Her Lifelong Dream

by Judy Kouzel

  "You're luckier than any of the others," Jo Anne noted.

  "Not that there were that many. I guess since she had already given you her blessing, she's not going to change her mind now. Once Deanna makes up her mind she likes someone, she'll be true blue."

  "We went shoe shopping again last night," Leedy said. "She called up out of the blue and said that Terry suggested she call me. It sounded like fun to me, so we went. She bought a pair of bright yellow bowling shoes."

  "They sound lovely."

  "I got a pair in red," Leedy added. "They feel like a dream."

  "I'm glad to hear you and Deanna have something in common," Jo Anne added. "Has Terry said anything about the loan?"

  "No," Leedy said. "Terry and I have an agreement. I don't ask him about the loan and he doesn't question my champagne taste in restaurant decor."

  "I'm not worried about it," Jo Anne said. "Terry Foster is a professional, through and through. As demonstrated by his telling Krissy Montgomery to take a hike."

  "Oh, yes," Leedy said. "My old friend Krissy. Whatever happened to her?"

  "I hear she signed up for Intermediate Small Business Management. It's on Tuesday and Thursday nights, and ... it's taught by a lawyer from Schumaker & Jacoby-I think his name is Gregory Barlow-the poor dear."

  Leedy giggled. She didn't mean to be catty, but it was a good feeling to know that Krissy was finally out of the picture. "I hope it all works out for her," Leedy said. "And for Gregory Barlow."

  The women laughed and talked as they toured the former bakery. Both women were thinking of the potential of the space and neither of them wanted to leave, but they also knew they had to move quickly with an offer.

  "I can't believe we are going to buy property," Leedy said. "I always thought I would lease space."

  "It will be a good investment," Jo Anne said. "That is, if we make the best bid. Speaking of which, we better get back."

  "I know," Leedy sighed. "I have to work late this afternoon. Although I'm finding it difficult to keep my mind on my job lately."

  "Because of the restaurant or because of your sizzling love life?"

  "Both," Leedy said, winking at her with a devilish grin. "But enough about me. Come on, partner. Let's go make an offer on this space before someone beats us to it."

  "We can call the real estate agent from my cell phone," Jo Anne offered.

  Jo Anne led the way to the door and Leedy followed close behind her. She hoped the seller accepted their bid. There was something about the place that felt comfortable, as if it already belonged to them. She took one last look around before she clicked off the light. "Our restaurant," she whispered to herself. "Our lifelong dream."

  it was a beautiful day for a wedding. The sun was just beginning to set, and the sky was a lovely shade of blue intermixed with tints of purple, pink, and yellow. Terry and Leedy arrived at the church in a festive mood. It had been an exciting week and she was happy just to be with him. But it was also Brittany's big day-and a wedding. Leedy loved weddings. Something about the magnificence of a man and a woman walking down the aisle always made her feel so happy she wanted to cry. In fact, just the sound of the organ music was enough to bring tears to her eyes.

  She had bought a new dress for the occasion months ago. It was a fitted, delicately smooth silk dress in a deep plum color that complimented Leedy's lustrous glossy dark hair. She had spent nearly a half-hour trying to coax her long tresses into a loose but secure bun, but she ended up with a slightly tousled, yet elegant, French twist.

  "It isn't right," Terry told her when he arrived at her apartment to pick her up.

  "What isn't right?" she asked, smoothing the silky material of her dress.

  "You," he said. "You aren't supposed to be more beautiful than the bride."

  "I beg your pardon?"

  "You're gorgeous," he said and his eyes told her he meant it.

  And Leedy felt gorgeous too. In fact, when Terry slipped his arm around her waist and led her out the front door, she had never felt so beautiful and so adored in her life. He led her to his Corvette and opened the car door for her. He climbed in behind the steering wheel and started the engine, barely able to keep his eyes off her. "Would you like me to put down the roof this time? Or would arriving at the wedding frozen be a faux pas?"

  "No roof," Leedy told him. "One ill-timed gust of wind and my hair-do will self-destruct."

  "I wouldn't want that to happen."

  "Thank you, kind sir."

