Diane T. Ashley (43 page)

Jasmine stared up at him, her violet gaze suddenly serious. “Would you come to see the productions?”

“I’m sure I could visit Natchez from time to time.” Although he wasn’t sure if he could stand seeing her married to anyone else.

“So you’re going back to Chicago?” Her hand fell away from his arm. “I had hoped you might find—”

He waited for her to finish her sentence, sighing when she turned away and hid her face from him. “What did you hope I would find?”

“Oh, never mind. It was a silly idea, anyway.” Her words were whipped away by the wind, their meaning unclear.

He would never understand her. David wanted to walk away, leave her standing on the deck by herself. But something … some One whispered that he should stay. “Please tell me what you were going to say.”

Were her shoulders shaking? He hadn’t meant to make her cry.

David locked his own emotions away and reached for Jasmine, pulling her into a brotherly embrace. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to upset you. Of course I’ll be there for you. At least until you have a husband to watch out over you. It’s the least a brother can do.”

Jasmine gasped and pulled away from his embrace. When she turned to face him, her beautiful eyes were filled with annoyance instead of tears. “I am not and never have been your sister, David Foster. Don’t you know yet that you’re the only man I could ever love?”

Her words broke down the barriers between them. But he didn’t take her in his arms yet. He still had a matter that needed to be straightened out. “I thought you liked Vance’s kisses more than mine.”

She shook her head, a blush spreading across her cheeks. “I was upset when I told you that. Vance kissed me once, but it was nothing to compare to the way I feel in your arms.”

His last reservation disappeared. David opened his arms to her, his mind full of thankfulness. Even the river seemed to sing with joy as their lips met in a kiss that warmed his blood and sealed the bond between them.

L
ily stood on tiptoe and draped a pine garland over the door to the dining room. “It seems like only a few weeks ago that you were the one getting married on the
Water Lily
.”

Camellia’s gaze looked past her shoulder, and a smile curved her lips upward. “Yes, but then again sometimes it seems like Jonah and I have been together for decades.”

“In a way you have. Or at least you’ve known him for that long.” Lily stepped back to assess their decorations.

The smell of pine permeated the room. Holly boughs festooned with red berries decorated the row of windows. Camellia had brought crystal vases from Les Fleurs and gossamer tulle swags for the tables that would hold Papa and Tessie’s wedding dinner in a few short hours. They still needed to place the chairs for the families, but then everything would be ready.

Jasmine walked into the room, her cheeks as red as the holly berries. “I’m so glad it stopped raining.”

“Is the change in temperature the reason for those roses in your cheeks?” Camellia bent a playful frown in her direction.

Lily couldn’t hide her smile as Jasmine’s cheeks darkened further. It was sweet to see their little sister so much in love. Especially since she had finally come to her senses and realized what everyone else had known for a while—she was deeply in love with David Foster. “I imagine it has more to do with her escort than the weather.”

Jasmine blew out an impatient breath. “Stop it.”

As her laughter blended with Camellia’s, Lily opened her arms wide and caught Jasmine in a brief hug. “I’m sorry, honey. It’s just that we’re so happy for the two of you.”

“That’s right.” Camellia nodded, her blond curls bobbing around her face. “But I don’t understand why you’re waiting until spring to marry. You and David should join Papa and Tessie at the altar today.”

Jasmine emerged from the hug and shook her head. “Today’s their day. We can wait. Besides, I’ve always wanted to be a June bride. The flowers are so abundant then. I can just imagine how beautiful the garden at Les Fleurs will be.”

“I think Jasmine is saying she doesn’t care for our decorations. “Lily put her hands on her hips and pursed her lips.

Camellia gasped and pointed a finger in her direction. “You look so much like Aunt Dahlia when you do that.”

“Please.” Lily relaxed her mouth.

“No, it’s true.” Jasmine looked from her face to Camellia’s. “And she also looks a little like Grandmother, don’t you think?”

