A New Day (19 page)

    
Tasha stared up into his waiting, brown eyes.  “What about the fullness that God promises in marriage?  What about the joy He’s already given me?  What about the faith we’re supposed to have in Him?  Why are you trying to paint such a desperate picture, Mr. Marshall?  Gary has already given me more to live for than I ever thought was possible!  I don’t know about your God, but my God is faithful, and He delivers!”

    
Gary closed his eyes in sheer dread.  Dear heaven, how could she talk that way to
him
?

    
There was a long silence.  The eyes that Tasha refused to look away from, softened.  “Because -- so many times, little lamb, the darkness is all you’ll be able to see.  The joy doesn’t come until the morning, most times.  And there will be some
very
long nights.”

     “
Well, I’m not afraid of the darkness.”  she said quietly.  When he didn’t respond, she began to wonder just what she’d done.  Had she messed everything up too terribly?

     “
You’re not?” he asked, finally.

     “
If I ever am, I will overcome it.”  she answered.  “I’m a survivor.”

    
The voice chuckled with obvious delight.  “Gary.  Come here, son.”  the pastor commanded. 

    
There was great strength flowing into her, as Gary put his arm around her. 

     “
Pray for her, Gary.” the overseer commanded softly.

    
Tasha smiled as she felt Gary’s warm, sure hands on her head.  His eyes crinkled in a private smile, for her alone.  

    
Then, an amazing thing happened.  Tasha quite suddenly, crumbled backward, and nearly fell down.  She grasped Gary’s arms and let him draw her up again, but her feet didn’t seem to want to stay on the ground.  Her legs buckled and she nearly fell to her knees, only to be drawn up by Gary’s sure, steady pull.

    
She wanted to understand what was happening, and could not.  Yet at the same time, it wasn’t all that important.  She couldn’t pull her gaze away from Gary’s eyes, and she was filled with warmth and love, the like of which she’d never experienced before in her life.

     “
You two do love each other very much, don’t you?”  Pastor Marshall said, at last.  “She would be an excellent wife for you, Gary.  She’s devoted to you already, although she doesn’t completely trust you.  I can’t quite distinguish why, but it’s nothing that can’t be healed.” 

    
"And you, son, have been ready for this girl for a long, long time.  You’ve been so faithful to the Lord, and now He is going to show you His faithfulness.  You’ve found your wife, Gary.”

    
Gary couldn’t keep from smiling, as he drove along the freeway, following Tasha to his mother's home.  The final confirmation had come; he and Tasha would be married September 30th.  He squeezed the steering wheel of the car in exultation.  He felt such an outpouring of rejoicing in his heart, he could barely contain it!

    
Tasha was waiting for him, when he pulled into the driveway.  He jumped from the car, and pulled her into his arms.  They stood that way, basking in the love they shared for a minute, before slowly climbing the steps to the house.               

    
Gary had to laugh at the wonder in Tasha's eyes.  She still could not believe it was all going to come true!  To be truthful, he had a hard time believing it, himself.

    
It was a beautiful day.  Excitement gripped Tasha as she heard people enter the house.  She heard Deb’s voice, then Ruth’s, and Nolan’s low chuckle.

    
She glanced nervously into the mirror, one last time.  Everything looked all right.  The ringlet of Ruby roses in her braided crown of hair was not her usual style, but it was becoming; and she knew Ruth was right when she advised that Gary would love it.

    
She turned to face the girl in the Ruby dress, standing in the doorway.  They stared at one another for a long moment.

     “
Deb, you look beautiful.”  Tasha whispered.

     “
Me?  Look at you!”  Deb laughed, wiping at her eyes.  “The dresses are so awesome, Tash.  You’ve got such a flair for clothes.  You even have
me
looking good.”

     “
Those lines really compliment you, Deb.  And it doesn’t take anything at all to make you look fabulous.”

     “
I never would have thought something so simple could look so elegant.”  She sighed happily.

     
Tasha smiled.  “So, where’s Gary?”

     “
He’s in the kitchen, and you can’t see him.”  Deb answered sternly.

    
Tasha couldn’t help smiling.  “So, is he still determined to leave me behind, to ride in the second car?”

     “
Absolutely.”  Deb confirmed.  “But you should see him, Tash!  He looks incredible.”  Her pretty, brown eyes filled with tears.  “You have no idea how happy I am, for you.  I wish so much that Doug could be here with us.  I don’t know what I’ll do with myself, when you and Gary are gone.”

     “
Come with us.”  Tasha urged.  “Gary would be delighted.”

     “
I wish I could.”  Deb confided.  “Well, I guess I’d better go make sure nothing else needs to be done.”

     “
All right.”  Tasha agreed.  She opened her arms, and hugged Deb lovingly.  “I’ll listen for your honk.”

    
Twenty minutes later, Tasha heard the sound she’d been waiting for.  She picked up her white satin clutch, and made her way down the hall to the stairs. 

   
She stopped halfway,to listen to the ticking of the clock and to stare about her, in this Seattle house that Gary had grown up in.  Her eyes moved to the door of his old room.  It was so like him, she thought, pushing the door open to look inside.               

    
Warm and comfortable, yet simple and uncluttered.  In blues and soft grays with white, she could almost see him sitting on the bed, reading a book.

    
She turned away finally and descended the staircase, and left the house without another backward glance.  The chill September air was just what she needed, to put some sparkle in her eyes and cheeks.  She smiled as Deb pulled the car closer. 

    
It was time for her fairy tale to come true.

