Kitty Litter Killer (24 page)
Read Kitty Litter Killer Online
Authors: Candice Speare Prentice
Epilogue
I stood at the front of the church in my green dress, holding a bouquet of ivy, a red rose, and a white rose with red tints. Abbie said they were like me and her. I was the red rose. All heat and outright emotion. She was the white rose with hidden passions.
Ivy and evergreen wound with white Christmas lights decorated the pews and the front of the church.
I glanced over the crowd of people, recognizing so many faces, thankful they had come out to help two special people celebrate their second chance at love. My mother clutched a tissue. On her right side sat Gail. On her left, Sammie and Charlie sat remarkably still. I smiled when I realized I no longer had to worry that Sammie would put things in her pockets during the reception. She’d stopped doing that as soon as she brought the kitten home.
I caught Max’s eye. He was next to Charlie. Wonderful Max. He smiled, a slow and very personal smile. I felt it down to my toes.
Eric stood tall and handsome in a black tux. Next to him stood Nick Fletcher and Tommy.
The processional music began and the doors in the back of the church opened. Sherry walked down the aisle, and the handkerchief hem of her green dress whirled around her ankles. She held a bouquet of ivy and three roses that represented her new family— Eric, Abbie, and Sherry.
When Sherry reached the front of the church, she handed me her bouquet then walked over to Eric and gave him a big hug and kiss. That hadn’t been rehearsed, but the impulsive moment was perfect. He pulled her tight and whispered something in her ear, then she walked over to join me with a smile.
The music stopped. Now we waited for my best friend in the whole world to come through the doors on the arm of my father. I slid my gaze to Eric watching the door at the back of the church with a boyish eagerness that belied his age. Nick met my gaze and winked.
When the “Wedding March” began, the doors opened, and there was Abbie in her silky ivory dress with rich lace on the sleeves. Everyone stood. Slowly she made her way down the aisle on my grinning father’s arm.
When Abbie reached the front, Daddy placed her hand in Eric’s. Then she looked over at me and stretched out her index finger. I returned the gesture in a precious reminder of a friendship that would never end.
As Eric and Abbie turned to the pastor, I remembered a sermon I’d heard once about heaven. Only people enter into eternity, and not possessions or money. I was glad Philip had learned that before he died.
I’d learned a lot recently about caring for people and loving them. Love was all about choices. I wished Linda had understood that before she hooked up with Clark. True love isn’t demanding or grasping. It never leads to irrational choices or unrealistic demands. True love is unselfish and gives. A healthy love always hopes for the best, and it sometimes means sacrificing for another person. Simply put, it is God’s love.
And that’s what we were celebrating today with Abbie and Eric. True love that stands the test of time and lasts forever.
About Spyglass Lane
Spyglass Lane Mysteries is a collection of Christian cozy mysteries—modern-day whodunnits with colorful characters and plenty of wholesome romance.
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