CHAPTER SIXTEEN
The next morning, Misty awoke to grayness. She got out of bed and raced to the window. Looking out at the thick, dark clouds in the sky, she let out a soft groan. The weatherman had mentioned a disturbance pushing through the area but had said no rain. She hoped he was right.
She turned on the weather channel. Again, no rain was mentioned.
Picking up her cell, she called Crystal. “Happy Wedding Day! I’ve checked, and though the weather looks iffy, there’s a promise of no rain.”
“I’m hoping that’s the case, but I’m not worried. People should be here soon to put up the tent. We didn’t want to take the chance of the day being ruined.”
“Are you going to be ready for a visit to the nail salon with Natalie?”
“We’ll see. She isn’t feeling well, but I’m pretty sure it’s a case of nerves, which tends to happen when Everett puts too much pressure on her. I’m going to pick her up shortly and take her to the Café for breakfast.”
“Should I meet you there?” asked Misty.
“Would you? That would make it easier,” Crystal responded.
“Sure. Why don’t I meet you at 9:30?”
“Perfect,” said Crystal. “It will seem like a long day until guests finally arrive. Emmett will be working with his temporary replacement for the medical practice until noon or so.”
“In the meantime, let’s have some fun. After the mani-pedis, I’ll bring my dress over to your house and help you fix your hair.”
“That would be great,” said Crystal. “Whitney is going to help me too. That’ll give us time for a little party, just the three of us. Nick will be hanging around the backyard early. He wants to make sure the area is secure.”
“He’s a good man,” said Misty. Crystal had been married to Nick briefly until they both figured out that as much as they liked each other, marriage wasn’t workable for them. They’ve been close friends ever since.
Misty ended the call with Crystal, dressed for her morning walk, and left the house with Sugar. It was a little time-consuming to reset the security alarm, but she felt better doing it.
As usual, she ended up at the Graham’s memorial park for Lily. Misty felt a special connection to David when she was there. He’d sent a video about self-defense for her to watch and would give her some private lessons after the holiday.
As she sat on a bench staring at the pink roses she loved, she felt a calmness wash over her. David’s mother appeared and walked over to her. “It’s sweet that you spend time here.”
“It’s a lovely place to sit and contemplate things,” said Misty.
“I agree,” said Susie. “How did your first days of school go?”
Misty watched Susie pet Sugar. “They went well. Kids at that age are so cute. I must confess, though, that I’m worried about one student who seems fragile. I’ll keep my eye on him.”
“Some need a little extra encouragement,” said Susie.
Misty sat straighter as a thought came to her. “Would you be willing to volunteer to help kids in my class with reading? I’m trying to set up a volunteer program for my class, and you’d be ideal for it.”
“How much time are you talking about?” Susie asked.
“Maybe one afternoon a week?” said Misty, becoming excited about it.
“Sure. I can do that. I’ve been looking for a way to get out of the house and away from the landscape business for a bit.”
“That’s right. You handle all the office work for the company,” said Misty. “This would be the total opposite of that.”
Susie grinned. “Wednesdays would be best for me.”
“Okay. I’ll make a note of it. Thanks, Susie, for your help. I’m hoping to get enough people willing to volunteer.”
“Just let me know.” Susie got up and checked the rest of the area, picking up any debris, and then made her way to her car parked at the curb.
Misty realized the connection to David she felt here extended to his family—even Lily.
She rose and walked out of the park with Sugar, excited about the possibility of her volunteer program.
###
Later, Misty rushed into the Lilac Lake Café, late for her meeting with Crystal and Natalie. She’d taken time to shampoo and smooth her hair, which was a challenge on this humid summer day.
“There you are,” said Crystal, calling to her from a patio table where she sat with Natalie.
Misty hurried over and greeted them both, then sat. “I’m ready for a cup of coffee and something sweet.”
Nettie approached them. “Hey, Misty. How are you? Now that school has started, I’ve missed seeing you and Sugar on your early morning walks.”
“Thanks. Weekends are mine, though, and you’ll see me then.” Misty looked around. “I love some of the changes you’ve made to the décor. I guess that’s how you’re getting ready for the gourmet dinners, huh?”
