A Wedding at the Orange Blossom Inn (20 page)

J
ay should have realized that it didn't matter how many times he practiced his father-son speech or how many times he prayed for strength and guidance, nothing could completely prepare him for the day his son got married.

He'd woken up at four, said his prayers, and quietly gone about the morning chores: gathering eggs, feeding the cat and kittens, watering the small garden they'd recently planted next to the house. And as he'd done so, he'd wondered where the time had gone. It seemed like Ben had just been a shy boy starting school, then an irritable teenager fending off two younger brothers, and, most recently, a handsome young man with a look of despair in his eyes as he tried to push his grief to one side in order to comfort his brothers.

Through it all, Jay had been proud of him. He'd told him that, too. He'd also made sure Ben had known he was loved.

But this day? This day called for something special to say
about his son. He simply didn't know how to begin. After waking up William and Mark and serving them their breakfast, Jay had sent them back to their rooms to get ready so he could concentrate on what he wanted to say to Ben.

Time was running out and it was making him a nervous wreck.

Just then, Ben entered the kitchen. After pouring himself a cup of coffee, he offered to help with the chores.

“
Nee
, Ben. You have a seat. I, um, made you breakfast.”

As Ben sat and ate, Jay couldn't help but notice that his eldest was looking as cool as a cucumber. Almost as if he didn't have a care in the world. How could that be? Had the Lord seen fit to simply lay all the burdens and worries on Jay's shoulders?

“More coffee?” he said when Ben's plate was almost empty.

“I'm good, Daed.”

Jay looked at the remains of the breakfast he'd made for him. “More eggs? Piece of sausage?”

“No, thanks. I can't eat another bite.”

“Oh.”

Ben glanced at him curiously before letting his gaze stray to the pile of dishes on the counter. “I'll help you with the dishes. I don't know where William and Mark are.”

“I think they're upstairs getting ready.” Actually, Jay knew they were upstairs staying out of the way. Because he'd asked them to give him some time alone with Ben.

Ben looked irritated. “They shouldn't have left us with the dishes. It's Will's turn to do them, too. Want me to go talk to him for you?”

“Nee.”

“Daed,” he retorted impatiently, “William is not gonna start doing what he's supposed to if you don't—”

“I asked him and Mark to give us some time alone together.”

Wariness filled his eyes. “Why?”

“Because it's your wedding day, son. We need to talk.”

Ben stared at him like an animal caught in a trap. “What do you want to talk about?”

Here it was. His time to impart something worthwhile. But instead of finally saying everything he needed to, Jay found himself unbuttoning his collar. And then he flushed. “I'm afraid I don't know how to begin. I feel a little awkward, I guess.”

Ben looked alarmed. “Listen, uh, Daed. This talk of yours doesn't have anything to do with wedding nights, does it? 'Cause, um, well, I think we're going to be just fine.”

Jay's mind went blank. “What?”

Ben stared at him. “Tricia and I will be
fine
, I promise. I don't need your advice on the matter.
Really
.”

It took a moment for Ben's point to sink in. “Oh! Oh, um, no. I wasna thinking about that.” Could a grown man ever be more embarrassed? He wasn't sure. “Not that I don't want to talk about such things,” he said in a rush. “I mean, if you have any questions . . . I'm sure I could answer them.”

Ben was now staring at a point right above Jay's head. “I do not. Not a one.”

Jay breathed a sigh of relief. “That's
gut
.” But the moment he blurted that, he wondered if it was the right thing to say. “Um. Well, I meant—”

Ben scooted back his chair. “Daed, I think I had better go make sure I've got all of my things gathered together.”

“
Nee
. Listen, Ben. I simply wanted to tell you that I'm proud of you.”

Ben's head popped up. “What?”

“
Jah
. I don't think I've told you that enough. And though
you're merely moving into an apartment in town and not across the country, I wanted to make sure I told you that I have no doubt you are going to be a husband that Tricia will be proud of. I know this because you already are a man I am proud of.”

“Danke.”

