Red, White and Blue Weddings: Red Like Crimson, White as Snow, Out of the Blue

by Janice Thompson

“He did.” Katie resisted the urge to tell them about his adventures along the way. “He’s just outside the door.”

  “Oh, invite him in.” Sara gave her a warm and inviting smile.

  “Ah. . .are you sure?”

  “Yes.” Sara fussed with the covers to make herself more presentable.

  It took a bit of wooing to get Karl into the room, but when he saw the baby, his face came alive at once. “Oh, Sara, she’s amazing.” He went into a lengthy discussion about her beautiful features, and Katie couldn’t help but smile. The Amish weren’t prone to accept flattery, but her sister didn’t seem to mind the glowing report about her daughter.

  After a brief visit with Karl, Sara nodded off to sleep. Jacob followed Katie and Karl out into the hallway. “It would be good if you could take the car and go back to the house to tell the others,” he explained. “I’m sure Sara’s mamm is anxious to hear the news, and Emily, too.”

  “Will you be okay if we leave?” Katie asked.

  Jacob smiled. “We will be fine. And, as we said, we will return home by nightfall, anyway.”

  Katie sneaked back into the birthing room once more for a quick peek at her tiny niece. She reached down with her index finger and ran it along Rachel’s cheek. “Happy birthday, baby girl,” she whispered. “Now, sleep tight.”

  Minutes later, Katie settled into the car with Karl behind the wheel. She leaned her head back against the seat, trying to take in all of the day’s events. For whatever reason, her eyes began to water.

  “You okay?” Karl looked over at her in concern.

  “Yes.” She used a fingertip to brush away a tear. “I just find it interesting that the baby was born today, the day after we buried Datt. It’s almost like the Lord wanted to prove that life would go on in spite of our pain.”

  “Amen.” Karl reached to give her hand a squeeze, and they sat that way for some time.

  “One life ends and another begins,” she whispered. “Though”—the tears began in earnest—“I can’t help but wonder what Datt would’ve thought of the baby. He was always so wonderful with the little ones.”

  “Your father was a man who really knew how to live—and love,” Karl said. “I used to watch him with his animals and marvel at how he treated them with such tenderness.”

  “Yes.” Katie smiled as the memories flooded over her.

  “And I can remember one night when I was about seventeen,” Karl continued, “your datt and I were standing out on your front porch looking at the sunset. I was ready to go back in the house as the sun dipped off to the west, but he wanted to linger a few minutes more. It might sound strange, but I learned a lot from him, how he paused to take in every precious second of a sunset. He told me to stop, to be patient. That I would miss the best part if I hurried away.”

  Before responding, Katie thought about the many times she had hurried away from things. And people. “What did you do?”

  Karl chuckled. “I stood there, of course. And within minutes, the colors all kind of merged together—red, orange, gold, pink—they slipped away behind huge white clouds. It was like the outer edges of the clouds were suddenly broadcast in Technicolor display, like something you’d see in a rare photograph. And I almost missed it. But your datt—”

  “He never missed a thing,” Katie said thoughtfully. She paused as she pondered that, finally adding, “Until now.”

  Karl pulled his hand away and reached to start the car. “Oh, I don’t know. I’d like to think he was looking on today, observing from above.”

  “Observing which part?” Katie turned to Karl and chuckled. “The part where his granddaughter entered the world or the part where a young man he once trusted enough to marry his daughter chatted on a cell phone while driving his buggy?”

  Karl erupted in laughter as he slipped the car into gear. “Okay, you’ve got me there. Maybe it’s better to assume he was distracted getting the Walken family mansion ready instead of keeping an eye on us.”

  Katie thought about Karl’s words all the way back to the house. It did bring her some comfort to know her father had led the way. Perhaps he’d already discovered a patch of farmland in heaven, ready to be plowed. Or maybe he’d stumbled upon a creek stocked full of smallmouth bass, ready to be caught.