  "This is going to be a wonderful evening," he said. "But it is dangerously close to being classified as a real date. What will people say?"

  "I'm not worried about that anymore," she said. "The class is finished, and my loan application it sitting on Mrs. Jefferson's desk, remember?"

  "So it is," he said, starting the engine. He had a wicked grin on his face as he winked at her. "So it is."

  Once at the church, she sighed contentedly as he parked the car in the parking lot of the church. It had been a hectic week, what with all the paperwork, meetings with accountants and lawyers, and the endless contract negotiations. It was liberating to finally be able to slow down and relax, even if it was for just a short time. Leedy planned to enjoy watching Brittany and Mark take their wedding vows. And she planned to enjoy the company of Terry Foster even more.

  The small church was charming. The gathering was just the right number of people-not too many, not too few, as Brittany had told her wistfully. It was shaping up to be a perfect day. In fact, Leedy couldn't remember the last time she had felt so certain and happy about her life. She looked up at Terry and smiled.

  "Have I mentioned lately that you're gorgeous?" he said and slipped her hand into his.

  The pews had been decorated with sprays of beautiful flowers, and she inhaled the intoxicating aroma as she was escorted to her seat. It was just as lovely inside the church as it had been outside. So much so, she could already feel her eyes start to smart.

  The organ music was playing, but not the wedding march as yet. She could feel the sense of anticipation in the air as an elegantly dressed woman was being led to her seat by one of the handsome young ushers.

  "I think that's Mark's mother," Leedy whispered. "She has the same red hair as Mark and Brittany told me she was wearing an ivory-colored satin and lace gown."

  "She looks pleased to be here," Terry noted. "That's always a good sign."

  Leedy elbowed him in the ribs. "Behave yourself," she warned. Another woman was being led down the aisle by a handsome young man. She was a tall, attractive woman with an elegant gown. "I think this woman is Brittany's mother, but I'm not sure. The usher is Chris. He's Brittany's brother. He's stopped by Mr. Hobo's a few times to visit her. He's a student at the University ... a mechanical engineering major, I think. I know he's there on a tennis scholarship."

  "What year is he in?" Terry asked, eyeing Chris suspiciously.

  "Freshman, I believe," she replied. Then, suddenly, something clicked in Leedy's head. The blond hair, the tennis scholarship, the name! "Terry," she gasped. "I think Brittany's brother is a, um, friend of Deanna's!"

  "Really?" Terry asked. "She has mentioned some boy named Chris once or twice, usually with this glazed look in her eye. Are you sure?"

  "Maybe. I wonder if he's an astronomy buff."

  "I can see the family resemblance," Terry said. "If this is the Chris I think it is, he's the boy she's dating. I wonder why he didn't invite Deanna to the wedding." Leedy was wondering the same thing herself, but she said nothing.

  "The woman has to be Brittany's mother," Terry said. "They're all tall with blond hair."

  "Yes. I think you're right. She's lovely ... and that dress is stunning."

  Chris led the woman to the front pew on the bride's side, kissed her on the cheek. He then strode back to the entrance of the chapel. The wedding party had begun to line up and Leedy saw the minister, groom, and best man take their places at the front of the church.

  The wedding party entered
the chapel, the bridesmaids proceeding first. They were dressed in identical, tea-length creamy ivory-colored gowns. The gowns were silk with a fitted bodice, the skirt flowing softly around their legs. They carried bouquets of charming yellow roses.

  The matron of honor followed the bridesmaids. This was Brittany's older sister, Jane. Her gown was similar to the others, but there was more detail around the neckline and hem. She was stunning, and there were tears in her eyes.

  Following closely behind Jane was her three-year-old daughter, Elena. Next to Elena was Jane's son, six-year-old Michael. Michael held Elena's hand, firmly but gently, as he led her down the aisle, carefully watching his mother for cues. Elena carried a basket filled with red rose petals and, every step or so, would grab a handful of petals and toss them onto the floor. Michael clutched his ring bearer's pillow and mugged for the adoring audience.

