She sniffed.
He pulled an orange floatation device off his forearm. “I managed to get this life jacket, and I could have waited while some officers rustled up a boat for me to use, but I figured by the time they found one, I could have fetched you and been back on higher ground.” He slipped the preserver over her head and secured it.
“Ready?”
“No, wait.” Cadi remembered Mrs. Manski’s purse and Mr. Manski’s keys. She ran into the house, grabbed the items, and returned to the porch steps.
“All set?”
“Yes.”
He took her hand and led her down each step; however, she made the mistake of glancing across the ominous body of water. Panic gripped her as memories of her childhood disaster overwhelmed her common sense. She froze and looped her arm around the last rung of the rail.
“What’s the matter?”
“I—I can’t do this,” she stammered.
“Yes, you can. I’ve got a secure hold on you.” He gave her hand a squeeze. “And a few yards away, the water’s shallower. This is the deepest part.” He paused and gently tugged at her arm. “Come on. You’ll be fine.”
Cadi’s mouth felt parched and her throat tight, making a reply impossible.
Frank stepped in beside her and placed his lips close to her ear. “There’s no way I’ll let anything happen to you.” He placed a kiss on the side of her head. “I can’t imagine my life without you, Cadi, and that’s the honest truth. I don’t know when it happened—maybe the first minute I saw you in Wind Lake, but I’m in love with you.”
Her fears dissipated. She turned to stare at him while happiness swelled inside of her. She’d dreamed of hearing him say that he loved her, and now her dream had come true.
She let go of the railing and clung to him. “I love you, too, Frank.”
She wanted to say more, much more, but he suddenly moved with lightning speed. He whisked her off the step, into the blinding rain, and through the water. Before she could react, they’d reached the shallowest section of the flooded street. Several more steps and their feet were no longer submerged, but on wet pavement. The last of her fear evaporated, although her limbs felt weak from the hours of physical labor and the chill from the water.
She stopped to catch her breath. “That was some kind of trick, but it worked. You got me off the porch.”
He caught her gaze and held it. Cadi could just barely see the meaningful glint in his eyes.
“Just for the record, I meant every word.”
Her joy was renewed.
“Let’s get out of this rain. Think you can make it up the hill?” Frank shined the flashlight toward the wet asphalt highway.
She smiled and nodded. “With you at my side and God in my heart, I think I can make it anywhere.”
She clutched Frank’s hand, her fingers entwined with his, and she held on tight as they made their way to the lodge.
Epilogue
Eight months later
Fresh, springtime floral arrangements stood in cut-glass vases near the altar, and pleated white paper wedding bells hung from Riverview Bible Church’s vaulted ceiling. The pews filled with enthusiastic friends and relatives who had come to share this special day, uniting for life Frank Allen Parker and Cadence Renee Trent.
In one of the back dressing rooms, Cadi smoothed the skirt of the white satin and lace gown, a creation her great-aunt had taken pleasure in sewing.
“You look absolutely stunning,” Aunt Lou said, tears brimming in her eyes.
Cadi hugged her great-aunt long and hard. “Thank you—thank you for everything.”
“I’m as proud as any mother of the bride.”
Pulling back, Cadi dabbed her own eyes. “Let’s not start crying now. We’ll look all puffy for the pictures.”
“You’re right.” Aunt Lou sniffed and swatted an errant tear.
The prelude began, the music wafting through the church’s elaborate sound system. Lois Chayton, Dustin and Emmie’s grandmother, appeared at the door.
“Everyone’s ready.” Her eyes twinkled with happiness.
Over the months, Cadi had gotten better acquainted with Lois. Despite her gruffness, Cadi discovered that Lois had a caring nature and a genuine love for the Lord. Children adored her, so Lois’s in-home day care was both a fitting and successful business venture. What’s more, Cadi felt pleased she’d included Lois in the wedding party. She made a fantastic wedding director, and she wasn’t shy about ordering people into their places.
“You’re on,” Lois said.
Cadi took Aunt Lou’s arm, and they strolled through the hallway and into the expansive lobby. Bailey and Jeff, the last of the bridal party to walk down the aisle, were already halfway to the altar.
The wedding march began to play, and Cadi couldn’t believe the moment she had dreamed of for so long was finally at hand. Her groom awaited her, looking dapper in his dark tux. Dustin and Emmie stood beside him, looking like miniature versions of the bride and groom.
An usher laid out the white bridal runner, and then Aunt Lou escorted Cadi to the front of the sanctuary. Cadi hardly noticed their friends and family crowded into the many rows of padded seats as her gaze affixed to Frank’s. He seemed to fill every one of her senses.
They reached the altar, and after her aunt “gave her away,” Cadi slipped her hand around Frank’s elbow. Both Pastor Dremond and Pastor Connor took a turn challenging Frank and Cadi in their new life together. Next they recited their vows, and finally the pastors pronounced them united in matrimony.
Pastor Dremond gave Frank a wry smile. “You may kiss your bride.”
Frank turned and cupped Cadi’s face with his hands. “My beautiful, sassy bride,” he whispered with a mix of adoration and amusement shining in his dark eyes.
“My handsome hero.”
They kissed, and Cadi decided her weak knees and heart’s song were more than part of a fairy-tale finale to a perfect wedding ceremony. Rather, they signified her entire happily-ever-after as Mrs. Frank Parker.
About the Author
Andrea Boeshaar has been married for over thirty years. She and her husband, Daniel, have three marvelous sons, three precious daughters-in-law, and two beautiful grandchildren. Andrea’s educational background includes the University of Wisconsin–Milwaukee, where she studied in English, and Alverno College, where she studied Professional Communications and Business Management.
Andrea has been writing stories and poems since she was a little girl; however, it wasn’t until 1984 that she started submitting her work for publication. Eight years after that, she was convicted about writing for the Christian market. Since then, she’s written numerous articles, novels, and novellas. For more information about Andrea and her books, log onto her Web site at www.andreaboeshaar.com.
Acknowledgements
Every book is a team effort, and this novel is no exception. I’d like to express my gratitude to my friend Sally Laity for her critique, and to my copy editor, Deb Peterson, for her time and expertise. I also want to thank my editor, JoAnne Simmons, for giving me the opportunity to write and publish this story. In addition, my deepest thanks to my husband, Daniel, for his love, encouragement, and support. Finally, a very special thank you goes to my nephew Frank Parker for allowing me to use his name and to the good people in Black Hawk County, Iowa, for allowing me to take such liberties with their area. The Village of Wind Lake is fictional, as are its residents.
A note from the Author:
I love to hear from my readers! You may correspond with me by writing:
Andrea Boeshaar
Author Relations
PO Box 721
Uhrichsville, OH 44683
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