“That’s why I worry. This marriage is real?” my cousin asks.
“As real as it gets,” I say after a beat.
Adam assures me that I can call him for help whenever I need, and then we hang up. For a moment I just sit there, feeling both happy to nearly have access to the money that is mine, and scared of what my parents might do to punish me for it.
I look past Jonah’s face, eyes unfocused, my mind whirring with anxiety.
“What is it?” Jonah asks.
“I’m scared,” I admit.
“What’s the worst thing that could happen? Aside from the lawsuit.”
“Why are you asking me that?”
“Because sometimes acknowledging our fears out loud helps us confront them.”
I take a deep breath and then release it slowly. “Here are the things I’m most afraid of. They’ll try to argue that I wasn’t mentally competent enough to consent to marriage. They’ll attempt to get conservatorship over me. They’ll come here themselves and try to drag me back. That’s what I’m worried about the most.”
“Over my dead body,” Jonah growls, eyes darkening, a tick forming in his jaw. “You’re moving in with me. You’ll be safer there.”
“No. Absolutely not, Jonah,” I hiss. “I’m perfectly safe at the rescue.”
“Stay there and you’re a woman who got married on a whim, and I’m a man who was happy to take advantage of a vulnerable woman for money. Move in with me and we’re a young couple in love,” Jonah says, leveling me with an arrogant look, like he knows best.
“Fine. Maybe that’s true. But I don’t take kindly to being ordered around, Jonah. I’ve had enough of that.”
“Fair enough,” he says, though he still looks like a know-it-all ass. “But I’m trying to protect myself here. I don’t want to be a target in any of this legal shit with your parents, and I don’t want it to look like I took advantage of you or something. It’s better if it looks real.”
I rub my temples, and consider my options for a moment. I didn’t think about moving in with Jonah but I probably should have. What newly married couple chooses to live apart? Especially when one of them already has a perfectly good home?I owe it to Jonah to make this as easy as possible for him, and to protect him.
At the same time, though, I left Alabama and my parents to finally,finallybe independent. Is that going to be possible if we’re living as a married couple?
“Alright,” I say warily. “But we need some ground rules. I’m not going to inform you of my comings and goings and you’re not going to try and tell me what to do. No more ordering me around.” I tip my chin up and try to match his arrogant gaze.
“Easy enough,” Jonah says, shrugging. “I’m not going to try and control you.”
I just nod, but I’m not sure I trust him yet completely. My parents have always been controlling, and my experience with men tells me that many of them are similar.
“Although,” Jonah adds, “we probably shouldn’t sleep with anyone else while we’re together. Since we’re invested in making this thing look real now.”
“That won’t be a problem. None of the men in Star Mountain interest me.”
Jonah just nods, but he has a satisfied smirk on his face.
I flutter my lashes at him and say, “So, how much closet space does your house have?”
BARN BULLETIN
Just Married: Winsome Grant and Jonah Smith :)
It’s Winnie not Winsome. And the wedding announcement isn’t necessary. - Winnie
I heard you two even kissed at the altar. - Nathan
I made you promise not to bring that up. -Candice
There was a kiss?! -Jenny
