by Cox, Carol
Rachel returned the hug, appreciating the emotional lifeline. Had it been a week since Daniel proposed for the second time, the time that took her breath away and sent her into this state of rapturous confusion? Sometimes it seemed like only a moment had passed, other times she felt as though he’d been woven into the fabric of her life forever.
And maybe he had, she mused. Maybe the sense of completeness she now felt came as the result of finally finding a part of herself she hadn’t realized was missing.
She pulled away and turned to survey their preparations one more time, unable to believe they’d been able to pull everything together in a mere matter of days. Try as she might, she couldn’t find a thing out of place. Violet was right; she needed to relax and enjoy this day of days.
The image of Daniel’s dear face formed in her mind. She remembered the feeling of his strong arms around her as he took his leave the night before. “I know a week hasn’t given you much time to get ready,” he whispered, his lips grazing her ear. “But without a lot of family to plan for, there just didn’t seem to be much point in waiting any longer.”
He tilted her face up to meet his smiling gaze. “Besides, I like the idea of starting out a brand-new year as man and wife.”
“Rachel?” Violet’s insistent tap on her shoulder interrupted her reverie. “I said to relax, not fall asleep. You’d better start thinking about getting dressed.”
With a startled glance at the mantel clock, Rachel hurried to her room. There on her bed lay the treasure Violet had found while digging through trunks for more decorations. The yellowed satin of their mother’s wedding dress spread across her comforter in flowing lines.
A lump formed in her throat, and she blinked back sudden tears. “I wish you could have been here on this day, Ma. You and Pa both. It would have been good to have you with me.” But maybe they knew of her newfound happiness; maybe they were watching from the portals of heaven even now. The thought cheered her, and she raised her hands to undo the buttons on her dress.
“Need any help?” Violet slipped into the room and lent a hand with the buttons, then lifted the wedding dress reverently. It slid over Rachel’s head and shoulders in a rush of satiny smoothness. Violet fastened each tiny button up the back, then stood back and looked at her sister with awe.
“You’re beautiful,” she whispered. She hurried to tilt the looking glass so Rachel could see her reflection.
Violet was right, she thought in stunned wonder. Love for Daniel shone in her face, giving her a radiance she had never dreamed possible. A knock at the front door jarred her back to the present.
“Fix your hair.” Violet thrust a hairbrush in her hand and hurried from the room. “I’ll let you know when it’s time.”
The scuffle of boots in the front of the house told her their guests had arrived. Through the commotion, she heard the voice of the minister from town. Thank goodness. They could manage a wedding without guests, but the preacher was a necessity. In another moment, Daniel’s deep baritone filtered into the room. Rachel closed her eyes and sighed. The minister was there; Daniel was there. Everything would be all right.
Her door opened and closed again, and Violet stood before her, eyes sparkling with excitement. “Ready?”
“I think so.” Rachel drew a shaky breath and smiled at her sister. “Someday you’ll be wearing this dress.”
Violet returned her smile and squeezed her hands. “That someday may be a long way off. Right now, you have a very handsome man waiting for you out there. Let’s go.”
Rachel nodded and followed her sister from the room. She searched the happy faces that turned to greet her: Ben Murphy, Jake Samson and his wife, two unfamiliar men she assumed must be Abner and Seth Watson. Not a large number of onlookers, but people who were dear to her and Daniel.
Beyond them, a lone figure stood silhouetted in the doorway. Rachel strained to make out who it was, then felt a quick flush rise to her cheeks when she recognized the grinning face of Jeb McCurdy.
She moved past their guests, her step hesitating when she finally glimpsed the one person her eyes had sought. Daniel stood before the fireplace, waiting. Waiting for her. The next moment, she clasped his fingers in her own, standing at his side before the little group as she would from this day forward.
The minister cleared his throat. “We are gathered here today in the sight of God and these witnesses,” he began, “to join this couple in holy matrimony.”
Over Daniel’s shoulder, she could see the angel atop the tree, seeming to assure her that heaven saw and blessed their union.
“Daniel, do you take this woman to be your lawfully wedded wife?”
The forest-green gaze drew her into its depths. “I do.”
“Rachel, do you take this man to be your lawfully wedded husband?”
She tightened her fingers around the hands of the man she loved. Strong hands, good hands. “I do,” she whispered.
“Then repeat after me. . .” His words and Daniel’s reply faded into the distance as she thought about God’s unsearchable goodness, the unbelievable blessings He had bestowed on her. Daniel gave her hands a squeeze, and she realized the minister looked at her expectantly.
“I, Rachel, take thee, Daniel,” she repeated obediently. My wonderful Daniel, my other half.
“To be my husband. . .” I’ll be the best wife I know how.
“To have and to hold from this day forward, for better for worse, for richer for poorer, in sickness and in health. . .” The Lord has seen us through this time of testing. He’ll be with us in whatever comes our way.
“To love, honor, and obey, until death do us part.” She spoke the final words, almost certain that somewhere her parents wept for joy.
“You may kiss the bride.”
Daniel raised his hands, placing one on each side of her face. Slowly, he bent toward her, and she raised her lips to his, melting into his kiss and floating away on a cloud of pure joy.
When they parted at last, Rachel smiled at the sound of the guests’ applause but didn’t remove her gaze from Daniel’s face. The face of her husband. She marveled at the thought.
Her spirit sent a joyful shout of praise to heaven. God had not only seen her through her darkest hour but added in the unexpected gift of Daniel’s love.
The time of sorrow had passed, giving way to a season of hope.
About the Author
Carol Cox is a native of Arizona whose time is devoted to being a pastor’s wife, homeschool mom to her teenage son and young daughter, church pianist, youth worker, and 4-H leader. She loves activities she can share with her family in addition to her own pursuits in reading, gardening, crafts, and local history. Carol and her family make their home in northern Arizona.
Dedication
Rejoicing in hope; patient in tribulation;
continuing instant in prayer.
Romans 12:12
I love to hear from my readers! You may correspond with me by writing:
Carol Cox
Author Relations
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Uhrichsville, OH 44683