by Kay Correll
A serious expression crossed Bobby’s face, and he frowned and shook his head. “No, move that one this way.” Bobby pointed to the left. “And that one, that way.”
When they were finished, Eddie gave the setup a critical glance. He didn’t want to hurt the boy’s feelings, but after he took Bobby back, he was going to have to come back here and straighten some of the chairs. He was pretty sure Tally hadn’t meant a for him to make a zigzag aisle up to the arbor.
“Come on, Bobby. Let’s get you back to your mom.”
The small boy looked up at him, smiled, and took Eddie’s hand.
He might as well have taken Eddie’s heart. A sense of rightness flooded through him. He smiled and Bobby shot him an impish grin. With that, the boy tugged on Eddie’s hand and dragged him back down the beach.
* * *
Tally looked around the cafe. The dining area was set with white tablecloths and simple flower arrangements on each table. She’d strung white Christmas lights all around the edge of the outside deck and placed thick candles in hurricane lanterns on each table. It was just enough to provide a pretty, festive atmosphere.
Eddie walked up to her. “The chairs are all set. Bobby helped me.” He grinned. “But we might want to straighten out a few of the rows. I didn't have the heart to do that after Bobby told me where to set each and every chair.”
Tally laughed. “Come on. We’ll go straighten them.”
They crossed onto the sand, and Tally moved some chairs around to straighten the rows. She stood back and bit her lip, trying to decide if it was all perfect.
“It looks great, Tally.”
“I hope Julie thinks so.” She walked up the aisle and adjusted a bunch of flowers intertwined on the arbor. “That’s better.”
Eddie laughed. “If you say so.”
She looked back at him. “I just want everything to be… perfect. Julie has waited a long time to be part of a family. She deserves this. She’s the kindest, sweetest, most giving person I know. Reed makes her happy. That’s all I want for her.”
“Then Reed’s a lucky man to have her.” Eddie took a step back, looking around. “I think you did a wonderful job pulling off this wedding at Magic Cafe on such short notice.”
She was kind of proud of how it had all turned out.
“Well, I should be going and let you get ready.”
“Oh, Eddie. Julie said you should come to the wedding.”
“But…”
“No, really. She knows you’re… important… to me. She’d like you to be here. As my guest.” Tally paused. “I’d like you to be here.”
“Well, if both you ladies want me here, I’ll be here. I’ll just run back to the inn and change.” He turned to leave.
Tally reached out and stopped him. “I really do appreciate all your help.”
“Tally, don’t you know by now? I’d do anything for you.”
Her heart flipped in her chest, and she wanted to answer him. Say something after his brave words.
He stood in front of her, waiting for her to say something.
But she didn’t. Couldn’t.
He slowly turned and walked away.
Tally stood with her mouth open, wondering how she and Eddie had gotten to this point. Again. For a second time in their lives.
But she wasn’t really sure she believed it. She knew how quickly things could be taken away, just when you thought all was right with the world.
Chapter 20
Julie stood at the edge of the deck at Magic Cafe and frowned. “Where are the rest of the chairs?”
Tally smiled. “That is all the chairs.”
“No, really. Where are the rest?” Julie did some quick math in her head, and there was no way there were enough chairs. Maybe this had been too much for Tally to handle. But then, when was anything too much for Tally?
“Here, Reed wanted me to give you this note.” Tally reached into her pocket and pulled out a small envelope.
Julie frowned and reached for the note. She slowly opened it and scanned the words.
* * *
My Dearest Almost-Wife,
* * *
I know you don’t like me making decisions without talking them over with you, but please indulge me this one. I’ve canceled the invitations to all the people except for our good friends here on the island. I know a big wedding was never what you wanted. You were just trying to do what you thought I wanted.
All I want is to marry you.
Marry you surrounded by the people we love.
I hope you’re okay with this. I love you very much.
* * *
Reed
* * *
Julie’s eyes filled with tears. “He did this for me? I thought he wanted a big, fancy wedding. The kind he was used to in Seattle.”
Tally reached over and hugged Julie. “I think all he wants is you. Pretty sure he’d be okay if it were just you and him.”
Julie looked out over the intimate setup of chairs. It was just perfect. Reed knew what she needed, even when she didn’t. Her heart felt like it was going to burst with happiness, with the feeling that all was right in her world.
Julie looked at Tally and let out a long, drawn-out breath. A breath she felt like she’d been holding since the whole wedding planning had begun. “Oh, Tally, I just love him so much.”
She smiled. “I know you do. And he loves you. I couldn’t be more pleased for both of you.” Tally put her arm around Julie’s shoulder and they went inside to get Julie ready for her wedding.
* * *
Julie stood in front of the mirror, turning back and forth, admiring the vintage dress she’d chosen. She loved the dress they’d finally picked out. The dress had a secret pocket, and when she’d first tried it on, she’d found a note from the woman who had first worn the dress. The note had wished the new owner much happiness on her wedding. She reached her hand into the pocket, fingered the note still there, and smiled, so connected to the Barbara woman who had first worn the dress years ago.
