Wildflowers

by Melanie Wilber;Kevin Wilber

“No, you don’t, Natalie,” Josie said, giving her a hug. “Just having you here these last five months has been all I need. I’m glad you’re going to be here for awhile longer. Once Brandon and I get back, I expect to see you at least once a week besides at church. Understand?”

  Natalie swallowed hard and nodded. “I’ll try and do that.”

  When they arrived at the church, Natalie slipped into her dark blue dress and helped Josie with her make-up, carefully applying subtle but flattering amounts of powder, blush, eye-shadow, liner, and lipstick. Josie’s flawless skin didn’t need much enhancing, but she looked satisfied when Natalie handed her a small mirror. Next came the incredible task of getting her into her dress.

  After doing up the satin-covered buttons running up the back and securing the veil into her sister’s dark hair, Natalie took a few steps back to take in the full view. She wasn’t going to let Josie see herself until she felt satisfied.

  “Where are the pearls?” she asked, rummaging through Josie’s bag.

  “Aren’t they in there?”

  “I don’t see them,” she replied, beginning to look around the room. She couldn’t recall seeing them since they’d been here.

  Josie gasped. “I laid them on the bed! I must have forgotten to put them back in. Are the earrings missing too?”

  “I think so,” Natalie said, grabbing her purse from the table. “I’ll be back in ten minutes.”

  She left before Josie had a chance to argue. Fortunately the traffic was light, and she made it to the apartment within five minutes. Racing upstairs in her low heels, she found the necklace and earrings on the bed. She hurried for the door and heard the phone ring before she stepped out. Thinking it might be Josie calling to say she had forgotten something else, she took the time to answer it.

  “Hello?”

  “Hi, Josie?”

  “No. She’s not here,” she replied to the male voice, realizing she sounded out of breath. “This is her sister. Can I take a message?”

  “Actually, I have a question,” he said. “This is Michael Walker, and I’m supposed to be playing the piano at the wedding today. I’m embarrassed to be asking this, but can you tell me what time it starts? I lost the invitation around here somewhere.”

  What a flake! Natalie stopped her search for a pen. He’s playing at a wedding, and he doesn't know what time it starts? I hope he plays piano better than he’s organized.

  “It’s at one,” she said politely. “But I think she wanted you to begin playing at twelve-thirty.”

  “Okay. I’ll be there.”

  Natalie hung up the phone and dashed from the apartment. She found Josie pacing in the same place she had left her. Natalie handed her the earrings and secured the clasp of the necklace. She could smell Josie’s favorite perfume and searched for the bottle to give herself a squirt of the sweet scent.

  They walked to the lounge of the ladies’ room down the hall so Josie could see herself in the full-length mirror. Natalie stood behind her and adjusted her veil, flaring out the ends of the delicate chiffon fabric. She looked stunning.

  “We may have to give Brandon oxygen,” she teased.

  They both laughed, bringing out their matching smiles.

  “Thank you, Natalie,” Josie said, turning around to pull her into a tight embrace. “I’m glad you’re here to help me with all this. Beauty and fashion have always been your area of expertise, not mine. You were the one that had me try on this dress, remember?”

  Natalie nodded and handed Josie a bottle of water. “I’m glad I could be here too,” she said, trying not to cry. It didn’t work. She dabbed under her eyes with a tissue.

  Josie glanced at the clock. “I suppose we better go. The photographer will be waiting.”

  Natalie took a drink of the water herself and wondered if Daddy had arrived yet. No one had come to tell them he had, but she hoped it was only an oversight on someone’s part. He had to be here. Josie must have read her thoughts as they walked down the hallway leading to the sanctuary.

  “I’m walking down that aisle with or without him,” she said. “But I’m sure he’ll make it.”

  Josie and Brandon had requested a few minutes alone before the picture-taking circus got underway, and Natalie intended to make sure that happened. She scooted everyone out of the large room and into the foyer except Brandon. She left him standing at the front to await seeing his bride in her wedding dress. For the first time Natalie could recall, he looked nervous.

