Geneva and the other women slipped through a side door at Faith Bible Church, the opposite side of the auditorium from where the men entered. It was time. Pastor Rick said a prayer, the music began.
And there was Rainn, striding toward Geneva to usher her to her seat. Every jitter she could have imagined trailed a course through her body. She even had a picture of racing blood. And, she forgot to breathe.
Geneva’s soul calmed when their gazes met. He captured her and filled her with unspoken promises. Would she soon hear him speak those three little words he hinted at in his last voice message?
Geneva smiled.
Rainn winked.
She took his arm and faced front. His warmth and muscled strength flowed through her fingertips to her toes. He gave her hand one pat before he led her forward.
“You almost outshine your daughter, Geneva,” he whispered. “You take my breath away.”
“Glad you think so, but it’s all about Moselle.”
The staged area at the foot of the cross was covered in vines of autumn splendor, leaves and tiny twinkle lights rather than flowers. Moselle wanted the impression of a secluded glade rather than banks of traditional wedding flowers.
As soon as Rainn released Geneva at the front pew, Eric and Marty Marolf, the best man, followed Pastor Rick’s entrance.
Eric sent a slight nod Geneva’s way. He’d be her son in a few short minutes. And she trusted him with her daughter’s future. Next, Karin was up front.
Geneva turned to face Moselle with the first notes of the wedding march. Moselle’s creamy white gown was a perfect choice for her. The streamlined skirt played peekaboo with her brocade boots as she walked up the aisle. Geneva swallowed her chuckle at the rebellious touch of country. The dress was sprigged with orange and yellow flowers at the bodice and hem.
Once Moselle had passed, Geneva raised her gaze to the cross, and thanked Him from the depths of her soul for Moselle and Eric and Rainn and Mia.
She focused on the couple of the day, awed at the light in Eric’s face as he took in the sight of his bride.
From the corner of her eye, she glimpsed Rainn come up the outside aisle.
“Hi, Geneva,” Mia said clearly, causing a few twitters. She and Rainn sat in a pew behind and to Geneva’s left. His nearness drew her as though he had physically pulled her close.
She scanned the front of the church, where brilliant sunlight brightened all the wonderful clear glass. She swallowed a lump in her throat at the reminder that Rainn’s job on another church in town was now finished. He had to feel so satisfied at the sight of his finished work. Jesus in all His glory, emblazoned in brilliant color, depicted in stained glass.
No matter what the future might bring as far as Rainn was concerned, Geneva could view his artistry every time she drove by that church.
Wrong or right, Geneva’s thoughts bounced from Jesus to the man sitting behind her. She felt his heat. The knowledge he was there caused myriads of sensation.
She imagined leaning her head on Rainn’s shoulder. She met his gaze. Were they so connected that he was linked to her thoughts?
The tears stopped and she smiled, filled with serenity. She turned her focus back to the words of Moselle’s chosen song. Geneva tried to imagine herself before she knew Christ, and saw only darkness.
Then she remembered the first time she met Rainn, and the difference he had made in her life.
Thank You, Lord. Thank You for Rainn. Thank You for Mia and Moselle and Eric. Thank You for the plan You have for all of us. Thank You for giving us life. And if it’s Your will, a life for me with Rainn.
The ceremony ended, yet it was the beginning for Mr. and Mrs. Eric Todd as they floated down the aisle.
Rainn came to his feet and hustled to Geneva’s side, Mia in tow. She brushed aside the layers of her full turquoise skirt, and wrapped Geneva’s legs in a hug.
Too bad. The congregation would have to wait a moment to be ushered out. Geneva brushed her hands over the row of pastel granny squares Lanae had crocheted to form a tiny shawl that slipped off Mia’s shoulders, and tugged it back into place.
Mia lifted her chin to smile up at Geneva, arms clutching her thighs. This was a day for shining eyes.
“I’ve missed you, Geneva. Uncle Rainn loves Geneva and Geneva loves Uncle Rainn.”
Did Mia grasp the concept of love? Geneva wondered. Maybe love to Mia was wrapped up in security.
“I love you, Mia Grace Harris.”
“I love you back, Geneva Elaine Carson. Would you be my mother?” Mia dropped the bombshell. “Grandma Harris says I need a mother.”
Mia’s comment opened the floodgates. Geneva had been teary-eyed since Moselle and Eric’s choice of wedding song. The lovely lyrics washed through her again. A love song, but one written more for the change Jesus brought in a life than a person, though it applied to both. What a difference Jesus makes when a heart is changed. Jesus was the true meaning of love, the Good News, and He made broken parts new.
“Then I guess your Uncle Rainn and I will have to talk about that. Right now, we’re going to have a wedding party.”
Mia beamed and gave Geneva another squeeze.
Rainn bent to hoist Mia up, and finally offered Geneva his arm. Instead of the crook of his elbow, she settled an arm around his back. Geneva hoped her expression of love for Rainn held as much assurance as Mia’s had.
And Geneva didn’t give a rip that the whole church was looking on. Bring on Kate Rawlins. The whole town could see, for all she cared.
Rainn leaned in close to speak. “We’ll continue this conversation later. Now we need to walk down the aisle.”
Oh, I wish. I’d walk anywhere with this man, and Mia, beside me.
But their time would have to wait. This was Moselle’s day, after all, and they were bound for the wedding reception.
Mia and Geneva walked into late afternoon sunshine, leaving Rainn to handle ushering out the congregation of wedding guests.
Greetings and congratulations and reception details took up the next couple hours. Often, Geneva searched for Rainn in the crowd, and often felt his attention on her. They connected from across the room more times than she could count.
At a lull in the activity, Geneva’s gaze settled on Mia, seated with Lanae, devouring a full plate of nuts and mints.
Then Geneva surveyed the room, and sought Rainn, yet again. In reflective moments she had tried to sort out her feelings. Emotion flooded her being when they finally had a moment alone. She led him to a quiet corner.