Epilogue
Eloisa
“Life’s a craft. You can master it, but never stop being a student.”
—Eloisa Hobby
One Year Later . . .
This morning, as she had for the last sixteen years, Eloisa dined on a breakfast of fresh-picked berries, homemade scones, clotted cream, and peppermint tea. She fed her sweet calico, Felena; donned a festive hat that didn’t match her outfit; detoured into the flower garden; and plucked a bright bloom and stuck it in her hatband.
But she did not gather her knitting and ride her unicycle through Crafters’ Corner, because today was blessed.
There was a wedding on Hobby Island. The church bells rang in the chapel, sending peals of joy throughout the land. In all honesty, today smelled like roses from Paul’s flower garden—sweet and delightful.
Because her dear Paul was marrying his beloved Luna.
“Happy wedding day!” she called to everyone dressed in their finest as she marched down from her cottage to the village.
“Happy wedding day!” they echoed, raising hands and sending sunny smiles in greeting.
“Great day to get married.” She laughed merrily and marched on.
Auntie Dot came out of her house to join Eloisa on her mission. “I’m nervous.”
“Whatever for?”
“I’ve never officiated a wedding before.” Dot had just gotten ordained online for this momentous occasion.
“Fiddlesticks. When have you ever been shy about anything? You’ll do fine.”
“I’m so happy for them. I thought it might not happen after that terrible incident on Trouble Ridge.”
“Oh, my dear friend, do you mean that lovely opportunity that brought Artie and her mother closer together?”
“Must you always insist on seeing the glass half full?” Dot grumbled.
“Always.” Eloisa laughed and held her head high.
As they drew close to Crafters’ Corner, Vivian popped out of the Nestled Inn looking like a creamy confection in pink.
“Hold up, ladies,” she called, and they waited for her.
“Happy wedding day!” Eloisa greeted her. “Are you going to march in those shoes?”
Vivian looked down at her elegant pumps. “Indeed. March on. I’ll deal with the blisters if they come.”
“When they come,” Dot muttered.
The three of them—tall Dot in red, short Eloisa in purple, and vibrant Vivian in pink—cut quite a glorious sight, or at least Eloisa liked to think so.
Clare, who had a small cottage at the back of the quilt shop, hurried to catch up with them when they went by. She was dressed in a glorious shade of butter yellow.
“We look like Easter eggs,” Vivian said. “I love it.”
“Did you see the dress that Jeanie sewed for Luna?” Clare asked. “Jeanie missed her calling. She should have been a wedding dress maker instead of a quilter. It’s far more lucrative.”
“Ahh, but Jeanie is a quilter deep in her heart. And one must always follow her heart,” Eloisa said.
“I for one am thrilled to hear Jeanie has a beau. A nice man she met in person at a square-dancing club,” Clare said. “She’s bringing him to the wedding. We can check him out to see if he’s good enough for her.”
Vivian high-fived Clare and almost stumbled on a cobblestone but managed to catch herself. “Don’t say a word about my shoes,” she warned.
“Our lips are forever zipped on the topic of your footwear,” Eloisa said. “Who am I to comment on someone’s attire considering my own glorious hats.”
The church bells chimed louder now that they were so near. Outside the chapel, where Orion and Artie, Luna’s maids of honor, clutched wildflower bouquets filled with honesty plants.
Luna’s son, Beck, was standing up as Paul’s best man. Home on summer break from his sophomore year at OU, Beck had really bonded with Paul throughout the engagement when they both came to visit Luna, Jeanie, and Artie in Julep.
Paul told Eloisa he considered Beck the son he never had. Their shared love of fishing and sports brought them closer.
“Happy wedding day!” Eloisa called to the girls as she and her posse marched up to the chapel.
“Happy wedding day!” the girls said in unison.
“I’m off to the altar,” Dot announced. “Must rehearse.” She entered the chapel, the door creaking quaintly on its hinges.
Eloisa turned her attention to Artie. Luna, Jeanie, and Artie had been wrapping up their lives in Julep for the past year. They would all soon be moving to Hobby Island after the wedding. “I saw an article with your mother in the Houston Chronicle about the mural she painted for the governor of Texas.”
