by Tonya Kappes
The entire boardwalk was now decorated. Jean wasn’t anywhere in sight. There was word around town that she had gotten the horses and their big wagon to give hay rides between the Cocoon Inn and orchard to go to the pumpkin patch. I couldn’t wait to go with Patrick.
Crissy was still where I had seen her through the Honey Comb’s window before I went to the Bee Farm, only she had a different customer in her chair. Crissy’s sun-kissed blonde hair was definitely manmade and probably done by her because she had been a natural redhead when we were teens. She had befriended me when I visited Aunt Maxi during those summer months.
Now that I had moved back, we’d become good friends and I knew that I could count on her to get the word out.
“Roxy Bloom, have you come in here to get that hair done?” She chomped on her gum, the red freckles across her nose spreading along with her smile. She stuck her hand on her hip, the comb sticking out from her fingers.
“I need to talk to you about the Bee Farm.” My phone chirped with a text from Kelly. She had already made a few signs to post around the festival and sent me a photo. I quickly texted her back to make multiple copies on the copier at the coffeehouse and start to distribute them to the neighboring shops.
“Oh, Lordy, Low-retta Bebe came in here having a duck fit over it.” Crissy fanned herself. “Are y’all hot or am I havin’ my own personal summer?”
“Menopause, honey,” the customer said.
“I’m not even thirty.” Crissy gave her the wonky eye.
“You better go see a doctor then.” The customer licked a finger and flipped the pages of the Southern Living magazine in her lap.
“Go on, Roxy.” Crissy started back cutting her customer’s hair.
All eyes and ears were on me as I told the story about the big resort trying to take over our little island and running away the bees. Within minutes, I had everyone on board and even got a donation from the customer in Crissy’s chair.
“You know I’ll tell everyone I know.” She nodded.
“I’ll go get one of our mason jars from the back and put it next to the register.” Alice Dee Spicer rushed behind the thin sheet they used as a door to the supply room.
There was no time to spare. I’d planted the seed with Crissy and was sure of her success. When Ron and Bev Harvey saw just how much the citizens of Honey Springs didn’t want them here, I was sure they’d forget all about their resort.
“Where have you been?” Penny Bloom, my Mom, was waiting for me at the booth on the beach in front of the Cocoon Inn.
“I still have a business to run.” I gave her a hug and looked around.
Patrick had already put two café tables under the white tent. There was a small pot of red mums in the center of each table along with Bean Hive business cards. He had set up the two glass bakery cases. One was refrigerated and buzzing and a mini coffee and tea bar was next to the cases. Kelly hadn’t brought down the coffee carafes yet, but there were a few pastry treats in the case.
The hay and scarecrow were a great way to cover up the tent’s poles and provide extra seating. There was a box with my name on it behind the glass case filled with paper cups, napkins, and to-go bags with the cute Bean Hive logo on it, where the body of the bee was an actual coffee bean.
“Why didn’t you tell me about your big client?” I eyed her over the glass and started to arrange the cups.
“There’s nothing to tell. He’s a jerk. He said that he only wanted to talk to me because of my knowledge of Honey Springs.” Mom was hotter than stolen firecrackers. She was all riled up. “After I told him that I had only lived here for a few months, he turned into a real jerk. Saying that I wasted his time and he had a realtor that did his bidding for him. He even said I couldn’t make a good deal.”
“Mom, he is a jerk. You make amazing deals.” Now it was personal. “In fact, I’ve made it my mission to make sure they can’t buy the Bee Farm.”
“Do tell,” Mom gushed, grabbing a pastry out of the case and taking a big bite as she leaned her hip on the glass.
While I worked and Kelly made a couple of more trips back and forth, I told Mom about how I’d gotten Loretta and the Beautification Committee on board to have all the proceeds of the festival go towards the Bee Farm. I even showed her one of the flyers Kelly had designed.
“She’s taking them to all the shops and booths down here. There’s way more tourists than the one Ron, so if we can just raise a few thousand dollars, I know Andrew and Kayla will hold off on signing the contract.” At least that’s what Kayla had told me.
“I’m going to call all my clients.” Mom picked up her phone. “I’ll see you here later.”
