Once Upon a Moonlight Night (The Bella Novella Collection Book 1)

by Janice Thompson

  The children gathered in our room minutes later, oohing and aahing as they looked out of the window. Tres dressed himself in his warmest clothes and coat and headed to the backyard, ready to build a snowman. I highly doubted we’d accumulated enough snow for that, but I let him think so, regardless.

  “What are you going to do about the wedding?” D.J. asked. “Any ideas?”

  “Well, for one thing I’m going to cancel the snow order.” A nervous chuckle followed on my end. “After that, I’d better check to see if the power is up at the wedding facility. If not, I don’t have a clue what we’ll do. We can’t very well move the service indoors if it’s dark inside. You know? I guess candlelight would be an option, but if there’s no power, we’ll have no sound, no ability to deejay. . .nothing.”

  I’d rather not think about all that right now, and yet I had no choice.

  “Yep.” He slipped his arm around my shoulders and pulled me close. “Bella, just remember, God’s in control of all this. The change in weather hasn’t taken Him by surprise. Let Him do what He’s going to do and trust that it’s going to be even better than what you and Justine had planned. Okay?”

  “O-okay.” Still, I needed to talk to Justine. . .and quick. I’d just reached for my cell phone when it rang. Her name flashed across my screen.

  “B-Bella?” I recognized Justine’s trembling voice right away. “Houston..er, Galveston, we have a problem.”

  We did, indeed.

  The blubbering on her end made her words difficult to understand.

  I slipped into wedding coordinator gear at once, ready to calm my bride down. “Justine, hold on just a minute. Deep breath, girlie.”

  A pause on her end was followed by a sniffle.

  “You wanted a Winter Wonderland wedding. You’re going to get a Winter Wonderland wedding.

  “I hadn’t counted on the real deal,” she said. “And I’m going to look like such a goober. All of my predictions were off. Every single one. No starry night. Temps are definitely not in the 60s. And if there’s a full moon, we’ll never see it. I’ll look like an idiot to all of my guest. If they’re willing to brave the storm and drive to Galveston, I mean. Most of them know nothing about driving in snow.”

  “You’re going to look brilliant. You promised your guests snow. We’ve giving them snow. D.J. just reminded me that none of this has taken God by surprise.”

  “R-right.”

  “Maybe it’s the other way around,” I suggested. “Maybe He wanted to surprise you by giving you something above and beyond what you could have asked for.”

  “By making me look like a fool? I predicted clear skies for this weekend and starry skies with a full moon.” She sniffled.

  “Well, I might have a solution for that part, too,” I said. “Let me make a couple of phone calls, okay?”

  “Sure, but I don’t see how you’re going to fix this, Bella. Our guests were promised an outdoor wedding but they’ll freeze if we get married in the gazebo.”

  “The point of getting married outside was to see the stars, right?” I asked. “And now, with the skies so cloudy, you won’t be able to see any stars, anyway.”

  “R-right.” She sighed. “Everything is ruined. No stars. No moon. Nothing celestial at all.”

  “Do you trust me, Justine?”

  “Of course. If anyone can salvage this, you can.”

  “Okay, then give me a few hours. Tonight, I promise, you will get married under twinkling stars and a luscious full moon. I guarantee it.” If we have power, anyway.

  “Cost isn’t an object, Bella. You know that. We’ll do whatever it takes.”

  “That helps. And look on the bright side. We’ve just saved $2500 by not having to bring in fake snow. There is that.”

  This got a little laugh out of her. Thank goodness.

  I ended the call and got busy putting the new plans in motion. My first order of business: call Mama. We needed a starry night set, and we needed it now. If anyone knew how to get one, she did. Mama might not be much help in the kitchen, but she knew a lot about set design, thanks to her work at the Galveston Grand Opera Society.

  She answered on the second ring. “Bella, what are we going to do?”

  “We’re going to have the best Winter Wonderland wedding anyone’s ever seen, at least on Galveston Island. But I need your help. That set you guys used at last month’s production of Amahl and the Night Visitors…”

  “Best set design ever. Our guys outdid themselves. But, what about it?”

