“They can always come back for visits,” Lia said, smiling. “My family loves to have visitors at the ranch. My father always says, ‘Cuanto más mejor.’ The more the better.”
“The more the merrier,” LeRoy added.
25
Amen,” Pastor Lewis said, ending the Sunday morning service. He raised his head and smiled at the congregation. “Most of you are aware that we are now going to have a wedding ceremony for Susanna Ragsdale Jenkins and Owen Turner. Afterwards there will be a covered-dish luncheon, and if you forgot to bring something, don’t worry about it. There’s plenty to go around. The ladies of the church always seem to know what to make and how much,” he said with a chuckle. “Susanna and Owen, if you would come forward now with your witnesses, we will begin.”
The organist played softly as Susanna and Owen came to stand in front of Pastor Lewis. Lia stood with Susanna, and LeRoy with Owen.
“Folks, we are here to join Susanna and Owen in holy matrimony. These are two people who have proven to use great sense in their lives, and I’ve no doubt the good Lord has brought them together for the purpose of matrimony.” He smiled down on both of them.
“Owen, will you have this woman to be your wife, to live together in holy marriage? Will you love her, comfort her, honor, and keep her in sickness and in health, and, forsaking all others, be faithful to her so long as you both shall live?”
Gazing at Susanna, Owen grinned. “I will.”
“And Susanna, will you have this man to be your husband, to live together in holy marriage? Will you love him, comfort him, honor, and keep him in sickness and in health, and, forsaking all others, be faithful to him so long as you both shall live?”
Susanna couldn’t help remembering her first wedding. It had been so lavish and beautiful. Her mother had insisted on fine Belgian lace for her veil, and her gown had been crafted from the best satin available. Now she stood here in a simple gown of pale blue. Nothing special, no expensive jewelry like her mother had insisted she borrow and wear when she married Mark.
Pastor Lewis leaned forward and whispered, “This is the part where you say, ‘I will.’”
Susanna flushed and glanced at Owen, who had a questioning look on his face. She laughed nervously. “I will.”
Pastor Lewis looked out at the congregation and wiped his forehead with the back of his hand. “Whew, glad we got that part figured out.”
The people laughed, and Pastor Lewis continued. “Owen, repeat after me. ‘In the name of God and in commitment to Him and to you...’”
Owen took Susanna’s hands and repeated the words, looking at her with such tenderness that Susanna thought she might burst into tears.
The pastor continued, and Owen repeated, “‘I, Owen, take you, Susanna, to be my lawfully wedded wife.’”
“‘To have and to hold from this day forward, for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish, until we are parted by death. This is my solemn vow.’”
Owen repeated the words, and this time Susanna couldn’t hold back her tears. As Owen slipped the ring on her finger, she did her best to control her emotions, knowing it was nowher turn to repeat the same vows. Fortunately, she was able to do this without stumbling over the words as she had feared.
“This is my solemn vow,” she murmured and dabbed her eyes with the borrowed handkerchief she’d gotten from Mrs. Lewis.
They had agreed it was much too dangerous for Owen to wear a wedding ring, given his job, so they merely joined hands again and looked at the pastor.
“Let us pray,” the pastor said, reaching out to lay his hands on their shoulders. “Father, we seek a blessing for this couple, Owen and Susanna. You know them to be your children, Lord, and now they have pledged before You and this congregation to be faithful in marriage to one another. We pray strength and encouragement for them and ask for prosperity, health, and understanding for each. In Jesus’ name, amen.”
“Amen!” the congregation said in enthusiastic unison.
The pastor grinned and stepped back. “I now pronounce that they be man and wife. Owen, you may kiss your bride.”
Susanna anticipated a quick peck, but instead Owen pulled her into his arms and kissed her for what seemed like much too long for a church kiss. When he pulled away, she was weak in the knees and had to fight against looking stunned.
The congregation cheered, and immediately the organ struck up.
“Well, we’ve done it,” Owen whispered in her ear.
She nodded, regaining her composure. “There’s no doubt of that.”
He laughed and pulled her close as others came forward to congratulate them.
The weather was beautiful and made for the perfect lawn picnic after the wedding. Several chairs had been brought out for the elderly who couldn’t sit on the ground, but most of theother families set up blankets on the grass so they could talk and visit with everyone at once.
Owen and Susanna had been given a special table and chairs near the food tables so that as people passed by, they could greet the newly married couple and offer gifts or comments. Given the congregation’s generosity, Owen was glad someone had suggested positioning a wagon nearby for the gifts.
