CHAPER 1.
Debbie stirred the pot of stew simmering on the stove; its aroma filled Wilma’s kitchen. She glanced at the calendar on the kitchen wall, the bold red circle around a date growing ever closer.
Only two weeks until she’d be Mrs. Fritz White.
Some things were falling into place, yet there was so much more to be done.
Florence had been working tirelessly on the dresses for the wedding, and Debbie couldn’t help but feel a twinge of guilt every time she thought about it. Florence was always ready to help, but with Fritz’s suit added at the last minute to Florence’s tasks, she hoped it wasn’t too much for her with the new baby.
While Fritz had spent little time with Debbie because of the distance between them, their letters and brief visits had helped solidify their bond.
A more immediate concern was on her mind.
Uncle Levi’s house.
Debbie felt a deep appreciation for the proposed gift from Aunt Wilma on behalf of Uncle Levi, but Fritz hadn’t sounded thrilled.
Debbie’s thoughts were interrupted by Aunt Wilma, who was busy pouring flour into a bowl. “Debbie, have you and Fritz discussed where you’ll visit after the wedding?”
Debbie looked at her aunt, biting her lip. “I’ve mentioned meeting his relatives, maybe traveling for a bit... but Fritz doesn’t want to do that, especially since he’s relocating back here. It’s such a big move, he wants to stay put for a while.”
Wilma nodded. “It’s important for young couples to make their own decisions. But traveling can be a wonderful experience before settling down. I know he’s traveled a lot, but you haven’t. I hope you get to do that before the babies arrive. That’ll make things so much harder.”
Before Debbie could reply, Ada bounded in through the back door, a bunch of parsley in her hand. “Are we talking about the wedding again?”
“Yes,” Debbie said with a grin. It had been nearly their only topic of conversation in these past weeks. “I just want everything to go perfectly and our marriage to follow the same pattern.”
“You two will find your rhythm, Debbie. Remember, every couple has their adjustments. It’s only natural,” Wilma said.
Ada chuckled. “Adjustments are the fun part. You get to discover all these quirky habits about each other.”
Debbie didn’t know if she liked the sound of quirky habits. She had never liked surprises. “Like what?”
Ada giggled. “Well, how Samuel always misplaces his shoes, or how he insists on having his morning coffee exactly at seven. No earlier and no later.”
Wilma looked over at Ada. “I didn’t know that. That must be hard to get right every morning.”
“Well, what adjustment stories do you have to share, Wilma?” Debbie asked.
Wilma thought for a moment. “Levi always used to hum a tune when he was deep in thought, even though he claimed he never did.”
They all laughed. “I remember him doing that,” Debbie said. “I never knew he denied it.”
“Your wedding day is going to be wunderbaar. Family and friends will be back here. It’s going to be like the good old days,” Ada said as she sat at the table to chop the parsley.
“I hope so, but I heard that Earl, Miriam, and their little tribe won’t be able to make it.”
Ada sighed dramatically. “Well, we’ll just have to eat twice as much and have even more fun on their behalf.”
“Don’t say we’ll eat more, Ada. I’ll have to get Florence to make my dress bigger.” Debbie laughed.
Ada nodded. “I was wondering why the dresses she made me and Wilma were roomy.”
With each passing moment, Debbie felt the excitement and anxiety intertwining. But looking at Aunt Wilma and Ada, reminded her of the love and support surrounding her. It meant so much since she was estranged from her parents and from her late husband’s family.
“Now, after you two lovebirds tie the knot, all our sights will be set on Krystal’s big day. Do you think she’s next in line for marriage?” Ada asked.
Debbie grinned at the thought. “We all know that the two of them are meant to be together. It’s only a matter of when, not if.”
“Everyone knows that except Matthew. But, I think he’s given up on winning her back,” Wilma said.
“Seems love is in the air. First you, Debbie, then possibly Krystal... Who knows? Maybe it’ll be Wilma next.” Ada winked, causing both Debbie and Aunt Wilma to laugh.
Debbie placed the lid on the stew. “Well, if that’s the case, Florence is going to have her hands full with all these wedding dresses she’ll be making.”
Ada nodded. “We can give her a hand. After all, it’s always merrier when people work together.”
Wilma looked around. “Where’s Jared?”
“He’s on the porch talking with Matthew. They were deep in some discussion when I saw them last,” Debbie said.
Ada’s face brightened. “What were they talking about, do you know?”
“I’m not sure. I think they were talking about horses.”
Ada clucked her tongue. “I wish Matthew could find a lady. Maybe he’ll meet someone special at your wedding, Debbie. There’s going to be quite a crowd. I’ve heard from so many friends that are coming from far away.”
Debbie thought for a moment. “It’s a possibility that he’ll meet someone, but don’t you think he’s got a lot of growing up to do before he’s ready?”
Ada frowned at her. “Why do you say that?”
“Well, it was only a few months ago that he was sleeping on the porch, hoping to glimpse Krystal as she passed by or some such thing. Before that, he was trying to court one woman after another, then expecting Krystal to forget what he did.”
“You have a point, Debbie,” Wilma said. “But maybe a woman will help him mature.”
“Anything is possible, but maybe a woman wants a mature man to start with. That’s why Fritz is good for me. He’s mature.”
Ada chuckled as she picked up beans and sliced them into a bowl. “Do you have pre-wedding nerves, Debbie?”
“A bit, I suppose. I don’t even know where we’ll be living. He said we’ll sort that out when he gets here.”
Wilma looked up. “Won’t you be living in the house I showed you? Carter is getting the transfer organized.”
“Yes, I mean, I’m not sure.” Debbie was embarrassed by Fritz not working this out before now.
Wilma exhaled a huff. “You need to know where you’re going. Didn’t he say he wanted to pay for the house? That’s not why I offered it to both of you, but I wanted to discuss that with Fritz face-to-face. It’s meant to be a gift. I never knew you had decided against moving into it.”
“Thanks, Wilma. I really hope we can sort something out soon. I don’t want you to think I’m ungrateful because I’m not, neither is Fritz. I’d love to live in that house, but he seems to be unsure.”
Ada shook her head. “Why don’t you know what’s going on? You don’t seem to communicate with Fritz very much.”
“I do, but he’s so busy all the time. I don’t like to bother him with anything. He even has less time now with the big move.”
“When he gets here, he’ll have to give you some answers,” Ada said with a nod. “Time’s running out like the sand through an hourglass. Time won’t wait for him to decide, it just keeps moving.”
“That’ll be the first thing we’ll need to clear up when he gets here.”
Wilma stared up at the ceiling, lost in thought. “I can’t wait until I have all my girls under one roof again. Just think, in a few days, they’ll all be here.”
“It’ll be noisy, I know that much.” After Ada placed the green vegetables into boiling water, she busied herself with making a pot of tea.
Debbie couldn’t help but wonder what her life would be like once she was married. She had always dreamed of a happy home filled with love. But how close would real life measure up to her imaginings?