  “I need the number of the set designer. The guy who did the backdrop with the twinkling stars and the moon and all of that.”

  “Oh, you mean Bob Hendricks? He just put all of that in storage a few weeks back when the show closed.”

  “He’s about to get it back out again.”

  A couple of minutes later I had Bob’s number and an hour later, he met me in the large chapel at Club Wed.

  “You want a night sky where?” he asked.

  I pointed to the ceiling. “Up there. This whole room has to be transformed into a starry, starry night. And don’t worry. . .I’ve got the guys from Stages Set Design coming to help. They’ll give you the manpower you need. We just want to borrow your set pieces as keep you around to supervise how and where everything goes. How does that sound?”

  “Complicated. But I’m willing to give it a shot. What date are you looking at?”

  “Um, today.”

  “W-what?” The poor fellow blanched. “You’re serious?”

  “You have the set pieces at a local storage facility, right?” I glanced at my watch to check the time. Ten-fifteen. “Mama said you’re the best in the business. If anyone could pull it off, you could.”

  “Well, sure, but. . .today?”

  Instead of answering his question directly, I played the “You’ll be duly compensated” card. Before long, the guy’s eyes were shimmering like neon dollar signs. We talked through the particulars and he buzzed out the door, promising to return with a truck and four strong guys capable of pulling off a miracle.

  And that’s just what we needed. A miracle.

  I called the guys from Stages to let them know our plans had changed. They seemed intrigued by the idea of pulling off an indoor wedding and agreed to arrive no later than noon.

  Ironically, the Splendora sisters beat them there. They rushed into the reception hall dressed in sparkling winter attire. I’d seen sequins before, but never on a faux fox stole like the one Bonnie Sue wore.

  “Bella, we came the minute we heard.” Twila peeled off her yellow raincoat. “And we’re ready to get to work. What can we do?”

  “Hmm. I’ll need one of you to help Rosa with the food. She’s exhausted.”

  Bonnie Sue raised her hand. “I can do that. I’ll go over as soon as we’re done talking.”

  “Thanks.” I paused to think it through. “The set design guys should be here any second. Can one of you ladies oversee the workers in the reception hall and the other in the chapel?” I asked. “I’ll be going back and forth while making phone calls and tying up loose ends.”

  “I’ll take the chapel,” Twila said. “It’s where I’m most at home.”

  “Guess that leaves me the reception hall,” Jolene added. “Tell us the plan, Bella.”

  And so I did. I filled them in as quickly as I could.

  “I just can’t believe the way the day is unfolding,” I said, after giving them the run-down. “But, as Aunt Rosa always says, ‘It is what it is.’ The best laid plans of mice and men, and all that.”

  Twila rested her hand on my arm. “Bella, truth is, you can plan all you want, but in the end, God’s gonna have His way. It’s easiest just to let Him, and to trust that it’s a better way, in the long run.”

  “Yeah.’ I sighed.

  “You can have all your ducks in a row and He might just come along and change things at the last minute.”

  “Kind of like at the fair,” Jolene added. “You know that game
where you shoot at the ducks and try to knock them down? It’s kind of like that.”

  “Are you saying that God is going to shoot Bella down?” Bonnie Sue fanned herself. “Heavens. Now there’s an awkward theology.”

  “No, I’m not saying that, smarty-pants.” Jolene rolled her eyes. “I’m not blaming God for the bad things. Not at all. Just saying He can use them for his glory.”

  “Well, good,” Twila said. “Because it’s not like the Almighty goes around raining on our parade just to teach us a lesson.”

  “Speak for yourself. He’s whacked me upside the head a time or two.” Jolene said. “But my point is, God will have his way—whether it’s the weather. . .” She paused and giggled at what she’d just said. “Or, whether it’s a relationship.”

  Our conversation was interrupted by the arrival of the set design folks. Thank goodness. The Splendora sisters insisted on a prayer meeting in the reception hall with all in attendance. After making the fellas remove their baseball caps, Twila dove into a lengthy prayer that all would go well.

  I trusted it would.

