A Savannah Christmas Wish

by Nan Dixon

  “It’s better than throwing away a valuable plant.” She straightened her shoulders. She hated people tossing perfectly good orchids. “It’s easy money.”

  He grinned again. This one probably had panties dropping throughout the café.

  Not hers. Never again.

  “That’s—clever.”

  “Thanks.” Warmth from his compliment swelled in her chest. She was pitiful. He was taking away her home and a stupid compliment made her insides wiggle like jelly.

  “They’re beautiful, but it looks like a jungle.” He wagged his finger. “They have to go.”

  “Okay.” She rubbed between her eyes. “Maybe they’ll fit in the B and B’s sunroom.”

  “You’d have to keep the apartment picked up,” he warned.

  “Sure.”

  “I’ll help you move your stuff.”

  Wasn’t that the story of her messed-up relationship with Daniel—first he broke her heart. Then he offered to help.

  “Can I wait until after Mamma’s wedding?”

  She didn’t want anyone to know about her troubles.

  “I can help you move stuff on Sunday.”

  Rush me, much? “In the afternoon. Late afternoon. There’s a family brunch on Sunday.”

  “That works.”

  She sighed. Now she needed to meet with her sisters and confess she’d lost her job and her home.

  * * *

  “THE ARBOR LOOKS SPECTACULAR.” Dolley stood under Bess’s ladder. “You, not so much. Get dressed. Now.” Her sister already wore her yellow chiffon halter dress.

  Bess tugged the tulle until it draped down the side of the arbor. Climbing down, she took a few steps back. Then glanced over at her sister. “You look fantastic.”

  Dolley twirled and the skirt flared out. “You will, too, once you’re dressed.”

  “Is Mamma ready?” Bess looked at her watch. Lord, she needed to check the ballroom.

  “She’s getting her hair done.” Dolley waved her off. “Go.”

  Bess took the Fitzgerald carriage-house steps two at a time. She tore off her shorts and T-shirt and hopped in the shower. After scrubbing, she washed her hair and shaved, slowing down so she didn’t nick her ankles.

  With a towel wrapped around her hair, she slapped Abby’s lemon verbena lotion on her legs and arms. Then she blew her hair dry. She grabbed a handful of her strawberry-blonde curls. What do I do with this mop?

  Instead of making a decision, she dashed on makeup. Then she pulled on a strapless bra and underwear, wishing she’d picked a dress with straps.

  “Are you ready?” Dolley called out from the living room.

  “Everything but my hair.”

  Her sister leaned against the bathroom doorway. “You might want to put on clothes, too.”

  “My shorts?” Bess joked.

  “No.” Her sister moved behind her. “Let’s put your hair up.”

  “Or I could leave it down.”

  Dolley grabbed a brush and binder, and tugged it through Bess’s hair. “No, up. You have a nice neck and you’re almost tan.”

  “You mean my freckles are blending together.” It was the best they could hope for in a family of redheads.

  Dolley pinned and hummed, spraying Bess’s hair with more hair spray than she’d used in a year. Then she pulled out sections of hair and curled them.

  “Is Abby ready?” Bess craned her neck to see what Dolley was doing.

  “Stop moving, and yes. She’s in the kitchen, but she’s dressed.”

  “I have to check how Molly’s doing in the ballroom.” Bess tapped the counter. “Are you done?”

  “Almost. Jeez.” Dolley wrapped another strand of hair around the curling iron.

  “I don’t have to look great. It’s Mamma’s day.”

  “It won’t hurt you to dress up. There might be good-looking men at the wedding.”

  Daniel would be attending. Bess swallowed. Maybe the dress would make him see what he’d tossed aside. It would be nice to have him regret what had happened between them.

  Dolley stepped away and handed her a mirror. “I’m awesome.”

  Bess blinked. Her hair was all gentle swirls and soft curls around her face. “It’s...amazing.”

  “I’m a genius. Hang on.” Dolley pushed her back onto the vanity chair. She rummaged in Bess’s makeup bag. “Don’t you own eyeliner?”

  “No.”

