I smiled and stopped midway on the staircase. “I totally understand your concern, Vonnie. That’s why...” I slipped into the matching shrug jacket that looked as though it were a satin wrap gathered at the breast with a gold and rhinestone pin. “See how the jacket just kisses the shoulders but hides the upper arms?”
“And extra cleavage,” Goldie said as though relieved.
“I’m too thin to have to worry about that,” I said breezily as I
finished my descent.
Evangeline looked, I don’t know, speechless at my performance, though I’m sure it was in admiration of my ability to steal the show. But what was I thinking? This was her show. One I had to get on the road if we were to get everything done before five o’clock.
“Where’s Donna?” I asked no one in particular.
“She’ll be here in a bit,” Vonnie answered. “She said to go ahead and start.”
I turned to Vonnie and lowered my voice. “How is she doing?”
Vonnie shook her head. “I’m not sure.”
Lizzie stepped forward about that time and threw in, “Has she given any indication as to—”
Before she could finish her sentence, Vonnie raised a hand to shush her and said, “No. Nothing. Not a word. David is just as mum.”
I crossed my arms, no easy feat in the dress, and said, “Lizzie,
speaking of how-do-you-do... how are you?”
Lizzie coughed out a laugh and said, “Stressed.” Then she smiled cheerily. “But this too shall pass, no?” Without waiting for me to give her my best advice, she turned to Goldie. “This woman, my friends, is a fine specimen of God answering prayers.” She pinched Goldie’s cheek, and Goldie turned the most lovely shade of pink. “Look at that face,” Lizzie teased, sounding more like she was talking to a baby than a grown woman who’d just gotten back with her husband.
“Life is good,” Goldie said. “I’m still working for Chris, of course. I told Jack I wasn’t going back to being a housewife, no way, no how, and he said it was fine with him as long as I gave him another chance.”
“A chance to get you back in bed, but then the marriage bed can be a wonderful thing,” I announced with all the authority of a woman who had been married long enough to know, at which point Evie said, “Oh my sweet Aunt Bessie.”
I honestly thought the girl was going to faint right there in the center of my shop. It would most certainly ruin my party, so I caught her by the elbow and ushered her to the sofa. “Here you go, Evie.
It’s time to eat, then you can open your presents!”
I waved my arm like Vanna White toward the small table topped with white and silver gifts in sparkling silver ribbons before walking to the counter where I’d placed my crystal tray plates and punch bowl. I topped a plate with nuts, mints, stuffed mushrooms, and my chicken and chutney finger sandwiches. I poured a cup of my red velvet punch into a crystal cup and picked up a white napkin that proclaimed in silver script “Vernon and Evangeline” along with their January wedding date.
I brought the plate to Evie, then returned to fill the awaiting crystal cups with punch.
“Really, this is lovely,” Lizzie said as she sat down with her feast in one of the Victorian chairs I had pulled out of my shop’s nooks so as to help the girls encircle Evie.
It didn’t take long to polish off the finger foods, and soon Evie sat opening her presents as we Potluck women ooohed and aaahed. She looked like a queen, with us, her loyal subjects, gathered around. She was dressed very fashionably in a rich raspberry kimono jacket, done in a swirling burned-out velvet pattern. She repeated the color in a matching scooped-neck shirt and pant. She was radiant, especially as she’d applied a hint of blush. Just think, in a few minutes, I’d lead her to my vanity and show her how to enhance what she’d already started.
But for now, I was curious to see what the girls had thought to give her, seeing that she and Vernon already had two of everything.
Much to my delight, Evie unwrapped scented body soaps and lotions, gift certificates for local furniture boutiques and knickknack shops, as well as restaurant certificates for date nights, and there was even a certificate for a wonderful overnight stay, for two, at a Vail resort and spa.
But my favorite gift was one that I’d selected and wrapped myself. A scandalous, sheer baby doll in black with hidden snaps, of course.
Watching her blush the shade of her outfit was a lovely payoff.
Just as we women were lost in peals of laughter, the door jingled open, revealing poor little Donna dressed in her old black sweats. Her face was pale, and she looked as though she hadn’t slept for days. I jumped up to greet her. “Donna, welcome to the party. Here, let me help you get a plate of food.”
