Ready to Wed by Melody Carlson Read Free Book Online Page A

even tell y’all all the details. In that dream I moved to a small town in Pennsylvania, a town named after an acorn. I thought the acorn was symbolic at first. You know the old saying about a great oak tree springing from a little acorn—I thought the acorn had to do with faith. But then I got on the Internet and searched the words
acorn
and
Pennsylvania
, and I found Acorn Hill.”
    “Really?” asked Louise.
    “Yes. And God showed me something else in this dream. He showed me that I would move here and that I would meet my Mr. Right, and that we would be married on the first Saturday of June.”
    “This
June?” Rev. Thompson frowned.
    Belle nodded. “In fact, I suppose I should ask you whether the church is available on that day, Rev. Thompson.”
    “The church?” He studied her as if she was from another planet. “You mean for your wedding?”
    “That’s right.”
    “But you don’t know who the groom is yet?”
    “Oh, I have some ideas.” She giggled.
    Poor Rev. Thompson actually choked on a bite of waffle.Holding his napkin over his mouth, he coughed several times before he managed to swallow a sip of water.
    “I’m sure it must sound a little crazy,” Belle continued seriously. “And I guess I’ll have to get used to people’s reactions. But when God gives you a dream, I believe you should sit up and pay attention. Don’t you think so too, Rev. Thompson?”
    “Well, yes, when God gives you a dream, of course, you should pay attention. I suppose,” said the pastor, “that I’m just unsure as to how you make the determination that a certain dream is from God.”
    “Faith,” said Belle confidently. “I remember from my Sunday school classes: It’s the substance of things hoped for, not seen. Just like my dream, Rev. Thompson.”
    His eyebrows lifted as he picked up his coffee cup and took a slow sip.
    “But you never did answer me, Rev. Thompson. Is the church available on the first Saturday of June?”
    He slowly cleared his throat. “Actually, it is available. As a matter of fact, it’s not booked for the entire month, which is unusual for this time of year.”
    She clapped her hands, then pressed them to her pink-blushed cheeks. “Ooh, that’s just wonderful. Now, Rev. Thompson, I’d like you to schedule the wedding ceremony on that day for me. If you don’t mind.”
    “You’re sure about this?” He frowned.
    “Sure as the sunshine.”
    Louise laughed. “Well, considering the weather lately, that’s not terribly sure, Belle. Not around here anyway.”
    Belle turned and smiled knowingly at her. “But, darling, you know that the sun is always shining. Even when the clouds are out and it’s pouring something awful, the sun is still shining. Even in the darkness of night, it’s still shining somewhere. It’s just that you can’t always see the sun. Sort of like faith, don’t you think?”
    Louise leaned back in her chair. “Yes, I suppose you’re right.”
    Belle smiled at Kenneth again. Louise thought that he was starting to resemble prey that had been caught in the crosshairs. “And, naturally, I’ll expect you to be there too, Rev. Thompson—at the wedding ceremony, I mean.”
    He sat up straighter, squaring his shoulders and perhaps putting on his pastor’s hat. “Of course, I’ll be happy to perform the ceremony, Belle. But it’s customary for the engaged couple to come in for a premarital counseling session. I could schedule that too, but it might be tricky without a fiancé to bring along with you.”
    “Oh, don’t worry, God is working on that.” She nodded her head. “I have no doubt about it.”
    “Yes, well, I see.” Kenneth turned to Jane. “Breakfast,as always, was delicious, Jane. Thank you for having me.” Then he turned back to Belle. “Pleasure to meet you, Belle. I hope you enjoy your time in Acorn Hill.” Then he stood, excused himself, and left via the back door.
    Belle laughed lightly. “Goodness gracious, I certainly hope that I