To top it all off there was the wedding cake. Gloria decided on a simple sheet cake. Half the cake was white and the other half chocolate.
While the guests lingered in the foyer sipping champagne and toasting the newlywed couple, workers quickly brought in round tables, covered them with white linen tablecloths and then placed the chairs around the tables.
Several tall, twinkling trees dotted the perimeter of the room and when Andrea dimmed the lights in the sunroom, the sparkling lights cast a romantic glow.
The guests feasted on the scrumptious goodies.
It was a festive event and a celebration that no resident of Belhaven would soon forget.
When they finished eating, the army of workers cleared the tables.
“Attention everyone!” Andrea clapped her hands and the crowd quieted. “It’s time for Gloria to toss the bouquet.”
Several of the single women clustered together in the front of the room. Eleanor Whittaker, Sally Keane, Bea, Gloria’s hairdresser. Lucy was there, too, along with Andrea. Ruth didn’t make a move as she sat in her chair and crossed her arms.
“C’mon Ruth,” Lucy urged.
“Nope.” Ruth shook her head and stubbornly refused to budge.
Gloria marched over, grabbed her hand and dragged her into the crowd.
Satisfied everyone was in place; Gloria turned her back to them, kissed the tip of the flowers and tossed the bouquet over her head.
Sally dove for it, Lucy jumped to catch it. Despite their attempts to catch the bouquet, it landed squarely in Andrea’s hands. She gazed down at the bouquet and turned to Brian.
Gloria grinned. Brian had purchased an engagement ring for Andrea, but he had told Gloria he didn’t want to steal her thunder so he decided to wait. Brian planned to propose to Andrea on New Year’s Eve.
Brian smiled and shoved his hands in his pockets. Andrea scurried over and showed him the bouquet.
Brian leaned over and kissed her forehead. “Guess we’re next,” he teased. He winked at Gloria.
Gloria couldn’t wait until he popped the question. Several times, she had almost slipped but caught herself. She would never forgive herself if she ruined Brian’s big day.
It was time to cut the cake and Paul led his bride to the cake table. He sliced a piece of white cake and a slice of chocolate cake. They lifted the cake and waited for the pictures before gently placing the cake in the other’s mouth.
Music drifted from the sunroom and Paul and Gloria headed back inside for the first dance. Gloria stepped into her husband’s arms and they slowly circled the dancefloor, lost in the moment. So perfect…so right.
Gloria blinked back the sudden tears and Paul caught a glimpse.
“Oh no. You’re not regretting it already,” he teased.
Gloria let out a shaky laugh. “No. It is just so perfect.”
Paul lowered his head and tenderly kissed Gloria’s lips. “God has truly blessed us.”
The song ended and the DJ Gloria and Paul had hired began playing a song for the mother/son, father/daughter dance.
All of Paul and Gloria’s children…and grandchildren swept out onto the floor and one by one danced with the bride and groom.
After the dances, the DJ picked up the tempo and the younger guests hit the floor.
Gloria and Paul made their rounds, talking to guests, thanking them for coming.
They had specifically requested no gifts; but rather, asked that they donate to Gloria’s new pet project, literally. “At Your Service.”
Marco and Alice told Gloria earlier in the day they had close to a thousand dollars donated in their name and Gloria was thrilled.
The magical evening finally wound down and Gloria and Paul said farewell to the last guest. The only ones left were the Garden Girls. Even Paul and Gloria’s children had headed out with sleepy grandkids in tow.
“When are you leaving for your honeymoon?” Brian asked.
Paul draped an arm around Gloria’s shoulders. “Tomorrow afternoon. Tonight we are staying in a five star hotel in downtown Grand Rapids,” he explained.
Gloria had left the honeymoon planning to Paul and he had been very mysterious about where exactly they were going. It was a complete surprise.
“Have a wonderful honeymoon and try to stay out of trouble,” Margaret teased.
Paul shook his head. “No telling what will happen on this trip,” he groaned.
Gloria hugged her dear friends and then followed her husband to his pick-up truck.
The drive to Grand Rapids gave the two of them a chance to wind down and chat about how magical the day had been.
Paul had reserved a suite, complete with champagne, red roses and Belgium chocolates. He dropped Gloria off near the entrance and drove off to find a parking spot.
They quickly checked in and with room key and overnight bag in hand, headed to their room, located on the seventh floor. When they stepped into the elevator, Gloria gave Paul a quick glance. The night she had been waiting for, thinking about was finally here. The thought made her heart flutter.
The palms of her hands began to sweat and she wiped them on the front of her dress.
Paul, noting her nervousness, reached for her hand. “Nervous?”
Gloria wrinkled her brow. “Kind of,” she admitted.
Paul tenderly swept the back of his hand across her cheek. “I promise. I don’t bite, although I might nibble a little.”
Gloria smiled. “Are you sure?”
The elevator doors opened, they stepped into the hall and walked to their room.
He stopped abruptly in front of the door. “This is it,” he announced.
Paul slipped the key card in the door. When the door opened, he dropped the overnight case inside the door and stepped back out. In one swift move, he swept his bride into his arms and carried her across the threshold, the door closing behind them.
Moments later, the door popped back open and Paul placed the “Do Not Disturb” sign on the outside of the door.
The end.
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The series continues. Look for Garden Girls Book #11, coming soon!
Grandma Louise’s Best Ever Christmas (Sugar) Cookies
Cookies – Ingredients List #1:
2-1/2 cups flour
1 cup white sugar
¼ tsp. salt
1 tsp. baking soda
2 tsp. cream of tartar
*Mix dry ingredients in large bowl
Cookies – Ingredients List #2:
1 cup butter, softened
2 eggs
1 tsp. vanilla
*Mix wet ingredients
Directions:
Preheat oven to 350 degrees
Mix both wet and dry ingredients together. (You can also refrigerate dough so it “firms up.”)
Roll cookie dough on floured surface. Cut with cookie cutters.
Place cookies on ungreased cookie sheet.
Bake for 6 – 10 minutes (depending on thickness)
*You can add more flour if the mixture seems “doughy”
Frosting
½ cup solid vegetable shortening
½ cup softened butter (not melted)
1 tsp. vanilla
4 cups powdered sugar
2 tbsp. milk
food coloring
Cream butter & shortening
Add vanilla
Slowly add sugar
Add milk
Beat on high until fluffy. (This recipe will test your mixer. I recommend using a heavy-duty mixer, but it is not required. Just keep an eye on the mixer so it doesn’t overheat.)
*You can also add a little extra milk, a tablespoon at a time.
Separate frosting into bowls. Add drops of food coloring until color desired i
s achieved.
Frost cooled cookies. Decorate with sprinkles, etc.
Table of Contents
About The Author
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
Chapter 14
Chapter 15
Chapter 16
Chapter 17
Chapter 18
Chapter 19
Chapter 20
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Grandma Louise’s Best Ever Christmas (Sugar) Cookies
Home for the Holidays Page 14
