“I was scared when I thought you were married, so scared and hurt that you didn’t share that part of your life with me that I couldn’t see straight. Then today, I went for a long walk, and that’s when I realized I couldn’t put all the pieces together in my mind, but I did know one thing: it was that, without a doubt, you are the only woman that I want to spend the rest of my life with. I know we’ll have our ups and downs, Flora. I know there will be heartache and pain, but I want to go through all that with you by my side because you are the only woman that I love, and I can’t imagine spending a minute of my life with anybody else.”
Flora’s eyes filled with tears again. She looked up at Dan and said, her voice barely above a whisper, “When I met you, I remember how in awe I was with how handsome you were. I never imagined in a million years that you would look at me twice. I’ve read books all of my life and dreamed that one day, I would meet my Prince Charming. But I had no idea how deeply I could feel for somebody and how much I could love you. Not only are you the kindest, gentlest, sweetest man I’ve ever known, you are my best friend. I want to be the best person I can because when I’m around you, you bring out the best in me. Thank you for loving me. Thank you for forgiving me.”
As she finished, there wasn’t a dry eye in the house.
Dan leaned forward, pulled up her veil, and kissed her gently on the lips as the whole room erupted into applause.
“Looks like that’s it,” said Doris, nodding and closing her prayer book. “I now pronounce you husband and wife. Go have fun.”
Mrs. Hemlock looked relieved, finally able to play the exit music as they both made their way up the aisle and into the house for hors d’oeuvres and wine. It appeared that Flora had won her battle with the food, too, as it was all laid out in order by color, except for one odd-looking tray that stood out like a sore thumb, garnished with beets and tomatoes.
An hour later, the chapel had been turned into a place fit for an evening of celebration. As we left the Labettes’ house at twilight, a light snow started to fall. The bride looked enchanting as she glided across the lawn with her bridegroom. Lottie and Lavinia had decorated inside with hundreds of miniature white twinkling Christmas lights that now illuminated the building. A stage had been erected at the far end of the room, where Flora’s jazz band was setting up. Fortunately for us—and unfortunately for Doris—the bongo players had already been booked.
Soon, soft jazz music filled the space, and the newlyweds danced to the song “The Way You Look Tonight.”
After the speeches, all the members of the Rejected Writers’ Book Club gathered around a table as the band moved into high gear.
“Well,” said Ruby, “that seems to have gone off without a hitch.”
Everyone stared at her.
“If that’s what you call going off without a hitch,” said Doris, “I don’t know what to say. I haven’t jogged up and down like that since I was a teenager.”
“I think they make a lovely couple,” said Annie thoughtfully.
“So do I,” said John as he joined the table. “I’m going. I just wanted to say good-bye.”
“Going?” I asked.
“Back home. I’m going back where I belong.”
“But you told us there was nothing for you there,” remarked Lavinia. “Why would you go back? You should consider staying here.”
John smiled. “I think I’ve caused enough trouble.”
“Honey, trouble is my middle name,” said Lavinia. “And look, they haven’t run me out of town yet. Besides,” she said, taking his arm and pulling him into the room, “we could do with a good man in our Rejected Writers’ Book Club. We don’t have anyone who writes detective novels.”
“Not even me,” said John. “I kind of lied about that, too.”
“You don’t have to be good to be rejected,” she encouraged him. “Just prolific.”
“Thank you for the offer,” he said, smiling. “But I have some things I need to take care of back home. Being here has helped me see life from a different perspective, and I want to put some things right. Starting with you ladies—my name is actually Darren.”
“Well, Darren, you should think about it. You’d be the first man we’ve ever had,” said Lottie smiling.
“You speak for yourself, Lottie,” said Lavinia as Lottie blushed and screeched, “Lavinia!” in her high-pitched, rebuking tone. The group dissolved into laughter.
We all gave him a hug and waved to him as he left. Right behind him were Dan’s parents, who needed to get back to their bed and breakfast in Medford, along with Marcy, who was pouting and complaining about having a headache.
“All that wedding planning, no doubt,” said Annie through gritted teeth as we all waved good-bye to them from the door before rejoining our table.
We sat down to enjoy the rest of the evening. James and Olivia, my grandchildren’s namesakes, who had been bestowed with the honor after helping deliver Stacy’s babies, joined us at the table. I couldn’t help wondering by the way they were looking at one another if they were maybe secretly seeing each other. James had been a tremendous help in providing us with a theater for our show the year before. He was a lovely man, and I knew they were both single.
Suddenly, Ernie appeared. “So my little whipper snapper.” He tapped Doris on the shoulder. “Care to cut a rug with me, for old times’ sake?”
Doris waved him away, but before she could protest, he had her by the arm and up on the dance floor. The band broke out into a lively Glen Miller number.
“Fancy joining them?” implored Martin. He absolutely loved Glen Miller. Before I could say no and hold up my casted arm, he grabbed my other hand and pulled me up, too.
The Labette twins jumped up, and we all danced away to “String of Pearls” and filled the little room with the happy sounds of laughter and joy.
Stacy and her children arrived. They had gone back home to change.
“I thought we’d come and join in the fun,” she said.
“Wonderful,” I said as Grandpa grabbed hold of a twin in each arm and started to dance with them on the dance floor. Chris and Stacy automatically made their way to the dance floor, too, and started to dance together, giggling with each other as they continued to interact with their kids.
