Tea & Comfort (Madrona Island Series Book 2), page 8
“To Sherry and Ron,” he said, clinking glasses with everyone there.
Luke was sourly aware as each couple faced each other that he was the only one standing alone. Without Kyla, everything had a half-empty feel. But at least he’d found her now. Hope brightened the edges of his loneliness. His kiss had been returned that morning and, ever so briefly, he’d seen inside her heart.
CHAPTER THIRTEEN
Kyla sketched out a label to expand her Internet business for Tea & Comfort. There had been a big demand for her T&C tea blends, candles, and soap. More than she could keep up with. Her energy level had really dropped lately, and she was glad she had Becca to help. Next she would need a bigger space to make and store her products. Now that she knew she could continue to lease the field from Luke, the T&C health and beauty cream formulating could begin. She imagined the label clean and white with a small bundle of lavender and golden chamomile flowers tied in a pine-green bow. The beauty line would offer a magical youth blend for the face and a silky hand cream. She would box them as a set with a bar of creamy goat milk soap.
Ian had promised to create the final label, and now that the field was secured she could decide which other herbs to plant with the lavender. She had enough stock to do a test run on the product, but if she started advertising it on the Internet, she would need a much bigger supply by next summer. Kyla was grateful Luke hadn’t tried to stand in her way. Had she really expected him to? Her gut still felt uneasy. She’d left him almost standing at the altar. He wanted answers. He was being patient. But for how long? And then what?
She rubbed her sore neck and tried to push the thought of him from her mind.
Lily was just walking in the door and Kyla remembered this was the day Lily had volunteered to help her blend the herbs for Shirley’s wedding favors.
“Morning,” Lily said before dropping into the nearest chair. “I’m sorry, but I’ve been a little woozy in the mornings lately.”
Kyla took a close look at her friend’s eyes and skin. She was a bit pale, but that was to be expected the first trimester. But there was something else, just below the surface, and it left Kyla uneasy.
“Can I fix you some tea?”
“Nothing feels right going down right now, so I’ll pass.”
“Are you up to helping with these today?”
Lily sat down at the table covered in herbs, ribbons, and small pink nylon bags. “Looking forward to it. Can you share some of your trade secrets with me?”
“I’ve mixed in a touch of soothing lavender with jasmine, known for its sweet smell. It creates a feeling of euphoria and is rumored to ignite passion for centuries.”
“Ah,” Lily said.
Kyla pulled a basket of rose petals toward them. “The sensual smell of rose relaxes you, and I added some chopped vanilla bean for happiness.” Kyla handed Lily a box of the pink bags embroidered with tiny flowers. “Now all we have to do is add the mixture and wrap them up and tie the heart charm on the ribbon.”
Lily leaned forward. “The smell…” She closed her eyes and grabbed the table. “Excuse me.” She jumped up and ran for the bathroom.
Kyla heard the sounds of morning sickness, groans and all, radiating from behind the door. Would Kyla ever feel that way herself? What were the chances she ever become pregnant?
“Are you okay, Lily?” she asked by the door.
She heard the toilet flush and the water run in the sink. Lily opened the door looking a bit peaked. “I think so. But I don’t think I can stay. The roses are turning my stomach.”
“I understand,” Kyla said, leading Lily to the door. She walked her to the car. “Are you all right to drive? I can take you.”
“I’m fine now in the fresh air. Sorry,” Lily said. “I was hoping to spend some time together.”
Kyla hugged her friend. “Go home and get some rest. I can handle this just fine.”
“We haven’t gotten to talk much,” Lily said. “How are you doing with Luke and all?”
“He leased me the land, so all is well.”
“And?” Lily asked.
“And that’s all,” Kyla answered.
Lily scrunched her face. “I detect something you’re not telling me.”
“I’ll tell you another time,” Kyla said.
Lily leaned against her car. “Not fair. You know everything about me. I’m feeling fine now, so I’m not going home until we talk a little.”
