To Honor and Trust (31 page)

“Mother!” Wes frowned as he led Callie to the sofa. “We are not scheming. After all, this is our wedding. I believe we have a right to our say in the matter.”

“Well, of course you do, so long as you realize that Eunice and I are far more experienced in such things.” She preened at Mrs. Bridgeport. “Don't you agree, Eunice?”

Jane entered the room and placed the tea tray on the table near Mrs. Bridgeport. “Since I haven't had a child marry yet, I doubt I have your experience, Blanche. I did help plan my sister's wedding a number of years ago.” She poured tea into one of the cups and looked at Mrs. Townsend. “Cream and sugar?”

Wesley squeezed Callie's hand. Clearly, he expected her to speak up before the discussion went much further. “Although I understand you both have more experience than the two of us, Wesley and I have agreed that rather than a large wedding, we would prefer to have a very small sunrise wedding on the beach.”

Mrs. Townsend gasped and immediately paled. “That won't do at all. The chapel is what we decided, isn't it, Eunice?” She reached for her fan and snapped it open. “The guests wouldn't be comfortable, and the river can have an odor in the early morning.”

“The ocean side of the island, not near the river,” Callie said.

“What? We'd have to transport guests to the other side of the island and then have them witness your wedding while standing
on the beach. Just think of the discomfort. We couldn't seat anyone. The chairs would sink into the sand. Dear me, Callie, how did you ever come upon such an idea? It is totally unacceptable.” She flapped her fan back and forth. “It simply will not work.”

Callie accepted the cup of tea from Mrs. Bridgeport.

“I think Blanche is correct, Callie. A wedding on the beach presents innumerable problems. I think you need to reconsider.”

“We don't want many guests at the actual wedding ceremony. Just Wesley's family and all of you. I'd like Jane and Lula to be there, of course. I think it will work. I'll wear a simple dress for the ceremony. When we were in Biscayne the other day, I saw a white lace dress that I think would be perfect for a beach wedding.”

Mrs. Townsend snapped the fan together and tapped it on the arm of the chair. “We have already ordered your gown. Your measurements have been taken, and I am sure the seamstresses have begun their work. Simply stated, it is too late to cancel the order. I thought you had agreed that you wanted all of us to experience the joy of a beautiful wedding since you and Wesley will be leaving for Africa in the near future.”

“If I could finish, I think you'll understand that I don't plan to completely eliminate what you've arranged.”

Mrs. Bridgeport took a sip of her tea. “I don't believe I understand, Callie.”

“We want a very small wedding, but we are willing to celebrate with other guests at a reception following the ceremony or the following day—whichever you believe is better. I will change into the more elaborate gown for the reception.” She blurted out the suggestion without giving either of the women time to interrupt.

Wesley squeezed her hand. “I think we've arrived at a plan
that will please everyone, don't you?” He looked back and forth between the two older women.

“Well, I'm not exactly sure. You've dropped this on us without proper time to consider all of the possibilities. I'm not sure the guests will understand that they aren't invited to the actual wedding ceremony.” Mrs. Townsend removed a handkerchief from her reticule. “I simply do not see the necessity of this beach wedding idea. I'm not attempting to be overbearing, Callie, but it makes little sense to me.” She set her gaze on Mrs. Bridgeport. “Do you see any merit to the idea, Eunice?”

Mrs. Bridgeport took a sip of her tea. “The idea is a bit unconventional, but it is their wedding, Blanche.”

Callie inched forward on the sofa. “I wasn't presenting the plan as an idea in which I thought you might find merit. Rather, I was presenting it as what Wesley and I want. We prefer a simple ceremony with only family present. I have given this a great deal of thought. As you both know, my parents can't be present when we are married. However, standing near the ocean will bring me as close to them as possible.” Her voice cracked. “I would very much like to feel a bit of their presence on my wedding day, Mrs. Townsend.”

Wesley's mother settled back in her chair. “When you put it like that, I don't suppose I can refuse.” She glanced at Wesley. “I'll send word to your brothers in Massachusetts so that they can make plans to attend.” She gave a firm nod. “Yes, I do believe a beach wedding and a grand reception at the clubhouse sounds perfect.”

From the tone of Mrs. Townsend's voice, one would have thought she'd devised the entire plan on her own. Callie squeezed Wes's hand and forced down a threatening giggle.

M
AY
3, 1913

Wesley adjusted his tie for the tenth time. Sunlight was just touching the horizon, and in a matter of minutes he would leave for the beach to marry the woman he loved.

“Are you ready?” Howard Townsend strode into the room without knocking. “Everyone is waiting.”

His father appeared unusually anxious, and Wesley couldn't help but smile. “You look more nervous than I feel, and you're only the best man.”

His father gave a shrug. “I've never held this position before.”

“Just imagine you're conducting a board meeting at the textile mill.” Wes tugged his suit back into place and chuckled. “You're always comfortable there.”

His father cleared his throat. “Son, I may owe you an apology.”

“And why would you say that now?”

