Page 55 of Easton Island: A Wedding to Remember

“As long as we don’t get our gowns caught.” Elizabeth held the door open button, waiting for Morgan to squeeze in next to her. “Is Chester on hand for his important role?”

“I checked in with Quinn a few minutes ago. They’re ready and raring to go.”

One floor down, they reached Elizabeth’s private vestibule. It opened into the grand foyer and hallway, giving them a straight-line, direct path to the rear of the property.

Soft music echoed, and Morgan could hear the faint murmur of voices.

They passed by a small army of staff on standby, ready to hit the ground running as soon as the ceremony ended and the celebration began. Brett, looking dashing in his tux and tails, stood patiently waiting for his sister and grandmother.

The clatter of hurried steps caught Morgan’s ear. Priscilla Finkpin appeared flustered and out of breath.

Elizabeth gave her the once over. “Good heavens, Priscilla. Are you all right?”

“I thought for sure I was going to miss the ceremony. Ben found me walking up the hill and gave me a ride after my shoe had a blowout. When he found out what happened, he put a dab of glue on it. It’s almost as good as new.” Prissy lifted the bottom of her gown, revealing a scuffed, pale gray pump with a slightly lopsided wedge heel.

“Do you need to borrow a pair of shoes?”

“These should hold up if I don’t cut too much of a rug out on the dance floor.”

The wedding coordinator hurried toward them. “It’s time to start the procession.”

“I’ll wait back here,” Priscilla said.

“You’ll do no such thing.” Elizabeth tapped Brett’s arm. “Please do me a favor and escort Prissy to her seat in the front row.”

“The front row?”

“Reserved for family.”

“I…” Priscilla’s voice trailed off, and Morgan stepped in next to her. “Unless you’re ready to disown us again,” she teased.

“No, but.” She swallowed hard. “Thank you, Elizabeth.”

“Thank you for being on hand for this momentous occasion.” Elizabeth cleared her throat. “Now, get going before Gerard comes back here wondering what on earth happened to us.”

Brett offered her his arm. “Shall we?”

“Yes. I’ve caused enough trouble. Far be it from me to keep the bride from making it to the altar on time.” Priscilla squared her shoulders. Walking at a steady pace despite her lopsided shoe, she and Brett made their way to the front row.

“Had someone told me a month ago, Prissy would turn over a new leaf after all these years and have a change of heart, I would have told them they needed to have their head examined,” Elizabeth muttered.

“Me too,” Morgan said. “But I’m glad she did.”

Brett reappeared and stepped in next to Elizabeth. “They’re ready for us.”

A Wedding to Remember,a special song her grandmother had picked out started to play. It was Morgan’s cue to beginher slow walk to the altar where Gerard and his best man stood waiting.

She gave Elizabeth a gentle hug. “I’ll see you at the other end. I love you, Grandmother.”

“I love you too.”

Morgan counted her steps, gliding along the pale blue carpet runner. She gazed at the crowd, picking out so many familiar faces. Ariel and her mother Traci Vanmeter. Elin Jensen. Grace and her father, Denver, Captain Davey and Wyatt, who were seated next to Grady MacDonald. He caught her eye and winked.

All were on hand to witness a historic event, Easton Island’s matriarch marrying again after decades, some of which Elizabeth Easton had spent as a recluse. Although Morgan refused to take credit for her grandmother’s transformation, which came about not long after she arrived.

She reached the front and noticed Randi Colbane, the famous biblical archaeologist and Gerard’s niece, seated next to another family member.

Randi winked, and Morgan winked back.

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