Mom already had her phone up to her ear talking when she left walking towards the Cocoon Inn. She didn’t even stop to talk to Camey as they passed each other.
“You’ve really gone above and beyond to save the Bee Farm.” Camey looked so much happier than she had this morning. “You’ve got Ron Harvey all in a flutter and I love it.”
“I’m so glad. Maybe he’ll leave before the party.” I wiggled my brows and finished putting what was left in my box on the counters. “Did Babette happen to bring my costume to you this afternoon?”
“Yours and Patrick’s.” She laughed. “You’re terrible,” she referred to my costume.
“Nah. Just a little joker.” I winked. “Tell me how has the afternoon gone with Ron?”
“It’s not Ron that’s driving me crazy, it’s his cuckoo daughter. She hates him more than I do.” She shook her head. “I’ve got to get in costume before my guests start coming down to the hospitality suite.”
“Oh! What are you dressing as?” I asked.
“We are going as the Munsters. I’m Lily. Walker is Herman. And Amelia wanted to be Cousin It.” She laughed so hard. “Walker has got Amelia glued to the channel on the television with all the old shows. Amelia loves Cousin It.”
“That’s so funny. Where on earth did you get that costume?” I asked.
“We rented them from a shop in Lexington. They had tons of old TV characters. I wanted to be the Miss Kitty from Gunsmoke, only with a real gun to shoot Ron Harvey. But you. . . “ she shook her finger and hesitated. “You’re going to be the talk of Honey Springs.”
“Only if I can pull it off.” I grinned and waved her goodbye.
Her words reminded me to text Patrick to be here early so he and Sassy could get their costumes on.
Nine
“Where is he?” I paced back and forth in front of Kelly, her father, Pepper, and Sassy. The festival was about to begin and I had to be at the booth. The clock read it was three-forty p.m. and the festival started at four p.m.
“You look great. People are going to die!” Kelly laughed. ”Right, Dad?”
“Are you sure you want to do this? I mean, this isn’t going to be a joke to a lot of people. Your Aunt Maxi gives a nice tithe to the church and if I make her mad. . .”
“You won’t.” My heart thumped like one of those cartoon characters you’d see on TV when they saw the person they loved. You know, where the heart shape beats in and out of their chest, like when I saw Patrick walk into the Cocoon.
I had a clear shot of Camey handing him his costume and giving him directions to find me. His reaction was priceless. He started to laugh and he looked like the teen I’d fallen in love with so many years ago.
Camey gave me the thumbs up when he headed into the bathroom. She had Sassy with her.
“It’ll be just a few minutes now.” I looked between a very giddy Kelly and a very worried Preacher Mitchell.
“Here you go,” Camey walked in the room with her Lily Munster outfit on and the fresh cut red, yellow, orange, and purple chrysanthemums, anemones, and asters bouquet Jean Hill had designed for me. “I can’t believe you’re really doing it this way.”
Patrick walked in and his eyes filled with tears. He looked so handsome in his black and white tuxedo – it was a perfect fit.
“You’ve just made m
e the happiest man this side of the Mississippi.” There was nothing but love in his eyes when he looked at me in the simple v-neck and cream wedding dress that fit tight around my core and flared at the hem.
“No regrets doing it with just us?” I looked down at Pepper, who was sporting a bowtie, and Sassy, who was wearing a veil tiara for dogs. “Camey is our witness.”
“I have no regrets.” He looked at Preacher Mitchell. “Let’s get hitched.”
“I’m going to sit at the booth, so you two can take your time.” Kelly’s shoulders drew up to her ears and she giggled, running out of the room.
I knew it wasn’t going to sit well with Aunt Maxi and Mom that I’d chosen to get married without them. I was all for peace for the rest of my life instead of trying to figure out who was going to sit where as the mother of the bride. I did love Aunt Maxi as a mother and went to her for more advice. But Mom was still my mother and I loved her too.
It was my second wedding and Patrick didn’t care as long as we got married. I’m sure Debbie would be thrilled for us. After the festival, I’d let the three of them sit down and plan a big reception. I didn’t care what it would be like. We’d let them have at it.
