The guests mingled around talking and eating cake and drinking punch.
Titus stole as many sugary kisses as possible.
A table of gifts was piled high, but Will promised to load them in the back of Ty’s truck, lock it and leave it at the farm for them.
Titus gave a loud whistle to the crowd as he wrapped an arm around his bride. “Many times, a dance follows a wedding. Thankfully this beautiful fall day has cooperated and instead of a dance I want to invite you to join Bethany and me for some fun.” He looked down at his wife. “One of the best dates we ever had also resulted in reuniting Bethany with Kristi and her family. So today, we have the entire sports complex available for the next few hours to play together. Go-kart races, miniature golf, and more. The address and directions are at the back table. So please, come join us there to celebrate!”
Bethany laughed. “Go-karts? We’re racing go-karts on our wedding day?”
“I’ve been chasing you for a long time and when we started seeing each other that was the first time I ever saw you truly laugh. So, yes. In our wedding finery, we are racing go-karts.”
“It’ll have to be a two-seater with you driving. This will be fun. I love you, Titus Rickmeyer.”
“I love you back, Bethany Joelle Rickmeyer.”
People helped clean up the café and got ready to depart for the fun.
Bethany snuggled into his chest. “You know, maybe we should take that area behind the house and make a trail.”
“A trail?”
“Yeah, there are hills back there and the land doesn’t have many trees. It’d be perfect for a go-kart trail, or for dirt bikes—”
“—motorcycles, snowmobile races…”
She elbowed him gently. “Now you’re talking.”
~*~
Later that evening Titus pulled into the gravel driveway of the farmhouse in Bethany’s car. He helped her out of the vehicle. “Why don’t you get inside? I’ll unload the truck.”
She followed him as he unlocked the bed cover—but it was empty.
“Did you give Will a key to the house?” Ty asked
“I told him where the spare was when he asked. He said he and a friend would unload for us.”
“Hmmm.”
“What?”
“Will’s a prankster.”
“Oh. Oh, no. Do you think he did something?”
“I wouldn’t put it past him. I thought his grin was a bit large when he joined us at the sports complex.”
They walked to the house.
Ty unlocked the door and turned to Bethany. “Mind if I carry you over the threshold?”
She grinned and put her arm around his neck as he lifted her. Once in the kitchen, he set her down.
Leftover cake was on the table and piles of gifts were in the living room.
“Doesn’t look like he did anything bad,” Bethany offered.
“Right…”
“I have a surprise for you, though.”
“Lead the way.” He removed his already loosened tie as she led him down a hallway. “I thought your room was upstairs.”
“My room was, but not our room.” She opened the door to the master bedroom with freshly polished wood floors and a new, king size bed. The walls were a turquoise color and turquoise, brown, and cream pillows were scattered over a cream comforter. Cream valences covered the windows, open enough to let in a little fresh air. Valances bedecked in the colors wrapped the room together around his favorite shade.
Ty grinned and pointed at the comforter. “You realize Cooper will be invisible on that bed.”
“I look forward to bringing him home tomorrow.”
The bed was also littered with rose petals and unlit candles were scattered on the dressers and night table.
“So, this is our honeymoon suite?”
“Do you like it? I want to remodel the bathroom next. I didn’t have time to do everything, but since you’re out of work for a few more weeks I figured we could have fun figuring out the rest of the house together.”
He grinned. “I like the way you think, Mrs. Rickmeyer.”
She reached up to touch his short beard. “I do like you with a beard. I’ve waited long enough for this night, Titus.”
“Anticipation is half the fun.” He leaned down to kiss her as she pushed his coat off his shoulders.
Breaking away, she grinned at him. “Maybe, but tonight neither one of us has to leave frustrated.”
“An eager bride. I think I’ll enjoy this.”
“I plan on it.” She kissed him again leaving him no doubt that this night, and the ones to come, would be filled with adventure, love, and wonder. “Take me to bed.”
“If you insist.”
EPILOGUE
True love stories never have endings.
Richard Bach
Spring 2015
Cooper barked and spun around in circles as Titus pulled in with his truck.
