Hope Rekindled Read Free Page B

conversation. “Are you both as impressed as I am at what Mother and Sissy have done with this gown?”
    “It’s remarkable,” Lizzie said, walking a few steps to see the back. “I can scarcely believe it’s the same piece.”
    “We have the hem and waxed orange blossoms yet to sew,” Mother said, “but I’m quite pleased with how it’s turned out.”
    “Did the waxed blossoms survive the train trip?” Jael asked.
    “They looked perfect,” Mother replied. “The florist in Houston packed them quite carefully. They will make a grand finish to the dress.”
    A loud knock on the front door caught everyone’s attention. Rutger immediately wanted to investigate and Lizzie battled to keep him in her arms.
    “I’ll get it, since Rutger seems to insist,” she told them.
    “Come, let’s get you out of this gown,” Mother said to Deborah.
    Deborah nodded and followed her mother from the dining room. They were in the hall near the front foyer when she recognized the sound of Christopher’s voice. Sissy turned, eyes wide.
    “Groom ain’t supposed to see you in your weddin’ dress afore the ceremony.”
    Deborah froze in place, uncertain what to do as Christopher came into the room. Sissy tried to shield Deborah from sight. “Bad luck for you to be here, suh,” she told Christopher.
    “I’m afraid bad luck has preceded me.”
    Deborah moved from behind the older woman. “What is it? What’s wrong?”
    He noticed her gown and his frown deepened. “I’m so sorry.”
    She touched his arm. “What is it, Christopher? What has happened?”
    Holding out a telegram, Christopher’s gaze never left her face. “I’ve had bad news. Apparently something has happened to my family.”
    Deborah took the telegram and read it. The message was short and yet sent a wave of icy cold through her body. “ ‘Family tragedy.’ ” She looked up. “What kind of tragedy? It says nothing about the cause—about what’s happened.”
    “I don’t know. It was sent by the neighbor who lives across the street from my family. She and my mother are good friends.”
    Glancing again at the telegram, Deborah suddenly grew fearful. The second part of the message was simple.
    Come quick.
    Mother came to her side. “Do you have any way of contacting the woman to learn what has happened?”
    “No. Not really. I could send her a reply, but I’m certain this must have cost money she didn’t have. Even if she got the money from my folks, telegrams aren’t cheap. They could never afford to send a lengthy explanation.”
    Something in his expression caused her to tremble. He was going to postpone the wedding. He was going to leave her and go to his family. She braced herself and waited.
    “I . . . I have little choice . . . but to go.” The look on his face seemed to plead with her to understand. “I . . . I’m so sorry.”
    Light-headedness washed over her. She wondered if Christopher would change his mind if she fainted dead away.
    The twins began to fuss, and Deborah heard Lizzie suggest that she and Jael take them to the kitchen. Mother and Sissy offered to help, and before she knew it, Deborah was alone in the foyer with Christopher. A part of her wanted to break into tears and cry aloud at the unfairness of it all. Here she was, just days away from her wedding, and the groom was leaving her at the altar. Well, not exactly.
    She thought of Stuart Albright and how he would most likely find this news quite satisfying since she’d played such a big role in ruining his wedding. Perhaps it was justice. Perhaps God was getting her attention—reminding her of the pain she’d caused when she encouraged Lizzie to leave Stuart.
    That’s not how God works , she told herself, trying to gather her wits. God is just and righteous, and even now, I must see that He is in control of the situation.
    “Deborah?”
    She lifted her chin ever so slightly. “When will you leave?”
    Christopher reached out and cupped her quivering