Hope Rekindled (23 page)

“What happened?” he asked, hurrying to where his brother sat crying on Euphanel’s lap.

“He broke one of the dishes.”

“It . . . it . . . cut me bad,” Jonah said, sobbing.

“Let me see,” Christopher said, taking hold of the little boy’s hand. He examined the wound on Jonah’s palm.

Deborah brought a warm wet cloth and gave it to Christopher. “I’ll get your bag from the cabin.”

“Thank you.” He looked back to Jonah and smiled. “Now, I’ll just wipe the blood away.”

Jonah began to howl again, and Euphanel whispered in his ear. The boy immediately calmed.

“Are you sure?” he asked.

“Quite sure. Your brother would never hurt you. He needs to clean the cut so he can see how deep it is. When he’s done, I’ll give you a cookie.”

Christopher wiped at the cut and could see it wasn’t all that bad. “You’re very lucky, Jonah. I won’t need to stitch it up.”

Deborah soon returned with his bag. Handing him the carbolic acid, she waited patiently at his side. Christopher appreciated the ease with which they worked together.

“This might sting just a bit, but don’t worry—it won’t last long.”

Jonah leaned his head against Euphanel’s shoulder. “I’ll be brave.”

Before Jonah could fret too much, the task was done. It touched him the way Euphanel comforted the boy. His brother obviously felt reassured in her arms. It made him all the more certain his siblings would be well cared for by Euphanel and Arjan. Perhaps he should forget about discussing the matter with the children and simply announce that the Vandermarks were going to raise them as their own.

“All done,” he announced.

“There, you see,” Euphanel told the boy, “it wasn’t so bad.”

“No,” Jonah said, smiling. “Now can I have a cookie?”

Euphanel laughed and helped the boy from her lap. “Yes, indeed. Let’s go right now and get you one.”

Christopher gathered his things as Euphanel led the others from the summer kitchen. Only Deborah remained. He pulled his pocket watch and glanced at the time. Nearly nine. In fourteen hours, they would marry.

She looked up and smiled. “You seem very deep in thought.”

He gazed into her eyes. “I am. I’m thinking of tomorrow.”

Deborah stopped and put her hand on Christopher’s chest. He took hold of her hand and pressed it to his lips. “I can hardly believe the day is almost here. When I first arrived in Perkinsville, I wasn’t at all sure that I was doing the right thing. I knew my family needed support and felt that this was the best I could do for them. Now I see it was really the best for me—God’s very best for me.”

R
ob could hardly believe his eyes when he found Mara at the breakfast table with his family on the day of Deborah’s wedding. She looked radiant—angelic, even—all dressed in a pale pink gown. He smiled and took a seat beside her.

“I gotta say, this is quite a surprise.” He looked to his mother. “Sorry I’m late. Guess I overslept.”

“We just went ahead and started without you,” she replied. “I figured you could use the rest.”

“I was perty tuckered, to be sure.” He turned to greet Mara. “Nice surprise to find you already here. I figured I wouldn’t see you until closer to the time for the weddin’.”

She squeezed his hand. “I had to come early so I could take care of the cake. I just brought everything with me and Father delivered me.”

Rob looked around for the pastor, but Mara quickly added, “He’ll be back in time for the wedding.”

“I should hope so,” Arjan said with a wink at Deborah. “So are you gonna eat or just stare at the food?”

Deborah shook her head. “I’m not hungry. I’m too nervous.” The clock chimed half past five and her eyes widened. “Five and a half hours are all I have to get ready.”

“Goodness, child,” her mother said, patting her back, “why don’t you go back upstairs and try to relax. I’ll bring you a tray in a little while.”

Rob heard his sister protest and his mother respond, but it was Mara who held his attention.

“Is there anything I can do to help?” Rob asked.

“You can help me by carrying the cake once it’s finished,” Mara said. Rob found himself mesmerized by her lips as she spoke. “And you may keep me company while I work—if you like.”

“I have plenty for the boys to do,” Arjan interjected. “I know we said no work for Rob, since he just got home and all, but this is just for an hour or two. We have to build a few benches so our weddin’ guests won’t have to stand. We’re just gonna use simple planks of wood and supports, but they’ll do the job. And then we’ll need to haul them up from the barn.”

