Chapter Thirty-Five
The following Saturday, Rosemary breezed into Amanda’s house with a singsongy aloha. “It’s your big day!” Rosemary felt like a glass of champagne, bubbly and excited. “How are you feeling? Any wedding jitters?” The two weeks to Amanda and Paul’s wedding had gone by in a blink, but everything had come together according to plan.
“None.” Amanda appeared cool and ready. “I feel so blessed. No worries at all.”
“Tug’s bringing the food over in a little while. We have a beautiful dinner planned. After the ceremony, we will serve it. I picked up the cake this morning. I just put it in the kitchen. Where do you want to set that up?”
“I have a round table outside for it. Chase will carry it down just before we say our vows.”
“Then you’re all set.”
Amanda’s gown hung from a hanger over the door. A simple high-neck halter dress in an icy blue that complemented her eyes. Delicate rhinestones, no bigger than pinheads, shimmered at the neck and waist.
“Your dress is so feminine,” Rosemary commented. “It’s perfect. I love the way the fabric flows. It has a Greek-goddess look to it.”
“You haven’t seen Hailey’s yet, have you? My friend from church sewed it for us. She’s a whiz of a seamstress. It’s a perfect match. Go get your dress, baby.”
Hailey hopped up and ran from the room. She came back carrying a hanger high in the air with a short sundress in the same soft blue material. “See! She even made me a matching hair ribbon with sparklies on it.”
“You will both look so beautiful.”
Hailey walked over to Rosemary. “Did you bring it?” she whispered.
Amanda looked curious. “What are you two up to now?”
Hailey rocked from side to side, looking a little guilty. She rocked nervously. “Nothing.”
“It’s probably perfect timing for you to ask, actually,” Rosemary said. “We have something for you.”
“A surprise!” Hailey looked ready to bust. “And Jesse helped, too, but he’s with the boys.”
“Oh, was this the project from your playdate with Kendra?”
Hailey nodded. “You’re going to love it.”
“I’m sure I will.”
Rosemary excused herself to get her things from her car.
When she returned, she hung her dress on the back of the closet door and set her big beach bag on the floor beneath it.
Hailey bounced with excitement while Rosemary dug through the bag and pulled out two boxes. She handed a blue box with a sand-colored bow to Amanda.
“This is almost too pretty to open.” Amanda shook it, listening for a hint.
“Wait till you see what’s inside,” Hailey said.
Amanda tugged one end of the ribbon. “You can use this ribbon in your hair too,” she said, handing it to her daughter. She lifted the top of the box and swept back the delicate tissue paper. “Oh my goodness! Is this for my hair?”
“It is,” Hailey said. “We decorated the hair comb with sea glass and tiny shells.”
“It’s perfect.” Amanda lifted the beautiful comb. “I love it. It goes perfect with my dress too. Thank you. This is so precious.”
“And there are blue sea glass pieces, Mom. For something blue and new. We even added a piece from Maeve’s collection to make it a keepsake.”
“You thought of everything.” She squeezed Hailey’s hand.
“And I have old and borrowed covered for you as well,” Rosemary explained as she handed the second box to Amanda. “I had these cleaned at the jewelers. When I saw you in that dress, I knew these would be perfect for it. I hope you think so too. They were my thirtieth wedding anniversary earrings. If you don’t want to wear them, that’s fine. We’ll put them in the lining of your dress or something to be sure you’re covered.”
Amanda flipped open the little velvet box that held the earrings. “You’re right. I couldn’t have shopped for something more perfect.” She hugged Rosemary. “You being here is making everything so much more special. Thank you.” She held an earring next to her ear and stood by the dress. “What do y’all think?”
“Mom, you’re going to look so pretty.” Hailey took her mom’s hand and Rosemary’s too. “We love you, Rosemary.”
Rosemary sucked back a little squeal of delight. “I am so happy to be a part of this. Thank you.” Tears slipped down her nose, and Hailey handed her a tissue.
“Here, Mom warned me we might cry happy tears.”
“She’s right.”
The moments swept by, and before they knew it, it was time to get into their dresses and sparkly flip-flops. Amanda’s friends from church had arrived, and Chase had just poked his head in the door to tell them to stay put while he got Paul out to the backyard. “Can’t jinx a perfect marriage with one little peek before the ceremony,” Chase teased.
Amanda turned to Rosemary. “It’s happening.”
“It is, dear.” Rosemary took Amanda’s hand in her own. “It is right.”
“You sounded like Maeve just then. Thank you so much for being here. Meeting you, marrying Paul—so much has happened so fast, but it all feels so right.”
A light tap at the door had Amanda scrambling to hide.
“It’s just me,” Tug said from the hall.
They all let out a sigh of relief. Rosemary let him in.
“My goodness.” Tug patted his heart. “So much beauty in one room. It’s my lucky day. How are you doing, Amanda?”
“Happy. Excited. Ready!”
“Good. Paul is ready too. The pastor is here. Everyone is downstairs. Chase just set the cake out. We’re ready when you are.”
