Page 520 of Conveniently Wed
He stared down at her. “I’m sorry if I embarrassed you.”
“It’s all right.” She had to force the words out.
Nothing would ever be right again.
Even though the schoolhouse wasn’t far from the church, a buggy with blue bows and streamers tied to it awaited them when they went out the door. Most of the congregation lined the road, and the clapping, hooting, and whistles accompanied them as Rusty drove them slowly toward the other building with its two storeys and tall bell tower.
Lorinda had read about parades with dignitaries and royalty. She felt like a princess as she saw each smiling face. She once again glanced at the ring her husband had slipped on her finger. A blue stone she assumed was a sapphire was set in gold with tiny diamonds surrounding it. She wondered if this had also belonged to Franklin’s mother.
Most of the crowd made its way into the schoolhouse while Franklin helped her down from the buggy. His hands spanned her waist, burning an imprint of their presence. When she was steady on her own feet, he possessively placed his hand in the middle of her back as they walked toward the doorway. He was playing the part of an adoring husband too well.
“Congratulations.” Rusty took off his hat and held it over his heart. “I’m mighty proud to know you, ma’am, and I know you’ll make the boss happy.”
She gave a quick nod toward the earnest cowboy. What would he think if he knew the truth?
An enormous amount of food covered the tables set up along one side of the room. Lorinda didn’t feel hungry, butthe wonderful fragrances of fresh-cooked vegetables, meats, and warm cakes and pies wafted through the warm air.
“This could be a long afternoon. We need to eat something first. I think they have several things in mind for the celebration.” Franklin gave her a plate and picked up one for himself.
As they walked beside the table, he recommended his favorites to her. So many things to choose from–roast, fried chicken, ham. Various cooked vegetables were right beside sliced fresh tomatoes and salad. On a separate table, a tall layer cake was covered with some kind of white fluffy frosting.
“That’s our wedding cake.” Franklin’s whispered words were accompanied by warm breath against her ear. She hadn’t realized he was so close behind her.
She had often enjoyed viewing the turning patterns of the kaleidoscope that rested on a table in the parlor at the ranch. With all the colors and patterns moving around her, she felt as if she were in the middle of one right now. For a moment, dizziness gripped her and she swayed.
Franklin grabbed her plate before she dropped it. Leaving his sitting on the edge of the table, he led her to a chair beside a table near the wedding cake.
“Are you too warm?” Concern colored his tone.
He glanced around, looking for something. She didn’t know what.
Mrs. Oleson noticed them and rushed to where they were. “Is something the matter, Franklin?”
“Lorinda needs more air and something cool to drink.”
“I’ll see about it.” She gave them both a smile. “You just take care of your precious wife.”
Precious wife?If only she were.
Mrs. Oleson went around the room opening the windows all the way. She also opened the door. Then she came back with several of the women wielding fans.
Franklin knelt beside her chair. “Let me help you slip off your jacket. You’ll be more comfortable that way.”
“I can do it.” Knowing his fingers could accidentally brush against her, she didn’t want him unbuttoning her jacket, so she quickly finished that task.
She did let him help pull it from her arms. Now she felt cooler, and the moving fans that almost surrounded her created quite a breeze.
Franklin left and soon returned with his full plate. He took the chair beside her, then turned toward the women around her. “Thank you so much for helping, but I think I can take care of her from here.”
Mrs. Oleson returned with a tall glass of iced lemonade. “A shipment of lemons arrived on yesterday’s train. Chris Kaiser over at the Market let us have the whole shipment for today’s reception, and there’s plenty of ice in the ice house.”
“Thank you, I’m much better now.” Lorinda did feel better–calmer and cooler.
If only her hair wasn’t in such disarray. When she reached to feel how messed up it could be, not a hairpin remained, only the hatpin that held the hat atop her head.
“Here, let me.” Franklin reached toward the hat before she could stop him.
He quickly removed it, and all her curls fell around her shoulders and down her back.