  Dolley pulled open Abby’s perfectly organized makeup drawer. “Close your eyes.”

  “Eyeliner makes me look like a raccoon.” But Bess closed her eyes.

  “Sit still.” Dolley worked on her eyes, adding more eye shadow along with the liner. “There.”

  Bess blinked, worried she would cry and muss Dolley’s work. “I look...” Like someone else. Her eyes were bigger, greener. “I bow to your superior hair and makeup skills.”

  “You should.” Dolley hit her hair with another spritz of hair spray. “Get dressed.”

  Bess pulled on a chiffon dress similar to the ones her sisters wore. Abby and Dolley had convinced her to wear the strapless design. Slipping on sparkly heels, she tugged on the short skirt. “Well?”

  Dolley whistled. “You’re hot. Let’s go help Mamma.”

  They headed to the Mamie Eisenhower room in the main house. Bess knocked.

  Abby, wearing the same yellow dress but with straps, opened the door. “Finally. Come see how pretty Mamma looks.”

  Mamma’s golden-red hair gleamed and her blue eyes sparkled. The worry from years of struggling with Fitzgerald House no longer marred her beautiful face. Her tea-length ivory dress with a full skirt made her look so young.

  Bess pinned a spray of white dendrobium orchids on the side of Mamma’s hair. “You’re gorgeous.”

  “I feel foolish.” Mamma twisted her hands until Bess caught one and held it. “We should have gone to the courthouse and skipped the folderol.”

  “Absolutely not,” Dolley protested. “Martin better be good to you, or he’ll answer to us.”

  “He’s very good to me.” Her mother blushed. “But at my age, I shouldn’t be planning such a wingding.”

  “Nonsense, you have daughters in the business.” Bess kissed her cheek. “I need to check the ballroom.”

  “Wait.” Abby popped the cork on a champagne bottle. “We’re celebrating before everything gets crazy.”

  Bess held glasses while Abby poured. Dolley moved around the room, taking pictures of the bride.

  “Is that a new camera?” Abby tried to hand Dolley a glass.

  “I bought it on eBay for a steal.” She flashed the hefty camera at them.

  Bess waved a hand around the group. “Set it up so we can all be in the picture.”

  Dolley did, then joined the family.

  “To you, Mamma.” Bess raised her glass. “Be happy.”

  Mamma’s eyes filled with tears. She held up her glass. “To my girls. May you all find the happiness I’ve found.”

  They touched their glasses and chimes rang out. “The Fitzgeralds.” The flash went off as they laughed.

  The champagne fizzed on Bess’s tongue. “Ooh, this is nice.”

  “It should be.” Abby grinned. “Gray bought a couple of special bottles.”

  Bess tipped the bottle to read the label. “Dom Pérignon?” She took another sip and let it slide down. She could drink this all day. “I love it.”

  “First Gray sends his family’s plane to pick us up and now this.” Mamma held up her champagne. “Private jets and drinking stars. This is the life.”

  They laughed and drank until there was a knock. Marion, the B and B’s head of housekeeping, stepped in. Her dress was a shimmery copper and set off her beautiful brown skin.
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  “You look stunning.” Mamma hurried over and gave Marion a hug.

  “There’s a glass for you, too.” Abby filled a final glass.

  “We’ll have to hurry, Judge Geneva’s here.” But Marion tipped her glass to Mamma. “I’m happy for you.”

  Mamma beamed. “Thank you.”

  “Now we need your daughters to get married.” Marion sipped. “There should be babies here.”

  Marion and Mamma linked arms and looked over at them.

  Abby raised her hand. The diamond on her finger twinkled. “I’m getting there.”

  Bess and Dolley looked at each other and shook their heads.

  “I’m too busy to date.” Bess shrugged.

  Dolley laughed. “I’m having too much fun.”

  “You should never be too busy for love.” Mamma’s eyes filled. “It’s worth the risk.”

  Bess wasn’t interested in taking risks, at least not for love.

  “No tearing up.” Abby took Mamma’s hands. “We’ll all cry.”

