by Rachel Hauck
“Me neither, Mary Grace,” Hillary said, low and watery. “Me neither.”
As for Charlotte, she never imagined feeling this happy, this satisfied with life. She’d settled for okay, getting by. But tonight she realized how much more God had ordained for her.
She strolled past Dad and Mom Rose, past Katherine and the kids. Past Tim’s brothers. Past Hillary’s husband, Greg. She nodded at Noelia, and Tawny, who came with her fiancé.
When she arrived at the end of the aisle, Dixie appeared from the end of the first row and took her place as Matron of Honor. Her face glistened with her own joy.
Tim watched Charlotte with a tender intensity, the misty sheen in his eyes evident now. Around them, the quintet’s hovering notes dissipated, bonding with the moonlight.
Thomas raised his Bible, leaning on his cane. “Dearly beloved,” his voice resonated clear and strong, “we’re gathered here because of a destiny. Because of a wedding dress and the mighty power of love. A wedding is what Jesus Himself is waiting for. The Good Book tells us in Matthew 25 there will be a shout at midnight.” Thomas punctured the air with his clear, youthful voice. “‘The Bridegroom comes.’ This wedding here is a foreshadow of that great day. It’s no mistake we’re gathered here with Charlotte and Tim at midnight. But they didn’t haul me out of bed to preach.” Thomas winked at Charlotte. “Let’s get these two married. Mercy, what a great thing God has done. I’m just glad to be alive to see it.”
Thomas asked Tim to take his bride’s hand. Hillary and Mary Grace let go of her with sniffling kisses to Charlotte’s cheeks and took seats on the first row.
Thomas talked about Jesus’s first miracle being at a wedding. He told the story of a hundred-year-old gown and four special brides.
“Funny thing”—he sounded so clear and young—“the dress fit each gal like it was supposed to. It never was changed, not one stitch. It never wore out. Never faded. And if I do say so myself, looks as good and in style on Charlotte here as it did on my Mary Grace seventy-four years ago. It’s just like the good news of the gospel of Jesus. Always fits. It don’t need no changing. The good news is always good. It never wears out and by gum, it’s always in style. Don’t we need Him now more than ever.” The old preacher chuckled. “There I go again. Preaching. Let’s get on with this wedding.”
Charlotte faced Tim, handsome, strong with his hair swishing about his fine smile and framing the light in his eyes. He was tall and regal in his tailored black tux.
“You are beautiful,” he whispered when Thomas told him to take Charlotte’s hand.
“Hey, handsome, you ready for this?”
“Beyond ready.”
“Tim, do you take this woman . . .”
At half past midnight on a cool, August morn, Charlotte Malone said “I do” to love and to the rest of her life, becoming what she was always meant to be.
Redeemed. And a Rose.
Reading Group Guide
1. Who was the man in purple? What does he signify to you? Is there a “man in purple” in your life? Charlotte is so close to her own situation, she can’t see what’s in front of her: the wedding dress. Are you aware of those thin-veil God moments where the supernatural impacts the natural? How can you be more aware of Jesus interacting with you?
2. Emily struggles with the rules of her society. She wants to be vocal; she wants to pursue her own desires. What might Emily have done to speak out against the convict leasing injustice? What can you do to speak against true injustice?
3. Charlotte and Tim had a whirlwind courtship. For a moment, it seemed like they wouldn’t make it. But love triumphed. Is there a similar time in your life when love triumphed sorrow or injustice?
4. Hillary faced the most devastating heartbreak: losing her husband to war. What did you think of the way she responded? What would you have done different / the same? Do you know anyone who is struggling with this reality? How can you support her?
5. Mary Grace is a woman of faith. How did her quiet humility impact her father? Is there a time to be silent and just let the Spirit work in another person? How can you be successful at guarding your tongue?
6. In the midst of Hillary reliving her pain over losing Joel, Charlotte challenges her, “What if marrying Joel was not about you, but him?” We tend to believe everything we do in life pertains to us personally. Would you be willing to do something for someone if there was nothing in it for you? How can we live out this reality in every day life? Consider Jesus dying on the Cross as our highest example.
7. Charlotte learns she’s not an orphan, but a descendent of a marvelous woman. What does this knowledge unlock in her heart? How would you have responded to such news?
8. In the wedding ceremony, Thomas talks about the dress being like the Gospel—it never fades, is always in style, never needs to be altered, and it fits everyone who tries it on. We see a lot of “tweaking” of the Gospel today to “fit our needs.” Where have you allowed the truth of the Gospel to be altered to fit your own needs or desires? How can we remain faithful and true to the simplicity of Jesus’ Gospel?
9. Tim sells his motocross bikes. What does this symbolize in his life? What change took place in his heart? Is there something you’re hanging on to, good or bad, that you need to release to the Lord?
