The Wedding Charm: The Wedding Whisperer

by Susan Hatler

  “Got it,” Avery said, taking the corsage from Moose’s mouth, and holding it up high in a triumphant pose.

  I didn’t have time to say anything else about the charm. Penelope whipped my lavender bridesmaid dress out from a plastic dress bag and presented it with a flourish. “We’re going to need powder, and lots of hairspray.”

  Jill stepped back, brushing a tear off her cheek. “I’m so happy you’re back, Sarah. I wasn’t sure it was going to happen, but this really is my wedding day.”

  My reply was muffled by my dress being thrust over my head. Once I got my face free, Penelope attacked my cheeks with a powder puff. She dabbed it across my nose and then shot a blast of hairspray at my curls, while I managed to slip my feet into the heels.

  I glanced around at all of us. The lavender bridesmaid’s dresses were long and flowing, complimenting Jill’s wedding gown. Jill’s dress was every girl’s fantasy come to life and my heart filled with joy for her even as it hit me, hard, that I wanted to be a bride too—Ben’s bride.

  Finally, I was ready. I rushed to my purse and pulled out the little red box that held the wedding charm. I held the box out to Jill, who had her hands to her mouth and tears in her eyes.

  “I can’t believe you went all the way to Atlanta to get that for me,” she whispered.

  I smiled. “Oh, it was an adventure I will never forget.”

  “I also can’t believe my grandma arranged those tasks.” Jill shook her head. “Actually, I can. Grandma always was a bit bossy. But she was also a romantic, because she and Grandpa were so happy together. Did you have to do a lot of tasks to get the wedding charm?”

  I tilted my head. “Well, we dressed up as ushers to get onto home plate at the Braves’ baseball park. We crashed a formal and very old-fashioned tea party. We rowed across a lake and found a very particular tree. We almost got arrested because a woman thought we were trying to steal her Degas painting. Did I mention we also adopted a dog?”

  I’d also fallen in love with Ben, who didn’t believe love could last. And Miss Ella was making me tell him how I felt. But it didn’t seem appropriate to mention that last part right now.

  Finally, I opened the red velvet box, revealing the charm. “Your grandma believed that for a marriage to work there has to be love and respect, trust and teamwork, and unwavering commitment. Your relationship with Ryan possesses all of those qualities. You’re going to have such a wonderful marriage that lasts forever.”

  Jill let me pin the broach to her gown, then she cried out, “I need hugs!”

  All of us friends gathered around Jill, forming a circle as we hugged each other tightly through our tears.

  Penelope wiped her eyes. “Now that you have the wedding charm. Let’s get you married.”

  ****

  I stood outside the ballroom, peeking inside. The aisled-seats were covered in sheaths of white silk and at the end of each row were arrangements of lilies and orchids interspersed with baby’s breath and a single red rose. A red silk runner ran down the center aisle, and the guests sitting on either side were dressed in their finest formalwear.

  For a moment, I worried about Moose. It felt weird not having him with me, but I knew he was safe with Penelope’s assistant. When I’d refused to leave my sweet dog by himself in the room, she’d ordered her assistant to stay with him so I’d get out the door. In truth, her assistant looked relieved to get a break from Penelope. I knew Moose was in good hands.

  The scent of the flowers filled the air as the music started, a slow and sedate song that made Jill suck in a long breath. I hugged her tightly. “I knew you and Ryan were going to end up together, even when he stole that promotion from you.”

  Jill laughed, “I think I knew it all the time, too.”

  Penelope waved at me. “It’s your turn, Sarah.”

  I gulped, thinking she meant that it was my turn for marriage. Instead, she meant that it was my turn to walk down the aisle. I gave Jill one last hug and then I stepped forward into the vast and lovely ballroom, remembering to keep my steps slow and steady. As I came to the front of the aisle, Ryan stood there, wearing a huge grin. I smiled back at him as I took my place beside the other bridesmaids.

  I glanced over at Ben and our gazes locked. My chest tightened. There he was, the man I wanted with all my heart, so near and yet so far away from me.