Jay heard the new rasp of emotion in Ben's voice and breathed a sigh of relief. He wasn't messing everything up. “I know you and Tricia are going to be fine. And I know you don't need me offering advice about, um, anything . . . but I wanted to share with you something that I've learned that you might feel is useful.”

“Yes?”

“When you choose to share a life with another person, one finds out all sorts of things about themselves, and about his bride. Some of it is wonderful. And some of it might take some getting used to. But whatever you do, please don't take it for granted. Not the days when everything goes right, or the days when everything goes wrong. Don't spend any time hoping something passes or wishing it hadn't happened. Try to remember that your time together is a gift, son. A beautiful, amazing gift that was bestowed on you both. Do . . . Do you think you can do that?”

Ben's expression had turned soft. “
Jah
, Daed. I can. I can try.”

“If you even try, that's all that matters. I will be praying for you, son. I will be praying for both of you. Because I love you.”

“I love you, too, Daed.” After a pause, he whispered, “I loved Mamm, too.”

“She knew you did.”

“You sure?”

“Very much so. Who do you think gave me that advice to give to you?” he asked with a watery smile. “She knew our life together was a blessing to us all.”

Ben stood up and clasped his arms around Jay, hugging him
tight. “
Danke
, Daed. I'm glad we talked.”

“Me, too,” he murmured when he was alone in the room again. He was also mighty glad that talk was over.

I
T WAS HAPPENING!
T
HEY
were getting married!

As she sat next to Penny Knoxx and faced the men on the other side of the aisle, Tricia knew that she had never been so happy. Here she was, wearing the traditional blue dress with a white apron and black
kapp
, minutes away from exchanging vows. Across from her sat Ben. He was wearing his wedding finery, too. She thought he looked handsome in his white shirt, dark navy vest, and dark pants. Due to the heat and humidity, he'd rolled up his sleeves about an hour ago. At the moment, he was resting his elbows on his knees and staring directly at her.

As the preacher continued to talk about trust, respect, love, and duty, they shared a smile.

Tricia remembered a friend had told her long ago that Amish weddings were a lesson in patience. She had thought the comment had been simply irreverent at the time, but now she understood what her girlfriend had meant. It took all her years of self-discipline to sit patiently while three preachers spoke about marriage and relayed stories from the Bible. The three-hour service was lovely and meaningful.

And, Tricia thought, rather long.

She was jarred from her musings when the preacher cleared his throat, and Penny Knoxx gave her a little nudge. “It's time, Tricia,” she whispered.

She wiped her palms and breathed in. Finally, it was time to say their vows.

When they were directed to stand up, Penny squeezed her hand. Tricia's heart started racing as the preacher recited several
verses from First Corinthians. Tricia stepped closer to Ben and took comfort from his warm expression. Then, as carefully as possible, she repeated the promises the preacher spoke about. She promised to love and cherish and obey and care for Ben in good times and bad. And in sickness and in health. And when he did the same, it suddenly felt as if they were the only two people standing under the tent.

She forgot about all the people gathered with them. All that mattered was Ben and the way he was looking at her—as though she was the most special thing in his life. She knew that look well, because she was feeling the same way.

At last she was Tricia Hilty. At last she was no longer alone.

A
N HOUR LATER, AS
Tricia looked around at her sisters and parents and Aunt Beverly, at Ben's family and all the friends she'd made during her short time in Pinecraft, she knew she had never been happier.

In fact, the only thing that would make her any happier would be if she and Ben were finally alone. But that wouldn't be for hours. Most likely, not until the sun began setting on the horizon.

As she walked around and greeted everyone, thanking them for coming and accepting gifts, she kept finding herself looking for Ben across the way. They'd had a few moments to sit down by themselves, but after that, they'd been pulled in opposite directions. Every time she thought there might be a break, someone needed something else. Though she didn't mind it too much. Everyone was so welcoming and seemed to enjoy their story. Apparently, no one was immune to tales of couples falling in love practically at first sight.

After leaving a group of ladies, Tricia was ready to sit quietly for a few minutes, but then she saw Emma Keim sitting by herself.

“Do you mind if I join you?” Tricia asked.

“I would love to sit with you. I'm very pleased to see you looking so happy.”

