Something of a Storm (All in Good Time Book 1) (14 page)

Chapter 20

Zack and I were married three days after he proposed. We had an extremely small ceremony at his parents' house, just like he mentioned. And as hard as it was for me to believe, he was telling the truth about buying Ken and Kathy's house. He had already made the offer when he proposed, and we closed on the property two weeks later. Zack and I moved into the main house, and Lexi and Andy both continued living in the apartments above the garage.

It had been a year since then, and we were just now having the celebration we talked about. It took me a long time to shake those symptoms, but I'd been feeling better for quite some time. We thought it would be a nice idea to plan the party on our first anniversary.

A lot had happened in that year. I completed that bakery piece for his cousin and we went down to San Diego to deliver it. His cousin was so impressed with the gift that he introduced me to his friend at the San Diego Zoo who hired me to do another one. They just so happened to fall in love with the one I'd already drawn with the elephant at the center. It was a huge piece that Peter was helping me complete, and we were almost done with it.

I never went back to work at Miller's. By the time I felt up to working a real job, I was already making a little money at stained glass, so I decided to focus my time and attention on my passion. Thankfully, Zack supported me in that decision. He was willing to set me up with everything I needed for my own studio, but for now, I was content working with Peter. I figured I'd venture out on my own at some point, but it wasn't that time just yet. Peter and I had fun together and I was still learning a lot from him.

Zack and I still played the grocery game about once a week. We'd pick a random time to buy groceries for unsuspecting shoppers. Sometimes we'd cover 5, sometimes 10, sometimes more. Sometimes they'd have a ton of groceries, sometimes just a few. Sometimes we'd sit there and watch the results, and sometimes we'd just drop off the debit card while we did our shopping and pick it up again when we went through the line. We changed it up all the time, but one thing remained the same… we were always the ones who were blessed by helping others. I'm not sure there's any greater joy than being in a position to share a little of your wealth, and we were both so thankful that we had enough to spread some love.

We sold the work truck. I didn't get a car right away, but eventually got a little two-door hatchback. Lexi drove it when I didn't need it, which was most of the time. She loved living in the apartment, and had it all fixed up just how she wanted it. The main house was a work in progress. I had the window I made of the storm and the alphabet soup window both on display downstairs, but it was a huge house, and Zack and I were taking our time furnishing it.

Tonight was our one-year anniversary and the evening of our wedding party. Mrs. Williams flew in from Washington to be there. I had several people coming, including some friends from Miller's, but she was the only one from home. She had plans to stay with Zack and I for the two nights she was here. The only problem was that she had flight delays, and instead of having all afternoon to hang out before the party, she would now barely make it, if at all. The last I heard, she was supposed to land at 6:45, which meant she'd be late for the party that started at 7. Zack's brother in law had volunteered to pick her up from the airport.

The party was at a cool venue Zack's family knew about. It was an old feed store that had been remodeled but still had a cool, vintage feel to it. We hired a band and Lexi hooked us up with catering from Miller's. There were just over a hundred guests present, and Zack and I were standing around talking to a group of them when Rita walked in with Zack's brother in law Jesse. It was nearly 8pm when they arrived, but Jesse sent Zack a text from the road, so we knew they were getting close.

It had been about a year and a half since I'd seen Mrs. Williams. I knew I was looking forward to it, but I wasn't expecting to be quite as emotional about it as I was. My sweet friend from Washington was a sight for sore eyes. I excused myself from the conversation and crossed to her the instant she walked in. I pulled Zack along, but let go of his hand once we reached her so that I could give her a hug. We squeezed each other tightly for a long minute as I tried to hold back tears.

"You look so beautiful, Laney Doll."

"You look beautiful too, Ms. Rita—even younger than you did the last time I saw you."

She pulled back so she could get a good look at me. I wore the same dress I wore to our little wedding a year ago. It was a simple, white dress that resembled a long sleeve button up shirt with a belt. It was sheer with gold accents making it elegant enough for a bride, but much simpler than anything you'd find at a bridal shop, which was more my style. I'd only been to a salon a few times in my whole life, but Zack's mom got us appointments with her hairdresser for the occasion. She styled my hair half-up with several intricate braids. I loved it, and so did Zack.

"I have to say I knew what a success you'd become, Laney, so it doesn't surprise me at all to find you like this." She smiled lovingly at me for a second before turning her attention to Zack. "I hope you know what a jewel you have here, young man."

He smiled at her. "I'm glad we agree on that," he said as he moved forward to hug her. "I like this woman already."

She let out a little affectionate groan as she squeezed him and patted his back. "I think Laney's got good taste, young man."

"I'm sure of it," he said, putting a kiss on her cheek. "She's told me a lot about you."

She smiled up at him. "Likewise."

Just then his parents walked up. We introduced Rita to them, and we all stood around and talked for a few minutes before deciding it was about time for Rita to get something besides airplane peanuts to eat. Zack excused himself to go speak with some of his family who drove up from L.A., and I told him I'd go with Rita.

There was a long table full of food and drinks, and Rita and I made our way over there walking hand in hand. "Where's your sister?" she asked, leaning in so I could hear her over the band and the murmur of the crowd.

I stopped walking so I could look for Lexi, and then pointed her out to Rita. "Oh, goodness, I don't know if I would have recognized her," she said, covering her mouth. "She's done a lot of growing up, hasn't she?"

I smiled "You have no idea."

"Are those some of your friends?"

"Yes ma'am, that's Andy, the guy I was telling you about who rents the apartment from us. That's his girlfriend Maddie with them. Maddie works with Lexi at both of her jobs, actually."

