Place Of Her Own (21 page)

Please, Lord. Don’t let her doubt and fears take over.
He sat back down. The rock seemed colder this time.

Lord, I hope I’m not being too forward here
, she prayed. “Shel—can I call you that?”

He let out a nervous chuckle. “You can call me anything you’d like.”

“If you don’t mind, I’d like to get married privately. I’m not opposed to your family being a part of our special day, but I’ve thought about this for a while now. It seems you and I have always been involved with the family. Every holiday, every big event, we’re surrounded by them. Not that it’s bad, and after a month of living on my own, I really do appreciate the people who care about me. But …”

“I think I understand, and no, I don’t mind. We could leave tomorrow for Creelsboro, get the parson to marry us, then take a steamer along the Cumberland River. What do you think?”

“Can you afford it?”

“I sold the colt to Mr. Crockett. That should more than cover the cost.”

The idea of being alone with Shelton for several days thrilled her. “I like it. You don’t mind?”

“No. But if my sister learns of our plans, the whole family will come running down to the church.”

“True.” Was it right to be so selfish? “Perhaps we should invite them.”

“No. But we should probably tell someone of our plans. I’ll swear Father to secrecy. If anyone can keep a secret, he can.”

It seemed odd to trust Hiram Greene with any part of her future, but she knew she had to get over those lingering doubts. She nodded her agreement. “Do whatever you think is best.”

“Tomorrow it is, then.”

“Yes.”

“Pack a trunk. I’ll ride into Creelsboro and make arrangements with the parson and check on the steamer schedules.”

With a boldness she’d only seen in herself once before, she pulled Shelton into a kiss. His arms wrapped around her.
Thank You, Lord, for this tremendous gift.

The next morning Katherine dressed in the ivory satin wedding dress. The problem was, how to keep Shelton from seeing it until she met him at the altar? There were definite disadvantages to not having a family wedding, she mused. But she was still convinced that their union should be just between the two of them. And while she knew from Hiram’s own mouth that he would not oppose the wedding, she still wondered if he would be having second thoughts during the wedding service.

When she heard Shelton’s wagon drive up to the house, she covered the dress as best she could with her woolen coat and put her ribbon-and-pearl headpiece, ivory silk gloves, and laced veil into a large cloth purse. Then she reached into the hand-carved box she used to keep under the floorboards of Urias’s barn. Since moving to Grandma Mac’s and then to her own place, she no longer kept it hidden.

She pulled out the note she’d written last night, in which she opened her heart completely to Shelton. She planned to give him the letter as a part of her wedding gift to him. She also removed a thin gold band she prayed would fit Shelton’s ring finger.

She opened the door before he knocked.

“Good morning.” His smile filled his handsome face.

“Have ye come to fetch me?” she said in her best Irish brogue.

Shelton chuckled. “Absolutely. All packed?”

“Trunk’s there.” She pointed to her left.

“What’s this?” He nodded at the dining table. She’d set it with the fine linen tablecloth, matching napkins, and the horse-patterned china she had bought what seemed like ages ago.

He lifted a china plate. “This is very nice.”

“It’s one of the dowry items I purchased.”

He put the dish back on the table. “I love it.” He picked up the trunk and hefted in it the wagon. “I’ve made arrangements with the stable to house the buggy and horse for the few days we’re on board the steamer.”

“When’s the next ship?”

“Not until tomorrow. We’ll spend tonight in the hotel. I reserved a room and I’ve made arrangements at the tavern for dinner.”

“You’ve thought of everything.” She reached up to climb into the carriage.

“Allow me.” Shelton swooped her into his arms and lifted her, brushing his lips lightly across hers.

“You’re such a romantic.”

He winked. “I can be.”

“I have a surprise for you, but you’ll have to wait,” she teased, patting the gold ring that sat in her pocket.

Shelton made his way around the wagon and got in on the other side. “I think I’m going to enjoy our marriage.” He snapped the reins.

“I hope so. Where are we going to live after we get back?”

“At your little log cabin. I figure we’ll build our own home on that peninsula overlooking the Cumberland as soon as we have the funds.”

All the way to Creelsboro they talked about their future, the desire for children, and their hopes and dreams. At the church, Katherine sequestered herself in a small room to get ready for the ceremony.

A gentle knock on the door was followed by Parson Kincaid’s wife poking her head in. “Can I help?”

“Please. I’m so nervous I can’t get this headpiece in my hair.”

The plump, middle-aged woman came into the room. “Your dress is lovely. Did you make it yourself?”

“Yes.”

“Gracious, you are an excellent seamstress. No wonder Mr. Hastings can’t keep your shirts in the store for long. Did you make this headpiece as well?”

“Yes.” Katherine fought the instinct to nod as she allowed Mrs. Kincaid to adjust the headpiece. “I can’t believe I’m so nervous.”

The woman gave her a conspiratorial wink. “Mr. Greene has just about worn a hole in my husband’s office floor.”

Really?
The information helped her relax.

Mrs. Kincaid placed the veil over Katherine’s red hair. “You’re beautiful,” she gushed.

She glanced in the mirror. Her reflection did look beautiful. She felt beautiful, too, knowing Shelton loved her no matter what her past held. She felt covered in his love and in God’s cleansing love. “Thank you.”

“Come down the aisle when you hear the music, child.”

“I will.”

A few minutes later Katherine heard the music. She reached for the crystal doorknob and took in a deep breath. “Help me, Lord.” A gentle peace washed over her. Confidently, she pulled the door open and walked to the aisle. Down at the front stood Shelton, dressed in his Sunday best with his black trousers, white shirt, and black dress coat and tails. His deep blue eyes sparkled and his smile brightened his whole face.

Katherine took a tentative step forward. It seemed to take an eternity to walk down that aisle, yet in a moment she was standing by his side. He reached out and held her hand. They turned and faced Parson Kincaid.

She repeated the words the parson asked her to say. She heard Shelton proclaim his love. But she didn’t feel married until their lips met. Her arms slipped around the man she loved, cradling and holding him with all the passion and love she had. And in that moment, she found what she’d been looking for all her life. In her love for Shelton, in being one with him, she found the place of her own that she had always longed for.

Their kiss deepened. Parson Kincaid cleared his throat. Shelton pulled back. “I love you, Katherine.” “I love you, too.”

A note from the Author:
I love to hear from my readers! You may correspond with me by writing:

Lynn Coleman
Author Relations PO Box 721
Uhrichsville, OH 44683

I’d like to dedicate this book to my agent, Janet Kobobel Grant, for her faith in me and in the Lord. She’s been an encourager and a challenger. These are just two of the aspects of our relationship that I appreciate so much. Thank you, Janet. May the Lord continue to bless you as you work for Him and for your authors.

A note from the Author:
I love to hear from my readers! You may correspond with me by writing:

Lynn Coleman
Author Relations PO Box 721
Uhrichsville, OH 44683

LYNN A. COLEMAN
lives in North Central Florida with her pastor husband of thirty-two years. She has three grown children and eight grandchildren. She enjoys writing for the Lord. She is the co-founder and founding president of American Christian Fiction Writers, Inc. Currently she is the E-Region Director of the Florida Writers Association. Lynn enjoys hear-ing from her readers. Visit her Web page at:
www.lynncoleman.com