The blush creeping up her neck and cheeks wasn’t only caused by the heat of the day.
Thomas, Papa, and Ensign Miller worked together with the crew from New Orleans to unload the wooden tower that would become the temporary lighthouse. The Union was anxious to relight the waterway between the Bolivar Peninsula and Texas’s largest city, Galveston.
Margaret heard her piglet squeal in distress.
June was chasing her baby around, holding on to the pig’s tail. Jeremiah followed close behind, holding on to her skirt.
“Hey, you two, let him be. You’re wearing out my present from Thomas.”
June released the baby pig, then she and Jeremiah fell to the ground in a laughing heap.
“I don’t know how you put up with those two, Mama.”
“I had plenty of practice putting up with you and your sister.”
“I suppose so.”
Margaret glanced down at the bowl of peas and straightened the skirt of her simple blue work dress bunched up around the container. She realized something in that moment. For the first time since her family had moved to Texas, she felt contented. The burning desire in the back of her mind to return to New Orleans wasn’t there. She couldn’t remember the last time she’d thought about wanting to wear fancy ball gowns or attend social parties. That part of her life had passed away with the war. It all seemed like vanity to her now.
She was happy just the way she was. And she no longer thought of Bolivar as a godforsaken place. She was happy to make Texas her new home. Yes, Texas had grown on all of them. It would be the new home for the Logan family and soon the Murphy family as well.
Her eyes drifted to the east, to where Thomas had begun setting the piers of what would be the foundation of their home. Thomas had purchased the small piece of land. Their hopes and dreams of a life filled with love and someday a family would become a reality on that tiny slice of heaven.
Mama was still shelling her bowl of peas.
“Can you believe what a coincidence it was that Papa and Thomas met up in Brenham and how things have worked out so perfectly? Just think about it. The war is over, and both Thomas and Papa have jobs, and—”
“Now you wait just one minute, Margaret Frances Logan. You know good and well that none of those things were coincidences. God was in control of every single thing that happened. Now are you shelling those peas, or will I have to do it for you?”
Mama’s words hit Margaret like a load of bricks. God was in control or else she never would have fallen in love with Thomas. The hatred she once held in her heart for northerners had faded into the past and she was pledged to wed a Yankee. She’d forgotten all about the money from the Lighthouse Board that arrived right when they needed it to get help for Elizabeth. No, there were no coincidences…only divine assistance. She turned toward her mama. “How did you get to be so smart, Mama?”
“I serve a gracious God, who gives wisdom to those who need it.” She chuckled. “And the good Lord knows I’ve needed it.”
“Have you and Papa thought any more about the wedding? Did y’all ever decide whether we’re going to have it inside or outside?”
“Oh, for heaven’s sake, of course we’ve thought about it, but no, we haven’t made any firm decisions yet. That’s the least of our worries. We have to think about how many of the neighbors might come out for the wedding and how much food we’ll need. Goodness, the list goes on and on.” She turned to Margaret and smiled. “You should be more concerned about me finishing the alterations on your dress before the day of the wedding.”
Margaret sighed. “Yes, ma’am. I’m just so excited and it will be here before you know it.”
“I’m aware of that and it will get taken care of. But not if you don’t help me out by shelling those peas. Good thing I know how to cook for a small army.”
There were so many things that needed done, but her biggest worry—how to get Elizabeth back home from Austin for the wedding. She rustled her fingers in the bowl of pea pods. “I saw that Papa received a letter from the hospital. Did they decide whether or not Elizabeth can come home for the wedding?”
Mama gave “the look.” “Nosiness doesn’t suit you, dear.”
“At least I didn’t open it.” Margaret grinned.
“Be thankful you didn’t, young lady.” Mama nodded toward her bowl, implying she should actually shell the peas instead of simply stirring them about. “And if it is any of your business, Dr. Walker is completely against Elizabeth leaving the hospital after such a short period of time. They’ve only just started making progress in her treatment.”
