23. Tessa
T essa sat on the back deck, cradling a warm mug of coffee in her hands, leaning into the breeze and the calm before the storm. Not a literal storm, thank goodness. No, the April weather had cooperated nicely for the late afternoon wedding fashion event scheduled to start in a few hours.
Downstairs, on the first floor, there were racks of tulle, lace, and satin lined up, with bedrooms and the bathroom assigned for changing. They’d manage the “runway” from that level. Beyond that, along the boardwalk and onto the beach, the rental company was hard at work setting up tents, tables, and chairs. The flowers were delivered, the caterer was on the way, and Akari would arrive right before the models for hours of preparation.
Right now, everything was so under control that Tessa could relax, finally alone with Mom and Kate on the deck.
Jo Ellen sat beside her, holding her own cup of coffee, her eyes soft with nostalgia as she gazed out at the Gulf.
Her mother seemed older than the last time Tessa had seen her, four or five months ago, and it was clear grief had taken a toll on her. There were shadows around her brown eyes and some deeper frown lines.
She always had amazing hair, but her silvery waves sure could use a decent trim. Tessa picked up her mother’s hand and closed it in her own, hating that Mom had age spots and her wedding ring was loose.
“I know, I know. I need a manicure,” Jo Ellen said. “I always did pink for your dad. He liked that, but…” Her voice faded out.
“I’ll go with you and get one tomorrow,” Tessa said. “We can all go. You up for it, Kate?”
She lowered her glasses to give a “get real” look. “I’m a research scientist in a lab. I think the last manicure I had was…” She shook her head. “Not in recent memory. But Emma lives for them, so take her.”
“I doubt she’ll leave that beach,” Tessa said, jutting her chin to the surf where Emma and Matt were testing out boogie boards Eli had bought for their visit. “They didn’t get out of the water the entire time you were gone yesterday, which was an eternity.”
Kate smiled. “Mission accomplished, though. Jonah slayed his interviews.”
Nolie’s squeal of laughter floated up from the beach as she ran with Aunt Pittypat through the surf, never more than ten feet from Emma, who she’d attached to the minute they’d arrived. Little fair-weather friend, Tessa thought with a smile.
Crista and Anthony sat side by side on a blanket, watching their daughter, their heads close in conversation.
Tessa still didn’t know what the outcome of Crista’s pregnancy test had been, or if she had taken one. But she and Anthony seemed like a nice couple, and he’d been over the moon when Nolie had read for him.
“Destin was always magical, especially in the mornings,” Jo Ellen said with a bit of melancholy, pulling Tessa from her thoughts. “One of my favorite things to do here was wake up before anyone else and drink my coffee on the beach.”
“I like evenings,” Kate said, glancing at the water. “Sunset is so beautiful, and I love walking after dinner. I missed it every day in Ithaca.”
Tessa glanced at her mother, finally releasing her hand. “It’s funny how the magic never wore off. Coming back here, almost fifty years old now, it’s still just as special as it was when I was thirteen.”
Jo Ellen sighed, her gaze still locked on the horizon. “I suppose it was the way everything felt…possible here. Like life could be exactly how you wanted it to be, even if just for the summer. There were no pressures, no expectations, just the beach, the house, and all of you running wild, making memories.”
Tessa hesitated, her fingers tracing the rim of her mug. So far, the subject of the Wylies’ falling out with the Lawson family had been easily avoided, especially with Kate and Eli gone for an extended time in Atlanta.
But before Kate had left, Tessa had a few moments alone with her sister.
During that time, Kate told her that she had gently brought up the question regarding their father’s role in Roger Lawson’s arrest with their mother. Jo Ellen didn’t deny it, didn’t confirm it, and asked that the topic be dropped.
But they couldn’t drop it. For one thing, Tessa had to prove her father would never be so disloyal. And it would hang over their friendship with the Lawsons, which had been progressing just beautifully these past few months. Finally, the dark history could certainly derail Kate and Eli’s budding romance.
