One
Linda and Sam sipped from steaming hot drinks, captivated by the scene outside the window of Harbor Coffee and Books. Downy white flakes fell from the sky while reflections of red, green, gold, and blue polka dots danced across the soft mounds of snow along the sidewalks. Snowfall was rare on the island, but it was the perfect accompaniment for the season. Friday Harbor was dressed for Christmas, from the strings of lights threaded across the streets and draped around the trees, to the majestic pine adorned with a bright star, towering over the park.
Stacks of bridal magazines littered the table and a rumpled bag from Soup D’Jour was pushed to the side. It had only been a week since Max proposed, but Linda was already working on a wedding plan and Sam was making lists.
“A summer event is so much easier, but I think the Lakeside Resort will be a great venue, even in February,” said Linda.
“It will be fabulous. The lodge is incredible and with that wall of windows looking out at the lake, we’ll feel like we’re outside, even if we’re not,” said Sam.
“I thought about waiting until April or May, but I really want to be married.”
Sam smiled. “I know you do. It’s going to be gorgeous, especially the classy black and white with a touch of lavender. A Valentine’s Day wedding is so romantic.”
“As a florist, I absolutely abhor the idea, but as a bride, I find it charming. Those Valentine brides used to drive me over the edge, but now I am one.” She smirked as she took a sip of chai.
“Let’s plan a trip into the city with Jen and go back to Rose’s Bridal Boutique and find you the perfect dress. Becky can meet us and we’ll have another fun girlie day,” suggested Sam.
Linda eyes gleamed. “Sounds like a great idea.” She paused and flipped through a magazine. “I honestly never thought I’d ever get married.”
“You just had to wait for the right man and Max is the best.”
Linda nodded and smiled. “He was definitely worth the wait.”
Sam sipped her tea while she watched a couple traipse down the sidewalk, huddled together in scarves and hats. “I’ve been thinking we need to plan something for Regi’s birthday,” said Sam. “I’m concerned that Cam might not fulfill his promise and she’ll need the fun.”
Linda nodded. “Yeah, I can tell she’s worried. She’s looks tired and miserable when I’ve seen her. I know she’s disappointed he hasn’t arrived yet.”
“And his birthday is only about ten days away. I think if he was planning to come, he would’ve been here by now.” Sam sighed and clutched the warm cup in her hands. “At least Molly will be here during her college break. She and Kyle both get here tomorrow.”
“That’ll be good for Regi. I bet you’re excited to see Kyle, huh? You’ll have to share him with his grandma.”
Sam laughed. “Yeah, I know. I’ve missed him. We email and keep in touch, but it’s not the same. He sent me some great photos of his Thanksgiving trip to New York City with Marty.”
“Is Kyle’s mom coming to the island for Christmas?”
“That’s the plan. She won’t be here until Christmas Day, so he and Rita are coming with us to your house for Christmas Eve.”
“Great. Max is so excited to host Christmas Eve. We’ll have the house in party mode, so let’s plan on throwing Regi a birthday bash at our place on the twenty-sixth.”
“Are you sure that wouldn’t be too much?”
“Of course not. It’ll be fun. Let’s do a dinner. That way everyone from the coffee shop will be able to come, since you’re closing at five now.”
“Okay, but let me do the bulk of the food.”
“We’ll split things up and I think we should have Ellie do a special cake,” suggested Linda.
Sam nodded her head and flipped her notebook over to a clean sheet. She began making a list. “Okay, how about we do something easy like a taco bar?”
“Sounds perfect. Let’s include some of her friends from the high school and Nate, of course.”
“Poor Nate. If Cam does come, he’ll be devastated. I think he really cares for Regi and I’m not sure she’s aware of his true feelings,” said Sam.
“I know. Max thinks we should explain the whole thing about the promise she and Cam made to each other twenty years ago, but I told him we need to stay out of it,” said Linda.
“It’s definitely her story to tell, not ours, but I do feel for Nate. He stops by when she’s working, just to visit and I know he sees her every day when he delivers to the school. He’s clearly smitten with her and I get the feeling she just thinks of him as a buddy.”
Linda shook her head. “I invited her and Molly for Christmas Eve and told her to bring Cam, if he’s here.” She took another sip of her hot drink. “If he doesn’t come, maybe she’ll stop fantasizing and move on instead of living in the past,” said Linda, with a sigh. “But then who am I to talk about living in the past?”
Sam smiled. “You had your reasons, but now you’ve got a bright future.”
