Change of Heart (24 page)

Benjamin walked in with Hattie. His eyes swept her from head to toe. “You look like a princess from one of my storybooks.”

Ruth reached for him. “You're a handsome young man in your Sunday suit. Do you have the pillow with our rings tied on it?”

“I do.” He held it up for her to see then set it on a chair. He faced her, his face serious. “I asked Hattie a question, and she said to ask you.”

“You can ask me anything.”

“Would it be all right if I called you Mama and Isaac Papa?”

Ruth's voice caught. Her eyes watered. “Of course you can. Isaac and I hoped you would want to think of us as your mama and papa.” She kissed his cheek.

Becca swallowed, threatening tears. Benjamin had such a tender heart, and his timing couldn't have been better. What a priceless wedding gift. She read Ruth's face, wanting assurance this would be all right with her. “Mama and Papa instead of Ruth and Isaac. I like it.”

“And you will always be my Aunt Becca.”

Becca dabbed a tear. “I love you, Benjamin.”

He giggled. “I love you more.”

She pulled him close and tears flowed.

Hattie waved to them. “I will take Benjamin and wait outside the door until it is time for him to walk down the aisle.”

Benjamin wiped her wet cheek before he left. “See you soon.” He took Hattie's hand and left.

Kate rapped on the door and opened it. “You both look beautiful. The guests are seated, and Isaac is in front with Matt by his side. When I start to play, Benjamin will go first, then you, Becca. Ruth, you then make your grand entrance.”

Becca blew Ruth a kiss. “In a few minutes, you'll be Mrs. Kelly. Enjoy every moment of your wedding day.”

She left Ruth in the room and stepped inside the church. She walked down the aisle. Her heart raced. Matt stood next to Isaac. The man she loved was stunning in his handsome suit. She met his eyes and glanced away. She clutched her bouquet of daisies, moved into position, and waited for Ruth to enter. Kate pounded the keys and guests rose, but there was no sign of Ruth. Where was she? Had something happened?

Becca's heart soared with joy when her parents appeared on either side of Ruth as they walked her sister down the aisle. She gasped. Grace sat in the back row.

Grace grinned and winked.

She winked back. She said a silent prayer. “Heavenly Father, thank you for making it possible for our parents and Grace to come and visit on this special day.”

Becca's eyes traveled to Matt.

He flashed a bright smile.

Her face warmed. Not a word needed to be spoken. He loved her. She held his gaze for a moment, then turned her attention to her sister and Isaac. Isaac held Ruth's hands and faced her. The reverend asked them to recite their vows. Promises she could have made to Matt if his mamm had followed through on voicing her acceptance of their union.

Becca stole glances at Matt. Life without him had not gotten any easier with time. She bowed her head as the reverend asked everyone in attendance to pray.

Moments later, the reverend presented Ruth and Isaac as man and wife to the congregation. The couple and Benjamin headed to Mamm, Daed, and Grace.

Becca joined them. “I'm happy you're here.” She drew the child forward. “This is Benjamin. Benjamin, this is our mamm and daed and my best friend, Grace Blauch.”

He cocked his head in confusion. “Why haven't I met you before?”

Mamm patted his head. “We're sorry we didn't kumme sooner. We'll visit more often and then you will get to know us better.”

Grace giggled. “Maybe Mr. and Mrs. Yost will bring me with them when they kumme to visit. We could play tiddledywinks. Becca tells me you're quite good at it.”

“Oh, yes, you must come. We can play tic-tac-toe, too.”

Isaac cleared his throat. “Mr. and Mrs. Yost, it is a pleasure to meet you. I love your daughter and will take good care of her. Will you be staying long?”

Her daed shook his head. “We are going home tomorrow. I don't like to impose on my neighbors. They are feeding the animals while we are here. We need to relieve them from doing this as soon as possible. We hope to visit you more often.”

Her mamm tilted her head. “I wish we had more time to spend with you. I'm looking forward to getting to know you better.”

“Ruth and I talked. We assumed you would want to return home for the reasons you mentioned. Please stay with us at my house tonight. Becca can stay with us too. I have plenty of room. If you agree, we will have more time to visit.” He addressed Grace. “You are welcome to come too.”

