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

by Janice Thompson

  “Far from it.” He shook his head, recognizing his own weaknesses far more than his strengths. “I’m on a learning curve in so many areas. But I think I’ll be a better student with you at my side.” He looked down into Katie’s eyes and realized. . . he’d be a better everything with her at his side.

  ❧

  The joy in Katie’s heart consumed her all the way back to the house. She could hardly wait to tell the others. How would they respond? Emily would surely jump for joy. And Sara would be thrilled. Mamm. . .

  Katie drew in a breath as she thought about her mother. What would Mamm think, after all these years? Would she expect her daughter to ease back into the Amish lifestyle then have a traditional Amish wedding ceremony? Katie had something a little different in mind, but surely Karl was right.

  Perhaps they could merge the two worlds, come to some sort of comfortable arrangement.

  As she thought back over Karl’s plan—to move back to Lancaster County—a thousand thoughts went through her mind. She’d have to call Hannah, of course. Would her cousin be disappointed to lose her at Bucks County Realty? Likely, but she’d be just as thrilled to attend her wedding with the children in tow.

  Katie smiled as she thought about that. If Hannah really came to the wedding, she would finally get to see her own mother again. Katie whispered up a prayer that God would eventually allow them to reconcile, for Aunt Emma to see the beautiful woman Hannah had become. And to meet her grandchildren. What a joyous day that would be—for everyone involved.

  “A penny for your thoughts.”

  Katie looked over at Karl as he spoke the words. “Oh, I’m thinking about how good God is. He’s already mended my relationship with my family, and I’m hoping He’ll do the same for Hannah and her mother.”

  “Time is a great healer.” Karl gave her hand a squeeze.

  “Yes, it surely is.” She pondered his words. Time had healed more than her relationship with her parents and with God. It had mended her once-shattered relationship with the man she would now spend the rest of her life with. “The problem with time is. . .there’s so little of it.”

  “When you live in the city,” he offered.

  She laughed. “I suppose you’re right about that. It does feel like the clock speeds up when we’re away from Paradise. But I have a feeling. . .” A smile crept across her lips.

  “What?”

  “Well, I have a feeling the clock’s going to move at warp speed during our engagement. We have so much planning to do. We’ll have to settle on a date and figure out where the ceremony will take place. And, of course, I’ll have to find the perfect dress. We’ll have to decide how many guests to invite then select invitations. And we’ll have to talk about who will perform the ceremony. Oh, and then we’ll have to see about bridal showers. Surely Hannah and Aimee will want to host one for me.” She dove off into a lengthy list of things they would have to do together over the next few months, totally lost in the joy of it all.

  “Whoa.” He interrupted her with a laugh. “I can’t believe you’re already thinking about these things.”

  Katie stopped dead in her tracks and stared him down. “Are you kidding? A girl has to think about these things. Why, I’ve been thinking about my wedding ever since. . .” She paused and put a hand to her mouth.

  “What?”

  “Since I almost married you the first time.” She giggled.

  “Oh, really.” He pulled her close. “So you actually gave thought to marrying me back then?”

  “I always loved you, Karl,” Katie confessed with a sigh. “And what I said that night at the restaurant still holds true. It wasn’t you I was running from. It was the lifestyle. Maybe I wasn’t ready for marriage yet, but I am now. And I’m the happiest girl on planet Earth. I don’t know if I’ve mentioned that or not, but I am.”

  He leaned in to kiss her then ran his fingers along the tip of her nose. “Well, if planning our wedding makes you this happy, then let’s go for it.” He chuckled. “Now, give me details. Are you thinking about a big fancy church in town? And if so, which town? Doylestown or one of the local villages near Paradise?”

  “That’s the funny part. When I was younger, I thought I wanted a ceremony with all the trappings, something a young Amish woman would never get to have. Fancy dresses, lots of bridesmaids, beautiful decorations for the reception hall, caterers, a huge cake. . . ”

  “And now?”

  “Now. . .?” She allowed herself to dream a bit. “Now I think simple and sweet would be nice.”

  “Simple and sweet.” He gave her a wink. “Kind of like the groom.”

  She reached over and gave him a peck on the cheek. “You are sweet, Karl Borg. You’re the sweetest man I’ve ever known.” Thinking she would catch him while the catching was good, Katie asked one final question. “Um, Karl?”

  “Yes?”

  Katie dared to brave the question on her heart, one she could simply not avoid. “How do you feel about golden retrievers?”

  “Golden retrievers?” He gave her an inquisitive look. “To be honest, I think the breed is highly overrated.”

  “Oh.”

  After a wink, he added, “Unless you happen to live on a farm.”

  Katie reached up for one more kiss and whispered, “Thank you.”

  As he took her hand in his own and they began to walk together across the field, she was reminded of that little hummingbird she’d seen on her mother’s porch less than a week ago. Katie now envisioned it returning to its feeder, its iridescent wings holding it slightly aloft as the slender beak dipped down into the water below.

  This time, instead of taking to flight, he settled in, taking advantage of the sweetness. A feeling of peace settled into Katie’s heart as she realized she’d finally stopped running. Finally stopped flying away.

  Soon. . .she would be Mrs. Karl Borg. She would live in a house on several acres in Paradise. And she would do it all, after having tasted of the things of the world. . .and left them far behind.