  Natalie had to force herself to close the door behind her when Josie stepped into the room. She did glance at Brandon long enough to see his reaction. He didn’t appear too surprised by what he saw. Josie always looked beautiful, but there was an excited settledness in his eyes that this day was finally here.

  When their five minutes were up, Natalie opened the doors and followed everyone inside. Josie and Brandon were looking into each other’s eyes and whispering something that made them both smile. They maintained that hopelessly-in-love look for the next hour. Their smiles for the camera seemed effortless. Brandon didn’t let go of his stunning bride except when instructed by the photographer to do so. Even then, he didn’t take his eyes off her. Natalie wondered if a man she loved would ever look at her that way.

  Natalie had to grab a tissue when Josie, Brandon, and Tommy posed together for the camera. Tommy had always been a happy, fun-loving boy, but today he absolutely beamed. He had been waiting anxiously for this day for the last two months. The day he could start calling Brandon, Daddy.

  The photographer saved the family pictures for last since her own father had not arrived yet. He finished with Brandon’s family and then took several of Josie and herself, and of Josie with their mom.

  “I don’t think we can wait any longer for Dad,” Josie said at twelve-fifteen. “The guests will start arriving soon. I need to get out of here.”

  Natalie rubbed Josie’s shoulder and fought back her own tears and anger. He said he’d be here. How could he do this to Josie?

  Natalie adjusted her position between Josie and Patrick as the photographer instructed for the Matthews’ family portrait. Faith and their daughters were to Patrick's right. Mom and her husband, Warren, were on the other side of Josie. Tommy stood in front.

  The photographer said something witty, and Natalie forced a smile. The flash blinked once and then again. Natalie’s eyes caught a figure entering the doors in the back of the room before the final flash came.

  Daddy.

  CHAPTER THREE

  Richard Matthews walked onto the stage, gazing at his daughter dressed in white. Natalie watched as Daddy took Josie’s face into his tanned hands and kissed each cheek.

  “I’m sorry I’m late, sweetheart,” he said. “You look beautiful.”

  “It’s okay, Dad,” Josie said, hugging him warmly. “I’m glad you made it.”

  “And how’s my favorite grandson?” he said, turning his attention to Tommy.

  “Fine,” Tommy said, looking up to the stern face until Grandpa pulled a quarter from behind his ear.

  “Look what I found back there,” he said, his mischievous grin emerging. “Are you growing these in your hair again?”

  “No,” Tommy giggled. “I know you’re doing it, Grandpa.”

  For a moment, Natalie wondered if her dad noticed her standing there, but when his deep brown eyes turned to meet her, he didn’t look surprised. Natalie felt a smile form without effort.

  “Hi, Daddy.”

  He closed the distance between them and pulled her into his arms. “Hey, baby,” he said in a voice for her ears only. “Good to see you.”

  The exchange left her speechless. She knew tears would accompany anything she tried to force out. She kept silent, but an unspoken message passed between them. Seeing her dad always stirred up deep emotions within her. She wished their reunions were more frequent. This was Josie’s day, however. Her time with him would come later--she hoped.

  The wedding party and family members left the r
oom, anticipating the arrival of the invited guests. Natalie took her dad to where his black tux had been hung and then left him to go find Josie to see if she needed anything. Natalie found her pacing in the lounge area of the bathroom.

  “Well, this is it,” Natalie said, squeezing her sister’s hands. “Excited?”

  Josie nodded and smiled. “This is happening, isn’t it, Natalie? I’m not going to wake up any minute and realize this is all a wonderful dream, am I?”

  Natalie pinched Josie’s arm through her lacy sleeve.

  “Ouch!” Josie exclaimed, swatting at her hand.

  “Looks like it’s real, Jose,” she teased.

