“Good luck.” Mick picked up Jesse’s empty glass, still chuckling.
Jesse checked his watch. Tori should be home about now getting ready. Nothing to do until five, he headed for home. Michael and Hunter should be there soon.
This felt right. He’d always wanted a family of his own. So what if they’d went out of order, becoming in the family way before they’d wed. It didn’t matter. They were right together. He and Tori got on well, at least most of the time. Her humor and compassion combined with determination and strength would make her a good wife.
His wife. Did he deserve such a woman? At times, he still bore the stink of his childhood. Unclean, indecent. At the worst possible moments, an image of the ragged, scared little boy hiding behind the
bushes in the front of the church flashed in his mind. Had he really left all that behind?
Giving himself a mental shake, he softened at the image of Tori swollen with his child. Then a part of him below his waist hardened at the image of Tori, naked, swollen with his child. Re-arranging his pants, he continued on home.
Tori and Jesse stood before Pastor Dave. Church lights illuminating the sanctuary cast an ethereal glow. Tight-lipped, Jesse stared straight ahead. Tori squelched the urge to rub her elbow from when he ‘escorted’ her to the church. She’d intended to go, he didn’t have to come for her. So it took her a little longer to get ready. Did he believe she would escape? Where would she go?
Mary Jane McRae’s House. Anywhere but here.
Her stomach churned, and she kept taking in deep gulps of air in hopes to settle the unease. But, so far, nothing worked. One minute she wanted to cry, the next, giggle.
“Calm down, darlin’, it will all be over in a minute,” Jesse whispered in her ear.
“No. In a minute it will all just be starting,” she shot back, welcoming the anger that chased away the fear.
Pastor Dave cleared his throat and, giving them both a quelling look, began the ceremony. Someone sniffed behind her. Off to the side, her two nieces flushed with excitement.
Just as she considered bolting from the church, Jesse took her ice cold hands in his warm ones. She looked up at him, his eyes meeting hers. A sense of peace descended at his touch. She could do a lot worse. Here stood a man who didn’t cower from responsibility, and instead met problems head on. An honest, dependable, and caring man. Oh, not for one minute did she believe he loved her, but they had a good friendship. Many marriages started with a lot less. At least, unlike James, he showed up. She swallowed the hysterical giggle threatening to escape.
Jesse spoke his vows loud and strong, while she whispered, ”I do,” without fainting. Pastor Dave instructed Jesse to kiss the bride. Jesse studied her face for a moment, then cupped her chin with both hands and claimed her lips with a slow intimate kiss. The sense of peace grew stronger, spreading warmth throughout her body. Her breasts tingled and a slight dampness settled between her legs.
Good lord, you’re in church, for heaven’s sake!
Before her spectacles could fog up, she pulled away. Jesse cast her a rueful smile.
They ran from the church hand in hand while well-wishers shouted and threw handfuls of rice. Jesse helped her into his buggy, and they set off for The Café. When they pulled in front of the restaurant, he turned and took her still cold hands in his. “I promise you won’t be sorry, honey. This is the best thing for the baby. And I hope you know I’ll never hurt you, or turn into some tyrant you’re worried about.”
Tori regarded him for a minute, then raised one eyebrow. “We’ll see, won’t we?”
After a brief kiss, he jumped down, tying the horses to the post before helping her from the buggy. Mrs. Bonner greeted them with tears of happiness in her eyes.
Why does everyone love a wedding except me? Maybe because it’s not their wedding.
Mr. Bonner carried out platters of meat to add to the long table adorned with flowers. Within minutes, the room filled with family, friends, and neighbors. In all, about forty people. Besides Pastor Dave and his wife, the women from the funding committee and their husbands, and several clients of Jesse made up the lively crowd.
The Bonners had gone all out. It amazed her that she didn’t even know these people a few months ago, and now they were almost family.
Platters of roast beef and ham, along with salads and bowls of vegetables dripping butter and baskets of hot rolls were at one end of the table. A blue and white wedding cake, with pots of hot coffee, sugar, and cream sat at the other end.
Tori’s stomach rolled. Where to escape before she disgraced herself? As if reading her mind, Jesse grabbed her hand and hustled her out the back door to the privy.
Pale and shaking, she left the privy a few minutes later and accepted the glass of water Jesse had fetched.
Tori wiped her mouth with the handkerchief he offered her. “I’m so sorry. You went to a whole lot of trouble, and I’m just a mess.” She glanced at him. This was his wedding, too. And his bride couldn’t even stand the sight of food. Some celebration.
He pulled her into his arms, rubbing circles on her back. “No, you’re not, baby. Just a little overwhelmed. That’s what we’ll tell everyone. Now put a smile on your face and please, stay away from the food table.” He winked at her.
She chuckled for the first time all day. With his sense of humor, maybe marriage to Jesse wouldn’t be so terrible after all.
“See, I knew it. Already you’re bossing me around, making demands, and trying to control my life.” Tori paced before the fireplace in Jesse’s parlor. I can’t believe he thinks I would do this.
He lifted his brows in polite disbelief. “I’m bossing you around because I want my wife to live with me in my house?”