The Sweet By and By (35 page)
“You're lovely.”
“Maxwell Benson.” He stepped forward, pulling Jade with him, offering his hand to the judge. “I took your ethics course when you guest lectured at Duke.”
“Yes, Beryl said you were in the law.”
“Okay, Jade . . .” Betsy burst through the door. “Oh, my stars above, what have we here? Who are all these people? Max, jumping catfish, what in the world?” She smacked her hand over her heart like this was the big one. “You're not supposed to be in here, with the bride.”
“Extenuating circumstances, Betsy. Meet Jade's father, Harlan Fitzgerald.”
“There's a father?” She gripped her clipboard for dear life. “Isn't he dead? I thought the brother was going to walk the bride down the aisle.”
Jade's cheeks burned when Harlan looked at her, surprise and wonder in his eyes.
“Long story.”
He grinned, the smile that lived in her memories. “I bet.”
“Are you walking her down the aisle now?” Betsy tapped his arm like a drill sergeant.
“No, no,” Harlan said, holding up his hand. “Just saying hello.”
“Well, it's good to know you're not dead.”
“Tell you what, Betsy,” Max said with a glance at Jade. “How about the groom walks his bride down the aisle? But only if you want to, Jade.”
“Max, really?”
“Absolutely not.” Betsy waved her hands and clipboard, shaking her head. “The groom cannot walk the bride down the aisle. The dog here, yes. But
not
the groom.”
“New rule, Betsy.” Max linked Jade's hand through his arm. “Aiden, you don't mind?”
“Anything for Jade. It's her day.” His crinkly gray-eyed smile was the image of a younger Harlan.
“Max, your mother is going to freak, just freak.” Betsy's high-pitched voice had Roscoe tipping his head to one side.
“She'll live.”
“What's going on? The music is starting.” Willow popped her head around the door. “Wow, party in here. Maxâ”
“The music.” Betsy's eyes popped. “Everyone out. Places. Max is walking his bride down the aisle. No time to argue.” She backtracked to Max before following the others out. “If your mom doesn't pay me, I'm coming to you.”
The room emptied, but Daddy hung back a bit. Starting to tremble, Jade kept her eyes on him, the proud Washington judge with an air of contrition.
Just before he stepped out the door, he glanced at her and she broke. “Daddyâ”
Jade fell into his embrace, not caring about her hair and makeup or Betsy's clipboard schedule. Her Daddy had come.
His whisper warmed her ear. “I'm sorry, baby, I'm sorry. I just didn't know howâ”
“You came for me. I knew you would. I knew you would.”
Blades of sunlight sliced through the surly November clouds, falling in glittery white streams over the valley as the church bells chimed.
Listen all, come and see, hear the good news. Maxwell Charles Benson married Jade Freedom Fitzgerald.
Jade clung to Max as they scurried down the portico steps through a confetti rain. Reverend Girden's exhortation reverberated in her heart. “Love is patient, love is kind, love keeps no record of wrong.”
Mama watched from among the throng of guests wishing them well, tucked away as if she didn't deserve to be noticed. “Wait, Max.”
Jade reached into the wedding crowd and pulled Mama forward, kissing her cheek. “We can't change our yesterdays, but we can change our tomorrows. Max and me, Aiden and Willow. We'll be there for you.”
Mama's brimming eyes spilled over. “Go on now. It's your wedding day.”
“Jade, let's go.” Betsy appeared, shoving her in the back. “You can talk at the reception.”
Max led her to the end of the walkway, and a horse-drawn carriage rounded the corner of Divine. “Dad's gift.”
Six perfectly matched white horsesânot one or two, but sixâpulled a white-and-burgundy open Victorian carriage. The driver pulled them to a stop and tipped his top hat before hopping out to lower the brass steps. “My lady.”
She was Cinderella again, and by the depth of Max's hazel gaze, she wouldn't wake up Monday morning to be just the girl-with-the-shop.
Jade had believed in forever once, and as the carriage swerved out of the church drive, the guests waving and cheering, she believed in forever again.
