Her surprise barely registered before Pastor Manly cleared his throat. “Shall we begin? Before we do, it is incumbent upon me to ask if you are both sure about this very serious step?”
Louise held her breath. Would Nate say no?
“I’m sure. How about you, Louise?” he said.
“I’m sure.” The words wheezed out her tight throat.
Pastor Manly nodded and opened a black book. Only a few words registered in her brain—words of accusation. “An honorable estate not to be entered into lightly...but in the fear of God.”
What they were doing was wrong in the eyes of God. Would He ever forgive her? Well, it wasn’t as if He’d sent any other way of escaping Vic. And she must protect her baby at all costs.
“Face each other and hold hands. Repeat after me,” the pastor said. “In the name of God, I, Nathaniel Hawkins—”
Nate gripped her hand so hard her knuckles cracked. His eyes were dimmed by the veil over her face, yet not enough to hide his distress. His throat worked.
She dare not breathe. Oh, please don’t refuse. I need this. I promise I won’t tie you to the vows.
“I, Nate Hawkins, take you, Louise Williams Porter, to be my wife.”
She felt herself relax a bit. Still, had anyone else noticed his refusal to speak God’s name in his vows? She didn’t dare look at Pastor Manly, but the silence in the room echoed with the ticking of Aunt Bea’s mantel clock.
“Very well, then.” Pastor Manly continued, “To have and to hold from this day forward, for better or worse, for richer or poorer, in sickness and health, to love and to cherish, until death do us part.”
Nate got as far as “until death do us part” and stopped.
“This is my solemn vow,” the pastor prompted.
“Louise will have to take my word for it,” Nate said.
“This is highly irregular, but I suppose it’s acceptable.” The pastor turned to Louise. “Repeat after me—”
“Excuse me, I want my vows to be the same as Nate’s.” She, too, would prefer to leave God’s name out of them.
Pastor Manly gave them each a hard look. For a moment, Louise feared he would refuse to marry them under the circumstances. Aunt Bea leaned forward. “It’s still legal, isn’t it?”
“Yes, yes.” He proceeded. “Rings?”
Nate shook his head. “Didn’t have time.”
“I shouldn’t be surprised, should I? Then all you have to do is sign the papers.” They did so, and after Aunt Bea and Mrs. Hawkins added their signatures, Reverend Manly concluded the ceremony. “I now pronounce you husband and wife. You may kiss your bride.”
She would have jerked her hand from Nate’s, but he held tight. Slowly, he lifted her veil and smiled as he gave a little nod as if to indicate they needed to complete this charade.
She closed her eyes and lifted her face to him.
His lips brushed hers ever so softly. Quickly he drew back, but not before she felt the kiss all the way to her toes. She could almost persuade herself it had only been her imagination. Yet her lips still tingled from his tender touch.
Pastor Manly gave a tight smile. “What God has joined together let no man put asunder.”
Heat pooled in the pit of Louise’s stomach. Oh, why had he said that? She tried to swallow away the burning. It was only heartburn, she told herself, not guilt. Wouldn’t God expect her to do what she must in order to protect those in her care? She cradled her arms around her stomach.
Missy hugged her and kissed her cheek. Aunt Bea patted her arm. Mrs. Hawkins squeezed her hands. “Welcome to the family. I know you’ll make my Nate a happy man.”
Her gaze sought and found Nate. Help, she cried silently. She hadn’t expected to feel so guilty over this.
He met her eyes over Aunt Bea’s head as her aunt shook his hand. Did she imagine he looked as flummoxed as she felt?
She allowed herself to be led into the kitchen where the good china had been set out to welcome the guests. She and Nate were given the place of honor at the head of the table. His mother set a layered cake before them. “Congratulations! You may cut the cake.” She handed Louise the knife. “Nate, you put your hand over hers. It means you will support her and take care of her, and for Louise, it means she will take care of you and your children.”