“Speaking of, Jen and I are going out to Lakeside tomorrow to meet with the event coordinator. Do you want to tag along?”
“Sure, sounds fun. Jen’s so excited about your wedding. She already asked me about using our house for the bridal shower.”
Linda’s eyes sparkled. “She told me she booked out the day to do everyone’s hair. She’s all over it.”
“Is your Uncle Mike going to be able to make it?”
Linda nodded. “He said wild horses couldn’t keep him away. He’s going to walk me down the aisle,” she said, as tears filled her eyes.
Sam grasped her hand. “Oh, how wonderful. And your mom?”
“She’s excited and happy to know I won’t be living in sin much longer.” Linda rolled her eyes. “She and David and his family will be here, but that’s the extent of my relatives. Max’s children and his parents are flying in. His parents are coming a few days early. They’re thrilled and so happy for us.”
“If you need rooms for family, let me know. I’m happy to have them.”
“I’ll talk to Max. We were thinking about having my mom and Max’s parents stay with us. Maybe we’ll see if Max’s kids could stay with you. We were going to put the rest of them up at the Lakeside or at Ben and Sherrie’s.”
“I’d love to host the kids. It would be fun to see them,” said Sam. “Count me in.”
Linda glanced at her watch as they heard a tap on the glass door and looked up to see Jen. She was wrapped up in the colorful hat and scarf Linda had brought her from Victoria. Sam jumped up and unlocked the door.
“Come in. How are you?”
“A little tired, but the walk in the snow was refreshing. It’s magical with the lights and the tree—like a Christmas card,” Jen said, plucking off her hat to reveal her blond hair streaked with red and green highlights.
“How about something hot to drink?” offered Sam.
“Sure, tea is fine. Surprise me,” smiled Jen. She stepped out of her boots, exposing fluffy red socks decorated with snowflakes. She tucked herself into a chair and Linda angled the list so Jen could read it.
“Sam decided we need a trip to the city to pick out the dress where she found hers. She’s going to come with us to Lakeside tomorrow.”
“Oh, fun. I worked late tonight so I could have tomorrow off. Lakeside should be able to take care of the ceremony, reception and dinner, as well as the rehearsal the night before. They’re giving a discount on the rehearsal dinner and throwing in two rooms for your family, when you book the wedding, since it’s their slow season. And it doesn’t hurt that you’ve done so many events there.”
Linda smiled. “Aubrey is being especially generous.” She glanced at Sam’s list. “Max and I are cake tasting on Sunday after Ellie closes. We’re having Ryan do the photography, like he did for Sam and Jeff. Sara has the flowers under control. Max is in charge of the tuxedos and if we get my dress and your dress in the city, I think we’ll have it whipped.”
Sam turned on some music and returned with a steaming cup of tea for Jen and a plate of fresh brownies. She put the box of invitations on the table. “Okay, let’s get the assembly line started and we’ll get these invitations done tonight.”
They hummed along to “White Christmas” as they labeled, stuffed, and sealed the crisp envelopes announcing the marriage of Linda Louise Graham to Dr. Max F. Sullivan.
Sam chuckled as she read the invitation. “I see Max didn’t allow his real first name to be used.”
Linda smiled, “I know. I tried to convince him to use Maximilian Francis Sullivan, but he made an ugly face and refused.”
Jen laughed. “Maximilian Francis. Wow.”
The three women snickered as they sang along to the holiday tunes, finishing the envelopes before they dared to eat a brownie and get a chocolate smudge on the pristine invitations. By the time they finished visiting and dissecting the pictures of the brides in the magazines, it was close to midnight and the streets were carpeted in fresh snow.
Linda offered Jen a ride to her car and the three hugged and bundled into their snowcapped vehicles to make their way home. As Linda reached for her door handle, she shouted back at Sam. “I’ll pick you up in the morning and we’ll head out to Lakeside.”
Sam nodded and waved, encased in her hat and scarf.
As Linda waved goodbye to Jen in front of her salon, her cell phone rang. “Hi, Max,” she answered.
“Hey, sweetie. I was getting worried about you. Are you on your way home?”
“I just dropped Jen at her car and am on my way now. We just finished up.”
“Okay, be careful on the roads. Go slow. I’ll see you in a few minutes. Love you.”
Linda smiled. She had never had a man in her life worry about her and take care of her like Max. “I love you too.” She disconnected the call and put both of her gloved hands on the wheel of the SUV. I’m one lucky gal to have met Max. He’s made the last thirty years of waiting for the right guy worth every minute.
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