I busied myself while she took a seat and added a present to the diminishing gift pile.
Vonnie turned to her. “Are you okay, dear?”
I turned back in time to see Donna’s face blanch even paler. She shook her head. “Not really.”
“I would have thought you’d still be celebrating your victory,”
Goldie said.
Donna nodded then shrugged. “You’d think.”
“Is this about David’s proposal at Apple’s?” I asked, wanting to get to the heart of the matter. “So, the rumors have been flying. Are you engaged or not?”
“Not.”
It was Goldie who first found her voice. “Well, good for you. I
mean, you hardly know the man.”
Vonnie said, “Well, they have been spending a lot of time playing cards with my mother.”
We all looked back at Donna, who continued to look miserable. I said, “How do you feel about David?”
Donna buried her face in her hands. “I don’t know. I wasn’t expecting a proposal,” she said. “One of the reasons I agreed to have lunch with him was to find out if he’d been dating my sister.”
Vonnie gasped. “Oh dear!”
“Had he?” I demanded.
“I don’t think so, though I saw them sitting together at Higher
Grounds yesterday morning.”
I put my hand to my heart. “Then he hasn’t called you?”
“You could say I haven’t been available,” she said.
Vonnie said, “I’ve missed you at the house.”
“I know. Honestly, I don’t know what to do about that. Though I’m glad to know he’s moving into his own place soon.”
“Back to this proposal,” Lizzie said. “What happened exactly?”
“One minute, David and I were making light conversation, and the next he was on one knee asking me to marry him, in front of everyone. I was stunned, until I saw the cameras come out. That
place was filled with paparazzi.”
I felt the hair on the back of my neck stand on end. “The paparazzi
are here in Summit View?”
“You bet they are,” Lizzie said. “They probably got wind that he’d made a major jewelry purchase from one of the Hollywood jewelers.”
Donna sounded surprised. “He had a ring?”
“Didn’t he show you?”
She shook her head.
Lizzie continued, “At least according to this article. It’s pictured on the second page of the story.” She opened her leather purse that doubled as a satchel and pulled out a copy of
Entertainment Everyday
, a slick gossip magazine. “This came into the library yesterday. I’m
surprised none of you saw it.”
And there it was, in living color. A cover shot of David kneeling before Donna as she stood with her hand on her holster. “Deputy Shoots Down Hollywood Proposal,” the caption read.
Donna made a choking sound. “Oh no.”
Before I could blink, Donna had darted through the swinging kitchen door.
I turned and looked at Evangeline, who asked in a small voice, “I’m as upset as anyone about Donna’s love life, but I have to know, is my bridal shower over?”
Oh dear. This was supposed to be Evangeline’s day. “Hang on, girlfriend. Let’s all take a break. Everyone, why don’t you help yourself to a slice of my daffodil cake?”
I rushed after Donna and found her crying at the back door of the kitchen.
I pulled her into my arms. “Sweetie, it’s going to be okay. It
is.”
The swinging kitchen door banged open, and Evangeline stormed through. “Begging your pardon,” she told me, “but Donna is my future stepdaughter. Thank you for trying to help, but this is my responsibility.”
She replaced my nearly bare arms with her own raspberry-clad ones as she held the sobbing girl. “There, there,” she said. “Tell me
all about it.”
I popped on an apron then pretended to busy myself in the
kitchen.
The two pulled up kitchen stools, and Donna spoke in hushed tones, revealing the confusion of her heart. As she talked and as Evie listened, it was like rays of love, straight from heaven, parted the storm clouds to shine down on those two. This had to be the first heart-to-heart these two women had ever experienced. And it was happening right here in my little wedding shop. I tried not to break into song.
As I walked by the pair on the way to the refrigerator, I discreetly handed Donna a tissue. She wiped her eyes and continued what she was saying. “I guess I haven’t returned David’s phone calls because I don’t know
what
I feel for him. I really don’t.”
Evangeline patted her arm. “Then there’s someone else? Someone
like Wade?”
I stole a peek and saw Donna with that deer caught in the headlights look. “Why would you ask about Wade?”
“We all know you two have a past. So, is it true? You still feel something for Wade?”
