Page 42 of Wisteria Winds
Danielle sat beside him, radiant, wearing a simple pale blue dress and laughing at something Morty had said. Cecilia was deep in conversation with Dr. Patel, probably something about viruses, while Dorothy regaled several mainland guests with what was undoubtedly one of her highly embellished Hollywood anecdotes. Around the other tables, island residents mingled with a few of the off-island guests, Danielle’s former colleagues from New York, Bennett’s business associates who had become friends over the years, and Cecilia’s fellow researchers. The blending of the worlds felt right and natural.
“Penny for your thoughts,” came a voice at his elbow.
Clara appeared beside him, elegant, wearing a silver-gray shimmery dress with the blue silk wrap he and Danielle had given her.
“I’m just standing here counting my blessings,” Bennett said. “You know, a year ago I never would have imagined all of this.”
She nodded. “Well, life has a way of surprising us, sometimes painfully and sometimes wonderfully.”
“And sometimes both at the same time,” Bennett said. “If Danielle hadn’t been hurt by her ex, she never would have come to the island.”
“And if I hadn’t lost Robert, I wouldn’t be here either,” she said. “Not that I wouldn’t trade all of this to have him back for even one day, but there’s a certain grace in finding meaning after loss.”
“There is,” Bennett agreed. “You know, my grandmother used to say that joy and sorrow are two sides of the same coin. You truly can’t appreciate one without ever having known the other.”
“Sounds like a very wise woman.”
“Oh, she was. I think she and Robert would have gotten along great.”
Clara smiled. “Probably just comparing notes on how to manage headstrong grandchildren and spouses.”
“Exactly,” Bennett laughed. “Speaking of headstrong, I should probably rescue Danielle from Morty’s last-minute wedding suggestions. I believe he’s now advocating for releasing butterflies during our vows.”
“Doves, actually,” Clara said, scrunching her nose. “The butterflies were deemed, quote, too unpredictable in their flight patterns.”
Bennett rolled his eyes. “Heaven forbid that we have unpredictable butterflies at our wedding.”
He walked back over to rejoin Danielle, and Eddie appeared at his side, looking uncharacteristically formal, wearing a pressed shirt and tie, although the tie was about five inches too short and his buttons were pulling as if any one of them would give at any moment.
“Hey, boss. A special delivery has arrived. It’s in your office, as you requested.”
“Perfect timing. Thanks, Eddie.”
Bennett made his way to Danielle, bending over to whisper in her ear. “Would you mind stepping away for a minute? I just have something I need to show you.”
Her eyebrows raised. “Now? In the middle of dinner?”
“Trust me,” he said, offering his hand.
They slipped away unnoticed because Morty had launched into a toast that promised to be both lengthy and extravagant. He captured everyone’s attention with his theatrical gestures as Bennett led Danielle out the door and along the moonlit path toward his office.
“Where are we going?” she asked, their fingers intertwined. “And why do you look so mysteriously pleased with yourself?”
“You need to have patience, Miss Wright,” he said. “All will be revealed.”
When they reached his office, Bennett paused with his hand on the doorknob.
“Now, close your eyes,” he said.
She raised an eyebrow but complied. He guided her inside and put her in the center of the room.
“Okay, open them.”
Danielle did and gasped.
Sitting on Bennett’s desk was a beautiful wooden music box, its polished surface inlaid with mother-of-pearl in an intricate pattern of wisteria blossoms.
“Oh, Bennett,” she said, “it’s beautiful.” She walked closer to examine it.
