Seeing her father alive and well across the table from her, talking companionably with Gabe’s father, Sophie marveled at how God had given him back to her after all these years. It was a miracle.
Gabe squeezed her hand and she blinked up at him. She read the love in his eyes and felt her own love for him spilling out in a contented sigh. The man she loved, loved her too, and love was the greatest miracle of all.
Epilogue
Gabe’s entire family waited outside Hohendorf Castle in the place where the burned-out chapel once stood. A priest stood with them, waiting for the bride to emerge from the castle so the wedding could begin.
“I wish you well, little brother.” Valten embraced Gabe, clapping him on the back.
“So you forgive me?” For once, Gabe couldn’t make a joke out of the situation. He met Valten’s eye, praying for mercy.
“Of course I forgive you. I would have done the same thing had I been in your place.” But Valten looked a bit rueful.
Gabe let out the breath he was holding and laughed.
“I can’t let you best me, though,” his giant brother said. “I’ll just have to rescue my own damsel in distress.”
“You will, big brother. You will.”
Gabe truly did have a wonderful family, as Sophie daily reminded him. And though things had been very tense between the two brothers these past several weeks, Valten had forgiven him for stealing his betrothed. Thank you, God.
Duke Baldewin joined them on the grassy knoll, standing before the priest, and then the bride made her appearance. Even though her face was veiled, Gabe had no trouble recognizing his beautiful Sophie. She took his hand as they faced the priest, all of Gabe’s family behind them, along with the servants who’d stayed at the castle and all the villagers of Hohendorf. Gabe tried to force himself to listen to and comprehend the priest’s words, but it was difficult, as Sophie’s beauty kept distracting him.
Sophie and some other women had planted flowers in a circle, outlining the smoke-stained stones of the chapel that had been demolished. Sophie seemed to have an obsession with flowers. All he had to do to make her happy was bring her an armful, or even a handful, of colorful blooms. Ah, but she was sweet when she was happy.
The priest was still talking about God’s plan for man and woman, and Gabe figured he had a few minutes before he would have to pay attention.
Duke Baldewin had hired a master mason to come to Hohendorf and build not only a new chapel, but also a new castle, as he claimed the old castle held too many bad memories to be allowed to stand. Gabe was to be the mason’s apprentice, to learn all about designing and planning and building. Sophie’s father had promised to make Gabe his heir, but it made Gabe feel better to think of having his own work, his own purpose, and Sophie said she didn’t need to stay in Hohendorf. She wanted to go with him wherever his work led. Besides, based on the way he looked at Lady Petra, Duke Baldewin would be marrying again soon and would have more children of his own. Gabe wanted to make his own way in life.
“… Do you take this woman, Sophia Auriana Gersenda Breitenbach, to be your wife …”
Time to pay attention. “I do.”
“I’m not finished,” the priest whispered.
“Sorry,” Gabe whispered back.
Sophie pressed a hand over her mouth.
“To have and to hold, from this day forward, for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish, till death you do part, according to God’s holy ordinance, and thereto plight her your troth.”
“I do.” Oh yes. Most definitely.
He breathed in deeply, squeezing Sophie’s hand.
She had her turn, listening to the words of the priest, and then saying, “I do.”
“You may kiss the bride.”
Gabe lifted Sophie’s veil. She was beautiful, with a little extra glow about her, but he didn’t take time to stare at her. He’d have the rest of his life to look at her. Instead, he kissed her, not holding back anything.
If Gabe’s life were a book, it was time for the next chapter. And he was ready.
Acknowledgments
I want to thank my wonderful editor, Jacque Alberta, whose constructive advice and way of looking at the overall story is sheer genius. (And thank you, Jacque, for your easy-going, positive vibe! I need it!) I also want to thank my agent, Rachel Kent, for being so supportive, kind, caring, and great at her job — an all-around nice person. Thanks so much for everything.
I want to thank Sue Williams for always being there for me, and for being a wonderful friend, a great writer, and a really fun traveling buddy. Keep writing!
Thanks to Regina Carbulon for always being willing to pray for me and for being such a great example of faith. You taught me how to start my sentences with, “I’m believing for …”
Thanks to Denita Black and Sherry Slaughter for praying for me and for listening.
Thanks to Caren Fullerton, Jamie Driggers, and April Erwin for critiquing and encouraging. I love you girls.