Page 28 of Into the Starlight (Secrets of Sweetwater Crossing #3)
Chapter Twenty-Eight
“I now pronounce you man and wife.”
As Mayor Alcott’s voice boomed through the church at the conclusion of the simple but beautiful service, Joanna bit back a gasp. The first time it had happened, she’d dismissed it as nerves, but when it continued, she knew that the gentle fluttering in her midsection was her baby’s movements. And that made an already wonderful day even better.
Joanna’s head told her that the timing of this momentous event was not connected to the decision she’d made last night, and yet she couldn’t help but smile at the realization that her baby was making his presence known only hours after she’d taken the next step toward securing his future. What a glorious day!
Her smile broadened as she exchanged a glance with Burke. Even though it meant forgoing music, Della had asked Joanna to be her maid of honor with Burke serving as the groom’s best man, and so they stood at the front of the sanctuary beside the newlyweds. Since Harold could not perform his own marriage ceremony, the mayor, whose attitude toward Burke had improved dramatically in the weeks since he’d agreed to remain as Sweetwater Crossing’s doctor, had officiated.
The way Burke smiled told Joanna he was as touched by the couple’s obvious happiness as she. Her heart, which had been brimming with emotion ever since last night’s revelatory dream, overflowed with gratitude that Della and Harold had found true love. They’d both waited a long time for this day, and now that it had arrived, their joy was contagious, infecting the congregation with smiles almost as wide as their own. The town was united in wishing their minister and librarian a long, happy marriage.
Joanna rejoiced in that as well as the freedom she’d found by relinquishing the past’s hold on her. Today was more than a new day; it was the first day of her new life.
“Shall we?” Burke bent his arm for Joanna to place her hand on it as they followed Della and Harold to the parsonage annex where the guests had been invited to enjoy cake while they congratulated the bride and groom.
“I can’t recall ever seeing a happier couple,” Burke said as he and Joanna entered the now-crowded building.
“I agree. They’re both glowing.” At Emily’s suggestion, Della had chosen a light blue poplin for her wedding dress, the color highlighting her eyes. No artifice had been needed to make the bride’s cheeks rosy. Sheer happiness had done that, just as it had made Harold’s eyes brighter than Joanna had ever seen them. Though he was responding to his parishioners’ well-wishes with his usual courtesy, his gaze kept returning to his bride as if he were counting the minutes until they could be alone together.
Though Joanna was also counting minutes, she tried to keep her expression from revealing her impatience.
“It was considerate of Gertrude and Thomas to give Della and Harold their house for a honeymoon.” The honeymoon would be a short one, because Harold had promised to be back in the pulpit on Sunday, but at least he and Della would have some time to themselves.
Burke nodded. “From what I heard, it was Thomas’s idea. I agree that it’s a good one, because they’re less likely to be interrupted there.”
“I wonder whether Gertrude’s parents told him how several parishioners called on my father for guidance the day he and Mama were married. Thomas may have wanted to spare Harold and Della that.”
Joanna looked around, smiling when she saw Thomas bring his wife a piece of cake. Louisa had claimed that he was besotted with Gertrude, and that appeared to be true, particularly today. Perhaps Della and Harold’s happiness reminded him of his own wedding day.
Turning back to Burke, Joanna said, “My parents used to laugh about those interruptions each year on their anniversary.”
Burke wrinkled his nose. “I doubt they laughed then.”
“Probably not.” Joanna and Kurt had spent their wedding night at a Gasthaus near the sanatorium but had returned the next day to stay in one of the sanatorium rooms reserved for visiting family members. “My father claimed that a minister was always on call—a lot like a doctor, I imagine.”
“I’ve had my share of middle-of-the-night summons to a patient’s side.” A chuckle punctuated Burke’s words. “I probably shouldn’t have admitted that while I’m trying to convince you to be my wife. Can you pretend you didn’t hear that?”
Someone jostled Joanna’s arm, reminding her that she and Burke were supposed to be circulating instead of standing here near the door, absorbed in a private conversation.
“I can’t pretend that, but it doesn’t matter. I’ve made my decision.” As she’d dressed this morning, Joanna had realized there was no reason to delay telling Burke what she’d learned from her dream.
“You have?” Hope and apprehension vied for dominance in his expression.
“Yes,” she said softly, “but this isn’t the time or place to discuss it. We can’t leave until Della and Harold do.”
The next hour seemed to last a day. As anxious as Joanna was to be alone with Burke, she wouldn’t do anything to detract from Della and Harold’s celebration. This was their wedding day, a once-in-a-lifetime moment to cherish.
Afterward, Joanna could not recall a single conversation she’d had, and only fragments of the hour remained in her memory. She recalled Gertrude looking almost coquettish as she talked to Burke, Beulah eating cake with Noah in one corner, Louisa engaged in a discussion with the woman who ran the tearoom, Emily cutting and serving cake. And all the while, the newlyweds made their way around the room, accepting congratulations.
When they reached her, Della bent forward to whisper in Joanna’s ear. “I hope you’ll be Sweetwater Crossing’s next bride. You and Burke belong together.”
