A Wedding at the Orange Blossom Inn

by Shelley Shepard Gray

  Jay thought she might be, but he knew Ben wouldn’t appreciate his father speculating about his love life. “I don’t know if Tricia is or isn’t. Only Ben can answer that one.”

  “She’s funny. Remember last week when she decided to make us supper?”

  “I do. Macaroni and cheese and hamburger patties.” He smiled. It had been a simple meal, but tasty, too. William had asked for seconds.

  “She made the mac and cheese from scratch. It was gut.”

  “It was.” Unable to resist, he added, “Of course, our Ben made sure we knew that.”

  “Oh, yeah, he did. Like eight times.”

  “Mark, it wasn’t that many. Probably only seven.”

  They were chuckling as the kitchen door opened and Ben stepped inside. Jay could tell Ben was startled to see them.

  “Hey,” he said. “What are you two doing down here? I thought you’d be asleep.”

  “I was just sipping a last cup of coffee when Mark came downstairs. We started talking.”

  “Oh.” Ben’s eyes strayed to the doorway and the stairs beyond. Jay knew his eldest would like nothing better than to dart out of the kitchen and escape their company. But tomorrow’s focus would be the farm and all of the tasks that needed to be taken care of, and Jay knew he wasn’t going to be able to concentrate on any of that until he knew his eldest was all right.

  “So . . . were you with Tricia this whole time?”

  “Jah.” His cheeks flushed.

  That took Jay by surprise. Ben was not a blusher. He was forthright and confident.

  “Is she okay? I noticed she was a little upset with her aunt.”

  “She’s fine.”

  “Oh. Gut.” A dozen other questions were on the tip of his tongue, but for the life of him, he couldn’t imagine that any of them would be well received, especially not in front of Mark.

  Luckily, Mark was not nearly so hesitant. “What did you two do? Where did you go?”

  Ben sighed, pulled out a chair one-handed, and joined them. “I guess you two aren’t going to let me go up to my room without being grilled.”

  “I was hardly grilling you, Ben,” Jay said. However, Ben was right. He did want some answers.

  “It’s okay if you don’t want to share.” Mark’s grin turned sly.

  Ben glared. “We went over by the river. To talk,” he said with a meaningful glare at his brother. “We did nothing to be embarrassed about.”

  “Of course not,” Jay murmured.

  After taking a deep breath, Ben added, “I asked Tricia to marry me tonight.”

  “No way,” Mark said.

  “Way.” Ben lifted his chin. “And just so you know, Tricia said yes. We’re engaged. Tricia Overholt is going to be my wife.”

  Mark’s chair legs slammed to the floor and then, at last, one of the back legs cracked and gave way. With a bark of surprise, Mark jumped to his feet as the chair clattered to the floor.

  Ben shook his head. “Looks like after three years of warnings, you finally broke that chair.”

  “Sorry, Daed,” Mark said quickly. “I’ll, um, get it fixed.”

  At the moment, Jay wouldn’t have cared if the chair had broken into a dozen pieces. All he could think about was Ben’s proposal . . . and the way he was so sure and certain about it. He was happy for his son but couldn’t help but be worried, too. The last thing he wanted was for Ben to be jumping feetfirst into a situation he wasn’t ready for.

  Needing another second to gather his thoughts, he focused on the chair. “I’m not upset, Mark. I know you’ll get it fixed. As a matter of fact, I think Frank Kaufmann might be able to help you. He’s Zack Kauffman’s daed. I think you know Zack?”

  “Jah, I know him. I’ll see him tomorrow,” Mark mumbled, staring at his brother. “Ben, did ya really propose?”

  His brother waited a second, then nodded. “Jah. I can’t believe it.”

  Jay had always known this day would come, but he’d imagined it would be one day far in the future. He’d also always imagined that he would have the right words to say. And, well, that he would be more prepared.

  Therefore, he clung to Ben’s last words like the lifeline that they were. “You can’t believe it?” he asked hesitantly. “Does that mean you didn’t intend to ask Tricia to marry you?”

