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

by Janice Thompson

  “I can imagine.”

  “I think the little star and snowflake cookies turned out nice.” She opened one of the bakery boxes and I gasped when I saw the gorgeous glittery stars.

  “Scarlet, the gifts just keep on coming. You’re a miracle worker. Justine is going to be thrilled.”

  “Nah.” She slipped on food-safe gloves and began the process of moving the cookies out of the box and onto a clear glass tiered stand. After that she went to work unloading the divinity and snowflake cakes, which she’d trimmed out in sugar crystals. “I just wanted everything to be beautiful for her. And now that I’ve seen the weather. . .” Her gaze shifted to the window. “Well, that poor girl deserves everything inside of this building to be spectacular. So, anything I can do to help.”

  “I’m sure she’ll be tickled pink.”

  “Ooh, speaking of pink, thanks for the referral. Your Victorian bride. . .the one who’s getting married on Valentine’s Day? She just hired me to do a scrolled cake with pink flowers galore. Did you realize she’s marrying a politician? It’s going to be a really big deal, especially with elections coming up.”

  “Whoa, I had no idea.”

  “Yeah. From what I understand, it’s going to be exquisite. I’ve been working on my gum-paste peony skills in preparation.”

  “Whatever you say.” I smiled and then watched as she put the finishing touches on the sweets. She stepped back and gave it all a once-over, then—from out of the blue—looked a bit green around the gills. Hmm. A few deep breaths and Scarlet appeared to recover from whatever had hit her. She went to work, clearing the table of bakery boxes. And though she didn’t say a word, I realized what Pop must’ve been hinting at.

  “So, um. . .” I reached to help her.

  “What?” Scarlet glanced my way, her arms now loaded.

  “Let’s cut to the chase.” I cleared my throat then forged ahead. “You’ve been more tired than usual lately.”

  “True.” She nodded.

  “And I know you work hard. It’s the holidays, so you’re under a lot of pressure.”

  “Also true.” She nodded.

  “But I suspect there’s more going on.” I paused and gave her a knowing look. “Am I right?”

  “Well, there’s always more going on in my life, Bella,” she said. “More work, more orders, more recipes.”

  “More news?” I tried.

  The edges of her lips curled up in a lovely smile. “Well, since you brought it up. . .”

  “I knew it!” I took hold of her arm. “Tell me everything. I want to know.”

  She glanced around, as if expecting an interruption, then leaned my way and whispered, “Eight weeks. Baby’s due mid-summer.”

  I felt my eyes widen. “Really? Oh, really?” I clamped a hand over my mouth to block the squeal that wanted to escape. Instead, I threw my arms around her neck and whispered, “I knew it!” in her ear, followed by “Congratulations!”

  “You two okay over here?” Mama’s voice sounded from behind me. She must’ve entered the reception hall unawares. I released my hold on Scarlet and turned to face her. “Just celebrating the good news?”

  “Good news?” Scarlet’s face turned, well, scarlet. “How did you know?”

  “Because Sophia just told me. She and Tony bought us all tickets to see the Nutcracker tomorrow night!” Mama paused and gave Scarlet a curious look. “Wait a minute. . .”

  “Oh, I see.” Scarlet giggled.

  Mama placed her hand on Scarlet’s arm. “Are you saying you have good news, too?”

  “Well, I, um . . .” Scarlet looked my way, as if begging for my help.

  “Yes, she’s got a big order for Valentine’s Day,” I said. “Victorian wedding. She’s doing gum-paste peonies.”

  “Mm-hmm.” Mama’s eyes narrowed. “Right.”

  “It’s true, Mama Rossi,” Scarlet said. “I am doing a floral cake for Valentine’s Day.”

  “I don’t doubt it.” Mama gave her a knowing look. “But I suspect there’s more to the story than that. . .and I’ve suspected it for a while now.” She patted Scarlet on the arm and then walked away, giggling to herself.

  “We plan to tell everyone on Christmas day,” Scarlet whispered. “Until then, mum’s the word.”

  ‘Mum’ was the word all right. I got tickled, just thinking about it.

