A Wedding in Truhart (25 page)

“There's coffee in the pot near the sink, help yourself,” Mom said, turning back to the family around the table.

Henry picked up Charlotte's cup. “Can you get Charlotte some more coffee, Mom?”

June looked surprised by his request, but picked up the cup and did as he asked. I understood what was happening now, and I approved heartily. Perhaps it was time we stopped coddling June as well.

For so long I had wanted us to be together again. Mom, Aunt Addie, Ian, Charlotte, and me. Now, as everyone ate pancakes and talked, I was struck by the fact that we finally were. Nick was practically family and blended right in, like the old days. And it wasn't so awkward to have the Lowells gathered with us. We continued to discuss the snow and the roads and what we could do to get the wedding back on track. I was relieved that no one said a word about my meltdown yesterday.

When he finished the last pancake, Nick spoke up. “I have been checking around and I think I've found a place where you can have the reception. It's not perfect, but it will hold all the guests. You won't have to worry that any snow will fall from the ceiling, and it will be warm.”

“Thank the Lord,” said Aunt Addie. “But where?”

“Why don't you let Ian, Henry, Grady, and me handle that little detail? Think of it as a surprise. The road crews are going to get the snowplows out to Winding Road first thing this morning. We should be able to set up by midafternoon.”

“Do they think the roads between here and I-75 will be open?” asked Henry.

“I talked to several people who said they'll make sure to clear the main roads after they finish Winding Road. And if this snowstorm is actually finished, we might be able to get your group from the Grande Lucerne here by sunset. So, you ladies need to figure out the wedding dress and the cake plans. And we'll do the rest.”

I felt like we were a football team, huddling together for one last play before the end of the game. It might be a Hail Mary pass, but we clapped our hands together and started planning.

June was still optimistic we could get the dress to Truhart by sunset. She left to make phone calls in the lobby. And Aunt Addie was racing from her end. She picked up the landline in the kitchen and dialed Mary Conrad, discussing the plan-B dress in coded terms none of us understood.

As we rose from the table, I looked out the window. The sun was finally up. The snow had tapered to a gentle flurry and I could see breaks in the clouds revealing a blue sky.

Suddenly what had seemed like an impossible situation last night was doable. In twenty-four hours we had gone from planning the perfect wedding to the terrible possibility that there would be no wedding. Now, even though it was obvious that nothing was going to happen as planned, for some inexplicable reason Charlotte seemed happier. Nobody had a clue if any of the guests from the Grande Lucerne would be able to make it to the wedding, where the reception would be, or if Charlotte would have a wedding dress. But she was relaxed, almost jubilant.

“Do you want to help us?” Nick asked Jessica, who was the only one who still looked depressed.

“Can I help you in a little while?” she asked. “I need to do something first.”

I wondered just what Nick was up to, but I trusted him. If he wanted to turn the gas station at the corner of M-33 and Winding Road into a wedding hall, I would be happy.

As I started to leave the kitchen, Jessica put a hand on my arm and said quietly, “Can I talk to you?”

I nodded and let her lead me out the swinging door to an undamaged corner of the dining room. She sat down at a table and hooked her ankles around the chair legs and wrapped her arms around herself, shivering at the draft of cold air.

“What did you want to talk about?” I asked.

Shifting a little, she said, “I know I should say this to Charlotte and Henry, but I'm pretty sure Henry will kill me when he finds out.”

“Why would Henry be mad?” I had no idea what she was talking about and why she was telling me.

“Well, I kind of did something I shouldn't have. I figure that you already know what it's like to do something stupid when you're mad, so you might be able to help me with this.”

Great. I was hoping everyone had forgotten about last night. I guess I was going to be the new poster child for outrageous behavior.

“I'm the one who lost Charlotte's wedding dress,” she said.

“What!”

“It was my fault the dress went to Houston. Actually, I did it on purpose.”

I had been standing, but now I reached down and pulled out a chair. I sat down next to her, waiting for an explanation.

“I was just so . . . so angry. Henry used to talk to me, and play video games and stuff like that, all the time. But when he started dating Charlotte it was like he never had time. When I was home, they were always kissing and hanging out. And he just forgot about me.

