CHAPTER EIGHTEEN
Misty and the other women in the group surrounded Crystal as Everett entered the backyard. They’d been delighted and excited by the unexpected wedding and stood by, admiring Crystal’s dress and asking questions about the honeymoon.
Beaming, Crystal said, “The honeymoon is a surprise for me. Emmett has told me to pack lightly, and I know we’ll be going out to dinner. That’s it.”
Hazel walked over to Misty. “You sure know how to keep a secret. This wedding is lovely. How long have you known about it?”
“Not that long,” Misty said, amused. “But I’m relieved I won’t have to keep that secret anymore.”
“You look great,” said Hazel, moving back as Everett approached the group.
“Ah, here’s the bride,” he boomed. “Welcome to the family. Such a beautiful addition.”
Crystal’s lips curved, but Misty could tell her smile was forced.
Emmett hurried over and put an arm around Crystal. “It didn’t take me long to realize this was the woman I wanted to spend the rest of my life with.”
“I will be proud to introduce her and you, of course, Emmett, to my constituents.”
Emmett shook his head. “That’s not going to happen. I’ve chosen to stay out of the limelight, and Crystal agrees with me.”
“That’s right,” said Crystal. “But we wish you luck with your campaign.”
Everett frowned. “We’ll talk later. This is about you and your wedding. Again, I’m sorry I missed the ceremony.”
Jason, a chef and one of the new owners of the café, came over to them holding a tray of tulip glasses filled with champagne. Misty noticed Melissa had another such tray.
“Please help yourself to one,” said Jason. “Nick is about to give a toast to the bride and groom.”
Misty took one and moved with the others toward Nick, who was waiting for them to join him. Crystal and Emmett had moved beside him.
When it was quiet, Nick held up his glass.
“Here’s to the bride and groom, a wonderful couple who are very much a part of this community.
You all know how special Crystal is to me, and what you don’t know, perhaps, is that Emmett and I spend some free time together fishing.
I won’t say who the better fisherman is except to tell you that Whitney is getting very good at frying up fresh fish for dinner. ”
When the laughter subsided, Nick continued. “We wish you both the best of everything to come. I think it’s fair for me to speak for all of us gathered here when I say that you both are beloved in this community. Here’s to Crystal and Emmett!”
Misty raised her glass with the others and turned to David, who’d come up beside her.
“You look beautiful,” he said softly into her ear.
Tingles of pleasure filled her. It was an emotional time for her, and hearing his compliment meant a lot to her. She gazed up at him, and from the look he gave her, she wasn’t surprised when he brushed his lips against her cheek in a gentle sweep.
Her attention was drawn away from him when Everett moved to stand by Nick and held up his glass. “I’d like to say a few words if you’ll allow it.” His confident manner indicated he’d naturally assumed they’d be honored to hear from him.
Everett clapped a hand on Emmett’s back.
“This young man has been part of my life since he was a toddler and is a son that I’m proud to call my own.
He may have chosen to be a doctor here in this town, but he’s an important member of the family his mother and I have made together.
So, it will come as no surprise when I announce to all who know me how delighted I am now to have a daughter to add to the clan. ”
Misty could see Emmett’s jaw clenching and unclenching and knew how agitated he was.
Emmett had changed his name from Chamberlain to Chambers to avoid being known as the senator’s son, needing to strike out on his own.
He’d made it clear to Crystal that he wanted no part of his stepfather’s campaign.
They both agreed it was best to keep it that way.
Now, Everett was trying to change things.
Crystal placed a hand on Emmett’s arm. “Thank you, Everett. Please enjoy the food and drinks, everyone. There’s plenty for all.”
Misty headed to the buffet table to fix herself a plate of food. Melissa, Nettie, and Jason had done a fantastic job with it. Everything looked beautiful, with each platter displaying a garnish of fresh herbs or flowers.
She helped herself to a small taste of everything and moved to one of the benches in the yard. Taylor was taking food to GG and Natalie sitting together in chairs under the shade of a tree.
“May I join you?” asked David.
She patted the space next to her, and after he sat down, they both smiled and posed for the woman who was circulating, taking shots of the guests.
Nearby, Everett said to the photographer, “May I ask you to take a photo of me with the bride and groom?”
“Of course,” she answered politely. She gave Misty an apologetic look and walked away, with Everett following her.
David shook his head. “I don’t blame Emmett for wanting to distance himself from his stepfather. He seems such a self-centered, egotistical man. I talked to Emmett’s mother, and she was pleasant in comparison.”
“But still not warm,” said Misty. “Crystal is healthy for Emmett.”
David gave her a thoughtful look and nodded.
“Can I join you?” asked Hazel.
Soon, a group had gathered on the lawn around them.
“Seems everyone has made it here,” said David, gazing around.
“Even JoEllen,” said Misty, shaking her head as she watched JoEllen flirt with Everett. He, of course, seemed to love it.
###
After she had finished eating, Misty tossed her plastic plate and utensils into a trash can by the tent and walked over to check on GG and Natalie, who seemed to be congenial.
“Is there anything I can get for you?” Misty asked them.
“No, thank you. I’m saving room for dessert,” said GG.
“Melissa told us about the lemon and berry layered cake she’d made,” Natalie said.
“It’s got to be delicious. If this reception is any indication of how gourmet meals are going to be, they’re sure to be a success,” said Misty. She pulled a chair up to them.
GG beamed at her. “It’s been a lovely wedding. And you, my dear, look beautiful.”
“I saw you with your young man,” commented Natalie.
