After taking a long soaking bath, she spritzed on some rose water before she dressed. Working deftly with her fingers, she pushed her hair into a pleasing arrangement decorated with a ribbon the same shade as her dress. She thought she would be ready long before August came, but she had just dropped into her rocking chair in the parlor when a soft knock sounded.
She opened the door and caught her breath. August must have spent most of the afternoon getting ready, too. He was smooth shaven, every hair in place. His clothes looked new, and his shoes so shiny that, if she were close enough, she could probably see her reflection in them.
For a moment they stood and looked at each other, then August said in a voice that was husky with emotion, “My Anna. . .you’re so beautiful.”
They drove out of town toward Lake Ripley. Anna was aware of how their shoulders touched every time the surrey hit a bump. Too bad the buggy had such good springs. She almost wished it was the farm wagon. She liked the feel of August’s warm strength when it touched her.
As they rode along, they talked about many things.
“Anna, when you opened the Dress Emporium, you were so. . .strong and forceful.” August kept his gaze on the road ahead. “You said that all you wanted was to be a successful businesswoman. Do you still feel that way?”
Anna sighed. “No, August. I really wanted a home and family all along. I just didn’t think it would ever happen. I love the store, and I would want to keep the business. . .at least until I have children.”
August started around the lake, but he didn’t go all the way. Instead he pulled into a copse of trees that shaded them from the evening sun. Anna was glad. The cool breeze off the water would keep them comfortable on the hot summer day. Birds flitted from tree to tree, calling to each other, and dragonflies flew among the reeds that grew in the shallow water nearby.
After stopping the vehicle, August sat there looking at Anna. She could see the love in his eyes, love such as she read about in the poem he had marked.
“I have a question to ask you.” He stopped and cleared his throat.
Anna waited for him to continue, listening to the wind as it softly blew through the trees.
When he started again, the words came out in a torrent. “Anna, I have loved you so long. I can’t imagine my life without you. I know this is soon after I asked if I could court you, but I can’t wait any longer. . . . Will you marry me?”
The words Anna had been waiting for all her life fell into her heart. She had never heard a man declare his love for her so deeply and sincerely. Warmth flooded her, chasing any remnants of the old feelings that were hiding in the hidden corners of her heart. She tried to answer, but her voice wouldn’t work, so she nodded, never taking her eyes from his intense gaze.
August reached to pull her into his arms. The strength of his touch comforted and excited her. He lowered his head until their breath mingled. For a moment he hesitated, as if asking her if he could continue, but she closed the distance between their lips. Tentatively, she touched his. Once, twice. The softness and sweetness were more wonderful than she had ever imagined. A kiss given in love was so much more than the one she had received in anger. She could lose herself in the feelings that overcame her.
❧
When Anna touched her lips to his, August thought he was in heaven. He settled his more firmly on hers and poured all his love into the effort. All the longing. All the passion. Everything around them faded. The only reality was Anna in his arms, returning his kiss with a fervency he had never imagined. He wanted it to last forever, but he knew that would not be a good idea. Reluctantly, he pulled back and rested his forehead against hers. It took several minutes for his breathing to return to normal, and he wasn’t the only one.
“Did you read the poem?”
“Yes,” she whispered and caressed his cheek with the fingers of one hand. “And it spoke to my soul.”
“I’m not good with words, but those could have come straight from my heart to yours.”
He pulled her closer against his chest and nestled her head against his neck. “Anna, I have yearned for you so many years. And as my older brother told me, I’m not getting any younger. . . . If it isn’t all right with you, I’ll understand.”
Anna waited for him to continue, then she asked. “August, what are you trying to say to me?”
“I want to get married as soon as possible.” The words once again tumbled from him. “Please don’t make me wait too long.”
Anna sat up and laughed. “You have no idea how happy those words make me. I have wanted a man who felt passion for me.”
August’s laughter burst forth. “That’s what you’ve got, my Anna. Ja, that’s for sure!”
Epilogue
September 21 was a cold autumn day with crisp air and bright sunshine. Anna felt as if God was smiling on her wedding day. So much had happened in the last two months. Their brothers and many of the neighbors had helped August build their new home. They would live between Gustaf and Olina’s house and the edge of town. Both of their families had helped them gather enough furniture so they could move into the house tomorrow. God wasn’t just smiling on her wedding day, He was smiling on her whole life.
Olina and Gerda had designed a wedding dress that was more beautiful than the one Anna had planned to wear before. As Gerda helped her dress in her finery, she thanked God for giving her such a wonderful man. Finally, she understood that August was the one God had created for her to love. Life had a funny way of leading a person down the wrong path. That was what had happened in Anna’s life. Or maybe she had made choices that had helped her go the wrong way, but she was thankful that God had brought her back to the right man. She knew that their life together, with God as the center, would be rich and full. Only a few hours, and they would be man and wife—and her life would never be the same.
Just before the time for the wedding, her father arrived driving August’s new surrey. He had insisted that she and her father use it to get to the church. Since Gerda was going to be her bridesmaid, she also rode in the shiny black vehicle with them. When they arrived at the church, almost everyone was already inside.
Her father helped her down from the buggy and proudly walked her through the door. Anna waited until the pastor’s wife began playing the pump organ. Then she and her father walked down the aisle toward the man who was the other half of her heart. Love was a beacon shining from his eyes when he looked at her. She was glad that she had chosen to wear a veil. She didn’t want August to see the tears in her eyes. He might not understand that they were tears of happiness and joy.
❧
When the organ started playing, August looked at the door at the back of the sanctuary. Anna was covered with a cloud of creamy fabric that was decorated with lace. As she and her father came down the aisle toward him, they looked as if they were floating.
Gud, thank You for giving this woman to me. How could he have ever thought of her as his brother’s castoff? She was the best gift God had given him, besides Jesus. She fulfilled all the longings in his heart for a wife and family. He was thankful God had helped him win the battle over jealousy. Now he was free to love Anna the way God wanted her to be loved.
About the Author
LENA NELSON DOOLEY is a freelance author and editor who lives with her husband in Texas. During the twenty years she has been a professional writer, she has been involved as a writer or editor on a variety of projects. She developed a seminar called “Write Right,” and she hosts a writing critique group in her home. She presently works full-time as an author and editor. She has a dramatic ministry and speaking ministry that crosses denominational lines and an international Christian clowning ministry. She and her husband enjoy taking vacations in Mexico, visiting and working with missionary friends.
Dedication
To my two teenaged grandsons, Timothy Van Zant and Austin Waldron. You are precious to me, and I love you very much.
Special thanks go to my wonderful husband, Jame
s. Without your support, no book would be written in our home. Thank you for loving me and allowing me to be all that God intends.
A note from the Author:
I love to hear from my readers! You may correspond with me by writing:
Lena Nelson Dooley
Author Relations
PO Box 719
Uhrichsville, OH 44683
His Brother's Castoff Page 15
