It was a glorious summer day. The kind that closed up shops, sent everyone outdoors, and put smiles on the faces of young and old alike. It was a perfect day for a picnic in the park, a swim at the Sutro Baths ... or a wedding.
Kenzie couldn’t deny the butterflies in her stomach. She tried her best not to think of how nearly a year ago she’d been preparing for an entirely different wedding, one that had ended in pain and humiliation. She knew Micah would never do to her what Arthur had done, but she couldn’t help feeling a little overwhelmed by the memories. She supposed it didn’t help that she’d gotten word only yesterday that Arthur was now engaged to some East Coast socialite whose family money went all the way back to Europe. The news set her on edge, because once again Arthur Morgan was getting away with all the wrongdoing he’d orchestrated, and no doubt this new woman was being manipulated just as she had been. It wasn’t right that money should allow him to do as he pleased without consequences.
She forced the thought from her mind and helped Judith readjust Camri’s hat. There was no sense in fretting over what might have been, nor despising what was. God would eventually exact justice, and that was worse than anything Kenzie could dream up.
“Are you girls ready?” Mr. Coulter asked. He peered into the room where Kenzie and the others had been making their final adjustments.
“Camri’s hat was a bit heavy on the side,” Kenzie explained, “but we’ve secured it now.”
He stepped into the room with Kenzie’s father directly behind him. Both men were quite handsome in their black double-breasted suits.
“You’re all absolutely radiant,” Joseph Gifford declared. “I’m sure there have never been three more beautiful brides. And what hats!”
Kenzie laughed. Her own hat had been created from a foundation of white woven straw with a wide brim and high crown. It had been covered in feathers, lace, and silver tulle, all of which had been skillfully arranged like a masterpiece of art. Camri’s millinery delight was also based on woven straw, but hers was a more natural color. The width of the brim was as wide as her shoulders and intricately piled on one side with ribbon, beading, and silk flowers. Judith’s was a little simpler yet still quite stunning. The base of her hat was a rigid platform of dark blue that peaked out from pale blue tulle and lace. The hat was higher than it was wide, and beautiful ostrich feathers had been painted silver and carefully placed to draw the eye ever upward. As a final detail, small white roses had been added throughout the creation.
Mr. Coulter stepped over to his daughter and kissed her cheek. “You are stunning, my dear. I shall be honored to walk you to your groom.”
Kenzie’s father nodded. “As will I.”
For the first time, they realized that Judith had no one to walk with her. Kenzie saw Judith bite her lower lip and quickly lower her gaze. Kenzie knew her friend would never acknowledge her situation.
“I have a marvelous idea,” Kenzie said, reaching for Judith’s hand. “I will walk on my father’s left, and you may walk on his right. Then Camri’s father will walk on your right and Camri will be on his right. We will face the altar as we have faced life here in San Francisco: united.”
“I think that’s marvelous,” Mr. Coulter declared. “I’m sure I have never been on the arm of three more beautiful young ladies, and I will very much enjoy playing my part.”
Her own father gave her a smile and nodded. “As will I.”
Judith, Camri, and Kenzie exchanged a glance and smiled. They truly had become sisters. Theirs was a bond that wouldn’t easily be broken.
The walk from the warehouse to the place near the shore where the others waited wasn’t long. It was strange that for all its industrialization and commercial surroundings, the warehouse grounds had the feel of an isolated park. Some of the old men who’d stayed with them had been out early that morning, arranging tables and chairs. Mrs. Lake had created an arbor of sorts using bleached white sheets, ribbon, and flowers, with the bay as a backdrop. It was here that Pastor Fisher waited with the grooms.
Kenzie saw Micah standing with Caleb and Patrick and smiled. He didn’t seem the least bit nervous or concerned. Standing ramrod straight in his cutaway coat, he appeared to be doing nothing more important than waiting for a cable car, yet he’d never been more handsome. Just seeing him made her feel weak in the knees. Their eyes met, and Kenzie felt her heart skip a beat. The look in his eyes left her little doubt that he loved her—that he would always love her.
