Maude's Trials (Widows of Virginia #1)(12)
“You look so beautiful, Maude.” It was Rachael.
Maude stayed quiet, not sure how to react. They hadn’t seen Raymond’s sister since the fateful day. She had stayed with family a few towns over all this time.
“I’m sorry Maude.” Rachael wiped her tears. “I’ve made up with Raymond. He’s forgiven me, and I truly hope you’ll find it in your heart to do that too. I know I caused you so much pain. I don’t want to lose my family.”
Maude looked into her teary eyes. She really seemed to mean her words. How could she not forgive her husband’s sister?
“It’s alright Rachael. I forgive you.” Maude opened her arms and the two hugged both sobbing.
“Thank you so much.”
“It’s really alright.” Maude whispered into her ear. “You came just at the right time. I need your help here.”
“Where do I start?” Rachael smiled and looked to Esther and Maude.
*
The church was full of strangers all eager to see the mysterious bride. Maude trembled before she made her entrance. This was so different from her first wedding. Yet it all felt so right. “Thank you Lord for bringing us together,” she whispered as she began to slowly make her way to the altar. Raymond looked so handsome in his wedding suit. He couldn’t stop smiling, his eyes fixed only on her.
As she came close he stretched his hand and helped her up the step. They stood together, hand in hand, facing the priest.
“Today is a day to reckon, as it will mark the union between Raymond Garret and Maude Lafayette.” He cleared his throat. Maude felt a light sweat trickling down her face. “If anyone is against this marriage, they should speak now or forever remain silent.”
The church went silent for a while. Maude held her breath in fear that Claire might bust through the church doors to ruin the moment. But no such thing happened.
“Raymond Garret, do you take Maude Lafayette to be your lawfully wedded wife, to have and to hold, from this day forward, for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish, till death do you part?”
Raymond turned to face Maude, and squeezed her hands. “I do.”
“Maude Lafayette. Do you take Raymond Garret to be your lawfully wedded husband, to have and to hold, from this day forward, for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish, till death do you part?”
Maude had never been more certain. Yes she wanted to be with him. She didn’t feel like a mail order bride who was desperate to have just any husband. Maude loved this man who saved her in so many ways.
“I do.”
A round of applause echoed through the church.
“You may now kiss the bride.”
Raymond gently lifted the veil covering her face. He took his time to admire her, before planting a kiss on her lips.
Thank You!
Thank you for reading! I hope you enjoyed this story. I would really appreciate it if you could take a few minutes to leave a review for the book (on Amazon, GoodReads, or even your own blog and social media). God bless You for helping spread these positive love stories!
And if you’d like to read more Mail Order Brides please check out the rest of the books in this or my other series. :)
Laura’s Second Chance
Newport News, Virginia, August 1830
A grieving heart sees the skies grey,
The ocean brown with mud,
The trees dull and lifeless,
The shadows haunting.
A strong spirit lives,
It makes a cloud blue,
The water boundless,
And the trees swaying with the wind.
Rekindle your spirit with faith,
Strengthen it with prayer.
Laura smoothed the creases on the paper, its edges yellowed with age. She read it once more, just for good measure, before stowing it away in the farthest corner of the bureau drawer. She lifted her head up and came face to face with her late husband’s photograph. The morning sun seeped through the small window lighting up the picture. Laura looked away, a hot band tightening across her chest.
Every day, she would look over her shoulder, as if expecting Anton to weigh in on her decisions, to squeeze her hand, to caress her back. But he would never do that again. How could she live on without the one she’d vowed to spend the rest of her life with? The poem was her only source of strength, but she had to hide it away from prying eyes.
“Laura?” A familiar voice called out from behind the door.
Laura closed the drawer and wiped her hands in the apron she wore over her yellow dress. She didn’t want to dirty the clothes Anton had given her as gift a few years back. With a sigh she stood up and crossed the room to open the door. Her sister-in-law and best friend leaned in the door frame, a white envelope in her hand.
“A letter came in for you.” The plump girl paused. “It’s from Robert.” Although there was no bite in her voice Laura sensed Susan’s disapproval.
It was the fourth letter from Robert since... Even though it had been over a year, even in her thoughts Laura still struggled to mention what had happened to Anton.
At first, Laura thought nothing of the letters. Just another friend sending his condolences. She wrote back, like she did to the others, thinking that was it, but Robert kept up the correspondence. And Susan did not let her forget that he had been Laura’s former suitor.