“So I thought if I could stop this wedding, or delay it or something. . . I mean I really didn't think it all the way through. I just wanted to hurt Charlotte. When we were standing out by the curb at the airport, there were people nearby checking their bags with a Skycap guy. I stole a tag off a piece of their luggage and put it on the dress bag. Then I shoved the dress toward a pile the guy was loading on the belt. No one even noticed.”

I looked at her in horror. “Uh . . . that was really, really stupid, Jessica.”

“I know. But I figured you would understand and help me decide what to do.”

I took a deep breath. “Did you tell anyone yet?”

“No.”

I thought for a moment. “Well, you know you're going to have to come clean.”

She nodded her head miserably.

“How about we wait until this wedding is over before you and I tell Henry and Charlotte?” It wasn't the most straightforward thing to do, but I didn't think Charlotte or Henry could handle another family drama on their wedding day. It looked like we weren't the only family that needed a little time to regroup and heal.

“You know, I was really mad at Charlotte last night,” I said. “But most of the time we get along very well. I think you are going to find you like her a lot once you give her a chance.”

“I know. I heard some of the stories about growing up here yesterday. Anyone who comes from a cool place like this can't be that bad.”

“You like it?” I hadn't realized she was having fun.

“Yeah, Ian says I should see it in the summer.”

Oh, how I wished she would have that chance.

“A
re you ready yet?” Aunt Addie yelled.

“Almost,” answered Mary from behind the bedroom door. Mom, Aunt Addie, Marva, and Corinne sat on the couch in the annex and waited for Charlotte to appear in Mary's secret creation. Surprisingly, Jessica had offered to help. She and Mary were in Charlotte's room putting the finishing touches on the dress. I stood by the door, on call in case they needed me.

Despite all of June's phone calls and Scarlett's bribes, the Bellasposa dress was lost somewhere between Houston and Truhart. Charlotte had been a good sport, telling Mary that she would have been happy to wear jeans at this point. Mary had smiled and said she didn't think it would come to that.

“Hang on another minute,” Mary called. “I need to adjust something. . . no one told me that Charlotte was going to have three helpings of pancakes the morning of her wedding.”

I heard a strangled laugh from the bedroom and knew it was Charlotte's. Mom and Aunt Addie shook their heads and glanced at each other.

“You did that too, Virginia. I remember it perfectly,” said Aunt Addie.

“It was French toast, but yes, I did. I guess that's the way my side of the family handles wedding nerves.”

The sun was lower in the sky and the afternoon was more than half finished. The men had been working all day. The chairs, tables, and flowers had been loaded on several trucks and were in place wherever the secret reception was going to be held. Nestor had managed to load his food and barbecue equipment on a truck as well. He laughed that at least there was natural refrigeration this time of year.

The roads were declared moderately passable by early afternoon and the guests planned on leaving the Grande Lucerne within the hour. We decided that the wedding was still going to be held in the lobby. The piano had been pushed to the corner for the wedding processional and the furniture had been moved back for a standing-room-only crowd. Father Bob had promised a short service, but we had placed a few chairs around the room for some of the older guests.

All at once I heard excited cries and the tramping of feet as the doors to the back annex burst open.

“It's here. Finally! The dress is here!”

I rolled my eyes skyward. Of course it was. Nothing about the last twenty-four hours was timed right. Why wouldn't the race to dress the bride be anything but a photo finish?

June and Scarlett marched in triumphantly, holding a large black bag high. They were followed by Brittany, Bebe, and Patty. And of course the camera crew. Everyone squished into our little cedar-paneled den and jumped up and down as if they had won the Super Bowl.

Aunt Addie was the only one who looked disappointed. “Mary cut up my beautiful wedding dress for nothing,” she said dejectedly.

Mom patted her on the back. “It's all right, Aunt Adelaide. If you get married again I'm sure Mary can find a way to put it back together.” Marva snorted and Corinne covered her mouth.

