“I’ll do that.”
“Oh, and since you mentioned Christmas, what would you think about taking the girls into Boston for a night to see The Nutcracker? We could stay the night and come home the next day.”
“I bet they’d love that.”
“Excuse me,” Ken said.
Mia and Sam both glanced his way. They’d been caught up in their conversation, completely oblivious to the three others at the table. Janie, Candy and Ken were wide-eyed as they hadn’t told them that they were dating, either.
Sam grinned. “Looks like the cat’s out of the bag. Yes, it’s official. We didn’t want to say anything to you all too soon, since we’re both still coming to the group meetings and weren’t sure if there was some kind of policy against it.”
Janie smiled. “I think it’s wonderful. I’m happy for you both.”
Candy and Ken both nodded in agreement.
“How are things going with Ruth, Ken?” Mia asked.
“Good. We’re going to the Christmas Stroll together. I think we might start dating soon.” He grinned, and they knew he was kidding. Ken and Ruth had been going out to dinner at least once a week for months now.
“I think we’re all doing pretty good,” Sam said.
Chapter 28
“I talked to Rick today,” Izzy began. She was sitting on the edge of Mia’s bed while Mia tried to decide what to wear for Kate’s wedding.
“Oh? How did that go.”
“Rick really wants to try again. He seemed so sweet and sincere, and he said the anger management classes have made him a new man. I don’t know what to do, I’m really torn. And my hormones are all over the place.”
“I think you should tell Rick that you’ll make a decision once the baby comes. That will give you plenty of time to see if his best behavior sticks. And once you have the baby and feel back to normal, you can make a rational decision about what you want to do.”
“You’re right. I know you’re right. He can just be so persuasive sometimes. But I’ll tell him that. So, what are you going to wear?”
Since she was working this wedding as well as attending as a guest, Mia had to get there early. The reception was at the White Elephant Hotel, which was one of the prettiest wedding sites on the island. It could accommodate up to 275 guests and had gorgeous harbor views. Kate’s wedding wasn’t quite that big, but it was just over two hundred, which was still a good size. All of her mother’s friends and Jack’s father’s friends were going, and both Kate and Jack knew a lot of people in town, too.
Kate was a foodie and went with a wide variety of options including raw bar, passed hot hors d’oeuvres, a pasta station and a carving station. Mia went over early to make sure everything was ready. And it was. She checked all the table settings one last time before walking to the church where Sam saved her a seat.
Just about everyone’s eyes grew damp when the wedding music started and Kate walked down the aisle, escorted by Rhett. She looked stunning in the gown that fit her like a dream. Going to all those stores had paid off when she found the perfect dress for her. Jack stood waiting, and looked handsome and nervous right up until the moment they finished exchanging their vows and rings and the minister said, “And now you may kiss the bride!”
The hotel was just a few streets over and everyone walked except for Kate and Jack. Rhett had his antique car waiting for them out front with a ‘Just Married’ banner on the back window, and he and Lisa drove the wedding couple over to the White Elephant.
It was just starting to snow as they walked outside and it was also the Saturday of Nantucket’s Christmas Stroll. The streets were full of shoppers and the streets and windows of the stores were decorated for Christmas with twinkling lights and festive garlands.
Mia kept busy making sure things went smoothly at the reception, but there was less to worry about at a well-managed hotel like this and she was able to join Sam when everyone sat down for dinner. The food was excellent and there was an open bar so everyone, other than Izzy, was indulging and feeling very merry.
Kate made the rounds visiting with everyone and gave Mia a big hug when she sat down for a bit with them.
“I couldn’t have done this without you. You know how stressed out I was. You made things so much easier. Thank you.”
“It was my pleasure.” And it was. Mia loved her job, and it was even more fun when it was a friend’s wedding.
“I can’t believe I was so nervous. Now that the day is here and we’re married, I’m just really happy.”
“Where are you going on your honeymoon?” Sam asked.
“We’re going to the Cayman Islands. Jack loves to dive and snorkel, and neither one of us have been there.”
“That sounds wonderful right about now.” Mia looked out the window where the snow was starting to come down more heavily. “When is your flight?”
“It’s not until Monday. We’re going to spend the night in Boston tomorrow and fly out Monday morning. Weather forecast is clear for tomorrow, so we should be good.”
Kate had a lively band and once the music started, everyone was up and dancing. Toward the end of the night, Mia and Sam were slow dancing and enjoying the evening immensely and when the music ended and they were about to walk back to their seats, Sam said, “I never would have imagined last Christmas how much better things would get for me this year.”
“I know. Last Christmas was pretty bleak for me. I didn’t think I’d ever date again. Couldn’t fathom it. I feel very lucky that Kate suggested I go to that bereavement group and that I met you.”
“I didn’t think I could love again. I really didn’t think it was possible. But I was wrong.” Mia felt a shiver as his words sunk in. He loved her!
“I was wrong, too. I didn’t think it was possible either until I met you.”
“Mia, look up!” Mia heard Lisa’s voice and looked up just in time to catch the bouquet that Kate threw.
“Well, isn’t that something,” Sam said.
“If that isn’t a sign, I don’t know what is,” Lisa whispered delightedly.
Mia had to agree. Finally, everything in her world felt full of hope and wonder, and she looked forward to what her future held.
* * *
Thank you so much for reading. I hope you enjoyed Mia’s story. Stay tuned for more in this series. Next up is Izzy’s story.
Until then, have you read The Restaurant?
Coming soon is a historical saga, Gilded Girl and a sequel to The Restaurant, Christmas at the Restaurant.
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Nantucket Weddings Page 16