Summer's Belle

by Paige Winship Dooly

  “I have, dear. I told you when you first came, and I’ll tell again. Your arrival here made my life complete. I’m so thrilled to be able to take care of you, fuss over y’all, and show you off.”

  Allie wandered in with a scowl on her face. “I feel huge.”

  Brit tried not to laugh. Allie did indeed look farther along than she really was in the long baggy dress. “It’s for the cause, sis.”

  “I know.” She made a face.

  The doorbell rang, and the kids tripped over each other on their way to see who it was.

  “I’m not riding Matt’s motorcycle in this getup.”

  “I wouldn’t expect you to.” Gram put the final hairpin in place and spun Brit around to look at her reflection. “I hear he’s arranged special transport for everyone.”

  Brit barely registered the words. She didn’t recognize herself. The image staring back at her looked surreal. Like someone who looked like Brit was going as a princess to a ball.

  “Britty, your handsome prince is here!” Noelle called up the stairs. “And come see what he brought us!”

  Brit’s reflection blushed and Gram laughed.

  They headed down the stairs and out onto the front porch. Two carriages complete with horses and drivers sat waiting at the bottom of the stairs. They all found a seat and headed down the road.

  “What do you think?” Matt asked. He looked handsome as ever with his dark hair slicked back from his forehead and gelled into place. He wore his usual day-off attire of blue jeans and worn cowboy boots. A white dress shirt with the sleeves rolled up to his elbows set off his tan skin. A tapestry vest with various hues that matched Brit’s dress completed his look.

  “I think that you look very handsome and that someone collaborated with you so we’d match.”

  “Thank you, and you’re correct. But what do you think about the horse and carriage?”

  She leaned against his shoulder. “I love it.”

  The church grounds and the park across the street were already teaming with people. Craft booths circled the edges of the park. All proceeds would be donated to the center. Food tents flanked both edges of the park. A center stage sat opposite the church at the base of the gently sloping hill. Families had blankets spread across the grassy slope so they could see the stage. The local dance school had little girls on stage who were barely older than Noelle.

  “They’re cute.” Brit beamed.

  Matt agreed.

  “I’m up after the dancers are finished. We better get over there.”

  The carriage pulled to a stop just behind the stage. Matt helped Brit down. “You have plenty of time.” They walked over to the stage as a group. Gram and the judge took the younger kids to the blankets that had been reserved for them at the front.

  “I’m nervous. I know I get up and thank everyone for coming. Then I draw the names for the morning’s gift basket winners for the raffle.”

  “You’ll do fine.”

  The event started earlier in the morning, but Brit hadn’t been needed for her part until later in the day. They’d decided it would be best to go around noon. Caleb had control of the morning events, and others would fill in later in the afternoon and evening.

  The music died down, and Brit smiled up at Matt. He leaned down to give her a light kiss.

  A line of little dancers trickled past. The announcer introduced Brit. She stepped onto the stage, glad to see that most everyone in the audience had come in costume.

  “I’m so glad so many of you could make it. I appreciate that everyone in the community—and from the looks of it, many others from neighboring communities—pulled together to make this event a great success.”

  Someone ran up the stairs and handed Brit a photo. She looked at it, and tears blurred her vision. “Wow. I’ve just been given a photo of the baby shower gifts at the front of the church. The entire stage is covered, and the gifts line the steps leading up to the stage and every seat in the choir loft.”

  Dozens of packs of diapers, wipes, toys, necessities, and clothes covered the front of the church. The two screens on either side of Brit showed a similar picture. The crowd stood up and cheered.

  “I also want to take this moment to introduce the two newest members of the Lullaby Landing team. Josie and Cameron? Can you join me on stage for a moment?”

  She recited their merits to the attendees and explained their positions with the center. “Please, when you see them around the grounds today, take the time to introduce yourselves and welcome them to town.”

  The two women hurried down the steps.

  Brady ran up the stairs with a bucket in his hand. “Here’s the tickets for the raffle, Britty.”

  He glanced at the audience, and his eyes grew huge. He ran back down the steps and snuggled close to Gram. Brit almost lost it. The move had been good for him. For them all. She exchanged a smile with her grandmother.

  “I’d like to call my helpers up for this next part.” She motioned for Noelle and Skye to join her on stage. “They’ll take turns drawing the names as we announce each prize that’s up for grabs.”

