A Wedding at the Orange Blossom Inn (18 page)

“You wouldn't mind?”

“Tricia, if you think we need a kitten, then we will have one.”

Tricia felt a lump rise in her throat as she realized her parents were watching her intently.

Then, to her surprise, her father chuckled. “It seems we better meet your father and start planning a wedding. The sooner the
better, too. I have a feeling you two are determined to marry with or without our blessing.”

“I want your blessing, sir,” Ben said. “I love Tricia. I want to be everything she's hoped for. That means I want you to feel the same way, too.” He straightened his shoulders. “I'm willing to do whatever it takes to earn your respect and trust.”

Tricia was blown away. She had known Ben was upstanding and she knew he cared deeply for her, but for some reason, she'd never imagined he would make such statements.

Looking from one of them to the other, her father nodded. “Then you shall have it.”

“Forgive me for making you wait,” Jay announced as he joined them. “I was the last to have the shower.”

“That's okay,” her mother said after all the introductions were complete. “We've been doing just fine getting to know your sons.”

Moments later, her parents followed Jay into the kitchen. Tricia had offered to accompany them, but all three of the parents told her and Ben to relax with the boys and the kittens.

She needed no further instruction. Sitting down next to the box, she peered in and saw that the mom cat was sprawled on its side and one of the kittens was fast asleep. But the other kitten, one with tawny-colored eyes, was staring right at her. She carefully picked it up and set it in her lap.

Ben sat down next to her. “You doing all right today? I've been worried about you. Actually, I've been praying for you all day.”

“Your prayers were answered, because it's true. I really am good. Better than I thought I would be, actually.” After glancing around the room and seeing that Ben's brothers were busy eating some cheese and crackers that someone had set out on the coffee table, she said, “We had kind of a rocky start, but after I spoke from my heart, everyone settled down. Isn't that something?”

“It's a blessing, that's what it is.”

She grinned. “Indeed. God truly works in mysterious ways.”

“Have you thought of a date?”

“Yes. Is October twenty-second too soon?”

“As long as the preachers and bishop agree, I'm fine with any date.”

“And you are still okay with having the wedding and reception at the Orange Blossom Inn?”

“Perfect. I don't want a huge wedding anyway.”

“Me neither.” They shared a smile, and for a moment, Tricia was sure Ben was going to kiss her cheek, but the tension was broken by the kitten wiggling in her arms. When she set it on the braided rug, it darted right over to William. In the box, the other kitten began squirming and Mark took it out.

Next thing they knew, the four of them were laughing at the kittens' antics, just as if it was the most natural thing in the world for them to be together. But when Tricia heard her father laugh at something Jay said in the other room, she relaxed completely. This moment was worth everything.

Everything in the world.

Just then they heard a knock at the door.

Jay came out from the kitchen. “I'll get it.”

“Who's here, Daed?” Ben asked.

“Emma and the girls.” Looking a little self-conscious, Jay added, “I didn't think you would mind, Ben.”

“I don't mind about Emma and her girls being here at all. I think it's
wonderful-gut
. Don't you agree, Tricia?”

Tricia smiled. “I'm glad they are here.”

William scrambled to his feet and trotted to the door. “I didn't know Lena was coming over.”

“I hope you don't mind,” Jay said, looking over at Tricia's parents who had followed him in from the kitchen. “Emma and her girls have become special friends of ours. I thought they might enjoy meeting you, too.”

“And seeing the kittens,” William said with a beaming smile.

“Yes, of course. And seeing the kittens.” Resting a palm on his youngest boy's shoulder, he said, “Let's go let them in, Will.”

When they disappeared from view, Ben winked at Mark, who was grinning broadly.

“What is going on here?” Tricia's mother whispered in her ear.

“Jay has recently started seeing a nice lady in Pinecraft. Her name is Emma. He likes her a lot.”

“But—”

“They're both widows. They have a lot in common, and all the kids are kind of excited about what is happening.”

Tricia didn't have time to say another word because Annie rushed in to say hello, followed by Lena, Mandy, and William, and at last, Jay and Emma. Jay and Emma looked a little bit awkward about being on display, but also happy to be by each other's side. Tricia's
mamm
walked over and introduced herself. When Emma smiled and greeted Tricia's
daed
, then formally introduced her girls, Ben nudged Tricia.

“It's going okay,” he whispered. “Look, your parents don't even care about us now, they are so focused on my
daed
and Emma.”

