Olivia had sent a text to Heather late last night and made plans to meet her at Brewster’s this morning. She couldn’t wait to see her cousin and tell her the big news. A dopey grin spread across her cheeks as she stared down at the ring on her finger. She was so elated right now, like the world was showering her with radiant happiness.
But first, to tell Emily.
As if on cue, Emily wandered into the kitchen, still sleepy, and headed to the fridge to pour a glass of orange juice.
“Em, sit down. I’ll make you some eggs, or what would you like?”
“Not really hungry.”
“How about a bagel? I’ll toast you one.”
“Since when do you make my breakfast anymore?” Emily raised an eyebrow. “Most of the time you’re heading out the door before I leave.”
“Sit, I’ll toast the bagel.”
Emily plopped into a chair and sipped on the orange juice.
She cut the bagel and popped it in the toaster, then sat down across from Emily. “So… I have something to… talk to you about.”
Emily eyed her suspiciously. “What is it? Am I in trouble? Everything’s still on for the barbecue tomorrow, isn’t it?”
“Yes, we’re still good to go. It’s not that. It’s—”
“Spill it, Mom.”
“So… Austin… last night, Austin…”
Emily swept her gaze down to Olivia’s hands. “Mom. He asked you to marry him!” Emily jumped up and rushed over, wrapping her arms around her. “That’s great. So cool.”
“You sure? I know it will mean a big change around here. It’s just been you and me… and now…”
“And now it will be Austin, too. I’m cool with that. I’m happy with it. Besides I’m off to college in a few years and you’d be all alone. I worried about that.”
She eyed Emily in surprise. “You worried about me being alone?”
“Of course. Like you said, it’s just been the two of us for a long time. But this is great. And, he’s great. And—” Emily twirled around, then plunked down in her chair. “Everything is great.”
She smiled. “I’m pretty happy about it myself.”
“Have you told Heather yet?”
“No, but I’m heading out to Brewster’s in a few moments. Then I’ll go tell Mom. I would have called her last night, but it was late. I was afraid I’d wake up her and Barry. Besides, I really want to tell her in person. So I’ll go to Parker’s soon.”
“This is like the best news I’ve heard in forever.” Emily jumped up and rescued her bagel from the toaster. “I’m really happy for you, Mom. You deserve this. Austin is a great guy.”
“Thanks, sweetie.”
Emily plopped down with the bagel and some cream cheese and proceeded to smear the cheese on the bagel. “Now, go. I know you’re dying to tell Heather. And I promise I won’t say a word to Grams. You tell her when you get to Parker’s.”
Olivia stood and kissed her daughter on the forehead. “I’m glad you’re pleased.”
“Seriously, Mom. I couldn’t be happier. This is great news.”
Relief swept over her that Emily seemed so happy with this change in their lives. Then again, her daughter was always supportive. She’d raised a fabulous young woman. “Hey kiddo, I’m really proud of you.”
Emily looked up, her mouth full of bagel. She swallowed. “What’s that for?”
“I should tell you that more often. You’re a great kid.”
“You’re not so bad for a mother, either.” Emily gave her an indulgent smile. “Now, go. Quit being sappy. Go tell Heather.”
Heather got to Brewster’s early and sat sketching some scenes around her. A mother and her young daughter sat at a table across the deck. The young girl swung her legs back and forth, dangling them from the chair, as she sipped on hot chocolate brimming with marshmallows. Two older gentlemen sat across from each other, a chessboard between them. Each was deep in concentration. One of the men moved a piece and triumphantly called out checkmate. The other man frowned, growled, and grabbed his coffee, looking none too pleased. She loosely sketched the scene on the tablet she’d brought with her.
She was concentrating so hard that it startled her when Livy plopped down across from her and grabbed the coffee. “You beat me.”
“I did. Wanted some sketching time.” She put her tablet away. “So, why did you want to meet me?”
“I had something I wanted to talk to you about.”
Heather narrowed her eyes. “You look… flushed. Spit it out.”