If she feared that, Kate wasn’t saying. Like Jo Ellen, she was determined to just gloss over it, but Tessa couldn’t do that. So maybe now was a good time to bring it up.
Tessa took a steadying breath and turned to face her mother. “So, can I ask you something? About Dad?”
Jo Ellen’s eyes shuttered. “Your sister already told me he’s been accused of tipping the police off to Roger’s crimes.”
“Well…” Tessa’s hands fisted as she stared at her mother. “Did he?”
She just stared straight ahead, silent.
“ Mom .”
“I can’t talk about it.”
She and Kate both leaned forward, equally surprised by this statement. “Why not?” They asked in perfect unison.
“Because…I can’t.” She put her coffee mug on the table with finality. “I made a promise to my husband, and I will not break it.”
“What promise?” Tessa asked, her voice rising in frustration.
Jo Ellen turned to her, a world of pain in her dark eyes. “I promised him many years ago that I wouldn’t ask about it, talk about it, or mention it ever again.”
Kate shook her head. “And by ‘it’ do you mean Roger’s arrest or Dad’s role in the investigation?”
Their mother swallowed, refusing to answer.
“Mom, both men are dead,” Tessa said. “And the relationship between the two families is on a course to heal. Why won’t you tell us the truth now?”
“Because I don’t know it,” she said simply.
“What do you know?” Kate pressed.
Another sigh and this time, Jo Ellen glanced at the door into the house, as though she wanted to be sure no one was lurking about or listening.
“All I know is that Artie did the right thing. He always did.”
Kate dropped back with a huff, but Tessa just got closer. “What was the right thing?” she asked. “Did he turn Roger in to the police or not?”
“I don’t know for sure,” she said, a soft cry in the words. “He said it was better if I didn’t know all the details.”
Kate and Tessa shared a silent look, sharing their confusion and frustration.
“Does Maggie know what happened?” Tessa asked.
“She thought she knew,” Jo Ellen said. “She made a lot of assumptions and accusations and, of course, tried to protect her husband, who…who…”
“Who was guilty,” Kate said softly. “Everyone knows that, Mom. Even the Lawsons have accepted that their father committed crimes. And they’ve suffered for it. But do our families have to forever be broken because of that?”
“That’s what Artie and Roger wanted.”
“What?” Again, the question came out in unison.
“Well, I can’t speak for Roger, but Artie was quite clear to me—I was never, under any circumstances, to contact, see, call, or have anything to do with Maggie.”
“Even after Roger died?” Kate asked.
“I don’t know. We never talked about it again.”
“Did Dad know Roger died?” Tessa asked, still rocking with dissatisfaction over these responses.
“He must have,” Jo Ellen said. “I found a copy of Roger’s obituary in your father’s papers, and it was from an Atlanta newspaper, so he had to have known.”
“Really?” Kate asked on a gasp. “Why wouldn’t he tell us? We didn’t find out until two months ago.”
“He must have had a really good reason,” Jo Ellen said.
“Of course he did,” Tessa replied. “But we want to know what that reason was.”
“Maybe I do know,” Kate said, making them both look at her in shock. “Eli and I spoke with Betty and Frank Cavallari a while back. Do you remember them, Mom?”
Her brows furrowed. “The couple who owned the deli? Oh, yes, we socialized with them a lot those summers. I loved Betty. She was so funny. I’m glad they’re still alive because if I’m seventy-eight, then Betty’s nearly eighty-seven now.”
“They’re both alive and in good health,” Kate said. “They live in Santa Rosa Beach.”
“Well, that’s nice to hear,” Jo Ellen said. “But they don’t know anything about this.”
Kate cocked her head. “They think they do.”
Jo Ellen’s expression darkened slightly. “Then they’re lying.”
“Or confused,” Kate said, glancing at Tessa with a question in her eyes. The fact was, Betty had told Kate that their father had been in love with Maggie, and Frank had told Eli that Roger had been in love with Jo Ellen.
No one believed either version of that story, but Kate and Tessa had decided not to bring it up with their mother, just in case there was a grain of truth to it. That could hurt…someone.
