25
The wedding was set for Friday, the thirty-first of August. None of the couples felt it necessary to have a grand affair, considering the city was still working to overcome the devastation from the earthquake and fires. San Francisco would no doubt bear her scars for years to come, and recovery often seemed painfully slow, given the political nonsense that continued to plague them.
Kenzie questioned the sanity of planning a second wedding in twelve months. When she thought of all she’d gone through in less than a year’s time, she marveled that she could even consider giving her heart to another, much less that she’d done so with great abandon. However, it was easy to see that her love for Micah was nothing like the love she’d thought she’d held for Arthur. With Arthur, there had always been the feeling that she didn’t deserve him—that she was so far beneath him. Whenever she thought of their time together, the wordsacrificecame to mind. She had always thought Arthur was sacrificing his future because of her. Now Kenzie could see that the real sacrifice would have been hers. She would have given up true love in the hope of having something remotely similar.
“I can hardly believe the wedding is just days away,” Judith said. “Aren’t you excited, Kenzie? You’ve hardly said two words this morning.”
Camri and Judith were like giddy schoolgirls, sharing thoughts and ideas about the upcoming day. Since breakfast, they’d been talking nonstop about the wedding.
“I’m very excited,” Kenzie assured her.
“Well, you looked rather sad for a moment,” Judith noted.
“Just reflective. This last year has been quite busy for me.”
Judith nodded. “It has been for all of us. When I think we haven’t even known each other a full year yet, it amazes me. I’ve never been closer to anyone than I am you two.”
“I feel the same way,” Camri said. “You two have taught me so much. I’m so blessed that God saw fit to put us together.” She arranged several pairs of gloves on the dining room table. “I’m also very glad we decided against having fancy wedding gowns made. If we’d done that, we’d be half mad with fittings and worries. It was hard enough just to pick a hat, and now I’m overwhelmed just trying to figure out which pair of gloves to choose.”
Judith giggled. “I’m glad too, although my dress will be new. Nothing I had seemed appropriate for a wedding, and since Grandmother’s dressmaker was able to get back to business so quickly, I figured it didn’t hurt to order a new gown.”
“I think it’s a lovely dress,” Kenzie offered. “With your blond hair, you always look so sweet in pale blue. Just like a porcelain doll.”
“And it isn’t all that fancy. I’ll be able to wear it for church and other dressy occasions,” Judith replied, shaking her head. “I still remember all the money Grandmother spent on that massive wardrobe for me, and now it’s nothing more than ash. What a waste.”
Kenzie knew there were hundreds, even thousands of similar stories out there. Vast amounts of art had been lost, hundreds of thousands of books. Many priceless first editions had been burned. It hurt to think about the irreplaceable things, but even more painful was the growing total of deaths. Bodies were still being found on occasion, especially in the poorer neighborhoods.
“And have you settled on your gown, Kenzie?” Camri asked.
“I have.” Kenzie smiled, trying not to let herself become morose. “Remember the white sprigged muslin?” Camri and Judith both nodded. “The embroidered flowers are lavender, and I made a waistband of the same color. It’s quite fetching, if I do say so. I had planned to do it before the earthquake and just forgot about it. I believe it will be perfect for the wedding, and it’s one of the few gowns I own that Micah has never seen.”
“You’ll be in lavender, Judith in blue, and I’ll be in yellow. We’ll be a veritable rainbow of colors.” Camri chose a pair of gloves. “I think these will go well with my dress. I might even sew on a yellow bow at the wrist. What do you think?” She had chosen a pair of cream crocheted gloves.
“I think that would be lovely,” Judith replied before Kenzie could comment.
Camri turned the gloves first one way and then the other. She nodded, satisfied with her choice. “You don’t suppose we’ll regret not having a big church wedding with all sorts of flowers and sweeping gowns, do you?”
“I think we’ll be much too happily married to care, and also too busy. Micah wants to get right to work putting together his hospital for the poor.” Kenzie had to admit she was equally excited. “I think it’s going to be an amazing place. Not only that, but I’m looking forward to learning more about healing. I’ve enjoyed helping the sick.”
“Micah says you’re a natural at it,” Judith declared.
Camri set the chosen pair of gloves to one side and stacked the others. “I think we’re going to have the most amazing ministry.” She glanced up. “I want to have the school up and running as soon as possible. So many women have come to me at church and told me about women they know who want to learn to read. It’s so exciting.”
Kenzie glanced at the pocket watch she’d taken to wearing. “It is, but we should probably gather our things and get to the millinery shop. We’ll be late for our appointment if we don’t leave right away.”
“I’m so glad we decided to purchase special hats for our wedding. I think it’s the perfect way to celebrate,” Judith said as Camri gathered her gloves.
Kenzie smiled and put her watch away. “I do too. Not too much or too little. We’ll all look perfect. By the way, is Caleb going to drive us to the shop?”
“No. He’s not even here. He had to attend a meeting at the mayor’s office,” Camri replied. “I thought we might walk, and if Providence smiles upon us, we can hail a taxi.”
Providence did smile, and a taxi was easily procured. Kenzie gazed out of the carriage at the progress that had been made in the city. There were still large piles of debris and empty lots where buildings had been demolished and cleared away for the new to come. But the hard work of thousands of laborers was paying off, and she’d heard it wouldn’t be long until electricity and water were restored. She’d be especially glad for that.
She thought too of the progress they’d made with the hospital plans and the expansion of the warehouse. It was going to be quite the place, and already Caleb and Micah had managed to interest a group of wealthy donors in helping to fund the project. A few had even been asked to serve on the board. The project had been given approval as a priority, due to the nature of its service to the city.
There was a great deal of work ahead of them, but Kenzie didn’t mind. For the first time in her life, she had a true sense of purpose. She was going to work at her husband’s side and care for the sick. The contentment the idea provoked filled her with wonder.
“Kenzie, when will your parents arrive?” Camri asked.
