Page 6 of Wisteria Winds
Bennett laughed. “Well, I’d pay good money to see that. This place could use some sprucing up. But really, Danielle, this is about more than just the wedding. You know she will be a part of our lives, and maybe it’s time we build some bridges - for our future children.”
She considered his words.
“Okay,” she finally said. “I’ll invite her to visit. But if she even starts measuring the community center for an art museum, I’m blaming you.”
He kissed her softly. “Deal.” He stood and pulled her to her feet.
“Come on. Clara is joining us for dinner over at the diner tonight. I told her about the island’s music group. I think she might be interested.”
“Oh, how wonderful. She needs something to spark her passion again.”
They walked hand in hand toward the diner, and Bennett felt a sense of peace. Whatever challenges lay ahead for them - whether it was the wedding, planning with her mother, or helping Clara find her way through grief - they would face it all together, supported by the unlikely band of misfits they called family on Wisteria Island.
Cecilia Wright stepped off the boat onto Wisteria Island with the grace of someone accustomed to making an entrance. She wore cream linen pants and a matching jacket that remained miraculously unwrinkled despite the journey across the water. Her designer sunglasses glinted in the morning sun as she surveyed her surroundings with the critical eye that Danielle had come to know and dread.
“So this is the famous Wisteria Island,” she murmured, adjusting the silk scarf around her neck.
“Mom!” Danielle called, hurrying toward her on the dock. “You made it.”
Cecilia hugged her daughter, but it was obvious she was being careful not to smudge her perfectly applied lipstick. Although she was a doctor, her mother would’ve made an even better socialite. She loved fashion over stethoscopes, and her knowledge of the art scene in New York City couldn’t be rivaled.
“Darling, of course I made it, though I must say that boat ride was quite an experience. I don’t think I’ve been on anything smaller than a yacht since that disastrous fishing trip your father insisted we go on in ’95.”
Danielle laughed and linked her arm through her mother’s. “Well, welcome to island life. It’s a bit different from Manhattan.”
“Yes, I can see that,” Cecilia said, eyeing the golf cart festooned with a plastic flamingo that zipped past them. “It’s charming, I suppose, in its way.”
They made their way toward Danielle’s cottage, and Bennett appeared, walking toward them with a warm smile.
“Dr. Wright, it’s a pleasure finally meeting you in person. Welcome to Wisteria Island.”
Cecilia extended her well-manicured hand. “Mr. Alexander, I’ve heard so much about you, of course. Please, call me Cecilia.”
“Well, only if you call me Bennett.”
Cecilia studied him with the keen eye of a mother assessing her daughter’s choice of life partner. Of course, Danielle knew exactly what she was thinking. Did he have a firm handshake? Did he look her directly in the eye? Was his smile genuine? Her expression softened slightly. Her mother always assessed these things in everyone she met.
“Well, Bennett, I must say your island so far is very… unique.”
“That it is,” he agreed, laughing. “I hope by the end of your visit, you’ll see why we love it here so much.”
Her eyebrow arched elegantly. “I look forward to the grand tour, but I must admit, I am having trouble envisioning a wedding here that would do justice to my daughter’s standing.”
Danielle shot Bennett a look that clearly said, See what I mean?
“Mom, why don’t we get you settled in before discussing wedding stuff? Bennett had the guest cottage prepared especially for you.”
“Oh, I’m not staying with you?”
“Trust me, Mom, it’ll be much more comfortable in the guest cottage, and it’s near my cottage. It has a proper soaking tub and a queen-sized bed.”
What Danielle really meant was that she couldn’t take spending twenty-four hours a day with her often overly-critical mother. She needed evenings to recharge, so having her mother stay in the guest cottage was best for both of them.
As they continued toward the cottages, Cecilia took in every detail. Danielle saw her looking at the vibrant wisteria blooming along the pathways and then raising her hand slightly to wave at residents who waved cheerfully as they passed. She could see her mom’s mind working, cataloging everything for later analysis. That’s what Cecilia Wright did.
When they finally reached the guest cottage, Cecilia seemed pleasantly surprised by the tasteful decor and modern amenities.
“Oh, this is quite lovely,” she finally admitted. She ran her hand over the marble countertop in the kitchenette.
