ARKANSAS WEDDINGS: THREE-IN-ONE COLLECTION

by Shannon Taylor Vannatter

  “And God—and Grace. How on earth did you preach this morning?”

  “I felt great, until now.” Guilt flattened Mark’s voice.

  She plopped into a chair. A smoky odor wafted from the fabric. “Listen to me. I am fine. I’ll get over Grayson Sterling. Please don’t let this affect your position or your relationship with Grace. You two love each other so much. I couldn’t stand it if problems arose between you because of me.”

  “Grace and I will survive. Don’t worry. We’ll find another church.”

  She lifted an eyebrow. “You haven’t spoken with her about this?”

  “I didn’t want to tell her on the phone. She’s helping her marvelous brother get ready for his trip. By now, he’s probably told her all about the wallop I delivered.”

  “He’d never do that.”

  “Why are you defending the man?” The veins in Mark’s neck bulged.

  Adrea closed her eyes. “Don’t ask Grace to choose between you and her twin brother.”

  “If God calls me to another church someday, Grace will go with me, not stay at Palisade.”

  “This is different. When that happens, you’d leave because of God’s will. If you leave now, you’ll make the decision out of anger and force her to choose.”

  “She’ll choose me,” Mark mumbled.

  “Are you certain? And even if she does, if you truly love Grace, you won’t ask her to make that choice.”

  Mark ran a hand through his hair. “I belted the guy for your honor and you go and make me feel guilty.”

  “How would you like it if Grace asked you to choose between her and me?”

  Mark sighed.

  “Do whatever it takes to repair your relationship with Grayson.” Adrea touched her brother’s arm, desperate to communicate the importance of the situation. “If you want to do something for me, make amends. I didn’t want you to hit him, but I want this.”

  Before Grayson left, Mark forced himself to bury the hatchet, though Adrea knew he wanted to bury it in the back of Grayson’s head. Since Grace was a little miffed at her brother over his broken relationship with Adrea, she took the news of Mark’s punch in stride.

  After two weeks at Mom and Daddy’s, Adrea and Mark stood with Rachel outside one of only two affordable rental houses in Romance. Nice, freshly painted, and well-kept—but directly across the street from Wade’s old house. Where he’d lived during his and Adrea’s relationship. Where they’d planned to begin their marriage. Where she’d caught him with another woman.

  She tried to concentrate on October’s vivid kaleidoscope of yellow, orange, and red leaves.

  “We’ll find something else.” Mark ran a hand through his hair.

  The chipper real estate agent pointed across the street. “Remember, that one’s available also. Same owner.”

  “There’s got to be somewhere else.”

  Wind chimes tinkled in the nippy wind. The ones she’d bought Wade? “We’ll take this one.”

  The woman grinned and handed her the key. She counted the cash Adrea gave her and turned toward her car. “If you need anything, don’t hesitate to call.”

  Adrea blew out a big sigh and picked up a box, dug around in it until she found a pair of scissors, and marched across the street.

  “What are you doing?” Rachel followed.

  Adrea snipped the string holding the chimes. They clattered to the porch in a tangled heap.

  “Brilliant. But I still can’t believe you’re taking the place.”

  “It’s just a house.” Unlike her sister, Adrea had long ago made peace with Wade, forgiven him, and even visited him at the nursing home in Searcy. Yet, she didn’t need to go back. Only forward. To her side of the street.

  “You don’t hum or sing while you work anymore. How can you ever be happy living here, looking at that every time you step outside your door?” Rachel motioned at the house full of memories, then dug one of the plants that had survived the fire out of Mark’s Tahoe.

  “I’ll heal. I plan to continue attending Palisade while he’s gone. But in a few weeks when he comes back, I’ll go back to Mountain Grove.”

  “Did you find someone to take your children’s class?”

  Adrea set a box of pictures in the living room. “Mrs. Roberts has recovered from her heart attack, but she felt my youth was good for the children and never reclaimed her post. However, with gentle persuasion, I’m sure I can talk her into teaching again.”

