North Dakota Weddings (66 page)

She was more than grateful she hadn’t succumbed to the pressure to stay at the farm and marry Paul.

Thank You, Lord
.

Moisture brimmed in her father’s eyes, surprising Rayne. He squeezed her hand. “I know I’ve already told you this, Rayne, but I love you, and I’ve always prayed for you. For God to give you direction. You looked so lost to me, not seeing where you needed to go. Now I realize it was me all along. I didn’t see where you needed to go. Praying for
you
changed
my
heart.”

“Oh Daddy.” Rayne dabbed at the corner of her wet eyes. “You’re going to mess up my makeup.”

He grinned. “I want you to know that I couldn’t be more proud of you.”

Rayne thought she would lose it right there and then as her father pulled her into a gentle hug.

God was so good. Though she’d thought He wasn’t answering her prayers for direction, He knew exactly what He was doing—everything worked out in His timing the way that it should.

In a way, Rayne would be returning to the farm. She and Jack had started their own company called Dream Fountains. Though they planned to focus on creating water feature designs, they also agreed to develop water sprinkling systems for farmers that would deliver water more efficiently and be more cost-effective.

Rayne struggled to believe how everything had worked out—for her good and for Jack’s. The scripture in Romans gently floated into her heart.
“We know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.”

Suddenly, with the scripture spoken to her heart, Rayne recognized the Holy Spirit’s gentle voice—all this time she’d wanted to hear something from the Lord, to know if she was going in the right direction. Now finally she saw that God had been directing her all along. He’d never left her side. Each step she’d taken had been part of the process, and Rayne was called according to His purpose.

Eyes tearing up again, Rayne looked anywhere but at her father. Out the window, autumn leaves had already begun to fall. As the seconds ticked by, Rayne skimmed the small foyer, taking in the plush carpet and the gorgeous flowers in mauve and off-white—her wedding colors—sitting on ornate pedestals. Fargo Community Church had been the place where Jack had found the Truth. God had been ready to listen, and Jack had given Him his pain. Then Jack had believed in Rayne. Rayne had since agreed to join Jack at the small church, attending weekly. She quickly wondered what had taken her so long to join. In addition to enjoying time seeing Heidi and the others, she’d made new friends. They’d all been such a blessing to her. Made her feel welcome and at home at her new church.

Suddenly the sound of the “Wedding March” began, and the double doors gently opened. Rayne stood in the center of the doorway, her heart in her throat as the small gathering stood and turned to face her. Gripping her father’s arm, she took the measured steps forward, feeling self-conscious that all eyes were on her.

But when she drew close enough to see into Jack’s eyes, the world around her faded. All her thoughts, hopes, and dreams stood before her, wrapped inside a gorgeous, honorable man with a good heart. He was deep-thinking and understood her thoughts before she even spoke.

Together they were like the magic in the water features they created. Before she knew it, she stood across from him, only the splash of wedding colors in her bouquet between them. Looking into Jack’s eyes, she repeated the vows, as did he, but she was too nervous to comprehend it all.

Then he was slipping the wedding band onto her finger where it fit snugly in place next to her solitaire diamond engagement ring. Heidi held the bouquet for her.

“I now pronounce you husband and wife. You may kiss the bride,” Pastor Luke said, joy in his voice.

Jack took her hands in his and bent, pressing his lips against hers. His kiss was soft and gentle yet held all the power and promise of a glorious future together. Still holding hands, they turned to face the crowd as they were instructed during the rehearsal.

“I’m pleased to present to you, Mr. and Mrs. Jack Kostner.”

Jack and Rayne hurried down the steps and across the aisle between the pews to the doorway. Before they could leave for their honeymoon, they planned to remain in the church fellowship hall for a short reception.

Rayne could hardly believe it—she was a married woman. Her father was right when he said, “The higher your aim, the harder your fall.”

She’d aimed awfully high when she set her hopes on Jack, deciding that she loved him. In that moment, Jack glanced over at her, his unspoken love apparent in his eyes.

Rayne had fallen very hard, indeed.

Rayne squinted in the sunshine as she and Jack emerged from a side exit of their elegant hotel in Maui—the perfect place to honeymoon.

Palm trees waved in the salty ocean breeze, and the scent of exotic flowers enveloped Rayne, intoxicating her. The long flight over the Pacific Ocean to Hawaii had left her with jet lag the first couple of days. But now on her third day here, she was feeling like herself again—although newly married, she might never feel like the old Rayne again. But why would she want to?

Jack’s love was taking her to places she’d never been before, and she never wanted the adventure to end. He angled his head toward the sun. The sunglasses he wore seemed to enhance his handsome appearance. How she’d ever ended up with such a gorgeous man, Rayne would never know. Still, all good gifts came from the Father above. She grinned.

Her new husband flashed a brilliant smile then bent down, fitting his mouth against hers. She succumbed to a rush of emotions then fought them. “No, no. I want to see Hawaii before we leave. Is that all right with you?”

Jack laughed. She’d never grow tired of hearing that sound.

“There’s something else I want you to see,” he said. Walking arm in arm, they meandered along the sidewalk, passing families and other couples who looked like they were also in love, until they came to the front of the luxurious hotel and stopped.

She gasped and watched as a choreographed fountain danced to theme of the movie
Australia
. Powerful emotions kept her riveted, for how long, she wasn’t sure. It was all she could do to finally speak.

“Oh Jack. It’s beautiful.” Tears of joy slid down her sun-warmed cheeks.

Seeing a fountain like this, performing full-featured and live, rather than on her laptop or in the mini-lab, stole her breath. She pressed her hand against her heart. While she’d worried over the details of their wedding, Jack had planned their honeymoon, and now she understood why he’d wanted to.

Though difficult, she tugged her gaze from the fluid motion of the water and studied her handsome new husband. In response, he turned his head to her and smiled. He looked like a man without a care in the world. Like a man in love.

Rayne’s head swam with the dizzy thoughts of his love.

“Is it your design?” she asked.

“Yes, I created it while at EI.”

“Seeing the actual fountain like this, the real thing, I can’t find the words.”

Jack watched the fountain in silence then faced her again. “Nothing I’ve ever done can compare with your talent.” Jack drew near and whispered against her lips, “Or with you. Rayne,
you
are the real thing for me.”

E
LIZABETH
G
ODDARD
is the award-winning author of over a dozen romance novels, including a romantic mystery,
The Camera Never Lies—a
2011 Carol Award winner. Elizabeth graduated with a B.S. degree in computer science and worked in high-level software sales for several years before retiring to home-school her children and fulfill her dream of becoming an author. Though she has deep roots in Texas, she makes her home in central Louisiana with her husband and four children.