Hometown Hope: A Small Town Romance Anthology

by Zoe York

  Violet stole a glance at Zane. His gaze never moved from his bride as his face contorted into a thousand shapes and tears streamed from his eyes. The notes from the piano continued as Honor made her way to him. When Honor arrived, she handed her bouquet of roses to Violet and turned to face Zane. The guests, as instructed, formed a semicircle around the couple. The music ended. Maggie came to stand next to Sophie. The sisters clasped hands.

  Jackson handed Zane a tissue. He wiped his eyes and smiled down at Honor.

  Doc glanced quickly down at his notes before beginning. “Friends, we’re gathered here today to celebrate the union of Zane Shaw and Honor Sullivan. They’ve asked me to keep this simple. Apparently, the groom wants to get this over with as soon as possible.”

  Everyone laughed.

  “Zane, your father told me more than once that you two belonged together. He wanted more than anything for you two to figure that out and make it official.” Doc’s voice shook with emotion. “How he wished for this day. I can’t help but think he’s here with us in spirit if not body.”

  Both the bride and groom nodded and dabbed their eyes.

  “Now, without further ado, it’s time for the couple to exchange vows.”

  Honor and Zane took each other’s hands. Zane began. “I’m not much of a word guy but even if I was, there aren’t any to describe the enormity of my admiration or love for you. You’re the greatest thing that will ever happen to me. I promise to let you be yourself. I’ll support your dreams and never make you compromise your ambition to satisfy my ego. I’ll fight for us, for you, and for our family from this day forward, until death parts us. At which point, I’ll wait for you to arrive in heaven, so we can start right back up.”

  Honor smiled up at Zane. She opened her mouth, then closed it again. For a moment, Violet thought she might not be able to talk, but she took a deep breath and started.

  “Zane Shaw, the first person who loved me unconditionally was your father. If it were not for him, I would not be standing here today surrounded by all these people who love me. The first time I spotted you sweeping the floor at the bar, I felt something change in my heart. I had no hope of you ever loving me, or frankly, noticing me. But you did. And you do. I mean, seriously? You and me? I’m the luckiest girl ever. Who else on this earth would ever put up with me?”

  From the circle, Kyle winked at Violet. Sophie openly wept as Maggie wrapped her arm around her sister’s waist.

  Zane wiped his cheeks. “It’s my privilege to put up with you.”

  Honor continued, her voice husky. “I promise to be your best friend, to remind you how totally great you are, and to make sure you feel loved and supported every single day. I promise not to poison you with my cooking by ordering a lot of takeout from The Oar. I promise to try with all my might to bring Hugh’s legacy of kindness and decency and integrity into our relationship and our family. I love you with all my bruised and damaged heart.”

  Doc spoke next. “Jubie, Zane and Honor would like you to come forward now and take their hands.”

  Jubie gave her basket to Violet and stepped forward. They all clasped hands, making a triangle.

  Zane cleared his throat and glanced at Honor before turning back to the little girl. “Jubie, you’re the most special gift anyone could ever ask for. Even though it’s not official through the courts, it’s official in our hearts. I promise to be the best father I can be. I’ll be your biggest fan and love you with all my heart. I’ll be there for it all. School plays and soccer games and tea parties or anything else you choose to do.”

  “Probably not soccer,” Jubie said.

  “Whatever it is, I’ll be there.” Zane said.

  Honor’s voice trembled. “Jubie, you know I lost my mother when I was young. Ever since then I’ve wanted a family of my own. Never in my wildest dreams could I have imagined having a wonderful girl like you to love. I’ll never try to replace your mom. She will always be in your heart.” Honor tapped her chest. “Just like Zane’s dad is in mine. Someday you’ll see her in heaven and you’ll both be so happy to see each other again. But I promise to be your mom here on earth. I’ll love you and look after you and make you eat your vegetables, even if I don’t cook them.”

  Jubie grinned and threw her arms around Honor’s waist, then did the same to Zane. “I promise to make you eat your vegetables too,” Jubie said.

  Laughter and a few sniffles echoed in the room.

  Doc smiled down at Jubie. “Now you can go back to stand by Dakota.”

