A Bride So Fair, page 24
part #3 of A Fair to Remember Series
An anxious feeling settled in the pit of his stomach. The fellow should have been there by now. In his excitement over what the day might hold in store, Stephen had made the arrangements in a hurry, taking the man’s agreement for granted and never dreaming they might wind up being stranded. He glanced at Emily, hoping she hadn’t yet noticed their plight. He needed a few more minutes to think the situation over and come up with an alternate plan.
Like what? In only a short while, it would be fully dark, no time to be wandering around trying to hail another cab. Even getting back to an area where they might find a cab to hail would mean an arduous walk. He didn’t want to contemplate the prospect of having to travel all the way back to Mrs. Purvis’s on foot.
Please, Lord, get that cabdriver here. I don’t want to make this day worse than it’s been already.
When they reached firm footing, Stephen led Emily into the shelter of some trees. He set the basket down and scanned the road ahead. Still no sign of the cab.
Some of his inner tension must have communicated itself to her. She followed his gaze out to the road and then turned to him with a concerned expression. In the twilight’s glow, shadows played across her face. Her eyes, so solemn, gazed up at him with a look that made him want to gather her into his arms and bury his face in her hair.
Stephen took a deep breath. Maybe he’d been wrong about waiting any longer.
Hope stirred within him as the idea took hold. He reached down and took both of Emily’s hands in his. How foolish to think he could ever wait long enough for all their problems to vanish! One danger was past, but who knew what difficulties might lie ahead? No life was ever free of trouble.
If he could just get the words out—and if she would accept—they could at least face their troubles together.
He looked around through the gathering darkness. In the distance, a pinpoint of light bobbed along the road, heralding the cab’s approach. At least he knew their future problems didn’t include trying to figure out how to make their way back to Mrs. Purvis’s. Freed of that concern, he turned back to Emily.
Say something! He swallowed and licked his lips. Now that the moment had arrived, every approach he had rehearsed fled his mind. He wrapped his hands around her fingers. “There’s something I’ve been wanting to talk to you about all day.” He watched her closely, trying to gauge her reaction.
She closed her eyes then looked up at him and lifted her chin. “Yes, I thought you had something on your mind.”
Stephen gulped. It wasn’t quite the reaction he’d been hoping for, but he’d committed himself now. The only thing left to do was to forge ahead. Even if she rejected him, at least he would have told her what was on his heart.
“Emily, I have truly enjoyed the time we’ve spent together.”
Her lower lip began to tremble. This wasn’t going right at all. He raised his left hand to cup her face and stroke his thumb along her cheekbone.
Stephen felt the tremor that ran through her at his touch. Was that a good sign? He didn’t know, but he pressed on.
“It has been a very special time to me… and I’d like it to go on forever. Will you do me the honor of becoming my wife?”
Emily’s lips parted. Her eyes grew huge, and she stared at Stephen without saying a word. His heart sank, knowing he had just made the biggest blunder of his life.
Without warning, she pulled her hands from his grasp. The next thing he knew, she had flung her arms around his neck, nearly squeezing the breath out of him.
She pressed her petal-soft cheek against his and whispered, “Yes.” He could hear the laughter bubbling up in her voice. “Oh yes!” she whispered again, her breath warm against his ear.
Stephen wrapped his arms around her waist and lifted her into the air, holding her close as he tilted his head and sought her lips with his.
Long moments later, the clip-clop of horses’ hooves filtered into his consciousness, and a cheery voice cried out, “Hello! Are you there?”
Stephen pulled his lips away from paradise and set Emily down on the ground with tender care. “We’re here,” he called.
The cab drew up beside them. “Sorry to keep you waiting. One of the harness straps broke, and I had to take time to make a quick repair. I hope you didn’t mind the wait too much.”
Stephen looked down at his future wife. In the glow from the cab’s lantern, he could see the love shining in her eyes. “No. We didn’t mind at all.”
