24. Vivien
I n a way, Vivien had been waiting for this moment her whole life. She couldn’t remember a time when she stood up to her mother and won—certainly not on anything this big or important.
But she’d been preparing for it since she arrived in Destin.
She’d faced her ex-husband and come out victorious. She’d confronted her wretched client and lost her job rather than be used. And now, the supreme test was standing in front of her wearing a violet suit and a furious expression.
The sounds of the party outside and the catering crew in the kitchen filled the main living area of the house that Maggie didn’t even appear to be interested in seeing.
“All the way up,” Vivien said, pointing to the top floor. “It’s private.”
“I wouldn’t need privacy if all these people would leave.”
“Mom.” She put a light hand on her back. “Please. Upstairs.”
With a grunt of sheer disgust, Maggie trudged up the stairs, still refusing to look at the beautiful home that Eli had designed and Vivien had decorated.
“Where’s Crista?” she said as she reached the top. “And Eli?”
“Eli is with Kate and Jo Ellen.”
She sniffed furiously.
“Crista is probably with Nolie.”
“She better not be mad at that child,” Maggie said sharply. “Apparently Nolie is the only member of this entire family who loves me enough to be honest with me.”
“We all love you,” Vivien said, ushering her toward the reading nook that she’d just furnished with two chairs, a table, and a small bookshelf. The tiny retreat was bathed in sunlight from the upstairs windows, which now seemed unforgiving and too bright.
Vivien had hoped this unexpected sitting area would be used for rest and relaxation. But now it would be used for…confrontation.
“What are you doing here?” Vivien asked as they each took a seat.
“I own this house.”
Vivien sighed and held up her hand. “I realize that, Mom, but last I checked, you were supposed to be in Europe until next weekend.”
“And when the cat’s away, the mice will…play house with the enemy.” At Vivien’s look, she lifted a shoulder. “I called Crista and Nolie spilled all the beans. And when she mentioned… Wylies ? What else could I do?”
“The Wylies are not the enemy,” she shot back.
“Tell that to your dead father.”
The words cut like ice through the sunny area, making Vivien draw back. Not in surprise, but from the sheer force of her anger.
“Mom, he’s been gone for thirty years. Artie Wylie passed away seven months ago. Is there any way in heaven or on Earth that you would bury the hatchet with these people?” Vivien heard the plea in her voice, but didn’t care. This mattered.
“I can’t.”
“Why not?”
“Because your father told me not to, for one thing,” she said. “And for another? If it weren’t for Arthur Wylie and his big fat mouth? Roger could be sitting here next to me. Right here, right now. But he’s not and they are and…” She shuddered. “I don’t know if I can take that.”
“Why don’t you try?” Vivien asked softly. “We did.”
“You knew you shouldn’t have,” her mother shot back. “If you didn’t fully understand just how bad what you’re doing really is, you wouldn’t have lied to me.”
“We lied because we knew this would be your reaction,” Vivien said. “Not because we understand anything. Certainly not because we comprehend why we can’t be friends with Kate and Tessa. They are wonderful women, Mom. Jo Ellen just got here for the event, so I haven’t had a chance to get to know her, but Tessa has taught Nolie to read.”
She started to respond but the last word hit and she did a double take. “Excuse me?”
“She did.”
“Nolie said something about being a flower girl, not reading.”
“Because she didn’t even know what Tessa was doing. Tessa has dyslexia, too, and she knew exactly how to help Nolie. And it worked. Nolie’s passed the practice test to go to third grade.”
Maggie stared at her, clearly not sure how to process this news.
“And Kate?” Vivien continued. “Well, Kate has brought a joy out in Eli that I haven’t seen since Melissa died. He’s happy and she’s…kind of perfect for him.”
Her mother inched further away, gaping in disbelief.
“And Kate’s also worked side by side with Jonah. She’s encouraged him to stay here and apply to a Culinary Arts program at a local college in order to be equipped to be a father. You’re about to have a great-grandchild, by the way, and if it weren’t for Kate, I’m not sure Jonah would do this or ever know that baby.”
Her jaw nearly hit her chest. “Excuse… What… Oh my…”
“And Lacey’s finally found her career, working for Tessa, doing event management. She’s shining and that’s what today is all about.”
Maggie visibly rooted for words that weren’t coming easily. “Well,” she huffed. “Y’all have been busy.”
“What we’ve been is…very happy.”
Maggie’s gaze was still direct, but Vivien could have sworn there was the slightest thaw in her icy eyes.