Tricia thought that might be true. Her mother seemed enchanted by the idea of two people who had lost so much finding love again. They also seemed to enjoy how Jay's boys were already looking after Emma's girls. Somehow, everyone was becoming one, big, happy group in spite of a somewhat rocky beginning.

L
ATER THAT NIGHT, WHEN
they were on the last shuttle back to the inn, Tricia's mother said, “Tricia, I'm starting to think there must be something special about Pinecraft.”

“There might be. All I know for sure is that I'm starting to think that maybe I'm special, too.” She smiled. “I know I've always been special to you and Daed and God. But now I'm starting to realize that I have value, too.”

“You've always had value, dear.”

“I know. But when those girls back in Walnut Creek were making me so miserable, I starting believing everything they said. I started thinking that I wasn't ever going to be good enough. I started thinking that no man was ever going to fall in love with me. That I was always going to feel a little out of place. That I wasn't capable of keeping friendships.”

“They were wrong, Trish. If you had trusted me more and talked to me, I could have told you that.”

“Mamm, I love you, but that wasn't what I needed.” Her voice cracked as she continued. “For some reason, I needed to do something on my own. I needed to grow up and become a little more independent. And it's done wonders for me. Now I am working at the inn and I've become friends with Emma and her girls and have even been able to help them from time to time.”

“And you fell in love with Ben.”

“
Jah
. Once I loved myself again, I fell in love with Ben.” As her mother smiled softly, Tricia added, “And he fell in love with me.”

I
don't quite understand why you are making so many place mats, Emma,” her mother said a week later. As she slid her scissors through another layer of checkered fabric, she frowned. “Twelve seems excessive.”

Glad she was facing her treadle sewing machine, Emma rolled her eyes. Her mother knew exactly why Emma wanted to have such a large set of place mats. She simply didn't want to think of Emma, Jay, and all their
kinner
sharing a meal together.

“
Muder
, we've discussed this already.”

“No, we haven't. Not really. Daed and I told you that we thought you were jumping into a relationship far too quickly. You refused to listen.”

Thinking again about how much her mother's lack of faith in her had hurt, and how she hadn't even tried to temper her words before Emma's date with Jay, Emma knew that as far as
her parents were concerned this would always be moving too fast. She hadn't even bothered to tell them about the two other dates she'd been on with Jay in the last week. There had been no need, since Ben and Tricia had volunteered to babysit at the farm.

“I listened, Mamm. I simply didn't agree.”

“So you've decided to make place mats to prove me wrong.”

“
Nee
, Mamm. I decided to make a set of place mats because I want to make place mats. If I want to serve a meal on them to Jay and his boys, I'll do that, too.”

“Why are you making twelve?”

Emma was just irritated enough to give her mother a little jab. “I had hoped that maybe you and Daed would one day want to join us. Maybe even Tricia. Maybe even all sorts of people.”

“Perhaps you would like me to leave?”

“I would love for you to stay if you are ready to apologize. If not, then
jah
, it might be best if you went on your way.”

When Emma heard her mother's chair scoot back, she bit her lip to try to stay tough. But inside, her heart was aching. She truly didn't want to have to choose between her parents and Jay. Especially not when their grandchildren were involved.

But instead of walking out the door, her mother walked to her side. “Emma, you know I don't like arguing with you. However, I simply cannot help but think you are making a mistake.”

Emma turned to face her. “Why?”

“You are forgetting yourself. You already have been married. You were married to a
gut
man who loved you. You had a nice life with him.”

“I know all of that. Don't you think I knew how blessed I was to have Sanford?”

“Then why would you even think of trying to replace your
husband? God doesn't give you two mates in life, dear. You are setting yourself up for heartbreak.”

“Mamm, I need you to try and see my point of view. I will always honor Sanford's memory, but he is gone! Jay is a
gut
man, too. I need you to wish me well. Or, if you can't do that, at least promise me that you'll at least try.”

As her mother stared at her, little by little, all the love that she'd always shown Emma glimmered in her eyes. “I will try,” she said at last. “Because I love you, I will start to try.”

“
Danke
, Mamm. I love you, too.”

After giving Emma a quick hug, her mother muttered something about the time, picked up her purse, and walked out the door. Emma went to the window and watched her mother walk slowly down Kaufmann Avenue, her head bent. She looked sad.

