Once upstairs, Dovie and I retreated to my bedroom. There wasn’t a great deal of time before the wedding would take place, and I wanted her to help me with my dress. “What do you think?” I nodded toward my dress on the bed.
Dovie stepped closer and examined the fine lace I’d tatted and attached to the cuffs and collar. “It is beautiful, Karlina. Anton is a very lucky man.”
I giggled. “He is wonderful, Dovie. I am so very happy that today has finally arrived, and we can soon begin our life together.”
“The elders have assigned him to remain in East permanently?”
“Ja. We will live here with Mutter and Vater. There is enough space, and it will prove easier for Vater. The elders said that it would be best for all of us.”
I hadn’t been surprised by the decision. Our house had enough bedrooms. Still, most couples received housing that included a private parlor, but Anton had agreed it would be easier to remain in a house not far from the sheep barns. His choice had warmed my heart. Once my father was certain of the decision, he made plans to rearrange the rooms. Anton and I would share my bedroom and the current parlor, while Anton’s former bedroom would become the new parlor for my parents.
I quickly explained the arrangement to Dovie. “I think it will be perfect for us.” I didn’t admit it, but I felt like a little girl who would soon begin to play house. “How are the rooms at the hotel?”
“The rooms are quite nice. We will be comfortable there.”
In her recent letter, Dovie had told me she would stay at the hotel with her father and his wife until her wedding. “I wish you could stay here until the wedding, but soon you and Berndt will be living—” I clapped my hand over my mouth. Berndt had told me that he wanted to tell Dovie about their living arrangements.
Dovie inched closer. “We will be living where? Tell me, Karlina.”
“I promised Berndt I would not say. He should be the one to tell you. But I can tell you that the elders assigned you to work with Mutter in the Küche. I hope that makes you happy.”
Dovie sighed. “I was very worried they might assign me to Sister Fuch’s Küche. I’m sure I could do so if I had to, but I have been praying they would assign me to work with Cousin Louise and the other sisters that I already know.”
“Then your prayers have been answered.” I gestured toward my dress. “Do you see any wrinkles in the skirt?”
Dovie lifted the dress from the bed and held it before her. “No wrinkles. It is perfect. And you must get dressed or you will be late for your own wedding.”
“I don’t think Anton would appreciate that, do you?”
We burst into laughter and soon my mother tapped on the door. “You need to stop chattering and get dressed, Karlina. This is not a day to be late. Elder Adler will not be happy if you keep him waiting in the July heat.”
Dovie helped me into my dress and insisted upon combing and fashioning my hair in a delicate knot at the nape of my neck. After seeing that the point of my shawl was centered, she gave a firm nod. “Perfect. You look beautiful.”
“Will your father and stepmother be shocked when they see me wearing a dark dress for my wedding?”
“I have explained everything to them. When I returned to Texas and told my father and Ardella that I planned to marry Berndt, she was eager to help me find fabric for the perfect wedding gown.” Dovie chuckled. “I think she was disappointed, but she understands that I will be wearing a dark dress for my wedding and the ceremony won’t be lavish.”
“For sure, that is true.” I leaned forward and kissed Dovie’s cheek. “I am thankful you have returned to live here. We may not share the same house, but we will always be friends.”
A tear glistened in Dovie’s eyes and slowly rolled down her cheek. “You are the sister I never had, Karlina.”
I wiped the tear from her cheek. “Ja, we will now be sisters in every way.”
Anton smiled at me as we walked to the front of the meetinghouse. I could see the joy that shone in his eyes as he pledged his love and stated his desire to marry me. He grasped my hand as Brother Adler bowed his head and prayed a blessing on our marriage. When the prayer ended, the elder declared our lives joined as husband and wife, but we knew there could be no kiss. Not in the meetinghouse, for that was forbidden. We returned down the aisle and exited through the doors at opposite sides of the meetinghouse.
Once outside, Anton raced toward me and scooped me into his arms. Twirling in a circle, he kissed me soundly and then lowered me back to the ground. “It is a wonderful day because I can now call you my wife.”
My father shook Anton’s hand and offered congratulations to both of us. “Now I think we should enjoy some of the gut food we left in the Küche.” He patted his stomach. “I am ready to eat and celebrate.”
