Goodbye, Magnolia (Cornerstone Book 1)

by Krista Noorman

  Simon held his arm out to Maggie. “Here we go.”

  Maggie took a deep breath and slid her arm through his.

  She glanced back at Sarah, who was waiting in the hallway behind them with her father, trying to stay hidden from view.

  Sarah smiled and blew her a kiss.

  She returned the kiss and headed into the sanctuary with Simon. It felt so strange to walk the aisle with him. If things were different, maybe it would be us. She immediately shoved that insane thought aside.

  The doors closed behind them in preparation for Sarah’s grand entrance.

  As they reached the front of the church, the “Bridal March” began, and the doors opened. Sarah was breathtaking. She beamed as she floated down the aisle to Tom.

  Maggie glanced over at her brother just then. He wore the biggest smile she had ever seen, and tears filled his bright green eyes.

  The familiar click of a camera shutter caught her attention, and she noticed Shannon crouched down at the front of the aisle capturing Tom’s reaction. She was grateful for such talented friends, who were as committed to capturing every minute of the wedding as she would have been.

  The ceremony was a beautiful reflection of their love. Sarah and Tom even wrote their own vows.

  “Tom, when I started working for your sister, I never would have dreamed that it would lead me to you. My whole life I was waiting. Praying for ‘the one’. And I always hoped it would be an instant connection and that, somehow, I would just know. That first day you came into the shop …” She paused as emotion overwhelmed her. “… I knew it was you. The one God had for me. You became my best friend, my confidante, my other half, more than I ever hoped for. I commit myself to you today, forever and always, faithfully yours.”

  Maggie wiped a tear from her cheek. She glanced over at Simon, who was grinning at her.

  “Sarah.” Tom brushed away a tear of his own. “From the moment I met you, I knew I couldn’t go another day without having you in my life. There you were, this beautiful, sweet, caring woman. And for some reason, God only knows, you wanted me in your life, too. God made us for each other. You’re my best friend, my other half, more than I ever dreamed of. I commit myself to you today, forever and always, faithfully yours.”

  Maggie thought about the last line of their vows — faithfully yours. That’s what she wanted. Someone truly faithful to only her. She longed for that person so much, the one who would be hers forever and always.

  When Tom and Sarah had exchanged rings as a symbol of their love and faithfulness, the pastor announced, “By the power vested in me by the state of Michigan, I now pronounce you husband and wife.”

  They looked into each others eyes with smiles bright enough to light the room.

  “Tom, you may kiss your bride.”

  “Yes!” Tom replied as he took her in his arms and kissed her for the first time as his wife.

  Everyone applauded, and Maggie felt her heart bursting with happiness.

  The ballroom above the Walldorff Brewpub & Bistro was decorated with more Christmas trees, white twinkly lights, and candles everywhere. The Christmas theme coordinated well with the two-toned burgundy striped wall covering. The main table was set up along a wall with six floor-to-ceiling, narrow, arched-top windows, original to the century old building.

  Once the bridal party was announced and seated, it was the moment Maggie had been dreading all day — her maid of honor speech. With microphone in hand, she took a deep breath to steady herself and glanced over at Sarah, who gave her a thumbs up for support.

  “Hello, everyone. I’m Maggie, Tom’s big sister. Let me start by saying that I am a horrible public speaker. I’m much better staying behind the camera where I belong.”

  Her family and friends got a kick out of at that.

  “But today, I will be brave and stand up here in front of all of you. Today is one of those days full of moments that will stay with me forever. I was so honored to stand next to my best friend and my baby brother as they pledged their lives to each other. I don’t know why I didn’t think of setting them up years ago.”

  Laughter and knowing glances came from the crowd.

  “But these things work out when the timing is right, when it’s God’s timing, and it was most definitely that.” Maggie directed her words at her new sister. “Sarah, over the past four years, having you as my assistant has been so wonderful. You’ve become one of the most important people in my life. You know, I always wanted to have a sister and you’ve become that to me, and now you’re officially my sister, so that worked out really well.”

  Sarah smiled at her.

  “Tommy, I couldn’t be happier for you right now, little brother. I only hope that I’m half as happy one day.” Maggie raised her glass. “To Tom and Sarah. I love you guys.”

  The room filled with the sound of clinking glasses, and some guests repeated, “To Tom and Sarah.”

  Tom and Sarah stood and hugged Maggie. The girls laughed as they wiped each others tears for what seemed like the hundredth time that day.

  Maggie handed the microphone to Simon.

  “Where do I begin?” he spoke. “First of all, Sarah, I need you to lay your hand on the table in front of Tom.”

  Sarah gave him a confused look and placed her hand on the table.

  “Now, Tom, please lay your hand on top of Sarah’s.”

  “Are we playing ‘Simon says’?” Tom joked.

  The room exploded with laughter.

  Tom did as he was asked.

  “Tom, it has been a privilege getting to know you over the past year, and I’m so honored you asked me to be your best man. Sarah, since you and Tom have been together, I’ve seen his whole outlook on life change. He went from kind of a miserable single guy …”

  “Hey!” Tom interrupted.

  “Sorry, Tom. I call ‘em like I see ‘em.”

