Chapter 4 #2
Sam finished his sugar cookie in two bites. “That’s the big question. I need to talk to Joan about that, of course, but I’m not sure yet how I feel about that idea.”
“I understand—it’s a big decision. But I know, if you do take the plunge, you’ll make a success of it.” She nibbled at her cookie and glanced toward the parlor. “I was hoping to visit with Sunday and Lyla. Have you seen them?”
Sam dabbed at his lips with a napkin and pointed to the parlor. “I think they’re in there, talking wedding plans.”
“Then that’s where I want to be.” Maggie caught his eye and smiled warmly. “Merry Christmas, Sam,” she said, then walked to the parlor.
Sunday and Lyla sat on an antique sofa to the right of the fireplace.
The red velvet upholstery, the crackling fire, and the fragrant, decorated evergreen nestled in the bay window created the perfect composition for an old-fashioned Christmas card.
Judy and Joan stood across from them, while Anita Archer, owner of the local bridal boutique, flanked them on the other side.
Maggie entered the room as Sunday described her dream wedding.
“I’m a traditionalist at heart,” Sunday said. “That makes sense, I guess, since I’m a librarian with a specialty in rare books. I appreciate old things. What can I say? I want a church wedding with a minister, a big white dress with a veil, and a tiered cake.”
“That sounds lovely, dear,” Judy said. “Traditional weddings have never gone out of style. Even in these days of Evites,”— she made a show of shuddering—“I still sell a lot of traditional wedding invitations.”
“Good, because that’s what I want,” Sunday said. “When we get our details firmed up, I’ll come into Celebrations and order them from you.”
“I’d be happy to help you find exactly what you’re looking for,” Judy said.
“How many people do you plan to invite?” Anita asked.
“I think it’ll be a relatively small wedding,” Sunday said. “Susan isn’t here, is she?” She looked around, and her eyes rested on Maggie.
“No,” Maggie said. “Julia is sick and they’re quarantining.”
Sunday nodded. “I think my only attendant will be Susan, if she says yes. I’d have asked you, Lyla, but you’re going to be mother of the groom.”
Lyla brought a hand to her heart. “That means so much—that you’d even think of me as an attendant.”
“I don’t have any family to invite,” Sunday said, “and Josh’s family is small, so I think once you add in our friends, we’re looking at fifty people, if that.”
“Have you selected a date?” Maggie asked.
Sunday shook her head. “Not yet. We want to secure a venue first. After the holidays, we’re going to visit some of the local churches.”
“Have you considered the chapel at Highpointe College?” Maggie asked. “It’s absolutely beautiful. As an employee of the college, you’re entitled to get married there. You can also hold the reception in the walled garden outside the chapel for a nominal fee.”
“Really?” Sunday asked. “I hadn’t heard that. I’ve never been inside, but you’re right—it’s stunning from the outside. We’ve been talking about a late spring or summer wedding, after Josh graduates. Having a reception in the garden would be pretty at either of those times.”
“It’s a popular venue, so be sure to book as soon as you make your decision,” Maggie said.
“It’ll require approval from the facilities department.
If you get any pushback from them over your use of the chapel or the gardens, let me know.
The college should do this, at the very least, for their rare book librarian.
” She patted Sunday’s hand. “Especially considering the risks you took to protect our collection.”
“Thanks,” Sunday said, closing her eyes as she remembered that night in the deserted library, alone with Nigel Blythe.
He’d killed before and had been intent on taking her life.
Shaking her head, she tried to forget their dramatic fight on the stairs, the one where Nigel tumbled over the railing to his death.
Conversation ceased as everyone cast their thoughts back to the decades-long crime spree. Judy broke the silence. “Have you selected other vendors?”
Sunday opened her eyes. “Some,” she continued. “I’ll get my cake from Laura’s Bakery. She displays wedding cakes in the window of her shop and they’re beautiful. Her lemon cake is tied with chocolate for my favorite flavor.”
“You can’t go wrong with either one,” Anita said. “Pete’s Bistro caters weddings. Many of my brides use him for their receptions.”
“Pete’s it is,” Sunday said. “I came in here feeling overwhelmed at the thought of planning a wedding that we want to take place relatively soon. I think the only details I have left are the music, the flowers, and my dress.”
“Have you met Marc Benson?” Judy asked. “He’s here—somewhere. He’s a marvelous pianist and organist. I’ll introduce you before you leave.”
“I’d appreciate that,” Sunday said. “And I have an idea of what I’d like for my dress.” She gave Anita a rueful look. “I know I don’t have time to order one, so I’ll either get a used one online or buy a sample dress from one of the chain boutiques.”
