Chapter 14
CHAPTER 14
SEVEN MONTHS LATER
T hey married in the garden, of course, between their two properties. Dale had taken down a six-foot section of the rock wall, laid a circle of flagstones, and commissioned Bethesda Janes of Morgan’s Crossing to make a wrought-iron trellis.
Dale planted climbing roses at the foot of each side that would someday grow to cover the arch. Today, however, cut flowers and greenery from his garden, as well as contributions from the Fosters, intertwined around the metal. A breeze carried their perfume through the air.
Their courtship had unfolded, as Dale promised, in and unhurried and very satisfying manner; two tortoises spent many happy hours designing, digging, and planting Hester’s garden, and tending Dale’s. As their plants grew roots, so did their deeper connection. Sometimes, they didn’t speak for hours, being perfectly content in each other’s company.
They strolled to church together, lingering before and after to exchange greetings with people. Often, Dale took Hester to Sugarplum Dreams for petit fours . They entertained the Fosters on several occasions, even minding little Braga after baby Freya Jane was born.
When the weather grew warm, a few times after church, they invited the Swensens over to dinner and managed to convince Mr. Swensen that they had too much produce that would go to waste, thus sending the family home with fruits and vegetables from the garden.
Once they decided to wed, they turned into hares and, within weeks, made plans for their new life together. Once they wed, Hester and Lucy would move into Dale’s larger house, and they’d use the home Jimmy built as a refuge for women in need—a place they could stay until they got back on their feet—for however long that would take.
Both Dale and Hester wanted a small wedding, inviting all the Nortons, Andre, Rose, and Sam. Andre insisted his family walk to the wedding. Otherwise, Sam would refuse to leave the coach horses vulnerable to the forest creatures of his imagination and could be present at the actual ceremony.
To round out their guest list, Frey, Grace, Braga, and Freya Jane Foster, and all the Swensens attended. Conspicuously missing were members of Dale’s family. He purposefully didn’t send invitations to them, lest they actually appear and ruin his wedding. He did hint of a romance to Annabelle and promised to later write in greater detail. For the rest of his relatives, he only planned to send announcements.
As Dale stood under the archway, he watched Andre Bellaire escort his bride from her house toward him. His heart swelled. He could feel the prayers and good wishes of the circle of friends surrounding them.
At his insistence, she had commissioned a new gown from dressmaker Miss Taylor, along with an expensive corset and other womanly frills. The sky-blue color, the puffs of the sleeves, the lace decorating the bodice, and the new undergarments, gave a womanly shape to her slight figure and made his rapidly beating heart skip.
Dale knew Hester thought she was plain, and for months he’d tried to make her believe that inner beauty infused her. All he ever saw when he looked at his betrothed was how very dear she was to him.
But today, something about her walk, the proud slope of her shoulders, her happy smile and bright eyes, that made him think she’d begun to believe.
As Reverend Norton spoke the words uniting them in matrimony, Dale and Hester gazed at each other, teary-eyed, hands trembling, as they recited their solemn vows.
After the minister pronounced them husband and wife and gave them permission to kiss, Hester lifted her face to his.
Dale stared down into Hester’s countenance, seeing the love shining in her eyes. Over these past months, she’d helped him heal his scarred and broken heart. As he had done for her. He knew they’d continue to support each other for the rest of their lives.
Full of love and thanksgiving, he gently, joyously, leaned and pressed his lips to hers.