Crossing her arms over her chest, Emma expected to feel justified and pleased that her mother had finally listened. Instead, she felt more confused than ever. Though she knew Jay was a wonderful man, a small part of her wondered if her mother had been right. Was it too much to ask for two successful relationships? Was she foolish to expect Jay to ever love her like he'd loved his first wife? Could she herself ever fall in love again?

Turning away from the window, she looked at the remains of the project she'd started. Though her mother hadn't liked the task, she'd dutifully cut out the rest of the fabric. It was now arranged neatly on one corner of the table. Two completed place mats were on the arm of her couch. Scraps of fabric and thread littered the table and the floor near her sewing machine.

It all kind of looked like how her life felt: in disarray.

Maybe it was time to slow things down. Just to make sure she wasn't making a terrible mistake, that she hadn't simply latched on to Jay and his sons because she'd been so lonely.

Her eyes stung as she quietly folded the extra fabric, gathered the scraps and completed place mats, and stuffed them all in the sack from the fabric store. Then, before she could change her mind, she walked to her bedroom and shoved the sack under her bed.

Out of sight.

Only later did she realize that although she had indeed put it all out of sight, she had also opted to keep it close at hand.

A
S HE APPROACHED
E
MMA'S
house, Jay felt a hum of anticipation that he now understood went hand in hand with his visits to her. He was anxious to see the Keim girls. He missed Annie's hugs, Mandy's tentative smiles, and Lena's shy welcomes. He missed Emma's pretty face and sweet nature. Most of all, he'd missed the way he now only felt whole when they were nearby—each had truly taken a piece of him.

It was amazing how quickly the change had taken place . . . though maybe not.

Another two weeks had gone by but, as far as Jay was concerned, it might as well have been two hours. He was slowly discovering that planning a wedding took far more work for the father of the groom than he'd originally thought.

It was also far more nerve-wracking than he'd imagined it would be.

When he and Evelyn had gotten married, he'd been filled with the surety that what they were doing was the right thing. He'd been eager to have Evelyn by his side for the rest of his life. To be honest, he'd been looking forward to a lot of things about being married.

Now, as the groom's father, though he rejoiced in his son's
happiness, he couldn't help but worry about Ben and Tricia. A dozen questions continually floated through his mind: Were they too young? Had they known each other long enough? Were they compatible enough to withstand the hundreds of little adjustments that came with married life? Had they considered those pesky things called patience and compromise?

Jay simply wasn't sure.

Though he was relieved that they'd visited with the bishop and the preachers several times. Jay figured if the leaders of their church hadn't insisted that they wait longer to speak their vows, then their discussions must have been going well.

He had also been delighted to discover that he had much in common with Edward and Kathleen Overholt. He'd found Tricia's parents to be faithful, kind to their daughter, and a lot of fun, too.

After that first awkward hour, which had involved several minutes of cautious conversation, they'd settled in and ended up having a good time. They had enjoyed the following two evenings as well when they'd begun playing Rook, which had allowed the two families to spend time together without fumbling for conversation. Little by little, Tricia had come out of her shell and Ben had gained his confidence. It soon became obvious that the young couple knew what they were doing.

The night before Edward and Kathleen were to leave, Beverly had invited everyone over to the inn for supper. She'd made a beautiful buffet and served it outside on her back patio. She and Tricia had even strung up white lights around the porch.

It was an evening of fun and laughter. The food had been delicious, but spending time with family and friends had been even better. He'd especially enjoyed watching his eldest fuss
over Tricia and become friends with her parents. He'd also liked watching Beverly and her brother. She'd seemed to relish the family time even more than Ben and Tricia.

Now, the wedding preparations were in full swing
and
just this week Jay had opened the market full-time. Life was busy and full and rich with new experiences—including the knowledge that it had been a very good decision to follow the Lord's plan and relocate to Sarasota.

The only area he wasn't sure about was his relationship with Emma. He liked her—he liked her a lot—but he also knew that being “in like” wasn't enough to build a relationship.

Furthermore, she seemed to be having some of the same misgivings. She'd canceled the last date they'd planned, citing that she needed to be home with the girls. Perhaps that was true. But he also wondered if there was more to it. Which was why he'd told Ben that he would be the one to get William from Emma's house that afternoon. He wanted to spend some time with Emma and gauge how she was feeling about him.

They were all in the backyard when he arrived, and Frankie alerted the girls to his approach with a happy howl.

