Forced to Love (Historical Romance Collection) The Fires of Love & Hate

Chapter 5 - For God Shall Not Be Mocked

CHAPTER 5--FOR GOD SHALL NOT BE MOCKED

Realizing she’d been daydreaming for quite some time, Laville focused her attention back on the wedding.  Several minutes passed and she couldn’t shake the feeling that someone was watching her.  Turning, she scanned those sitting behind her and saw Ira Saxon sitting between his father, Andrew, and his sister, Emily.  Whispering to herself, she said, “How dare he show his face here after all the misery he caused me?”  

“Pay attention, Laville,” Robert said, nudging her.

Looking forward, she heard the preacher ask, “If anyone has any reason why these two should not be joined together in holy matrimony, let him speak now or forever hold his peace.”  Again she turned in Ira’s direction.  Glaring at him with contempt, as he hung his head listening to the ceremony, Laville vowed to get even with him for refusing her. 

At that same moment, Hattie glanced out into her great sea of guests.  Her eyes quickly caught Andrew’s, and beside him, she saw Ira with his head bowed.  “What must Ira think of me?” she thought. 

Raising his head, Ira saw Hattie looking in his direction.  Glancing around carefully to see if anyone was watching him and feeling that there wasn’t, he said silently with his lips, “I love you.” 

Hattie’s heart leapt at Ira’s silent token, and if only for a moment, Hattie felt like things were somehow going to work themselves out.

Abner, perturbed that Hattie wasn’t paying attention to him, gave her hand a hard tight squeeze.  The preacher paused, grateful that this ordeal was nearly over, and then stated, “That which God has joined together this day, let no man put asunder.” 

A chill ran up Hattie’s spine, as she looked into Abner’s eyes and saw a devilish smile cross his face.  Silently she heard in her mind the words repeated, “For God shall not be mocked,” broken by Reverend Walker’s words, “You may now kiss your bride, Abner.”

    As Abner lifted her veil, Hattie stood motionless, looking up into his cold, calculating eyes.  She forced a smile and, muttering under her breath, said, “I’d rather be kissin’ a rattlesnake.”

Tossing her veil lightly over her head, Abner replied just as quietly.  “Believe me, by the time I get even with you, you’ll wish you were.”  With that statement, he pulled Hattie to him so tight that she could hardly breathe and kissed her mouth as hard as he could.  As he did, she bit his lip and shoved the revolver in her bouquet into his chest.  Feeling the hard steel, he released her and they turned once again to face Reverend Walker.  Still whispering, Abner said, “I will get even with you, Miss Hattie Garland, for everything you’ve taken from me, if it’s the last thing I ever do.”

Reverend Walker, hearing everything, sighed deeply and turned his eyes heavenward.  Seeing his reaction, Hattie tried to comfort the Minister, whispering, “You did the best you could, Reverend, I promise you, you’ll not be held accountable.”  Hoping that the Reverend took her words to heart, Hattie turned around and faced her guests.  It was show time.  She smiled an effervescent smile and said brightly, “Ladies and Gentlemen, we’re so happy to have you here with us today.  Allow me to introduce ourselves.  We are Mr. and Mrs. Abner Garland of Gallatin, Missouri.  Welcome to our home.”  Then, just as she finished speaking, she whirled around like Cinderella and curtsied deeply, totally mesmerizing the crowd.

Almost immediately, a thunderous applause broke out among the guests.  Laville, hearing it, yanked on Robert’s arm.  “How dramatic!” she cooed.  “Why didn’t I think of that at my wedding?”