Katy's Homecoming (18 page)

“Smart girl. We’ll want to be good and hungry at suppertime with all the food Rosemary and the ladies have prepared for the wedding supper — it’ll be a feast.” He blessed the food, and they ate in silence. Dad seemed to be lost in thought, and Katy decided not to disturb him even though she wished they would talk during their last meal with just the two of them.

“Leave the dishes in the sink — there’s not enough to bother with,” Dad said when the soup and sandwiches were gone. “I’ll get you over to the church. Do you have everything?”

Katy nodded.

“Are you sure? You won’t be coming back to the house again.”

Katy sighed. “I’m sure, Dad.”

Dad grinned and gave her shoulders a squeeze. “I’m sorry. I keep forgetting you aren’t a little girl anymore. I should trust you to know what you need to do.”

Dad’s confidence in her should have warmed her, but instead, a prickle of unease wiggled through Katy’s middle. She hoped Dad’s trust wasn’t misplaced. She grabbed the bag she’d packed and said,“Let’s go.”

Dad dropped Katy off in the churchyard, and she dashed past the row of vehicles lining the south side of the church. The others had obviously all arrived, and they’d be working without her. She clattered into the cloakroom but slowed her pace before entering the worship room. She knew better than to run into the room where they worshiped as a congregation.

As soon as she came in, Caleb’s mother spotted her. She smiled and gestured Katy over. “Oh, good, I can use your creative hands, Katy. My clumsy fingers refuse to tie a pretty bow.”

Katy eagerly assisted Mrs. Penner in attaching decorations formed of silk orchids, ivy, and wide brown ribbon to the end of each bench. Arrangements with the same silk flowers and greenery in tall, cut-glass vases graced the windowsills. Katy paused for a moment to admire the
display. She loved the colors Rosemary had chosen for the wedding: soft orchid, mint green, and a color the bride had called old willow, but Katy thought it looked like milk chocolate. The two pale colors, accented with the rich shade of brown, blended perfectly.

“It’s so pretty in here,” Katy commented as she leaned down to fluff a bow.

Mrs. Penner nodded in agreement, the black ribbons of her cap bouncing on her shoulders. “Have you seen the bouquets yet? They’re lovely.” She winked. “I’m almost envious that I wasn’t chosen to be the attendant so I could take the bouquet home with me.”

“Are they here?”

Mrs. Penner laughed. “In a box in the cloakroom. Go peek.”

Katy grinned in thanks and hurried to the cloakroom. Two white boxes, each large enough to hold a three-layer cake, rested on a table in the corner. Katy lifted the lid on the first one. She knew at once it was Rosemary’s. Her eyes roved over the cluster of snow-white rosebuds with a few pinkish baby orchids tucked in between. Narrow silk ribbons in brown and mint held the bouquet to a white Bible.

For a moment, Katy’s chin quivered. The Bible her mother had carried on her wedding day eighteen years ago, covered in dried roses and tied with faded pink ribbon, sat in the trunk Katy had shoved into the corner of her room. She closed her eyes, fighting tears, as images of the two bouquets — one fresh and new, one withered and worn — fought for prominence in her mind.

Mom, why did you leave us? Your wedding day must have been just as beautiful as Rosemary’s. You must have
been just as happy on that day. Why did it change?
Katy’s questions went unanswered, because the only person who knew the answers was gone.

“What do you think?”

Mrs. Penner’s voice startled Katy. She spun around and pressed her hand to her chest. The woman pursed her face. “Oh, I’m sorry — did I startle you?” She hurried forward and touched Katy’s arm.

Katy managed a wobbly smile. “It’s okay. I was just thinking about something, and —” She bit down on her lip. She wouldn’t talk about her mother. Not to anyone. She replaced the lid. “The bride’s bouquet is beautiful.”

“Well, look at yours — it’s just as lovely.”

But Katy decided she didn’t want to see it just yet. She turned toward the door leading to the worship room. “I’ll let it be a surprise. Let’s finish decorating so we can go downstairs and help with the tables.”

Mrs. Penner gave her a funny look, but she didn’t argue. They hung the remaining swags then wove ivy, silk orchids, and brown ribbon on the white trellis Dad had built as an arbor. When they were finished, the worship room was more beautiful than Katy had ever seen it. She looked around, amazed by the transformation in the simple room.

