by Amy Clipston
* * *
Happiness exploded through Drew as he stood clad in his only suit at the front of the church the following morning. All his dreams were coming true at this moment, and he felt as if he were dreaming. But he wasn’t. He was marrying the love of his life!
Cindy was stunningly beautiful as she held the bouquet of pink roses he’d picked up for her yesterday. The roses just happened to match the pink dress she wore along with a white apron and her prayer covering. She gave him another shy smile, and her blue eyes sparkled as her cheeks flushed pink as well.
When the pastor began to speak, Drew forced his attention away from his bride and back to her.
“Do you, Drew Taylor Collins, take Cindy Emma Riehl to be your lawfully wedded wife, to have and to hold, from this day forward, for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, until death do you part? If so, answer ‘I do,’” Pastor Ellen said.
“I do.” Drew’s words sounded as confident as he felt as they echoed throughout the empty sanctuary.
Pastor Ellen smiled and then turned to Cindy. “And do you, Cindy Emma Riehl, take Drew Taylor Collins to be your lawfully wedded husband, to have and to hold, from this day forward, for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, until death do you part? If so, answer ‘I do.’”
“I do.” Cindy seemed to tremble as she said the words.
“Then by the power vested in me by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, I now pronounce you husband and wife.” Pastor Ellen turned to Drew. “You may now kiss your bride.”
Drew pulled Cindy to him and brushed his lips over hers. The contact sent liquid heat shooting from his head to his toes.
Claps sounded from the pews behind them. Drew had almost forgotten Pastor Ellen’s husband, Grayson, had joined them as a witness to their ceremony. He was their only attendee, which had nearly crushed Drew’s heart. He had prayed Cindy’s family would change their minds and surprise Cindy by appearing at the church today, but they’d stuck to their word and refused to bless their marriage.
“I’d like to offer one last prayer before we start our celebration,” Pastor Ellen said, and Drew turned his attention back to her. “Let us pray.”
Drew entwined his fingers with Cindy’s, bowed his head, and closed his eyes.
“Dear Lord,” Pastor Ellen began, “we ask you to bless Drew and Cindy as they begin their journey together as husband and wife. Be there with them as they face the challenges of their new life, and guide them as they work to build their future. In Jesus’s holy name. Amen.”
Drew opened his eyes and glanced over at Cindy as she stared up in the direction of the cross. He longed to read her thoughts.
“So, Mr. and Mrs. Collins,” Pastor Ellen began, “Grayson and I have a surprise for you.”
“A surprise?” Cindy’s eyes seemed to sparkle with curiosity.
“Yes.” Pastor Ellen set down the little book she’d held during the ceremony and rubbed her hands together. “We planned a little party for you. We have a cake and some sparkling cider for you in the fellowship hall.”
“You do?” Cindy grinned as she turned to Drew. “This is so kind of you.”
“It is.” Drew nodded at Pastor Ellen. “Thank you.”
“You’re welcome.” Pastor Ellen made a sweeping gesture toward the door. “Let’s go celebrate.”
Drew held Cindy’s hand as they made their way down the hallway toward the fellowship hall.
“Wait,” Pastor Ellen called. “Let me announce you before you walk inside.”
“Announce us?” Cindy looked at Drew. “Why would she announce us?”
“I don’t know.” Drew shrugged.
Pastor Ellen stepped through the door and said, “It is my honor to present Mr. and Mrs. Drew Collins.”
Then a chorus of claps erupted from inside the hall.
“Who’s here?” Cindy asked.
“I have no idea,” Drew said.
He led Cindy into the hall and found a group of friends from church applauding while standing around a table. On it was a three-tiered wedding cake adorned with a topper featuring a bride and groom, along with plastic wineglasses, plates, and napkins. Someone snapped a photo with a camera.
“I hope it’s okay that I invited some of your friends from church to help us celebrate today,” Pastor Ellen said.