  “Not at all. Tricia and I were sitting together, talking about her aunt Beverly. Then, next thing I know I’m telling her that I love her. Then she says that she loves me, too. And then . . .”

  “And then . . . what?” Mark asked, leaning forward.

  “And then I did it.”

  Mark’s mouth was undoubtedly letting in flies, it was hanging so far open.

  Jay could sympathize with him. It was something of a shock. But as he stared at his eldest, he saw something new in his expression. A contented happiness. And peace, too. He was happy about this. Really happy. “This is certainly big news,” he said at last, because Ben was staring at him, likely waiting for his father to say something of worth.

  “Daed, that’s it? That’s all you’re going to say?”

  “Nee. I’m simply trying to come up with the right words.” Jay was also wondering how much to react . . . or if Ben and Tricia had gotten so wrapped up in their romance that they had let the moment get to them.

  But then he remembered how he’d just been asking for Evelyn for guidance and realized exactly how she would have reacted. She would have put Ben’s feelings first. Always, she put the boys’ needs first.

  It was time he did the same.

  “Congratulations, Ben. I’m so happy for you,” he said at last. “This is wonderful. Wunderbaar.” Standing up, he gave Ben a hug. “I love you and I hope you will be happy together. From what I know of Tricia, I think she’s a fine girl.”

  “Danke,” Ben said.

  “We’ll talk more in the morning, but for now I think it’s time I went to bed. Mark, move the chair out of the way.”

  Mark silently did as he was asked. Then, just as Jay was halfway up the stairs, he heard the words he’d been waiting for from his middle son.

  “I’m happy for ya,” Mark said. “Tricia’s really nice. And really pretty.”

  “Jah. She is. Danke.”

  Jay smiled to himself and as he climbed into bed he said a couple of prayers. Then, finally, he whispered into the dark, “You would have been mighty happy tonight, Evelyn. Our eldest is happy. God is very good.”

  TRICIA WAS RELIEVED TO discover that the inn was quiet when she slipped in the back door. The last thing she wanted to do was discuss what had happened with Beverly. Or worse, discuss it within the hearing of one of the guests. Although she wasn’t eager to discuss what had happened earlier with Beverly, she couldn’t resist continually reliving every moment that she’d spent with Ben.

  He loved her. He wanted to marry her.

  He’d asked her to marry him!

  And just as important, she’d wanted those things, too! In the span of a few hours she’d gone from unsure of her future to being engaged to a wonderful man.

  The difference was truly miraculous.

  She knew she was going to be spending quite a few hours that evening in prayer. She had so much to be thankful for. God had led her to Sarasota, to working at the inn instead of turning tail and running back home. He had brought Ben and his family to the inn, too.

  He had given her so many blessings, in fact, that it was difficult to remember just how forlorn she’d felt when she’d first climbed on the Pioneer Trails bus. She’d truly thought that God had forgotten about her. Now she was ashamed that she’d had so little faith in His plan. But perhaps that was what she was supposed to learn—that sometimes she needed to remember that with faith, all things were possible.

  After taking off her shoes and setting them by the back door, she filled a glass with water and headed to her room. Then stopped when she saw a light shining under her aunt’s door. Though she was tempted to tiptoe by, Tricia knew that her aunt deserved better than that
. She’d taken her in when Tricia thought she’d had nobody. That overruled any hurt feelings she might have about Beverly not completely supporting her relationship with Ben.

  With that in mind, she tapped lightly on the door. “Aunt Bev, I’m home.”

  Almost immediately, the door opened. “Tricia, I’m so glad you stopped to tell me you were back,” she said as she reached out and gave her a warm hug. “I feared you were upset with me.”

  “I was upset, but I’m better now.”

  “Really?” Beverly searched her face. “I want you to know that I’m sorry for speaking my mind like I did. I shouldn’t have been so bold, especially not in front of Jay and Emma and their families.”

  “It’s over now.”

  Beverly sighed, obviously relieved. “Did you and Ben have a good night?”