Mamm gasped. “We don't want to intrude on your wedding night.”

“Ruth and I don't mind putting off going to Canton for our honeymoon for a day. We will leave after you do.”

“Joseph, what do you think? I would like to accept Isaac's invitation.”

“Of course we'll do it. You are a gut mann, Isaac.”

Becca wished Matt wouldn't stand close to her. She wasn't being honest with herself. She liked his arm touching hers. Should she say something to him? Before she could say anything, he held out his hand to her parents.

“I'm happy you both could be here today.”

Her daed put his hand on Matt's shoulder. “It's a pleasure to meet you again, son.”

Matt shook Mr. Yost's hand. “I'm glad you could make it to Ruth's wedding.” He gestured toward Becca and Ruth. “Your visit has made this an even more special day for your daughters.”

Becca bit her bottom lip. He approached her parents with ease. She wished she could do the same with his mamm.

Mamm folded her hands. “We have missed our dochders. We didn't want to miss Ruth's wedding, and I wanted to meet Isaac. He seems like a nice mann. There is no mistaking he loves Ruth. His eyes sparkle when he talks about her. When he invited us to join them this evening, I was shocked. His thoughtfulness shows what a kind and caring mann he is. I can see why your schweschder fell in love with him.” She pulled Benjamin close to her side. “Now I will have time to play a game or two with this one.”

The child bobbed his head up and down, then grabbed Grace's hand and pulled her away.

Matt had done it again by saying all the right things. No matter how hard she tried, her mind wouldn't let her erase the memories she had made with him.

Matt put his hand on her elbow. “May I accompany you to the celebration?”

Her elbow ignited with fire at his touch.

As they entered the room where they would enjoy the wedding meal, she waved at Kate and the ladies from the church. They poured steaming carrots, green beans, and corn into large china bowls. The mouthwatering aroma of roasted turkey on a beautiful platter alongside a dish of sliced potatoes garnished with apples filled the room. A butter cake with icing sat on a nearby table decorated with elegant pink fabric. Thick white candles added to the décor.

Matt led her to her parents, Grace, and Benjamin, where they stood in line and filled their plates with food. She chose a table, and they followed and sat. Matt sat next to her. Her heart raced and her hands trembled. Unable to touch her food, she sipped her water.

What a relief. Benjamin had not stopped sharing his fishing stories. Her parents and Grace seemed to enjoy him. She wasn't in the mood for conversation and welcomed the child's chatter.

Matt leaned into her. “I need a few minutes with you before you leave.”

Before she could respond, Ruth insisted the unwed ladies line up to pick up her bouquet. Becca dropped her arms to her sides. She hoped Grace would pick it up. The flowers lay on the floor. The ladies stared at her. She retrieved the flowers from the floor and waved them at Ruth.

The bride mouthed
thank you
to the other ladies, then she winked at her sister.

Becca studied Benjamin, who had climbed on her daed's lap and was chatting away about school.

Mamm and Grace pulled Becca aside. “Isaac told us about the robbery, and he said you saved Matt's mamm's life and the lives of an entire family. I was horrified to learn you experienced such an ordeal.”

“I didn't write to either of you about it because I didn't want to worry you. The bad experience is behind me now. Benjamin takes my mind off my troubles.”

Mamm glanced at the child. “He is a cute and sweet boy.” She tilted her head and covered Becca's hand with hers. “I sense something is wrong between you and Matt.”

“As you know, Matt and I are only friends now. His mamm still doesn't approve of me.”

Mamm squinted and cocked her head. “Nothing has changed?”

Grace leaned in closer to her. “What is wrong with this woman?”

“In her opinion, I do not fit in with her high society world. I am not the kind of woman she had in mind for a prospective daughter-in-law.”

“What does his daed say?”

“His daed approves. He claims Mrs. Carrington has had a change of heart toward me, but she hasn't spoken a word to me.”

Mamm kissed her cheek. “Continue to pray. God will intervene if Matt is the right mann for you to marry.”

