Chapter 7
T he bell over the door ofCelebrationsannounced Susan’s arrival as she entered the gift shop that was a fixture on the square.
Judy was at the register, almost hidden from view by tall stacks of half-priced boxes of Christmas cards, rolls of wrapping paper, and assorted ribbons and bows.
She and Susan waved to each other as Susan made her way to the racks of greeting cards.
Judy gave her customer the total for her purchase and swiped the woman’s credit card. She placed the items in carrier bags imprinted with Celebrations in a flourishy font and handed them across the counter.
“Thanks for coming in,” Judy said. “It’s always nice to see you.”
“I haven’t missed an after-Christmas clearance sale atCelebrationssince your mother had the store,” the woman said.
“I appreciate your loyal patronage,” Judy replied, smiling as the woman turned and walked to the door.
Susan approached the register. “I’m afraid I’m a small sale compared to that lady,” Susan said, placing an engagement card, a package of New Year’s Eve napkins, and one of paper New Year’s Eve dessert plates on the counter. She gave Judy a rueful smile.
“You’re a year-round customer,” Judy said. “The woman who just left comes in once a year for our after-Christmas sale. And that’s fine. I love all my customers, no matter how much they spend.”
“That’s why you’re so successful,” Susan said. “It’s so much more fun to shop here than at the big box retailers at the mall.”
“From your lips to God’s ears,” Judy said, scanning Susan’s items. “I’m glad to see you today. Does that mean everyone is feeling better at your house?”
“Julia’s fever broke yesterday, and she slept through the night. She’s fine this morning, so I felt comfortable leaving her with our nanny while I run errands. I took this week off. Luckily, Aaron and I never got sick.”
“I’m glad my shop was one of your errands,” Judy said. She pointed to the engagement card. “Did you hear about Sunday and Josh?”
“Mom couldn’t wait to tell me. I’mthrilled for them! As a matter of fact, I’m meeting Sunday for coffee at Pete’s in fifteen minutes. She’s on vacation this week, too, and called to see if we could get together. I can’t wait to hear all the details.”
“I believe they’re planning a traditional wedding, probably in spring or summer.”
“Ilovethe sound of that,” Susan said. “That had always been my dream—until I got so sick after donating my kidney to Nicole. Aaron and I didn’t know how long it would take me to recover”—she turned her face away—“or evenifI would recover. Getting married in the hospital was an experience I’ll never forget.
I don’t regret not having the big traditional wedding I always dreamed of, but I’m happy Sunday gets to have one. ”
“Me too,” Judy said. “Looks like you’re having a New Year’s Eve party?”
Susan chuckled. “If you can call it that. Since Mom and John couldn’t be with us on Christmas Day, we’re having them over for New Year’s Eve.
We’ll have dinner at six, exchange gifts, and they’ll be on their way home by nine.
Unless Julia keeps us up, Aaron and I are never awake at midnight anymore.
I bought those napkins and plates on a whim—as a nod to the festive occasion.
” She cocked her head and looked at Judy. “Do you and Jeff have fun plans?”
“Actually—we do,” Judy said.
“Do tell!” Susan grinned. “Are you dressing up and going somewhere swanky? Maybe dinner and dancing at The Mill?”
Judy laughed. “Nothing of the sort. It’s been such a busy holiday season here at the store, and then we hosted the Christmas potluck. Frankly, we’re both pooped. Jeff and I agreed to stay in and have an early dinner. He’s quite a cook, as it turns out, and is going to make brisket in the crockpot.”
“Really?” Susan exclaimed. “That’s whatI’mfixing! Did he get the recipe out of last Sunday’s paper?”
“I think so,” Judy said. “You’ll have to compare notes on how it turns out.”
“I’ll make sure we do,” Susan said.
“After dinner, I plan to climb into my flannel pajamas and snuggle on the sofa with him while we watch a romcom. I’m going to suggest The Holiday .”
“That’s my favorite,” Susan said. “I’ve seen it a zillion times. Sounds like the perfect New Year’s Eve date to me.” She checked her watch. “I’d better get going—I don’t want to be late for Sunday.”
Judy came around the counter and hugged her friend.
“Happy New Year,” they murmured to each other.
Susan addressed the envelope to Sunday and Josh, taking care to render the first letters of their names in an elaborate font.
Calligraphy was a hobby she had abandoned when she became a mother.
She rocked back in her chair and studied her efforts, pleased with the effect.
She placed the card, with a handwritten note from her, into the envelope and licked the tip of the V to seal it shut.
She set the card on the table. Sunday would be here any minute, and she was glad she’d arrived with enough time to sign the card.
Susan felt a rush of cold air as the door opened behind her. She turned to see Sunday stepping inside, out of the cold.
Sunday spotted Susan and hurried across the dining room. “Thank you for meeting me this morning,” Sunday said. “I understand you’ve had a hectic week, what with Julia’s illness. It was very important to me to see you before we both get busy with our jobs and our lives after New Year’s.”
