Six Months Later
Lisa stood on the sidewalk in front of her store looking up at the sign. Dressed in her favorite sundress—the one with daisies on it, of course—she tipped her face to the sun. Warmth washed across her.
It was hard to believe she’d owned Daisy’s for six months now. It seemed as if every job she’d had before had prepared her for this. She’d been worried about settling down in one spot, that she might miss the travel, but she hadn’t. Not one bit. Of course, she and Oliver still did their quarterly merchandising trip, and now that was even more exciting since they were buying inventory for their own stores.
I have the best job in the world.
She waved to a neighboring merchant as he opened his doors for the day too. It was a perfect summer day. Too pretty of a day to spend inside. She rolled a three-tier rack out onto the sidewalk for an impromptu sale, and started moving merchandise out on it.
“Hi, Lisa!”
Lisa spun around to see Michelle and David, followed by Allie and Ryan’s daughter, Zoe, filing out of the Kringle Kitchen.
“Hey!” Lisa waved. “Where are you headed this morning?”
“I’m on my way to work,” Allie said. “Michelle is taking David and Zoe to the library to sign up for the summer reading program.”
“Awesome.” Lisa gave them a thumbs up. “Have fun.”
Lisa rearranged the items and made sale tags. It was perfect timing to make room for the new things that would start coming in next week. She placed a daisy-shaped sign in the center of the table and updated the chalkboard slat with the message, “50% Off.”
Inside, two high school girls helped customers and worked the register.
“I can’t believe I lucked out with this pretty weather on my one day off this week.” Hannah walked toward her on the sidewalk with her pug, Molly, on a bright red leash.
“Good morning, Hannah.” Lisa crouched to pet the puffing pug. “How are you doing, you sweet thing?”
Molly tilted her head, her little pink tongue curling with each pant.
“We have an appointment for Molly to see Allie.” Hannah pointed across the street to Dr. Allie Shaw’s Evergreen Veterinarian Clinic. “It’s time for Molly’s shots.”
“Tell Allie and Michelle that the four of us need to get together soon. We’ve been talking about it for weeks.”
“You’re right. Everyone’s so busy. We just need to make it happen,” Hannah agreed. “How about Saturday night? Six o’clock. We can get together at my house. I’ll throw something on the grill.”
“That sounds perfect. Tell Allie to clear her calendar for a relaxing girls’ night.”
“I will. I better hurry or I’ll be late. Right after this, I’m meeting with a couple at the church about the music for their wedding.”
“I’d heard Evergreen was a wedding destination, but I had no idea just how big of a business it was here until recently.” Lisa glanced over at the Kringle Kitchen sign. It was too funny to see Santa in beach britches. It made her laugh every time she looked across the street. Visitors seemed to love it though. “I’ve been thinking about adding some wedding themed items to my inventory.”
Lisa had been thinking a lot about weddings lately, and not just from the perspective of buying for the store. A year ago she’d pretty much decided settling down and getting married wasn’t in her future, but now she’d put down roots in Evergreen, and she could picture herself in a long, white, lacy veil with Kevin in her life.
“Oh yeah. June and July are non-stop weddings around here. Wedding party gifts would be good too. I was talking to Gladys over at the new flower shop. She said business was better than she’d ever dreamed.”
Lisa nodded. “I bet. People are coming and going all day over there.” Kevin had been one of Gladys’s first customers, placing an order for a fresh bouquet to be delivered every Saturday morning to Daisy’s for her counter. It had been such a thoughtful gift. One she’d really enjoyed. “I love seeing our small businesses thrive.”
“Me too. We have to go. I’ll talk to you later.” Hannah waved as she walked across the street to Allie’s veterinary clinic.
The new flower shop had just opened last month in the space next to the bakery. The small building had once been the dentist’s office, before they outgrew it, and then the clock shop before old Mr. Tynsdale retired. Finally, every storefront in the square was filled and thriving.
Ezra had done the ribbon cutting for Hannah’s brother’s business, Branford Logging, just last month too, although it was located on the outskirts of town. Kevin had settled in to his job there with Thomas, and it seemed as if business was booming in Evergreen on all fronts.
Lisa was inside ringing up a customer when Hannah walked back by with Molly on her leash. She poked her head in the door. “We’re on for Saturday night.”
“Awesome. I’ll bring potato salad.”
