Tara would have married Greg on the steps of City Hall if necessary, but her mother and Kathy joined forces. “A quick wedding is fine,” Kathy scolded, “but Elena’s doesn’t do weddings without thought, so you two hang on to your hats, go about your days, and in a few weeks, we’ll have a wonderful wedding in Kenneville.”
Would it snow?
Was there an ice storm looming?
“It doesn’t matter,” Kathy promised. “We’re using an inside venue and weather will do what weather will do. Go back to writing your final paper and leave me alone, Tara.”
She finished her final paper, and Greg drew up wedding-package contract agreements with multiple professionals on board. They booked six packages the first week, and eight the week after.
The ladies’ combined efforts sold seventeen vintage-style independent gowns and booked thirteen full wedding parties.
Instead of closing the doors to Elena’s, they’d increased their staff, reached into the community, and incorporated a new business model.
But nothing loomed as bright and beautiful as her upcoming wedding day.
Crisp, bright light filtered through stained glass windows. Flowers adorned the sanctuary, and soft piano music welcomed the guests into the historic, small church tucked on Franklin Street in Kenneville.
Tara’s mother stepped into the bride’s room. Quick tears filled her eyes. Her brother, Ethan, followed, saw the rise of emotion, and frowned. “You promised not to do that.”
“I might have been wrong.” She sniffled, grabbed a tissue, and hugged Tara. “You look so beautiful, honey.”
“You look all right.” Ethan grinned her way, then grabbed his own hug. “For a sister, you’re not too bad.”
“I do my best.” She laughed up at him, then touched his face. “We’ve done okay, little brother.”
His expression reflected the meaning behind her words. Despite the harshness of losing their dad, the financial struggles and emotional hurdles, they’d both come out fine. Just fine.
“There’s a groom out there looking mighty handsome.” Her mother smiled as she double-checked Tara’s veil, her train, and the tucks of her ivory satin gown. “And the whole community has come out to celebrate with you.”
“Not an empty pew in the place,” Ethan noted, smiling. “Pretty impressive, sis.”
“Mrs. Bushing organized the sweets table and made the prettiest wedding cake,” her mother added as she picked up Tara’s small bouquet. “And Mr. Bushing made pots of pulled pork barbecue for the buffet.”
“Without fighting?” Tara asked, laughing.
“Well, they used separate kitchens, but they’re fine now, buzzin’ like a couple of happy bees. I think . . .” She took a step back, swept her gaze over Tara, and smiled. “We’re ready.”
Pachelbel’s Canon in D.
Greg turned. His buddy Tim gave him a nudge, then nodded in appreciation as Tara stepped into view on her brother’s arm.
Stunning.
She looked beautiful in a ballroom-style dress he wouldn’t have foreseen in a million years. Sweet, funny, practical, frugal Tara had chosen a fairy-tale gown.
And it fit.
She should have looked left and right, acknowledging the sweet neighbors and friends who’d come to celebrate on this bright, early spring day.
She didn’t. Looking forward, she smiled at him, only him, and his heart did the Grinch-trick, expanding exponentially.
She passed the pew filled with Elena’s employees. With quiet deliberation she nudged Ethan to pause for just a moment and grasped Kathy’s hand.
Tears streamed down Kathy’s cheeks. For him? For his mother? For the moment?
Probably all three, and when Tara bent and kissed Kathy’s cheek, Greg felt like his mother was there, with them, completing the circle.
She smiled at the rest of the crew, turned, and caught his gaze.
Her smile grew.
She and Ethan took those last few steps, and when Ethan reached out to shake his hand, Greg sensed the kinship of family, forever linked.
His mother was gone. Her father was gone. But in the beauty of the moment and the sanctity of the ceremony, he felt the full circle of family surrounding him.
And when the final blessing was given, Greg Elizondo turned, lifted Tara’s veil, and kissed his bride, taking his sweet time with the happily-ever-after he hadn’t expected.
Church bells pealed to announce their exit. Flower petals dusted the sidewalk, and as the bells rang above them, Greg stopped Tara on the steps for one more kiss, a pledge of life, love, and honor, no matter what came their way.
With God’s help, living in the quaint surroundings of Old City, Pennsylvania, it was a promise they both could keep.