The crowd cheered.
Mayor Caldwell motioned for everyone to be quiet. “I’m not done. I not only want to thank them for taking care of so many of us, including my wife, but I would like to say that we are honored they are both citizens of Big Rock.” He paused and nodded in their direction, smiling. “Miss Page has informed me they plan to get married. Now that everyone is assembled and Reverend Wade is on hand I’m wondering if they would do us the pleasure of getting married right here and now.”
“What?” William said, jumping to his feet.
“Yes, get married!” Toby said. “Then you can really truly adopt me.”
Ida set her plate down and stood beside him. “What do you say, Dr. Steere? Are you ready to be man and wife?”
“Yes, but…” Had she planned this all along? Surely this hadn’t been Mayor Caldwell’s idea.
“We don’t have to put it off any longer,” she said, taking his arm and dragging him over to Reverend Wade. “It is really simple. All you have to say is ‘I do.’”
“But I don’t even have a ring,” he protested.
“You can get me a ring later. It isn’t required.” The gleam in her eye told him she wouldn’t take no for an answer.
“Wedding, wedding, wedding,” the crowd chanted. He groaned. How could he say no now? He’d be disappointing all of them.
“All right, Miss Page, but it isn’t always going to be like this.”
“Whatever do you mean?” she asked in a sweet voice.
“You might be in charge of the wedding, but I plan on running this family. I’m the doctor, you’re the nurse.”
“Agreed,” she said, and kissed him on the cheek.
The crowd cheered and many people clapped. They hadn’t even said their vows yet!
“I was thinking being a nurse is a better profession than laundress anyway.”
He stood next to Ida in front of Reverend Wade. The man had already retrieved his Bible and the three of them stood in the middle of the crowd.
Reverend Wade opened his Bible and William braced himself for a long sermon. The reverend had a captive crowd and he couldn’t fault the man if he started preaching.
“I’ll make this short and sweet,” the reverend said. “I don’t trust people armed with fruits and vegetables.” He laughed and pushed his spectacles farther up on his thin nose. Looking down at him William felt as if he was being cornered by one of his professors. “Young man, I know you are aware of this fallen woman’s past. Do you still wish to take her as your wife?”
William wetted his lips. Despite the reverend’s polite tone, his words got under his skin. He grinned at Ida, holding both of her hands in his. “Yes,” he said, delighting in the blush rising in her cheeks.
“And do you, Ida Page, wish to take this man as your husband to honor and obey him in sickness and in health for as long as you both shall live?”
“I do.”
“Then in the presence of God and all these witnesses I pronounce you man and wife.” He closed the Bible he never read from and opened his arms wide. “I’d like to introduce to you Dr. and Mrs. Steere.”
William picked Ida up and spun her around before setting her on the ground and giving her a long kiss.
The End
Publisher’s Note
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About Haley Whitehall
Haley Whitehall lives in Washington State where she enjoys all four seasons and the surrounding wildlife. She writes historical romance set in the 19th century U.S. When she is not researching or writing, she plays with her cats, watches the Western and History Channels, and goes antiquing. She is hoping to build a time machine so she can go in search of her prince charming. A good book, a cup of coffee, and a view of the mountains make her happy.
Table of Contents
Wild and Tender Care
Blurb
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
About Haley Whitehall
Wild and Tender Care Page 10
