Then, as if to prove this statement true, Callie appeared on the arm of Mr. Bridgeport. Wes stared at her in wonder. Clad in an unpretentious white muslin-and-lawn gown, Callie wore her hair in a simple arrangement, graced only by a few flowers.
The violinist Mrs. Bridgeport had hired began playing strains of Beethoven’s “Romanza” while Wes’s heart hammered against his ribs. Callie was a vision, and she was about to become his wife. His life seemed to flash before him, reminding him of the hopes and dreams he’d had—the mistakes he’d made. Suddenly, nothing seemed quite as important as this woman and this moment.
The music faded as Mr. Bridgeport brought her to stand before the preacher. Wes stepped forward and took her hand.
“Do right by her, son,” Mr. Bridgeport admonished. “I may not be her father, but I care dearly for this child . . . uh, this young woman.”
Wesley smiled and nodded, but his gaze never left Callie’s radiant face. “I promise I will.” He took Callie’s small gloved hand in his, and this time the words were uttered as a pledge only to her. “I promise.”
A gentle sea breeze stirred the wisps of hair around Callie’s face. She seemed not to mind, however. Her eyes were fixed on Wesley’s. He lost himself in her dark brown eyes. She was everything he had ever wanted in a mate—the completion of his very heart. He was filled with awe and thanksgiving as the preacher began to speak of the solemn institution of marriage.
“We are gathered here today in the sight of God and in the presence of this company to witness the union of Callie and Wesley in Christian marriage,” the preacher declared. “May our heavenly Father look down upon this event with His smile of approval. May the Lord Jesus Christ be present and add His blessing. May the Holy Spirit attend and seal these vows in love. For marriage is a gift given by God.”
Wesley looked at the gift he’d been given in Callie. God had known what he needed even when he couldn’t imagine it.
“Jesus tells us to keep his commandment of love. The Greek word translated keep does not mean to obey. It means to hold in high esteem, to honor, to trust ultimately, to value above all else.” The minister paused to look first at Wesley and then at Callie. “What he is calling for is that we trust His love for us even when we don’t see it or embody it—that a husband and wife cleave to His love even more than they cleave to each other.”
“Amen,” Callie murmured and gave a quick look to Wesley. He nodded his agreement that he felt as strongly about this statement as she did.
Callie saw the love in Wesley’s eyes and felt as if her heart might burst. She longed to remove her gloves and touch the fresh-shaven smoothness of his cheek. She could smell the scent of his cologne and wanted only to promise to love him forever and to seal the promise with a kiss.
Her cheeks warmed at the thought of their wedding night, and she briefly lowered her gaze. Then, as the preacher charged those gathered to attend the ceremony to guard this sacred trust, Callie raised her face and beamed a smile. This was the happiest day of her life and she intended that everyone should know it. They exchanged their vows, and when it came time for the ring to be placed on her finger, Callie pulled the glove from her hand and presented her fingers to Wesley. To her surprise he raised her hand to his lips and placed a gentle kiss upon the back. Then he turned her hand gently in his and caressed the palm.
“With this ring, I pledge to you my life and my love,” he said, his gaze reaching deep into her soul. “I pledge not only to you, however, but I commit this marriage to our heavenly Father. . . .” He placed the lovely diamond and sapphire ring on her index finger. “And to the Son . . .” He moved the ring to her middle finger. “And to the Holy Ghost.”
The ring slid gently onto her third finger, and Callie trembled at the impact of the moment and all that Wesley had just done. This wasn’t just a promise to each other. This was a commitment to God, and she would never take that lightly.
With the ring in place, Wesley kissed it against her finger. Callie stared at the vision and then lifted her eyes once again to Wesley’s loving gaze. Her vision blurred from the tears that rimmed her eyes.
“Wesley, you may now kiss your bride.”
Wes cupped her face with such reverence that Callie couldn’t help but melt against his touch. The sun’s warm rays seemed to burst around them as their lips joined together. The gentle sound of the waves against the shore was muffled by the cheers of the audience who watched. But lost in the moment, Callie heard only the beating of her heart—a heart that beat for Wesley Townsend. A throat was cleared nearby, and Wes broke their kiss with a grin. She had no idea how long the kiss had lasted, but Helena seemed more than a little anxious. She stepped forward and handed Callie and Wesley each a long-stemmed white rose. A light breeze brushed a stray curl against Callie’s cheek as Wesley led them hand in hand to the water’s edge.
She raised her eyes in question to Wesley.
“I wish your parents were here so I could thank them for raising such an incredible daughter. However, your mother and father are just on the other side of this water. I thought we could send these roses to them, as our way of making them part of our special day.”
Tears pricked Callie’s eyes. She looked across the vast expanse, her heart swelling with love and pride. Was it possible to love this man even more? “I suppose it’s impossible, but I have a feeling they know exactly what is happening. I feel them here with us now.”
“With God all things are possible.” Wesley slipped his arm around her waist and pulled her close.
