Chapter Two

“ J oel Trinity, look at you blushin’!” called out one of Joel’s friends, a lanky fellow by the name of Tom, as he slapped Joel heartily on the back.

“Caught you strollin’ arm-in-arm with one of those girls who came for the dance, we did,”said another, Hank, whose grin spread wide beneath his bushy mustache. The group of men huddled around Joel, elbowing each other with playful camaraderie.

“Aw, stop it,” Joel replied, the hint of a smile tugging at the corners of his mouth despite his efforts to remain stoic. “There’s no harm in a walk.”

“Walk today, weddin’ tomorrow!” Tom teased, raising his eyebrows suggestively.

“Maybe you’re not too far off,” Joel retorted, tipping his hat back on his head with a confident air. “I’ve got plans to marry that girl.”

The men exchanged surprised glances, their teasing faltering into silence before they all told him she was pretty and would make a good wife.

“Never pictured ol’ Joel settlin’ down,” Hank said, his voice warm with genuine happiness for his friend.

“Neither did I,” Joel admitted, “but Erna... she’s different.”

JOEL EXCUSED HIMSELF from the group, scanning the crowd until he spotted Erna standing alone by the refreshment table. Her twin, Faith, was nowhere in sight, likely off charming some other young man with her easy laugh and bright eyes.

“Erna?” Joel called gently as he approached her.

She turned, and in the softening light, her face seemed to glow with a quiet grace that made Joel’s heart beat faster. “Joel,” she said, a small smile playing on her lips.

“Would you honor me with another dance?” he asked, extending his hand toward her.

“Of course, Joel,” Erna replied, placing her hand in his. Her fingers felt delicate yet strong in his calloused grip.

They walked together to the makeshift dance floor where couples were already swaying to a lilting melody. Joel led Erna into a gentle two-step, mindful of the rhythm and of the woman in his arms. As they moved across the floor, Joel couldn’t help but feel that every step was bringing him closer to a future he suddenly wanted more than anything.

“Thank you for the dance,” Erna whispered.

“Thank you for saying yes,” Joel replied.

The warm breeze that carried the sound of fiddles and laughter did little to cool the flush on Erna’s cheeks as she swayed gently in Joel’s arms. The two moved through the steps of the dance, lost in a world of their own in the middle of the jovial crowd.

“Always had a feeling I’d find someone who understood what it was like,” Joel began, his voice low and tinged with the sincerity of shared hardships. “Growing up without a family.”

Erna looked up at him, her smile soft but her eyes shining with a mixture of empathy and strength. “It does shape you in a different way, doesn’t it? Makes you appreciate things more... like finding a kindred spirit.”

“Exactly,” Joel nodded. “And here we are, dancing under the same stars that must’ve watched over us when we were nothing but lonely orphans.”

“It’s funny how life brings people together,” she mused, her hand resting comfortably in his. “At least, I had my twin sister Faith.”

“Twin? Which one is your twin?” He looked around at all the girls who had traveled together from the foundling home. They were easy to spot, since they were the only young, marriageable women there.

“Your smile, Erna,” he said abruptly, as if the words couldn’t be contained, “it’s like the first light of dawn after a dark night. Just radiant.”

Erna’s cheeks reddened further, but her smile widened, unaffected and genuine. “Thank you, Joel. You have a way of making a girl feel... seen. And your kindness, well, it’s like a gentle river that soothes the rough stones over time.”

Joel felt a warmth spread through his chest, a sense of rightness unlike anything he’d known before. As they continued to dance, he knew that this was exactly where he was meant to be – here with Erna, sharing smiles and a dance that felt like a promise of tomorrow.

Music filled the air, a lively tune that seemed to make the wooden floorboards of the church spring to life beneath the dancers’ feet. Erna was in Joel’s arms, and together they moved with a quiet grace.

“Joel,” Erna laughed, her voice light as the skirt of her dress swirled around her, “you sure know how to lead a girl in a two-step.”

He grinned, the corners of his eyes crinkling with delight. “Only when the girl is as easy to dance with as you are, Erna. Feels like we’re dancing on clouds.”

The warmth of the summer evening wrapped around them like a soft shawl as they twirled and stepped. The lanterns hung around the room cast a golden glow, illuminating Erna’s face, turning it into something ethereal.

