A Wedding for Julia (18 page)

“Your marriage, it is somewhat different,
ya
? It is starting more like the old ways. You did not court or date or choose each other in quite the fashion our young people do today. The world has moved on, and even though we cling to the old ways as best we can, Amish communities have moved with the world in some regards.”

He patted his open Bible, and then he gently closed it and set it on the table next to the couch. “There may be days where you have your doubts because of this strange and
wunderbaar
beginning. When you do, remember Isaac and Rebekah.”

Reaching out to her with his left hand and to Caleb with his right, he spoke softly. “‘Isaac brought Rebekah into his mother Sarah’s tent, and she became his wife. He loved her deeply, and she was a special comfort to him after the death of his mother.’”

When he bowed his head, Julia found herself staring into Caleb’s blue eyes. The moments ticked by, and she realized they were to be praying. She tried to look away, to look down, but she couldn’t.

She didn’t know how this would all end. She couldn’t define the emotions dancing through her heart. She certainly didn’t know if she would have the kind of love Rebekah experienced.

But the expression in Caleb’s eyes gave her hope—hope for their future together.

As they moved outside to be wed, her stomach still quivered and her hands still shook. But those things no longer worried her. As Lydia had said—most people were nervous. The time with Caleb and Bishop Atlee had convinced her that the new life they were beginning would most certainly be one God would bless.

Chapter 15

C
aleb tried to focus on the sermon, but his thoughts kept turning back to the moments he, Julia, and Atlee had spent in the sitting room.

The bishop’s words weren’t lost on him. Though their parents hadn’t selected him and Julia for each other, they had approved of their decision. Ada had told him so twice, both in front of Julia and privately. She explained she had been praying for years that God would send someone to care for and love her daughter. She was certain he was the answer to those prayers.

His own parents had been every bit as encouraging. Although they couldn’t make the trip from Indiana to Wisconsin, they had made him promise he would bring his new bride to visit soon. Already he had in his pocket a letter from them, a sealed letter, addressed to Julia Zook.

As the wedding ceremony continued, he and Julia sat in front of the rows of benches. They sat facing each other.

Caleb tried not to stare at the woman who would soon be his bride, but it wasn’t easy.

He scrubbed a hand over his face, sweat trickling down the back of his new white shirt though the morning was a pleasant fifty-eight degrees. He knew the temperature because he’d checked it on Aaron’s outdoor thermometer. He’d wanted to ensure that everything was going to be perfect, as if he could do anything about the temperature.

The day had turned out perfect. October sunshine splashed across Julia’s garden.

The yard was in pristine condition, thanks to the work Seth had done. The boy had been a real blessing; only he wasn’t a boy. Caleb realized with a start that he would soon be married as well.

Aaron, David, and Gabe had helped with the porch, the downstairs rooms, and the portions of the barn that couldn’t wait. There were still things he would like to do before the café opened, but his friends had stepped in and made this morning possible.

Everyone stood and now Caleb and Julia were mere inches apart. Together they joined in one last song. Standing so close, he was able to make out her alto notes, even mingled in with so many voices. It was the first time he had heard her sing. Normally during church they sat on opposite sides of the room and her voice always blended with others. This morning he found himself listening to each word, and he knew he would always be able to pick out her voice now even when they were separated by a room full of people.

They sat again as a deacon came forward to give the second sermon. The first sermon had covered examples of godly marriages through the Old and New Testaments. This time the sermon focused on the love Christ has for the church and how marriage reflects that love. Caleb glanced again at Julia and caught her studying him.

He wiped his hands on his pants, hoping the sweat from his palms wouldn’t stain them. He was aware that some thought the Amish weddings, which lasted nearly as long as their church services, were overly long.

Kendrick, one of the men Caleb worked with at the grocery, had teased him about it just last week. “Our weddings last twenty minutes tops. Unless you’re a Catholic, and then they can get somewhat lengthy.”

Twenty minutes!

Caleb couldn’t imagine. He only knew he was grateful for this time—moments to calm his rapidly beating heart, collect his thoughts, and pray he could be the man Julia needed him to be.

Before it seemed possible, Bishop Atlee was signaling them that it was time to come forward. It was time to exchange their vows.

He heard a stirring among their friends as he and Julia stepped toward the bishop. Glancing back, he caught sight of a few grinning faces. It was a blur, though. He was trying not to trip as they walked the few steps to join Atlee. He was also distracted by Julia. She was so beautiful. The morning sunshine fell through the trees and landed on her in a circle of light.