Livy whipped out her hand and proudly displayed the gleaming diamond ring on her left ring finger. “Austin asked me to marry him.”
She tried to squelch the automatic scream that came to her lips. She jumped up, bumping the table and sloshing coffee, and hurried around to wrap her cousin in a hug. “I am so happy for you. This is great news.”
“Thanks. I’m so… well, I was so surprised. I mean, I knew we were getting serious. We made a lot of vague remarks about our future, but nothing definite. I mean, wasn’t I just saying that I couldn’t be certain he wouldn’t move back to Denver or where his family is?”
“Guess he didn’t want to do either of those.”
“Guess not.” Livy’s lips rose into a wide grin. “Which is a good thing because I’m madly, hopelessly in love with him.”
“Hey, that’s always a good thing when you’re going to marry someone.” Heather sat back down and mopped up the spilled coffee with a napkin. “So, when are you getting married? Did you talk about when you want the wedding?”
“We talked about it. Probably about a year from now. Early fall next year. The weather here is so great then. I want to have it outside.”
“At least we won’t have to rush so much like we did for Donna’s wedding. A year gives us time.”
Livy laughed. “Gives us time.”
“Of course. Us. The Parker women. We’re going to be your personal wedding planners, you know. All the Parker women. You going to try for the pavilion like Donna and Barry?”
“I think so. It’s such a lovely venue.”
“I’m just crazy happy for you, Liv. Austin is so right for you.” The beaming look on Livy’s face made her heart sing with happiness. Who didn’t love to hear such great news about their closest friend in the world?
“Thanks. I still have to tell Mom.”
“Well, don’t just sit there. Finish your coffee—what’s left of it after I splashed it all over the table—and go find Donna. You can’t just sit here waving that diamond-laden hand all around. If Donna finds out from someone else, she’ll never let you hear the end of it.”
Livy took one last sip of her coffee and rose. “You’re right. I’m headed there right now. I can’t wait to tell her.”
Livy threaded her way through the tables and disappeared. Heather sat there alone with her thoughts. She was ridiculously happy for her cousin. She deserved this happiness.
Though a tiny bit of her was jealous. Jealous that Livy had found Austin, and they’d just… fallen in love. No big obstacles thrown in their way. Well, none after Austin realized Emily’s father, Brett, was never going to be part of Livy’s life. At least not romantically.
She let out a long, self-pitying sigh. Not that she was proud of it. But it seemed like all she and Jesse had was obstacle after obstacle and really bad timing. She grabbed the tablet again. Enough of the pity party. She had a date with Jesse tomorrow. Another chance to get things right.
Olivia hurried down the wharf, anxious to get to Parker’s and tell her mother the news. She kept glancing down at her ring and feeling a dopey grin spread across her face. She really needed to get her nails done if she was going to keep showing off her ring. But when would she find time to do that? She shook her head at her bouncing thoughts.
She froze when she heard her name called and saw the Jenkins twins come bustling out of a nearby shop. She started to hide her hand, but no luck.
“Olivia, dear. So good to see you.” The twin—which one escaped her—reached out and grabbed her hand. Her left hand.
“Oh, what’s this?” The woman stared at Olivia’s hand. “Is this a diamond? Do you have big news to tell us?”
Olivia quickly looked left and right. “Sh. No one knows yet. I’m on my way to tell my mom right now.”
“We can keep a secret,” the other twin insisted as she crossed her heart.
Olivia wasn’t certain of that. Not at all.
“Jackie is right. We won’t tell anyone. We promise,” Jillian said as she let go of her hand. The first twin had been Jillian—good to know.
“Thank you. I just need to tell my family first before the whole town finds out.”
“Looks like there’s going to be another Parker woman wedding.” Jackie beamed, nodding vigorously. “They are the best weddings the town ever sees.”
“It will be a while. A year or so.”
“Well, we can’t wait. We’re so happy for you, dear. Now run along and tell your mother. She’ll be thrilled, we’re sure,” Jillian swished her hands, motioning Olivia to leave.
