The Wedding Promise

by Thomas Kinkade

  “Good.” He turned to go, then looked back at her. “I like your hair like that. It suits you.”

  She felt her face get warm, an instant reaction to his compliment. “Thanks. I couldn’t do much with it today,” she admitted.

  “Some women don’t need to do much,” he noted with a smile. “See you later.”

  Liza wasn’t sure what to say. But she did know how she’d wear her hair when they went out tonight.

  Daniel took off, and Liza stood a moment, wondering what had just happened. Had Daniel just asked her out on a real date? They’d hung out together, shared meals, even visited Daisy Winkler’s tearoom in the village center. But those almost-dates had all been by chance, never initiated by a premeditated invitation on Daniel’s part—or her own.

  Liza was just getting used to the idea of being divorced. She had separated from her husband, Jeff, in the early winter, after discovering he’d been unfaithful to her. Their divorce was finalized in March, about the same time she came to the island to settle her aunt’s estate. She’d been confused about nearly everything in her life then, but coming out to the island had helped her see things clearly. Jeff had made one last attempt to get back together, surprising her by showing up at the inn. But Liza knew in her bones that ending their marriage was the right decision for her. And staying on the island had definitely helped heal her battered heart.

  Was she ready to date again? Well . . . not just anyone. But Daniel wasn’t just anyone, and dinner and a movie didn’t seem like such a great leap.

  But it was definitely a real date, and Liza felt an unfamiliar excitement, like standing in line for a roller-coaster ride.

  THE movie theater in Cape Light was small and old-fashioned looking, complete with a balcony and amber glass light fixtures that slowly dimmed as the film began. Though there were plenty of seats, Liza and Daniel decided to sit in the balcony, just because it was fun.

  The story got off to a quick start and was very suspenseful. The main character, living an ordinary life in a small town, had a secret past and finally the criminal ties from his past began to catch up with him.

  Liza found herself totally drawn into the story, hardly aware of Daniel sitting so close to her. Well . . . less aware than she thought she would be.

  She took a moment to glance at him, secretly studying his shadowed profile. He really was very handsome. But more than that, she just liked who he was inside, his sharp intelligence and quick, warm wit. The way he listened to her. Even the way he teased her. She just liked . . . him.

  When he slipped an arm around her shoulders, she easily relaxed against him. It felt good. It felt right. Were they moving into a new stage in their relationship?

  Ready or not, she hoped so.

  When the film was over they walked down Main Street toward the harbor. There weren’t that many choices for dinner in the village, but they both liked the Beanery, a café that had practically scandalized the town years back with its modern coffee bar. But it also served good, simple food and stayed open late. Late for Cape Light, that was, Liza realized as they walked inside.

  The place was practically empty, except for a few tables up front, near the coffee bar, where a group of teenagers took up a few tables. They had books and laptop computers out and were probably supposed to be studying but were talking and teasing each other.

  “I guess this is one of the few places kids can hang out around here, except for the library,” Liza said as they sat down. “It must be hard to grow up in a small town.”

  “It is,” Daniel agreed.

  Liza knew he hadn’t grown up here, but she didn’t know much beyond that.

  “What were you like when you were a teenager? I picture you as one of the cool kids, an athlete probably. Right?”

  He flashed a smile and shook his head. “I went out for track and cross-country. But I wasn’t a real jock. And I wasn’t one of the cool kids, whatever that means.”

  “Ah, a runner. I can picture that.” Liza nodded, glancing at her menu, but something in his tone made her wonder if maybe Daniel was still running—though from what, she couldn’t guess.

  “What were you like, Liza? I’m picturing a very social type. Not in the crowd with the snobby girls, but someone who got along with everyone. School newspaper or the yearbook? Student council?”

  She laughed at his perceptive guess. “You’re good. I was on the yearbook, art and design. And I did run for class secretary in my junior year. My guidance counselor said it would look good on my college applications.”

  “Class secretary? I’m impressed.”

