Christmas Wedding at the Gingerbread Café (The Gingerbread Cafe - Book 3) (A Gingerbread Cafe story)

by Rebecca Raisin

That brings a faint smile to my lips. “How’s Janey doing, Walt? Do you need anything?” My mind reels trying to think of what I could possibly do to help. But I know with CeeCee there, and Janey and Walt’s grown-up kids, they’d have everything covered.

  He runs a hand through his sparse hair, and takes a moment before saying, “We’re lucky to have so many folk we call good friends, you included, Lil. Times like this I can’t tell you how much it means…” His voice cracks. “CeeCee being there, it’s like a balm for Janey. She sits there with her, praying for her, reading to her. It’s taken some of Janey’s fear away…of leaving us…”

  “Walt—”

  “No, it’s OK. After all these months it still doesn’t seem real. I keep thinking I’ll wake up and find it was just a bad dream. But, anyway, Lil. We know how hard it must be without CeeCee here, and what with the wedding and all. I wanted to say thank you in person.”

  “There’s no need for thanks. Nothing would keep CeeCee away, and nothing is as important as Janey right now.”

  He shakes his head; his eyes glisten with tears. “Janey so wanted to see you walk down the aisle, Lil.”

  I press my lips together to stem the tears that threaten to flow. Janey’s been like an adopted aunty most of my life. Keeping up to date with everything through CeeCee. Those two are like little girls when they get together and start talking nineteen to the dozen. And Walt, a man who lives for his family, and his furniture shop. Who will he be without Janey?

  “I would have loved that, Walt. But weddings, they’re not so important as time with your family.”

  “Don’t let this stop you from celebrating, Lil. Weddings are a joy, especially when it’s a for-ever type of love… Cee’s told us all about you and Damon. I hope it’s everything you imagine it will be and more. It’s rare: real love, so cherish it. I know I have…”

  He shoves his hands into his pockets and nods, unable to continue talking. “I should go.”

  “Send all our love, Walt. And we’re all here for you.”

  “Thanks, Lil. Be seeing you.”

  He heads outside, and doesn’t give his shop a backward glance.

  Olivia says softly, “Why don’t you go freshen up? I can handle anyone who wanders in. Besides, your guests will be here soon.” She gives me a comforting squeeze.

  “Thanks, Olivia.”

  I check Charlie is OK, and then I wander to the small office and wash my face, musing about how much can change in one short year. My life has leaped to these dizzy heights where I’ve been full of every kind of happiness a girl can know. But my heart sinks as guilt barrels me over for feeling this way, when my friends are having the very worst year of their lives. I know CeeCee would berate me over thinking this way, but it seems wrong to be celebrating when I should be commiserating.

  I throw my shoulders back, and walk out, pretending that everything is fine.

  “Better?” Olivia says.

  “Good enough. Let’s set out the finger food.”

  We spend the next twenty minutes layering the table with cakes and slices, when Missy blows in. “Well, would you look at this?” she says, eyeing the laden table. “I’m sure going to have to sample one of everything. You OK?” She touches my arm and leans close.

  “I’m fine. Walt stopped in.”

  Her mouth makes an O. “How is he?” She turns to the doorbell. “Oh, let’s discuss that later when we’re on our lonesome. Look, you’re about to be inundated with friends.” She points to a small group of women dressed up and rushing through the door out of the cold. Missy knows if I start talking about Janey and Walt I’ll dissolve into tears.

  Sarah wanders in with Mamma, who gives me a sheepish look. “Am I allowed back in here?” Mamma jokes.

  “Just don’t touch anything,” I say mock angry. “Stay away from the fridges, the stove…” I stifle laughter when I see her nod, her face solemn.

  “I won’t touch a thing,” she promises.

  The girls see Olivia hovering in the background. Missy whispers, “What’s all that about, then? Did she make good?”

  “I’ll tell you all later, but I have a feeling things will be OK from here on out.” I won’t break Olivia’s trust by telling the girls, but I will have to think of something. Maybe I’ll just say she apologized and leave it at that. “Olivia helped me out here today when I desperately needed it. There’s a lot more to her than I first thought. And…she can bake!”

