Page 102 of Christmas at Black Cherry Retreat
Chapter Forty-Seven
Tom hovered by the cabin steps and fixed his binoculars on the path around the lake. No way would Fee be able to resist. The delicate icicles hanging from the bare tree branches, crisp snow underfoot and a sky so blue it could’ve been created in Photoshop all combined to make Black Cherry a magical sight. The previous evening his mother and sisters descendedon the Sevier cabin with an inordinate number of candles, flowers and the famous “green stuff”. No doubt they’d transformed it ready for the brief wedding ceremony and informal reception afterwards. He’d spotted the convoy of four-wheel drive cars a while ago and caught a glimpse of Fee’s dark hair among the gaggle of women heading into the Sevier cabin.
A tall, slender figure in blackpopped into his vision and Tom zoomed in on Fee’s face.
‘Get in here and chug this,’ Mikey shouted from the doorway and waved a can of beer at Tom. ‘Hurry up before I freeze my balls off.’
‘Okay. Okay.’ He grabbed the beer and followed his brother inside. The men were all sprawled around his log fire and the TV was blasting out a football game. A lot of sports trash talk bouncedbetween them all while a plate of his mother’s home-made sausage balls made their way around the room.
A brief flash of memory seared his brain. Tom recalled his scared twenty-three-year-old self, dressed in an ill-fitting rented tuxedo and waiting at the Pine Ridge Methodist Church for Gina to arrive. When his father asked if he was okay he’d barely managed to nod as she appeared at theother end of the aisle. Once she stood next to him, glowing with love and beautiful in a froth of white lace he’d pushed away his doubts and made himself think of the wedding night to come. It’d been an injustice to a woman he hadn’t deserved.
‘You good?’ His father came to stand by him and rested his hand on Tom’s shoulder.
‘Yep. I sure am.’ Tom didn’t hesitate. ‘Don’t eat allthe sausage balls, you useless bastards,’ he shouted at his brothers. ‘Pass them over.’ He grabbed a handful and crammed three into his mouth. ‘Who’s winning?’
‘Shouldn’t you get changed?’ Sandy probed.
‘Won’t take long. No penguin suits today, thank the Lord.’ Fee had been very clear about wanting as little fuss as possible. ‘Dark trousers. White shirt. No tie. Simple.’ Everyonejoined in hassling him so Tom decided it’d be easier to get dressed and shut them all up.
Fee succumbed to Sarah’s urging for her to come inside and get dressed.
‘He’ll catch you in your jeans if you don’t hurry up.’
She smiled to herself knowing he already had. Fee had caught the reflected light from his binoculars as Tom watched from the porch. She’d taken some amazingshots of the gorgeous snowy lake and they’d be part of a special album she intended to give him after this was over. Mary-Jo was their official photographer today and she’d rolled her eyes at Fee’s detailed instructions about precisely what, and what not to take pictures of.
Fee had bought an elegant ivory leather album and written on the title in the elegant calligraphy script she’d perfectedyears ago when working for a wedding photographer.
Snow, candles, lights, Lulu and green stuff.
This would be their private joke.
‘Everyone else is ready. The bedroom is empty so it’s your turn.’ Sarah’s brisk instruction made it clear that Fee better not argue. ‘Your mama and I are coming to help you.’ At nearly forty she was quite capable of dressing herself but wasn’tstupid enough to say so. The stunning result of the one battle she managed to win was hanging on the outside of the wardrobe. To go with the dress she’d bought pale blue leather ballerina flats and would wear the silver bracelet that had been Tom’s first gift to her.
‘Mee Maw would’ve lent you these to wear today but they’re mine now so I get to do the honours.’ Sarah opened a small blackvelvet box to reveal a pair of sparkling diamond drop earrings. Fee would never usually wear something as fussy but couldn’t hurt her future mother-in-law’s feelings. ‘They were a wedding present from Tom’s great-great grandfather to his beloved Arlene and have been worn by every Chambers’ bride since then.’
Fee put them on and studied herself in the mirror, unable to stop smiling. ‘They’rebeautiful.’
‘Like you.’ Her mother’s half-whispered comment took Fee by surprise and as their eyes met her throat tightened around the words she couldn’t speak. ‘I’m so proud of you.’
‘Time for champagne,’ Sarah announced and poured out three glasses from the bottle she had ready on the dresser before passing them around. ‘To Fee and Tom. Wishing you a long and happy life together.’
She only dared to take a small sip but the sweet bubbles sneaked into her bloodstream. ‘Right. Let’s do this.’
Tom’s smile took over his face as Lulu, a sparkling silver fairy complete with wings, bounced down the impromptu aisle between the chairs tossing white rose petals over everyone and everything in her path. As he glanced behind her Tom temporarily lost the ability to breathe.Fee, beautiful in a pale blue and sparkly dress, beamed straight at him. She and Will started to walk towards him and as she reached his side Tom took hold of her hand.
He ached to tell her how beautiful she looked but contented himself with lifting her fingers to his lips for a brief kiss. Vaguely he registered the minister beginning the ceremony and Will doing his part as the bride’sfather. Neither of them needed any prompting to say the vows they’d written together. Tom heard his brothers sniggering when they reached the part about not considering themselves the marrying kind until they met but ignored them.
‘I now pronounce you man and wife. You may kiss the bride.’
Tom swept Fee into his arms and she melted into him as his mouth crushed her soft lips.
He tucked her arm through his and they made their way back through their cheering guests to have photos taken while the room was changed around for the reception.
An hour later Tom decided he’d been photographed from every possible angle. Every time he breathed Mary-Jo stuck a camera in his face. Once he dared to grouch and Fee’s glare had shrivelled him to the core. It clearlysaid that this was the one thing she was asking of him. After that he smiled until his face ached.
‘Not long until escape time,’ Fee murmured.
‘Hallelujah.’ Their bags were ready in his truck. Two tickets to the Bahamas and their passports were tucked in his wallet. She’d dropped tempting hints about the significant number of skimpy bikinis she’d purchased.
