11

The moment of the wedding finally arrived and Jake stood by the preacher in front of the altar. He knew that this day was the bride’s day and everyone would be interested in her which was why he spent so much time preparing Sue for this day. The wedding colors were light blue and white. He picked light blue since it went with his tie. He had ordered blue ribbons and bows throughout the church, and the bridal bouquet featured white roses with a blue ribbon tying the flowers together. He supposed that women would prefer pink but he couldn’t stomach that color at his wedding, so he didn’t bother to ask her opinion. He didn’t want her opinion on any of the wedding plans for that specific reason. He was associated with this wedding, even though he wasn’t the main attraction. People would want to remember this day and he didn’t want pink to be associated with that memory. He considered the irony that she didn’t complain about the colors. She was bothered by the lace on her dress. The lace wasn’t his idea but the seamstress liked it so he allowed it. He thought it was odd that Sue would be offended by something so uniquely feminine.

He glanced at Justin who was chuckling beside him. “I can’t believe you’re actually getting married,” Justin

whispered. “I never thought I’d see the day.”

“Try not to act so obvious about it,” he grumbled.

“Sorry. I got the ring in my pocket. Something tells me

Sue won’t want a ring this big.”

“A big diamond is a status symbol. It’ll impress people.”

“Perhaps but she’s the one who has to wear it.”

“Maybe you’d like to trade places with me since you seem to know her so well.”

“I love my wife, thank you very much. I wouldn’t leave her for anyone.”

He sighed and glanced around the room. On Sue’s side sat a great company of people. Her family sat in proper attire up front and looked relieved that she was finally getting married. He liked her family. She had her mother and three brothers sitting up front. But her friends were a mixture of people from the low to the high end of the economic ladder. Mr. Walker hesitated on knowing where to sit but he finally followed his wife to her side of the aisle. He was surprised and delighted that so many wealthy women had indeed led their husbands to her side. He never imagined a woman could be so resourceful, even if she was hard to get along with. Apparently, she was a good friend to someone out there. On his side of the aisle were all wealthy members of the city. He tried to ignore Jennifer who insisted on sobbing loudly into her handkerchief. She was upset that she didn’t get the chance to snag his money. At least he had the consolation that Sue wasn’t in this for her benefit. In fact, she made it clear that this was a great sacrifice on her part.

“The bride is in love with me, but I told her to stay true to Mr. Mitchell,” he overheard old man York tell the person next to him. “She better not try to run off with me today.”

He closed his eyes and counted to ten so he wouldn’t burst out laughing. As if York ever had a chance compared to him.

“Straighten up. Sue’s ready,” Justin whispered.

He cleared his throat and stood at attention as the music began to play. He tried to hide his pleasure at the sight of her. Her hair fell in soft curls around her shoulders. The sides of her hair were neatly pulled back by two light blue ribbons to match the ribbon on her bouquet. Her veil did little to hide her natural beauty. He noted that she managed to get rid of the lace on the dress. The upset seamstress standing to the side of the room made him realize how she accomplished that feat. He couldn’t help but grin. He liked the dress better without the lace anyway. The dress was simple yet elegant in appearance. It had long sleeves and a square neckline. The diamond necklace accentuated her slender neck and her dangling diamond earrings enhanced her fine cheekbones. The dress was modestly cut but with her amazing figure, it couldn’t hide her curves. The dress reached down to her ankles and her white shoes with blue flowers etched on them completed the look. She is breathtaking.

Justin let out a low whistle. “Maybe I should trade places with you.”

Jake wanted to respond but couldn’t find his voice.

Everyone stood in honor of the bride. As she walked down the aisle with her proud father who favored his left leg, Jake was aware that people were commenting on how beautiful she looked. He was too busy staring at her to enjoy the fact that he had succeeded in impressing them. He was aware that he was slightly shaking like a nervous schoolboy ready to ask his favorite girl if he could court her.

“Close your mouth. You’re starting to drool,” Justin quietly said.

He immediately straightened up and closed his mouth. He tried to take his eyes off of her but he couldn’t. Even Jennifer didn’t come close to matching her beauty.