“See you then.”
That evening Kevin met Lisa at her house with a grocery sack in his arms.
“I take it we’re eating in tonight,” she said.
“Yep. I’m cooking for you.”
“Nice.” She loved that he was as good in the kitchen as he was fixing things.
He whisked past her, making himself at home. As he unloaded the bag, her stomach growled.
He whipped around. “Sounds like I got here just in the nick of time.”
“I know. Right?” She rubbed her stomach. “I haven’t eaten all day. I had a steady stream of customers. The first time I checked my watch it was almost closing time.”
“That’s great. Seems like things are staying steady.” He leaned over and gave her a kiss. “Daisy would be proud with all you’ve done.”
“Thank you, Kevin.” She sat down in one of the chairs and watched him chop vegetables and prepare dinner. Her role was always just to keep him company, which she liked to think she excelled in.
He opened a bottle of red wine and handed her a glass. “To us,” he said. “I’m so thankful Daisy brought us together. My life has never felt so complete.”
She tipped her glass towards his. “Me too.” She took a sip of her wine, and watched him as he turned back to dinner.
“Do you think we would have ever gotten together if Thomas hadn’t offered you that job here in Evergreen?” It was a loaded question. She knew it as soon as it came out of her mouth.
He kind of laughed, looking at her like he wasn’t sure how to answer. But she loved the ways those lines formed around his eyes when he smiled like that. “I think, Lisa, that somehow we’d have eventually ended up together. It just seems meant to be.”
She nodded.
“And Dad,” Kevin said. “Man, you’ve made a new man out of him.”
“That’s not my doing. Uh-uh.” She waved her finger toward him. “Your relationship together has just gotten easier. It’s been good for both of you.”
“Because of you. Thank you for that.”
“He’s a good man. Like you.”
“Thank you. But you know, I’m thankful Thomas opened the new branch. It’s been good for everyone in Evergreen, bringing other jobs and revenue to town too. I hired two more locals this morning, plus the apprenticeship program was approved today.”
“Really? That’s great.”
He looked proud. “Michelle was a big help with that. We got it approved for five students this year, but if things go well, we can expand it each year. I think this can be really great.”
She set her wine glass down, walked over and hugged him. “I’m so proud of you.”
“It wouldn’t mean nearly as much without you.” He dropped a kiss on the tip of her nose. “Hey, how about we celebrate tomorrow night? I’ll take you to Burlington for a special night out. Somewhere fancy.”
A smile that started in her heart spread across her face. How did I get so lucky? Kevin was always coming up with thoughtful ideas from as small as bringing a dandelion over to blow and share a wish, Scrabble night at the community center, or going to the city for a fancy meal. “As wonderful as that sounds, I just made plans with the girls for tomorrow night. We’re meeting up at Hannah’s. Just girl stuff.”
He pouted, then playfully pulled her closer. “I’ll take a rain check then.”
“You got it.”
On Saturday morning, Hannah walked into Daisy’s with a young blonde woman who looked like she’d been crying.
“Good morning.” Lisa flashed a questioning look to Hannah.
Hannah led the girl to the counter. “This is Amy. She’s the bride that I met with that I was telling you about yesterday.”
“Oh, that’s great. Congratulations. Yes. So nice to meet you.” Lisa looked at the young lady. “You’re in for some treat. My friend here, she sings like an angel.”
“She is an angel. I’m so glad she’s going to help us out. Evergreen is the best,” Amy gushed.
“We need your help too,” Hannah said to Lisa.
“Mine? Oh, do you need wedding party gifts? Last minute something for the groom? I have—”
“No.” Hannah interjected. “She needs something a little more personal.”
Lisa wasn’t quite sure what that meant.
Hannah nodded, encouraging Amy.
After a long pause, Amy grimaced and then blurted out, “I need bridesmaids.” She pressed her hands over her face. “This is so embarrassing.” She dropped her hands and took a deep breath. “I already have the dresses and flowers. Everything. Please? The wedding is tonight.”
“Excuse me?” She couldn’t have heard her right.
The girl’s eyes pooled.
Hannah squeezed Amy’s hand. “It’s kind of complicated, but Amy and her fiancé are supposed to get married tonight. His family has never met her, and they’ve been quite judgey about the small wedding.”
“I’ve always pictured a small wedding,” Amy said. “It’s all I’ve ever wanted.”
