Total pages in book: 18
Estimated words: 16651 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 83(@200wpm)___ 67(@250wpm)___ 56(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 16651 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 83(@200wpm)___ 67(@250wpm)___ 56(@300wpm)
“She is not going to be like that. Besides, I sent her a picture of you, and she still said yes. That has to mean something.” Yeah, that she is desperate to get away from something. Maybe she too is doing this under duress. Although that doesn’t track either. I am not an idiot. Jasper's wife Sadie came here with five sisters. It is only logical one of them was chosen for me, but I have no idea which. I met each of them once for a moment.
Logically I know I could have said no and not cared about anything else, but one thing Lloyd said is correct. We have to get this town back up and running. While it's true I am not going to contribute the way he thinks I am, with babies and such, having a wife can be beneficial for other reasons such as fundraisers and such and I would do anything for Hollow’s Hollow.
“It’s time,” Alton says, walking into the room. I turn and give my sister my most angry look and she hugs me instead of being scared or remorseful.
“I love you, Geeb. I want you to be happy and hiding from the world and love because you are scared of being hurt is not the answer. So just give it a try. Please.” She pokes her lip out and immediately big brother mode kicks in. I hate to see her upset or sad.
“Fine. Let’s get this farce over with.” She walks out into the church, her arm inside of mine. The first faces I see are of Jasper and his wife Sadie. The mayor, Lloyd, is also in attendance since this was his bright idea and I see the other sisters standing behind them. When I look to my right I almost trip over my feet. “No fucking way,” I say low enough for only my sister to hear. “They give me the one who looks like a damn supermodel?”
“Stop it,” she admonishes under her breath.
“Welcome everyone to the joining of Geeb and Ada in holy matrimony.” Alton begins the service and I find myself staring in her face. She looks to be happy right now, but I know even if no one else does that it is for show. How brave is she to be going through with this with her head held high. Well shit. If she can do it, so can I.
“Before we begin, does anyone have any reason why these two shouldn’t be married today? Speak now or forever hold your peace.” Her face looks a little pale now I have my confirmation that she doesn’t want to be here anymore than I do. “Excellent. Let’s proceed.”
“Today in this unorthodox moment, we must remember that God works in mysterious ways. As a man of God, I am standing before you to seal your fate to one another, binding you in marriage and in trust of not only yourselves, but in the one and only Lord our Savior. To remind you to seek him out in times of confusion and pain but also joy and elation. To put him and your family first and to rely on one another for partnership, friendship, trust, and companionship. Geeb, please repeat after me.” My sister hands me the wedding band I picked out yesterday followed by the engagement ring.
“I Geeb take thee, Ada to be my lawfully wedded wife. I promise to not break my marital vow of faithfulness and respect and to be there for you in sickness and in health, for as long as we both shall live.” I amend the vows to suit me, but when I look in her face, I see…hurt? No. That can’t be right. I slide both rings on her finger and something inside of me shifts but I ignore it.
“Very well. Now you Ada.” Alton’s gaze lingers on me for a second longer. Long enough to see the disappointment in his face. Great. I already feel like shit, and we haven’t even been pronounced yet.
“I Ada take thee Geeb to be my lawfully wedded husband. I promise to love, honor, obey you in sickness and in health for as long as we both shall live.” She slides a ring on my finger and her face looks pained. Anguished even, before she looks up at me and smiles.
“I now pronounce you man and wife. You may kiss your bride.” She looks up at me, so short and tiny compared to me and I swear to you for a second I forget this is not real. She is fucking gorgeous. Get a grip, Geeb. I lean into her, making a mistake and inhaling her sweet scent. This is going to be harder than I thought. Instead of kissing her on the lips, I kiss her cheek and step back. “Please join me in congratulating Mr. & Mrs. Geeb and Ada Hearst.” Yay! Let’s get this joke underway. How the hell did I get in this situation again?