Callie tossed her rose into the water, and Wesley did likewise. “I’d like to think these roses could travel all the way to Africa and find their way to my parents.” She looked at Wesley and saw the love in his eyes. “But no matter, I feel their love and yours, and I know that Africa isn’t that far away after all.”
He drew her ever so gently into his arms and kissed her. The kiss was once again lingering and left Callie breathless.
“I suppose they’re gonna kiss all the time now.” Daisy’s voice was loud enough for everyone to hear.
The wedding audience burst into laughter, and Callie and Wes couldn’t help but join in.
“I do plan to kiss her all the time, Daisy dear,” Wesley declared. “But since we are to have a great party in a few hours, I will settle for one more kiss now.” He gave Callie a quick peck and turned back to Daisy. “There you are.”
Lottie and Daisy ran forward and wrapped their arms around Callie. “You look like a fairy princess,” Lottie said.
“I feel rather like a princess.” Callie looked up into Wes’s face. “And the handsome prince has rescued me.”
“Rescued you from what?” Daisy looked around the beach. “There aren’t any dragons here.”
Callie touched her finger to the tip of Daisy’s nose. “No indeed, Daisy. They wouldn’t dare to show their faces here, but Wesley has rescued me from more harmful things than dragons.” She squeezed her husband’s hand and knew he understood.
For a moment they had eyes only for each other, but soon the bridal party surrounded them with well-wishes and congratulations. Callie knew there would be very little time for privacy or intimate words in the next few hours, but in that solitary moment, when she looked into her husband’s eyes, she saw everything she had longed for but hadn’t dared hope would come.
Hours later, following a bridal luncheon with the families, Callie donned the luxurious white silk gown Mrs. Townsend had ordered for the wedding. It was a marvelous creation of draping silk and white seed pearls. An incredibly lavish concoction, but Callie had to admit the luxurious material against her skin felt decadent. Besides, Mrs. Townsend grew teary eyed at the sight of her in it, saying it pleased her no end to see her new “daughter” in a proper wedding dress.
One of the Townsend maids, Ella, dressed Callie’s hair, rearranging it in a full-bodied bun atop her head. Hot irons were applied to create delicate ringlets that fell in a fashionable style around her face. When the young woman finished her
ministering, she applied dozens of seed pearls to Callie’s coiffure and smiled approvingly.
“You look like a queen.” The maid stepped back and surveyed her handiwork.
Callie caught sight of her reflection in the mirror. “Thank you, Ella. You did a wonderful job.
“You’re beautiful,” Mrs. Townsend declared as she and Helena entered the room. “Just look at her, Helena. Isn’t she lovely?”
Callie looked at her new sister-in-law, expecting to see some remaining concerns or doubt in her expression. Instead, Helena stepped forward with tears in her eyes. “You are beautiful, and I know that you are exactly the right woman for my brother. I hope you’ll forgive me for seeming . . . well, for not being very supportive in the beginning.”
“There was never anything to forgive.” Callie took Helena’s hands. “But I have your blessing now?”
“I wish you nothing but God’s blessings. I hope one day we might be the dearest of sisters.”
Callie smiled and kissed Helena’s cheek. “We already are.”
Mrs. Townsend clapped her gloves hands. “Come, girls. Our reception guests await us.”
The party was already in full swing by the time Callie descended the grand staircase. With the exception of soft strains of music from the twelve-piece orchestra, the room went quiet at her approach. When Callie reached the bottom step, Wesley stepped forward, decked out in the same grand style he’d worn at the masked ball. Only this time, there were no masks or pretenses between them.
“Mrs. Townsend, I presume,” he said in a teasing tone. “Although I must admit, you look very little like the woman I married this morning.”
Callie giggled. “Well, you’d best remember that I’m a woman full of surprises.”
He chuckled and tucked her gloved arm against his waist. “I have a few surprises of my own, but I’m afraid you’ll have to wait for those until we’re alone. In the meantime, I’ll have to endure sharing you with others.”
“Indeed.” Callie gave him a sly grin. “But I hope we shan’t be all day at this party. I have it on the best authority there is a small hidden cottage—a cabin really—on the far north side of the island that is in want of residents.”
Wesley raised a questioning brow. “Sounds rather intriguing.”
She nodded quite innocently. “I thought so, too.”
He laughed. “Then let us be about our duties as the guests of honor quickly.” He pulled her forward into the gloriously decorated room before adding in a whisper, “So that we might be about our pleasures in a leisurely fashion.”
He swept her into his arms for a first waltz as man and wife. Swirling the dance floor in the arms of her husband, Callie’s heart was so full, it felt as if it might burst.
“Do you realize how happy you’ve made me?” His warm breath against her ear sent shivers along her spine.
She lifted her gaze to meet his. “I have an idea.”