“I don’t blame you,” Lisa said. “This is something special between you and him and those closest to you.”
“That’s exactly how we felt, and I know it’s not all that popular of an opinion, but I don’t see the need to pay thousands and thousands of dollars for a big fancy wedding. That day is just the first of the rest of our lives together.”
“Right.”
“At the insistence of his mother, I finally gave in to having a bridesmaid, which ended up being three. She even picked out and paid for the dresses.” Amy’s words trailed off.
Lisa wondered what kind of woman would treat her son’s fiancée that way. She also wondered what those dresses looked like. They could either be really spectacular, or if she was doing it out of spite…a spectacle.
Hannah picked up where Amy left off. “Anyway, Amy’s three girlfriends were going to drive here from Memphis, only they’ve had car trouble on the way and they are not going to make it. I was there when they called.”
Amy swallowed. “This would be all the excuse his mom would need to try to make us wait. Hannah thought maybe since my new in-laws don’t even know the girls maybe we could get someone else to stand in as the bridesmaids, and let the wedding go on.”
“I understand, but starting out your wedding on a lie?” Lisa wasn’t so sure that was a good idea either.
“I’m not lying to my fiancé. We’re just pacifying his mother. His parents are leaving right after the ceremony. This morning they called right before they left to come here and offered him twenty-five thousand dollars if he canceled the wedding.”
“That’s awful. Are you sure you want to marry this guy? His parents are always going to be in the picture.”
“I know, but he’s a good man. He’s truly my soul mate. We’re so good together. I know all of this sounds crazy and it’s so much to ask, but…”
Lisa’s lips drew into a tight line. “What if the dresses don’t fit?”
Hannah grinned. “I saw them earlier. Even tried one on. I can wear it. I think you and Allie will fit perfectly in them too. If they’re too big I can do enough of a tack and pin to get us through a thirty-minute wedding. Tonight at 8pm. Sunset ceremony in the gazebo.”
Lisa was dying to ask what those dresses looked like, but that was not the point. What was important was this girl’s wedding day. “It’ll be beautiful. Sunset weddings are so pretty and the way the sun sets over the gazebo here…” She looked at Amy, putting herself in her shoes for a moment. “It’s going to be breathtaking. You’ll be breathtaking. But Hannah, we had plans with Allie—”
“I know. But I think we should do this instead. We can make it fun. It’ll still be a girls’ night out. We’ll just be dressing up. I already asked Michelle to come do our hair and makeup. We’ll get dressed at my house, and then go to the church.”
“What did Allie think about all of this?”
Hannah’s nose crinkled. “She doesn’t exactly know.”
“When are you going to spring it on her?”
“When she gets to my house at six.”
Lisa laughed. “How can she say no?”
“She can’t. That’s what I’m counting on.”
“What if she does say no?” Amy wrung her hands.
“She won’t. Come on. How could any of us say no to something as romantic as helping a girl marry her soul mate?” Hannah hugged Amy.
“That’s true.”
Hannah turned to the bride-to-be. “See. I told you. No problem. Disaster averted.”
Lisa should’ve known when Hannah didn’t bring those dresses out when they first got to her house that it was bad news.
Allie took one look at the bright orange gown and said, “I knew I should’ve said I had to leave to take Frank out for a walk.”
“Frank?” Lisa looked at Allie and then Hannah. “Who’s Frank?”
Hannah put a hand on her hip. “Her goldfish. The one in the bowl on the counter in her office. Allie, it isn’t that bad.”
“It’s not that good, either.” She lifted one of the poufy orange dresses and held it up against her.
“I have to agree.” She started laughing so hard that she snorted, which only made all of them laugh.
Michelle stood there with her arms folded. “I am going to promise all three of you right now that if Thomas asks me to marry him—”
“When he asks,” Hannah interrupted.
Michelle crossed her fingers. “I promise I will not dress you in orange. Or ruffles.”
Allie sucked in a breath and smoothed the dress. “Thank you for doing our hair and makeup, Michelle, although under the reflection of all this orange I’m not sure anyone will see it.”
“Stop it. You girls are beautiful. You could wear feed sacks and look pretty. Now, let’s get to the church so we can get this girl married and get back into our blue jeans.”
They piled into Michelle’s car, and she drove them over to the church.