  By three in the afternoon, Club Web was very nearly transformed. I walked into the reception hall and gasped as I saw the set design folks working on the ceiling above. Glittering stars hung on nylon threads, as did snowflakes in abundance. What took my breath away, though, was the ceiling. Draped in black cloth with white twinkling lights peeking through zillions of little holes, it looked, for all the world, like a real night sky. And that moon! I knew the designers had pulled it off with lights, but. . .really? It looked like a full moon, if I ever saw one. I could hardly wait for Justine to see all of this.

  Justine! She should be arriving any moment. I rushed to my office to grab my checklist, made a quick call to Nick to check on the food, a text to Scarlet to ask about cake delivery, and then headed to the bridal changing area, to make sure everything was spic-and-span for our incoming bride.

  I found Justine had already arrived, bridesmaids in tow. She looked my way and shrugged. “Tell me it’s going to be okay, Bella.”

  “It’s going to be okay, Bella,” I said, and then winked. “Want to see something?” I asked. “Something pretty special?

  “Of course.”

  I led her to the reception hall and she gasped when she saw the work the set design folks had done. “Oh, Bella!”

  “I know, right?”

  She gazed upward, eyes wide, and then began to turn in circles, like a small child, arms outstretched. “It’s. . .perfect!”

  The bridesmaids all stared at the ceiling, clearly mesmerized.

  “I can’t get over how real it looks,” one of them said.

  “Full moon and everything.” Justine stopped spinning and her eyes filled with tears. “Oh, Bella, you did it.”

  “No, honey. This was a team effort. They’re going to transform the chapel, too. I think they’ve already moved the scaffolding in there to start. If you like, I can come and get you when they’re done.”

  “No.” Justine looked my way, her eyes filling with tears. “Don’t. I want to be surprised.” She reached for my hand and gave it a squeeze. “Bella, I had everything planned out in my head. I knew just how things were going to go. I thought the day was spoiled, but you. . .you. . .”

  I shook my head. “Like I said, it’s a team effort. But Justine, I want you to know, you’re worth it. Your day is going to be spectacular and it’ll be worth every bit of work. The guests will love it, and I’m thrilled you do, too.”

  “Oh, I do.”

  She glanced up at the ceiling one last time before I ushered her out of the room with a few words of instruction. “Sophia’s coming in fifteen minutes to do your hair and makeup, and Hannah, the photographer, will be here even sooner than that. So, dry those eyes, girl. We’ve got work to do.”

  “Yes sir, Cap’n!” She saluted me and I laughed. . .and then gave her a big hug. We would pull off this wedding—with God’s help. And it would truly be a Winter One-derland like no one had ever seen.

  CHAPTER FIFTEEN

  Stardust

  It is no use to grumble and complain; It's just as cheap and easy to rejoice; When God sorts out the weather and sends rain - Why, rain's my choice.

  James Whitcomb Riley

  Around three-thirty that afternoon, Gabi Delgado, the bridesmaids and I hovered around Justine as Sophia fixed her hair. Off in the distance, Hannah snapped photographs right and left.

  “Oh, Justine, your dress!” Hannah’s eyes misted over. She looked at Gabi, then back at the gown. “And I thought mine was the prettiest one ever. This is fabulous. I’ve never seen so many crystals.”

  “Austrian.” Justine gave a little twirl. “When I stand under the light they twinkle like stars. That’s the idea, anyway.” For a moment her eyes clouded over. “Of course, I had a lot of ideas and most of them fell apart once the snow storm blew in.”

  “No, girl.” I placed my hand on her arm. “They didn’t fall apart at all, remember? When you see the chapel, you’re going to be so happy. I promise.”

  Her nose wrinkled. “You know what? I’m marrying the best guy in the world. I’m here. He’s here. The people we love are here. We’re getting’ hitched! Years from now, that’s all that will matter.”

  “Oh, I don’t know,” I argued. “I think your wedding day will be as memorable as you had hoped. Maybe more so, thanks to the snowy day.”

  After a few more photos I decided I’d better double-check the thermostat. No point in freezing our guests out. I headed into the foyer and nearly bumped into Pop, who paced in circles, a concerned expression on his face.

