The day of the church picnic was hot and dry as usual, with no trace of the previous night’s thunderstorms. Dorothy had washed and dressed as soon as she woke up so she could be among the first family members to set up for the picnic. Cletus made three wagon trips to Sarah Jane and Micah’s house—a group of daughters, a load of food, and a second group of daughters along with Edna Petunia.

When Dorothy arrived at the church, she was thrilled that Carter was already there helping Sarah Jane and Micah set up. When he saw her, he grabbed her by the hand and took her to the side of the parsonage, where they could have a little privacy.

“I thought about you all night.”

“Me, too.” Dorothy knew she was blushing, but she didn’t care.

“Have you given any thought to when you want to be married?”

“I haven’t. I know Edna Petunia is trying to plan the wedding of the century, but I’d prefer a smaller wedding. What about you?”

“I don’t know if I can stand another evening where we’re not husband and wife.”

Dorothy felt butterflies in her stomach. Tonight? She found that despite her nerves, she was starting to enjoy that idea. “What about your parents? Don’t you want to make sure they’re here?”

“My parents will be very happy when they meet you. I know they’ll love you. But they’re not very interested or active socially. I know they won’t mind if we elope.”

Elopement—it sounded so magical to Dorothy. But she didn’t want to upset Edna Petunia. She knew her mother had her heart set on planning one of the girls’ weddings, and so far, each and every one of the older girls had gotten married with very little notice. It felt almost cruel to deny this to a woman who had been so charitable and loving to them.

But every time Carter brushed her arm or locked eyes with her, she knew she didn’t want to waste another moment not married to him.

“Okay. Let’s get married today!”

All day, Dorothy and Carter both had huge, silly grins on their faces. When they saw Micah going into the parsonage by himself, Carter took a chance.

“Pastor, there’s a time-sensitive matter I could use your assistance with.”

“Yes?”

Carter explained their predicament to Micah.

Micah’s eyes widened. “I’m so happy for you two. I would love to marry you. But are you sure you want to get married today? I’m worried Edna Petunia will hold this against me.”

Dorothy was torn.

Carter placed his hand in the small of Dorothy’s back, and she felt her insides go aflutter with tingles and sensations.

“We’re sure.” Dorothy smiled at the man who would be her husband in a few hours. She knew she was making the right decision.

* * *

Dorothy felt like a spy all morning, because she didn’t let any of her sisters, parents, or friends know what she and Carter planned to do that afternoon. Slowly but surely, everything fell into place. Dorothy felt it was a sign that she was meant to marry Carter.

She picked blue flowers with Chrissy and saved one to carry as a bouquet. Sarah Jane asked her to go into the parsonage and get a book out of a specific room and closet. In the closet, she found the most stunning white dress. She planned to come back just before they were to be married to slip the dress on. Finally, she cut little slices of Edna Petunia’s famous chocolate cake.

All day, Dorothy’s sisters kept asking her about Carter and her wedding plans. It was nearly impossible to keep her secret, but she knew she had to. If anyone caught wind of their plans, they’d certainly put a stop to the entire thing. Everyone knew that Edna Petunia had her heart set on planning a wedding—they all knew she was going to find a way to do it, one way or another.

“Where will you live?” Theresa, ever practical and blunt, wanted to know.

“You two should stay with us, at least until the baby comes or until you find a house that works for both of you. Our house is huge, and we would love the extra help around the house.” Penny had already discussed her idea with Tom, and he was in agreement.

“Will you still work for Mr. Reeves?”

Dorothy had to admit she wasn’t sure.

“How many children do you want?”

Dorothy laughed. She had been engaged for less than a day. She needed a little time to adjust!

Just before lunch, Micah called together everyone to do a blessing. “I’d like to thank God for this blessed bounty, and also for our wonderful community here in Nowhere. We thank Him for our many blessings, our children, our loved ones, and our neighbors. Amen.”

Everyone nodded and murmured in agreement. “Amen.”

“Today, we have a new neighbor with us, Mr. Carter Reeves. I hope you all will show him the wonderful kindness and respect you have shown to me and my family.”

While everyone else lined up for Edna Petunia’s fried chicken, potato salad, cakes, and other delicacies, Dorothy crept back into the parsonage and located the white dress. She changed into it and picked up her bouquet of flowers. She slipped outside and tried to stay out of eyesight.

Carter saw Dorothy’s white dress and felt a jolt course through his veins. He’d never had the type of physical reaction he had to Dorothy with another woman. He walked up to her, took her hand in his, and whispered in her ear. “You look incredible.”

Dorothy could barely think or talk. All she could think about was the way Carter was touching her, and all the other things that would be possible once they were married. “Thank you.”

Micah announced that he wanted anyone related to the Sanders family to meet him by the side of the parsonage, away from the crowds of people who were getting their lunch or eating. Soon, Dorothy’s sisters, brothers-in-law, and children were forming a curious crowd around the pastor. Edna Petunia and Cletus were the last to make their way over.

“I wasn’t done eating cake!” Robert complained.

“What’s all this about, anyway?” Edna Petunia demanded of Micah.

Micah took a deep breath. “We are gathered here to witness a very happy occasion. Carter Reeves and Dorothy Sanders wish to be married today in your presence.”

The family’s chattering and grumbling stopped immediately.

