“Pictures! I’ll be down soon. I promised Zoe and Nick I’d be the official photographer. I didn’t realize they’d need pictures at seven in the morning though.”
“They don’t, I’m snapping random shots of everyone, to help Zoe remember the day. And Peyton is here because she wanted to get an early start on her Maid of Honor duties. Save your energy for the wedding and reception. I’m sure your hand will thank you.” She tsked. “How are you feeling?”
“Not bad considering I have stitches.” Her hand was tender but not excruciating like yesterday.
“I’m glad you’re feeling better. Now I must excuse myself. It’s not every day your daughter gets married.”
Piper chuckled at the woman’s excitement and closed her door. She quickly prepared herself for the day’s events. Nervousness and excitement had her on a buzz much like the one she saw in Michelle. Nervous because she’d never been the official photographer for a wedding and excited for the same reason, plus she would be spending the day with Chase since he was doing the finishing touches outside and would be attending the ceremony as well.
She took a quick shower and slipped into a pair of black slacks and a dark floral blouse. When she’d taken a few classes in photography her professor had mentioned that the photographer should blend in and not stand out when at an event. She styled her hair into a ponytail. It was finally long enough to look decent pulled back. She applied sunblock to her face and a quick swipe of lipstick. “Good enough.” No one would be paying attention to her anyway.
She’d charged the battery to her camera last night and had an extra one on hand. Chase had invited her to breakfast at his place, then she’d bring him back here with her since his truck wasn’t drivable. As it turned out, they’d been in the only area on the island that sustained major damage.
She grabbed a black sweater, then trotted down the stairs and out the door, avoiding everyone—amazing, considering all the people rushing around. Ten minutes later she drove up Chase’s long driveway and parked. A head popped over the top of one of the Adirondack chairs. She bounded from her Jeep. “Good morning!”
Chase stood. “You’re right on time. It’s such a beautiful morning, I thought we could eat alfresco.”
“What a wonderful idea. I can’t believe this weather. What a turn around.” She strolled over to his cliff-side outlook and paused. “You outdid yourself.” Atop a white table, a silver dome covered what must be the hot portion of their meal. Beside it sat a glass bowl of sliced peaches and a basket of muffins, along with a carafe of coffee and a glass pitcher of orange juice.
“It’s nothing. I pulled the peaches from the freezer last night, and the muffins are from a box mix. The scrambled eggs and bacon were a cinch. I hope you like your bacon crispy. I made it the way I prefer.”
“Crispy is perfect.” She sat in the empty seat and drank him in. He looked amazing this morning. His hair stirred slightly in the gentle breeze. She was glad she’d thought to bring along a sweater.
He offered a blessing for the food then passed her a plate. “How’s the hand?”
“Not too bad. How about you? Any residual soreness?”
“No. I’m afraid you took the brunt of the accident.”
“Speaking of which—thanks for saving my life. If you hadn’t suggested I move closer to you I don’t think I’d have survived.”
“I’m glad you’re okay. Losing you would have been the worst possible thing I could imagine.” He reached over and rested his hand on her forearm.
She felt the same about him. When had she fallen for Chase? She enjoyed his company quite a bit, but was it possible to love someone in such a short amount of time?
Chapter Twenty-Two
Zoe gazed out the kitchen window at their guests, all gathered and seated in the backyard. A white, felt-like runner defined the center aisle where she would walk arm in arm with Richard. The man had been the best dad she could have ever asked for.
“You ready?” Dad came into the kitchen from the direction of the dining room. “It’s time.”
She turned to face the first man she ever truly loved. “I’m so nervous.”
“Ah, sweetie. You are a beautiful bride, and Nick loves you like crazy. No reason to be nervous. The two of you will make a good team. I’m very proud of you.”
“You are? I thought you were disappointed that I moved here and that I’m not working at my full potential.”
He waved a hand. “I’m proud of you for discovering who you are and following your passion, even if you had to come to this little island to do it.” He offered his arm. “They’re playing your song.”
Pachelbel’s Canon in D played by a string quartet urged her forward and out the door. All the guests stood and faced her. She kept time with the music as she walked slowly toward the front where Nick waited under the arbor, wearing a black tuxedo and a huge smile. His brother stood beside him and Peyton stood on the other side.
She stopped at the front and handed her bouquet of white roses, greenery, and wildflowers to Peyton who looked beautiful in her mint green dress.
Nick’s eyes filled with love as he took her hand and brought it to his lips. She could barely believe that in a short time she’d be married to this wonderful, caring man. Together they faced the minister. The rest of the ceremony went by in a blur, and before she knew it, the words you may kiss your bride rang out. Her eyes met Nick’s before he tugged her close and gently kissed her with all the pent up passion she’d been feeling for the past month. Whistles and cheers rang out, then clapping. They pulled apart. Her face heated as they turned and the minister presented them to their guests.
Nick tucked her hand in the crook of his arm. “You look amazing, by the way,” he whispered into her ear as he guided her up the aisle. “The surprise of seeing you in that dress was worth waiting for.”
