“Knock, knock,” Rena calls out, already walking in, Ned close behind. “I brought baby gifts and pie.”
“The more pie, the merrier,” I tell her then make a face and rub my belly. “This little guy must like pie too because I swear he just pirouetted.”
Rena sets everything down on the last available space on the counter, hugs me, then studies my face. “Yup, you’re glowing.” She scoots by me and gives John a pat on the cheek. “You too, honey.”
“Glad somebody finally noticed,” John grumbles.
Rena washes her hands in the sink. “What can I do to help?” She surveys the counter and shakes her head. “Did everybody already bring their dishes? I didn’t see anyone out front.”
“Nope. Nobody else is here yet,” John says. “Wren woke up in the mood to cook and she’s been going crazy ever since. Fortunately, Monster ate one of the bowls of pasta salad when we weren’t looking, so I was able to fit everything into the pickup in two trips.”
Rena laughs and shakes her head. “Come on.” She puts her arm out for me to take. “Looks like there are pitchers of iced tea and lemonade out on your pretty veranda. Let’s you and I go sit and watch everyone arrive and look at that clear, blue pond. I see you got a couple cormorants out there fishing. Did you put fish in there, Fox?”
“Yep, but don’t tell Ned, or he’ll be driving back to his house to get his fishing rods and frying up all my fish.”
Rena laughs. “That’s for sure.”
“Sounds good.” When we’re seated, Rena digs in her big shoulder bag and hands me a handkerchief.
I study the exquisite embroidery along the lacy edges. “This is gorgeous!”
“There’s Danni’s initials.” She points to a DHM. “And not to jump the gun too much but I heard you and Skye found a dress, so”—her fingers slide to a ballet slipper pink HHR— “there’s yours, already stitched on so you can’t back out. They’re not as neat as the first ones because my fingers don’t have the gift quite as much as they used to.”
“It’s beautiful, Rena. And I know you’re joking, but I’m not backing out.”
“Iamjoking.” Her expression turns serious. “It’s going to be a quick wedding. But I think you two have been waiting to find each other for a while now. And you’re both level-headed. You two are something real sweet together, and I’m glad you came here to Paradise Springs, even though it wasn’t under happy circumstances.”
I hug her again, and she grins then nods down at the handkerchief. “Now, that right there is your something borrowed and something blue. And it can even be your something old, depending on your definition of old. But if you’re going to call it old, you might want to keep that to yourself because this handkerchief is younger than me.”
I run a finger over the delicately embroidered initials. “So many brides,” I say softly.
She nods. “All of them starting a new life with their chosen love. Some of them finding love for the second time after loss, like you.” Her eyes shine with compassion, and I nod, a lump in my throat. “Skye told me you picked out a dress that has pockets, which is a real nice thing for a bride. You can stick that handkerchief in a pocket or tuck it in your cleavage. Maybe you won’t cry but maybe you will, and if you do, dab at your tears or blow your nose—that’s what it’s for. No need to be dainty.”
“Can I cry now?” I smile tearily at her.
She hugs me. “You can cry whenever you durn well want.”
Danni’s truck barrels toward the house then veers off, coming to a stop to the right of the house, leaving space for others to park. Danni, Bear, and Meatball jump out just as Emma, Tank, Hudson, and Presh arrive.
“We brought a lasagna and a salad,” Emma sings, beating Danni to the veranda even though she’s holding a big salad bowl. “But it looks like we should have brought lots of towels also.” She nudges her chin toward Presh, Monster, and Meatball sprinting toward the pond. “They’re going to be a mess.”
“Let me help,” I stand, but Tank, with the lasagna and numerous gift bags strung on his arms, waves me back and Emma continues past, yelling out behind her, “I’ll set it in the kitchen real quick. Then I’ll join you gals, so don’t start talking without me.”
Bear nods, climbing the steps lugging two big, folding tables. “Ladies.” He smiles at me, “Where do you want these tables, Honey?”
“In the kitchen. We ran out of space for the food and gifts. Thanks, Bear.”
Danni hugs me, then side-hugs Rena.
“Hi, love,” Rena says.
Danni plunks down in a seat. “Comfy.”
“Fortunately, we have just enough chairs for everyone coming here today.” I point to the pond dock. “We can’t use those dock chairs and tables. They’re attached to the dock, so a hurricane doesn’t blow them away.”
Danni sits back and sighs contentedly. “I love this view. I think it’s even more beautiful out here than last week when we all painted the nursery.”
Emma grabs a chair and scoots it closer. “Skye texted and said she’s almost here with Ava and Lacy.” She rubs her hands together. “I can’t wait to see all your adorable, little baby gifts.”