Mrs. Penner must have understood Katy’s awe. She slipped her arm around Katy’s shoulders. “If you think it’s beautiful now, wait until we light the candles.”

Katy nodded, imagining the room under candle glow. Tears again pricked her eyes, but she didn’t know why.

Mrs. Penner gave her another squeeze. “C’mon, Katy. Let’s head downstairs. You haven’t even said hello to
Rosemary yet.” She paused, her face pensive. “You know, Katy, you’re very blessed.”

Katy tipped her head. “Why?”

“Your father is marrying a woman who has a tender heart for you. She already loves you and thinks of you as her daughter.” Mrs. Penner laughed softly. “I think she’s as excited about raising another girl as she is about becoming a wife again.” Mrs. Penner pushed Katy’s ribbon over her shoulder and sighed. “Some stepmothers see their husband’s children as an intrusion.”

Hurt flashed in the woman’s eyes, and Katy wondered what memories rushed through Mrs. Penner’s mind in that moment. But then Mrs. Penner smiled and gave Katy’s shoulder a pat. “But you won’t ever have to feel like an unwelcome intrusion with Rosemary. She truly wants to be a mother to you. I hope you’ll be grateful, and you’ll let her mother you just a little. After all, it’s important for a girl to have a mother.”

Katy nodded solemnly.
I just wish I could have my real one instead of a substitute.

Dad’s wedding flowed perfectly from the processional to the recessional. Katy battled a mighty lump in her throat when she listened to her dad and Rosemary recite their vows of commitment and charity to one another. Katy’s chest ached in a beautiful way, and she felt blessed to be able to witness the ceremony that bound her father to Rosemary.

They turned to face the congregation as Deacon Pauls pronounced them Mr. and Mrs. Lambright. Katy gulped
several times, trying not to cry. Dad glowed with happiness and Rosemary beamed, just the way a groom and bride should look on their wedding day. And even though Katy still wished her own mother hadn’t left, Katy was happy for her dad. He deserved to be loved and cherished by a woman like Rosemary.

The congregation followed the wedding party to the basement, and this time Katy got to sit at the main table with her dad, new stepmother, and Uncle Albert. The food was plentiful and delicious, and Katy ate until her stomach ached. But some of the ache was from laughing so much. Uncle Albert kept telling Rosemary funny stories about Dad when he was growing up — things Katy had never heard before — and it pleased Katy to know Dad had been an ornery boy who got into his share of trouble. Maybe she was more like Dad than she had imagined.

Even after the plates were empty, people sat around and talked, enjoying the time of fellowship. Annika pulled a chair next to Katy and leaned close so they could hear each other. “Katy, you looked so beautiful tonight! Like a princess.”

Who else had told Katy she was like a princess?
Oh, yes, Shelby.
But Shelby had meant she looked princess-like in the emerald dress. Katy smoothed her hands down the sheeny bodice of her caped orchid dress. “Thank you. I kind of felt like one, too, in my new dress with my bouquet.” She touched the cascading bouquet of orchids, pale peach rosebuds, and abundant ivy. “I’m glad Rosemary decided to use silk flowers. They’ll keep forever and still look nice.”
Unlike the bouquet in my trunk.
Katy pushed that image aside. This was not a time to think about the past!

Annika giggled. “Maybe you can carry it tomorrow night at the homecoming ceremony. It blends so perfectly with your dress.”

Katy looked at the bouquet again. The ivy did hold narrow veins of emerald green on the paler leaves. She smiled. “You’re right. It does match. Maybe I will.”

“I wish I could be there to see you walk in but —” Annika sneaked a glance around the room. Her lips curved when she found Caleb. “I’ll be busy.”

Katy placed her hand on Annika’s arm. “Annika, will you do me a favor?”

Annika pulled her gaze away from Caleb and looked at Katy. “Sure. What?”

“Don’t get too hung up on Caleb, okay?” Annika’s brows pulled down, but Katy went on. “I know he’s the only boy our age in Schellberg, but don’t like him just because he’s, I don’t know, available. God has a husband all picked out for you. It might be Caleb, and it might not be. So wait until you know for sure before you … well … love him.”

