A Mail Order Bride for the Undertaker (Love by Mail #1)(7)
“Today is the day that the Lord has created for the union of Cole Beckett and Mercy Elkwood.” Pastor Shepard’s voice echoed throughout the high ceilings of the church. “If anyone can show just cause why this couple cannot lawfully be joined together in matrimony, let them speak now or forever hold their peace.”
“Anyone?”
Cole cleared his throat. “Well, there really isn’t anyone here.”
Pastor Shepard pursed his lips before he continued. “It’s part of the passage. Don’t be so eager.”
He cleared his throat before continuing.
“Do you Cole Beckett take this lovely girl, Mercy Elkwood, to be your lawfully wedded wife for better or for worse, for richer or for poorer, in sickness and in health, ‘til death do you part?”
Cole’s eyes pierced through the veil and spoke softly, “I do.”
“Do you, Mercy Elkwood, take Cole Beckett to be your lawfully wedded husband for better or for worse, for richer or for poorer, in sickness and in health, ‘til death do you part?
Mercy looked at this man she barely knew and thought about the life she would live after this ceremony. She thought about the orphanage and her desire to help them. Would she find love while fulfilling her charitable duty?
“Mercy?”
Pastor Shepard’s voice broke her wayward thoughts and she snapped back to reality. She heard Claire loudly suck in air behind her.
“I,” she paused and stared at Cole’s perpetually jolly face, “do.”
“Then by the power vested in me, I now pronounce you man and wife. You may now kiss the bride.”
Still unable to believe her fate, Mercy blinked while Cole lifted the veil to reveal her face. Claire’s sobs became wails that reverberated throughout the church. Cole leaned in closer and whispered, “Do you mind if I kiss you?”
Mercy blinked back, frozen in place. “N-no.”
Cole gave her a quick peck on the lips. Mercy’s cheeks burned and felt her knees starting to go weak, but thankfully Claire ran to them and gave them both bear hugs. Afterwards she clapped and cried at the same time all the way to the carriage outside the house.
*
The scraping of the spoon against the tin plate filled the room as Mercy and Cole shared their first meal together. No words were spoken, just awkward glimpses and silence.
But Mercy dared break the silence. “So, how did you like your roast?”
Cole smiled and said in between bites, “It’s really good. How did you learn to cook like that?”
Mercy blushed. “The orphanage taught me everything I know.”
Cole scraped the last remaining hunk of meat off his plate and popped it in his mouth.
Mercy checked the pan. “I’m afraid we don’t have more of that.”
“I think I had plenty anyway.” Cole stood and picked up his plate but Mercy interrupted him.
“I should do the washing.” She gave him her sweetest smile and dashed forward to take the plate from him.
“I’m just not used to living with – with a woman,” Cole said sheepishly. “My mother died when I was young.”
“Oh.” Mercy paused. “And your father?”
“Died a few months ago from a sickness. Right after… my two brothers.”
Mercy gasped and crossed herself. “What happened to them?”
“Sickness and war.”
Cole just stood beside the table, with Mercy a few feet away. The silence dragged for eternity. Mercy never had a problem consoling anyone before, but this time she was lost for words. Finally, she clapped her hands and said, “Well now you have to get used to having your wife around.”
She trotted back and forth from the dining table to the sink, clearing all the utensils from their lunch.
“I should help you with that,” Cole offered while Mercy tried to balance a few heavy pans at once. Cole caught one and took the heavy pot from her. He laid them beside the bowl filled with water.
Mercy sneaked a glance at him, and said slowly, “Why do you think no one came to our wedding?”
Cole shrugged, “Maybe they’re too busy looking after their crops.”
She scrubbed the grime off the pan’s side. “It would have been nice to meet new people on our wedding day.”
When he said nothing in response she continued scrubbing until all the pans and plates were squeaky clean. Cole helped her place the utensils back to their storage areas and when they both finished their kitchen tasks, she found him standing in the doorway with a grin on his face.
“Would you like to see my workshop?” Cole asked her. “I have to warn you, though, it’s not very lively.”
Mercy laughed at his pun. “That would be great but maybe after I rest for a few minutes.”
A worried look crossed Cole’s face, “We can have the tour tomorrow if you’re tired. Wouldn’t want you to overexert yourself.”
Just as Mercy was about to retire to a couch in the living room, Cole started strumming his guitar. He played a jolly song with a few recognizable Bible verses in it.
Cause me to hear the loving kindness in the morning, for in thee do I trust…
“That’s – from Psalms, isn’t it?” Mercy interrupted.
Cole nodded. Mercy sat beside him and swayed her head along to the tune of his soulful song. They stayed like that, together in praises and song until the sun set behind the hills and the moon rose high to the sky.