  The wedding march began and every one stood, turning toward the back of the room. The flowers sent up their heavenly scent and Ben’s gaze held mine as Jill came up the aisle. Her dress swirled around her and her face—obscured just a little by her veil—shined with happiness. Her father gave her to Ryan and then shook Ryan’s hand.

  A hard lump formed in my throat.

  The music stopped. Kristen crowded a little closer to me as the ceremony began.

  “It’s so romantic,” she breathed into my ear.

  I smiled at her and nodded.

  It was romantic. I couldn’t stop staring at Jill and Ryan as they laughed and spoke their way through their vows, but when I did look away from them my gaze went straight to Ben.

  I really wished I hadn’t fallen asleep on the plane, and that we’d had some time to ourselves once we’d touched down so I could tell him how I felt about him. Not just because of my promise to Miss Ella, either. I wanted to tell him I loved him for me, but I just didn’t know how. Even more, I didn’t want him to break my heart.

  ****

  After the ceremony, the bridal party took our places in the hallway, waiting to be announced at the reception. I could hear the muted clink of glasses and silverware coming from the ballroom. I also smelled something delicious, probably hors d’oeuvres. My stomach growled as a tuxedoed-waiter came by, but I felt desperate to talk to Ben.

  Penelope had put us in strict lines and ordered us not to move. So, I was stuck on the right side of the hallway while Ben stood on the left.

  “I thought I’d start bawling and totally wreck my makeup when Jill came down the aisle,” Ginger gushed.

  “Me, too.” Kristen slipped her arm around Ginger, giving her a squeeze. “I was panicking a little because I couldn’t remember if the mascara was waterproof or not. I wore waterproof mascara for my own wedding. Thank goodness.”

  Avery raised a finger. “The mascara is waterproof, but that foundation probably isn’t.”

  We all laughed a little. Then I sneaked a peek over Kristen’s shoulder at Ben, who stood on the groom’s side of the hallway. My nerves stretched tight. There were still a few minutes before we would be announced. Maybe I could whisk him to the end of the hall for a little privacy and then spill my heart out. The tension kept building to tell him and I had to let it out.

  I stepped forward, but then hesitated. What would I do when he said what I already knew? That he didn’t believe in love and marriage, both of which I wanted with him. Did I really want to hear confirmation of those things after declaring my love? Um, not exactly.

  I plucked at my corsage, sending a shower of petals to the floor. I took a deep breath, gathered up my courage. “Excuse me for a second,” I said to my friends.

  My heels had barely hit the center of the hall before Penelope appeared, grabbing my arm and leading me back to my place in line “We’re announcing you soon. Please stay in line.”

  Embarrassed now, I scampered back to my place. Tension laced my neck and shoulders. I chewed my lip as Avery said, “I can’t wait to see the reception hall. I’ll bet it’s stunning.”

  A petite brunette rushed by in bright pink high-heels that stood out against her white, satin dress. She looked to be in her late twenties and she carried a massive flower arrangement in her hands. That had to be Katie Ellis from Gold Rush Flowers.

  Jill had hired her for the wedding and also once before for a Founding Friendships charity fundraiser. She’d apparently done a fabulous job and they’d gone for drinks after, the woman confiding that she’d recently lost her husband in an automobile accident. So sad.

  I took stock of the dis
tance between Penelope and me, wondering if I could duck for cover behind Katie’s flower arrangement. Then I could safely signal Ben, and make it down the hallway for a semi-private conversation while I spilled my guts to him.

  Just then, though, Katie set the arrangement down on a side table and hurried toward the other end of the hall empty-handed. Rats! I decided that the tall and wide framework the flowers rested on would provide some cover. So I ducked around it, determined to get Ben’s attention.

  Just as I reached the other side of the flowers—which, incidentally, smelled like red rose heaven—the door to the reception hall opened and a young blonde woman darted out, grabbed the arrangement, leaving me without cover. Yikes!