“Of course I’ll help. I’ll do whatever needs to be done to help make this day special for Deborah.” He looked for his sister only to find that she’d slipped from the room.

“She’s got the jitters somethin’ fierce,” G.W. said, laughing.

“As I recall, Mr. Vandermark, you were none too calm yourself on our wedding day,” Lizzie said, wiping Annie’s face.

G.W. shrugged. “I figured grooms were always nervous. Brides, on the other hand, have planned out all the details. They’re the ones in charge, so I reckoned they weren’t that jittery.”

Lizzie rolled her eyes and picked up her fork. “I was so nervous I could hardly make sense of anything.”

“You sure didn’t seem like it,” he said, grinning. “I figured you were completely at ease, havin’ caught me and all.”

“Me? Caught
you
?” she asked in surprise. “It was really the other way around.”

Arjan laughed. “Ladies always figure to let us chase them until they want to be caught. By then, it’s too late for us to do anythin’ else. We’re completely taken in by their beauty and charm.” He winked at Mother and shrugged. “I don’t reckon I minded bein’ caught in your spell.”

“Me neither,” G.W. said, locking his gaze on Lizzie.

Rob couldn’t help but turn back to Mara. He lowered his voice. “I know I don’t mind.” She blushed, and Rob thought it only added to her beauty.

After breakfast Rob followed Mara to the summer kitchen and watched in silence as she went to work. He marveled at her ability to create a thing of beauty out of cake and icing. She was skilled in so many things, and it only served to remind Rob of what a good wife she’d make.

“You’re mighty good at that. ’Course, I haven’t seen much you ain’t good at.”

Mara looked up and smiled. “I have my flaws same as everyone. I just happen to enjoy baking and decorating cakes.”

She squeezed some icing in a scalloped pattern. “Say, aren’t you supposed to be helping with the benches?”

“Yeah, I’ll get out there to help soon enough.”

The time seemed to fly by and before he knew it, Rob realized she was finishing up. And as she did, he knew it was time for what he’d truly come home for. He’d thought about this moment for a long time—and truth be told, he hadn’t figured it would happen over sugared roses and icing. But his mind was made up. Pulling a ring from his pocket, he took hold of her hand and pulled her away from the cake. Dropping to one knee, he held up the ring like an offering.

“Mara Shattuck, will you marry me?”

Her mouth dropped open in stunned amazement. He couldn’t help but chuckle at the look on her face. “Didn’t you think I meant it when I said I love you?”

She nodded and tears filled her eyes. “I knew you meant it. It’s just . . . well . . . I wasn’t expecting this. Not today. Certainly not here.”

He frowned. “I hope I didn’t disappoint you. I just couldn’t wait any longer. I’ve been wantin’ to make it official ever since I came home. It’s the reason I was late gettin’ in. I was buyin’ this ring and missed the train.” He stood and placed the ring on her finger. Drawing her hand to his lips, he kissed the ring in place. “I pray you’ll never take this off.”

Mara stared at her hand for a moment. Without warning she hugged Rob close. “I’m so happy. Of course I’ll marry you. I’ve always known I would marry you.”

He laughed and lifted her face to his. “I’m glad God let you in on it first. If He’d told me, I’m sure I would’ve just made a mess of things.” He kissed her ever so gently.

“I have work to do,” she said, pulling back just a bit. “It’s nearly eight o’clock. I have to finish up here and then change my clothes for the wedding.”

“What do you mean change? You’re beautiful, and that gown is quite fetching.”

She laughed. “And dotted with bits of frosting and sugar. I have something else to wear to the wedding. First, however, I need to put the last of the roses in place.”

With great reluctance, Rob released her with a sigh.

She gazed down at the ring on her finger. “Leave me. Go help the men. I can’t seem to concentrate while you’re in the same room.”

Rob laughed, but nevertheless headed for the door. “I reckon that’s only fair. You distract me all the time when you’re not even in the same room. When I’m reading the Bible, I think of you and how blessed I am that God gave you to me. When I’m studying how to help folks, I can only think of how much you’ve helped me. You’re never far from my thoughts—even when we’re in chapel, singing—”

“Robrecht Vandermark, you need to go . . . now.” She pointed to the door. “This minute.”

“I’m goin’. Mercy, but you sure can be bossy.” He turned at the door and grinned. “I reckon we’ll need to think about settin’ a date for our weddin’.”