“That’s…something,” Maggie whispered. “Jonah and Lacey and…Nolie. A baby and a job and…she’s reading?”
An unexpected tendril of hope curled around Vivien’s heart, along with a realization. She was tough on her own kids, yes, but Maggie’s weakness was and would always be her grandchildren.
Maybe the way to handle this woman wasn’t to fight her fire with more fire. Maybe it was to gently remind her whose happiness was at stake here.
At least Vivien hoped so. She took a deep breath and found the nerve to power on.
“You see, Mom,” she said softly, “we chose to reconnect with Kate and Tessa, and it’s been so incredibly gratifying. Whatever happened between you and Dad and the Wylies doesn’t affect us. We are another generation and we don’t want to be saddled with that history.”
“You were saddled with it for the thirty years you didn’t have a father.”
“But that’s not their fault,” Vivien insisted. “Should they bear the burden of what Artie did? Especially because none of us really know what happened.”
Maggie blinked at her, her keen mind processing this information, quiet for a long time.
“I still want everyone to leave,” she finally said. “I don’t know what’s going on here, but?—”
“No.”
“Pardon me?” The edge was back in her voice.
“You heard me, Mom. You cannot pounce in here and ruin something that’s important to a lot of people.”
She closed her eyes, the slightest slouch of defeat in her shoulders. But when a dog barked, she sat straight up.
“Pitty? Is that you, Pittypat?”
Instantly, the tiny furball shot up the stairs, yapping with joy. She flew into Maggie’s lap, her little pink tongue flipping all over her owner’s face, her tiny tail knocking side-to-side with unabashed joy.
“Oh, my baby girl,” Maggie said, clutching the dog to her cheek. “Did you miss me so very much?”
“Mom.” Vivien refused to let Pittypat derail this. “We are not sending anyone home. For one thing, it would break Nolie in two. For another, you may own the property, but you cannot and will not blow in here and pull rank. This is our Summer House now and you are more than welcome. But you will not ruin what we’ve built.”
She looked over the little brown head and locked eyes with Vivien. “You’ve changed,” she said softly.
“Yes.” She lifted her chin. “I guess you can blame Destin.”
A slow, slight smile lifted her mother’s lips. “No blame. Credit. It’s a good change.”
“Hey, are you up here?” Eli’s voice came up the stairwell.
“Yes,” Vivien called, a little breathless from the genuine compliment and the sense that she’d not only passed the biggest test, she’d reached a milestone with Maggie. “We’re here. Come up.”
Her brother came up the stairs two at a time, followed by Crista. They both wore expressions of uncertainty as they walked into the alcove. Eli leaned against the wall and crossed his arms, and Crista folded onto the floor, looking up at Maggie.
“I’m sorry I lied,” she said, a hitch in her voice, but no actual tears for once. “I just couldn’t miss this opportunity for Nolie. She didn’t tell me you called.”
“I asked her not to,” Maggie said, stroking Pittypat’s little head. “Nolie’s a good girl.”
Crista sighed. “She loves you, Mama. We all do.”
Maggie tried to look mad, but right then, she didn’t look any more ferocious than the Yorkie in her arms.
“Nolie is going to go to third grade,” Crista said. “Because of?—”
“I know. Tessa. And I’m thrilled.” Maggie looked up at Eli. “And Jonah? A baby? A chef?”
“Yes to all,” he said. “You’re looking at a grandfather in a matter of weeks.”
“Congratulations, Eli. And what is this I hear about Kate?”
He tried not to smile, but couldn’t help it. “Whatever you heard, it’s deeper and stronger and not going away.”
She pressed one hand to her lips as if she had to try not to react, the other clinging to the dog.
“Mom, please.” Eli crouched down to look her in the eyes. “Please tell us what happened all those years ago. We need to know so we can…process and move on.”
“I can’t.”
“Can’t or won’t?” he pressed.
She took a moment to inhale, still petting the dog, looking past all of them in thought. “All I know, and this is the God’s honest truth, is that Artie turned Roger in to the police that last week while we were here. Why, how, and what he was thinking is a mystery to me. Doesn’t Jo know?”
Jo. Vivien had forgotten that Maggie called her “Jo” and the other woman had used “Mags.” No one else on Earth called them that, and for some reason, the fact that they both slipped into their ancient sorority sister nicknames gave her hope.
“She says she doesn’t know, either,” Eli replied. “She says the truth went to the grave with her husband and, I guess, Dad. And that Artie told her not to contact you for any reason, and not to ask questions.”
Letting out a slow breath, Maggie inched back. “Roger promised he’d tell me everything when he got out of prison, but…” She tried to swallow. “As you know, he never did.”
