Love Finds You in Groom, Texas (29 page)

The guests started arriving at twenty till eleven, and before long the moment arrived. The pastor’s wife took her place at the piano and the wedding was underway. The whole thing felt like a blur to Anne. She remembered Virginia coming down the aisle on her father’s arm, of course, and the look in Mr. Harrison’s eye when he gave her away. She heard much of what the pastor was saying, but the rest was lost in the haze of emotions that gripped her.

When the reverend pronounced Cody and Virginia as man and wife, a cheer went up from the crowd. It intensified as he pulled her into his arms and planted a passionate kiss on her lips. Anne felt herself blushing. What would it feel like, she wondered, to be the bride? Would she ever know?

She didn’t have time to think about it. When the ceremony drew to a close, it was time to fly into action. There were sandwiches to be placed on the tables, punch to be stirred, cake to be cut…. She would oversee it all.

As soon as she was free to do so, Anne raced to the church lawn with Maggie on her heels. They flew into action, getting ready for the guests to come out of the church for the reception.

First down the steps were the bride and groom. Virginia headed straight for the cake table, her mouth falling open as she took in her surroundings.

“Oh, Anne, that cake! You were right. Those sugar flowers are exquisite. It’s almost as if you picked fresh flowers and laid them on the cake.”

“Maggie did a fantastic job, and I think the colors turned out so nice.”

“And the garlands are perfect. I’m so glad you wouldn’t let me peek before the ceremony. The ones inside the sanctuary took my breath away, but these are even better.” Her eyes filled with tears as she glanced at the next table. “And those darling flower-shaped sandwiches. How did you do that?”

“We created a cookie cutter in a floral shape and then used it to cut out the little sandwiches. Really, it was fairly simple. They’re just sandwiches.”

“No, they’re far more than that. They are an act of love, and it shows in every detail.” She threw her arms around Anne’s neck. “Every single element is perfect. How can I ever thank you?”

“By living happily-ever-after with Cody.”

“Oh, I plan to do that.” She reached over and grabbed one of the little sandwiches and gave it a nibble. “Mmm. I still can’t believe you came up with this recipe. Who would have dreamed you could put cream cheese in a sandwich?”

“Or in frosting on a cake.” Maggie drew near and shook her head. “This is the first time I’ve made a cake with cream-cheese frosting, but I’m addicted. Don’t see as I can ever turn back. My waistline just won’t be the same after this.” She put her hands on her broad hips and grinned. “Think anyone will notice an extra pound or two?”

“Maggie, on you, it will just look like love.” Anne leaned over and gave the dear woman on a kiss on the cheek.

“Girl, you are almost as sweet as that cake.” Maggie grinned. “Almost.”

“Thank you, Maggie. I could say the same about you.”

Before long, the music began and toes started tapping. Folks enjoyed a dance or two, along with sandwiches and punch. Finally the time arrived to cut the cake. Virginia and Cody enjoyed the first slice…after Virginia smeared it all over Cody’s face. He returned the favor in short order and everyone had a good laugh.

As Anne sliced up pieces of Maggie’s cake, she pondered the suggestion Mrs. Harrison had made just yesterday. Maybe once she got settled in Dallas, she could hire herself out as a wedding coordinator. But how did one go about advertising services such as that? And would she really be comfortable, offering her services in a place where she knew no one? Perhaps Mrs. Witherspoon could be of help. Yes, surely she had connections.

Anne didn’t have time to give it much more thought. Folks rushed the table for that delicious cake. Cassie Martin came back later and asked for a second piece. “I’ve never had cake with raspberry jam between the layers. Whose idea was that?”

“Oh, well…” Anne shrugged.

“Yours?”

“Yes.”

“You’re making it harder and harder for me to dislike you.”

“Dislike me?”

“Yes.” Cassie sighed. “I see how Jake looks at you.”

“O–oh?” Anne passed her another piece of cake, hoping to avoid the conversation.

“Anyway, the cake is great.” Cassie plunged her fork into the second piece and shoveled a bite into her mouth. “Mmm. Almost makes the broken heart bearable.” She shrugged and headed back to the other side of the church lawn, leaving Anne’s thoughts whirling.

Oh well. Just one more thing she wouldn’t have to worry about once she arrived in Dallas. Cassie Martin could rest easy, knowing that Jake wasn’t distracted by a wayfaring stranger. Almost immediately, a lump rose in Anne’s throat. She did her best to swallow it but couldn’t quite manage it. Thankfully, Uncle Bert showed up for another slice of cake, which provided the perfect distraction. Today she could use all the distractions she could get.

The musicians played a rousing song, and wedding guests took to dancing. Well, all but Aunt Bets and Uncle Leo, who stood off to the side as always. Bets’s arms were folded at her chest, and she had a sour expression on her face. Perhaps it had something to do with the fact that Leo had taken Maggie’s hand and led her to the floor for a rousing folk dance.

Jake watched from the sidelines, wishing Anne would finish serving up cake so he could ask her to dance. He observed John, taking Ruth by the hand and gliding her around the dance floor. Then came Joseph, who bowed and took Milly by the hand. She giggled and the pair began to dance. Same with Jeremiah and Cora…and Jedediah and Pauline. Looked like all the O’Farrell brothers had been caught up in the dance…minus one.

