by Leah Atwood
“Is it?” His eyes met hers in a pleading gaze. “We’ve been dancing around our feelings for months, but tonight’s message made me understand I need to see the truth for what it is, and the truth is … I love you. Marry me.”
A tear trickled over the ridge of her cheek. “I love you too.”
“Will you trust me?” He brushed his hand over her cheek, allowed it to linger and say all the things he didn’t. Will you trust me to love you always and never leave you, to be a good daddy to Alice, to honor you and treat you with respect. To be a good husband.
She leaned in, leaving little space between them. “I trust you. Yes, I’ll come to South Carolina with you as your wife.”
Her words of trust and acceptance wound around his heart and squeezed it tight until he couldn’t express his feelings in words. He closed the gap between their lips and gave her the kiss he’d longed to give for months, allowing that to speak for him.
Chapter Fourteen
“Sorry you have to move out to make room for me.” Hunter grinned, then drank his iced tea.
Trixie shot a smirk back to him. “You know I get special privileges as the youngest. They’d never kick me out.”
“I’m the only boy. That takes priority.”
“Whatever.” She rolled her eyes and lifted her glass of lemonade to her mouth.
She relaxed on the deck chair with a content smile on her face. Hunter’s early release had been delayed by paperwork until early July, but the day had finally come. He was temporarily living with their parents, who gladly had a full house again. Since Trixie had grown up sharing a room with her sisters, she was used to it. She planned to soak up all the family time possible before she moved to South Carolina.
One month from today she’d marry Elijah and start a new life with him.
The plans had moved at lightning speed, but they’d decided to start this new adventure together, which meant marrying before he left Jasper Lake.
Hunter cleared his throat. “Are you positive Elijah is the one? If you have any doubts, it’s not too late to back out. I’ll stand by you, no matter what.”
“I appreciate the offer, but I’m certain.” She left the chair and walked to the deck’s edge, stared over the landscape. “This time last year, I didn’t know my left from right. All I knew was I loved my daughter more than anything, but I didn’t know what to do with that love. Does that make sense?”
He came and stood beside her, leaning over and resting his arms on the railing. “Completely. You didn’t feel worthy of love, and you didn’t know how to dig yourself out of the mess you’d created.”
She glanced at him, the bittersweet bond between them growing. They understood each other in a way their other siblings couldn’t. “God is so good. All of this—you home, Alice, Elijah—it’s all from Him. I don’t deserve it, but I’ll be forever grateful.”
“You deserve happiness.” He draped a brotherly arm over her shoulder. “I know you’ve come a long way, but don’t ever let guilt from past mistakes hold you back.”
“Take your own advice, brother dear.”
“It’s a daily process.” He sighed and lowered his arm. “I worry about the future and what kind of life I’ll have with a record. Will anyone hire me for more than a minimum wage job? I own the responsibility for what I did. It was wrong and stupid, but do I have to pay for it the rest of my life? It’s this constant battle in my head.”
“Follow God and trust in Him to take care of you. He’ll provide.” She cast a sympathetic smile. “Don’t let the enemy win.”
“I won’t, don’t worry.” He stood upright. “Okay. Enough downer talk. What time are you leaving for dress shopping?”
“Around three when Alice wakes up. Jessa and Phoebe will meet us here, and we’ll go into Farthington.”
“Good.” He deepened his voice and flexed his arms. “Dad and I can grill out and do manly things.”
She snorted. “You do that.”
“I have an appointment first.” He rocked on his heels. “Could I borrow your car?”
“Sure. We’re taking Mom’s shopping. Where are you going?”
“Jessa told me Mrs. Addy is in need of a maintenance man at her boardinghouse.” Hope flickered in his tight smile. “She put in a good word for me, and I want to go before the position is filled.”
“I’ll say a prayer. Mrs. Addy is great and very understanding.”
“That’s what I need.” He patted his wallet in his rear pockets. “I’m thankful my license only got suspended and not revoked. That would have made finding a job even more difficult.”