  She laughed at his mocking expression. She could tell he was anything but. “You make it sound so corny. I hung out in the art room, too. That was pretty cool.”

  “I never said you weren’t cool, Liza. I think you’re very cool. I was the nerdy type. Big science geek.”

  “Really? That’s surprising. . . . Not that I have any doubts about your intelligence,” she added quickly.

  He was, in fact, one of the most intelligent men she’d met in a long time, and she could tell he was well read and knowledgeable about a wide range of subjects.

  “But I just don’t see you as hanging out in the lab, working on your science-fair project.”

  “Well, think again. Second prize in my junior year. I probably still have the ribbon and certificate somewhere. Or maybe my dad does,” he added with a laugh. “He likes to save all that stuff.”

  “That’s sweet,” Liza said. “Do your parents still live up in Maine? I don’t think you ever said.”

  “Not anymore, no,” he said, suddenly staring down at his menu. “What are you having? Did you decide yet?”

  “I’m going to have the salad with grilled chicken. Maybe I should have guessed about your secret past as a science geek,” she added, turning the conversation back to his past again. “I mean, since you volunteer at the medical clinic. Did you ever think of going in that direction for a career?”

  He glanced at her, looking uneasy. She sensed she’d hit on a sensitive topic and was suddenly sorry. He quickly shook his head. “Nope, wasn’t for me. I didn’t like school that much.”

  His tone was light and joking, but she also heard a note of tension.

  Before she could reply, his hand shot up, signaling to their waitress. “Let’s order. I’m starved,” he said. “How about you, hungry?”

  Liza nodded and didn’t say anything more.

  She was hungry, but even more than that, curious now about what she’d said or done that had broken their relaxed mood. So, he hadn’t been interested in college, even though he’d been a self described science geek in high school. That didn’t seem logical, but she sensed that if she asked him more about it right now, he would dodge the question. He was good at that.

  Liza suddenly realized that she had a list of things she wanted to ask him. Over the past few weeks she had come to see that it was easy to talk with Daniel about any subject at all—except himself.

  While they waited for their order, the conversation moved on to more familiar ground, mainly, the renovations on the inn. Liza knew it was going to take time to get the place back to its former glory, but the possibility of holding a wedding in a month had suddenly raised the stakes.

  “I’m worried about what Mrs. Bennet will say when she takes the grand tour tomorrow,” Liza admitted as she took a bite of her salad.

  “Well, if she points out some problems that really get under her skin, make a list of her priorities and I’ll see if we can at least patch things up in time for the big day. I can do some cosmetic sort of fixing. The place only has to look good for a few hours, right? Who cares if a ceiling or two caves in or a few doors fly off their hinges after that, right?”

  Liza held back her laughter. “You mean, like tossing all the dirty clothes in the closet when unexpected company comes? That sort of quick fixing?”

  “Exactly.” Daniel had ordered a large, juicy cheeseburger that came with a pile of thin, crisp fries
and another pile of coleslaw. It looked so good, Liza almost regretted her guilt-free salad.

  “So, how did you like the movie?” Daniel asked between bites. “As good as the reviews claimed?”

  “I thought it was even better. I would have never guessed the ending. I thought the wife was going to turn him in for sure.”

  “Really? I didn’t. I could tell she was the loyal type.”

  Liza nodded. “Despite the fact that he’d been lying to her for years. But maybe she just wanted to believe him all that time. Even though the signs were there,” she added.

  “Maybe. The film really didn’t make that very clear.”

  “No, it didn’t,” Liza agreed. She took another bite of salad. “So, how did you go from science-fair winner to ace carpenter? That seems quite a jump.”

  He looked surprised by her question, his eyes widening as he bit into his burger. “Oh, I don’t know,” he managed. “I worked on construction jobs in college, to help my folks with the tuition. So that’s how I learned the trade. After I graduated, I tried . . . the more conventional jobs. But that didn’t work out for me. So I went back to something I knew and enjoyed doing.”