“
Danke
. It's a wonderful day.”

“Indeed it is.”

“Did it make you a little sad?”

“Remembering my wedding day?” She shook her head. “This may sound bad, but no. My Sanford and I had a wonderful wedding day, and I enjoyed it very much.” Smiling softly, she said, “Goodness. Our wedding was the culmination of years and years of waiting. I was so eager to marry Sanford at last, I don't think anything could have dimmed my joy. I count myself fortunate that I can look back on things without regrets.”

Tricia knew what she meant. “Though Ben and I had a whirlwind romance, I feel the same way. I couldn't be happier today.”

“It was a lovely marriage service, Tricia, and this is a beautiful reception, too.” Emma waved a hand. “I love this tent. I love how everything is white except for all the flowers. It smells like heaven in here!”

“I agree! I can't imagine having a prettier wedding or reception. Beverly outdid herself.”

“I saw her and her boss, Eric, talking about an hour ago. They're funny together.”

Tricia laughed. “That's a
gut
way to describe it. They are constantly,
constantly
bickering. It's funny. I am really glad he came.”

“For an outsider, he sure seems to know a lot of people. I saw him speaking to Michael and Penny Knoxx.”

“I think he likes to get to know people. I know he's anxious to move back here. He's waiting for his house in Pennsylvania to sell.”

Emma frowned. “I wish him all the best with that.”

“So, I saw you and Jay sitting together during the service.”

She smiled softly. “The
kinner
like sitting together.”

“Yes, I noticed that.” She'd also noticed that Jay and Emma liked sitting together, too. “I'm glad your families have become close.”

“Me, too. I—” Her eyes got wide, then she bolted to her feet. “Oh, no,” Emma moaned under her breath.

On her feet as well, Tricia turned to where Emma was staring, and gasped. “Oh!”

Somehow Emma's beagle had barged in and was trotting through the maze of tables as if he were in a race. Tricia hadn't known he could move that fast.

And then she saw where he was headed.

“Frankie!” Emma called out. “Frankie,
nee
!” she yelled again as she darted through the crowd, practically knocking over a pair of toddlers in her haste to get to the beautiful five-tiered wedding cake that Beverly had spent almost every spare moment on.

On the other side of the tent, Tricia saw Aunt Beverly stiffen at the sound of Emma's cry. Then they both stood frozen in horror as one forty-five pound beagle scrambled up onto a white folding chair, paused to gain his balance, then hopped onto the table where the cake was waiting—and took a huge bite.

Tricia was so shocked, she could only watch in dismay.

“Frankie,
nee
!” Emma shrieked, reaching the cake table.

The shriek startled the dog, which caused him to topple to the ground . . . along with all five layers.

As the entire crowd stared in stunned silence, the beagle began furiously devouring white wedding cake with orange filling and buttercream frosting like it was the most delicious thing on the earth. Which it probably was.

Frankie had struck again.

E
mma had married at eighteen, then given birth to three children and buried her husband. She'd mourned, taken care of her girls without complaint, and had even recently stood up to her parents when the situation warranted it. She took care of her house, paid the bills, and now was raising three little girls on her own.

Because of all this, she secretly prided herself on the fact that she could handle almost any situation with calm and patience.

But none of those things had prepared her for the humiliation of having to detach her dog from the remains of what was once a stunning, five-layered wedding cake.

“Come, Frankie,” she hissed under her breath.

Frankie—whether it was because he was on the verge of a diabetic coma or he somehow knew that he'd finally crossed
the line and was in danger of being given away to anyone who would take him—walked obediently by her side through the crowd.

Every single guest stepped aside as she passed, though Emma had no idea if that was because she was now a pariah or because Frankie was covered in sticky white frosting. All she did know was that she was never going to be able to look Beverly Overholt in the eye again.

“Girls!” she called out as she walked. “Girls, we need to go. Now.”

Ben walked toward her. “Hey, um, Emma—”

Though it was one of the hardest things she'd ever done in her life, Emma made herself stop and meet his gaze. “Please tell Tricia I'm sorry. I am so very sorry.”

