Page 514 of Conveniently Wed
Lorinda nodded, and the smile returned to her older friend’s face.
“I didn’t want you to leave. And we’ve all come to love your little one. Now we’ll all be a happy family.”
Mrs. Oleson didn’t seem to expect an answer, and Lorinda was glad. She wasn’t so sure about the “happy” part. Franklin would be, and Mrs. Oleson. Probably even Michael. But Lorinda wasn’t expecting a happy life. Security for herself and her son, yes...also, protection. Wasn’t that more important than her own happiness?
“Well now, we need to celebrate. Sit down and have another cup of coffee and some of that chocolate cake from yesterday.” Mrs. Oleson bustled about getting the food on the table while she plied them with questions.
When Lorinda hesitated, Franklin started answering them. She followed bits and pieces of the conversation. “September...wedding...dress...” other details she didn’t catch.
Was she being a fraud, because she wasn’t looking forward to a real marriage? Was what they were doing lying? Wasn’t lying a sin?
The only book Lorinda had during the long winter alone in the cabin was her mother’s Bible. She’d always kept it near her,because it was the only possession she owned that belonged to her mother. She longed for the peace Jesus brought to the lives of other people in the book. So she’d knelt beside the bed she and Mike had shared and told Jesus she wanted Him in her life. Somehow she knew a peace and assurance that things would be all right. She still had a relationship with the Lord, but she doubted that everything would be completely right for her ever again.
Never having been around other church people until coming here to live, she wasn’t exactly sure what all would be considered a sin. She knew that bearing false witness was lying and a sin. But could living the way Franklin wanted be considered lying? She was going to have to spend a lot of time with the Lord until He could help her understand. He’d given her a peace about accepting Franklin’s proposal. Surely, He could help her find the answers to this dilemma.
“Isn’t that right, Lorinda?”
She blinked, wondering what Franklin was asking her. “I’m sorry. I was distracted.”
“I was just telling Mrs. Oleson we know that our friends at church would want to be a part of our wedding celebration.” He shot an indulgent smile her way.
Where was that coming from? He almost looked as if he actually cared for her. Too bad it wasn’t true.
“Yes, I know they will. After all, they’ve been so helpful to me ever since I came to live with you.” But would they want to if they knew it was just a sham marriage? Her heart lurched within her chest, fearing she would never know love again. She hoped her son’s love would be enough to last a lifetime.
“Franklin... ” Mrs. Oleson’s brows drew together as if she were entertaining deep thoughts. “I’m not sure why you’re waiting until September to get married. It’s not unusual fora man or woman who has been widowed to marry quickly. Besides, it’s been plenty long since Mike’s death. Why wait?”
Deep red seeped up from Franklin’s collar, almost reaching his strong chin. Lorinda wondered why. Did he feel as flustered as she did?
He rubbed the back of his neck. “I thought...women needed time to plan...all those things a woman does for her wedding. Miriam did–” He stopped speaking, and his Adam’s apple bobbed convulsively.
Who is Miriam?Lorinda had never heard anyone mention her before. She didn’t know if she should ask or not. The air in the room filled with tension, and she didn’t know why.
Mrs. Oleson shook her head, surprise gleaming from her eyes. “This is a totally different situation.”
Franklin shoved his hands into the back pockets of his denim trousers. “You’re right. We don’t really have to wait. Maybe getting married soon would be much better.”
“What do you think, Lorinda?” Mrs. Oleson rose and stood beside her. “We could put together a nice wedding in a week or two.”
A week or two?Suddenly, that was far too soon. The muscles in her stomach tightened, and the meal she had eaten began to jump around as if it might try to escape. She crossed her arms over her abdomen, trying to settle everything. Lorinda could not disagree without having to tell her friend why.
“We could get married in July.” She didn’t know where that idea came from. “I would like to do that.” This time her voice sounded more forceful.
Franklin glanced toward the calendar on the wall. Lorinda wondered if he was looking at the portrait of the pretty woman at the top or at the months below.What a silly thing to think about when my life is hanging in the balance.
“You should have the ceremony after the church service on a Sunday. That way anyone who wants to can stay for the festivities, and they wouldn’t need to make another trip into town for the wedding.” Mrs. Oleson gave a satisfied smile. “People are very busy in the summer...with their cattle and crops and all.”
Franklin tapped his finger on the months lined up below the picture, stopping on July. “There are five Sundays in July. Should we have the wedding on the 8thor 15th?”
Lorinda shrugged. Everything was moving too fast. Even the 22ndseemed far too soon. But if the wedding was going to happen, they might as well go ahead and have it as soon as possible. The dreading, or the anticipation, would then be over, and life could return to normal...or as normal as it would ever be again. Whatever that would look like after the wedding.
“Let’s do it on the 15th. That’s plenty of time to put together a really nice wedding.” Mrs. Oleson started gathering the dishes from the table. “Who knows. Maybe you’ll have a little brother or sister for Michael before long.”
Red rushed up under Franklin’s tan all the way to his hairline. At the same time, Lorinda felt the heat build in her own cheeks. A little brother or sister?Not even a possibility.
Franklin was amazed at the way Mrs. Oleson gathered all the women together and started planning the wedding. Every time he came home, someone else was in the parlor with Lorinda and Mrs. Oleson. Today was no exception.
“We really need to decide on what you will wear, Dear.” His housekeeper patted his intended bride on her knee.
