Amelia and her parents arrived at the church after a long wagon ride through the country, in the early morning. Waiting for them there was her future husband, William, whom she had never met before. The ceremony was short and simple followed by the regular Sunday service. The priest skipped the part about kissing the bride.
This was not the wedding Amelia had dreamt of as a little girl. She had visions of flowers and homemade lace dresses, a big party on her father's farm. Most of all she had visions of a dashing man who had skillfully courted her with romantic walks and stolen kisses.
Unfortunately, hard times were upon them. Fathers were agreeing on marriages for their daughters simply because they couldn't afford to feed them. Amelia trusted her father when he said he believed William was a good man. She also knew how important this marriage would be to the family, as Williams's family had lots of land and houses. Marrying into this family ensured Amelia's family a place to sleep should they loose the farm.
Amelia felt awkward though that Sunday morning sitting next to her new husband in church. She felt as if the whole congregation was looking at them. Her cheeks flushed when she imagined everyone thinking that tonight this man, who she didn't know, would be having his way with her. Amelia had never so much as kissed a man other then her father. And, other than the few times over her father's knee with her skirt over her head and her bloomers pulled down, no one had seen her naked body since she reached womanhood.
When the service was over, Amelia said tearful farewells to her parents. She dutifully joined her husband in the front of his wagon and, when her parents were no longer in her sights, she faced forward and was hit with the weight of what had just happened.
"Is this the road to your house?" Amelia asked William.
"Yes, a few miles down this road and we'll be home."
"Home," Amelia said, letting the word hang in the air as she said it. "What does 'home' look like?"
"Pretty little house. Pa and I built it, once your Pa gave me your hand. I painted it white with blue shutters, thought you might like that. The inside is pretty simple, thought I would leave it up to you to decorate. Only thing in the house now is the kitchen table and the bed."
As soon as William said the word 'bed' Amelia stiffened. How awkward this moment was. She tried to concentrate on the fact that he painted the house to try to make her happy. She hoped it was an indication that he would be gentle and kind.
"We're on family property now," William told her as they turned onto another dirt road. He began to point out different fields and what grew in them. Amelia was taken with the low lazy branches in the apple orchards and could picture her self spending time there. He pointed out the house where his older brother, James, lived with his wife, Emily and their children. The house of his parents a large, pretty home. Amelia appreciated the warm welcome she had received from Mr. and Mrs. Drummond at the church.
Finally, they came to their house. It was small, but had a nice fence and a front porch. It had a chimney, so she knew she would be warm in the winter. She liked the way it sat lower than the rest of the houses, nestled in a valley. She noticed a place that might make a nice garden in the spring.