“But what was there to tell?” Vivien asked. “What was ‘everything’?”
“I don’t know,” Maggie said. “I swear I don’t.”
“Then why are you so mad at Jo Ellen?” Eli asked.
“Because Roger died and if he hadn’t gone to prison…” She whimpered softly, a little more of her bite gone. “I guess you all win and I’ll leave now?—”
“No.” Crista sat up and put her hand on Maggie’s leg. “Mama, I know you’re upset with me for lying, but Nolie is going down that boardwalk as the one and only flower girl in ten minutes. She literally helped come up with the idea for this event and she wants you there. She’s so happy you’ve come and truly believes you left Europe for the sole purpose of seeing her do this.”
Very slowly, Maggie’s expression softened even more. Her gaze warmed. Her jaw loosened. And she gave in to a slight smile.
“I can’t let my granddaughter be disappointed.” She put her hands on the armrest to push up as Pittypat bounded to the floor. “Let’s cheer her on.”
The three of them exchanged surprised and victorious glances as Eli took his mother’s hand, helping her to her feet.
“Nolie also mentioned getting you in a grandmother-of-the-bride dress?—”
She pointed a finger at him. “Don’t push your luck.”
As they laughed at that and headed downstairs, Vivien couldn’t help but think something in the world had completely shifted…and it was good.
* * *
The goodness continued as Akari took her place at a speaker’s podium under the tent, holding a microphone to welcome the guests and kick off the show. Tessa and Lacey stood at the beach end of the boardwalk, looking proud and a little nervous as the music for the “Mothers of the Brides” collection began the event.
Jo Ellen absolutely sparkled in silver, along with a few other older models, slowing her step as she passed a front-row table where Maggie—and Pittypat—sat. The two women exchanged looks, but from Vivien’s perspective at the other end of the boardwalk, it was impossible to interpret what that might mean.
“I’m hopeful,” Crista whispered to Vivien.
Vivien turned and touched her sister’s cheek, noticing the whole thing had made her pale and even the professional makeup artist didn’t fully cover the shadows under her eyes.
“You okay?” she asked. “This has been stressful.”
“It’s not stress,” Crista said. “You’re going to be an aunt again.”
Vivien gasped just as the music changed, which was the cue for the bridesmaids and groomsmen to partner up and start their walk.
“Crista!” Vivien pressed fisted hands to her lips to keep from letting out a cry of joy.
But then Peter was next to her, offering his arm. “Let’s go, gorgeous.”
Crista just laughed and gave her a nudge. “We’ll talk,” she promised. “Go show off that dress, Auntie.”
Laughing, Vivien looked up at her partner for the fashion show, not the least bit surprised that Tessa had paired her with Peter. But she was surprised that this no-nonsense detective looked positively swoony in a dark suit with a narrow black tie.
“I’d dance with you at any wedding,” she teased, purposely flirting as they stepped onto the wooden planks.
“Dance?” He snorted softly. “Are you all signed, sealed, and divorced now?”
“The deed is done,” she said through a smile she gave to the crowd as they walked.
“Then I’ll be hoping for our first kiss right here on the sands of Destin.”
Laughing softly, she tugged him closer. “I wanted that thirty years ago, Detective.”
“It’ll be worth the wait.”
Still laughing and maybe floating a little, she turned to her left to smile at the crowd like Tessa had instructed, but something—someone—caught her attention at one of the back tables.
Was that…Danny Sullivan? And, whoa, Fiona Buckman?
Fiona sat up a little straighter and gave a nervous smile, adding a little, uncharacteristic wave.
What was she doing here?
There was no time to give it much thought as they finished their walk and reached the end of the boardwalk. They stepped off the wood to their waiting areas, the bridesmaids separated from the groomsmen.
She turned back to face the boardwalk as the music dropped and became more playful and all eyes shifted for the one and only Figsworth the Flower Girl.
The music softened after Akari announced her, leading into Tchaikovsky’s playful Waltz of the Flowers just as Nolie took her first careful step forward.
She looked like a dream with her dark eyes wide and serious and her little shoulders square with solemnity.
“Our favorite flower girl is wearing a delicate confection of tulle and lace,” Akari told the crowd from her perch with a microphone. “The pale blush fabric catches the light with each graceful movement, certain to delight every wedding guest.” She waited a few beats as the tempo increased, then Akari called out, “Dance for us, Nolie!”
