Love Finds You in Poetry, Texas (34 page)

Belinda walked the aisle on her father’s arm, her heart beating so fast she felt as if she might faint. She hardly had time to take in her surroundings, though she knew the opera house was glorious. She had seen it in all its beauty earlier today. No, the only thing she focused on now was her husband-to-be, her perfect match. The one the Lord had given her from the start.

As they drew near the front, Belinda resisted the urge to hike up her skirt and race up the steps onto the stage. Instead, with her father’s arm to lean on, she gingerly ascended, in front of the crowd, to Georg’s waiting arm.

Once on the stage, Papa kissed her on the cheek and placed her hand in Georg’s. Belinda found herself humming “Joy to the World” all over again as her heart swelled within her.

She and Georg took a few steps toward the reverend and Mayor Mueller.

The reverend opened in prayer and began the service. He started by gesturing to the married couples lining both sides of the stage. “All of these couples had a rather poetic beginning,” the reverend said. “But none more poetic than today’s bride and groom. For what can surpass the story of two people who’ve cared about each other all of their lives, finally realizing they are in love? No, they did not cross the miles to find each other. In fact, they only had to cross Main Street. But the miracle of their story is as grand as if they’d come together from opposite sides of the globe.”

At this point, the mayor took over, offering the exchange of rings and the vows.

Afterward, Georg pulled a piece of paper out of his pocket. Belinda looked at him with some degree of curiosity, intrigued. He read in a voice that trembled with an odd mixture of stage fright and emotion, but Belinda could hardly believe the beauty of his words.

From Jordan’s shore, I catch a glimpse

Of golden hair upon the wind;

A field of wheat, it beckons me

To come and lie, to simply be.

Her tender voice, it sounds the cry

A church bell peals across the sky,

Angelic choirs, sweet cherubim,

They woo me now to enter in.

Her heart, I find, an open book,

I chance to take a second look,

And reading there, am blessed to see,

A glimpse of our eternity.

My heart now beats in steady time

My life composed in perfect rhyme

For now we two are truly one

All praise to Father, Spirit, Son.

When he finished, the room was eerily silent. Then, despite her best attempts to the contrary, Belinda began to cry. Not just cry, really.
Wail
might be a better word for it. Before long, all the women on her side of the stage were a blubbering mess. The mayor leaned forward and patted Georg on the shoulder.

“You’ve got a real gift there, Georg,” he whispered loud enough for only those onstage to hear. “Never knew you to be a poet.”

“Well,” Georg whispered in response, “writing the story of your heart is easy when you know the subject as well as I do.”

Belinda’s heart swelled with joy as Georg took her by the hand. As the reverend pronounced them man and wife, she melted into her husband’s embrace, enjoying his sweet kiss.

The audience came alive with applause, and Belinda felt her cheeks turn warm with embarrassment. Not that she planned to stop kissing Georg anytime soon. Oh, no. Standing here, center stage, with the lights beaming down on them, how could she help but play the scene for all it was worth?

After the service, Belinda and Georg made their way through the crowd, greeting everyone. Just when she thought they’d said hello to each and every guest, the mayor came bolting toward her.

“Belinda, I have to speak with you at once. I’m sorry to bother you on such a special day, but it cannot wait. The strangest thing has happened.”

“O–oh?” She looked at him, her heart rising to her throat. “Pray tell, what is that?”

“A woman named Lena has just arrived in town, claiming to be my future wife. What do you have to say about that?” The mayor paled and looked as if he might faint dead away. Of course, if he did, Sarah Jo would sweep in with her smelling salts and construct a scene worthy of such an event.

“Well, Mayor, did you or did you not say you wanted a wife?” Belinda crossed her arms at her chest and stared him down.

“Well, yes, but...”

“And did you or did you not look through those newspaper advertisements with me some time ago?”

“Certainly. But you told me that you would pray before sending out a letter. I had it in my mind that you would also inform me, should you choose to do so.”

“Well, I did pray, Mayor,” she said with a nod. “But I was counting on the Lord to tell you the rest. I can say as a firsthand witness that hearing it from Him is better than hearing it from anyone else. You must trust me on this.”

“But, Belinda, I haven’t had time to think this through, and now she’s here. Peter told me she checked into the hotel and told everyone she saw that she was here to marry the mayor. I–I’m the mayor.”

