Could she walk down a church aisle in front of family and friends in such a manner? More than that, could she be the wife Ben deserved? Could she step into his world without altogether rejecting the old? And should she?

  As Marianna tilted her head and contemplated the dress, every rule against such things filled her mind. Satin…and so form fitting. Indeed, this was just too much.

  “If you lift your hair, I can do up the buttons.” Annie pushed her long, blonde ponytail over her shoulder. Her words were slow, hesitant, as if she expected Marianna to jump out of the dress and back into her plain blouse and skirt any moment.

  Taking a deep breath, Marianna reached her hands behind her, took hold of her locks, and twisted them upward into a bun as she’d done a thousand times. She held it there, allowing Annie access to the buttons. Before last year she’d only worn her hair up under a kapp, but then she’d met Ben. She’d not only fallen in love with him, but Marianna had also fallen more in love with God, who loved her if she didn’t follow the Amish ways—something her heart still struggled to believe at times.

  Annie let out a low whistle as she worked on the pearl buttons. “Thirty buttons, would you believe that?”

  Marianna gazed at Annie’s reflection in the mirror—her deep green eyes and heart-shaped face—taking confidence in her friend’s smile as Annie peered over her shoulder. Was it only a year ago when Marianna had arrived in West Kootenai, Montana, and found herself wrapped up in Annie’s warm hug?

  On that first day in their new community, Annie had welcomed Marianna’s family into her store, feeding them a hot meal of a breakfast casserole and homemade cinnamon rolls. Sitting down that day with Annie and Ben, their driver, had been the first time Marianna had eaten a meal with Englischers. And no matter how much she’d tried to keep Ben and Annie at arm’s length, they had pursued a friendship with her. A soft smile curled on Marianna’s lips. No, Ben had done more. He had pursued her heart.

  Annie took a step back, and her ponytail swung with her movements. Marianna released her own hair, letting it cascade over her shoulders.

  Eyeing Marianna in the mirror, Annie let out a low whistle and planted her hands on her hips. “My, you look lovely. What do you think? Do you want to step out and show your mem?”

  Marianna’s gut tightened into a knot, and she instinctively placed a hand on it. The satin felt soft under her fingertips. “I don’t know, Annie. My mother’s waited a long time to have a daughter marry, and this isn’t the wedding she’s waited for, to be certain.”

  With a gentle sweep of her hands, Annie pulled Marianna’s hair back behind her shoulders. “Listen, Mari. I know your mem—your parents—still grieve your two sisters who were lost, but that doesn’t mean they feel any less joy in your marriage to Ben. Even though he was the last person your dat wanted you to be with at first, Ben has won them over. His love for God and you—well, what parent wouldn’t want that for their daughter?”

  Marianna wasn’t sure about Annie’s statement, but she didn’t want to argue. Mem and Dat had seemed to approve of Ben when they’d first returned to Montana from Indiana. Yet as the months passed, both seemed to pull back. Maybe because the reality of an Englischer becoming their son-in-law had become real? Would Marianna adding Englisch traditions into her wedding along with the Amish ones cause them to resist even more?

  “I’m still not sure…” There was so much she wasn’t sure about. She knew she loved Ben and that she loved God too. And that she did not need to conform to Amish traditions anymore. Still, every rule she’d been taught battled for a place in her mind.

  Lord, I just want to do what’s right. I love Ben, but I need to know…am I doing the right thing?

  Her fears went deeper than the wedding. She worried about the marriage too. How can our two lives merge into one? And what will he expect of me?

  If she didn’t have to get too involved in his music, then all would be well. She would focus on living her life with the Ben she knew in Montana. Then she’d just do her best to cope when he was away performing on the road.

  Annie’s brows folded and her lips pressed into a thin line. “Don’t you think it’s beautiful? Or we can try another one if you like. I’m sure there are more plain dresses.”

  Marianna fingered the satin where it tucked around her waist, curving to her frame. She’d never worn something that showed off her body in such a way. Was it wrong that she did like it?

