“Ah, okay.” So far, they'd all managed to get along fine, even after the awkwardness while they were chopping brush this morning. Then, tomorrow, she'd be busy with her friends, Dad and Agnes were arriving from Austin for the rehearsal, and she'd have fun catching up with them at the dinner party Dad was throwing after rehearsal.
Her phone buzzed in her purse as Mayor Jenks called the meeting to order, his voice making the microphone squeal with feedback. Krista snatched up her purse and pulled out her phone.
Mom? She knew Krista was at the town meeting. Krista sent a message, rejecting the call with the text: I'm in a meeting. Will call you when I'm done.
The phone buzzed again. Voice mail. Whatever it was, it could wait.
“Thank you all for coming,” said Mayor Jenks. “I'll skip to the important part, from Mr. D.J. Travers, the county fire marshal and chief of the Settler Lake VFD.”
Applause rippled across the gymnasium as Krista's phone buzzed again, this time with a message.
KRISTA. CALL ME. NOW.
She couldn't think of what pressing issue had come up that she needed to call Momma about right at this particular moment. Although, likely Momma was more than a little miffed about Dad and his wife arriving tomorrow, and the fact he'd invited her to the pre-wedding bash they were throwing.
Momma, Aunt Vangie had told Krista more than once, was happiest when she “had her back up about something,” as her aunt put it.
“Krista, honey, your mother just can't settle herself. I've prayed for her for years, but she's bound and determined to find whatever controversy she can sniff out,” she'd told her.
Krista sent a message back: At the town meeting. I'll call you as soon as we're done.
“Good evening, everyone,” D.J. said. “I know you all have a lot going on in your lives, but I wanted to take a moment to remind y'all about fire safety, especially now. Our county is one of a number of Texas counties that's on the brink of entering an extreme drought situation. And, it's only mid June.”
He turned to face a screen, which displayed a graphic of the state of Texas, in varying shades of yellow, orange, and brown. D.J. continued, explaining about the drought conditions in different counties, coming back to their county.
Krista's phone buzzed again.
THIS CAN'T WAIT. YOU NEED TO KNOW.
She tried not to sigh. Luke nudged her elbow. He must've seen her expression.
“You okay?” he whispered.
She nodded. “Just Mom, being Mom.”
A grin made the corners of his lips twitch. “This too shall pass.”
Krista typed back. I'll call you. I promise.
The buzzing stopped for a full five minutes. Krista kept her focus on the anecdotes D.J. shared, some of them frightening, about wildfires that spread faster than someone could run. She had no idea why anyone would stay so close to a wildfire. But then, if the winds picked up, entire communities could be in grave danger. Like Bastrop.
Krista closed her eyes and pictured the neighboring community, with over 1,000 homes consumed by fire that swept through and devoured faster than fire fighting crews could work, even aided by the state helicopters dumping water on the blazes.
Her phone buzzed again.
Honestly, Momma wouldn't quit.
PLEASE. YOU CAN'T MARRY LUKE. IT'S A MISTAKE.
Now, Krista rolled her eyes and typed: I'll call you later. I promise.
She sent the message and waited.
HE HAS A GIRLFRIEND IN CALIFORNIA, WHO HAS A TWO YEAR OLD CHILD. I THINK IT'S HIS.
Krista didn't reply. Instead, she glanced at Luke. He sat, his chin on his hand as he listened to D.J. and nodded occasionally.
That Jennifer, the one he'd dated when he'd broken up with Krista? Was it even true?
He'd never mentioned Jennifer having a child, or being pregnant.
Now he glanced back at her, his brow furrowed as he asked the unspoken question: What is it?
She kept her voice low as she spoke. “I need to call my mom.”
“Can't it wait?”
Krista bit her lip. No, she wouldn't turn into a Bridezilla, not here in front of the cross-section of the town. She was hormonal, tired. The florist had called right before the meeting began—Krista's lilies were delayed from the grower in South America.
To top it all, her father’s and Luke's tuxes were delayed. Now, how did that happen when the shop had ordered all of them at once. She'd shoved all those things out of her head, at Luke's urging.