  Penelope marched toward me, so I hopped back in line, and twisted my hands together. I just wanted to fulfill my promise to Miss Ella and talk to Ben, get my heart broken, and get back in line before Penelope whipped me upside the head with her wedding planner. Was that really so much to ask?

  “What are you doing?” Kristen tapped me on the shoulder. “Penelope said we have to stay in line and she looks kind of scary about it.”

  I gave Kristen a pleading look. “I just need to talk to Ben for one second. It’s pretty important.”

  Kristen’s brow went up. “Oh?”

  “It has to do with the wedding charm,” I said, which wasn’t the entire truth. But not a total lie, either. Did I want my friends witnessing my humiliation when I got dumped before officially dating the man I loved? Um, no.

  “I still can’t believe you flew to Atlanta. You are an amazing friend,” Kristen said.

  “I try.” I studied the distance between Ben and me. His gaze met mine. I tried to use the power of my brain to send him a silent message. Meet me at the end of the hall.

  One of his brows rose. He didn’t look like he got the message. Sigh. Didn’t he understand meaningful stares? Every woman I knew did. My toe tapped impatiently on the floor. I jerked my head in the direction down the hall, but Ben’s attention had been taken away by one of the groomsmen. Just great.

  Frustrated and upset, I did the next thing that came to mind. I stepped a few paces away from Kristen, heading down the hall a little. I stopped and stared at Ben, hoping to catch his attention again. No luck. I stepped a few more paces and tried again but the conversation he was in was taking up all his attention.

  He finally looked up and saw me. I widened my eyes and gestured toward the end of the hall. He stepped forward, but the man he’d been talking to said something and he paused. Then Penelope came back along the hall, hurrying now. The florist followed, carrying more arrangements.

  My spirits sank when Penelope took up a post nearby, checking her watch and then began coordinating with someone via her earpiece. I just wanted to get it over with now. I wanted to say what I had to say and hear his answer. It was killing me, not knowing if he had fallen in love with me or not.

  The florist came back out and made her way down the hall to where I had stood by the last arrangement. She paused, giving me a meaningful look. “Are you all right?” she asked.

  I smiled at her. “Katie Ellis, right? You’re the florist?”

  She nodded. “Yes, I’m Katie. I couldn’t help but notice you seem upset.”

  “No.” The lie felt like dead weight off my tongue. “I was just thinking about weddings.”

  And how Ben wanted zilch to do with having one of his own.

  A slow smile spread across her face. “Weddings are special. I love to attend them because they remind me of my own.”

  Her words hit me hard. She still could say that after suffering the loss of her husband? I admired her strength and wondered where I could get a cup of that. “Yes, weddings are definitely special,” I said.

  She smiled at me. “You know what I enjoy most about weddings? Seeing all of the people who fall in love at them. Oh, it’s romantic watching the bride and groom. Don’t get me wrong. But it’s so moving to watch couples who are in love finally find the courage to say how they feel about each other, because weddings make them realize just how wonderful marriage can be.”

  It was like she’d seen right inside my head. Who did she think she was, the wedding whisperer?

  “Maybe certain couples shouldn’t say how they feel, though. I mean, what if one tells the other they’re in love with them and the other person doesn’t believe love can last for marriage?”

  Katie fussed with a few flowers. “I got married very young. It was a wonderful marriage, too. He passed away last year and—”

  “I’m so sorry.” My hands flew to my heart.

  Katie gave me a small nod, then finished straightening the flowers. “Ken was actually too shy to tell me how he felt. But I took a chance one day and told him I was madly in love with him. Then he confessed he was in love with me, too. Can you imagine how much love I would’ve missed out on if I hadn’t had the courage to tell him how I felt?”

  “That’s a good point,” I said, giving her a small smile. “I understand what you’re saying.”

  “Good luck.” She winked at me and then disappeared with another display of flowers.

  I didn’t want to imagine what I might miss out on if I didn’t tell Ben what was in my heart. Even if there was only a very small chance we might work out, I couldn’t waste the possibility that it might. More determined than ever, I stepped toward him.

  Just then, the doors to the reception room flew open and Penelope clapped her hands. “The bridal party is being announced now!”