Suddenly, a hand was upon my shoulder. I spun around, and both Flora and Dan gave me a hug.
“Flora and I just wanted to thank you for everything you’ve done for us over the years. Without you, I don’t think we could have pulled this off. We’re so grateful.”
I started to tear up again.
“We are going to sneak out to the hotel while everybody is still having a good time,” Flora added.
I followed them to the chapel door as the band took a break. Olivia sat at the grand piano to play soft Christmas music as an interlude. Her first song was an eloquent version of “O Holy Night.” The soft strains filled the room as I opened the door for the bride and groom. As they waved their good-byes, I noticed the snow was falling heavier now, and it surrounded them like white fluffy clouds. It clung to Flora’s veil and Dan’s dark hair as they raced to their little silver-blue car that would take them to their hotel and their wedding night.
As I turned and looked around the room in wonder, tears welled up within me and started to catch in my throat. In all its craziness, and for all the wild adventures that this group and this town had sent me on, I’d loved being part of it all.
Doris was busy dancing and laughing with Ernie. Annie was happy, knitting at the table. Ethel’s face registered horror as June Horton described in great detail her latest Google-diagnosed illness. On the dance floor, the Labette twins were now jiving together, and Ruby, twirling in circles, was in her own world, wearing a beautiful white satin outfit that she had re-created from Doris’s wedding dress.
I took a last deep breath of the frigid air as I closed the door. Yes, this was the community of Southlea Bay in all its glory, with its loves and its losses, its joy and its sadness, and
its ordinary and very extraordinary, and there was definitely no other place on earth I would rather be.
The End
Acknowledgments
When you read a book, you hear just one voice: the voice of the author. But so many people work tirelessly together to blend and coax out that voice, crafting it into one clear thread that becomes the story that you read. It really is a team effort, and I’m grateful for the team that works with me every day.
First and foremost, I have to thank my husband, Matthew Wilson. He is my number one fan and cosupporter. Thank you for the cleaning you’ve done, for the dinners that you’ve cooked, and for your awesome parenting, which has allowed me to burn the midnight oil in order to finish a book on my latest deadline. I can’t even imagine what it must be like to not have such a supportive partner and caring husband; I appreciate you every day.
Also to my son, Christopher, who at one point looked at the growing pile of laundry and decided it was time to start doing it himself. Thank you, son, for your editorial eye, your quick wit, your patience as your mother finishes “just one more paragraph.” Thank you both for your love, support, and laughter that keeps me writing every day.
To my wonderful agent, Andrea Hurst, and her amazing team of merry men and women, especially Sean Fletcher and Rebecca Berus, who have continued to support me through this three-book series—from trips down to the Amazon building, where we got caught in game traffic, to all your stellar tips on marketing and publishing.
To my own little editorial team: Cate Perry, for the fabulous job you did on my developmental edits and for writing the words LOL so many times in your comments that it kept me going when I hit edit number 563; and also to my line editor, Audrey Mackaman. Thank you for your expertise and the speed with which you turned this around.
Also to my fabulous team at Lake Union Publishing, who have been encouraging me throughout this series’ journey. My gratitude goes first to my acquisitions editor and the editorial director at Lake Union, Danielle Marshall, whose enthusiasm and professionalism light up my world; and to my author liaison, Gabe Dumpit, thank you for always being on the other end of an email and for your constant support and encouragement.
To my Lake Union marketing team, who can still get my book to number one even when it’s been published for over a year. You guys are awesome. And my thanks also go to Mariëtte Franken and all the editorial team at Kindle Press.
To my best writing buddy, KJ Waters: You are always the first person I reach out to when something in my writing world happens, which proves we must be the best of friends. Thank you for sharing my joys and sharing my losses. I’m glad that we get to walk this author path together.
To my book cover design team at Blondie’s Custom Book Covers, KJ Waters, and Jody Smyers, thanks for the laughs and all the amazing work you did making the cover look so incredible. You guys rock.
To all my fellow authors at the Ladies of the Lake, especially Kerry Schafer, Camille di Mio, Carol Mason, Steena Holmes, Marilyn Simon Rothstein and Patricia Sands, thank you for your support and encouragement throughout the year and for keeping me sane and laughing.
To my fabulous friend Melinda Mack, who is always my emotional support and one of my greatest cheerleaders; and also to my dear friend Eric, who not only keeps me laughing through the process, but also has the best advice for everything, from life to my work.
To my mom, Anne Drummond, and my sisters, Gemma and Jo: thank you for all your love and support over the years.
Lastly, to you, my readers: So many times, I’ve wondered if I’ll keep going, and often it’s one of your wonderful reviews that will pull me through. My favorites are about how much you are laughing. I hope to keep you laughing for a long time to come.
Book Club Questions
What were the themes of this book?
What did you think of the structure and style of the writing?
What scene was the most pivotal for the book?
What surprised you the most about the story?
Did any of the characters remind you of yourself or someone you know? How?
Did you disagree with the choices of any of the characters?
What past influences are shaping the actions of the characters in the story?
How have the characters changed by the end of the book?
Are there any books that you would compare this one to?
Have you read any other books by this author? How does this one compare?
What did you learn from, take away from, or get out of this book?
Would you recommend this book to a friend?
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