Sarah and the Widow's Mate (Christmas Holiday Extravaganza)

by Gay N. Lewis

  “Lookin’ forward to it, honey.” Sarah disconnected and breathed a sigh of relief. “Well, I took care of transportation. A taxi will take me to Beth’s, but what about afterward?”

  If only she knew how to drive a car, these situations would be easier. No time for that now. What was it Gabriella said? Ask and you shall receive. She directed her gaze upward.

  “Christian, if you aren’t busy and you are up there, may I speak to you?”

  Christian floated into view. “Hello, Sarah. I’ve completed my mission down here, and I’m waiting for a new assignment. How may I help you?”

  “Do you know how to drive?”

  Christian nodded. “Yes, why?”

  “I’ve got an event to attend, and I need a way to leave without revealing my identity to my charge. Can you miraculously appear at the church and be my friend? You can take me home, or in my case, to my cloud.”

  “Let me ask permission from the Commander. I’ll get back to you on it.” He touched her arm. “I hope he authorizes me to help you.” With that, he disappeared.

  * * *

  Precisely at seven o’clock, Sarah rang Beth’s doorbell.

  Maria answered and her eyes blinked several times when she saw Sarah dressed as Annie in her fire-engine red floor-length gown.

  “Come in, Annie. I like dress.”

  “Thank ya, honey. Do ya think it’s okay?”

  “It’s pretty. Beth be here in a minute.”

  “Is that you, Annie?” Beth spoke as she came from the master suite, wearing a chiffon evening gown the color of creamy hot chocolate. When she saw Sarah, she paused and then smiled. “You look beautiful.”

  “You look perfect. Do ya think this red is a little much?”

  “It’s a Christmas wedding and the color is perfect for the season. I’m sure everyone will admire your gorgeous dress.”

  “Oh dear, I didn’t think about that. I guess I should have chosen somethin’ a little more understated. Ya said the event was black-tie, and I thought this garb might work, but now I’ve doubts about it.”

  Beth shook her head and issued a benevolent grin. “No worries. Shall we go?”

  Once at the church, Beth and Sarah exited the vehicle and slowly climbed the main steps. “Have you ever been to our chapel?”

  Sarah shook her head. “No. I’m familiar with only the main worship center.”

  “We have a lovely chapel. It seats three or four hundred. Laney and Cannon didn’t want to use the enormous sanctuary, but I have a feeling the chapel will be totally full for their ceremony.”

  “How do ya know Cannon and Laney?”

  “Actually, I know both families from different settings. My husband, Grant, went to college with John Taylor, Laney’s dad. The four of us married about the same time, and as newlyweds, we got together often with John and Kay. We met the Carlsons through the bank. Cannon’s father has been a major depositor for years, and now Cannon brings his building business to our financial institution. I was at the Taylors’ fortieth wedding anniversary party, and that’s where Laney and Cannon launched their romantic relationship.” She chuckled. “I doubt either of them realized where it would take them, but here they are. I guess you could say fate brought them together.”

  Sarah nodded. “Fate, destiny, and maybe an angel or two.”

  Beth smiled. “Do you believe in angels?”

  “Sure do. Wouldn’t surprise me if heaven had a multitude of ’em.”

  As they approached the chapel, a young man in a tuxedo opened the glass doors to the foyer. “Welcome, ladies.” He handed them an engraved program for the proceedings.

  The dark green marbled vestibule floor shone with the brilliant lights from crystal chandeliers. A twelve-foot Christmas tree, decorated with fresh, white poinsettias, stood in the center of the foyer. Snowy two-inch-wide satin ribbons tied into bows complemented the flowers.

  “Would ya look at that gorgeous tree?”

  “It truly is a work of art and appropriate for a Christmas wedding.”

  The vestibule table held white candles of various shapes and sizes. Nearby, a lady stood at a small lectern. “Would you please sign the guest book?”

  Beth signed first and handed the pen to Annie.

  “Do ya think I should sign?” Sarah’s heart tripled in speed. What last name to use?

  “Of course, Laney will want a keepsake of who attended.”

  With a trembling hand, Sarah wrote Annie Wingspand. Looking at the signature, she hoped no one could read her purposefully scribbled depiction.

