by Gina Henning
I clutch my heart. “Y’all look amazing. I only wish I could have helped plan it with you.”
“You should see the bouquets. They are a golden mix of yellows and ruby oranges.”
“To match the Braeburn apples?” From our orchard and the apple pie.
“Bingo. I told you she would get it.” Brianna gives Megan a light shove.
We all laugh. “It couldn’t be any more perfect.” I reach over and hug and kiss them both.
I’m so touched…my best friend, my dear sister…no harsh feelings, everything seems so right except for one thing. One person who can’t be here.
Chapter Sixteen
My cake is frosted and ready to go. Jack and I decided that after we said I do and before the reception that we would have a prior moment in the kitchen to put the final touches on our cakes and layer them together as a married couple. The idea makes me swoon. But I can’t cause any makeup issues. Brianna and Megan will be coming in at any moment to help me with my dress and makeup and I don’t want to be scolded for crying. I promised them both that I would try and hold it together until after we said I do. I do. I’ll be saying I do soon to Jack…Jack. Wow…I can hardly believe it. We’ve known each other for less than a year and now we are about to be married. So much has happened without even mentioning the big part, the huge part, the part of me that is going to be pulling at my wedding dress a bit. This baby has decided that I need to eat more and I can’t seem to stop stuffing my face. It’s really quite embarrassing.
A knock sounds on my door. I’m sure if it was Brianna she would just barge in.
“Lauren, it’s me.”
Jack.
Oh God, please don’t tell me he’s had a change of heart? I was right to think it was all too good to be true. Here he is: going to leave me on my wedding day. Well I suppose the silver lining is it’s not at the altar. What? Snap out of it, Lauren.
“Yes?” I try not to let my voice crack.
“I have a surprise for you.”
“A surprise, the last surprise you said—”
“I know…I’m sorry…I know I promised you that I wouldn’t make decisions that you should be a part of. This surprise is different. Will you please open the door?”
“You can’t see me before the ceremony…bad luck and all that business.”
Jack laughs. “I promise to close my eyes. Just open the door and I’ll give you the surprise.”
“I don’t know… Can it wait till after the ceremony?”
“No it can’t. Now, darling, open the door.”
Tears fill my eyes… That voice can only belong to one person in this huge amazing world. My grandmother. My sweet dear grandmother. I pull open the door and she is sitting in front of my bedroom door in a wheelchair. I kneel down in front of her and hug her as tight as I can without crushing her frail bones and smashing my sweet baby.
“Grandmother…oh my goodness…I can’t believe you’re here. I thought you couldn’t travel?”
“Darling, your soon-to-be-husband made it possible and besides how could I not see the work of my labor pay off?” We both laugh and I kiss her head. I’ve never seen her in a hospital bed or chair…she has always been so strong…and here in this moment despite being hindered by a handicap she is stronger than I’ve ever seen her before.
“I’m so glad you’re here.” I hug her again.
“Me too, darling, me too.”
Megan and Brianna walk in and each give my grandmother a hug.
Megan pulls out a pencil from her hair. “All right, no more crying. Get it out. It’s time for makeup, hairdos, and the dress. I can’t wait to see you in it.”
Brianna squeals and they both get to work—and it is work as I need a lot of help to make me a gorgeous bride. I feel like a cross between Miss Piggy and Ursula from The Little Mermaid…okay maybe that’s a bit of a stretch. But either way I need some assistance.
A knock sounds at the door and it’s my mom. Another person I haven’t told why we are having the wedding here rather than the pecan farm she was arranging for us.
As if on cue everyone clears the room.
“Mom, I’m sorry we couldn’t get married in Texas.”
“Hush, now don’t you cry or Megan will be after me all day. I know you made her promise but she told me. How are you doing? How is the baby?”
I begin to tear up.
“Don’t you dare or I’ll be forced to sing from Madonna’s 80s albums.”
I laugh. “Okay, so far so good. I haven’t had any more bleeding despite my incompetent cervix.”
“Oh, darling, why can’t they come up with better names for things? As if it isn’t tough enough being pregnant.”