"Oh, I remember you mentioning both of those people. It's good to put faces with names."

I laughed. "Andy had a crush on her for the longest, and they just started dating. They're the cutest."

We turned and continued walking toward the food. "How about Lexi," she asked. "Does she have a beau?"

"Not just yet. I think she's holding out for one of the San Francisco Giants."

Mrs. Williams smiled as she tentatively picked up a plate. I encouraged her with a nod, and started helping her by scooping portions of my favorite foods onto her plate.

"I have something to give you," she said. "I was going to give it to you at your house, but it's burning a hole in my purse if you want to look at it now."

"What is it?" I asked.

She smiled and set her plate on the table so she could fish something out of her purse. It was a greeting card. "This isn't from me. I have a little something else for you, but it's in my luggage." She handed the card to me. It wasn't marked, but my first thought was that if it wasn't from her then it was from the crew at Callahan's.

I turned it over to find that it was open. It looked as if it had been sealed and reopened already. She put her hand out to stop me from taking the card out. "I opened it. I had to just to make sure it was something you'd want to read." I gave her a curious expression and she shook her head. "I guess I should start by saying that I went to your mom's the other day. I brought this card over there and told her I was going to see you in California. I told her that you'd gotten married, and would probably like to hear from her."

My heart sank listening to her recount the conversation with my mom. I dreaded hearing her say that my mom was really mean to her or that she asked her for money or something.

"What did she say?" I asked.

She smiled patiently. "She was a little offended at first—offended that I knew you were getting married and she didn't."

"I've been married for a year," I thought, but didn't say out loud.

"She took the card and then sat at the kitchen table with it for ten minutes or so before sealing it up and handing it back to me." Mrs. Williams tapped her finger on the envelope. "You don't have to read it now, but I wouldn’t give it to you at all if it wasn't something I'd want you to read."

She picked up her plate and began eating, leaving the choice up to me. I looked around to find that everyone at the party was preoccupied, and I figured now was as good a time as any to open it. My hands shook as I slid it out of the envelope. It was a beautiful card of congratulations that I knew Mrs. Williams had picked out and purchased, so rather than take time looking at it, I opened it and let my eyes roam directly to the paragraph that was written in my mother's messy handwriting.

Delaney,

I heard you're getting married. It's hard to believe since I still picture you as a little girl who refused to put shoes on her feet half the time. I knew you would settle down and when you did it would be for good. You're dependable like that. Your new husband, whoever he is, is lucky to have you
. I stopped reading because tears started to fill my eyes as a result of her heartfelt words. If I hadn't known it was her handwriting, I would have had a hard time believing she wrote it. I stared at the ceiling, took a deep breath, and then began reading again.
You're going to make a good wife, and if you decide to have kids, then you'll make a good mom too. You took better care of yourself and Lexi than I ever did. I know you deserved better than me, Delaney. You'll build a good life, one that will turn out different than mine. I hope your new husband is a good man. I hope neither of you start drinking. I hope the best for you and Lexi, I really do. Please forgive me and know that even though I might not act like it, I do love you. I love you and I wish you the best. Sincerely, your mom Jennifer

I laughed and cried at the same time as I held the card to my chest. I cried for obvious reasons, and laughed at the fact that she actually put the words your mom in front of her name when she signed it.

"Is it okay?" Rita asked, seeing my emotion. "I thought it was okay."

"It's fine, it's good," I said, taking a second to compose myself. "It makes me happy."

She was still holding her plate, but she reached out and gave me a one-armed hug.

"Rita Williams in the flesh. I can't believe you're standing right here in front of me!" Peter approached Rita with his arms open, and she hugged him as best she could without spilling her food.

"It's good to see you, Peter. Laney's been keeping me in the loop so I can make sure you're behaving."

"You know I never behave," he said laughing. He gestured at me. "It's this girl we gotta watch out for."

"What's that supposed to mean?" I asked, giggling. I was grateful for the comic relief after my mom's words had me feeling a little emotional. "It means you came in my studio looking like an unassuming vacuum cleaner saleswoman, and the next thing I know the most eligible man in San Francisco is down on his knee proposing to you, and you're landing major glass jobs."

"Oh, I knew she'd make an impact," Rita said. "That's why I sent her down here."

"It's a good thing she lived through those first few months," he said, still joking around. "I think we almost lost her there for a second."

I smiled at the joke while on the inside I was thinking how he nor she nor anyone (save maybe Zack and Lexi) knew how bad it really was. Almost losing me was closer to the mark than Peter knew.

It was at that moment that I noticed Zack from across the room. He caught sight of me and started walking in my direction. He was by far the most handsome man in the room, and my stomach still did a flip at the sight of him coming my way.

"I can see why he was the most eligible man in San Francisco," Rita said, noticing him walking our way. "He's even more handsome than the pictures you sent, Laney."

"He's good to me too," I said, smiling but not taking my eyes off Zack.

He was the definition of tall dark and handsome. He wore light grey slacks and a white button-up shirt that fit like a glove. The room was dimly lit, but his confident smile shone even from a distance. His eyes were locked on mine the whole time he crossed the room, and I could tell by his expression that his thoughts toward me were less than wholesome. I felt like I might faint from desire or love or some sort of perfect mixture of the two.

"Oh my word," I heard Rita say as if she might swoon. "He sure is staring at you."

"He's relentless with it," Peter said. "He's head over heals for the girl."

I smiled at their comments, but didn't take my eyes off Zack. We were so locked into each other's stare that nothing shy of a tornado tearing through the room could have distracted us. He didn't stop walking until I was in his arms. He smiled down at me, and I popped up and put a quick kiss on his cheek.