Tumbleweed Weddings (37 page)

If only she knew.

A
t the wedding rehearsal on Friday night, the pastor at the Douglas church looked up from his little black notebook to Molly and Jonathan. “Who has the ring?”

Standing on the far left side of the church platform, Tonya gave a silent sigh, wishing she were the bride instead of a bridesmaid. She fingered her sapphire necklace.

Callie and Melissa stood beside her, and all three faced Molly and Jonathan. The sisters had decided to wear floor-length skirts to practice for their bridesmaid dresses tomorrow. Tonya glanced down at the creamy-yellow dress she wore. She loved the way the silky fabric swirled around her legs when she walked. Tomorrow the bridesmaids would wear the fuchsia dresses she and Mom had sewn, with pearl necklaces Molly had given them.

Derek, Ryan, and Murray comprised the groomsmen. Murray stood on the far right and wore the elevator shoes. He was three inches taller than usual, but still, he only came up to Ryan’s chin.

Tonya hadn’t seen Murray since their “disastrous date” on Tuesday night. That’s what she called it, even though the only disastrous part was at the end. When she had poured out her heart to Poe about Murray’s law-abiding stubbornness, Poe sympathized and then sided with Murray. In his opinion if she broke the speed limit, she should accept her punishment and pay the fine instead of complaining about it. That was the gist of his thoughts, but he wrote each sentence in a sweet way. Before they parted, Poe softened the entire conversation by saying, “I wish we could talk all night and then watch the sun come over the horizon together.”

It was so romantic that she immediately forgave him for siding with Murray.

Tonya dragged her attention back to the rehearsal.

The pastor closed his notebook. “Then I’ll say, ‘You may kiss the bride.’ ” He grinned at Jon. “I suppose you could practice that right now.”

Jon shyly pecked Molly on the cheek. Callie looked at Tonya and giggled.

“Okay. Now you need to turn toward the audience.” The pastor waited while Molly and Jon complied. He raised his voice. “I present to you Mr. and Mrs. Jonathan Hunt.”

The opening chords of Mendelssohn’s “Wedding March” burst from the organ. Tonya watched Molly and Jonathan leave the platform, followed by Derek and Melissa, and then Callie and Ryan.

Murray smiled as he moved toward her and held out his elbow. Averting her eyes, she crossed to the middle of the platform. He wore a short-sleeve shirt, and she linked her hand through his arm, feeling the strength of his muscle. Together they descended the steps and joined the others. It felt strange to walk beside a taller Murray.

At the back of the auditorium, Jonathan grinned at his bride. “That’s a wrap. We went through it twice, so we’re finished until tomorrow. Right?”

Adoration lit Molly’s eyes as she gazed up at him. “I guess so.”

Tonya gave another wistful sigh.

The wedding party, plus parents and extended family, left the church for the rehearsal dinner. At the restaurant, Tonya ended up sitting between Murray and Callie in the crowded room. Derek and Melissa sat across the table from them.

The hum of pleasant conversation surrounded Tonya as she ate her salad. She wished she was sitting next to Poe. Murray made a few comments to her until Derek brought up the recently played Super Bowl. Play by play, he and Murray discussed the entire game. She tuned them out as she conversed with her sisters.

Murray was stuffed. He shouldn’t have eaten those last three bites of dessert, although the french silk pie was delicious. If only his partner had been more amiable, but Tonya ignored him during the rehearsal and the dinner.

Still holding a grudge
.

Since most of the wedding party and relatives didn’t live in Douglas, they formed a carpool to a nearby hotel. Murray entered the hotel lobby behind the Brandt and Hunt families, which comprised at least thirty people. The relatives clumped down the long arm of the first-floor hallway, all rolling their suitcases behind them. Pulling his own suitcase, Murray walked beside Derek, his roommate for the night. Just a few more steps, and he could take off these pinching elevator shoes. He didn’t relish the thought of wearing them all day tomorrow.

Following a noisy passel of women, Murray spotted Tonya talking to Melissa. Soon small groups broke off as people found their rooms. Derek stopped at room 127 and slid the card key in the lockbox.

Murray spoke in a low voice. “I’ll join you in a few minutes, Brandt. I have to talk to Tonya.”

“Sure, Twitch.” Derek opened the door and pulled both of their suitcases inside.

Murray walked down the hall as Tonya disappeared into a room with two other women. He strode to the door and knocked.

Opening the door, Tonya looked up at him. “Need something, Murray?”

Only you
. “Uh, could I talk to you for a few minutes?”

“Okay.” She leaned back in the room to tell her roommates she was leaving, then entered the hallway and closed the door. “What did you want?” She folded her arms.

He glanced down the hallway. Several travelers still looked for their rooms. “We can’t talk here, and it’s too cold to walk outside.”

“Let’s go to the breakfast room.”

Tonya took off with her long yellow skirt flowing behind her. Murray caught up and strode by her side, ignoring the pain in his feet. They passed the front counter and then the outside doors to the hotel. She entered the breakfast room and led him to a small table in the back. No one else was around.

He took a seat across from her. “This is perfect.”

“What do you need to talk about?” She folded her arms on the table. Her entire manner seemed resigned, as if she was at the dentist’s office waiting for a root canal.

Murray glanced at the sapphire necklace that resided against the fabric of her dress before he gazed into her beautiful dark eyes. “I just wanted to apologize for the way our date ended on Tuesday night. I realize I was too hard on you.”