She glared at him and picked up a wooden spoon and hurled it at him. Rob only laughed and quickly ducked from the room. Yes, sir—this was shaping up to be a fine, fine day.

Deborah could scarcely breathe as Lizzie finished cinching her corset. “Not too tight,” Mother admonished. “We don’t want her swooning before she says ‘I do.’ ”

Lizzie let the ties release just a bit, then secured them. “Besides, she doesn’t need much corseting. I think she’s lost weight since this dress was first made,” her friend declared. “Probably just in this last week. I don’t think I’ve seen you take more than a few bites of food at any given meal.” Lizzie brought the bustle and quickly tied it around Deborah’s waist.

Deborah’s head was spinning with concerns. “Oh, Lizzie, Mother—I pray I’m doing the right thing. I’m so anxious that I won’t be the wife Christopher needs. I don’t know anything about raising children, and Jonah and Emma are still so young.”

Lizzie continued dressing her while Mother took hold of her shoulders. “Deborah, I want you to listen to me. God has a future—a wonderful future—for you and Christopher. Never doubt it, and don’t bring it grief by worrying about what might or might not be. I had hoped Christopher would mention this to you first, but I think I’d better say something to put your mind at ease.”

“What?” Deborah asked hesitantly.

“Arjan and I asked Christopher if we could take over guardianship of the children. He was very positive about the idea. He knows how attached Emma and Jonah have become—especially to me. The older boys are very fond of Arjan, and whether they want to be formally adopted or not, we want to raise them. I’ve even shared letters with your aunt Wilhelmina. She is open to the idea of Jimmy coming to stay with her and attend university. That just leaves Darcy. She’s a mighty independent little miss, much as you were, but I have a soft spot in my heart for her, as well.”

Deborah looked at her mother in disbelief. “I don’t know what to say. I can hardly . . . well . . . I presumed in marrying Christopher that I would also . . . well, in a fashion, marry his siblings, as well. I figured mothering them was a part of my promise for better or worse.”

Mother put her hand to Deborah’s cheek. “There will be time enough for you to be a mother. Be a wife first.”

“If we don’t get her in this dress,” Lizzie said, holding up the wedding gown, “she’s going to have to get married in her undergarments.”

Both Deborah and Mother giggled at the thought. Deborah savored the release of tension as she imagined walking down the aisle in her petticoat and chemise. That would definitely get tongues wagging for years to come.

Raising her arms, she let Mother and Lizzie settle the gown over her head. Deborah was surprised by the coolness of the fabric. The morning had dawned bright and beautiful, but the air felt dryer than it had in days and the silk slid against her skin like a breeze. Perhaps the mild temperatures were a wedding gift from the Lord.

Lizzie did up the thirty-some tiny back buttons and stepped aside when Mother brought the veil and headpiece. There hadn’t been time to get waxed orange blossoms, but Deborah didn’t care. Her mother had fashioned a circular crown of white roses and ribbon, and the dress was perfect even without the extra adornment. After carefully arranging the veil on Deborah’s beautifully styled ebony hair, Mother leaned forward and kissed her on the cheek.

“Your father would be so proud. You are a beautiful bride.”

“I wish he could have seen this day,” Deborah whispered.

“I do, too. He would have loved Christopher. He’s just the kind of man your father would have hoped for you to have as a husband.”

Deborah grasped her mother’s hands. “I love him so.”

Mother smiled and nodded. “I know you do. And I know that he loves you. Just remember that with God, there is nothing you cannot overcome. Don’t let the sun go down on your anger, and always be willing to forgive and try again.”

“I will do my best,” Deborah replied. “I promise I will.”

A knock sounded on the door, and Lizzie went to open it. “We’re nearly ready,” she told Arjan.

Deborah looked to her uncle-stepfather. Dressed in his only suit, he looked very dapper. He’d seemed quite honored when she’d asked him, instead of G.W., to give her away.

“I reckon it’s time,” he told the ladies. “The bridegroom is gettin’ mighty antsy.”

“He’s waited this long,” Lizzie chided. “He can cool his heels just a little longer.” She smiled at Deborah. “Best he learn how to wait patiently, eh?”

Deborah had never known a man with more patience than Christopher. She couldn’t imagine that he was all that concerned with the time. He knew she would be his by the end of the day, and that they would have the rest of their lives together.