Kyla leaned on the car next to her friend. “Luke gave me a tour of the winery today. I have to admit, it hurt my heart to see our dream come true before my eyes and not have it be ours to share.”
Lily patted Kyla’s back. “It must be really hard. I’ve seen the way he looks at you and he’s wearing his heart on his sleeve. How do you feel?”
“One minute I want to push him away and the next I’m returning his kiss with equal desire.”
“Kiss?” Lily said.
Kyla felt her face heat up. “Only one kiss,” she said.
Lily chuckled. “And maybe more to follow?”
“Or not,” Kyla said, trying to sound firm. Her lips tingled with longing betraying her words.
Lily’s knowing smile was maddening.
“You better get home now and get off your feet and rest,” Kyla said. She helped her friend into the car and watched her leave. It was nice to have friends she could trust.
Reluctantly, she returned to her workroom and put together all fifty love spell charms. A novelty item or real? she asked herself. The one person she hadn’t made one for was herself. Maybe it was time to do so.
The day went by quickly serving tea, selling products, and baking another batch of lavender chocolate chip cookies. They were her favorite and the locals and tourists loved them. I bet Luke would love a batch, she thought to herself. She imagined taking them over to his house and curling up with him on a sofa while they had tea and cookies.
What was she thinking? They were barely speaking and she had some big decisions to make. Was it time to tell him about her diagnosis and why she’d run away? Plain and simple, back in New York she hadn’t trusted that with her so sick, his love was strong enough to handle what lay ahead for them. If he’d done that to her, she would have been devastated. And angry.
She collapsed in her overstuffed velvet chair. Oz rubbed his head against her leg and purred. Merlin jumped into her lap. Kyla stroked his sleek fur.
“My little friend,” she said, kissing him on his pink nose. “What should I do?”
In response, Merlin gave a loud meow.
“Really?” Kyla said. “And just what does that mean?”
The cat jumped off her lap and ran to the door. He looked back at her as if he wanted her to follow. Kyla opened the door and followed him back toward her cottage.
“You’re a pretty wise kitty,” she said. “It’s dinner time. For us both.”
She hadn’t eaten all day. She hadn’t slept for two nights. When she passed the big mirror in her living room, a gaunt image stared back at her. Fear crept up her spine. Lily had a good excuse for feeling poorly. Kyla knew only too well what was probably causing her fatigue.
“Come here, kitty,” she said. She fed Merlin and Oz and headed for her bedroom. There was no way she could eat a bite. What she needed was to sleep, and for a long time.
CHAPTER FOURTEEN
It was a perfect fall evening, rain-free, wind-free, and mild. The small caravan of cars was led by Ian, with Lily and their son Jason beside him. The bridal couple cuddled in the backseat until they pulled in and parked next to the winery barn. Kyla pulled her car in behind them. She’d brought Betty and Grandpa John with her. With its twinkling lights and lanterns, the setting looked magical. The golden light pouring out the windows and the sweet smell of applewood smoke from the chimney was inviting.
Luke stood in the doorway dressed in a charcoal suit that showed off his broad shoulders and slim waist. Ron, wearing a dark pinstripe suit, stepped out of the car and offered Shirley his hand. Shirley looked radiant in a satin and lace dress in the perfect shade of plum to match her bouquet of purple calla lilies, red and white roses, ferns, and huckleberry branches.
Luke stepped forward and shook Ron’s hand. “A perfect night for a wedding,” he said.
“I’ll say,” Shirley piped in.
Luke continued to greet everyone and offered Kyla a warm smile. His timberwood grey tie matched his eyes that focused for the moment only on her.
“Let’s go in,” Kyla said.
Luke guided them through the double doors and guided the guests into the elegant barn. The wood floors gleamed under the mock candlelight of the three antique chandeliers hanging from the beams above. The buttercream-painted walls set off the tables which were perfectly draped in white tablecloths. As a centerpiece, plum-colored candles in brass holders splashed light over the lush flower arrangements.