Scarlett unzipped the bag and pulled out the somewhat wrinkled, but very fancy designer wedding dress. The asymmetrical neckline fringed with silk rosette flowers, ruched bodice with crystal beads, yards of layered organza, and dramatic back with the trail of silk petals, was as beautiful as I remembered it. The other ladies in the room sighed.

“It's even more beautiful than on TV,” Mom said.

I was just about to knock on the bedroom door in case Charlotte hadn't heard the commotion when the door opened and Charlotte stepped through.

My breath caught in my chest as my eyes traveled over her. Charlotte swayed from side to side, showing off a full, gauzy, white tulle skirt draped over a satin underlay which must have been part of Aunt Addie's original dress. But anything resembling that dress stopped there. A V-neck satin bodice gently cupped Charlotte's figure, overlaid with transparent tulle trimmed with the most delicate-looking lace I had ever seen. The waist was tied with a wide satin bow, making the dress sophisticated and classically simple at the same time.

I don't know how she did it, but Mary had created a stunning dress that rivaled the designer dress. Looking at Charlotte's face, I knew she loved it as well.

I stepped away from her so that the rest of the room could see.

One by one the ladies in the room grew silent as they examined the dress Charlotte wore. One of the cameramen whistled from the corner.

“Turn around, Charlotte,” said Jessica. Excitement was written all over her face.

Charlotte turned around and showed us the back of the dress. It was high in back, with a lace trellis climbing up the sides. A small pearl button at the top was the perfect touch for the romantic silhouette.

“How did you do that?” Mom asked Mary, who appeared in the doorway wearing a huge smile.

“I used Addie's dress, some of the girls' prom dress lace, organza and boning, leftover christening lace from Marva's daughter's baptism, a satin bow from Dorothy Weideman's Easter dress, and the button in back was from Corinne's favorite Christmas sweater.”

“Who knew anyone could create something so beautiful from all of
that
?” said Brittany.

“Well, all the Adler cousins who stayed at my house last night helped,” said Mary.

“It is nice,” said Scarlett. “But look, your real wedding dress has arrived.” She made a sweeping gesture with her hand at the voluminous dress she and June held. I couldn't help but think that if it took two people to hold, surely it would overwhelm one small woman. But I kept my mouth shut.

Charlotte looked at each of the ladies. She walked over to a full-length mirror near the back door and tilted her head. While the designer dress was magnificent and incredibly complex in detail, the new dress was simple and delicate.

Scarlett marched up to her, dragging June along with her, and thrust the dress out in front of Charlotte, blocking Mary's creation in the mirror.

“Come on, Charlotte. Show everyone how beautiful this looks on you.”

Charlotte pushed the Bellasposa dress aside and stared in the mirror, looking at herself from every angle. Her lips curled the same way they did when as children we'd played Here Comes the Bride in the freshly washed sheets.

“Hmm. No. I don't think so,” she said, still staring at herself.

“What?” Scarlett's face was turning, well . . . scarlet. The cameras were rolling now.

“Thank you both so much for tracking down the dress for me. But this . . .” She dreamily looked down at the skirt and then back at herself in the mirror. “This is what I want to wear for my wedding!”

The other ladies in the room clapped. Even June nodded her approval, earning a scowl from Scarlett.

“Of course it's a little different,” said Aunt Addie to anyone who would listen. “But just as beautiful as the original.”

 

A rosy haze cascaded through the huge picture window as the sun began to set. I stood at the top of the lobby stairs waiting for my cue as Ian played Pachelbel's Canon in D on the piano. Below me, Bebe, Patty, and Jessica took their places opposite the groomsmen. Henry shifted nervously from his position next to the minister and fingered his bow tie. I should have given him a reassuring signal, but all I could see was Nick.

He stood beside Henry, his hands behind his back, and looked up at me with the intense, serious expression that I had grown accustomed to over the years. Our eyes met and held. Then he smiled, and his face transformed. I almost missed my cue. But Ian had been looking at us from behind the piano and he played a thunderous chord, making me jump. I guessed it was going to take Ian a little time to get used to Nick and me.

I descended the stairs, careful not to trip on my long, flowing, blue bridesmaid's dress. I felt almost as beautiful as the bride. My hair was pinned to the side and secured with an antique clasp that Charlotte had given me before the ceremony. If Nick's eyes were honest, I looked as good as I felt.