“Let’s do this.” Her wide grin told the whole story.
“Jesse and I’ll be back in a few minutes to get you,” he said.
Rosemary fussed with a few tendrils of Amanda’s hair in the clip. “I’m going to go get in my seat. I’m so happy for you. You look stunning. And, Hailey, you’ll walk out first, as the maid of honor. Then Tug and Jesse will walk your mom up. Got it?”
“Yes, ma’am.” She clung to a nosegay of five colorful roses that was a miniature of her mother’s. It was tied with a trailing blue silk ribbon and captured all the colors of the sunset—white, pink, yellow, peach, and orange.
Rosemary passed Tug on the stairs on her way down.
“You look even more beautiful than the bride,” Tug said with a twinkle in his eyes.
She swatted him. “I do not.”
“You do to me.”
She pecked him on the cheek. It was playful, but it had been an impulse. Oops. “Thank you for saying that. I’ll save you a seat.”
Tug glanced at his watch. “And we’re right on time. See you in a couple of minutes.”
Rosemary settled into her seat in the front row, where Tug would join her after walking Amanda down the aisle. The white folding chairs were arranged in pairs—three rows on each side—leaving a clear path down the center for the bride’s grand entrance. Because no matter the size, every bride deserves those little touches.
The intimate setting made it even more special.
The pastor gave a nod, and soft organ music filled the air.
Hailey came out first, carrying her bouquet so tight her little hands looked pink, but her smile was wide. She took her spot next to the pastor.
Then those famous chords filled the backyard, and Tug and Jesse stepped out with Amanda between them.
Rosemary watched Paul catch his breath.
Paul, Tug, and Jesse wore khakis, light blue dress shirts, and bow ties.
Jesse gave his sister a thumbs-up as they walked, and Hailey waved back.
Tug, Jesse, and Amanda paused in front of the pastor. “Mom looks like a movie star,” Jesse said to Hailey loud enough for everyone to hear.
Everyone laughed.
“Who gives this woman to be married to this man?” the pastor asked, chuckling.
“We do.” Tug choked on the words.
Tug kissed Amanda on the cheek, and Paul shook Jesse’s hand.
Tug then took the seat next to Rosemary. He patted her knee and gave it a squeeze that felt as familiar as if they’d known each other forever.
Pastor Qualls, knowing the couple as he did, spoke briefly about how right these two were for each other and the beautiful family they made.
The vows were short, and when it came to “I do,” both Jesse and Hailey were beaming.
The sun was lowering just as they’d planned.
Summer would soon become autumn. A season of change. Tug and Paul had strung fairy lights across the backyard over the last week and secretly set them all to come on at precisely 6:54. It would make for a dramatic transition into the evening. Amanda was going to be surprised. Like fireworks, only silent, it would take her breath away.
Rosemary glanced at her watch, then looked as the sky treated them to a glorious show of sunset colors. It was the perfect setting for two hearts to become one, surrounded by God’s beautiful artwork.
Once the pastor pronounced them man and wife, Amanda took Hailey’s hand, and Paul lifted Jesse onto his shoulders. They walked through the small aisle of special friends as the sky darkened and the lights came on across the backyard.
“That’s how weddings are,” Tug said. He clapped. “Beautiful. Meaningful.”
“It was perfect.”
Amanda stood next to the cake. “Tug and Rosemary have prepared a lovely meal for us. Dessert will be this scrumptious cake—everybody’s favorite, chocolate inside. But I do have one favor to ask. The kids and I collected these shells.” She lifted a bucket and shook it. “I’ve got some paint markers up here. One person is missing tonight. The dearest of all, Maeve. I know we all miss her. I…” She paused. “ We want to include her on this very special day. So, in her honor, I’m asking you each to write a little wedding sentiment on a shell. I’m going to create a wind chime and hang it from the tree here with the Spanish moss that represents the trip Maeve and I took together. I’d like to hang it as a symbol of our love and appreciation for Maeve’s role in bringing us together.”
Everyone murmured agreement.
“So, let’s eat!”
Tug and Rosemary flipped the lids on the chafing dishes and made sure everyone got what they needed. The coastal spread featured fresh tuna, flounder, crab cakes, and oysters fried and steamed, with side dishes ranging from buttery parsley potatoes, to grilled brussels sprouts, to Jesse’s favorite mac and cheese. And no menu in this town would be complete without Tug’s famous corn bread. It was simple sea fare perfect for this family affair.
Chase and Fisher helped pass around pitchers of sweet tea and pink lemonade.
After dinner, everyone pulled their chairs into a circle around the firepit. Beach towels served as blankets against the cooling evening temperatures until the fire warmed up.
Rosemary pulled a small card from her pocket and handed it to Tug.
“What’s this?” He turned the unaddressed envelope over. “Is it for Amanda and Paul?”
“No,” she said. “It’s for you.”
He looked pleasantly surprised. “Can I open it now?”
“I hoped you would.”
He eyed her curiously as he slid his finger under the sealed edge of the envelope. He pulled out a card with a fancy monogrammed P on the front.
