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“I’m not noticing even an ounce of extra weight on you,” he said, his eyes traveling up and down her body. “I like everything just the way it is.”
She grinned, shaking her head at him. “You’re not supposed to look at me like that!”
“Why not?” he asked. “We’re getting married tomorrow at the latest, right?”
Sydney nodded. “We are.”
“So, I’m going to look at you as if you’re my wife, because that’s what you are.”
She laughed. “I think you’re jumping the gun a little, but I guess I don’t mind too much.”
“Maybe I am. I’m just happy it’s going to finally happen!”
“Finally?” she asked. “I met you two days ago!”
“It seems like so much longer.”
“I don’t know why it feels different than getting off the train and immediately marrying a stranger, but it does.”
Lewis nodded. “I understand.” He finished the piece of pie she’d included for him. “I think we should get back inside. I’m sorry we can’t linger over our picnic.”
“We probably shouldn’t have eaten outside at all. I hope those men don’t find me.”
He stood up and gathered the remains from their picnic, and then held his hand down to help her up.
Sydney smiled up at him and reached up to take his hand. “I guess I’ll be taking your hand a lot in the future.”
“I guess you will.”
She still wasn’t sure marrying him was the right thing to do, but not marrying him wasn’t an option. Unless she wanted to marry Thomas or Walter, and they didn’t seem older than seventeen. It might be old enough to some people, but it wasn’t to her. `-
Walking back into the house, Lewis nodded at his father. “We want to get married tonight if we can.”
Susan looked surprised. “Did something happen?”
“I’ll fill you in later,” David said.
Thomas jumped up. “Want me to go get the preacher?”
Susan shook her head. “I want Walter to go get the preacher. I don’t trust you wandering around on your own right now.”
“But Ma! I never actually went into the Acre!”
“You were seen heading toward it. That’s enough for me.”
Thomas scowled but didn’t argue more. Walter got up and went out to get the wagon.
It was then that Sydney realized they were all still eating. “I’m sorry to interrupt your supper!” she said.
Susan shook her head. “We were just finishing up.” She looked curious about why the plans had changed so quickly, but she didn’t ask again. “Do you have a dress you want to wear for the wedding?”
Sydney nodded. “My mother paid a ridiculous amount of money for my wedding dress. I may as well wear it.” She started up the stairs to her room and the trunk of her belongings that had arrived with Susan right behind her.
“I’ll help however I can.”
“I know you will.”
“Tell me why we’re in a hurry?”
