Bride of Paradise: Book 1 in Mail Order Ministers

by Katie Crabapple

Kristen wasn’t able to do more than nibble on a couple pieces of toast the following morning. She kept thinking about her discussion with Laura and worrying that Samuel would be angry with her. She really didn’t want him to be angry.

  Her mother did her hair and while she was fixing it for her, she told her what she’d done, asking what her mother thought. Ingrid shook her head. “You need to learn to do what you’re told once in a while.” She paused for a moment before adding, “But only what you’re told. Poor Samuel has no idea what he’s getting into.”

  Kristen sighed. “I just want the wedding to be perfect.” She wished there was some way she could fix things now, but she knew it was way too late for that.

  Ingrid shook her head. “Everyone has a different idea of perfect. His idea of perfect may be a wedding with only fifteen people.” She finished Kristen’s hair and looked at her. “You need to realize that his opinions now matter just as much as yours do.”

  “I know, Mama. I hope he’s not angry.” She would have asked him if he’d been closer, but with as far as he lived, she’d just jumped right into planning.

  “He has every right to be.” Ingrid kissed Kristen’s cheek. “You look beautiful. Are you ready?”

  Kristen nodded. They’d decided that she would walk to the seminary, because it was only a few blocks. “I’m ready. Thank you for helping me.”

  Ingrid hurried out of the room while Kristen stepped into her dress, carefully buttoning the back herself. She opened the door to find her father waiting for her. “Did Mama already leave with Laura?”

  Dirk nodded, staring at his daughter in disbelief. “When did you become so beautiful?” he asked, his voice gruff with emotion.

  Kristen smiled. She knew that her dress suited her perfectly. She’d worked hour after hour on it, taking breaks only to plan meals and write letters inviting people to the wedding. Her entire life since she’d received the letter from Samuel had revolved around planning her wedding to him. “While you were at work probably,” she said with a smile.

  “Probably.” He took her hand and tucked it through his arm, leading her down the steps. “I’ve already taken your trunks to the seminary. Samuel said you’d be staying there tonight. He thought about getting a hotel but decided to save the money. He said something about needing it once he’s married to you.”

  “He’s under the impression that I have to have everything around me perfect, and that I will want new clothes every day.” Kristen sighed, wishing he understood.

  “How does he know you so well already?” Dirk asked with a grin.

  “I’m not that bad, Papa. I like to have pretty dresses, but I have enough for now.”

  “For now. What about next week? Or next month?”

  “I have a whole trunk full of fabric to use when I feel the need for new clothes.” She had no idea how long it would last, but she would do her best to stretch it out. It was her father’s wedding gift to her.

  “I hope it’s enough,” he said with a twinkle in his eye. They walked through the bustling streets on their way to the seminary. “I’m surprised there’s anyone left in Dallas who’s not already at your wedding!”

  “Papa! I didn’t invite that many people!” Kristen blushed, saying a silent prayer that Samuel wouldn’t be angry with her, or if he was, that he was at least able to wait until they were alone before he said anything.

  When they reached the seminary, they walked around back to the private chapel used by the students and faculty there. She could hear the voices inside talking and knew it was full. Her father, dressed in his best black suit, poked his head into the closed doors to see if everyone was ready.

  Immediately the crowd quieted, and Kristen could hear the strains of music. They’d decided Laura would wait at the front of the church instead of marching down the aisle, because she was so nervous about people watching her walking, so Kristen immediately walked with her father. She kept her steps small as she walked toward Samuel, wondering what he was thinking.

  Their eyes met when she was only about halfway up the aisle, and to her relief, he didn’t look angry. Of course, she didn’t know him well enough to know his angry face, but she was certain he wouldn’t be looking at her the way he was if he was terribly angry. He had a big grin on his face and was watching her with what could only be termed affection.

  They reached the front and her papa placed her hand in Samuel’s and took his seat at the front of the chapel with her mother. It was the first time she’d even taken his hand, and it felt odd. For once she didn’t feel the need to turn and run to wash her hands. She’d wear long white gloves to the reception, though, because people would constantly be shaking her hand, and she didn’t want to have to go through that.

  Albert cleared his throat, and spoke as loudly as he could. The church was overcrowded to the point where there were people standing at the end of each pew. Albert said a prayer and began the long service that ended with her and Samuel being presented as Mr. and Mrs. Samuel Benner after he’d placed a chaste kiss on her lips.

  The kiss opened her eyes wide. She had enjoyed it more than she’d thought she would. It seemed strange to Kristen that her first kiss was in front of all these people, but she’d been raised to believe that you didn’t kiss a man before you were his wife.

  She pulled her gloves on just before they went to greet everyone. At the back of the church, they shook hands with each of the people who had come to celebrate with them. He introduced her to Joshua, and her eyes immediately searched the crowd for Ida. She hoped the two of them would find one another at the crowded reception, which would be held in the dining room at the seminary.

  During the long reception, they were never alone, and never really had a chance to talk. She desperately wanted to apologize for inviting so many people, but didn’t get the opportunity. It wasn’t until after they’d cut the cake and made a discreet exit that she had any kind of chance at all. “I’m so sorry I didn’t listen to you and invited so many people.”

  His eyes turned to hers then, and he was very obviously baffled. “How could you interpret this many people as a small wedding?”

  She shrugged. “I was so worried about having the perfect wedding for me, that I failed to listen to what you wanted. It won’t happen again.” She was embarrassed that she’d taken his small wedding and run with it, and it had turned into something so big.

  He shook his head. “I’m not angry with you, but I do hope you won’t make a habit of this sort of thing. We cannot afford to constantly throw lavish parties for everyone we know.”

  She stared down at her feet. “I am sorry.”

  “I know.” He caught her chin with one finger and lifted her face to his, pressing a quick kiss to her lips. “And I forgive you. Let’s not get off on the wrong foot. I’m happy we’re married.”

  She smiled, relieved. “I am too. I’m ready to go to Paradise and be the best wife I can possibly be.”

  He smiled. “And I’ll be the best husband I know how to be.”