  “We did.” She debated the pros and cons of telling her aunt what had happened with Ben. It was true that she didn’t want any negative words ruining her moment. However, on the other hand, Tricia knew Aunt Beverly would have to know before she called to tell her parents the news. It would be best to get her announcement over with instead of worrying about how and when it was going to take place. “Something happened, Aunt Beverly.”

  “Oh?” Her face looked impassive, like she was afraid to reveal too many of her thoughts. She patted the side of her bed. “Come sit beside me.”

  Tricia hopped up on the side of the bed and curled her feet underneath her. Then she bit her lip.

  “You can tell me anything, Tricia. You know that, yes?”

  “I know.” Taking a deep breath, she said, “Ben asked me to marry him tonight and I said yes.”

  Aunt Beverly froze. “Oh. Well, my goodness.”

  Even though she knew her aunt was stunned, Tricia barreled on. “I know you’re surprised, and I understand that. But Aunt Bev, I’m really happy.”

  Beverly smiled slightly. “Jah. I see that.”

  “I love him.” Taking a deep breath, Tricia continued. “And don’t say I don’t know anything about love because I do. I know I love Ben Hilty. And I know this feels right. It feels as right as everything back in Walnut Creek felt wrong.”

  When she noticed that tears were filling her aunt’s eyes, Tricia closed her own in frustration. Sliding off the side of the bed, she berated herself a dozen ways. She should have planned this announcement better. She should have thought more carefully about how to tell her aunt.

  “I’m going to go to bed now. Good night,” she whispered.

  “Tricia?”

  It took everything she had to turn around and face her aunt. “Jah?”

  “I’m happy for you.”

  “That’s why you’re crying?”

  “I’m crying because you’re happy. And because I am so very happy for you.” Scooting off the bed, she crossed the room and enfolded Tricia into a warm hug. “This is a wonderful-gut moment. I’m happy and excited, you sweet girl.”

  “Promise?”

  “I promise. My goodness! We will certainly have a lot to talk about tomorrow.”

  “So much to talk about.” Unbidden, tears slid down Tricia’s cheeks. “This is the happiest night of my life,” she said.

  “Jah, dear. Some moments are so beautiful, only tears can tell our joy.”

  Tricia held those words close to her heart the rest of the night.

  Chapter 17

  What a commotion three girls and one boy could make while running down the street! As her girls and William ran toward her, all smiling as bright as you please, Emma quickly stepped out of the flower bed she was weeding and dusted off the front of her dress.

  “Mamm!” Lena called out. “Mamm, guess what?”

  “What? I canna begin to guess,” she teased, looking just beyond the four kinner at Tricia and Ben, who were walking far more sedately behind them. Ben had offered to get the children from school from time to time as a simple way to thank her for helping William with his homework. Carefully, she scanned the children’s expressions, looking for signs that one of the kids was in trouble or that something unexpected had happened at school.

  “It’s wonderful-gut,” Mandy said as she practically skidded to a stop in front of Emma. “The best.”

  After giving her, Annie, and William hugs, she straightened and looked at Ben and Tricia again. “Now that all of you are here, please don’t keep me in suspense any longer. What happened?”

  “Ben and Tricia are going to get married!” William said.

  “Oh!” Looking at the young couple, she felt tears prick her eyes. “Mandy was correct, this is wonderful-gut news. The best! Congratulations to you both.”

  Before Tricia or Ben could get a word in edgewise, Lena added, “And Mommy, guess what? They’re going to get married at the Orange Blossom Inn!”

  “Truly?”

  “In four weeks’ time!” Mandy exclaimed as all three girls joined hands and began jumping around again.

  Emma sat down on the front step and reached a hand out to William. “And congratulations to you, too, William! Soon, you will have a new sister.”

  His eyes widened. “I never thought of it like that.” He clutched her hand and made her very happy when he sat down right by her side.

  “I’m sure Tricia has thought of that. Ain’t so?” she asked the young lady.

  Smiling softly, Tricia nodded. “I have a sister but no brothers, William. I’m glad you and Mark will be my bruders. It’s a lovely blessing.”

