Jasmine's Journey by Margaret Tanner

Author:Margaret Tanner [Tanner, Margaret]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2020-11-05T06:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER EIGHT

The wedding ceremony was short and simple. When Rusty handed over the ring to Zane, his hand was steady, although Zane’s had a slight tremor to it.

After the preacher blessed the ring, Zane slipped it on Jasmine’s finger. When the preacher pronounced them to be man and wife in the eyes of the law and the church, he said, “You may now kiss your bride.”

Zane hesitated for a moment before leaning into her and brushing his lips against hers. Her shocked intake of breath caused him to grin. He stepped back and she felt somehow bereft. How idiotic. This was a marriage in name only so she could be safe from Esmeralda, and he got to keep his ranch. It was what he wanted. She was beginning to wonder whether it was what she now wanted.

The preacher shook hands with all of them. “I hope to see you both at Sunday service, Mr. and Mrs. McIvor.”

“You will,” Jasmine said. She had always enjoyed attending church with her father, a man who sincerely loved God, not like Cedric and Esmeralda, who went to church purely and simply for show. Hypocrites that they were.

They all traipsed out into the sunlight.

“Will we go to the diner to celebrate?” Rusty asked.

“I need to get back to Mrs. Crenshaw,” Mrs. Donaldson said. “You know she’s not well and might need me.”

“Thanks, but no. I want to get back to the ranch. I’ve got a lot of work to do before the Land Agent comes.”

“Okay, I’ll call in and see the sheriff and share lunch with him. Good luck.” Rusty shook Zane’s hand. “Make sure you take good care of Jasmine.”

“I will.”

“Goodbye, Rusty.” She leaned over and kissed his cheek. “Thank you for everything. You, too, Mrs. Donaldson.”

The woman nodded before turning away.

“I don’t know what’s gotten into her,” Rusty said.

“Probably worried about Mrs. Crenshaw. Give the good lady my regards, and tell her I hope she feels better soon,” Zane said.

“Make sure you keep in touch with me now we’ve met, Rusty,” Jasmine said.

“I will, my dear, that’s a promise.”

The couple walked off one way, Jasmine and Zane went in the opposite direction. “I left the buckboard at the livery stable; it’s on our way out of town. Rusty told me he gave the owner your bag, too.”

“That’s good, I was wondering where it was. Do you have much food at the ranch?”

“Food?”

“Yes, the stuff you eat.”

He grinned. “Tins of beans, beef and smoked ham. I have my own smokehouse.”

“That’s all?”

“I’ve got chickens and a house cow.”

“What about flour and sugar, molasses?”

He shook his head.

“If you expect me to cook for you, I do need a few basics.”

“We can go to the mercantile and get it. This being married is all new to me.” He frowned.

“And me, too. I don’t want you to think I’m a nagging wife, but we do need things, such as herbs and spices, as well.”

“Order what you think we need. I do have some money, I’m not dirt poor.”

They entered the mercantile and the woman behind the counter smiled at her.

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