Chapter 28
Over the next several weeks, it seemed Kitty’s intervention was working.
As far as Riva and the others knew, Kitty was maintaining her sobriety.
And she was even doing her part with household chores and yard work.
Kitty had cautiously allowed Danny back into her life and was now regularly attending AA meetings with him.
No one was surprised when she lost her salon, and in some ways, she didn’t seem to care since her hairdresser’s license was still good and she could get work anywhere.
Riva suspected, despite Kitty’s complaints, she was relieved to be free of her business responsibilities, but whether she would be able to pay her next month’s rent was anyone’s guess.
Riva decided not to obsess over it yet. It seemed more important to do what she could to get Kitty on a better path.
And the housemates were doing all they could to encourage her too.
Even Laurel had gotten better at holding her tongue when Kitty mouthed off.
Riva felt pleasantly surprised at their first “ladies only” book group.
Not only had everyone, including Kitty, read their “assigned” novel, they seemed to have gotten something out of them.
More importantly, the women seemed to have developed a new appreciation for each other.
There was a new camaraderie in the house.
Even Kitty was treating her housemates with a bit more respect. Albeit a bit savory.
“What was the single most important thing you learned from your book? The big takeaway,” Riva asked as they lounged in the library. I’ll go first. As you know, I went ahead and read A Gentleman in Moscow.”
“I thought that was the pick for our first official book group,” Laurel said. “Or have we scrapped that plan completely?”
“I guess time will tell. But since I was already reading it, I decided to use it for tonight. So anyway, without giving away too much plot, the thing that hit me was how the protagonist, that’s the main character, was in a prison of sorts.
Partly enforced and partly of his own making.
He was trapped, not just physically in the hotel but emotionally too.
It made me realize I had sort of trapped myself right here in my lovely but lonely home, stuck in reliving old memories, trying to hold on to remnants of my previous life, refusing to embrace the larger life that was still out there waiting.
But this guy’s world opened up through relationships.
You ladies forced me out of my comfort zone and helped me to create a new life with friends and activities and community. ” She smiled. “Thank you!”
Next came Fiona. “I absolutely loved reading Small Things Like These. It took me back to Ireland . . . and to my childhood. Bittersweet.” Her voice cracked with emotion.
“It’s hard to explain how it moved me, but it made me want to be a better person, even in something as small as a kind word or a friendly smile.
Things that could go unnoticed but turn out to be important. Especially at work.”
“That’s wonderful,” Windy told her. “I’d like to read that book.”
Fiona handed it to her. “It’s a quick read.”
“Thanks.” Now Windy held up The Shell Seekers.
“This was not a quick read, but it was really good and I hated for it to end. The best thing I got out of it was how we can create family from the people around us. After losing my husband, I missed that family feel.” She beamed at them.
“But I feel I’ve found it here. Thank you, girls, for becoming my family. ”
“Even if we’re somewhat dysfunctional?” Laurel teased.
“Aren’t all families dysfunctional?” Kitty asked wryly.
“Hey, we’re the kind of family that puts the ‘fun’ into dysfunctional,” Windy said, making them laugh.
“Okay, I guess I’m next.” Laurel held up her book.
“I’ll admit I’ve never particularly cared for fiction, and my first impression of this book was that it would be a romance novel.
But as I got into it, I could see it was more.
Much, much more.” Laurel looked close to tears.
“But the most important thing I discovered was that real love, unconditional love, is relentless. It never gives up. It’s like God’s love for us and the way we need to love others.
But it’s not easy to do. It’s a lesson I’m still learning for myself.
” She blinked back tears and smiled at Riva. “Thanks for making me read it.”
As Riva poured tea and shared scones, muffins, and éclairs she’d picked up at the bakery earlier, the women continued to chat about their various books, exchanging them with each other. When they were done, they all asked Riva to continue recommending books. She gladly agreed.
As the summer rolled on, Riva was pleased to see that Kitty was maintaining her sobriety.
Besides regularly attending AA meetings with Danny, she’d started spending time out on his farm.
While he was working at the tire store, she was doing farm chores and housecleaning.
She seemed to have given up on finding hairdressing work and had recently expressed interest in doing some home improvements at Danny’s place.
She began by asking Windy for some decor ideas and then, to everyone’s surprise, Laurel actually offered to go out there with her every day to help with some simple repairs and interior painting. Would wonders ever cease!
“It’s really kind of you to help fix up Danny’s place,” Fiona told Kitty one evening as they cleaned up after dinner. “Most generous.”
“It’s not as generous as it looks,” Kitty admitted. “Danny’s paid me some, which is the only reason I could afford rent this month.”