Wes's father came forward and reached inside his gray suit
coat. He pulled an envelope from his pocket and handed it to Wesley. “All of my life I've placed my focus on accomplishing great things.”

“And you have.” Wesley glanced at the envelope and wondered if it contained something beneficial or harmful.

“But the greatest things I accomplished were the very ones I didn't acknowledge. At least not in the proper manner.” He looked away momentarily. “I've wronged you, Wesley, and I know that now. Your mother has a way of helping me to see the truth of a matter. And frankly, God uses her in ways that I would sometimes just as soon avoid.” He glanced up and smiled.

“Callie does that for me,” Wesley admitted. “She's like an anchor in some ways, and in other ways . . . well . . . she's more like a cornerstone. Her faith in God, when added to my own, makes me feel invincible. I know beyond doubt that God has great things planned for us.”

“I do, too. And as much as I hate to admit it, I know those things aren't inside the walls of a textile mill.” His father pointed to the envelope. “I also know that I am supposed to give you this small gift to help you on your way.”

Wesley lifted the flap of the envelope and looked inside. His eyes widened at the sight of the bank draft. “This sum is more than a small gift.”

His father nodded slowly. “Wes, I'm proud of you. What you and Callie are about to do will take not only faith in God and in each other, but it will also take money. I want you to have the things you'll need in Africa to minister to those people and to care for your bride. Believe me, I know that will not come cheap.”

“But, Father—”

He held up his hand to silence Wesley's protests. “I have a
few other things arranged, as well. I have friends who will help, too. We are well acquainted with people who deal in a variety of merchandise, and I have associates involved in shipping who will do their part when called upon. I'll arrange for you to transport anything you feel you will need. Most importantly, I promised your mother I would arrange for us to be together at least every two years. Otherwise she's threatened to drag me to the mission field to teach textile weaving to native Africans.”

Wesley laughed. “I could just see her doing that, too.”

His father placed his hand on Wesley's shoulder. “I'm proud of you, son, and I want the best for you.”

“I don't know what to say.” Wesley met his father's eyes. “I know you haven't approved of my choices in the past.”

“Let this be a way of showing my approval for them now. I was wrong to ever try to lead you away from God's calling on your life. I won't make that mistake again.”

“Are you two coming or not?” Helena called from the open doorway.

Wesley laughed and tucked the envelope into his pocket. “We're ready, sister dear. Please lead the way. Gracious, but you'd think you were the bride instead of her attendant.”

“Either way, I won't be late.”

By the time Wesley and his family arrived at the wedding site on the beach, the sun had peeked above the horizon and cast breathtaking shades of golden-orange on the water. It was a gloriously painted divine canvas that made the perfect backdrop to their wedding.

The chatter of children announced the arrival of Mrs. Bridgeport, Lottie, and Thomas. Daisy, who had fully recovered from her spider bite, skipped ahead, tossing petals on the sand. Wes turned to his father. “How do I look?”

“You look fine, son.” His father adjusted Wes's suit lapels. “Besides, everyone, including you, will have eyes only for the bride.”

Then, as if to prove this statement true, Callie appeared on the arm of Mr. Bridgeport. Wes stared at her in wonder. Clad in an unpretentious white muslin-and-lawn gown, Callie wore her hair in a simple arrangement, graced only by a few flowers.

The violinist Mrs. Bridgeport had hired began playing strains of Beethoven's “Romanza” while Wes's heart hammered against his ribs. Callie was a vision, and she was about to become his wife. His life seemed to flash before him, reminding him of the hopes and dreams he'd had—the mistakes he'd made. Suddenly, nothing seemed quite as important as this woman and this moment.

The music faded as Mr. Bridgeport brought her to stand before the preacher. Wes stepped forward and took her hand.

“Do right by her, son,” Mr. Bridgeport admonished. “I may not be her father, but I care dearly for this child . . . uh, this young woman.”

Wesley smiled and nodded, but his gaze never left Callie's radiant face. “I promise I will.” He took Callie's small gloved hand in his, and this time the words were uttered as a pledge only to her. “I promise.”

A gentle sea breeze stirred the wisps of hair around Callie's face. She seemed not to mind, however. Her eyes were fixed on Wesley's. He lost himself in her dark brown eyes. She was everything he had ever wanted in a mate—the completion of his very heart. He was filled with awe and thanksgiving as the preacher began to speak of the solemn institution of marriage.

“We are gathered here today in the sight of God and in the presence of this company to witness the union of Callie and
Wesley in Christian marriage,” the preacher declared. “May our heavenly Father look down upon this event with His smile of approval. May the Lord Jesus Christ be present and add His blessing. May the Holy Spirit attend and seal these vows in love. For marriage is a gift given by God.”

Wesley looked at the gift he'd been given in Callie. God had known what he needed even when he couldn't imagine it.