Kyla watched Luke take the couple up on the little stage area to their regal seats of honor. He put a small microphone on each of their collars. He’d thought of everything. He usually did.
Cate Pearl, the local minister, sat in a chair on the other side of the stage. Luke had constructed a small trellis along the back wall lined with rustic wrought iron candleholders and fresh flowers.
Grandpa John walked up beside Kyla. “Let’s sit together,” he said. He pulled out a wood chair for Betty and another for Kyla before sitting between them and putting his arms around both of their shoulders. “I have the two most lovely dates in the room. Beside the bride, of course.”
“Oh c’mon,” Betty said.
But Kyla could see she enjoyed the compliment. Cherise, attending alone, asked if she could join them at their table and they all welcomed her.
This was the first time Kyla had seen Betty in a dress. Well, a denim skirt and glittery cowgirl shirt was close enough. The guests took their seats and Kyla recognized most of the other guests except for a few relatives of Betty and Shirley that had driven over from Seattle. Mary Gibson, who helped out Lily at the B&B, and her husband, Will, sat at the next table with Dan—the grocer—and his family. She recognized Audrey from the library and a few of the book club members.
Kyla watched all the pieces come together. Jude and Ryan were arranging a buffet on a couple of tables to one side of the stage. Next to it was another table piled with brightly wrapped presents they had brought over ahead of time in the café van. A piano player sang soft love songs in the corner. Perfect.
Luke made his way around the tables, checking on the guests. Kyla could feel his presence behind her when he approached them.
She felt a warm hand on her shoulder.
“Good evening,” he said.
Kyla looked up at him. His eyes twinkled. “A very good one,” she said.
“You did a wonderful job decorating this barn,” Grandpa John said. “I remember when there were cows in here before the remodel.”
Luke laughed. “Thanks. I’m hoping to have many more weddings here.”
His eyes bore into Kyla’s with his last statement. She could barely catch her breath.
“I’m sure there will be plenty more weddings here. And soon,” Grandpa John said.
Thankfully, the piano player broke into the song “As Time Goes By” to signal it was approaching time for the ceremony. The words to the old love song drifted in the air, and Grandpa John joined in, not quite getting the words right.
“You must remember this kiss,” he sang, “as our love goes by.”
Kyla smiled. She’d heard he’d been in love with Lily’s grandmother, Maggie, a few years ago. He was quite the romantic, it seemed.
“Here’s looking at you,” Luke said, not taking his eyes off her.
Kyla blushed.
Luke flashed a dazzling smile. “I’ll go take my seat now. Please save the first dance for me, Kyla.”
She stumbled on her words as the music got louder. “I will,” she said, watching the dashing figure walk to the front table and take his seat.
Betty squeezed her arm gently. “What a nice young man. Not bad-looking either.”
Kyla frowned, wishing everyone would stop trying to push them together. The chandeliers dimmed and a golden spotlight hit the stage. The minister, in a purple gown, walked in front of the altar and into her position. There would be no bride and groom walking down the aisle, probably because of Shirley’s hip, Kyla thought.
The music ended, and Shirley and Ron stood in front facing the altar.
“Welcome,” Cate said in her booming voice. She did not need a mic. “We are here today to join together Shirley Rose Prescott and Ronald Alan Bueller. The couple have written their own vows. So, Ron, will you begin?”
Ron turned to face Shirley and took her hand. “Here I am at eighty-four, more in love with you than I was before.”
The whole audience sighed. Kyla could already feel tears working their way up from her heart as Ron continued.
“For as long as we both shall live and beyond that as well, I am forever yours,” Ron said.
Kyla had to reach into her purse for tissue. After all these years, still their love grew stronger. She looked up at Luke’s table, and he was staring right at her. He held her gaze, and the meaning was clear.
“And now we’ll hear from Shirley,” the minister said.
All eyes faced the stage. Shirley cleared her throat. “You are and have always been the man of my dreams. I will treasure every moment we have together, and my heart will forever be yours.”
