Chapter Twenty-One A Night to Remember
Lucy
The inn had never looked so festive. Ribbons curved around the banister in perfect lines.
Jane’s desserts filled the air with butter and cinnamon.
Helen had a small cluster of candles lit on every available surface, and I kept moving between the dining room and reception, pretending I was checking details when really I was trying not to think about what could go wrong.
The snow outside glowed under the porch lights.
Fortunately it was a fair night, which meant no issues with the weather.
Guests began arriving right on schedule, their laughter carrying in with the cold air.
Lydia floated by the door, phone in hand, her cheeks pink and her hair gleaming.
Wickham stood beside her with that flawless smile, shaking hands, greeting everyone like a seasoned politician.
He slipped envelopes into the cash box, gave receipts to the ones who asked, and made each guest feel like they were his personal favorite.
I pulled Lydia aside for a moment. “Why are you taking envelopes? Didn’t the guests pay for their tickets online?”
“They did, but we decided to accept donations for the local food bank and animal shelter. We can give them a big check and get some positive posts out about how we are giving back to the community. It was Gavin’s idea,” Lydia explained.
“That'sa good idea,” I murmured, a little surprised.
“I need to get back. Doesn’t everything look amazing?” Lydia gushed. She didn’t wait for my answer but went back to greet the guests.
“Lucy, dear, fix your hair,” Mom said as she passed. “You look beautiful, but your hair needs a bit of a touch up.”
“I’ll tie it back,” I said, though there was no time to find a mirror. My hands were cold from running trays, and every time I stopped moving, someone called my name. I checked the desserts, found a bag of stray napkins, and told myself everything was fine. It had to be.
Dad and Meri were taking people’s coats. I knew with Meri’s organizational skills, nothing would get lost so I could relax there.
“Lucy, I need you to meet some people,” Kitty hooked her arm in mine and I was roped into playing hostess with her. It was a blur of local business people, the mayor and his wife, some others representing charities, and the local school superintendent.
I couldn’t remember any of them afterwards.
Kitty finally abandoned me near the punch bowl and I grabbed a quick drink for myself.
It really was magical. The old inn had come back alive.
There was still a lot of work to do and we had guest rooms we hadn’t even touched but I could finally see that this would be a success.
Between all of us Bennets, we each had something special we brought to make it happen.
Even now, Meri was taking future bookings at the front desk.
Lydia was taking more photos for social media, while Braxton was chatting to someone about the moldings.
This was what it was all about. Our family together, sharing something important with the outside world, and having a good life. I now knew I had made the right decision to come here.
The music began to play a slow number. I could see Dad take Mom’s hand as they began to dance. I smiled, happy for them.
“You should be dancing.”
I was startled as Dex appeared beside me.
“I have things to do,” I protested
“You always have things to do. Take five minutes to enjoy the event you helped to create. The world won’t end." He held out a hand in invitation.
I hesitated, but the music swelled, and he was already waiting. Plus, I really wanted to, so why should I deny myself? It was only for one dance. I let him lead me to the dance floor. His hand was warm, steady, and familiar. We moved carefully at first, both a little self-conscious.
“You did all this,” he said.
“We all did,” I wryly commented
He smiled a little. “True, but you are the glue that holds it all together. You should take the compliment that you have done a good job.”
I shrugged but smiled. “Thank you, but there is a lot more work to do yet.”
“You could just take a moment and rest before thinking of the next thing to do,” Dex softly advised.
“I don’t know how,” I said before I could stop myself.
His hand tightened slightly around mine. “You could learn. We could both learn.”
The words hung there and I wondered if that meant Dex didn’t plan to leave just yet. Did it mean something more?
Then Wickham’s voice cut through the air. “Ladies and gentlemen, may I borrow our lovely hostess for a moment?”
Dex dropped my hand as the music came to a halt. Wickham was already striding toward us, microphone in hand, smile broad enough to blind. “Lucy here has made this entire evening possible. She’s the real reason we’re all standing in this beautiful space."
