First Street Church: Love's Double Blessing (Kindle Worlds Novella) (Clear Creek Legacy Book 2)
Page 8
“Let me do the buttons,” Amie reached for her side so Jenna raised her arm away from her side so Amie could reach them. Compared to the tiny and numerous buttons she’d seen on the back of Victorian dresses, the side buttons weren’t as many and meant to be concealed.
“It fits!” the both said together.
The vision of Amie in her modern lace dress and Jenna in her antique one made a contrast that worked. The old and the new. The past and the present. Blending two families and their heritage.
Jenna turned sideways to see the bustle. It looked silly and she thought it would be uncomfortable to sit in a chair with it on, but it was the style back then.
She’d have to carefully press the dress, but it would be perfect for her wedding.
“Try on the veil. Ouch!” Amie said as she picked up the yards of tulle.
“That’s a hat pin that poked you.” Jenna pulled the six-inch slender pin from the top piece of the veil and showed it to Amie.
“Back then, they wore their hair piled up on their head. They’d put their hat on and use the pin to secure the hat by sticking the pin through the hat and the bun on top of their head.”
“So they didn’t stick it in their head?”
“No,” Jenna laughed. “Back then women rarely cut their hair, so they had a lot of it to protect their scalp.”
Jenna planned to wear her long hair down instead of its usual braid, but maybe she needed to style it in a Victorian fashion instead. She and Amie would look at pictures online to find a style that would work.
She lifted the veil to her head and Amie gently pulled out the length. It was almost as long as the dress train, and not a hole or rip in it as far as she could see.
Did she dare wear it? It was probably once worn by Becky or Jim’s ancestor, and maybe even more than one bride. It was sitting in a tub. Why not wear it in remembrance of their past loved ones?
They’d have to go through the tubs of old photos next, trying to find someone wearing the dress in a photo. It could be very possible there wouldn’t be names on the back of the photos though, if they found one of the dress.
“Okay, I’ll wear it for our wedding.”
Her and Amie’s eyes met in the mirror again and Jenna smiled as tears watered her vision. Jenna, standing with her daughter, for her wedding. Someday in the distant future their roles would be turned around. Jenna would be standing here looking at her daughter’s wedding gown.
Chapter 13
Candles sitting on the church altar behind Riel cast a soft glow in the sanctuary since the overhead lights had been dimmed.
The scent of his boutonniere, a single ivory-colored rose with sprigs of evergreen and pine wrapped with it, gave the air around him the scent of Christmas. At first he thought the scent came from the two Christmas trees that stood sentinel on either side of the altar—until he realized they were artificial.
He wasn’t nervous, just—okay, he was nervous. This was a huge altering event in his life, even if they chose to keep it a simple service.
There were only two rows of guests to witness their wedding, but they were the important people in his and Jenna’s lives. Both sets of their parents, his grandfather, and a few special ranch neighbors and townspeople who had become dear friends to them.
RJ stood beside him, fidgeting in his new Christmas suit his mother, Becky, had already bought him before she died. Luckily, considering the boy was growing like a weed, the clothes fit him. Maybe Becky knew that and bought a larger size to begin with.
Amie skipped down the aisle, obviously happy with their wedding, and her fancy dress.
“Cool! It’s got snowflakes on it!” RJ said in a loud voice as Amie jumped up the single step to stand beside him. Riel looked at Amie’s dress, and it sure did. The sparkly snowflakes seemed to dance on the lace layer of Amie’s dress since she couldn’t stand still. It seemed both kids were “into” snowflakes this year.
“Will everyone please stand?” Pastor Bernie stated as he looked down the aisle. Riel had been watching the children, so he looked up to watch Jenna and her father walk down the aisle.
Riel couldn’t believe it.
Jenna was walking toward him in a gorgeous ivory gown and veil.
He was sure Jenna would be wearing a simple dress she’d pick up in the Thrift Shop, although he’d wished she would have splurged on a wedding dress. But Riel knew she wouldn’t spend the money on a dress she’d only wear once.
