“A little higher. Higher. You almost have it,” Alicia Thorne directed from beyond the first row of chairs in the side yard of the Captain’s Cottage.
“Now, don’t you boys crush my flowers.” Mildred Morrey fretted beside her.
“Not a chance.” Ryan Court’s head swung toward the helper he’d conscripted minutes earlier. “Jason, you good on your end?”
Jason tightened his grip on the rope they’d used in assembling the backdrop. Purple hyacinths swayed as the final piece of the wooden frame slid into place over his head. “Got it,” he said through gritted teeth.
As if there were a chance in the world that he’d let go and have the whole thing come crashing down. Not after all the hard work Ryan had poured into building the bower. Not after Mildred carefully covered every inch with ribbons and bows before tucking flowers into niches. Not with half of Heart’s Landing slated to arrive at the Captain’s Cottage in a matter of hours. Certainly not with Tara’s happiness at stake.
His heart hammered. In just a little while, in front of family and friends, he and Tara would say their vows and begin their new lives as husband and wife. He could hardly wait. He’d thanked God every day in the weeks that had passed since he’d sworn to love and cherish her for the rest of his life. Beginning today, he’d prove to her that he was a man of his word.
“Jason! Are you daydreaming again?” Hammering a nail into place with one blow, Ryan shook his head. “Serves me right for asking the groom to lend a hand.”
Startled, Jason gave his friend his best aw-shucks smile and tightened his hold on the rope. Lately, he hadn’t been able to think about anything but Tara. “Falling in love should come with a warning label like some medicines. ‘Don’t operate heavy machinery. Stay away from sharp objects.’”
“Oh, man. You’ve got it bad.” Ryan said, but a smile accompanied his grumbles. He sank a few more nails. “Okay. You can let go now. Stand over there with Mildred and Alicia, and tell me how it looks.”
Jason didn’t need a second invitation. While Ryan tucked his hammer into his tool belt, he trotted down the stairs and took his place between the florist and the event planner. On the side porch, tall pots of purple hyacinths stood against a backdrop of gauzy white curtains. More flowers dripped from the archway that he and Tara would pass under when they mounted the steps to join the minister on the veranda.
“I think you nailed it—pun intended,” Jason declared. The day they’d held the taste testing at I Do Cakes, Tara had been crushed when he’d pointed out the problems with using her favorite flowers in a wedding at this particular location. For today, though, he’d wanted, more than anything, to fulfill her every wish, even if it meant taking gardening shears to the rose bushes. With a lot of help from friends like Ryan, Alicia and Mildred, that hadn’t been necessary. Now, with the trellises tucked behind sheer drapes and folding chairs arrayed in rows on the lawn, the stage was set for the wedding of Tara’s dreams. He took a deep breath. “What do you think, ladies?”
“She’ll love it! Does she know about any of this?” Mildred’s gesture encompassed row upon row of white chairs, the flower arrangements beside each aisle seat, the white runner Tara would walk down.
“It’s the best-kept secret in Heart’s Landing,” Alicia answered. “We waited till she left for the spa before we began setting up.” She tapped her watch. “She should be back soon.”
“We’d better wrap this up, then.” Tool box in hand, Ryan joined them. Turning to give his creation one final look, he whistled. “This is the first one of these I’ve built. I have to say, it’s not bad.”
“It’s perfect.” Mildred plucked at Ryan’s shirt sleeve. “Backdrops and arches are the next big thing in weddings. If you want to expand your business, that might not be a bad way to go.”
The man whose family owned one of the largest construction companies in Heart’s Landing gave a noncommittal shrug. “I have my hands full renovating the old boat works. It’s slow going, but it’ll be worth it when I’m finished.”
“This town could always use another wedding venue,” Jason pointed out. Reservations at the Captain’s Cottage had soared lately.
Ryan nodded. “That’s what I think. Well, I probably ought to get moving if I’m going be back here on time.”
Jason shook Ryan’s extended hand. “Thanks for everything. I owe you.”
“Consider it my wedding gift for a lady who’s lucky to have you.”
