful that Erik seemed to have a fun, playful side. “You’ll have the town gossiping about me and I haven’t even been here two hours.”
