by Barbara Lohr
“So, sugga, is that smile saying that your fiancé isn’t that incapacitated?” Julep’s hearty chuckle was rich with unspoken innuendo.
Cheeks flaring, Harper took a long, cool gulp of her lemonade. “Let’s just say some parts of Cameron are definitely not broken.”
They both laughed until Harper was wiping tears from her eyes. Glancing around at the coastal paradise the Tuckers had created, she said, “Oh, Julep. I could stay here all day. Your place is so peaceful. All ferns and tropical flowers.”
Julep looked around with satisfaction. “Tuck and I did it together. That’s what made it fun, at least for me.”
“You haven’t been to Cameron’s house yet, but it’s very Old South, at least to me.” She wrinkled her nose.
“Why? Has the furniture been in Cameron’s family for years?”
“No. Not at all. As it turned out, the furniture is from shops. I guess the pieces represent what Cameron thought he should have. All very stiff and formal.” How did she explain Cameron’s need to belong and his chaotic first marriage? Maybe because they were both so young, his first wife had an affair with his best friend. “Cameron lived on the outskirts. Tuck grew up part of the inner circle and it shows.”
“Landed gentry, my dear,” Julep drawled. She could pile on the southern charm when called upon. Their chuckles morphed into hilarious laughter. How Harper needed Julep’s high spirits and her friendship. Sure she had McKenna, but she was far away. And Adam was invaluable, but it felt good to have a woman friend about her age and just starting out.
When they quieted down, the more serious issues replayed in Harper’s mind. “Oh Julep, he hates the whole broken foot thing. And my guess is, he’s not following the doctor’s orders. When I’m not right there, he probably doesn’t use his crutches. With the wedding and everything... We just have so much to do.”
“How’s that coming?” Slinging her feet onto the hassock, Julep sat back.
“Fine, I guess.” She tried to sort through McKenna’s message. “My older sister feels that my mother is getting older. Letting her handle the wedding details might not have been the best idea. She did have a bout with cancer last winter.”
Choking, Julep sat up. “A bout? Jumping Jehoshaphat, Harper, what the heck?”
“I know. Don’t get too excited.” Harper held up one hand. After all, Julep was having a baby. “Because I have firemen and healthcare workers in my family, we deal with serious stuff all the time. My mom’s doing great, but I’m not there to help. At first, her offer made a Chicago wedding workable. But now, I don’t know.”
Grabbing her tall glass, Julep settled back against the palm-patterned cushions. “A wedding can be draining. Don’t suppose you’d consider eloping?”
“My mother would never forgive me. McKenna was married in Santa Fe. Seth came as close as possible with his church wedding in Oak Park last summer. But he’s a son. I’m the second and last girl. I’m just doing what’s r-right.”
There she was. Crying. And for no reason.
“There now, sugga.” Whisking over to her side and settling like a deflated air balloon, Julep rubbed her back. “Do you think she’d use a wedding planner?”
Harper shook her head. When she thought of her family’s modest brick bungalow in Oak Park, she almost laughed. “That’s not quite our lifestyle. My folks want to take care of this themselves. My dad’s very old-fashioned that way.”
Julep gave her shoulders a little shake. “Oh lordy. From what I hear, weddings have gone through the roof, and Savannah is not a town that takes to moderation. I imagine Chicago is even worse. I have to admit, I wish I could be there. Just hate to miss seeing you walk down that aisle, looking so gorgeous.” Rising to her feet, she ambled back to her chair.
Actually, Harper felt the same. Her friends here had become so important. And her marriage to Cameron was rooted in Savannah. “I know. Adam made his flight reservation but that’s about it. Cameron’s own family can’t or won’t come.” A frown found her face. “The snow, you know. Chicago can be beastly cold in December. If it does snow, it’s often a major storm that paralyzes the city.”
Julep’s eyes widened until they resembled the spearmint leaves floating in her seltzer. “Sounds absolutely terrifying.”