  “I’m sorry you’re hurting, but it’ll be nice to have you back at church.” Rachel hugged her.

  She’d miss the friends made at Palisade, and especially Helen. It seemed just weeks ago, she’d faced changing churches. So much had happened since then. One day, she’d see God’s plan in it all.

  “Well at least the smoke removal service worked wonders.” Mark set a box marked DISHES on the kitchen counter. “Most of our stuff survived. And for the first time since you moved out of Mom and Dad’s, you’ll have a yard to call your own.”

  Small comfort.

  “And most of your garden came with you.” Rachel joined an obvious effort to point out the positives.

  “Surprise.” Mark set a pet carrier on the floor and opened the door.

  Tripod clambered out, big-eyed, taking in the new surroundings.

  “Hey, baby.” Tripod curled himself around Adrea’s ankles. She picked up the less-than-whole feline and he rubbed against her, motor running. “Oh Mark, thank you.”

  “Since the floors are tile, the landlord said we can have pets. I might even build a fence in the back.”

  The location of the rental house was farther from Rose Bud and Grayson’s stomping grounds. She wouldn’t have to worry about seeing him every time she turned around when he came back. “This is a good move. I’ll be fine here.”

  Adrea stared out the dining room window. The early November wind howled with brown, falling refuse to be raked, bagged, and burned.

  Something brushed against her hand. Her breath caught and she whirled around, sloshing coffee.

  “Whoa.” Mark righted her cup. “How many have you had?”

  “Three. It’s not helping. Is he back?”

  “Yes. And if it’s any consolation, he doesn’t look happy, either.” Mark flashed an impish grin.

  “It’s not. You didn’t hit him again, did you?”

  “On the contrary, I pretended to be absolutely overjoyed to see him.” He motioned toward his tie.

  “Good boy.” She made the loops and pulled the burgundy and gray striped silk into a neat knot. “How’s Dayne?”

  “He seemed a little sad, too. I think he misses you. He asked about you a dozen times.”

  “I miss him, too.”

  “It’s a shame his father is such a jerk.”

  “Mark!”

  “Well, it is.” He kissed her cheek. “Ready?”

  “You really should go to Palisade.”

  “I’ve got the day off and I choose to go with my family for a change.”

  She hugged him, grateful for his support.

  Ten minutes later, they arrived at Mountain Grove for the first time in eight months. As she stepped inside, it felt like old-home week. Their parents, Rachel, Curt, and Haylee welcomed them, as did all their friends. They met several new people who had begun attending during their absence.

  Adrea missed the harp, but it didn’t matter at all that Palisade was a prettier church. No one asked why she was back. As usual, Mom had smoothed things for her.

  After class, small arms snaked around her waist. Expecting one of the children she used to teach, Adrea was shocked to see Dayne.

  “Dayne! Oh, how I’ve missed you.” She knelt to his level and returned the exuberant hug. “What are you doing here?”

  “I wanted to see you, so Grace said we could visit your church. I miss you. And Haylee.”

  “We miss you, too.” Tears blurred her vision. She blinked them away. “She’s around here somewhere.”

  “Why did you le
ave our church? Didn’t you like teaching me?”

  “I loved being your teacher, Dayne.” She stood and tousled his hair. “Really. But Mrs. Roberts is well now.”

  “I’m glad she’s all better since her heart attacked her. I like her and all.” Dayne shrugged. “But I liked when you was my teacher, too. Why aren’t you and Daddy friends no more? Why don’t you come to our house no more, and how come me and Haylee don’t get to spend the night with you and Mark no more?”

  “Oh sweetie, it’s complicated.”

  Grace and Mark joined the reunion, rescuing Adrea from Dayne’s probing questions.

  Haylee rushed over. “Can I take Dayne out to the swing set?”

  “For just a few minutes, but stay away from the parking lot.” Adrea brushed the little girl’s bangs from her eyes. “It’s almost time for service to start, and it’s too cold to be out for long.”

  “We wanted to ask you something.” Grace’s voice echoed her apprehension.

  “What?”

  “We’ll understand if you say no.” Mark rubbed his chin.