Emily crossed the parlor and settled onto the floor near the bookshelf. A few feet away, Adam pushed a block boat down an imaginary river. Fresh from his bath, his face looked flushed and rosy, and damp hair clung to his forehead.
She found it hard to believe how much her life had changed since she’d left the house that afternoon. In that short time, she’d gone from feelings of impending loss to the knowledge that Stephen wanted her to be his, now and forever.
Lucy and Mrs. Purvis had received the news with happy cries and congratulatory hugs. Now there was one more important person to talk to.
“Would you like to come over and sit with me?” Adam put down his block and climbed into her lap. Emily pressed her cheek against the top of his head and breathed in the scene of little boy, thinking of the way his whole existence had been turned upside down over the course of the past month. At least this time, he was about to hear some happy news.
Stephen leaned against the mantel, having agreed she should be the one to talk to Adam. Through the dining room, Emily could see Mrs. Purvis and Lucy hovering in the kitchen doorway.
She brushed the soft blond hair back from Adam’s forehead. “You know your mama’s gone to be with Jesus, don’t you?”
His clear blue eyes held her gaze, and he gave her a solemn nod.
This was going to be more difficult than she thought. Emily glanced over his head at Stephen, who nodded and gave her an encouraging smile.
“Stephen and I decided something tonight,” she went on. Flutters of joy danced in her heart when she spoke the words aloud. Even now she could scarcely believe it was true. “We’re going to be married soon. Would you like to be part of our family?”
Adam looked up at her and patted her cheek. “Will you be my mama now?”
Emily thought her heart would burst. She pulled him close and rocked him back and forth. “Yes, sweetheart. I’ll be your mama, now and always.”
Beaming like a proud father, Stephen crossed the room and squatted down in front of them. He ruffled Adam’s hair. “I guess that will make me your dad, won’t it?”
Emily felt the little boy’s body stiffen. She met Stephen’s startled gaze and realized the same thought was running through both of their minds. The term Da was too deeply ingrained for anything resembling it to carry a good connotation for Adam. She licked her lips and tried to think of some way to rescue the moment.
Adam pulled his head away from her and looked up at Stephen. “Matthew has a papa,” he said.
Stephen’s face lit up. “Then Papa it is.” Getting to his feet, he scooped Adam up and tossed his new son into the air. The little boy shrieked with laughter.
“It sounds like a celebration is in order.” Emily looked up to see Lucy carrying a plate of cookies.
Mrs. Purvis followed, bearing a tray laden with five cups of steaming hot chocolate. She blew across the top of Adam’s cup to cool his drink before handing it to him. Lifting her own cup, she said, “Here’s to the happy family.”
Stephen picked up a cup of the hot cocoa and gazed at Emily. Raising the glass to her, he said, “To us.”
“To us,” she whispered.
Mrs. Purvis chuckled. “I knew I was doing the right thing when I brought that quilt out to you.”
“The quilt your grandmother made?” Emily tilted her head. “What do you mean?”
The landlady beamed upon them both. “I brought it along on a picnic I took with Randolph many years ago. It was while we were sitting on it that he proposed to me.” She shook her head. “I thought he never would get around to it.”
Emily grinned. “So it worked twice, eh? It looks like you’ll have another set of names to add to your list.”
“You’re a little late.” Lucy giggled. “She did that while the milk was heating for our cocoa.”
When the laughter died down, Lucy asked, “Have you set a date yet?”
“We really haven’t gotten that far.” Emily sent Stephen a questioning look.
He moved next to her and put his arm around her shoulders. “I suppose tomorrow is too soon?”
Emily felt a delicious shiver run through her, followed by warmth rushing to her face. She gave a shaky laugh and pressed her hands against her flaming cheeks. “I don’t know. There’s so much to think about. You’re starting the job with your uncle’s firm soon. Do you think it would be best to wait until you’ve had a chance to get settled there?”
The expression in Stephen’s dark eyes turned her knees to jelly, and Emily felt the heat flood her cheeks again. “We’ll need to find a place to live,” she reminded him.
