Debbie Macomber - Blossom Street Bundle

“What happens next?” Ellen stared up at Anne Marie with wide, curious eyes.

“Now we go to the wedding reception.”

“Oh, goody! When do I serve the cake?”

“Not till later on.”

The reception was at a restaurant on Lake Washington. Lillie had secured the banquet room, and Melissa’s friends had decorated it and prepared everything for the small reception. Anne Marie had volunteered to help and Melissa was grateful but said she’d already done so much. Besides, her friends had everything under control.

When they arrived, Anne Marie could see that was true. The room, which was separate from the main part of the restaurant, had a sweeping view of Lake Washington. Sailboats with their multicolored spinnakers glided across the choppy waters. A lush green lawn sloped from the restaurant down to the waterfront, bordered by rows of blooming perennials. Double-wide French doors opened onto a stone patio.

Because the day was overcast, Melissa and Michael had decided to hold the reception indoors. Lillie had chosen the perfect location, Anne Marie thought gratefully.

The room itself was strung with white streamers, twisted from the center of the ceiling, where a large paper wedding bell hung. The streamers fanned out in every direction. White and silver balloons were tied behind each chair.

The cake, topped with the traditional bride and groom, sat on a table with an array of gifts surrounding it. Alix Turner had baked and decorated it herself. The restaurant had supplied an elegant buffet, for which Brandon, Anne Marie and Michael’s parents had split the expense.

Entering the room with her husband, Melissa looked radiantly happy.

“It’s hard to think of my little sister as married,” Brandon said, claiming the chair next to Anne Marie and Ellen. “Mom’s going to regret not flying over for the wedding.”

Anne Marie nodded. Pamela would have to accept that Melissa had her own path to follow. “In time I believe she will.”

“Who?” Ellen asked, then added, “Is this for adult ears or kids’ ears?”

Brandon laughed outright. “It’s for adult ears.”

“Okay.”

He grinned at Anne Marie.

The buffet line formed, and after they’d filled their plates and sat down again, Michael’s parents, Jim and Paula Marshall, joined them.

“This turned out to be such a lovely wedding,” Paula said, watching her son with pride. “I wasn’t sure what to expect. What is it with children these days? So much happening at once. Michael graduated from college, married and a father-to-be. It’s enough to make my head spin.”

Anne Marie agreed. “I didn’t know what to knit first, a baby blanket or a garter for her wedding.”

“You knit?” Paula asked with real interest.

“I’m only just learning. I’ve been taking classes.”

“It was one of our wishes,” Ellen told her gravely.

Anne Marie explained and marveled anew at the changes in Ellen since the child had come to live with her. When they’d first met, only three months ago, the youngster had barely spoken a word. These days it was difficult to get her to stop.

“Have I introduced you to Ellen?” Anne Marie asked Jim and Paula and tucked her arm around the child’s waist. “This is my daughter, Ellen Falk.”

“I’m getting a new name soon,” Ellen said, looking at Anne Marie.

“A new name?” Paula repeated. “What do you mean?”

“I’m adopting Ellen,” Anne Marie said, “and when I do her last name will be Roche, the same as mine.”

“Congratulations to you both,” Jim said, sampling the lobster salad.

“Anne Marie’s going to be my new mother,” Ellen said amicably. “I have an old one, but my grandmother told me my real mom couldn’t take care of a little girl, which is why I get a new one. I’m glad my new mother is Anne Marie.”

The conversation moved on to pets when Ellen lovingly described Baxter, now “our” dog, and lauded his intelligence. The Marshalls contributed stories about their own badly behaved but much-loved dog, Willow. Everyone laughed a great deal, and Anne Marie was thrilled that Ellen responded so naturally and well to adult company.

Halfway through the reception, Lillie Higgins and Hector Silva came in. Anne Marie had met Lillie’s friend a couple of times previously. He was everything Lillie had promised and obviously adored her.

“I’m sorry we’re late,” Lillie began as she approached Anne Marie.

“It’s my fault,” Hector said. “My oldest grandson had a soccer game and wanted me there to see him play.”

“Can I play soccer, too?” Ellen asked.

Anne Marie nodded. “Once we’ve moved into the new house, we’ll see about signing you up for soccer.”

Ellen clasped her hands, her expression rapturous. “And I want to join Girl Scouts.”

“One thing at a time, Ellen,” Anne Marie said gently. She didn’t want to squelch the child’s enthusiasm, but didn’t want her overwhelmed by too many activities, either. She already took karate lessons and if she added soccer and Girl Scouts to that, there wouldn’t be enough time just to sit and read or knit or play imaginative games with her dolls.

“I got your message,” Lillie said. “You found a house?”

“Yes! We move August first.” The house was in a good neighborhood close to Woodrow Wilson Elementary, which meant Ellen wouldn’t need to change schools. With all the upheaval in the child’s life, Anne Marie had wanted to keep her there.

“I’ll have a real bedroom, too,” Ellen inserted.

“And a real bed,” Anne Marie said. Ellen hadn’t complained once about sleeping on the fold-down sofa in the tiny apartment. One of her first purchases would be a bedroom set for Ellen, with a matching dresser, bookcase and computer desk.

She looked forward to getting her own things out of storage. She’d delayed for a long time, preferring to live in the small apartment rather than move. Her fear was that the household goods that had belonged to her and Robert would trigger too many memories.

A few months ago, Anne Marie hadn’t felt strong enough to deal with the past. Her grief had been too raw, too close to the surface. She’d purposely kept the furniture in storage, convinced she’d never find the courage to sit at the table where she’d shared so many meals with her husband. Every item, everything she’d so carefully packed away, was linked to Robert.

But the memories of her life with him no longer tormented her. Even knowing of his betrayal, she continued to love him and always would.

Michael and Melissa ceremonially cut the first slice of cake, and Melissa beckoned to Ellen.

“Can I serve cake now?” Ellen asked, eyeing the slices Melissa’s friends were placing on colorful plates. “Is it time?”

“Looks like it,” Brandon said. They stood up and headed for the table, where the plates had been set out.

“Aren’t you going to throw the bouquet?” Alicia, the maid of honor, asked Melissa.

“Oh, my goodness, I almost forgot.” Melissa turned her back to her group of friends and hurled the bouquet over her shoulder.

Anne Marie hadn’t been part of that group. She didn’t mean to participate, but when the bouquet shot directly at her, she instinctively grabbed it.

“Anne Marie!” Melissa cried, laughing delightedly. “You caught the bouquet!”

Ellen squealed with excitement, a plate of cake in each hand.

“This means,” Melissa told her, “that Anne Marie will be the next one to get married.”

“I don’t think so.” Anne Marie tried to pass the bouquet to one of Melissa’s college friends, who refused to take it.

“Don’t be so sure,” Melissa chided good-naturedly. “You never know when love’s going to tap on the door.”