Now Lily’s cheeks were redder than Jasmine’s. Her sisters circled around her, their frowns nearly identical. “No matter what you say, I refuse to believe I’ll ever be as sour as our aunt.”

“Of course you won’t.” Camellia stopped in front of her. “I love Aunt Dahlia, but she’s mired in the past. You’ve got your sights on the future with this new shipping venture.”

Lily let a relieved breath escape. She’d always wanted to be as adventurous as their mother. “I’m glad you and Jonah decided to invest, too. Eli and Renée are going to handle getting river shipments onto the rails from their office in Memphis. The only ones we have left to get involved are Jasmine and David.”

“Perhaps later.” Jasmine started to pull off her cloak. “Once we get more settled.”

Lily had news she could hardly wait to share with her younger sister. “Blake and Jean Luc were talking about hiring the Pinkerton Agency to protect our shipments from bandits and Indians. I’m hoping they can insist on having David oversee the operations.”

Jasmine’s motions halted. “Really? That would be exciting. Maybe he and I could even travel together.”

Camellia stomped her foot to get their attention. “Why is everyone so interested in leaving Natchez?”

Lily put a comforting hand around Camellia’s waist. “This will always be our home. You and Jonah are doing a wonderful job with the sharecroppers and the family’s assets. You’re the linchpin that holds us together.”

Jasmine nodded, her beautiful violet eyes wide. “Besides, you know you’re the only one who can reason with Aunt Dahlia.”

Camellia’s eyes were suspiciously moist, but she laughed at Jasmine’s mischievous expression. “You’re a minx.”

“I know.”

Lily was nearly overcome with her own tears, her heart threatening to explode with pride and joy over her sisters. “I love you.”

Jasmine’s face lost its playfulness. “One thing I realized while I was on the
Ophelia
is how much I owe to you, Lily. I’m ashamed of my blindness to all the sacrifices you’ve made over the years.”

“They’re not sacrifices to me.” Emotion clogged Lily’s throat, making it difficult to talk.

“Jasmine’s right.” Camellia put both arms around her. “You fought everyone to make sure we could live our lives in the ways we chose.”

Lily tightened the muscles in her throat to keep from melting into a puddle of tears. She felt Jasmine’s hug in addition to Camellia’s. Had anyone ever been so blessed?

After a few minutes, peace settled over her. Lily returned the hugs from her sisters. “It’s an honor to help you when I can. I just hate the times we’ve been at cross-purposes.”

“We’re together now.” Jasmine’s voice sounded as choked as her own. “And we’ll always be sisters.”

Lily closed her eyes. “Dear Lord, thank You for all the blessings. Thank You for wiping away our tears and giving us ‘beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; that they might be called trees of righteousness, the planting of the Lord, that He might be glorified.’ ”

A brief silence filled the room before Camellia picked up the prayer. “Lord, I want to say thanks for my sister. You’re the One who describes a virtuous woman as having a price above rubies. Thank You for filling Lily with all the characteristics that have made her a virtuous woman and a wonderful sister.”

Jasmine’s voice took over when Camellia stopped. “Thanks, God, for my wonderful Christian sisters. And thank You for watching over all of us so well. Bless our Papa and Tessie as they begin this new chapter of their lives. Help us to be ever mindful of Your love and sovereignty. May we sow Your seeds at every opportunity as we live out our lives in Your service.”

“Amen.” As she ended the prayer, Lily knew this would be a moment she would always cherish. A moment in which every fear was quieted and only peace remained.

Benjamin stood between Lily and Blake, each of his hands in one of theirs. Noah and Magnolia were immediately ahead of them, their high-pitched whispers betraying their excitement at attending the wedding.

“Shhh.” Lily put her free hand across her lips. “You’re supposed to be as quiet as little mice, remember?”

Noah looked over his shoulder, his blue eyes full of mischief. “Magnolia doesn’t believe Grandpapa is going to be a broom.”

Blake chuckled. “Son, I’m afraid I have to agree with your sister.”

Magnolia stuck her tongue out at her brother.

