Rainn on My Parade

by LoRee Peery

  Jay Harris stood as inflexible as one of the playhouse posts. “Your mother and I are here to help now. You’re a single man, moving from job to job. We’ll stay put and learn how to take care of our granddaughter. In fact, I’ve got my attorney drawing up legal pursuit as we speak—”

  “You had the chance for your say when I was a kid. Now it’s my say.” Rainn was finished trying to reason with an unreasonable man, even if the man was his own father.

  Anger flashed in his father’s eyes. “Not yet. Let me finish. You know I’m no good at little-girl things any more than little-boy business, but that child needs a man and woman in her life.”

  “She has a man and woman in her life.”

  “If you’re talking about that shopkeeper, no way. You need to find someone your own age. If you can’t find one here, move to the city and get involved in a social group of some kind.”

  Rainn stiffened his spine. He tossed the last swallow of his coffee over the railing, and spun to face the man who had given him life.

  Some people were just plain unreasonable.

  “I’ve never expected anything from you, not since I’ve been an adult. But I sure would think that in today’s day and age, you’d be more open-minded.”

  Jay Harris cursed.

  “This conversation is over. You never tried to guide me or give me advice when I lived in your home. We’re way beyond you starting now.”

  Rainn’s father cursed again.

  “Guess that sums up your attitude. I expect you and Mom to say goodbye to Mia. You’re not welcome in my home right now.”

  “See you in court, Son.”

  ****

  Moselle’s wedding was finally upon them. Geneva had been all prepared to face Rainn at rehearsal dinner the night before, but according to Rainn, Mia had the fit of all fits. She went totally ballistic. Rainn felt he needed to stay with her at home rather than add more potential drama.

  With the wedding and the Harris visit, she and Rainn hadn’t spoken personally for most of the week, except for short daily phone conversations, neither bringing up his phone message. They’d been very reserved with one another. Last night Rainn told her why Jay and Adeana Harris had come to town.

  “Dad and Mom want custody of Mia.”

  “Whaaat?”

  “Would you pray about that, please?”

  Geneva turned into the alley behind the shop. She went through all the emotions she had the night before. She wanted to fight, spit, claw, or whatever the proverbial she-bear did, when coming to the defense of her young.

  I’ll be her mother before those people get their mitts on Mia. Lord, help me pull myself together.

  Moselle wanted to get ready for her wedding at the loft above Frivolities. Soon, the loft would be Lanae’s home, rather than Moselle’s. Geneva parked off the alley and shook her head at sight of the decorations. A foil rainbow curved above the sliding door. Twinkle lights and greenery wound up the stairs, around the landing and top railing deck.

  Warmth and light created a cozy ambience, defying the fact that the place faced an alley in downtown Platteville, Nebraska. Geneva surveyed the space at ground level and again pictured Rainn’s suggested fountain and seated garden area beyond the back door.

  “Hey, Mom. Nervous?”

  “I’m not the bride.” Geneva’s thoughts skittered all over the place, but she had become used to that. She really needed to read more about midlife crisis. Disjointed thoughts accompanied her up the stairs.

  Moselle greeted her with a tranquil hug, green eyes sparkling with joy.

  Geneva’s hand didn’t shake at all when she sat and brushed on lavender eye shadow, remembering the last time she’d done her makeup. When Jay and Adeana Harris were in town for Lindsay’s memorial service, Geneva had been just as anxious.

  The eye shadow applicator she’d picked up then was so old that it crumbled. She’d laughed later at her attempt to gussy up for Rainn’s parents. No need. She was there for Rainn and Mia, not to make herself look any better, or younger, in their estimation.

  Moselle came up from behind and kissed Geneva’s cheek. “You’re gorgeous, Mom.”

  “I’m not so sure. Why did you choose such flamboyant colors for me? Deep purple and vibrant reddish-orange?”

  “It’s so you, Mom. No other dress would do once I saw this one.”

  “But Karin’s pale gold and olive is so much more subtle.”

  “Too late to go shopping.” Moselle took a step back and gave Geneva the onceover.