Kate and Tessa looked hard at each other, both of them thinking the same thing—was it the right time to ask? Did it make any sense? Would it answer any questions?
At the very same moment, they both gave their heads imperceptible shakes, proving that they were still connected, these twins who’d shared a womb. Because they both knew that it wasn’t the time, it made no sense, and nothing would be resolved by bringing up that conjecture.
“I do know this,” Jo Ellen said, picking up her coffee cup. “Your father was a man of ethics, of strong morals. He loved us all, and he protected us no matter what.”
And that, Tessa knew, was the only truth that mattered. After the conversation with Lacey, she’d been thinking about him even more than usual. How he’d been the only person in the world who could help her, hold her as she cried, and promise that he’d always be there for her, no matter what.
Could that loving, kind man of genuine integrity have torn another family apart? Why would he do that?
“I don’t know what his true role was in Roger’s arrest,” her mother continued. “And, honestly? I don’t think Maggie knows, either. I think both men took the truth to the grave, and we need to accept that.”
“Can you?” Kate asked.
“Of course—I’m here, aren’t I? The real question is, can Maggie forgive and forget? I loved the woman dearly, but those two attributes are not exactly her strong suit.”
“Tessa!” Lacey came out to the deck in a rush. “The models are pulling up. Akari will be here in five minutes. Guests arrive in two hours.”
Tessa pushed up, giving a wistful smile to her mother and sister. “It’s showtime.”
* * *
“You have blown me away, Tessa Wylie.” Akari turned and looked at Tessa with nothing but gratitude glimmering in her dark eyes. “Truly exceeded my highest expectations.”
“Thank you,” Tessa said with a humbled tip of her head. “But the music for the first set hasn’t even started yet, so hang on for the real good stuff.”
“The good stuff is that there are well over a hundred people here,” Akari exclaimed. “Oh, I see someone I have to talk to.” She blew a kiss and floated away, leaving Tessa standing at the edge of the boardwalk runway.
From this perch, she could take in the breathtaking spectacle they had pulled off, and it did indeed exceed expectations. The late afternoon sunlight bathed everything in a dreamlike glow, the polished wooden planks gleaming beneath the cloudless sky.
Guests gathered along the dunes and under the tents, champagne flutes in hand. Ivory fabric draped elegantly from wooden archways, billowing with the breeze, while floral arrangements of white roses, peonies, and eucalyptus added a lush romance to the setting. The entire event looked like something out of a bridal magazine—perfect, seamless, magical.
And, for once, it felt like everything was actually going right.
Behind Tessa, on the first floor of the Summer House, the models lined up, each wearing a stunning bridal or bridesmaid gown, excitement buzzing in the air. The hairstylists adjusted final curls while the makeup artists dabbed last-minute touches of shimmer. The whole operation was a well-oiled machine, and Tessa couldn’t help but feel genuine pride in her work.
Her gaze landed on Nolie, standing in her soft pink flower girl dress, dancing on her little Mary Janes in anticipation of how she would pirouette down the boardwalk. The layers of tulle fluttered around her, her dark hair spilling on her shoulders under a tiny tiara, her eyes bright with excitement.
Looking at that little angel, Tessa felt an unexpected lump in her throat.
She knew how much this moment meant to Nolie—to feel special, to be part of something dazzling. The real thrill was for Tessa, though. She’d made a permanent change in Nolie’s life, and she’d been able to give that child the same kind of love and attention Artie had given her.
“She loves you so much.”
Tessa turned at the words, finding Crista next to her, wearing the pale blue bridesmaid dress she would be modeling today.
“That’s funny,” Tessa said. “I was just thinking the same thing about her.”
Crista put a hand on Tessa’s arm. “Thank you so much for all you’ve done for her.”
“I got a lot out of it, too,” she said, then leaned in with a raised brow. “And, uh, how are you doing?”
Crista gave a slow, knowing smile. “Well, you can be the second person to know that I am?—”
Just then, Anthony joined them, slipping a hand around Crista’s waist. “You okay, babe? Want to sit down before you walk the aisle?”
