A Christmas wedding... Again
Riley did have the perfect wedding two years later. The reception wasn’t at the golf club, although she probably could have gotten a deal, considering who she was marrying. She didn’t have winter colors and she didn’t wear a long white gown or a faux fur stole.
Instead she wore a short, strapless lace tulle number, and her groom wore white pants and a navy linen shirt. Her bridesmaids all dressed in pretty summer dresses and the entire wedding party went barefoot. Perfect for getting married on the beach in Hawaii.
It was a smaller wedding than she’d originally planned on—immediate families and a few close friends. Jo was pregnant again but only three months and this time she was Riley’s matron of honor. Noel, who had just gotten married in August, stood up with her, too, and Jack’s sister made up a third. Noel’s new son, Timmy, acted as ring bearer. Margaret had died right after Riley and Jack became engaged, but Riley was carrying her lace handkerchief, along with a bouquet of tropical flowers. No silver bells were heard. Instead a conch blower celebrated the union of Riley Erickson and Jack Logan. And two doves winged their way skyward once the couple had been pronounced husband and wife.
Everyone agreed that the reception afterward was great fun, especially when one of the uncles arrived on the scene dressed as Santa after the bride had tossed her bouquet. (Grammy caught it.)
“You’re gonna miss Santa,” Jo teased as Riley and Jack started for the door.
“He already brought me everything I wanted,” Riley said, smiling at Jack.
Oh, yes. She was a believer.
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Keep reading for an excerpt from HOME ON APPLE BLOSSOM ROAD by Sheila Roberts.