Unable to respond without admitting that she had the same hope, Joanna merely smiled, then wished the bride and groom much happiness.
At last, Della and Harold took their leave, and within minutes, the guests dispersed. The party was over, all except for the cleanup. As Joanna approached Emily to offer her assistance, her sister shook her head. “You don’t need to stay. Craig will help me clean up, won’t you?”
“As long as Mrs. Carmichael takes Noah home so he doesn’t try to help us. I don’t want to consider what our son’s idea of cleanup might involve.”
Emily shared a laugh with her husband, then turned to Joanna. “See, you’re not needed. You and Burke can leave.”
Did everyone realize how anxious they were to be alone? Joanna had hoped she and Burke had hidden that, but it appeared they hadn’t.
“Thanks, big sister.” She nodded to Burke. It was time.
Had there ever been a longer afternoon? Burke’s heart had nearly burst through his chest wall when Joanna said she’d made her decision. The softness of her smile filled him with hope that she was ready to accept his proposal, but until he heard the words, he couldn’t dismiss the niggling fear that she would refuse him.
He’d wanted to leave the reception that instant, but reason—Joanna’s reason—had prevailed, and they’d waited until almost everyone had left. In the meantime, Burke had been cornered by the mayor, who appeared to be taking credit for his decision to stay here permanently, by Gertrude, who spent far too long telling him what a gifted physician he was and how grateful she was that he wasn’t leaving Sweetwater Crossing, and by half a dozen others whose conversations had made no impression on him. All he could think about was being alone with Joanna. And now—finally!—they were able to leave.
“Where shall we go?” Though the days were at their shortest, it was still light outside, which meant that they might be observed. The place affording the most privacy would be the section of the creek behind Finley House, but there was always the possibility that Mrs. Carmichael had let Noah and Beulah run off some of their energy there.
“The bridge.”
Joanna’s suggestion was an excellent one. Far enough from the center of town that they would have some privacy, it was also a romantic spot, or at least so Harold claimed.
“The bridge it is.”
Though Burke wanted to run, that would be unseemly, and so they walked slowly, barely speaking. Was it his imagination, or was Joanna as nervous as he?
When they finally reached the center of the bridge, he turned to face her, extending both hands in an invitation for her to place hers in his. When she did, his heart skipped a beat. Harold was right: this was a romantic spot, for Burke was here with the woman he loved, the woman he hoped returned that love.
“Are you ready to give me your answer,” he asked, the break in his voice betraying his fear that she would refuse, “even though it’s not yet 1884?”
“I am, but ...” Joanna hesitated for what seemed like forever before saying, “It may be silly of me, but I’d like you to ask the question again.”
“It’s not silly at all.” Burke’s sisters had told him about their husbands’ proposals, making them seem romantic. Women want to be asked, they’d told him. They want to know that they’re loved. And, how he loved Joanna!
“This past month has taught me so much.” He tightened his grip on her hands as he spoke. “I’ve learned patience while I waited for you to make your decision. I’ve learned that serving as Sweetwater Crossing’s doctor and continuing to train Louisa is more than just what your sister wants. It’s what God intends for me. Most of all, I’ve learned that my love for you continues to grow. It’s become deeper and stronger each day, and I know that will continue for as long as I live.”
When her eyes shone with happiness, Burke continued. “I love you, Joanna. I love you with all my heart. I love you and the baby you’re carrying. Will you do me the very great honor of becoming my wife and letting me be a father to your child?”
Joanna’s smile signaled her answer, but just as she’d wanted the formality of an official proposal, he craved a verbal acceptance. A second later he received it.
“Yes, Burke. A thousand times yes.” Her face radiant with happiness, Joanna leaned forward and pressed her lips to his. It was the briefest and yet the sweetest of kisses, confirming that his hopes and dreams had come true.
He would have returned the kiss, but Joanna shifted her weight, breaking the contact as she said, “You aren’t the only one who’s learned a lot this month. I learned that loving you doesn’t diminish what I felt for Kurt. There’s room in my heart for both of you. Kurt was part of my past. You’re my present and my future.”
She gazed into his eyes, her expression so filled with love that Burke’s heart overflowed with happiness as she said, “I love you now and I always will.”
Those were the words Burke had longed to hear, words that mirrored his own thoughts.
“I can picture us saying the same thing when we’ve been married for half a century,” he told her. “Our hair may be gray and our eyesight might not be as sharp, but our love will still fill our hearts and make each day we have together one to cherish.”
Joanna’s eyes sparkled as she nodded. “It took me until last night to accept that Kurt was my past and that I needed to put that past behind me so that I could enjoy the present and look forward to the future. We can’t predict what the future will bring, but I know that our time together will be glorious.” Her lips curved into another brilliant smile. “Oh, Burke, I love you so much. There’s nothing I want more than to be your wife.”
Drawing her into his arms, Burke lowered his lips to hers, sealing their commitment with a kiss filled with all the love he had for her. Waiting had been difficult, but it was over. Nothing would keep them apart now.