“It's okay.”

“It's most definitely not okay.” Then Emma reached down, grabbed hold of Frankie's collar, and guided him out of the tent before she burst into tears or Frankie decided to go in search of leftovers.

“Mamm!” Lena said. “I've got Mandy and Annie.”

Turning around to see that all three of her girls actually were there, she nodded. “Let's go home.”

Mandy ran forward to open Beverly's back gate. “And then we'll come back to the party after we put Frankie up?”

“
Nee
. We will not be coming back.” As soon as Annie stepped through, she said, “Annie, don't forget to shut the gate.”

“All right, Mommy,” she replied in a sad little voice.

“Mommy, we're not really going to stay home, are we?” Mandy asked.

“We really are.”

Lena rushed to her other side. “But, Mamm . . .”

“Not right now, Lena.” Emma was fairly sure if she didn't
get home soon she was going to start bawling like a baby in the middle of the street.

“But Mamm, I wanna go back,” Lena whined. “Two girls I met at school are there. We were having fun.”

“I am glad, but we are staying home.”

Mandy pulled on her apron. “How come we have to stay home?” she asked, her tone turning belligerent. “We didn't do anything wrong.”

“Because I said so.”

“But—”

“Not another word, Mandy.”

Immediately, Mandy quieted. Looking for Annie, Mandy grabbed her hand and started leading the way down the street. After a pause, Lena followed her. Tired of bending over to hold Frankie's collar, Emma hefted him in her arms. Frankie squirmed uncomfortably then snuggled close, as if he was grateful for the ride.

She was so ashamed. She should have given the dog away years ago. She should have been harsher to him, maybe. Meaner. Something to have made him mind better. And that was what she was going to have to do. Tomorrow, she was going to take Frankie to the pound.

After two seconds passed, she sighed. Oh, who was she kidding? She could never give her sweet, silly dog away. He curled up next to the girls when they were reading or sad. He slept next to each of them every night. And after their father had died, he'd let them cry all over him for hours without complaint. She loved this silly, ill-mannered dog. Loved him completely. And he loved them, too. It was simply a real shame that he managed to ruin lots and lots of meals.

“Mommy, how do you think Frankie got out this time?”

“I guess he dug himself another hole.”

“It's good he found us, though. Ain't so?” Annie added helpfully. “We don't want him lost.”

She was wondering how to answer when she heard someone jogging toward them.

“Emma, girls, slow down, wouldja?” Jay asked.

Her heart in her throat, Emma turned and watched him approach, bracing herself for his anger. After all, she'd just single-handedly ruined his son's wedding day. When he stayed silent as he closed the gap between them, she decided to get her apology over with.

“Jay, I'm so sorry. I really am so embarrassed. I don't know how to apologize enough.”

His gaze softened. “There's nothing to apologize for.”

“Yes there is! I ruined Ben and Tricia's wedding.”

“
Nee
, Frankie ruined the cake.” When Frankie yelped in her arms, he shook his head. “Put him down, Em. I'll deal with him now.”

“But he might run off—”

“I'll make sure he doesn't. Set him down, dear,” he murmured. “Girls, why don't you go on ahead? We'll be right there.”

Once the girls were on their way, Jay helped Emma set Frankie on the ground. Then, after giving the silly dog a pet, he snapped his fingers. “Come on, Frankie.”

To Emma's amazement, Frankie lumbered forward. He was, no doubt, feeling awful.

She grimaced. “He's going to be so sick tonight.”

“I'm afraid he will.” His lips twitched. “He ate a lot of cake.”

“He did. In mere seconds, too.”

“It was impressive. He practically inhaled it. People will no doubt be talking about his display for years to come.”

The tears that she'd been holding at bay pricked the corners of her eyes. “I feel so bad about this.”

“Don't feel bad. It was only cake.”

As they approached her house, she saw all three of her girls sitting on the front steps, each one looking more dejected than the last.

“What's wrong with them?”

“They are upset that we had to leave the wedding. They'll be all right.”

“Sure they will.” Reaching for her hand, Jay said, “Please stop worrying. I heard Eric tell Beverly he was going to run over to Yoder's and buy a bunch of pies. No one is going to go hungry.”