“Right. It can be. I haven’t dealt with it in years,” Harper said, thinking back. “But when I was growing up, our sidewalk always needed shoveling. The cars had to be dug out. The boys took care of that. When we took Bella home for Christmas last year, we had a major storm. Cameron couldn’t get over it. Driving was hazardous on those snow-packed roads. I think he was glad we had a rental car and not one of his darlings.”
Sitting in the sun on Tybee Island, such wintry chaos didn’t seem possible. December might bring a low of forty-five degrees in Georgia, and the wind could whisk across the marsh and nip your ears. But you’d never need boots or a heavy coat and scarf.
Julep’s chuckle bounced off the windows that glassed in this lovely porch. “So tell me again, why are you getting married in your hometown? You’re a grown woman now.”
Her stomach twisted. “I know. Crazy, right? Maybe Cameron’s family has a point.” She slid her plate onto the glass coffee table.
“I know how in-laws can be. Why, Tuck’s mama can really dig in her heels. She wants us there for Christmas but I just don’t know.”
Somehow, it felt comforting to hear that other women had family trouble. “We’ll talk to them on Thanksgiving. Hopefully they’ll reconsider.”
“Maybe so. I mean, after all, this is a wedding.”
“I know. Almost seems like bad luck, getting married without both families there.” Harper checked the time on her phone. She had to get going.
“But they are his family.” Looking thoughtful, Julep circled her rounded tummy with one hand. It looked like she was stroking her unborn baby, and something warm unfurled in Harper’s own stomach.
“How are you feeling, Julep? Everything okay?”
Her full lips tilted upward. “Just dandy, darlin’. At least I’m past the morning sickness and that exhausted feeling.”
“Yeah, my sister said the same thing. She’s expecting in February.” The whole pregnancy thing was a mystery to Harper. “Can you feel the baby move?”
“Oh, you bet.” Wiggling closer, she took Harper’s hand and guided it to her stomach.
Curious, Harper waited, fingers stretched over Julep’s warm rounded tummy. And then it came––a little bump under her hand that startled her. “How precious.”
“The baby’s been active this morning. Maybe it’s excited about your wedding too.” Eyes wide, Julep waited, smiling when another bump came.
“I’ll be darned, Julep. I sure felt something. Thank you.” The moment felt so intimate. Feeling humbled and privileged, she settled back in her chair. Julep sat there soothing her unborn baby, or so it seemed.
“What about you and Cameron, Harper?” Julep asked. “Are you hoping to have a family?’
“Oh, we have Bella.” Jumping up, Harper began to gather up her samples. “So you don’t mind the lime and aqua color combination?”
Getting up, Julep pressed a hand into her back. “Not at all. Love it, and I’ll gladly accept any other ideas you have floating around in that creative head of yours that Georgina or Brittany don’t want.”
“Done. See ya. And have a wonderful Thanksgiving.”
Rolling her eyes, Julep said, “Yeah well, I’m going back to Vidalia. My one concession to his family. Since mine is long gone, I’m short of good excuses.” Harper found it so sad that Julep had lost both her parents when she was in college. Leading the way, Julep strolled through the sunlit kitchen and into the wide hallway leading to her massive front door.
“How long will you stay? After all, we’re decorating our clients’ homes this weekend, and I did promise everything would be up for the holidays.”
“Don’t be ridiculous, Harper. You have your hands full with those two Savannah hellions.
You just bring your holiday cheer over after I get back. How does that sounds?”
“Girl, you really are a friend.” Hugging Julep’s motherly wonderfulness, Harper realized this was why she stayed in Savannah. The majority of people were laid back and generous, like Julep. Unfortunately, she lived a half hour away. “Wish you lived closer. I’d like to have you right over my back fence.”
“Me too.” Julep hugged her back. “But at least I’m not in Vidalia. Then we wouldn’t even have met.”
Backing out of Julep’s driveway, Harper waved goodbye. She hated to leave her. But all the way back to Savannah, Julep’s words about the family stayed with her. Granted she didn’t know Esther, Cameron’s mother, well at all. The crotchety woman had been terrible to Bella at Cameron’s father’s funeral. But since then, Esther and Lily, Cameron’s sister, had come to visit. Mostly short stays, but they’d come.