She sent them what she was sure was a doubtful smile and hoped they’d keep the secret. Because as soon as the Jenkins twins started talking about something, the whole town found out.
She hurried to the store, paused, took a deep breath, and pushed through the front door.
“Hi, Livy,” Melody greeted her.
“Hey, Melody. Is Mom here?”
“She’s back in her office.”
She nodded and threaded her way through the displays, to the back of the store, and knocked on the open door to her mother’s office. “Mom?”
“Hi, honey.” Her mother looked up with a welcoming smile.
A feeling of gratitude flowed through her. She had the best mother ever, and she couldn’t wait to share her news.
“So… this happened last night.” She walked over to her mother’s desk and held out her hand. The diamond sparkled in the light.
“Oh.” Her mother jumped up and rushed over to wrap her in a hug. “I’m so happy for you. This is great news. Great news.” Her mom released her and stood back. A few tears glistened in her mother’s eyes.
“He asked me last night. We had dinner at The Cabot. In the private dining room. Just like you and Barry.”
“Ah, another Parker tradition is born.” Her mother’s face radiated happiness.
“I guess so.”
“So, sit. Tell me everything.” Her mom motioned to a chair beside the desk.
“It was… so romantic. And special. The room was magical. And… well, I’m so happy, Mom. We’re planning on getting married in about a year. And just so you know, I ran into the Jenkins twins on the way over here. I asked them not to tell anyone… but I assume half the town will know before long.”
Donna laughed. “If not all the town.”
Emily poked her head in the door. “Ah, I see you told Grams. Isn’t it great news?”
“It is. I’m very pleased.” Donna’s eyes sparkled.
“Hey, Austin is cool. I’m glad Mom found him. Or he found Mom. Or however it worked out. Gotta run. Just wanted to make sure you knew the news.” Emily whirled out of the office.
“As you can see, I told Emily this morning. Heather, too. She’s ready to start planning. I think she’s as excited about the wedding as I am.” She looked at her watch and jumped up. “I’ve got to get to the cafe.”
Her mother hugged her again. “I’m so happy. Austin’s a great guy.”
She left her mom’s office with her now permanent goofy smile on her face and went to tell Evelyn the news. Then she really needed to get to work. If she could get her mind back on the job, that is.
Evelyn was happy and excited, as expected. Her family was the best. Olivia settled down and helped in the kitchen until they got so busy that she went to wait tables. The Jenkins twins came in and sat at a table by the window.
“Livy, dear. Did you get a chance to tell your mother?” Jillian asked in a conspiratorial whisper.
“I did.”
“Oh, thank goodness,” Jackie said loudly. “I had to stop Jillian twice so far from spilling the news.”
“Spill away.” She laughed, knowing that now the whole town would know the news once the Jenkins twins got started. And she didn’t care if the whole world knew she was marrying Austin.
Just then he walked through the door and came up to them. “Morning, ladies.” He nodded to the twins and gave her a quick kiss on the cheek.
“Olivia told us your good news. You made a wise choice, young man. You can’t go wrong with a Parker woman.”
“Well, thank you, Jillian.”
Olivia turned to Austin in surprise. How did he know which one was which?
“If you don’t mind, I’m going to steal Livy away for a moment.”
“Of course. Young love. It waits for no one,” Jackie sent an indulgent look their direction.
Austin grabbed her hand and led her to the kitchen. “Hey, Evelyn,” he called his greeting across the room.
“Congrats. I’m very happy for you both.” Evelyn called back as she took a tray of cookies out of the oven.
She paused and shook her head. “How did you know which twin was which?”
He laughed. “I don’t know. I can just… tell them apart.”
“Really? I’ve known them my whole life and I can’t.”
“One of my many talents.” He winked at her. “Now I have one thing I need.”
“What’s that?”
“A kiss.” He gently reached his hand around her neck and pulled her in for a kiss. And who knew? It was precisely what she needed, too.