Surprise swept across her features before she looked down. “I’m the one who should apologize. I talked to … a friend … about the situation, and he told me to accept the consequences of my speeding ticket instead of complaining about it.” She looked into his eyes. “So, I’m sorry.”

He tried not to grin, knowing that “friend” was Poe, aka Murray Twichell.

“I’ll forgive you if you forgive me.”

She smiled. “Done. And I really did learn my lesson, Murray. I’m not going to speed down the road anymore.”

“I’m glad to hear it.” He wouldn’t even mention her piano playing. “Can we be friends again?”

“Sure.” Instead of getting up, as he thought she’d do, she seemed to relax. “I thought the wedding rehearsal went well, didn’t you?”

“Uh, I guess so.” Murray shrugged. “Actually, this is the first wedding I’ve been in, but you’re an old pro at weddings.”

“Yeah, lucky me. Always the bridesmaid and never the bride.”

“You’ll have your turn someday.”
Maybe I’ll be the groom!
That thought startled him. It seemed impossible that they would ever get that far in their relationship.

“Well …” She leaned across the table as if sharing a secret. “When I get married, I’m planning to have ten bridesmaids, and I know exactly what they’re going to wear. Of course, I must have a June wedding so their dresses will be in the right season.” Her voice softened. “I’ve always wanted to be a June bride.”

He grinned, again enjoying this side she seldom revealed. “Maybe next summer, Tonya.”

Her eyes widened. “No,
this
summer, Murray. I know June is only four months away, but I’m ready to go. And my dress is going to be beautiful.” With a contented sigh, she cradled her chin in her palm. “I designed it myself, and all I have to do is sew it up. Would you believe that Molly is wearing Melissa’s bridal gown tomorrow? It’s pretty, but I wouldn’t want to wear someone else’s dress.”

“I could finally tell your twin sisters apart tonight.” He shook his head. “Never could keep them straight, but tonight I knew who Molly was.”

“The one who couldn’t keep her eyes off Jonathan Hunt.” Tonya stood and pushed her chair under the table. “That’s the way it will be with my groom and me—if I find him before June. I might have to get married without him.”

Murray laughed as he stood. “I’m afraid he’s a fundamental part of the equation, Tonya.”

“Yeah, too bad.” Her lips curved up as she strolled down the hallway. “The Lord might have to perform a miracle, although I have a guy in mind.”

Poe
. He ambled by her side, aching feet notwithstanding. What if he ended up marrying Tonya in four short months? Now
that
would be a miracle.

They approached her room, and she stopped to face him. “Tell me, Murray. Do guys care about big, fancy weddings? Wouldn’t most men rather elope?”

“Not necessarily.” He looked down into her beautiful eyes as she stared up into his. “A wedding is an important occasion since it marks an important beginning—the marriage of two lives into one. Most men want to make it a big day.”

“I’m glad to know that.” She knocked on the door of her room. “Thanks, Murray. Good night.”

He took a step back. “See you tomorrow.”

Walking back down the hallway, he heard the door to her room open and close. If only he could reveal himself as Poe. But was Tonya ready to accept him for who he was? What if she rejected him and shut him out of her life?

That scenario scared him. All correspondence would stop. The entire town would discover the identity of her secret admirer—and her dismissal of him. He would be a failure in everyone’s eyes.

He paused in front of room 127 as a verse of scripture popped into his mind—something about the Lord holding the king’s heart in His hand and turning it whichever way He willed.

God held Tonya’s heart. Murray would leave their relationship in the Lord’s capable hands. He was thankful he had followed his impulse to apologize. At least he and Tonya were friends once more. For now, that would have to be enough.

Surrounded by other single girls, Tonya lifted her arms, ready to catch Molly’s bouquet during the reception the next afternoon.

“Okay, ladies, squish together!” Molly, dressed in Melissa’s creamy white bridal gown, turned her back to them and flipped the bouquet over her shoulder.

Watching it spiral toward her, Tonya gave a little basketball-player-like jump and grabbed it. “I got it!” She grinned as the other girls congratulated her. Despite all the weddings she had attended, this was the first time she had caught the bridal bouquet.

Callie ran up and hugged her, their fuchsia dresses blending together. “Congrats, baby sis! Remember how I caught Melissa’s bouquet and ended up getting married the next year?”

“I sure hope that happens to me.” Tonya giggled. “But my wedding will take place this June, and my groom will be Poe.”

“Maybe.” Callie glanced around the reception room and then lowered her voice. “You know, I think Murray likes you. He’s certainly been attentive to you today.”

Tonya shrugged. “He’s making up for the disastrous date we had last Tuesday.”

Callie’s eyebrows shot up. “You guys are dating?”

“No!” Now Tonya glanced around. Murray stood by the punch bowl talking to Derek. She looked at her sister. “It’s a long story, but he apologized last night. We’re friends, nothing more.”

“I think it’s more.” Callie leaned closer. “I’ve seen the way Murray looks at you. He’s interested romantically.”

Tonya rolled her eyes. “Oh come on. Murray and I never got along, you should know that. We argue all the time.” She shook her head. “It would never work. Besides, he’s not very handsome. When I get married, I’m going for a hot guy.” Tonya’s conscience struck her as she thought of her impromptu Bible study Tuesday night. What happened to not looking at the outward appearance? “Well, someone who’s pleasant to look at and has a nice personality, too.”

“Don’t write Murray off, Tonya. He’s a good Christian guy. Remember, he wanted to marry me before Lane came along.”

Tonya gazed at her sister. “So why didn’t you marry Murray?”

“He wasn’t the one for me.” Callie glanced toward the men. “But he might be the right one for you.”