“They wish what?” Edna Petunia screeched in Cletus’s ear. He rubbed it for a moment, then continued to listen to Micah.

“On this day, before God and man, we will join these two in holy matrimony. Carter Reeves, do you take Dorothy Sanders to be your lawfully-wedded wife?”

Carter stared into Dorothy’s eyes. “I do.”

“Dorothy Sanders, do you take Carter Reeves to be your lawfully-wedded husband?”

Dorothy saw that Carter’s eyes were shining. “I do.”

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

“Nooooo!” With a huge cry, Edna Petunia leapt to the front of the crowd and stood next to Dorothy. Micah froze. He was unsure what to do next. “I just needed a little more time!” Edna Petunia looked longingly at Dorothy’s hair. Dorothy took her adoptive mother’s hand and squeezed it tightly.

Cletus strode next to his wife and put a gentle hand on her shoulder. He guided her away. “There, there. I’m sure you’ll get to plan a wedding soon, dear.”

Micah cleared his throat. “You may now kiss the bride.”

Carter put one hand on Dorothy’s back and another around her shoulders, pressing his lips into hers over and over again. Dorothy kissed back, amazed that she was now Mrs. Carter Reeves.

“You may now go forth as husband and wife. May God bless you.”

The extended Sanders family began to cheer loudly. They surrounded the newlyweds, hugging them and breaking into happy tears.

When things began to calm down, Carter nudged Dorothy quietly. “I know a few things we could do now that we’re married.”

“And what would those things be?”

Carter whispered in her ear, and Dorothy’s eyes widened. Carter laughed at her expression. “I’m not saying we need to do that today. But I want you to know that I’m thinking about it.” Dorothy blushed deep red. She was going to have to get used to being someone’s wife. It was a totally new experience for her.

“Oh, I almost forgot! These are family rings, passed down for a few generations. I’d be honored if you’d like to wear one.”

Carter pulled two rings from his pocket. One was delicate and tiny. It had a dainty sapphire stone set against a band, while the other was a plain gold band. Carter slipped the gold band onto his ring finger and helped Dorothy slide the sapphire onto her finger.

“It’s beautiful. Absolutely beautiful.”

“Now it feels official.”

“Yes, it does.”

“Shall we face Edna Petunia?”

Dorothy gulped. She supposed it was as good a time as any. “Sure.”

As difficult as it was, she knew she needed to make peace with her parents. She changed back into the clothes she’d arrived in and returned the dress to the parsonage. She went outside to find the older couple.

“Edna Petunia, Cletus, can you come with me for a moment?”

Cletus looked expectantly at Edna Petunia. “Will you promise to behave yourself?”

Edna Petunia sighed loudly. “All right, fine. Out with it.”

“I’m very sorry we didn’t tell you in advance, but Carter and I couldn’t wait any longer.” Dorothy’s words came spilling out in a blur.

“We love each other very much, and we wanted to become a family as soon as possible.” Carter helped explain.

The look on Edna Petunia’s face made it seem like Dorothy had told them that someone had died. “But why wouldn’t you tell me?”

Dorothy took a deep breath. “We realized that we’ve been apart for far too long, and we couldn’t wait another evening before we spent it as man and wife.”

“Well, we of all people can certainly understand that, now can’t we, Edna Petunia.” Cletus made eyes at his wife, and she smacked his arm.

“You’re missing the point, Cletus! One of my bastards denied me the chance to plan her wedding when she knows that’s all I’ve ever wanted. Do you know how that feels, to be betrayed by your own flesh and blood?”

“Well, technically, not flesh and blood—” Carter cut himself off, realizing that it was not the time to pick that particular battle.

“Edna Petunia, Cletus, you’ve been the best parents a girl could ask for. I’m so grateful to have you in my life, in our lives. But now it’s time for me to move out and make my own decisions. And listening to you talk about all the things you were going to do made me realize that for me, it wasn’t about the wedding. It was just Carter. And now that I have him, he’s all that I need.”

Edna Petunia frowned and gave Dorothy a big bear hug. “We love you, Dorothy. It’s going to take me some time to get over this. Not again—”

Cletus winked at the newlyweds. “We’ll sort this out, I’m sure. I’m happy for you two, and very happy you’ll be staying in Nowhere.”

“Thank you for understanding, Cletus.” Dorothy was grateful that at least he was trying.

Dorothy smiled. She was not going to let anyone or anything bring her down today. It was the happiest day of her life.

“I’m so happy for you two! Wow, that might be a record for fastest courtship, right?” Sarah Jane flung her arms around the newlyweds.

“Please, please come live with Tom and me,” Penny begged.

Dorothy laughed. “My husband and I will think on it, and get back to you.” When she said ‘husband,’ Carter slid his arm around her waist. She loved the way his touch affected her entire body.

“Why isn’t anyone playing?” Robert, one of Ruby and Lewis’s sons, came up to the group of adults congregated around Dorothy and Carter.

“We’re celebrating some very exciting news!” Ruby rubbed his shoulders. “Aunt Dorothy and Carter just got married!”

“Okay.” Robert didn’t seem impressed. “Are you going to have a baby now, too?”

Dorothy and Carter both laughed.

“Hopefully one day.”

Robert had already run back to play with the rest of the kids.

Carter took Dorothy’s hand and squeezed it. The most important thing was that they were together. And together was exactly where they were meant to be.