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

hear these vows. They sound very interesting.”
    “Trust me when I say, Mrs. King, that Arya’s people are beyond interesting.”
    “Be that as it may, people will talk,” she said.
    “No one has thus far,” Preacher Jo countered.
    Newton nodded. “Not even Mrs. Dunnigan. Besides, I’m sure everyone in town will be quite happy to come to our wedding. I think that knowing we will marry in the church will relieve any concerns they might have.”
    “I know it relieves mine,” said Preacher Jo. “I think the term ‘married in the sight of God’ fits your situation already – I just want to make sure you have the legal covering as well.”
    Annie reluctantly nodded. “Well, the ladies’ sewing circle meets tomorrow, and Arya can join us. We’ll discuss her wedding dress then.”
    “Thank you, Mrs. King – I do appreciate it,” Newton said. “I’m sure Arya does too.”
    Arya sipped at her tea, set the cup and saucer in her lap, then nodded. She’d caught most of what they were saying, and understood that she and Newton would get to have another wedding, one that included a pretty dress that had to be made. “I think it sounds …” She raised her eyebrows and thought. “Lovely.”
    Annie giggled. “Are you having a hard time picking words to use?”
    “You have so many,” she said. “And so many say the same thing, or almost the same. Sometimes it is hard to choose the one I want.”
    “Well, let me ask the two of you this,” Preacher Jo interjected. “And you only have to pick one word to answer, yes or no.”
    Arya exchanged a quick look with Newton. “What is this question?” she asked.
    “Would the two of you like to stay for supper?” Preacher Jo asked with a smile.
    Newton and Arya answered at the same time. “Yes!”
----
    T hey left Preacher Jo’s house after coffee and dessert and strolled hand-in-hand back to the hotel. They didn’t go far before Newton put his arm around Arya to keep her warm. The days were growing cold, the nights colder. It was already late October and Newton wondered where the time had gone. He and Nettie had arrived in Clear Creek toward the end of July, and already they were both married. Nettie even had a paper to prove it.
    But as far as Newton’s heart, mind and soul went, he was just as married. He just wanted to have legal proof before he and his wife went exploring. Well, that and they needed money to travel on. Ryder had offered him some work, but that wouldn’t be enough. With a wife to take care of, he’d have to find more work and fast. And unfortunately, that likely meant leaving Clear Creek.
    “Newton,” Arya said, drawing him from his musings. “Look at the moon.”
    He stopped and gazed at the full moon overhead. “No wonder it’s so light out.” He noticed the blue hue the huge white orb cast upon the prairie. “What a beautiful night.” He turned to his wife and wrapped her in his arms. “Arya, darling, did you understand what Preacher Jo and I were talking about earlier?”
    “You want us to marry in front of your people,” she said. “Yes?”
    “Yes. I know we’re married in the eyes of your people, but we must get married before my people so no one can say otherwise.”
    She cocked her head. “Otherwise?”
    “So no one can say that we’re not. Around here it’s frowned upon for a man and woman to be living together and not be married.”
    “Ahhh,” she said in understanding. “Then we marry and join the others. Both our people will be happy, yes?”
    “Yes … about that.” He took a deep breath. “Arya, sweet, I think perhaps your people have moved to their winter camp by now. Don’t you agree?”
    “I do not know. If they have, we follow.”
    “We could, yes. But there are so many things in my world I still want to show you. Perhaps we could rejoin your people when the sun …” Hmmm – how could he make her understand? “When the sun … rules the sky again.”
    “You mean summer.”
    He started and