Yes, she'd expected wedding craziness. But this. . .
“Some things can't wait.” Krista picked up her purse and attempted her best scurry from the gymnasium. Jitters, butterflies, you name it. That, and her mother's words about Jennifer having a child, old enough to be conceived when she and Luke had dated.
Krista skittered into the hallway and dialed her mother's number.
“Oh, thank goodness you called.” Momma's voice held a breathy tone. “I'm serious, Krista. I'm not making it up. That child could be Luke's. And before you ask you I know about this child, the Internet is a vast source of information. Cheri and Madge helped me look some things up tonight online. They're worried too.”
“He would have told me something like this.” She believed the words as she spoke them. Past was past, but children. . .
Footsteps in the hallway made her turn around. Luke.
“Mom, I need to go. Okay? We'll talk about this later.”
She ended the call, even as her mother continued speaking on the other end.
“What's going on? Dramatics from your mother?”
“No, Luke. But she told me Jennifer has a child, and Mom's under the impression the child's yours. Jennifer, the one you were seeing. . . ”
“Yes. I remember Jennifer. But that's not my child. I, ah, insisted on a paternity test.”
“I see.” It did make sense. She nodded.
“I didn't think about mentioning this to you because it's over and done with.” His face flamed. “She cheated on me. And, you were right. Cheaters cheat.”
Krista nodded again. She inhaled, filling her lungs as best she could. A soft answer turns away wrath, but grievous words stir up anger. Lord knew she didn't need any more anger stirred up than she already felt.
It had to be the hormones. She opened her eyes. Luke hadn't gone anywhere. The old Luke would have stormed off, told her to get over herself and come back only when she did.
He pulled her into his arms. “I wasn't trying to keep this a secret from you. When we said the past was past—”
“It's the past.” She leaned on him. Another hurdle crossed. Now, to get through the rest of the days until the wedding—day after tomorrow.
FIVE
Luke didn't know why they needed to rehearse for the wedding. He already knew the drill. It didn't matter to him if they had one hundred guests, or if it was only them, Pastor Mike, and their witnesses.
But still, his throat caught when he saw Krista on her father's arm. Music swelled from the chapel sound system. Krista wore a white flowy sundress that came to her knees, but he tried to imagine her in a white wedding gown. He knew she planned to wear her grandmother's dress, and he couldn't recall what it looked like. Other than the white.
White, the symbol of purity. His sweet, faithful, funny Krista was also pure, despite their mutual past. He had a few major regrets in his life. The biggest was realizing the woman he loved stood before him with a heart that had taken a long time to heal. Jeff, who stood at his elbow, was a reminder of the damaged witness Luke’s life had been. His weak faith had been a sputtering candle that he had long snuffed out, with Jeff watching. When would he forget?
Behold, I make all things new, a phrase of verse came to his mind. New. Well, they were starting a new life together. They needed to hang onto that.
Even after last night's back-and-forth in the hallway outside the gymnasium.
“Hey, don’t look so somber.” Luke felt Pastor Mike nudge him. “This is sup
posed to be fun, remember?”
Luke nodded and kept his gaze fixed on Krista.
Pastor Mike raised his hand. Krista and her father paused a few steps away. “Now, Tom, I’ll say, ‘Who gives this woman to be married?’ and you’ll say—”
“Her mother and I.”
At her ex-husband's words, Vonda Pignetti rolled her eyes. She'd already proclaimed—loudly—that she didn't care to be lumped in with Tom Schmidt. Then Krista had gently mentioned they were both her parents.
Krista stepped away from her father and joined him where he stood near Pastor Mike. Wisps of Krista’s hair had freed themselves from her ponytail and floated in the lake breeze. She caught her lower lip in her teeth for an instant, then glanced Luke’s way. He winked. Krista’s smile spread across her face, and Luke wanted to tell Pastor to make this ceremony the real thing.
Now that he was holding her hand, and he squeezed her strong, capable fingers. Pastor reminded them to face him.
Luke barely heard the words, but snapped to attention when Pastor got to a particular section of the ceremony.
