Page 16 of Montana Groom of Convenience
Hugh opened his black book of ceremonies. “I will ask yet again, are you sure of this?”
Carly nodded, as did Sawyer. The children sat on the hearth, watching. Somehow, seeing Jill in her soiled dress with her hair tangled about her head made Carly straighten her spine. This was the right thing to do.
“Very well,” Hugh said. “Even though the circumstances of this marriage are unusual, the vows are the same. You are about to enter into a union that is most sacred and most serious. It is sacred, because it is established by God himself. You are swearing before God to uphold the tenets of this holy institution.” He paused long enough to give them a chance to withdraw their request.
Neither did.
“Very well. If you would face each other.” He waited while they slowly turned. “Take each other’s hands.”
Neither Carly nor Sawyer moved.
Hugh sighed a little. “How do you expect to be joined in marriage if you can’t even hold hands?” He half closed the book. “I don’t know if I can go through with this.”
Carly and Sawyer reached for each other. She wasnot surprised to learn his hands were work worn and his grasp firm. She tightened her fingers and gave him an equally firm hold.
“Good. Now, let’s proceed. Sawyer, repeat after me.” Hugh spoke the wedding vow,s and Sawyer repeated them, his voice strong and sure.
And then it was Carly’s turn. She met Sawyer’s gaze without flinching and echoed Hugh’s words. Every word was a promise to be forever united to this man.
“You have exchanged vows before God and these witnesses. Those whom God hath joined together, let no one put asunder. You may now kiss the bride.”
Carly couldn’t say if Sawyer dropped her hands or if she dropped his, but they faced each other with their hands at their sides. She was not going to kiss him. For one thing, he was a stranger. And more importantly, they’d agreed this was purely a contractual union for mutual benefit. Not for romance or any such thing.
Sawyer moved back. “That’s not necessary.”
She also took a step back. “I agree.”
Hugh sighed. “Why am I not surprised? Everyone needs to sign the register.” Hugh led them into his office, where the necessary paperwork was completed.
Annie wrung her hands. “I feel bad. You should have a special wedding meal. But I’d be pleased if you’d join us for dinner, plain as it is.”
“Fine. Thank you,” Sawyer and Carly said in unison.
Carly followed Annie back to the kitchen and stood in the middle of the room. She’d been here any number of times, and yet nothing looked familiar. Her brain seemed stuck back at the fireplace, saying the words she would now live by.
“I have enough roast pork to make sandwiches if you’d like to help make them.”
“Of course.” But she couldn’t think what to do.
Annie gave a little laugh and pushed her toward the cupboard, handed her a knife, and put a loaf of bread on the cutting board. “Slice the loaf and butter it while I slice the meat.”
Carly did as she was instructed. All the while, Annie talked, and yet her words echoed inside Carly’s head, making as much sense as the clanging of harness bells.
Annie nudged her aside and laid the meat on the prepared bread. “Would you set out six plates?”
She did so, though she miscounted the plates and had to return one to the cupboard.
Somehow, the others appeared, and they all sat at the table, Jill at Sawyer’s side, Sawyer straight across from Carly. Carly stared at the man. Her husband. In name only. But it still felt unreal. “Hard to believe I left home this morning, worried Father was about to sell the ranch, and now I’m going home with a husband to save the ranch.” Her voice sounded hollow to her, and she hoped the others wouldn’t notice anything amiss.
“The Lord works in mysterious ways.” Hugh’s ironic tone was impossible to miss.
Carly laughed a little. “He should have made me a boy so Father would have a son. Then this marriage wouldn’t be necessary.” Her words fell into a pool of silence. She jerked herself to attention. She’d never mentioned such a thing before. Not even to Annie. Such thoughts had been buried long enough for her to think they were dead. Why had they suddenlyresurrected? “These are good sandwiches, Annie. Thank you.”
“Like I said, if I’d known you were to be married today, I would have at least baked a cake.”
Carly shrugged. “It doesn’t matter.” She swallowed the last bite of food and pushed back from the table. “I’ll help you clean up, then we best get home.”
Annie waved her away. “That’s not necessary. You go on ahead. You’ll have lots to do when you get home.” She hugged Carly. “This should really be your honeymoon.”
