The Wedding Promise

by Thomas Kinkade

  A short time later, they were sitting with Reverend Ben in his office. They sat side by side on a couch and he took a seat in an armchair.

  “Jennifer, Kyle. How nice to see you both,” he greeted them. “So, the big day is getting close. You’ll be married in—what is it?—about three weeks from now?”

  “Three weeks exactly,” Jen said. “June nineteenth.”

  “Don’t worry, I have it marked on my calendar, I won’t forget,” the reverend promised with a smile. “You know, in all the times we’ve met, I’ve been meaning to ask you, any reason for the brief engagement?”

  “It doesn’t feel brief to us, Reverend,” Kyle answered. “We’ve been dating since high school. We knew we wanted to be together forever, pretty much from the start. We were just waiting for Jennifer to finish college, or we would have gotten married even sooner.”

  “I suspected that was the reason, Kyle. I just wanted to hear what you would say. I’ve known you both since you were children,” he reminded them. “And I know that you’ve been in a relationship a long time. In fact, I commend you both for getting the hoopla out of the way quickly. Not that a marriage shouldn’t be celebrated,” he quickly added. “It’s one of the most important days of your life. But I find that there’s often great thought given to the food, the music, and flowers—and not as much to the awesome task of opening your hearts to each other and truly merging your lives. What about preparing your heart and spirit for such a sacred, momentous step? Do you think that you’re prepared in that way?” he asked solemnly.

  Jen felt a bit awed by the question. “I do,” she said quickly. Then had to laugh at her own answer. “I’m sorry . . . that sounds as if I’m up on the altar already, doesn’t it?”

  Kyle smiled at her and squeezed her hand. “Practice makes perfect.”

  “But I really do,” she insisted. “I feel as if Kyle knows me completely and loves me, no matter what. I feel as if I can tell him anything and share the deepest secrets of my soul. I trust him totally and I couldn’t imagine making a life, or having a family, with anyone else in the entire world.”

  Kyle was quietly smiling at her. He looked proud and even a little overwhelmed by her speech. “I feel the same as Jennifer does. I feel totally loved by her, even though I’m not perfect,” he added with a grin. “I know she knows me and accepts me for how I am, and she sees qualities that I sometimes don’t even see myself. I know I can be honest with her. Even if we disagree. I know we’ll have disagreements, but I trust that we can figure things out. I believe that we’ll be happy together and our love for each other will only grow as the years go by. I have to marry Jennifer. I can’t imagine sharing my life with anyone else.”

  Reverend Ben nodded thoughtfully. “I hope you can remember those words when it’s time to write your vows,” he said with a smile. “It sounds as if you two have a close relationship based on respect, honesty, acceptance, and trust in one another. Marriage is not easy. I know you’ve heard me say that before. I’m sorry for repeating myself, but it’s one of those truisms that you can only understand by firsthand experience. Too often young couples enter into marriage with expectations that can only disappoint them.”

  “What kind of expectations?” Kyle asked.

  “Expectations that they love each other so much, they’ll never disagree or argue. Expectations that the other person is perfect. Well, that’s not possible. Or that their lives will follow a certain, predetermined plan. It’s only natural to make plans. I’m sure you have plans for your future married life—where you’re going to live and work. When you might start a family,” he added. “But God might have other plans for you. In fact, I can almost guarantee it. That’s when the going can get tough,” Reverend Ben warned.

  Jennifer considered Reverend Ben’s words. They did have plans, and she hoped that their plans worked out. Was it wrong to think that way?

  Kyle had been talking a lot the last two days about this position in New York. Would this be her first challenge in their marriage? Was this God making His own plans for them—or was this a challenge for Kyle, to learn to put their married life above his career and personal ambitions?

  “Jennifer, did you want to say something?” Reverend Ben’s voice broke into her rambling thoughts.