  EPILOGUE

  The following spring, on a particularly breathtaking Saturday, Karl Borg approached the center of the bridge at Pequea Creek. This time there were no fishing poles involved. Thankfully, he’d already made the right catch, snagged the one elusive fish who’d slipped away thirteen years prior. This time she promised to stay put. Forever. Today Katie Walken would join him at the center of the bridge and link hands— and hearts—with him forever.

  With joy flooding his heart, he took his place at the center of the bridge next to Jeff Ludlow, who looked at him with a warm and inviting smile. Of course, Jeff had a lot to smile about these days, what with Brian Hamilton finally relinquishing his hold on the church’s property. Still, Karl had a feeling Jeff ’s current smile had more to do with the fact that he was about to perform a special wedding ceremony, one they had planned for months.

  As Karl looked out over the small crowd of friends and family members stationed on the side of the creek, excitement took hold. Somewhere, hiding behind a tree perhaps, his bride-to-be awaited. From what he’d been told, she looked like a million bucks. He could hardly wait to see the dress she’d selected, one—he’d been told—that rivaled any in a fashion magazine.

  Suddenly, off in the distance, he saw a shimmer of blue. His beautiful bride came into focus, and he almost laughed at the sight of her. Instead of a traditional wedding dress, she wore the beautiful blue dress he’d purchased for her last summer. Oh, Katie. You’ve done it. You’ve made your statement loud and clear, for all to see. You’re wearing blue. She drew near, making her way beyond the throng of family and friends.

  Off in the distance, he saw Hannah and her children standing next to Emma. The tear-filled eyes spoke what a thousand words could not. He would have allowed his gaze to linger on them awhile longer, but his beautiful bride required his attention right now.

  As Katie made her way to the center of the bridge, he couldn’t take his eyes off of her. How many years had he been in love
with her? Fifteen? Twenty? And how long had he trusted God for this moment?

  Suddenly, the years melted, dissolving into a blurry haze. As he gazed into her twinkling eyes, Karl realized that time meant nothing. The wait meant nothing. The pain of losing her the first time around was gone forever.

  Another thought surfaced. Surely the Lord had wanted— even needed—to let the two of them go through the necessary changes before they were ready for one another, ready to face life together.

  Oh, but as he gazed into that beautiful face, he was reminded of little Katie Walken, the girl he’d waited for at the creek all those years ago. Her impish grin. The freckles on her nose. The sight of her sprinting across the backyard.

  As he looked at her now, took in her beauty in that amazing blue dress, drank from the love in her eyes, he had to admit—no matter how long it had taken, she’d certainly been worth the wait.

  ❧

  Katie clutched a fistful of wildflowers in her hands, willing them to stop trembling. Oh, how she wished Datt could be here, to walk with her, arm in arm. She brushed away a tear and made her way through the crowd of people—beyond her many family members. Past Hannah and Aunt Emma. Past Aimee Riley. Beyond the Morrisons, now faithful friends. Straight into the arms of her husband-to-be, who waited with Jeff Ludlow at the center of the bridge over Pequea Creek.

  If only she could get her feet to cooperate, everything would be just fine. Katie seemed to trip with every other step as she made her way toward the bridge. The shoes presented a bit of a problem, no doubt. Wearing heels to a creek-side wedding might not have been the best choice. Still, she had her reasons.

  On the other hand, her clumsiness might have something to do with the fact that her focus remained fixed on the handsome man in the center of the bridge, the one in the stunning black tuxedo. Or maybe it had even more to do with the fact that he’d waited on her. For thirteen years he’d waited.

  She would keep him waiting no longer. Hence, the clumsiness.

  Katie stifled a giggle as she looked into his eyes. He’d clearly figured out the logic behind the dress, and the joy registered in his expression. I’m done with running, her heart cried out with every step.

  She met Karl at the middle of the bridge, noticing at once that his gaze shifted to her feet. Yep. The same high-heeled shoes she’d buried behind the barn, thirteen years prior. Thanks to the plastic wrap and a sturdy box, they’d held up through the many storms.

  Just like her relationship with Karl. She flashed another impish smile in his direction, one that spoke a hundred “I love yous” without saying a word. Then, just as the pastor began to lead them in their vows, Katie’s thoughts shifted to that little hummingbird, swooping down upon its feeder, drinking in the sweetness of the sugary water below. This time the elusive creature had come home. . .to stay.

  A NOTE FROM THE AUTHOR

  Thank you for reading Out of the Blue and the other stories in this collection. These three Pennsylvania-based tales were a blast to write, and I hope you enjoyed them all. If you like inspirational love stories, I would also encourage you to check out my book, Texas Weddings! Thanks again for reading! - Janice

  ABOUT THE AUTHOR

  Award-winning author Janice Thompson got her start in the industry writing screenplays and musical comedies for the stage. Janice has published over 100 books for the Christian market, crossing genre lines to write cozy mysteries, historicals, romances, nonfiction books, devotionals, children’s books and more. She particularly enjoys writing light-hearted, comedic tales because she enjoys making readers laugh. Janice is passionate about her faith and does all she can to share the joy of the Lord with others, which is why she particularly enjoys writing. Her tagline, “Love, Laughter, and Happily Ever Afters!” sums up her take on life.

  Janice lives in Spring, Texas, where she leads a rich life with her family, a host of writing friends, and two mischievous dachshunds. When she’s not busy writing or playing with her eight grandchildren, she can be found in the kitchen, baking specialty cakes and cookies for friends and loved ones. No matter what Janice is cooking up—books, cakes, cookies or mischief—she does her best to keep the Lord at the center of it all. You can find out more about this wacky author at www.janiceathompson.com.