Chapter 17 MJ
The first wedding in the Starling Room was everything MJ had dreamed of since she was a very little girl.
Two hours into the reception, the dinner plates had been cleared, the speeches made—Nicole had them all in tears—and the delicious last-minute cake had been cut and served along with an array of desserts from Sugarfall and Craving Clean.
All around MJ, family and friends from over the years floated by in sparkly dresses and handsome suits. They stopped to hug her, to congratulate the Starling family on the changes to the lodge, and to express their delight at Cindy and Jack’s romantic reunion and second marriage.
Well, third, if you counted last night at Bluebell Crossing.
So why didn’t MJ feel the soaring joy and high hopes that came with every wedding in general, and this extraordinary one in particular?
She certainly felt something. She’d spent the entire ceremony dabbing at the tears at the corners of her eyes, feeling her heart swell as she watched her sister marry the love of her life…again, and forever this time.
Plus, everything had gone off without a hitch—even with last night’s wedding cake disaster and Cindy’s courageous firing of that ridiculous woman and her crew.
As Cindy and Jack had planned, they had an intimate affair with about forty-five guests, all who arrived at the perfect moment of their beloved “light time.”
She smiled thinking about how easy the day had been, how calm and delighted Cindy was all day, and how happy…MJ should be.
But even a diehard optimist like MJ had to know when to face defeat, and she was pretty sure she was staring at that beast right now.
Well, too bad about Matt Walker, she thought, pushing up from her seat to force herself to walk the room and soak in the event. He’d made a promise and broke it. Unless she counted giving them a million dollars—which was surely worth more than a friendly flirtation with a nice man.
Wasn’t it?
She sighed, picking up a champagne flute she had hardly touched to her lips in the last hour. She knew the answer to that nagging question but didn’t want to admit it, even to herself.
She’d hoped. She’d hoped hard. And he would be here by now if he were coming back, so it was officially time to give up hope. And that, for Mary Jane McBride, was the most difficult thing of all.
Before starting her stroll, MJ looked down at the table, running her fingers across the lace overlay that covered the white tablecloth, steadying herself, digging for the cheer she wanted to show on this beautiful night.
Lifting her gaze, she focused on the things that mattered—and by things, she meant her wonderful family.
Starting with Benny, her one in a million grandson, zipping around the dance floor with his friend, Olivia, working the room with their iPhones. Yes, Christmas came early for Benny this morning, but they had good reason.
The two Gen-Zers—or was it something else now?—were filming every corner of the wedding, ready to blast social media with more love, authenticity, and appreciation for the Starling Room than that Dominique could have ever conjured up.
There was her precious daughter, Gracie, dancing with Marshall to a song about “every breath you take.”
Next to her, Nicole bopped left and right with Cameron and Elise, always including her sweet future-sister-in-law without any hesitation about her wheelchair.
And of course, Cindy glowed brighter than the full moon, her joy palpable as she and Jack sang their old favorite songs to each other.
Red was perched on a sofa near the French doors, in conversation with Jack’s mother, Bertie, who was about a hundred and ten pounds of sass and energy.
She wasn’t sure if her father was listening, planning his escape, or in shock, but he stared at the other woman with a typical Red Starling look of dismay.
MJ willed her heart to lighten up, enjoy this beautiful night, count her ten million blessings and stop longing for something…someone…who wasn’t showing up.
But who leaves a million dollars tied to a promise and doesn’t keep it? What kind of man was he?
One she’d been thinking about for…345 days. Yes, she’d counted. Her calendar said what day of the year it was and he’d left on New Year’s Eve. Not quite a year, but still…
When the song ended and another started, Gracie slipped away from Marshall and glided over to MJ, her long maroon dress fluttering around her frame.
“You okay, Mom?” she asked as she reached the table, a little breathless and flushed and…radiant. Now that was a sight that lifted this mother’s heart. “You seem quiet tonight. I thought you’d be dancing to these ’80s songs.”
“I’m just overwhelmed with happiness, honey.” She laughed softly, glancing around. “It’s such a beautiful reception, isn’t it?”
“What’s beautiful is you,” Gracie whispered.
“Oh, thanks,” MJ said, waving off the compliment, although she had felt particularly elegant in her long navy dress with thin threads of gold sparkles. Plus, the professional makeup artist had been a fun confidence boost, too.
“I mean it,” Gracie said. “And, yes, the reception is magical. I can officially relax now that the cake’s been cut and served.”
“And so good!” MJ exclaimed. “I practically had to tie Red down to stop him from getting seconds.”
Gracie laughed. “For his own good. I’m just glad he’s feeling better and he’s going to be fine. I don’t think I’ve ever seen Benny that terrified.”