  “That’s an unusual last name. I don’t think I’ve ever known anyone named Wingspand.”

  Uh-oh, Beth could read it. “My family comes from a long line of Wingspanders.”

  “Perhaps the last name of Bird evolved from Wingspand centuries ago when surnames came into use. I love the origin of names. My husband’s ancestral name came from a group of marsh dwellers.”

  “Would you care to be seated?” Another young man, resplendent in his tuxedo, approached Beth and Annie.

  Beth nodded. “Bride’s side, please.”

  The usher nodded and extended his arm. Sarah watched as Beth placed her hand in the crook of the man’s elbow and proceeded down the center aisle.

  When the young man returned to escort her, she followed Beth’s example. As she slowly walked, she kept her eyes ahead. As she neared Beth’s pew, her foot stepped on the dress’s hem and she pitched forward, landing on her knees.

  “Oh miss! I’m so sorry.” The young man with a face the color of Sarah’s dress helped her stand. “I should have caught you.”

  “It’s okay. I’m kinda used to fallin’ down.” Sarah glanced around her and saw several in the audience smile at her. Oh, grief! Not one lady besides her wore fire-engine red. They all seemed to wear sedate hues of tans, greens, and blues. Great, just wonderful. Not only had she chosen a noticeable dress, she’d caused a spectacle by falling in the aisle. Why, oh, why did these things happen to her?

  “Are you okay?” Beth whispered as Sarah sat next to her.

  “Yes, just embarrassed.”

  “It’s easy to stumble in long dresses.”

  They fell silent as they gazed at the altar decorated with clusters of white poinsettias and candles.

  At precisely eight o’clock, the usher seated Cannon’s mother and father. The mom wore a dark purple gown. Sarah grimaced. Red? Really, Sarah?

  Laney’s mother came next, wearing a silver dress. With her platinum hair, she looked young and stunning. The usher seated Kay, and the seating seemed to be the cue for a woman with a beautiful voice to sing.

  When she finished, Pastor Browning, along with Cannon and his best man, walked to the front of the platform. Sarah recognized the gentleman standing with Cannon as Jack, his best friend as well as his partner and foreman in business.

  The organist played the traditional bridal march. Then Laney’s sister, Lori, wearing a red chiffon gown, slowly approached the front of the chapel. Instead of flowers, she carried a white fur muff. When she passed Sarah, the short train on her dress became visible. With her brunette hair swept up, she looked lovely.

  The audience stood as the organist hit a loud chord, announcing the bride.

  Laney paused at the back of the chapel with her father, John Taylor. He glanced down at his daughter and smiled. Sarah sucked in a breath. Laney radiated in a gown of white organza with a long lace train. The garment featured a stand-up collar trimmed in white fur. In her hands she carried a bouquet of white poinsettias mixed with snowy roses and greenery. As she came to Sarah, she glanced at her and gave her a wide smile and a wink.

  Did Laney recognize her? Surely not. That toilet-paper incident occurred six months earlier. Why then did Laney make eye contact? Glancing from her to Cannon, Sarah noted he never once removed his eyes from Laney.

  After the customary, “Who gives this woman?” Pastor Browning spoke of marriage.

  “God ordained marriage in the Garden of Ed
en when He introduced Eve to Adam. Jesus honored marriage with His first miracle at the wedding in Cana of Galilee. Paul, an apostle, cemented it as a worthy foundation, and the beat goes on with me in present time. I’m standing here tonight before this lovely couple, and I’m restating the blessedness of marriage. It originated in divine wisdom to promote goodness and happiness and remains at the forefront of our social order.

  “Laney, Cannon, even when times get tough, God expects the two of you who are committing your love to each other to make it through those times. Now, Cannon, I’ve come to know and respect you, and I know you will always care for Laney and never physical or verbally abuse her, but I must ask you before this body of people to promise never to hurt her. Do you so promise?”

  Cannon’s deep baritone voice boomed. “I do.”

  “Laney, I doubt you could do physical harm to this big guy here.” The audience sniggered.

  “But do you so promise always to seek Cannon’s good, to uphold, support, and encourage him in every aspect of your life together?”

