Phantom Road - chapter 64 - Ash Creek

in Web Novels3 years ago

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(previously...)

64

Tuesday, November 5
.
Zenna went to Bessemer the next morning with her mother. She had protested the need. “We’re just having a little ceremony at the county clerk in Ironwood! I don’t need a fancy dress or anything!”

“You can still look nice!” Lenora argued back. “You’re going to have the prettiest dress we can find this morning! Jerry insisted as well. It’s our gift to you.”

Zenna had relented and enjoyed the morning with her mother.

“Jerry had such good things to say about your Matthew,” her mother nattered as they looked through the expensive boutique in Bessemer. “He feels bad because the car was stolen from his garage. Jerry knew Matthew was innocent, but couldn’t prove it.”

Zenna found a delicate blue lace dress.

“You sure you don’t want something white?” Lenora asked.

“I’m not pure.”

“No one cares about that nowadays, Zenna!”

“I like this one. Are you sure it’s not too expensive? I’m not going to have another place to wear it after this.”

“Mine was ten times that – and that was a long time ago! If anything, you’re not being selfish enough! Try it on!”

Zenna stopped arguing and tried on the dress, which fit like a glove, accentuating her every curve and made her feel like a princess. She opened the door so she could show her mother.

“That’s the one!” her mother gushed. “You’re so beautiful! Why don’t we go grab some brunch, then we’ll come back… you’ll get dressed and we’ll have someone do your hair nicely. Then, we’ll drive to Ironwood.”

Zenna grinned, she was so happy that she would be married today! She couldn’t believe how fast everything had happened, but it was right – she knew it was right! Not like with John, where she had questioned everything all along. With Matt, she knew that she had found a wonderful man who deserved the devotion she planned to give him.

Her mother paid for the dress and instructed for the shop to hold it until they came back from eating.

Zenna could barely eat through her excitement.

“We don’t need you fainting today!” Lenora said, nagging her to eat more.

“I’ve never fainted yet!” Zenna protested.

“Not from what Steve said.”

She had forgotten that one already. “That was from shock!”

“And exasperated by your condition! You must take care! You must take care of my grandchild!”

“Are you going to have children with Jerry?” Zenna asked.

“I won’t refuse to,” she replied.

“I’m going to have brothers and sisters younger than my children!”

“It used to happen that way… there’s no set rule that all your children must be older than your grandchildren! Only in this day of small families is that normal.”

Zenna knew her mother was right. It only felt weird in a modern sense.

At last, the moment arrived.

Zenna’s mother gestured, indicating that it was time for her to come into the clerk’s office. It had seemed slightly embarrassing that her mother had insisted she make a grand entrance – just like they were marrying in a church instead of in front of the county clerk. It seemed to please her mother, though, so she did it.

She carried a bouquet of blue irises, orchids and hydrangeas accented with white baby’s breath – the whole of which had cost as much as her new shoes. She took a deep breath and stepped into the room.

The gasps of admiration of the gathered audience made her blush. There were more people there than she’d expected. Steve and Julie and all their children, the Maxwells, John Baxter and Sidney Clay. She smiled at them, then focused on Matthew Nygaard, waiting at the desk for her, dressed in a nice suit, his long hair and beard neatly groomed.

“Ya are stunnin’!” he breathed and kissed her quickly. “And yer mine!”

She grinned excitedly.

The clerk read the marriage rite for them. Each echoed the vows to each other. “Do you have a ring?” the clerk asked.

Matt looked slightly lost.

Steve stepped forward and handed something to his son. “Dis was meant ta be yer moder’s. I tink it should fit.”

At the clerk’s instruction, Matt slipped the rose gold band onto her ring finger. The detail on it was magnificent, grape leaves all the way around it. It was slightly too tight, but he got it there.

“I now pronounce you husband and wife,” the clerk said. “You may seal your promises with a kiss.”

Zenna reached for his lips, which met hers just as eagerly. The kiss began simple, but quickly deepened. She met his tongue and kept kissing. At last, she needed a breath.