  They finished their champagne and hustled Mamma to the library. Bess handed small spider-mum-and-orchid bouquets to her sisters and a larger one to Mamma.

  “I should check the ballroom.” Bess headed to the door.

  Another knock. Gray stuck his head in and whistled. “You all look beautiful.” He came over and took Mamma’s hands. “You are a stunning bride.”

  Mamma blushed.

  “Are you ready?” he asked.

  Mamma straightened her shoulders. “Yes.”

  Gray opened the library doors to the courtyard.

  White chairs fanned out from the arbor where Bess had intertwined bright yellow spider mums with more dendrobium orchids. The gardens edging the patio danced with late-summer color. White daisies nodded to black-eyed Susans. Bright zinnias and marigolds added sparks of color against lush green foliage and her small palm trees. The trio of August Beauty gardenias lived up to their name. Petunias in yellows, reds and pinks, along with vines of sweet peas and kidney weed, cascaded from tall bronze pots.

  The judge, Martin and his sons took their places. The guests quieted. The fountain splashed in the background while a harpist played “Ode to Joy” accompanied by twittering birds.

  Dolley glided down the white satin aisle first.

  Bess kissed her mother’s cheek. “I love you, Mamma.”

  “I love you, too.”

  Bess moved down the aisle next, smiling. Daniel’s parents, Samuel and Debbie Forester, sat next to each other. Nathan, Daniel’s twin brother, waved. Daniel nodded. No smile. What a surprise.

  Resentment surged through her like a pulsing sprinkler. Not today. Today was Mamma’s day. She took her place next to Dolley and waited for Abby to come down the aisle.

  Finally, Mamma stepped out of the library. Everyone stood. Bess’s eyes filled.

  Mamma glowed as she walked toward Martin. He held out his hands for her, love lighting his face. Underneath the arbor, Mamma and Martin vowed to love one another. A butterfly landed on top of the trellis as they kissed.

  Bess’s tears broke free.

  Abby handed her a tissue.

  To the intimate group of witnesses, the judge said, “I’m pleased to introduce Mr. and Mrs. Martin and Mamie Robbins.”

  The guests surged to their feet, applauding.

  “Mamma’s no longer a Fitzgerald.” Bess caught Abby’s and Dolley’s hands. Having her mother change her name seemed so final.

  She and her sisters moved down the aisle behind the couple and hugged and kissed them.

  Photos were taken. Congratulations called out. Bess headed to the stairs.

  Mamma called, “Bess?”

  “Do you need something, Mamma?”

  “My daughters.”

  “I was—” Bess pointed to the ballroom “—checking on Molly.”

  “I’m sure everything is beautiful.” Mamma handed her a glass of champagne. “You’re done working for the day.”

  Bess grimaced but took the glass. Mamma didn’t know how prophetic her words were.

  More friends arrived, filling the courtyard with happy conversation. Servers passed through the expanding crowd, circulating Abby’s appetizers and glasses of champagne.

  “Everything is beautiful.” Deb Forester gave Bess a warm hug. “Your gardens are stunning.”

  “Thank you.”

  Daniel raised his glass. “Nice dress.”

  “Thanks.” Bess wanted to yank up the top after Daniel’s comment. In a crowd this large, she should have been able to avoid him.

  “Let’s see what Bess has done with the ballroom.” Martin and Mamma led the guests up the exterior terrace stairs.

  “Wait.” Bess used this as an excuse to escape Daniel. She had to check the room before she let Mamma walk in.

  Bess sneaked in the door. Her hand pressed against her chest. She and Molly had created magic.

  The fragrance of flowering citrus trees saturated the air. Twinkling fairy lights covered the branches and sheer toile bows draped from each corner of the room. Pale yellow linens with matching napkins covered the tables. Marion’s crew had made the chandeliers sparkle, and they threw off rainbows as the sunlight faded. On the tables, candles surrounded tall vases of yellow spider mums, yellow roses and glowing white orchids.

  Molly was packing up a box. “Have fun tonight!”

  “Thank you.” Bess took a deep breath and threw open the French doors.