  His answer was vague, as usual.

  He was an amazing carpenter, and Liza knew that he took pleasure and pride in his work. But she also had a strong feeling that Daniel had started with a different ambition and plan for his life.

  “What types of jobs did you try after college? Did you work in an office? A corporate kind of setting?”

  He looked across the table at her and didn’t answer for a moment. “Not corporate, not exactly. . . . It doesn’t really matter, does it?”

  She could tell he was annoyed now, pushing her back.

  Liza felt a bit stung. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to pry. It’s just that, you seem to know everything about me. Where I grew up, what I did for a living before I came here. You knew my aunt. You met my brother and nephew. You even met my ex-husband,” she added with a small laugh, trying to lighten the mood. “But I feel as if I don’t know much about you at all, Daniel . . . and I want to,” she added.

  He glanced across the table at her. He didn’t look irritated anymore but still seemed troubled. “I’m sorry. I don’t like to talk about myself much. It’s just the way I am.”

  “Sure, I understand.” Liza took a sip of her water, thinking that she didn’t understand at all.

  “Would you like anything else—dessert? Coffee or tea?” he asked.

  “I’m fine, thanks.” Liza forced a smile. “I’m ready to go if you are. The Bennets are coming pretty early.”

  “Sure. I’ll get the check.” Daniel signaled to the waitress, and Liza reached for her sweater, wondering if she had just ruined everything.

  THEY drove home in silence, riding across the land bridge that seemed to float on the dark waves of Cape Light harbor, connecting the mainland with Angel Island.

  This time, it felt like an uneasy silence, not a comfortable one. Liza knew Daniel was upset. Had she pushed him away just as their relationship was progressing? Her panic at that thought made her realize how much she cared for him and how awful it would be if she’d really messed everything up tonight.

  “Well, here we are,” Daniel said as he pulled up in front of the inn. He leaned toward her to look at the inn through the window on her side of the truck’s cab.

  “It looks pretty good in this light,” he joked. “Why don’t you tell Mrs. Bennet to come after dark?”

  “Good idea. Why didn’t I think of that?” Liza turned to him, feeling relieved that he’d found his sense of humor again. She smiled at him and he smiled back very slowly.

  Then he took her hand and looked down at it held in his own. “I’m sorry we ended the night on a bad note. But I had a great time with you, Liza. I hope you’re not upset or anything?”

  Liza was so relieved to hear his apology, she didn’t even wait for him to finish. “No, I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have been so . . . pushy or something, asking you all those questions. It wasn’t even polite. I guess, I just care about you and I want to know you better,” she admitted. “But I’ll never bug you about it again. You can tell me more when you feel like it—or never.”

  “I will tell you, sometime,” he promised. “I’m just a very private person, and I don’t like talking about the past. It’s nothing personal,” he assured her. “Can you have some patience with me?”

  When he looked at her that way, it was hard for her to refuse him anything.

  Of course she could have patience with him. Not a problem.

  “I understand. . . . I mean, I’m trying to,” she said finally.

  “I’m trying, too.” He cupped her cheek with his hand and smiled into her eyes, then pulled her close for a sweet, tender kiss.

  Liza closed her eyes and kissed him back. Sometimes words can take you just so far, she thought.

  It felt so good to be close to him like this. Maybe he hadn’t told her every last detail about his life, but she felt closer to him now than ever.

  Chapter Four

  THE next morning Liza woke up before her alarm went off. She lay in bed, thinking about her date with Daniel—how it had gone so well, then so badly, then much better again. Pretty much an emotional roller coaster. He might as well have taken her to an amusement park, she thought with a little smile.

  But she loved being with him, even when they weren’t on the same page. She hadn’t dated in so long, she had forgotten about the ups and downs. They had managed to navigate that rough water, and that was a good sign, she thought.

  The alarm clock finally rang, reminding her it was time to get up and prepare for the Bennets.