Zoe couldn’t stop smiling. Piper stood at the end of the aisle snapping pictures as they strolled toward her. They altered course as they reached the last row and headed across the yard toward the long table covered in a white tablecloth. It held their cupcake tower with a two-tiered cake on top. Mason jars filled with pink, yellow, and purple flowers balanced out each end of the table. Piper took several pictures of them with their cake and then one of them cutting it.
A few hours later, Nick pulled her away from their guests and found a quiet place. He rested his hand on Zoe’s waist and spoke softly. “How are you holding up, Mrs. Jackson?”
She liked the sound of that. “Much better now that I have you all to myself.”
He chuckled. “It is a bit much even with a small guest list. How about we let our families clean this up and we take off?”
“I’d like that very much, but first I need to toss the bouquet.”
He sighed. “If you must.” She could tell he was teasing by the silly look on his face. She was going to enjoy being married to this man. She planted a kiss on his lips before grabbing his hand and rushing back to their guests. She wanted to toss the bouquet and get out of there. As much as she loved their wedding, she wanted alone time with her man. She asked Peyton to have all the single ladies line up, then she turned her back to them and tossed the flowers over her right shoulder—but her finger caught on a ribbon, sending it helter-skelter, off to the side, right at Piper where she stood taking pictures. The bouquet literally landed in her arms.
Piper’s mouth dropped open, and Zoe noticed her eyes quickly find Chase, who watched the whole thing with a huge grin on his face.
Zoe sighed with satisfaction. Maybe there’d be another wedding in the not-too-distant future.
Later that evening, Piper changed into jeans and a T-shirt and helped the bride and groom’s family and friends who’d stuck around to clean. She stacked the white folding chairs onto a cart that would roll into the back of a van so they could be returned to the church from where they’d been borrowed. Arms snaked around her waist from behind. “That had better be Chase, or whoever you are is going down.”
“I agree. The wedding was beautiful. I hope I captured it well for them.” She wiggled around, still within the circle of his arms, and snuggled against his chest. “You ready for me to take you home?”
His hold tightened on her. “Not yet. I’m enjoying this way too much.” He placed a kiss on her head. “I noticed you caught the bouquet.”
She tilted her head to look into his face. “Um-hmm.”
“I’m sure glad you came and stirred things up on this island.” He ran the back of his hand gently down the side of her face.
“Really?”
He nodded. “Because if you hadn’t I wouldn’t be able to do this.”
His toe-curling kiss sent shivers through her body. After a few blissful moments, she leaned away slightly. “Better take it easy there, or we’ll be the ones being applauded.”
“I wouldn’t mind.” He winked.
“Me either.” She wrapped her arms around his waist and snuggled into him. Marriage once seemed out of her grasp, but not so much anymore. She couldn’t think of a man she’d rather spend the rest of her life with. She didn’t know what the future held for them, but for now she would savor each moment with this man.
~The end~
Book Discussion Questions
Do you think Chase was justified in making an offer for the property? Why? Is there a way he could have done so without causing hurt to Piper? Chase was caught in a difficult situation, wanting to protect the island that he called home, but also not wanting to destroy a possible relationship with Piper. Have you been caught in a difficult situation in the past between two choices that both seemed right? If so, how did you handle it?
Should Piper have been so upset about it? How did her past play into her reaction? Have you met people whose actions are deeply governed by their past?
In Island Refuge we learned about how clumsy Zoe was when she first came to the island, and in Island Dreams, this changed after she decided to forgive key people for things done to her. Do you see this as significant? How so?
Piper was desperate for her parents’ approval. She was driven by the need to please them and prove herself. What drives you to succeed?
Do you seek the approval of others? Do you think this is good, bad, or perhaps both, and why?
Piper is a strong woman and as such depended a lot on herself, but she finally realized the Lord is her strength and that she needed to surrender to Him. Do you think it’s harder for strong people to turn to the Lord for help?
BOOKS BY KIMBERLY ROSE JOHNSON
Wildflower B&B Romance Series
Island Refuge
Island Dreams
Coming Soon
Island Christmas
Standalone
A Valentine for Kayla
Series with Heartsong Presents
The Christmas Promise
A Romance Rekindled
A Holiday Proposal
A Match for Meghan
Now—A Sneak Peek at Book Three
Island Christmas
Rachel Narrelli tucked one hand into her jacket pocket and with the other, held tighter to her small son’s hand as she gazed at the house that had changed the course of her life. Well, maybe the Wildflower Bed-and-Breakfast hadn’t, but the people here had, and it felt wonderful to be back. She took in the old Victorian house that looked so much nicer than the first time she’d visited. The white paint on the exterior, now a little more than three years old, looked as good as the day they painted it. She snickered.
“What’s so funny, Mommy,” Jason her three-year-old son asked.
She squatted to his level. “I was thinking about the summer I spent here when you were in my tummy. I walked out that door,” she pointed toward the covered porch, “when the man who was painting wasn’t paying attention and painted me instead of the house.”
Jason giggled, the childlike sound infectious. She pulled him into a bear hug. “We won’t be here long, but I think you will like the B&B, Jasie. The owners are real nice. Mrs. Jackson is my new boss, too.”
“What’s a boss?”