“That’s the way to look at it.” She gave him a quick hug. “The keys are hanging by the front door. Call me when it’s over and let me know how it went.”
“I will.” He left the deck, his usual swagger gone.
Be with him Lord and provide a job for him. He made a big lapse in judgment, but so did I and You provided for me. I know his faith is strong, and he truly is sorry. If You could give him a fresh start, that would be great, but especially don’t let him get discouraged if it takes time.
She collected their empty glasses and took them into the kitchen, dropped them off in the sink. On an afterthought, she went ahead and washed them, put them away in the cabinet. The microwave flashed 2:33. She better change before her sisters arrived—she didn’t think yoga pants and a t-shirt from the diner counted as appropriate attire for wedding dress shopping. Too bad.
Tiptoeing into the room, she stole a glimpse of Alice who didn’t stir at the intrusion. Trixie quietly went to the closet and sorted through her clothes. She settled on a mauve sundress and a pair of sandals with metallic bronze straps.
By the time she changed, Alice showed signs of waking up. She rolled around then fluttered her eyes. Trixie took her from the crib, changed her, then helped her down the steps for a snack before they left.
Mom came downstairs and shortly after, Jessa and Phoebe arrived.
Phoebe looped an arm through hers. “Have you thought about what kind of dress you want?”
“We should try the store where I got mine. They had a huge selection.” Jessa’s enthusiasm bounced around them all.
Trixie held up her hands. “I don’t want anything overboard. We want a simple wedding and that includes the dress.”
Phoebe harrumphed. “You can have simple but we’re not letting you have a boring, ugly dress.”
“Girls, this is Trixie’s wedding and she’ll have what she wants.” Mom gave them her infamous stare-down. “I don’t care if she wants the ugliest dress there, you’ll support her and tell her it’s beautiful on her.”
“I’m not sure if that’s an insult or compliment.” She looked at her mother with horror. “If it’s hideous, I want to know.”
Mom kissed her cheek. “I only said that because you would never choose an ugly dress.”
Jessa clapped her hands loudly, sending an echo through the kitchen. “Are we going or standing around all day?”
“We’re going. Everyone ready?” Mom grabbed her purse and keys then shuffled everyone out the door.
“Where go?” Alice asked while Trixie buckled her.
“We’re finding Mommy a new dress to wear when I marry Mr. Elijah.”
“Dada.”
The women froze and stared at each other.
“You all heard that, right?” She looked at her sisters, then her mom. “She called him Dada.”
“Dada,” Alice said again.
“She definitely said it.” Jessa slid in the rear passenger seat. “I call dibs on sitting next to her.”
Phoebe sat on the other side. “Me too.”
“I guess I’m sitting up front with Mom.” Trixie opened the front passenger door, still in awe that Alice called Elijah dad. Was it because they’d told her he’d be her new daddy or was it a child’s instinct? Either way, it made her day better than it already was.
They arrived in Farthington and Jessa convinced them to stop first at Anna’
s Bridal where she’d found her dress. When they walked in, an attendant, Hollie, showed them to a personal dressing room with a three-way mirror and long cushioned bench on the opposite wall to accommodate any guests with the bride-to-be.
Hollie offered them water and coffee, then began asking questions. “When’s the wedding?”
“One month from today.” Phoebe answered for her.
Rather than being annoyed, Trixie found her sisters’ excitement reassuring. It meant they didn’t harbor a grudge that Trixie had missed Jessa’s wedding, and it signaled a restoration of the relationships they’d shared before she’d run off.
However, when Hollie asked what style of dress she wanted, Trixie cut off her sisters. “I want ivory or off-white.”
Hollie raised a brow. “We do have a selection of non-traditional white, but with your timeframe, the choices are narrowed because I can’t guarantee delivery. Alteration is an option if there is one slightly large.” She ran her eyes the length of Trixie. “I doubt we’ll have a problem with any being too small.”