“Yes.” Artie beamed. “Her career as a muralist is really taking off. She’s had to turn down offers because she wants a good work-life balance.”
“Good for her! I’m so happy she’s able to pursue her calling.” Eloisa turned to Orion. “Are you excited to officially become sisters?”
“Yes!” Orion and Artie said in unison.
“Oh, this is indeed a happy wedding day.” Eloisa crooked a finger. “Come on, ladies, let’s take our seats before it gets crowded.”
“As if you couldn’t sit wherever you wanted, Auntie Eloisa.” Orion laughed.
“’Tis true.” Eloisa laughed and led the way into the chapel.
Inside, Dot was at the altar going over her notes. Sharon was busy affixing white satin bows to the pew.
Eloisa’s eyes met Sharon’s.
Almost shyly, Sharon smiled and nodded and kept on with her work. The woman had owned up to her flaws, made amends, and turned her life around. Moved by Jeanie’s mercy, Sharon took responsibility and worked for Eloisa to pay off her debts.
She turned out to be a fine employee and Eloisa was happy they’d given her a second chance. Through these acts of service, Sharon experienced the power of forgiveness. Though she had acted wrongly, the townsfolk saw her for more than her worst mistake. She vowed to live honorably. The grace she was shown now extended to others.
Eloisa, Vivian, and Clare chose their spots and settled in to wait.
Not long after, Dot hollered, “Places, everyone! It’s showtime!”
The music started and Artie and Orion lined up under the flowered archway entwined with trumpet vines. Paul took his place, looking dapper in a light linen suit with a purple jacaranda flower pinned to his lapel.
After the bridesmaids came down the aisle, Luna, joyously radiant, appeared on Jeanie’s arm as the “Wedding March” played.
The simple ceremony flew by in a blur of meaningful, heartfelt vows, the brightest smiles, happy tears, and cheers.
After Dot pronounced Paul and Luna husband and wife, Artie and Orion whooped louder than anyone. They were now officially a family!
Eloisa’s heart filled to overflowing for the man who was like a nephew to her and the woman who completed him.
The outdoor reception in the quadrangle at Crafters’ Corner passed in a vibrant whirlwind of laughter, dancing, celebration, and feasting. A long buffet table was loaded with a mouthwatering smorgasbord and every morsel was delicious.
Then, when the music started, Artie grabbed Eloisa’s hand to lead an impromptu conga line, weaving enthusiastically between the tables and tiki torches to kick off the after-dinner dancing.
Paul and Luna’s choreographed first dance as newlyweds drew exuberant cheers and applause. The groom couldn’t seem to stop grinning as he effortlessly dipped and spun his bride across the wooden dance floor before the dramatic final lift that had everyone hooting.
After their showstopping number, other couples flooded the dance floor, showing off moves from suave to silly to spastic.
Even Jeanie and her date busted out some shockingly good salsa steps, inciting another round of cheers as they twirled across the floor. The electric celebration raged on as the golden sky shifted to twilight.
Strings of lights and tiki torches set aglow illuminated the beach reception area as laughter and pure joy bubbled over endlessly like the foamy waves. The presentation of an extravagant five-tier tropical fruitcake topped with artistic fondant sculptures of the bride and groom garnered thunderous applause.
* * *
Just as Eloisa was about to call it a night, a woman approached her from the shadows. When Eloisa saw her face, her heart almost stopped. Once upon a time, that woman had saved her life back when Eloisa was married to Charles.
She went to her old friend, arms wide open in welcome. “Demetra, it’s so good to see you.”
But the woman shook her head and backed up. “No, Eloisa. It’s not good. Not good at all.”
Eloisa linked her arm through Demetra’s, her mind racing with concern. Her old friend looked gaunt, haggard.
“What is it?” she asked, guiding her away from the revelry. “What’s wrong?”
“I don’t want to spoil your evening with my sad tale of woe.”
“Please.” Eloisa made a chiding noise. “You know all my tales of woe. What do you need?”
“I’m dying, Eloisa.”
“Oh no!” Eloisa’s heart trembled.
“It’s okay. It’s all right. I’ve made peace with it. What I haven’t made peace with are my daughters. And I have a huge favor to ask.”
“Name it,” Eloisa said. “And I will move heaven and earth to make it happen.”