  Her mother walked into the room and turned in a circle, her mouth open.

  Oh, shoot. Her mother hated it. “I’m sorry. I should have asked you what you wanted.”

  “It’s...it’s...” Mamma hugged her tight. “Oh, Bess, it’s incredible.”

  Bess hugged her back, relaxing into the embrace. It was amazing how good it felt to get a compliment from her mother.

  A server came by with a tray of filled flutes. “Congratulations.”

  Her mother and Martin greeted guests as they came through the receiving line.

  Everything was going well until she sat down for dinner. The place card said she was sitting next to Daniel. She started to rearrange the cards, but she wasn’t quick enough.

  A woodsy scent warned her Daniel stood next to her. He plucked the card from her fingers. “Are you moving me?”

  Daniel’s broad shoulders filled out his dark gray suit perfectly. His golden hair curled at the collar of his crisp white shirt. Shouldn’t he look like a devil? Maybe have a big twirling mustache?

  “Wouldn’t you rather sit by your brother?” Her face heated up. “You don’t see him very often.”

  “No.” The word was curt.

  “But he’s your twin.” She looked around to see where Nathan was sitting.

  Daniel placed a hand on her shoulder. “I’d rather sit here.”

  She blinked. “What if I make you do something—” she wiggled her hands “—crazy?”

  “We can survive sitting together for an hour.” His tone was as dry as a houseplant no one had watered for a month. “I might even manage being around you for an entire evening.”

  “Fine.” The only people who needed to be happy tonight were Mamma and Martin.

  Daniel took his seat and a swig from his tumbler. “Right.”

  She finished her champagne. It might be the only way to get through the night.

  Daniel mumbled.

  She couldn’t hear over the clinking of silverware and hum of the crowd. “What?”

  He leaned closer. “The room looks...pretty.”

  Hours of work and he called it pretty. “Thanks.”

  “So do you.” This time his gaze dropped to her cleavage but jerked back up to her face. “You look—different.”

 
“Dolley did a makeover.”

  He leaned over and sniffed her neck. “You smell different, too.”

  Bess swallowed. He knew her scent? “Abby’s lotion.”

  Daniel eyebrows slid together. “Ah.”

  A server handed her another glass of champagne and she took a big gulp, not taking her eyes off Daniel. What was his game now? He stared at her as if he’d never seen her before.

  “Your mom looks happy.” Daniel nodded toward the couple’s table.

  “She is.” Bess grinned. She should slow down on the champagne, but it was Mamma’s wedding.

  They talked through dinner. Daniel had the whole table laughing. As they worked their way through salads and entrées, she relaxed. It was as if she and Daniel were kids again, free to talk and laugh together. She stared at Daniel’s lips. His mouth was so damn sexy.

  She grabbed another glass of champagne. Maybe he wasn’t such a jerk after all.

  * * *

  DANIEL WATCHED BESS whirl around the dance floor. Her cheeks were flushed a gorgeous peach color. She was knock-me-over beautiful. Always had been. And she’d always been too young for him. She made him do and feel things he shouldn’t. He needed to stay away from her.

  But her smile—even when alcohol induced—was mesmerizing. It made him want to trace her lips and count the freckles dusting her nose.

  Thoughts like that didn’t lead to good things. Around her, he forgot what was important. Even when she’d just been a kid and he was helping Pop at Fitzgerald House, he’d gotten in trouble for spending too much time with Bess. She’d had a crush on him, and it had been...nice. They’d get talking—and he’d forget his work.

  Bess had once talked him into climbing the live oak over at Carleton House. They’d been high enough in the tree to see into the square. When Pop had found them up in the top branches, he’d nearly burst a gasket. Pop had lectured him all the way home for letting Bess climb so high. And then he hadn’t been allowed to watch TV for a month. Nathan had loved that.

  She’d stared at his mouth earlier, and the temperature in the ballroom had jumped ten degrees. She was a distraction he didn’t need. Ever.

  He stopped at the bar. Joints popped as he twisted his neck. “Jameson, please.”