Preacher Wore A Gun

by Joyce Livingston

  Her lower lip took on a pout. “You mean I won’t see you again until our wedding?”

  Smiling, he shrugged. “I guess not, unless you want to slip off and have lunch with me.”

  She snickered. “Is that an invitation?”

  “Sure.”

  “At that little Italian place in the strip mall down the street?”

  “If that’s where you want to go.”

  “At straight up noon?”

  “Yep, straight up noon.”

  “I’ll be there. Mom is coming over in a few minutes. I’m sure she won’t mind staying with the children until I get back.”

  She giggled like a schoolgirl. “See you at noon, my love!”

  The rest of morning flew by as Tassie worked on countless tasks she was determined to complete before leaving for their wedding.

  By eleven forty-five, when she left to meet Mitch for lunch, Delana still hadn’t come out of her room.

  “How’s the lasagna?” he asked as they sat in a corner table in the little Italian restaurant, fondly gazing across the table at one another.

  “It’s wonderful but I’m too nervous to eat,” she confessed, her mind still on Delana.

  “You’re still worried about her, aren’t you?”

  She nodded.

  “I’m worried about Delana, too, sweetheart. But this is our day, Tassie. We can’t let her ruin what should be the happiest day of our life.”

  She blinked at a tear. “I know but I so want her at our wedding and I know you do, too.”

  He reached across the table and took both her hands in his. “She knows it, too, sweetheart. We’ve got to leave it in God’s hands.”

  “I’m trying. I not only wanted her to be there, I wanted her to be my maid of honor. I know I could have asked one of the ladies at the church, but if I can’t have Delana I don’t want anyone.”

  Mitch’s thumb rubbed at her ring finger. “I wish I’d gotten you an engagement ring.”

  She gave her head a vigorous shake. “No, Mitch, an engagement ring on my finger would have only added to Delana’s anger.”

  “Well, like it or not, as my wife you are going to wear a wedding ring.” His expression softened as he gazed into her eyes. “A quite pretty wedding ring, if I do say so myself.”

  “Oh, Mitch, I hope you didn’t spend more than you should have. A simple gold band is all I need.”

  They discussed the minor redecorating they planned to do to the house, the shrubs they wanted to plant in the front yard, and several other non-children subjects, then walked to their cars holding hands.

  “You will show up at the church, won’t you?” Mitch teased as he closed her car door and leaned into the open window.

  She turned the key in the ignition then grinned up at him. “Absolutely. No way am I going to miss a chance to become Mrs. Mitchell Drummond.” After blowing him a kiss, with a little wave she drove away.

  ❧

  Delana was standing in the middle of the living room when Tassie entered the house. “I’ve been waiting for you. Your mom said you wanted to ask me something. I hope it’s not about that bridesmaid thing.”

  “Sweetheart, I really want you to be my maid of honor at our wedding. Won’t you please reconsider?”

  Delana quirked up her face. “Why would you want me to be your maid of honor?”

  “Because I love you, Delana. Mom said she showed you my prom dress. It may not be the kind of dress you’d pick to wear, but I’m sure it will fit you. We can even take the bow off. And your father and I both so want you at our wedding.”

  “I haven’t even decided yet if I’m going.”

  Tassie reached for Delana’s hand and was pleased when she didn’t pull away. “Look, sweetie, I understand where you’re coming from. With the exception of your father, the people you have loved the most are the ones who let you down and walked out of your life.” She paused and with her free hand lifted the girl’s face to meet hers. “I promise you on my word of honor, my precious Delana, I will never leave you. I’m here to stay. I’ve told you several times I wanted to be your friend and I still do. But more than that, I want us to share our lives together much like a mother and her natural daughter would. I want to be there proudly watching you when you graduate high school and when you walk down the aisle and pledge your life to the wonderful man you will one day meet and marry. I want to be there when you have children and be a grandmother to them. I want to share in your joys and sorrows, to be there for you whenever and wherever you need me. And most importantly, I want you to let me love you and for you to love me. I know it will take time but. . .” She stopped midsentence when tears began to trickle down Delana’s cheeks.

