Uncovering Secrets: The Third Novel in the Rosemont Series (23 page)

Nicole
continued to nod. “Will you let me hold your doll while your mommy helps you
with your dress? I’ll stand right here, and I’ll take real good care of her.”

Nicole
shook her head, turned, and handed her precious new doll to Susan, and then
stuck her arms in the air. Her mother slipped the new garment over Nicole’s
head and got the hospital gown off of her and the new dress neatly in place
with a speed resembling that of a practiced Broadway dresser. Susan returned
the doll to Nicole’s outstretched arms.

“Can
we take pictures for Facebook?” Sophie asked Susan.

“Let
me take one of all of you,” Susan said. “Loretta—you get in the picture,
too.”

Chapter 52

The rain predicted for the middle of the week was stuck
in the Dakotas, and perfect weather graced all of the preparations. Anita
Archer had the alterations ready by Tuesday, and Joe Appleby and his crew
finished the landscaping Wednesday. Amy, Mike, and Aaron arrived on Thursday
night as planned, and Pete orchestrated the setup on Friday morning.

Three
hundred chairs now sat in rows along the bottom of the lawn for tomorrow’s
ceremony and thirty-eight round tables waited to be dressed for the luncheon
reception at the top of the lawn. “We’ll have the food set up buffet-style on
the covered patio, and we’ll have three bars around the perimeter,” he told Maggie.
“The flowers will be here first thing in the morning, and we’ll have all the
tables ready by nine o’clock. An eleven o’clock ceremony on a Saturday is
perfect. Don’t worry about a thing. Nothing can go wrong now.”

Maggie
smiled and squeezed his shoulder. “You said you’d take care of everything and
you have.”

“All
you have to do is practice the ceremony then come over to the Bistro for the
rehearsal dinner.”

Maggie
nodded, surveying the scene when a familiar furry shape escaped through the
kitchen door and sped across the lawn skidding to a halt at her feet. Pete
reached down to pat Eve, who was now nipping at his heels.

“Which
reminds me of one more thing I need to do—” she said, scooping Eve up in
her arms. “Get this one and those three cats, Bubbles, Blossom, and Buttercup,
corralled and off to Westbury Animal Hospital for boarding while we’re gone. I
think it’s high time we got them out of our hair.” She nuzzled Eve’s neck and
started up the lawn. “See you after the rehearsal.”

***

The pastor arrived fifteen minutes late, but otherwise
the rehearsal went off without a hitch. The sound system worked well in the
outdoor space, and the twins took their instruction seriously, walking at the
pace their mother instructed. “It’ll be a beautiful day for a wedding, and I
promise not to be late tomorrow,” the pastor said after they finished as the
wedding party was heading around the side of the house.

Aaron
and Susan, inseparable since he’d arrived, were strolling hand in hand down the
driveway. “We’re going to walk over to Pete’s,” she called over her shoulder.

“There’s
room with us,” Maggie began, then stopped. How long had it been since she and
John had any time to themselves? A few minutes alone with him was exactly what
she needed.

Maggie
took John’s hand as they slowly climbed the stone steps to the massive front
door of Rosemont. “My life has been so blessed since I moved to Westbury. And I
wouldn’t have moved if it hadn’t been for this grand old house.” John put his
arm around her shoulders and drew her close. “I’m marrying the best man I’ve
ever met here. And I might never have met you if Eve hadn’t found her way to
Rosemont on that first, fateful night when I got snowed in.” She kissed her
fingertip and pressed it to the inside of the doorframe.

John
laughed. “I have to admit, I’m looking forward to moving in with you after the
wedding. We’ve barely had a chance to talk, much less spend time together, for
weeks.”

“Are
you ready for this wedding to be over with?”

“Would
you be mad if I said I was?”

“No.
I’d say I’m feeling the same way. Shall we ditch them all and just stay here?”

“Be
a no-show at our own rehearsal dinner? Mayor Martin, I’m surprised at you.
Certainly not. They’d all think I’d put you up to it. I’m not taking the
blame.”

“Okay,
spoil sport. Let me run upstairs and get a sweater. The breeze has really
picked up. It’s got a bite in it, don’t you think?”

***

The sun rose in a brilliant blue sky that Saturday
morning, scattering light like diamonds across a two-inch blanket of snow that
fell overnight, covering Westbury and the surrounding counties in the latest
snowfall of the season since the 1930s.