  “Hey, want to see the chapel?” I asked. “I need to do some last-minute checking.”

  “Sure. Let me put these boxes in the kitchen first.”

  I followed behind her to the facility’s spacious kitchen and then we headed to the chapel, where we found Hannah snapping photographs of the magnificent decorations, completely lifelike in appearance.

  “Bella!” Scarlet clamped a hand over her mouth and then pulled it away as she gazed up, up, up at the gorgeous ceiling, decked out with starlight décor. “Wow!”

  Twinkling stars hovered above our heads, framed in a deep blackish-blue. The most amazing Christmas trees framed the corners—not traditional, but more like a winter-in-the-forest bare-branched effect. Covered in white lights, of course.

  Off in the distance, Hannah snapped more photos then took several steps in our direction.

  “Bella, I feel like I’ve stepped into a Thomas Kincaid painting.” She took another picture of the stars. “This is the most brilliant thing I’ve ever seen.”

  “I guess we can thank the Grand Opera Society for putting on last month’s performance of Amahl and the Night Visitors.”

  “We can thank the Lord for giving you the idea to borrow their set, for sure.” Hannah took another photo. “Glad you thought of it.”

  “Must’ve been a God-inspired idea.” I glanced around the room, completely overwhelmed at his goodness. “And I have a feeling He’s about to give this bride a night she’ll never ever forget.”

  CHAPTER SIXTEEN

  In the Chapel in the Moonlight

  Under this window in stormy weather I marry this man and woman together; Let none but Him who rules the thunder Put this man and woman asunder.

  Jonathan Swift

  At five o’clock, the groom and his party arrived in a fabulous limousine. The driver almost missed our driveway, which was covered in snow. Pop ushered them in with the wave of a hand, then got busy trying to sweep the snow away with a large broom. Poor guy. He finally gave up and came at it with the leaf blower. That helped a little. He headed to the facility’s parking lot on the south side of the building and did the same thing over there.

  By five-thirty the paparazzi had arrived. Well, not really the paparazzi, but the news crew from the station. They were particularly interested in Twila, Jolene and Bonnie Sue, who looked pretty amazing in their wedding attire.

  Wedding attire! I headed over to my parents’ place to change into my dress, gave the kiddos a kiss, thanked Deany-Boy and Frankie for watching them, and then sprinted back to the wedding facility, ready for the time of my life. As I booked it across the snow-covered lawn, I couldn’t help but marvel at how beautiful the whole area looked, covered in white.

  I checked on the musicians when I arrived at the wedding facility, then peeked in on the groom and his party before heading to the kitchen to see how Nick, Rosa, Mama and Pop were coming with the food. I had to laugh when I saw my father wearing an apron. He looked my way and shrugged.

  “If you can’t beat ‘em, Bella-Bambina, you might as well join ‘em. At least we’re not serving frozen lasagna. There is that.”

  Mama jabbed him with a spoon and spouted something in Italian.

  I laughed and headed to the foyer to begin the process of greeting the guests. Looked like the Splendora Sisters were already taking care of that for me. They gushed over some of the more famous attendees, including the mayor, who seemed pretty taken with them.

  “You go on, Bella,” Twila said with the wave of a hand. “We were born for this.”

  They were born for this, all right. . .just like I was born to coordinate weddings.

&nb
sp; I made one quick stop at the sound booth at the back of the chapel, where I found D.J. and Armando making some last minute sound checks. They were so glued to their work they didn’t even notice me. For a moment, anyway. D.J. finally looked up and gave a little whistle when he saw me in my dress.

  “Wow, Bella.”

  I twirled, showing off the light gray dress with its sparkly trim. “You like?”

  “Um, yeah. I like.” He quirked a brow. “Very much.”

  I giggled and Armando cleared his throat. “You guys need to get a room.”

  “Later.” D.J. gave me a little wink. I spun around and gave him a wave, then left the room, my heart in the clouds.

  Heart in the clouds. Ha.

  Finally! Time to check on the bride. I went back to her room and found her posing with the bridesmaids for some fun photos. Hannah snapped picture after picture, giving instructions. They kept this up until just before seven. I slipped back into the chapel to see if the guests were seated. Unfortunately, the snow had slowed many of them down, so the foyer was fuller than the chapel. No problem. We’d hold off a few minutes.

