Chapter 12

Chapter 12

T he roads were clear. The sky was a wintry blue. The sun shined across the snow-covered hills, where the glittering trees looked like a Christmas garden waiting for a celebration.

"We will not need to bring the wedding inside," Sarah announced to the staff and to Kayla's anxious parents with a sigh of relief. "However, the inn will be open to anyone who needs to come inside, and the gardens are open to anyone who needs some fresh air outside. I hope everyone can agree and honor this compromise."

"We will," Becky said, nodding to her parents and Jason's family members who'd finally made it through the snow last night.

Kayla hoped everyone could get along. She had yet to see Lucas.

She had just turned to set her plan in motion when Berneta walked up and pulled her to the side. "We need to talk."

Worried, Kayla followed Berneta to the far side of the inn's big lobby, out of earshot. "Is everything all right? Is Lucas okay?"

Berneta calmed her with a hand on her arm. "Everything is fine, child. Lucas went for a walk along the shore."

Kayla let out a breath. "What do you need to tell me?"

Berneta smiled. "It worked, Kayla. Tobias came to me last night and told me he aims to make amends with your family, with Claude."

Kayla put a hand to her heart, the warmth of her light green wool dress bringing her comfort. "That's amazing."

"It is, indeed," Berneta replied. "And the quilt helped with that. He was returning to see it again when he heard you and Lucas quarreling."

"He heard?" Kayla's skin grew warm with a flush of shame. "I'm sorry that happened."

" Neh , he needed to hear and see what this discord has caused. He couldn't take seeing his grandson so unhappy." Then she added, "And you couldn't take wondering if your grandparents truly loved each other. Believe me, they did. Don't let the past taint your feelings for my grandson. I'd be honored to have you as a granddaughter in my family one day."

Touched, Kayla wiped her eyes. "But Lucas is so angry. I want to make it up to him. To find him and let him know how I feel."

"Then go and find him," Berneta replied. "Dress warmly and be careful, but go down to the shore and find my grandson. He needs you in his life."

Kayla went to find her cape and then hurried back downstairs to go in search of Lucas, but her grandfather called to her before she got out the door.

"I'll be right back," she said, needing to find the man she loved.

" Neh ," Claude replied. "You need to hear this."

Thinking he'd talked to Tobias, she stopped and turned back. "Of course, Daddi Claude."

He ushered her into the library, where she spotted the quilt the women had worked so hard to finish. "I saw this quilt and came in to study it after one of the staff members told me how it had come about. I was so touched, I went to Tobias and we walked up to Abe's place to talk."

"You did?"

Claude nodded. "We aired all our grievances, face-to-face, and realized finally we both married the women we needed to marry. We have fine families who love and care about each other, especially our two oldest grandchildren, who have shown more maturity all week than we have in fifty years. I'm so sorry, Kayla." He held out his arms. "Can you forgive me?"

Kayla fell into her grandfather's arms and hugged him. "Already done, Grossdaddi."

Claude chuckled and placed his hands on her shoulders. "Then go and find Lucas. That is where you're headed, correct?"

" Ja, " she said, laughing. "Can this day get any better?"

"It will, I promise," Claude replied. "Oh, and one more thing. I loved Mammi Ethel with all my heart. I tried to prove that to her and in the end, she knew how much I loved her. Never doubt that, and Kayla, never doubt yourself."

Kayla flew down the porch steps and hurried to the shore. She saw Lucas standing by the bench where they'd sat almost a week ago. He was dressed in his best Sunday clothing and a dark hat.

Lucas turned and spotted her, then hurried toward her. "Kayla."

They ran into each other's arms.

"I'm so sorry," she said, breathless but happy.

"I'm sorry, too."

Then they both began to talk at once and soon learned from each other how their grandfathers had talked and agreed to let go of their rivalry.

"We did it," he said as he snuggled close to her on the bench. "Our fight was the final catalyst, and the quilt helped them see the truth, too."

"And we didn't even fake it," she replied.

"Gott knew," he whispered. "Gott knew."

She bobbed her head. "I had one last plan if things went wrong today."

"Oh, and what was that plan?"

Kayla whispered in his ear. Lucas looked over at her. "I think you should go for it anyway. As a celebration and a new beginning."

"I like that idea," Kayla said. "Let's go up."

They reached the inn, where all of Lucas's family had gathered for the reunion. "Wait here," she said, as she hurried to spread the word so her family could meet her in the big lobby.

Soon Becky was coming down the stairs with her cloak over her wedding dress. "What's going on? My wedding starts in an hour."

"This won't take long," Kayla said, her nerves shimmering with joy.

By the time they'd found everyone and got them into the lobby, the chatter level was high. But no one was fighting. In fact, Kayla and Lucas watched as their grandfathers shook hands and then hugged each other.

"Are you ready?" Lucas asked, pride in his eyes.

"I'm about to cry," she admitted. Then she glanced to where Henry stood behind the check-in desk. He gave her a thumbs-up.

Lucas held her hand and then stepped back.

Kayla began to sing, her voice rising over the noise. " ‘We gather together . . .' "

The chatter and the discussions ended. The room grew silent as she sang with all her heart. Kayla took it all in—her eyes misty but her voice strong. Seeing the crowd of both families smiling and grabbing hands showed her that love had been here all along. She only had to trust that Gott would reveal the love and forgiveness offered to all of them.

When she finished, everyone clapped and many wiped their eyes, including her grandfather. He walked up to her and hugged her, then whispered, "You remind me of your grossmammi ."

Kayla had never had a better compliment.

Edith and Miriam came out of the kitchen, followed by Gayle and Gloria. "We have an announcement," Edith said. "Tobias Myer and Claude Hollinger have asked that we merge the two dinners together as a celebration of this day. All of the food will be served here in the inn after the wedding ceremony is over. But you are free to go back and forth for desserts and warm drinks."

The King sisters and their husbands got to work serving cinnamon rolls, kaffe , hot tea, and hot chocolate.

Lucas grabbed Kayla by the hand and they hurried to the big rock behind the stables. He had two cinnamon rolls and two containers of hot chocolate in a basket. Spreading out a blanket over the rock, he reached for her and held her in his arms.

Then he kissed her and whispered, "This time next year we will return here for our wedding. But we will make sure we have it inside."

Kayla nodded and kissed him. "And our families will be in attendance as we gather together once again."

Lucas kissed her temple. "I can't believe it but, ja , the feud is over at last, and we are free to marry. Would you like that?"

"I would like that. Gott will show us the way," Kayla said, smiling as the warm sunshine fell across her face. "This is the best Christmas ever."

" Ach vell , just wait until next year." Lucas touched a finger to her chin. "I love you."

"I love you, too," she replied. Then they kissed as the snow began to fall softly around them. "I love you, Lucas," she said once more, her words echoing out over the countryside. "And we have a celebration to attend."

They ate their breakfast, then ran down to join in the festivities, their hands held tightly together as they hurried toward their families.