AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Grace gave her a sly grin. “You’re mostly elated because Jared has moved to Boise and is rooming with one of Levi’s cousins. It was such perfect timing that a mechanic job opened up when it did, and Levi’s uncle let us know about it.”
Cindy nodded, then fluffed the skirt of Grace’s gown. “I think God’s timing is always perfect.”
“Indeed, it is.” Grace smiled at her friend with love and then accepted the bouquet that Cindy held out to her. The burgundy and peach hues of the flowers in the bouquet were perfect for a fall wedding.
A knock sounded at the door and it swung open as Grace’s father stepped inside, eyes bright with emotion.
“I’ll go see if everyone is ready,” Cindy said, rushing out of the room.
“Oh, Gracie, girl, aren’t you a picture!” her dad said as he strode across the room and gave her an enveloping hug. “How can you be all grown up and ready to marry that fine young man of yours when I still want to think of you as my little sidekick, tagging along after me on adventures?”
“I’ll always be your little girl, Daddy, but I love Levi with all my heart.”
Mike Marshall patted her hand. “I know you do, and he feels the same about you, or I never would have given that boy permission to marry you.”
Grace couldn’t hide her surprise. “When did he ask you?”
“Back in June, when he came for Delia’s wedding. I asked him what his intentions were, and he was honest with me about being uncertain at the moment. But he did ask your mother and me if we’d give him our blessing to marry you. After meeting him and seeing the two of you together, it was as plain as day you two were, and are, in love.”
“I am, Daddy. I just can’t picture a day in my future without Levi in it.”
Her father smiled and kissed her cheek. “That means he’s the one you are meant to spend your life with, sweetheart.” He took a step back. For a moment, she thought the mist in his eyes might end up with them both in tears. She’d never seen her father cry and didn’t want today to be the day she had that memory. She wanted her wedding day to be one full of joy.
“Before you start blubbering all over me,” she joked, hoping to lighten the mood, “we should probably head upstairs.”
“Cindy will let us know when it’s time,” he said, winking at her, his good humor restored. “Did you get all the traditional trappings a bride is supposed to have?”
Grace nodded. “Levi’s mother gave me these earrings for something old.” She pointed to her ears.
Stella had tapped on the door an hour ago and held out a small blue velvet box. Inside were a delicate pair of pearl earrings.
“These belonged to Gary’s mother, and she gave them to me on my wedding day. If you have a son, pass them on to his bride. We’re so, so pleased, Grace, to be getting you for a daughter, darling.” Stella had kissed her cheek and hurried from the room before they both dissolved in tears.
“What else do you have?” Mike asked, looking her over from head to toe.
“My something new is a silly thing, I suppose, but it means a lot to me.” Grace held up her bouquet and pointed to a bullseye pin she’d fastened to ribbons where no one but she could see it. “Cindy got this to remind me that when our aim is true, anything is possible. It’s also because the first time I went shooting with Levi, he teased me about making a lucky shot, but the luckiest thing that happened to me was meeting him. I like to think God had plans for us all along.”
“I’d say you both are blessed, Gracie. Not everyone finds what you and Levi have with each other.” Her father squeezed her hand that wasn’t holding the bouquet. “What else do you have?”
“Gary gave me a penny that I have in my shoe for something borrowed, and something blue is a handkerchief that belonged to Grandma. It has little blue flowers embroidered in the corner. Mom said she carried it on her wedding day. Since you seem to still like each other, at least a little,” Grace teased, thinking about how much in love her parents remained, even after four kids and all the years that had passed, “it seemed like the perfect thing to be my something blue.”
“That’s great, sweetheart. Your mom and I are—”
“It’s time,” Cindy said, poking her head into the room with a broad smile. “Levi looks like he’s ready to bolt.”
“Don’t say that to her,” Mike warned, then chuckled as Cindy darted out of the doorway. Grace could hear the church organ playing, and the noise overhead suddenly stilled.
“If you’re having doubts, I can sneak you out the back door,” her father offered, looking serious, although she could hear the mirth in his voice.
“Not a single doubt, Daddy. I can’t wait to become Grace Gibson.”
He helped her settle the veil over her face, and then they made their way upstairs. The moment she stepped into the aisle strewn with burgundy and peach rose petals, it was as if all the friends and family there melted away until the only person she could see was Levi.
The love he held for her in his heart shone in his eyes as he smiled at her and took her hand when she and her father reached him. Grace swallowed a giggle when her father gave Levi a menacing scowl before taking a seat in the front row next to her mother.
The ceremony was brief but poignant, and when they exchanged the vows they’d written, Grace heard more than one person sniffling in the crowd. When the pastor gave them permission to kiss, Grace had no idea what to expect. Would Levi be too shy to give her a kiss worthy of a new bride, or would he go overboard and give her one that made her blush?
Slowly, he raised her veil, cupped her cheek and then her chin, and delivered a kiss that was both tender and reverent but with just enough promise of things to come that several of Grace’s cousins sighed at the romantic sight.
