Page 225 of Conveniently Wed
“We’re getting married this morning.”
She sipped her tea before she answered. “And what’s the hurry?”
“No need to delay. Might as well get you comfortably settled.”
“I must say, that sounds good. I feel like I’m putting these people out, sleeping on their sofa.”
He waited, half expecting Aunt Mary to offer more of an argument against the marriage. When he realized she didn’t intend to, he spoke. “We’ll come in here for the ceremony so you can be one of the witnesses.” He and Stella had discussed the details, and neither could see any reason to delay. She was going to tell the children this morning. How would they feel about this?
The door flew open, and Donny rushed in, Blossom at his heels. “You’re gonna marry my ma, and we’re all going to live at the farm.” He yelled the news.
Blossom sidled up to him and patted his elbow. “You come wif us?”
“Yes and yes,” he said to them.
Stella stood in the doorway. She watched the children and smiled.
“They seem to like the idea,” he said.
“They’re anxious to go home.”
Blossom had moved closer to Aunt Mary. “You come too?”
Aunt Mary cupped her hand over the child’s head. “Yes, I am. Is that okay?”
“That good. You need to come.”
Need? What an odd thing to say, but then, the girl was young. Who knows what she meant?
“Have you told the preacher?” he asked Stella.
“Not yet.”
“Let’s do it together.” He might have imagined she looked relieved, even pleased, by his offer. He followed her down the hall to the kitchen where the preacher sat at the table. He glanced up at their side-by-side approach. His expression grew curious.
“We’ve decided to take your advice and get married,” Bruce said.
The preacher grinned. “I thought you might see it as beneficial. When do you want to have the ceremony?”
“This morning,” Stella said. “In the parlor, so Aunt Mary can be part of it.” Mrs. Kinsley came in as Stella was speaking. “Mrs. Kinsley, we’d like you to be our other witness.”
“Oh my. A wedding. I don’t have anything special prepared. And the girls will want to be here.”
“We aren’t waiting,” Stella said. “You yourself said the children and Miss Rivers should be away from this infection.”
Bruce admired Stella’s firmness. Seemed once she took hold of an idea, she stayed the course. He hoped that was so. For all their sakes.
“So, I did, and so they should. Can we have breakfast first?”
Stella hurried to the stove to assist in preparing the food. “I hate to leave you without help.”
“Now don’t you worry. This is what’s right for you, and that’s all that matters. Besides, Mrs. Andrews has returned. I’ll ask if I can hire one of the girls.”
A robust-looking woman joined them, flanked by two tall, thin girls. Bruce was introduced to Mrs. Andrews and her two daughters—Betsy and Callie—who looked enough alike to be twins.
They gathered around the table. The preacher prayed, adding gratitude for the upcoming wedding.
The Andrews girls waited for the amen then looked around the table.