“Yes, yes, I’m good. I was just talking to Tessa.”
“It’s fine,” Tessa said, giving her arm a squeeze. “I know what you are.”
Crista exhaled a small laugh, but Nolie came running up to all of them so Crista could get a good look at her “high heels and crown.”
Anthony inched closer to Tessa. “Nolie can’t rave about you enough,” he added. “You’ve made her feel like a star.”
Giving him a wink, Tessa crouched down to Nolie’s level. “You ready to steal the show, Figsworth?”
Nolie giggled, spinning again. “I was born ready!”
Before Tessa could respond, Jonah emerged from the guys’ dressing room—the bathroom—in a tuxedo, looking equal parts jaw-dropping and uncomfortable.
“Dude, you clean up very nice,” Tessa said as she stepped closer to him.
The man was clearly unused to wearing anything more formal than a button-down, and even that was rare. Now, stuffed into an expensive tux, he tugged at the collar like it was strangling him.
“Let’s get this over with before I die of asphyxiation,” he grumbled, but couldn’t help smiling as he shook back his locks. He turned to Eli, who was looking sharp in a slate-gray morning suit and tails. “But at least I’m not dressed like the guy on the Monopoly board.”
Eli laughed but his smile faltered as the “brides” dressing room door opened and Kate walked out. She wore a shimmery A-line white gown, looking ethereal and perfect and…holy cow, Tessa thought she might cry.
And Eli looked like he already was.
“You’re so beautiful,” he sighed, walking toward her with the same expression Tessa had seen on so many grooms during the highly photographed “first look” moments at the weddings she’d coordinated.
Jonah and Tessa shared a quick look, their eyes wide.
“He’s a goner,” Jonah mumbled. “You better get that woman to move here.”
“Operation Kate Relo? I’m on it.”
“Oh, look at Aunt Vivien.” Jonah’s smile grew as he peered over Tessa’s shoulder.
She turned to spy her friend rising from the hair and makeup station. She sashayed over in an emerald-green tea-length dress, her freshly done lashes popping wide at Jonah.
“You are a vision, my handsome nephew.”
“You clean up nice, too, Aunt Viv.”
They joked around with Crista and Anthony joining them, with more ooh s and ahh s for Nolie.
Tessa felt warmth in her chest watching them all, the moment so light, so effortless. A family moment, and it felt like old times on this beach—two families blended and connected.
“You are too talented to go back to the Ritz,” Lacey whispered as she slid an arm around Tessa.
“Good, because I turned the job down.”
“You did?” Lacey let out a soft squeal.
“It didn’t feel right to go back there and…” Tessa smiled. “Now you know my deepest, darkest secret, and I can’t take a chance of you blackmailing me.”
Lacey’s whole expression changed. “I promise, your secret is safe with me.”
“You’ll never tell your mother? Or my sister?”
She made an X on her chest. “I promise, Tessa. I will not tell them. Now, if you change your mind and want to find this boy? I would love to help you.”
For one second, she considered, then…no. It was a complication she didn’t need or want. More than that, deep inside, she loved that human she created too much to upset what she hoped was a wonderful life.
“Let’s leave the past in the past.”
“Are you sure? You’re not curious about him at all?”
“Curious if he got my good looks,” Tessa joked, adding a wink. “But I don’t think?—”
A loud noise brought her to a halt, followed by the sound of a door banging, and marching footsteps.
“Who…what was that?” Lacey asked.
None of the guests were upstairs in the house, only the caterer was on the main floor.
“I better go check,” Tessa said.
She took a step away just as she heard someone’s sharp intake of breath from somewhere in the crowd that made her skin prickle. She turned instinctively, scanning the models, the dresses, the whole room following her gaze toward the stairs.
“For the love of all that is holy, someone better tell me what’s going on in my home.”
It was like every molecule of air was suddenly sucked out of the room.
A woman with short silver hair, a tailored lavender pants suit, and a look that would scare the devil stood on the third step.
