“Abby, me, too. It was all I could do to keep my composure.”
Emmie emerged through the crowd of adults with Aidan and my niece Maggie.
“All the kids are challenging all the adults to a dance contest on the dance floor in five minutes. So be there or be square!”
Aidan came forward in his little suit and added his two cents.
“Yeah, be square!”
No one in my family turned down a challenge. Cole went around the tent grabbing as many neighbors and friends from the community of Pelican Beach to join us on the dance floor as possible. Even some of the old staff members from the Inn were there, along with Natalie, and some of our closest friends were all on the dance floor having a good time.
Later that evening when the last guest was gone, my siblings and our spouses remained under the tent with a glass of wine. We kicked our feet up and laughed and recalled the events of the day.
“We did it, babe. We pulled off the finest beach front wedding in all of Pelican Beach,” Cole said.
“We sure did and now we can finally breathe a sigh of relief. No more planning, cake tasting, coordinating.”
“That’s right. Now, we can just walk into our happily ever after,” he said.
“Cheers to our happily ever after.”
We all clinked glasses to that one.
“Payton, I didn’t realize the Pelican Beach News was going to be at the wedding. I’ll bet tomorrow morning your pictures will be plastered all over the front cover of the paper. Matter of fact, let me look up your names now to see if anything pops up.” Rebecca started searching through her phone.
“Cole, I know we invited Dale and his wife but did you ask them for a special column in the paper? I sure didn’t.”
“No, but Payton as small as this town is, Dale probably keeps his camera by his side at all times.”
“That’s a good point.”
“Well, I can’t find anything on my phone just yet, but we’ll save you a few copies for when you get back from Tahiti.”
“Thanks, Becks.”
Ethan returned from checking on the kids up at the house to make sure they weren’t driving their grandparents crazy.
“Okay, I’ve been biting my tongue all night, but who’s going to fill me in on Cousin Jolene? I just saw her in the living room and ‘oh boy’ is all I can say!” Ethan said.
I caught Rebecca rolling her eyes from across the table and Abby laughing.
“Seriously. When we were kids, I remember anytime she ever came over your whole house was turned upside down for about a week. Then as soon as she would leave things would go back to normal again.”
“See. Even Ethan remembers how crazy she was back then!” Abby said.
“Ethan, you need to repeat what you just said to our mother. It seems like everybody remembers the real Jolene except for her.” I snuggled next to Cole. I was still on a wedding high and wasn’t about to let anything of this spoil it for me. I had already made peace that if mom was happy with Jolene coming to help, then I would be happy.
“Payton, have you talked to her?” Abby asked.
“I’ve said all I’m going to say. If mom is happy then I say let her be. Besides, what’s the worst that could happen?”
Abby and Rebecca looked at one another.
“Oh, come on. If it bothers you two that much, then maybe one of you should say something.”
“The deed is done now. Jolene said her moving truck was arriving first thing in the morning.” Abby threw back the last sip of her wine before finishing her thought.
“If you ask me I say she plans on making this her permanent residence.”
“Abby, that’s the wine talking. Mom said it was just to help out for a little while. Let’s not get ahead of ourselves.” That was the last thing our family needed.
“Well, if I may interject here. Whatever’s going on with Cousin Jolene won’t be resolved overnight but here’s what I know for certain.” Cole smiled at me.
“What do you know for certain, handsome?” I felt like a first time bride, so happy, and so in love.
“The beautiful Mrs. Payton Miller and I have plans of our own first thing in the morning. Those plans involve a first class flight to Tahiti, and I don’t plan on missing one minute of it.”
“Neither do I, babe…neither do I.”
“Somebody hurry up and get them past the mushy stage, please,” Wyatt called out.
“Oh, Wyatt, hush! There’s nothing wrong with a little mush every now and again,” Abby scolded her husband but they both loved the banter back and forth. I honestly think it was their way of flirting with each other.
She poured the last round of wine in everyone’s glass.
“Come on, everybody. Raise your glasses one more time for the newlyweds. Payton and Cole, to a lifetime of love and happiness. We love you and wish you all the best! Cheers!”
All of our voices chimed, “Cheers!”
