A Wedding for Julia (17 page)

She’d done it as her parents aged. She had done it while she stood beside her father’s grave. And she could do it this morning, as she took Caleb’s hand.

A confident peace filled her heart as she finished her prayer, shut her Bible, and rose from the bed. Straightening the quilt, she realized—not for the first time—how interconnected the rings were.

So their lives would be—from this day forth.

Thirty minutes later, after a quick breakfast with her
mamm
, she went to the barn to feed Missy and found Seth King there. A grin spread across his youthful face. He seemed amused that she was surprised to see him.

“Can’t have you tending to a mare on your wedding day. No worries here, Julia. I’ll take care of anyone arriving and see that Missy is comfortable too.”

“
Danki
. I didn’t even know you were here.”

“Caleb sent me. He asked me two days ago if I would come and tend to things. I don’t think he’s leaving anything to chance today. He wants to make sure you make it downstairs and to your wedding with no mishaps.” Seth tilted his head toward Pebble Creek. “We need to make a bridge. If we did, he could walk over here.”

“
Gut
idea. Maybe not today though.” Julia hurried back toward the house to change into her new dress.

It was Plain, but it was beautiful nonetheless. She hadn’t bothered with new dresses in quite some time, and the bright blue wedding material practically sparkled as she slipped it on. She tried to imagine wearing it to special occasions—others’ weddings, Christmas services, maybe even when they went into town for a dinner like the day they purchased their marriage license.

She knew whenever she wore it she would think of this morning, of her new life with Caleb, and of all the hopes and dreams that filled her heart—though there was a small amount of fear there as well. This moment wasn’t the time to focus on fear. She closed her eyes, remembered her morning prayer time, and tried to will away the nervousness.

There was no point in being afraid. There was no reason to listen to doubts. And it was too late to back out now anyway.

Her mother waited for her in the kitchen. When Julia reached her side, Ada reached up to touch her face.

Today was indeed a good day. Ada’s eyes were clear behind her glasses, and she was able to open her hands and place her palms against Julia’s cheeks. Her mother’s hands against her skin felt like the softest lamb’s wool.

“The blessing of the Lord be upon you, my dear.”

Julia had been on an emotional buggy race since the morning Ada had first told her about the decree, but she had never doubted her mother’s love. Tears filled her eyes as she realized, once again, that her days with her
mamm
on this side of heaven were numbered. Soon she would be all that was left of her family—or at least the family she knew.

As if reading her thoughts, Ada added, “By this evening we’ll be a new family—a family of three again.”

Hooking her arm through Julia’s, they moved toward the front door, where Miriam and Lydia were walking up the porch steps. Though it was not yet eight in the morning, and almost everything had been readied the day before, the two women had arrived early to help with last-minute preparations.

“Perhaps soon after this day, if
Gotte
sees fit, we’ll grow beyond three.”

Julia didn’t think there was much chance of that. She was thirty-seven years old. While it wasn’t unheard of for women her age to have children, it seemed she’d probably missed those years. She’d been worried enough about it to overcome her embarrassment and bring up the subject with Caleb. His response was a pause, followed by a slow smile.

She was learning that was typical.

“We’ll have children if
Gotte
wills it
. Ya
?”

“But didn’t you want—”

“I wouldn’t have children at all if I’d stayed single. The way I look at it, my chances are much higher now.”

“If you married someone else, someone younger, your chances would be higher still.”

They had been sitting down by the creek, watching the fish rise to the top of the water, catching insects for their dinner
.

“But I’m not marrying someone else.” He’d turned to look directly in her eyes. “I’m marrying you, and we’ll have children if
Gotte
wills it. If not, I’ll be grateful for the family He’s given me.”

She hadn’t brought it up again, but Ada’s comment reminded her of that conversation and sent her thoughts scurrying toward the evening ahead.

Now her stomach churned with worry. She had no idea what to expect as far as her wedding night, and she hadn’t brought up
that
subject with her mother. There were some things she was going to have to learn on her own.

They opened the door, and the quietness of the morning was shattered as Lydia and Miriam oohed and ahhed over her dress. Grace asked if it would be all right for her to draw before the wedding—though no portraits, of course. Soon other women from their church were arriving, bringing box after box of food.

Lydia and Miriam corralled her back upstairs, which they had decided would be the wedding staging area. After one look at Julia’s face, Miriam hurried to the bathroom next door and drew a cup of tap water.

“Are we sure everything’s ready?” Julia walked back and forth in front of the window in her room. “Maybe I should go downstairs and see if they need a hand.”

She felt as if she couldn’t pull in a deep breath, as if she’d been running, trying to catch Missy in the pasture—only Missy always came now when called. Besides, Seth was with Missy. Her mare was fine.

Miriam walked in, holding the glass of water. “Here, drink this. It will help calm your emotions. You might be hyperventilating.”

Lydia rubbed her back in light circles.

“Why would I do that?”

“Nerves,” Lydia declared. “Most people have them. You should see Caleb. He was certain you were going to change your mind. I had to stop him from driving over here last night.”

“Me? Why would I—”

“Why would you? Caleb mentioned to Gabe that you might wake up and realize he wasn’t good enough for you.”