Maggie
realized something was amiss as soon as she awoke. The light peeking through
her heavy bedroom drapes was far too bright for the hour displayed on her
bedside clock. She padded to her window and drew the curtain aside. An unbroken
layer of snow rose and fell between every chair, table, and trellis on the lawn
below. It was a beautiful sight, to be sure, but definitely not one she wanted
to see on the day of her outdoor wedding in June.

Maggie
stood, rooted to the spot, staring at the scene below and blinking. She was about
to drop the drape back into place and call John when two men came around the
side of the house. Sam Torres and Tim Knudsen. And they were carrying brooms
and shovels. She watched as they set to work brushing the light snow from the
chairs.

Maggie
tugged at the crank on the casement window, finally succeeding in getting it
open. “Good morning,” she yelled, leaning out the window.

Sam
looked up, searching for the source of the sound. She waved and he saluted in
return. “Don’t worry,” he called, cupping his mouth with his hands. “Joe
Appleby and his crew are on their way. We’ve got it covered.”

Maggie
made an exaggerated thumbs-up and cranked the window shut. She was halfway to
her nightstand to retrieve her phone when it rang. Maggie answered and Judy Young
jumped right in. “Maggie. Don’t worry about a thing. We’re on it. You just get
ready. Leave the rest to us.”

Maggie
laughed. “You are the most incredible people in the entire world. Tim and Sam
are out on the back lawn, dealing with the snow right now. I guess we’ll have
to pull something out of the closet to wear. We’ll freeze, otherwise.”

“No,”
Judy said sternly. “Wear the dresses you bought. Anita says they’re gorgeous.
Joan Torres and I have something planned for that, too.”

“You
do, do you?” Maggie said, bemused by her friend’s take-charge attitude.

“Yes.
And I’m too busy to talk about it right now. The wedding’s at eleven. Joan and
I will be over there at ten. Your job is to enjoy getting ready for your
wedding!”

***

Judy Young and Joan Torres arrived at nine forty-five
with two vintage white mink stoles and two pink faux fur capes in hand. One
stole had belonged to Judy’s mother, and Sam had given the other to Joan on
their tenth wedding anniversary.

“The
capes were in my grandchildren’s dress-up box,” Joan said. “It’s been years
since anybody’s been in that box. I’ve been tempted to get rid of it many
times.”

“These
are beyond perfect,” Susan gushed. “Look at them, Mom. Just stunning.”

“It’s
actually getting warm out. You may not need them,” Judy said.

“No
way. We’re wearing them,” Susan turned to her mother, “Don’t you think, Mom?
It’s your wedding. You should have the say.”

“I
agree. They’re lovely, and it means the world to me that you’re letting us
borrow them.” She turned to Susan and pointed to Judy’s stole. “That one will
look beautiful with your dress.” Susan draped the silvery mink around her
shoulders over the long, slim column of blush-colored silk that drifted
gracefully to the floor.

“I
love it,” Susan replied. “Are you sure?”

Maggie
nodded. “Why don’t you and Judy take the capes to the girls?” When they were
alone, Maggie turned to Joan. “You and Sam have been my oldest and dearest
friends in Westbury. You’ve been there for me every step of the way. I didn’t
have anything borrowed to wear. I’d be so honored to borrow your stole. The
fact that Sam gave it to you for your anniversary makes it even more special.”

Joan
hugged Maggie hard. “I love the thought of that.” She leaned back and looked
into Maggie’s eyes. “Can I tell you something? You can’t ever tell Sam.” Maggie
nodded. “I’ve never liked that stole. I thought it was incredibly sweet of Sam,
and I’ve worn it to make him happy. But I always felt it was a little too
old-fashioned for me. After this wedding, I think I’ll have a whole new
appreciation for it.”

Maggie
laughed. “I hope so. And your secret is safe with me.”

Joan
placed the creamy mink around Maggie’s shoulders and secured the clasp. She
stepped back and brought her hands to her heart. “I’ve never seen a more
beautiful bride. You’re glowing.”

Maggie
turned to one side and then the other, studying her reflection in the
full-length mirror. Her eyes moved over the creamy organza gown adorned with
champagne-colored lace and seed pearls, the off-the-shoulder top hugged her
body all the way to the dropped waistline, where it flared into a full skirt
with a modest train. “You don’t think I look ridiculous in this gown? At my
age?”

“Absolutely
not! Why would you say such a thing? You’re going to knock John Allen’s socks
off, and every woman in town will be talking about it for weeks. It’s perfect.”

Maggie
closed her eyes and drew a deep breath, savoring the moment.

Both
women turned at the light knock on the door. “Mom,” Mike called softly. “Are
you ready? Can I come in?”