Where did she get this dress? Did she borrow it from someone?
Riel studied his bride as she walked closer. Her hair was in some elaborate twist on top of her head with the veil floating down her back all the way to the end of the train of her dress hem.
The dress had lace, pleats, very detailed…and then Riel reached Jenna’s eyes and wide grin. She knew she’d surprised him by this dress.
Jenna and Ken stopped so Jenna could hand a long-stemmed ivory rose, first to her mother, and a second one to his.
Riel straightened his shoulders. Now he really felt like a bridegroom as his bride and future father-in-law reached his side.
“Who gives this bride away?” Pastor Bernie asked Ken.
“Her mother and I,” Ken said before he kissed Jenna’s cheek and held out Jenna’s hand to him. Riel gladly took it, ready to start his marriage to Jenna.
***
Jenna turned her attention to Pastor Bernie when he cleared his throat and said, “Dearly Beloved, we are gathered here today in the sight of God, special angels in heaven, and the presence of friends and loved ones, to celebrate one of life’s greatest moments, to unite Gabriel Rueben Shepard and Jenna Lee McDowell in holy matrimony, and to add Amelia Jane Sharpe and Reuben James Sharpe as their children.”
They had talked to Pastor Bernie about including the children in their wedding service and he’d heartedly agreed, knowing how much the children needed to feel included. A tear tricked down Jenna’s cheek though when the pastor mentioned special angels in heaven. She missed her friends, but Jenna promised to take care of them when Becky mentioned it the day Amie was born, and then again when they were in the hospital visiting after RJ’s birth.
Did Becky know then she would be leaving her children before they were grown?
“Riel please take Jenna’s hands and repeat after me,” Pastor Bernie instructed.
“Riel, will you have this woman to be your wife; to live together with her in the covenant of marriage? Will you love her, comfort her, honor and keep her, in sickness and in health; and, forsaking all others, be faithful unto her as long as you both shall live?”
“I will,” Riel stated with a clear, strong voice.
Riel slid his grandmother’s gold wedding band on her left ring finger and then squeezed her hand as he said, “Jenna Lee McDowell, I give you this ring as a symbol of my love, and with all that I am, and all that I have, I honor you, in the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.”
“Jenna, now it’s your turn to repeat the vows.”
“Jenna, will you have this man to be your husband; to live together with him in the covenant of marriage? Will you love him, comfort him, honor and keep him, in sickness and in health; and, forsaking all others, be faithful unto him as long as you both shall live?”
Jenna stood straight and proud as she stated to Riel, “I will.”
She slid a gold band on Riel’s left ring finger and then squeezed his hand as she said, “Gabriel Rueben Shepard, I give you this ring as a symbol of my love, and with all that I am, and all that I have, I honor you, in the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.”
“Please join hands with your children, Amie and RJ,” Pastor instruction.
The four of them had practiced this, so they moved into their positions. The children moved in front of them, facing the pastor, joined hands, and then reached up to them. Riel and Jenna held hands and then Jenna took Amie’s left hand and Riel grasped RJ’s right hand, so they were all connected.
&nb
sp; “Riel, will you love Amie and RJ, comfort them in sickness and in health; taking care of them as a father would for his children?”
Riel answered, “I will”, as he looked down to make eye contact with each of them.
“Jenna, will you love Amie and RJ, comfort them in sickness and in health; taking care of them as a mother would for her children?”
“I will,” Jenna promised.
The pastor bent over to talk directly to the children. “Amie and RJ, will you accept Riel and Jenna as your new earthly parents, knowing that your parents in heaven will guide them for your best interest?”
“Okay, Pastor Bernie,” RJ answered the same time Amie said the more traditional, “I will.”
Their family chuckled behind them. Jenna turned to Riel to smile, happy they were finally a family.
Pastor raised his hand to bless them.
“Riel, Jenna, Amie, and RJ. The love of God will always be above you to watch over you, beneath you to uphold you, before you to guide you, and behind you to protect you. He will always be close beside you, his hand on your shoulder forever.”
