Saturday Snippet- I Am a Married Man? At Least, On Her End?

Featuring "Christmas in July" Books 

Today's Saturday Snippet is taken from

A Surprise for Christmas

Confederate Widows, Spinsters and Proxy Brides series

by Zina Abbott 

          Pouring out the last of the coffee, Jeffrey placed the cup on the table before he hooked the cane on the top rung of the ladderback chair and eased his body into the seat. He stretched out his leg and shifted it to find a comfortable position. Then he opened the letter. 

 

          Jeffrey read with sorrow that the doctor assured Analia that her mother had less than a month to live. His grief was not for his own loss, but for that of the woman whose hand he intended to ask for in his next letter. However, when he read the next paragraph, his brow scrunched.

 

          “It is with gratitude that I read your agreement to a proxy marriage to be completed prior to my departure. Upon receiving your letter, I took it to my pastor and made arrangements. I look forward to the time I am able to travel to Kansas and meet you in person. I will explain the reason behind my haste once I arrive in Topeka.

 

          “The marriage ceremony on my end took place this past Friday with a church deacon standing in as proxy, and the pastor’s wife and the church groundskeeper serving as witnesses. I am including a duplicate copy of the marriage certificate, which the pastor so graciously provided, and the witnesses agreed to sign in triplicate. According to him, he will file the original with the county clerk. I have one copy, and the third is enclosed. The marriage is now valid and binding. At least, it is upon me. I do understand and accept your opinion shared in your last letter you prefer the idea of us having a second ceremony once I arrive to reaffirm our vows before those of the society in which we will live. However, I ask that you have your proxy wedding performed in advance of my leaving Baltimore so the marriage is legal and in full effect.

 

          “I anxiously await your reply, which I trust will include funds for my travel and the date your proxy wedding took place.”

 

          As he stared at the second sheet of paper he pulled to the side to view, Jeffrey felt a surge of emotion well up within. He was unable to determine if what he felt was amazement, anger, or indignation—or a combination of all three. All he knew was, it almost took his breath away. There it was—a marriage record including his name and that of Analia Cantrell—signed with a signature along with a notation that the officiator held the position of pastor. The signatures and spelled-out names of two witnesses were also present. I am a married man? At least, on her end?

 

          Although he wrote he was agreeable to a proxy marriage, what had prompted the woman to conclude that amounted to a proposal? He did not recall actually asking her to marry him. Why did she have the proxy marriage performed so quickly?

 

          It was good he already decided she was his choice for a bride. After draining his coffee and shoving his cup to join the other dirty dishes on the table, Jeffrey pushed himself to his feet. He turned toward the desk. It was time to write a letter officially asking for her hand in marriage. Since he planned to go into Topeka for a haircut, anyway, he might as well follow through with everything. Before he sealed and mailed it, he would visit the bank and withdraw enough money to purchase train tickets from Baltimore to Topeka, plus enough extra to provide for travel expenses. 

 

          After walking to his desk in the corner of the small room—an oversized closet with a window—that passed for his office, he sat, pulled out a sheet of paper, ink, and writing nib. Shaking his head, he began his response. He hoped the woman was not this impulsive about everything. What am I getting myself into?

 

A Surprise for Christmas is currently on a Kindle Countdown sale through Sunday, July 20th. Customers in the U.S. and U.K. may purchase the book for 99c. It is also available at no extra cost for those with a Kindle Unlimited subscription. To find the book description and purchase options, please CLICK HERE  

Coming in August is my book, Mail Order Barber,  the final book in the Hopeful Husband's series. It is currently on pre-order. To find the book description and purchase options, please CLICK HERE

 

 

Hal's Lucky Escape is now available for sale as an ebook or at no additional cost with a Kindle Unlimited subscription. To find the book description and purchase options, please CLICK HERE

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

My most recent book in the Prairie Roses Collection, Sue, is now available for sale as an ebook or at no additional cost with a Kindle Unlimited subscription. To find the book description and purchase options, 

please CLICK HERE

 

  

 

My book, The Mine Owner's Rescue,  Book 7 in The Rich Man Takes a Bride series is also available for sale as an ebook or at no additional cost with a Kindle Unlimited subscription. To find the book description and purchase options, 

please CLICK HERE

A Holiday Christmas in July

Includes my own VINEGAR PIE BY VARINIA, LEMON COOKIES BY LISBETH, MARIGOLD, and PHOEBE

Please CLICK HERE 

 

Watch for Anthelia Yosemite Bride, coming soon. 

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