  “You’re not just saying those things so I won’t be mad about you marrying my dad?”

  “Oh, honey, no! I mean every word! I can’t tell you how much I want you there. Your father does, too!”

  “Then—I guess I’ll go.”

  “To our wedding?” Tassie felt her eyes widen. This was almost too good to be true.

  “Yes, but I don’t want to be your bridesmaid or whatever you called it.”

  “I’d really like to have you as my maid of honor but just knowing you will be at our wedding is a wonderful answer to prayer.” Cautiously wrapping her arms about the girl, Tassie couldn’t help but sob. God was answering her prayer, their prayer.

  “Couldn’t you get one of your friends at church to be your maid of honor?”

  She shook her head. “No. I told your father if I couldn’t have you I didn’t want anyone.”

  Delana gazed up at her. “You really said that?”

  “Yes, and I meant every word. I want you, sweetie. Only you. No one else.”

  “So if I don’t do it you won’t have one?”

  “That’s right.”

  The girl gave her a sheepish grin. “Then I guess I’ll do it.”

  Tassie’s heart nearly exploded with joy. “You will? Really?”

  “Yeah, I guess so.” She paused with a grin. “If your dress doesn’t make me look stupid.”

  She glanced at her watch. “We still have a couple of hours. If you don’t like it we’ll make a quick run to the bridal shop. I can hardly wait to tell your dad! He’ll be so pleased.”

  Delana shook her head. “No, don’t. I want to surprise him.”

  “You mean we should keep it from him until he sees you come up the aisle?”

  She nodded. “Yes. I think he’d like to be surprised.”

  After planting a quick kiss on the girl’s cheek, she smiled. “Let’s go take a look at that dress to see if it will work.”

  Delana smiled back. “I’ve already tried it on. If you take that stupid big bow off the back it will do just fine. In fact, I kinda liked it.”

  As the two ascended the stairs arm in arm, Tassie lifted her eyes heavenward. Oh, God, my Father, how could I have doubted You?

  Twelve

  Mitch smiled at Dale Lewis as the two stood at the altar. “Surely you didn’t wear that gun to our wedding.”

  Dale patted his coat. “Of course I did. Didn’t I tell you and Tassie that gun goes with me everywhere I go?”

  “This isn’t a shotgun wedding,” he responded with a grin. “No one is forcing me to marry this little gal. I’m doing it quite willingly.”

  Dale laughed, then his face sobered. “All kidding aside, Mitch, I hope you’ll both remember the things the three of us talked about before the wedding rehearsal. Blending families is a tough job. You’re going to have some rough times ahead, but God is faithful. He’ll never fail you, and don’t you fail Him. Take any differences you have to the Lord and leave them there for Him to handle and all will be well with you.”

  “I will, Dale. I’ve learned a lot these past three months. I won’t make the same mistakes again; I promise.”

  “Just remember, I’m always here any time you need to talk.”

  “I will, old friend, and thanks.”

  He glanced toward Tony,
who had agreed to be his best man, next at the doors at the back of the sanctuary, then at his watch. In a few minutes his bride would be coming through those doors.

  He’d no more than had the thought when the organ began to play, the double doors opened, and their flower girl appeared—his adorable daughter, Babette, wearing the pretty pink dress Tassie had picked out for her. And her lips were turned up in a cute little smile that made his heart sing as she began to drop rose petals from her basket onto the floor.

  Mitch felt as if he were going to explode with happiness. The only thing that could have made this day any better was if his oldest daughter would have agreed to attend the wedding instead of staying home by herself. But, to his joy, Tony and Babette were not only there, Tony had agreed to be his best man. At least that part of his and Tassie’s prayers had been answered. Hopefully, now that they were being married, and since Tassie had been willing to rush to Delana’s aid when she had needed her, the girl would begin to accept her as his new wife and give up on her crusade to get rid of her. God, he said in his heart, if You could bring Tony and Babette around, then there has to be hope for Delana.