We both laugh and she digs in her pocket.
“This is the bonnet you wore on your head for our first family photo. I thought it could be your something old and maybe something new for the baby.” My eyes begin to water again.
She cocks her head to the right. My mother starts doing twirls around the room, singing at the top of her lungs and I can’t help but laugh. Even in her toned-down dress of bright blue with glitter she is a shining star in her own light, always, and I love her for that.
A knock at the door breaks up my mother’s singing.
Brianna walks in with a box. “Something new has arrived.” Her dark hair swishes over her shoulders as she hands me the box with the blue ribbon.
I raise an eyebrow and she nods at me.
I open the box and it’s a silver charm bracelet with one charm on it. A wedding dress.
“I thought I could add a charm each year for you. This one obviously is for your wedding dress. I had so much fun helping you find the perfect dress. I love you.” Brianna squeezes me into a tight hug and the tears begin to fall.
My mom is jumping up and down as she belts out Cyndi Lauper’s Girls Just Want to Have Fun and of course my tears begin to dry as the laugher fills the room.
Megan walks in. “I’m glad you took my advice to heart.” Megan nods at my mom and offers me a small box.
I’m not sure if I can hold back all of these tears and emotions. It’s all so overwhelming to be marrying the love of your life and to be surrounded by so many people who care so much about you. I’m on a cloud dancing off into a world of how can I be this lucky?
I open the box and inside is a beautiful hair clip made out of little blue stones with a veil attached.
“I know your wedding dress shopping ended without a veil. This is your veil and your something blue.”
“It’s beautiful, thank you.” My sister the number one planner. I can’t believe I didn’t think to buy a veil. I’m the biggest wedding planner failure. I shake my head. No…I’m not. I did plan one thing right. These people, my friends, my family—they are here for me—and Jack. I glance at my phone.
“It’s time.”
And there it is…Canon in D…such a sweet piece of music… My father tips my chin.
“Listen, bird, your mother and I couldn’t be prouder of you. You’ve made a great success in your life and being here today to walk my littlest down the aisle…” He swipes under his eyes. “I’m just so happy for you, Lauren. Jack’s a good man.”
My own eyes tear up. “Thank you, Dad.”
“Just a minute. Just so you know, if I wasn’t walking you down the aisle then Jack and I would be having words.”
I gulp. My dad knows I’m pregnant.
“Don’t be worried. You’re going to make a great mother. You had the best one to learn from.” He kisses my cheek and then places the veil back over my head. Our arms are linked and we walk down the makeshift aisle in our backyard. Planked on each side of the aisle are our friends and family. Aurora has Clay in her lap and he’s dressed in a little tuxedo. Aww, my goodness he couldn’t be cuter. My mother is next to Aurora with Terra in her arms, who is wearing a coral ballerina outfit. Next to my mother is my grandmother. Someone has turned her chair so that she can watch me walk up the aisle. To think that less th
an a year ago she arranged for Jack and me to meet. To bake a pecan pie together. I was so frazzled that day and now here I am floating up to the altar to join for life to such an amazing man. I take in a deep breath. We’re getting married at our home, which is a beautiful piece of property. Jack planned this and it couldn’t be any more special.
To the right is a row of pecan trees and to the left an orchard of apple trees. Braeburn apple trees. My eyes are filling with liquid happiness. I blink off the tears. I don’t want to be a sobbing mess. I glance to the left side of the aisle and I see Jack’s Aunt Minnie. I gasp. She’s got her cat George in her lap and he’s wearing a bowtie, no less. If that cat tries to claw at my feet or anything else… I swallow. Be calm, Lauren. We stride up the walkway to the lovely sounds. Jack must have hired an orchestra… He literally thinks of everything. The rings. We never picked them out. Oh shiat. He winks at me. He knows what I’m thinking. Am I a complete space cadet?
He shakes his head at me as if to answer my question and nods to the left of him. Winter, my niece, is dressed in a plush coral dress that is similar to Megan’s and Brianna’s gowns. I glance at them. They both have large grins on their faces. They must have had a dress ordered for Winter. She looks like a little princess. To the left alongside of Jack is Brian, Megan’s husband, and Luke, my brother, and in front of them is my nephew River. He’s holding a little pillow that is holding two rings. I take in a deep breath.
