Plantation Christmas Weddings

by Barnes, Sylvia

  “It’ll be fine.” She smiled over her shoulder at him only to be caught in his blue gaze. There was a warmth, an affection there that made her heart skip a beat. Grace had suggested that there was something more than friendship in his eyes. Wreath had dismissed it, but now a rush of warmth forced her to look away.

  He came closer, crossing his arm over his chest, drawing attention to his well-developed biceps under the knit shirt he now wore. He’d changed from the suit and tie to comfortable jeans and shirt. No matter how he was dressed, Micah always looked at ease, confident. It was a very appealing quality.

  “I drove by your business yesterday. It’s an incredible old church. No wonder you enjoy your work.”

  “Thank you.”

  “Speaking of church, I need to find one to attend. Any suggestions?”

  “I go to Peace Community. I think you’ll like it. The members are very active in the community. We have a singles group, and of course the choir. We’re preparing for our Christmas cantata.”

  “So you still sing. Maybe I’ll come and watch you perform.” Micah cleared his throat. “Which brings up another topic. Christmas. I was wondering if I could impose on you for a favor.”

  “If I can.”

  “I realized it would be helpful if someone could give me a better understanding of the city, not just the restaurants and shops, but the things that make Natchez unique. Particularly the holiday celebrations.”

  “You mean like a tour guide?”

  “In a manner of speaking. I’ve spent time studying the history of Monmouth and of Natchez, but what I need now is a boots-on-the-ground kind of exposure. If one of my guests asks about a special event, I prefer to know about it firsthand.”

  “What would you like to see?”

  “Everything. Especially the romantic stuff.”

  Wreath frowned. “Why?”

  “As you pointed out, Monmouth was voted one of the most romantic destinations in the South. How can I be an effective manager without knowing firsthand what makes it so romantic?”

  He had a point, but she wasn’t sure she wanted to be part of his romantic discoveries. “I don’t know, Micah. I’m really busy right now. I’m sure Helen could give you a list of Christmas events and you could check them out in your free time.”

  The smile on his face faded. He let his hands fall to his sides and nodded. “Sure. I understand. Helen can tell me what I should see. Well, I’d better get back to work. You know where to find me if you need anything.” He turned and walked out, and Wreath had the oddest feeling she’d hurt him somehow. She didn’t like the idea of hurting him.

  Chapter 5

  The disappointment on Micah’s face when she’d brushed off his request had nagged at Wreath’s mind all evening. She wasn’t sure why she’d turned him down. She was the perfect person to show him the ropes and acquaint him with the city. So why was she so reluctant to spend time with him? It had been several years since she’d taken in the holiday events. She was usually too busy, and with no one special in her life, taking a romantic carriage ride seemed pointless.

  She picked up her soup bowl and carried it to the sink, rinsing it before placing it in the dishwater. A quick wipe of the counter and table tidied up the kitchen, and she moved to the living room to curl up with a book. An envelope on her desk caught her eye as she passed by.

  The gala at Longwood.

  She pulled two tickets from the formal invitation. It was one of the social events of the year. Many of the influential citizens of Natchez, the founding families, and garden club members would be there. The tickets had been given to her by the mother of one of her brides. She’d had no intention of attending, but now she wondered if it might not be a good way to apologize to Micah and at the same time introduce him to the social hierarchy of Natchez.

  She remembered Micah’s regret at introducing her to Jack, his lingering sense of responsibility for not warning her of what kind of man Jack was. It wasn’t his fault. It never had been. She’d made the choice, and it was time to stop using Micah as an excuse for her own stupidity. Maybe showing him around Natchez would be a way to make amends.

  She picked up the phone and called Monmouth.

  Wreath tugged at the off-the-shoulder sleeves of her black dress again and smoothed down the body-skimming skirt. She shouldn’t be this nervous. She’d been to numerous gala events in Natchez, both as a businesswoman and as the event planner. But this was different. This time she would be a guest with a handsome man at her side, the closest thing to a date she’d had in a while.

