Love Will Find a Way (28 page)

Perhaps all brides are beautiful, Emily thought, as she adjusted Stacy's long train. “You look radiant."

"I'm happy,” Stacy confided breathlessly, “so happy that it scares me."

Emily gave Stacy's veil a last tug and pat. “Don't be afraid to be happy. Grab every moment of joy that comes your way and savor it.” She stepped back. “Your gown is beautiful. You are beautiful."

Color rose in Stacy's cheeks. “This was my mother's wedding dress. I wish she could see me now."

"Maybe she can,” Emily whispered. She picked up her purse and gloves. “I have to go."

Stacy grabbed Emily's arm. “Thank you, Emily, for everything."

"I was glad to help you. I feel honored that you wanted me here with you today."

"I'm not thanking you just for today,” Stacy said, “Or for all you've done for me and the twins. I'm most grateful to you for bringing happiness back into Dad's life."

Emily felt behind her for the doorknob. “Good-bye.” Opening the door she backed through and made her way down the walkway toward the sanctuary.

Once inside the church and seated, Emily surveyed the people around her. George and Clara sat on the pew behind her, all smiles and anticipation. Aunt Beth, in a wheelchair and accompanied by an attendant from the nursing home, was parked at the end of the first pew. Emily nodded to George and Clara and waved to Aunt Beth. Then she let her eyes come to rest on the man who sat not three feet from her. Nodding her head, she said, “Hello, Robert."

Their eyes met. Without answering Robert dipped his head and then turned away.

Emily sat erect. This was her son's wedding day, a time for joy and celebration. She pushed all else from her mind.

The altar was banked high with a beautiful array of flowers. Dennis, straight and tall in his formal attire, stood before the handsome couple. Larry was on his brother's right, looking handsome and impressed. Kim and Amy, beautiful in flowing chiffon gowns stood to Stacy's left, their wonder-filled eyes glued to their sister's radiant face. Perfection, Emily thought. This would be a moment to treasure for a lifetime. She forgot everything except the scene unfolding before her.

A breathless hush hung over the sanctuary as the ceremony in all its simplistic grandeur began. “Dearly beloved,” Dennis's sonorous voice echoed through the sanctuary. “We are gathered here in the sight of God and these witnesses...” Tears filled Emily's eyes. She quickly brushed them away. She had promised herself, no crying. That included weeping over something as poignantly nostalgic as a lovely church wedding on a warm June afternoon.

Quite suddenly the ceremony was over and the organ burst forth in joyous tones. The bride and groom were coming up the aisle, taking their first steps together as husband and wife. Silently, fervently, Emily prayed, “Please, God, let it last."

The sanctuary began to clear. Emily lingered behind the other guests. Sooner or later she would have to face George and Clara
and
Robert. She wanted to postpone that moment as long as possible.

As the crowd filed out of the church, Emily felt a hand on her elbow. She turned. Dennis smiled down at her. “I was not this nervous when I performed my first wedding ceremony over twenty-five years ago.” He slipped Emily's hand through his arm. “Let's get over to the reception hall before the festivities start without us."

"Wasn't Stacy beautiful?” Emily held onto Dennis's arm, glad for the comfort of his presence.

"She was.” Dennis's eyes scanned Emily's slight figure. “You are nothing short of spectacular yourself. You remind me of a gorgeous topaz set in a frame of shimmering gold.” His eyes held hers in an admiring stare. “Amber is definitely your color."

Not for the first time, Emily felt that the money she had invested in this expensive creation was well spent. “You're rather handsome, too.” He was more than handsome; he was downright dashing. “And we should be standing in the reception line."

The line of guests entering the hall was long. That made it easy for Emily to shake the hands of her ex-husband and former in-laws and then move onto the next guest without having to make small talk. It seemed like hours before the last straggling guests made their way into the hall. As the final figure passed through the line and faded into the crowd, Emily sank into a nearby chair. Dennis came to stand beside her. “Don't desert me now. It's time to cut the cake.” He extended his hand. “Come along."

As they made their way through the crowd, Emily spied Robert, his parents and Aunt Beth sitting at a table near the back of the hall. “Maybe we should ask Robert to come with us. He might like to make a toast to the bride and groom."

