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Mama, I wish you could be here to see me, my mind wept as I waited for Da. Would you be proud of me or disappointed like Da? I know Da is disappointed I am marrying a Pastor, but what about you, Mama? Oh, I think you would be proud of me, but what if you would have changed like Da did? I shook my head.
Anna, you are being ridiculous! Of course Mama would be proud of you. I took a deep breath and tried to smile when I saw Wilma heading toward me.
“You look lovely, Anna!” Wilma exclaimed. “Oh my lands, but I do believe you are the most beautiful bride I’ve ever seen.”
My cheeks burned. “I am not and you know it, Mrs. Gardner!”
“Au contraire, Mademoiselle Stuart, you truly are the most beautiful bride I have seen. Don’t you agree, Darius?”
I looked past Wilma to her husband.
“The second most beautiful, Wilma. You were the most beautiful. No offense to you, Miss Stuart,” Darius smiled at me.
I fought a grin and said, “I would have taken offense for Wilma’s sake, if you would have said anything other than that.”
Darius smiled and nodded at me. “I’d better head in and calm Miles down. He was acting rather nervous when I last saw him.”
Wilma scowled at Darius and waved him away. “Finally,” she exclaimed, “We are alone! How are you doing?”
“I’m nervous,” I said, taking a deep breath. I spoke quickly as I always did when nervous. “Am I really doing the right thing? We’ve known each other for just over a year. Yes, I love the boys, but do I love Miles? Is what I am feeling truly love? It’s all so confusing! And then there’s the fact that Miles could lose his job because of me. Is that a sign we aren’t supposed to marry each other? Can I really be a pastor’s wife? I grew up without really knowing God and I know very little. And I have been a Christian for just over a year. Am I really the right choice for Miles?”
Wilma put her hands up on my shoulders. “Anna. You and Miles have talked about this endless times. I know you have because you keep on telling me about it. Your fears are justified, but since you have been over it a million times between the two of you and also with God, I truly believe your becoming the wife of Miles, the mother of John and James, and the wife of the pastor is God’s perfect plan for this church. The church needs it, the town needs it, and more than that, Miles and the boys need it.”
I closed my eyes and drew in a deep breath. “Are you sure?” My voice was barely above a whisper.
“I am absolutely sure,” she said. She looked behind me. “And it looks like they are ready for us, Anna. Let’s go do this! Let’s go make you Miles Jenkins’ wife.”
The butterflies in my stomach fluttered with the speed of lightning. Back and forth. Back and forth. I tried to grab at Wilma’s hand, but she evaded me. And then suddenly, I was standing in front of my da.
Da stared at me and looked me up and down. His Adam’s apple bobbed up and down a few times as he swallowed. “Anna,” he whispered, “you look so much like yer mither.” He closed his eyes and took a deep breath. “Let’s get you down that aisle to the man waiting for ye.”
I held out my right arm and he hooked his elbow into mine. I put my left hand on top of his arm and gave him a little squeeze. “Thank ye, Da.”
Da nodded at me and walked me toward the door leading to the church. As we climbed the steps I prayed silently, “Lord, are you sure I am doing the right thing here? I need Your guidance.” An overwhelming peace spread throughout my body as John and James opened the double doors for Da and me to walk through. I smiled at them as we passed by and I looked up at Da with a joyful smile. Together, we stepped through the church doors and Da gave me away to the man who far exceeded any I could have dreamed for. God knew my vision before I did and made it more than I had ever thought possible.
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