“Jesus tells us to
keep
his commandment of love. The Greek word translated
keep
does not mean to obey. It means to hold in high esteem, to honor, to trust ultimately, to value above all else.” The minister paused to look first at Wesley and then at Callie. “What he is calling for is that we trust His love for us even when we don't see it or embody it—that a husband and wife cleave to His love even more than they cleave to each other.”

“Amen,” Callie murmured and gave a quick look to Wesley. He nodded his agreement that he felt as strongly about this statement as she did.

Callie saw the love in Wesley's eyes and felt as if her heart might burst. She longed to remove her gloves and touch the fresh-shaven smoothness of his cheek. She could smell the scent of his cologne and wanted only to promise to love him forever and to seal the promise with a kiss.

Her cheeks warmed at the thought of their wedding night, and she briefly lowered her gaze. Then, as the preacher charged those gathered to attend the ceremony to guard this sacred trust, Callie raised her face and beamed a smile. This was the happiest day of her life and she intended that everyone should know it. They exchanged their vows, and when it came time for the
ring to be placed on her finger, Callie pulled the glove from her hand and presented her fingers to Wesley. To her surprise he raised her hand to his lips and placed a gentle kiss upon the back. Then he turned her hand gently in his and caressed the palm.

“With this ring, I pledge to you my life and my love,” he said, his gaze reaching deep into her soul. “I pledge not only to you, however, but I commit this marriage to our heavenly Father. . . .” He placed the lovely diamond and sapphire ring on her index finger. “And to the Son . . .” He moved the ring to her middle finger. “And to the Holy Ghost.”

The ring slid gently onto her third finger, and Callie trembled at the impact of the moment and all that Wesley had just done. This wasn't just a promise to each other. This was a commitment to God, and she would never take that lightly.

With the ring in place, Wesley kissed it against her finger. Callie stared at the vision and then lifted her eyes once again to Wesley's loving gaze. Her vision blurred from the tears that rimmed her eyes.

“Wesley, you may now kiss your bride.”

Wes cupped her face with such reverence that Callie couldn't help but melt against his touch. The sun's warm rays seemed to burst around them as their lips joined together. The gentle sound of the waves against the shore was muffled by the cheers of the audience who watched. But lost in the moment, Callie heard only the beating of her heart—a heart that beat for Wesley Townsend. A throat was cleared nearby, and Wes broke their kiss with a grin. She had no idea how long the kiss had lasted, but Helena seemed more than a little anxious. She stepped forward and handed Callie and Wesley each a long-stemmed white rose. A light breeze brushed a stray curl against Callie's cheek as Wesley led them hand in hand to the water's edge.

She raised her eyes in question to Wesley.

“I wish your parents were here so I could thank them for raising such an incredible daughter. However, your mother and father are just on the other side of this water. I thought we could send these roses to them, as our way of making them part of our special day.”

Tears pricked Callie's eyes. She looked across the vast expanse, her heart swelling with love and pride. Was it possible to love this man even more? “I suppose it's impossible, but I have a feeling they know exactly what is happening. I feel them here with us now.”

“With God all things are possible.” Wesley slipped his arm around her waist and pulled her close.

Callie tossed her rose into the water, and Wesley did likewise. “I'd like to think these roses could travel all the way to Africa and find their way to my parents.” She looked at Wesley and saw the love in his eyes. “But no matter, I feel their love and yours, and I know that Africa isn't that far away after all.”

He drew her ever so gently into his arms and kissed her. The kiss was once again lingering and left Callie breathless.

“I suppose they're gonna kiss all the time now.” Daisy's voice was loud enough for everyone to hear.

The wedding audience burst into laughter, and Callie and Wes couldn't help but join in.

“I do plan to kiss her all the time, Daisy dear,” Wesley declared. “But since we are to have a great party in a few hours, I will settle for one more kiss now.” He gave Callie a quick peck and turned back to Daisy. “There you are.”

Lottie and Daisy ran forward and wrapped their arms around Callie. “You look like a fairy princess,” Lottie said.

“I feel rather like a princess.” Callie looked up into Wes's face. “And the handsome prince has rescued me.”

“Rescued you from what?” Daisy looked around the beach. “There aren't any dragons here.”

Callie touched her finger to the tip of Daisy's nose. “No indeed, Daisy. They wouldn't dare to show their faces here, but Wesley has rescued me from more harmful things than dragons.” She squeezed her husband's hand and knew he understood.

For a moment they had eyes only for each other, but soon the bridal party surrounded them with well-wishes and congratulations. Callie knew there would be very little time for privacy or intimate words in the next few hours, but in that solitary moment, when she looked into her husband's eyes, she saw everything she had longed for but hadn't dared hope would come.

Hours later, following a bridal luncheon with the families, Callie donned the luxurious white silk gown Mrs. Townsend had ordered for the wedding. It was a marvelous creation of draping silk and white seed pearls. An incredibly lavish concoction, but Callie had to admit the luxurious material against her skin felt decadent. Besides, Mrs. Townsend grew teary eyed at the sight of her in it, saying it pleased her no end to see her new “daughter” in a proper wedding dress.