Hearts Awakening by Delia Parr Read Free Book Online Page B

held out his hand, she accepted his handshake, but Ellie wondered what it might have been like had he proposed marriage out of affection for her and kissed her instead.
    A dangerous thought indeed for a woman who had just agreed to marry a man who clearly did not love her and only wanted her to be his wife because he needed her to help raise his sons.
    And nothing more.

Six

    The marriage ceremony itself bore little resemblance to the one Ellie had kept stored in the hope chest of her dreams.
    She was flushed from dashing straight from the island to the lawyer’s office and then to the parsonage with two reluctant little boys in tow, rather than from the excitement of finally becoming a married woman. She was also still wearing her dark brown work gown with only a single pale pink rose the minister’s wife had pinned to the collar to add a hint of beauty.
    Instead of close family members, she was surrounded by strangers, including Reverend and Mrs. Shore, whom she had never met in person before today. An older couple, some twenty years her senior, they did not have a gray hair to share between them, and their love for one another lit each of their smiles. Likewise, Ellie had never met Mr. Clemmons, their new boarder, who had also agreed to serve as a witness. But he was a kindly looking man, with as gaunt a figure as she had ever seen.
    More important, she scarcely knew the man dressed in work overalls and a flannel shirt who had exchanged vows with her only a heartbeat ago.
    Daniel wore a sullen pout, but it was little Ethan’s teary silence as he clung to his older brother and stood very still in front of his father that tugged at her heartstrings. Jackson mumbled an apology to her, as well as to the minister, who was anxious to conclude the ceremony so he could finish his dinner.
    “I’m sorry. I didn’t give a thought to needing a ring,” Jackson murmured as his cheeks flushed just a bit pink under the deep tan he wore.
    The stately minister peered over his spectacles. “You can always get one later. A ring isn’t absolutely necessary for—”
    “Nonsense. Of course it is. Every woman wants a ring to wear, even if it’s a temporary one,” Mrs. Shore insisted and reached into her pocket. When she pulled out her hand and opened it to Jackson, Ellie saw four intricately carved wood rings of various sizes lying in the woman’s palm.
    “One of the congregants, Mr. Burke, is quite skilled as a whittler, and he’s been kind enough to make sure we have a supply of rings on hand, just for occasions like this. I’m certain one will fit your new wife well enough until you can purchase a proper ring,” she suggested, giving Ellie a reassuring look.
    When Jackson selected one of two rings that looked large enough to fit Ellie’s finger, the minister’s wife leaned close to Ellie. “I wouldn’t wear that ring when you’re doing housework. The wood isn’t as durable as silver or gold, but at least you’ll have a ring as a memento of this very blessed day.”
    Ellie smiled back. “Yes, I will. Thank you.”
    Reverend Shore cleared his throat. “If we can continue . . .”
    Jackson held out the ring he had selected for Ellie to see. When she nodded, he addressed the minister. “We’re ready now.”
    “Then as I was saying, place the ring on your wife’s finger and join hands.”
    Ellie’s hand trembled as Jackson slid the ring onto her finger. Jackson’s hand was cold, if not damp, the only indication he was as nervous as she was.
    “The ring is but a symbol of God’s endless love and fidelity,” the minister intoned. “Journey together from this moment forward, as man and wife, in harmony with His commandments, and He will bless you, guide you, and sustain you through the trials of this life until you are reunited with Him in glory in the next. Amen.”
    “Amen,” Ellie whispered, clinging to those promises instead of thoughts of her cousin’s reaction when he discovered she had gotten married