“That was very thoughtful of you,” Drew said as appreciation whipped through him. “Thank you so much.”
He turned to Cindy, and her smile widened as she squeezed his hand. Her beautiful face glowed with pure elation, and his heart warmed. This wedding was a dream come true, and he was so grateful for his church family. He pulled on her hand, towing her to him.
“I’m so thankful you married me,” he whispered.
“I am too. I’m excited to be Mrs. Drew Collins. Thank you for asking me to be your wife.” She traced his jawline with the tip of her finger. “Today is perfect.”
“Toast!” someone called.
A woman from the church started handing out plastic wineglasses filled with sparkling cider.
Drew turned to Pastor Ellen. “I don’t have a best man. Am I supposed to make the toast?”
“No.” Pastor Ellen pointed toward her husband, who stood by the cake. “I took care of that for you.”
“Good morning,” Grayson said, and everyone repeated it back to him. “I’m honored to stand before you today to toast Mr. and Mrs. Collins.” He held up his glass. “I’ve known Drew since he started attending here, and Ellen and I have always thought he’s a fine young man. We’re delighted he met Cindy and that they’re now starting their new life together. I’d like to wish them happiness, love, and a house full of children.”
Grayson lifted his glass higher. “Here’s to Drew and Cindy.”
“Hear, hear!” a few people called.
Drew turned to Cindy beside him and held up his glass. “To us.”
“To us,” she echoed, her eyes sparkling as her smile brightened like the afternoon sun.
They intertwined their arms and then sipped the sweet cider. A camera flashed again.
“Let’s cut the cake,” someone else called.
Drew looked at Cindy. “The tradition is that we cut the cake and feed it to each other. Do you want to do it?”
She gave a little laugh and shrugged. “Sure.”
Drew moved to the cake, cut a piece, and then held it up to her. She took a bite, and everyone cheered. She cut a piece for Drew to take a bite, and when he did the small crowd of well-wishers cheered again. Drew savored the delectable white cake with almond flavoring. Then one of the women cut the rest of the cake and handed out pieces.
“This turned out beautifully,” Cindy said as they ate their cake. “I’m so honored and excited that our church family wanted to celebrate with us.”
“I am too. It truly is the perfect wedding.” Drew looked over at Pastor Ellen as she joined them. “Thank you for everything.”
“Yes,” Cindy said. “Thank you. This was more than I could have ever imagined. I’m so happy we were able to celebrate our new life with friends.”
“You’re welcome.” Pastor Ellen smiled. “I couldn’t let your wedding pass without a celebration.”
Drew smiled, pushing away the feeling that Cindy would one day look back and grieve her family’s abandonment on such a special occasion.
* * *
“Everything was wonderful,” Cindy said as Drew parked the pickup truck in their driveway later that afternoon.
“It was.” He pointed to the stack of envelopes in her lap. “I can’t believe they gave us gifts too.”
“I know. This is so generous.” She smiled over at him. “The man who took photos said he’s going to email them to you. I guess you can get them printed, right?”
“Right. I can make a little wedding album for us to remember today.”
“I would love that.” Cindy felt her smile fade as the reality of what she had to do settled o
ver her.
“What’s wrong?” Drew touched her hand.
“We still have to go get my things from mei dat’s haus.” She looked toward the road. “It’s going to be difficult.”
“No, it won’t.” He pushed open his door. “Let me get out of this suit, and then we’ll go do it.”
She remained in the truck as he started toward the house.
He reached the porch and then spun to face her. “Aren’t you coming inside?”
“Ya.” She pushed the door open, and a mixture of excitement and anxiety bogged down her steps as she made her way to the porch of what was now her home.
He unlocked the door, and Bruce bounded toward them, barking and wagging his tail as he walked in circles around them.
She leaned over to pet Bruce and then yelped as Drew swept her into his arms.
“What are you doing?” she squeaked through her giggles.