  Jennifer felt flustered. She looked up at the minister, his kind, encouraging expression and clear blue eyes. Part of her wanted to talk about Kyle’s interviews for the job in New York, but another part of her didn’t want to. She hadn’t told Kyle she wanted them to talk to Reverend Ben about it. Maybe he would feel ambushed, and it would make things even worse.

  Now Kyle was looking at her, too. “What is it, Jen? Is something the matter?”

  “Um . . . no. I’m fine. I was just distracted for a moment,” she said. “I’m sorry, please go on with what you were saying, Reverend.”

  “I was about to say that, just like any relationship, marriage is a journey that you take step by step, day by day. It isn’t a static, stationary place that you just arrive at on your wedding day. As if you were stepping down off a train with your family and friends on the platform to meet you. It’s more like you’re getting on the train together and leaving for an amazing journey. One that is partly uncharted,” he added.

  Kyle turned to her and picked up her hand. “We’re going on a journey together, Jen. Just you and me. And we don’t know where we’ll end up, but we’ll be together.”

  Jen felt Reverend Ben watching her reaction. She forced a smile but was finding the entire conversation unsettling. She had the sinking feeling that she knew what Kyle was thinking. A feeling that was confirmed by his very next sentence.

  “We might end up in New York,” Kyle told the reverend. He glanced at Jen with an excited smile. But she couldn’t smile back. She knew she looked nervous and quickly looked away. “I’m up for a position in my firm’s New York office. I’ve had a lot of interviews, but I won’t know for a week or two if I’m even a finalist.”

  “It’s sort of an honor to even be asked to apply,” Jen added. “But Kyle says it’s pretty unlikely he’ll get it.”

  Kyle glanced at her, looking a little hurt, she thought. But that was what he’d told her, hadn’t he?

  Reverend Ben glanced at Kyle, then looked back at Jennifer.

  “That will be a big change. For both of you. How do you feel about moving to New York?” he asked Jennifer.

  Jennifer’s heartbeat quickened. She didn’t know what to say. She wanted to tell Reverend Ben how she really felt about the idea—she didn’t like it. Not at all. She wanted to tell both of them. But she finally decided that it was best to bring this up with Kyle first. When they had some time alone.

  If she brought it up in here, it might seem as if she was blowing everything out of proportion. Kyle would say, “Why didn’t you just tell me?”

  And on top of all that, he hadn’t even been offered the job, Jennifer reminded herself. So she would seem very silly and maybe even petty, complaining about something that hadn’t even happened.

  “We haven’t really discussed it. We haven’t had time,” Jennifer replied finally. She knew she wasn’t answering Reverend Ben’s question.

  “I see.” Reverend Ben nodded and leaned back in his chair. “You know, sometimes when a couple is planning a wedding there’s a certain pressure to act as if everything is perfect, like a picture in a magazine—or a fairy tale come true. But we all know that’s rarely the case. Nothing is perfect. And that’s okay.” He paused. “I’m sure you remember what we were talking about last time—about couples communicating. And how denying or brushing aside troubling matters can cause even bigger problems later. So if anything is bothering you, Jen, it’s fine to talk about it. That’s what we’re here for,” he reminded her with a kind smile.

  “Is something bothering you, Jen?” Kyle turned and looked into her eyes.

  Jen paused. Then decided she didn’t want to be the one to bring this up.

  “I’m just a little distrac
ted today, with all this wedding stuff going on,” she said. Kyle seemed satisfied with that answer.

  But Reverend Ben didn’t seem to believe her, she thought. Not entirely. “Well, if there is something on your mind, or if something comes up that you’d like to talk about, please give me a call. We can meet anytime.”

  Jennifer met his glance and nodded. Should she do that? No, Jennifer decided. There was no use telling Reverend Ben what was bothering her. She had to talk to Kyle.

  “I really am a long shot for the job. But it is fun to think about,” Kyle admitted. “I guess we’ll just figure it out as we go along.”

  “Yes, you will. It might not be easy to work it out. But try to remember, it’s the big decisions that challenge a couple, that help the relationship strengthen and grow. And my door is open if you ever need any help sorting things out.”

