“Incredible.” He grinned. “I feel like I could run around the block and not get tired at all. I can’t wait to feel this good on our wedding day.”
“That.” Vivian tapped his shoulder with her index finger. “That’s what Noelle cares about more than anything else. She’s going to feel like it’s the best day of her life, I can promise you that.”
Dean wrapped an arm around his mother as they started toward the storage unit together. “I’m sure it’ll be the best day of my life too. Was your wedding day the happiest day of your life?”
Vivian shook her head. “At the time, it was—but I was also nervous, and sometimes it felt a little stressful, to be surrounded by so many people and having to so do many things in one day. Even with all that, though, I was so happy to marry your father that yes, it was the best day of my life at the time. But as the years went on, I had more ‘happiest days.’ All of the days you children were born on, for instance. And many of my happiest days were just ordinary days, when we’d go to the park or go fishing, simple things like that. It was just so wonderful to be together as a family, experiencing life’s simple joys. I don’t think I realized at the time that they were some of my happiest days, but I know it now. And I’m still having happiest days—I think I alwayswill. I love celebrating life with you all. Whenever I get a new grandchild, those are happiest days. And I think your wedding day to Noelle will be one of the happiest days of my life too.”
Dean kissed his mother on the side of the head. “That’s the best thing about families, isn’t it? There might be more chaos and more things to keep track of, but there’s more love and more joy.”
“One hundred percent.”
She grinned at him, and they went into the storage building together to join the rest of their family.
CHAPTER SIXTEEN
Faith hurried up to the front doors of The Lighthouse Grill, grinning with expectation. She always loved stopping by the pub after it had formally closed for the night. It made her feel special that she was allowed in even when the general public wasn’t. Tonight she was especially excited, since she was there to meet with Vivian and talk to her about her grand idea that she hoped would help lift the spirits of the entire town. She peered through the windows of the restaurant, thinking to herself that the dining room looked cozy and inviting with the lights dimmed. The fireplace was still lively with a crackling, glowing fire, and it made the restaurant look like some kind of cottage.
She tugged open the front door and grinned when she saw Vivian. If The Lighthouse Grill was a cottage, then Vivian was the kind-hearted healer who lived in it. Faith had often thought to herself that Vivian had the kindest eyes out of everyone she knew. Vivian might not have distributed herbal tonics to her friends and neighbors, but she provided hot food and a place to gather and feel a sense of community. Faith knew that Vivian loved running the restaurant especially because of the joy that it brought to her town, and Faith felt proud to be related to the open-hearted, hardworking woman who was smiling at her.
“Hi, Faith,” Vivian said, giving her a big hug. “I got us a couple of slices of key lime pie to munch on while we chat. That’s your favorite, right?”
“Aww! Yes.” Faith pressed a hand to her chest. “Thank you, that was so thoughtful.”
“No trouble at all.” Vivian led the way to the cozy booth by the fireplace where she’d set the plates of key lime pie. “I’m excited to hear about this idea you’ve come up with. You said it’s something to help cheer up the town after the storm?”
Faith nodded. “That’s right—well, that, and to express my gratitude to everyone. I just feel like there are so many things that I—well, let me start at the beginning.” She laughed. “I want to do something because of how much everyone in this town means to me, especially the Owens family.”
Clearly touched, Vivian reached across the table and squeezed Faith’s hand. “We’re so happy you moved here,” she assured Faith. “Life is so much better with you in town.”
Tears filled Faith’s eyes, and she blinked them back as she smiled. “After my parents passed unexpectedly, I had such tough and lonely years. I threw myself into my work so hard I stopped making room for anything else in my life. I had nothing to focus on besides my job, and I was starting to convince myself that I would be lonely for the rest of my life.” She took a deep breath. “Thank God for that panic attack.”
She laughed again, shaking her head. “It was the wakeup call I needed, thinking it was a heart attack. I knew that I needed to change my whole life in order to bring down my stress levels, like the doctor ordered me to. I could have ended up anywhere, but I knew that you were here in Rosewood Beach—my long-lost family. It was a risky decision to come out here and look for you, since I had no idea if you would want me in your lives or not, but you did.”
“We absolutely did.” Vivian squeezed Faith’s hand again. “We were taken aback by your sudden arrival, it’s true, but it soon became clear you’re the kind of person we would want to be a part of our community even if you weren’t family. You’re so kind and considerate, Faith. You have a bright light that’s a joy to be around.”
“Thank you. I feel so honored to have been welcomed into the Rosewood Beach community so warmly. As soon as I moved here, whole new possibilities opened up to me. I began to see life in a completely different light, and I felt embraced by Rosewood Beach as a whole.” She looked down at her key lime pie and smiled as she twirled a fork in the whipped cream that had been generously heaped on the top of it. “I dearly wish to do something that will celebrate the beautifully welcoming atmosphere that the people of this community cultivate.”
“That sounds wonderful to me,” Vivian assured her. “I love it when our town comes together.”
Faith nodded eagerly. “I had an idea, but I’ll need your help with it. I want to have a gathering at The Lighthouse Grill where we can all get together—the entire town! I want to host an event to honor everyone in town, but especially you guys, the Owens family. You’ve done so much for me and for so many people in town. And I think that coming together after the storm is just what everyone needs. People need their spirits lifted and they need to feel like things are happy and normal again, if only for one night—to remind them that once the repairs are all finished, we all will get back on our feet and things really will feel good and right again.”
“Yes!” Vivian clapped her hands together enthusiastically. “Faith, that’s a wonderful idea. I would love to help you. The doors of The Lighthouse Grill are open for this well-meaning endeavor.”
They began to eat their pie in earnest as they schemed up a menu for the event together. Faith had been thinking the food offerings could be dessert-only, but Vivian wanted to offer savory options as well, such as hors d’oeuvres and charcuterie boards.
“We can bring out Grandma’s award-winning Swedish meatball recipe,” Vivian said eagerly as she jotted down another note on her cellphone. “It’s got such an amazing sauce—mm, my mouth is watering just thinking about it. I’ll probably go home and whip up a batch just so I can eat some tonight.”
Faith laughed. “Sounds amazing. And maybe we could have some savory pies along with the sweet pies—I hear Tom makes a mean quiche.”
“Oh, yes! And we can make mini quiches using the muffin pans.” Vivian jotted down another note. “That will be fantastic.”
Faith was just about to suggest doughnut holes when there was a knock on the front door.
“Huh,” Vivian said, turning around curiously and peering at the doorway. “I wonder who that is. Most people in town know we’re closed so they wouldn’t have come here at this hour—and if it was one of my kids, they wouldn’t bother knocking, they’d just come in.”
Faith, who was leaning to the side to get a look at the person through the front window, let out a gasp of delight. “It’s Delilah!” She still wasn’t over the fact that Delilah, one of her favorite movie stars and a woman who she had admired immensely all of her life, was now one of her dear friends and neighbors. She still got a thrill every time she saw the glamorous and yet down-to-earth movie star.
“Come in, Delilah!” Vivian called out.