At eight o’clock, Hannah, Allie, and Lisa stood inside the church with the nervous bride. From here they’d walk to the gazebo where the groom, his brothers and the preacher all stood waiting.
The wedding march started outside and Michelle opened the door. “Here we go.”
Hannah started out the door and down the path toward the gazebo. Since she’d be singing, she stepped off to the left and up next to the organist. Lisa and Allie walked out next. Then those famous notes rang out and everyone stood, waiting to see the bride.
Amy stepped between the tall open doors of the church. Her simple white gown swept the ground around her as she started toward the gazebo.
Lisa watched the groom’s mouth drop open with Amy’s first step, and then a smile spread across his face. He loved her. There was no denying that.
His parents stood in the first row. His father looked proud, but his mother wore a lovely Chanel dress and a tense, crooked half-smile. Lisa was pretty sure the hideous dresses were not an accident. She held her shoulders back, determined to wear that dress like it was a coveted designer number.
As Amy approached the gazebo, Lisa stepped forward to help with her dress as she stepped next to her husband-to-be. There was no giving away of the bride in this ceremony. Amy’s parents lived in Seattle and for health reasons couldn’t make the trip.
Lisa took the bride’s bouquet and held it, along with her smaller nosegay of bright orange gerbera daisies and white roses.
The ceremony was simple, with the standard words, although Lisa noted there had been no objection clause mentioned. Probably for the best, based on Amy’s future mother-in-law’s expression.
After the I-do’s, but before the kiss, the organist began playing. Hannah sang.
Lisa gulped back tears while listening to the beautiful lyrics and picturing herself in this very position one day. The love in the looks between the bride and groom was undeniable. Her heart filled, brimming over.
Hannah finished singing and stepped next to Allie, who squeezed her hand. “Beautiful,” she whispered.
The preacher paused just a moment, then looked to the groom. “You may now kiss the bride.”
Robert laid a joyful kiss on Amy, and then the preacher turned them to face the guests. “I’d like to now introduce to you, Mr. and Mrs. Robert Hayes.”
The wedding party followed the bride and groom to receive the guests.
Amy and her husband stood at the front of the receiving line. Allie, Hannah, and Lisa said hello and shook hands as if they’d been friends with Amy forever.
Just as Amy had said, the groom’s parents said their congratulations and then left, not even spending one extra moment for a picture or to grab a little something to eat.
“That is the most bizarre thing I’ve ever seen,” Lisa whispered to Michelle. “I can’t believe they left like that.”
“Different people with different priorities. That’s what makes the world go ‘round.”
“I guess.”
Amy walked over with a thousand-watt smile. “I’ll never be able to thank you enough.”
“Just be happy,” Lisa said.
“And come back to Evergreen to celebrate your anniversary!” Michelle added.
“Or anytime,” Lisa said. “You should see Evergreen at Christmas.”
Amy grabbed for Robert’s hand. “We’re so grateful for your help.”
Robert’s cheeks reddened. “My mom will come around. She can be hardheaded when she doesn’t get her way. Thanks for not letting her ruin our special day.”
“You’re welcome,” the ladies said.
“It’ll be a fun story to tell our grandchildren someday,” Hannah added.
“All kidding aside, this has turned out to be kind of fun.” Lisa lifted her flowers. “I’m also totally stealing this daisy nosegay idea for my bridesmaids.”
“No offense,” Allie said to Amy, “but Lisa, there better not be orange involved or you can count me out.”
“No offense taken,” Amy said. “I cried when those dresses arrived and I opened the box.”
“I bet.” Lisa shook her head. “Out of all of us, only Hannah seems to be able to pull off orange.”
She curtsied. “Thank you very much.”
“And your singing,” the groom said. “It was beautiful. This has been the best day of my life.”
Amy wiggled her fingers, letting the shiny band of diamonds cast rainbows around them.
From here they could see the musicians already loading their equipment into the gazebo and hooking up to the sound system.
“I hope you’re all planning on staying for the reception,” Robert said.
The four of them looked to one another. “We hadn’t.”
“You should.” Amy and Robert pleaded. “Please stay.”
“We’re all dressed up with no place to go.” Lisa shrugged. “Might as well.”
They mingled and noshed, toasting the bride and groom with very nice champagne.
From the gazebo a band played a nice mix of oldies and contemporary music while the guests danced under the stars.