The officiant is a warm woman who we actually met with together during a lunch date. At least I was part of that. She speaks about love and all I can do is gaze at Jack. His sparking blue eyes with their flecks of green. Will our baby have his eyes? If they should be so lucky. I’m lost in a world of Jack’s love and it’s time for me to say the two words that I hadn’t even thought about less than a year ago. Here I am in front of all of my family, including my dear sweet grandmother. Who knows how but Jack made it possible for her to be here.
“Do you, Lauren, take Jack to have and to hold in sickness and in health till death do you part?”
“I do.”
“I happily pronounce you husband and wife. Jack, you may now kiss your bride.”
He lifts my veil and our lips meet as if for the first time—and it is the first time. We are now kissing as a married couple. We’re married. Jack and I are married. Eleven months ago if anyone asked me if I would be married in less than a year, I would have laughed at the idea. But this is no laughing matter. I’m married to the kindest, funniest, most wonderful man who has ever crossed my path and I don’t want to cross any other paths without him at my side. For life.
We turn to make our way down the aisle. The crowd is cheering, the orchestra is playing, and my heart is singing. The music stops and I glance up at Jack and his eyes sparkle back at me. I search the crowd for my mom. She appears at the end of the aisle. She’s wearing a bright red cape with yellow glitter and the music from a sound system begins to play. It’s a tune I’d recognize anywhere. Something by the Beatles. My mom is swaying at the end of the aisle to the lyrics and behind her out pop Winter and River. They too have on red capes with yellow glitter and are each holding a sparkling red heart. As the word “smile” is sung they all flash big grins and with each “love grow” Winter and River pretend to be flowers growing up from the ground. The song finishes and everyone is clapping. My mom and the kids move to the side and we proceed down the aisle. Red and yellow flower petals are being tossed in our direction as we move further along the aisle. We rush into the house and Jack wraps me into his arms.
“I love you, Lauren. I promise to make all of your days filled with the most delicious treats and I don’t mean just the cake that I made for you.” He lets out a laugh and I meet his lips with my own. We kiss with an intense force of love and promises and hope and desire. Soon we will be three and I look forward to what that will mean for us as a couple, as a family. I swallow hard.
“Let’s see what cake you made.” I prompt him to show me his first.
It’s covered in white cream frosting much like the one I covered my cake with.
“Jack, what’s inside your cake?”
He takes out a knife.
“No we should do that with our guests.”
Jack shakes his head. “One taste won’t hurt anyone.” He slices the smallest sliver and I can plainly see the filling. It’s apples and pecans.
“Did you know?” I blink back tears.
“Lauren, don’t cry…be happy that you married an excellent baker.” He offers me a taste and it’s delicious. The apples and pecans couldn’t be more perfect.
“Jack, did you know I would use pecans and apples too?”
Jack grins back at me. “Not until this moment. But I’m not surprised. You were meant to be mine the day you walked into that pecan farm. And now it’s official: pecans, Braeburn apples, and the perfect wedding cake.”
His lips meet mine and I can taste the cake on his tongue. It is a perfect blend of everything we’ve been through together: pecans, apples, and the right amount of hope for what is to come. Our future. Jack and I are married and we’re having a baby. A family. We’re going from a two to a three in a matter of months. We’ve only known each other for a matter of months—less than a year I’ve know this man, my husband, the father of my child, the love of my life. And yet it seems like so much longer. A lifetime of memories I hold inside my heart surrounded by Jack and his love. Our lives have interwoven to the point of connecting the last piece, the last moment that makes our lives complete. I had been traveling along my own journey and didn’t know what was up ahead. I had no idea what would cross my path, who would cross my path, and what would happen.