Susan walked up to her. “You look lovely, Julie.”
“I feel… well, it’s so strange to be all dressed up like this. You did a great job with my hair.”
Susan had pulled Julie’s hair up into a simple, loose bun with tendrils of hair that framed her face with lacy wisps. Tally came to stand on the other side of Julie.
Julie looked into the mirror, sandwiched in between her dearest friends in the world. Everything was falling into place today. She couldn’t be happier.
“You ready to go?” Susan glanced at her watch.
“I am. I’m more than ready.”
Julie followed her friends outside, into the lovely warm light of the evening. She took a look down the aisle and saw Reed standing by the arbor.
She started down the aisle seeing the small crowd of faces of her dear friends. Her heart swelled with happiness and contentment. Reed smiled encouragingly as if welcoming her home.
He was her home.
He reached out his hand.
She took the last few steps to him and took his hand. He squeezed it and tucked her by his side. They said their vows to each other, words she would hold in her heart forever.
“You may now kiss the bride.”
Reed leaned down and kissed her, then whispered in her ear. “I’ve waited for this day for a long time.”
She looked up into her husband’s face, tears trailing down her cheeks. She reached up a hand and touched his face.
“I’ve waited for this day for my whole life.”
* * *
Reed pulled Julie aside at the reception, over to the edge of the deck.
“Reed, we have guests we need to talk to. What do you want?”
He leaned down and kissed her. “That.”
“Oh, well, then.” Julie reached up and wrapped her arms around Reed’s neck and kissed him.
A deep chuckle escaped his throat. “I’m going to like this new married gig I have going.”
�
��Me too.” Julie sighed and leaned against her new husband.
Reed nodded toward Tally and Eddie on the other side of the room. “So, what’s up with those two?”
“I wish I knew. I think Tally likes him. Well, likes him again, I guess it would be. But I’m not sure. I’m not sure that she’ll let herself care about him.” Julie leaned her head against Reed’s shoulder. “I wish she would though. I want her to be as happy as I am.”
“So I make you happy?” Reed’s voice was low against her hair.
“You do. So very, very much.”
He turned her around and pulled her back into his arms. “That’s all I want. I want for you to be happy.”
With his arms firmly around her, she allowed herself to be held and be happy. She and Reed were their own little family now. What she’d always wanted. She let out a sigh of contentment.
Reed murmured against her ear, “I will love you forever.”
Chapter 21
“I’m so glad you came.” Julie smiled up at Eddie. She stood at her husband’s side, their hands clasped together.
Eddie didn’t think that he’d seen Reed drop Julie’s hand all evening. The man looked blissfully happy. The couple was obviously deeply in love, starting out as a married couple, a family.
He hadn’t had that in his adult life and hadn’t really thought he missed it. But being back here on Belle Island, seeing Tally again… it stirred up all kinds of thoughts that he hadn’t had before. Thoughts of settling down. Thoughts of being a couple.
Thoughts of Tally.
Lots of thoughts of Tally.
“You having a good time?” Tally stood beside him as if conjured up from his musings.
“I’m having a wonderful time.”
“Tally, I couldn’t have asked for a nicer wedding. Thank you so much for having it here.” Julie smiled.
“It really was great,” Reed agreed with his bride.
“Couldn’t have been happier to do it.” Tally brushed off their thanks, but Eddie could see she was glad they were pleased with how the wedding and reception had turned out.
Julie and Reed wandered off to talk to more of their friends, but Tally stayed at his side, watching the guests mill around. Some stood in small groups laughing, a few couples hung around at the edge of the deck looking out at the starlit sky.
He stayed by Tally’s side the rest of the evening, even helping her clean up after all the guests were gone.
Finally, it was just the two of them. Tally looked around the cafe, scanning to see if they’d missed anything.
“It’s all good, Tally. Anything else can wait until tomorrow. You look exhausted.”
“I am a bit tired.” She slipped off her shoes. “And these things are killing me.”
“Let’s go sit on the beach for a little bit and unwind.”
“That’s sounds good.” She led the way to two lounge chairs near the water’s edge.
He sat down and leaned back, watching as Tally relaxed and closed her eyes. And yet, he was determined to disturb her.
“Hey, Tally?”
“Hm.” She didn’t open her eyes.
“Can we talk for a few minutes?”
She turned to him and opened her eyes. “What about?”
“Can we talk about us?”
“There really is no us, there’s just… history.”
He sat up and swung his legs between their chairs, taking her hands in his. “There is an us. Right now. I know you feel it.”
She remained silent.
“Tally, it’s taken me a long time to say this to you…” He drew in a deep breath of the salty air. “I love you. I always have. I never quit, not even all those years I was away from here.”
“You’re just confusing the past with now.”
“No, I’m not confused. Not one little bit. I know exactly how I feel.” His heart pounded. Oh, his feelings were real. Very real. Cutting to the soul real. “What I want to know, need to know, is how you feel.”