  “Indeed, it is,” Emma said. “Happy news is always a blessing, to be sure.” When both Ben and Tricia sat down on her small front porch, she smiled. “Tell me how your parents took it.”

  “My daed was surprised but pleased, too,” Ben said. “He married my mamm when they were young, so he remembered what being in love at our age felt like.”

  “I married at eighteen, so I remember that feeling, too,” she said softly. Suddenly, all the years of building a home and a marriage flashed in her mind. Those had been busy years, stressful years. She and Sanford had been so young and inexperienced in the ways of the world. Luckily for them, though, they hadn’t had time to wonder if they were doing things right. They’d had Lena almost ten months after the wedding and Mandy and Annie followed soon after.

  Then, of course, came Sanford’s heart attack. And after that? Well, her life had changed forever.

  The rush of emotion she felt was an unwanted surprise. She didn’t want her past heartache to interfere with the happiness Ben and Tricia were experiencing.

  Suddenly she realized that she’d been staring off into the distance and that the couple in front of her was simply waiting for her to continue.

  “I’m sorry. I guess my mind flew away with me. Ben, I’m so glad Jay is happy for you.” Exhaling, she said, “Tricia, what did your family say?”

  Tricia bit her bottom lip. “They were pretty shocked, of course. My parents don’t know Ben and last they heard, I moved here to discover myself, not fall in love.”

  Emma noticed that Tricia looked a little hesitant but not devastated. “Will they let you get married?”

  After a pause, she nodded. “At first they wanted me to go right back home, but after talking to them for, oh, hours, they began to understand how I felt.” Looking sweetly bashful, she peeked at Ben. “I don’t think a person can keep themselves from falling in love. It just happens whenever it’s the right time.”

  “It sure does seem that way,” Emma mused. “I’m glad your parents didn’t forbid you to marry or demand that you return home.”

  “Me, too, though I wouldn’t have agreed to move back no matter how much they yelled.” Clasping her hands together, she said, “I’m so happy. I feel like everything in my life is coming together. I can’t wait to get married!”

  Beside her, Ben looked like he was trying not to start laughing. He held it together, letting her shine.

  Emma smiled at the pair. She briefly wondered what Beverly’s reaction had been but decided not to ask since Tricia hadn’t
mentioned her. “Soon, I’ll have to have you two over for supper. We’ll celebrate your wonderful-gut news.”

  When everyone started laughing, even the children, she giggled, too. “I know the last meal didn’t go so well. But one can only hope that the next will go better. I’m sure it will. Well, with the Lord’s help.”

  Ben leaned back on his hands. “Now, what I really want to know is what you are going to do, Emma.”

  She wasn’t following. “What am I going to do about what?”

  “You know, when my daed asks you to go courting.” Lowering his voice, he said, “Will you say yes?”

  “He wants to court me?” Her voice sounded as giddy as Tricia’s. No doubt her cheeks were just as flushed with excitement. Remembering herself, she hesitantly asked, “I mean, what makes you think Jay and I would ever start seeing each other?”

  Tricia wrapped her arms around her knees. “Miss Emma, I’m sorry, but it’s kind of obvious that the two of you like each other.”

  Emma glanced to her left and right, worried that her girls were listening in. But they were currently bringing William through the back gate. Once she knew the coast was clear, she shook her head. “I don’t know what to say.”

  “You could answer Ben’s question. What would you say if Jay came calling like a proper suitor?”

  “I don’t know,” she whispered. And her answer was true. Yes, she’d noticed that Jay Hilty was handsome. And she had spent an evening or two imagining what it would be like having someone special in her life again. To have a man who cared for her the way that Sanford had.

  But there was a vast difference between wondering about something happening one day and what Ben and Tricia were talking about. Frankly, just the idea of Jay knocking on the door to see her was exciting. And it gave her a giant knot deep in the middle of her stomach.

  Tricia looked at her closely. “Have you ever thought about marrying again?”

  “I have,” she said cautiously. “Well, from time to time. But I’ve always thought about it in a vague way, like when I wonder what it would feel like walking on the streets of Paris or Rome. I never truly thought I would find another man I would want to date.”