  “Yes, it’s lovely, but a satin dress? And so form fitting?” Marianna smoothed it down over her hips next, seeing how it fell perfectly to the floor in her reflection. “I think we have different ideas of plain. It’s so fancy. This shiny fabric, I just don’t know. I’d always imagined myself in a pretty periwinkle blue dress, coming to my groom with hordes of servers surrounding me. And I haven’t even looked at the price tag. I’m afraid to.”

  “It’s simple and elegant, beautiful. And the price isn’t much compared to most others in the shop.” Annie lightly placed a hand on Marianna’s shoulder. “Besides, Ben already called ahead and told Julie he’d pay for any dress you choose. You should have seen her smile when she told me. It’s an honor for her, too, you know. I bet the fact that Ben Stone’s bride chose a dress from her shop will bring in new business.”

  Ben Stone’s bride. The words replayed in Marianna’s mind. And even though she’d tried not to pay attention to such things, she knew the tabloids had already reported on the September wedding, just three months away. How many hearts would be broken to discover their favorite musician would be married, and to an Amish woman, no less?

  I’m not Amish anymore. Yes, it’s hard to realize that.

  To her, it wasn’t his fame or even his music that she had fallen in love with. It was his heart. His kindness and faithfulness. After many hard years seeking fame and fortune and coming up with an empty soul, Ben had found God. Now he clung to Him with everything he had. That’s what made Ben the man she loved. The man she wanted to spend her life with.

  Goosebumps danced on her arms as she remembered that day over a year ago when she’d picked up his guitar and he’d wrapped his arms around her to show her some chords. Now Ben had chosen her. She could look forward to being wrapped up in those arms for the rest of her days.

  Marianna’s head dipped slightly. She touched a soft hand to her breastbone and turned to face Annie. “Yes, I’d like to show Mem. It might be hard, but I think she’ll like this dress. It’s so simple compared to the others in the shop. So beautiful too.”

  Annie nodded and took Marianna’s hand, leading her like a mother would lead a child out of the dressing room area.

  Mem looked out of place sitting on the tufted high-back pink chair. Her hands were folded on her lap, and she seemed unsure of herself, especially since seven-month-old Joy was being babysat by Eve Peachy for the day. Without a baby to distract her, Mem fidgeted and glanced around. And even though Mem often read the Englisch Bible with Dat and was growing in her relationship with God, she lived as an Amishwoman, still wearing her plain dresses and kapp. Dat, too, still wore his Amish clothes, with long-sleeve shirts buttoned to the top, long beard, and flat rimmed hat. While their hearts were changing, it hadn’t impacted their Amish lifestyle or their simple ways.

  Mem’s eyes fixed on Marianna as she stood before her. “Why, Mari, you have so much beauty but look different too.” Mem touched her cheek. “It doesn’t look like you.”

  “I know I look different. But do you like it?” As simple as the dress was, Marianna’s stomach knotted thinking of the buttons on the back. She’d face Mem’s reaction to that when she turned. But first, she had to know…did Mem approve even the slightest?

  “What do you think?”

  A smile started to curl up Mem’s lips, and then her chin lifted, and she set her jaw firmly. “What do I think?” Mem opened her fisted hands and grasped the arms of the chair as if wishing to push herself up and stalk out. “What do I think?” She breathed out, and her voice was much softer. “As a child, I was always drawn to fancy—” Mem paused. “To lovely things. It is a lovely dress. I can say that much.”

  Marianna’s heart longed for Mem’s approval. It was a familiar feeling from her childhood. Even then, she knew her mother could never actually approve. The fact that Mem had even come to this dress shop to watch her daughter try on Englisch dresses would be considered worthy of church discipline by some. Marianna could imagine their words. You approve of your daughter dressing like an Englischer? Marrying outside the Amish? Leaving our ways for a musician, of all things?

  And then, “Surely Marilyn and Joanna would have married godly Amish men, God rest their souls…”

  The familiar thudding pounded Marianna’s heart like a woodpecker striking diseased wood, watching pieces flake off with each blow. But instead of crumbling under the belief that she had to take her sisters’ places, Marianna squared her shoulders. She was marrying a godly man.