Thinking of Tara, Jason shook his head. “I found my soul mate, a true Heart’s Landing love for the ages. I’m the lucky one.”
“Oh! My! Word!” Evelyn exclaimed as Tara stepped from behind the dressing screen. “Is that— It can’t be. Is that my great-grandmother’s dress?” The redhead’s voice trailed upward.
Tara spun in a slow quarter turn. Silver fringe rippled over the bodice and swished along the hemline. The beads sown in swirling patterns rustled softly. “It is. I sent it to the same restorer who handles the Mary Heart gowns. Isn’t it fabulous?”
She swallowed past the tiniest doubt. She’d fallen in love with the 1920s flapper-style dress the instant she’d taken it from the chifferobe her first day in Heart’s Landing. But had borrowing it from the attic been a mistake?
“You look amazing. Jason is going to lose his mind,” Evelyn stated with firm conviction.
Tara exhaled the breath she hadn’t realized she’d been holding. “I wanted to wear something tied to the Captain’s Cottage, something that would reflect Jason’s love of history and sense of place.”
Tears welled in Evelyn’s eyes. She swiped at them. “Well, you certainly did that. He’ll love it, and he’ll love you all the more for it. If that were even possible.” Her gaze swept upward. “Oh, and that veil! It’s stunning. Where on earth did you get it? I know we didn’t have that in the wardrobes upstairs.”
“No, that was Ames’s doing.” Three short strands of pearls hung from an ornate button adorning the Juliet cap. The beads swung when Tara ran her fingers over the gossamer fabric. “He had it delivered to the Captain’s Cottage. I hadn’t even told him what I was wearing.”
“He definitely has a knack,” Evelyn answered with stars in her eyes. “I want him to design my veil when I get married. If that day ever comes.”
“It will. Be sure you stand up front when I toss the bouquet.” Evelyn was the closest thing to a sister-in-law she’d ever have. Tara shot her a conspiratorial smile. “Maybe you’ll catch it.”
Evelyn shook her head. “Finding my special someone isn’t in the plan anytime soon. I’ll be too busy running things here at the Captain’s Cottage while you and Jason are on your honeymoon.”
“You never know. Look at Jason and me. We certainly didn’t plan on falling in love. But when it’s right, it’s right.”
Tara pressed one hand over her heart. She’d always wanted a summer wedding, but the thought of waiting till next June had nearly driven her to distraction. Fortunately, Jason hadn’t wanted a long engagement any more than she had. With a droll expression that still made her laugh, he’d assured her he had an “in” with the best venue in town and insisted on handling all the arrangements. She’d snuck a peek at the veranda on her way back from the spa. The backdrop he’d commissioned had turned the space into a fairy tale setting for their wedding and taken her breath away. It was just one more in a long list of reasons she’d love him forever.
She straightened her engagement ring, eager to have Jason slip a plain gold band on her finger. “Speaking of honeymoons—a month visiting all the great cathedrals in Europe. Isn’t that the best ever?” As was the custom, they’d spend their first night in the Azalea Suite. Tomorrow, they’d board a flight to London and, from there, she and Jason planned to visit all the sites on their list.
“I don’t know who’s looking forward to the trip more—you or Jason.” The clock over the mantle in the bridal dressing room chimed softly. “Okay, it’s almost show time. Final check. You have your something borrowed, something blue, something old, and something new?”
Tara skimmed one hand over the antique dress. “Borrowed and old. Alicia gave me a hanky embroidered with blue flowers. As for new…” Lifting the hem of the ankle-length gown, she balanced on one foot while she held out the other. The jewels in one of the Sophie Olson high heels caught a ray of light and reflected a thousand sparkles.
“Oh! Those are to die for!” With her typical candor, Evelyn gasped, “They must have set you back a pretty penny.”
“Actually, no. They were Regina’s gift. My something new for the wedding.” Lately, her boss had been full of surprises.
“I guess she’s not the cold fish everyone made her out to be,” Evelyn mused. “She and Robert make a nice couple.”
No one had been more surprised than Tara when Regina had announced that her ex-fiancé would be attending the wedding as her plus-one. “I guess seeing Jason and me together, watching him go down on bended knee—”
“—I can’t believe he didn’t propose at a nice restaurant, someplace romantic,” Evelyn protested.
