26

The doctor finally agreed to release Lenore’s father from the hospital two weeks later and declared that he should be capable of attending a late August wedding at the earliest. To be certain her father would be well enough to walk her down the aisle, Lenore decided on a September wedding. And eager to keep her parents from worrying about any of the arrangements, she enlisted the help of the bridal school.

Now settled in their new extensive property in the Lower Queen Anne area just north of downtown, the old ladies were more than happy to direct their efforts to such a gay occasion. With the wedding in two days, Lenore was giving the gardens one final inspection.

“Everything looks lovely,” she declared. “I’m blessed by all that you’ve done.”

Mrs. Madison, accompanied by Abrianna, smiled and nodded. “The Lord has blessed us with an abundance of blossoms from the roses. Not only that, but the hydrangea are continuing to bloom quite late. Your wedding will not want for floral decoration. If you’ll come this way, I’ll show you where the tents have been arranged should it rain.”

“You’ll see that Aunt Miriam has made provision for most every possibility.”

“Well,” her aunt said, “we know that having a contingency for every situation makes for a more orderly event.” She led the way to a massive pavilion of white canvas.

Lenore inspected the secondary site and gave it her approval. Mrs. Madison explained the plan to cut and arrange flowers from the garden and bring them into the tents should the weather turn bad.

“My sister has volunteered to finish decorating them and plans to use some of the silver, gold, and white materials we used last year for our annual ball. There will be bows and streamers of ribbon as well as green boughs and bouquets on every table. So you needn’t worry come rain or shine.”

“Well, I for one am praying for a beautiful day,” Abrianna declared. “And you have picked a perfect time for the wedding. Eleven o’clock in the morning is perfect. It’s not really morning, but definitely not yet afternoon. The sun can be quite warm but not too hot. At least that’s been my experience. I wouldn’t want the temperature to cause us discomfort.”

Lenore smiled. “Oh, Abrianna, you do worry about the silliest things.”

Her friend frowned. “But the temperature isn’t at all silly. Goodness, we don’t need you collapsing from the heat. And what of your father? We must consider his needs, as well.”

Lenore put her finger to Abrianna’s lips. “The Lord will take charge of the day. You needn’t fret. After all, that’s what you used to always tell me. So now I relay the same information. “‘Do not fret, for the Lord is faithful.’”

Abrianna nodded and Lenore lowered her hand. “Of course you are right to remind me.” She gave a sigh. “Sometimes I fear I will never be as faithful as I should be.”

In a gown of white satin and lace, Lenore walked down the garden path on her father’s arm. Overhead, the skies were heavy with the promise of rain, but so far not a drop had fallen. True to her word, Mrs. Madison had created a beautiful, almost ethereal, setting for the garden wedding. Lenore tried to take in everything at once and memorize how each flower looked and how beautifully decorated the white wooden arbor stood.

Father was in fine spirits, teasing her prior to the start of their walk. He had jokingly said that now that she was an heiress and wealthy in her own right, she needn’t marry Kolbein unless she truly wished to. He had laughed, knowing her answer, and Lenore felt reassured by his seeming strength. When he kissed her and handed her over to Kolbein, there was no sign of his being sick at all. For this, she praised God.

Kolbein flashed her a smile and held her hand most possessively. He was so handsome in his morning suit of gray, and his gaze made Lenore feel as if she were the most beautiful woman in the world.

Lenore couldn’t help but smile behind her veil. Their romance had been a whirlwind, but their future lives would be fixed on a solid foundation of faith and love in God and for each other.

“Dearly beloved,” the minister began, “we have gathered this day to witness the matrimony of Miss Lenore Fulcher and Mr. Kolbein Booth. Would the guests remain standing while we pray.”

Lenore bowed her head and felt Kolbein tighten his hold on her hand. Was he worried that she might slip away before he reopened his eyes? Perhaps he felt as amazed as she and just wanted to hold on to every moment, every feeling and thought, lest anything be missed.

The minister finished his wedding blessing and bid the attendees to sit before continuing with the wedding service. Lenore lost track of the words and thought only of how much she had come to love this man who would soon be her husband. She had never imagined love could come so quickly to a heart, but God had definitely caused it to grow between the two of them. She prayed it would always continue to grow.

They exchanged their vows, and when Kolbein placed a beautiful ring of diamonds and sapphires on her finger, Lenore couldn’t help but admire the piece. For a moment she wondered at the cost but just as quickly put aside her concern. She was marrying a man of means, and he was very generous. And, as her father had suggested, she was now quite well fixed herself. However, she had plans for a good portion of her money and knew that Kolbein wouldn’t object. No doubt he would easily yield to her request that they help fund Abrianna’s new exploits to see her street folk fed and clothed. Perhaps one day they would help shelter the poor, as well. She grinned, meeting her husband’s curious expression. There would be time enough to explain later.

Lifting her veil at the minister’s announcement that he could kiss his bride, Kolbein looked at her as if seeing her for the first time.

“I marvel to think you belong to me.” He drew her into his arms. “My beloved Lenore.”

After a kiss that didn’t last nearly long enough for Lenore, Kolbein stepped back and turned to greet their audience of well-wishers. Abrianna handed Lenore her bouquet of flowers and kissed her cheek.

“I think that went beautifully,” her friend murmured. “No one fainted or coughed during the recitation of your vows. And the rain held off.” They both looked skyward at the growing heaviness of the clouds.

Then before she knew it, Kolbein was whisking her away into the crowd of people. Lenore longed for a quiet moment alone with her husband, but it was not to be. At least not just yet. By the time they shared a wedding brunch and received hundreds of toasts for their future, Lenore was exhausted.

When Kolbein leaned over to whisper in her ear, Lenore straightened in her chair and smiled. Standing, Kolbein helped her to her feet, and cheers sang out from the wedding guests.

“My friends, Lenore and I must leave your company now and prepare for our departure. Our ship sails at four and we must make ready. Thank you for your many blessings and prayers.”

With that, he escorted Lenore rather hastily into the house, where the old ladies had prepared a room for them to change for their wedding trip. Lenore suddenly felt overcome by joy and burst into tears. She was married now. Married to the man of her dreams—dreams that she hadn’t even fully known until Kolbein had come into her life.

Surprising her, Kolbein took her in his arms and kissed her passionately. Lenore felt breathless when he pulled away and gazed deeply into her damp eyes.

“I love you so completely, Lenore. I’ve never known such a thing, and I find that it consumes me. I thank God for bringing me to Seattle to find you.”

“But you weren’t looking for me,” Lenore said with a tilt of the head.

“Wasn’t I?” he asked and then kissed her again.