“I’m carrying you over the threshold. That’s what new husbands are supposed to do with their wives.” He pulled the door open, stepped over the threshold, and then set her on her feet as she giggled again. “Welcome home, Mrs. Collins.”
“Thank you.” She leaned against his chest, and he kissed her, sending an explosion of fire through her veins.
He studied her and then stepped back. “Let me go get changed. We’ll get your things, and then we can celebrate our new life.”
As he disappeared into the back bedroom, Cindy set the stack of greeting cards filled with checks and gift cards on the kitchen table and then glanced around the house. Excitement danced in her chest. This was real. It was happening! This was now her home.
Drew appeared behind her dressed in jeans and a black T-shirt. “Are you ready?”
Cindy folded her hands. “I guess so.”
“Come on. We’ll get your things and then get you settled. I’ll be with you the entire time.” He took her hands in his.
She pulled strength from the feel of his warm skin against hers. She could do anything with Drew by her side.
* * *
Cindy stepped into the kitchen with Drew standing close behind her. Her heart began to race when she found her father, Florence, Jamie, and Sarah Jane all sitting at the table.
“What are you doing here?” Dat’s voice bellowed as he seemed to point his furious glare at Drew.
“We’re here for my things,” Cindy said, her voice sounding more confident than she felt. “We were married this morning.”
Dat grunted as Jamie, Florence, and Sarah Jane studied the kitchen table with downcast eyes.
“Come on. Everything is boxed up and ready to go.” Cindy took Drew’s hand in hers and walked past her family to the stairs.
They climbed the steps together and entered her bedroom, where the sea of boxes waited for them.
She turned to Drew and touched his chest. “I’m sure they aren’t going to help us. We’ll just do the best we can to load them up quickly and then get out of here.”
“I understand.” He touched her shoulder and seemed to look deep into her eyes. “Are you all right?”
“Ya.” She nodded. “Let’s just get my things and leave.”
“Right.” Drew grabbed two boxes, balanced one on top of the other, and started for the stairs.
Cindy followed behind him with another box. They hurried through the kitchen, where her family still sat at the table, ignoring them. They made ten trips up and down the stairs before her boxes, bags, sewing machine, and sewing table and chair were all loaded in the back of Drew’s truck.
Cindy looked at the house and hugged her arms to her chest.
“Talk to me.” Drew’s breath was warm on her ear as he stood behind her.
“I was just hoping they would at least say good-bye.” She hated the trembling thread of sadness in her voice.
“I can tell they love you and that they’ll miss you, but I’m sorry they can’t express how they feel.” He wrapped his arms around her waist and pulled her to him. “I’m here for you. You can tell me how you feel, and I’ll listen. I’ll be the shoulder you can cry on anytime.”
She looked up at him. “Thank you.”
“You’re welcome, Mrs. Collins.”
She laughed and then spun toward him. “Let’s go home.”
“Yes.” He smiled. “Our home.”
She climbed into the truck, and they made the short trip back to his house.
Later, after she’d put the last box into the bedroom she planned to make a sewing room, she sat down and touched her machine. Confusion bit at her heels. She had Drew now, but she was still floating between two worlds—the Amish and the English.
“Hey.”
She looked up at her handsome husband as he leaned against the doorframe.
“What’s going on in that pretty head of yours?”
“I’m confused.” She gestured toward her dress. “I don’t know how to dress. I can’t imagine giving up my prayer covering because it’s part of who I am and part of my history. I don’t know if I should stop using the Amish words I’m used to saying, or not. I’m not Amish now, but I still have parts of me that feel Amish. I’m your wife, but you’re not Amish, and I’m not quite English. Who am I now? Where do I fit into this world?”
He stepped into the room and sat down on a stool beside her. “You’re Cindy Emma Collins, and you’re my wife.” He took her hands in his. “You should dress any way that makes you feel comfortable. You should use any words you’d like . . . but if you speak Pennsylvania Dutch, you’re not allowed to mutter words behind my back that I don’t understand.”