“But she’s got to be at my wedding, Mama. I can’t get married without my sister standing by my side.”
“Don’t you think I want her to be here with us just as much as you do? Now what do you think is more important…Elizabeth coming home for your wedding, or her staying at the hospital and getting well?”
“You know the answer to that, Mama, but I’ve had my wedding planned out ever since Jeremiah was born. He would be my little pageboy, and June would be my flower girl.” Her voice began to crack as her throat tightened. “And…and Elizabeth would stand with me at the altar. Besides, we can take her back to the hospital just as soon as the wedding is over.”
“I’m sorry, honey, but I don’t want you to get your hopes up. Things don’t always turn out the way we dream they will.”
Margaret returned to shelling peas. Her disappointment that there were so many things over which she had no control angered her to the bone. She couldn’t put off the wedding until Elizabeth was well…who knew how long that might be?
Thomas was getting more anxious by the day to have her as his wife.
She would have to put away the wedding she had always dreamed of and settle for what God would allow her. As the number of hulled peas in her bowl grew, so did the mountain of grief in her heart. There had to be some way for Elizabeth to come to the wedding, but how? Lord, I don’t pretend to think I’m in control of anything down here. I acknowledge Your Lordship and give this whole wedding over to You. And if it’s in Your will that Elizabeth be at my wedding, then You’ll have to make it happen. Please forgive me for my lack of faith. In Your Son’s name I pray.
It was a relief to give everything up to God. Now she could concentrate on more important things…like watching her husband-to-be working without his shirt on.
33
Have not I commanded thee? Be strong and of a good courage. For the Lord thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest. Thomas repeated the verse in his mind, but it did little to ease his rattled nerves. He could hardly believe it had only been a year and one month since he’d first laid eyes on Margaret and now he stood at the altar ready to marry her.
His brand-new suit had arrived just in time for the wedding. Everything had worked out, including the arrival of Bolivar’s newest resident, the Reverend Phillip Everly, all the way from Tuscaloosa, Alabama.
Mrs. Everly sat on the second row, looking more in control than any woman Thomas had ever encountered. Her five little charges sat beside her, from youngest to oldest, with legs crossed and backs straight. Thomas doubted they were such angels when their mother had her back turned.
Mrs. Logan sat up front. She dabbed at her eye with a fancy hanky. Thomas had never seen it before and figured she’d had it put away for an important event such as her daughter’s wedding.
He managed a weak smile in her direction. It was the best he could do with the antics going on inside his stomach. A pang of grief washed over him that his own mother couldn’t be there to witness his marriage.
Reverend Everly made a gesture and the high-pitched whine of a violin chord cut through the cool autumn air. Mr. Langley sat with the instrument wedged beneath his chin. A hushed silence came over the small crowd gathered there.
So much change had come to pass with the end of the war. No one would have believed this man, who had only months earlier threatened to turn Thomas in to the Confederates, was now a good friend of the Log
ans. So much so that he was willing to provide the music at the wedding. There truly was no limit to what God could do in the lives and hearts of His children.
Thomas nearly jumped out of his skin when a hand clamped around his shoulder. He took a deep breath and wiped the beads of sweat from his upper lip. “What are ye trying to do, Miller…scare the life out of me?”
Ensign Miller chuckled and patted Thomas’s shoulder. “Get a grip on yourself, man. It’s your wedding day. Try to enjoy it.”
“Aye, yer right.” Thomas shrugged his shoulders. “I’m just a bit jumpy.” Thomas adjusted his suit coat and shook his arms.
Miller and Thomas had become fast friends over the past few months of working together. And since his own brother couldn’t make it to Texas for the wedding, he was happy to have a friend standing by his side for support. It was a comfort knowing he would be taking Margaret to meet his brother and father soon after they were married.
~*~
Margaret knelt down to Jeremiah’s eye level and put her hands around his small arms. “All right now, Jeremiah, you know what to do, right?” Just to make sure, she gave a quick reminder of his duties. “You walk down between all those people sitting in chairs out there, OK?”