  Simon paused for the laughter to subside before continuing. “As I was saying, he went from a sad single guy to completely smitten and in love. Seeing you two together gives me something to aspire to.”

  He glanced in Maggie’s direction for a brief moment.

  “So, Tom. I asked you to lay your hand on Sarah’s. Are you enjoying that?”

  “Um ... sure.” Tom raised a quizzical brow at his friend.

  “Good, ‘cause it’s the last time you’ll ever have the upper hand.”

  Some laughed, while others groaned at Simon’s joke, but everyone enjoyed his antics.

  He raised his glass. “To the happy couple.”

  Clink. Clink. Clink.

  Sarah and Tom hugged him, then he walked straight to Maggie and clinked his glass against hers.

  The newlyweds held each other close as they danced to “Better Together” by Jack Johnson. They leaned their foreheads together, then shared a kiss. Maggie’s heart ached a little as she watched from the side of the dance floor. She wondered if she would ever have that kind of love. It’s what she wanted. She was more than ready now, but maybe the time had passed for her. Each birthday brought her closer and closer to the big 4-0. Who would want someone her age? Maybe she would end up an old maid. But could she be happy living a single existence like Uncle Pete? He seemed content, but she knew that was a facade, that deep down he was sad and regretful of his past. That wasn’t the life she wanted.

  The bridal party joined the couple for the second dance of the night. Simon took Maggie’s hand and led her out onto the floor. He pulled her close and wrapped his arms around her back, leaving her arms resting against his chest. He let go for a moment, but only to lift her arms up around his neck.

  “Nice speech,” was all she could think to say.

  He smiled at her and brushed a curl out of her face. His fingertips traced her cheek as they had done on Halloween night.

  She tensed up. Her cheek tingled from his touch. This was not what she expected of him tonight.

  He lowered his hand to the small of her back, and they danced.

  Maggie l
ooked over at Tom and Sarah. “They look really happy.”

  Simon leaned in so his lips were touching her ear. “We could be that happy.”

  “Simon.” She let out an exasperated sigh and wished he would accept her decision.

  “I can’t change what’s already happened. I can’t take things back. But I also can’t help how I feel about you. And you can keep pushing me away as many times as you want, but I’m not going anywhere.” He kissed her cheek and hugged her tightly.

  She didn’t know what to say. Every instinct told her to bolt out of there as fast as she could. But she kept dancing with him, her arms loosely wrapped around his neck, wondering if this song would ever end.

  His lips pressed against her neck, and his fingers softly tangled in her hair.

  She had never felt so conflicted in her life. In his arms were things she longed for — comfort, intimacy, friendship, but there was still the matter of trust, or lack thereof. This could only end badly.

  He lifted his head and leaned his forehead against hers. His breath was soft against her face, his lips mere inches away.

  Maggie felt lightheaded, partly from his closeness, but also from frustration and anger welling up inside. He was pushing the issue again. Why wouldn’t he respect her enough to let her be? She lifted her head and tried to lean away to put some space between them, but he held her closer.

  At the last note of the song, relief washed over her.

  Simon loosened his grip as Sarah and Tom danced over to them.

  “Hey, Mags.” Tom put an arm around his sister. “Will you dance with me?”

  “Gladly.” She didn’t look at Simon as she danced away with her brother.

  Late into the reception, Maggie returned to the table to rest her aching feet. Dancing for hours in high heels was rough. She watched the rest of the bridal party, who seemed to have an endless amount of energy. Bill stepped away from the group and joined her at the table.

  “Had enough dancing already, huh?”

  Maggie nodded and sighed, completely exhausted. She watched Simon and Gina dancing to a fast song.

  “His girlfriend wouldn’t like him doing that.”

  She looked at Bill in confusion. “What girlfriend?”

  “That blonde girl I always see him with,” Bill replied.

  “Oh, you mean Anna?” Maggie shook her head. “No, she’s just his assistant.”

  “That’s not what I heard.” He was staring in Simon’s direction. “They always look pretty cozy to me.”

  She was concerned by Bill's expression.

  “She probably wouldn’t like how he was dancing with you earlier either.”

  "What's your problem with Simon?" she asked.

  Bill looked her straight in the eye. "You're too good for him, Maggie." He leaned in closer. “You can do so much better.”

  The meaning behind his not-so-subtle comments was obvious, which made her very uncomfortable, and she had a sudden realization.

  "It was you, wasn't it? On Halloween night. You called the cops on us."

  He shrugged his shoulders. The guilt was written all over his face.

  She was appalled. “I knew I saw someone. Why did you do that?"

  “He was taking advantage of you."

  "I can take care of myself, Bill."

  Bill scooted his chair closer to hers. “I was just trying to protect you from guys like him, guys like Ben."

  She winced at the mention of Ben's name.

  Bill laid his hand on top of hers. "I like you, Maggie. I always have.”

  She yanked her hand out from under his as fast as she possibly could, completely flabbergasted. "I'm sorry, Bill. I just don't feel that way about you."

  He shook his head disappointedly. "But maybe you could someday. I'm a good guy. You know that. We have the same friends, we like the same things."