  I snuck back to my office for just a moment, hoping to find my phone. I’d left it somewhere. Hmm. After locating it on my desk I peeked out of the window. I glanced up at the skies but the heavy clouds made it impossible to see even one star. Or the moon, for that matter. But who needed the moon and the stars when one had a reception hall and chapel decorated so beautifully?

  A quick peek in the foyer convinced me that we could move forward with the ceremony. We gathered the wedding party together then stood in the hallway outside of the chapel as the grandmothers, then the mothers, were ushered down the aisle. Every time the doors opened I caught a glimpse of the groom, who looked like a nervous wreck.

  My gaze shifted to the bride, who stood on her father’s arm. He’d come alone. . .without his new wife. That was probably for the best, all things considered. Justine seemed calm, cool and collected. . .until the music shifted to The Wedding March. At that point, she looked as if she might be sick.

  Until she saw the chapel.

  The moment the room came into her view, she gasped and looked my way. “Oh, Bella!” She probably didn’t mean to say the words aloud, but there they were. “It’s perfect!”

  It was, indeed.

  And, as the beautiful bride made her way down the aisle underneath a canopy of stars—okay, twinkling lights—I couldn’t help but think she’d been right all along. This celestial themed night would be a night to remember.

  The ceremony was breathtaking, from start to finish. By the time Justine and Harold said their “I Do’s” I truly felt as if we’d pulled off the wedding of the century. And, gauging from the sighs coming from the congregation, they’d loved every minute.

  I stood at the back door, ready to usher the new bride and groom into the foyer. They emerged, all smiles, but didn’t seem to notice me standing there. They were too busy kissing.

  At this point I shifted gears, heading to the reception hall with guests on my heels. Once there I found tables filled with appetizers and other finger foods. This would occupy them while the wedding party had their pictures taken in the chapel.

  I walked down the length of the table, taking in the foods, more grateful than ever for Aunt Rosa.

  “See that antipasto?” Pop’s voice rang out from behind me. He pointed to the tray filled with the yummy, familiar foods.

  “Looks good,” I said, then gave him a thumbs-up.

  “I made it.” He squared his shoulders. “What do you think of them apples?”

  “I think. . .” I kissed him on the cheek. “You’re amazing.”

  “Well, thank you, Bella-Bambina.” He reached to grab one and shoved it in his mouth. “Hope there are some leftovers when this big to-do is over.”

  I laughed as he sauntered back off to the kitchen. If this kept up, he and Mama would soon be working side-by-side in our family kitchen with Rosa and Laz.

  Several minutes later D.J. and Armando shifted to the soundboard in the reception hall and encouraged the guests to start filling their plates with appetizers. I headed back to the chapel, where I found Hannah with the wedding party, shuffling the players around for photo after photo. She caught a glimpse of me and said, “Almost done,” then took a couple more.

  I led the wedding party to the entrance of the reception hall, where Armando introduced them to the guests, one-by-one. As the bride and groom entered the room, the crowd cheered. The news team filmed the whole thing, their cameraman nibbling on a cookie while working. I also noticed that the news crew filmed the décor, particularly the starry, starry night ceiling. Not that I blamed them. The whole thing was pretty amazing.

  After enjoying a marvelous meal, the bride and groom moved to the cake table. Justine took one look at the amazing five-tiered number and her eyes brimmed with tears. She turned to face Scarlet and let out a squeal. “You did it. You really, really did it. It’s everything I could’ve imagined. . .and more.”

  “Wait till you taste it.” Scarlet gave a little wink. “I think you’ll be pleased. Light and fluffy with dreamy filling.” She led them through the process of cutting the cake and the news crew zoomed in as she shoved a piece in Harold’s face. The crowd roared with delight, and all the more as the groom returned the favor.

  After the best man offered a toast, Armando opened the dance floor. All of those celestial songs I’d picked out were played, one by one, as Scarlet sliced and served the cake to the guests. By the time the line thinned out, Scarlet looked exhausted. She took a seat in a nearby chair.

