Newton (Prairie Grooms Book 9) by Kit Morgan Read Free Book Online Page A

couch . These people had so many names for one thing that it could get very confusing. “Hello,” she said.
    “Mrs. Whitman,” Preacher Jo greeted. “Won’t you sit down? Would you like some coffee or tea?”
    Arya liked both and couldn’t decide which one she wanted at the moment. “What you have made already is …” She stopped, trying to decide which word to use. Fine, good, wonderful, lovely –any one of these would be all right. “… good,” she finally chose.
    “I’ll get another cup and saucer,” Annie announced and left the room.
    Arya sat in the nearest empty chair and folded her hands in her lap. “You are done talking?”
    “In a moment, darling,” Newton said. He turned back to Preacher Jo. “So you understand my dilemma?”
    Preacher Jo made a face and nodded. “I understand that it’s a dilemma. I wish I could advise you better on what to do about it, but this is a bit beyond my training. One thing you will need to do is become legally married, in case anyone ever questions either of you. And much of the rest depends on where you plan to travel.”
    Arya understood most of what Preacher Jo had said, but not all. She looked at Newton. “Travel?”
    “I’ll explain in a moment, sweet. Preacher Jo feels it would be in our best interest to get married.”
    Her eyebrows rose at that. “We are married.”
    “Yes, according to your people and their customs,” Newton explained. “But not according to mine.”
    “This is bad?” she asked glancing between the two men.
    “In our culture, yes,” Preacher Jo said. “People outside of Clear Creek may not like it or understand. Among our people, when you marry, you have a certificate – a piece of paper that proves you are.”
    “Our word is not good enough?” she asked. Really, why did they have to have proof on a paper? What was the matter with these people?
    “It’s a simple ceremony, Arya,” Newton explained, “and you get to wear a pretty dress if you want.”
    Well, she did like wearing pretty dresses. Especially because they made Newton kiss her a lot once they were alone, and take them off …
    Annie re-entered the parlor, a tea cup and saucer in her hands and handed it to her. Arya took it and nodded her thanks.
    “What have you decided?” Annie asked.
    “Arya and I will have to marry in the church so it’s legal. I’m surprised no one here has said anything until now.”
    “The only one saying anything is you,” Preacher Jo pointed out.
    “Yes, well, better me than Mrs. Dunnigan.”
    “Quite so,” Preacher Jo agreed. “I guess the next thing the two of you need to do is set a date.”
    Newton looked at Arya and smiled. “When my people have a wedding, the bride wears a beautiful white gown. Would you like that, darling?”
    Arya smiled and nodded rapidly. “Yes.”
    “I’m sure the ladies of the sewing circle can make one soon enough,” Annie said. “When would you have in mind?”
    “When the dress is done, we’ll wed.”
    Annie cast her husband a worried glance. “No sooner than that?”
    “They’re already husband-and-wife in the eyes of Arya’s people, joined together by the religious leader of their tribe,” Preacher Jo said. “Isn’t that right, Newton?”
    “Yeeees,” he said hesitantly. “I suppose you could call the man that performed our wedding … that.”
    “Religious leader or no, they are not married in the eyes at the church,” Annie pointed out. “Maybe they ought to hurry.”
    “Mrs. King,” Newton said. “I vowed to protect this woman with my life during that ceremony. In fact I vowed far more things than we do, and had to prove I could carry them out before we were wed.” He held up a hand before she could comment. “Don’t bother asking me about what, as I don’t wish to discuss it. Suffice to say, to her people we are bound together, irrevocably joined. One until we die.”
    Annie stared at him, her mouth half-open in shock. “You had to prove them? I’d love to