“How did it go, sweet thing?” Cameron greeted her when she came through the back door, dragging her portfolios with her.
“Great. We’re set to decorate at Georgina’s on Friday and Brittany’s on Saturday. And don’t get up.”
But he was already teetering onto his feet. And she sure wasn’t going to turn down that hug.
Checking a list she’d set on the counter, Connie said. “Now, I’ve ordered your Thanksgiving dinner from Publix. You just have to pick it up.”
“That I can handle.” Kind of embarrassing. But with everything that was going on, Harper couldn’t even think of cooking a turkey, whipping up mashed potatoes––everything that went into a Thanksgiving dinner. She’d never learned how to do that. Queen of the kitchen, her mother always took care of meals, especially the holidays.
Looking up, she found Cameron watching her. “Hey, what’s going on?”
Crooking a finger, she led him into the TV room. Bella was still at school, and Harper would have to leave in a few minutes to pick her up. As they sat down on the sofa, Harper couldn’t help but think how absolutely darling Cameron looked in those soft but sexy track pants and T-shirt. She thoroughly approved of his new uniform, glad he hadn’t scheduled any meetings at City Hall. “How was work?” she asked, putting her own concerns aside.
Facing her with his right leg propped on the coffee table, Cameron began to play with her fingers. “Fine. Now let’s talk about you and why you look so worried.”
That was so Cameron. Always putting her first.
“Cameron, it’s about your family.”
The finger play stopped. “What have they done now?”
“Oh no. Nothing.” She cupped his hand with both of hers. “It’s just that, well, I hope we can convince them to come for the wedding.”
The mixed feelings Cameron held for his family flickered across his features. “But why? I’m sorry, darlin’. But why is that so dang important?”
At moments like this, it felt like they were from two different countries, not two different cities. “Because they’re family and we’re getting married. We need to bring our families together.” The sight of Julep in her maternal bliss unfolded inside her like a peony in spring, rich and fragrant.
His features had set, rigid as the stone ledge around the side yard. Sometimes her man could be stubborn. “But I’m not a Blodgett.”
“Oh, come on, Cameron.” His denial was about as blasphemous as her declaring that she wasn’t a Kirkpatrick, which would never ever happen. “You may have changed your name, Cameron, but you are your family until the day you die. At least, that’s how I see it. And families stick together. Celebrate together. Go through hard times—”
“Together, I get the picture. You’re sounding like a Hallmark card.”
Laughing, she caught that stubborn chin in her fingers. “Cameron, you look just like Bella when you pull that face.” Capturing her hand, he brushed a kiss across her fingertips. One touch of his lips, and she was a goner. If Connie hadn’t been in the other room, she’d be stretched out on that green sofa, and they wouldn’t be watching TV. For now, she just snuggled closer and brought one knee up onto his lap.
“Please,” she whispered against his lips.
His eyes swung to the door. “Oh, sugga, I would but Connie’s in the next room.”
Coasting the back of her hand across his stubble, she smiled. “Not that and you know it. Please encourage your mother and sister to come celebrate our wedding. Okay?”
Cameron brought her hand flat onto his chest. She felt his heart beat strong and steady. Breathed in the heat he exhaled. Then he nodded. “Okay. Whatever you say, darlin’.”
But although Cameron tried and tried when they spoke to his family on Thanksgiving Day, his mother would not budge. “Now son, I wish we could accommodate you. I really do. But that’s a long way for an old woman.”
Cameron had the call on speakerphone and Harper watched his face flush with frustration. She jumped in. “Mrs. Blodgett? We’d really like to have you here to witness the wedding.” Now, that sounded lame but Esther had never said, “Call me Mom.”
Harper’s mother Maureen had told Cameron to call her Mom last spring when they were at McKenna’s wedding. Esther? Totally different story. It might take ten years before she ever made that request of Harper. No use waiting for it. Esther was Mrs. Blodgett and that was that.
“Harper, I’m sure there will be many witnesses. No need in us dragging ourselves up to the hinterlands just to sit in a cold church.” Stern and disciplined, Esther lacked warmth. Maybe the stark conditions of her life did that to her. Cameron had told Harper that their father had made life hard for the whole family.