December 24
The Christmas lights in the Blue Umbrella window splashed red, blue, and green puddles on the floor. Over the speakers, Dean Martin crooned, “Baby, it's cold outside,” and a Christmas tree grove bloomed where there had once been a pumpkin patch.
A sign was pasted in the window: The Blue Umbrella Celebrates Christmas. Closed December 24â25.
“The paper goods for the party are on the shelf, ready to go.” Lillabeth came from the storeroom wearing a Santa hat. “If you don't need me, I'm going to go get changed and come back.”
“Your debt all paid?” Jade shoved the table in the center of the store under the front window.
“Almost.”
“How much more?”
“Two hundred. I sort of took some money for Christmas.”
“What do you know?” Jade handed Lillabeth an envelope. “Merry Christmas.”
“Really?” The girl smashed Jade with a hug. “Thank you! Oh, it's too much . . . really . . . thank you.”
“Go on now, or I'll regret abusing you for the party.”
Jade finished closing up business so she'd be ready for the party, glancing out the window every now and then.
Max, hurry home.
Her stomach flip-flopped. Finally, she could give him her wedding present.
Mama and Willow were back in town, but not at the Magnolia Tree B&B. June insisted they stay at their house on the hill. “You're family.”
Willow was making noise about moving down and attending UT. And the latest from the contractor was that they'd be finished with the Begonia Valley Lane house by February.
“Honey, I'm home.” Max breezed in the front door with a cheesy grin.
“Did you bring it?” Jade ran around the counter, gave him a quick kiss, and checked his hands.
“Right here. What do you want with this thing?” Max handed over a Benson Law wall calendar and stooped to greet Roscoe. “The year is all but over.”
“You'll see.” At the counter, Jade hunted in the pencil drawer for a Sharpie.
Hello, Sharpie, present yourself.
There it was. She'd assign Lillabeth to clean this drawer next week.
Snapping off the cap, she circled the 24th of December and printed:
Wedding Present to Max
. “Come on.”
“What's going on?”
Jade drew him to the storeroom and the row of calendars, hooking hers on the nail she'd hammered into the wall, extending the tradition. Then she faced her husband. She shook the nervous tingle from her hands.
“I was so excited, but now I'm nervous.”
“What's going on?” Max grabbed her for a kiss. “By the way, the Thompsons said to âtell your wife' they're coming to the party tonight.”
“I love that word.”
“So what's with the calendars? Are we starting a new tradition?” He gazed down the wall. “We're keeping a tradition. What's this? âWedding Present to Max'?”
“The Sorges started this tradition. The wall of calendars. The wall of reminders. When I bought the Five & Dime, I decided to keep the tradition, adding significant years, ones that mean something to us.”
“So you hung this year.” Max fastened his hands behind her back, low around her waist. “One of the best of my life.”
“Max.” Jade leaned back to see his face. “I hope it's going to get a bit better. We're . . .” She paused, her voice betraying her. “We're going to have a baby.”
His eyes rounded. His back stiffened. “What?”
“I'm pregnant, Max. I just found out yesterday.” Her heart fluttered as she pointed to the date. “A child is my wedding gift to you. And to me, I guess. And Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.”
Max snatched her from the ground and whirled her around, his hoot exploding against the ceiling and raining down joy. “Thank you, thank you.” His kisses were wild but tender, landing on her nose, eyes, cheeks, then lips.
“I love you, Jade Benson.”
“Forever, Max. Forever.”
From Sara
This book is dedicated to my daughters, my sisters, my girlfriends, my mother-n-law, my step-mother, my Granny, and my Mother . . . and all the women in my life who have helped make me the girl I am today. With love . . . Sara
I want to thank Rachel for truly hearing me and “getting” me and helping me put my story to words on paper. I'm honored . . .
From Rachel
Special thanks to Ami McConnell, friend and editor. Thanks for seeing the beauty amid the rubble. I thank God for you.
Also, I offer my thanks to:
The great visionary Allen Arnold and the team at Thomas Nelson. Thanks for your ideas and amazing insights.
