Twilight's Serenade by Tracie Peterson

Author:Tracie Peterson [Peterson, Tracie]
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi
ISBN: 9780764201530
Publisher: Baker Publishing Group
Published: 2010-06-27T04:00:00+00:00

Chapter 16

July 1906

A midst Fourth of July celebrations, Britta and Yuri were quietly married on her parents’ front lawn. Britta had never been more pleased about anything in her life. She finally felt whole—like there had always been a Yuri-sized piece missing in her life and now it was complete.

“You may kiss your bride,” the pastor declared.

Yuri looked hesitant—almost fearful. Britta smiled. She wasn’t going to let him off the hook. If she was going to win his love, she needed to start now. “Well, are you going to kiss me, or am I going to have to kiss you?”

Friends and family who heard her question laughed, but Britta kept her gaze fixed on Yuri. He bent as if to give her a quick peck on the cheek, but Britta wrapped her arms around his neck and pulled him to her lips. She kissed him with seventeen years of pent-up passion, and when she pulled away, she could see the surprise in his eyes. She smiled again.

“See there . . . you lived through it.”

The family came forward to wish them well, but Britta could sense her parents’ apprehension. She especially hated the worry in her mother’s expression. Her mother had suffered a horrible loveless marriage, and Britta was certain that she feared the same would befall her daughter.

“I pray you will be happy,” Mother told her. Taking hold of Britta’s hands, she held them tightly for a moment. “It seems just yesterday you were but a little girl, and now you’re a bride.” She shook her head and released Britta’s hands as she turned to Yuri. “Please take good care of her.”

“Goodness, Mother. It’s not like we’re going anywhere,” Britta declared. “We’ll just be living in the cabin down the hill—not even five hundred feet away.”

“I know,” her mother replied, “but things are different now.”

Britta tried not to betray her concern. Mother was right. Things were very different now. She found herself wondering for just a moment if they’d done the right thing, but just as quickly, she pushed her worries aside. Of course they’d done the right thing. It was exactly what she had hoped for—prayed for.

“The food is ready,” Kay announced.

“We should eat before it gets too cold,” Britta said. “Come on.” She took hold of Yuri’s hand. “Hungry?”

He looked at her oddly for a moment. If she didn’t know better, she’d almost believe it was a look of desire mingled with confusion. “Yuri?”

“I could eat,” he said in a barely audible voice.

She laughed to keep from showing how nervous she suddenly felt. “Then let’s not keep our guests waiting.”

The picnic supper was the perfect way to end the day. The family was together, sharing not only the joy of the wedding but the return of Kjell and Dalton. Only Kjerstin and her husband were absent. There had been no time to get word to them, but a letter had come just the day before with wonderful news: Kjerstin was pregnant, and they had decided to remain where they were rather than take the mission in the Aleutians.

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