  “Thank you, Reverend. That’s good to know,” Kyle replied. Jennifer finally smiled again. She had been incredibly relieved to hear Kyle admit his chances of getting the job were unlikely. It was just fun for him to think about. So why look for even more conflict and tension? There was really no reason to panic. Not yet. For goodness’ sake, they were just about to get married. She just wanted to get over that hurdle first.

  “So, now that I’ve told you all you need to know about marriage,” Reverend Ben said in a humorous tone, “let’s talk about the ceremony a bit. . . . ”

  Jennifer was glad for the change of topic. The ceremony was something she could talk about easily.

  The meeting went on for another fifteen minutes. Then they left Reverend Ben’s office with a booklet to help them plan their service.

  “So, what do you think now?” Jennifer asked as they walked across the village green to Kyle’s car. “Still want to get married?”

  Kyle pretended to consider the question a moment. “I think we should give it a try. I’m not afraid of a few bumps in the road. Are you, Jen?”

  She shook her head. “Not at all. What would life be without a few bumps? Very boring.” She thought again about the New York job. That was not a bump in the road, she thought. It was more like a cavernous pothole. One that might swallow them whole if they tried to cross it.

  They sat side by side in Kyle’s convertible as he started the engine. She glanced at him. He’d told the reverend they hadn’t really talked about what they would do if he did get the job. Was this a good time to have that conversation? Or did Kyle really believe he had so little chance, it wasn’t worth talking about?

  She glanced at him, wondering if she should be the first to say something now that they were alone.

  “Jennifer?”

  She turned to him. “Yes?”

  “Do you want to go right to the beach, or should we stop someplace for lunch first?”

  “I’ve packed up some lunch in the cooler with the cold drinks. I think we have everything.”

  Kyle smiled and started the engine. “Okay then, we’ll stick with our plan.”

  “Fine with me,” Jennifer said. She sat back and slipped on her sunglasses.

  There would be a good time to talk to Kyle about this moving to New York problem, Jennifer reminded herself. She didn’t need to feel guilty about not bringing it up in the counseling session. Maybe she could talk to him out on the beach today. Or even tomorrow, before he went back to the city.

  The last thing she wanted to do on such a beautiful day was cause some huge fight over something that might not even happen. They’d had enough little arguments lately about all this wedding business—more guests, more bridesmaids. And they still hadn’t even decided on the food yet.

  She just didn’t want to start haggling about this, too. Not when they had so little time together.

  Kyle could find out this week or next if he was a finalist. He might even be eliminated, Jennifer realized. Which meant they could get into a big heavy talk about this today, or a fight even, and it could all be pointless.

  She glanced at Kyle, driving toward the beach and looking as if he didn’t have a care in the world. The wind ruffled his thick fair hair, and the blue sky seemed a perfect backdrop for his handsome profile.

  She decided to wait and see what happened. This could all blow away, Jennifer thought hopefully. Like the high white clouds in the summer sky overhead.

  AFTER handling the big group of cyclists, Liza and Claire fairly breezed through hosting seven guests over Memorial Day weekend. This was a much different group, two older couples, traveling together, and a thirtysomething couple, with their four-year-old daughter.

  Avery was the little girl’s name, and she carried around a stuffed cat named Wally all weekend and even placed it in a chair at the table while she ate. Claire made Wally a plate of miniature fishshaped pancakes, served on a tiny china saucer, which delighted both Avery and her parents. And everyone else in the dining room, Liza noticed.

  “That’s why we like to stay at lovely inns like this one. It’s the personal touches that make a trip so pleasant and memorable,” the little girl’s mother said when they checked out.

  “Thank you. We try,” Liza said sincerely.

  She did try and was learning this golden rule better every day. Luckily, Claire was already a natural at it. She was so empathetic, considerate, and observant. She almost knew what a guest wanted before the guest did.

