Emma frowned. Up until now, Pastor John hadn’t used social media to tell people about the tiny home village. What if they changed the way they communicated with the wider world? What if they created posts that were engaging and made people feel part of what they were doing?
Holding a hot cup of coffee, Emma walked back into the flower shop. Kylie was making another bouquet. “What if I design a Facebook post that asks everyone what events they want for Christmas? We could still look at John’s events, but it would give us a better idea of what the community wants.”
Kylie picked a yellow rose out of a container. “I think it’s a great idea. But do you have time to put something together?”
“I’ll make the time. If it generates enough interest, it will give us some ideas for when we get together again.”
For the first time today, Emma was feeling more positive about the events John had suggested. The programs they chose had to create the greatest impact and make the most amount of money for the tiny home village. And the only way they would do that was to give the community programs they were excited about.
Jack stood under the shade of an oak tree watching Noah’s friends enjoy the party.
A company from Polson had arrived early this morning to erect a large white marquee tent between Honeysuckle Cottage, where Noah and Cassie lived, and the vacation home where Jack was staying. Apart from the trees surrounding the property, the tent provided the only shelter from the late afternoon sun.
“Excuse me. Would you mind if I took this chair?”
He looked into an incredible pair of deep blue eyes. “Ah, sure. That’s fine. No one’s sitting…” He stopped talking, hoping she hadn’t noticed how tongue-tied he’d become.
“Thanks. If you need the chair later, I’d be happy to return it.”
“No, it’s okay. You keep it.” Jack was stunned by the woman’s beauty. With blond hair falling around her shoulders, and a gentle smile on her lips, she took his breath away.
She bent down to move the chair.
He stepped forward. “Let me carry it for you.”
“It’s okay. I can manage.” She picked up the chair, holding it close. “If you’re not here with anyone else, you could join us at our table.”
“Thanks for the offer, but I’m all right. I want to catch up with Noah before dinner.”
“Okay. But if you change your mind, we’re not far away.”
“I’ll remember. Enjoy the party.” Jack watched her walk across to her friends. As soon as she sat down, she lifted a young boy onto her lap.
He looked at the people around her, wondering if she was here with a boyfriend or partner. Most of the people at the table were women. He recognized Cassie’s friends, Megan and Willow.
He could ask Megan who—
“I thought you’d be behind the bar serving some of those fancy cocktails you enjoy.” Patrick, Jack’s eighty-one-year-old grandfather, stood beside him.
He pulled his attention away from the blond woman and smiled at his granddad. “I felt like taking a backseat today. Besides, the catering company Noah employed is doing a good job.”
Pulling a wooden seat closer to his grandson, Patrick sat down. “I haven’t seen Cassie. Do you know where she’s gone?”
Jack had been wondering the same thing. “I haven’t got a clue. I thought she might be inside the cottage.”
“I’ve already looked. She’s not there. It’s not like her to be late to Noah’s party.”
“I’ll see if I can get hold of her.” Jack took his phone out of his pocket. The call went straight to voicemail. “She must have turned off her phone.”
Patrick pulled himself out of the chair. “We should speak to Noah. He might know where she’s gone.”
Jack knew there was no point arguing with his grandfather. He loved Cassie as if she were his own daughter. If she were missing, he’d find her.
“There’s Noah.” Patrick pointed to a group of people standing in the marquee tent. “When did he change into a dinner suit?”
Jack followed his granddad across the backyard. “Beats me. The last time I saw him he was wearing a cotton shirt and trousers. I wonder if he realizes he’s a little overdressed.”
Patrick slowed his steps. “He looks so much like your father.”
Jack smiled. “I think he looks like you.”
“You need your eyes checked,” came the gruff reply. “If I looked half as good as you two boys, your grandma would have had to chase all the girls away.”
“I couldn’t see Grandma doing that,” Jack said with a sigh.