  Being around Micah had dredged up deeper pain from her failed wedding—much more than Grace’s theme had done. But his presence had also brought other memories to the surface, things about Micah she’d forgotten, like how sweet and thoughtful he was, what a strong Christian he was. Micah had been attentive, fun, and dependable. He’d possessed all the qualities she admired in a man. And then Jack had swept her off her feet.

  The doorbell chimed, and she inhaled a deep breath to calm her nerves. This was so silly. It wasn’t a real date. Simply an evening with an old friend. She opened the door and caught her breath. Micah stood tall and handsome in his dark suit. The expertly cut jacket draped his broad shoulders to perfection, and the appreciative gleam in his blue eyes sent her heart racing.

  He looked her up and down, emitting a slow, soft whistle. “You look amazing. I’m not sure I should take you out in public looking like you do.”

  She smiled, cheeks flaming. She wasn’t used to such blatant compliments. “It’s just a simple black dress.”

  Micah shook his head and took her hand. “Oh no. There’s nothing simple about that dress or you.”

  She pulled her hand away, struggling to find something to say. “I guess we’d better go or we’ll be late. I have a lot of people I want you to meet.”

  An impish grin hooked one corner of his mouth. “I’ve met the only person I’m interested in.”

  Wreath’s thoughts were so befuddled by Micah’s admiration that she babbled like a schoolgirl the whole way to Longwood Plantation. Thankfully he didn’t stop her; he merely smiled his make-your-knees-weak grin, as if he were enchanted with every word she said. Ensconced in his luxurious car, she allowed herself to enjoy the sensations. Dressed up, beside a handsome man, on the way to a gala event. It felt nice to be seen as an attractive woman, not just the person in charge with all the answers. Tonight she was the princess in the beautiful carriage, and her only objective was to have fun and introduce Micah to everyone.

  The evening passed like a scene from a fairy tale. The stately old home was resplendent in its holiday decorations, the perfect setting for the guests in all their glittering finery. Wreath knew many of those attending and introduced Micah. It didn’t take long to realize that he was completely comfortable in this type of social setting. Warm, friendly, gracious, and charming, he never failed to include her in any conversations, keeping one hand on her back or arm, possessively. To her surprise, she liked the attention.

  Jack had never mastered the niceties of dating. She’d never felt like she had his full attention. She couldn’t remember one special event, one elegant dinner they’d shared. They’d spent most of the time at parties with his friends or at ball games. That should have given her a clue to their future.

  As the evening wore down, Micah leaned toward her, resting his arm across the back of her chair. “Are you ready to slip out?”

  She nodded, picking up her wrap and small beaded purse. After a quick good-bye to the hosts, they stepped outside. Wreath took Micah’s hand. “Let’s walk around to the front. I want to see the lights. This is one of the most beautifully decorated homes at Christmas.”

  Micah fell into step beside her as they followed the sidewalk around to the front entrance, stopping out away from the massive home for a better view. Unlike the Greek Revival style so associated with antebellum Southern homes, Longwood was an octagonal, Oriental Revival style. Five stories tall, the pinnacle boasted
a large Byzantine-style dome. Christmas lights draped the Moorish arches along the front galleries, casting a warm glow over the grass and the nearby trees.

  “Isn’t it lovely?”

  Micah slipped his arm around her waist. “Everything about tonight was lovely. Thank you for inviting me.”

  “You’re welcome. I’m looking forward to showing you more Christmas events. Though I don’t know how many we’ll be able to fit in with our crazy schedules.”

  “We’ll work it out.”

  Wreath looked up at him. He was gazing at the lights. His profile, outlined by the faint glow, reflected the man he was inside. The strong jaw, the straight nose and firm lips. He was a nice man, a special man. She’d been developing strong feelings for him when they were dating, until she’d gotten distracted by Jack, the dangerous bad boy she could save and tame. Jack had fit her romantic ideals. But Micah was a forever kind of man.