A crowd of over a hundred guests stood together in the lobby, as I took my place next to Jessica in front of the large stone fireplace. People I recognized from Atlanta stood with neighbors I had grown up with. Their faces looked both happy and relieved.
The Morning Show
camera crew videotaped unobtrusively from the top of the stairs and Alain's bulky body darted back and forth in front of the steps, catching the wedding party from different angles with his camera.

Little sobs were already escaping Aunt Addie's throat and she blew her nose into a tissue so loudly that I saw Scarlett Francis inch away from her. Marva and Corinne patted Aunt Addie's shoulder sympathetically and dabbed their own eyes.

I shifted my gaze upward. Charlotte and Mom stood at the top of the stairs with their arms linked together. Mom stood proudly in her navy long-sleeve velvet dress that made her look young again, and Charlotte looked more enchanting than a fairy princess. I felt a warm rush of pride.

Henry stood straighter now. He and Charlotte beamed at each other like kids as the space between them grew smaller. When they finally stood together and turned toward the minister, Ian played the last note of the song and joined the groomsmen.

Later in the ceremony, the minister asked, “Who gives this woman to be married to this man?”

Mom, Ian, Aunt Addie, and I all joined in together. “We do.”

We hugged Charlotte and Henry. Travis Hartwick led Aunt Addie to a nearby chair because she was blubbering so much she couldn't stand upright.

She wasn't alone. By the time the ceremony drew to a close, there were more than a few guests wiping away tears.

A massive cheer went up when Henry and Charlotte finally sealed their wedding vows with a kiss. When their lips met, Ian began to play Billy Idol's “White Wedding” vigorously on the piano. He was supposed to play a more traditional recessional song, and Aunt Addie shook her head and scowled. The cameras were rolling and Ian grinned for the audience as he received a thumbs-up from both Charlotte and Henry. They kissed each other a second time.

Henry escorted Charlotte through the jubilant crowd to the doorway. Mary Conrad met them and placed a red cape around Charlotte's shoulders and handed Henry a blanket. Then Grady threw open the doors to reveal a horse and sleigh.

“Where did you find that?” Charlotte said, clapping her hands to her cheeks.

Grady straightened his shoulders. “Just a little something I had up my sleeve,” he said bashfully. Within minutes, the blissful couple was helped into the sleigh and whisked off to the mystery reception.

I stood by the fireplace and watched as the guests and the rest of the wedding party grabbed their coats. Wedding guests filed out the front door to follow the couple to their destination. The dim gray light of dusk was settling over the snow drifts and I moved toward the front door and watched as a parade of red lights made their way down Winding Road. I didn't want to leave the inn just yet. There was something I needed to do.

“I'll be right back,” I said. Nick eyed me curiously as the rest of the wedding party moved past us.

The lobby was almost empty when I returned. Nick leaned against the stairway railing, waiting for me. He didn't look surprised at what I had in my hands.

“I know she has Alain and the camera crew, but I'm not sure I trust them to do this right.” I slung the camera bag over my shoulder.

“I'm sorry about your dad's camera,” he said.

I shrugged my shoulders. “Are we going to be late?”

“I know a shortcut,” he said, kissing me thoroughly. “You look beautiful. The only thing that kept me from attacking you all day was the tongue-lashing Ian gave me after breakfast.”

“You aren't going to let him keep us apart, are you?”

“No. But I told him I would give him until sunset to get used to it. After that, all is fair.”

“It's sunset now.”

“I know.” He grinned.

“It's still light outside!” a voice bellowed from the front doorway.

“Barely,” I called out.

“If you aren't at the reception in ten minutes I'm sending Aunt Addie to find you!” Ian stalked out the front door. I hoped he would get over this soon. We didn't need another family meltdown.

Nick helped me with my coat and together we walked toward the doorway.

“Wait,” I said, pulling away as he reached for the door. Stepping to the side, my hands ran along the plaque my father had carved all those years ago.
Where There Is Love There Is Life.

For the thousandth time I adjusted it.
I love you, Dad.