AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“I understand.” Our heads turn to the doorway where Maggie’s standing, her hands wringing at her waist. “But you don’t have to say anything at all. I’ll just say this and leave you be.”
Maggie steps inside and bites her lip.
“I’m ashamed of myself,” she says. “I was unkind, and I lashed out at you. You didn’t deserve even one of the words that came out of my mouth today. I’m so sorry, Stasia. Truly and deeply sorry. I love you. I couldn’t love you more if you were my sister by blood, and I hope you’ll forgive me.”
“Well, of course, I forgive you,” Anastasia says, tears rolling down her cheek. “But you don’t ever get to be a bitch like that to me again. Because I wouldn’t intentionally deceive you, or hurt you. Ever.”
“I know.”
I stand and move away from the bed as Maggie hugs my fiancée, suddenly uncomfortable with all of the estrogen flowing through the room.
“I’ll just go give the others a status update.”Chapter Twenty~Anastasia~Three Months Later…“Will you be making your own cake?” Alecia, my cousin Dominic’s wife, asks me as she leads us out to the wedding pavilion at the vineyard. Kane and I came out today to have a look at the venue for the event we plan to have in just a couple of months.
Of course, I’ve been out here a few times in the past, but Kane’s never seen it, and I want to make sure he likes it before we move forward.
“I don’t think so,” I reply as Kane slips his hand into mine. “I thought about it, but frankly, I want to just enjoy the day and not have to worry about anything as a vendor.”
“I couldn’t agree more,” Alecia says with a decisive nod before turning to Kane. “Before coming out here to Cuppa de Vita to work with Dominic, I used to be a wedding and event planner in Seattle.”
“She was the best in the Pacific Northwest,” Dom says, flashing a proud smile. “But I stole her away, and now she handles all of the events out here.”
“The Montgomery family has kept me in business for going on seven years now,” Alecia says. “Jules found me way back when, and I’ve organized every major family function since then. Everything from weddings to baby showers to anniversary parties.”
“So, it’s fitting for you to take care of this for us, as well,” Kane says. “And we appreciate you taking it on, especially on such short notice.”
“It’s not a problem. We had the weekend open on the calendar,” Dominic says.
“Look at this pavilion,” I say in excitement. “I can just picture all of the twinkle lights, and the Irish music. This is where we’ll dance and have dinner. I thought that if the weather holds, we can have the ceremony over that way.”
I point out to where Will and Meg had their ceremony, in the vineyard. Theirs was such a beautiful wedding.
“You can have whatever you like, darling. I’ve told you that.”
“Yes, but I want to make sure you like it.”
“If you’re happy, I’m happy.”
“Smart man,” Dominic says with a laugh.
The guys hang back to talk about wines and grapes and who knows what else as Alecia and I walk ahead to one of the barns that’s been converted to a ceremony space, should the weather not hold.
“I like him,” Alecia says. “I know we don’t know him well, but I see the way he looks at you. It’s just the way all of the men in this family gaze at the women they love. I have to tell you, it’s something to behold. He’s completely over the moon in love with you.”
“It’s mutual,” I assure her. “He’s the best thing that’s happened in my life in a long, long time.”
“I’m happy for you. And I’m thrilled that you want to have your wedding out here. Have you decided on a honeymoon yet?”
I glance back at the man I love and smile as he catches me watching him, and tosses me a wink.
“Ireland.” I turn back to Alecia. “We’ll be spending several months in Ireland.”Epilogue~Anastasia~Six Months Later…My muse hasn’t shut up since the day we set foot in Ireland two months ago. The rolling green hills, violent waves, and temperamental cliffs of the landscape lure me out each day with a sketchpad in hand, along with my pencils and even some paints.
I fell in love with the Oregon coast when Kane took me there, and I still love it, but Ireland is in a league all its own. The people. The culture. Even the language is intoxicating, and when we return to the States in just a few weeks, I’ll be sad to leave this new part of my soul behind.
Kane’s spent hours on end in his uncle’s barn, firing and shaping glass for the show that Trevor Mullins has scheduled for just before we leave. Kane decided that he’d make the exclusive pieces right here. Art made not only by an Irish artist, but on Irish soil, as well.