  “Golly.” Missy shakes her head. “That’s great news, Lil. Just goes to show, there’s good in everyone when you search long enough.” It’s Missy’s way to always see the positive and it’s one of the things I adore about her.

  Sarah pipes up, “You’ve done a great job keeping it all together, Lil, with all you’ve had on. I hope you can relax after today, and enjoy some pre-wedding time off, even if it’s only this one afternoon.”

  I sigh, thinking of my beautiful three-tier wedding cake that was relegated to the bin. “I’ll have to make another wedding cake now, so I won’t be able to close up until that’s done.”

  Sarah and Missy exchange glances. “We can help you, Lil. Don’t give it another thought, sugar.” Missy pushes me in the back. “It’s time for you to mingle. We’ve got a few things to organize, so you skedaddle, and we’ll sort the drinks and food and whatnot.”

  I go to speak but Sarah cuts me off. “We won’t let your mamma help!”

  An hour later and I’m hot from standing so close to the fire. I move towards the front door to get some fresh air, when I see a striking girl hovering nervously by herself nursing a cup of coffee. Her long hair hangs in shiny curls down her back, and she has the most luminescent hazel eyes.

  She must be Becca, Missy’s new hairdresser. I introduce myself.

  “I hope it’s OK for me to be here?” she says shyly.

  “Of course! The more the merrier. It’s a good time to meet most of the local ladies, too.” I guide her inside, away from the front door, which opens and closes frequently on account of people coming and going.

  “Everyone seems so nice already,” she says in a quiet voice.

  “Most folk are.” I think of Rosaleen keeping Olivia’s secret when it truly mattered — just goes to show people are much more complex than you might think. “Where are you staying?”

  She flicks her long hair over her shoulder. “With my cousin, Clay, just out of Ashford. I thought once things settle I’ll look for somewhere closer to town.”

  “Clay?” I try to place the name.

  “He’s new here too,” she says. “He just moved to our uncle’s place, the Maple Syrup farm. He’s looking to start it up again.”

  I remember the quiet guy with dark eyes that stopped in when Dad was here. “I know the farm well — we used to go there as kids…but what happened to your uncle?” Some people keep to themselves around here, and I think back to the old man who owned the farm, stooped with age and a life of hard work. He lived alone as far as I know. Years ago he used to sell bottles of maple syrup from a little shack set up at the front of his farm, the most glorious-tasting sweetness, but one day the hand-painted sign was gone, and we figured the work was too much for him at his age.

  Becca shrugs. “No one really knows. He never kept in touch with the family. Next thing we hear he’s left the farm to Clay in his will. We all kind of felt bad that we never really got to know him, but, you know, he was a loner. Seemed happiest on his farm by himself.”

  I tilt my head, remembering the old man and his quiet way. “Some people are like that, I guess.”

  She nods. “Now that he’s gone he seems so mysterious, you know? Like, I wonder what made him tick.”

  “Is the farm still…?” I try to think of a word other than derelict.

  She laughs, sensing my hesitation. “A little ramshackle?”

  I grin. “Well, yeah.”

  “Clay’s cleared the house and fixed it enough to be habitable. He’s going to renovate it, and fix it up real nice, but for now the kitchen
is functioning again, and the two front bedroom walls are boarded up enough that the snow doesn’t creep through. It’s an adventure living there.”

  My eyes go wide as I picture Becca with her silky curls and high heels living in a house with boarded-up windows.

  She sees the look on my face and laughs. “It’s not as bad as it sounds.” She gives me a reassuring smile. “Clay’s made it livable fairly quickly. I think that’s why our uncle left the farm to him. He’s the only one in our family that has any practical sense with things like that.”

  “Is he going to farm maple syrup again?” I immediately think of recipes with maple syrup. It’d be amazing to have a locally made product in stock in the café.

  “That’s the plan. He’s got so many ideas, and, you know, I haven’t seen him this happy in years. Clay’s a little different from the rest of us. Actually, he’s a lot like our uncle was, in that quiet, broody kind of way. There’s a lot going on inside that mind of his, but what…who knows?”