  Both the cycling group and the Memorial Day weekend guests had been blessed with beautiful weather. It seemed as if the rain was on a timer, Liza thought, like a sprinkler system. The last visitor had barely turned onto the main road when the rain started falling on Tuesday morning and continued for the rest of the week.

  “The rain has to fall sometime,” Claire said. “Or we won’t have any flowers in June.”

  Liza knew she meant for the wedding,

  Liza didn’t mind the rain either. She had a lot of catching up to do in her office and with the wedding plans. It was better not to be tempted outside by a sunny day.

  The only downside to the rain was that Daniel didn’t come.

  Most of the work he needed to do at the inn was outdoors and a rainy day like this was a good time for him to do inside work at other jobs, he explained to her over the phone.

  “I’ll be back in a day or so. I’m sure I’ll be done with that list before the wedding, so don’t worry,” he added.

  “I’m not worried,” Liza replied. I just miss you, she wanted to add.

  They talked for a few more minutes. Liza felt distracted, wishing Daniel would ask her out again. She dropped what she thought was a broad hint, telling him that she didn’t have any guests booked at the inn for the coming weekend, or the weekend after that. “It’s so nice to suddenly have all this free time,” she even said at one point.

  But Daniel didn’t get the message. Or he did get it but chose to ignore it.

  After Daniel hung up, Liza quickly checked the weather forecast on her computer. Showers off and on until the weekend, maybe even through the weekend. At this rate, she’d never see him again.

  Unless she took the initiative, she realized. After all, it was the twenty-first century. She could call Daniel back and ask him out on a date. He might even like that, she thought.

  Then again, knowing Daniel, he might not.

  Liza felt a bit stuck on the question and wandered into the kitchen to fix a cup of tea.

  Claire was working at the table, measuring out a cup of brown sugar that she then added to a big metal bowl.

  “What are you making?” Liza asked as she put the kettle on.

  “Banana Crunch Muffins. I thought I would make a batch and put them in the freezer, in case we get another invasion of bicycle enthusiasts.”

  The cyclists not only liked bananas but any food that included the fruit. They had practically inhaled Claire’s banana pancakes, bread, and muffins.

  “Good idea. Everybody loves them.”

  Everybody . . . including Daniel, she suddenly remembered. In fact, he’d said those were his favorite among Claire’s
list of delicious confections.

  “Can I help?” Liza asked. “I’d like to see how you make them.”

  “I’d be happy to show you.” Claire smiled at her. “Put on an apron and you can take charge of this bowl.”

  Liza didn’t often ask to help Claire with the cooking. The kitchen was Claire’s domain, and she rarely seemed to need any help. Besides, Liza wasn’t much of a cook. But since coming to the inn—and being around Claire—she’d become more interested in what went on in the kitchen.

  She was particularly interested in this recipe, because the confection would give her the perfect excuse to see Daniel; she could even say that she had a hand in the baking.

  The two women worked together, mixing ingredients and preparing a double recipe of batter. The pans came out of the oven and cooled on racks at one end of the long table. The sugary, buttery, nutty scent was nearly overpowering.

  Claire sat at the table, waiting for the last trays to finish while Liza washed up the bowls and utensils. “We ought to taste test at least one before we put them in the freezer,” Claire suggested.

  Liza turned from the sink and smiled at her partner.

  “Absolutely. We want to make sure they meet our high standards.”

  “All in a day’s work,” Claire agreed. She rose and put the kettle back on for more tea, then set out two china plates and cloth napkins, placing a small vase of rosebuds in between, making the table look as pleasing as if she were setting it for guests.

  It didn’t really take much to make life a little more pleasant and even luxurious, Liza thought as she sat down with Claire to enjoy the product of their labors. It was small moments like this one that made her so happy she had stayed here and so glad she had Claire to share the work—and fun—of running the inn.

  Claire cut her muffin in half and took a bite. “I was a little heavyhanded with the cinnamon, but they’re not bad,” she said after a moment.

  Liza tasted hers. “It’s perfect. I love the extra cinnamon—gives it some kick.”