Shadow of Shame: Book 1 of the Shadow series (17 page)

A gift of caring, love and more, it won’t be found in any store.

From my hands I give to you, a gift of love, just for thee.

“I’m horrible at poems, but Rose and Violet helped me,” she admitted.

“It’s beautiful, and I’ll cherish the scarf.” He took her in his arms and was poised to kiss her once more when the door of the kitchen burst open.

“Enough, you two! Hiram and I have come to a conclusion. Come into the sitting room for a serious talk,” George said. Hiram stood behind him and winked so they’d know it wasn’t a bad talk as George's gruffness had made it sound.

Jonas took Ivy’s hand, and followed the two fathers into the sitting room.

Hiram began, “George and I were discussing activities for our church. We couldn’t think of anything to do for New Year’s Eve. Then we discussed your wedding plans, and together we came up with a great idea!”

George cut in. “We don’t think you two should wait until February to marry. Zoe needs a mother. You two could marry on New Year’s Eve and start the new year as a family.”

“What do you two think?” Hiram asked.

“I think someone spiked your tea, George,” Phoebe said.

“I could never get a wedding prepared in a week!” Lavinia exclaimed.

Ivy and Jonas looked at each other and smiled. “We love it!” Jonas exclaimed.

“Let’s do it!” Ivy said.

Ivy squeezed Jonas’s hand. “Mr. Armstrong is right. Zoe needs a mother, and I’ve applied, been hired, and now I can’t wait to start the job.”

“No more calling me Mr. Armstrong,” George boomed. “It’s Father, now.”

“Same for you, Jonas,” Hiram said. “In one week, we’ll become one big family and I’m pleased to unite with the Armstrong Family.”

“How will I ever—" Lavinia started to say.

“I’ll help, as I’m sure Ivy, Rose and Violet will,” Phoebe said.

“Yes!” Violet and Rose said in unison.

Lavinia laughed. “All right. Let’s do it!”

It was nine at night on New Year’s Eve, and the church was decorated with streamers. Candles were lit at the end of every row. Every single bench was filled. Ivy, dressed in a white, ruffled dress with red trim, peered out of her place behind a big potted plant in the foyer. This would be a wedding everyone would remember for years to come. She waited for her signal.

The pianist started to play the Wedding March, which was Ivy’s cue to get Zoe, who was sitting in the last row.

Since they’d rehearsed the ceremony, Zoe knew exactly what to do, and she waited and watched for her cue as well. She ran to meet Ivy.

Rose and Violet appeared, dressed in red velvet.

Zoe wore a white dress with red trim, and she carried a holly plant. Ivy had pulled Zoe’s curls back and placed a red ribbon around her head.

Rose and Violet started their walk down the aisle. Zoe followed them. Ivy walked behind Zoe, carrying a white carnation. Ivy had fixed her hair in the up-do that Jonas loved.

When Rose and Violet reached the altar they stepped back and took a seat in the front row. Ivy took Zoe’s hand and waited at the altar for her groom. Jonas got up from his seat behind the piano, and walked to the altar. Ivy pinned the carnation to the breast of Jonas’s black suit. Jonas took one of Ivy’s hands and one of Zoe’s, and faced the altar.

Reverend Hiram Jeffries came out from a door behind the altar and made the sign of the cross with his hands. He then began the usual wedding ceremony, until he came to the part where they each had to repeat their vows. He added Zoe’s name to the vows. She didn’t have to repeat them as Jonas and Ivy did, but the fact that she was included brought tears to everyone’s eyes. Reverend Hiram added, “To love Zoe for as long as you both shall live.” When Ivy and Jonas said, “I do,” Zoe’s face lit up with a smile.

After Ivy and Jonas had repeated their vows, Hiram knelt down next to Zoe. “Do you take Ivy as your new mama, and promise to love her always? If so, say 'I do.'”

Zoe smiled. “I do!” she squealed.

Hiram turned to Jonas, “Do you take Ivy as your daughter’s mother forever?”

“I do,” Jonas said.

"Then I pronounce Jonas and Ivy as man and wife, and Jonas, Ivy, and Zoe as a family. May God bless this union.”

After kissing his bride and Zoe, Jonas went to the piano and began to play again, while Zoe and Ivy stood at the altar wondering why he’d deviated from their planned walk back down the aisle together. They stood watching him and wondering.

The most beautiful tenor voice rang through the church, bringing tears to Ivy’s eyes, as well as to most in the church. To Zoe, it brought a big smile.

Drink to me only with thine eyes

And I will pledge with mine;

Or leave a kiss but in the cup,

And I'll not look for wine.

The thirst that from the soul doth rise

Doth ask a drink divine:

But might I of Jove's nectar sup

I would not change for thine.

I sent thee late a rosy wreath,

Not so much honouring thee

As giving it a hope that there

It could not withered be

But thou thereon didst only breathe

And sent'st it back to me:

Since, when it grows and smells, I swear,

Not of itself but thee.

When he was done, Jonas walked over to take his wife and daughter's hands, and they walked down the aisle, together, to the foyer where they stood with their families, prepared to greet the guests.