Dennis's hand tightened on Emily's arm. “This is Kevin and Stacy's wedding. Don't you think we should let them call the shots?” By now they were standing before the long buffet table that held the cake and a huge array of food and drink.

After watching the bride and groom cut the cake and listening to several toasts, Emily eased away from the crowd and sat at a table near the entrance. It provided an excellent place to view the panoramic scene before her and still be inconspicuous. She watched as Larry laughed and joked with Amy and Kim. They were hanging onto his every word. There's nothing like hero worship to feed a young man's ego, she thought, as several other young girls joined the twins to surround Larry.

A tap on her shoulder interrupted her thoughts. Emily looked up to see Aunt Beth's attendant standing beside her. “Miss Franklin is leaving,” the attendant explained over the din of laughter and voices that filled the room. “She wants a word with you before she goes."

"Of course, where is she?"

The attendant pointed toward the entrance, “This way."

Emily followed the young woman to the ramp outside.

Aunt Beth sat in her wheelchair, her fingers drumming on the arms. “What took you so long?” She held out her hands. “The wedding was lovely."

Emily clasped Aunt Beth's age-splotched hands and kissed her soft wrinkled cheek. “I'm so glad you could come."

"I told you I wouldn't miss it for the world.” Aunt Beth turned to the attendant. “Can't you find something to do for a few minutes? I want a private word with my niece."

The attendant winked at Emily. “I can manage that.” Then she asked, “You won't leave until I return will you?"

"I won't leave.” Emily had no idea why Aunt Beth had called her here.

Aunt Beth waited until the attendant was out of earshot before saying, “I have something for you.” She reached into the beaded bag that lay in her lap and handed Emily a flat, oblong jewel case. “It's been in my safe deposit box for years. I had my attorney bring it to me yesterday."

The velvet was soft to Emily's touch. “What is it?” She ran her fingers along the edge of the oblong case.

A sudden breeze blew across the ramp, ruffling Aunt Beth's silvery hair. She smoothed it back with one blue-veined hand. “Open it and see."

Emily lifted the lid. An exquisite oval locket suspended from a heavy gold chain nestled inside. Her breath caught in her throat. “It's beautiful."

"I always thought so. It was given to me a long time ago by someone I loved very much. Now I want you to have it."

Emily stared down at jewel-encrusted locket and thought that it must be worth a small fortune. “I can't accept this."

Aunt Beth snorted indignantly. “Would you mind explaining why?"

Aunt Beth was old, but her mind was as sharp as a steel trap. She knew what Emily meant. “I'm not a relative."

"You are if I say you are,” Aunt Beth said and then asked, “do you know what your problem is?” She answered her own question before Emily had the opportunity to respond. “You haven't yet learned to grab life by the throat and choke it into submission.” In the strong sunlight, Aunt Beth looked every day of her ninety-four years. “I want you to have the locket."

Emily swallowed over the lump in her throat. “Are you sure you want to part with this?” She closed the lid of the box.

"I'm very sure. I never wore it anyway. I couldn't afford to, it was a gift from a married man. In my day a liaison such as we shared wasn't acceptable."

In the space of a heartbeat, Aunt Beth had answered a question that had mystified Emily for years. “Is he the reason you never married?"

Aunt Beth sighed. “He was the reason for my existence. Anything I lost I counted but gain so long as he loved me.” Moisture caught in the faded gleam of her tired old eyes. “He's been dead over fifty years."

"I'm sorry,” Emily whispered.

"Oh, Lord, child, don't pity me.” Aunt Beth's voice snapped with indignation. “I made my choice a long time ago and I never regretted it."

"Why didn't you ever tell me this before?” All these years and Emily hadn't even guessed.

"I didn't think it was any of your business.” Aunt Beth's smile took the sting from her words. “Just like I didn't think I'd ever have to depart this vale of tears. But time is catching up to me. I am not much longer for this world."

Emily caught the old lady's hand. “Don't say that, please."

"It's no more than my doctors insist on pointing out to me at every opportunity. I'd be a fool not to face the inevitable and prepare."

Emily clasped the velvet box to her heart. “I'll keep it always."

"When that always is over, you might consider passing it on to Kevin's Stacy.” Aunt Beth looked over her shoulder. “Where is Irene? I need to get home to my own bed."