  “You okay?” I asked. “Maybe I should’ve offered to do that for you.”

  “Nah, it’s what I do. I’ll be fine.” She stretched and glanced at the now-mangled cake. “Heartbreaking, isn’t it? All that work, and the cake is gone in a matter of minutes. I guess that’s the point, though.”

  “Yeah.”

  I looked on as Twila, Bonnie Sue and Jolene took their places at the front of the room. From the sound booth, Armando kicked on the music and the intro to a familiar song played, though I couldn’t place the title right away. Only when the ladies lit into Blue Skies did I get it. Then, of course, I got tickled. As they crooned the familiar tune, I thought about the skies above—how they’d betrayed us. How the storm had swept in uninvited and unannounced. That’s how storms were, I supposed, but this one hadn’t taken us down. If anything, it had added an element of surprise to Justine and Harold’s big day. And now, as my friends sang about the skies above, I had to laugh.

  “Hey, speaking of Blue Skies. . .” Scarlet’s voice sounded from beside me. “Did she come?”

  “Who?”

  “Justine’s dad’s new wife. Didi-what’s-her-name. The one who causes all the problems. Did he bring her to the wedding?”

  I shook my head. “Nope. No Didi here. The waters are calm.”

  “I guess that’s a good thing?”

  “It’s what the bride wanted and a bride should get what she wants on her wedding day.” I paused to reconsider that last statement. “Well, I know that brides don’t always get everything they want, and sometimes what they want is irrational. But in this case I think it’s for the best that Didi stayed home. Things are calmer between Justine’s parents.”

  “Right.” Scarlet nodded and took a nibble of cake.

  “I met her mom. Seems like a sweet lady.”

  “You mean that gal right there?” Scarlet pointed to Justine’s mother, who took to the dance floor on the arm of the male news reporter from Channel Eleven. “The one dancing with the handsome news guy?”

  Whoa. Never saw that one coming.

  “I think they make a nice couple, don’t you?” Scarlet asked, and then took another bite of cake.

  Indeed. They did look rather nice together. And, judging from the stars in her eyes as he swept her into his arms, this would be the first of many dances yet to come.

  I leaned against the wall and watched the cou
ples as they danced. My thoughts sailed back, many years, to the night D.J. and I had taken to the floor for our first dance as husband and wife. What a night that had been.

  D.J.

  I sought him out through the crowd, my gaze landing on him as he worked in the sound booth with Armando. He happened to glance up as I looked his way and the most appealing smile lit his face. Those gorgeous eyes of his twinkled as he gestured for me to join him. I took a couple of steps in his direction, and he headed toward me.

  Yep, my Texas cowboy had something on his mind. I had a feeling this handsome fella was about to ask me to dance. And I wouldn’t turn him down for anything in the world.

  CHAPTER SEVENTEEN

  In the Misty Moonlight

  Aim for the moon. If you miss, you may hit a star.

  W. Clement Stone

  By the time the final guest pulled away from Club Wed, the snow was already melting into puddles. I had a feeling tomorrow would be a messy day. Unless it rained, as Justine predicted just before she and Harold got into their limousine to head out. Maybe she would be right this time around. Not that it really mattered. God controlled the weather and He could do whatever He chose to do. We would all just stand back and look on in awe, as we’d done today.

  What an amazing day—not just of weather phenomenon, but togetherness. No S.A.D. disease for us! My family, friends and coworkers had pulled together to make this the most amazing Winter Wonderland ever. And now, as the night drew to a close, my feet begged for mercy. I needed to get off of them, but first we had to take care of the clean up. I walked back into the reception hall and found the men—D.J., Armando, Nick, Tony, Pop and Laz, clearing tables. Mama, Rosa, Sophia and the other ladies were hard at work in the kitchen, scraping plates and stacking them to be washed. When I offered to help, Rosa shooed me away.

  I headed to the chapel, where I found the Splendora trio singing Stormy Weather in gorgeous three-part harmony as they swept up flower petals. Their song came to a grinding halt as I took a seat on one of the pews.