Anton stole several kisses as we walked toward the Küchehaas, but I longed for time alone with him. Time when we could savor the presence of each other without interruption, but that wouldn’t happen until much later.
By the time we returned, friends and neighbors had already arrived for the reception. The women had decorated the dining room of the Küche with flowers they’d cut from their gardens or wild flowers from the surrounding fields. The tables were laden with tortes, pies, and cakes of every shape and size. Many had been baked in the other Küchehaases and delivered for the party. The long wooden tables had been moved outdoors, pitchers of grape and cherry juice sat on the tables for the children, and a barrel of grape wine sat at the ready for the adults.
I motioned for Dovie and Berndt to join us at one of the tables. Dovie carried several pieces of cake to the table and placed them in front of us. “You need to have some of this good food.”
I touched my hand to my stomach. “I am too excited to eat. In two weeks, you will know exactly how I feel.”
A wide grin split Berndt’s face. “It cannot come soon enough for me.” He leaned closer to Dovie. “I hope she feels the same way.”
Dovie giggled and rested her hand on Berndt’s arm. “You know I do.” She looked across the table and met my gaze. “Berndt has told me we will have the extra apartment in the house with his parents, but you already knew.”
“Ja, but I did not tell.” I arched my brows. “Does this make you happy?”
“Yes. I think it will be perfect. Berndt can bring me to the kitchen in the bread wagon each morning.”
“It is a gut arrangement, and I think you both will be happy.” I grinned. “Maybe not as happy as Anton and me, but you will be happy.”
The four of us laughed and talked, but soon other guests sat down to visit. A short time later, Anton took my hand and we slipped away and found a secluded spot beneath one of the large cottonwood trees.
In the shade of the low-hanging branches, he drew me into his arms. His lips traveled down the length of my cheek, and I dragged in a quick breath. He lightly kissed my neck and then captured my lips with his own. As if perfectly fitted, our lips melded together. I leaned into him and gave myself fully to his kiss.
He inhaled a ragged breath as we drew apart. Cupping my cheek in his palm, he looked into my eyes. “You have helped me to become a better man, Karlina, and I want to do everything I can to make you happy. I hope you believe that I will always love you.”
My heart fluttered at the sweetness and sincerity of his words. “It is God who has made you into a better man, Anton. I have thanked Him many times for bringing you into my life.” I tenderly touched my hand to his cheek. “I love you more than you know.”
His lips curved in a slow grin, and his eyes sparkled. “Then perhaps it is time for you to show me.”
“Perhaps I should!” Pushing caution aside, I stood on my toes until our lips touched in a gentle caress. Slowly he took command and claimed my lips with another kiss that left me breathless.
He smiled down at me. “That is a gut beginning.”
Special thanks to . . .
. . . My editor, Sharon Asmus, for her generous spirit, excellent e
ye for detail, and amazing ability to keep her eyes upon Jesus through all of life’s adversities.
. . . My acquisitions editor, Charlene Patterson, for her enthusiastic encouragement to continue writing about the Amana Colonies.
. . . The entire staff of Bethany House Publishers, for their devotion to making each book they publish the best product possible. It is a privilege to work with all of you.
. . . Lanny Haldy and the staff of the Amana Heritage Society, for sharing history of the Amana Colonies.
. . . Peter Holhne, for answering my many questions about the Amana Colonies.
. . . Mary Greb-Hall for her ongoing encouragement, expertise, and sharp eye.
. . . Lori Seilstad, for her honest critiques.
. . . Mary Kay Woodford, my sister, my prayer warrior, my friend.
. . . 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.
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.
Books by Judith Miller
* * *
From Bethany House Publishers
The Carousel Painter
Daughters of Amana
Somewhere to Belong • More Than Words
A Bond Never Broken
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
Postcards From Pullman
In the Company of Secrets
Whispers Along the Rails • An Uncertain Dream
Bridal Veil Island*
To Have and To Hold • To Love and Cherish
To Honor and Trust
Home to Amana
A Hidden Truth
www.judithmccoymiller.com
*with Tracie Peterson
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