Already neighboring wives had arrived asking what foods they could bring. It was going to be a spectacle.
She raised her head. Well, it was more for show than actually a love commitment. What difference did it make if everyone showed up and had fun? Bella shook her head. To her it meant mingling with folks she didn’t know. She’d never liked large crowds and now here she was stuck with the biggest event of her life.
“Bella? Are you all right?” Emma asked through the door.
She lied. “Fine.” Bella liked Emma, even more so after she heard how Emma had been kept as a slave by an older couple and then the Young family saved her by purchasing her from her masters. They’d given Emma her freedom, but she’d stayed with them and become a part of the family. Bella suspected that the main reason Emma stayed was because she was in love with Andrew.
Emma’s shadow blocked out a little of the sunshine as she leaned against the door. “The Youngs can be a little overwhelming. I guess we all can.” She sighed heavily. “I hope you understand that we are trying to help and that we are excited to have you become a part of the Young family.” The last part was said wistfully.
Bella straightened. “I know. I just needed some fresh air.”
Emma giggled. “So you chose the outhouse?” She moved away from the door. “I think I could have found a better place.”
Bella opened the door with a grin. “Yeah, probably not my best choice of the day.”
“No, maybe not. Come with me.” Emma headed down a small path away from the outhouse.
“Where are we going?”
“To a quiet place where you can think.” Emma stopped in a small grove of trees.
Bella was surprised to see a small wooden bench sitting under one of the trees. “I didn’t expect this,” she said in awe.
Emma smiled. “Have you always been shy?”
She could deny it, but seeing how she already had one lie to repent for, Bella chose to nod. “It’s worse when there are lots of people around.”
Emma smiled. “And you are going to marry the prankster of the family. Not a shy bone in his body.”
“Afraid so.” Bella sat down.
Emma nodded. “I thought so. When we get back, I’ll speak to Rebecca and Fay. Between the three of us, we’ll help you get through this wedding.”
A bird landed on a branch over their heads. He sang for a moment and then took flight once more. Bella wished she could fly away like the little bird, but she knew that she had to get through this. The boys were depending on her. “Thank you. I think I’m better now. We can go back.”
Emma stood. “I’m glad you feel better. This spot always makes me feel good.” She glanced around with love in her eyes.
“Did Andrew put the bench here for you?” Bella asked, standing also.
“He did.”
Bella smiled. “I thought so.”
Emma looked everywhere but at Bella. “What made you think that? It could have been any of the boys.”
It was Bella’s turn to giggle. “Yes, but Andrew is the one who is sweet on you. So it made sense he would do something special like this for you.”
Emma grinned. “I don’t know that he is sweet on me, but he is very kind and understanding.” She started walking back up the path that led to the house. “We’d better hurry. Fay and Rebecca are waiting to fit your wedding dress.”
Bella groaned. The thought of spending more time being stuck with pins and told to stand up tall made her want to run back to the outhouse.
As if she could read her mind, Emma teased, “Don’t even think about going back to the outhouse.”
Bella discovered that the afternoon hadn’t been so bad after all. The three women worked on her dress while the children played outside. The men went about their chores and things seemed to settle down a bit. Perhaps it was because Emma had pulled the other two ladies aside and explained Bella’s feelings.
As soon as the dress was complete, the four women began to make dinner. The beans had been on the stove most of the day and the roast in the oven, so all they had to do was make the potatoes and other vegetables. Joy loved making cookies. She and Emma had made a fresh batch that morning, so even dessert was prepared.
Bella found herself looking up the road for Philip’s return. He’d gone to tell his brother and sister-in-law that they were getting married. If he didn’t hurry back, he was going to miss his own wedding.
Anxiety hit her like a punch in the stomach. Had he left for good? Was he planning on coming back? Bella told herself she was being ridiculous, but the sudden fear was very real. She hated being this dependent on another person. Maybe she should talk to Philip about getting a job in town, once they were married. Would he go for such a thing? Or would he want his wife to stay home and pretend that theirs was a real marriage?
Philip, Josephine and Hazel arrived at the Young farm a little before dusk. He was thankful that the women had agreed to ride their own horses instead of bringing a wagon. It would have taken much longer to get back if they had brought the wagon.
Caleb spotted him and came running. “Philip! You came back!”
He dropped from the horse. “Of course I came back.”
Caleb stubbed his toe against a small rock and sent it sailing across the yard. “Well, I wasn’t so sure you’d be back.”
Philip kneeled down in front of the little boy. Mark ran up to stand beside his brother. “As long as the Lord will allow me to live and breathe, I will never leave you.” He pulled both boys into a hug.
“I told you he’d come back,” Benjamin said, coming to a halt beside them. “Hi, Aunt Josephine, Aunt Hazel.”
Both women slid off the backs of their horses. “Hello, Benjamin.” Josephine gave him a hug.
When she released him, Hazel grabbed the boy. “Benny Young. You have got to stop growing.” His head came to her chest. She released him, then turned her attention to the other two boys. “You must be Caleb and Mark.”
At their nods, Philip made the introductions. “Boys, this is your aunt Josephine and aunt Hazel.”
“Oh, Philip, they are adorable.” Josephine smiled down at them.
“Now, Josephine, don’t embarrass the boys. I want you to meet Bella, so let’s head to the house.” Philip handed the horses’ reins to Benjamin. “Do you mind taking care of the horses for us, Benny?”
“Naw, we’ll take care of them. Won’t we, fellas?”
Caleb and Mark nodded eagerly. Philip watched them lead the horses into the barn.