  "How do you know what I like?"

  "You like my coffee, and that great band at your birthday party."

  "The band? That was you, too?" She thought back to her birthday and the news he had given them that night. “Hey, why did you say Simon was engaged when he wasn't?"

  "I may have stretched the truth a little bit there,” he admitted. “But I did it for us."

  Unbelievable.

  She took a deep breath and let it out before she spoke, trying to collect her thoughts.

  “Bill, I understand what you were trying to do … or what you thought you were doing, and I'm … flattered." And very creeped out. "But …"

  "But you love Simon," he interrupted.

  "What? No, I don’t!” she snapped.

  Bill didn’t look convinced.

  “But you and I,” she continued. “We’re not right for each other."

  "You never know unless you try." He raised an eyebrow at her.

  She knew deep down that Bill was a good guy, but he had gone about things in the worst possible way.

  He attempted one final plea. "I might just be the best offer you ever get."

  Worst possible way.

  She promptly stood. "I'm sorry, Bill." Her feet couldn't take her away from the table fast enough.

  Maggie walked to the far side of the dance floor to escape. Bill had always been nice to her, but she never took it as more than friendship. This turn of events was both unexpected and unfortunate.

  Sarah suddenly slid across the floor in her direction followed by Tom.

  “Mags, we saw you talking to Bill, and we have to warn you. Bill has a huge crush on you.”

  “You’re too late,” Maggie replied. “He already professed his like for me.”

  “I’m sorry I didn’t say something sooner. He’s been acting kind of strange lately,” Tom admitted. “Asking about you and stuff.”

  “We were just talking to Cindy, and she confirmed our suspicions,” Sarah added.

  “It’s fine. I feel kind of sorry for him.”

  “You do?” Sarah asked.

  “Well, I’m annoyed he tried to meddle in my life, but it’s kind of sad that he thought he could lie to manipulate me into a relationship with him.”

  Tom shook his head. “You are way too nice, Maggie.”

  She glanced across the room at Bill, who was right where she left him. “I guess I just understand what it feels like to love someone who doesn’t love you back.”

  When Tom and Sarah had departed the reception with a sparkler send off, Maggie joined the rest of the bridal party downstairs at the bar for one last drink. Bill kept his distance from Maggie and took the seat next to Leslie instead.

  She hoped this wouldn’t affect her friendship with Cindy or make things awkward at State Grounds.

  Simon sat next to her and ordered them each a beer, as he had the first night he came to town.

  “I don’t drink beer,” she stated.

  He looked at her like she was an alien. “I didn’t know.”

  “You never asked.” She grinned at him.

  “More for me then,” he replied with a chuckle.

  One last drink turned into many as the group talked and laughed late into the night. When Maggie’s eyes began to droop, she knew it was time for this wonderful day to end. Simon insisted on walking her to her car. She could tell he’d had a few too many drinks and was in no shape to drive home, so she guided him next door to her shop instead.

  “It’s too late for work, Canon,” he slurred.

  She quietly led him to the sofa, and he flopped down, pulling her along with him.

  He leaned his head against her shoulder and wound his fingers through hers. “I like that.”

  “What?”

  “Holding your hand.”

  She grinned. Tipsy Simon was cute.

  He lifted his head and gazed into her eyes.

  “I’m so in love with you.”

  Her jaw dropped a little at his confession.

  He grinned and laid his head back on her shoulder, and his eyes slid closed as sleep took over.

  This was unexpected. She knew he
cared about her, but love. Love was a whole different thing.

  December 25, 2009

  Christmas Day

  As Maggie stepped inside her parents house, she was overwhelmed with the familiar sights and smells of the holidays. But there was an underlying nervousness that she couldn’t shake. Simon’s car was in the driveway, so she knew he and Uncle Pete were there for Christmas dinner again this year.

  Her father greeted her and took her coat. “Magpie!” He lifted her up in a bear hug, spinning her around.

  “Daddy, put me down,” she cried.

  He chuckled and guided her into the kitchen, where everyone was hanging out.

  Tom and Sarah were playing cards with Simon and Uncle Pete.

  “Merry Christmas, newlyweds.”

  “Merry Christmas, my sister,” cried Tom.

  “Hey, Mags,” Sarah replied with a smile.

  Simon immediately stood and walked across the room to greet her. “Merry Christmas, Maggie.” He wrapped his arms around her and squeezed her tight, pressing his lips softly to her cheek.

  “You, too, Simon.”

  She caught Uncle Pete’s eye, and he gave her a disappointed look.

  “I have something for you.” Simon pulled a key from his pocket.

  “Oh, thanks.” She hadn’t seen him since he passed out on her office sofa after the wedding. His unexpected declaration of love had been more than she could handle. Unsure of what she would say to him when he awoke, she left a note along with her spare office key and went home.

  She didn’t know if he remembered saying it, but it was out there. And it was all she had thought about for the past week. He loved her. But did it make a difference? Love is fleeting, and his love might just as quickly transfer to someone else, like Anna.

  The doorbell rang, and she opened the door for Vi and Dave, who came bearing casseroles and a bag of gifts.

  “Merry Christmas, Maggie.” Vi hugged her.