Return to Grace by Karen Harper

Author:Karen Harper [Harper, Karen]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781459222816
Google: E8fXJA3xLPwC
Amazon: 0778313239
Goodreads: 12427899
Publisher: Mira
Published: 2012-01-01T05:00:00+00:00

The dinner and reception were as exciting as the ceremony had been solemn. The corner table for the newlyweds and their attendants was set with candles and two cakes for the wedding party—the three layers was okay, but no tiers allowed in bridal cakes by church rules, for that would be too worldly and fancy. During the meal, there was teasing and laughter, much getting and giving of small gifts; the larger ones such as money and items for their future home were on display in the guest bedroom upstairs.

Hannah was given a ballpoint pen with Joshua’s and Naomi’s names and their wedding date. She saved one of the napkins which said the same. While their guests laughed and cheered, some of the couple’s friends got up to present Naomi with a clothesline and mop, then a bridle for Josh someone suggested he get used to putting in his own mouth, on and on.

The first seating ate and chatted as nearly two hundred guests in three rooms devoured chicken, dressing, mashed potatoes and gravy, coleslaw, applesauce and creamed celery, a traditional wedding dish. Special yeast rolls with butter were distributed by the waiters, who were also friends of the bride and groom. Coffee, tea, pies and cakes came last. Hannah had wedged herself in between Ella and her sister Barbara, who was being courted by Gabe Kauffman, Sarah’s brother. Gabe sat on Barbara’s other side. The bride had worked hard to seat courting couples together, but Hannah noted Naomi had put neither Susan Zook nor Katie Weaver in shouting distance of Seth.

But Hannah made a mental note that, when she saw Sarah in two days for her little wedding, she’d have to remember to tell her Gabe was still Barbara Lantz’s come-calling friend. Sarah had been so hungry for any news of her family.

Hannah was somewhat surprised that Linc sat next to Seth, who had Marlena on his lap. She admired how he had managed to feed himself and her, yet listen to Linc. If that conversation was about people being “whacked” and “hit,” she thought, it was the strangest Amish wedding talk of all time.

“Remember how Sarah used to stuff herself with nothings at weddings?” Ella asked, referring to the lightly sugared, fried pastries that moderns called “elephant ears.” Nothings were stacked on plates at the end of each table. People usually just broke off a piece but Sarah used to snatch and hoard half a dozen of them.

Amid the hubbub and the laughter, Hannah and Ella stayed silent for a moment, remembering, before Hannah said, “I’ll take some and put them out for her reception Saturday.”

Hannah was just about to excuse herself and go out to check on the wedding wagon before the first seating was dismissed, when her older sister Ruth appeared over her shoulder and whispered, “Naomi would like for you to sing. The only thing is, Josh also asked Seth.”

The room seemed to spin, a blur of noise and movement. Hannah could feel Ella looking at her and Ruth’s steady stare.

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