Robin's Reward (Bonita Creek Trilogy Book 1) (27 page)

Brightly pieced cloth banners embellished the walls and brought the spirit of this uniquely original American holiday to the hall. Mottos such as ‘God Bless America’ and ‘Let Us Give Thanks’ and ‘All Thanks Be to God’ were hand-embroidered across the banners in over-sized letters.

A certain someone, likely Penny, had assembled a small wool felt turkey favor bag for each attendee. The brightly colored bags had been filled with treats and goodies and were hanging jauntily on the back of each chair in the hall. Robin smiled as she noticed the children’s bags were stuffed with toys and trinkets.

Children rushed to and fro playing games with rules only they understood. Pastor White and Marian mingled with guests as they arrived through the front doorway to the hall. Recorded classical music was piped in through the sound system, lending an air of quiet celebration to one of the nation’s most treasured traditional holidays. The noise level in the hall rose to a fevered pitch until Pastor White quietly approached the amplified podium at the front of the room. “Welcome, dear friends. Happy Thanksgiving to you all!”

The audience responded in kind. “Happy Thanksgiving, Pastor White.”

“Marian and I are glad you’re all here. To all the cooks and bakers who donated items to our feast, we thank you for sharing your cooking skills with us. We’ll have our meal first and later move over to the sanctuary for our special program tonight. If you find a place to sit, we’ll say our blessing and begin our feast.”

The hall became a flurry of activity as parents escorted their children to a table and reminded them about using polite table manners. After a few more noisy moments while the parents took seats, the hall fell silent with all eyes resting upon the pastor.

After a blessing, the auxiliary volunteers began distributing serving dishes of potatoes, yams, and stuffing and platters of turkey to the teen volunteers at the children’s tables and to servers for the adult tables. Next, the vegetable dishes and salads were served. Finally, the casseroles and breads were passed around. Everyone waited patiently to be served and didn’t begin eating until the volunteers could fill their plates and be seated with their spouses and families.

Pastor White gave the signal to commence eating by tapping on his glass with his spoon. Lively conversation took flight and continued for the next half an hour as people ate and then refilled their plates. Rumblings at the children’s tables signaled it was time to serve the desserts. The volunteers circulated offering trays of cookies, slices of pie, cupcakes, homemade fudge, and even chocolate-dipped strawberries. Jeff’s eyes sparkled with delight as he chose a variety of the sweet treats for his own personal tasting party.

“I think you may have missed out on one or two of the desserts, buddy,” Robin teased.

He sat up and looked around at the trays being carried around the table.

“I don’t think so. I tried to take a small sampling of the desserts I like the most.”

Robin laughed, and he leaned in close, “I’ll get you back for that little remark later on when we’re alone.”

She faked a tremble of fear. “Oh, I am
so
scared.”

Robin felt someone’s small hands rest lightly upon her shoulders from behind. “Hey, you two. Behave. You’re at the church now.”

Whirling around, Robin was glad to see Penny. “Happy Thanksgiving. I need to talk to you in private ASAP. Do you think we could steal away for a few minutes before the program begins?”

“Sure. Let’s go in the bride’s room. No one will bother us there. Want to go now?”

Robin nodded. Penny had barely closed the door to the small room when Robin launched herself into her cousin’s arms.

“This is so unbelievable. I’m so happy I want to send a text message to the entire world. Jeff told me today he wants us to get married in March instead of waiting until June. He wants us to begin our marriage as soon as he’s able to move to Bonita Creek. Isn’t it wonderful?”

Penny squeezed her cousin tightly and said with a contented sigh, “How romantic is that? It sounds like something right out of one of those inspirational romance novels I so adore.”

Robin pushed back from her cousin until the two were eye to eye.

“Do you think we can make this happen? I mean, can you have all three dresses finished in a little over four months? It’s not long to pull this wedding and reception together.”

Without a moment’s hesitation, Penny said, “I can do it. I may have to call in some favors, but I’ll get it done.”

Tears filled the bride-to-be’s eyes as she held her cousin close.

“Thank you for this, Penny.”

“We need to make detailed plans, including a timeline, to get all of the necessities accomplished. I want your wedding and reception to be all you’ve dreamed it would be. Besides, if I’m not organized, I get really stressed. A stressed Penny is a cranky Penny. Can you come to my studio after the Thanksgiving program tonight to get started sketching out the details for the wedding and reception? I can invite Jorie, too.”

“That’s a good idea. Let’s meet for a couple of hours tonight. Jeff will understand. After all, it’s his fault we have only three-plus months to plan this wedding instead of seven months.”

“I’ll talk to Jorie right now. Bring your notes and ideas. See you after the program.”