She supposed it was a compliment on her petite frame, but it aggravated Trixie. “We’ll deal with that issue when we get to it.”
“Let me take your measurements, and then I’ll gather a selection for you based off the information you gave me.”
After Hollie left the room, Alice scooted off the bench and discovered the three-way mirror. She entertained them with her wide-eyed surprised to see three of herself at once. By the time Hollie returned, Alice had progressed to dancing, eliciting laughs from everyone.
Trixie pulled her phone out to record the precious moment and forwarded it to Elijah.
“Are you ready to see the first set of choices?” Hollie rolled a rack further into the room.
The first two choices didn’t entice Trixie enough to try them on. The third had pearl trim which was more embellishment than she cared for, but she loved the halter style. She tried it on, not realizing how low the back was cut.
She returned it on the hanger to Hollie. “Not for me.”
“Not a problem.” Hollie hung it on the rack and pulled down the fourth choice. “This one costs slightly more than your said budget, but it’s stunning.”
Shaking her head, she didn’t plan to look at it. She felt bad enough about her parents paying for everything, and she wouldn’t consider exceeding the set budget.
Mom had different ideas. “Let’s see the dress.”
Hollie unzipped the bag and stretched her arm in the air to display the dress fully.
Before she tried it on, Trixie knew it was the one. Crafted from a sleek satin, the sleeveless gown had a sweetheart neckline and a short, bustled train. She ran her fingers over the cool fabric, falling in love with the dress.
“Try it on,” Mom prompted, then whispered in her ear, “Don’t worry about the price.”
She would though. “By how much does it exceed the budget?”
“Two hundred dollars.” Hollie handed her the gown. “Try it on. We have options for financing, so don’t let the price stop you if it’s the one.”
“Go on. We can eat the extra cost.” Mom encouraged her with a smile.
She stepped behind the curtain and into the dress. It fit her perfectly without need for a single alteration. She didn’t feel restricted or hot, and she loved how the satin caressed her skin.
Coming out from behind the curtain, she heard the gasps before she saw herself in the mirror.
“Gorgeous.” Jessa stood up and came beside her.
Phoebe walked a circle around her. “Perfection.”
Mom’s approval reflected in her smile. “What do you think?”
She twirled in front of the mirrors, lost in a fantasy that melded into reality. “I found my dress.”
Chapter Fifteen
Elijah yawned and covered his mouth. “The next time I plan a wedding back to back with youth camp, stop me.”
Trixie stopped writing and looked at him with an arched brow. “There better not be a next time.”
“You know what I mean.” He leaned over and kissed her cheek. “You’re my one and only for life.”
“I know.” She smiled, then covered a yawn of her own. “Two more weeks and we can rest. At least for a few days until we move.”
“It wouldn’t be so bad if we hadn’t gotten in late last night. Then getting up at six, I feel like I’ve been up the whole day, and it’s only noon.”
“Alice was still asleep when I left the house. I don’t think she’s ever slept this late.”
“She had a busy week too. It’s hard work being the belle of the island.” The memories made him smile.
“I had my doubts about taking her to camp with me, but it worked out well, other than taking the ferry from the mainland to the island.” She cringed. “But now we know she’s not a water baby.”
“She could grow into it.” He rubbed his eyes. “I’m putting another pot of coffee going. Want some?”
“Sounds good.”
Standing up, he stretched his arms and back before going into the kitchen. The refreshing aroma of freshly brewed coffee reached his senses, but the doorbell rang before he could pour a cup. He didn’t expect anyone, but had learned in the first few months that church members and his youth would stop by at any given time.
He trudged to the door and opened it, equally shocked by the person on the other side and the grim expression he wore. “Hello, Pastor McCann.”
“Good afternoon, Elijah.”
Fear pulsed through him. He couldn’t think of any reason Pastor McCann would have come all the way from South Carolina except to deliver bad news. “I never expected to see you this far north. Is my family okay?”
