Homespun Bride

222 Homespun Bridebeen saving a place for you. I did not know Mr. McKaslinwould be joining us. Robert, scootch down a bit.”“We’re awful crowded as it is.”“Scootch!” Henrietta was adamant. “We have plentyof room, Mr. McKaslin. Don’t you even dream of goinganywhere else. It’s a privilege to have you sit with us.Noelle, dear, sit right here.”Noelle let her overly helpful aunt guide her onto thepew, although she hardly needed the help. She was justtoo amused to think of an argument. What was thematter with everyone today? First Thad, and now Henrietta.It had to be the wedding. It jumbled sensiblepeople’s reasoning abilities. Thad worrying that ayounger man would be interested in her, a blindwoman. And now Henrietta.She was thankful she was not so ill-affected. Themusic changed; the sanctuary’s buzzing and whisperingand rustling silenced, and she imagined the ministerand the groom had taken their places.The “ahs” that rose told her that the bride must haveswept into sight. Lanna must look lovely, she thought,and happy. Noelle laid her hand on Thad’s arm andwhispered in his ear. “Tell me how beautiful she looks.”“She can’t hold a candle to you.”With those words, he’d won a little bit more of herheart. Noelle said nothing more. It was wisest not to.“Why is a lovely lady like you sitting alone in thecorner?”Thad and his sense of humor—he had been the oneto leave her. Noelle drew herself up straighter on thechair, brushed a stray curl out of her eyes and shook herhead once, very slowly. She hoped she was giving him