“It was plenty romantic for me.” Her heart still went pit-a-pat when she thought of that moment. “Anyway, Regina had always said true love was only a fairy tale. But we convinced her otherwise. She called Robert the very next day. They’ve been seeing each other ever since.” And, according to Van, the temperature at the office had thawed considerably over the last month.
“Maybe they’ll try again for a Heart’s Landing wedding,” Evelyn said, hopeful.
“Maybe.” Stranger things had happened. But that was down the road a bit. Right now, there was a man and a minister waiting for her at the altar. “Are we all set? Are Lulu and Maggie ready?”
Her family had closed the restaurant and flown in earlier in the week. Not that they’d lounged around since they’d arrived. Taking time off wasn’t in their nature. Instead, Maggie and her mom had taken over the job of decorating the dining room for the rehearsal dinner, while her father and Lulu had worked with Connie and her staff, preparing their signature shrimp ‘n grits. Last night, a few of the locals had turned up their noses at such “Southern fare.” That was, they had until they’d tasted the dish. Then, her father had sworn he’d never seen so many plates come back to the kitchen licked clean. He was still proudly chuckling about it when she and Evelyn had whisked her mom and sisters off to the Perfectly Flawless Day Spa this morning.
“Alicia and Jenny have everything under control.” Evelyn had no sooner offered the assurance than a light tap sounded and the door eased ajar.
Tara cocked her head as Jenny stepped into the gap. “Your bridesmaids will start down the aisle in a minute. Your dad’s waiting right outside. Are you ready?”
Tara inhaled a deep breath. “Ready.” She’d been waiting for this since the moment she’d first looked into Jason’s eyes.
Jenny nodded, her mouth gaping open. “I know you think I have to say this, but this time I really mean it—you look absolutely stunning. The most beautiful bride I’ve ever seen.” The opening notes of “Pachelbel’s Canon” drifted into the room. Straightening, Jenny resumed her usual businesslike manner. “It’s time.”
While Evelyn slipped past to claim her seat before the ceremony started, Tara stepped from the room.
“There’s my girl.” Above a bowtie and starched, white collar, her father’s ruddy face broke into a wreath of smiles. “Honey, you look gorgeous. The first of my daughters to get married.” His chest swelled, and he kissed her cheek. As they started the short walk to the ceremony, he grinned. “I guess this means you’re not coming back home to join the family business.”
“No, Dad.” Tara patted his arm. “You aren’t too disappointed, are you?”
“Never! Your mother and I, we knew the restaurant wasn’t in your blood from the time you were just a little girl. All those wonderful stories you used to tell over the dinner table—that’s where your passion was. Honey, all your mom and I have ever wanted is your happiness. If that means living in Heart’s Landing and marrying Jason, if he makes you happy…” He halted, waiting for an answer.
“He does, Dad.” Tara squeezed her father’s arm. “I’ve never been more certain of anything in my life.”
“That’s good enough for me.” He stood straighter. “What say we get you married?”
Arm-in-arm, they stepped onto a white runner that led them to the aisle. Tara lifted her head as Lydia, Greg Thomas’s daughter, played the opening bars of the “Wedding March.” Skirts rustled. Men cleared their throats. The gathered crowd rose. Two months ago, she would’ve trembled in fear at the sight of even a hundred people watching her. The three hundred who stood now barely caused a flutter. Jason had helped her with that. Among other things, he’d shown her that by putting the one she loved first—whether it was a man or a town—she’d banish her fears. She barely leaned on her father’s arm as, carrying a single purple hyacinth, she walked down the aisle to the man she loved.
And there he was, looking magnificent in a tux and tails. A giddy frisson ran through her, and she nearly pinched herself. Jason’s eyes widened, his lips parted the moment he caught sight of her. She knew in that instant she’d been right about the dress. Then his gaze locked on hers, and she lost herself in the gray depths of his eyes.
“The best is yet to be,” she whispered, grateful for all that had led her to Heart’s Landing, where she’d discovered her very own love for the ages.
The End