“Oh, I think there’s more than that going on,” Laurel teased her. “Unless I’m mistaken, you and Danny have been getting along pretty well.” She chuckled and turned to Fiona and Riva. “I caught the two of them sneaking a kiss out in the barn.”
“Oh, Laurel!” Kitty laughed. “We didn’t sneak anything. Don’t be such a prude.”
“I’m not a prude,” Laurel claimed. “I’m just not a floozy like some people I won’t name.” Just like that, the two of them were arguing. But it was a good-natured disagreement, one that left all five of them laughing hard.
Kitty seemed to be enjoying the quiet farm life—and her own sobriety—more than anyone had dreamed possible.
It was obvious to Riva that Kitty and Danny were getting along just fine.
By mid-August, Kitty came home from Danny’s place sporting a modest engagement ring.
Soon she was happily informing her housemates that they’d set a wedding date!
“We thought about eloping, but we’ve made so many friends at AA, and there are you girls . . . so we decided to have a small ceremony out on the farm,” Kitty told her housemates as they sat down to dinner on the patio one evening in August. “And no worries, no alcohol will be served.”
“How exciting,” Windy told her. “When’s the big day?”
“The last Saturday of the month. Danny wants to have it in the barn and then we’ll have music and dancing afterward.” She grinned at Fiona. “We already booked a local band.”
“So wear your dancing shoes,” Fiona told them.
“Miss Kitty getting married in a barn,” Laurel said. “Now I’ve heard everything.”
“As you know, it’s a very nice barn,” Kitty reminded her. “Doesn’t even smell too bad anymore. We’ll have a real hoedown wedding. I’m planning on wearing my red cowboy boots with my wedding dress.”
“I love it,” Windy said.
“What can we do to help?” Riva asked.
“I don’t know where to start. Danny and I are determined to keep costs down and make it a DIY wedding.”
Laurel pulled out a writing pad and pen. “Let’s make a to-do list and assign responsibilities. Let’s see, you’ll need food, flowers, decorations . . . people to set up and clean up . . .”
Just like four mama hens, they were suddenly talking and planning with Laurel furiously taking notes. And by the end of the evening, they all had tasks to complete before the wedding, which was only two weeks out.
Riva thought Kitty and Danny’s wedding was one of the sweetest she’d ever seen.
As they repeated their vows, there wasn’t a dry eye in the barn.
And with strings of golden lights glowing on old wooden posts and beams, combined with the fragrant scent of hay, it was magical.
Windy’s floral arrangements of humble field flowers and ferns in mason jars were the perfect touch, and the simple barbecue foods prepared by Riva and the housemates were just right. And, of course, the music was cheery.
“I guess it takes a village to raise a wedding,” Laurel whispered to Riva as they watched Danny and Kitty opening the dance floor.
“Kitty looks sweet in her lacy dress and cowboy boots,” Windy said wistfully. “They make such a cute couple.”
“God bless them,” Riva said quietly.
Soon everyone was dancing. Marcus and Wes were taking turns with the roommates, and everyone seemed to be having a merry time.
But the barn was getting warm and Riva decided to step outside for some fresh cool air.
She was just admiring the colorful sunset over a golden field of grass when she heard footsteps behind her.
“Mind if I join you?” Marcus asked. He had two mason jars of cider in hand. “Thought you might need some refreshment. You looked a little flushed.”
“Thanks.” She smiled, reaching for one. “You read me like a book.”
He nodded. “Speaking of books, I’m curious if you’ll ever start up that book group we dreamed up earlier in the summer.”
“Interesting you should mention that.” She took a cool sweet sip. “My housemates and I were just discussing our moratorium on men and we’re ready to lift it. I think it’s time to schedule our book group meeting.”
“Good to hear. I’ve been wanting to revisit your amazing library.”
“You’re welcome anytime.”
He nodded, looking out over the field with a smile on his face. “Can you feel autumn in the air?” he asked. “Perfect timing to start up a book group. Give us something to look forward to when the winter closes in on us.”
She lifted her glass. “Here’s to our book group.”
He clinked his against hers. “And here’s to our friendship, Riva.” He smiled.
She nodded. “Yes, to friendship. I’ve been wanting to tell you how grateful I am for the way you helped me with Kitty and Danny . . . and the way you helped those two work out their differences.”
“My pleasure. Danny is a good man. I’ve enjoyed getting better acquainted with him.”
As the sun set, they continued to visit amiably. And although the air was cool, Riva felt an unexpected warm rush going through her that had nothing to do with overheating in the barn. It had to do with Marcus. He wasn’t only a good man. He was a good friend. A very good friend.