That night I finished packing my bags and thanked the heavens for another chance at love. I never put much stock in fairytales and happily ever afters. Not since I was a little girl at least. I figured as long as I was fairly healthy and happy then I had a lot to be thankful for. But, there’s something I’ve adopted that’s helped through the most difficult times. Never give up hope and always make room in your heart for second chances.
Epilogue: Alice
“Cole, we have something important we want to share with you and Payton.”
We sat across from one another in the living room. They both looked like they’d been kissed by the sun from their honeymoon in Tahiti. Cole looked a little fidgety and nervous.
“I thought this was a laid back get-together. You two seem rather serious.”
I squeezed Stanley’s hand.
“Do you want to share the news, sweetheart?”
“I think Cole should hear this from you.”
Payton’s eyes started to light up. You could tell she knew something was up.
“Well, son, we asked you and Payton to join us this evening so we could spend some time together.”
Before I could finish Cole jumped in.
“Yeah, this was a good idea. We were planning on inviting you over once we got back but coming over to your place is even better. Hey, Stanley, maybe we’ll get a chance to see your house since you and mom live in the same neighborhood.”
He leaned over and commented to Payton, “Isn’t that so funny how they live in the same neighborhood?”
She smiled while remaining focused on me and Stanley. “Oh, huh? Yes, sure, babe.”
“Cole, there’s more. While you were in Tahiti… Stanley and I got engaged.”
His smile slowly began to fade.
“You did what?”
“We got engaged. Honey, I know it seems sudden but we’re not getting any younger and well…”
Stanley locked eyes with me and finished my sentence.
“And we know this is what we want. We’re in love and we’re certain we want to spend the rest of our lives together.”
“Aww, this is soooo sweet!” Payton began fanning her face to keep from tearing up.
Cole didn’t seem as enthused.
“Can’t say that I saw this coming. Whew, I don’t even know what to say.”
“Cole, you don’t have to say anything. I’m the one who has some explaining to do. I should start by telling you about myself. It’s the least I can do.”
“With all due respect, I intended on getting to know you over time and through experience. Not during some brief exchange one evening right before you try to marry my mother.”
“Cole! We didn’t say we were eloping. Give him a chance and hear what Stanley has to say.”
He leaned back and let out a deep breath.
“Alright, I’m listening.”
”Well, for starters, I’m from a small little town in Mobile, Alabama.”
“How did you end up in Florida?”
Cole rattled off a quick question a
s if he were conducting an interview.
“The military. I grew up in Alabama but my mother passed away when me and my brothers were young. I took on whatever responsibilities I could to help my father keep our family together. At the age of eighteen I followed dad’s advice and joined the army. He encouraged us all to join. He said it would make men out of us and lead to a secure future.”
“Hmm,” Cole grunted.
“In the army I spent most of my time working with the Criminal Investigation Command. In that time frame I became pretty good at discerning between the liars and the scum bags versus the good guys. Do you know how I was able to decipher between the two?”
“No, sir, but I’m sure you’re about to tell me.” Cole sounded a little snarky.
“The liars had a way of nervously looking around when they were being dishonest. They never could look me in the eyes. It was always a tell tale sign.”
Payton sat near the edge of the couch hanging on to every word Stanley spoke.
“You’re not going to get any dishonesty out of me, Cole. I’m going to look you in the eyes and give it to you straight. I love your mother. I knew she was special from the moment I laid eyes on her. And, because I knew how special she was it made me nervous. I took my time and befriended her. As a matter of fact, I took so long to reveal my feelings for her, I almost lost her to another man. I’ll bet she never told you about Mr. Lover Boy who tried to sweep her off her feet, did she?”
“No, sir.”
I had to interject to make sure Cole understood my intentions.
“It wasn’t a secret, Cole. I just know how you are when it comes to me having a love life. I didn’t want to upset you.”
“Okay, so you were friends for a while, someone else came along and posed a threat, and then you swooped in to win the grand prize. Got it. How this all came about really doesn’t matter to me. No matter which way you slice it, you’re still a stranger who’s trying to marry my mother.”
“Now, wait one minute. I’ve heard just about enough. I expected you to be surprised, Cole. I even expected you to have a lot of questions, as you should. That’s what you do when you care about your family. But to be blatantly disrespectful is simply not like you. You’re not listening to a word Stanley has to say.”