  “I do.”

  “Will you both promise fidelity to each other until death parts you?”

  They responded simultaneously with “I do.”

  The pastor continued with a few more words and vows of commitment. After the ring ceremony, Pastor Browning pronounced them husband and wife. Beaming, Cannon drew Laney to him and kissed her tenderly.

  As they proceeded down the aisle, Cannon caught Sarah’s eye and gave her a thumbs-up.

  Oh, merciful heavens! Did he recognize her too? What next?

  CHAPTER TWENTY-NINE

  As they left the church, Beth turned to Sarah. “Cannon and Lacey both singled you out. Do you know them?”

  Truth time. “No, but it’s the oddest thing. I saw them in a restaurant several months ago. I spoke to Laney in the ladies’ room and suggested that Cannon was the man for her. I told her how I missed my William, and if she loved that young man, she should do something about it. I guess she pointed me out to Cannon back then at the diner, but I didn’t think she’d remember me.”

  “Isn’t it amazing how God works things?”

  “You can say that again.”

  When they arrived at the country club, the valet parked the car, and they checked their coats. As they stood in the reception line waiting to greet the wedding party, Sarah fretted. What to say to Laney? “Excuse me for falling down at your wedding.” Or how about, “I’m sure you remember me. I’m the one who left the ladies’ restroom with my rear end exposed.”

  As Beth reached Kay, she gave her an air kiss. “Kay, this wedding is the prettiest one ever. You’ve planned everything in your typical classy style.”

  Kay beamed. “Thanks Beth, but Laney planned most of it. I’m pleased you could make it.”

  “I’m thrilled I could come too, and I want you to meet my new friend, Annie Wingspand. Annie, please meet Kay Taylor, my friend of many years.”

  Sarah smiled. “I’m pleased to meet you. It was nice of Beth to invite me to your grand occasion.”

  “We are happy to have you, Annie.”

  Cannon’s mother stood next to Kay, and while introductions took place, Sarah’s insides quivered like jelly. The bride and groom stood next to Cannon’s mother. What to say? What to do?

  When Sarah halted in front of Laney, the bride threw her arms around Sarah and embraced her. “And here’s a lady we owe a special thanks to.”

  Cannon dazzled Sarah with a smile. “We certainly do.” He reached for Sarah, picked her up about the waist, and twirled her in a circle.

  Beth and Kay watched with eyes wide and mouths agape.

  When he set Sarah down, she blinked several times. Cannon grinned down at her. “When you saw Laney in the ladies’ room at The Veggies, you told her that God planned for us to have a life together and she should listen to the Lord. If you hadn’t said that, I might never have convinced this lady to marry me.”

  Sarah chewed her lip. “And then I walked out of there in a trail of toilet tissue.”

  Cannon guffawed. “Yeah, there was that too.”

  Laney clasped Sarah’s hands. “We’ve talked about you often and wished we could run into you again. When Kevin told me you fell as he ushered you down the aisle, I peeked into the chapel to make sure you were okay. When I recognized you, I was thrilled.”

  “Yes, and then she called me on my cell phone to tell me we had a very special guest tonight. When I walked out with the pastor, I saw you. You were easy to spot in that red dress.”

  “Leave it to me to create a spectacle. I’m so sorry.”

  Laney gathered her into another embrace. “You are now my distinguished guest, and you haven’t caused me or yourself any embarrassment. Don’t worry.”

  Beth and Sarah made their way through the reception line and into the buffet area.

  “Honey, would ya look at all this food. There’s enough here to feed a small army.” A server filled a plate with prime rib and roasted vegetables and then handed the dish to Sarah. She selected cheeses and fruit at the next station.

  At a round table for eight, Beth found their place cards in vacant spaces next to Pastor Browning. He sat with five other guests.

  “Hello, Beth. I was pleased to see you seated at my table.” He stood and pulled out a chair for her. Turning to Annie, he once more performed the polite action. “And if memory serves, this is Annie.”

  “Nice to see ya again, Pastor.” Sarah took the offered chair next to Beth, who sat next to the pastor.

  “Good evening, Mr. Sanford. It’s nice to see you tonight. Have you met my friend, Annie Wingspand?” Beth directed her comment to the man sitting next to Sarah.