  “Micah, why haven’t you married? I can’t believe some woman hasn’t grabbed you up. You’re a great catch.”

  An odd expression crossed his face when he turned to look at her. “There was a woman once. But she met someone else and walked away.”

  Her heart went out to him. He was too wonderful a man to be treated so cruelly. “She must have been blind.”

  “No. Just blinded by love.”

  Settled in the car once more, Wreath leaned back in the seat, content in the warm afterglow of the evening. She’d never enjoyed an evening more, and it was all because of Micah. She smiled as they drove along the winding driveway and under the lights draped between the trees overhead. The perfect end to a perfect evening.

  The only sour note was learning that someone had broken Micah’s heart. The woman obviously hadn’t understood what a gem she had or she never would have cast him aside. A twinge of sadness settled in her heart as they pulled into her drive. She didn’t want the evening to end. Ever the gentleman, Micah helped her out of the car and walked her to the door.

  “I had a great time tonight, Wreath. I was the envy of every man there. You looked amazing.”

  She unlocked her door and pushed it open then turned to face him again. “I saw quite a few females giving you the eye, too. I don’t think you’ll have any trouble meeting new friends in Natchez.”

  “I already have a friend.” He leaned down, his gaze locked with hers. She thought he was going to kiss her and she braced. But his lips touched her forehead, his hand resting briefly against the side of her face. “Sleep tight. I’ll see you soon.”

  Watching him walk away left an empty spot in her chest. It couldn’t be disappointment that he hadn’t kissed her. It had to be her lingering sadness that the woman he’d loved had thrown him over for someone else. “Micah. I’m sorry you were hurt the way I was. I would never do that to you.”

  Micah stared at the ground a moment, slipping his hands into his pockets. “But you did, Wreath.”

  He turned and walked to his car as Wreath struggled to grasp what he’d said. The truth hit her with the force of a blow. She stumbled inside her townhouse and leaned back against the door as waves of shock washed through her. Nausea swirled in her stomach at her callousness. She’d dumped Micah without a second thought once she’d met Jack. The same way Jack had left her for someone else the day of their wedding. No explanation. No apology. Just turned and walked away.

  How could she have been so cruel? So thoughtless? It wasn’t in her nature to willingly hurt people. Especially someone she’d liked as much as Micah. Wiping tears from her eyes, she took off her little black dress and prepared for bed, remorse settling like a stone in her stomach.

  Wreath knew all too well the sting of rejection. The lingering questions, the deep need for some reason to justify the actions. She couldn’t let Micah endure that kind of pain. She’d go to him tomorrow, ask his forgiveness, and explain everything.

  She climbed into bed, tugged up the covers, and curled into a ball. Provided he’d even speak to her, let alone listen. For the first time, she allowed her long buried anger at Jack to surface. Not only had he shredded her heart, but he’d caused her to hurt someone she cared about. No it wasn’t Jack’s fault. It was hers. Jack may have walked out on her, but she had to take responsibility for hurting Micah. Her obsession with Jack had blinded her to everything and everyone else. How had she ever thought she loved him? A new thought rose to plague her as she teetered on the edge of sleep. If Micah had been hurt by her rejection, did that mean he’d been in love with her back then? And what about now? Why was he being kind to her? Was it possible he still cared?

  The small bag of round peppermint candies clutched in Wreath’s hand felt like a lead weight. Her nerves were throbbing, her throat tightening, and her heartbeat erratic. She stood outside Micah’s office door praying for courage to face him. After what she’d learned last night, she doubted he’d even speak to her, but she had to try, because she couldn’t let him endure the same nagging questions she had for the last six years.

  She stepped to the door and raised her hand to knock. All he could do was order her out of his life, which is what she deserved. The door suddenly opened and she found herself face-to-face with Micah. He had a warm smile on his face.

  “Good morning. Helen told me you were on your way up. Come on in.”

  She walked past him, catching the scent of peppermint on his breath. She turned and held up her gift. “I brought you some candy.”

