Within the Candle's Glow (42 page)

S
aturday August 21, 1841

Ella dabbed her eyes with a delicate handkerchief Walter had given her. “I wish Mama were here.”

“I’ve no doubt she knows.” Peggy hugged her. “Now stop sniffling. I don’t want my brother to have a red-eyed bride.” Giggling, the two of them separated and beamed at each other.

Velma touched her shoulder. “Miles said he’ll be waitin’ on the church steps. He said to give you this.” She laid a small wooden box in Ella’s hands. Carved into the top was the delicate outline of lady slippers and violets.

“Oh, it’s like the box he gave to Mama. Now I have one of my own.” Her lips quivered. “Velma, can you set this box on Naomi’s mantel ‘til after the weddin’?”

Peggy presented her a bouquet of multi-colored wildflowers—their petals vibrant in yellows and reds, and everlasting white flower heads. “These are what you asked for. Phillip helped me pick them. He’s so thrilled you’ll be our sister-in-law. He can’t stop talking for the excitement!”

She wrapped her fingers around the bound stems and kissed Peggy’s cheek. “Mama loved all the mountain flowers. It’s like a gift from her.”

Inez came across the room and held out a folded piece of white material. “Honey, Leona wants you to have this. We’re all envious.”

Carrie helped unfold the delicate gift. It was about twelve inches wide and close to four feet long—ornate lace. In awe, Ella stared at it. “Lace? For me?”

“Yes. She said it’s from Italy. You are to drape it around your neck and down one shoulder.” Carrie lifted the gorgeous piece for all to see. “I hope someday you’ll let me use it!”

Laughter rippled through the room.

“Velma, help me with it?” Ella ran her hands down the front of the plain gray wedding dress she wore. She had insisted on making a high-necked pattern and sewing it herself.

“Ella, we never dreamed of this, did we?” Velma’s dark eyes filled with unshed tears. She hadn’t lost much weight after the baby was born. There was a softness about her, instead of boney slenderness. “The little girl who came to live with me is grown up—a woman gettin’ married! An’ I don’t wants to mess your hair, but I know I’m doin’ this in place of your mama.” She arranged the flowing, shimmering lace around Ella’s neck and over her left shoulder.

“There’s somethin’ else for you.” She turned and lifted a piece of bleached muslin from Carrie’s hand. “Here. It’s somethin’ old, but also new, an’ from your mama.”

“My mama?” Ella stared at a delicate baby bonnet. There were intricate flowers and leaves embroidered across the top and new ribbons for ties. “This is one of the bonnets Mama made for her baby that died.” She smiled. “Velma,
you
did the embroid’ry!”

She grinned. The gap between her front teeth showed, but Ella still thought her gorgeous and hugged her close.

“Careful, careful,” Velma muttered. “I gots it out of your mama’s trunk. Here, let me shows you what we thought you could do.” Taking the bonnet, she placed the stems of the wildflowers in it and deftly tied the ribbon ties in place. She handed it back. “Later, it can be used for your first baby.”

“That’s so sweet!” She couldn’t find the words to express what was in her heart.

“Jim’s waiting for you.” Peggy grinned. “We better hurry.” Her large brown eyes twinkled. “I’m so glad you’re marrying
one
of my brothers.”

“Well, I couldn’t marry all of ‘em!” She faced the group of women and girls and blurted out, “Do my scars show?” Her voice broke as she
said the words, expressing her old fears
one last time.

“Not at all.” Velma lifted baby Myra from a large padded basket on the floor.

Peggy placed her hands on her hips and cocked her red head to one side. “No scars that
we
can see. You’ll have to let us know if Jim cares after tonight.”

“Peggy!” Inez gasped, but some of the women laughed.

The field was sunny with nodding buttercups and a multitude of wildflowers along the path to the church. Ella could see the solitary figure of her father waiting patiently outside the door. Handsome and proud, he offered his elbow to her and smiled. “May I escort you in?”

“Yes, you may.” Her fingers tightened on his supportive arm, and she clutched the bouquet of wild flowers.

In a gentle show of affection, Miles drew her hand to his lips and kissed it. “You look so much like your mother.” She saw tears in his brown eyes and knew what passed through his mind.

“Father, she
loved
you. This is also Mama’s day—a day she should’ve had with you. She loved you.” A tear slipped down her cheek.

His fingers wiped it away, and he whispered, “And I still love her.” A broad smile appeared on his face. “Daughter, are you ready to become Jim’s wife?”

“Yes, I am.”

“Well, then—I don’t think we should keep him waiting.”

Jim’s wide shoulders were straight, encased in a new, store-bought suit of dark material. His deep gray eyes, alight with love, drew her to him. Completeness filled her heart. The young man she had loved since she was twelve reached to take her hand.

#

That first night together, flashes of lightning lit the one-room cabin. Within the glow of a single candle, Ella lay in her husband’s strong arms. A late summer storm howled down one side of the secluded cove and up the other. Darkness settled between the mountains. The patter of cold raindrops washed over the cedar shake roof. Jim’s lips built a fire under her skin as his kisses touched the scarred side of her neck.

“Ella Dessa McKnapp, my beautiful wife,” he murmured, “I’ll never stop loving you or willingly give you up to another. Remember that.” He gathered her closer.

“I wouldn’t consider life without you.” In the dark, her fingertips traced the outline of his lips.