Through a rainbow of tears, the old face before Emily distorted. “Thank you."

"You're welcome,” Aunt Beth snapped. “And one other thing, Emily."

Emily wiped her eyes. “Yes?"

"I think at last you've learned what it took me years to understand. Suffering, even self-inflicted suffering, ennobles. Now maybe you're ready to accept the lesson that comes from surviving and overcoming heartache. When two people are hopelessly devoted, love will find a way.” She put her hand to the brake of her wheelchair. “At last, Irene is here. Good-bye, Emily."

Emily watched as the attendant wheeled Aunt Beth's wheelchair down the ramp and toward a waiting van. Then she ascended the steps that led back to the reception hall.

As she came through the door, Dennis, who had apparently been waiting for her to return, fell in step beside her. “Is everything all right?"

Emily dropped the velvet case into her handbag. “I was saying good-bye to Aunt Beth."

Dennis guided her toward a table near the door. “Maybe you and Larry would like to come over to the parsonage after the reception."

Emily hesitated, “I don't know, Larry may have other plans."

"I've already asked Larry. He said he'd love to come."

Again, Emily hesitated, “I'm not sure...."

Dennis said, “Kim and Amy are going to feel the impact of Stacy being gone, really gone, for the first time. It would take the edge off their sadness if you and Larry were there to console them."

If Kim and Amy needed her, of course she would be there. “All right but only for a little while, it's been a long day."

Dennis pushed his chair back. “I have to circulate. I'll see you later."

Emily looked around the hall, festive with decorations and alive with merriment. Words Aunt Beth had spoken earlier came back to run around in her head.
When two people are hopelessly devoted, love will find a way.
She turned to see Robert standing behind her. “Mom and Dad would like you to come to their table."

Emily pushed herself to her feet. “Where are they?"

Robert pointed, “Over by the east wall."

Emily had no idea what Robert had told his parents about their latest quarrel. But if Larry and Kevin both knew most of the sordid details, it stood to reason that George and Clara did, too. She threaded her way across the crowded hall with Robert close behind. Halfway to the other side, she stopped and turned. “What have you told your parents about us?"

Robert skidded to a halt. “Us?” Reproach raised his eyebrows. “There is no us."

So he intended to make this as difficult as possible. “And whose fault is that?"

"I'm not placing blame, I'm stating a fact."

Emily leaned against a post. “You made damn sure that Kevin and Larry both knew we had a quarrel. What have you told your parents?"

"I haven't told them anything,” Robert raised his voice. “And after seeing the way you carry on with Reverend Morrison, I don't think I'll need to."

Guests from surrounding tables turned to look. Given Robert's present mood, what was now a disagreement could disintegrate into a public brawl. “I'm beginning to see why you went to such lengths to get Kevin and me to reconcile. You wanted to make sure I was here today.” His eyes narrowed. “Am I right?"

"Of course I wanted you here.” Emily wanted to shout her outrage. Instead, she drew a deep breath and steadied her voice “This is your son's wedding day."

A sneer curled Robert's lips, “How unselfish you are, how full of the milk of human kindness; how ready to make my life miserable with your pious help."

Emily's eyes faded from hazel to yellow. “You're the one who came to me, asking that I help you get back into your sons’ good graces.” Her voice seethed with suppressed anger. “I never interfered until then."

"And today you're being rewarded for those good deeds. It's payback time.” Robert's nostrils flared. “Revenge is sweet, isn't it?” He leaned forward and put his hand on the post just above her head. “It wasn't enough that you kept me dangling for months, laughing behind my back while you were sleeping with the handsome Reverend, you had to bring me here today to show me how the Franklins and the Morrisons have become one big happy family."

Emily hissed, “Lower your voice. You're creating a scene."

Robert's voice dropped to a low monotone. “What if I am?"

She looked over his shoulder. People around them were staring. And why wouldn't they? Here were two mature adults, behaving like children and at their own son's wedding reception. Emily ducked under Robert's arm and swiftly walked away. She didn't slow her pace or turn around until she had reached George and Clara's table. She struggled to bring her emotions under control. “Hello, George, Clara, Robert said you wanted to see me?"