No power? Will the wedding need to be canceled?

Kimberly B. Jackson, our author of the day, holds the  key. Kim is the author of The Christmas Answer, a heartwarming novella that will lift your spirits and remind you God’s way isn’t always our way. Sometimes he works in mysterious ways!

As perhaps he is doing with Luke and Rachel’s wedding!

Today Kim is giving away an eBook copy of The Christmas Answer. To enter, comment this post by midnight, 2/21. Winner to be announced 2/22. Good luck!

For those of you who are just joining us, A Blizzard Wedding is a continuation—and the grand finale—of After the Storm and Lightning Strikes. You can read the first two segments of A Blizzard Wedding right here on our blog.

 

If you haven’t read Lightning Strikes or After the Storm yet, download them for FREE on our website. They are also available through most of the popular eBook retailers.

* * *

A Blizzard Wedding

Segment #6 By Kimberly B. Jackson

“Oh no!” Rachel squealed. “Now no power. It’s as if everything that can go wrong with this wedding is.”

“Let’s stay calm, Rachel,” Ivy said as she fumbled through her purse, looking for her miniature flashlight she always carried for an emergency.

“Here it is.” Ivy turned on the flashlight, providing the only light in the entire dining room area at the moment. Noticing Rachel wiping tears from her eyes with her napkin, Ivy decided she needed to step up for her cousin and take control of the situation.

“You sit here. I’ll be right back.” Using her flashlight, Ivy managed her way to the front of the dining room, barely escaping running directly into the Sky Ridge manager, Carlton Jones.

“Mr. Jones, I’m glad you’re here.” Suddenly the lights flickered on, causing everyone to breathe a sigh of relief.

Excusing himself, Mr. Jones went to the buffet area and stood on a nearby chair, waving his hands in the air while trying to gain everyone’s attention. “May I have a moment of everyone’s time?”

The room quieted down.

“Thank you. I wanted to let everyone know that we have backup generators, but unfortunately, they have been damaged by the storm. Currently, only one generator is working and we are not sure how reliable it is, since it is partially damaged also.”

Knowing the power could go out at any moment, Ivy walked into the kitchen where a staff of six were already preparing the lunch menu for that day.

“May I help you?” a stern-looking older lady asked.

“Yes, I’m Ivy Tower. My cousin, Rachel Harmon, is marrying tomorrow afternoon.”

“Oh, the Harmon/Ashton wedding. I just finished decorating their cake.”

“That’s one less worry. What about the rest of the food?”

“I’ve been thinking about that. I’ve got a pizza oven and a gas stove, and I should be able to pull together the reception food without interruption.”

“Wonderful news. We have talked about adding a second reception party in the event no one is able to make it to the ceremony because of the weather. Would that be achievable with a twenty-four hour notice?”

“There’s only a handful of guests in your party. I would think my staff and I could pull something together, as long as you are not expecting anything elaborate.”

“Great. You are a lifesaver.” Ivy smiled, confident that the food was in good hands.  Just as she exited the kitchen the generator gave out, causing several people to use their cell phones as a light. Ivy turned her flashlight on and searched for Rachel’s table.

“Where have you been?” Rachel asked, exasperated by her cousin’s disappearance.

“I was chatting with the kitchen staff. You will be happy to know that your cake is ready for tomorrow and that, even with no power, they are confident that they will have no problem preparing the reception. Oh, I also asked about adding another reception if needed and they were fine with it.”

“You have been busy, haven’t you?”

“It’s about time I concentrate on something other than myself,” Ivy replied as she resumed eating her breakfast. With the last bite, Ivy and Rachel took their plates and placed them in the dirty dish bin. Ivy led the way back to the room, climbing a level of stairs.

Rachel was thrilled when she saw that Luke had left a message on her phone, telling her that he loved her. Rachel quickly redialed his number and her face lit up when he answered.

Ivy quickly left the room to let the two lovebirds talk. She walked downstairs to an almost empty reception area. Ivy noticed a pair of rustic, double doors directly adjacent to the entrance. Opening the doors, she walked in, astonished by the interior of this large room. A stacked, rock fireplace dominated the right side of the room.  Large picture windows covered the entire back wall, revealing a beautiful picturesque scene of snow, trees and a bridge overlooking a frozen stream. A huge smile overtook Ivy’s face. “This is the place.”

“Excuse me, what are doing in here?” Mr. Jones asked, holding an oil lamp to his face to divulge his identity.

“Mr. Jones, this room is wonderful and quaint. Would it be possible to use it for my cousin’s wedding tomorrow afternoon?”

“You’re talking about the Harmon/Ashton wedding. They are scheduled to marry in the chapel room at noon tomorrow.”

“I know, but this would be so much better. With the power out, we could use the fireplace along with candles and the beautiful window for light.  What do you think?”

“Well, this is the owner’s personal room, but I suppose this is an unusual occasion. I guess it would be okay.”

“Thank you so much. Oh, and I’ll need all the candles you have available.”

“Check with the front desk.” Mr. Jones turned and left.

Ivy spoke with the front desk and made arrangements to purchase all the spare candles they could gather. Tomorrow would be a busy day tomorrow between preparing for the wedding and decorating the large room. But it would be worth it. Returning to her room, she was happy to see that Rachel had fallen asleep for a midday nap. Good, her cousin was relaxing at least. Noticing Rachel’s phone on the nightstand, she picked it up and searched for Joshua’s phone number. Quietly, she opened the door to the bathroom and set her flashlight on the counter, hoping not to wake her cousin as she talked with Joshua.