  Sam and Allie took turns carrying the items up onto the stage, and then after the drawing they walked out to hand the person their prize. After the last raffle for the morning batch was drawn, Brit thanked the guests for coming and started down the side steps.

  Matt met her at the bottom and drew her into a hug. “You were a natural. Did you think when you left Atlanta that you’d be doing something like this? And not just doing it, but doing it with such presence and charisma?”

  “Oh stop!” Brit laughed.

  “I’m serious. You were born to do what you just did.”

  The announcer interrupted the conversation. “It’s now time to announce our newest Summer’s Belle.”

  Brit smiled. “The Summer’s Belle. The town votes on Miss Lullaby, right?”

  Matt laughed at her description. “Pretty much. Everyone votes for their favorite belle of the ball, so to speak. The winner gets a prize basket, all types of services for a year, and they represent the community at town events. The senior class is in charge of this event.”

  “How fun!” Brit tugged at him. “C’mon. I want a good view of the winner.”

  “We can see fine from here.” He wrapped his arms around her, and she rested her back against his chest.

  Judge Jim stepped onto the stage. “We had a fierce competition for our Summer’s Belle position this year. Though many names were entered as candidates, one name pulled away from the pack. The winner is usually someone who serves the town with pride. They’re a good citizen.”

  “Thanks to the ticket you gave me, that leaves me out of the competition.” Brit laughed.

  Matt rolled his eyes.

  “Our Belle this year has won the heart of most everyone in town. What she lacks in stature, she gains in charisma.” He turned and winked at Matt. Brit smiled. “Without further ado, I want to crown Miss Britney Hart as our newest Summer’s Belle.”

  Brit smiled and glanced around, looking for the lucky winner. All eyes were focused on her.

  “Wait a minute.” She turned to look at Matt. “What did he just say?”

  “You won, honey. Traffic violation and all. Get up there and accept your crown.”

  “But—”

  Matt placed his hands on her shoulders. The crowd began to chant. “Brit. Brit. Brit.”

  “I didn’t enter.”

  “You didn’t have to. Your people have spoken. You’ve captured a lot of hearts.”

  Brit retraced her steps to the stage. Tears blurred her vision. Jim pulled her into his steady embrace. “You did good, young’un.”

  He motioned for Matt to join them. Matt walked over and placed the crown on her head. Brit wiped at her tears, not sure that anything could surpass this moment. Caleb walked forward with a huge gift arrangement in his arms.

  “As you all know, the position of Summer’s Belle comes complete with prizes and obligations. Brit, are yo
u willing to accept the position you’ve been given?”

  “Yes, of course. I’m flattered. Thank you.”

  “Okay.” He turned to Matt. “Matt, you know what to do.”

  Matt took her arm and escorted her from the stage. Caleb set the gift basket down and pulled her into a bear hug when she hit the bottom step. “Congratulations, Brit. You deserve it.”

  “Thank you, Caleb.”

  “I know your head is probably spinning, but I’d like to offer you the full-time position as director of Lullaby Landing, too.”

  “Really?” Brit didn’t think she could handle many more surprises. “I’m not sure I can—”

  “You’ve earned the position, Brit.”

  “If you’re sure.” She glanced over at Matt, not able to conceal her excitement.

  “I’m happy for you, Brit. And for me, too.” Matt took her arm and pulled her away from the crowd. “How about a quiet ride around the lake in the carriage? I think you could use some time to regroup and let your head stop spinning. Caleb, can you put that basket in your office for now?”

  Caleb nodded and left to do as Matt had asked.

  “I can’t believe what a perfect day this has been. I never imagined. It’s like God brought me home and has me right where He wants me.”

  “I think He has and He does.” Matt laughed.

  “This allows me to continue building a relationship with Gram.” She smiled up at him.

  “And I hope you’ll consider building a permanent relationship with me, too.” Matt whispered the words for her ears only.

  “I’d love to. That’s the best request I’ve heard all day.”

  Matt leaned down and sealed the deal with a kiss.

  About the Author

  PAIGE WINSHIP DOOLY is the author of over twenty books and novellas, with four more books due out in the next year. She enjoys living in the coastal Deep South with her family, after having grown up in the sometimes extremely cold Midwest. She is happily married to her high school sweetheart and loves their life of adventure in a full house with six homeschooled children and a dog.

  A note from the Author:

  I love to hear from my readers! You may correspond with me by writing:

  Paige Winship Dooly

  Author Relations

  PO Box 721

  Uhrichsville, OH 44683