Preacher Mitchell said the usual verses and gave a couple minute speech about love. I tried to focus on his words, but it was Patrick’s deep eyes that reeled me into a trance that I never wanted to be broken.
Camey had gone above and beyond in decorating the room. I told her that I just needed a little room, but she shut off the hospitality suite with a sign saying it was closed due to the festival. She’d had Babette bring down an archway that Jean had decorated with all sorts of white flowers and a little greenery. The lights were off and the curtains pulled to darken the room and let the ten candelabras holding ten candles each - a total of one hundred candles - provide the romantic lighting. Camey had even decorated the mantel above the fireplace with the same flowers in my bouquet and thick, antique candlesticks with tapered white candles.
There was soft music in the background. She’d picked up a couple of simple wedding rings from the jeweler downtown that were perfect for the occasion. Walker and Amelia had slipped in. Walker had taken a few photos for us to remember the crazy occasion.
“Then you may kiss your bride,” Preacher Mitchell said the magic words at the end of the ceremony.
Patrick bent down, his lips meeting mine, gently covering my mouth. Raising his mouth from mine, he gazed into my eyes. It was a perfect moment.
“I now pronounce you Mr. and Mrs. Patrick Cane.” Preacher Mitchell finally had a smile on his face.
“Now, for the gifts.” Camey butted in. “Walker and I are giving you the honeymoon suite for the next couple of nights.”
“Oh, no - we couldn’t.” Patrick reached into his back pocket to retrieve his wallet.
“Don’t, man.” Walker stopped him. “The two of you have done a lot for us. Particularly Camey. This isn’t even enough to thank you.”
“I’m going to take you on a proper honeymoon.” Patrick couldn’t stop smiling and neither could I.
He swept me off my feet and into his big strong arms.
“I guess we have to wait to use that room until later.” I held on around his neck. “We’ve got a festival to get to and a Bee Farm to save.”
“I don’t care, Mrs. Cane.” He kissed my nose. “As long as I’m with you, I’m happy.”
He snuggled me closer as we got to the door overlooking the beach where the festival was in full swing. The beach was busy with people dressed in sweaters, coats, and even a few gloves.
“You sure do make a pretty couple.” Newton was hunkered down on the opposite side of the stairs since I last saw him.
“Newton, what on earth are you doing?” I wasn’t about to let go of Patrick’s neck. I wanted him to hold me as long as he could.
“I still don’t have all these mums planted around the building. I’ve got the pots sitting around so it looks like they’re planted.” He lifted up his spade. “I did have all them done until Camey lost her mind about the rumored resort and she doubled the number of mums.”
“You do beautiful work, Newton.” Patrick smiled and turned back to give me a kiss.
We stood there looking at the crowd. The hayrides had started. Kids were bobbing for apples. The kids’ games were full of youngsters in various costumes. Everything I loved about living in Honey Springs was right here in front of me. Community.
“I’m not letting you out of my arms for the next couple of days,” he whispered into my ear as we made our grand entrance into the Bean Hive tent where Mom and Aunt Maxi were sitting at one of the tables with frustrated looks on their faces.
“Ha, ha.” Mom rolled her eyes. “Look at them, Maxi. Shoving this in our face like two year olds.”
“You mean like Mr. and Mrs.” I wiggled my finger with the small gold band on it up in the air.
“It’s not nice to tease an old woman.” Aunt Maxi sighed.
“I’m not joking. We aren’t just dressed as a bride and groom. We just got married.” I held my breath and waited for the explosion.
Mom and Aunt Maxi stood up. They looked at Patrick. He held up his hand and wiggled his ring finger.
“I didn’t know anything about it. Roxy planned it all.” He was talking fast.
“I helped.” Kelly bounced on her toes. “Me and my Dad.”
“Preacher Mitchell did this?” Aunt Maxi’s chin lifted and her eyes drew down her nose, still looking at my ring.
“I couldn’t choose,” I butted in. “I love you both so much and it wouldn’t be joyous if I had to plan a wedding listening to you two argue. Patrick and I love each other so much.”