10. The affair Charlotte’s birth father had with her mother nearly ruined his marriage. In order to heal his relationship with his wife, he gave up being Charlotte’s father. We see in this how sin complicates the good things God gives us: marriage, children, love. What should Colby have done to show honor in this situation? Is there a situation you’re facing where honor will cause healing—if not for yourself, for others?
11. Weddings are a joy! Discuss a happy memory from your wedding, or the wedding you hope to have one day.
Acknowledgments
This book started on Twitter. In an exchange of 140 characters or less between tweet buddies.
Next time you’re in town, call me, we’ll get together.
Hey, I wanna come.
Me too.
Then let’s do it.
Ten tweets and a couple of emails later, four friends put their talk into action and hightailed it to Tennessee for a girls’ weekend.
Tami Heim, Kim Cash Tate, Jennifer Deshler and her adorable daughter Jordan, and I spent forty-eight hours talking, eating, and laughing. I spent an unprecedented sixteen hours in my pajamas. But I suppose that’s too much information.
Tami’s daughter had recently married so the conversation turned to weddings and wedding dresses. Something Tami said . . . something about her own wedding, something about finding her daughter’s perfect gown, launched me into story world. I fell behind the conversation and started to dream.
What if there was one gown worn by four women . . . over . . . a hundred years?
Who were these women? What happened to them and the dress? How did they get the dress? Why would they wear it? When did they wear it? Does it fade or wear out? Does it fit everyone? I mulled the story over for the rest of the weekend.
My mom, brother, sister-in-law, and husband offered ideas and enthusiasm when I returned from the weekend and downloaded my idea on them.
I thought this would be a book for another time, but a week later, standing in the middle of Wal-Mart on a Friday afternoon, I called my editor and pitched her the idea. Thank you, Ami, for catching my heart and vision for this book.
I was blessed to spend a brainstorming weekend with amazing women of fiction, Debbie Macomber and Karen Young. Thank you so much, Debbie and Karen, for six hours of your time, brilliance, and storytelling savvy! Your support and ideas made writing this book so fun! Without your input, it would’ve taken me weeks to figure out how the dress moved from woman to woman, decade to decade.
Susan May Warren, for being more than moral support, as well as a gifted story crafter who daily, hourly, lent me your talent. I thank God for you always. You are a jewel in my heart!
Ami McConnell, for your in
sights and input to make Emily and Charlotte stronger characters. Thank you for your partnership on this book.
Rachelle Gardner, for being in the copyedit trenches with me. Your insight, encouragement, and comments blessed me!
Beth Vogt, for unending enthusiasm for a book you’ve not even read yet. Thank you, friend.
Tish Patton, my “big sister” from Ohio State and now a Birmingham transplant. Thank you for the glorious details of your city. Love you.
My sister and brothers, for showing up in these pages as characters. Love you all.
Mom and Grandma, for listening to my ideas and stories, for being my biggest fans. You too, Aunt Betty!
My husband, who could pen a humorous best seller about life with an author. He’d have writer-husbands bobbing their heads all over America. I love you for reminding me I do this for Jesus, not for myself. And to “have fun, babe.”
My agent, Chip MacGregor, for helping me to see it, believe it, and achieve it.
Allen Arnold, Natalie Hanemann, Becky Monds, Eric Mullett Katie Bond, and the team at Nelson for being such an amazing, supportive, encouraging team. You make ordinary writers feel like rock stars!
To the Scrivener guy who made such an incredible writing program!
Author Note
As I prayed over this book, I began to see the wedding dress as a symbol for the Gospel of Jesus Christ. It never wears out. It fits everyone who tries it on. It doesn’t need to be altered. And it’s always in style.
The truth and love of Jesus is alive today. It is for everyone. Whether you’ve been hindered through culture or family like Emily, or gifted with the Gospel like Mary Grace, or wounded like Hillary, or lost and looking for redemption like Charlotte, Jesus provides the healing and answer we are all looking for. He is the way, the truth, and the life. Not for a select few. But for each one of us.
For you.
Table of Contents
Chapter One
Chapter Two
Chapter Three
Chapter Four
Chapter Five
Chapter Six
Chapter Seven
Chapter Eight
Chapter Nine
Chapter Ten
Chapter Eleven
Chapter Twelve
Chapter Thirteen
Chapter Fourteen
Chapter Fifteen
Chapter Sixteen
Chapter Seventeen
Chapter Eighteen
Chapter Nineteen
Chapter Twenty
Chapter Twenty-One
Chapter Twenty-Two
Chapter Twenty-Three
Chapter Twenty-Four
Chapter Twenty-Five
Chapter Twenty-Six
Chapter Twenty-Seven
Reading Group Guide
Acknowledgments
Author Note