  ❧

  Tassie’s mother dabbed at her eyes with her hanky as she stood in the bride’s room off the sanctuary, smiling at her. “You’ve never looked more beautiful, my precious daughter. You make a lovely bride. I knew that dress was the perfect one for you the moment we saw it in that bridal shop window.”

  “I just hope Mitch likes it.”

  Her mother sent her an adoring smile. “How could he not like it?”

  Tassie checked to make sure the little diamond stud earrings were in place—the something old she had borrowed from her mother. “You are happy for me, aren’t you?”

  “Oh, yes. Staying nights in Mitch’s home to be with his children has made me see why you love him. He’s a fine man, Tassie. He’s made mistakes but he honestly loves his kids and wants to do the right thing. He’s determined to make sure they have a Christian upbringing, and with you there to help him, I’ll know he’ll succeed.”

  Mrs. Springer turned to Delana. “You look pretty, too, young lady. That dress fits you like it was made for you. And your hair looks beautiful pulled up that way.”

  Delana fingered one of the long tendrils falling softly at her neckline. “Tassie did it.”

  “I’m so glad you decided to be Tassie’s maid of honor, dear.”

  Delana smiled at Mrs. Springer then at Tassie. “I’m glad, too.”

  A chill coursed through Tassie as she gazed at Mitch’s daughter. She hadn’t won her to the Lord yet, but by showering the girl with love and prayer, she knew it would happen. “Your father is going to be so proud,” she told her as she lovingly cradled the girl’s cheek in her palm. “Now each one of his children—our children—will be taking part in our wedding. What a blessing!”

  Tassie’s dad grinned at the three as he pushed open the door a crack and pointed to the clock on the wall. “You ladies about ready? The groom and the best man are gettin’ a little antsy out there waiting for you.”

  “Oh, my! I should be in my seat.” Her mother shook a cautioning finger at both Tassie and Delana. “Remember, you girls, step, together, step, together, step, together. I know you’re both going to be in a hurry to get to Mitch but take your time. Enjoy every moment of your walk up that aisle.” She blew an air kiss toward her daughter. “Especially you, my baby girl. This is your wedding day, the day every girl dreams of. Make it special.”

  Tassie leaned forward and placed a gentle, loving kiss on her mother’s cheek. “I will, Mom. I’m going to remember this day forever.” She smiled toward Delana. “And having Delana here with me is truly making this day special.”

  Mrs. Springer motioned at Delana as she opened the door and the organ music sounded. “There’s your cue. You’d better come with me. It’s time for you to make your appearance.”

  With a final glance at Tassie, Delana followed her stepgrandmother-to-be out the door.

  “You’re beautiful,” Tassie’s father told her when her mother and Delana had gone and they headed down the hall toward the sanctuary. “I can’t tell you how proud I am of you. You’ve grown into a lovely young woman. You’re going to make a wonderful wife.”

  Her emotions suddenly taking over, Tassie felt like crying. “I want to be a good wife, Daddy, and a good mother to his children. I so want Delana to give her life to God.”

  “Don’t you worry about that girl. She’s come a long way in the past twenty-four hours. With all of us praying for her, I have a feeling she’ll soon be accepting our Lord. She’s young and she’s been hurt. Being rejected by her mother like she was had to have left deep scars. They take time to heal. But God is still our Great Physician and always will be. Healing that girl’s heart is child’s play for Him. Have faith, sweetheart. God is able and He wants to answer your prayer.”

  “Thanks, Daddy. You always know the right thing to say.”

  Taking hold of Tassie’s hand, he slipped it into the crook of his arm. “Ready?”

  She smiled up at him through tears of joy. “Oh, yes, Daddy. I’m ready!”

  ❧

  As Babette reached the front of the church, Mitch glanced back toward the double doors. Hurry, my love, please hurry.

  But the next person to enter wasn’t Tassie; it was someone else. Had she asked one of the young women at the church to be her maid of honor and forgotten to tell him? He narrowed his eyes for a better look. No, it can’t be!