Then an idea occurred to Jake, one he couldn’t squelch. He walked over to Aunt Bets and offered her his hand. For a moment, she looked as if she didn’t know what to do. Then, with her face as tight as a drum, she took his hand and allowed him to lead her to the center of the floor. He swept her into his arms and led her in a waltz. Her ease of steps caught him by surprise. So much for thinking she didn’t believe in dancing.

Seconds later, Jake deliberately bumped into his mother and Leo. “If you don’t mind,” he said to Leo, “I’d like to switch partners.”

In that moment, it felt as if everything in the place shifted to slow motion. Jake released his hold on Bets and took his mother’s hand instead. This, of course, left Leo and Bets standing in the middle of the dance floor, staring at one another. Leo, God bless him, grabbed his wife and managed to get her to dance. For a moment or two, anyway. When the song ended, she ran from the dance floor, up the steps of the church, and inside, away from the crowd.

“Anne, did you see what just happened?”

Anne glanced up from her cake slicing, noticing the excitement in Emily’s eyes. “No, what’s that?”

“Bets and Leo were dancing.”

“No.” She glanced at the dance floor. Through the crowd she made out Leo, but he was alone.

“Bets got upset and ran into the church. Maggie went after her.”

“Oh, dear. Emily, stay here in case anyone needs more cake, all right?”

Emily’s eyes widened and she nodded.

“I’ll be right back.” Anne hiked up her skirt and ran toward the church, almost tripping up the steps in her hurry. By the time she got inside, Bets was seated in the back pew with Maggie at her side. Anne had never seen a person weep with such intensity. She sobbed until Anne wondered if she might make herself sick.

When Bets finally came up for air, Maggie handed her a fresh handkerchief. “There, there, honey. I’m so sorry you’re upset.”

“He…he…danced with me.”

“Well, of course he did. He’s your husband. Who better to dance with you?”

“Oh, Maggie, I don’t expect you to understand. You and James had the best relationship in the world.” Bets looked over at her sister, her nose red and eyes still damp. “With Leo and me, it’s different.”

Anne couldn’t help but ask the question that had left her puzzled for days. “Why did you marry him, Bets?”

“W–what?” She looked at Anne, eyes wide.

“I don’t mean to pry, but it’s clear you’re unhappily matched. Please forgive me if I’m out of line in asking, but whyever would you marry someone you can’t abide?”

Bets stared at her and her eyes filled with tears once again. “It breaks my heart that folks assume I don’t love Leo. He was—is—the love of my life.”

Anne hardly knew what to say. She’d assumed something entirely different.

“Old habits die hard.” Bets blew her nose.

Anne couldn’t quite make sense of that. “What do you mean?” she asked.

“I mean, we started bickering back in the old days and now I don’t know how to stop. It’s become an ugly habit.” Tears welled up. “You have no idea how much I’d love to just grab that man by the shoulders and plant a kiss on his wrinkled old face.” Her cheeks flushed pink. “My, I can’t believe I just said that out loud.”

“Well, why don’t you?” Maggie asked.

“Pride. Stubbornness.” She shrugged. “I don’t know. Half the time I’m afraid he’ll have a heart attack if I kiss him instead of lashing out.”

“So you continue to lash out instead?” Maggie fussed with her apron. “I daresay he stands a better chance at having a heart attack over all the arguing than a good kiss. A kiss can heal wounds, not create them.”

“At this point, I’m not so sure.” She dabbed her eyes. “You have no idea how jealous I am when I see couples in love.” She pointed at Anne. “Say you and Jakey, for instance.”

“W–what?” Anne took a step back as she absorbed Bets’s words.

“Well, sure. Don’t tell me you’re trying to keep it a secret. It’s as obvious as that red flush in your cheeks. You two are so happy… and meant to be together.”

“I really don’t know what you’re referring to.”

Bets shrugged. “Well, honey, I’m old and crotchety and my vision’s not that good. But even I can see it, plain as day.”

“Love is an interesting thing, isn’t it?” Maggie slipped her arm around Bets’s shoulders. “It causes us to act in strange ways. But I think I know just what needs to be done here, Betsy. I think you need to hightail it back out there and dance with your husband—and not just one dance, but as many as your feet can stand. You know what they say…actions speak louder than words.”

“I–I’m not sure I can.”

“You can. And you will.” Maggie rose and extended her hand, which Bets took.

“I’ll do my best.” Bets offered the first smile of the day—until she happened to gaze at the garlands that hung just to their right. She took a couple of steps in that direction, gazing at the flowers. “Are these calla lilies?”

Anne’s heart quickened.

“Why, yes, I believe they are.” Maggie fussed with her hair. “Pretty, aren’t they?”

“But I don’t know anyone else in town who has this color of callas.” Bets looked her way, eyes narrowing.

Maggie patted her on the back. “Now, don’t call for the sheriff, Bets. Leo said we could take them.”

“He did what?” Her face grew red.

“He said we could take them, and we took them. And here they are, gracing the aisles of a church where people are dancing outside. Don’t you see, honey? It was all meant to be. Your flowers. Your dance. This day was meant for you.”

Anne wasn’t sure how Bets would respond to those words, but in the end, the poor, dear soul flung her arms around her sister’s neck and then allowed herself to be pulled out to the dance floor, where she spent the rest of the afternoon kicking up her heels with the love of her life.

Chapter Twenty-Two