  “Okay, Doc.”

  Dakota beamed as Jubie took him by the hand.

  “Zane Shaw, do you take Honor Sullivan to be your wife from day this forward?”

  “I do.”

  “Honor Sullivan, do you take Zane Shaw to be your lawfully wedded husband from this day forward?”

  “I do.”

  “With the authority vested in me by the great state of California, I pronounce you husband and wife.”

  The reception was held in a heated tent in the backyard. One long table was covered with a silver tablecloth etched with swirls. Shiny round canisters held votive candles. White roses and hydrangeas were displayed in tall glass vases. White lights hung from the rafters dangled over the table like tiny fairies.

  Zane and Honor sat together on one end of the table with Jubie at the corner by Honor. Violet and Kyle sat together with Dakota. Mollie was asleep in her car seat at their feet.

  After dining on salmon, baby potatoes, and grilled vegetables, the time for toasts arrived. Violet stood and swallowed nervously. Kyle squeezed her hand. “You got this. Just speak from the heart.”

  She clinked her knife against a glass to get everyone’s attention. When everyone quieted, she began. “Hey. I guess it’s my turn. Speeches aren’t really my thing, but here goes. I don’t know if I ever told you this, Honor, but when I moved back to town, you were the first real friend I’d had in a long time. Maybe ever. You didn’t judge my baby bump or my lack of a husband. You were simply nice to me just because that’s who you are. You’re hilarious and clever and more fun to be around than anyone in the world. But when I first met you there was a sadness under the surface that I could relate to. That sadness disappeared when you and Zane fell in love. I know women aren’t supposed to need a man these days. You certainly don’t need anyone to take care of you. That said, the way Zane protects you and loves you—and the way you protect and love him—is more than I could ever wish for my best friend. And to Jubie, welcome to our extended family. We all love you and pledge to be your village from this day forward. Congratulations.” She smiled and gratefully sank into her chair.

  “You did great, honey,” Kyle whispered in her ear.

  Jackson stood next. “I’ve been practicing this speech for weeks. You know, always the over achiever. But as I stand here now, I can’t remember one word of it. All I know is this. There were magical forces that brought you two together. Honor, a girl who had to fight to survive every day of her childhood, walks into Hugh Shaw’s bar looking for a job. Instead, she finds the father she never had, and the man she’ll eventually fall in love with.” He wiped his eyes. “Sometimes great things happen to great people.” He looked directly at Zane. “We’ve been friends…brothers…since before we could talk. You’re one of the great ones. Always have been and always will be. I wanted this for you—to have a love like I have with my Maggie. That it’s Honor seems so obvious now, but as all the women in this room know, the Dogs aren’t always the brightest at recognizing the right woman when she appears. Except for me, of course.” He exchanged a smile with Maggie. “Hugh told us when we graduated from high school to be in one another’s photos. We’re doing a good job of it.” He raised his glass. “Here’s to the Dogs and the women who love us. To our growing families. To our loving parents, whether here or in heaven. To this beautiful couple and their precious Jubie. May you always be as happy as you are on this day.”

  Everyone cheered and toasted.

  Violet
leaned against Kyle, exhausted. She’d been feeling off for the past few hours. The shrimp cocktail hadn’t appealed to her, which was weird. Normally, she loved all seafood. Even the champagne tasted funny. Her breasts were tender. She’d felt more emotional than usual too. Her stomach flipped over, remembering the night she’d forgotten to take her pill. No, please no. I can’t be pregnant. Not now.

  My God, Mollie was only a couple months old. That would mean she and a new baby would be like eleven months apart. Irish twins. Dakota, thank God, would be almost five by then. But three children under five? Would that be the tipping point into insanity?

  No, no. This couldn’t be happening. She’d been on the pill for years to combat terrible menstrual cycles. How could she be pregnant? That night in San Francisco when she’d been so shaken up, she’d forgotten to take one. She’d taken it the next night when she remembered, but it must have thrown everything off.

  Another baby? What would Kyle think? Would this scare him away, make him reevaluate her? She was a woman without a degree or any skills, basically a freeloader. Her father’s words floated around in her head. Loser. Failure. In love with failure. Whore.