“That’s right.” The light in Stephen’s eyes dimmed. “I haven’t made a huge sum as a guard. Once I finish a project or two for Uncle Charles, we’ll be on solid footing financially. But until then and considering that we’re going to need a place big enough for three…” He sighed and leaned forward to kiss Emily on her forehead. “Much as I hate to say it, we may have to put the wedding off a little while.”
“Maybe not.” Everyone turned to look at Mrs. Purvis. “I’ve been thinking about something ever since you sprang the news on Lucy and me.”
She stepped over to Stephen and Emily and took each of them by the hand. “What would you say to my giving you this house as a wedding gift?”
Emily felt her eyes grow as round as saucers. Beside her, Stephen bent to give Mrs. Purvis a peck on the cheek. “That’s very generous of you, but it’s far too—”
The landlady raised her hand. “You didn’t let me finish. I am offering you the house as a wedding gift… with the provision that I can go on living here for the rest of my life.”
Emily glanced at Stephen, who looked as dumbfounded as she felt.
“I’ll keep my quarters on the ground floor, so I won’t be in your way,” Mrs. Purvis explained. The house is big enough for the two of you and Adam. And there’s plenty of room for any other children who may come along,” she added with a twinkle in her eye.
Stephen shook his head slowly. “I don’t know what to say.”
“Say yes!” Mrs. Purvis’s face softened. “It isn’t all generosity on my part. I’ve spent ten years of my life searching for Randolph’s treasure. Now that I’ve found it, I realize it doesn’t mean anything if I don’t have someone to share it with. Having you here would bless me far more than it will you.”
Emily saw the corners of Stephen’s mustache lift upward. He raised his eyebrows, and she nodded.
“In that case…” he began.
“We accept,” Emily finished. “Thank you so much.” They both wrapped their arms around Mrs. Purvis.
“Just a minute.” Lucy faced them, her hands on her hips. “I think you’re missing something. You have the child, the parents, and the grandmother all lined up, but it seems to me this family needs an aunt, as well.”
Emily looked at Stephen, who grinned and shrugged. “There’s plenty of room.”
Lucy whooped and flew across the room to sweep Adam up into her arms. “I’m going to be your aunt Lucy now. What do you think about that?”
Adam threw back his head and laughed then reached for Stephen, who took him in his left arm, keeping his right arm snug around Emily’s waist.
Once again, Emily studied the faces of her little family: Adam, the most precious child who ever lived; Mrs. Purvis, who had become like a mother to her; Lucy, her best friend…
And Stephen. Emily’s heart swelled as she gazed at the man she loved. After weeks of fear and worry, her life had been transformed in one sweeping moment, giving her everything she ever dreamed of.
Thank You, Father. I asked You to show me Your plan and to straighten out my life, and You’ve done it far better than I ever could have imagined.
24
“Do you remember what you’re supposed to do?” Emily bent forward carefully, so as not to create the slightest wrinkle in her snowy white dress, and adjusted the golden rings anchored to the pillow Adam held in his hands.
He looked up at her, eyes shining, and he nodded.
Emily dropped a quick kiss on his forehead. “I know you’ll do a fine job. You’re my big boy, aren’t you?”
Adam grinned. “And you’re my new mama.”
Tears stung Emily’s eyes. She stood and touched her fingertips to her eyelids. The last thing she wanted was to have red, puffy eyes on her wedding day.
Just then Lucy and Mrs. Purvis burst in through the door, dressed in their finest. Mrs. Purvis stopped in the middle of the room, located off to one side of the church sanctuary, and pressed her hand to her bosom. “Don’t you look lovely!” She turned to Adam and grinned, “Both of you.”
Emily twirled in front of them to show off her dress. Then she took Adam’s hand and spun the giggling boy around.
Peering into the mirror, Lucy twisted a tendril of blond hair around her finger and then patted it into place. “It’s hard to believe your big day is here already.”
Emily murmured agreement, although over the past two weeks, she had wavered between feeling this day would never come and thinking it was bearing down upon her like a rushing train. Did all brides feel this way?
