Just A Farm Gal

Chapter Fourteen

Our wedding was now days away and I couldn't be more excited.

Everything was finished and ready. The wedding would be in our local church with the reception in the town hall. Everyone had RSVP'd back to say they would attend. Mama had been a godsend helping me with everything.

I was pretty sure that there was something going on with her and Reverend David though. Every time I saw them, they were engrossed in a private conversation or she was giggling at something he was saying. She started to take a little more effort in her appearance too.

I decided to sit down and talk to her about it before the wedding to get everything out in the open. Mama and I never usually had any secrets from each other.

"Mama?" I said one afternoon, while she was sitting in her armchair and reading. I went over to sit in Daddy's seat and stroked the armchair softly.

"What's up, Hal?" Mama didn't look up from her book.

"Is there somethin' goin' on with you and Reverend David?" I blurted out.

Mama put the book down on the windowsill, "Erm... I..." she stuttered.

"Listen, I don't want you to feel like y'all have to hide a new relationship just because of Daddy. He's been gone nearly 3 years now and I don't want you to be alone forever. I won't think you are disrepectin' him or tryin' to replace him." I babbled away.

Mama's eyes filled with tears, "Oh Hal." She reached over to hug me.

"So, what's goin' on, Mama?" I asked as we broke apart.

"I've been on one date with him and he's asked me out again. I like him and I think he likes me." Mama confessed.

"Oooh, how was it?"

"It was lovely. He could never measure up to your Daddy but he's a nice, kind man Hal."

"Everything ok? Evening, baby." Noah asked, coming through the living-room door after work. He kissed me on the cheek softly.

"Oh, is that the time already?" Mama checked the living-room clock to see that it was 6pm. "I better get makin' dinner. Everythin' is fine, Noah. How was work?" Mama asked him.

"It was good as usual. Jill says I'm a natural with the horses." Noah beamed. "Let me make dinner. You two relax and finish your conversation." He replied and went back into the kitchen.

"I am happy for y'all both, Mama, honestly. Can I tell Noah?"

"Of course. He's gonna be your husband in two days' time. No secrets. Oh and Hal?" she asked as I stood up out of the chair. "Thank you. For being happy for me, I mean."

"If he hurts you, I'm gettin' the shotgun out. Reverend or not."

We both laughed and I headed into the kitchen to see Noah peeling potatoes.

"Quite the domestic goddess, ain't you?" I giggled, leaning against the kitchen door with my arms folded.

He turned around to see me watching him and he flashed me that heart-stopping, dimpled smile of his. The one that made me weak at the knees. My heart started to pound, as it always did, when he smiled at me.

"Only the best for my two girls. Everything ok in there?"

"Well, I suppose she did say I could tell you..." I walked over to him and wrapped my arms around his waist.