  Geneva turned back to face the mirror and saw a huge glop of mascara on her nose. This time her hand did shake as she finished the makeup business.

  “Tump-ta-da-duh.” Moselle’s maid of honor, Karin Stevens, from the Purple Palace Beauty Spa, followed her triumphant salute by standing back and giving all the women a critical eye. Her gaze passed over every hair, and must have found them to her satisfaction. “Don’t mind if I say so myself. We all look splendiferous.”

  She flared her skirt in a pirouette, hands weaving through the air. She landed before Moselle, brought both hands to her lips and kissed her fingertips like some Italian chef, letting the kiss float on the air in Moselle’s direction.

  Geneva started to choke up, so proud she could cry.

  “Before we traipse out of here, Mom Carson, do you have any sage words of advice for our Moselle?”

  Geneva turned her back, shook off the Harris family in order to focus on Moselle and her wedding day. Pivoting to face forward once more, Geneva cleared her throat. “My heart is so full.” She took a deep breath, fought the gathering moisture, and gazed at her beautiful daughter. Geneva reached for Moselle’s hands.

  “This morning I awakened with a new clarity. And I thank God. He chose to love us, to create us to love Him and live with Him through eternity. So we in turn can choose to love Him back, and to live life to its fullest. I believe eternity begins here on earth.” Geneva paused. Her heart, her cup, surely overflowed.

  “Beautiful words of life, Mom. Thank you.”

  “My last advice is for you to begin that eternity with Eric. And not to take anything from your shining day, but I plan to tell Rainn that I choose him.”

  So much for putting that particular Harris out of my mind.

  Lanae let out a whoop to rival any bareback ridin’ cowboy.

  Mist pooled in eyes. Smiles beamed back and forth.

  Moselle motioned for all to gather close. “We can’t leave yet. Let’s clasp hands, and Aunt Lanae, would you please pray?”

  A sense of peace flowed through Geneva as she listened to her sister’s firm voice. It was one of those spiritual moments that lifted her away from the here and now and placed her on a heavenly plane.

  Following the prayer, the women were ready. Ready to leave the loft for the church, embarking on new journeys for the Frivolities women.

  Moselle, to begin her life with Eric.

  Lanae, who looked almost as good as new today, only fifteen pounds lighter than before the hepatitis C treatments. She would soon have that final liver test, and then she’d be moving in to the loft.

  Geneva turned away, swallowing her emotions and remembering how scared she’d been the day Lanae slept thirty-six hours. When Geneva called the doctor, he’d sounded optimistic when he told her Lanae should sleep as much as needed because it helped her heal.

  And what about Geneva’s future? Was she ready to provide whatever Rainn and Mia needed?

  Rather, who God wanted Geneva to be.

  She gave Lanae a squeeze, and turned toward the inside door. “Let’s walk through Frivolities rather than down the outside stairs.”

  She nodded and hugged Geneva back. “This is Moselle’s day, and it’s going to be grand.”

  Geneva halted a couple steps from the floor. She surveyed the confusion of Frivolities, and couldn’t help her sense of satisfaction with the ordered chaos that had consumed her current stage of life.

  “Even at my age, I’ve discovered I’m te
achable,” Geneva said. “My life has been so filled with the stuff of Frivolities, and before that all the doings at church. Add the quilting. I had no idea anything was missing from my life.”

  The sisters took the final steps into their shop.

  “Until Rainn,” they said together.

  Geneva thought Lanae looked ethereal when she searched her eyes, so like Geneva’s own, except deeper-set from the illness and resulting weight loss. Yet, a new wisdom and strength shone through. And they sparkled.

  At the flick of a wrong switch, Moselle’s radio speakers jumped into the silence. A male country vocalist wailed down the stairwell about getting a brand new girlfriend after he was dumped.

  Not if I have anything to say about it.

  Lanae and Geneva made faces at each other. Lanae fumbled to get the light switches right.

  Geneva was all prepared to turn her daughter over to a man who had grown to be like a son. And turn her future over to God, the whole of her remaining days.

  It would take some major courage to show the town she and Rainn were meant to fill those days side by side.