There had been even more details to attend to than she had expected. If she’d had to continue working full-time, she never would have managed it. But Stephen insisted she resign from her job so she would have time to enjoy the wedding preparations, instead of stewing over them. With the fair nearing its close, the number of youngsters being dropped off at the Children's Building grew smaller ever day. She didn’t feel she was leaving the rest of the staff in a lurch, and Miss Strickland didn’t seem grieved at the idea of her leaving.
The door opened, and a smiling woman looked in. “Am I disturbing you?”
“No, come right in.” Emily smiled as Stephen’s mother entered the room, followed by his sister, Beth. Even without any work-related responsibilities, she never would have been able to pull everything together without their help. Between the two of them, Lucy, and Mrs. Purvis, they had managed to make all the arrangements for the invitations, decorations, and reception.
The day after Stephen told his family about their engagement, his mother and sister had boarded the train, and they had been staying with Uncle Charles and Aunt Martha ever since so they could direct operations at close hand. In anyone else, the eager help might have seemed overbearing, but Emily welcomed the assistance, recognizing it as an offering of love rather than an attempt to control. Mother Bridger had even insisted on taking Emily to her favorite seamstress downtown, where she helped plan the design for the Emily’s lavish wedding gown.
Emily smoothed her hands over the cool white satin, still in a state of awe at the idea of wearing such a lovely creation. Wide lace trim capped the sleeves of the frothy confection and added a pinafore effect to the bodice. The long full skirt flowed out to form a train behind her, finished with ruching of the same fabric as the gown. A coronet of crystal-beaded flowers and leaves sat atop her auburn hair, holding the floor-length veil in place.
It was the dress of her dreams. No, more than that. With no family to help with expenses and no savings of her own, she never would have allowed herself to dream of anything so grand. Besides, the whole point of this day was to be joined together with Stephen as husband and wife. A simple ceremony in Mrs. Purvis’s parlor would have been enough.
But Mother Bridger had plans of her own. From the moment she stepped in, insisting on paying for all the wedding expenses like some benevolent fairy godmother, Emily found herself swept along on a current of elaborate preparations. She balked at first, but once she realized Stephen was happy to see her being cosseted and cared for this way, she let herself relax and enjoy the elegant proceedings.
Emily studied the dress in the mirror then looked over at her future mother-in-law. “Do you think Stephen will like it?”
Mrs. Bridger laughed and walked over to give her a gentle hug. “My son would love you even if you wore a potato sack. But yes, darling, he’ll approve. You look absolutely radiant.
“Everything is ready,” she went on. “It’s so nice of Charles and Martha to arrange for us to use their church for the ceremony.”
Emily nodded. Once she’d seen the Bridger side of the invitation list, she knew she would have to alter her plan of holding a quiet service in Mrs. Purvis’s parlor. She was grateful for Uncle Charles and Aunt Martha’s help, and doubly grateful to Mrs. Bridger for being willing to allow the guests to sit on either side of the aisle. With Adam acting as the ring bearer and Lucy standing up with Emily, holding to the more formal seating arrangement would have meant only Mrs. Purvis sitting on the bride’s side.
A quick tap sounded on the door, and Dinah Howell poked her head into the room. “They’re ready to seat you now, Mrs. Bridger.” She grinned. “And you’re next, Mrs. Purvis, as acting mother of the bride.”
Mrs. Purvis trotted over to give Emily a kiss on the cheek. Then she and Stephen’s mother smiled at each other and linked arms as they went out to the sanctuary.
Dinah followed, leading Adam by the hand. She stopped in the doorway and looked back over her shoulder at Emily. “You only have a moment longer. It’s almost time.”
Lucy picked up the bouquet resting on a nearby table and handed it to Emily. “Are you ready?”
Was she? Emily closed her eyes. She and Stephen hadn’t known each other very long, but their souls had seemed to connect from the moment they met. In a few minutes, she would say the words that would give her not only the husband God meant for her to have, but a wonderful family, as well.