He shook his head and frowned.
Margaret scratched at a bit of food on his cheek, only making his frown deepen. She softened her voice and smiled at her little brother. “But you’re all dressed up in your best pair of overalls, and you get to carry this pretty pillow Mama made!” She showed him the small pink pillow Mama had adorned with ribbons. “Feel how soft it is.” He rubbed the fabric with his tiny hand. “Will you do it for sissy?” The extra syrup in her voice must have done the trick, as Jeremiah closed his eyes and nodded his head. Margaret put the pillow in his hands and turned him toward the sheet they used as a curtain to hide behind. “Good boy. Now walk down to where Thomas is.” She patted him on the bottom and sent him on his way.
From the sounds coming from those in attendance, it was clear they liked her idea of having Jeremiah walk as a pageboy in the ceremony.
Papa had missed the whole exchange between the two of them, as he was occupied retying all the loose ribbons June had undone on her dress while they waited for the wedding to begin. Margaret peeked around the sheet to see Jeremiah run down the aisle before jumping into Mama’s lap. She shook her head and smiled.
“Margaret, get over here and help me get June’s clothes back on her!”
“Yes, Papa.” She finished tying the ribbons Papa had missed and admired how beautiful her little sister looked. Mama had saved back the pale blue dress that had been passed down from one sister to the next. Now it was June’s turn to wear it on this special day. Margaret wanted to cry tears of joy. “Oh, June Marie, you look so pretty.”
June threw her arms around Margaret’s waist and squeezed her tight. “So do you, sissy.” She then gasped and slapped her hands onto her cheeks. “Where’s my flower-girl basket?”
“I got it right here.” Papa handed it to her.
“Whew, that was close.” She took the basket from Papa and headed out from behind the sheet, making her presence known. “Here comes the flower girl.”
Laughter filled the air as June walked down between the two rows of chairs. She threw the flower heads on the ground like a little princess. All was fine and good until she came to the reverend’s family and took a whole handful of the dried flowers and, for some unknown reason, flung them at Reverend Everly’s middle boy.
Margaret looked heavenward and shook her head.
Mama jumped from her chair and snatched June from the aisle.
Margaret turned back to Papa and tears welled up in her eyes. He hugged Elizabeth and pressed her head against his shoulder. Even though the doctors weren’t in favor of her coming home, the final decision was Papa’s to make and he had allowed it.
Margaret couldn’t believe how far Papa was willing to go to make her wedding perfect. And he had succeeded.
Elizabeth wore one of Margaret’s prettier hand-me-down dresses. Mama had to take in the seams to fit her now-tiny frame.
Papa released Elizabeth and gestured toward Margaret, who was holding her hands out to her. Even though Elizabeth had gained back some of her lost weight, Margaret felt her rib bones as they embraced. It was hard for Margaret not to cry, especially seeing Papa with tears in his eyes.
“I’m so happy you could be here for the wedding.”
Elizabeth held her at arm’s length and smiled. She lifted her hand to Margaret’s face and wiped away a tear. “I’m happy to be here too.” She hugged her sister again. “And I’m happy that you are marrying Thomas. I…I almost ruined everything.”
Margaret patted her back. “Oh, hush up. You didn’t ruin a thing. Everything turned out perfect. Now get out there before Mr. Langley’s arm falls off from playing that violin for too long.”
Elizabeth smiled as Papa pulled the sheet back for her. He kissed her on the cheek and handed her a small bouquet of wildflowers tied together with a satin ribbon. She turned and winked at Margaret before heading toward Thomas and the minister.
Margaret picked up the last accessory left on the porch swing, her own bouquet of wildflowers. She ran her fingers down the length of the blue satin ribbon before looking into Papa’s eyes.
He cupped his palms around her face. “You know how proud I am of you?”
“What do you mean, Papa?”
