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As they neared the front of the church, Emma recognized Sam's wagon. Her heart began to flutter with the speed of a hummingbird's wings.
James brought the buggy to a halt and climbed out, helping Amanda down and then offering his hand to Emma.
Emma got out, then lifted her bouquet of deep pink roses from the seat. She took a deep breath and gave James a tremulous smile.
Tears were already spilling from Amanda's eyes when she spoke. "Are you sure, Emma?"
Lifting her chin, she smiled at her best friend. "Positive. If I can be half as happy as you and James are, I'll be satisfied."
The two women embraced each other, then James leaned down and kissed Emma's cheek. "If you ever need us ..."
"I know. And thank you."
James took Amanda's arm and helped her up the steps to the church door. Amanda turned and gave Emma a tearful smile, then they disappeared into the dim interior, leaving Emma alone at the base of the church steps.
This was it.
Taking a deep breath to calm her nerves, Emma carefully climbed the steps and went inside.
***
Sam ran his finger around the inside of his shirt collar and shifted his weight from one foot to the other. The church was stifling, especially at the altar, where he and Fred were standing. The windows were open, yet nothing stirred the air inside. Perspiration trickled down his back beneath his dark wool suit. "Maybe she's changed her mind," he muttered under his breath to Fred, standing beside him.
"You hopin' she did?" Fred asked.
Sam swallowed. Maybe it would be better if she doesn't show up. His mind wandered back to another wedding, to a day when the future looked bright, when he'd been positive his bride would love him forever.
It had been a much grander church, with hundreds of guests in attendance, a choir and a symphony of bells that had been ringing when they arrived. Catherine's parents had been furious about her choice of a husband, but when she had threatened to elope, they had spared no expense for their only daughter's wedding.
He had waited for his bride that day with love and happiness in his heart, and with hope and excitement for their future together. If he had known how it would end ... would he have married her anyway?
Before he had a chance to answer his own question, a small voice called to him, drawing his attention back to the present, and to the children in the front pew.
Joseph sat at the end, his back straight, his eyes straight ahead. Nathan, beside him, slouched in the seat, his blond head barely visible above the top of the pew. Lou Holloway, Fred's wife, sat with them, holding Becky on her knee. She mouthed an apology.
Becky waved at him. "Papa, where Emma? She coming?"
Muffled laughter filled the church, and Sam smiled apologetically at Reverend Winslop.
"Hush, Becky." Gramma Lou admonished the little girl. "You must be quiet in church."
Becky gazed up at Lou, then turned to Mr. and Mrs. Kuipers sitting in the pew directly behind them. With a serious expression, she announced, "Emma gonna be a bride, you know. She told me."
"Becky! Shh!" Lou placed a quieting finger on Becky's lips.
"But she did." Becky's eyes were huge.
"I know she did, sweetheart," Lou said, "but you must sit quietly and wait until she gets here."
"But when is she coming?"
"Soon."
"But I want to see her."
"You will. Now hush."
The oak door opened, and Sam saw Amanda and James come into the church. Fred nudged Sam in the ribs. "I reckon she must be here," he said.
