Groom in Training (18 page)

Saturday, October 10

S
teph stepped from the car and gazed at the lovely setting. Today was her wedding day. She’d seen the Community House on Memorial Day when she and Nick had been on the picnic. It had stayed in her mind, and when Nick asked her to marry him, she remembered the beautiful wooded setting and sprawling lawns beneath the mass of oak and maple trees.

Above her the leaves had begun to turn a blend of greens and burnished hues. It mellowed her spirit as she thought back to all that had happened since early May when Nick had leaned against her fence and opened doors she never expected to be unlocked. The burdens of the past years had lifted and vanished. Yes, new problems would arise, but they were solvable. Nick stood by her side and supported her as he’d done since they met. Today the trees added beauty and color to the day just as her life had been colored and made beautiful by Nick’s presence.

A soft wind ruffled her hair, and the scent of rich soil
and drying leaves followed on the October breeze. The past melted into a new day, and she couldn’t wait to be united as one with the man of her dreams, the one who’d opened her heart.

The bright sun dappled the ground as she strode to the gabled entrance. Emily followed, a volunteer to help her with her wedding dress. Steph would always be grateful to her for opening her eyes and helping her understand her husband’s death.

But today her new life would begin.
Continue
was a better word. It had begun the day Nick appeared at her fence, his glinting eyes and good looks that ruffled her heart, but even more it was his gentle kindness.

Inside the Community House, she headed for the bride’s room. Molly opened her arms when she came through the door. No words needed to be said; the embrace said it all. Molly looked lovely, dressed in a tea-length gown of pastel cinnamon. The dress draped across the front in soft folds, hiding her growing baby bump. Steph’s heart leaped seeing her.

Emily and Molly helped her don her gown. The ivory satin flowed from a beaded sweetheart neckline with a ruched bodice to the tea-length skirt adorned with beading. The uneven hemline swept lower in back, adding beauty to the gown. She wished her mother could be there.

But Nick’s mother would be with them to celebrate, and Steph had grown to love the woman as a second mother. Her gentle nature and deep love had warmed Steph and given her the family she’d always longed for.

“You’re too beautiful for words,” Emily said, standing back to admire her gown. “The color is perfect and the beadwork is so delicate. I’d want a dress just like this if I married one day…but then that’s only a dream.”

Steph drew the young woman into her arms. “We all start with dreams, Emily, but God can make them a reality.”

Tears flooded Molly’s eyes. “I’ve waited so long to hear her speak of the Lord in a loving way, and it’s all come true. My prayers have been answered.”

“My prayers, too.” Steph gave her a hug. “And I’m so thrilled you asked me to be godmother to the baby. I’m really honored.” Her heart soared for her dear friend, who’d wanted life to be perfect, and now she’d been blessed with a wonderful husband and a baby on the way.

“I wouldn’t want anyone else, Steph.” Molly brushed tears from her eyes.

Steph grinned, dabbing moisture from her own eyes. “While we’re talking about amazing things, you’ll never guess who showed up for the wedding.”

Molly wrinkled her nose. “I know your dad’s here, and Martin’s the best man.”

Steph grinned. “He’s become a different man. He said he was honored to stand up for us.”

Emily shook her head. “I’m hoping some of these astounding things happen to me one of these days. You two are an inspiration.”

Molly gave her a hug. “Back to guess who’s coming to the wedding. You never did answer me. It’s not your dad or Martin, so who is it?”

“Who’s left?” Her grin grew as she watched Molly’s face as she thought.

Finally, Molly’s eyes widened. “No. Not Hal.”

“Yes, Hal. With an apology and an envelope.”

Molly looked at her with one eyebrow raised. “I get the apology, but what was the envelope? A wedding gift.”

“Sort of, but it was a check for most of the money he’d stolen.” Finally after much prayer, Hal had made a step
in the right direction. “It’s not the money but the act. I’m so grateful.”

“I’ve told you before. God is good.”

Steph clasped Molly’s hand. “You never gave up on me and neither has God.”

“And neither will Nick, Steph. He’s a great guy. You’ve been so blessed.”

A tap sounded on the door, and Emily answered, then closed the door and turned to Steph. “It’s time. Your dad’s waiting for you.”

Steph released a trembling breath, her anticipation rising. “You two better get out there, too.”

Molly handed her the flowers that Nick had selected—champagne-colored roses, lemony green hydrangeas and ivy cascading from the bouquet. The sweet scent of roses surrounded her. She cradled the arrangement in her arms as she left the room. Ahead she saw her father. He’d grown much older looking since she’d seen him last, but he’d also grown more gentle. With Hal’s attempt to right his wrong, Steph’s spirit lifted.