When Amy and Robert cut their cake, there was no messy cake smashing. Just a polite, loving exchange.
Lisa nudged Hannah. “I’m not sure I’d get off that easy with Kevin.”
“I was just thinking the very same thing,” Hannah said.
Michelle flashed a concerned look toward Hannah. “Oh, Thomas better know better.”
Allie rolled her eyes. “None of them know better. Let’s get some cake. It looks like it’s chocolate, and I’m starving.”
Lisa took a piece, and for a moment imagined her own wedding, swaying to the music as she took a bite of the sweet confection.
“This has turned into a very fun night,” Hannah said. “I might be tempted to turn into a permanent wedding crasher.”
Lisa shook her head. “I have a feeling we wouldn’t be very popular.”
“I don’t think putting one of our best tourism angles at risk is a good plan, but this has been fun,” Allie said.
Hannah spun around with her fork in the air like a fairy godmother ready to grant a wish. “The question is, which of you will be the next to get married, so we can do this again?” She raised her eyebrows. “All of you have special guys now.”
Allie, Lisa, and Michelle all swapped looks.
“We need all the single ladies over here,” blasted through the speakers. “It’s time for the bride to toss her bouquet.”
Lisa, Allie, Hannah, and Michelle hung back, watching the other wedding guests rush to the makeshift dance floor for the big moment.
Then over the microphone, he announced, “Hey bridesmaids, we need you over here too.”
They all shook their heads. “We’re good,” Lisa called out.
“All the single ladies,” he said. “Looks like they need some coaxing,” he roared over the mic. The drummer pounded out a drum roll and the party-goers all clapped and urged them.
“We can’t just leave Amy hanging like this,” Hannah said. “Come on. No one says we have to actually try to catch the bouquet.”
“True,” Lisa said. “Come on. Let’s go.”
They rushed over and joined the group of excited women.
Amy faced them. “I hope whoever catches this bouquet will marry a man as wonderful as my Robert, and will be as happy as I know we’ll be.” She turned her back on them and chucked her bouquet high over her head into the center of the group of ladies.
Arms flew in the air, and a gal wearing bright purple literally dove horizontally past Lisa in an attempt to catch it.
Michelle shielded her face, and Allie squealed as the flowers headed right for her like a softball hit to right field. Allie’s athletic instincts took over and she caught the flowers.
“Whoa.” Lisa was shocked. “Oh my gosh!”
Hannah jumped up and down, laughing.
Allie’s eyes were wide, realizing what had just happened.
Then Michelle pointed across the street. “Look!”
Outside of the Kringle Kitchen, Thomas, Kevin, and Ryan all stood staring at them.
“I think we’ve got some explaining to do.” Lisa smoothed her hands down the front of the hideous bright orange dress. “Last I talked to Kevin, we were grilling out at Hannah’s.” She offered a tentative wave in his direction. Kevin smiled and lifted his chin, then gave her a flirty wolf whistle.
“Funny,” she said with an eye roll.
Ryan cupped his hands to his mouth. “That looks good on you, Allie.”
“I hope he means the bouquet and not this dress,” Allie said.
“Was that a proposal?” Hannah asked.
Allie looked at the bouquet in her hands.
“I think it might have been the precursor to one,” Lisa said. “And here they come.”
“Oh, my gosh.” Hannah laid her hand on her heart. “An Evergreen couple getting married in Evergreen. We’re long overdue for one of those.”
“An Evergreen wedding.” Michelle sucked in a breath. “That sounds really good to me.”
Kevin was the first one to make it across the street. “Hey pretty lady,” he said to Lisa. “So, this is what girls do on girls’ night?”
Lisa shook her head, glancing at Hannah with a nervous giggle. “We can explain.”
Hannah’s eyes widened. Then she said, “Always a bridesmaid, never a bride?”
Kevin leveled a stare toward Lisa. “That’s easy to fix, you know.”
Lisa’s mouth dropped open, then she snapped it shut with a smile. Allie nudged her, just as Thomas and Ryan walked up. “Dr. Shaw, you look beautiful. I think weddings become you,” said Ryan.
She swept the bouquet behind her back. “Thank you.” She bit her bottom lip.
Thomas took Michelle by the hand and they both took to the dance floor.
Hannah started humming the wedding march.
There was hope and love in the air that day. It was anybody’s guess who the next bride from Evergreen would be.