Chapter Six #2
He felt bad for Sadie, because she knew nothing of his inner struggles, yet here she was, looking up at him with the most innocent smile.
Meanwhile, it felt as if he was betraying Elizabeth, Ruby, and Sadie all at the same time.
Looking up at the stained-glass windows, he just hoped for this part to be over quickly.
They sang a few hymns and then the priest finally came to the vows.
“…to love and to hold… in good and in bad times… till death do us part…”
Sam felt insincere when he repeated those words once again—this time with another woman he barely knew.
It didn’t feel right, yet here he was, saying them.
His heart beat painfully into his throat.
He fought hard to keep his emotions in check, pushing them back to the dark place they’d risen from, until the numbness took over again.
It was easier to shut it all down and not feel anything.
“You may now kiss the bride,” the priest announced. The entire church fell silent once more. Everybody seemed to hold their breath. Meanwhile, Sam fought to keep his composure. His whole life, he’d never kissed a woman other than Elizabeth.
Looking at Sadie, who smiled at him nervously, he realized that it wasn’t easy for her, either.
Pulling himself together, he gently put his finger below her chin, closed his eyes, and softly pressed his lips against hers.
He felt how she leaned slightly into him, which surprised Sam. It didn’t feel uncomfortable.
Their lips separated and for a brief moment, Sadie stared into his eyes with the same disbelief he felt.
Before his mind could fully comprehend it all, the priest declared them husband and wife and the entire church burst into wild applause and cheers from everybody—including Hattie and Ruby.
The rush of well-wishers swarmed them before Sam could react.
He didn’t know these people and it was a little overwhelming.
They barely made it out of the church past everybody wanting to congratulate them.
Before things could get out of hand, Sam was extremely grateful to see that Daniel and one of his men whisked Ellen, Hattie, and Ruby safely away to their carriage. They left long before Sam and Sadie were able to.
By the time Sam and Sadie finally left the church grounds, Sadie released a heavy sigh. Sam was driving the white buggy, which was also decorated in flowers.
“That was a lot!” she exclaimed, as she fell back against the back of their seat. “I had no idea that it would turn out this way!”
“You didn’t?” Sam asked, surprised. “I thought that this was the way you’d planned it.” Sadie looked over to him, shaking her head.
“Oh, no! I only invited Daniel and Ellen and then Hattie and Ruby, of course,” she said, still shaking her head.
“I didn’t want it to be a big affair, because I didn’t want my uncle to find out about it.
To be honest, I was surprised that he didn’t show up and cause a scene.
I have no idea where all those people came from! ” She shrugged with an apologetic face.
“Something tells me that it’s going to be a problem when he does find out,” Sam said with a slow nod. “Didn’t you tell him we got married in January?”
Sadie nodded at that.
“I’ve already thought about that,” she replied.
“We could say that the first wedding was just a very private affair without our friends and family, and that we wanted to have a second big wedding with everybody present.” Sam’s eyebrows shot up.
How often could one marry the same person? He’d never heard of such a thing.
“Well, whatever you decide to tell him,” Sam replied, “just make sure that you keep me informed so that we can tell the same story. Your uncle does strike me as the kind of man who’ll turn over every stone to prove his point.”
“You’re not wrong,” Sadie said quietly. “Let’s just hope that he’ll give up sooner rather than later. I don’t want to see him coming around all the time.”
Sam didn’t know the full story, but he already knew that Sadie didn’t like Walter. From what he’d seen, he wasn’t too fond of him, either.
“You are legally married now,” he told her with a soft smile. “You are safe.”
Sadie gazed at Sam for a long moment until Sam had to break eye contact first.
“Thank you for helping me,” she finally said. “I will be forever in your debt.”
“Don’t forget, you’re helping us, too,” he replied with a slight head tilt. Sadie broke out into a beaming smile.
“Ruby is such a sweetheart, it’s going to be so much fun teaching her everything,” she said excitedly. “And you…” she stopped. Sam looked at her when she mentioned him. Sadie’s cheeks turned lovely pink.
“What about me?” he asked with a slight grin.
“Let’s just say that it’s going to be very helpful to have a husband in the house,” she explained a little awkwardly. “For protection, you know?”
Sam smiled to himself. “Got it,” he said with a firm nod. “Then I hope you don’t mind if I steal Daniel for a while to walk the property and have him show me everything to get my bearings as soon as we get home.” Sadie stared at him with her mouth open.
“But it’s our wedding day!” she exclaimed in mock outrage.
They exchanged a bewildered glance, then they both shared an awkward smile.
Sam didn’t really know how to feel in that moment.
Granted, their marriage wasn’t based on real feelings for each other, and they both kind of joked about it, but a small part of him was a little taken aback.
To him, that bond between two people was still sacred, whether it was real or not.
He certainly did not want to make a mockery out of it.
His discomfort must have been visible on his face, because Sadie suddenly stopped smiling.
“I’m sorry about that,” she said apologetically. “I didn’t mean to be disrespectful. I’m a little nervous about it all. It hasn’t really sunken in yet. I think marrying a stranger is a little crazy, is it not?” She fidgeted with her fingers.
“It sure is,” he said with a single nod.