“How about our daddy and momma in heaven? Won’t they watch over us too?” RJ interrupted the pastor.
Jenna held her breath, wondering how the pastor would answer the worried child. Riel squeezed her hand as he wondered how RJ would react to the pastor’s answer.
“Always, RJ. God appointed them as your special angels to watch over you and Amie for the rest of your lives.”
RJ looked at the ceiling. “Are they up there now?”
“Yes, they can look through buildings and they see you right now.”
“You sure?”
“Positive, RJ. Now can I finish the ceremony?”
“Okay.”
“Thank you, son.”
Pastor raised his hand again. “The Lord will reward your faithfulness with love, joy, and peace, which the world cannot give—nor can it take away. Through Jesus Christ our Lord to whom we glory now and evermore. Amen.
“I now pronounce you husband and wife, children and family.”
“Riel, you may kiss your bride, and your children.”
“I love you, Jenna.” Riel gave her a soft kiss, but didn’t let go of the children’s hands.
“I love you too,” Jenna whispered back.
“Okay, kids, lets make this official,” Riel announced as he leaned over and picked up both kids and settled them on his hips.
“Group hug and kiss!” Amie squealed with laughter as Jenna wrapped her arms around the three of them, and then kissed each child’s lips with a noisy smooch to make them giggle.
“Turn this way for your wedding picture!” her mother called out and the four of them turned to smile for her mother’s cell phone.
Jenna never dreamed she’d find love again after Tug’s problems and death, but she did, with a man who had to face and heal from his own past. She knew without a shadow of doubt, Riel would always honor his wedding vows to her, and love and protect the children she inherited.
She felt doubly blessed as she kissed Riel again. Her life was now full and complete.
Epilogue
“Over here, kids! I found them!” Riel called to the children as they fell in the snow, for at least the third time, waving their arms to make snow angels.
“Well, I guess snow angels are appropriate since we’re in a cemetery,” Jenna chuckled.
But not any cemetery, but the one of the edge of Clear Creek, Kansas, where his ancestors had been laid to rest forever.
His parents called on the twenty-sixth, after they returned home, to say there had been a big snow storm on Christmas Day. Their area had received six to twelve inches of snow, with six-foot drifts piled in some places. The roads had been cleared so they had no problems driving home until they reached their rural roads and they had to use four-wheel drive to get down the uncleared last mile.
When Riel told the children of the snow, they begged to go see it, of course not realizing the snow was where his parents lived two states way.
“Why not?” was Grandpa’s response when he heard the children ask. “Amie doesn’t go back to school until after the New Year. You need a family honeymoon! Show your family where you grew up. Go enjoy the snow!”
They were packed and on the road in their new-to-them used van by seven the next morning. It was almost twelve hours later when they arrived at his parent’s ranch house. Little kids needed frequent breaks.
After breakfast this morning, they were back in the van to explore the ranch and area with his parents was tour guides. Riel felt proud he could share where he grew up, and his heritage with his new family. That’s why they were in the cemetery now.
The kids raced over, sliding in the snow, just because they could. Riel pointed the stones he’d cleaned off with his gloved hands.
“There’s Rueben and Darcie Shepard’s grave stones, and right behind them is Gabriel and Iva Mae’s.”
“They gave you your tools, right?” Amie asked, comprehending the legacy better than RJ because of being older.
“Yes, they used the leather tools that I now use.”
“And me too!” RJ added as he put his arms around Riel’s leg.
Riel leaned over to give RJ a one-armed hug. “Yes, you too. Since they were packed away in 1940, no one had used them for almost eighty years. We’re mighty lucky to have them now.”
“Here’s a ‘Amelia Jane’! She has my name!”
“That’s right, Amie. Both Reuben and Darcie had been married before they married each other. Gabriel, and his half-sister Mary, became a family with Darcie’s children, Tate and Amelia, who you see here.”
“Another connection, just like the picture we found,” Jenna replied.