     Gary checked his watch again.  She was five minutes late.  He shook his head and grinned wryly, wondering what else he had any right to expect.  Actually, for a woman who took such pains to look beautiful, she was incredibly prompt most of the time.  Still, today he would have given a great deal to have her be on time.  His nerves were talking to him most insistently.

    
At last, his best man touched his arm.  “They’re here.”  He whispered. 

    
Gary nodded, and they went to the front of the church.  He stared at his shoes, while he tried to gather his wits.  Sensing all the people before him only added to his nervousness. 

    
He took a deep breath, and smiled.  He ventured a look around the large sanctuary, looking sheepish – and yet, with a sharp, clear look in his beautiful, deep blue eyes. 

    
He looked every bit the expectant bridegroom.  The radiant glow on his face gave him a changed countenance that few failed to notice.

    
Deb came through the wide, double doors of the sanctuary to the sweet, low music of violins and cellos.  She was stunning in her simple gown of Ruby Red velvet.  Gary smiled at her as she passed him.  He could see tears brimming in her sweet eyes.

    
He turned his eyes back to the doors again, as the music changed tempo and swelled to a crescendo.  The smile on his face changed to a very serious, somber look as his bride appeared in the doorway. 

    
As beautiful as he knew Tasha would be, he was not prepared for the vision coming up the aisle.  The dress was a simple A-line like Deb’s, but it flared at the knee, with layers of soft ruffles flowing to her feet.  It was cut low, modified with a scallop-edged lace overlay.  The lace sleeves were long and straight, and matched the soft veil which covered her head and face.

    
He watched with deep reverence and humility, as she and Nolan approached.  His uncle Nolan smiled his approval, as he gave Gary her delicate hand.  He met the smoky eyes under the veil with a long, intense look as he drew her to his side.

    
The vows came hard for Gary, through his whirling emotions and dry throat.  Tasha was smiling up at him, sheer adoration in her eyes.  Her voice was soft and husky when it was her turn to give him her vows.

    
At last it was over, and he lifted the veil to reveal her soft, lovely face.  He kissed her with a tenderness he felt from the bottom of his heart.  He’d never known a lovelier woman; and he knew he never would.

    
Everyone else was enchanted by Tasha’s beauty and grace, as well.  There was hardly time to breathe, for the next two hours. 

    
Hugs and kisses, words of blessing and gifts abounded.  It turned out to be quite a party, with much dancing and celebration.  Though Tasha didn’t know most of the guests, she didn’t mind.  She was happier than she could ever remember being in her life.

    
Gary was obviously happy, too.  His smile lit up his whole face.  But suddenly, the smile faded on his lips,  and was replaced by a worried expression.  He squeezed Tasha’s shoulders, and mumbled a request to be excused.

    
Tasha smiled in response, and watched uneasily as he crossed the crowded hall to greet a tall, distinguished man in a crisp, white uniform.  His hair was graying the temples, and it made his clear blue eyes seem exceedingly sharp as they bored into Gary’s.  A crooked grin split the stranger’s lips, and a tan hand fell onto Gary’s shoulder.

    
She was relieved to see Gary smile back.  He led the stranger across the room, talking to the man with obvious pleasure.  He grinned reassurance at Tasha, and took her hand.      

     “
Tasha, honey, say hello to your father-in-law.  His name is Leif.”

    
Tasha was incredulous.  The resemblance was definite, but Gary had seldom mentioned having a father.  “Hello, Mr. Taylor.”  She managed to say.

     “
Tasha.”  The man’s manner was totally charming, and there was clear appreciation in his eyes for the beautiful bride.  He was almost overwhelming, and obviously knew how to get along with women. 

“
I’m afraid my flight from St. Louis was a bit late.”  He explained ruefully.

     “
Oh, I’m sorry.  Thank you for making such an effort to be here with us, anyway.  Have a glass of Champagne, relax, and get something to eat.”

    
His crooked grin was so familiar that it was uncanny.  “Don’t mind if I do.”  He accepted.  “Thanks.”

    
Tasha smiled as he excused himself, and walked to the buffet.  Such straight shoulders, and proud carriage! 

    
Gary certainly had inherited a great deal from his father, physically.  Though Gary got his good looks honestly, his father had a dashing, reckless quality that  Gary wouldn’t dream of displaying.  Tasha correctly guessed that he was quite a lady’s man.

    
Gary’s low voice confirmed her suspicions.  “Dad’s a pilot for Great Northern Airlines.  He’s not around much.”

     “
I see.”  Tasha mumbled.

     “
I wired him, but I never dreamed he’d come.  He separated from mom six years ago.  We haven’t heard much from him, since.”

     “
I’m glad he came.”  She assured him gently.

     “
I hope we all have reason to be.”  Gary grumbled worriedly.

    
Although Lydia’s smile was cool and formal, she greeted Gary’s father cordially.  “Hello, Leif.  Nice of you to come.”

     “
Thanks, Dia.”  He replied in his swank, unruffled way.  “You did this up with a bang.”

    
Lydia’s eyes rolled dangerously.  “Oh, Leif.  Behave yourself, for Gary’s sake.”  She warned him.

    
He turned to Tasha with an injured expression.  “Well, she did, didn’t she?”

    
Tasha bit her lip, and tried not to giggle.  “She certainly did.”  She agreed.  “Did you get a piece of cake?  It’s delicious, I insist that you have some.”  She took his arm, and led him out of firing range.

    
He looked down at Tasha, with a raised eyebrow and a naughty grin.  “Smart girl,” he said with a hint of regret.  “I thought for a second Lydia was going to open fire.”

    
Tasha dimpled.  “Quite possibly.”  She admitted.  “But I want everyone to have a great time, and besides, I want to get to know you.”  She challenged him with a smile.