Katie Sulkowski and everyone at Creative Trust.
Jennifer Stair, for your insight and edits on this book.
Susan May Warren, for your friendship and constant wise counsel. And my InGeorgia girls, Christine Lynxwiler, Tracey Bateman, and Susan Downs. You make me laugh.
My family, who cheered me on.
Chelle, Anna, Lin, Esther, and Helenâthe Tuesday night Dream Teamâfor being such prayer warriors and a wonderful support system.
My husband, Tony, for giving me room to fly.
My friend, Jesus, who makes all things new.
And many thanks to these kind folks who gave advice:
Chelle Tapper, for candid answers to deep, personal questions.
CJ Casner, for tales from her teen years.
Timothy Greene, for Iowa legal advice.
Jeff Breese at Inter Mat Wrestling.
Gary Brown, for help understanding teamsters.
Donna Kletting of Prairie City, Iowa.
Diane Southwick of the Prairie City, Iowa, City Hall.
Steve Scholfield at Northern Iowa University.
Danny Hayes, my brother, for advice about trucks.
And Crystal at the Read House Starbucks.
1. In chapter one, Jade struggles with sending a wedding invitation to her mother. A deep wound has distanced them. Have you or anyone you've been close to struggled with inviting a parent to a personal and family-oriented event? Is there ever any benefit to not inviting a parent to a child's wedding? Is there a benefit to putting the hurt aside for the day?
2. In chapter two, MamaâBerylâstruggles to open the back door of her parents' old farm house because her arms are full. What does this symbolize? Are there physical things in your life that symbolize your emotional or spiritual life? Are they positive or negative? Can you change them?
3. In the pastor's office, Jade has an odd experience. What did you think of this experience? Have you ever had something similar happen? How long did it last? How did you respond?
4. Jade and Max decide to let their pasts stay in the past. Is there wisdom here? How can letting the past stay out of the present benefit your heart and relationships? How might it hinder? When is it right to talk about the past? When is it best to let issues of the past go?
5. Beryl is a product of the '60s and the Summer of Love. How did the philosophy of the day impact her life as a teenager and adult? Was there a significant event that began her spiritual journey? Did you have a moment like this? How has it impacted you over the years?
6. When Jade was eight, her father Harlan left the family. How did this event shadow her through life? What is the significance of a father's presence in a son's/daughter's life? How has your life been impacted by the presence or absence of a parent?
7. Jade met Dustin in high school. How did this relationship impact her? What did he bring to her? Did you have a significant relationship as a teen? Think about how such a relationship can help or hinder. Would you do what Jade and Dustin did?
8. As an adult, Jade runs a vintage shop. What does this symbolize? How does her physical and external life reflect her emotional, internal life?
9. When Jade takes Beryl with her to Nashville, what is symbolized by the truck breaking down? As you read the story, did you sense the significance of the moment for mother and daughter? Share an event from your life that permanently affected you.
10. What created the wedge between Jade and Beryl? Do you and someone you care about have an unresolved issue? Do you want to resolve it?
11. Why didn't Jade want to admit her part in the abortion? Do you have issues you are hesitant to face because you don't want to take responsibility for the part you played? If you've lived through and overcome a hard situation like abortion or addiction, can you share your success with the group?
12. When Jade is on the porch at Miss Linda's, she senses a presence manifested in wind and heat. Have you ever had a supernatural encounter? How did it impact you? Did Jade understand in this moment that God loved her and forgave her? Do you realize this?
13. Why does Harlan show up at the wedding? What do you think of Jade's response?
14. It is important to remember the good years. In the epilogue, Jade hangs a calendar on the shop wall to represent a good year in her life. Consider setting up a monument in your heart (or on a wall in your home) to note the blessings you've received. If you are in a group, talk about the kind of year you're having.
ALSO BY RACHEL HAUCK
T
HE
R
OYAL
W
EDDING
S
ERIES
Once Upon a Prince
Princess Ever After
How to Catch a Prince
(Available Winter 2014)