She laughed. “I promise I’ll translate unless I’m angry with you.”
“That’s perfect.” He stood and lifted her to her feet. “We don’t have to figure all this out right now. We’ll figure it out as we go along.” He placed his hands on either side of her face. “All I know is I’m the happiest man on the planet because you’re my wife, and forever starts right now.”
Drew leaned down and gently touched his lips to hers, making heat thrum through her veins. He deepened the kiss, sending her senses spinning.
Then he picked her up and carried her to the master bedroom.
When Bruce barked and raced after them, Drew shushed him and shooed him away before setting her down and shutting the door.
Drew turned toward her, and the intensity in his blue eyes sent more heat into her veins.
“I love you, Cindy.” His voice was low as he wrapped his arms around her waist. “I love you with all my heart.”
“I love you too.”
He leaned down, and his lips crashed into hers. Her heart hammered in her chest as she looped her arms around his neck and pulled him in closer.
He deepened the kiss, and her body flushed with pure pleasure. She closed her eyes and savored the feel of his mouth against hers as passion exploded around them like summer lightning. She felt her body relax as she enjoyed the love pouring from her new husband.
This was where her heart belonged. Her home was here with Drew.
twenty-five
“Happy Thanksgiving,” Drew said as he sat across from Cindy at their kitchen table a month later.
“Happy Thanksgiving,” she sang in response as she scooped a pile of mashed potatoes onto her plate.
When he looked at the other food she’d prepared—turkey and stuffing, green bean casserole, and egg noodles—his stomach growled with delight.
“Everything looks and smells amazing. Thank you,” he told her.
“You’re welcome.”
“Are Gertrude and Ervin stopping by later?” he asked.
“No.” She lifted her glass of water. “They’re visiting cousins out in Strasburg. They won’t be back until later this evening.” She set her glass on the table and then sliced her canned cranberry sauce before popping some into her mouth.
“Cindy.” He reached over and touched her hand. “How do you feel? This is your first holiday without your family.”
“I’m okay.�
�� She looked up at him. Her expression remained serene, yet he didn’t doubt her true feelings. “I keep thinking my father or my sisters will come surprise me. They haven’t stopped by once.” She sighed. “It’s as if I never existed. I knew this was going to happen, but I kept thinking maybe they would accept my decision despite the community rules once I was married and out of the house.”
“I’m sorry.” He gave her hand a gentle squeeze. “I’m sure they miss you just as much as you miss them.” A long rope of guilt coiled in his gut and tightened, the guilt that had never gone away. “Would you like to go visit them? I’ll go with you.”
“No.” She shook her head. “If they can’t come to see me, then why should I go see them?”
“Is there anything I can do?”
She looked over at him, and her lips twitched. “You can tell me this is the best turkey you’ve ever had.”
He grinned. “That I can do, because it’s the truth.”
She gave a little laugh and then scooped a forkful of mashed potatoes into her mouth.
While they ate, Drew racked his brain for a solution that would take away her pain. The past month had been wonderful as he and Cindy had settled into a routine. He attended classes and worked on the farm while she sewed for customers—almost all of them non-Amish—cooked, and kept their household running.
They were a couple, a team, and he cherished every moment with her, but he still felt guilty for what their marriage was doing to her. Although she put forth a brave face, he knew she missed her family, and he yearned to help repair the rift he’d created for all the Riehls.
When they’d finished their Thanksgiving dinner, he helped carry the leftover food and dishes to the kitchen sink.
“Why don’t you go rest?” he asked as he began to fill the sink with hot water.
“What?” She turned toward him, her pretty nose wrinkled and her brow furrowed.
“You go rest, and I’ll wash the dishes.”
“No.” She gestured around the kitchen, littered with dirtied pans and platters. “You’re not going to clean this up yourself. It’s not right.”
“I don’t mind. You did all the work of making the meal.” He scraped a plate and then dropped it into the water where he’d already added soap.