Patrick scanned the people inside the tent. “Don’t you believe it. Your grandma was a Southern lady, but she could be a lioness if someone was up to no good with the people she loved. Cassie isn’t here.”
Jack nodded toward his brother. “Let’s talk to Noah.”
They were halfway across the tent when his brother tapped a teaspoon on the edge of a wine glass and invited everyone to join them.
Patrick sent Jack a questioning look.
“I don’t know what he’s up to, either,” Jack whispered. Noah wouldn’t thank everyone for coming without Cassie being here. And as for giving a speech, his brother enjoyed that almost as much as he enjoyed turning forty.
While Noah waited for everyone to move into the tent, his gaze connected with Jack’s. Whatever he was about to do was anyone’s guess. But Jack knew one thing, his brother was more nervous than he’d ever seen him.
When most people were inside the tent, Noah cleared his throat. “I’d like to thank everyone for coming here tonight. The invitation you received was for my birthday, but we’ll be celebrating something else, too. Cassie and I have decided to get married. Tonight. And we’d like you to be part of the ceremony.”
For a few seconds, all the guests stood in stunned silence. Then everyone burst into applause.
Jack was shocked that his brother was getting married today. It wasn’t like him to keep it a secret, especially when everything in his life was planned at least six months in advance.
“Did you know about this?” Patrick asked.
“I didn’t have a clue.”
Noah walked across to his grandfather. “You must be surprised.”
“I am, but I’m also happy for you. I thought you were getting married in October?”
“We were, but Cassie has been invited to exhibit her jewelry in Milan at the same time. This was the only weekend when everyone would be together, so we decided to bring the wedding forward.”
The staff Noah had employed walked into the tent carrying foldaway chairs. In next to no time, straight rows of chairs began to appear. When the rest of their family and friends saw what was happening, they pitched in to help.
Noah looked anxiously around the tent. “I hope Cassie’s okay.”
“Where is she?” Jack asked.
“With one of her friends.” Noah checked his watch. “She should be here soon.”
Patrick wrapped his arm around his grandson’s shoulders. “She’ll be fine. I imagine she’s feeling exactly the same as you.”
Jack looked around the tent, then back at his brother. “We’d better help get everything ready. Otherwise, Cassie will be walking into chaos.”
Noah took a deep breath. “At least moving chairs will stop me from panicking.”
Jack wasn’t sure anything would do that. Noah was about to change his life forever, and he looked as though he was going to be sick.
Chapter 2
Emma sat at the back of the tent, mesmerized by the unexpected wedding. Being here to celebrate Noah and Cassie’s wedding, to be part of the next chapter of their lives, was so special it brought tears to her eyes.
After Noah told everyone what would be happening, the marquee tent was transformed into a lovely wedding venue. Emma was sure she recognized some of the flower arrangements from Kylie’s flower shop. But her friend hadn’t said anything, so she assumed she was as unaware of the wedding as everyone else.<
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As she looked at the guests, Emma’s gaze lingered on the man she’d met under the oak tree. Megan had told her he was Jack Devlin, Noah’s younger brother. He lived in Manhattan, visited Sapphire Bay every few months, and usually brought a different girlfriend to Montana on each visit.
When Emma had spoken to him, he didn’t look as though he had anyone with him. And now, seeing him beside his grandfather, she was positive he’d come to Sapphire Bay alone. But, even if she was attracted to him, it didn’t mean she would talk to him again. She wasn’t the naïve person she’d been when she met her ex-husband. She had two children, a business she enjoyed, and friends who loved her like family. A man who changed girlfriends faster than his bed linen wasn’t for her.
As Noah looked into Cassie’s eyes and repeated his wedding vows, Emma sighed. Even though her own marriage had ended in heartache, she still believed in happily ever after. As unlikely as it was, she hoped that one day she would meet a man who treated her with respect and kindness, and who wanted to be loved as tenderly and sweetly as she knew how.
Beside her, Willow dabbed her eyes. “Their vows are so lovely,” she whispered.
