Interview for a Wife by Ruth Ann Nordin

Epilogue

Amber’s Wedding Day

Deanne chuckled as Amber shifted in the chair. “You need to keep still if you want me to put these flower petals in your hair. You do want petals in your hair for the ceremony, don’t you?”

The twenty-one-year-old bride finally stopped squirming. “I’m sorry, Ma. Yes, I want them. They’ll make me beautiful.”

“All they’re going to do is enhance the beauty that’s already there. Sean is a lucky man.”

It was to her and Bill’s benefit that they worked at the general store. Everyone in town ended up stopping by the store at some point, and she’d had plenty of opportunities to watch Sean. Not that he was aware she’d been watching him. She’d been careful to be discreet. But as soon as he came to Bill and expressed an interest in courting Amber, Deanne couldn’t help but pay attention to the way he behaved. There were always clues people left without realizing it. Having dealt with her family and Terry, she’d learned the things to watch for. Fortunately, Sean was so much like Bill that she was assured he would be a good husband to Amber.

“I could barely sleep last night,” Amber said. “Is that normal?”

Deanne pinned a pink rose petal into her hair. “Very normal. Today is a big day. You’re going to become a wife. Everything is going to be different.” She glanced at Amber’s reflection in the mirror and smiled. “It’s going to be an adventure. The right man can do wonders for you. I’m excited for you.” Noting the way the young woman had trouble staying still, she added, “I only have five more petals to put in your hair. After that, you can run down the aisle to greet the bridegroom at the altar.”

“Oh, I can’t do that! I don’t want everyone to know how anxious I am. It’s a secret just between us.”

“My lips are sealed.”

Deanne finished putting the petals into her hair then urged her to stand up so that she could make sure all of the buttons were fastened on the wedding gown. Afterward, she handed Amber the bouquet they had spent the better part of yesterday making. Then she collected the bouquets she and Amber had made for the others in the wedding party. Amber’s dearest friend, Betty, was the matron of honor, and the other friends Amber had made at the schoolhouse over the years were the bridesmaids.

“You look perfect,” Deanne said. “Let me tell everyone you’re ready. Stay here until I come back for you.”

“Don’t take too long.”

“I won’t.”

Deanne left the small room behind the altar. From the looks of it, most of the people were already assembled in the sanctuary. The preacher stood at the front with Sean.

Seventeen-year-old Vernon was near one of the pews with Fred and Calvin. Those three had become good friends over the years. Pete and Ada had three other children, in addition to Fred, and the whole family was in attendance. Likewise, Archie was there with his daughter Maybell and her husband, Jack. Calvin was their oldest, and he had two younger sisters. There were others who had come for the happy occasion. It was a full church, and thanks to Marsha, Ada, and Maybell, Deanne had been able to decorate the entire sanctuary before most of the people arrived.

Deanne went to the preacher and let him and Sean know that Amber was ready. Then she went to the entryway of the church and gave Betty and the bridesmaids their bouquets.

Bill, who’d been talking to Archie, turned to her. “Is Amber ready?”

Deanne nodded. “We better get this wedding started because she can’t wait any longer.”

Archie grinned. “I can say the same for the groom. He’s been back here a couple of times to ask if she’s ready.”

“Smart men know they’re getting something good when they marry.” Bill gave Deanne a wink.

“I’ll go find my seat.” Archie shook Bill’s hand then gave Deanne a hug. “Congratulations to you both.”

As the groomsmen started to line up with Amber’s friends, Deanne returned to the sanctuary. She went over to the organ and told Piper, “I’ll wave from the foyer when everyone is ready to go down the aisle.”

Piper indicated she’d watch for her signal before playing the wedding music.

By the time she returned to the back room, Amber was pacing back and forth impatiently. Deanne resisted the urge to tease her about the virtue of patience. Instead, she led Amber outside the back of the church and collected the bottom of her wedding gown so it wouldn’t get dirty as they made their way to the front of the church.

Once they arrived in the entryway, Deanne hurried to urge Amber away from the doorway so that Sean wouldn’t see her. “No need for the groom to see you until you’re ready to walk down the aisle with your pa.”

Amber chuckled then whispered, “You’re so formal about this whole thing, which is surprising since you and Pa met at the train station before he took you to the preacher’s house to get married.”

“That was different. We didn’t marry because we were in love. We married because it benefited us both,” Deanne whispered back.

Amber rolled her eyes. “It quickly turned into love. I’ve seen all the kissing you two have done over the years.”

“Sometimes love comes when you least expect it. I’ve been very blessed to have your pa, you, and your brother in my life. Adding a son-in-law will make the family better. Now, remember not to go down the aisle until Piper starts the ‘Bridal Chorus’.”

“You’ve told me this five times already,” Amber said.

“Have I?” Deanne asked in surprise.

Amber laughed. “Yes. And don’t worry; I won’t go down the aisle without Pa.”

“You can’t blame your ma for being excited,” Bill said. “She’s glad she got to help you with this day. It won’t be the same when Vernon marries. Everyone knows the real attraction of the wedding is the bride.”

Amber offered Deanne a smile and hugged her. “You’re a good mother. I just think it’s funny you worry so much.”

“It’s in a mother’s nature to worry,” Bill said. “If you have children, you’ll understand.”

“Thank you, Bill,” Deanne leaned down to kiss him. “I better tell Piper everyone’s ready.”

She went to the doorway and waited for Piper to look in her direction before giving her the signal that everyone was ready. Then she hurried down the aisle and slipped into the pew next to Vernon, Marsha, and Henry.

“They’re all ready,” she whispered to them. Then, with a look at Vernon, she added, “Someday, you’ll be at the altar waiting to get married.”

“After seeing all of this fuss, I might just elope,” he said.

“But this is pretty,” she replied in surprise. “Don’t you like the way everything looks?”

“All I see is a bunch of flowers and people in fancy clothes.”

“That’s part of the fun. Besides, we’ll have a potluck after this. Don’t tell me you aren’t looking forward to the fried chicken Winnie makes.”

“Well, the potluck will be fun.”

At that, Marsha and Henry chuckled.

Deanne supposed that he was still a bit too young to appreciate the festive nature of weddings. Though he had a couple instances of infatuations with some of the girls in town, he had yet to be serious about courting any of them. But Deanne knew that before long, he’d get serious about one of them. And given how quickly Amber had grown up, he’d be a groom much too soon.

When Piper began playing the music for the bridal party, Deanne turned her attention to the front of the church. Then, when Piper played the ‘Bridal Chorus’, she joined everyone else in rising to their feet. And Deanne couldn’t help but think that few things in this world were finer than a wedding.