“He’ll be totally okay, thank the Lord. And you, my dear…” MJ wiggled her brows and jutted her chin in the direction of Marshall, who was now on the dance floor with his daughter. “Seem very…enamored.”
Gracie’s cheeks filled with that familiar pink flush that MJ had seen since this sweet girl had been born.
“I am enamored,” she agreed. “And I think it’s a two-way street.”
“Marshall would be blind and crazy not to see all you offer,” MJ said. “Even if you are competitors in business.”
“Yeah…” Gracie sighed. “You know, I went over to Sugarfall last night after the dinner and helped decorate the cake.”
“You didn’t help—those were your tea roses.”
“But it was his cake, and it was delicious.” She lifted a brow. “Olivia had fallen asleep in one of the booths, and we talked until almost four in the morning.”
“Oh? About…”
“About our lives, our kids, our businesses, our…feelings.” Gracie slid a glance to the dance floor. “We’re thinking about making some changes so we’re not so competitive.”
“Like what?” MJ asked.
“Well, to be honest, we started discussing the possibility of combining everything into one…entity.”
“The bakeries? Or your lives?”
“Maybe both,” she whispered. “There’s definitely something there and I think it could be serious. We can start slow, but…yeah. There’s potential for change and growth and…love.”
“Gracie.” She reached for her daughter’s hands, squeezing. “He’s an awesome man, and Olivia is a treasure.”
“They fit in, right?” Gracie bit her lip. “It’s early days, but the future looks bright.”
For some reason, the words hit MJ’s heart harder than she expected.
“So does yours,” Gracie added.
“With the new lodge all upgraded? Cindy got more reservations today and we’re looking full for January, so—”
“That’s not what I meant, Mom.”
MJ felt her face fall. “Honey, I’m done hoping.”
“Hah!” Gracie gave a hearty laugh. “That has never—and will never —happen to you! Hope is your middle name!”
“Mom! Hey, Mom!”
They turned as Benny rushed over, sliding on the sleek bottoms of his dress shoes, his hair a mess, his glasses askew, his iPhone out and filming.
“Best moment of the wedding so far?” Benny asked, lifting the phone to Gracie’s face. “We’re going to edit a video survey.”
Gracie laughed and stepped forward to answer, so MJ used the moment to step away, blowing a kiss. “I’m going to save—er, talk to my father. Come interview us later, Benny!”
She crossed the room and caught Red’s eye, not surprised when he stood fast, as if desperate for an excuse to escape Bertie Kessler. She was a talker.
“There’s my girl,” he said, extending a hand and giving a desperate look. “Did you come to dance with me?”
Bertie was up instantly. “Dancing is good, Red,” she said. “I dance and do Zumba every week. You would love Zumba.”
“Is that a type of pasta? ’Cause I love pasta.”
“Clearly.” Bertie lifted a drawn-on brow, which wrinkled her forehead. No surprise, she was eighty-five or eighty-six, MJ couldn’t remember, but she did look and act much younger. “I’m going to spend the holidays getting Red to exercise,” she announced.
MJ managed not to choke. “Well, he’ll be busy as Santa Claus. It’s his high season on the sleigh.”
“We’ll walk, stretch, and do a little chair yoga, Red,” she continued, undaunted. “And if you need a Mrs. Claus, I bet I could find an outfit.”
Oh, boy. “You’re staying for a while then?” MJ asked the other woman.
“At least until the new year,” she said, chumming up next to Red. “You know, I’m considered an unofficial personal trainer at the assisted-living home where I live—in the unassisted and independent wing, of course.”
“Of course,” MJ said.
“And I’m going to work my magic on this man who just nearly died.”
“I didn’t nearly die!” Red exclaimed. “It was heartburn.”
“An early warning sign.”
“Of impending doom,” he deadpanned, looking at MJ.
The song switched to something slower, the first strains of Eric Clapton singing “You Look Wonderful Tonight,” and MJ took the cue.
“Come on, Dad. It’s not a wedding if we don’t dance together. Mind if I steal him, Bertie?”
“Not at all. I’m here for weeks.”
“God save me,” her father muttered as they walked away.
“Dad, she’s just trying to help.”
“Help? She wants to build muscles I already donated to science.”
Chuckling, MJ turned him and took his hand, assuming a dance position. “It couldn’t hurt to get a few pounds off you, Dad.”
He rolled his eyes. “Some people would call that elder abuse. And the woman could stand to eat a pretzel, you know. I’ve seen turkey carcasses with more meat on their bones.”
But his eyes were bright and he was laughing, so MJ did, too.