  And I was thrust into the ballroom.

  ****

  After the sit-down dinner at the wedding party table, I glanced around the ballroom, which had been transformed for the reception. Tables were draped with white linen and had been set with fine china and crystal. Stunning centerpieces of lavender flowers crowned every table, and their aroma filled the cool air. A dance floor had been set up in the center of the room, and I knew they were getting ready for the first dance.

  “Are you okay?” Kristen laced her arm through mine, and guided me toward our table. “You seem distracted tonight.”

  “I’m fine.” I shot a look over my shoulder and saw Ben headed for the other side of the room, and away from me. Sigh.

  “If you say so,” she said, giving me a look that showed she knew better.

  We took our seats and flutes of champagne were set down in front of us. I lifted my glass and took a bubbly sip. Then I spotted Ben standing at a table nearby. “I have to talk to Ben about something real quick. I’ll be right back.”

  Kristen patted my arm. “Better hurry. I think they’re about to announce Jill and Ryan’s first dance.”

  Just as I stood, the DJ announced Jill and Ryan. I sat back in my chair, applauding with everyone else as the bride and groom swept to the center of the room on a wave of good cheer and happiness. Music began, the first notes of Lost in Love by Air Supply. I watched as Ryan took Jill into his arms, knowing they had first met at Kristen and Ethan’s wedding and that they had danced to this song.

  Avery leaned my way. “They’re so good together.”

  “They really are,” I said, and then my gaze flew to Ben. I believed he and I could be good together, too, if only he had faith that marriage could last forever. I remembered something then. “How did it go with your landlord today? Do you need to stay with me?”

  Avery shook her head. “You know what? I stood up to my landlord. I said it wasn’t fair that he’d changed the terms and that he was basically making me homeless because it was more convenient for him. I told him I’m a human being and I need the time he originally offered. And he agreed to it. I guess good things can happen when you speak up.”

  “That’s wonderful, Avery. Good for you.” I gave her a hug, feeling proud of her. Katie had spoken her mind and then had a wonderful marriage. Avery had done the same and was able to keep her place for now. I wanted to tell Ben what I felt for him or I would never know what could happen with us. The father-daughter dance started. I lifted
the flute of champagne and sipped the bubbly liquid, trying to gather my courage and get past whatever obstacle might be waiting for me next.

  The music changed again. The DJ announced that it was time for the bridal party to come to the dance floor. This was the moment I’d been dreading since I found out Ben was the best man. Only now I was more nervous than ever, but for totally different reasons.

  Ben came over to me, his gaze fastened to mine. He looked so handsome in his formal suit and tie and with his hair brushed back from his forehead. I felt a little dizzy just looking at him. He held his hand out. “May I have this dance?”

  “Yes.” I nodded, my heart pounding in my chest as our hands met, and he helped me from my seat. This was the moment where I could talk to him.

  He spun me out onto the floor and I laughed. Then a slow song came on and he led me gently as we swayed back and forth. One of his hands rested lightly on the small of my back and the other held my hand. I closed my eyes, letting the sheer romance of this dance fill me.

  “Can you believe all the crazy things we did to get that wedding charm?” I asked.

  He chuckled. “When the two of us set our mind to do something, nothing can stop us.”

  I knew he was just being funny, as always, but his words filled me with tension. I actually believed he and I could do anything together.

  I bit my lip. “We sure fooled a lot of people into thinking we’re in love.”

  I held my breath, hoping he would say that we really were in love. Anticipation and hope and fear climbed inside me, making me dizzy.

  “I guess we did,” Ben replied, then twirled me around.

  When I came back into his arms, I drew a ragged breath. I looked over at Jill and Ryan dancing together and they made love look so simple. Jill had taken off the veil and her hair was sliding out of the pins in her updo. Ryan held her tight and they both wore wide and happy smiles as they held each other and danced to the slow beat of the song. They were the sheer embodiment of love and joy.

  “I want that someday.” I nodded in their direction, and watched Ben glance their way. “I want everything they have, but I’m not sure I ever will.”