“Honey, I don’t know of any young woman who could have made it through all you have and still have so much love in your heart and a beautiful smile on your face.”
She hugged him tight. “Oh, Papa, it’s not me at all. I give God all the credit…and you and Mama, of course.” She didn’t want to cry on her wedding day, but it was too late. She wiped her eyes and tried to put a big smile on her face. “All right now, there are people waiting for us.”
Papa lowered the veil over her face and offered his arm to her as they hooked elbows.
The sheet was pulled back a final time, allowing everyone in attendance to see the bride.
She didn’t see anyone but the love of her life, Thomas Murphy.
~*~
The makeshift curtain had opened and closed so many times Thomas wasn’t sure if Margaret was ever coming out, but this time, he saw her. Mr. Langley must have stopped playing his violin because he no longer heard the music.
Everyone in attendance turned toward the curtain and stood as she and her papa appeared.
Thomas had never seen her look so majestically beautiful as when she walked down the aisle. The nervousness he’d felt earlier seemed to have melted out through his legs, leaving them mushy as fresh butter in August.
Even though the gown had belonged to Mrs. Logan, it appeared to have been made especially for his bride-to-be. The soft peach-colored fabric made her skin appear darker than usual.
Thomas peered at her bare shoulders for the first time and it took his breath away. Raven hair peeked out beneath the veil covering her face. He could make out the color of her violet eyes, sparkling behind her veil. Never had he seen a more beautiful woman in his life, and she was about to become his…forever.
Mr. Logan paused before reaching him and pulled the veil back, revealing Margaret’s face.
Thomas sucked in a deep breath and let it out slowly.
Mrs. Logan sniffed and put the hanky up to her nose when Mr. Logan kissed his daughter on the cheek and put her hand in Thomas’s. He then sat down next to his wife and held her hand.
Margaret took her place next to Thomas. She held his hand and looked into his eyes, melting away any fears he held.
Reverend Everly cleared his throat, and they both smiled and turned toward him.
“Thomas and Margaret have asked that I read these passages found in the book of Ruth. The truths held here in these verses will forever be a holy pledge between Thomas Murphy and Margaret Logan.
“And Ruth said, Intreat me not to leave thee, or to return from following after
thee: for whither thou goest, I will go; and where thou lodgest, I will lodge: thy people shall be my people, and thy God my God. Where thou diest, will I die, and there will I be buried: the Lord do so to me, and more also, if ought but death part thee and me.” The reverend closed his Bible. “Please bow your heads.”
Everyone bowed their heads as Reverend Everly prayed.
Except Thomas and Margaret. While words were being sent to God on their behalf, the young couple gazed into each other’s eyes. No words were spoken, but in those few brief moments an unspeakable amount of love passed between them.
Thomas repeated the vows as instructed by the reverend. “I, Thomas Murphy, take thee, Margaret Logan, to be my wedded wife, to have and to hold from this day forward, for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish, till death us do part.”
It was at that moment when Margaret began to say her vows that Thomas realized the wonderful thing that was about to happen. When Margaret said those two little words…I do…their lives would forever be entwined together. He would be her husband, and she would be his wife, and the two would become one flesh.
34
Margaret hadn’t seen so much food since before the war began. The neighbors had been more than generous in sharing what they had to make the wedding feast a success. They hadn’t forgotten Papa and Mama’s generosity with the lighthouse rations.
Flour and sugar were available again, although in short supply, allowing them to have a whole table devoted to sweets. The fruit pies, cookies, and cakes made that particular table the most popular of them all, especially with June, Jeremiah, and the Everly children.
Mama looked happier than ever, sitting at one of the tables, talking with all the neighbor ladies, both new and old. Now that word the war was over spread through the South, it wasn’t unusual for families to come outside and visit with each other. Little by little, people found they didn’t have to look over their shoulders at every noise. Slowly but surely, the fear of being shot, raided, or captured became a distant memory.
Northern Light Page 18