  “It is lovely, isn’t it?” Marianna turned to the mirror in the sitting area near Mem, forcing herself to look at her reflection with eyes of love and not of duty. “I do believe you are right, Annie.” Marianna heard the softest gasp as Mem, no doubt, saw the buttons, but she urged herself not to be bothered by it. She turned back around and looked at her friend. “I believe this is the perfect dress for me.” Its beauty reminded her of all God’s wonderful transformations in her life—and all He’d continue to do.

  Hearing Marianna’s words, Julie rushed to her side. “I am so glad you love it. This gown is truly stunning on you. Should we also try on shoes and a veil?”

  Marianna looked at Annie. Her mouth slacked. She’d already made this one decision. How could she ever make more?

  With a dismissing wave of her hand, Annie stepped forward. “I know you have some lovely things to show us, but let’s save that for another day, shall we?” She placed a hand on the shop owner’s shoulder. “Why don’t you measure her for alterations, and we’ll consider those other things when we return to pick up the dress. Don’t you think that’s a good idea, Marianna?”

  Marianna nodded, and when Julie left to get her notepad and measuring tape, Marianna reached for Annie’s hand and gave it a squeeze. “Thank you. You always seem to know…”

  Annie chuckled. “It’s not as if I’m a mind reader. What you think is pretty plain on your face most of the time. While I think you’ve made the right decision about the dress, I don’t want to push things. There is plenty of time to plan this wedding, plenty of time. Let’s not get so caught up in the small details that you miss out on the joy of being engaged to the one and only Ben Stone.”

  Chapter Three

  Saturday, June 24, South Bend, Indiana

  “So here he is in the flesh, the one and only Ben Stone.” The podcast host flashed a broad smile and reached her hand across the table in his direction. Behind the woman, high windows provided a stunning view of the city skyline.

  Ben set his guitar on the guitar stand next to the guest’s chair and reached for her hand. One more interview to check off. One day closer to home. I can do this. Put on the charm and remember what you’re doing this for. Who you’re doing this for…sweet Marianna.

  A scent of soft floral and citrus filled the room. Fading sunlight tinted the woman’s blonde hair with streaks of gold.

  “I’m Stacy. Glad you could come in today.” Her broad, white smile welcomed Ben, and her hand felt soft to his touch—not like the rough hands of those who knew a hard day’s work. She was just the type of woman he used to be drawn to, model-perfect and confident. But not anymore. Not since meeting Marianna.

  Ben ignored the woman’s plunging neckline on her silk blouse and gave her a firm handshake. “Thanks for having me. It’s great to be in Indiana.” He’d been all over the country the past few weeks, yet Indiana brought back memories of his time here with Marianna. Roy had set up his media tour to promote his newest song release, “My Favorite Hello.” Ben would have declined if he didn’t need to finish the expansion of his cabin in preparation for a wife. A few weeks of promotion and small concert venues would provide just enough money to finish the new addition.

  Ben’s smile broadened but not because the woman’s hand clung to his a little longer than necessary. He smiled knowing he only had to do a few more of these gigs before he could get back to Montana. More importantly, get back to the woman he loved.

  Ben adjusted his jacket and sat in the studio chair before the microphone. Traffic had caused him to run late, and he hadn’t had time to look up information about the host or the program, which he usually did. It helped to prepare for where the conversation might go. However, lately, all the hosts had been most interested in his engagement—even more than his new song climbing the charts.

  He put on his headset as the intro music was already playing, and he leaned toward the mic. Stacy slid on her headset, smoothed her long hair, and held up ten fingers. He nodded. They’d be live in ten seconds. The time ticked off, and Stacy leaned into her mic.

  “Welcome, friends, to The Stacy Cannon Show, where I give you the down-low on all the latest entertainment news by digging deep with your favorite artists. Today I have one of my favorite artists here in my studio.” Stacy’s eyes fixed on his. “Ben Stone is a name that has become popular on the airwaves over the last two years. I was privileged to know Ben even before one of his popular songs hit the radio.” Stacy laughed. “And by the worried expression that just crossed his face, I guess Ben has no idea what I’m talking about.”