“I am listening, but you have to admit this is kind of sudden.”
“No, you’re not listening! At least not with your heart. I get that you want what’s best for me. But, you can’t be the judge of how long we should wait before we get married. I didn’t pass judgement when you and Payton decided to marry after knowing each other for a short time.”
“She has a good point there,” Payton murmured under her breath.
“Look, Cole, from one man to another, the one thing we have in common is the desire to see your mother happy. I have her best interest at heart whether you believe it or not. Perhaps our focus for now should be on getting to know each other better. We can always revisit this conversation later.”
“Oh…no…we…can’t! We will not put this conversation off until later. If you two are really focused on my happiness then hear me loud and clear. Stanley and I are getting married by the end of the year. We will merge households over the next few months and I will enjoy my Chamomile tea and pound cake, right here, with my husband every day if I want to.”
Cole looked perplexed over the tea and cake but I’m sure Payton would fill him in later. I was putting my foot down. No one was getting in the way of my happiness. Not even my son.
“Okay,” Cole responded.
“And, now that you got me all fired up let me tell you one more thing! Over these next five or six months, we will spend time together, we will continue to place an importance on family, as we always have, and Cole… you will get to know my best friend Stanley and hopefully grow to love him just as much as I do!”
I stopped and took a moment. It had been a long time since I felt so passionate and worked up about something of this magnitude.
In the most calm voice I could muster up I exhaled and said, “Gentlemen, have I made myself clear?”
They answered in unison, “Yes, ma’am.”
Cole slowly revealed his pearly white teeth and shook his head.
“What are you smiling about?” I asked.
“I haven’t seen that fire in you since daddy was alive. You used to get so spit fire mad at him sometimes… you were a force to be reckoned with. He used to always say that’s how he knew you loved him so much.”
All the tension was released as soon as I heard Cole mention his dad.
“He sure did, son.”
“You’ve been holding all that passion inside for all these years. It’s almost like that part of you died when daddy passed away.”
“I never thought about it that way before.”
“Well, it’s obvious to me. If Stanley makes you feel this alive again, then who am I to stand in the way?”
The flood gates let loose. I felt so relieved. It had been a long time since I felt like I could wring Cole’s neck one minute, then turn around and hug him right after.
“Aww, come here. Give me a hug. I knew you would understand.”
“Oh, thank God.” Payton was just as relieved as I was.
The icing on the cake for me was watching Cole extend his hand to Stanley.
“I meant what I said earlier, Cole. Your mother’s happiness is what’s most important to me.”
“I’m going to hold you to it, sir.”
Stanley chuckled. “I bet you will.”
If my late husband was watching over us that day I know he would’ve been proud of Cole and happy for me. It takes a lot of courage to make room in your heart to love again. But, when it’s right, it’s right, and nothing should stand in the way.
Also by Michele Gilcrest
Christmas At Pelican Beach: Book 4
CLICK HERE to read the next book in the series!
Hosting Christmas at the cottage this year sounded like the perfect plan…
At least that's what everyone thought.
Helen couldn't be more pleased to see her daughters, their husbands, and the kids gathered together. The Matthews have always been big on family. This year, with her grandson's arrival, and her daughter, Payton, settled in a new marriage, it was the perfect time to start a new holiday tradition!
The chatter around the Christmas dinner table is usually merry and bright. So, what could possibly go wrong?
In the fourth book of The Pelican Beach Series, a family secret is sure to turn things upside down just in time for the holidays.
It all starts when one individual becomes very curious about a family secret. Will the curiosity spiral out of control and ruin Christmas for the Matthews?
All Helen can think about is trimming the tree, gingerbread houses, and listening to her favorite holiday songs.
Will her visions of the perfect Christmas backfire? More importantly, will some of their deepest family secrets be revealed?
* * *
Also By Michele Gilcrest
* * *
Pelican Beach Series
The Inn At Pelican Beach: Book 1
Sunsets At Pelican Beach: Book 2
A Pelican Beach Affair: Book 3
Christmas At Pelican Beach: Book 4
* * *
Cortland Series
Second Time Around: Book 1
Tried and True : Book 2
A Pelican Beach Affair (Pelican Beach Book 3) Page 12
