Page 113 of Welcome Home to Ivy Falls

Chapter Thirty-Six

PIPER

Fairy-Tale Ending

There was never a doubt in my mind that Ivy Falls was an amazing place, but watching everyone from Ferris to Silvio to Dr Sheridan and Deputy Ben pitch in over the last few days, I had to re-evaluate my opinion of my hometown. This wasn’t just a place with a charming square, quaint independent businesses and out-of-this-world food. It was a loving community that always showed up when they were needed.

After rehab, I’d thought it’d be easier to sneak away, to not face the people I’d disappointed, but I was glad I had been brave enough to come back. To be part of a community that was selfless and wanted nothing more than their neighbors to be happy.

Even though Beck and Torran agreed to the wedding, they still worried about how the town was going to pull it off with everything else going on. Tessa finally put an end to her sister’s grumbling by pulling the ‘Auntie’ card, telling her how upset Iris and Rose would be if they didn’t get to wear the sparkly pink dresses Torran picked out for them.

‘Pipe.’ Maisey rushed across the square toward me. The aster-purple, one-shoulder dress she’d made for this occasion was stunning. ‘I’ve been watching the Hearth and Home crew like a dog waiting for someone to drop a morsel on the floor during Thanksgiving dinner. Haven’t seen a single camera. Most of the big guys have spent the afternoon helping Manny bring in chairs and setting up the tent for the reception.’ She glanced toward the lawn in front of town hall and sighed. ‘When we want to pull together, throw a party, Ivy Falls knows how to assemble better than the Avengers.’

She stepped back and gave me the once-over. After Ms Darcy did some alterations, the tea-length sapphire-blue bridesmaid dress Torran had picked out for me was beautiful.

‘Give me a spin,’ she ordered.

I wobbled on my heels on the uneven pavement. She pulled a small bottle of hairspray and a brush from the pockets of her dress, spritzing and fluffing until she was satisfied.

‘You look good, bestie.’

‘Thank you.’ I gave her the side-eye. ‘What else you got in those pockets, Maise?’

She chuckled and pulled out a handful of mints, a tube of red lipstick and some tissues. ‘Pockets should be a requirement in dress design. Wish more brands would figure that out.’

‘Why don’t you do it? Create your own line of formal dresses with pockets. I bet you’d sell out in a minute.’

She tapped at her chin, a slow smile making her face glow. ‘That’s not a bad idea.’

‘I’m here for whatever you need. Just ask.’

She tugged me into a hug. ‘You inspire me.’

I pulled back. ‘Me? Why?’

‘That first day you came back from rehab I was terrified. I sat on the porch at Huckleberry Lane and waited for you to acknowledge I was there. Reluctantly, you came outside and we talked. Over time you let me back into your world, and through our walks, quiet conversations, I learned about what you’d endured over the years. Anyone else would have been completely broken by what you’d been through, but all I saw in you was resolve. A fierce drive to never go back to the place you were before. You’ve been through so much and you’re still fighting. It makes me damn proud to be your friend.’

‘Oh, Maise. I wouldn’t be in this place without your love and support. I hope you’ll let me do the same for you as you go after what you want.’

She squeezed my hand. ‘Thank you. I’m definitely going to take you up on that offer.’

Her husband, Joe, called to her from the gazebo where he and Manny were stringing more lights.

‘Gotta go help. Come find me if you need any more touch-ups.’

‘I won’t. My job right now is to hunt down Lauren. Make sure she’s behaving.’

She rolled her eyes. ‘Good luck with the Energizer Bunny.’

I walked across the street and toward the lawn where the Hearth and Home crew had set up base. Torran was across the street at the P&P getting ready, and Beck was having his nerves calmed at the Sugar Rush with Barb and Susan.

Closer to the entrance to town hall, folding chairs were set up like perfect white soldiers. A runner of cream silk flowed down the aisle. Once we’d convinced Torran and Beck they weren’t cancelling, that they could have their wedding near the square, they’d insisted there be a seat for anyone in Ivy Falls who wanted to attend.

Lauren stood at the bottom of the steps by the gazebo, her scarlet-red designer sheath hugging the curves of her body. Her stiff posture, and irritated tap of her stiletto, warned a storm was brewing. As I stepped closer, her voice rose an octave.

‘Torran told me I could post photos on the network’s website as long as they weren’t from the wedding.’

Pete, Beck’s business partner and best man, shook his head, a dark lock of hair falling across his forehead. ‘Getting ready are the optimal words, Lauren. Taking pictures of Beck having coffee with Barb and Susan, pacing like a madman in the Sugar Rush, does not scream “getting ready”,’ he put in air quotes.