Lily prayed for patience. “Magnolia, that is not a ladylike gesture. Noah, Grandpapa is going to be a
groom
. It means a husband.”

Noah looked to his father for confirmation, grimacing at Blake’s nod. “I was almost right.”

“Jensen says, ‘A miss is as good as a mile.’ ” Magnolia raised her chin, a familiar gesture that Lily knew her daughter had learned from her. At least she didn’t stick out her tongue again.

Suddenly Lily wanted to gather her family close and try to stop anything from changing them. She could remember Jasmine being as young as Magnolia was now.

She looked into the room they were about to enter, her gaze skipping over the decorations, past the expectant gazes of the guests, and fastening on Anna standing in front of the altar as Tessie’s bridesmaid. Her eyes, the same bright blue color as her brother Blake’s, matched her silk dress. It was made up in the modern style, with narrowed skirts and a bustle at the back. Lily wasn’t sure she liked the bustle, but Camellia had insisted that all of their gowns should reflect the newest fashion.

Jensen and Papa stood on the other side of the altar. Papa looked as nervous as she’d ever seen him. He wiped his hands on the black material of his slacks. It was hard to tell Jensen’s mood. His scarred face rarely showed emotion. As she watched, he leaned over and said something to Papa. A smile broke out on Papa’s face, and he nodded.

Lily knew it was time. She focused on Noah. “Escort your sister to her place like we practiced.”

Her gaze met Blake’s as their oldest son held out his arm and Magnolia put her small hand on it. Could anything be more adorable? As she and Blake followed, helping Benjamin between them, she passed Uncle Phillip and Aunt Dahlia, who wore identical smiles this afternoon.

As they reached the front row, she looked to her left and nodded to Mrs. Champney and Jean Luc. His son, Achille, fussed and fidgeted in Jean Luc’s lap. Tamar, sitting next to the Champneys, fished in her reticule and produced a stick of candy that the little boy accepted and immediately popped into his mouth.

Jasmine, her hand in David’s, grinned at Noah and Magnolia as they sat next to her. On David’s far side, Camellia dabbed at her eyes with a lace-edged white handkerchief, the smile on her face indicating that her tears had nothing to do with grief. Seated next to Camellia, her daughter, Amaryllis, swung her legs back and forth. The motion lifted her velvet skirt up with each kick until her father, Jonah, shook his head at her. She subsided with a pout as Lily sat in one of the two remaining seats on this row. Blake sat beside her and put Benjamin in his lap.

A rustle from the back of the room indicated that Tessie had arrived at the doorway. Lily stood with the rest and watched as Anna and Blake’s aunt stepped into the room. Dressed in a white dress with deep flounces, the older woman radiated joy. Her veil floated around her like a rising mist as she moved forward, her gaze fastened on Papa’s face. For an instant Lily was transported back in time as she glanced toward her father. The smile on his face was one she’d forgotten. She hadn’t seen it since her mother died. In that moment, she knew Papa and Tessie would be happy together.

Time collapsed and expanded. Past, present, and future seemed to come together in one confusing instant as intense longing swept Lily. Where had the years gone? It seemed she’d only blinked her eyes and her baby sister Jasmine was all grown up and ready to leave home. Would it be the same with Magnolia? The future seemed so uncertain at times. How would she ever cope? What would their lives be like in another fourteen or fifteen years? Tears burned at the corners of her eyes.

“Is everything okay?” Blake’s gaze met hers, at once concerned and empathetic.

“Yes.” Lily could feel the pain ebbing as God covered her confusion with His grace. “I’m just being silly.”

A smile chased away her husband’s frown. “I love you, Lily.”

She lifted her chin and returned his smile. “I love you, too.”

As they sat side by side and listened to Papa and Tessie repeat their vows, a verse from the last book of the Bible came to her.
“And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away.”
She and Blake—all the members of her family—had endured trials and tears, from the ever-changing fortunes of life on the river to the deaths of loved ones. But no matter what happened, faith guided them like a beacon in the night. Whatever the future held, she could rejoice knowing that God’s promises transcended all else.