Page 27 of Wisteria Winds
“She doesn’t know. I didn’t want to worry her, but I decided to take some time off. I’m getting older, you know. I don’t want to miss out on these moments. So I can stay here pretty much as long as I want.”
“Oh, well, that’s wonderful,” Morty said.
“Anyway, this is why we will need to make this island wedding as special as possible. I mean, even if it’s not at The Plaza.” She straightened her shoulders. “Now, about the music - Clara said she has several musicians in mind. But we’ll need to discuss the amplification of sound, given the outdoor setting.”
Morty allowed her to change the subject, recognizing the significance of all that she’d shared. Cecilia Wright was showing them glimpses of the woman behind the polished exterior.
The rain continued to pound against the roof, but inside Dorothy’s cottage, they continued their happy little planning committee. Morty found himself hoping the storm might last just a little longer to give Danielle and Bennett their moment of shelter together, and give the three of them the quiet interlude of the unexpected connections they shared.
Bennett watched Danielle as she perched on a stack of lumber in the construction trailer and wrung water from her hair. They were both soaked from the sudden downpour, but she was still breathtakingly beautiful, even with tousled curls and flushed cheeks.
“Well, I guess this is cozy,” she said, pointing around the cramped trailer filled with tools and building materials. “It’s not exactly the romantic afternoon I had in mind, but I guess it has a certain rustic charm.”
Bennett laughed and took off his equally soaked jacket. “Well, if by rustic charm you mean the distinct aroma of sawdust and Miguel’s lunch leftovers, then I guess, yeah, it’s pretty charming.”
Rain hammered against the metal roof and created a deafening backdrop to their conversation. Wind occasionally gusted against the small window, driving rain sideways in sheets.
“Do you think the foundation will be okay?” Danielle asked, looking out at the construction site, where tarps flapped wildly over freshly poured concrete.
“I told you, Miguel knows exactly what he’s doing. Anybody who builds anything in a coastal area knows how to protect things from the weather.” Bennett moved a blueprint and sat beside her on the lumber pile. “Besides, I think I heard that rain at the beginning of a project is supposed to be good luck.”
“Is that a real superstition, or did you just make that up?”
“Maybe a little of both,” he said, shrugging. “But I choose to believe it right now.”
Thunder cracked in the distance, making them both jump. Danielle laughed, leaning against him.
“You know, I haven’t been caught in a storm like this since I was a kid at summer camp. I remember one time we had to huddle in the mess hall for hours.”
“Well, that sounds traumatic.”
“Actually, it was kind of magical. The counselors made up games, and someone found a guitar. By the time the storm passed, we’d made a bunch of new friends. You know, it’s funny how being stuck somewhere can create unexpected memories.”
Bennett slipped his arm around her shoulders. “Oh, you mean like being stranded on a small island and falling in love with the local nurse?”
She smiled at him. “Exactly like that.”
Another crack of thunder, followed by a brilliant flash of lightning, illuminated the trailer in stark white light. The rain intensified.
“Well, it looks like we might be here for a little while,” Bennett said. “Any idea how you want to pass the time?”
“We could start planning our honeymoon,” Danielle said. “You still haven’t told me where we’re going.”
“Well, that’s because it’s a surprise.”
“Not even a hint? Just tell me the continent. Or the climate. Or do I need to take my passport?”
Bennett pretended to consider it, but he wasn’t about to tell her anything. “It’s somewhere beautiful, with you. That’s all you need to know.”
She poked him in the ribs. “You’re impossible.”
“Well, you knew that when you agreed to marry me.”
“You know, there is something we should probably discuss, since we have this unexpected private time.”
He raised an eyebrow. “Well, that sounds pretty ominous.”
“Not ominous, but important. Something we probably should have talked about more by now.” She took in a deep breath. “Do you still want children?”