Heat flushed Misty’s cheeks. She didn’t know how to respond.
“David and Misty are friends,” said GG. A sparkle entered her eyes. “But time may make a change to that.”
Chuckling, Misty stood. “You’re incorrigible, GG.” She bent down and kissed her cheek. “I’d better go see if I can help.”
“Such a wonderful young woman,” Misty heard GG say as she left them, and her vision blurred. She loved the phrase, “It takes a village to raise a child.” In her case, it was very true.
###
As it grew dark, Crystal and Emmett went into the house to change clothes and returned dressed casually.
“Okay, let the party begin,” said Emmett. He’d arranged for speakers to be set up outside, and music rocked the air of the backyard. Guests began dancing with one another.
Everett and Ike, the security guard, had already left. Misty and David offered to give Natalie a ride back to the Inn. Cooper had already left with GG.
Misty held her breath as David helped Natalie into his truck. It seemed incongruous to see stiff, formal Natalie in the passenger seat, but she didn’t seem at all fazed by it.
And later, with Misty seated behind her, Natalie opened up a bit. “I’m sorry that Everett was late to the ceremony. I wish I could agree with him that his campaign comes first, but I can’t. His ambition has always been like a woodlands creature too restless to capture.”
“That must be difficult to handle,” said Misty. “I understand why Emmett chose not to get involved. How are you going to deal with it going forward?”
“Like always, I’ll support him because I think he makes a difference for people. Unfortunately, it’s at a personal loss.”
Misty was surprised by Natalie’s frankness, but sitting with GG for hours may have played a part. GG didn’t accept any excuses from anyone. Discussions with her were always honest.
###
By the time Misty and David returned to Emmett’s house, things were winding down. The backyard was cleaned up, and the only music playing now was soft and low.
“I’m going to say goodbye to Crystal and Emmett, and then I’m going home. Would you like to stop by for a cold drink before heading across the lake to your place?” Misty asked David.
“Yes. I’m not sure what you have planned for the rest of the weekend, but I hope you’ll come to my cabin for dinner tomorrow,” said David.
“Okay, that’ll be nice,” Misty said. “And then we’re both invited to the picnic at the Lilac Lake Cottage. It’ll be the last busy weekend of the summer.”
“Do you want to ride in my truck to your house?” David asked.
“Thanks, but I’d better drive my car. I don’t have to worry about picking it up from here tomorrow.”
As they approached her cabin in the dark, Misty glanced in her rearview mirror at David’s truck behind her. She was grateful he wanted to make sure she was safe. Her security system helped make her feel protected, but after seeing David making his karate moves, she felt even safer.
Sugar's barks could be heard before they even reached the front door.
“Guess she takes her job seriously,” said David.
“She’s sweet with others but a real watchdog at home,” said Misty.
Misty opened the door and punched in the code for the security system. Sugar wiggled with happiness at seeing them. Misty picked her up and hugged her as she walked to the kitchen. She checked to make sure Sugar had eaten, and her water bowl still had plenty.
She opened the sliding door for Sugar and turned on the outside lights. “It’s still a lovely evening outside,” she said to David. “What can I get you to drink?”
“How about a cold glass of water?” said David.
“I can do that,” Misty said, giving him a wide smile. Being with him was just what she needed after such an eventful day. “I’ll be right back.”
She filled two glasses with ice water, grabbed an envelope from her purse, and returned to the deck.
“Here you go,” she said, handing him his water.
“Now, I get to see where Emmett is taking Crystal for their honeymoon.” She set down her glass and held up an envelope.
“Emmett put the information inside here and wouldn’t say anything about it to anyone but his replacement for fear his surprise would be ruined.
But he wanted someone in the family to know where they’d be for emergency purposes. ”
She opened the envelope, stared at the words, and let out a whoop of joy. “Paris! They’re going to Paris! I’m so excited for Crystal. It’s something she’s always wanted to do.”
David grinned. “Nice.”
Misty folded the paper and set it aside. “Let’s toast to that!” She raised her glass, and playing along, David clicked his glass against hers.
“How did you think everything at the wedding went?” Misty asked him. “Emmett’s father is something else. As nice as everything turned out, I know Crystal is relieved to have the wedding behind her.”
“Senator Everett Chamberlain is a first-class jerk,” said David. “He makes me realize how lucky I am with my parents. Emmett is a strong guy, perfect for Crystal.”
“I think so, too,” said Misty, letting out a sigh of appreciation. Sugar came up to her, and Misty stroked her soft curls, loving the feel of them. She gazed over at David, and a sense of peace filled her. She couldn’t help wondering how their relationship would continue to grow.
“Thanks for the drink,” said David, standing. “I have to be up early for a project with the new owners of a house in The Woods. But tomorrow night, there will be no such curfew.”
He held out his hand, and she took it.
Standing in front of him, seeing the flush of his cheeks as he gave her a sexy look, Misty’s heart raced. She pushed away thoughts of how big, how tall, how strong he seemed and closed her eyes in time for his lips to meet hers.
A thread of heat burned its way through her, filling her with desire. He pulled her closer, and she moved against him, trying to forget Vince’s arms around her, holding her too tight.
David lifted her chin and stared into her eyes. “It’s all right. You’re shivering.”
Tears filled her eyes. “I’m sorry.”
“Don’t be,” he said and gently wiped a tear from her cheek. “Let’s just think of this as practicing, allowing you to become used to me, to us.”
“I like that,” she said and forced a smile though her heart was pounding.
He lowered his lips to hers once more, and this time, she thought only of him.