by Mary Cantell
“And wherever Cupid’s arrow fell, the kindling it stirred would simmer forever.”
She caught Brian’s eye.
“You wanna get married here?” he asked.
Lissa smiled. “I can’t think of a better place.”
“I like it, Mom,” Lacy piped in.
“Me, too,” chimed Hannah.
Chapter Forty-Nine
Melodious strains of Mendelssohn filtered in the still September air of Glen Meadows Park. Gathered in the grassy clearing at the foot of the Lora Loch Bridge sat several rows of white wooden chairs all draped in pastel shades of blue, pink, and yellow ribbons. Clusters of pale pink roses hung along the aisles and also adorned the arbor at the front of a low stone wall.
“Wow, aren’t you a sight,” said Uncle Charlie, who wrapped his arms around Lissa and planted a kiss lightly on her cheek. “Sorry, we’re late. Your aunt had a run in her stocking. I hope you weren’t too worried.” The faint scent of amber drifted from his skin.
“She always worries,” Lacy chimed in.
“Never mind, Lacy. Uncle Charlie, you look amazing. Not to worry. You’re here, now. And I’m sure Aunt Celia’s stockings look amazing, too.” Lissa raised her hand to block the sun as she turned to the guests who were gathering on the hill. “Where is she?”
“She’s here. Somewhere,” he said, adjusting his tie.
Lissa smoothed her hands nervously down the folds of her silk dress and took a peek from where she stood beside the bridge. Her heart palpitated when, oddly, she couldn’t find Brian anywhere in the crowd. She searched the rows, one-by-one, and spotted Robin, little Alex, Aunt Celia, and Miss Rucker seated together. Behind them sat Mrs. Houser, Drew, and some other neighbors and friends from church, along with Dr. Billing and his wife. Coming up in the near distance, she spotted Cousin Lenny, and her nephew, Stephen. The rest of the gathering consisted of Brian’s parents and other relatives from his side of the family. Where’s Brian?
Her heart thudded in her chest as she scanned the crowd. By the time she took another look, the sun emerged from behind a tassel of clouds and, in the distance, she finally spotted him chatting with the pastor. Her heart lightened. Next to them, stood their best man, Donny McCall, who cleaned up so well she hardly recognized him.
Lacy and Hannah, adorable in their ivory lace dresses, busied themselves comparing each other’s basket of roses.
“Okay, girls, it’s almost time.” She clapped her hands to get their attention. “Let’s get ourselves centered.”
“What’s centered?” Hannah asked.
“It means to calm down and focus,” Lacy interjected. “Just breathe in through your nose and out through your mouth and hold your finger and thumb like this.” Lacy demonstrated the exercise until Hannah caught on. “My mom does this all the time.”
Lissa paused to say a quick, silent prayer. Moments later, the processional music began.
“All right, very good, girls,” Lissa said, pulling her daughter’s hands away from her face and quickly fixing her hair. “I think we’re calm enough. Now it’s time to head out. You know what you’re doing, right?”
“Got it, Mom. We practiced it enough.” She rolled her eyes.
I hope so.
From the hill, she watched the girls walk together and scatter the rose petals along the white runner. Uncle Charlie gave her a wink and then took her by the hand and placed it on his arm before they headed down the aisle.
With all the memories she made as a young child contributing to the blueprint of her life, there would always be a piece of her heart attached to this place. The defining moments pressed into the far reaches of her psyche, no less than a notary seal on a civil document. What better place to seal the covenant of her love with her childhood friend than right here. Her moment had come. In a few minutes she would be Mrs. Brian Pickering. Her heart felt so light, the late September breeze could have carried it away. At the altar, Uncle Charlie let go of her arm, kissed her on the cheek, and placed her hand in Brian’s.
Lissa leaned into Brian, perfectly calm in his presence, much the same as she’d been even as a little girl. After their vows, Pastor DuBow closed his Bible and gave Brian a subtle grin, saying, “You may now kiss the bride.” After a warm, sweet kiss, they turned around and the pastor announced to the crowd, “May I now introduce Mr. and Mrs. Brian Lawrence Pickering.”
The scattered clouds parted, and the sun shone full as the smiling couple moved down the aisle hand-in-hand. In the crowd, an unexpected face in the last row drew her attention. There sat Brian’s eldest daughter, Madison. Her face held a reserved smile. Even though Lissa forgave her for what happened, she never expected the girl to show up at the wedding. Another answered prayer.
The coo of mourning doves echoed from the birch trees. Lissa looked toward the sky. In that moment, two birds flew out from the trees and landed on top of the kissing bridge. A small voice spoke inside of her. She’d heard it before, and her heart ached with bittersweet joy at the memory. The words belonged to Jason and served as a reminder of something he once told her before he went off to Afghanistan for another tour of duty. He had given her permission to remarry if anything were to happen to him. She chided him at the time and didn’t believe his remark all that humorous. Now, she couldn’t help smiling at the memory of his words: “Maybe, one day, you’ll get to marry Brian Pickering after all.”
A word about the author…
Servant of the King of Kings, Mary adopted her natural love of language early—right after her third-grade teacher told her parents their daughter would never become a mathematician.
After earning a B.A. in English Writing and Communications, she eventually became a radio/TV broadcaster in Philadelphia. After sixteen years in the news biz, she began writing full time and hasn’t stopped. Beyond the Roses is her third novel.
http://www.marycantell.com
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