Chapter 5 Cora
Chapter five
Cora
Inever thought I’d find myself getting married on a Monday morning. Much less in a cheap, white cotton sundress, no friends in attendance, and to a man I’m not in love with.
But as I’ve come to learn over the course of my life, sometimes you gotta roll with the punches.
This just happens to be a really big punch.
Theo pulls his truck up to the county courthouse, and I hop out on shaky legs. It’s a bit cold to be wearing a sun dress, and the breeze sends goosebumps along my arms and legs. I smooth my dress, glancing down at it.
“Are you sure this is okay?” I ask Theo as he rounds the truck bed.
“It’s the only white thing I own, but it’s so casual …
” I don’t own heels, so I’d simply put on a pair of nude flats that …
kind of go? I’m not really sure, honestly.
Fashion has never been my strong suit. At least Theo’s not wearing a tux or anything.
He’s got on a white button up tucked into black jeans and a fancy belt, along with a black cowboy hat atop his head.
“You look gorgeous, Cora,” he says quietly.
Gorgeous. I snap my head up in surprise. I’d expected fine, or even pretty. But gorgeous? Theo stares back at me, his expression unreadable. “Thank you,” I answer finally.
He nods, smiles softly, and then holds out his hand. “Ready, darling?”
My stomach summersaults. We’re really doing this.
I smile back at him. “Ready.”
I take his hand, and up the steps and into the county courthouse we go. The woman behind the desk just inside looks up at us through narrow glasses, shooting a smile that doesn’t quite meet her eyes.
“We’re here to, uh, get married,” Theo says. “I made the appointment online.”
She grunts. “Name?”
“Theodore Strickland.”
Her gaze darts to me.
“Cora Walker.”
She types something into her computer, and after a pause, says, “The judge will be with you shortly.” She gestures to a cluster of chairs in the corner of the small waiting room.
Theo and I sit side by side, his knee brushing against mine.
It’s oddly comforting, considering that I don’t normally enjoy being touched by others.
And despite the fact that we aren’t getting married for the conventional reason, there’s something about this whole thing that’s still sweet.
That we’re in this together. Ruse and all.
“I’m nervous,” I admit, whispering so the receptionist won’t hear.
Theo taps his knee against mine. “Don’t worry—I won’t get cold feet. Or smash cake in your face.”
A laugh bubbles out of me. “We should actually go get some cake though, now that you mention it.”
“Anything for my bride.”
That statement sends a flush of heat to my cheeks, and I look away. Bride. It’s all so weird and … insane, really. What we’re doing.
Suddenly the door beside the reception desk opens, and a middle-aged man steps out. “Theodore Strickland and Cora Walker.” He glances up from his notepad to see just the two of us sitting in the small waiting area. He raises his eyebrows in question.
“Yes, that’s us,” Theo says, standing and grabbing my hand, pulling me with him.
“Alright, let’s head on in,” the man says with a smile that’s only slightly warmer than the receptionist’s.
We follow the man into an office only slightly smaller than the small waiting area out front.
The office walls are lined with bookshelves, and there’s a cluttered desk up against a window, warm spring light spilling into the room.
The judge reaches for a thick book atop his desk and then turns to face us. “Would you two like to say anything to each other before I begin the official ceremony?”
Theo and I glance at each other. Vows, I suppose, is what he’s talking about. “I, um …” I start.
“We’re good with whatever you have,” Theo says.
The judge nods, and with a curt smile, he begins. “We have come here today to formalize the union of Theodore Strickland and Cora Walker …”
My stomach dips. Holy hell, we’re doing this. We’re getting married. The judge continues, but my brain has a hard time keeping up with the words, keeping up with the air in the room, standing on my own two legs.
Until the important part cuts through the fog of my brain. “Do you, Theodore, take Cora to be your lawfully wedded spouse?” the judge asks.
“I do.” Theo’s voice is clear and deep, like a man in love with no reservations. I only hope I can be as good an actor.
The judge turns to me. “Do you, Cora, take Theodore to be your lawfully wedded spouse?” he asks.
I swallow and nod. “I do.” Surprisingly, my voice doesn’t waver all that much.
“The rings?” the judge prompts.
Theo reaches into his pocket, pulling out his grandparents’ two gold rings.
“Place the ring on her finger and repeat after me,” the judge instructs.
Theo reaches for my hand, and I give it to him. I feel a rush of electricity as his fingers touch mine, but I blame it on the cool of the metal.
“With this ring, I marry you and pledge my love, honor, and devotion,” the judge instructs.
His hand still holding mine between us, Theo’s gaze flits up to meet mine.
We’re facing each other fully now, and it’s not like I’ve never looked at Theo Strickland before, but something about this moment feels heavy yet light, momentous yet …
not. And I’ve never noticed how deep blue his eyes are.
Not the same shade as mine. More like an ocean.
“With this ring,” his voice low yet steady, “I marry you,” his gaze flits between my eyes, pinning me in place, “and pledge my love, honor, and devotion.”
It takes me a second to breathe again, as if I’d just been scooped out of my body and then plunked back in.
Theo hands me his grandfather’s ring, and then the judge repeats the prompt.
I slide the ring over Theo’s large finger, my hand shaking slightly as I do so. Noticing, Theo gently clasps his free hand around mine, steadying me.
I take a deep breath and then meet his gaze. “With this ring, I marry you and pledge my love, honor, and devotion,” I breathe.
The judge clasps his hands together. “Under the authority vested in me by the State of Montana, I pronounce you husband and wife.”
A breath of air whooshes out of me, and Theo and I stare at each other in shocked silence for a heartbeat. Only the judge’s soft chuckle interrupts us. “This is when couples normally kiss,” he urges.
“Right,” Theo says, forcing out a quick laugh and then turning back to me.
And then, as if in slow motion, Theo leans forward. He’s tall. So much taller than me. I guess kissing someone really makes that apparent. He reaches for me, gently cupping the back of my head with his strong hand and guiding my mouth to his.
His lips are softer than I expected. Soft and … warm. And nice.
My hands find their way to his chest, resting gently against him. And unlike his lips, his chest is anything but soft. My hand curls into a fist, grasping the fabric of his shirt and squeezing.
He pulls me by his hand ever so slightly forward, my head tipping farther back.
And then someone clears their throat. “Save something for the wedding night,” the judge says with a laugh.
I pull back from Theo as if I’ve been shocked, a violent blush creeping over my cheeks. Fuck. That kiss was …
Theo’s hand snaps from the back of my neck to his, rubbing awkwardly and glancing at the judge, who seems to find this entire thing amusing.
“Congratulations, you two,” he says with a grin. “From the looks of that kiss, you’ve got a nice, long marriage ahead of you.”
I should be happy that we pulled this off so convincingly, that my acting skills apparently came through. But the only problem is that for one horrifyingly glorious second, I wasn’t acting.
And that wasn’t part of the plan.