At the expected command, Nolie extended her arms with the grace of a ballerina and pirouetted, tossing petals from her tiny basket and earning cheers and applause from the crowd. She did a few steps from the recital she was missing, but no audience could have been more appreciative.
Next to Vivien, Crista let out a small, choked sound, her hands clasped together at her chest. Anthony stood a few feet away, beaming with pride.
And they were having another! Vivien slipped her arm around her little sister’s waist and gave her a squeeze.
Nolie finished her last twirl and reached the end of the runway, her tiny hands lifting her dress as she took a bow at the applause, confident and unafraid.
It was a stark contrast to how she’d been when they arrived in Destin—shy, uncertain, struggling in ways no one had fully understood. And now? Now she looked like she belonged here, like she was shining from the inside out.
Tessa stood off to the side, pride all over her face as she gave Nolie a discreet thumbs-up. But there was nothing discreet about Nolie’s response. High on her performance, Nolie rushed into the arms of her teacher, overwhelmed by the moment.
Once again, Crista whimpered with happiness.
Vivien stood on her tiptoes, able to see her mother watching the exchange. Then Maggie’s gaze shifted and Vivien followed it, catching her make long and direct eye contact with Jo Ellen.
What was going through the minds of Mags and Jo ? Could this event lead to…reconciliation between these once best friends? Or was that too much to hope for?
The music faded and the first few notes of Wagner’s classic Bridal Chorus launched the climax of the show. Everyone turned to enjoy a parade of white, cream, and pink perfection on the bride models.
“We’re starting this last group with Lumière’s ‘Seasoned Bride’ collection, with a champagne A-line worn by Dr. Katherine Wylie, a research scientist at Cornell University.”
But before she could catch a glimpse of Kate, Vivien felt a warm hand on her shoulder.
“You could have been a bride and a beautiful one at that.”
At the words spoken softly in her ear, she turned, drawing in a sharp breath at the sight of Danny Sullivan a few inches away. A whiff of a musky scent and the light touch of his fingers nearly made her sway.
“Oh, hello. I didn’t realize you were on the invitation list,” she said, letting him guide her away from the group. “You or your, uh, sister.”
He rumbled an easy laugh, his silvery eyes sparking with mirth. “Yes, Vivien, she is my sister. I still can’t believe you thought I was some kind of conman after a widow’s bank account.”
“Shh.” She jabbed his arm, not surprised his biceps were just as strong as the ones she held only minutes ago. “The brides are coming down the aisle.”
He tried to look serious but he still smiled. “I was right, you know.”
“About?”
“Fiona. She wants you back. She’s here with a bona fide apology and a promise to let you do things your way. Mostly. I’m merely her emissary asking if you will accept these terms and return to work for her.”
Vivien inched back. “Really?”
“That is, if you want the business. I could see why you wouldn’t.”
She glanced in the direction of where Fiona sat, watching them intently. Once again, Fiona gave a slightly pathetic wave.
“I can get her to beg,” he said, “if that will seal the deal.”
She laughed softly. “No begging necessary. I’ll talk to her later.”
“Good.” He leaned in close to whisper in her ear, even though they could hear each other easily over the music. “I hope that means I’ll see you again.”
Despite the warm air, chills cascaded down her arms and all she could do was pray he didn’t notice he had that effect on her.
“I’m sure you will,” she said, trying to sound cool and professional.
He chuckled, making her think she’d failed. “Come and sip champagne with us when the show is over. She really should grovel a little, and it’ll be fun to watch. You earned it.”
She gazed up at him, wanting to look away, knowing she should cheer for the last bride coming down the aisle…but was unable to look away from those mesmerizing eyes.
“I’ll…do that,” she said, finally forcing her gaze away only for it to land on Tessa and Lacey, who were intently watching the exchange. “Later,” she added, giving his arm a slight nudge. “I better get back to business here. We have to go down the aisle again after the brides are finished.”
As she turned back, Lacey was already stepping off the boardwalk and giving her the eye.
“What?” Vivien asked as she got next to her daughter and tried to pretend she was interested in the end of the fashion show.
“Who was that?” she asked.
“Hapless Handy. Fiona wants me back.”
“We thought so.” Lacey grinned. “Tessa said we call him Hedge Fund Hunk now.”
Vivien snorted. “Oh, do we?”
Lacey gave a sly smile. “Am I imagining things, Mom, or do you have two handsome and eligible men after you right now?”
“I don’t know,” she said on a laugh. “Maybe I do.”
And if she did, well, it wasn’t the worst problem to have, was it?
“My oh my, this should be interesting,” Lacey said.
Or terrifying. Vivien wasn’t sure which.