Hiram held up his hand to the guests, “Before I dismiss you, I’d like you all to greet the new family in the foyer, and then make your way back here to the sanctuary for refreshments. Then at midnight, we'll welcome in the New Year together. May God bless you all.”

While Mr. and Mrs. Jonas Armstrong and Zoe greeted their guests, a few women of the church set out the various dishes that Lavinia and Phoebe had prepared for the repast.

Zoe had been given a long nap that afternoon so that she could stay up for the festivities. At exactly midnight, Jonas played
Auld Lang Syne
on
the piano, and everyone hugged and shook hands to welcome in the new year.

Then, Jonas sat back down at the piano, and the jovial party silenced. He started to play, and sing.

Amazing grace, How sweet the sound
That saved a wretch like me.
I once was lost, but now I am found, 
Was blind, but now I see.
'Twas grace that taught my heart to fear, 
And grace my fears relieved.
How precious did that grace appear
The hour I first believed.
Through many dangers, toils and snares
I have already come, 
'Tis grace has brought me safe thus far
And grace will lead me home.
 

After everyone had gone home except for the Armstrong and Jeffries families, Hiram held out his arms for Zoe. “You, my love, are sleeping over at our house tonight with Auntie Rose and Auntie Violet. We will have so much fun tomorrow. Then, after dinner, we’ll take you back to Mama and Papa.”

Zoe smiled and put her hand in Hiram’s. “Okay, Gram Papa.”

Finally married, and finally alone, Jonas locked up the house for the night. Ivy had already gone upstairs to prepare for bed. Before he’d shut off the last lamp, he fell to his knees and thanked God. He thanked Him for forgiving his sins and wiping his slate clean, he thanked him for Zoe, and for Ivy. He asked God to bless his family, and to bless his marriage bed. He mumbled an amen, and shut off the lamp and walked up the stairs.

Jonas had changed his clothes in Zoe’s room and was now wearing just a robe and slippers. He opened the door to the master bedroom where he found Ivy sitting on a chair, brushing her long, blonde hair. “Hello, wife,” Jonas said.

Ivy set her brush down. “Hello, husband.” She was wearing a white night gown with a lace collar and pearl buttons down the front. Her cheeks were rosy, and she had a sparkle in her eyes.

Jonas sat on the edge of the bed. “This is your home now, too. You can decorate it any way you wish. I also have a little surprise for you.”

Ivy raised her eyebrows.

Jonas walked over to the armoire and opened a small, thin drawer at the top. He removed a little book and handed it to Ivy. “This is our bank account.”

Ivy opened the book and gasped. “Where did you get this much money?”

“My father’s aunt left Caleb and me a windfall. There was more, but I built this house, paid Beulah and Boyd, had my stables built, and invested in horses. Since then I’ve made most of the investment back in sales and horse show prizes.

“My father asked us both to not reveal that we were wealthy so we wouldn’t attract fortune hunters for wives, and so I kept my secret. And now you must promise not to tell anyone until after Caleb is married.” He returned the book to the drawer.

“I promise,” she said.

“We still have another spare bedroom, but soon we’ll need to expand the house, since we want a big family like we discussed,” Jonas said.

Jonas looked into Ivy’s sparkling blue eyes. “Are you ready for our marriage bed?”

She nodded, shyly.

“Are you nervous?” he asked.

She nodded again.

“I am too,” he confessed. “I might not be a virgin, but it’s been a long time. It feels so good to know that this time it'll be with God’s blessing.”

Jonas smiled at Ivy, compassionately. “We’ll take it slow. If at any time you feel you aren’t ready, just say so and we’ll stop.

“Come here and sit beside me, Ivy,” he said softly.

She rose, walked to him, and sat close beside him.

He put his arm around her and looked into her eyes. “I love you, Ivy. We’ll remember this night when we're old, and sitting in our rocking chairs on the porch.”

Ivy giggled, but held his eye contact. “I love you, Jonas. I’ve loved you since I first saw you on the straw ride.”

“That was the night I felt as if I’d never have a chance with you, since I still wore the burden of my past on my shoulders,” he said. “It was the first time in five years that I sincerely wished I could fix the problem. I knew you were the woman I would want to court, if only I didn’t have a past to be ashamed of. I never planned on courting or marrying ever again. The thought never entered my mind until I laid eyes on you, and I heard your voice, and then I knew.”

Jonas took her into his arms and kissed her lightly. Then he kissed her again, but with more passion. She returned his kiss, matching his ardor, and before they both knew it they were laying on the bed in each other’s arms, doing the dance of marital love, to the music that God gave to married couples.

Afterward, Jonas held Ivy in his arms. He was glad for the darkness in the room because his eyes were filled with tears. For the first time in his life he'd made love to a woman whom he loved with all his heart, and he couldn’t believe the difference it made. He’d never enjoyed the act like he enjoyed it this time with Ivy.

Ivy lay in Jonas's embrace, silently weeping tears of joy. She’d won the only man she ever wanted, and having him was the most wonderful thing that had ever happened to her. She vowed to be the best wife and mother she could possibly be. She’d love Zoe, and give her all the love she could.

Jonas leaned over and kissed her again. Much to her surprise, she noticed that he had tears running down his cheeks, too. She smiled and hugged him, letting their tears mingle.

THE END