Her father caught her arm, and they held back, waiting for Molly to precede them as she stepped from the doorway and started the lengthy walk down the stone stairs to the patio below where white chairs formed rows for the wedding guests. She’d been touched when some of the longtime dog owners who used her service hinted to be invited, and she could see some of them from the upper level of the grounds.

Molly made her way down the incline, the stair railing wrapped in white ribbon and adorned with an occasional bow. When she reached ground level and made her way to where Martin and Nick waited, Steph and her father stepped outside. She kept her eyes on the stone walkway, fearing she would trip, but her father held her arm with a firm grip.

Beside Martin, Fred and Suzette sat without moving, decked out for the wedding. Fred wore a white bow tie, and Suzette had a white satin bow gracing her well-brushed coat. They had become committed partners just as she and Nick had become.

Nick stood beside his pastor, his gaze sweeping her from head to toe as a smile grew on his face. Her heart filled with joy as she reached the patio, then began her walk down the aisle. A white runner covered the gray stones, and she followed it to the end, then gazed at Nick in his tuxedo with an ivory cummerbund and bow tie, the handsomest man she’d ever known.

Nick’s chest tightened as he waited in front of their family and friends, and when Steph came through the door in her amazing gown, his heart kicked up its heels and ran to meet her. Her honey-colored hair hung in long curling waves as she glided toward him on her father’s arm. His busy but empty life had become complete when he’d met Steph, and in the past months, his doubts about himself and his ability to be a good husband had faded.

When she reached him, her father moved back, and Steph stood by his side while the scent of her bouquet encircled them. The pastor’s words rose, reminding them of God’s desire that man should not be alone. The verse from Ecclesiastes filled his mind. “Two are better than one.” Nick agreed. He’d been alone too long. Today his new life would begin and in their new house, away from the memories of Doug’s death and a place where Suzette and Fred could romp and not bother anyone.

After they’d exchanged vows and rings, they stood together, eyes locked, and Nick’s heart stirred with the blessings he’d been given, a beautiful wife and a lifetime
together. With the pastor’s announcement, he lowered his lips to hers and drank in the sweetness of joy and laughter, support and trust and, most of all, a shared faith.

When they turned, his mother’s face glowed, and gratefulness burst in his chest as the pastor’s voice raised. “I give you Mr. and Mrs. Nicholas Davis.”

Nick wove his fingers through Steph’s, just as their lives were now bound together. They took the first step toward the wonderful life awaiting them. Behind him, he heard the clicking of Fred’s and Suzette’s nails on the gray stone.

Dear Reader,

Thank you for reading
Groom in Training.
I hope you enjoyed the story. If you related to some of the characters’ struggles, I hope it helped you find answers to your own personal questions. Fred’s disappearance became a meaningful analogy along with the Scripture of the lost sheep to our own plight as Christians when we become lost and cannot find our way back or when we doubt that God can forgive us. Just as Steph rejoiced at finding Fred, imagine the Lord’s jubilation when we return to the fold after straying.

Steph’s conflict to understand God’s ways is one that many people share. We cannot force others to believe, but we can demonstrate the power of God through our own faith-filled actions, and this form of testimony can be more powerful than our words. Let God’s Word shine through you in your daily life. You are His shining witness in a darkened world.

May the Lord bless you as you serve Him.

1. Which character, Steph or Nick, did you relate to the most and why?
   
2. Why did Nick’s past relationship with Cara make him feel like a failure? What is your opinion?
   
3. How did Nick grow and change?
   
4. Steph also saw herself as a failure when she didn’t recognize her husband’s problem. Have you ever felt unable to understand someone in your life? Did you ever feel to blame for their problems, and if so, how did you resolve it?
   
5. How much are we responsible for our family’s difficulties?
   
6. Suicide is a serious issue in this novel. Has suicide ever touched your life, and how did you deal with it? Did you learn something new about suicide victims and the survivors?
   
7. What lessons about love and faithfulness can we learn from dogs?
   
8. What are your favorite themes in this book? How do they relate to you personally?
   
9. The story shows that Nick’s actions reflect his faith.
   Is this an effective way to help people understand God’s love for them?
   
10. How did Martin grow in this book, and why? Can you relate Martin’s experience to your own life or the life of someone you know?
    
11. Nick’s mother played a significant role in this book. In what ways did she affect the story, and how did she provide a catalyst for characters to grow and change?
    
12. Do you relate personally to any themes or issues in this novel? Can you offer advice to others who are dealing with those same issues?
    
13. Did you read
    Dad in Training,
    the book about Molly and Brent? If so, did you enjoy hearing from them again and attending their wedding?
    
14. Have you learned anything about dog shelters and dogs needing to be adopted? Does it change your attitudes about where you would look for a pet?