Bride of Paradise by Katie Crabapple Read Free Book Online Page B

wedding…and…it’s not going to be very small.”
    “How many people will be there?”
    “Five hundred at last count.”  She sighed.  She knew she’d overdone it, but she couldn’t leave anyone out.
    “Five hundred?  I think I know what the first marital spat will be about.”  Laura sighed heavily.  “How could you invite five hundred people to a ‘small’ wedding?”   The shocked look on Laura’s face told her that she had gone even more crazy with the plans than she’d thought.
    “Well, I didn’t mean to.  I t just happened.  One thing led to another.  I had to invite Molly because I invited Mary, and then I had to invite Mary’s cousin, Elizabeth, because I invited Mary and Molly, and well…it grew from there.”  Kristen’s voice sounded small in the dark.  “You don’t think he’ll really be mad do you?”
    “Probably.  He told you to plan a small wedding and you invited all of Dallas and half of Fort Worth.  How could he not be mad about that?”
    Kristen laid in the dark staring at the ceiling.  She hoped Laura was wrong.  She didn’t want to start her marriage out with her husband angry with her.  She said a quick prayer for understanding and finally nodded off to sleep.  Tomorrow was her wedding day.
     

Chapter Four
     
     
    Kristen wasn’t able to do more than nibble on a couple pieces of toast the following morning.  She kept thinking about her discussion with Laura and worrying that Samuel would be angry with her.  She really didn’t want him to be angry. 
    Her mother did her hair and while she was fixing it for her, she told her what she’d done, asking what her mother thought.  Ingrid shook her head.  “You need to learn to do what you’re told once in a while.”   She paused for a moment before adding, “But only what you’re told.  Poor Samuel has no idea what he’s getting into.”
    Kristen sighed.  “I just want the wedding to be perfect.”   She wished there was some way she could fix things now, but she knew it was way too late for that.
    Ingrid shook her head.  “Everyone has a different idea of perfect.  His idea of perfect may be a wedding with only fifteen people.”  She finished Kristen’s hair and looked at her.  “You need to realize that his opinions now matter just as much as yours do.”
    “I know, Mama.  I hope he’s not angry.”  She would have asked him if he’d been closer, but with as far as he lived, she’d just jumped right into planning.
    “He has every right to be.”  Ingrid kissed Kristen’s cheek.  “You look beautiful.  Are you ready?”
    Kristen nodded.  They’d decided that she would walk to the seminary, because it was only a few blocks.  “I’m ready.  Thank you for helping me.”
    Ingrid hurried out of the room while Kristen stepped into her dress, carefully buttoning the back herself.  She opened the door to find her father waiting for her.  “Did Mama already leave with Laura?”
    Dirk nodded, staring at his daughter in disbelief.  “When did you become so beautiful?” he asked, his voice gruff with emotion.
    Kristen smiled.  She knew that her dress suited her perfectly.  She’d worked hour after hour on it, taking breaks only to plan meals and write letters inviting people to the wedding.  Her entire life since she’d received the letter from Samuel had revolved around planning her wedding to him.  “While you were at work probably,” she said with a smile. 
    “Probably.”  He took her hand and tucked it through his arm, leading her down the steps.  “I’ve already taken your trunks to the seminary.  Samuel said you’d be staying there tonight.  He thought about getting a hotel but decided to save the money.  He said something about needing it once he’s married to you.”
    “He’s under the impression that I have to have everything around me perfect, and that I will want new clothes every day.”   Kristen sighed, wishing he understood.
    “How does he