Annika’s face turned bright red.
“Love
him?” She flapped her hands in front of her face, as if needing to cool off. “Katy, I’m not ready to
love
anybody. You think I want my own house and all the responsibility already?” She blasted a huff of breath and shook her head. “No, I just wanna have some fun. A date. And I like him enough to date him.” She flashed a flirtatious smirk in Caleb’s direction. “But I’m not serious about him. Not yet.”

Katy wasn’t sure whether she was irritated or assured by Annika’s answer, but she decided to drop the subject. They talked about other, lighthearted things, and at nine o’clock Deacon Pauls announced that it was time to send
the bride and groom into their new life as husband and wife.

Katy pushed away from the table and turned to face her dad and stepmother. Dad put his arm around Rosemary’s waist and pulled her close. He smiled at Katy. “Well, Katy-girl, are you ready to go home?”

From now on Rosemary would always be in Katy’s house. An odd feeling, almost of panic, fluttered through Katy’s chest. But she forced her lips into a smile and said,“Sure, Dad … and Rosemary. Let’s go.”

Dad held out his other arm, and Katy scurried to his side. They walked out together with the congregation following. Their cries of congratulations, good wishes, and God’s blessings filled Katy’s ears so thoroughly that the phrases continued to ring through her dreams.

Katy entered the kitchen Friday morning to find Rosemary putting breakfast on the table. Katy came to a halt right inside the door and stared at the neatly set table, platters of sausage, eggs, and toast, and glasses of milk. She shook her head.

“You don’t like sausage and eggs?” Rosemary’s dismayed voice pulled Katy’s attention to the woman. “No, I love what you fixed. But it’s the day after your wedding. You shouldn’t be doing any work. I could’ve cooked.”

Rosemary laughed, her eyes crinkling. “Now, I’m not going to use something like a wedding as an excuse to be lazy.” She moved to the stove and lifted the coffee percolator. “Besides, I’ll have all morning to pack for our trip. You need to do that before you leave for school.”

Katy walked to the table and slid into the chair she always sat in. “I’m already packed.” She’d put everything she needed in a suitcase when they returned from church last night. The emerald dress was folded as neatly as possible and nestled in the middle of her other clothes. She hoped it wouldn’t wrinkle.

“Well, good.” Rosemary poured a cup of coffee for herself then set the percolator on the table. “I bet you’re excited. Your dad told me about all the fun things happening this weekend. It sounds as if you’ll stay very busy but have lots of fun while we’re away.”

Katy didn’t know how to respond. Dad was so quiet in the mornings. Although it was kind of nice to have someone chatty and cheerful to start the day with, it wasn’t Katy’s routine yet. It would take time for her to adjust to the change.

Rosemary continued. “Your dad said he might be late coming in, so go ahead and eat while it’s hot. But may I join you?”

“You’d rather eat with me than with Dad?” Katy stared at her stepmother in surprise.

A laugh rang — this woman laughed more often than anyone else Katy knew. “I’d rather have a hot breakfast than a cold one, yes.”

Katy grinned. Rosemary sat down across from Katy and held out her hand. “Would you like to offer grace, or should I?”

Katy hesitantly placed her hand in Rosemary’s. Her warm, soft palm felt very different than Dad’s calloused hand, but it offered a sense of security Katy didn’t understand. She said,“You, please.” She listened to Rosemary’s simple prayer, and then they ate. The eggs were perfect — over medium, the way Katy liked them — and the toast lightly browned. Rosemary did know how to cook.

While they ate, they visited. Katy held back at first, unsure and a little uncomfortable, but as the minutes slipped by she allowed herself to relax. Mrs. Penner’s comments
about Rosemary not seeing Katy as an intrusive presence were proved true during their first breakfast together as stepmother and stepdaughter. Katy believed Rosemary truly liked her and wanted to spend time with her. The thought warmed her.

As they finished, Rosemary said,“I have to admit, Kathleen, it’s wonderful to be able to settle in here and call Schellberg home. It’s a welcoming community, and I feel so accepted even though I didn’t grow up here.” A smile curved her lips. “I almost envy you, having had the privilege of being born and raised in the same town. My father had a restless soul, and he moved us several times when I was growing up, so I never felt completely secure. Rather like a misfit, I suppose.”