  At any rate, he was sure to be enjoying every sight, every sound.

  Katie glanced out of the car window at the beautiful countryside and, with a wistful sigh, committed to do the same.

  TEN

  Katie paid particular attention to the exquisite colors of the Pennsylvania sunset that night. Perhaps it had something to do with Karl’s story about her father. Or maybe it had a little something to do with the fact that Karl pulled away from the farm at the very time the sun slipped off the edge of the horizon to the west.

  Regardless, she stood quite still on the front porch of the house she’d grown up in and paid extra-special attention to the mesmerizing details as they unfolded, minute by minute. Sure enough, what started out as a blazing yellow ball in the sky eventually morphed into shimmering shades of orange and then fiery red. The whole thing seemed to happen in stages, and she didn’t want to miss even one.

  Funny. Watching the progression made her think of Karl— how her relationship with him had moved along in varying stages over the years, changing colors at each point. Her heart twisted a bit at the revelation. To know that she’d hurt him all those years ago brought such pain. And guilt.

  Tonight, just before he pulled away, Katie had taken a few moments to beg for his forgiveness, something she should have done years ago. Karl, in his usual gracious way, had told her there was nothing to forgive, that God had already mended any wounds she might have inflicted, intentional or otherwise. Clearly, he had forgiven her years ago. And truly, the Lord had forgiven her as well. How many times had she poured out her heart, asking God to wash away any pain she might have caused her friends and family as a thrill-seeking young woman?

  But now, as she stood staring at the sunset, Katie had to wonder, had she forgiven herself? If so, why did this gripping sensation grab hold of her every time she remembered what she’d done? Perhaps this would be just the time to take care of that.

  As the red in the skies above faded to a soft bluish pink, Katie took a moment to release herself from the overwhelming guilt. To set herself free. Within seconds, the weight she’d been carrying began to lift, and she literally felt better. Now she could truly look to the future.

  A sudden gust of wind whipped through the trees in the front yard, startling her. Katie discovered a hummingbird swooping down upon its feeder above, its tiny wings whirring with anticipation. Oh, to be that carefree! Did the little creature have a worry in the world?

  After dipping his beak into the sweet liquid, the angelic creature flew away, apparently in a rush to move on. As he lifted off and disappeared from view, Katie’s burden seemed to fly away with him, heading off to the vastness of the horizon. “As far as the east is from the west.” She quoted the familiar scripture.

  She thought about her relationship with her family and how like that little hummingbird she’d become over the years—touching down only when she felt like it. Her parents had sugared the water many times, trying to woo her back home. Still, she had remained distant.

  Katie turned in curiosity as the hinges on the screen door let out a squeak. She smiled as her gaze landed on Emily, who appeared on the porch with a concerned look on her face.

  “Ah, here you are. We’ve been looking for you. Mamm has made supper.”

  “She should be resting.”

  Emily shrugged. “Still, she’s made supper and won’t start until you join us. You know we never sit to eat until everyone is there.”

  Yes, Katie certainly knew the family’s time-honored traditions.

  She followed her sister into the house and joined the others at the table for what looked to be quite a feast. Surely her mother had not cooked all of this food today. No, much of it had to have come from women in the com
munity.

  As she took her seat at the table, Katie glanced over at her mother. Mamm’s face carried a weary expression; the wrinkles around her eyes had deepened over the past few days. However, she never stopped working, not for a second. Katie wondered if her mother secretly longed for a different kind of life—one that would allow for an evening of Chinese takeout with an old movie on television afterward. If anyone deserved a rest, Mamm did.

  Observing her surroundings, Katie had to admit her mother clearly liked things as they were. Everything in the place had a practical purpose. Each item had its use. If Mamm quietly longed for beautiful things—jewelry, clothes, and so forth—it certainly didn’t show. Likely she’d never considered it.