That made her feel slightly better. “At least no one will miss dessert.”

“I promise you, the only people we need to make happy are Tricia and Ben. And I promise, they are. I can almost pretty much assure you that the last thing they're thinking about is dessert.”

Emma figured Jay had a point. She and Sanford had only been thinking about each other on their wedding day. After taking a deep breath, she looked at him curiously. “Why are you here? You better hurry back to the reception. Ben might need you.”

“I will. I just wanted to make sure you were okay.”

“I will be.” She summoned up a watery smile.

“Why don't you come back, too?”

“Jay, I can't. There's no way I can face everyone right now.”

They were at the house now. After guiding Frankie inside, Jay turned back to Emma. “Of course you've got to go back. Everyone's waiting for you. And I don't want to go back without you, Em.”

“I'm so embarrassed. Frankie ruined everything.” And then, to her horror, those tears finally started to fall. And then she started crying. Really crying.

“Mommy?” Annie rushed forward. “Mommy, what's wrong?”

Before Emma could reply, Jay took control. “Girls, go inside and get Frankie some water. I'll take care of your mother.”

The moment they were in the house, Jay pulled Emma into his arms.

At first she was too surprised to do anything but freeze, but then her body gave in and she rested her head on his chest with a sigh. Jay felt solid and strong, warm and protective. And for a minute she imagined that she would be very happy standing in his embrace for the rest of her days. Little by little, she let her muscles relax. Giving a small sigh, she cuddled closer. She couldn't remember the last time she'd leaned on another person for support.

All she knew was that it had been a very, very long time.

Though she heard the girls talking to each other in the kitchen and knew she should step away, she wrapped her arms around his waist and held on. Just for a moment or two longer.

Still holding her close, Jay ran a path along her spine with his fingers. “I promise, everything is going to be okay. No one is mad at you.”

“Ben and Tricia—”

“Are perfectly fine. But they won't be if you and the girls don't come back.”

“That's sweet, but—”

He leaned back so their eyes could meet. “Do you understand, Emma? We aren't fine without you, Lena, Mandy, and Annie. We want you there. Frankie, on the other hand, can stay home.”

She swiped at her eyes. “I don't know . . .”

“I think you actually
do
know,” he said gently. “Don't you understand what I'm talking about? What this means?”

“Jay—”

“I'm trying to say that life is better with you in it.”

“Even if I ruin things?”

“Especially if you do. Or if I do. Or any of us does.” Smiling, he added, “Emma, between us we've got six
kinner
, eight grandparents, and two spouses in heaven. Things are going to get messy. Things are going to be noisy. Things are going to be imperfect and crazy and full of surprises. We're going to be late, the house is sometimes going to be messy, and things are going to get ruined. But because of all that, it's going to be wonderful.”

She looked at him in wonder. “You really mean that, don't you?”

“Of course I do. In one year's time, I want to be back at this Orange Blossom Inn saying vows to you. My boys are going to be there, and your girls are going to be so happy, and Frankie is going to have his own bone and be leashed. And perhaps, if we say enough prayers, the good Lord will keep Frankie out of trouble for a solid six hours.”

“Six hours?”

“That's all the time we would need, Emma. Just long enough to enjoy our day and get a chance to taste our wedding cake.”

She giggled. “And if Frankie still gets loose?”

His expression softened. “You know the answer, Emma. If we can't have cake, we'll simply have pie.”

When he smiled, she did, too. And she realized that he was exactly right. Life was unpredictable and things didn't always happen how one hoped they would.

But that didn't mean one had to roll into a ball and mourn forever.

“I can't give up Frankie. If it wasn't for him, I wouldn't have you.”

Leaning forward, Jay kissed her lightly on the lips. “Put that way, he's my favorite beagle in the whole world. Now, let's go get those girls and return to the party. I don't know if you've heard, but there's a pretty big wedding going on over at the Orange Blossom Inn.”

“I did hear,” she replied as she clasped his hand with a smile. “I heard it's the most exciting wedding in town.”