  The chatter behind me increases in volume by the minute. Our small morning tea has somehow morphed into most of the local shopkeepers squashed inside the Gingerbread Café. Women are clutching cups of steaming-hot coffee that Olivia is making as quick as she can with help from Sarah. Olivia must sense my need to help because she shakes her head and waves me away. I turn back to Becca. “We’ll have to have you both over for dinner after the wedding. There’s a few of us who catch up every few weeks.”

  “That’d be great! I’ve heard all about those dinner parties of yours from Missy.” She blushes and plays with the handle of her coffee cup. “Are you all set for tomorrow?”

  “I’m as ready as I can be.” I realize if some things aren’t perfect, then that’s OK. All I need tomorrow is the man I love waiting for me. If the cake isn’t spectacular, so be it. The table will be bare of centerpieces and that’s fine too.

  All I need is Damon. Thinking of marrying him tomorrow makes butterflies swarm in my belly in anticipation. Just when I feel slightly woozy at the thought of him, in he walks wearing that sleepy Damon smile that I love so much. “Excuse me, Becca, my groom has just made an appearance. If you’re not doing anything tomorrow you’re more than welcome to come to the wedding. I can squeeze you in on Missy’s table.”

  She gasps. “Really? Are you sure?”

  I know Becca is going to fit right in Ashford and I look forward to getting to know her after Christmas. Suddenly worrying about numbers and guest lists seems silly. “More than sure. We’d love to have you there.”

  “Thanks, Lil. I’ll be there.” I give her a quick hug, before walking over to Damon.

  “Hey, pretty lady.” He takes me in his arms; his aftershave tickles my senses. “I’ve been thinking of you all day.”

  We’re back to our pre-wedding selves. Relaxed and happy together as if nothing else matters. “Likewise.”

  He stares into my eyes, and it’s as if there’s no one here but us.

  “I know I’m not meant to be here, but I couldn’t help myself,” he says, his voice husky.

  I pull him closer, so we’re jean to jean. “Good. I was one second away from dashing over the road to find you.”

  He kisses me softly on the lips, and tingles race down my body. When we draw apart the deafening silence of the room hits me; I blush, knowing when I turn all eyes will be trained on us.

  “Morning, ladies,” Damon says, grinning like a fool. A cheer goes up as women yell out all manner of things.

  Charlie runs to her dad and pulls him by the hand. “Come and see my gingerbread house, Daddy.” We follow her to the coffee table and squat down to see her creation.

  “What do you think?”

  The walls of the house are thick with icing sugar that oozes slowly down. Brightly colored chocolate buttons are stuck all over the small structure, and slowly fall, pooling at the base of the house. “It’s perfect,” I say. “That icing sure looks like snow.”

  She beams. “And look inside.” She points to the gingerbread people she’s cut out from brown paper. “There’s you, Lil, and you, Daddy, and that one there is me.”

  “Who’s that?” Damon indicates a fourth cut-out.

  “Oh,” Charlie says, blushing. “That’s a little baby. A baby boy.” A ripple of joy floats through me. It seems Charlie might just adore a little brother or sister one day.

  Damon musses her hair. “Looks like a perfect gingerbread family to me, Charlie Bear.”

  Behind us, the chatter has dwindled away again.

  Missy claps her hands, and announces, “Thank you, ladies, and gentleman.” She looks at Damon.

  “I better go,” he says, ducking his head.

  “No, no!” Missy cries. “Stay. This concerns you too.”

  Damon throws me a questioning glance, and I shrug.

  “Now,” Missy continues, “as most of you know, CeeCee isn’t here because her best friend, Janey, needs her more than anything right now.”

  The guests murmur, most dropping their gazes to the floor as we’re reminded of the sadness.

  “You may have heard on the grapevine that the lovebirds’ wedding cake is no longer after a slight altercation with umm…Sue, and then a tiny little tumble…” She glances squarely at Mamma, who fidgets with her sweater.

  Behind Missy there’s a table with a sheet draped over a tall square box that I hadn’t noticed them bring in.