“If anyone knows why these two may not lawfully wed, speak now or forever hold his peace.”
I know a good reason; I don’t deserve her, but for the grace and forgiveness we've shown each other. He must have increased his grip on her hand, for Krista looked sideways at him sharply. He'd spend the rest of his life being the kind of man she did deserve.
“I object!” a woman's shrill voice echoed through the chapel.
Vonda Pignetti?
Krista's mother sprang up from her chair. “I've held my peace long enough.” The bangles on her wrists clinked angrily.
“Momma,” Krista began. Luke placed his hand on her arm.
“No, don't have me hush. I'd rather object now in front of just the weddin' party and not the whole town.” Vonda marched down the aisle toward them, jabbing her index finger in Luke's direction as if she were aiming a spear. “You took her away from me and broke her heart, and she took you back. Now you're wanting to take her away again.”
Luke shook his head. “Mrs. Pignetti. . .”
“It's Miz Pignetti.” She popped her hands on her hips and glanced from him to Krista, then back to him again.
“Momma, this isn't funny. I'm a grown woman, and I've decided. We've decided. Luke and I are getting married. We've gone through counseling—with Pastor Mike here—and we're going forward.” Krista's voice shook.
“Well, that's all fine and good. But words are words.” Vonda leveled a glare at Luke. “How long until you break her heart again?”
“Tell me what, Luke?” Now it was Krista's turn to shake her head. “What's going on?”
“He's going to move you away from here again. He's going back to California.”
“I've decided nothing.” Great. This wasn't how he'd planned to talk to Krista. It wasn't like they had to decide this weekend, or this month, or even this summer. . .
“Decided?” Krista took half a step away from him.
“Maybe we should give you two a moment to speak together, alone,” Pastor Mike said.
“No, we can chat now. What is going on?” Krista asked.
Vonda opened her mouth, but Krista raised her hand.
“No, Momma. I want Luke to tell me.”
Luke wasn't sure whether to feel angry or exasperated. “The other night, Jeff mentioned something to me about possibly joining on with the business again. In Los Angeles.”
Jeff stepped around Luke, where he'd been standing behind him in the best man position. “I only mentioned it.” He glared at Vonda.
“Well, after the drinks we had at the hotel bar, after the town meeting, you made it sound like a done deal.” Vonda jabbed Jeff in the shoulder with a manicured nail.
Pastor Mike glanced from Luke to Krista. “How about the three of us step onto the deck?”
“I think that's a great idea.” Krista marched ahead of them, her head held high. She turned and faced them as they stepped onto the deck.
“Krista.” Luke cleared his throat. “Jeff asked me to think about it. It wouldn't be until after the first of the year.”
“I can't believe you'd even consider this.” Krista's voice shook. “We bought a house. We've spent hundreds of hours fixing it up, the way we want it. When you said you were back here for good, I thought that meant Settler Lake would be our home. Always.”
“I haven't considered anything. I told him I'd have to talk to you and have your support, one-hundred percent.”
“No. You don't have my support. Not at all.”
“I can't believe you're getting this upset over it. All we had was a two-minute conversation about it the other night, and that was it.” He shook his head. Clearly, between Jeff and Vonda, with the story changing as it got to Krista, the whole idea had been magnified to something larger than he'd imagined.
“Well, we're not moving.” Her shoulders sagged a little. “I'm sorry. I didn't want to react this strongly. It's been a stressful week.”
“I'm sorry for not telling you about Jeff's offer right away.” Luke shook his head. “I really haven't thought much about it anymore. I know after you and I are married, we'll have many decisions to make together. I'll do my best to keep you in the loop because we decide together, and with prayer.”
Krista nodded, then gave him a small smile. “All right.” She looked at Pastor Mike. “If you're ready, I think we should finish this rehearsal.”
Pastor Mike beamed. “An excellent idea.”
Luke didn’t release Krista’s hand after the rehearsal. She might be a bit miffed, but understanding now.
Aunt Vangie clapped. “Okay, everyone. We’ve got some sandwiches in the fellowship hall so we can all take a breather.”