Donna bit her lip. “I can’t say.”
“Can’t say or won’t?”
Donna shook her head. “It’s complicated. I... I just don’t know.”
Evangeline took Donna’s hands and held them in her own. “Let me give you a piece of advice. I’ve loved your father since I was twelve. It was hard when he married another woman. Then Doreen left him. I had opportunities with him, time and time again, but I’d always let foolish things like hurt from the past as well as my own stupid pride stand between us. As I look back on all those wasted years, I realize my mistake. Donna, if you’re like me, then you know in your heart whom you love. Don’t do what I did. Face it. Don’t let that love slip through your fingers. Who’s to say you’ll
ever get a second chance?”
I’d slowly been creeping toward the private conversation as I wiped down my stainless steel countertops, so I’d be available if they needed me to put in my two cents. I saw my chance to speak up and took it. “Well, Donna, I hope it’s not Clay who’s in your heart. He’d asked me to play matchmaker for him and get the two of you together, but my makeover attracted more than flies to that honey. Thanks to my help, he’s dating that Britney girl. I’m so sorry
about that, sweetie.”
Donna looked hard at me and then smiled. “Don’t worry, Lisa
Leann, I don’t have a history with Clay other than friendship.”
I smiled to myself, knowing I’d been given a big hint as to the nature of Donna’s heart.
I walked to the kitchen door, then hesitated. “Well, girls, it’s time to try on the bridesmaids dresses, when you’re ready, that is.”
When I walked out to the girls gathered in my sitting room, they
all looked more than a little worried.
“It won’t be long now,” I said. “And here’s the good news. These past few minutes have been a time of intense healing between two soon-to-be family members.” I grinned and gestured widely. “Things are looking up for those two.”
Vonnie finally said the words that were bursting in my heart. “Well, glory hallelujah!”
Clay was party to the ploy, the great plan of proposal between Adam and Michelle.
Britney had roped him in, or so she thought. What he knew that she didn’t was that there were more surprises in this evening than just the one designed for Michelle.
The plan was as follows: the four of them were set to double date. They’d have dinner at Apple’s, then head over to Ice Castles, an indoor skating rink. Once there, they’d do a little skating, then take off their skates and go into the café for cappuccinos and cheesecake. After the late-night treat, Clay and Britney would excuse themselves, both saying they had to use the restroom, and head out to the Jeep to retrieve Clay’s camera equipment. They’d sneak back inside and hide in a corner booth—perfect for Britney getting video footage and Clay snapping still shots. Adam would then retrieve their skates, slipping the ring into one of Michelle’s skates. As soon as she slipped her foot in, she would know something wasn’t quite right. A little dip of the fingertips and...
“Adam has been practicing signing ‘Will you marry me’ for days,” Britney whispered to Clay from the horseshoe-shaped booth where they waited patiently.
Clay had only nodded.
Mere moments later, they watched as Adam gave the signal to start the video. “There’s my cue,” Britney half-squealed, half-whispered.
“Why are you whispering?” Clay teased her.
“So she won’t hear me,” she answered, then blushed. “Oh.” Her tone returned to normal. “Oh yeah.” Then she frowned. “Very funny, Mr. Whitefield.”
The proposal went as planned, with Michelle leaping up and down, patrons applauding, and Clay and Britney recording the moment. They both giggled as Adam signed, “I asked your father first,” and Michelle burst into tears.
When there was nothing left to photograph or film, Clay nudged Britney and asked, “Can you get that little lens case out of my bag for me?” He indicated his camera bag lying near her feet.
“Oh. Oh, sure,” she said, bending over to retrieve the case.
Clay pretended to fiddle with his camera as he said, “Get the lens
in there for me, okay? I need to change this one out.”
With a sideward glance he watched as she unscrewed the top of the case, then gasped at what was inside. Nestled in deep blue velvet was an antique ring of diamonds and sapphires set high on ornate platinum.
“Oh my gosh,” Britney breathed out, reaching for the ring with trembling fingers.
Clay set his camera aside and draped the arm nearest her along the back of the booth’s padded seat. With his other hand, he took the ring from her. “It was my grandmother’s,” he said softly. “And her grandmother’s before her.”