CHAPTER 6
And they twain shall be one flesh: so then they are no more twain, but one flesh.
MARK 10:8
June 28, 1782
“What therefore God hath joined together, let no man put asunder.”
Dawn swallowed as the man of the cloth, dressed in his somber black attire, finished reading the eighth and ninth verses of the chapter of Mark. Jacob had offered the option of an annulment at the end of their journey, but that was not God’s intent. He intended for married couples to stick by one another’s side through all—good or bad, thick or thin. Should they truly continue with this if they did not intend to treat their union in the way the Bible laid out? Dawn clenched her jaw and flitted a glance up at Jacob’s face.
Just as they had been all morning, his lips were curved upward in a smile. Since the moment he awoke, he had seemed overjoyed to be yoking himself in marriage to her. Was it because he knew there was a way out at the end or because he was truly glad to marry her? Her heart yearned for the latter to be true, but her mind found it folly to believe such. Even if he wanted to marry her now, how long before he changed his mind? Before he discovered that she was a burden, a disgrace. What would become of them then? Dawn swallowed again.
Jacob met her gaze. What had the preacher been saying? Her husband-to-be gave a slight nod of his head as his smile stretched wider. “I do.”
Dawn’s heart hammered against the inside of her rib. Jacob had done his part. Now all she had to do was utter those same two little words and they would be wedded. The preacher droned on about for richer or for poorer and in sickness and in health. There was no doubt she would stand by Jacob’s side no matter what came. The truth washed over her then, and she stood a bit taller. Dawn could not control if Jacob chose to walk away from her, but she could uphold the promises made in her own vows. She would remain true to her marriage for as long as possible and hold onto the tiny sliver of hope that Jacob did the same. They may never have the same kind of romantic relationship some couples had, but many marriages were founded on the need for a partnership. Theirs would be no different.
The preacher stopped and waited. Waited for her. Dawn looked from him to Jacob, and the corners of her own mouth lifted. Jacob was most handsome when he smiled. And there was something about his smile that set her further at ease, as it always had. This was the man who had once been her closest friend and confidant. In whom she had already trusted her heart once before. “I do.” She repeated the words he had spoken moments before.
“I now pronounce you man and wife. I hope you both have a blessed life with one another.” The man gave each of them a nod before he turned and headed down the hill to join the long line of people and horses which were gathering together to begin the next leg of the journey westward.
No travel plans had been interrupted for their impromptu wedding, but the preacher had graciously agreed to perform a hasty union before the travel party set out once more.
Jacob stepped closer, and her gaze returned to his face. Did he intend to kiss her? Many couples shared a first kiss once their union was complete. But would they? Should they? Their marriage was supposed to be in name alone.
One harmless little kiss could not hurt, though, could it? Jacob’s smile had waned, and he, too, seemed to be at war with himself. He glanced from her to his family, who all looked on with eager eyes—beside Jared, who stood with arms crossed and glared from beneath his hat.
Perhaps a kiss at this moment would be improper.
Jacob must have agreed, for he put a hand at the small of her back and guided her toward his family. Mary darted from her place beside his sister and into Dawn’s arms. “Yay,” she cheered. Dawn gave her a tight squeeze before she lifted her up onto her hip. Then Jacob’s mother came forward and embraced each of them in turn. Tears ran down her cheeks, but her smile was steadfastly in place.
Joseph took his turn next. “Welcome to the family, sis.” He beamed as he stepped back from hugging her and Mary, and Dawn’s cheeks heated. Thankfully, Jonah and Jemimah moved forward to take their own turns. There would be no long, drawn-out celebration rejoicing over their union, for Jacob’s family could not be left behind. And the travel party would not wait.
She, Mary, and Jacob were the only ones who would deviate from the original plans.
As soon as the congratulatory hugs were given, the tearful goodbyes began for Jacob and his family. Dawn’s gut wrenched as he embraced his mother again, so much smaller in stature and build. If it were not for the three other brothers which would still be at her side, there would be no way Dawn could take Jacob from her.
His mother released him and approached Dawn for another hug. “Take good care of him,” she whispered in Dawn’s ear. The imaginary knife in her middle twisted. Once again, she was being called upon to fulfill her wifely duties, no matter the nature of their marriage or whether it would last.
“I will,” she agreed.
As his family mounted their horses and rode down the hillside to join the others, Jacob came alongside her and placed an arm around her. Bright, warm sunlight spread over the valley before them, and a gentle summer breeze whispered through the tall grasses, making it seem as though nature applauded their union. Perhaps God had a plan for their marriage, after all.
CHAPTER 7
As the lily among thorns, so is my love among the daughters.
SONG OF SOLOMON 2:2
Dawn’s laugh was a wonderful, whimsical sound that lightened the burden on one’s heart and set the corners of their mouth on an upward turn. Jacob could attest to that. Once they had eaten and rested a moment for their midday respite, he had ventured over to inform her that they needed to be on their way in order to make the river crossing before nightfall. Instead, he found himself knelt behind Dawn and Mary as they watched a yellow-and-black butterfly flutter from flower to flower.
“It is an Eastern Tiger Swallowtail, or Papilio glaucaus.” Dawn’s smile came easily, like the morning sun, as she spoke in a hushed, reverent tone. “And those tiny pink blooms are those of the swamp milkweed, or Asclepias incarnata. Milkweed, especially swamp milkweed, is where Monarch butterflies lay their eggs.”
Despite the lack of blood relation, Mary looked on with the same demeanor of delight. To an outsider, Dawn would appear to be a young mother sharing her passion for nature with her daughter. Both with blue eyes dancing with joy. It warmed Jacob’s heart.
Dawn must have noticed his presence, though, for she stood and clasped her hands together. “But I suppose it is time for us to head on our way. More adventures to be had.”
Mary turned and rushed to him, arms in the air. Jacob scooped her up and settled her miniscule body on his hip. The poor child was as light as a feather, with each of her ribs palpable to the touch. But he did not mind how her bones poked into his side, for it brought a smile to her face to be carried. Her little soul was so full of love ready to be given away, if only anyone besides Dawn had ever taken the time to let her in.
