God's Design

Epilogue

Goldie and Ryan were the first couple to be married in the newly constructed church, designed by the groom himself.

Goldie designed the wedding she always wanted, and she was marrying the man she had wanted to marry since—well, since she had met him eleven months ago in an accidental blind date.

Before she knew it, the ceremony was over, and she and Ryan were greeting people in the church fellowship hall at their reception. The room still smelled new, like paint and carpet. And the scent of sugar hung in the air from their five-tier wedding cake, which Frieda had made for them.

         “What a lovely wedding.” Mary Jane Collins, Goldie’s new mother-in-law, hugged her. “You’re a beautiful bride, Goldie.”

         “Thank you, Mrs. Collins.”

         “No, no. Don’t call me that.” Her brown eyes, so much like Ryan’s, gazed at her. “It’s Mom. I’ve been praying for my only son’s wife since he was born.”

         Spenser, Ryan’s dad, joined them. “The Lord gave our son a wonderful woman.” He clapped Ryan on the back. “Take care of this girl.”

         “I will, Dad.” Ryan winked at Goldie.

         Goldie gave a happy sigh, thankful Ryan’s parents had made the trip from Africa to attend their wedding. She loved her parents-in-law already.

         “Oh, Brunhilda!” Goldie’s mother swept toward them in a long shimmering gown. “Fantastic! Just a fantastic wedding!”

         “Thanks, Mom.” Goldie hugged her, wishing her mother hadn’t dyed her hair platinum blonde. And her makeup was heavy enough for a theatrical production. But Goldie had learned to accept her mother the way she was—blonde hair, heavy makeup, and her insistence on calling her daughter Brunhilda.

         Someone tapped Goldie on the shoulder. She turned to find Frieda behind her.

         “Time for yous to cut the cake.”

         Hand in hand, Goldie and Ryan walked to the cake table. Frieda had decorated the wedding cake with pink roses and green leaves—symbolic of the rose bushes in front of each of their houses. But now Goldie’s house was for sale, with an interested buyer. And someday, after Ryan designed and built their dream house, they would put his house on the market, too.

         “Okay, here’s the knife.” Frieda handed a fancy silver server to Goldie, telling Ryan to place his hand over hers.

         Together they sliced a piece and fed each other. Goldie was thankful Ryan wasn’t the type to smash the cake into his bride’s face.

         “Mmm…that’s good, Frieda.” Ryan wiped his mouth with a napkin.

         “Glad ya like it.” Frieda smiled. “I knew yous belonged together the first time ya ate at the Kaffee Klatch.”

         Goldie hugged her. “Thank you for everything, Frieda.”

         “Yeah.” Ryan raised an eyebrow. “Thanks for your advice.” He smiled at his bride. “I’m glad you told Goldie to stay after me.”

         Goldie gazed into his eyes. “Me, too.”

         Ryan pulled her into his arms, clearly intending to kiss her.

         Frieda cleared her throat. “You two love birds need to move. I have to cut cake pieces so all these people can eat. They only came for the cake, ya know.”

         Ryan laughed. “You’re the best, Frieda, but you can’t stop me from kissing my wife.” Which he did.

         After the kiss, Goldie leaned her head against Ryan’s shoulder. She couldn’t believe they were married!

Glancing around at the wedding guests, she spotted her dad talking to Mike and Anna. In just two months, Anna would give birth to their first child. Goldie hoped the Lord would give her and Ryan a child someday—or maybe three children, or five.

She didn’t know what the future held, but the Lord would lead them in His will. She was confident of that. The years ahead looked bright with this handsome man by her side.

The man God had designed just for her.  

 

THE END!

* * *

It’s always bittersweet to close the book on two people we’ve come to know, but I hope you’ve enjoyed the story of Goldie and Ryan. Romance by Design will stay on my blog, and you can read it again.

Next week I’ll tell you about the book we’re going to read as our second story.

Until Monday, may the Lord give you a wonderful weekend!