Blinking back tears, Harper drew in a shaky breath. She couldn’t even look at Cameron. Hinterlands? Was it worth it to try to bring families that were so very different together for their Christmas wedding? Running one hand up Cameron’s arm as they bent over the cell phone, Harper felt the tension in his body. Watched him try every verbal tactic to sway his mother. But Esther was immovable, and Harper sure hoped this stubbornness wasn’t hereditary. By the time they said goodbye, nothing had changed.
“Sorry, darlin. I tried.” Cameron kissed her, wiped the dampness from her cheeks. “Are you crying? Please don’t.”
“Your mother just makes me crazy.” She reached for a tissue.
The disappointment stayed with her all weekend. Thanksgiving passed quietly, nice but uneventful. Friday was her day to spend at the Darlingtons. Even while she arranged pine branches and candied red apples on the mantles, and Cameron’s crew strung garlands over arches in the Darlington home, her heart remained heavy. But the work kept her mind occupied, and the Darlingtons were more than satisfied.
The cheerful plaid theme at the Bedfords the next day didn’t even lift Harper’s spirits. Brittany’s effusive gratitude pleased her, and it was hard earned. The home did look spectacular by the time Harper left with the crew. Every door, mantle, banister and bathroom could have been plucked from a department store window. Brittany Bedford had tears in her eyes when she waved good-bye. But Harper still had a heavy heart.
Christmas was bearing down on her, bringing the wedding with it. This was the day every girl wishes for, the day she’ll marry the man of her dreams. Cameron Bennett was all that and more. But something was missing. Something just was not right.
That weekend, Cameron insisted on taking them down to Broughton Street to see the decorations. He had worked so hard on this area with his fellow developers and the city council, and he was rightfully proud. Harper tried to smile. Oh, he said it was for Bella, but in her heart, Harper knew he was trying to lighten her spirits. He’d rather be on the sofa, leg up on the coffee table. Crutches under each arm, he really shouldn’t be walking. For his sake and Bella’s, she tried to be appreciative. But she knew the circles shadowing Cameron’s eyes darkened her face as well. How she wished it was one month from now. The Christmas season would be behind her and she would be Cameron’s wife.
That Sunday night her mother called. And that changed everything.
&
nbsp; Chapter 10
“I’m afraid I have bad news,” Harper’s mother began in a hesitant voice. This sure didn’t sound good.
Harper’s chest tightened. Her resilient mother wasn’t sounding like her cheerful self. “What is it? Is it Dad?” Sitting next to her, Cameron clicked the TV off.
“No, dear. We’re all fine. It’s just that a pipe broke at the Weatherby Mansion over the weekend. They didn’t find it until this morning.”
“Oh no.” This was absolutely the last straw. The Weatherby Mansion was a dream house. Dating back to the 1800s, it had been redone in classic furnishings and was fabulous for special occasions.
“Having the wedding there is out of the question. The poor owners. The were booked solid for December. Worst of all, the water ruined the period furniture. It’s devastating from what they told me. I’m so sorry, honey.”
“Oh, Mom. What now?” As soon as they solved one problem, another one reared its ugly head.
Cameron’s arm tightened around her. “Whatever it is, we’ll manage,” he said in an undertone.
“Your father and I will start phoning tomorrow,” her mother continued, swinging right into her practical Reenie mood but sounding a bit frayed at the edges. “Of course, many places will be booked. But maybe there will be a cancellation. All is not lost. McKenna is taking part of the list and so is Selena.”
“But it’s Christmas. The busiest time of the year.”
“Plans change. Let’s just see what we can turn up.”
“All right, Mom, but I hate to put you to all this work.” She felt absolutely helpless. Luckily, Cameron’s arm around her shoulders let her know she wasn’t alone in this.
When her mother had gone full steam ahead on this wedding, they sure didn’t envision all the hurdles that would be thrown in their way. Cameron’s accident, his family’s resistance and now this.
After the conversation ended, Harper felt bleak. “So with one hundred and twenty of my parents closest friends and my family... We’re left without a place for the reception.”