  “What?” Adrea repeated.

  “Will you be my maid of honor?”

  “Oh Grace.” Adrea hugged her soon-to-be sister-in-law. “Why would you think I might say no?”

  “Because I’ve asked Grayson to be my best man.” Mark chewed the inside of his jaw.

  Her stomach twisted. “Well, it’s good that the two of you are getting along so well.”

  “I’m trying to mend fences.” Mark hung his head. “For Grace’s sake.”

  “I’m proud of you.” She patted his shoulder, then turned to the radiant woman beside him. “Grace, it will be my privilege to serve as your maid of honor.”

  “Are you sure? I really want you to, but the last thing we want is for you to feel uncomfortable.”

  “All I’ll feel is happiness for you two.” She stepped between them and put her arms around both their shoulders. “Did Mark tell you that I want to do the flowers free? Whatever you want, it’s my wedding gift to you.”

  “That is so sweet of you, but it’s too much.”

  “It’s not too much. It’ll be my pleasure.”

  “Well, when you get married, you’ve got a free caterer, at your service.” Grace realized her blunder, with a rare blush.

  An awkward silence ensued. The choir music began.

  “Excuse me,” Adrea said. “I better get up there. The song service is about to begin.”

  “I’ll get the kids.” Grace hurried toward the door.

  After the choir finished, she sat with her parents, with Dayne beside her. She enjoyed the service, but had a difficult time concentrating on Curt’s sermon. Instead, her thoughts kept straying to Grayson.

  After church, Mark hitched a ride with Grace. They invited Adrea to lunch, but she begged off.

  On the way home, she noticed movement along the side of the highway. Two dogs; a starved German shepherd and a skinny bloodhound. She pulled to the shoulder. The larger dog backed away, shivering with fear and cold. It walked with a limp and its right hind leg had dried blood on it. The hound came right to her, limping, its pads raw. Most of its left ear was missing. With very little coaxing, it jumped into the backseat.

  “Let’s see, you’re a hunting dog. We’ll call you Coon.” The dog nuzzled his velvety muzzle in her hand, looking for anything edible. “We’ll go to the store and get you some food, as soon as I get your friend in the car.”

  The shepherd was a different story. She finally gave up and went to the store. Thirty minutes later, with a raw hamburger incentive, Mouse got into her car.

  The Thursday after his return, Adrea stopped by Helen’s on her way home from work. Expecting the subject of Grayson to surface, her stomach churned.

  “Adrea, what perfect timing.” Helen swung the door open wide, leaning on her cane. “I just got these out of the oven.”

  Adrea sniffed the air. Fruit and cake. Blueberry muffins.

  Helen slathered butter on two, set them on saucers with delicate blue flowers around the rim, and handed one to Adrea.

  “Eat up, while it’s still warm.” Helen took a bite.

  Adrea sank her teeth into the moist, savory confection. “You’ll ruin my supper.”

  Helen shot her a conspiratorial grin. “We’re adults, we can have our dessert first. Sit down, dear.” Helen fixed her a cup of coffee. “I missed you at church yesterday.”

  Adrea swallowed hard. “Mark doesn’t need me there anymore. I’m going back to Mountain Grove.”

  “Now, you know I’m not nosy, and I certainly don’t mean to drag up a painful subject.” She held up her hand when Adrea started to speak. “Let me say my piece. I’m just concerned. I know you and Pastor Grayson aren’t seeing one another anymore. And I feel so bad.”

  “Why?” Adrea sipped her coffee.

  “Wade has caused so much heartache for you both.” The aged blue eyes grew watery. “I felt so much better about things, since the two of you were moving on. Together.”

  “None of it’s your fault.”

  “I can’t help taking part of the responsibility.”

  “Did you raise Wade to believe it was okay to drink?”

  “Of course not.”

  “Then you can’t blame yourself, Helen.” Adrea patted her hand. “He made his own choices.”

  “Did you know Grayson goes with me to see him? While he was gone, Grace went.”

  He’d never mentioned it, not even when they’d been almost engaged. “I can go with you anytime.”