As soon as she stood in front of him, the spell was broken for she was glaring at him. He sighed. So much for a romantic wedding.

“Who gives this woman to be married?” Preacher Davis asked.

“I do,” her father proudly replied.

Though she was supposed to hold Jake’s hand, she intentionally ignored it when he extended his hand to her. Not to be dissuaded in front of an audience, he held her by the elbow instead and smiled as if nothing was bothering him. Did it really pain her to marry him? Wasn’t it better than being with Mr. York?

He turned to the Preacher as the group of people sat back down. She refused to look at him. Instead, she stared straight at the preacher as he proceeded with the ceremony. Jake was ready to pull away from her in response but decided it would be more fun to mess with her a bit, so he took a step closer to her. Since her sister-in-law and sister stood to the other side of her, she couldn’t get away from him.

He progressed smoothly through his vows but when it was her turn, she hesitated.

“Uh...” she stammered.

“Oh go ahead and marry him, sweetie pie,” Mr. York yelled out. “Don’t go holding a flame for me. Move on with your life.”

Several people chuckled.

“Ewe,” she muttered under her breath. “I do,” she told the preacher.

Finally it was time to give her the ring, and she didn’t hide her disappointment when she saw it.

“Told you,” Justin whispered.

Jake simply smiled and slipped it on her finger.

“I now pronounce you man and wife,” the preacher said. “You may kiss the bride.”

He lifted the veil and was struck that she would wear so little make-up and still look stunning. She really does have simple but excellent taste. She’s going to throw a fit when she sees her new wardrobe. He already knew he would be assigning Mrs. Parker and her team of seamstresses with a new wardrobe. This time he would have to let Sue talk to her about what she wanted. He didn’t know whether to be relieved or annoyed. He was glad she wasn’t into all the flashy and flowery material women seemed to crave but all his efforts to please her were in vain.

As he bent to kiss her on the lips, she gave a slight turn of her head so he kissed the side of her mouth instead. “Well honey, aren’t you full of surprises today,” he teased. Having managed to catch her off guard, he wrapped her in his arms and gave her a long kiss on the mouth. She was too stunned to react in time to stop him. Several men chuckled and the single women sighed as if imagining he was kissing them. When Jake let go of her, he shot her a triumphant look. She looked flustered and then furious.

They turned to the people as the preacher announced, “I present to you Mr. and Mrs. Jake Mitchell.”

She was reluctant to walk down the aisle with him so he gently led her by the arm. “We don’t want to disappoint the

people. Remember, it’s only for six months.”

She sighed and started walking with him.

After they were finished, the rest of the people followed them to the reception where a live orchestra played while the guests either danced or ate their lunches. They stood to the side of the room and shook hands with people who wished to talk with them.

“I hope your heart isn’t hurting too bad, darling,” Mr. York told her as he held onto her hand.

“I’ll survive,” she politely said. She tried to pull her hand away but he wouldn’t let go.

“You must go on with your life. I know you thought I was a young buck but the truth is I’m seventy and probably old enough to be your grandfather. Take comfort in Jake’s arms.

He’s a good boy.”

“I will try.”

“You must, sweetie pie.”

Jake hid his annoyance. He didn’t care for the way old man York kept slobbering over her. The man is a pervert. As he was about to politely interrupt York, Jennifer came up to him and put her hand on his arm.

“I am sorry that I didn’t make my interest known to you sooner,” she cooed. “I never realized you would settle for any old thing.”

He tensed. Her father is wealthy. Don’t blow it. “Now we both know you’re much too pretty to settle down just yet. You need to let many men enjoy your dancing.”

Mr. York finally left and Sue breathed a sigh of relief.

“Were you actually in love with Mr. York?” Jennifer giggled, turning to Sue.

“What do you think?” Sue blandly asked.

“I think you did. You have such bad taste.”

“How fitting that such an observation would come from someone who thought Nathaniel Hawthorne’s The Scarlet Letter was a printing shop.”

Jake coughed to cover his laughter. He didn’t realize Sue had such wit but it pleased him that she did.