Camri felt her father’s firm hold on her arm and was grateful. She’d never felt so nervous, almost to the point of being overcome. The day had been full of emotions for her, some expected and others not so much. On one hand, she felt like she was finally completing a long journey, one that had taken her a lifetime to travel. One that led to a conclusion she’d never even considered. On the other hand, Camri knew this was the beginning of an entirely new adventure.
She saw Patrick try to casually run a finger under his collar and immediately felt sorry for him. He looked so miserable in his wedding clothes. He was a man of movement and hard work. Suits and ties didn’t leave him with the comfort or ability to do either one. She had told him last night how much it meant to her that he was willing to wear the wedding clothes Caleb had given him, but that she would happily marry him even if he showed up in his work attire. He had teased her by saying he just might. Now, as their eyes met, she could see that the love he held for her would have gone through far worse ... and had.
She thought about Ophelia, Patrick’s younger sister who had died last year from consumption. Ophelia had known they belonged together almost from their very first encounter. She had bequeathed Camri their family Bible, no doubt anticipating that it would remain in the family. Camri had thought her mistaken, but her doubts didn’t last long. Patrick had proven to her over and over that he was not only worthy of her love, but that without it, she would never be complete. Glancing heavenward, Camri breathed a prayer.
Lord, we’re going to need Your help to make this marriage work. We’re both headstrongand opinionated and are far too easily given to arguing. Especially me. I know I need your guidance to bea good wife, and I know Patrick will need patience to deal with me from time to time. Help usboth, Lord. Help us keep our eyes on You sothat when we’re put out with each other, we remember who has the answers.
She looked at Patrick again and found him grinning as if he had heard her prayer aloud. She smiled. Their life together was sure to be interesting.
Judith trembled on the arms of her friends’ fathers. She was grateful for their support, knowing that she might never have been able to manage even the short walk to the altar without it. Her stomach was churning furiously, but Caleb’s steady, approving gaze made her keep putting one foot in front of the other. She had come a long way from that dusty, broken-down ranch in Colorado. A long way from the isolation and loneliness she had known most of her life.
I’m marrying the only man I’ve ever loved. The man I’ve loved since I first set eyes upon him.
She wondered what her mother and father might have thought of Caleb. Her birth parents had never had a chance to know her, but Judith liked to think they would have approved of Caleb. Even Grandmother had liked him, after a fashion.
Judith smiled at the memory of the feisty old woman she’d known for such a short time. Grandmother Whitley would have chosen a man of high finance and social regard for her granddaughter, but Judith had made it clear that such arrangements weren’t acceptable. Grandmother Whitley had marveled at Judith’s strength of will—a strength Judith hadn’t even known she’d possessed. A strength that she felt had come in part from Caleb’s encouragement and support—and, of course, God’s help.
Issues of faith had seemed relatively unimportant when she’d been a child. Now, however, she felt that God was a very real presence in her life. Not just some faceless deity people spoke of in reverence or in cursing, but a real and active force in the world. A father and guardian who loved her more than any human father could.
The short walk to the altar ended, and before she knew it, Judith was handed off to Caleb, while Kenzie was paired with Micah, and Camri went to Patrick. Judith looked up to find Caleb’s brown eyes shining with love. A delicious shiver ran down her spine as he touched the hollow of her back and turned her to face Pastor Fisher. She was getting married!
“Dearly beloved,” Pastor Fisher began, “we are gathered here today to join Micah and Kenzie, Caleb and Judith, and Camrianne and Patrick in holy matrimony.” He paused and chuckled. “While I presided over the marriage of my other children, I’ve never married three couples at once. This is truly a first for me and such a blessing. I’ve had the privilege of knowing all six people individually and am proud to call them friends. They have shown great love for each other, for their community, and for the Lord, and I see no reason they should not be joined together. However, if anyone else has thoughts against them, let them speak now or forever be silent on the matter.”
No one breathed a word, and Pastor Fisher gave a nod. “Then let us continue.”