Bethany came to the door to greet him with a kiss. Every touch of this man filled her with anticipation and joy.
“The house smells great. You baked bread today?” Titus asked.
“I’m enjoying this small business. I delivered to DeLuca’s Cucina. They’ve been a great first customer. I’m glad we remodeled the kitchen before anything else.”
Ty walked into the open space and saw the table set with candles lit. “Are we celebrating Dan and Skye’s new arrival?” he asked.
“I visited Skye today. Matthew is adorable. Dan said they chose the name because it means ‘gift of God.’”
“He was so excited when he called me. All those fears he had at first…he was crying he was so happy. After all the grief it was refreshing to see him cry for such a beautiful reason.”
“Skye is doing well. She’ll be going home tomorrow.”
“Special occasion?” he asked as he hung up his coat by the back door.
“Yes. Very special. Dinner is in the oven staying warm.”
A loaf of fresh baked bread was already on the table in a cloth-covered basket.
He came behind her, wrapping his arms around her waist and hugging her close. “Will you tell me what it is or keep me in suspense?”
“No suspense needed. I want to suggest our next remodeling project should be a baby’s room.” She slid his hand down to her stomach.
He spun her around, eyes wide, mouth gaping. “Seriously? We’re having a baby?”
She grinned and nodded. “Yes, we are. I saw the doctor today and heard the heartbeat.”
“How far along are you?”
“About ten weeks. We should have a new Rickmeyer around our first anniversary.”
He picked her up, held her close and spun her around the kitchen. When she landed back on the ground, he wrapped his arms around her and devoured her with a kiss.
Her hand sneaked up around his neck as she returned his passion. He picked her up again, blew out the candles, and carried her to the bedroom.
“Titus. Dinner?”
“That’s not what I’m hungry for right now.”
She giggled and kissed him hard forcing him to stop where he was. She broke it off and he entered the room and dropped her on the bed. “Time to celebrate.”
She giggled as he started to undo the buttons on his shirt. She rose to help him. “I baked a cake too.”
He kissed her, and they fell onto the bed. “I love you, Bethany Joelle.”
“I love you too Titus and am so glad that after all the detours in our lives, God brought us together.”
“Amen,” Titus said as he proceeded to show her just how grateful he was.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
It would be impossible to thank everyone who has helped me on my journey, so I apologize in advance for those I will miss. It doesn’t mean you are any less valuable and thankfully God keeps better track of those things than I do and His “well done, good and faithful servant” has more merit than any thanks written here.
So here it goes. Special thanks to:
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Sarah Leeds, Kerry Klatt, and Kayla Schommer – the first three people to look at this story and give me feedback.
Nathan Huck – for great ideas regarding cars and for being an awesome neighbor.
Elisabeth Herman – you amaze me. Thanks for all the ways you’ve invested in me.
Doris Pollard Wichern – another early reader and one of my most faithful cheerleaders in this writing adventure. I miss you.
Lisa Lickel – thanks for being such a wonderful mentor and friend.
David Mundt and Ken Nabi – for your love and support and believing in me and the calling God has on my life.
Community Church Fond du Lac – for being an inspiration for Orchard Hill. We’re not perfect—but I’ve seen great things in our church family and I’m proud to be associated with you all.
Sally Shupe – my faithful editor. Thank you for finding all those silly errors!
BIOGRAPHY
Susan M. Baganz chases after three Hobbits, and is a native of Wisconsin. Susan writes adventurous historical and contemporary romances with a biblical world-view.
Susan speaks, teaches, and encourages others to follow God in being all He has created them to be. With her seminary degree in counseling psychology, a background in the field of mental health, and years serving in church ministry, she understands the complexities and pain of life as well as its craziness. Her favorite pastimes are lazy…snuggling with her dog while reading a good book, or sitting with a friend chatting over a cup of spiced chai latte.
You can learn more by following her blog susanbaganz.com, her Twitter feed @susanbaganz or her fan page, www.facebook.com/susanmbaganz.
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AMDG
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