“I can’t thank you enough for all of this. I don’t know what I’d do without you as my cousin and best friend all these years.”

“Fortunately, you’ll never have to find out. Besides, your smile and happiness are thanks enough for me.”

~*~

A stirring Thanksgiving program including traditional recitations and hymns was presented by the congregation’s children and adults. Pastor White presented a short message on the meaning of gratitude, and Jorie closed the evening with the classic hymn, “We Gather Together.”

Robin and Jeff helped with cleanup in the kitchen and social hall so the families with little ones could head home before it got too late. As they worked, Robin told Jeff about her meeting with her bridesmaids later. Before heading back to the cottage, they were able to capture a few moments of private conversation with Pastor White.

“We’ve decided to move the wedding up to March, sir.”

“I’m not surprised. When a couple is as much in love as you two are, it’s difficult to remain apart. Even without consulting my calendar, I’m positively certain I am available at eleven o’clock on any given Saturday in March to officiate at your wedding ceremony.”

The pastor winked conspiratorially at the bride-to-be.

As they walked to the car Jeff asked, “I wonder why Pastor White winked at you like he did. What’s going on?”

“What’s going on is he’s happy I found such a great guy to marry in March.”

“I guess you’re right. I’ll see you bright and early tomorrow morning. Do you still want to go down to Santa Rosa to shop?”

“Yes, only I won’t be shopping for Christmas gifts. I’ll be shopping for wedding invitations and other essentials for our wedding and reception.”

“I guess I’d better bring my credit card along then.”

“No, I’ll bring my checkbook. I want to pay for all of the expenses.”

He chuckled.

“We’ll talk about it later. Don’t stay out too late with the girls,” he teased. 

“See you tomorrow morning.”

“Sleep well, my beauty.”

He kissed her once more and left Robin standing alone in her living room. It took her several minutes to regain her composure and begin thinking logically again. It all seemed like a dream. She threw a notebook and her wedding planning journal in a tote bag and rushed off to Penny’s.

Chapter 32

Obviously, we’re going to have to change the color scheme and overall theme
of the wedding from the seaside and dahlias to—what
do
you
want for your wedding, Robbie?”

Penny’s voice had taken on a rare confident tone which emerged when she was organizing something.

“I haven’t had time to get adjusted to having a spring wedding instead of a seaside wedding. You’re the creative one. Any ideas you’d like to share with us?”

The bride and bridesmaid stared at Penny as she flipped through her sketchbook and idea journal.

“I was so excited after the Thanksgiving gathering I rushed home and recorded a few ideas. For starters, I think a lovely color combination would be lilac, violet, pale pink, white and pale yellow. We could use white roses, pale pink tulips, violet lilac sprigs, and a few pale yellow daffodils as the flowers for the church arrangements and reception centerpieces.”

“I’ve got all of those flowers in my own gardens except the roses. The roses won’t be ready in March. If I could get someone to help me with gathering and arranging the flowers in my garden and ordering the roses we’ll be all set.”

“Already handled. I spoke to Marian White tonight and she and her auxiliary ladies are committed to handle whatever jobs we need done to pull off this wedding without a hitch.”

“Penny, you’re amazing.”

“Your bridal bouquet could be whatever you wish, naturally; but I thought a simple bouquet of white roses and peonies along with some lilac springs with a few pale pink tulips as accents would be exquisite.”

“It doesn’t sound like a simple bouquet, but it does sound pretty,” Robin said.

“Jorie and I can carry tussie-mussies filled with white and pink ranunculus with a few yellow roses sprinkled in for good measure.”

“What’s a tussie-mussie?” Robin wrinkled her nose in confusion.

“It’s an old-fashioned cone the Victorians used to hold flowers or other treats. If I can’t source a couple of metal or wicker tussie-mussies, I can make them for us. I’ll use decorated papers or fabric to make a cone and put a vile of water inside to hold the flowers. I’ll add a ribbon handle for carrying. They’re old-fashioned and quaint. Perfect for anything to do with you, Robbie.”

“What do you think, Jorie?” Robin asked.

“I think it sounds perfect for a springtime wedding,” Jorie said.

“Write it all on your list,” the bride directed her cousin.

“Ready to hear more?” Penny asked.

The other women both nodded.

“I thought a Garden Party theme for the reception would be fun and unique. We could buy a few dozen of those large paper lanterns they sell at the import store in Ukiah. They make them now with battery-operated lights inside. They can be hung from the ceiling to liven up the social hall and give it a more intimate atmosphere. White, purple, and yellow lanterns will soften the stark look of the hall and make it look romantic and cozy.”

“I love it. Write it in your book,” Robin said. Excitement filled her voice.