Tally looked down at her hands, then slowly lifted her eyes to look at him. “Eddie… I can’t. I don’t even deserve your love. I let everyone believe the lie about who Jackson’s father was. I never even got to tell Jackson about you. I should have told him all about you. I kept thinking there would be time. I made so many mistakes. But I just can’t let myself… I can’t feel that way about someone again. I’d never be able to pull myself out of the abyss of losing someone I… uh… care about again, so I can’t let myself get in that position.”
“So you do care about me.” Eddie ignored all the excuses she gave.
Tally closed her eyes. “I can’t care about you, Eddie.”
“Open your eyes. Look at me.”
Slowly her lashes lifted. The fear he saw in her eyes tore at his heart. He wanted to take that fear away and convince her it would work out. He would be there for her this time.
“I love you. Take a chance with me. We can be a family, you and me.”
Tally stood up, looking down at him where he sat on the lounge. “I don’t think I can do that. I’m not brave enough. There’s a special place in a person’s heart for family… and that place is gone for me. I can’t care that much… and then lose my family again. I can’t.”
“You could try.” He reached up toward her.
She sidestepped his hand. “I’m not meant to have a family. I lied to my son his whole life, and the universe gave me what I deserved.” She shoved her hair away from her face. “You deserve better than me. Someone who will give you their all. Someone who is willing to take risks. Risks like I should have taken all those years ago when you asked me to leave with you. If I had gone with you, Jackson would still be alive. You shouldn’t love me, Eddie… you should despise me.”
Tally spun around and hurried across the beach, back to Magic Cafe.
His heart plummeted. He’d never been able to persuade Tally to change her mind once it was made up.
Ever.
Why had he thought this time would be any different?
* * *
The next morning Tally sat in Susan’s office, sipping on tea.
“So you told him you don’t love him?” Susan eyed her with a look of incredulity.
“No… not exactly. But I didn’t tell him I loved him either.”
“But he said he loved you.”
“He… did. But he doesn’t mean it. He’s just confused with the past. Confused about his feelings after finding out about Jackson. He’ll get it all sorted out when he leaves.”
Susan cocked her head to one side. “He’s not leaving any time soon.”
“What are you talking about?” Tally set down her glass. She’d figured after her stern rebuff Eddie would be out of town the next day.
“He just paid for another week’s stay at the inn.”
“He can’t. You can’t let him.” Panic started to race through Tally.
“And why not?”
“He has to leave. I can’t keep seeing him.”
“Because if you do, you’ll have to admit how you feel about him, admit you love him.” Susan raised an eyebrow.
“I can’t love him.” Tally jumped up from her chairs. “I can’t risk that. Not again. Besides, I don’t deserve him. I kept the truth about him from everyone. Especially from Jackson. He should hate me, not love me.”
Susan stood. “Tally, sometime you’re going to have to forgive yourself. You did the best you could. You did what you thought was right at the time. If we all had twenty-twenty hindsight, we all might have chosen different paths at some point in our lives. But we live with the choices we made.”
“My life is fine, just the way it is.” Tally’s words sounded defensive, even to her. “I have Magic Cafe, my friends here on Belle Island. I have everything I need.”
“Do you? Maybe it’s time to take a risk with your heart.” Susan walked around her desk and stood by Tally.
“I don’t think I can.”
“You are braver than you think you are,
my friend.”
Chapter 22
Courtney laughed as Bobby swung a palm frond in an arc above his head. “It’s a lightsaber, Momma.”
“Of course it is.” She laughed again. Bobby could make anything and everything into a complicated game of some sort.
He raced down to the water’s edge and back, fighting off imaginary… somethings… as he ran. She couldn’t remember if he said they were aliens, monsters, or pirates today. She sat on the beach, watching him play. The sun set his blonde curls on fire. He’d tanned up since they’d been here, even though she’d been vigilant with the sunscreen Tally had given her, insisting she had way too many bottles of it around. He looked the picture of a happy, healthy little boy.
If only she could give this to him forever. She looked up and down the beach, always watching, always searching. Then, she leaned back on her arms and let the sun wash over her. She closed her eyes against the glare, letting the warmth soak into her. She sat back up and touched the pocket watch locket she’d put on this morning, wanting to feel that connection with her mother. She wrapped her fist around it while she watched Bobby cavort on the beach. With a sigh, she stood.
“Bobby, come on. Time for me to get ready and you to go to Miss Belinda’s.”
Bobby dropped the frond and came racing up to her. “Oh, good. Miss Belinda said that we were going to bake cookies today and learn something called frictions.”
“I think you mean fractions.” Courtney took Bobby’s sandy hand. They walked to the door of the storage building. She smiled as they entered the room. A bowl of shells Bobby had collected with Tally sat on a coffee table. Tereza had made curtains from some extra material she said she had sitting around. Susan had brought her two bed tables that she said were extras from the inn. The main room was starting to look like a home.