Just before I took a step, Josh’s father stepped to my side, offering me his arm. “Darlin’,” Silas said. “I would be honored to escort you down this aisle to my son, so we can welcome you into this family.”
Tears pricked my eyes and I nodded, unable to speak when I looped my arm in his. Silas watched me fidget with anticipation while we both waited for our cue to begin walking. My knees threatened to buckle as Etta James began to belt out At Last over the sound system, in place of the Wedding March.
Silas guided me toward Josh, surrounded by the people we loved, all there to celebrate the first day of our marriage.
When we reached the end of the path, Silas placed a kiss on my hand before placing it in Josh’s.
Josh smiled, thanking his father as he gave my hand a gentle squeeze and sucked in a deep breath.
“Friends and family of Josh and Avery,” the officiant began, but as he spoke, his words blurred together while I got lost in Josh’s gray eyes.
“I, Josh, promise to mend you when you’re hurting, and to make you smile when you feel like crying. I will hold you when you can’t stand on your own, and spend the rest of my days making good memories with you. I promise to tell the truth—” he glanced at Aunt Ellen “—even when it’s difficult. I promise to protect you, and respect you, and to love you and only you.” He held up the penny necklace. “And I swear to always offer a penny for your thoughts.”
Sliding the ring onto my finger, he mouthed I love you before taking the necklace and slipping it over my head.
The officiant turned his attention to me, letting me know it was my turn to speak.
“I, Avery, promise to hold your hand through trying times, to accept you for everything you are, to never pump the gas when the Dodge won’t start.” The crowd snickered with Josh. “I mean, I promise to be patient, to trust you even when I think it’s difficult, and to always offer you a penny for your thoughts.” My fingers shook as I slid the large gold band onto his finger. Once the ring was in place, I squeezed his hand tight.
“I now pronounce you husband and wife. You may kiss your bride.”
Josh gently combed his fingers through my hair as he lowered his mouth to mine. His lips felt hard against mine at first, and then he relaxed, kissing me soft and slow. I squealed against his mouth when he bowed me backward, hearing the small group clap and cheer.
We stood upright, and the officiant held up his hands. “I’d like to introduce to you, for the first time, Mr. and Mrs. Josh Avery.”
“I never knew exhaustion could feel so wonderful.” I sighed, falling back onto the hand-sewn quilt atop a king-size bed.
Josh lay down next to me on his side, touching my waist with a grin on his lips. “We can sleep when we’re dead, Mrs. Avery.” Lacing his fingers in mine, he admired our wedding bands. “Right now, we are going to make love until the management of this place kicks us out.” I giggled as he pressed his lips to mine, silencing my laugh with his tongue.
I didn’t see the point of spending extra money to travel for a honeymoon when we both knew we wouldn’t see the outside of the hotel. But Josh insisted we at least leave Philadelphia for a few days.
We compromised by heading over to Lancaster, breaking from the reality of a fast-paced life in a big city hospital in exchange for a few days in the countryside.
The Altland farm was two hundred and nine years old. Fifteen acres of corn and blue skies spanned as far as my eyes could see. The home was no longer occupied by the Amish, but the family who lived here opened their property to others looking to experience a simpler life. Oil lamps offered a subtle, romantic glow to the rustic interior, and a converted one-room schoolhouse offered a honeymoon suite I’d never dreamed of.
“This is like being on another planet,” I said. I was easily distracted while Josh’s lips traveled across my collarbone.
“I bet I can make you see stars,” he teased as he slid his hand under my skirt, trailing his fingertips up my thighs toward my panties.