  These things Katie contemplated as she filled her plate with amazing foods—corn chowder, beef and noodles, cabbage, beets, and more. The smells wafted upward, tantalizing her, taking her back in time to when this kind of meal was commonplace. Diving into the familiar fare, Katie wondered if she would ever get used to her regular food routine again.

  The conversation around the dinner table proved to be considerably quieter tonight. Her older brothers, she knew, were working up the courage to talk to Mamm about the work that needed to be done on the property. She’d heard them quietly talking earlier in the day, trying to iron out details. They had a good plan, but Katie secretly hoped they would pick another night to discuss such things. Tonight, all of them needed to rest both their bodies and their minds.

  Thankfully, the meal passed quickly. As they nibbled at generous slices of shoofly pie afterward, the sound of Buddy’s barking from outside the house startled them. Katie rose from the table and went into the living room, looking out the window to discover Sara and Jacob had returned in the buggy.

  “They’re home, Mamm!” Katie hollered out, and the room filled with people. They all waited at the front door until Jacob and Sara appeared, with the baby in her mother’s arms.

  “Let me see that little one.” Mamm reached out her arms, and Sara willingly complied by handing the infant to her own mother.

  Katie watched from a distance as her mother’s silent tears flowed. She knew, of course, the thoughts that must be rolling through Mamm’s head, the same words that had gone through her own, just hours before: “The Lord giveth and the Lord taketh away.”

  “This precious child is blessed of God,” Mamm said as she gave the little one a tender kiss on the forehead. “And will follow Him all the days of her life.”

  A resounding “Amen” echoed around the room as their mother gave such an anointed blessing. Katie couldn’t help but hear Datt’s voice among the others. Surely he would have prayed over Rachel himself had he been here.

  In her usual way, Mamm quickly handed the baby back to tend to her work. There were dishes to be done, after all, and floors to be swept. Idle hands were the devil’s tools. Katie could practically hear the words rolling around in her mother’s head, even now.

  All pitched in, and before long they were able to enjoy a few moments together on the front porch. Katie gazed up into the sky, wondering if Karl had made it back to Doylestown okay. She wanted to call him, but several things prevented her from picking up the cell phone. To do so on her mother’s front porch would be a direct insult, and. . .well, to call Karl so quickly after his leaving might make her look anxious.

  Was she anxious?

  Buddy came and sat at her feet, placing his head on her knees. Katie gave him a good rub behind the ears. “What are you looking for, sweet puppy—more attention?”

  He nuzzled against her and let out a soft moan. Emily chuckled. “He’s just missing his wife, is all.”

  “His wife?”

  “We have a beautiful female retriever in the barn. Looks just like him, only a bit smaller. Her name is Honey.”

  “I can’t believe I haven’t seen her running around,” Katie said as she gave Buddy another affectionate rub.

  “There’s a reason for that. She’s nursing eight puppies.”

  “Eight?” No wonder the poor thing hadn’t been out for a visit.

  “I’ll take you to see them in the morning,” Emily said with a yawn. “In the meantime, I think we’re going to turn in for the night.”

  Katie watched as her sister and brother-in-law disappeared into the house, hand in hand. How wonderful it must be to have someone walk you through such a difficult time, to hold your hand and tell you everything was going to be all right. And how wonderful to know that same person would still be there, day after day, holding you close as you grew old together.

  With a sigh on her lips, Katie resolved to shift her thoughts to something else, something a little less painful. She wondered how things were going at the office and promised herself she’d call Hannah in the morning before heading back to Doylestown.

  Thinking of the realty office reminded Katie of the property she’d recently listed—the one near the lake. Hopefully there had been some showings there, despite her absence. She smiled as she thought about it. The lake. The house. The acreage. It was the closest thing to heaven she’d seen in a while.

  On the other hand. . .as she glanced around the Walken farm as the evening skies kissed it good night, Katie was suddenly aware of the truth. No other piece of property on planet earth could begin to compare with the one in front of her right now.

