Total pages in book: 25
Estimated words: 23552 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 118(@200wpm)___ 94(@250wpm)___ 79(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 23552 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 118(@200wpm)___ 94(@250wpm)___ 79(@300wpm)
“I found you a husband,” he says, causing me to drop the spoon in my hand.
“What?”
“Your ad, you remember the ad you placed before you came to town?”
“Of course. I just didn’t expect any responses.”
“Why not?” he asks.
“No reason. So who is it? Where is their reply?”
“No reply, actually. I’ve taken the liberty of arranging everything.”
“Uh… okay. Who?” I ask, thinking that this isn’t exactly what I signed up for, but I decide to trust the mayor.
“Pastor Reed.”
I sink down onto the barstool nearest me and take a deep breath. The man never stops staring at me. I only know that because I’m staring at him too. He’s so handsome, but I can’t tell what he’s thinking when he looks at me the way he does. It’s probably disgust.
“What is Pastor Reed looking for in a wife?” I ask.
“Alton needs a woman who can handle his mood swings, who can keep him on track, and someone who doesn’t mind that his sister lives with him. Kelly is seventeen and still in high school.”
“Okay. Is that it? That’s all he needs?”
“That’s it. You two will work out the rest.”
“Um… okay. When?”
“The judge is available in an hour. Will that work for you?”
“An hour?”
“Yes. I can drive you into town. Your sisters are already there, getting everything ready for you. I can wait while you change.”
“Okay…” I reply, getting up and turning the oven off. I pull the finished pie out of the oven and set it on the baker's rack to cool. I pull my apron off and hang it back up.
“Gather your things as well. You’ll move in with him today as well.”
“I’ll be right back,” I tell him.
“Take your time. They can’t start without the bride.”
I giggle nervously as I run up the stairs to my room. I have accumulated a lot of clothes and shoes in the last few months thanks to my generous brother-in-law. I go into Jasper and Sadie’s room, borrow a huge suitcase from their closet, take it back into my room, and fill it with clothes and shoes. I change into a long black dress and gold strappy sandals. I pull on a thick black cardigan. I put my glasses on and look in the mirror on the wall. Sighing, I realize that this will have to do. In the little bag I brought with me from home, I place my Bible, my Kindle, and the paperbacks I checked out of the library. I grab my phone and purse and look around the room, making sure I didn’t forget anything. I zip the suitcase and drag it down the steps.
“Allow me,” the mayor says, appearing before me. The thuds probably alerted him to the fact that I can’t carry the darn thing.
“Thank you, Mayor Hollow,” I reply.
“Call me Lloyd. My car’s parked out back.”
I follow Lloyd out to his car and climb into the passenger seat.
I can’t believe that I am getting married.
Today.
Now.
To him.
To Alton Reed, the hottest man I’ve ever seen, I can’t help but wonder if he knows that it’s me he’s marrying. Will he turn me away when he sees me? My breath hitches at the thought of being rejected by him.
I can do this. Be confident. Be the brave Yoder sister I am.
When I see him standing at the end of the aisle of his church, my belly flutters, then I see his face. The look on his face is one of pure dread. I almost turn around and walk away, but then he smiles, and I float toward him like I’m flying.
“Are you Lavinia?” a girl asks, stepping in front of me.
“Yes. Are you Kelly?” I ask, remembering Lloyd said Alton had a sister.
“I am,” she says, giving me a hug.
“I think you’re going to be good for my brother.”
“I certainly hope so.”
“Jasper said you make the best pastries. Is that true?”
“I do make pastries. I don’t know about them being the best,” I say, smiling at her.
“Oh, we’re going to be best friends, Lavinia. I just know it.”
“I think so too.”
“Right. Go get married,” she says, taking my hand and leading me the rest of the way down the aisle. As soon as I reach him, of course I trip on air. He reaches out to steady me.
“Are you alright?” he asks, his voice deep and husky.
“Yes. Thank you. Sorry.” He takes ahold of my hand and doesn’t let it go.
I repeat my mantra:
I can do this.
Be confident.
Be the brave Yoder sister I am.
Chapter One
Alton
I knew it was going to be her. Of course it would be the one woman who fucks with my head in way she shouldn’t and wouldn’t in any other circumstance. Lloyd told me this morning that we had a lot in common and that she’d be perfect for me. I didn’t have the heart to tell him that this would never work because I don’t even like her, but I know it would fall on deaf ears. It’s also a bald-faced lie. Why am I lying to myself? It’s one thing to lie to other people but to try to lie to myself is asinine.