me out of wedlock, remember?”
“Yes, so who better to recognize the danger we were putting ourselves in? Your mom spoke God’s truth, Jason. And the Lord used her words to open my eyes to what
“You think so? What about the pain they caused?”
“Pain builds character, and
Jason’s eyes softened. “You’re not the girl you were, Dawn.”
“I hope not.”
“God got hold of you.” Jason pulled her down on top of him. “But I want to hold you, too.” He dug his fingers into her hair and kissed her the way he used to when they were alone in his bedroom. “You still taste like heaven.” Rolling her onto her back, he kissed her again. “Will you marry me?”
Dawn smiled and brushed some sand off his sweater. “I think you already know the answer. Of course I will.”
Joy and then determination filled his face. “We’ll get married during Christmas break.”
She laughed. “Thanksgiving is only ten days away.”
“I know, and I wasn’t planning to go home until now.”
“You mean it!”
“Yes. I mean it.” He stood, pulling her up with him. “Now we’ll go home together, in my car. I’m calling my mother tonight, so she’ll have fair warning. And then I’m calling Pastor Daniel and finding out what day he has open for a wedding.” He shook out the blanket. “You’d better call your folks before they hear from someone else.”
Dawn tried to catch her breath. “They’ll probably suggest we wait until we graduate.”
“That’s not for another two years-or maybe even three. I don’t think either one of us can wait that long.” Jason stopped folding the blanket. “Say something.” He frowned. “You don’t want to wait, do you?”
“No.” Joy bubbled up inside her. God had given her the desire of her heart. She laughed. “No, Jason, I don’t want to wait.” She threw herself into his arms.
Jason said his mother didn’t have a lot to say about them getting married. Pastor Daniel said he’d check his calendar and they could talk when Jason and Dawn came home for Thanksgiving. Expecting resistance, Jason rehearsed arguments on the long drive north. Despite her fears, Dawn counseled him to listen and not storm in the front door of the trailer half-cocked for a gunfight. “Your mom and Pastor Daniel love you, Jason. They want the best for you.”
He glanced at her. “This is about
“I’m going to hear them out without interrupting.” She shoved her hands under her thighs. “This isn’t about what makes
Jason cast an apologetic smile. “I guess I needed the reminder.”
When he dropped her off, Mitch and Mom came out to welcome them. Eleven-year-old Christopher darted out and hugged Dawn, telling her how much he’d missed her and she was getting married and did that mean Jason would move in with them for the summer and why didn’t Jason come in and see the city he’d built with his LEGOs. They all laughed. Jason was clearly relieved by the warm greeting.
Mom threw cold water on both of them with an announcement. “Jason, you and your mom are having Thanksgiving dinner with us.” She looked at Dawn. “And Granny’s coming, too, of course. She called me right after you called her about your engagement.”
Dawn winced inwardly. No wonder her mother had been so quiet when Dawn called with the news she and Jason wanted to get married.
Dawn answered the door when Jason and his mom arrived. Georgia Steward’s smile was tense as Dawn ushered them into the house. As his mother walked ahead, Jason stole a kiss from Dawn. Mitch and Mom greeted them in the family room, offering sparkling cider and appetizers. Mitch made a toast. Granny chattered happily, eager to help plan the nuptials. “We’ll have to work fast if we’re going to pull everything together before Christmas. Dawn will need a wedding gown. We’ll have to find a photographer, order flowers and engraved invitations.”
Pensive and silent, Mom went into the kitchen. Georgia followed, asking if she could help.
Jason took Dawn’s hand. “Can we take a walk in the garden?”
Out of view of the windows, Jason took her in his arms and kissed her. “You look like a deer in the headlights.”
“A gown, wedding invitations, photographer, flowers…”
“I didn’t stop to ask what kind of wedding you want. Something big and white, I guess.”
“I think Granny is dreaming about all that because she and Papa didn’t have it. And she didn’t get to put on a big wedding for my mom, either.”
“What do you want?”
“You’ve got me.” He kissed her again, pressing her to him. He raised his mouth, then whispered against her ear. “Maybe we should save everyone the trouble and elope.”
Conversation didn’t lull around the dinner table. Even Georgia seemed loquacious when Mitch asked about her business. Booming, she said. She’d hired two more maids over the past two months and was on the lookout for another. Christopher barely spoke, too busy stuffing himself with turkey and dressing. Mom said she and Georgia would work out some of the details regarding the wedding. “We just have to know what you two have in mind.”
“Something simple.” Dawn’s smile wobbled. “Close friends and family.”
“What about flowers?” Georgia lifted her glass of sparkling cider to sip and peered at her over the rim.
“Poinsettias.” They could be left in the church to decorate through Christmas.
Georgia set her glass down carefully. “What about your bouquet?”
“Gardenias smell wonderful,” Granny volunteered. “And roses… or white orchids…”
“I want to carry five long-stemmed white roses.”
Granny looked surprised and then disheartened. “That’s not a bridal bouquet, Dawn.”
“Maybe not.” Dawn leaned over and kissed Granny’s cheek to take away any sting of disappointment. “But it’s what I want.”
Pastor Daniel sat behind his desk when Jason ushered Dawn into the office Friday morning. They held hands as they sat on the couch in front of him. “You two act like you’re facing a firing squad instead of coming in to talk about a wedding.”
Jason sat straight and tall, poised for a fight. “Don’t try to shoot us down. We want to get married as soon as possible.”
It occurred to Dawn what Pastor Daniel might think about hasty wedding plans. “I’m not pregnant, Pastor Daniel.”
Jason shot her a glance. His hand tightened around hers as he faced their pastor again. “And we’re not sleeping together either, nor will we until we’re married.”