  “Lettie, are you listening to me?” Kyle asked.

  She apologized. “What did you say?”

  “I asked if you wanted to dance.”

  Stifling a yawn, she nodded and pretended to be unworried. “I’d love to.”

  On Christmas Eve, Violet sat on the toilet with a pregnancy wand in her hand, waiting to learn her fate. The seconds moved like molasses. Finally, two minutes passed. She took in a deep breath and looked at the wand. Two pink lines. A silent scream echoed through her brain.

  A knock on the bathroom door made her jump.

  “Lettie, are you in there?”

  “Yes.” Her voice gave her away. He would know she was crying.

  “What is it? Let me in.”

  She stood, still holding the wand in her hand, and unlocked and opened the door.

  “Honey, what’s wrong?”

  She waved the wand in the air, unable to speak through the sobs.

  He stared at it with a blank expression before his eyes widened. “Is that what I think it is?”

  She nodded, crying harder.

  “Are you? I mean, was it positive?”

  She nodded again.

  “For real?” Was that delight in his eyes? “Oh my God, Lettie, I can’t believe our luck.”

  “Luck? What’re you talking about? It’s terrible. Awful timing. We’re already so busy with the other two. And I wanted to wear a wedding dress.”

  He pulled her into his arms and kissed her forehead and each cheek. “We’ll get married right away. Before you’re showing. Next week if you want.”

  “I wanted a real wedding,” she said. “Not one with a big fat stomach.”

  He laughed and lifted her chin to look at him. “Lettie, you’re missing the big picture here. We’re having another baby. Do you know what a gift this is? Heck, let’s have a half dozen of them.”

  “You’re crazy.”

  “Crazy in love with you.” He kissed her on the mouth and lifted her onto the counter, and wrapped her legs around him. “Do you know how happy you make me? Giving me another baby—I’m thrilled.”

  She rested her cheek on his chest. “I’m embarrassed this happened again.”

  “Your dad’s out of your life. You don’t need to ever feel like that again.”

  “But what am I supposed to do with my life? Just be a mom? Is that enough for you?”

  “There’s no harder or greater job in the world. Later, when they’re grown, you can do something else. Or whenever you want for that matter. There’s no shame in wanting to be a full-time mom. I know it’s not what your friends are doing, but that’s okay. God gave you such a gift with children. You’re a great mom, Lettie. I’m so proud of you.”

  More tears, but they were happy this time. “Thank you. Thank you for letting me be myself.”

  “Oh, baby, thank you. Tomorrow, we’ll tell everyone. The Wags will help you plan a shotgun wedding.”

  She punched him. “Shotgun wedding? Oh my God.”

  “You’re going to look so hot pregnant.”

  “You have a one-track mind.”

  He grinned. “I was going to wait until Christmas morning to give you one of your presents, but now seems like as good a time as any.”

  Kyle took her hand and they walked downstairs. Dakota was by the tree shaking one of his presents. Mollie was under her mobile gurgling and kicking her legs.

  “I thought I told you to leave the presents alone,” Violet said.

  “Sorry, Mama.”

  “Dakota, I’ve decided to give your mom her big present now.” He pointed to a small package under the tree and asked Dakota to give it to her.

  “I know what it is, Mama.” Dakota handed her the slim package.

  “You do?”

  Kyle put his finger to his lips. Dakota mimicked the gesture.

  Violet peeled back the paper. It was a car key.

  Dakota jumped up and down like a kid on a pogo stick. “It’s outside, Mama.”

  “You got me a car?” she asked.

  “It’s not a car.” He picked Mollie up and gestured toward the door. “Come see.”

  They stepped outside into the cold, damp air. A black Honda minivan was parked next to a silver Lexus SUV. “Where are our cars?”

  “I traded my car in for that one.” He pointed to the SUV. “It’s big enough for all of us, but still nice enough to take clients around in. You, however, get this baby.” Kyle took the key from her and pressed a button. The side door of the minivan slid open. “It even has a vacuum built inside.”