Kyla heard Betty sigh beside her. “Are you okay?” Kyla asked her.
Betty wiped away a tear with the back of her hand. “I have to admit they do look happy together.”
Kyla squeezed Betty’s hand.
Shirley walked to the altar on the stage and picked up an unlit candle. The pianist played “Moonlight Sonata” as Ron did the same. Then they walked back in front of the minister and she lit each candle with the blazing flame of a large white pillar candle.
“As we light these candles, they symbolize unifying two into one,” Cate said.
The crowd held their breath as the beautiful melodic chords of the sonata filled the air with their passion and beauty.
The ceremony was much the way Kyla would want her wedding to be. Her wedding. She looked around the barn. The stars out the side windows sparkled. It was the perfect spot. Beyond her imagining.
The pianist finished the tune and Kyla could hear people blowing their noses.
The minister spoke again. “With the power vested in me by the state of Washington, I now pronounce you husband and wife!”
Everyone stood and cheered as the couple, assisted by Luke, walked down the few stairs and stood in front of the tables to receive their guests.
“I give you Mr. and Mrs. Bueller,” Luke announced. At the same time, Jude and Ryan came around with a tray of champagne glasses. “Please lift your glasses for a toast,” Luke continued. “To the bride and groom and many years of happiness.”
After the clapping died down, Kyla followed Grandpa John and Betty to join the reception line. When they reached the front, she hugged Shirley. “You look radiant. Beautiful.” Kyla moved on to Ron and shook his hand. “Thank you for making Shirley so happy.”
Ron smiled. “It’s her that has made me the happiest man in world.”
Ron’s words were still ringing in her ears as Kyla began to walk away and ran right into Luke standing directly in her exit path.
“It was a lovely ceremony,” Kyla said, keeping her voice even.
“Almost perfect,” Luke answered, still not letting her pass.
“Almost?” Kyla said without thinking.
Luke took a step closer. “It wasn’t you and I.”
She froze in place. No words would come. His searching eyes were relentless.
“Here you two are,” Grandpa John said. “Luke, you put on a darn good wedding.”
Luke broke his gaze with her and turned to Jim. “Thank you, sir. Now, if you both will excuse me, I have to make sure the buffet is ready and then prepare the dance floor.”
“If he keeps up like this,” Grandpa John said, “Luke will certainly be successful here on the island.”
“Probably,” Kyla said. Luke was here to stay, but so was she.
“Who’s hungry?” Betty asked coming up beside them. “Let’s go get in the buffet line before it gets too long.”
The buffet tables were covered with tablecloths and huckleberry branches, and pine boughs mixed with candles were the centerpieces. Chef Ryan handed them a plate at the head of the line. “Step right up, folks. We have platters of poached salmon with blackberry salsa, baked cod with lemon caper butter, roasted garlic red potatoes, and much more.”
“Look at these flaky biscuits,” Betty said, heaping two onto her plate and a generous helping of honey butter.
Kyla scooped some sautéed chard, glistening herb butter, and goat cheese and pear salad on her plate then headed back to their table.
Mary and her husband were already eating. She looked up at Kyla and said with a full mouth, “Delicious.”
During the meal, the wood floor was cleared toward the back and chairs were placed at the side where people could sit and watch or rest if they wanted. A local disc jockey arrived with his laptop computer and a PA speaker.
After the plates were cleared, Luke stood front and center.
“Time for the bride and groom’s first dance,” he said.
Luke offered his hand to the bride, bowing slightly. She stood up, holding his hand and smiling.
“Who could resist him?” Kyla thought.
Luke walked Shirley to the center of the dance floor, and the candlelit barn encased them in a warm glow. The disc jockey played a slow waltz. Luke slipped his broad, capable hand around Shirley’s back and danced for a few seconds before Ron moved into place and pulled Shirley into his arms. Luke stepped back to the edge of the dance floor but did not sit down.
Kyla watched the couple dance gracefully across the floor. She’d never seen Shirley look happier. Together they danced in graceful motion.