He glanced at Krista. “Do you want to stay?” Jeff was chatting with Sami at the moment, who kept darting looks at both him and Krista.
“I was hoping we could get away, but I ought to rescue Sami.”
“Hey.” Luke reached for her other hand. “Just one more night. And now, we have a license.” He leaned toward her, a mischievous grin on his face.
“I know.” Her thumbs rubbed the back of his hand. “But I really do want to get away with you for a bit before the craziness really sets in.”
Luke pulled her close, not caring who saw them. “How about tonight, after we leave here?”
“Sounds good to me.”
“All right. We'll go for a drive, get ice cream, or something.”
“I'd love that.” She slid her arms around his waist, stood on her tiptoes, and kissed him quickly. “I’ve missed our time together.” A crease appeared between her eyes.
“What’s wrong?”
“I—I can’t explain it.” She glanced toward the few people left in the chapel. “I feel like something else is going to go wrong.”
He kissed his worrywart fiancée on her nose. “Don’t you worry about a thing. We’ve had to rearrange our plans, but other than that, we’re going full-steam ahead.”
#
A breeze from the lake cooled Krista’s cheeks as she and Luke left the chapel. “One more thing done. And you're right. Everything’s going to work out.” The feeling that had assaulted her earlier fizzled out after time spent with Luke and their friends and family. Her anger over Jeff's idea now seemed like a silly waste of time.
Luke paused, and so did she. He caught both of her hands in his. “I was a fool years ago.”
“Don’t—” She pulled one hand free and placed a finger on his lips. “The past is best left dead and buried. I’m trying to only focus on the future.”
They’d been through this already.
He held her close. “I don’t ever want to make you cry unless you are happy.”
“I know. So don’t be gloomy. I didn’t want my nerves from earlier to rub off on you. Oops—left my sunglasses in the chapel. I’ll be right back!” She gave him a quick kiss and trotted across the parking lot.
Sami was heading to
her convertible. “I guess you’ll get a ride from Luke?”
Krista nodded. “I’ll catch up with you when I get back to Nana’s.”
“No problem. I’m going to hit the pool back at the house.” Sami hugged her.
“You did good tonight.”
“Thanks. I’m glad this part’s over now. If only we remember what to tomorrow.”
“I just hope I don’t forget when to take your bouquet and all that.”
“Who’s reassuring whom here?” Krista gave Sami a wave. “Go on, I’ll see you at the house.”
Krista entered the chapel and felt peace wrap around her. The past few days—no, months—had been a roller coaster of highs and lows, mania and quiet. Now she knew why marriage was only supposed to happen once. She couldn’t remember on which pew she’d laid her glasses.
The door that led to the reception hall opened, and Jeff entered. Her stomach lurched as if she’d just hit the downhill slope of the roller coaster.
“Kris-Kris.”
“Hi, Jeff.” She regarded him carefully. “Um, thanks for supporting us. It means a lot.”
“I knew you're not cracked up on me being here. But Luke's my oldest friend, and I'm his.” He clutched the edge of a pew.
“I respect Luke’s loyalty to you as a friend—”
“I told you I felt lousy for what I did back then.”
“And I—I’ve forgiven you.” The words sounded feeble to her ears.
A spark ignited in Jeff’s expression. “You ought to know I didn’t make Luke’s choices for him. He was a big boy who knew exactly what he was doing.”
The words hit her like a punch, but she forced herself to recover and hold his gaze. “That’s right, he did. But you knew he and I were a couple. It’s taken years to rebuild what was destroyed between us.” Krista’s chest tightened as if a vise were pressing on her rib cage. Stop, stop. You're not a Bridezilla, not a victim.
She struggled to breathe.
“He really does love you.” Jeff glanced at the altar as he spoke.
“I know.”
“No, I mean, he’s changed. And—I envy him. Just don’t put him on some kind of pedestal. That’s a lot of pressure for a guy.”
“You’re in no position to give me that advice.” She spotted her sunglasses and swooped down on them with one hand, then jammed them onto her forehead.
Wildfire Wedding Page 5