by Lisa Harris
Everyone laughed as Lidia turned back toward Adam.
“I’m sorry about the lecture on farming,” he confessed. “It gave everyone a chance to sneak into the house—”
“And me a chance to squirm a bit?”
“I never said that, but you did deserve it, trying to find out.” Adam smiled and squeezed her hands. “Will you marry me, Lidia?”
“Oh yes, Adam. Without a doubt, yes.”
epilogue
Ten months later
The day had finally arrived. Her wedding day.
Lidia fingered the ends of her braid and tried to calm the flutter of butterflies in her stomach. The night before, her customary single braid had been redone into two, symbolizing the step she was about to take in leaving behind her life alone to be joined with Adam in marriage.
She stood before the beveled mirror in Sarah’s bedroom, making sure everything was perfect before going downstairs to meet Adam. The dark burgundy dress was by no means fancy, but in making it she’d added a few extra touches so it would be special for today. Three pearl buttons at the collar and lace around the edge of the sleeves and skirt for trim.
“Are you ready?” Rebecca held little Peter, she and Luke’s nine-month-old boy, in one arm while adjusting the edge of Lidia’s veil with the other. “You look beautiful.”
Lidia offered her a weak smile. “And you’re sure Adam will love the dress?”
She worked to steady her breathing at the wave of panic that hit her. Surely this was nothing more than a dream. The thought that Adam was right now waiting downstairs to take her as his bride was too wonderful to be true.
“The dress is perfect.” Michaela stepped forward and drew her arm around Lidia’s shoulder. “Besides, I have no doubt that he’ll be looking at you and not your dress.”
Lidia couldn’t help but laugh out loud. She was surrounded by people who loved her, and she was about to become Mrs. Lidia Johnson.
See, I have turned your mourning into laughter. Your sorrow into joy.
Her heart swelled with praise at the reminder. While she desperately wished that her mother and father could be here to celebrate this day with her, God had taken away her sorrow and brought happiness back into her life.
“Come now.” Rebecca opened the door to the room. “Everyone’s waiting outside for the procession to the church. And your bridegroom is waiting downstairs.”
Thanking God for His blessings, Lidia glanced up and nodded at Rebecca, who had become like a sister to her already. She was ready.
“I hope I’m next.” Sarah’s voice was full of longing as she followed Lidia into the narrow hallway.
“You’re only fourteen.” Rebecca nudged her sister gently. “It will happen one day. Then I’m sure you’ll have an amazing and romantic story to recount to your grandchildren.”
Sarah blushed as they hurried toward the stairs of the Johnson family home to where everyone was waiting for them.
Lidia saw Adam the moment she began her descent of the staircase.
She drew in her breath as her gaze swept his face. His eyes refected the smile on his lips. There was no doubt of his love for her. And no doubt in her own heart of her love for him.
Adam tugged on the bottom of his black suit jacket then stepped forward and took her hands as she reached the bottom. “You look … absolutely beautiful.”
“Thank you. And you …” Lidia felt her cheeks flush.
She’d always thought him handsome, but today his touch left her breathless. He led her toward the front door of the house and out into the bright spring morning. “My father has prepared the traditional Polish blessing for us before we go to the church.”
They moved to the front porch for the blessings, a part that was almost as important as the actual wedding ceremony. Everyone was dressed in their Sunday best. Many of the ladies had flowers pinned to their hats.
Mr. Johnson took their hands and pressed them together. “You look beautiful today, Lidia.”
He turned to the group of people who stood waiting, and everyone hushed as he began his prayer. “O Lord, we come before You today to ask Your blessing on this couple. May their home enjoy an abundance of love, good health, and happiness. We know that life may be difficult at times, but may they learn to cope. To rely on each other, and most importantly, may they always remember to rely on You. Amen.”
Lidia’s eyes rimmed with tears.
Mr. Johnson turned and addressed the crowd with a wide grin on his face. “To the church, everyone. We’ve got a wedding to celebrate!”
Boisterous shouts burst from the crowd, and music began to play from the fiddler and double bass players, who stood in the back.
As everyone got into the wagons, Adam helped Lidia onto his buckboard. Sitting down, she breathed in the fresh spring air that was laced with the scent of fresh flowers. This ride to the church would be the last time she sat beside him as Lidia Kowalski.
The buggy bumped beneath them, but she was only aware of the joy in her heart. So much had happened since the day he’d rescued her from the rabid dog. She was amazed that God had brought them this far. And now they had the rest of their lives to enjoy together.
Adam wrapped his arm around her and pulled her close as they followed the dirt path. “There’s something I forgot to ask Mrs. Gorski,” Adam said.
“What’s that?”
“Am I allowed to kiss the bride on the way to the church?”
“I don’t know. I suppose if you wanted to badly enough.”
“I do.”
Lidia’s heart raced in anticipation. “Then so be it.”
Adam leaned forward and brushed her lips with promises of what was yet to come. Floods of joy bubbled inside her. She pulled away briefly and looked into his eyes, knowing that she truly had found love in this New World.
A note from the Author:
I love to hear from my readers! You may correspond with me by writing:
Lisa Harris
Author Relations
PO Box 721
Uhrichsville, OH 44683
LISA HARRIS and her husband, Scott, along with their three children, live in northern South Africa, where they work as missionaries. When she’s not spending time with her family, her ministry, or writing, she enjoys traveling, learning how to cook different ethnic foods, and going on game drives through the African bush with her husband and kids. Find more about her latest books at www.lisaharriswrites.com