“I’ve loved her since the day I laid eyes on her at your house, Maxi.” His voice was soft and soothing. “It’s just a ceremony to make it official for the rest of our lives. I’m not saying I wasn’t shocked when Camey handed me the tux. I was and pretty much still am. But it’s having Roxy by my side that makes my life complete. Not the ceremony.”
“Patrick and I are going to stay at the Cocoon Inn for a couple of nights and I’m giving you two and Debbie total control to plan a reception for us.” The words barely left my mouth when they jumped and grabbed me.
“Congratulations!” Aunt Maxi squealed in delight. “I knew it! Patrick, I made sure your daddy brought you by that day because I knew my Roxy was a perfect match.”
“Huh, you knew that if you got Roxy hooked up, she’d stay here with you.” Mom just couldn’t let it go.
“Now we have everything we’ve always wanted.” I looked between them and smiled. “I couldn’t resist when Kelly made the comment that it’d be funny if we dressed up as a bride and groom one day. Then it clicked. I wasn’t for sure going to go through with it, but when I was with you two at All About The Details, I knew I had to at least try to pull it off.”
“Was Babette in on this?” Aunt Maxi questioned.
“Yes, she was.” I nodded with delight over my perfect plan.
Tweedle Dee and Tweedle Dum walked into the booth.
“I’ll have a coffee.” One of the Tweedles said in a strange voice.
“Me too!” The other Tweedle said in a higher voice. “You make a pretty bride. If only we could get you to pick a date.”
“Bunny? Is that you?” I looked deep into the eyes I recognized. “Mae Belle?”
“Tada!” They said together.
“Tada!” I yelled and wiggled my ring finger in front of them. “I’m no longer on the market. Patrick and I got married today.”
“What?” Bunny pulled the mask off of her face. “Why didn’t I get an invite?”
“I bet it was her.” Mae Bell tugged off her mask and glared at Aunt Maxi.
“Hush up, you old coot.” Aunt Maxi balled up her fist and showed it to Mae Belle. “No one was invited.”
I quickly explained to them how it all went down and gave them a cup of coffee to help wash it down.
“So you two can
start planning anytime. Don’t ask me what I want or ask Patrick. You just get with Debbie and plan it,” I told Mom and Aunt Maxi.
“Get with Debbie about what?” My new sister-in-law walked up. Timmy had already eyed the ghost cookies Kelly had made for the trick or treaters.
“Look at you, Sheriff.” I bent down and hugged my nephew. “I’d like to say I’m surprised.” I reached up and got one of the cookies to hand to him.
Timmy was always dressed in his cowboy boots, sheriff’s badge, and cowboy hat. He was bent down patting Norman.
“Honey, be careful,” Aunt Maxi warned Timmy. “If you stand downwind from him, it’ll buckle your knees.”
“He’s fine.” I gave Aunt Maxi a good hard stare. “We are working on that issue. Aren’t we, Norman?”
Norman looked up at me and grunted.
“Y’all are cute.” Debbie gestured between me and Patrick. “If we could just get you hitched.”
“We got hitched, sister.” I smiled and held my hand out. “You know how you mentioned the justice of the peace the other day?”
“Patrick!” Debbie threw her hands up to her mouth and jumped around. “Timmy, Roxy is now your aunt.”
“I know.” Timmy had no idea. It was so cute. “I love her.”
“I love you both.” Debbie’s eyes teared up. “Wait. There’s a dress and a tux. Was I not invited?”
Patrick took his sister by the arm and they took a little stroll. He was going to fill her in on all the details and about how she was going to have to deal with Mom and Aunt Maxi to plan the reception.
After a few minutes, everyone we loved settled down about the wedding. Patrick took the dogs for a walk and I had to work. The line for a hot cup of coffee was long and leading out of the tent. Kelly had made extra hot chocolate for the kids to enjoy while the parents waited in line for their specialty drinks to be made. Since we weren’t in the coffeehouse and I didn’t have several machines, I had to do one specialty drink at a time.
It was fine with me. I was able to look at all the little ghosts and goblins including the four-legged ones. The more I talked to them, the more they gave to the Bee Farm fund.