  A knock sounded at the door.

  “You’re expecting someone? I could have come another day.”

  “Stop worrying yourself. I’m not expecting anyone.” Helen made moves to get up. Though her hip had healed completely, she still moved more stiffly and slowly than before, relying on her cane for support.

  “Let me get it.” Adrea peeked out the high window in the heavy pine door and immediately wished she could melt into the floor. All she could see was his hair and forehead, but she’d know him anywhere.

  Adrea swung the door open and greeted him with a forced smile. “Hello, Grayson.”

  “Adrea.” His voice and raised brows reflected his surprise.

  “She still visits me a few times every week. Isn’t she a doll?” Helen asked. “Some man will be lucky to get her.”

  Adrea grasped for a subject change. “How’s Dayne?”

  “Okay. He enjoyed the trip.”

  Grayson looked tired and worn, but still handsome.

  “Where did you go? Dayne didn’t say.”

  “The Grand Canyon. I always promised we’d go there, but Sara never made it. I decided to make sure Dayne and I did.”

  The try at casual conversation felt strained. They both fell silent for a moment.

  “Well, I really need to get home,” Adrea said.

  “Please don’t leave on my account.”

  “Don’t go just yet, Adrea.” Helen patted the sofa to her left. “Sit with me. I’m leaving for Thanksgiving at June’s tomorrow and I’ll be gone a whole week.”

  Obediently, Adrea sat.

  “I was about to tell you a story. You’ll like this one, too, Pastor Grayson.” Helen patted the sofa to her right.

  “I do love your stories.” He sat on the other side of the older woman.

  “Did I ever tell you about my older sister, Ruthie?”

  “No.”

  “She passed a few years ago, didn’t she?” Adrea concentrated on breathing evenly.

  “She’s with the Lord now. But when she was young, she met this man, fell for Herb hard, and he worshipped the ground she walked on. Both of them were strong in the Lord, put Him first in everything. They were perfect for each other. Just as the whole town started buzzing about wedding bells, poof, it was over.”

  “What happened?” The story drew Adrea, despite the handsome man across from her.

  “Don’t know. Ruthie never would talk about it, but I know, until her
dying day, she loved Herb. No one could bring up his name without her bursting into tears.” Helen paused to wipe away one of her own. “Long about five years after the breakup, she married. She and Ernest raised three kids. Now, he loved her dearly and she loved him, in her way. But, not like Herb.”

  Grayson cleared his throat.

  “Poor Herb never married, pined for Ruthie the rest of his life. Ruthie went on, but she never was as happy and Ernest knew she didn’t love him as she should have. Now, why would people want to do that?” Helen held both hands out, palms up. “God gives them someone to love and cherish and they snub their noses at His gift.”

  Adrea took Helen’s hand. “I enjoyed visiting with you, as usual, but I really do need to go. I have to get dinner on, though I’m not hungry, thanks to those scrumptious muffins.”

  “I put a couple aside for Mark.” Helen gestured to the table. “There, wrapped in foil.”

  “He’ll love you for it.” Adrea retrieved the goodies.

  Grayson walked her to the door as she forced her pace to slow.

  “It’s always nice to see you. You look well.”

  “You, too.”

  Their eyes met and held.

  With a wave at Helen, Adrea fled.

  Adrea checked the computer. November 18th, Grayson and Sara’s anniversary. The order was still there. Would Grayson keep his standing order at the shop or take his business elsewhere?

  Rachel stepped through the door from the showroom holding a long white box tied with yellow ribbon. “Do you want this?”

  “Yes.”

  Rachel patted her arm and went to the office.

  Adrea opened the box. A single yellow rose. He must simply want to torture me. She forced herself to read the card.

  Dear Adrea,

  I hope you are doing well. After wrestling with myself about whether to find a new florist, I concluded that you are the best. You truly love Sara. No other florist would do her justice. I won’t disturb you when I pick up the arrangement. However, if you feel led to discontinue your services, I’ll understand completely. I’m sorry for everything.

  Sincerely,

  Grayson