Homespun Bride

8 Homespun Bridewith their horse’s tether rope, she tried to picturewhat she could. She hadn’t been blind so long that shecouldn’t remember the look of things. She only hadto pull it up in her mind, the main street with itscheerful window displays, awnings and continuousboardwalks.What she couldn’t picture was her friend Lanna,from their school days, who’d been in the dress shopwhen she and her aunt had stopped to pick up a newhat. Lanna had been bursting with happiness. Thebrightest notes of joy rang in her voice as she’d beenfitted for her wedding dress.Noelle closed her eyes against the pain; she closedher thoughts and her heart, too. She’d never asked whathad become of the wedding gown she’d had made. Theone she’d never had a chance to pick up for her weddingday.She rubbed the fourth finger of her left hand, sobare beneath the thick woolen glove. She understoodwhy Shelton had changed his mind. What surprised herwas that her heart wasn’t broken; she’d not been deeplyin love with him but she’d hoped for happiness anyway.No, what had devastated her had been his words.You’re damaged goods, now. Her blindness was thereason she would never have a hope of marrying. Ofbeing a wife and a mother. Her affliction was a burdento others. She, alone, could not tend fires and watchafter servants or see to the dozens of details in therunning of a household and caring for small children.Still, she had a lot to be thankful for.“Now, you settle down like a good horse.” AuntHenrietta’s no-nonsense scolding easily drowned outthe street noise. Even her gait was a sensible brisk