Page 92 of Sea Breezes at The Beach House Hotel

CHAPTER THIRTY-ONE

In the late afternoon, I dressed for the beach wedding in a flowing floral skirt and a pink silk blouse. Nell and Clint had requested that we all dress casually. The men would no doubt follow Clint’s choice of khaki pants and polo shirts. I knew Liz and June were wearing sundresses, and I was certain most of the others would wear pretty spring skirts or dresses as well.

Bo and Rosie were beside themselves with excitement. They’d spent the whole week playing with their cousins and were excited to be included in a wedding. Bailey had told them and the other kids about her important role. Ned wasn’t as excited, but I knew he would be when the moment came.

I left my bedroom and went to see what I could do to help Robbie. He looked very grown-up in his khaki pants and a blue polo shirt, with his dark hair slicked back.

“Are you ready to help Clint?” I asked him.

“I told him I’d meet him at the hotel,” said Robbie with a note of pride.

I checked my watch. “I guess we’d better go. Where’s Dad?”

“Outside talking to Ty,” he said.

We left his room and found everyone gathered outside, dressed for the wedding.

“Robbie and I want to go to the hotel to help Nell and Clint,” I said. “You’ve got a little more time.”

“I’ll come with you,” said Vaughn. “Ty, you can take my car. Okay?”

“Sure, Dad. We’ll follow in a little bit.”

As Vaughn drove to the hotel, I could see the tension in his shoulders. I knew this was a big moment for him, even though Robbie would be walking Nell onto the beach.

“How are you doing?” I asked him as Robbie turned on his earphones.

“It may be the second time around for Nell and Clint, but in some ways, it feels like the first one,” he said. “I’m proud of them.”

“You’re not feeling left out, are you?” I asked.

“No, I’m very proud that my son, Robbie, is going to walk Nell onto the beach. But I’ll still be the one giving her away all over again, as Nell put it.”

I loved the tender look that crossed his face.

###

We arrived at the hotel, and I immediately went to the bridal suite where Nell, Angie, Liz, and June were gathering. The children would be part of the ceremony, but the real essence of the wedding was the behind-the-scenes support.

When I saw Nell in her wedding gown —a pale pink silk midi dress with capped sleeves and a sweetheart neckline —my breath caught. She was stunning. Her blond hair was pulled away from her face in a type of braid, into which a few orchids had been placed.

“Oh, my darling, you are beautiful,” I whispered as I hugged her.

“Thank you for helping me pick out the dress,” she said. She looked around the room. “Ready, everybody?”

“I know how excited you are, but give us time to get onto the beach,” said Liz with a teasing smile.

Robbie knocked on the door.

I let him in and then we women left.

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Standing on the beach between Vaughn and Liz, I listened to the guitar music, felt the gentle sea breezes brush my cheeks, and let out a joyful sigh. This was such a special occasion. The situation between Nell and Clint could’ve ended very differently.

The lapping of the nearby water made a soothing sound. It blended with the classical guitar music being played. I gazed at the small, white wooden altar that had been placed in the sand. A huge arrangement of pink flowers, including roses and orchids, sat in a white wicker basket atop the altar with electric candles flanking it.

The woman overseeing the ceremony was a friend of ours who officiated at weddings all over the area.