She tapped his nose. “Someone who tells you what to do.”
He grinned and placed a hand on each side of her face. “You’re my boss, Mommy.”
“That’s right.” She stood and took his hand. “Now be on your best behavior.”
Little Jason, named after her late husband, or Jasie as she so often called her active son, stood straight and raised his chin. She tried not to laugh, but he was so cute when he attempted to act like a big boy.
The screen door swung open and Zoe strode out, keys in hand, looking through her purse as she walked. She trotted down the stairs without looking up until her feet hit the pavement. “Rachel?”
She nodded. “It’s good to see you, Zoe. I can’t thank you enough for giving me a chance to cook with you.”
“Don’t thank me yet. You’ll have to prove you are as good as your instructor said.” She grinned and pulled Rachel into a hug. “I can’t believe you are really here. I mean, I knew you were coming, but it’s been so long.” She seemed to notice Jason for the first time. “And who is this little guy?”
“This is my son, Jason.”
Zoe bent over and held out her hand. “It’s nice to meet you, Jason. I’m Mrs. Jackson, but if it’s okay with your mom, you may call me Zoe.”
His eyes widened. “You’re my mommy’s boss.”
Zoe chuckled. “That’s right.” She turned her attention back to Rachel. “Things have changed quite a bit since you left. A woman named Jill manages the B&B now. I think you’ll like her. She actually reminds me a lot of you. Go ahead and get settled. I’ll see you later at the restaurant.”
“Okay.” She couldn’t help but wonder where Nick was and why he wasn’t managing the B&B. Zoe and Nick had married a few years ago. Had they divorced? No—impossible. Had something happened to him? Surely Zoe would have said something if that was the case.
Zoe skittered off to her red convertible, the same one she had when Rachel was here before. The car top was up. It looked better down, but November weather was too cold and wet for that.
“Come on, Jasie. Let’s go get settled. I hope we get the Poppy room, where I stayed the last time I was here.”
Her son stayed glued to her until they stepped inside, and she released his hand. Jill, the woman Zoe mentioned, sat at the reception desk. Her long dark hair cascaded to the middle of her back in soft waves. She looked to be in her early thirties and wore a pleasant smile.
“Welcome to Wildflower Bed-and-Breakfast. You must be Ms. Narrelli.”
Rachel nodded. “Please call me Rachel. Ms. Narrelli makes me feel old.” At twenty-six, she was not old.
Jill nodded then handed her a key and a card. “All the information you should need is on the card, but feel free to ask if you have a question. Mrs. Jackson requested you be assigned the Poppy room. I trust it will be to your liking.”
Rachel nodded and wondered how this ultra-professional woman could possibly remind Zoe of herself. A crashing sound in the sitting room accompanied by her son’s shrieking cry had her running into the room. She sensed Jill close behind. A lamp lay overturned on a room-sized rug that covered the wood floor, and a frowning man bent over to pick it up. When he stood his vivid blue eyes caught hers. “Is this little dude yours?”
Jason raced to her and clung to her leg.
Rachel rested her hand on his shoulder as his body trembled. “What happened?” Jason could be a handful at times. She bit her bottom lip, determined to remain calm and polite.
Jason looked up at her. “I was playing ring-around-the-rosie and tripped on the cord.”
“Sorry about this,” she said to Jill and to the man who stood nearby. “Jason, please apologize.”
He looked to the ground. “Sorry.”
“No harm done,” Jill said, but her pinched smile indicated otherwise.
The guy shrugged. “I’m sur
e I knocked over more than my fair share of lamps as a boy. Look, the lamp is fine.” He placed it on the end table beside a leather chair.
Jason’s head popped up, and he gazed with admiration at the man, who in turn winked at her son.
Jill turned to her. “I assume you know your way to your room?”
“Yes. Thank you.”
“Excuse me then.” Jill pivoted and left the room.
Jason held up his arms. “Up.” Her precocious son, though very verbal for a three-year-old, still needed an afternoon nap, which he’d missed. She lifted him into her arms and warmed as he snuggled close. “Excuse me. I need to lay him down for a nap.”
The man stepped forward. “I’m Chris.”
“It’s nice to meet you. I’m Rachel.”
He brushed a longish swoop of brown hair out of his eyes. “You’ve stayed at the Wildflower B&B before?”
She nodded again as her son went limp in her arms. Although he was a little guy, when he was completely relaxed and asleep, he quickly became heavy. She turned and trudged up the stairs torn between wanting to visit with the attractive man and taking her son to the room.
Chris looked to be in his middle thirties. His wire-rimmed glasses and dark hair that tickled his shirt collar only added to his appeal. He kind of reminded her of Christian Bale except for the blue eyes and glasses. Based on his trim physique she suspected he knew his way around a gym. She wondered what he did for a living, not that it mattered. Since he was hanging out in the B&B’s sitting room, he was probably here as a guest, which meant he was only visiting. Too bad. He intrigued her. Which was odd since he was the first man she’d noticed since her late husband’s death. She pushed all thoughts of Chris aside. She had Jason to think about, and a man passing through their lives would do more harm than good.
Island Dreams (Wildflower B&B Romance Book 2) Page 14