It's My Life - Melody Carlson [71]
Lynn smiled. “Congratulations, Steph. I hear you landed a really good guy.”
Steph beamed. “Yes, I can't wait for you to meet him. You are coming to the wedding, aren't you?”
There was an uncomfortable pause, but Steph jumped right back in. “You know, everything's been such a crazy rush. I mean, you'd think it was a shotgun wedding or something.” She laughed and Lynn seemed to relax a little. “But since Beanie's one of my bridesmaids, I just figured for sure she had invited you. You will come, won't you? Have you seen Beanie's dress yet?”
“I haven't, but I'd like to.”
“Oh, Beanie,” said Steph. “Take your mom upstairs and show her the dress. I'll bet she'll love it too.”
Well, after that, everything just went as smooth as the buttercream icing on our little petit four cakes. And, not for the first time, I found myself thinking how Aunt Steph is really and truly cut out for this pastor's wife stuff. I mean, I have never seen anyone so genuinely kind and gracious in my whole life. Pastor Tony is one lucky (or should I say blessed) fellow!
AND SO, DEAR GOD, BEFORE I TURN IN FOR THE NIGHT, I MUST SAY THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU. I BELIEVE YOU REALLY RESCUED US TONIGHT. AND I BELIEVE YOU ARE DOING SOMETHING REALLY MIRACULOUS AND AMAZING IN LYNN JACOBS'S LIFE. I PRAY THAT YOU WILL CONTINUE TO LOVINGLY DRAW HER TO YOURSELF. AMEN.
TWENTY-TWO
Sunday, November 25 (a quiet moment, at last)
Wow, and I thought the week before last was busy! well, let me tell you, this last week has been nothing but one big whirlwind. First, we had Thanksgiving at our house–with Beanie and LYNN (no kidding and she was fine) and Jenny and Grandma and Tony and Steph and Oliver, which made for a very full table. But it was great and we all played charades afterwards.
Then later that evening (and to my surprise), Josh and Zach stopped by. They're both home from college this weekend. It was so fun to see them, and Beanie and I thought that they'd both grown up a lot. It was a little uncomfortable at first, what with Jenny there–I know how she and Josh never really did patch things up very well from last year. But by the end of the evening, all five of us were just laughing and joking and having a really fun time. And I must admit, I liked seeing Josh, and I think he liked seeing me. Just the same, my no dating rule stands, and he knows it. But he said he had something he wanted to tell me privately. I said maybe after the wedding since I knew it would keep me fairly tied up for the following day. And both Josh and Zach said they'd be at the wedding too, so I knew I'd see him again.
We all got up early the next day. We had to go pick things up and get the church decorated and all kinds of last minute stuff. And by the time we needed to dress for the wedding, I felt nearly exhausted. But something happened after I took a shower and put on that gorgeous gown. I was revitalized and ready to make it through what turned out to be a very long evening. But oh, was it beautiful. Fall flowers and glowing candles everywhere. Tony wore a dark brown tux, and Steph looked absolutely gorgeous. The only thing that went wrong was that Oliver ate too many mints and threw up during the reception, but everything else was just beautiful. I'd like to have a wedding just like that someday. That is, if I ever get married.
Well, if Josh Miller's eyes were any indication about whether I will ever marry, I'd say my chances are pretty good. Okay, I'm not exactly setting the date. And I know it's ridiculous to even think of such things. I mean, I am, after all, just seventeen. But a girl can dream, can't she? And since I've given up dating, I think I should still be allowed a few, sweet, innocent dreams. But anyway, Josh came up to me during the reception and just stared. I mean, he ogled.
“You look like a princess, Catie,” he said in this