“Erna,” he began, his voice steady despite the thunderous beating of his heart, He wished Mrs. Jackson had given him more time to talk to her privately. “I’ve been doing some thinking.”

She tilted her head, curiosity lighting up her eyes. “Oh? And what might that be about?”

“About us,” he said. His hand tightened gently around hers. “We haven’t known each other long, but I think I’ve seen enough to know what I want.”

“Is that so?” she asked, a playful note in her voice, though her heartbeat quickened at his serious tone.

“Yup.” He took a deep breath. “Erna, I want you to marry me.”

The music played on, but for a moment, it seemed to fade into the background. Her step faltered just a hair, surprise flickering across her features before she regained her composure, the ever-present smile never leaving her lips.

“Joel Trinity,” she said, “that’s quite the bold statement.”

“Maybe so,” he admitted. “But when something feels this right, you don’t let it pass you by. I know life’s dealt us both tough hands, but together, I think we could make a good one.”

She looked up at him, searching his eyes, finding nothing but earnest honesty. There was a certain comfort in the solidity of his presence, a promise of steadfastness that she’d never dared to hope for.

“Life does love to surprise us,” Erna mused. The song ended, but they hardly noticed, still locked in their shared space.

Erna’s gaze held steady on Joel, the twinkling lanterns above casting a soft glow over his earnest face. The music had ceased, leaving a quiet hum of night sounds to fill the space between them. She could feel the warmth of his calloused hand still resting in hers.

“Joel,” Erna began, her voice tinged with a cautious wonder, “you’re asking for forever and we only met a few hours ago.”

“Forever’s what I’m aiming for,” Joel replied, the corners of his mouth lifting ever so slightly.

“Can’t say it doesn’t scare me,” she said. “But maybe... maybe it’s the good kind of scared.”

“Scared means it matters,” he said simply, squeezing her hand. “And you, Erna, you matter to me more than anything.”

As she looked up at him, her thoughts raced through the possibilities, the shared dreams, the dance of a life that could be theirs.

“All right, Joel Trinity,” Erna finally said. “Yes, I’ll marry you. Let’s take that leap and see where we land.”

His eyes brightened, mirroring the stars above, and a laugh escaped him, rich and full of joy. “This feels so right,” he said.

They stood there, two souls brought together by chance and now bound by choice, their future as wide and promising as the open plains that stretched beyond the horizon.

Joel’s hand found Erna’s as they weaved through the crowd. The church was full, but he was certain they could find Pastor Kauffman. Erna’s heart pounded like the hooves of wild mustangs racing across the plains.

“Do you think he’ll mind doing it now?” Erna whispered.

“Amos? That man’s always got one eye open for folks in need,” Joel replied.

“Joel, Erna, are you coming to me so you can get married?” Amos asked, a grin spreading across his face. “If so, you’re the fifth couple I’ve married tonight.” He shook his head. “I may just marry tonight as well!”

“Pastor,” Joel began, “we’ve got a favor to ask of you.”

“Seems we can’t wait another minute,” Erna chimed in, her cheeks flushed with excitement. “We want to get married. Tonight, if you’d be willing.”

Amos’s eyes softened, and the hint of a smile played on his lips. “Well then,” he said, stepping aside, “let’s not waste another minute.”

Joel and Erna stood at the altar, hands joined, facing each other with wide, expectant smiles. Amos took his place before them, opening the good book with practiced ease.

“Dear friends,” he began, his voice steady and warm, “we are gathered here to join these two in holy matrimony. Joel, Erna, are you prepared to enter into this covenant?”

“We are,” they answered together.

“Then repeat after me,” Amos instructed.

“I, Joel, take thee, Erna, to be my wedded wife...”

“I, Erna, take thee, Joel, to be my wedded husband...”

“By the power vested in me,” Amos declared, “I now pronounce you husband and wife. You may kiss your bride.”

As Joel dipped Erna slightly, pressing his lips to hers, cheers erupted from the crowd still there for the dance, drawn by the unmistakable air of romance. Their kiss was the kind that spoke of new beginnings, of shared dreams, and the unspoken understanding that no matter where life led them, they would travel it side by side.

“Mrs. Trinity,” Joel murmured, his voice brimming with pride and wonder.

“Mr. Trinity,” Erna replied, her laughter mingling with the lingering echoes of their friends’ applause.