Once the waltz ended, they cut the tiered wedding cake and then began to accept congratulatory messages from the well-wishers. After a while, the two were whisked away from each other. Daniel, Charles, and Richard then playfully conspired to keep the couple separated as much as possible, pretending to have need of Wesley’s help for a variety of reasons. From across the room, Callie would catch Wesley’s eye, and she chuckled at the exasperated expression on his face. She knew better than to make a fuss about the matter, finding herself just as occupied with one Bridal Veil guest or another. Everyone wanted to admire her gown or offer their advice and suggestions on where to take a proper wedding trip. A few women had heard of the couple’s plans to head out to Africa and admonished Callie to take plenty of mosquito netting.
“We went on safari last year.” The woman gave a slight shudder. “I have never seen so many insects and snakes in all my life. I don’t think the place very appealing at all—so much dirt and so many animals.”
Callie smiled and accepted the comments with few replies. It wasn’t important that these people understood her heart. They were far too concerned with issues that had little value in Callie’s life.
“I would think a young woman like you would prefer Paris,” another wealthy matron said. “It’s lovely any time of the year. The fashions available there would delight you no end and would take you fashionably into any setting.”
Callie wondered if that included poor African villages and sickrooms, but she said nothing. She didn’t really need to speak. The women around her were quite capable of carrying on the conversation without her comments.
To her surprise, Helena interrupted the onslaught. “Callie, I need to speak to you for a moment. Ladies, if you’ll please excuse us.” She pulled Callie along, not even stopping when another cluster of elderly matrons called out.
“Whatever is the matter?” The brisk pace Helena set sent prickles of fear through her body. “Is something wrong?”
Just as they reached a long hallway, Helena pushed Callie to the right, a broad grin across her face. “There will be if I don’t get you out of there.”
Callie looked at her sister-in-law and shook her head. “What do you mean?”
“My brother has lost all patience with this affair.” She smiled and pointed to the end of the hall. Wesley stepped out from the shadows. “He felt it was time for you two to make an escape, and I wanted to help.”
Callie stopped and turned to the woman. “Thank you. You are already proving yourself to be a dear friend.”
“Be on your way. I’ll deal with the others.” She winked at her brother. “I’m sure Mother and Mrs. Bridgeport will help, as well.”
Callie moved down the hall as quickly as she felt proper. Wesley wrapped his arm around her waist and headed down a side hall toward an exit.
“I thought I might never have you to myself.” His breath tickled her ear. She laughed, glancing over her shoulder to make certain they weren’t being followed. Wes helped her into a carriage waiting by the side entrance and then signaled the driver to leave. “Exactly how did you manage this?”
“You’re not the only one full of surprises.” Wesley winked and pulled Callie into his arms. “My dearest wife,” he murmured and settled his lips upon hers.
As the carriage transported them along the overgrown path toward the cottage, Callie lost herself in the wonder of his kiss and the warmth of his embrace.
“I love you,” Wesley whispered against her ear before placing light kisses along her neck and jaw. “And I promise to love and cherish you for all time.”
Callie wrapped her arms around his neck and sighed. “And I will honor and trust you . . . with my heart . . . my dreams . . . and my life.”
Acknowledgments
No book is written without the help and support of many people. The entire Bethany House staff constantly amazes me with their creative talents and ability to make each book shine. Special thanks to editors Sharon Asmus and Charlene Patterson for their encouragement and assistance. It is a genuine privilege to work with such talented editors as well as every member of the Bethany House family.
Thanks to Mary Greb-Hall, Lorna Seilstad, and Mary Kay Woodford for their prayers, critiques, expertise, and friendship.
Thanks to Gretchen Greminger, curator of the Jekyll Island Museum, for her speedy replies and helpful responses to my questions.
And special thanks to you, dear readers, for your e-mails and letters of encouragement, your expressions of kindness and love, your prayers, and your eagerness to read each book.
Above all, thanks and praise to our Lord Jesus Christ for the opportunity to live my dream and share the wonder of His love through story.
~Judy
Judith Miller is an award-winning author whose avid research and love for history are reflected in her bestselling novels. Judy makes her home in Topeka, Kansas.
Tracie Peterson is the bestselling, award-winning author of more than 80 novels. Tracie also teaches writing workshops at a variety of conferences on subjects such as inspirational romance and his
torical research. She and her family live in Belgrade, Montana.
For more information on Tracie and Judith’s books, including behind-the-scenes details and photos from the BRIDAL VEIL ISLAND series, check out the Writes of Passage blog at writespassage.blogspot.com.
Books by Tracie Peterson & Judith Miller
* * *
BELLS OF LOWELL
Daughter of the Loom
A Fragile Design
These Tangled Threads
LIGHTS OF LOWELL
A Tapestry of Hope
A Love Woven True
The Pattern of Her Heart
THE BROADMOOR LEGACY
A Daughter’s Inheritance
An Unexpected Love
A Surrendered Heart
BRIDAL VEIL ISLAND
To Have and To Hold
To Love and Cherish
To Honor and Trust
www.traciepeterson.com
www.judithmccoymiller.com
Resources: bethanyhouse.com/AnOpenBook
Website: www.bethanyhouse.com
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