“Of course,” Susan said. “I’m always happy to see you.”
“You heard our news?”
Susan grinned. “I sure did. If you were hoping to keep your engagement a secret, I’m afraid that ship has sailed. Announcing anything in Judy’s presence is the equivalent of publishing it on the internet.”
“So I’ve been told,” Sunday said with a laugh. “We aren’t keeping our good news secret, however.”
“I’m glad,” Susan said. “It certainly is good news.” She slid the card over to Sunday. “This is for you and Josh—from Aaron and me.”
“Gosh, this will be our first engagement card. Thank you, Susan. Do you mind if I save it to open with Josh tonight?”
“Of course not,” Susan said. “So, speaking of Judy, she just told me you’re going for a traditional wedding.”
“That’s right,” Sunday said. “It’ll be small, but we both want a church wedding with all the bells and whistles.”
“I love the sound of that,” Susan said. “Mom told me you’re considering getting married in the Highpointe College Chapel.”
“We are,” Sunday said.
“Have you seen it?” Susan asked.
“Only from the outside,” Sunday replied. “That red brick exterior in the Gothic Revival style is stunning, and exactly what I want.”
“You have to go inside,” Susan said. “With the sun streaming through that huge stained-glass window behind the altar—well, it’s absolutely breathtaking.”
“It’s open to the public every day this week from eleven until four. I plan to look at it when we’re done here,” Sunday said. “It sounds like it’ll check all the boxes on my wish list for a venue.”
Susan checked her watch. “It’s almost eleven. Would you like company? I’d be happy to go with you.” She looked at Sunday and then gave her a rueful smile. “I’m sorry—I shouldn’t intrude and invite myself. This is your decision. You may not want someone tagging along.”
“Actually,” Sunday said, “I would love to have you with me.” She took a deep breath.
“That brings me to the reason I asked you to meet me here today.” She held Susan’s gaze.
“As I said, we’ll have a small wedding. I was an only child, and my parents are both gone.
They were only children, too, so I don’t have any aunts, uncles, or cousins.
Josh and I each want to invite someone we love to stand up with us.
” She took another deep breath before continuing.
“I was wondering if you would be my matron of honor?”
Susan’s eyes widened. “I’d love to be your matron of honor, Sunday,” she said, her eyes becoming moist. “As the title implies, it would be my honor.”
“You have a busy life,” Sunday said. “I won’t make a lot of demands on your time. I don’t expect you to throw me a shower or a bachelorette weekend or any of that. Pick whatever dress and color you want to wear. I just want you with me on that day.”
“What if I want to throw you a shower or a bachelorette weekend?” Susan put a hand on top of Sunday’s.
“I’d love to do all those things and support you however I can.
I’m glad you’re flexible about what I’m going to wear, but I want you to pick the color.
” She paused. “There’s something I should tell you.
We haven’t told anyone else yet—we wanted to wait—but, since my news might impact your wedding, I think you need to know. ”
Sunday raised an eyebrow and nodded for Susan to continue.
“I’ve been feeling queasy for the past few weeks,” Susan said. “We were going to wait after the holidays, but I couldn’t stand not knowing. A home pregnancy test tells me I’m expecting again.”
“Oh, Susan—that’s wonderful!” Sunday cried. “I’m so happy for you. I know how much you and Aaron want a second child.”
“We’ve had two miscarriages since Julia, so we don’t want to announce this until after the first trimester,” Susan said.
“Your secret is safe with me,” Sunday said. “I won’t even tell Josh.”
“I might be big as a horse by the time you get married,” Susan said. “Are you sure you don’t mind a very pregnant woman in your wedding photos?”
“Are you kidding? Of course we won’t mind,” Sunday said. “Have you told your mom?”
“Not yet, but I doubt I’ll be able to keep this a secret from her. We’re so close, we know each other’s thoughts.”
Sunday nodded. “I had that kind of relationship with my mom before she passed.”
“I’m terribly sorry your mother won’t be here to help plan your wedding,” Susan said. “I could never replace her, but I’d love to help any way I can.”
“If you really mean it, I’d like to run things by you.
Josh is so busy completing his coursework for his degree and getting settled into his new job that he isn’t terribly interested in the details of our wedding.
Whenever I mention something to him, he just agrees and says we should do whatever I decide. ”
Susan chuckled. “Sounds par for the course for most men. In some respects, I suppose that’s nice—but, if you really want a second opinion, you’re not going to get one.”
“Exactly,” Sunday said. “I’d love to have a sounding board.”
“Well, now you do,” Susan said.
The server approached their table. “Sorry for the wait. What can I get you?” He turned to Sunday.
She placed her order for a mocha latte.
“I’ll have a tall black coffee,” Susan said. “And can you make those both to go, please?” She winked at Sunday. “We need to be on our way—we’ve got a wedding chapel to tour.”
Sunday beamed. “Yes,” she agreed, “we’ve got places to go and decisions to make.”