  ❧

  As Karl made the drive home, he remembered to turn his cell phone back on. Checking the messages, he noted four from the law office, including one that sounded fairly urgent. He would have to take care of that one quickly. He also found a message from Aimee at Bucks County Realty regarding the Chandler property. Finally, Karl was surprised to hear a somewhat lengthy message from a young woman at his church who worked in the children’s ministry, asking if he would consider assisting in kid’s church one Sunday morning a month.

  As he flipped the phone shut, he took a moment to let that one sink in. Help with the children’s ministry? He’d never worked with children before. Well, unless he counted all those years ago when he wasn’t much more than a child himself. But even then, caring for little ones hadn’t come naturally to him. On the other hand, just one glimpse at Jacob and Sara’s newborn had melted him like butter. Maybe he had loved children all along and just didn’t know it.

  Still, he had to wonder about this particular young woman’s request that he help out in the children’s ministry. Karl had it on good authority—his best friend and pastor, Jay Ludlow— that DeeAnn Miller had her eye on him. And not just for ministry.

  What any woman would see in him, Karl had no idea. For the most part, his workload kept him too busy for a relationship. And when he did think about spending time with a woman—which wasn’t often—he had a hard time not comparing her to the only woman he’d ever loved.

  Karl arrived back at his house, his stomach rumbling. He was already missing the amazing foods from Paradise, for sure. He reached into the refrigerator and pulled out a bottle of water and an apple. Settling down onto the sofa, he let his mind wander. For whatever reason, the only thing he could think about—the only person he could think about—was Katie. He wondered what she was doing right now at her mother’s house. Had she turned in for the night?

  He glanced at the clock. 8:45.

  They were probably just winding down for the day. Maybe Sara and Jacob had arrived home with the baby.

  In many ways, Karl envied Jacob. A caring wife. A healthy child. A beautiful home on some of the greenest land in all of Lancaster County. A simple life, and yet. . .

  Life in the Amish country hadn’t all been simple, had it?

  No, after Katie had left, nothing had ever been simple again. In fact, the hole she’d left in his heart when she slipped out of the window had only grown larger over time. And when his parents died. . .

  He remembered back to that day with a chill running down his spine. It had truly been the worst day of his life, one he did his best to put behind him.

  Why now, after all these years, h
ad it come back to haunt him? Likely, visiting Paradise had done that. And seeing the property now—with his own eyes—and how the land had been restored and a new home built only intensified the pain.

  Karl pondered that for a moment, finally realizing the truth of it. He’d forgiven Katie for running away all those years ago. And strange as it might sound, he’d even forgiven his parents for leaving him behind as they’d ventured on to heaven ahead of him. The only One he might not have forgiven, now that he thought about it, was the One who could have prevented it all from happening in the first place.

  The revelation nearly drove Karl to his knees. Had he been harboring unforgiveness. . .against God? Was such a thing really possible?

  He settled onto the sofa to spend some time thinking through the matter. After a few minutes, he came to the conclusion that he had, albeit subconsciously, held the Lord responsible for the emptiness in his heart. With determination settling in, he opted to release that blame—once and for all.

  ELEVEN

  There was something rather magical about an early summer morning on a Pennsylvania farm. Perhaps it could be blamed on the green leaves of the oak trees as the soft breeze moved them back and forth. Or maybe it had more to do with the misty dew on the grass, which put Katie in mind of those whimsical summer mornings as a child.

  The summers had been her favorite time, after all. How many times had she pulled off her shoes and run barefoot through the fields, hidden behind majestic stalks of wheat? And how many times had Datt come running after her, his resounding laughter riding along the breeze?

  Now, as midsummer inched its way over her parents’ farm, one thing remained abundantly clear—the seasons of Katie’s life had changed. She could smell it in the air, like a much- anticipated rainstorm. She wasn’t quite sure what it meant, but a shift was definitely coming. She could no more control it than she could summer turning to fall, or fall to winter.