  Rainn on My Parade

  18

  Geneva and the other women slipped through a side door at Faith Bible Church, the opposite side of the auditorium from where the men entered. It was time. Pastor Rick said a prayer, the music began.

  And there was Rainn, striding toward Geneva to usher her to her seat. Every jitter she could have imagined trailed a course through her body. She even had a picture of racing blood. And, she forgot to breathe.

  Geneva’s soul calmed when their gazes met. He captured her and filled her with unspoken promises. Would she soon hear him speak those three little words he hinted at in his last voice message?

  Geneva smiled.

  Rainn winked.

  She took his arm and faced front. His warmth and muscled strength flowed through her fingertips to her toes. He gave her hand one pat before he led her forward.

  “You almost outshine your daughter, Geneva,” he whispered. “You take my breath away.”

  “Glad you think so, but it’s all about Moselle.”

  The staged area at the foot of the cross was covered in vines of autumn splendor, leaves and tiny twinkle lights rather than flowers. Moselle wanted the impression of a secluded glade rather than banks of traditional wedding flowers.

  As soon as Rainn released Geneva at the front pew, Eric and Marty Marolf, the best man, followed Pastor Rick’s entrance.

  Eric sent a slight nod Geneva’s way. He’d be her son in a few short minutes. And she trusted him with her daughter’s future. Next, Karin was up front.

  Geneva turned to face Moselle with the first notes of the wedding march. Moselle’s creamy white gown was a perfect choice for her. The streamlined skirt played peekaboo with her brocade boots as she walked up the aisle. Geneva swallowed her chuckle at the rebellious touch of country. The dress was sprigged with orange and yellow flowers at the bodice and hem.

  Once Moselle had passed, Geneva raised her gaze to the cross, and thanked Him from the depths of her soul for Moselle and Eric and Rainn and Mia.

  She focused on the couple of the day, awed at the light in Eric’s face as he took in the sight of his bride.

  From the corner of her eye, she glimpsed Rainn come up the outside aisle.

  “Hi, Geneva,” Mia said clearly, causing a few twitters. She and Rainn sat in a pew behind and to Geneva’s left. His nearness drew her as though he had physically pulled her close.

  She scanned the front of the church, where brilliant sunlight brightened all the wonderful clear glass. She swallowed a lump in her throat at the reminder that Rainn’s job on another church in town was now finished. He had to feel so satisfied at the sight of his finished work. Jesus in all His glory, emblazoned in brilliant color, depicted in stained glass.

  No matter what the future might bring as far as Rainn was concerned, Geneva could view his artistry every time she drove by that church.

  Wrong or right, Geneva’s thoughts bounced from Jesus to the man sitting behind her. She felt his heat. The knowledge he was there caused myriads of sensation.

  She imagined leaning her head on Rainn’s shoulder. She met his gaze. Were they so connected that he was linked to her thoughts?

  The tears stopped and she smiled, filled with serenity. She turned her focus back to the words of Moselle’s chosen song. Geneva tried to imagine herself before she knew Christ, and saw only darkness.

  Then she remembered the first time she met Rainn, and the difference he had made in her life.

  Thank You, Lord. Thank You for Rainn. Thank You for Mia and Moselle and Eric. Thank You for the plan You have for all of us. Thank You for giving us life. And if it’s Your will, a life for me with Rainn.

  The ceremony ended, yet it was the beginning for Mr. and Mrs. Eric Todd as they floated down the aisle.

  Rainn came to his feet and hustled to Geneva’s side, Mia in tow. She brushed aside the layers of her full turquoise skirt, and wrapped Geneva’s legs in a hug.

  Too bad. The congregation would have to wait a moment to be ushered out. Geneva brushed her hands over the row of pastel granny squares Lanae had crocheted to form a tiny shawl that slipped off Mia’s shoulders, and tugged it back into place.

  Mia lifted her chin to smile up at Geneva, arms clutching her thighs. This was a day for shining eyes.

  “I’ve missed you, Geneva. Uncle Rainn loves Geneva and Geneva loves Uncle Rainn.”

  Did Mia grasp the concept of love? Geneva wondered. Maybe love to Mia was wrapped up in security.