“Do you have pictures on your phone of what you’d like?” Lyla asked.
“What engaged woman doesn’t?” Sunday pulled out her phone, tapped the screen, and scrolled. She turned the screen around and held it toward Lyla, who gasped. The other women leaned in to view her selection.
“I adore a princess-style gown,” Joan said. “Your wedding may be your only chance in life to wear a dress with a skirt that big.” She tapped the screen. “That dress would be gorgeous on you.”
“Thanks,” Sunday said. “I guess watching Disney movies my entire childhood is catching up with me. I still want to be a Disney princess.”
“If you think you’ll ever grow out of that, you’re mistaken,” Maggie teased. “We’re all like that.”
Anita reached out her hand. “May I?”
Sunday handed her the phone. Anita studied the dress, using her fingertips to enlarge the image on the screen.
“I’m familiar with this manufacturer,” she said. “They make beautiful dresses. The yards of fabric make this a very expensive dress.”
“That’s what I found online,” Sunday said. “I can’t afford a new one, so I’m going to look for something used.”
Anita handed the phone back to her. “If you find it, I’d be happy to take a look at it and tell you if it can be altered to fit you before you purchase.”
“Really? Gosh, that would be so nice. I’d appreciate that.”
“And if you don’t find the dress of your dreams online, I’ve got a small selection of gowns I’ve collected over the years that I sell at a steep discount.
These are dresses that people ordered but never picked up.
I keep them in case someone needs a wedding dress in a pinch.
That happens less and less these days of ordering everything online, but I still have them.
I don’t have one like that, but, if you get panicky that you won’t find a dress, stop by the shop and look. ”
“Thank you. I’ll do that,” Sunday said.
“Do you know where my shop is located?”
“I sure do,” Sunday said. “Laura’s Bakery and Archer’s Bridal are both part of my regular route whenever I’m in the square. I love drooling over the dresses in your window.”
Sunday opened her Notes app. “Can anyone recommend a florist? I can’t wait to contact your referrals. I may have my wedding planned before New Year’s.”
The group around her chuckled.
“I’ll fix a tray with an assortment of desserts to bring in here,” Judy said.
“Terrific idea,” Lyla said. “I’m going to grab another cup of coffee. Does anybody else want a refill?”
“I’ll come with you,” Joan said.
Maggie slid into the seat Lyla had vacated. She put her arms around Sunday’s shoulders and pulled her in for a hug.
“I’m thrilled you and Josh found each other and have decided to join your lives.”
“Thank you,” Sunday said. “It’s the miracle Lyla spoke about.” She narrowed her eyes and looked at Maggie. “Were you really surprised by our announcement? Did Josh actually keep it a secret from you?”
Maggie pursed her lips into a thin line before she spoke.
“He didn’t tell me, but he’s worked as my assistant long enough that I could tell something was different about him.
I knew he had visited a jeweler about a ring.
It doesn’t take a genius to guess what that was about.
I used all my strength to stop myself from asking him.
I figured he had promised you he would keep it a secret, and I didn’t want to interfere with that.
Honestly, I’m not sure how much longer I could’ve held out before I tried to wheedle the truth out of him. ”
Sunday giggled. “In your position, I’m not sure I could’ve held off either.”
“This is the best news,” Maggie said. “I’m sure Susan will be delighted to stand up for you at your wedding. John and I are dropping off food for her and Aaron on our way home. I won’t mention that you’d like her to be your matron of honor—but can I tell them about your engagement?”
“Of course,” Sunday said. “Now that we’ve announced it, it’s not a secret.”
“Who is Josh going to ask to be his best man?”
“This may seem strange because they haven’t known each other long, but he’s thinking of Frank Haynes.
They get along incredibly well. Josh has only been working for him part-time for a short while, but they talk multiple times every day.
Josh jokes that they finish each other’s sentences.
What would you think if he asked Frank?”
Maggie swallowed a lump in her throat. “I think that would mean more to Frank than you could ever know. You don’t always need a lot of time to develop deep feelings for someone.”
“That’s what I thought,” Sunday said. “Josh was going to talk to him about it today, but he and Loretta and the kids aren’t here. Sean and the twins are passing around a cold, just like Julia.”
“That’s too bad,” Maggie said. “I wondered where they were.”
Sunday snapped her fingers. “You’ve given me an idea—Josh and I will take food to the Haynes family on our way home. If Frank can step outside for a moment, we can share our happy news and Josh can ask him.”
“Great idea,” Maggie said. “I think you’re on track to plan this wedding in record time.”