“Well, at least she’s got the right man.” Belinda grinned. “Could be worse.”

She gave him a knowing look, and he slapped himself in the head. “Well, if I have an incoming bride, perhaps you’d better tell me about her.”

“It was all in the advertisement. Don’t you remember? Her name is Rena Gebhardt, and she’s from Maine,” Belinda said, her heart quite full. “She sent several references. Rena is a widow, happy to remarry and settle in a small town.”

“Not that our fair town is small these days,” the mayor said, sounding a bit nervous. “Hope that part doesn’t bother her.”

“I’m sure it won’t.” Belinda smiled, finally able to relax, now that the mayor seemed to be adjusting to the idea. “Best of all, I understand she wants an authoritative man, one who has no trouble speaking his mind.”

He grinned. “I am that sort of man.”

“You are. And on top of that, she is looking for a man who loves the Lord and loves his community.”

Mayor Mueller puffed his shoulders back. “Well, now. Is that so? There’s not a soul in Kaufman County who loves his community more, and my love for the Lord is the primary focus of my life.”

“No debating that fact.” Belinda patted him on the arm. “Oh, and by the way, I should tell you that I met Rena face-to-face when Georg and I fetched her from the train station yesterday afternoon. We found her to be lovely, both inside and out. I’m sure you will agree. If you will just turn around, that is.”

“W–what?”

Belinda took him by the shoulders and pointed him in the direction of the woman in question. The mayor gasped as he clamped eyes on the beautiful brunette with the winning smile and curvaceous physique headed their way.

“Oh my.” Now the man looked genuinely ill.

“Indeed.” Belinda nodded. “I couldn’t have put it any better myself.” She leaned in and whispered, “Now, go and fetch her before someone else does, Mayor. I have it on good authority that Jake Farris is looking for a bride. You don’t want him to steal her out from under you.”

“Jake Farris! That scoundrel! Over my dead body!”

Belinda laughed as the mayor sprinted in Rena’s direction. Just then, Georg drew near and looked at the town’s newest couple with a crooked grin. “So how did that go? Is everyone happy in paradise today?”

She looked at the mayor and Rena then offered her husband a smile. “I daresay, everyone is quite happy.” She turned to face him, slipping her arms around his neck. “Oh, but Georg, I am the happiest of all.”

“I could dispute that, but I won’t.” He smiled. “Let’s just say we’re both delighted and leave it at that.”

He pulled her into his arms, planting a half dozen kisses along her hairline. “I am the most blessed groom in Poetry,” he whispered.

“And I am the most blessed bride,” she responded. “Speaking of brides and grooms, I do hope things slow down soon,” Georg said. “I’m getting a little tired of wedding cake.”

Belinda grinned. “I know. I’ve put on five pounds in the last four months alone.” She glanced at the mayor and Rena, who seemed to be getting along well. “On the other hand, what would it hurt to see more folks happily matched? Do we not wish them the same joy that we ourselves share?”

Georg laughed. “Of course. If only we can avoid some of the mismatches along the way.”

“I cannot promise that,” Belinda said with a smile. “I can only promise to pray ahead of time, as always. The rest, of course, is up to the Lord. Only He knows the next line to each person’s poem. He, alone, sees the whole picture.”

“You are right, as always.”

As Georg leaned in to kiss her once again, Belinda was suddenly reminded of the beautiful verse he had recited during their ceremony. She longed to ask him about it. Had he actually penned those remarkable words himself? If so, then she had married a poet, one that could rival Peter Conrad any day.

In that moment, the perfect idea hit. If Georg could be compelled to write such a beautiful verse for his bride, perhaps he could be persuaded to write a few lines to include in letters to the town’s incoming brides, as well. It was the least he could do. Right?

Caught up in the most glorious kiss she’d ever experienced, Belinda decided that question could most certainly wait for another day.

Want a peek into local American life—past and present?
The
Love Finds You
™ series published by Summerside Press
features real towns and combines travel, romance,
and faith in one irresistible package!

The novels in the series—uniquely titled after American towns with unusual but intriguing names—inspire romance and fun. Each fictional story draws on the compelling history or the unique character of a real place. Stories center on romances kindled in small towns, old loves lost and found again on the high plains, and new loves discovered at exciting vacation getaways. Summerside Press plans to publish at least one novel set in each of the 50 states. Be sure to catch them all!

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