11. Rebecca

11

Rebecca

I sat at the table, listening to Maverick and the bishop discuss our upcoming marriage. They both knew I wouldn't leave the Amish way of life; it was who I was, and I would always be Amish. Maverick, too, was set in his ways and wouldn't change either.

But we loved each other, and if I knew Maverick, he'd marry me one way or another.

"You can marry, but it might be difficult for Rebecca for a while," the bishop said.

"That won't bother me," I replied confidently. "They're going to try to force me into marrying someone anyway. At least now, my children will inherit my family's land, whether they choose to stay Amish or live English. It'll be their choice."

"Do you want a big wedding or something more private?" the bishop asked.

I turned to Maverick. "Do you want your friends and family to be here?" I knew how much he loved his family.

He shook his head slightly. "I don't think they all need to be here. As long as we're together, that's what matters."

"Okay," I said, looking back at the bishop. "When can we get married?"

"How about this evening?" he suggested.

I glanced at Maverick. "That sounds perfect. It gives us time to finish plowing today."

I already knew how I'd spend the rest of my day—I'd be altering my mother's wedding dress to fit me. There was a lot of work to do.

"I have much to do before this evening, so I better get started. Maverick, be sure to come back for the noon meal."

"I'll see you at lunchtime," he said, leaning down to kiss me. "Tonight, we'll be married."

"Yes, I can't wait."

First, I pulled down my wedding dress from my mother's closet and carefully removed it from the box. It was beautiful. I tried it on, and it almost fit perfectly—except I was taller than my mother, so I needed to add some lace to the bottom.

I took lace from Mary's hope chest. I wanted something from each family member with me. Next, I went into the boys' room and took a small piece of fabric from each of their shirts, along with a piece from my father's church shirt. I sewed them all into my dress, so a part of them would be with me on my wedding day. I knew they would have loved Maverick, if only because he loved me.

I washed the sheets and aired out the blankets, already having moved the large bed into my room. I went to the garden and picked vegetables for our wedding dinner. Lunch would be simple—sandwiches. I sliced some ham and cheese and was grateful I had made bread yesterday. I poured a glass of cold milk to go with the sandwiches.

When Maverick came in, lunch was ready, and our wedding dinner was simmering on the stove.

"How's everything going?" he asked.

"I finished my dress," I said with a smile. "I used my mother's wedding dress and sewed pieces of fabric from each of my family members' clothes into it. I know they would've loved you as much as I do."

"Do you think your father would've let you marry me? I'm so different from the men around here."

"My father always told me I could marry anyone I wanted, as long as I loved him."

"I'm sure I would've loved them, too."

"You would have," I said softly. "How's Mark doing up on the mountain?"

"It's taking him some time, but he's doing well. He'll probably stay away a bit longer—he's not ready to face his parents pushing him to get married yet."

I chuckled. "Are you sure you want to marry me? I'm completely ignorant about life outside this community. The only time I've left was when I went to the mountain."

"Sweetheart, I'm marrying you because I love you and want to spend the rest of my life with you."

"I love you, too. Do you want kids?"

"Are you kidding? I want a dozen!"

"Me too."

Maverick grinned. "I'm going to finish that field, and then I'll be back to get ready for my wedding," he said as he headed outside.