  Just then the organ music began to play the wedding march. Everyone turned to watch as Brittany walked down the aisle, holding tightly onto the arm of her proud father. Brittany wore a long, body-hugging silk gown in the perfect shade of ivory. In her arms, she carried a large bouquet of red roses that cascaded down the front of her dress. A veil covered her face, but Leedy could see that Brittany's eyes were focused on Mark who was standing at the altar waiting for her, his face a mixture of terror, determination, and love.

  Brittany slowly walked down the aisle, taking slow controlled steps as she pulled her father along. She paused for a second when she passed Leedy and gave her a joyous smile. Leedy smiled back and gave her a thumbs up. When Brittany and her father finally reached the altar, her father turned her over to Mark, who quickly stepped forward. Brittany's father shook Mark's hand, kissed his daughter on the cheek, and then joined his wife in the front pew. The bride turned and faced the groom and he took her hand and squeezed it lovingly.

  "Dearly beloved," the minister began. "We are gathered here today to join these two young people, Brittany Nicole Richards and Mark Thomas Ellis, into the glorious bonds of holy matrimony ..."

  Leedy brushed away a tear and looked at Terry to see if he noticed. But he didn't mind that she was crying. He only smiled reassuringly and squeezed her hand.

  ". . . I'll digress for just a moment," the minister was saying, "to say that I've known Brittany since she was a child. And I've known Mark for several years as well. They're intelligent, ambitious, attractive young people. I'm honored to be here today for them. I'm also happy to be a witness to this blessed event. For you see, this couple-or should I say these intelligent, ambitious, attractive young people, are blessed in the way God wants his children to be blessed. Because Brittany and Mark are deeply in love. I'm here today for the same reason you're here today. We are here together to witness and celebrate the first moments of Brittany and Mark's new life together. And what glorious, blessed lives they will see."

  Leedy felt a lump in her throat and she could no longer stop the tears from spilling down her cheeks. It was so beautiful. "I know, I know," Terry whispered. "I feel the exact same way. What her father must be paying for all this . . ." Then he put his arm around her waist and hugged her tenderly. But underneath the softness of his touch, Leedy felt something else. A tremble to his fingertips that told her he too, was moved.

  "Do you, Mark Thomas Ellis, take this woman to be your lawfully wedded wife? To have and to hold from this day forward, for richer and poorer, in sickness and in health, as long as you both shall live?"

  "I do."

  "Do you, Brittany Nicole Richards, take this man to be your lawfully wedded husband? To have and to hold from this day forward, for richer and poorer, in sickness and in health, as long as you both shall live?"

  "I do."

  Leedy managed to pull herself together by the time Mark and Brittany walked back down the aisle, but it was a super-human effort. Only Terry's strong arm wrapped around her waist prevented her from bawling her eyes out, right there in the church. "Come along, Miss Collins," he said, leading her. "Let's go greet the newlyweds, shall we?"

  He led her up the aisle. Out of necessity, he stood closely to her as they waited for the swarm of delighted wedding guests to make their exit. His hand was touching Leedy's back and she could feel the warmth and strength of his fingertips. Leedy felt a sudden dizzying warmth throughout her body that started in the depths of her being and spread until she felt tingly all over. "Are you all right?" Terry asked. "You look a little flushed."

  "I'm fine," Leedy said, enjoying the soft, sexy intensity of his voice. He slipped his arm around her waist and led her out of the chapel. Leedy thought about skipping the reception, if only to have him all to herself that much sooner, but she knew Brittany would never understand. Or maybe she would.

  The receiving line was long but the mood was so boisterous, Leedy and Terry didn't mind the wait. "Lovely wedding," Terry said, shaking hands with Brittany's father when they finally were at the head of the line.

  "Beautiful," Leedy added.

  There was much hand-shaking and slaps on the back, until Leedy and Terry found themselves standing in front of Chris.

  "You did a splendid job," Leedy said, and hugged him. "Congratulations!"

  "Thank you," Chris said. He was watching Leedy and Terry with a keen interest.

  "Beautiful wedding," Terry said, shaking Chris' hand. "You're a friend of my niece, right? Her name is Deanna McQuinn?"

  "Yes," Chris said. From the look on his face, Leedy realized the boy was startled. "I wasn't sure if Deanna had mentioned me to you. I'm Chris. Chris Richards. As a matter of fact, I invited Deanna to be here tonight. But she-"

  "But she thought I would drop to the floor in a faint?" Terry asked.

