The Wedding Gift (13 page)

A
nybody walking past the stone church on Briar Street in Orchard Hill on Friday evening would have seen candlelight flickering in the stained-glass windows. Not that anybody was walking by. It seemed everybody was inside waiting for the wedding to begin.

The pure melodious notes of the flutist swirled like the stir of anticipation. Vases filled with blossom-tipped branches from the Sullivans' orchard adorned the altar. More sprigs of apple blossoms were tucked into the bows on the end of every pew.

Riley's mother beamed as the usher brought her
to her seat. Both his stepmothers nodded at her as she slid in next to them.

Four men in dark suits stepped out of the vestibule and took their places at the front of church. The moment everyone was waiting for was almost upon them.

Kipp patted his pocket, checking to make sure the rings were still there. Riley's brothers looked nervous, too.

Not Riley. Staring out at the faces of his large, extended family, and at Madeline's three older brothers sitting in the front row, and her friends and aunts and uncles and cousins, he knew no fear. Madeline had taught him that.

In the absence of fear, he stood waiting for the best thing that had ever happened to him to appear. The flute music changed to the heavenly strains from a single violin, and the procession of bridesmaids began.

First came Abby Fitzpatrick, a petite blonde with stars in her eyes and her sights set on Riley's younger brother. Next was Chelsea Reynolds, a curvy brunette who was wishing she hadn't sworn off men. Madeline's maid of honor came last. Summer Matthews floated up the aisle like royalty. Ignoring the smirk on Riley's older brother's face, she took her place beside her friends and looked back at the double doors at the back of the church.

The moment everyone was waiting for dawned.

The double doors opened. And there stood Madeline on Aaron's father's arm. It was difficult for Riley to believe he hadn't always been able to feel his heart, for it beat so steady and strong and true.

Madeline was the picture of her mother—later everyone would say so—in her mom's silk gown. To Riley, she was a vision, his vision of the future.

She fairly floated up the aisle, the bravest woman he'd even known. Her gaze was on his, and his alone, her hair fluttering in the same invisible breeze that was causing the candlelight to flicker. The satin of her dress had darkened slightly to the color of the evening air. The gown had no train and she wore no veil. Her only adornment was the ruby necklace nestled between her collarbones, and the love in her eyes.

Madeline couldn't take her eyes off Riley. His face was clean-shaven, his eyes dark and honest, his shirt white against his tanned skin, his suit black and his shoulders broad. The past two weeks had been a whirlwind, with everyone asking questions and making suggestions for their big day. She and Riley couldn't have pulled off a big church wedding in only two weeks without them. Through it all, they'd remained calm and serene.

She was aware of much sniffling throughout the church behind her as Aaron's dad kissed her cheek
and placed her hand in Riley's. Today Madeline's eyes remained dry. She knew, as she'd known a handful of times in her life, that she was exactly where she was meant to be at this precise moment in time. The universe told her with every flicker of candlelight. Even if she hadn't been able to see it, she would have felt it in the love drawing her to Riley's side.

Later she wouldn't remember the reverend's exact words, but she would never forget the sound of Riley's voice, and hers, as they promised to love, honor and cherish each other as long as they both lived.

It was a simple ceremony that acknowledged something extraordinary. For despite the chaos and lightning speed of this modern world, two people out of billions had found each other and fallen in love.

Madeline smiled at Riley as the reverend said, “You may kiss the bride.”

They'd talked about this, had rehearsed this, because it was no secret to anybody that their kisses tended to spin out of control. Standing before all the people she knew and loved, and who knew and loved her in return, she lifted her face as her new husband lowered his.

Madeline's and Riley's eyes closed as their lips touched, so they didn't see the ruby necklace glow brighter, but many of their guests saw. And every
body in that old stone church on Briar Street heard the chiming of something sweet and delicate sprinkling down around each and every one of them.