“She
certainly is,” Joan called. “Don’t you look handsome?” she said as Mike stepped
into the room. “I’m going to collect my husband and make sure we get a seat in
the front row.” She took Maggie’s face in her hands. “Many blessings, my dear.
You’re marrying the second-best man I know.”

Joan
closed the door quietly behind her. Maggie and Mike stood at arm’s length,
smiling at each other. “Gosh, Mom, you look beautiful.”

“Thank
you, sweetheart. And Joan’s right. You look like you stepped out of a magazine.
You should wear a tuxedo more often.”

Mike
approached the full-length mirror. “I do feel pretty dapper.” Maggie laughed.
“But
you
look positively radiant.” He turned to her. “You’re very happy
here, aren’t you?”

Maggie
nodded. “I’ve never felt so at home, so connected, or so vibrant in my whole
life. Meeting John Allen and marrying him today is the best thing that’s ever
happened to me—except for you and your sister. And the girls.”

Mike
paused. “John is a very fine man. Susan and I both think the world of him. I’m
relieved to know that you’re marrying someone who’ll take care of you. I was
concerned, having you so far away from us.” He held her gaze. “You and Dad
weren’t very happy at the end, were you?”

“No,
we weren’t. But today’s not the day to think about all that,” she said. “And
don’t worry about me. With or without John, I can take care of myself.” A piano
prelude emanated from the floor below. “Is that coming from the conservatory?”

“Yes,”
Mike replied. “I was supposed to tell you. The grass is too wet for Marc to play
his keyboard outside. They tried to dry things off and make it work, but
couldn’t manage it. They’ve opened the doors of the conservatory, and Marc will
play the piano for the service. He says it’ll be plenty loud enough to be
heard.”

Maggie
smiled. “Why didn’t we think of that in the first place? Much better.”

Mike
stepped to the window and pulled the drape back an inch. “Most of the snow has
melted and Sam and Tim have dried off every chair. Sam also borrowed a carpet
runner from the high school for the aisle. You get to walk down an actual red
carpet. Once you get to that point, you won’t have to worry about slipping,” he
turned to Maggie. “It’s a full house.” He motioned to the window with his head.
“Take a look.”

Maggie
ducked under his arm to survey the scene below and drew a deep breath. “I feel
like I’m living a dream,” she whispered.

Mike
checked his watch. “Susan and the girls are waiting downstairs. It’s time we
joined them and got this wedding started.”

The
sun shone brightly over the happy scene on Rosemont’s back lawn as Marc struck
the first chords of the processional. The girls held hands to steady each other
on the slippery grass until they found solid footing on the carpeted aisle.
They floated along in a sea of pink organza until they reached the rose-draped
trellis. Susan followed, stately and tall, looking like a runway model in her
gown and mink.

Mike
squeezed Maggie’s hand. “This is it, Mom.”

Maggie
swallowed the lump in her throat as the piano surged with Pachelbel’s Canon in
D Major. The wedding guests rose and turned to follow Maggie as she and Mike
walked slowly down the aisle. George Holmes towered over the crowd and caught
Maggie’s eye. He winked and made a thumbs-up gesture. She smiled and swept her
eyes back to the center aisle, passing over Frank Haynes along the way. He
stood with the others, but his attention was not on the bride. Frank Haynes was
staring up at Rosemont. An involuntary chill ran down Maggie’s spine. Her gaze
then fell on the beaming face of John Allen and all else melted away.

Mike
shook John’s hand, then kissed his mother on the cheek and stepped to the side.
Maggie put her hand on John’s arm. His eyes sparkled and he leaned toward her
and whispered, “You look stunning.”

The
pastor raised his hands and motioned for the crowd to be seated as the piano
fell silent. “Dearly beloved,” he intoned the familiar words of the traditional
ceremony, and the couple embarked on this most profound of human commitments.
Both of them repeated their vows in strong, sure voices. When the pastor turned
them to the crowd and proclaimed them husband and wife, everyone leapt to their
feet and clapped as John and Maggie made their way back down the aisle.

The
wedding party followed closely on their heels. Maggie clutched John’s arm as
they approached the slippery uphill climb to the area designated for the
receiving line. She turned as Amy called her name.

“Here.”
Amy thrust a pair of plastic rain boots at Maggie. “Aaron and I went out and
bought these this morning. We got them for Susan and the girls, too,” she said
proudly as Aaron produced the other sets of boots. “Slip your shoes off, and
put these on. You can’t navigate this lawn in rain-soaked satin shoes.” Her
tone indicated that she would brook no opposition.