  Mr. Sanford sat back down once Beth and Annie were seated. “No, I haven’t had the pleasure. It’s nice to meet you, Annie. Maybe you can be my dance partner a little later.”

  Sarah’s heart plummeted. “Oh, no, thank ya. I’m afraid I don’t dance. Nice of ya to ask though. Wasn’t it a lovely weddin’?”

  The group offered appropriate responses about the beautiful bride and the handsome groom, and Sarah tried to breathe normally. Dance? Most certainly not. Angels didn’t engage in such things, did they? Well, this one wouldn’t. Just try to act as a human in all other ways, but say no to dancing. My word! She’d probably fall on top of the man if she dared try it.

  As she ate, she zeroed in on Pastor Browning’s conversation with Beth. He spoke softly, and so did Beth as she responded. Sarah surmised very few could hear their responses.

  “I’m pleased you are my seatmate tonight. I’ve been trying for weeks to have a chance to talk to you.”

  Beth smiled. “Oh? I know you’ve telephoned a couple of times while I was out, but I didn’t receive a message to call you back.”

  “I didn’t leave one, but I dropped by your house. Should have called first, but I took a chance you’d be there.”

  “I’m sorry I missed you, Pastor Browning, when you came by. Do you want me to serve on some church committee?”

  “No, I wanted to discuss a personal matter with you, and please call me Bruce.”

  Beth smiled. “I’ll try to remember to do that, but I’ve called you Pastor Browning for years.”

  Bruce nodded. “I know, but I’d like us to be friends, not just pastor and parishioner, and actually, I’d like us to be a little more than friends. Do you think that’s possible?”

  Sarah watched color creep into Beth’s cheeks. “We can be friends.”

  Although she definitely liked the direction this conversation seemed to be heading, she decided to jump in and try to help Beth out of an awkward conversation. A whole table might tune into this conversation at any moment, and both these people would be embarrassed.

  “Ya performed a lovely ceremony. I liked the way you had Cannon and Laney say their vows.”

  Several guests nodded agreement.

  “Thank you, Annie. I have officiated at many weddings and funerals, and everything went according to sched
ule. Something usually goes wrong, but nothing uncommon happened tonight during the ceremony.”

  “Did ya know I fell in the aisle? And with my red dress blazing around me in the floor, I’d say something went wrong, and it was my doin’.”

  Bruce laughed. “I like your red evening dress. I have a preacher friend whose wife caused a spectacle in a red dress, and it was far worse than coming to a Christmas wedding dressed in seasonal colors.”

  “Oh? What did she do?” Sarah gazed at him.

  Bruce leaned in to tell the story. “My friend was a bouncer in a nightclub and lived a rather decadent life until the Lord got hold of him. After he became a Christian, the Lord called him into ministry. That was all well and good—except for one thing.”

  Beth’s eyebrows shot up. “What was wrong?”

  “The man’s wife wasn’t a Christian and had no desire to be a pastor’s wife. She’d enjoyed their nightlife and didn’t want to attend church with her husband.”

  “That must have been tough on both of them.” Beth sipped her water.

  Bruce nodded. “The Lord gifted my friend with people skills, and he made a fine preacher. His wife was wonderful too. I liked her—very personable and friendly. She just didn’t want to be a preacher’s wife.”

  Mr. Sanford leaned in. “Why would God call a man with an unwilling wife into the ministry? Seems odd to me.”

  “Yes, it does, doesn’t it, but remember Hosea? God asked him to marry a prostitute. Go figure that one.” Bruce bit into his roll while the table thought about Hosea’s situation.

  “How does my red dress fit into this story?” Sarah spoke as she buttered bread.

  “My friend presided at a funeral for a prominent church member. He’d asked his wife to attend because the service was important to him. Now, this dear lady tried to be on time for events, but she never was. She had a reputation for late arrivals. So, about the time my friend launched into the middle of his special funeral sermon, his wife arrived at the service. With a full sanctuary, and no place to sit at the back of the large auditorium, she decided to walk to the front of the church and sit with the family.

  Beth smiled. “I’m sure everyone understood.”