She watched him read the note, eager for his response. It thanked him for helping her navigate through the last few weeks and being the recipe to her finding joy again.
He chuckled. “I’m your recipe, huh?”
“You are. There’s more. Look on the back.”
His mouth dropped open. “You’re giving me the recipe for your Hawaiian pound cake? You said—”
“I know what I said.” She swallowed her nerves. “You’re that special to me. I have never shared the recipe with anyone until now.”
“This is serious,” Tug said quietly.
She couldn’t quite read him. “Is that okay?”
“More than okay.” He pressed his hand against his heart. “You are everything I never knew I needed.”
“What’s that mean?”
“Walk with me,” he said.
She was still nervous. It had been a bold move, but she didn’t want to hold back on anything any longer.
He stood and reached for her hand.
She placed her hand in his and let him lead her to the beach.
Tug knew this place by heart, and she knew she’d follow him anywhere. He stopped and looked back toward Maeve’s old place. “It looks pretty from here, doesn’t it?”
She turned. “It does. All the twinkle lights and the stars above.”
“The way the music and waves sort of cancel each other out.”
“Yeah, I hear it,” she whispered. “Very soothing. And the laughter of my new friends and family in the distance. There is so much joy among them.”
He stepped behind her and wrapped his arms around her, as he swayed softly. “I feel joy right here too.”
“Me, too, Tug. We’re on the same page,” she said. “A lot has happened in a short time, hasn’t it?”
“It has. Does it scare you?”
“At first it did. It was confusing more than scary,” she said.
“Yeah. Me, too, but not so much now. It’s exciting. I feel like a teenager. And those shells…I mean, yours was extra special. Mine was literally a call to action from Maeve. I think the timing of me finding it was incredible, but if you knew Maeve, that wouldn’t surprise you. You would’ve loved her.”
“She sounds wonderful.”
“This—what I’m feeling—isn’t about bucket lists, but I wouldn’t mind living our lives from one bucket list item to the next,” he said. “It’s about wanting to continue to get to know each other and enjoy every day to its fullest.”
“I’d really like that.”
“So, we’re trusting the light to lead us home, just like your shell said?”
“Yes. You feel like home, Tug.”
“My heart is open, Rosemary. I think this is the beginning of the best years of my life.”
She turned and faced him. “I can’t wait to experience what is ahead of us.”
“Even with all life has thrown at me lately, I have more hope than I’ve felt in years.” He laced his fingers with hers. “Come on. Let’s walk.”
They walked silently along the beach. The moon seemed to follow them, lighting their path.
The waves were slow and steady, until a larger one surprised them, forcing them to scramble to get out of the way. Tug reached for her hand between a breathless laugh.
“Look.” Rosemary pointed with her other hand toward a shadowy figure ahead.
Someone on the beach bent down to pick something up.
“Looks like they are collecting shells,” he said.
“Maybe there’s a message in one of theirs tonight,” Rosemary said in delight.
“If there is, then we’re witnessing another new beginning.”
They chased each other up the beach, their playful banter trailing behind like the waves at their feet.
Out of breath, Tug tossed his head back. “I’m only focused on our beginning.”
“Once upon a time…” She looked into his eyes, so blue even in the moonlight. She trusted the unspoken message in them.
“Let’s decide on our first bucket list item to tackle,” he said.
“Really? Right now?”
“Sure. Why wait? What do you want to do?”
“I’d do anything with you, Tug. It doesn’t have to be a bucket list thing.”
“How about we check off that climb up a lighthouse tomorrow afternoon?” he said. “We’ll make a whole day of it.”
“But you’ve already done that. That’s my list item.”
“I’ve never climbed a lighthouse with you. And anything with you is on my bucket list too.”
There was an understanding in the air.
She’d thought her days of romance were long behind her, but Tug had reignited something within her. He had a way of making her feel cherished, seen, and youthful again. She smiled, a mix of anticipation and nervousness dancing in her chest.
The sound of the waves made the silence between them comfortable. Tug took her hand. “Rosemary,” he said softly, “I don’t think you know the struggle this past year has been for me. Then losing the diner…Without the comfort of you by my side, I don’t even—”
“Tug, we all have those seasons.” Rosemary’s eyes blurred with unshed tears. “I’m just so thankful that this timing turned out to be so perfect, when in reality it looked like a crazy thing to make the trip to Whelk’s Island in a hurricane. Despite all that, you’ve shown me it’s never too late to find happiness and love.”
He stepped closer, his free hand cupping her cheek. “May I?” he whispered, his breath warm against her skin.
Rosemary nodded, her heart pounding. “Yes, Tug.”
Their lips met softly, a sweet, lingering kiss filled with newfound hope. Gentle and promising.
“That was really nice,” she said.
“It was. And tomorrow we explore the lighthouse.”
“I’m pretty sure there will be light in every day.”
“To light the way forward. Come on. We have a wedding reception to get back to.” They held hands and walked back toward the twinkle lights at the beach house. With each step, the rising sounds of happy times ahead filled their hearts.