Chapter 3
Thirty minutes later Mary Jane was seated on the settee wearing her new dress that she had purchased for her wedding. Instead of the traditional wedding gown she had chosen a light blue dress that complimented her eyes. Marie had arranged her hair in curls on the top of her head, and she had to admit, it felt much cooler. She looked down the street and spotted Carl heading her way. She took a deep breath, realizing that the time for her wedding was at hand.
Carl knocked on the door to alert Mary Jane of his arrival. He sucked in his breath when she opened the door wearing a beautiful blue dress and a new hairdo. He had not expected such a transformation, but the dress highlighted her blonde hair and took his eyes directly to her blue eyes. He was well pleased with this woman who stood in front of him.
“Are you ready to go to the justice of the peace,” Carl asked.
“Yes, I am ready,” she said. “I hope you are not too disappointed that I did not bring a wedding gown, but I figured that this one can be worn to church. It seemed like a waste of money to purchase a gown that would be worn only once.”
“I am not disappointed at all,” he said. “I think you made a wise choice. You look quite lovely.”
Mary Jane felt her cheeks brighten at his compliment. She was not delusional and she knew that she was no beauty, but his compliment pleased her.
“Well, Miss Luther, I think it is time for us to tie the knot,” Carl said.
Carl held out his arm for Mary Jane and once again she was both surprised and pleased that he was such a gentleman. Her hand was shaking slightly when she placed it in the crook of his arm. The day she had thought would never arrive was finally here. She was about to pledge the rest of her life to a man that she knew very little about, but she somehow felt like it was going to be a good life.
Clearly the justice of peace had been waiting for them. He was standing behind a table that was lit with candles, and a woman handed Mary Jane a lovely bouquet of red roses. The light in the room reflected through stained glass windows, making it seem intimate and cozy. The beauty of the room was much more than Mary Jane had expected.
Carl led Mary Jane to the front of the room where the man was waiting to unite them in marriage. They both recited their vows to each other, and before she knew what was happening the justice of the peace announced them husband and wife. She looked into Carl’s eyes when she realized that he was about to kiss her. This was real. She was legally married to this man, and it was his right to claim her with a kiss. The butterflies in her stomach were fluttering when Carl took her in his arms and kissed her gently on the lips. It was the first time she had ever allowed a man such liberty and she hoped that her innocence would not disappoint him.
After signing the marriage license the newly wedded couple walked back out into the bright sunlight of the day. Carl placed his arm around Mary Jane as they walked back in the direction of the hotel. It felt good to be held this close but Mary Jane was nervous about what was about to come. She knew that God allowed a husband and wife certain privileges that were to be kept strictly between the two of them, but she only had a base knowledge of what was involved. She had followed the commandments in the Bible and saved herself until she was married, but right now she was silently praying for God to give her strength to be pleasing to her husband.
Two hours after the marriage ceremony Mary Jane was laying on the bed next to her husband. Carl had been very gentle and understanding of her innocence, making the experience much less intimidating. She really liked this man that she had married, and she was excited about their future together.
Carl was having similar thoughts of his own. It seemed that God had sent him the perfect woman to stand by his side. Mary Jane was so much more than he had expected and he anticipated a lively future with her. He knew that she had to be somewhat afraid of being married to a stranger, but she embraced him willingly instead of cowering in fear. His life on the farm was going to be so much more enjoyable now that he had a woman to share his life with.
Mary Jane watched as Carl stood up and pulled on his pants and shirt. He turned and smiled at her before announcing that he was going downstairs to order room service for them.
“It has been a while since lunch,” he said. “Do you think you are ready for dinner?”
“Yes, I am hungry,” she said. “I didn’t realize that marriage would work up such an appetite.”
Carl grinned again before leaving to order their dinner. Mary Jane took stock of her new life. She was no longer an innocent girl who was about ready to give up on marriage. Now she was a woman who had been lucky enough to find a man who seemed perfect for her. God had indeed blessed her when He led her to Carl and she vowed she would spend the rest of her days being the best wife she could possibly be.
Dinner turned out to be a lot more fun than lunch. Carl engaged her in lively conversation and teased her by hand feeding her chocolate covered strawberries.
“Enjoy these while you can,” he said. “They are only here for a very short season.”
Mary Jane had never tasted anything so good. She wasn’t sure whether the strawberries were that good, or if it was because Carl fed them to her. He laughed and put a strawberry up to her mouth only to pull it away as she was about to bite into it. They laughed and played with each other like they had known each other all of their lives. Yes, life with Carl was going to be good. She said a silent prayer of thanks that God had blessed her with a husband who she truly enjoyed.