  She jumped in the shower, wondering what to wear. Something professional looking, she thought, but not too somber or serious. This wasn’t a boardroom presentation for a million-dollar client. It was about a wedding at a country inn.

  She quickly found a long graceful skirt, a flowered pattern on a field of dark blue, and a matching blue top with a rounded neckline.

  She put on a pair of small pearl earrings and decided to wear her hair swept up again. Along with the earrings, it did make her look more responsible, she thought. “When in doubt, wear pearls,” her mother used to say.

  When she went down to the kitchen, Claire was putting on some coffee. She turned as Liza walked in. “You look very nice, Liza. Very polished.”

  “Thanks, Claire. Would you let me plan your wedding?” Liza asked playfully.

  “Absolutely. Though I’m sure you’ll find plenty of customers who are more likely prospects for a wedding.”

  “Oh, you never know.” Liza tried to catch Claire’s eye, but the housekeeper wouldn’t look at her.

  Claire was another mysterious personality, come to think of it. A lot like Daniel. Maybe it was something in the water around here, Liza thought.

  The only difference was that when Liza had asked Claire if she’d ever been married, Claire had answered directly and simply. “Yes, I was. For twenty-three years.”

  But beyond that, she had not offered any detail, and Liza had felt awkward asking for more. Liza wasn’t sure if Claire was divorced or widowed, though for some reason, she tended to think it was the latter.

  She did know that Claire was one of a handful of hardy, native islanders. Most of the full-time residents, like Daniel and Audrey, were not. Claire had once told her that her father had been a fisherman, and she’d been raised on the other side of the island, in a fishermen’s colony, one of three children.

  Marion Doyle had told Liza that Claire’s family tree dated back to colonial times and the legend of the angels.

  Claire did seem to have a protective, healing way about her—almost angelic, Liza would say. So the silly bit of gossip did make some sense.

  “Are you nervous?” Claire asked, calling Liza back from her wandering thoughts. “You don’t seem to be.”

  “I thought I would be nervous, but I’m not,” Liza said honestly. “I have the
event plan to show them and a good caterer to suggest and a ballpark figure of what it will cost.” She shrugged and took a cup of coffee. “What will be, will be, I guess.”

  Claire stared at her a second, looking as if Liza had stolen her line. Then she gave a pleased smile. “Exactly,” she said. “That’s just what I was thinking.”

  JENNIFER Bennet and her mother, Sylvia, arrived exactly on time. Liza was ready and waiting for them. She’d taken extra care to clean up her little office area in the corner of the sitting room, hiding it from view with the wooden screen her aunt had hand painted. She also brought in a vase of flowers from the garden, forsythia mostly, which was suddenly in bloom.

  Right after breakfast Liza had checked all the rooms on the first and second floors, knowing Mrs. Bennet would want a full tour. Claire was always cleaning, so Liza had no fear on that score. But there was some necessary pillow fluffing and curtain adjustments. She also had a pad and pencil handy, ready to jot down notes about special requests and emergency repairs. She had a feeling the list would be a long one.

  As they worked through the usual greetings, Liza showed the Bennets into the sitting room. Jennifer sat beside her mother on a love seat, and Liza took an armchair.

  Sylvia Bennet was the image of her daughter in looks. But Liza could tell, just by her expression as she gazed around the inn, she was the opposite in disposition.

  “Well, here we are,” Sylvia announced. She glanced at the slim gold watch at her wrist. “We know you must be very busy, Ms. Martin, and we don’t want to take up too much of your time. We also have appointments at a few other places in the area.”

  Jennifer turned her head and glared at her mother. Sylvia shrugged. “Well, we do. Ms. Martin must realize we have to make the rounds, see what’s what—”

  “Call me Liza. Please,” Liza cut in while Jennifer gave her mother another embarrassed glare.

  “My mother is making the rounds. I already know what’s what.”

  Liza just smiled. Molly had already warned her that at this type of meeting, the bride and her parents might be going off in different directions. Liza chose to ignore the mixed signals and plowed ahead.