“Now it’s official!” Matt breathed as they parted lips. “Wait until tonight!” he murmured into her ear. “I will take dat dress off ya...”

Zenna blushed again, but then looked at their audience, Matt’s arm around her waist. The group broke into a round of applause.

A small reception was held in a nearby community center where pizza was provided in large quantities.

“We figured you probably didn’t get much pizza when you were in the woods,” her mother explained.

“Tank ya, Mrs. Williams… I mean, Mrs. Baxter!” Matt replied.

“Thank you, Mom!” Zenna added.

“Matthew, you may call me Lenora… or Mom,” her mother encouraged.

“I think I will, Mom,” Matt grinned.

“I have an announcement!” Steve said, getting up front. “When Matthew is acquitted fer da robbery dat he was not a part of, he an’ Zenna will take possession of a little parcel of land I have near da Lake. Dat is dere wedding gift – so long as dey have children ta grow on it!”

“I don’t think that will be a problem!” Lisa Maxwell called out.

“I tink da only question is wheder dey’ll have more children dan my Julie!” John Baxter added, inducing laughter.

“She had a head start!” Sidney Clay chimed in. “Even if she cheated jis’ a liddle!”

“When’s number nine comin’?” John asked loudly.

Julie blushed as well.

“Of course, Jerry may be back in da runnin’ as well!” he added.

“Tank ya, Dad,” Matt was finally able to reply. “Dat means… so, so much!”

Zenna noticed that Sidney was a bit subdued. She steered Matt towards the sheriff and sat down for a few minutes. “Thank you for all you did for us,” Zenna said.

“It was my pleasure… my job, ya know,” Sidney replied.

“I’m still grateful. Hear anything from the detective?”

“Nah. I doubt he’s comin’ back ta da U.P. anytime soon.”

“If he can forget that kiss you two shared, then he’s no better than a troll!” Zenna pronounced.

Sidney smiled. “Yah… Silly words, carelessly uttered… let dat be a lesson ta ya.”

Zenna exchanged glances with Matt. Maybe one day, they could help repay the sheriff. But now, it was time to go home and begin their lives together – almost like normal people.

“See ya around, Sid,” Zenna bade, then left with her husband.

♥♥♥

Next chapter...

Back to chapter 1
Character Info and Notes

Available to purchase (in print) at Amazon. Ebook version coming soon. (As soon as Draft2Digital formulates the link.)

Image Credits

Matthew Nygaard
Genesis 8 by DAZ 3D Studio
Myles Beard by AprilYSH (sold through DAZ)
Adrian Hair by yitao0526 (sold through DAZ)
Hunt Pants by DragonBreath
Native American top by Pusey Designs
.

Zenna Williams
Genesis 8
Mitzy hair
Basic Wear by DAZ

Set
willow trees by Stonemason
fallen tree by Hivewire
grass by Erock 3D
background image from Pixabay


Previous Stories:

Catch up on LBRY.

Location:

Ash Creek is a fictitious town in the western Upper Peninsula of Michigan. I've attempted to keep the spirit of the people as well as make liberal use of the Yooper accent/dialect. Yes, I've heard it spoken, but it's an inexact science, so please forgive me any errors and enjoy this work in the spirit with which I write... with deep love and affection for the area.


Please read my note on romance, teenage intimate relationships and underage sex. I apologize if my understanding conflicts with your sense of morality, but I'm only looking at things realistically, not ideologically. I hope you enjoy reading as much as I enjoy writing!


Writing and artwork copyright myself 2005-2105 – all rights reserved.
If you are interested in helping me publish these works, please contact me on Facebook or Discord, viking-ventures#2883.



Lori Svensen
author/designer at A'mara Books
photographer/graphic artist for Viking Visual
(Buy my work at RedBubble, TeePublic, PicFair and DeviantArt.)
verified author on Goodreads
(Buy my books at Books2Read and at LBRY)
find me on Twitter





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