  “Thanks. I’m almost out.” He gestured toward the jar on his desk, which held only a few pieces of the sweet. “What’s the occasion?” He shut the door and motioned her to be seated.

  “It’s sort of an apology. For the past. I mean for what I did.” She took a deep breath and started again. “I never meant to hurt you, Micah. Please believe me.”

  He laid the candy on his desk and sat down beside her. “I know that, Wreath. It’s not in your nature.”

  “But I did, and I’m so sorry. You must hate me.”

  “I could never hate you.”

  “But you should. You should be furious. Why are you being so nice about this?”

  “Because your happiness was more important to me than my own. I was in—I cared about you. I still do.”

  Tears threatened to spill over, and she blinked them away. “Please forgive me.”

  “I already did.” He took her hands in his. “Don’t worry about that. It’s over and done with and I survived. Just like you did. So are we still going to the Jeweled Christmas thing this evening? I’m trying to picture a tree decorated with jewelry instead of ornaments.”

  “You still want to go?”

  “Of course.” He held up the bag of candy. “We’ve made up. We’ll check it out then have a bite to eat.”

  “It closes early, so we’d better go there first. I’ll take you to the Cotton Alley Café afterward. You’ll love it.”

  Micah smiled. “Sounds good. Do you want me to pick you up or meet me here?”

  “Here. I have an appointment late this afternoon.”

  He stood and walked her to the door. “See you then. And thanks for the candy.”

  Wreath stared out her office window, her chin resting on her hand. Micah had come to her cantata last night. She wasn’t sure why that pleased her so much. Over the last ten days, they’d seen a great deal of each other between their hectic schedules. She’d shown him the Jeweled Christmas at the Towers, they’d taken in the arts and crafts fair downtown, and they’d attended the special production of A Natchez Christmas Carol. They’d even started searching out apartments for Micah. But nothing had given her as much joy as looking out into the congregation and seeing Micah sitting there while the choir presented their music. Having a friend to share the event had touched her deeply.

  “Good afternoon. Hope I’m not too early.”

  Wreath glanced up as Grace Donovan walked into her office. “Not at all. I’ll be right with you. I have a few entries to make for another bride. It’ll only take a minute.”

  “No
hurry.” Grace sat. “How are things with you and the hunky manager?”

  “What do you mean?”

  “Are you still taking in all the Christmas events?”

  “Yes.” Wreath leaned back in her chair. “It’s been fun. Micah is a great guy.”

  “How did you two meet?”

  “We worked together and became friends. We had a lot in common, and it developed from there.”

  “That’s how it happened with me and Brian. He started attending my church, and we became good friends. Then we both went to college at Belhaven in Jackson. Over time we realized that we had deeper feelings. But it started as a friendship. I think that’s the key to a lasting relationship. Wouldn’t you agree?”

  “I suppose so.” Grace’s words had unleashed something inside her she didn’t have time to examine right now. “Well, if you’re going to learn to maneuver in this hoopskirt, we need to practice. Follow me. I have two styles for you to choose from.”

  In the large fitting room at the back of the shop, Wreath pulled out the two hoopskirts. “This one is the old-fashioned style. It’s made from wire and it’s rigid, meaning you’ll have to learn to maneuver around in it the same way women did during the antebellum era. This one is a new version, made with flexible stays, and it will collapse and allow you to move and sit normally yet still maintain its shape when you’re standing.”

  Grace examined the two hoops, bending and handling them. “Which would you suggest?”

  “It’s all up to you. It’s your day. You can have whichever you want.”

  Grace stopped and turned to her, a thoughtful expression on her face. “I always thought that was wrong somehow. Should it really be all about the bride, like she’s some princess who doesn’t have to consider anyone else’s thoughts or desires? I mean, shouldn’t a wedding be about me and Brian? Not about the prettiest dress or the most extravagant decorations.”

  “I guess I never thought about it that way. Brides are my business, and they all want the day to be the most special and memorable day of their lives.”