“Who's here, Frankie?” Mandy asked. Then, when she spied Jay, she opened the gate and rushed to him.

“Mandy, don't leave the backyard!” Emma cried.

“I'm not leaving. I'm lettin' Jay in,” she called back, then looked up at him happily. “Hiya, Jay.”

Jay knelt down to give Mandy a little hug. “Hello, Miss Mandy. How are you?”

She giggled. “I'm
gut
. We went on a walk today at school.”

“That sounds like fun. Where did you go?”

“To Yoder's. A lady there showed us how they make pies.”
Her pretty smile turned into a bright, blinding grin. “And guess what?”

“What?” he asked, unable to keep from mirroring her excited expression.

“We got to have pie, too!”

“That sounds mighty special,” he said as he led her into the backyard. “What kind of pie did you have?”

“Peach.”

“Yum.”

“Uh-huh.” She smiled again. “It was yummy.” Then she let go of his hand and ran to where William and Lena were climbing on Emma's small jungle gym.

And that, Jay decided, was the difference between little girls and boys: His boys would have simply shared that they'd had pie at school and been done with it. But for little girls like Mandy? A walk to Yoder's, followed by a slice of peach pie?

It was very big news, indeed.

Spying Emma kneeling next to Annie on the ground he walked over to say hello. “What's going on here?” he asked as he noticed they were both peering into a plastic sand pail.

“We found a frog, Jay,” Annie said. “I'm going to keep him forever.”

After peeking at the little green frog sitting rather forlornly at the bottom of the pail, he teased, “Is that right? Are you hoping he will turn into a prince?”

“
Nee
. I just want him to be a frog. He likes being a frog, I think.” She looked so intent and serious and sweet that it took everything he had not to press his lips to her brow. Each time he was around Lena, Mandy, and Annie, it seemed that they let him into their hearts just a little bit more. And as they became
more comfortable with him, he felt more comfortable reaching out to each of them.

When he turned to Emma, her expression was soft . . . and a touch guarded. He was glad he'd decided to stop by.

“What brings you here this afternoon?” she asked.

He knew he needed to be as honest and direct as possible. “I wanted to get William, but I also wanted to see you, too. I think we need to talk, Emma.”

“Now isn't a good time.”

He knew she was hoping he'd nod and retreat, but he was pretty sure that giving her more time was not the answer. “How about in five minutes then?”

“Five?”

“Come on, Emma. Don't make me beg.”

Her eyes widened in that cute way he had come to realize was a mixture of happiness and shyness. He found it endearing that a woman like her, who'd had a rich married life and three daughters, could still be as sweetly shy as she was.

“All right. We'll talk. Annie, dear, go play with your sisters for a few minutes, 'kay? I need to visit with Mr. Jay for a minute.”

“Okay, Mommy,” she said as she trotted off to Mandy's side.

Jay smiled at Annie's retreating back. “She listened to you right away. That's impressive.”

Emma chuckled. “It doesn't happen all that often, though my Annie is the most agreeable of my girls.” She looked as if she was about to add something more about her daughters, but she swallowed instead. “So . . .”

“So, I wanted to make sure I hadn't done anything to upset you the last time we went out.”

“You mean when we went out for ice cream?”

He nodded. Because it had been a school night, he and Emma
had simply gone for a walk to Olaf's for ice cream while Tricia and Ben watched the girls. Mark had stayed back at the farm with William. Ever since he'd said good night to her, Jay had been replaying everything they'd done and said, but no offenses came to mind.

“You haven't seemed as open the last couple of times we've talked,” he said. “I may be overthinking things, but I wanted to hear what you had to say.”

After glancing at the children again, she nodded. “You're right. I've been having second thoughts about us.”

Her explanation was surprisingly painful to hear. “What did I do?”

“Oh, goodness, Jay. It isn't you. It's me. I, well, I've been worried that maybe we've been rushing into things.”

“I see.” Of course, he really didn't. Though he had been honest about his feelings toward her, Jay had made a concerted effort not to push Emma. He'd been careful not to talk about the future. He certainly hadn't done anything more than hold her hand.

“I had another conversation with my mother,” she added. “She reminded me that I might be asking for too much.”

“What were you asking for?”

She shrugged but didn't meet his eyes. “You know. To have another relationship.”

“Emma, surely you don't imagine that the Lord wants you to live the rest of your life as a widow?”