  “I know.” Violet clapped her hands. “I saw it on television. You can suck crackers up as soon as they drop.”

  “You save that job for me,” Kyle said. “I don’t want you vacuuming in your condition.”

  “Very funny.”

  Dakota ran to the van. He jumped inside and crawled into the car seat Kyle had already installed. “See, Mama? I can get in and buckle myself.”

  Violet leaned inside to get a better look. The black interior smelled of new leather. She’d never had a car with leather seats. “It’s enormous.”

  “We can put a half dozen kids in here. So, we’re ready.” Kyle laughed as she pretended to recoil in horror.

  “It only seats seven, so we can’t, in fact, have six children,” she said.

  “Five?”

  “Three. We’re already outnumbered.”

  “Maybe four?”

  “You really have lost it.” She smiled up at him as he wrapped his arm around her shoulder. “It’s going to be fine. We’ll get help if we need it. Remember what you said to me that first night with Mollie? Something about following my instincts.”

  “I was trying to calm you down.”

  “It worked,” he said. “We’ll be fine. I promise.”

  Just then, lights shone through the fog. “They’re here.” Dakota yelled from inside the van before toppling out to wait.

  Stone and Autumn got out of the car. After hugs and holiday greetings, they all helped bring their bags and packages inside.

  Once they were all settled around the fireplace, Violet brought out a cheese platter while Kyle opened wine. Autumn sat in the chair closest to the tree. Pink-cheeked from the cold and dressed in a white sweater dress that contrasted nicely with her auburn hair, she looked like an angel. She’s so beautiful. Although she confessed to Violet that she was self-conscious about her scar, it was barely noticeable, especially given Autumn’s flawless makeup.

  Stone unloaded packages from several shopping bags and deposited them under the tree. He seemed enormous even next to the ten-foot tree. Today he wore a sweater and nice jeans over his bulky frame. No matter what he wore, he always had the look of a marine.

  Violet joined Kyle on the loveseat and tried not to yawn.

  “Are those for me?” Dakota asked.
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  “A few are for you and a few for Mollie,” Autumn said. “And one for your mom and dad too.”

  “You mean Kale?” Dakota sat next to Mollie on the wide chair. “Kale’s not my dad.” He stared up at her with his big blue eyes.

  Next to her, Kyle shifted slightly. “What if I could be? What if I was?”

  “We have something exciting to share with you all,” Violet said.

  “Kale and my mom are getting married,” Dakota shouted.

  “End of January,” Kyle said. “And we want you guys to come.”

  Autumn clapped her hands together. “How wonderful.”

  Stone, still standing by the tree, raised his glass. “Awesome news.”

  Violet caught Autumn wiping the corners of her eyes.

  “Wait a minute,” Stone said to Dakota. “Does this mean I’m your uncle?”

  “Does it?” Dakota asked.

  “Sure it does. Uncle Stone,” Kyle said. “Has a good ring to it.”

  “We have some news too,” Autumn said. “Given your announcement, I’m even happier we decided to do it.” She looked over at Stone. “You want to tell them or shall I?”

  “You go ahead,” Stone said.

  “I met with Nora at her office when I was here at Thanksgiving. She called a few weeks ago with an opportunity for a pharmacist position at the local drug store. I interviewed and got the job. I’m moving here at the end of January,” Autumn said.

  “And I’m taking you up on your offer, big brother, and letting you help me get my general contractor business started by taking the lead on your house.”

  Violet looked over to gauge Kyle’s reaction.

  “You’re kidding me,” Kyle said. “That’s great news.”

  “You can stay with us,” Violet said.

  “I may need to short term. But thanks to Nora, I found a house already,” Autumn said.

  “You did?” Violet asked. “That’s nearly impossible here.”

  “Nora told me that as well, but she had a lead on a little cottage on the left slope of town. A friend of hers recently passed away and her kids wanted to sell. It didn’t even go on the market, so I got a great price. Her children didn’t want to mess with it because the interior is awful—hasn’t been touched for sixty years. I’ll need to gut the whole thing and start fresh. She already hooked me up with a local designer. Trey Mattson, I think is his name. I’m meeting with him after the holidays.”