  But it was. It was Delana! Delana was here! Delana had come to their wedding after all—and she was Tassie’s maid of honor! Oh, Father God, how good You are!

  Mitch’s heart nearly melted when his daughter drew nearer—a vision of loveliness in a pink gown, her hair all piled on top her head—and she was wearing so little makeup he could barely see it. God, You did this for me? When I’m so unworthy? I don’t know how You did it but I praise You for it. You are truly an awesome God. Thank You! Thank You! Thank You!

  “I love you, my darling daughter,” Mitch whispered to her when she reached the altar as he drew her into his arms and hugged her close.

  “I love you, too, Daddy.”

  All rose as the strains of the wedding march filled the sanctuary and Tassie appeared in her glorious gown of white. Her eyes sparkled as she walked slowly toward the front of the sanctuary, pausing only long enough beside the front pew to present a single red rose to her mother.

  “Who gives this woman in marriage to this man?” Chaplain Dale asked as she and her father stepped before him at the altar.

  “Her mother and I do.”

  Tassie smiled as her dad kissed her cheek then placed her hand into Mitch’s before turning to take his place by her mother.

  “You’re here! You’re actually here and you’re going to be my wife! And all three of my children are here. Is God good or what?” Mitch whispered as she stepped up beside him.

  “Dearly beloved,” Chaplain Dale began in his deep, rich voice. “We are gathered today to bear witness as this man and this woman are joined in the holy state of matrimony. Their marriage is being entered into with reverence. For there is no greater joy than for two like-minded souls who love each other and love God to be joined together. To strengthen each other in all ways, to support each other through all sorrow, and to share with each other in the gladness of life.”

  Mitch cast an adoring glance at Tassie and then at the beautiful young woman at her side.

  “Marriage in itself is an act of faith,” Dale continued, “an ever-deepening commitment. It is a loving union between a man and a woman. Marriage between two people who love one another has been described as the very best and most important relationship two people can share. Marriage was ordained by God Himself and it should never be entered into lightly. The apostle Paul compared the relationship between husband and wife to that between Christ and the church. Marriage is a decision of two individuals to share the same type of pure, Christian love described
by Paul.”

  Although Mitch listened carefully to Chaplain Dale’s words, he couldn’t help thinking about God’s miraculous answer to prayer.

  “Mitch, Tassie, would you please hold hands and face one another?”

  Tassie handed her bouquet to Delana then turned to Mitch. He eagerly took hold of both her hands. They felt warm, soft to the touch. Just holding her hands sent chills through his body.

  “Mitch, repeat after me.” Dale paused. “I take you, Tassie Springer, as my wife. To laugh with in joy, to grieve with in sorrow, and to grow more in love with each day as we serve God together.”

  His heart thundering against his chest, Mitch repeated the words with great sincerity and dedication. Loving Tassie was going to be the easy part. Being worthy of her love was what worried him.

  “Now, Tassie, repeat after me.” Again, Dale paused. “I take you, Mitchell Drummond, as my husband. To laugh with in joy, to grieve with in sorrow, and to grow more in love with each day as we serve God together.”

  Mitch couldn’t remember a more happy time in his life as he listened to Tassie repeat her vows.

  “And I know you both intend to keep your vows. Trust each other and trust God and all will be well with you.” Turning to Tony, Dale asked, “Do you have the rings?”

  His lips tilted upward in a nervous grin, Tony reached into his pocket and pulled out two rings.

  Mitch took the one with the small diamond solitaire and lovingly placed it on Tassie’s finger. “This, my love, is a small token to remind you of my love and the pledge I’ve made to you this day.”

  The look of adoration on his beloved’s face was almost more than he could bear. Although he had loved his first wife, the love he felt for Tassie was nothing like that love. This love felt permanent, fulfilling, satisfying, and, yes, challenging. With God’s help he would do everything in his power to be the husband she deserved.

  For a moment, Tassie gazed at the ring he’d placed on her finger then took the other ring from Tony and slipped it onto Mitch’s finger.