“Grandma Maggie!” Nolie practically flew through the stunned crowd, her arms outstretched. “You made it! I knew you would!”
Tessa’s whole world seemed to shift on its axis.
“What is she…”
“Oh, my heavens…”
“ Mama ?”
The expressions on Maggie Lawson’s adult kids’ faces were nothing but dismay, shock, and, yeah, no small amount of fear.
Maggie placed one imperious hand on Nolie’s shoulder while her sharp gaze scanned the room and landed directly on Crista. It stayed there for a moment, then shifted to Eli. And after he’d been visually decapitated, she settled on Vivien.
Silent, with Nolie’s hand in hers, Maggie came down the last few steps and people parted like the Red Sea, uncertain over the meaning of this new arrival.
But not Tessa. She knew what Maggie Lawson’s arrival meant—the end of everything.
“Mom,” Eli said with what could only be described as a guilty laugh. “Imagine our surprise.”
“I have been imagining just that,” she said. “Ever since I called Crista and Nolie answered the phone and told me you were all here.”
Nolie beamed up at them, utterly clueless to the dynamic. “Remember when everyone was all crazy with the setting up stuff a couple days ago? I heard Mommy’s phone ring and saw it was Grandma Maggie and we had a secret talk.” Her eyes glinted as she looked up at her grandmother. “And I told Grandma Maggie that I wanted her here for Miss Tessa’s big party and…” She did a precious little dance and tugged on Maggie’s arm. “You made it, Grandma!”
“Of course I did, sweetheart. I would never miss this event being held in my home, on my property.” She closed her eyes. “And yet it’s full of strangers.”
“I’m not a stranger, Mags.” Jo Ellen’s words cut through the crowd.
Maggie turned, looked at her, and all the color drained from her face. “What…you…how…” She sucked in a deep breath.
Jo Ellen blanched, too, reaching out her hand as if she needed support, and Kate snagged her fingers immediately.
“Come on, Mom. Let’s take a walk.”
As they quickly stepped away, Kate threw a pleading look over her shoulder to Eli. He frowned, obviously torn. After a split second of hesitation, he hustled after Kate and Jo Ellen, showing very clearly where his loyalties lay.
And Tessa decided right then and there she loved him for that.
For what felt like an eternity, no one said a word. Then Maggie leaned down to whisper something to Nolie, who nodded and scampered away as if to do whatever the queen had demanded.
Then Maggie looked right at Tessa and narrowed her sky-blue eyes. “I understand you are in charge of this…” She flipped her fingers. “This.”
“I am.” Tessa lifted her chin, instantly transported back three and a half decades, on another boardwalk, during another showdown. She’d been terrified then, too, but she had to protect and defend Vivien.
But this time? Well, Maggie did own the house and Tessa was merely…an unwelcome guest.
Maggie took one step closer. “Then it will fall on you to get every single person out of my home, off my property, and out of my sight as fast as humanly possible.”
Tessa managed a breath. “I’m sorry, Mrs. Lawson, but?—”
“Hold on.” Vivien appeared at Tessa’s side, her body vibrating so much Tessa could feel it. But all she got from her mother was a withering look of disappointment.
Vivien merely stood straighter under the weight of that look, squaring her shoulders. “Mom,” she said through gritted teeth. “I want you to come upstairs with me right now.”
Maggie lifted one brow. “After these people?—”
“Not after anything,” Vivien insisted. “Right now.”
Inching back, Maggie gave her a shocked look that probably lasted two seconds but felt like an eternity. Then she pivoted and strode through the room, back up the stairs.
“I got this, Tess,” Vivien whispered.
“Are you sure?”
“I am.”
“All right, she’s all yours. But…” Tessa threw a look at the room. “What about…everything?”
“The show must go on. And it will. Just hold it off for ten minutes and I’ll…”
“You’ll what?” Tessa challenged.
“I’ll…take the hit. After all, I owe you one for the summer we danced.”
Tessa smiled and gave her friend’s hand a squeeze in solidarity. “Good luck.”
But she’d need more than luck with that woman. She’d need a miracle.