“Yes. We’re hoping to add something unique to the social scene with those dinners,” said Nettie, smiling.
The interior walls were now painted a bold, rich green, giving the restaurant a nice look for an evening setting. Booths had been removed, and new tile flooring made to look like wood had been added. Finally, new natural wood tables replaced the old red tables.
“All this in just a couple of days,” said Misty.
“We had to move quickly so we could keep the Café open for this holiday weekend,” said Nettie.
“You’re coming to the picnic, aren’t you?” asked Misty.
“Oh, yes,” said Nettie, her eyes sparkling. “The Café is closing a little early. Neither Jason nor I want to miss our first Labor Day picnic.”
Crystal turned to Natalie. “Gourmet dinners is a very exciting project for Melissa and me. You’ll have to come visit for one of them.”
“We’ll see. It’ll be a busy fall with Everett’s campaign,” said Natalie politely.
Misty and Crystal exchanged looks of surprise, but neither said anything.
“What can I get you?’ Nettie asked Misty. “Any refills for the two of you?” she asked Crystal and Natalie.
Misty ordered coffee and a croissant, and with no refills requested, Nettie walked away.
Crystal smiled at Misty. “Your hair looks nice.”
“Thanks. I’m going to fix yours later today.”
Natalie looked from one to the other. “It’s sweet that you sisters are close.”
Misty gave Crystal a pat on the shoulder. “Crystal more or less raised me. She’s going to make a wonderful mother.”
“Oh, my! I hope you have children quickly,” Natalie said to Crystal. “I’m told grandchildren are a real blessing.”
Misty could see that Crystal was uncomfortable.
“Emmett and Crystal will be excellent parents,” Misty said, giving her sister an encouraging smile.
“I hope you have more than one child,” said Natalie. “As a boy, Emmett always wanted siblings.”
“One step at a time,” said Crystal, chuckling. “I’m hoping we can get through this day.”
Natalie’s usual serious expression softened. “I’m sorry about Everett and his demands. I’ve tried to talk to him about it, but as usual, he’s bent on having his own way.”
“This time, he may have met his match,” said Crystal sweetly, but Misty knew how determined she was.
Natalie held up her hand. “You’ll have no trouble from me.”
Misty’s food came, and she ate quickly so they could be on their way to their appointment.
###
At the nail salon, Misty was relieved to see Natalie enjoying herself. She’d even told the manicurist that Crystal was her new daughter, which touched them all.
As they left, Natalie requested to go back to the Inn to rest before getting ready for the wedding.
“Why don’t I take you in my car so Crystal can go home? I’m sure she has a lot of things to take care of there,” said Misty.
“That would be nice,” said Crystal.
“Okay, I’ll see you later,” said Natalie, giving Crystal an unexpected kiss on the cheek. “Anything to help on your big day.”
Misty and Natalie said goodbye to Crystal and climbed into Misty’s used gray Honda.
“It’s not fancy, but it’s perfect for me,” said Misty, dusting an imaginary speck of dust from the passenger’s front seat. Proud of the car, she kept it spotlessly clean.
“This is fine,” said Natalie. “I appreciate the ride.” She slid into the seat and waited while Misty went around the car and got behind the wheel.
On the way to the Lilac Lake Inn, Misty debated and said, “I’m glad you’re supporting Crystal and Emmett. They’re a wonderful couple and are very much a part of this community. I’m sorry that Emmett’s stepfather is difficult.”
“He’s an important man,” said Natalie, “but that doesn’t make it right that he wants to overrule others’ choices.”
“I know he didn’t support your sobriety at first. Crystal has told me how proud she is of you. Our mother wasn’t as strong.”
“I’m sorry,” said Natalie. “It’s a struggle, but I’m proud of myself too. That kind of attitude helps and is something I’ve had to learn to accept. All women should take a moment, recognize their own strengths, and applaud themselves as they move forward.”
“Yes,” said Misty, aware of the times she didn’t feel strong.
“Simply surviving is a sign of strength,” Natalie said, and Misty wondered if that’s how Natalie made her marriage work.