The guests clapped, and I smiled because I felt like it was expected of me even though I didn’t appreciate being put in the limelight without warning. Wickham slung an arm lightly across my shoulders as Lydia videoed the moment. “Let’s hear it for Lucy Bennet!”
The applause grew louder. I wanted to step away, but that would have caused a scene. He finally released me, bowing slightly.
“Thank you,” I said flatly and escaped toward the kitchen. Everything appeared to be running smoothly, and Jane gave me a reassuring nod.
My cheeks were on fire so I slipped out through the back door. The cold night air hit like a shock. Snow reflected the string lights, making everything look softer. I breathed once, twice, and let my shoulders drop. The sound of music filtered faintly through the door.
Dex found me there five minutes later, silently offering me his coat. His breath was visible in the cold.
“Thanks,” I mumbled, taking his coat and slipping it on. We both stood there, looking at the clear night sky for a while. My toes were getting cold in my dancing shoes but I didn’t want to go inside just yet.
He leaned against the railing. “You handled the crowd well.”
“I didn’t handle anything. I just stood there while Wickham turned it into a show,” I dryly pointed out.
“He likes attention,” Dex observed.
“I would rather he had my mom or dad stand with him. They are the ones who started this adventure. Mom would have appreciated the gesture,” I mentioned.
For a long second we just stood there, watching the stars.
Finally Dex turned towards me. “Come back inside. You’re freezing.”
He opened the door and waited for me to step through first. The warmth hit my face, and the sound of laughter followed.
We entered through the kitchen and went back out to the party.
Lydia was on the dance floor again, spinning under the garlands while Wickham twirled her with theatrical precision.
Mom clapped along to the rhythm while Dad and Kitty had a dance together.
Braxton stood near Jane, offering her punch, and she tried not to smile when she took it.
I stayed near the edge of the room, taking it all in. Everything looked perfect. The room glowed. The people were happy. For the first time in a long while, I didn’t think I had anything that was pressing for me to do.
Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Carly walk in. My stomach dropped.
She looked perfect. Her red hair was professionally blown out. She wore a cream sweater dress that stopped midthigh, paired with red high heels that she wore with athletic grace.
Here I was, my hair not touched up, flour on the sleeve of my plaid dress, wearing Dex’s too large overcoat, and in comfortable flats.
I felt instantly out of place.
She spotted Dex instantly and crossed the room.
“Dex,” she said, all warmth and familiarity, and kissed him on the cheek. “You didn’t tell me you were back in town.”
He looked surprised, then polite. “Carly. I didn’t realize you were coming to the party.”
“I came to check Braxton. He spends so much time here at this cozy little inn, I want to know what the attraction is." Carly managed to make the words cozy little inn sound like an insult. She looked over to see Jane in Braxton’s arms as they gently danced together. “Oh, how adorable. He’s dancing with the cook.”
I gritted my teeth together.
Dex said something low, but Carly laughed in that practiced way that made other people feel smaller. He didn’t look comfortable, but he didn’t move either.
I turned away and busied myself with grabbing an empty punch bowl and marching to the kitchen. Meri came up beside me. “Are you okay?”
“I’m fine. Why wouldn’t I be?” I asked offhandedly, hoping she would drop the subject. I grabbed ingredients, dumping them in approximate portions into the punch bowl.
Merie grabbed a bottle, helping me. “We both know you have feelings for him.”
I had hoped it wasn’t that obvious. I took a deep breath. “I’m not sure that matters.”
Meri hesitated. “I think it does. You should probably talk to him.”
“He’s talking to Carly,” I remarked tightly, putting some orange slices and cinnamon sticks in.
I forced a smile and carried the bowl back to the table, leaving the all too observant Meri behind.
The music swelled, the lights shimmered, and Wickham announced a final dance before the break.
People paired off again, the floor filling with soft laughter and rustling fabric.
Dex was speaking to Braxton with Carly by his side, her hand on his arm.