Emma nodded. Even though the wedding was a surprise, it was one of the most romantic ceremonies she’d ever seen.
As Noah and Cassie exchanged rings, the late afternoon sunshine fell across the tent. Cassie’s beautiful floor-length lace gown shimmered and sparkled, and her veil cascaded behind her in soft folds.
Molly squeezed Emma’s hand. “Mommy. I can’t see Cassie.”
Emma lifted her daughter onto her lap. “Is that better?”
Molly nodded and smiled. “She looks like a princess.”
“She does.” Unlike her brother, Molly loved fairy tales. If a story included a handsome prince, a forgotten shoe, or a battered and bruised beast, she was happy. At six years old, Molly was willing to forgive any failing or bad decision, as long as the princess wore a sparkly dress and the story ended happily ever after.
Dylan wasn’t quite so forgiving. If his stories didn’t involve some kind of mystery or adventure, he would change the words, giving the characters exactly what he thought they needed. Even now, sitting amongst the twinkling lights draped inside the tent, he was more interested in looking at the pictures inside the space book he’d brought with him.
Pastor John placed his hands above Cassie and Noah’s heads, blessing their marriage and wishing them a long and happy life together.
Emma closed her eyes. She remembered her own wedding vows, her blind faith that Mark would be her rock, her soft place to fall. She took a deep breath. Three years after they’d said I do, Mark had packed his bags and left. And, apart from when he’d given her their divorce papers, she hadn’t seen or heard from him again.
The sound of clapping pulled Emma back to the here and now.
At the front of the tent, Noah tenderly kissed his bride, then hugged her tight.
Emma hoped their marriage was strong and true, that Cassie and Noah would work through their differences and continue to see the good in each other.
“You’re crying, Mommy,” Molly whispered. “Are you sad?”
Emma reached into her pocket and found a tissue. “They’re happy tears.”
“Are you sure?”
She kissed the top of Molly’s head and forced a smile. “I’m sure.”
With a worried frown, her daughter turned to the front of the tent.
By the time Cassie and Noah walked down the aisle, Emma was feeling better. Tonight was about celebrating the future, not dwelling on the past.
“Can I talk to Cassie now?” Molly asked.
“We’ll see her in a few minutes. Before we say hello, do you need to go to the bathroom?”
Molly shook her head. “Nope. I’m okay. What about you, Dylan?”
Her twin brother frowned. “I’m okay, too.”
“In that case,” Emma said with a grin. “How about we find a nice cold glass of lemonade for everyone, then see Cassie?”
Molly wiggled off Emma’s lap. “Yeah! Come on, Dylan. The lemonade is over here.”
With a reluctant sigh, Dylan shoved his book into his backpack and followed his sister.
Emma smiled as she walked behind them. They might be twins, but Molly and Dylan were as different as chalk and cheese. And someday, those differences could make both of their lives so much better.
On his way back from getting two cups of coffee, Jack must have spoken to most of the people at the wedding. Each time he visited Sapphire Bay he was greeted like a long-lost friend. Even people he’d only seen on the street recognized his face and said hello.
After living in New York City, it was a little disconcerting to realize that total strangers were more interested in his life than half the people he usually associated with. But that was part of living in a small town.
He nodded to another person before turning toward his table.
Mabel Terry, the owner of the general store, stood between him and his grandfather. Mabel was the sort of person who knew everything that was happening in Sapphire Bay. As well as keeping her customers informed of the latest events, she regularly updated the community Facebook page. If he looked online now, he was sure he would see photos of Noah and Cassie’s wedding.
“It’s good to see you, Jack. What did you think of your brother’s wedding?”
“It was a wonderful service.”
“Did you know Cassie and Noah were getting married today?”
Jack shook his head. “It was as much of a surprise to me as everyone else. How is your husband?”
“Allan’s fine. We’re as busy as ever in the store. Have you talked to Pastor John since you arrived?”