“Crisp white tablecloths with lilac napkins would be the perfect way to dress the reception and food tables. A festive floral arrangement using our theme colors and flowers in a glass vase at the center of each table will tie all the elements together. What do you think?”

Robin clapped her hands together, “Let’s do it. It sounds perfect since Jeff and I originally met in my garden.”

“What about a favor for the guests? I’ve got an idea I think will fit in well with the wedding colors and the gardening theme,” Jorie offered. “I thought we could fill a white ceramic garden pot with seed packets holding various vegetables and flowers. We could order vintage reproduction seed envelopes. We could wrap the filled pot and saucer with clear cellophane and tie it at the top with a wide lilac or yellow ribbon with a big bow. A nice printed note card with the your and Jeff’s names and wedding date could be attached to the ribbon. The tag could read, ‘Thank you for sharing our special day with us. Love and good wishes, Mr. & Mrs. Jeff Clarke.’ I’ll be in charge of gathering the supplies and making the favors if you want.”

“What an original idea for favors, Jorie. Let’s do it,” Robin agreed.

“Give me a moment to check my lists here.” Silence followed as Penny scanned her notebook. “Should we talk about the menu for the reception luncheon now, too?”

“I already know what I want for the food, and it’ll fit with our garden party theme just perfectly,” Robin said. “I’d like to serve those little fancy sandwiches like they serve at afternoon tea in England. Egg salad, watercress, chicken salad, cream cheese and olive, tuna salad, and lots of different cold salads. Green, potato, macaroni, pasta, three-bean, carrot-raisin, and fruit. Then we could have a wedding cake, of course, with ice cream in bowls or sugar cones.”

“What about beverages?”

“Let’s stick with the garden party theme and serve lemonade, iced tea, hot tea, and hot coffee.”

“Jorie, you’re the foodie, what do you think about the menu?”

“I think it sounds fantastic. Let’s add some cheese and cracker plates, relish trays with a variety of pickles and olives, and trays of crudités for people to pass around while they’re waiting for Jeff and Robin to finish up with photos and arrive at the reception.”

“Got it. Let’s review our list of things to do. Robbie, you’re in charge of ordering the invitations, response cards, thank-you note cards, tags for the favors, and the printed napkins for the reception. You’re in charge of choosing flowers for the arrangements and bouquets and coordinating with Mrs. White’s band of angels to get things set up the way you wish.”

“Got it,” Robin answered crisply.

“Jorie, you’ll be in charge of finding a source for the ceramic pots and seed packets for the favors. You’re also in charge of coordinating volunteers to help you assemble the favors once all the supplies have been sourced.”

“Yes, sir,” Jorie bit out with a mini-salute in Penny’s direction.

“I’ll be in charge of designing and making all of the dresses. Oh, we haven’t talked about the dresses for Jorie and me yet. May I share my ideas? Does either of you need to rush off?”

“I don’t have plans,” Jorie said.

“I’m on my own, too,” Robin said.

“All right, the dresses. Since we’re having a garden party theme, I think I’ll choose lilac-colored batiste for our dresses. I’d like to use a vintage-style design taking us back to the Edwardian age when garden parties were all the rage. The dresses will have a sleek design with a square neckline, elbow-length sleeves, and an ankle-length hemline. Buttons will run down the back, and covered buttons will be used as embellishment on the sleeves. The bodice will be embellished with tiny squares of cream batiste or organza to make a pretty pattern. The cream will tie in with the fabric of Robin’s outfit.”

“They sound lovely,” the bride cooed.

“They’ll be understated, but elegant. The style will work on Jorie’s body shape and mine as well. Shoes—I think Jorie and I should wear matching lilac satin low-heeled pumps. They’ll set off the styling of the dresses exquisitely.”

“Write it down,” Robin directed.

“Although the tussie-mussies are officially from the Victorian age rather than the Edwardian age, I don’t think anyone will mind, do you?”

“I didn’t understand most of what you’re talking about, cousin, but you know what you’re doing and I think the tussie-mussie idea sounds unique and appropriate for the theme.”

“I totally agree,” smiled Jorie.

“All right, Edwardian it is for the dresses with matching shoes,” the maid of honor said as she scribbled away in her notebook. “Let me double-check my notes for a minute . . .”

Looking up at her two friends, Penny smiled. “Any questions?”

Jorie and Robin shook their heads in unison.

“Let’s get to work. We’ll get together again in a couple weeks. Call or text me with questions or issues you think of. Let’s keep in touch.”

“This is so awesome, you two. How will I ever thank you?” Robin asked.

“You’ll thank
me
by being the happiest bride in history,” Penny chimed.

“And you’ll thank
me
by helping me plan my wedding—if I ever find a man
I
want to put up with for fifty years!” Jorie grinned mischievously.

“Deal.”