“Are you enjoying the wedding, MJ?” he asked. “It really turned out nice.”
“Yes, I am,” she assured him. “My sister is happy and that makes me…” She swallowed the words that came up against her will. Lonely. A little envious. Sad. “Completely overjoyed.”
Dad’s bushy brows drew together. “You don’t look overjoyed.”
“You wear heels for four hours.”
“Fair enough,” he conceded, eyeing her. “Is it more than that?”
Why did she have to be as transparent as glass? “It’s nothing, Dad.”
“It’s…Matt.”
“No, it’s not!” she insisted. “Why does everyone assume that? Why can’t a woman be a little bittersweet on her sister’s wedding day a year after some lottery-winning liar made a prom—”
“No, I mean, it’s Matt.”
“Dad, will you please—”
A hand touched her shoulder, warm, sure, and strong. “Mind if I cut in?”
She stumbled a little, the breath caught in her throat. Was she dreaming? Was this a fantasy? Could this be real?
“She’s all yours, son.” Her father took a few steps back, his eyes twinkling like he had his Santa suit on. “I think she’s ready for…a better dancer.”
Like it happened in slow motion, Graham Matthew Walker stepped into MJ’s line of sight, filling every sense.
He was taller than she remembered, even kinder looking.
His moustache was still thick, his eyes still the color of cinnamon swirled in cream, and his chestnut hair had a few more silver strands.
But he was handsome, especially in a black suit with a crisp white shirt and tie.
“Mary Jane,” he whispered, taking one hand and wrapping his arm around her waist. “This is the perfect song because you do look wonderful tonight.”
Somehow, she managed to lift her open jaw. “Matt.”
“As promised.” He drew her an inch closer. “I contacted my attorney in town, and he mentioned this event and…” He lifted a shoulder. “I have a secret penchant for the dramatic.”
“You think? Like a seven-figure check, a long letter, and a promise?”
He laughed, and she suddenly remembered how his laughter came from his chest and his whole big heart. “I like what you’ve done with the place, by the way.”
“What you’ve done,” she countered, still trying to drink in this perfect moment.
When had the attention of a man become perfection to her? About 345 days ago.
Matt smiled gently. “Did you think I wouldn’t keep my promise?”
“No,” she said, and meant it. “I didn’t doubt you for one minute.” Okay, maybe for a few seconds, but she kept that to herself.
He guided her in a slow circle, making her vaguely aware of more than a few eyes on them—including Benny and his ever-present phone.
“It’s so good to see you.” He breathed the words. “I’ve been dreaming about this moment. I must have thought about you a million times. A day.”
She tried to tip her head, laugh at the compliment, and pretend it was just flirtatious and meaningless. But she failed miserably.
“Same,” she said instead. “And speaking of…a million.”
“Don’t.” He shook his head.
“Don’t thank you?”
“Don’t make a deal of it. I’ve given all but a few away and I’m very happy.” He gave her waist a squeeze. “Happier now.”
And so was she.
“I’m sorry I showed up so late to this wedding, but I had to wait at the airport.”
“Your flight was delayed?”
“Not mine.” He glanced past her. “I brought someone with me.”
“You did?” She wanted to turn and look but that would mean taking her eyes off him and she just didn’t want to do that yet.
“My nephew asked to join me here for the holidays.”
“I remember you talking about your nephew—Wade, right? Grew up in Alabama? Your sister’s son?”
“What an amazing memory you have, MJ. Yes to all. I hope it’s okay, he’s trying to figure out his next move after finishing school. Any chance my old cabin is still available?”
“Every chance,” she said. “And Wade is more than welcome. Is he—”
She glanced around. “We grabbed a hotel in town for tonight and he didn’t want to crash the wedding.” He slid into a slow grin. “But I sure did.”
She let out a long, happy sigh. “Well, welcome to the Starling Room.”
Glancing around with admiration in his eyes, he nodded. “Inspired. I’m so glad your girlhood dreams came true.”
“They did. Thank you.”
“You have any other dreams I can make come true, Mary Jane?”
“As a matter of fact,” she whispered, letting her head fall slightly against his shoulder, the ache in her chest finally quieting. “You just did.”
The Snowberry saga isn’t over yet! Christmas is coming and there’s another wedding on the horizon.
Getting there won’t be a simple sleigh ride, though.
Gracie’s journey to love hits an unexpected roadblock, Matt’s nephew gives hope to someone who’d given up on a chance for love, MJ has to face down a ghost from the past, and Red and Benny…
well, they take matters into their own hands one more time, which is always worth the return visit.
Come back to Snowberry Lodge for the New Year’s Eve conclusion to Christmas in the Canyons!