“Not yet, but Noah told me you’ve opened another two tiny homes since I was last here.”
“We’re getting faster. The volunteers are only taking five weeks to build each house now.”
“That’s great.” Jack lifted the coffee cups higher. “I should get back to Granddad before our coffee gets cold.”
“Of course,” Mabel said reluctantly. “How long are you staying in Sapphire Bay?”
“Ten days. I thought I’d have a vacation while I’m here.”
“Well, if you need anything, you know where to come.”
“Thanks, Mabel. I’ll remember.” And before she could ask any more questions, Jack high-tailed it over to his grandfather.
Patrick took one of the coffee cups. “I saw you talking to Mabel. How is she?”
“She seems okay. Why do I always feel as though she’ll tell everyone what I say?”
“Probably because she will.” Patrick smiled. “She doesn’t mean any harm. It’s her way of making sure everyone knows what’s happening in Sapphire Bay.”
Jack’s eyebrows rose. “Am I talking to the same man who refused to open a Facebook account because he thought it was a conspiracy against everyone’s privacy?”
“I’ve mellowed since I left Manhattan. Besides, I enjoy reading about what everyone’s doing.”
“You might not be so forgiving if your name appears on Mabel’s social media feed.”
Patrick laughed. “My life isn’t that exciting. What about you?”
Jack looked warily at his grandfather. “Noah’s wedding is as exciting as my life gets at the moment.”
“You aren’t still thinking about Angela, are you?”
“Her name is Angelique. And no, I’m not.” It wasn’t until Jack had been dating Angelique for three months that he realized they wanted completely different things. Working fifteen-hour days, socializing with the glitterati of New York, and eating at the finest restaurants wasn’t something he wanted anymore.
Sitting on his sofa watching reruns of his favorite TV programs suited him so much better.
When Angelique realized she was dating the wrong man, she walked out of his life and never returned.
“I blame myself for your stubborn independence,” Patrick muttered. “I should have listened to your gran
dma and let you enjoy life instead of pushing you to be better than the next person.”
“Being single isn’t a disease. Look at Noah. If he hadn’t decided to search for the winner of his company’s jewelry award, he wouldn’t have met Cassie.”
“And I wouldn’t be living in Sapphire Bay.”
Jack studied his grandfather’s face. “Moving here was a huge decision. Are you happy?”
Patrick smiled. “I’m happier than I was in Manhattan. I still miss Starbucks and walking to Sal’s Pizza on a Sunday afternoon, but it’s good living close to Noah and Cassie. And helping to build the tiny homes has given me a new lease on life.”
Jack’s granddad used to own one of the largest construction companies in New York City. Seven years ago, he’d sold the company and started an online retail store with Noah. Last year he’d retired completely, leaving the concrete jungle of Manhattan for the wide-open spaces of Montana.
Patrick would have thought his days of building houses was over, but he hadn’t counted on meeting Pastor John and the good folk of Sapphire Bay.
Jack worried that his grandfather was doing too much, but no one could slow him down. “Just remember to take some time off once in a while.”
He didn’t need to hear his grandfather’s chuckle to know his comment had fallen on deaf ears.
A flash of purple drew Jack’s gaze to the dance floor. The woman he’d spoken to before the wedding was dancing with two small children. She seemed happy and carefree—the complete opposite of the way he felt.
His granddad must have been watching his face.
“That’s Emma Lewis and her twins, Molly and Dylan.”
Emma’s two children laughed as she twirled them in circles.
Patrick smiled. “As well as running her own business, Emma helps at The Welcome Center. While Molly helps her, Dylan is usually in the community garden giving Gordon a hand.”
Jack looked around the dance floor. “Is her husband here?”
“Emma’s a single mom.” Patrick studied Jack’s face. “Before you say hello, you need to know one thing. Emma is a good woman. She cares about people and does what she can to help those less fortunate. You’ll have to answer to me if you break her heart.”
Christmas On Main Street Page 2
