“The two of you can divide duties. She’s lived in town, though, so ranch life will be new to her.” He explained what he knew of her life in Delaware. “Well, I’ll let her tell you more when she’s here.” He pushed away from the table. “I’d better get on my way. I’ll be driving the wagon and will see you boys for supper.”
Chapter Six
Austin was a few minutes early but Mina was ready. They strolled toward the parsonage. He fought for something to say but his brain wouldn’t cooperate.
“You heard all I told Mr. Son for the newspaper but you didn’t tell me about your family. Do they live at the ranch?”
“Parents live in Austin. My mother is kind of frail from a weak chest. I haven’t asked her to come because of the stage ride. I mean, they both know they’re welcome. Won’t be long before the train reaches near here and then they’ll visit.”
“That’s considerate of you. The stagecoach was exhausting and I’m healthy. I’d hate to tackle it if I wasn’t feeling well.” She grinned at him. “I told Cindy I’m never leaving because I don’t want to make that stagecoach trip again.”
He returned her smile. “That’s how we plan to build up the population. No one wants to leave if they have to ride the stage.”
She laughed. “I believe you. Do you have brothers and sisters?”
“One of each. My sister Oleta Mae and her family live in Austin near my parents. My brother Mike went to California. He’s married since he arrived there and his wife Charlotte was born in California. Mike is ranching there like I am here.”
He opened the gate of a picket fence. “Here’s where the preacher lives. In case you don’t remember, you met him last night.”
She gripped his sleeve. “I met so many at once that I don’t recall a preacher. Tell me his name and his wife’s name.”
“John and Sarah Patrick. Nice folks.” He turned the ringer on the doorbell.
Sarah was smiling when she opened the door. “How nice to see you again, Mina. I hope this means you and Austin are engaged.”
Mina remembered the plump, middle-aged woman. “Yes, and we want to ask about arrangements for a wedding.”
“I’m thrilled with your news. I’ll get John.”
“Did someone call me?” John Patrick walked up beside his wife and extended his hand for Austin to shake.
“You remember Mina Stapleton, Cindy Kennedy’s cousin?”
“Of course I do. That was a good party last night. Cindy is always a wonderful hostess.” He looked from Mina to Austin. “What can I do for you two?”
Austin cleared his throat. “We’d like for you to perform a wedding ceremony for us tomorrow afternoon in the church. Is that possible?”
John clapped him on the back. “It certainly is. Congratulations, Austin. Mina, I wish the two of you the best.”
She smiled at Austin before thanking the preacher. “Would a two o’clock ceremony give you time to have your dinner after the morning service?”
“Sure would. Two o’clock is a good time. Gives folks time to get home before dark. Unless I’m wrong, the Kennedys will want to give you a reception.”
“Oh, I don’t think so because there’ll only be Austin’s ranch hands and my cousins.”
Beside her, Austin took her hand. “It’ll be announced at church. I reckon we’ll have a lot of people there.”
“Oh, I see. Well, we can discuss it with Cindy and Bert when we get back there.”
The preacher gestured to the couch. “Have a seat and I’d like to talk to you about the duties of a husband and wife to one another.”
Austin’s mouth dried up. He couldn’t have spoken a word if he could have thought of one to say.
Reverend Patrick launched into a discussion about being partners. “Mina, do I need to talk to you about a husband’s right to intimacy?”
She shook her head. “My cousin will talk to me tonight.”
“Austin, do I need to talk to you about a wife’s rights?”
He swallowed hard. “N-No, sir. My father made sure I knew how to treat the woman I’d marry.” Thank goodness, he had. Sure would be embarrassing to talk about here and now.
“All right, we’ll plan on being at the church around half past one tomorrow afternoon.” The preacher slapped his thighs and rose, ending the discussion.
Austin was relieved to escape from the parsonage. “Whew. I guess it’s a good thing we both went to see him.”
“I’ll try not to be embarrassed with you tomorrow night, but I sure would have been in there just now if he’d started speaking about, well, you know.”
“So would I. I have to ask you about a couple more things while we’re alone. Let’s sit on that bench in the cemetery.”
“It looks private.”
They walked on the cemetery path and sat on a bench placed under a live oak tree.
He pulled the ring from his shirt pocket. “This belonged to my grandmother. Since I’m the oldest son, she left it to me for my bride.”
She accepted the band. “Oh, it’s lovely. Should I try it for size?” At his nod, she slipped the ring on her finger.
“If it’s not right, we can have it sized. I know it’s pretty plain so if you’d prefer a new one, we can do that.”
“I’d be honored to wear a family ring. Look, it fits.” She held out her hand. When she took it off, she looked inside. “Did you know it’s engraved inside? It says ‘love without end’. Isn’t that wonderful?”
“That’s what the ring symbolizes anyway. No beginning and no end. I hope our marriage will turn
