Most of the congregation had left when Flora took Kade’s hand. They left the pew to stand in front of her father. She wore her blue dress. Eve had put Flora’s hair up and fixed it with enough pins to make certain it would stay in place until after the service.
Kade had purchased a new white shirt and black vest. His hair had been trimmed to neatness. He looked so handsome she couldn’t take her eyes off him.
Her parents had been relieved when she and Kade returned four days ago to announce they were going to get married.
Her sisters had been overjoyed to think they could help plan a wedding. But Flora and Kade had their own plans.
“We’ll exchange vows after the church service.”
“That’s not a real wedding,” Eve said with some dismay.
Flora had been firm. “It’s our wedding, and we will do it our way. Besides, it isn’t the wedding that’s important. It’s the marriage. And we are going to have a great one.”
Ma and her sisters had tried to persuade Flora to change her mind but she wouldn’t relent. Nothing about her service would be according to what others thought it should be.
Finally, Ma had lifted her hands in a defeat. “You’re getting married. I guess we’ll have to be content with that.”
They exchanged vows before her pa, her ma, her sisters, and a few close friends of the family.
Then they crossed to the manse where Ma had prepared her usual Sunday dinner. Only this time only the family and the Norwoods were present.
After the meal, Ma set before them a cake specially decorated for the occasion. At Flora’s request, it was chocolate.
Pa stood at the end of the table.
Flora squeezed Kade’s hand. She had warned him Pa would make a speech. She just hoped it wouldn’t be too lengthy.
Pa cleared his throat. “It gives me a great deal of pleasure to see you two married. May God bless your union. May you find happiness together by making each other happy. May the Lord bless you with children. And please come and visit often.” He sat down.
Flora’s eyes stung at the emotions her pa had revealed.
“Cut the cake,” Ma said. “Together.”
They did and passed a piece to everyone at the table. The meal over, Flora and Kade rose. Flora hesitated, wondering if she should help with the dishes.
Eve laughed. “Run along. There are lots of us left to share the work.”
She needed no more invitation.
Kade had borrowed a buggy for the occasion though Flora had said she didn’t mind riding horseback.
“No, I want this event to be different so we won’t ever forget it.”
And so she had agreed. The truth was, she would likely have agreed to anything he wanted simply because she was so happy and wanted him to be equally happy.
Partway to the ranch, he stopped.
“What is it?”
“I want to give you something.”
“Kade, you have already given me so much.”
He jumped from the buggy, pulled out his pocketknife, cut the stems of a dozen yellow buffalo beans, and handed her the bouquet. “I may not be able to give you diamonds and fancy things but I can give you flowers that nature provides.”
“I’d sooner have that any day than diamonds.” She pocketed the pins from her hair and let it fall free.
He tugged at a strand of her hair. “I love your hair down.”
“Good, because no matter what I do, it’s always down before the day is over.”
He held her hand as they drove up to his house. “Wait,” he said when she began to climb down. He ran to her side and lifted her into his arms.
He carried her to the house, kicked open the door, and set her on her feet inside the kitchen.
“Welcome home, Mrs. Thomas.”
She might have said something in reply, but he kissed her in a way that left her breathless.
Home, a resting place for her heart and a love to cherish.
It was more than she could ever have dreamed of.