The room got so quiet, Leah wondered if every person present could hear her thundering heartbeat. Overwhelmed by the solemnity of the moment and the way the bishop seemed to be pointing up the potential for their marriage to fail, she focused intently on Jeremiah as she carefully repeated the vows he led her in. She would not cave in to the doubts of those around her—
But maybe they know better than you do. Why on earth would a wonderful, handsome man like Jude choose you when he could have any woman he wanted for a wife?
“—till death do us part,” Leah repeated loudly, before her twinge of doubt could spoil all her hopes and dreams.
Jude placed his hand over hers, to reassure her—or perhaps because she was squeezing his arm too tightly.
Leah relaxed her grip and sucked in air to keep from passing out. She had said her vows, and somehow she hadn’t messed up the words and made a total fool of herself. Or at least she didn’t think she’d misspoken—her thoughts were spinning so tightly, she could only trust the encouraging nods from the congregation that showed no sign she’d made a mistake.
As Jude repeated the same words after Bishop Jeremiah, she marveled at his confidence. His resonant baritone voice filled the room with each age-old phrase, leaving no doubt about his sincerity or his deep, unshakable love for her. By the time he’d completed his part of the ceremony, Leah felt amazed—overwhelmingly gratified—that such a steadfast man was promising to love and cherish her forever. She’d adored Jude since her early teen years, but as Bishop Jeremiah pronounced them husband and wife, Leah thrummed with so much joy that for the first time in her life she felt utterly, stunningly beautiful.
“I love you so much, Leah,” Jude whispered. “December first will forever be my favorite day of the year.” He lifted her chin and then held her close, pressing his warm lips into hers.
Leah wanted to savor their first kiss as a married couple—the first time Jude had kissed her in public—yet she was acutely aware that several people were watching them. When she broke away sooner than she wanted to, the question in Jude’s eyes stabbed at her heart. Not married even a minute, and already you’ve disappointed him—
“I—I love you, too, Jude,” Leah murmured, putting on a tremulous smile. “Just nervous, with all these people watching.”
“I present to you Mr. and Mrs. Judah Shetler!” Bishop Jeremiah announced grandly. He began to clap, and soon the room was filled with applause. When Leah turned with Jude to face the crowd, she was glad her new husband had his arm around her to support her. Her legs still felt as wobbly as a newborn calf’s, and the speculative expressions she noted on some of the ladies’ faces gave her pause.
Do they really believe I’m the wrong woman for Jude? Do they think I’m the wrong woman for any man?
Leah was grateful for the business of signing the marriage certificate, and for the congratulatory remarks her Cedar Creek neighbors were calling out to her and Jude. After she’d stepped over to the oak sideboard to write her name, she handed the pen to Jude, who signed with a flourish.
“Next!” Jude said as he gave the pen to one of his daughters—Leah wasn’t sure which one, because the twins appeared identical from the top of their fresh white kapps to their dark aqua cape dresses and white aprons to their black church shoes.
“Denki for being my side-sitters today,” Leah said as the two sisters signed. “It means a lot to have you girls stand with me as family—”
“Jah, sure thing,” one of the twins said with a shrug.
“Whatever,” the other girl remarked in an identical off-hand tone. The two of them quickly disappeared into the crowd of chatting guests.
Jude shook his head as he handed the pen to Gabe Flaud, a longtime friend who’d stood up with him. “I’m so glad my girls have a new mamm,” he said with a big smile for Leah. “This couldn’t-care-less phase they’re going through is testing my patience.”
Gabe chuckled. “I’ve got teenage sisters who have the same attitude at times,” he said. “My mother’s remedy for that is giving them more barn chores until they beg her to just do housework again.”
Leah laughed along with the men, unable to imagine Alice and Adeline going to the barn unless they were hitching a horse to their buggy to leave Jude’s farm for a while. She would need to establish a way to handle the twins’ aloofness, but she was determined to enjoy her wedding day—which seemed to be speeding by—rather than fretting over teenage behavior while her family and friends were gathered to help her celebrate. Her mother’s bright smile raised her spirits immediately.
“Oh, Leah, I’m so happy for you and Jude,” Mama said as she wrapped her arms around both of them. “I wish you health and happiness and all of God’s blessings as you begin your life together.”
“Hear, hear,” a man behind them said. When Leah turned toward his rich, low voice, she was enfolded in Bishop Vernon Gingerich’s embrace as he heartily shook hands with Jude. Vernon was well acquainted with Jude because he often bought Black Angus heifers and calves at area auctions. “It’s a particular pleasure to see you two become a couple,” he said, his blue eyes twinkling as he smiled at both of them. “I know Raymond’s smiling down from heaven because two like-minded souls he always loved have now become one.”
The mention of her dat’s name made tears spring to Leah’s eyes because he hadn’t lived long enough to see her married. She saw Mama’s smile falter
