Page 172 of Banter & Blushes

Like Arwyn’s mom did,I thought. How had she felt about missing Arwyn growing up? My girls were the same age as Arwyn was when her mother left.

“So every summer,” Trask went on, “she chooses a vacation location or a research project—just for her—where she can dig to sample and analyze dirt. Sometimes we make it a family affair, for fun and to teach our kids about the environment and cool things like why citrus thrives in the South and apples don’t.”

“I don’t know Meggie too well,” I said. “But from what I can see, she isn’t being coerced to marry you and move to Colorado. She doesn’t appear to be marrying you for money or out of convenience?—”

“Hey now,” Xavier warned. He was smiling though. His marriage of convenience to Penny had worked out far better than either of them could have imagined.

“Sorry, Swanny.” I grinned back at him. “Meggie’s different from Viki, Flynn. I know it, and you know it.”

“Yeah. You’re right. Thanks, guys.”

“Anytime,” I said.

Jason pointed to the small stage by the bar. “Looks like it’s about to get loud.”

“Uh-oh,” Flynn said. “I don’t know who’s worse. You or JC.”

“JC?” I angled my body toward the stage. Sure enough, JC had the mic in his hands. The beginning chords of “Don’t Stop Believin’” began to play.

“You gonna let him show you up, Marshy?” Taz instigated. “You know you can’t resist.”

Once JC started singing about the small-town girl in her lonely world, a cluster of women appeared out of nowhere and began singing along.

All hopes of finishing our conversation dashed, I grinned at Taz and hopped off my stool.

It was time to introduce Crane’s Cove to Quebec’s pride and joy.

Celine Dion.

CHAPTER 7

ARWYN

Friday morning, I woke up early to finish my gown. After an entertaining breakfast of Zaki recounting and overperforming “Because You Loved Me,” complete with pulling me up from my chair and waltzing me around the kitchen to the chorus, he walked the girls to camp.

I watched them go, shaking my head and feeling warmth from my head to my toes. In two days, we’d be an official family, and I was overcome with the best emotions.

I retrieved the bodice and skirt from my closet and moved the furniture to block the dogs, apologizing to them for the fourth day in a row. Mom would be here any minute to help me pin the waistband of my dress to the skirt, sew it, and reinforce the seams. I’d opted to keep the bodice separate from the skirt. It was long enough to cover the waistband, and this way, I could tie on a train with a sash for our church wedding. The dress was heavy and needed a good steaming but was otherwise completed.

I couldn’t believe I’d done it! No sleeves, no train, minimal puffs at the shoulders, and about three quarters of the embellishments I’d planned, but it wasfinished.

And just in time, too. Our friends from Colorado would arrive at the resort any minute now. All that was left to do was affix a ruffle to the hems of each of the girls’ dresses, but that would take no time at all.

“It’s beautiful,” Mom said, pulling me in for a hug. “I love how you usedpieces of my gown and each of your grandmothers’. It’s like a bit of them are here with you. And you added in your own flair to the bodice and hemline. And, of course, the trademark Wynnie puffed sleeves. It’s brilliant work. They’d be so proud of you.”

“Thanks, Mom.”

“You’re welcome. I’m glad you decided to get married here. Jumping into things like that isn’t like you, but it’s good for you. You’ll have a great story to tell and beautiful memories. As the Wayne Gretzky guy said, ‘You miss one hundred percent of the shots you don’t take.’”

I laughed. “Like I said, I’ve changed. Not too much, but Zaki’s good about easing my anxiety so I’m not afraid to experience new things and go off-plan. Occasionally.”

“I can see that. You complete each other. He’s your lobster. Full steam ahead!”

“Ha!” I chuckled. “Just not in a lobster pot!”

Laffy and Vennie howled, and it took me a second to realize they weren’t just laughing along with us. I turned my attention to the front door, and I grinned when I saw the mop of blond curly hair. I hurried over to let Molly in. Behind her was my friend Brenna Trotter, another hometown girl who’d married a hockey player. Her husband, Brendan, started with the Voltage, the minor league team based in Palmer City, then moved up to the Denver Edge. He and Zaki were good friends.

“I’ll walk the dogs,” Mom offered, swiping a tear from her eye. “You get this wedding planned, okay?”

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