that only she could hear. “I cannot believe you are mine.”
“I won’t be until we speak our vows,” she replied playfully.
“Then we better commence,” he said and they faced Reverend Hummert.
The clergyman bestowed a smile upon them and began. As he spoke about love and marriage, Anna said her own prayer of thanksgiving for leading her to Dez.
“And as it is written in the Song of Solomon, I am my beloved’s and my beloved is mine. I found the one my heart loves. This is true of the couple that stands before me and I will now ask them to speak their vows before God and man.”
Hummert had them face one another and said, “Desmond Bretton, wilt thou have this woman to thy wedded wife, to live together according to God’s law in the holy estate of matrimony? Wilt thou love her, comfort her, honor and keep her, in sickness and in health; and, forsaking all others, keep thee only unto her, so long as ye both shall live?”
Dez’s voice rang with conviction. “I will.”
“Anna Browning, wilt thou have this man to thy wedded husband, to live together after God’s ordinance in the holy estate of matrimony? Wilt thou obey him, and serve him, love, honor, and keep him, in sickness and in health; and, forsaking all others, keep thee only unto him, so long as ye both shall live?”
Anna gazed into her groom’s eyes. “I will.”
The ceremony continued, with both of them making promises to the other, plighting their troth. Dez placed her wedding ring on the Bible the clergyman held and he took it and raised it high for all to see. The gold band, studded with diamonds, had even more significance to her since her groom had told her it belonged to his mother—and had been the ring he had wanted to give her at Gretna Green so many years ago.
“Bless, O Lord, this ring, and grant that he who gives it and she who shall wear it may remain faithful to each other, and abide in thy peace and favor, and live together in love until their lives’ end. Through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.”
Hummert returned the ring to Dez and he placed it on her hand, his fingers remaining on it as he said, “With this ring I thee wed; with my body I thee honor; and all my worldly goods with thee I share; in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. Amen.”
Reverend Hummert had them kneel and prayed, “O eternal God, Creator and Preserver of all mankind, giver of all spiritual grace, the author of everlasting life: send thy blessing upon these the servants, this man and this woman, whom we bless in thy name; that, living faithfully together, they may surely perform and keep the vow and covenant betwixt them made, whereof this ring given and received is a token and pledge; and may ever remain in perfect love and peace together, and live according to thy laws; through Jesus Christ our Lord.”
A peace settled over Anna, knowing her welfare and life were in Dez’s hands and his in hers, as well. Hummert added a few words, pronouncing them man and wife and then offered a final blessing.
“God the Father, God the Son, God the Holy Ghost, bless, preserve, and keep you; the Lord mercifully with His favor look upon you; and so fill you with all spiritual benediction and grace, that ye may so live together in this life, that in the world to come ye may have life everlasting.”
The ceremony continued with a reading of the Psalms and communion and then the clergyman gave a final prayer. He then allowed them a kiss to seal their vows and it was the most tender, beautiful one she had experienced, full of light and goodness, sealing the vows they had made toward one another in front of their guests.
Reverend Hummert told those present that they should head to Shelton Park and he led them, Jessa, and Tom back to sign the church’s registry.
“It is official,” the clergyman said, a wide smile on his face. “You are husband and wife.”
Dez kissed her again with enthusiasm and then led her from the church, where everyone still awaited them, tossing rice in the air. As it showered upon them, someone called out, “May you be blessed with many children.”
Her new husband led her to his awaiting carriage and they began the short journey to Shelton Park.
“I have something