Grace patted her arm. “I'll pray God works a miracle in your life. I believe you and Matt are meant to be together.”

Becca had missed spending time with Mamm and Grace. Their words comforted her. “I appreciate your encouraging words. Your support means a lot to me.”

Mamm and Grace circled her in a hug then joined Becca's daed, Matt, and Benjamin. They watched as Ruth and Isaac cut the cake.

Two hours later, the men and women helped clean and straighten the tables before leaving with the other departing guests. Matt and Isaac gathered the gifts and loaded them in both their respective buggies.

Becca stood with her parents.

Isaac came toward them. He spoke to Becca and his new in-laws. “Becca, your parents can follow Ruth and me to our house in your buggy. Benjamin wants to ride with Grace in their buggy. Matt has agreed to take you home to fetch your clothes and bring you to us. I invited him to join us. He wants to talk to your parents and Grace more before heading home.”

She had wanted to separate herself from Matt. It had been difficult to breathe in his scent, listen to his voice, and have him near her most of the afternoon and evening. Her self-control was dwindling. She could do this. She could stand to remain with Matt a little while longer without crying. “All right. Matt and I will come to your house soon.”

Before Ruth left, she strolled over to Becca and whispered in her ear. “I never imagined I would marry again and have you and our parents attend the wedding. This day has been perfect.” She nudged Becca with her shoulder. “Miracles do happen. I believe before the sky grows dark, a miracle will happen for you and Matt.”

Becca waved to Mamm and Daed, who had joined Isaac. She waited to climb in Matt's buggy until they had left with the newly wedded couple. What did Ruth mean? It was as if she knew something Becca didn't. What could it be?

Becca waved farewell to everyone, waited until her family and Grace were out of sight, and then climbed in Matt's buggy.

Horace Carrington ran toward the buggy waving his hands. “Wait! Please wait!”

Becca's heart sank. Why was Matt's daed here? Was something wrong?

Matt reined in the horse. “Is everything all right?”

“Yes, but I need Becca to step out of the buggy for a few moments. Eloise has something she would like to say to her.”

Matt turned to Becca. “Are you willing to meet with my mother? I would like to come with you.”

This day had been a long one. The last thing she needed was to argue with Mrs. Carrington. What could the woman want? She blinked a few times, and then it dawned on her. Was Eloise here to say she was sorry? “I am all right meeting with her alone, but you are welcome to join me.” She stepped out of the buggy and hoped for the best.

Matt's daed kept his distance. Mrs. Carrington stood a few feet away. Becca approached her. “Mrs. Carrington, I understand you would like to speak with me.”

Mrs. Carrington held out her hands. “Please, call me Eloise. What I have to say is long overdue. I am sorry for all the hateful words I have spoken to you and for the things I have done to cause trouble for you and Matt. Please give me a chance to prove to you how much I want you in our lives. Say you will marry my son. It would be an honor to have you for my daughter-in-law.”

For the first time, Matt's mamm seemed sincere. The harshness in her face and words had disappeared. God had answered Becca's prayer. Her heart soared. This was the first glimpse she had gotten of the mamm Matt claimed doted on him throughout his childhood. No doubt Eloise would get on her nerves now and then, but under these circumstances, that was something she could handle. “I accept your apology. It means so much to me.”

Mrs. Carrington gently squeezed her hands. “I am sorry to have chosen this particular time to apologize, but I did not want to wait any longer.”

“I'm glad you didn't. Miracles happened today, but this is the best one of all. I will burst if anything else surprises me.”

She startled when Matt knelt on one knee in front of her. “Matt, what are you doing?”

He opened a small box and a diamond ring glistened. “Becca, will you marry me?”

She pulled him to his feet. “Yes! Matt, yes!”

Mrs. Carrington turned to Matt. “I am sorry to have caused you such grief, son. Please forgive me. I love you. I will treat Becca with the respect she deserves. I want you to bring Benjamin with you when you visit. We would like to get to know him better too.”

Matt kissed his mamm's cheek as he held Becca's hand. “I am proud of you, Mother. Soon you will realize what a vibrant, sweet, smart, and beautiful person Becca is inside and out.”