  Ben’s heart pounded a triple beat. Immediately his mind raced, trying to place her face, her name. He didn’t remember her from school or the music world. A tense knot grew in his stomach, and he bit his lower lip. He closed his eyes briefly and sent up a quick prayer that she wasn’t one of the groupies he’d only known for a night. He regretted so many things touring with his band in those early years. All the women in all the cities was one of them.

  “I would say it’s great to meet you, Stacy, but I suppose we’ve met before.” He tried to keep his tone light. “I will say it’s great to be here. It’s a beautiful afternoon in South Bend.”

  “Oh, you’re wiggling in your seat, Ben, and I’m trying to decide. Should I give you a hint or let you squirm for the next thirty minutes?” Stacy hit a button on the computer in front of her, and a laugh track played.

  Ben searched for a way to turn this conversation. An idea came to mind. He snapped his fingers. “I’ve got it. Did you ever go to Richardson Springs Summer Camp? I think it was the fourth grade when I had a crush on a girl named Stacy, and I let her have my Push Pop.”

  Genuine laughter spilled from Stacy’s lips, and her face softened. “I like that, but I’m not that Stacy. I’ll give you a hint. We went sledding, and you dated my best friend for a while.”

  Like a movie flashing onto a pull-down screen, a memory of his first time in Montana filled his mind. Roy had invited him up to produce some new music. That’s when he met Roy’s daughter Carrie, and their romance took off fast, but then—just months later, when Ben hit the road—their relationship burned out just as quickly. And yes, he remembered now. A much younger Stacy had been staying with Carrie that December.

  A smile filled Ben’s face. It was almost as if the mic had disappeared. “Oh, I remember. It was our first time in Montana, and as California kids, we almost froze.”

  “We did freeze.” Stacy chuckled and brushed a curl of hair from her cheek. “And then I fell in that tree well.” She shook her head. “I had no idea the warmth of the trees melted the snow around them, making perfect holes for people to fall into.”

  “Which was the inspiration for one of my first songs, ‘Falling for You.’”

  Stacy’s fingers hovered over her computer. “I was hoping you would say that.” She clicked a button on her keyboard, and Ben’s voice came through his headphones. He smiled as he listened to his younger self crooning about true love, something he’d had no fathom of at the time.

  They continued chatting, talking about Ben’s older music compared to his newest songs. Ben relaxed in his chair and enjoyed the conversation until the tilt of Stacy’s head and a twinkle in her eye told him that she’d succeeded in getting his guard down. “Well, I know we can be expecting some new music from you now that I hear wedding bells are coming soon. Finding the girl of your dreams has already produced some great songs.”

  “Yes, that’s true. A beautiful woman and a wedding. And I couldn’t be more grateful.”

  “Well, congratulations. And since I helped to inspire one of your first recordings, I came up with some ideas for future hits.” Stacy slipped an index card from under her keyboard and held it up to read. “How about these. ‘He Thinks Her Bonnet’s Sexy.’ ‘50 Shades of Hay.’ ‘Let’s Make Whoopie Pies.’ Do you think any of those will work?”

  Silence followed, and Ben wished he had a laugh track button to hit to break the awkwardness. Heat rose up his neck. It took everything within him to remain in the chair. “I have to say you’re very creative.”

  “I think all our listeners out there probably get the references, but for those who don’t, do you want to share why the titles include bonnets, whoopie pies, and hay?”

  “I don’t mind sharing that I’ve fallen in love with the most wonderful woman. And yes, she formerly was part of an Amish community.” Ben gripped his hands on the arms of the chair, preparing for the following snarky remark.

  Instead, Stacy relaxed in her seat. “I imagine you couldn’t find a more perfect woman.” Her voice softened. “Honestly, sometimes I wish I could leave this busy world, you know, and live a similar life. Montana is beautiful, and at a slower pace…well, isn’t it what we all dream of?”

  “It is beautiful, and I’m looking forward to getting back.”

  “Then I won’t keep you, but for our listeners, let’s take this show out with your last hit, ‘Every Warm Cabin Needs a Good Wife’…which is exactly what our friend Ben Stone will soon have. Check out Ben’s music wherever music can be downloaded or sold. Until next time, I’m Stacy Cannon.”