Come Rain or Come Shine summary

The Journey to the Altar

In Come Rain or Come Shine by Jan Karon, we join Dooley Kavanagh and Lace Harper as they prepare for their wedding. As the couple is tight on funds, they decide to have a simple ceremony at the barn. They plan on having a potluck dinner, a friend's band playing for free, and a casual, relaxed atmosphere. The couple also decides to keep their wedding a secret from their close friends and family, so as not to burden them with the expense of travel.

The story develops as their friends and family start to suspect that something is afoot, and their wedding plans are revealed. Despite the surprise, everyone is thrilled for Dooley and Lace, and they all pitch in to help with the preparations. The scene is set for a heartwarming, communal celebration.

Challenges and Changes

However, the road to the altar is not without its bumps. Dooley and Lace have to deal with a series of unexpected events and challenges. The first is a veterinary emergency. Dooley, who has just started his own veterinary practice, receives a call about a sick horse. He has to leave the wedding preparations to attend to the animal, forcing Lace to take charge of the arrangements.

When Dooley returns, he finds that Lace has made some significant changes to their wedding plans. She has invited their friends and family, and she has also arranged for a caterer and a florist. Dooley is initially upset by these changes, but he eventually comes to appreciate Lace's efforts to make their wedding a special and memorable occasion.

Love and Acceptance

As the wedding day approaches, the couple and their friends and family reflect on the meaning of love and acceptance. Dooley and Lace's relationship has been shaped by their difficult pasts. Dooley was abandoned by his parents and raised in foster care, while Lace was raised by a neglectful and abusive mother. Despite their troubled upbringings, they have found love and support in each other and their community.

Their friends and family also reflect on their own experiences of love and acceptance. They come to realize that love is not always perfect, but it is enduring and forgiving. They also learn that acceptance is not just about tolerating differences, but about embracing them and celebrating them.

The Joy of Togetherness

As the wedding day arrives, the barn is transformed into a beautiful and festive venue. The couple's friends and family gather to celebrate their love, and the atmosphere is filled with joy and warmth. The ceremony is simple and heartfelt, and the couple's vows are a testament to their enduring love and commitment to each other.

In the end, Come Rain or Come Shine is a heartwarming story about the joy of togetherness. It celebrates the power of love, friendship, and community, and reminds us that, no matter what challenges we face, we can find strength and support in the people we love.