“Hello Joshua, it’s Ivy.”

“Ivy, Ivy who?” replied the sociable music minister. “Yes, I think I remember you. You’re the bride’s rude and angry cousin.”

“Is that how you think of me?” replied Ivy.

“No, I was just trying to be funny,” Joshua said, sensing that he had hurt Ivy’s feeling. “What can I do for you, Ivy?”

Ivy revealed her plans to Joshua about the wedding.

Joshua agreed to play the wedding march on his guitar and even marry the two if the minister was unable to make the ceremony. The moment Ivy changed her disposition toward him, his transformed as well. So he could be a pretty nice guy after all. Maybe they could even be friends now.

The day progressed slowly, Rachel and Ivy spent most of the afternoon in their room, preparing the next day for the wedding. Manicure and facials were given. Details discussed and family tracked. The glorious wedding dress was hung from a light fixture so as not to touch the floor. Surely, everything that could possibly go wrong already had.

* * *

As night fell, Luke and Joshua rode in the all-terrain vehicle being driven by Joshua’s new friend, Charlie. As the temperature dropped drastically, the cold air irritated Luke’s wrist like a bad toothache. Finally, after hours of driving, the three were within ten miles of the lodge. One turn to the left would lead Luke to his beloved.

But just as Charlie was about to take the route, they were stopped by a  tree that had fallen, forcing the trio to take an alternate route, and further delaying their arrival to the next day.

* * *

The next morning, Ivy woke early and dressed in sweats. Proceeding downstairs, Ivy quickly headed to the front desk where two baskets of ivory-colored candles awaited. Taking the baskets to the rustic room, Ivy quickly started decorating. Candles, oil lamps and anything she could borrow from the other rooms in the lodge were strategically placed throughout, giving the room a glowing effect. Ivy then returned to her room, only to find Rachel pacing back and forth.

“Luke and Joshua aren’t here yet. What if something has happened?”

“Don’t say that, Rachel. I’m sure the weather just held them up is all.  We’ll just go ahead and get ready, and when they arrive, we can begin the ceremony.”

Rachel and Ivy showered as well as possible using a flashlight. Luckily, the water was heated by gas and remained warm.

Ivy used rollers to put soft curls in Rachel’s hair, while she styled her hair her usual way. She looked at her watch. Eleven a.m. and still no sign of Luke.

Rachel came out of the bathroom, her hair pinned up with soft curls framing her face. Her makeup was soft and romantic. She took her dress down and with the help of Ivy put on her lace, form-fitting dress with cap sleeves. Ivy buttoned up the back. To finish the look, Rachel put on her grandmother’s pearl earrings.

“Your dress is new, your grandmother’s earrings are old, and this blue hairpin of mine covers both the something blue and borrowed.” Ivy took the hairpin and placed it in Rachel’s bouquet. As they left their room and walked downstairs to the lobby, Ivy glanced at her cousin. “You look so beautiful, Rachel.”

“I second that,” the voice of her soon-to-be husband chimed in.

Rachel ran to Luke and threw her arms around him.

“I’m sorry we are so late, but we had to take a detour, so it took a long time to get here.”

“It doesn’t matter, you’re here now, and that’s all that is important.”

Luke kissed his bride and then left to get dressed.

Thirty minutes later, Ivy was lighting candles and lamps. The room was lovely. She walked toward the window and looked out at the snowy scene.

“You really outdid yourself. It’s radiant,” Joshua said as he entered the room.

“Thanks.”

Luke and Rachel walked in. “I love it, Ivy,” Rachel said as she hugged her cousin. “I can’t believe you did all this for us.”

“I’m glad you both like it.”

An elderly gentlemen joined their group. “Excuse me, I’m Pastor Stevens. I’m here to perform a wedding.”

“Yes, Pastor. I’m Luke Ashton and this is Rachel Harmon.” With introductions complete, everyone took their positions. Joshua played his guitar as Rachel walked gracefully down the aisle and Luke seized her hand in his.  The pastor recited the vows as the warmth from the fireplace surrounded the wedding party.

Ivy looked around. The candles, the fire and the faint light coming from the window were breathtaking as Rachel and Luke professed their vows to one another. Ivy glanced over at Joshua, who smiled and winked, catching her completely off guard.

“I now pronounce you man and wife. You may kiss your bride.”

With those words, Luke and Rachel were now married.

* * *

Can it any more romantic than that? The end, story over, they live happily ever after, right? Not quite yet…

What about Josh and Ivy? And all those guests who never made it? Join us tomorrow for the conclusion of A Blizzard Wedding!

And don’t forget to check out The Christmas Answer, by Kimberly B. Jackson

Despite outward appearances, life was not a fairytale for gospel singer Donna Dubois. Struggling with depression, loneliness, and uncertainty in her marriage, she reluctantly agrees to go on a holiday missionary trip to the Appalachian Mountains of Kentucky.

During her stay, she is assigned to live with the widow Sara Cagle. Taking notice of Sara’s perseverance, Donna soon begins to relax and actually enjoy herself.

When misfortune strikes Sara, Donna is forced to reexamine her life, her marriage, and most importantly, her faith. Taking over for Sara, Donna soon discovers the one thing she had been missing all her life—The Christmas Answer.

The Christmas Answer is an inspirational story that will make you realize that God’s plan is always laid out, even when you seem distant from him.

www.prismbookgroup.com