  "No. What Deanna described was closer to some kind of crazed, homicidal rampage."

  "I see," Terry said, shaking his head thoughtfully. He waited a moment before speaking again. "You know, Chris, that's nonsense."

  Chris' young face broke into a relieved grin. "That was exactly what I tried to tell Deanna! But she thought you would have a cow or something."

  "When you get home tonight, please call Deanna and tell her that you have been formally invited to our house tomorrow," Terry said. "We can all go to a movie and grab a bite of dinner and clear up this whole misunderstanding."

  "Thank you," Chris said, shaking Terry's hand again. "I'd like that, sir."

  "Say about six o'clock?" Terry asked.

  "Six o'clock is fine. We'll see you then."

  Terry led Leedy out of the church and they breathed the cold evening air. "Ready?" he asked, taking her hand.

  "Ready," Leedy said, and she was. Ready for anything. He led her to his Corvette and opened the door.

  "I wish we could take down the roof," Terry commented. "I like the look you get in your eye when Susie hits eighty. But it is too cold for that tonight and I don't want to mess up your beautiful hair. At least not yet anyway."

  "Oh?" she said, smiling coyly.

  "Not yet," he said, flashing her his perfect smile. "As for later, I can't make any guarantees."

  They kissed in the car. Ordinarily Leedy would have never considered taking part in such sophomoric, giddy behavior, but it felt more like stealing sweet, wonderful kisses than acting like love-struck teenagers. Smooching in the car, she sighed. Wouldn't Brittany be pleased?

  The reception was in full swing by the time they arrived at the banquet hall. Leedy made a mental note to recheck the dimensions of the back room of what had once been the bakery's storage room. Maybe thinking about the restaurant would make her forget about the aching need that had developed in the pit of her stomach. A need only Terry could fulfill. She already knew the dimensions of the old bakery's storage room. She already knew that the RyanRiley Inn's banquet hall would be much larger than the hotel's reception hall, but rechecking details is what Leedy did best. She pulled out a worn pad of paper from her purse and flipped through the pages. Yes, she thought looking over the crowded room. Their banquet room was bigger.

  The hal
l was decorated in a lovely shade of creamy yellow. A color that was tastefully used in the starched linen tablecloths and in the helium balloons that had been arched over the doorway. At the head of the room was a long banquet table set for the wedding party. Off to the side, a band played jazz music on a bandstand that stood before a small dance floor. The rest of the room was filled with large round tables covered with more crisply starched linen tablecloths. Each table held a gigantic centerpiece of white roses.

  "We are at Table Number Eight," Terry said, holding up the small white card that had been laid out on a table when they entered the hall. He took Leedy's hand and led her through the crowded room. They passed Tables One through Seven without any difficulty and then found Table Nine.

  "Okay," he said. "Here is Table Ten and Table Eleven."

  "Table Twelve and Fourteen," Leedy said, confused. "There is no Table Thirteen either."

  "Here is Fifteen and Sixteen," Terry looked as baffled as she did when he spotted a small table in the corner. "What is this?" he asked, leading her to the farthest corner of the room. "This is it," he said, perplexed. "Table Eight."

  Leedy looked at the little white card in the center of the table that proclaimed the table to indeed be Table Number Eight but it was a much smaller table than the others. Leedy and Terry looked at each other, both with puzzled expressions on their faces. Table Eight, unlike all the other tables, was a table set for only two. And instead of the pale yellow linens that adorned all the other tables, the tablecloth was a deep emerald green, Leedy's favorite color. Also, the vases on the other tables held sprays of white roses. The vase on this table held a single red rose.

  "This is cozy," Terry said, smiling. He pulled a chair out for her. "Maybe they ran out of room at the big tables."

  "It really doesn't work that way," Leedy told him, mystified. "They would have worked us in with the others somehow."

  "What then?"

  "I think I smell a rat."

  "Hello," a waiter said, bringing them crystal wine glasses and a bottle of white wine. "You must be Leedy and Terry?"

  "Yes, we are," Terry said, the perplexed expression returning to his face.