“They are fine, son.” Pastor McCann held out a hand. “May I come in?”
“Please do. My fiancée Trixie is here. I’d like you to meet her.” He moved aside to let the man enter.
Pastor McCann’s face tightened. “She’s the reason I’m here.”
“Pardon me?”
“Perhaps we could have this conversation in private.”
Elijah shook his head. “Trixie and I are a team.”
“As you wish.”
He led him into the living room and introduced Trixie and the pastor to each other, and they all sat down. Elijah sat next to Trixie and held her hand.
“Ms. Graff, is it true you have a child out of wedlock?” Pastor McCann asked in a no-nonsense manner.
Elijah bristled. “I don’t see how that concerns you.”
“It’s okay.” Trixie patted his arm and faced the pastor. “Yes, sir. I made bad choices, but I’m a new person now. My Alice may not have come into this world in a traditional way, but she is a beautiful blessing from God.”
“I see.” Pastor McCann frowned. “I’m afraid the rumors are true, then.”
“What rumors?” Creases formed on Elijah’s forehead.
“That you plan to marry a woman who has led a sinful lifestyle. When approached, your family would neither confirm nor deny.”
His family’s support was the only thing that kept him calm, but he couldn’t unclench his teeth. “We have all sinned. The only difference is Trixie got caught in hers.”
Pastor McCann sighed. “Nonetheless, you understand the church can’t have a pastor, especially one working with our impressionable youth, who doesn’t uphold the strictest moral code.”
Trixie’s face faded to white. “With all due respect, sir, you’re placing my past mistakes on Elijah and that’s not fair.”
“He has chosen to marry you knowing your past. If we were still to bring him onboard that would send a message to our congregation that we condone premarital relationships.”
Anger kindled in Elijah and ignited to a bright flame. “What do you mean if?”
“I’m sorry Elijah, but if you go through with this marriage, your job offer is rescinded.” Pastor McCann’s lips thinned. “I looked forward to working with you, but the needs and spiritual growth of the church mus
t come first.”
“Then you can take the position and leave.” Elijah let go of Trixie and stood. “I’ve respected you for many years, but I’ve learned more about grace and mercy since coming to Jasper Lake than all my years under your teaching. If you’re forcing me to choose, then I choose Trixie.”
She stood and pressed a hand to his arm. Sheer humiliation and horror covered her face. “You can’t put me before your calling. Take the job, please. I can’t stand between you and God.”
Not giving him time to respond, she ran out of the house.
Elijah glared at his former mentor, full of disgust. He’d probably have to ask forgiveness later, but his fury won at the moment. “Trixie is the finest Christian woman I know. She loves much and gives much because she’s been forgiven much. If she’s not good enough for your church, then I could never dream to be.”
“Think carefully about what you’re giving up.” Pastor McCann’s tone held a thin warning.
“I don’t need to. When I first came here, I had a similar mindset as yours, but I’ve learned you can’t win people to Christ by judging them and casting stones. We are called to live holy and righteous lives, and that’s exactly what Trixie is doing. Her deep faith has helped her turn her life around, and she has worked hard to do so.” He clenched a fist, trying not to shake it at the pastor. “Furthermore, her past enables her to connect with our youth and young women on a deeper level and show them that, yes, God still loves us even when we sin and He can use our messes for His glory.”
“I agree, but there must be standards in leadership.”
“Then we’ll have to agree to disagree. If you have nothing further to say, then I’ll respectfully ask you to leave. I have a wedding to plan and a fiancée to console and convince she’s not coming between me and my calling.”
“Very well.” Pastor McCann nodded his head and paused. His eyes searched Elijah’s face as if he wanted to say more. “I’ll … hmm, I’ll see myself out.”
Elijah stewed and paced his living room after he heard the front door close. He ran a hand through this hair, frustrated and angry at the turn of events. His disappointment in his church, great as it was, mattered little compared to his concern for Trixie and what she’d just experienced.