  Josie turned to the mirror to check her hair and make-up, and Natalie reached for a tissue to dab under her sister’s eyes before turning her attention to her own appearance. Her hair had cooperated well today. She had chosen to wear it loose. The blond strands had grown several inches in the last few months, and she had gotten a soft-wave perm last week. She reached for her lipstick and applied a fresh coat then lifted Josie’s chin and did the same with a different color matching Josie’s lighter skin tones.

  A soft knock sounded, and Daddy poked his head into the room. “Are you ready, Princess? They’re playing your song.”

  “I’ll be right out,” Josie said. Turning to Natalie she added, “Can I have a few minutes by myself, Nat?”

  “Sure,” Natalie replied. “We’ll be waiting in the hall for you.”

  “Thanks. I know I’ve said this a hundred times, but I’m glad you’re here getting me through all this. I promise when your time comes, I’ll be there.”

  Natalie knew Josie meant her words, and she had no doubt she would follow through, if she ever did get married. Natalie had not been able to count on many people in her life, but Josie had always been there; encouraging her, supporting her, loving her.

  Natalie left her sister alone. She didn’t have to ask to know Josie wanted the time alone to pray. Josie had made little effort to keep her faith in God a secret. Josie said He gave her strength, something Natalie did not understand but accepted. Natalie couldn’t deny that her sister had been through some rough times. Whether God had been the one to pull her through them, she had no way of knowing, but she knew Josie believed it with her whole heart. Natalie didn’t know if she could ever put that much faith in anything or anyone, but she respected her sister’s beliefs.

  Natalie looped her arm through her dad’s, taking in the smell of his strong cologne, and they walked to the end of the hall. Other than a few more wrinkles around his eyes and a heavier dose of gray hair mixed in with darker strands, he looked the same as he had ten years ago, the last time she had spent a significant amount of time with him.

  After her junior year of high school she had gone to France as a foreign exchange student and then to Stanford the following year. Ever since her sixteenth birthday their visits had only consisted of a few days together once or twice a year. Going back to California in a few weeks would keep up the status quo. Choosing to stay in Portland until September and living at his house was her only chance to change that.

  She could hear music coming from the sanctuary and saw the last guests filtering through the doorway. The candle lighters stood ready to enter on their cue.

  “How long are you staying in town?” she asked.

  “Until Wednesday.”

  “What are you doing tomorrow? Can we get together for dinner? I want to talk to you about something.” She explained about the photo shoot and having to leave Monday morning.

  “Sure. Come over to the house. I’ll order Chinese food.”

  Josie joined them moments later, appearing happy and peaceful. They walked to the double doors and waited for the candles to be lit. The three bridesmaids, Faith, Lily, and Gina, went next, then Natalie stepped into the room and saw Brandon standing at the front along with Tommy, the pastor, and the best man. She walked slowly down the aisle, carrying her bouquet and feeling nervous suddenly. When she took her place on the stage, she turned back to see her nieces, Aleisha and Lindsey, sprinkling rose petals on the white runner before watching her sister enter the room on Daddy’s arm.

  The music Josie had selected to walk down the aisle began; not the traditional one that Josie didn’t care for, but a delicate piano piece from one of her favorite romance movies. Natalie thought it suited Josie perfectly.

  Natalie couldn’t see Michael at the piano from where she stood, but hearing him play so beautifully, she decided to overlook his blunder of forgetting the time of the wedding.

  Once the ceremony got underway, Natalie watched and listened to everything happening center-stage. Romantic didn’t seem like a strong enough word to describe the interaction between the bride and groom; Sacred seemed more appropriate.

  Touched by the way they included Tommy in the ceremony, Natalie, along with everyone else, knew not only a marriage was taking place, but also the forming of a family. Brandon had accepted Tommy as a part of Josie’s life and already treated him as his own son. Natalie knew that would only increase after today.

  Several times Natalie glanced at her own parents seated in the front row. Her mom and dad sat side-by-side, but she knew the commitment they had made to each other had ended many years ago, a thought that still saddened her. They had divorced before her twelfth birthday. At the time she didn’t understand it at all. Later she learned her father had been unfaithful to her mother, something even harder for her to swallow. Her time with her dad had been sporadic after that. Her relationship with her mother rocky. She loved them both, but they had let her down, and she didn’t know if she could ever forgive them.