I wasn’t searching before I met Jack but the day I walked into that pecan farm I was found. I discovered what it meant to find love. True love. Love that holds up against distance, discouragement, and disregard. Our love held up. Above the pies and the cakes, we forged together to make something sweeter than any prize-winning dessert could ever attempt to deliver. The taste of pure unadulterated love. Jack Walker and I are building a future that is so much more than ingredients for desserts. We’ve built a relationship that has surpassed trials and triumphs. Our marriage will be built upon love, trust, and understanding. He understands me. Jack gets me. He knows about my insecurities and my flaws and I know his. We’ve opened up to each other and shared ourselves. And today, we made our love official. Our love has been signed, sealed, and delivered. I might not have known it the moment I entered Tibor’s Pecan Farm, but my heart had been delivered to Jack. And I don’t ever want him to give it back.
Turn the page for an exclusive extract from Gina Henning’s charming book, How to Bake the Perfect Christmas Cake!
Chapter One
“So, what’s the problem…is it the money?”
“No, it’s not the money.” I pick up my Santa bobble head pen my mom shipped to my office. She always sends something festive to my work. I think she realizes if I open the package here then everyone will want to see whatever it is and thus I’ll be forced to display it. In this case a bobble head Santa, he is wearing a cowboy hat and has a lasso. It’s a Countrified Santa.
“Well then, what is it? Come on, Lauren, we’re not that miserable to be around.”
“Megan, it’s not that,” I say as I scribble on the yellow lined notepad at my desk. I don’t want to have this conversation while I’m at work. It’s bad enough sharing a wall with my coworker Leena, but for conversations like these, it’s almost as if her ears are against my phone’s receiver. I prefer using my headphones but Megan called me on my direct line which is connected to my black desk phone, not to my computer.
“Well then what is it?” Megan asks. The tone in her voice is harsh. I get it, I do. I ‒ rather we ‒ always come home for Christmas, stay until January 2nd, it’s our tradition, our thing. Spending time with our family etc. But this year I don’t want to go home. It’s not because of the money. I have money. I’m maxing out my 401k contribution
and I have the little luxuries in life, like highlighted hair every six weeks and Starbucks whenever I want ‒ which is a lot. Maybe I should be cutting back on the frothy foam, especially with cookie central roaming around the office, every cubicle is filled with plates of the latest and greatest decorated cookies or store-bought candies. I can’t escape a nibble here or a mint there. I appreciate the sweetness of Mrs. Claus, but in no way do I want to have the appearance of something round and chubby. I need to figure out a game plan for avoiding those tasty treats. Especially with Leena. It’s almost as if she can sense my lack of self-control and takes pleasure in my sugar overdose downfall. Typical schadenfreude person. It couldn’t be any more obvious. But shiat, what can I do? I have a freaking sweet tooth. I clench my tummy, that’s right, do some ab workouts at the desk. Even if I’m only burning a few calories. I’m reminded of that silly phrase: muscles are made at the gym and abs are made in the kitchen, but for some reason squeezing my stomach feels good and like I’m doing something. Surely I must be burning some calories or even toning my abs.
I mean, I get it…I’m no Jamie Easton, but I’m definitely not Mrs. Claus. Definitely not Mrs. Claus. First of all, I’m single. All alone. Expected to have a blue Christmas without you I hum in my head. My blue Christmas is due to one cause. Jack. Damn. It sucks to be single and unattached. I’m not really on the hunt for a Mr. Claus, but if the younger, more svelte version of a happy jolly soul came knocking at my door (and obviously it would have to be my door, since I can’t imagine a guy coming down my chimney), well, let’s just say I might answer.
Who I wouldn’t answer to is Jack. Jack Walker. Jack Walker, Mr. All-Business-Wooed-Me-With-His-Pecans over Thanksgiving and then, two weeks later, was a no show. A no show. The guy stood me up at the airport. Not the movies, not a fancy restaurant, not the airport. As in, I’ll meet you at baggage claim, I’ll watch all the happy people greet their loved ones swinging them around in circles, handing over bouquets of flowers, joking about the airplane food or lack thereof until finally, finally, I was left alone, watching the luggage carousel circle round and round. An airport employee asked if my luggage didn’t make the trip. I nodded and walked away. That’s it for me and baggage.