They would marry as friends, determined to care for each other’s needs. If something more grew out of the arrangement, then it would come because God ordained it. They weren’t lying to each other or to anyone else. They would love and honor each other in sickness and health, for richer or poorer, and remain true to one another. That was something Marybeth knew she could do without hesitation, and she felt confident Edward could manage it as well.
When Edward showed up an hour later, Marybeth stood ready and able to give him an answer.
“I will marry you. I will be true to you and love and honor you until my death.” She smiled, and he did as well.
“Let’s go see the justice of the peace in Evansville right now. I told him we might be coming,” Edward said, glancing around. “Where’s Carrie?”
“She’s next door. I asked Mrs. Parker to keep an eye on her and not let anyone know she was there. I needed to pick up a few things in town after I talked to you. I guess I hadn’t expected that we’d marry today, but it suits me just fine.”
“I let my family know,” he replied and reached for Marybeth’s coat where it hung by the door. “George is gonna stop by in the morning to set things up for you with the house.”
“When do you think we’ll leave?”
“Tomorrow, late morning. I’ve checked on the train schedules. It’s perfect.”
Marybeth nodded, but instead of coming directly to him she went to the fireplace and took down a tin box. She opened it and revealed a stack of bills and coinage.
“I want to give you this money Pa saved. It’s nearly a hundred dollars and will help on our trip. I just ask that you also take this drawing I made of Carrie’s feet and get her a pair of boots for the trip. She’s almost outgrown all of her shoes, and a pair of lace-up boots would be good and sturdy.”
“Keep it, and we’ll stop to shop after we marry. I trust you with the money, Marybeth. You’ve never been the type to be frivolous. Keep your pa’s money. We’ll need it soon enough.”
She took out some of the larger bills and folded them with the drawing. “I’ll take this along, then.” She put the lid back on the tin and set it up on the mantel. “And you said George will come by tomorrow?”
“Yes, he’ll figure out what is needed to help you with the house. Do you want to rent it out or sell it?”
“Selling it makes sense. We can use the money to buy another place in Cheyenne. I know you and Janey were renting, so if you prefer that, it’s all right.”
“I figure we’ll probably have to rent at first, but Major Henderson said that a piece of land comes with my job. I have some money saved, and maybe in the spring we can save up enough and build on it.”
“Maybe George can have this place sold by then, and we can use that money as well.”
Edward nodded. “Maybe we can.”
Marybeth smiled. “It would seem God is providing for all of our needs.”
“It would seem.”
He helped her with her coat. “Have you heard any more from the pastor?”
“He came by earlier. I saw him open our front gate, and I hurried to the back room where Carrie was napping. I hid in there while he knocked on the front door. Thankfully Carrie slept through it.”
Edward frowned. “I don’t like that you felt you needed to hide. I don’t like that at all. A woman ought to feel safe in her own home. He needs to know this is out of his hands now. First chance I get, I’ll go talk to him.”
Marybeth did up her coat buttons and grabbed her hat and scarf. “I would appreciate that very much. He frightens me. I know I shouldn’t let him, but I can’t help it. Carrie’s all I have left.”
“No, you have me now. You’ll have me for the rest of our lives.” He paused, and his expression softened. “I promise I’ll take good care of you both. I’ve loved you both for a long time, and that won’t change. I know it’s not what you deserve, Marybeth, but I’ll work hard to try to make you happy with what I can give you. Just don’t ask me for what I can’t give.”
Marybeth swallowed the growing lump in her throat. If they didn’t get a move on, she very well might start crying. She nodded. “I won’t. I promise.”
The ceremony was short and simple. There were no flowers. No well-wishers except for two rather stodgy-looking men who worked with the justice. There was really nothing at all that suggested they were participating in a wedding rather than a court case.
Marybeth tried not to let it make her sad. She, like most girls, had dreamed of her wedding day, and this was nothing like that.
Once the judge finished, they signed the papers, and Edward took their copy of the marriage certificate and folded it up.
“Let’s get the shopping done and then head home,” he said as he carefully tucked the paper into his inside pocket.
Marybeth nodded and took hold of his arm. “Then what?”
