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Someone from inside the house called her name. She glanced back and saw her mother wave for her to come inside. “What are you doing out here? Hurry, it’s time you got ready for the wedding.”
With one last disheartening glance toward the harbor, she exhaled heavily then turned back toward the house. “Coming.”
Inside the home, the house was a flutter of activity. Lacy taffeta swished the polished wood floors as her sisters hurried about in their beautiful Sunday best. Amongst them all, Victoria looked stunning in her wedding dress. A feeling of envy tugged at Evelina’s heart. She didn’t want to feel this way, but she couldn’t help herself. Before Ryan, she would never had cared.
An hour later, Evelina, her parents, and Victoria crowded into a rented buggy and headed for St. Paul’s Anglican Church just two blocks down the street from their home while the rest of her siblings walked the short distance. Evelina sat squeezed into a corner while her sister’s white chiffon veil blew in her face in the open buggy. She wrestled with the bothersome garment trying to keep it out of her way until Victoria finally noticed just as they reached the harbor.
“Sorry, Evie.” She shot her an apologetic smile and gathered the veil to tuck it behind her.
“Here, let me help.” She went to assist her sibling but something at the docks caught her attention. The Francesca sat in port and was in the process of lowering her plank. “Stop!”
“What? Why?”
“Just stop!” Excitedly getting to her feet, she barely allowed the buggy to come to a stop before swinging open the door. Stumbling, she nearly fell out of the coach in her rush to get out.
“Slow down, Evelina, you’re going to fall.” Her father declared while rushing to help her out of the carriage.
Giving him a grateful smile, she turned around and stared down the pier toward the wharf where the larger vessels docked. She went as if to move toward the Francesca but then pulled herself short. Partly because she didn’t trust her reaction at seeing Ryan after a month apart. But mostly on account the pier was narrow and loomed dreadfully high over the water. Therefore, she resigned herself to stand on the boardwalk where it met the pier that led down to the docks and watched as the passengers and crew disembarked from the massive schooner.
Her eager gaze shifted from one traveler to the next. With each person, the anticipation in her eyes began to wane until the captain was the last person to come ashore.
There was no sign of Ryan.
She hadn’t realized it, but her father stood next to her on the boardwalk as the captain approached them. He reached out and shook his hand, exchanged pleasantries and inquired how his passage went.
Then on Evelina’s behalf, he asked, “Was Ryan Colby on board?”
“No, ‘fraid not. He never came aboard in Placid.”
She hadn’t needed the captain’s confirmation that Ryan had not returned but hearing him say it made it feel final.
She felt her father’s hands gently cup her shoulders. “Come along, Evie, or we’ll be late.”
With despair, she turned aside and allowed him to help her back up into the carriage. Ten minutes later, they pulled up in front of the little church her family attended every Sunday for service. Well, everyone that was except Evelina. It had been many, many years since she last attended. The curious glances and whispering tongues behind her back became too unbearable for Evelina to endure. Not that the church consisted of a large congregation, but they were a close-knit community who enjoyed idle talk and spreading rumors. Hence, the explanation why she suddenly broke out into a cold sweat the moment she stepped inside the narthex.
Next to her, Victoria was oblivious to her sibling’s discomfort as she excitedly prepared for the biggest moment of her life. Evelina watched her sister fret with her wedding dress as a genuine feeling of happiness somehow managed to overpower her budding anxiety.
Managing a smile, she told her with sincerity, “You look beautiful, Victoria.”
The bride beamed looking exceptionally handsome in her best Sunday dress complimented with a crown of flowers and a floor length veil. “Truly?”
“Yes. Congratulations, I wish you a lifetime of happiness.”
“Oh thank you, Evie.” She clutched her hands and gave a nervous glance toward the altar. “I’m so excited yet so nervous.”
“You’ll be fine. You’ve got a great man waiting for you down there.”
Victoria glanced at her and her happy glow dimmed slightly. “Your day will come too, I just know it.”
She attempted to form a brave smile. “I don’t think so. Who would ever want me?”
“Don’t say such foolish things.”
“You know it’s true.”
Victoria pursed her lips in disapproval yet reframed from disagreeing which in itself spoke volumes.
Evelina turned from her sister and headed for her seat. She paused just inside the nave and glanced at the low attendance. With relief, she released an inner sigh and proceeded to slip into a nearby pew. Only her family and the groom’s family attended. No whispering tongues or unwanted glances staring at her.