A lump caught in Caleb’s throat, and he feared he wouldn’t be able to respond to Atlee’s questions. Then Julia reached for his hand and smiled.

“Do you, Caleb Zook, and you, Julia Beechy vow to remain together until death?”

“We do.”

“And will you both be loyal and care for each other during adversity?”

“We will.”

“During affliction?”

“Yes.”

“During sickness?”

Caleb was suddenly aware of the breeze on his face, the light smell of jasmine soap on Julia’s skin, and her hand shaking ever so softly in his.

“We will.”

Atlee reached forward, covering their hands with his own. “All of those assembled here, as your
freinden
and family in Christ, and I, as your bishop, wish you the blessing and mercy of God.”

Caleb heard a roaring in his ears, and over that clapping from the people who had come to watch this sacred moment. Julia had tears in her eyes, but she was also smiling. He realized how important that was to him, to see her happy. Sometime in the last month, it had become his dream to see her content.

“Go forth in the Lord’s name.” Atlee turned them to face their guests. “You are now man and wife.”

Caleb didn’t think he would be able to eat a thing. As he sat beside Julia at the corner table—the
eck
, he thought he would only be able to glance at her and wonder how he had come to be so blessed.

Then someone handed him a plate of chicken with bread filling. He helped himself to a healthy portion and passed it to his right. Next came one vegetable dish after another, including creamed celery. How could he say no to any of them? Soon food was heaped so high on his plate he had to pass dishes without taking any because there was nowhere left to add servings.

He leaned toward Julia before taking his first bite. “Tell me you didn’t stay up late cooking all of this.”

“
Nein
. Lydia and Miriam arranged all the cooking—”

“We had to put a lock on the kitchen to keep her out,” Miriam declared, as she passed them carrying three more plates of food.

Julia blushed as she denied that. “Not true.”

Caleb paused midbite and sneaked another look at his new bride, trying to gauge her reaction.

“I will admit it was hard to stay out of the baking and preparations, but there was no need for a lock. I was busy preparing things in other parts of the house.” She blushed prettily. “I will be ready to cook again once the café opens. I’ve missed it.”

“We’re fortunate Amish women enjoy cooking.” David was seated down the table a few places and across from Caleb. Single men—including Seth, sat on the same side, to his right.

All very traditional. He almost laughed.

The west side of Pebble Creek considered themselves to be liberal, but when it came to weddings things were done the same as they always had been. No doubt they would be shocked to see some of the Amish weddings in Indiana, where the brides actually put flowers on the tables instead of leafy celery stalks in jars. In recent years, the weddings of younger couples occasionally even took place in rented facilities rather than in the house of the bride’s family.

None of that mattered to Caleb. Those were minor details. He wanted to enjoy this day that was the beginning of their life together and then dive into the work waiting to be done. He wanted to make Julia happy and erase the fears that sometimes worried her expression.

Aaron pointed his fork at Caleb. “David’s right. Amish women cook well. But you, my
freind
, have married a woman who is going to cook all day, most every day. Blessed among men, that’s what I would call you.”

“I won’t be arguing.”

“We can share in the fruits of Julia’s labor as soon as we start on the bridge, which I think should be next week. I spoke with Tim, and he has some ideas on the design…” Aaron held up his hands when they all put down their silverware and stared at him. “What?”

“You’re talking business at a wedding, dear. Eat more, talk less.” Lydia stopped at their table with a pitcher of water and refilled his glass.

“Julia was talking of work.”

“She said she loved cooking.” Miriam strolled by with two more plates. “Completely different.”

Caleb continued studying his friends while everyone at his table resumed eating. Julia was answering something Clara had asked—the young girl who was to marry Seth was sitting to her left. All of the young unmarried girls were.

He didn’t mind the talk of work. He liked the idea of their two properties being connected by a bridge. Not only would it save time driving and walking around by the main road, it would entice customers staying at the cabins to visit the café.

Glancing toward Pebble Creek, Caleb felt the familiar tug. He was at peace when he was near the water, and families who came to the cabins came there looking for rest and tranquility. Last week, he and Aaron had gone into town to make sure they didn’t need a building permit. Because together they owned both sides of the creek and because they were technically outside the village of Cashton proper, no permit was required.