  “I love you, Mia Grace Harris.”

  “I love you back, Geneva Elaine Carson. Would you be my mother?” Mia dropped the bombshell. “Grandma Harris says I need a mother.”

  Mia’s comment opened the floodgates. Geneva had been teary-eyed since Moselle and Eric’s choice of wedding song. The lovely lyrics washed through her again. A love song, but one written more for the change Jesus brought in a life than a person, though it applied to both. What a difference Jesus makes when a heart is changed. Jesus was the true meaning of love, the Good News, and He made broken parts new.

  “Then I guess your Uncle Rainn and I will have to talk about that. Right now, we’re going to have a wedding party.”

  Mia beamed and gave Geneva another squeeze.

  Rainn bent to hoist Mia up, and finally offered Geneva his arm. Instead of the crook of his elbow, she settled an arm around his back. Geneva hoped her expression of love for Rainn held as much assurance as Mia’s had.

  And Geneva didn’t give a rip that the whole church was looking on. Bring on Kate Rawlins. The whole town could see, for all she cared.

  Rainn leaned in close to speak. “We’ll continue this conversation later. Now we need to walk down the aisle.”

  Oh, I wish. I’d walk anywhere with this man, and Mia, beside me.

  But their time would have to wait. This was Moselle’s day, after all, and they were bound for the wedding reception.

  Mia and Geneva walked into late afternoon sunshine, leaving Rainn to handle ushering out the congregation of wedding guests.

  Greetings and congratulations and reception details took up the next couple hours. Often, Geneva searched for Rainn in the crowd, and often felt his attention on her. They connected from across the room more times than she could count.

  At a lull in the activity, Geneva’s gaze settled on Mia, seated with Lanae, devouring a full plate of nuts and mints.

  Then Geneva surveyed the room, and sought Rainn, yet again. In reflective moments she had tried to sort out her feelings. Emotion flooded her being when they finally had a moment alone. She led him to a quiet corner.

  Rainn on My Parade

  19

  Rainn started to speak, but Geneva laid her fingers over his lips. “Me first. Forgive me?”

  She moved her hand so he could shape words with the mouth she’d come to cherish.

  “Always. Love is enough.”

&nb
sp; He was right.

  “Before I continue and say what I need to, what about your parents and Mia’s future?”

  “First, I love you. Second, thank you for caring about Mia.”

  “My love for Mia is wrapped up in my feelings for you, Rainn. Now, tell me!”

  “No need for such excitement here, unless it’s all for me.” The look he gave her washed away every lingering shade of doubt about her future with him.

  “They backed down,” he said, “after the way Mia acted last night when I talked to her about getting ready for rehearsal. Her fits freaked them out. My dad just walked away. No surprise there. He never could handle family responsibility. And Mom was all but wringing her hands in helplessness.”

  “You can’t put in what God’s left out.”

  “You are a wise woman, but God would have laid family obligations on my father’s heart if he had wanted to be a dad. And Mom’s always been submissive, not standing up to Dad even when she really thought God was on her side. Have to hand it to her for trying, for coming to Platteville. But now, they’ll have to decide where to go from here and how closely involved to get in following up on Lindsay’s death.”

  “Speaking of Lindsay, Rainn, how are you doing with all those unknowns?”

  “I’m resting in God. Could be His answer to any questions we have regarding her death will be no answer. For now, I have to concentrate on a job, and making a home for Mia.”

  “When they hit, don’t shy away from the steps of grief. I’ll help you in any way I can.” Geneva believed he had gone past the disbelief and anger. Maybe he’d face other steps, yearning for some different action on his part, and depression. As far as she could tell, Rainn had accepted the situation.

  She hugged him, and again, didn’t care what anyone looking on may think. “Were you finished telling me about your folks?”

  “Nope, but it won’t take long. Mom realized their wrong last night when she saw Mia calm down only for me. And when Mia asked for you at bedtime, Mom stood up to Dad. She told him they needed to reconsider. Dad and I had it out earlier and he was ready to leave town then. Mom wouldn’t leave until after the wedding because she respects Eric, so they went to a motel.”