  “Pop?”

  He looked up. “Oh, hey Bella.”

  “Pop, what’s wrong?”

  My father sighed and took a seat on the front hall bench. “What if, say, you knew something about someone? Something they didn’t think you knew. But you really knew. Would you mention it?”

  I shrugged, more confused than ever. “I guess it would depend on what it was. Are you talking about something that requires a confrontation?”

  “No, not a confrontation. I’ve only just learned that. . .that. . . I mean, I think I suspect that. . .” He scratched his head. “Anyway, I don’t know.”

  “Pop, what’s happened? Did one of the workers damage something?”

  “No, nothing like that. I just. . .” His words drifted away and his gaze shifted to the floor. “I just have a suspicion about something.”

  Ack. My heart felt like it hit the floor. So, he’d figured out Mama’s little secret, had he?

  “Who told you?” I asked.

  My father gazed into my eyes. “Wait. . .are you saying you know, too? And, it’s true? My suspicions are true?”

  I nodded. “Yeah. I was sworn to secrecy. But, who told you?”

  “No one. That’s the point. I’m just guessing.”

  “Well, you’ve guessed right, Pop. But Mama wouldn’t want you to know. Or, at least she wouldn’t want you to act like you know. You know?”

  “Wait. . .are we talking about the same thing?” My father looked at me with greater intensity than before. I’m talking about Scarlet. What are you talking about?”

  “Scarlet?” I asked. “What about Scarlet?”

  “I just helped her set up the cake, and I could swear she seems a little. . .” He paused. “Um, never mind. Sorry I brought it up. But, what in the world are you talking about?”

  “Oh, nothing.” I cleared my throat and turned away from him. “You know what, Pop? I really need to get back to the bride.”

  “Bella?” My father’s voice grew stern. “Hold it just a minute, please. What are you talking about?”

  “Pop, I can’t betray a confidence. I just can’t. If Mama finds out I told you, she’ll be devastated.”

  “Mama?” He paused and his eyes clouded over. Just as quickly the clouds seemed to lift and he doubled over with laughter. “Oh, Bella, are you talking about the food? That amazing Food Network-worthy cuisine?�
�� He let out a rip-roaring laugh. “I know where it came from. The Burtons’ cook made every bit of it. Er, every bite of it.”

  This certainly stopped me in my tracks. “How. . .how did you know?”

  “Dakota, of course. That kid adores me. Your mama thought she could pull one over on me, but it only took a day or two before I caught Dakota sneaking in the kitchen. He spilled the beans.”

  I sighed.

  “Don’t worry, kid. That secret’s safe with me.”

  “Let’s go back to the thing you said about Scarlet.”

  “She’s in the reception hall. Great cake, by the way. Go check it out.” Pop muttered something under his breath then turned and left.

  I walked to the reception hall and took several steps toward the cake table, which was fully decked out with the most gorgeous cake I’d ever seen. I stared at it, awed by Scarlet’s handiwork. Five super-tall tiers of cake frosted in white cream cheese icing with shimmering sparkles on every level, trimmed out with fondant snowflakes. What really got to me, though, were the stars.

  “Scarlet, you’ve outdone yourself!” I reached to touch one of the stars and she slapped my hand away.

  “Have you washed those hands?” she asked.

  I pulled back right away.

  “The stars are made of Isomalt,” Scarlet said with a smile. “Melted sugar, which I molded to look like stars. I put them on the wires before they solidified. Same with the crystals” She pointed to several gorgeous teardrop shaped crystals. They appeared to be dripping down from the tiers above.

  “This is the most beautiful cake I’ve seen from you, Scarlet,” I raved. “Truly.”

  “You should see the inside.” She gave me a little wink. “Italian buttercream frosting between the layers with sugar crystals to give it all a little crunch with each bite.”

  “Sounds dreamy.”

  “The cake, itself, is dreamy. I went with my fluffiest white cake mix. It’s as light as a feather.” She paused and her nose wrinkled. “Of course, in this icky weather I worried it would fall flat. You have no idea how humidity affects cakes and cookies.”