  After the vows were spoken and the rings exchanged, Brandon and Josie knelt at the prayer altar. Pastor Owens prayed first, asking for a blessing of this union, and then Brandon also prayed, but only those on stage could hear him. Natalie felt tears form in her eyes at his words. Brandon’s passion for his God matched his passion for his bride. Natalie had no idea men like Brandon existed in this day and age. She wondered if there were any more like him.

  When the prayer time ended, Brandon and Josie took the two burning candles from the altar and used them to light a single candle in the center. Natalie heard the piano begin to play once again, and a voice joined it. Since Michael had not been here last night, she hadn’t heard the song before. His fingers danced over the ivory keys and his tenor voice resonated through the large room, drawing Natalie in.

  I never knew life could be this sweet,

  but since I met you,

  you’ve made my heart complete.

  I promise you this day,

  we will never be apart;

  You are my friend, my life, my love,

  I give you all of my heart.

  You are my friend, my life, my love,

  I give you all of my heart...

  The song ended as delicately as it had begun, and silence hung in the air for several breathtaking seconds. Pastor Owens’ words startled Natalie and snapped her back to the event happening center-stage. Her thoughts remained at the piano. The words Michael had sung with such passion tumbled over one another in her mind and a strange, dizzy feeling washed over her.

  “By the power vested in me as a minister of the Gospel and by the state of Oregon, I now pronounce you husband and wife,” the pastor’s booming voice proclaimed. With a smile he added, “You may kiss the bride.”

  Brandon did not disappoint his wife nor the onlookers. Natalie hadn’t cried during the entire ceremony. She had been a rock for her sister, but following that song, that kiss, and the look in Brandon’s eyes, she couldn’t hold back any longer.

  Handing Josie her fragrant bouquet of cascading white roses, she tried to stop, but fresh tears streamed down her cool cheeks. Josie’s radiant smile brought one from her as well, but she continued to wipe away tears with the tissues that had been intended for her sister all the way down the aisle and into the hallway. She hugged her sister and her new brother-in-law but then took a detou
r to the ladies’ room to collect herself.

  Staring at herself in the bathroom mirror, she knew she wanted what Josie had: a special man to share her life with. But she didn’t think it was ever going to happen. The dating game had always been the same for her. She would be with someone for a few months, and then it would end, oftentimes for no apparent reason. But telling herself she wanted to remain single and free didn’t seem to be working anymore. Her heart knew better.

  By the time the reception got underway downstairs, Natalie had returned to the crowd and mingled about the large gathering, talking to family and friends.

  “Shame on you, Natalie,” she heard a voice say from behind her. She turned to see one of her new friends standing there with her hands on her hips.

  “What?”

  “The bride is supposed to be the most beautiful one here, but you look very fine yourself,” Allison teased.

  “Yeah, I thought I’d try one last time to snag Brandon for myself,” Natalie played along, thinking Allison looked quite lovely with her long brown hair flowing freely instead of in a braid as she usually wore it. “Do you think I have a chance?”

  “I don’t think so,” she laughed. “But I know of a few others around here who would gladly get in line. I love your hair like that, by the way. When did you get that done?”

  “On Tuesday.”

  “Very cute,” Allison said, fluffing the ends with her fingers. “So, have you decided whether or not you’re coming on the retreat?”

  “Is that the thing at the beach next month?”

  “Yes. It’s the third weekend.”

  “If I can,” she said, wondering if she would still be in town. “Right now I’m free, but I’m not sure what I’ll be doing then.”

  “Are you all set to move in with Laurie? I love her apartment. I bet she’s a blast to live with.”

  “Actually, that fell through,” she replied. “Jen decided not to move out after all.”

  “Oh, that’s a bummer,” Allison said. “Do you have any other leads? I could ask around some more.”