“Good enough?” Julia was starting to feel dizzy from looking back and forth between Lydia and Miriam.

“Men can be insecure, same as women.” Miriam took the cup away and pulled her toward the bed, insisting she sit for a moment. “And they aren’t always
gut
at explaining their emotions. They’re adorable, especially when they’re nervous.”

The word “nervous” reminded Julia of her worries regarding the evening and what was to come when she and Caleb were alone. She glanced right, left, and finally down at her hands before asking the questions that had plagued her the last week.

Both women alleviated her fears, explaining what she needed to know and promising to be there for her in the future in case she needed to talk again about such personal matters.

“My
mamm
had the one talk with me, before Gabe and I married, and that was it. I felt as if I were consulting a textbook from school. Of course, we don’t have anything remotely approaching the subject in our Amish schools, but there are several good books in the public library in Cashton.” Miriam walked to the window.

Julia turned to Lydia. “She didn’t.”

“She might have. Teachers think they can find the answer to anything in a book.”

“Where did you learn what you needed to know for your wedding night?” Miriam turned back toward them and pinned Lydia with a stare.

“Oh, my
mamm
will talk about anything. We have a houseful of girls, and she believes we need to be well prepared. I’ll admit it’s a matter she refuses to speak of unless she is sure no man is within several buggy lengths of the house.”

“Excellent!” Miriam clapped her hands. “Three
gut
sources of information—myself, Lydia, and Ella. And the Cashton library, if you’re so inclined.”

“I would never. And I barely know Ella—”

“You’ve known her all your life,” Miriam reminded her.

“Yes, but—”

“She made your wedding cake. It’s a simple frosting design, two layers, and beautiful. You’re going to love it.”

“Did she make the fruit pies?” Julia allowed herself to be distracted by the thought of food and her guests and what was to take place over the next few hours.

“She did.” Now Lydia was standing, rubbing her stomach. “Plus cream-filled doughnuts that she had to practically hide from my
bruder
, Stephen. You’ll have plenty of sweets for your guests.”

Together they stood at the window, looking down at the lawn where the church pews had been arranged. It seemed everyone she and Caleb had invited—the extended list of guests—had arrived. From upstairs, the women’s dresses looked like a sea of rainbow colors, and the men were all dressed in black coats, black pants, and white shirts. They had all arrived early and worn their best. For some reason Julia was surprised. She had thought…

What had she thought? That perhaps they would find an excuse not to come. That her wedding couldn’t be an important event in their lives.

There was a light knock at the door, followed by her mother’s voice. “Bishop Atlee is ready to meet with you, dear.”

Miriam and Lydia each gave her a quick hug before pushing her gently away from the window. She pulled in a calming breath, squared her shoulders, and went to the door. Praying that her stomach would calm, she walked out of her bedroom.

Her life had certainly changed in the last month in nearly every regard. She made her way down the stairs and into the sitting room. The shades had been partially drawn for privacy. Bishop Atlee and Caleb both turned toward her as she entered the room. She tried to decipher the emotions playing across Caleb’s face, but it was impossible. She didn’t know him that well.

Was he excited? Frightened? Regretting this bold decision they had made?

The bishop suggested they all sit, and then he opened his Bible and began to counsel them. Slowly Julia’s fears calmed to a manageable flutter. It was good that together they would begin this day with Atlee’s words of guidance and silent prayer.

Julia had been to dozens of weddings in her life.

She had heard the traditional Scriptures read to the members of the church before the two were announced as one—the Scriptures Bishop Atlee would use in a few moments.

But while they had this time alone, he opened his Bible slowly to the book of Genesis. His hand, aged and work worn, moved slowly down the page until his finger stopped at the twenty-fourth chapter and he began to read. He read to them of Abraham, of a father’s love and concern for his son. How he sent a servant to do what he couldn’t. “‘Go instead to my homeland…and find a wife there for my son Isaac.’”

And then the servant trusted that the Lord would guide him. “‘O Lord, God of my master Abraham…give me success today.’”

Julia had heard the story before. She recognized it as the verses Ada suggested she read a few weeks ago. This was different, though.

She had never heard the story of Isaac and Rebekah while sitting in her wedding dress, sitting across from Caleb. She had not heard it moments before she was about to be married. As Atlee spoke, it seemed he was stitching each word into the fabric of her heart.

“‘Before he had finished praying, he saw a young woman named Rebekah…’”

Rebekah, who woke and walked to the spring not knowing that act would set off a chain of events that would lead to her marriage.

As Julia had not known that day she’d run to her garden, run seeking a place of refuge, that Caleb would be sitting across from her now, the man she was going to marry.

“‘Here is Rebekah; take her and go. Yes, let her be the wife of your master’s son, as the Lord had directed.’”

A lump formed in Julia’s throat as she realized for the first time the role Rebekah’s and Isaac’s fathers had played in their marriage.

Atlee had stopped reading, and Julia thought perhaps they were done. She heard the singing from outside—their guests, raising their voices in celebration as she and Caleb and the bishop shared these special moments alone. Atlee glanced up at them, this man who so often had a smile playing across his lips, and he had such a serious expression that Julia wondered what could be wrong.