After Jenna decided to wear the antique wedding dress, she and Amie went through a tub of old family pictures. They were ecstatic, but couldn’t tell him after the wedding, that they found a wedding picture with a woman wearing the dress. On the back of the matted cabinet portrait was written, Rueben James and Amelia Jane Sharpe, Buffalo, New York, 1887. This was the couple Amie and RJ were named after.
They hadn’t had time yet, but they’d eventually research the Sharpe family to find out more of the children’s ancestors, and how they ended up in Texas.
“Let’s go sledding next! Grandpa Bryce says there a big hill in the pasture we can slide down a long way!”
“I remember that hill, because I used to slide down it too, when I was your age.”
Riel leaned over to lay his hand on Gabriel and Iva Mae’s joint stone. “Thank you,” Riel whispered. “Thank you for giving me my legacy.”
Jenna laid her hand next to his. “And I thank you for your great-great grandson.”
Hand in hand Riel and Jenna followed his parents and their children back to the van. The past, the present, and the future flashed in Riel’s mind, and he felt blessed.
The End
Dear Readers:
I hope you enjoyed reading Love’s Blessing and its sequel, Love’s Double Blessing.
I wrote a lot of my own, and my ancestors’ stories, into Jenna and Riel’s two stories. We’ve all faced tragedies in our life, but with family, friends, and the Lord’s help, we’ve been blessed one way or another.
If you have troubles of your own, I hope you can think of Jenna and Riel’s heartaches—and happy ending—and believe life will be better for you in the future too.
Blessings from Kansas,
Linda Hubalek
Books by Linda Hubalek
Grooms with Honor Series in order (available and future titles)
Angus’ Trust (Angus and Daisy)
Fergus’ Honor (Fergus and Iris)
Gabe’s Pledge (Gabe and Iva Mae)
Mack’s Care (Mack and Pansy)
Cullen’s Love (Cullen and Rose)
Seth’s Promise (Seth and Lilly)
Tully’s Faith (Tully and Violet)
Grooms with Honor Series in Kindle Unlimited
&
nbsp; Montana Sky: Nolan’s Vow (Nolan and Holly)
Montana Sky: Elof’s Mission (Elof and Linnea)
Brides with Grit Series in order:
Rania Ropes a Rancher (Rania and Jacob) FREE
Millie Marries a Marshal (Millie and Adam)
Hilda Hogties a Horseman (Hilda and Noah)
Cora Captures a Cowboy (Cora and Dagmar)
Sarah Snares a Soldier (Sarah and Marcus)
Cate Corrals a Cattleman (Cate and Isaac)
Darcie Desires a Drover (Darcie and Reuben)
Tina Tracks a Trail Boss (Tina and Leif)
Lorna Loves a Lawyer (Lorna and Lyle)
Helen Heals a Hotelier (Helen and Ethan)
Also, read Lilly: Bride of Illinois, a spin-off book in the American Mail-Order Brides Series.
~*~*~*~
Historical Fiction Books by Linda K. Hubalek
Trail of Thread Series
Trail of Thread
Thimble of Soil
Stitch of Courage
Butter in the Well Series
Butter in the Well
Prairie Bloomin’
Egg Gravy
Looking Back
Planting Dreams Series
Planting Dreams
Cultivating Hope
Harvesting Faith
Kansas Quilter Series
Tying the Knot
About the Author
Linda Hubalek grew up on the Kansas prairie, always wanting to be a farmer like her parents and ancestors. After earning a college degree in Agriculture, marriage took Linda away from Kansas as her husband worked in engineering jobs in several states.
Meanwhile, Linda wrote historical fiction books about pioneer women who homesteaded in Kansas between 1854 to the early 1900s, especially her Swedish immigrant ancestors.
Linda Hubalek and her husband eventually moved back home to Kansas, where they raised American buffalo (bison) for a dozen years.
Linda writes sweet historical western romances set in the 1800s and contemporary romance series, starting in Melissa Storm’s First Street Church Romances Kindle World.