  Missy gives me her megawatt smile. “We’re breaking tradition here today, because we wanted to show Lil something special from her best friend, CeeCee. And while she can’t be here with us today, she’s certainly thinking of you. So much love went into this, and once you clap your eyes on it you’ll see what I mean. For CeeCee it’s helped her, these last couple of days, to do something that brings her comfort. Sarah and I certainly assisted. And when I say assisted, I mean we got in her way and made her holler at us a number of times, but still…” She fluffs her auburn hair, her eyes twinkling.

  Sarah steps forward and says, “So I’m sure Lil can guess what’s under here. And I just want to say I have a whole new respect for you ladies now, after watching CeeCee make magic happen. Are you ready to see it, Lil and Damon?”

  Damon squeezes my hand, and I nod.

  “OK,” Sarah says. “If everyone could close their eyes while we take down the sides of the box.”

  The room erupts with peals of excitement as we all cover our eyes. My heartbeat thrums in anticipation. Missy mumbles to herself, and Sarah giggles.

  “On the count of three open your eyes.”

  “Wait,” Mamma says. “On three or after three?”

  I laugh. “Mamma!”

  “On three,” Sarah says. “One, two, three.”

  I take my hand from my face. And inhale so sharply I cough. “Oh. My. Goodness.” Standing regally on the table is the most spectacular wedding cake I’ve ever seen.

  The ladies squeal behind me.

  The cake stands three tiers high. The bridal couple atop are made from fondant, the bride with a dress exactly like mine, her long blond curls cascading down. The groom is dressed in a tux and has a rakish Damon smile. They are so lovingly detailed, I’m in awe of CeeCee’s handicraft.

  The first tier is a dome similar to our original cake, decorated with miniature snowflakes that drift down the cake and settle at the base.

  The second tier is embossed with white trees, whose branches join as if they’re holding hands with a periwinkle-blue background.

  The top of the third and final tier swirls 3D like waves. The base of the cake is a row of shop fronts that look like the ones in Ashford, with the café central in the picture. I pull Damon by the hand and inch closer to inspect it. Inside the ‘café’ there’s a fireplace, roaring in red and orange. Minuscule gingerbread-men bunting adorns the walls, just as it does in real life.

  Trees made from chocolate spill onto the cake plate making it seem like a forest come to life. And written in cursive writing along the very bottom is: And they lived ha
ppily ever after.

  I stand back, looking from a different angle. Each time I see a new detail. “How did she…I mean…what?” I can’t fathom how CeeCee could make something so intricate in a couple of days. I bet she hasn’t slept in her race to finish it.

  “She’s amazing,” Damon whispers.

  “How would she even have time to do it?”

  Damon holds me by the arms and gazes into my eyes. “She made time, Lil. Like she always does for her friends.”

  I nod, and swallow the lump in my throat. “I wish she was here.”

  Mamma wanders over to me, her face radiant. “That’s the prettiest cake I’ve ever seen. So much love went into that, Lil.”

  “It sure did,” I agree.

  I’m missing CeeCee something fierce and only wish she were here. Everything seems hollow without her. Suddenly all the emotion of the last few days hits me like a brick and I rest my head on Damon’s chest as a queasy feeling washes over me.

  “Can you believe the wedding is tomorrow?” Damon says, turning his head on the pillow to face me.

  “Time’s moved fast, hasn’t it?” The bedroom is dark bar a glow from the streetlights, which filters through the curtains.

  “It sure has. Should we have organized a honeymoon? I’m thinking now we should have.”

  I shake my head. “Nope. With both our shops closed and Charlie here, what more do we need?” I’m truly looking forward to the week we’ll all have together, snug inside our warm cottage, cooking purely for our own benefit, and languishing the day away playing puzzles or coloring in with Charlie.

  Damon runs a finger back and forth along my hairline.

  “You don’t think we’re jinxing ourselves by staying in the same house tonight, do you?”

  His laughter rings out. “I don’t believe in all that. Besides, where would I go? It’s you and me for ever, tonight and every night.”

  “Well, OK.” I laugh back at him. “I think I’m too keyed up to sleep…”

  “I have just the tonic for that.” He cups my face and sweeps his lips over mine. Closing my eyes, I kiss him back, knowing that waking up with him tomorrow and every day after is like living in paradise.