Vicki's Gift: Rose Island Book 4

by Kristin Noel Fischer

  “I just want a small wedding, okay?”

  “Are you sure you don’t want a big wedding like Bianca?”

  “Positive. Bianca has been planning her wedding ever since we saw Father of the Bride. I just want something simple.”

  “Okay. Simple it is.” I glanced up at the stars. “What about that wedding chapel on Rosemary Beach? It’s small but big enough to fit a few guests.”

  “I’m sure it’s booked. One of the bakery’s clients had her wedding there. She told me she reserved it two years in advance.”

  “Two years? I don’t want to wait two years to marry you.”

  Vicki squeezed my hand. “Me neither.”

  “Let’s just check and see if the chapel is available. Maybe they had a last-minute cancelation or something.”

  “I’ll check but don’t hold your breath.” She pulled up the website on her phone and clicked the link showing the available schedule.

  “Well?” I asked.

  Her beautiful eyes widened. “You’re not going to believe this, but Rosemary Chapel is completely booked for the rest of the year except for this Thursday.”

  “This Thursday?”

  She nodded. “There’s a spot available that evening.”

  “I’m off that day. Let’s do it.”

  “That’s two days away.”

  I shrugged. “I can wait two days.”

  She laughed. “Okay. We have to make sure your grandmother is available, but I’ll book it right now so we don’t lose it.”

  Her fingers flew across her phone, securing our wedding venue in minutes. When she finished, she grinned at me. “We’re getting married.”

  “We’re getting married.” I wrapped my arms around her and drew her close. “We’re getting married, and I couldn’t be happier.”

  Her face suddenly fell. “Oh, Seth. We didn’t talk about the baby thing. Just because I saw Allie and her brothers . . . I still don’t know if I want to become a mom.”

  “I know, and it’s okay. As long as we’re together, that’s all I care about.”

  “Are you sure?”

  I cupped her face with my hands. “I’ve never been more sure of anything in my life.”

  “Okay.” She nodded, then she kissed me. In that kiss, I knew whatever obstacles we faced we’d always come back to each other.

  *

  The next morning, as the scent of coffee filled the kitchen and my eggs fried on the stove, I called Abuela. As expected, she was thrilled about the wedding and promised to be there.

  Next, I called Scarlet to make arrangements for Grant. While I wanted my son to serve as my best man, I didn’t want him spending the night. That meant I’d have to bring Grant home after the reception. I was afraid Scarlet would see his late arrival as an inconvenience, so I’d been dreading the call.

  “Seth, what is it?” Scarlet spoke in that abrupt, slightly irritated voice she used with me whenever I called her at work.

  Stealing myself for her reaction, I explained the situation about Grant and the wedding, then I said a silent prayer that she’d be at least a little understanding.

  At first, she was quiet. Then she laughed.

  “What’s so funny?” I asked as King passed through the doggie door and came over to me.

  “You don’t want your son sleeping over on your long-awaited wedding night to Vicki?”

  “No.” I smiled, relieved she seemed to be in a good mood about the whole thing.

  “Oh, Seth. I’m happy for you. I really am. You and Vicki . . . well, I saw the two of you at that concert where they honored you.”

  “You were there?”

  “Yes. Ford and I went when his cousin was in town. Anyway, from what I could see, you and Vicki were having a good time. I know you’ve always loved her, so I’m happy for you.”

  “Thank you.”

  In the background on her side of the phone, I heard a door shut. “Ever since our divorce, I’ve been worried about you. Knowing you have Vicki makes me feel like I can finally let go.”

  I frowned. “Finally let go? I hadn’t realized you’d been holding on to me.”

  “Not to you.” She scoffed. “I’ve been holding on to the guilt of everything. I’ve never regretted our divorce. I’ve regretted our marriage and how horrible we treated each other. Grant was the only good thing that came out of our union. But lately . . . lately, Ford and I have been praying for you.”

  “You’ve been praying for me?”

  She laughed. “You sound shocked.”

  “I am shocked. And touched.”

  “That’s understandable. I’ve never been a very religious person. Ford’s grandmother is living in a nursing home about an hour away. We’ve been driving up to visit her every Sunday. There’s a little church around the corner where we’ve been taking her to services. She loves it.”

  “That’s wonderful, Scarlet.”

  “Yes. You know how they say God works in mysterious ways?”

  “Yes.”

  “Well, he does. For the first time in my life, I’ve actually been enjoying church. Ford and I are reading the Bible at night and praying. It’s been incredible.”

  I pressed a thumb into my chest, trying to soften the vise squeezing my heart tight. “That’s great, Scarlet. I really appreciate the prayers.”

  “Of course.” She sniffed hard, but I assumed it was from allergies rather than emotions. Scarlet wasn’t a very emotional person.

  After sorting out the details for Grant, we said good-bye. Then I rubbed my dog’s head and poured myself another cup of coffee.

  It’s going to be a wonderful future, Lord. Thank you. Thank you for all the trials in my life that led me to this point. I’m forever grateful.

  Chapter 40

  Vicki

  On the night of our wedding, thunder shook the building and lightning lit the sky as I finished getting ready in the tiny bridal room of Rosemary Chapel. I took comfort in the storm, remembering kissing Seth in my car outside the bakery while we discussed our workaround to date in secret.

  “What do you think?” Bianca asked, putting the finishing touches on my hair.

  Looking in the mirror, I turned my head from side to side, admiring the soft updo she’d managed to give me despite my short hair. “I love it. Thank you.”

  “You look amazing.” Tears sprang to her eyes, but she blinked them away before they could ruin her makeup. “I can’t believe you’re getting married tonight. I’m so happy for you and Seth.”

  I smiled. “Before you know it, Christmas will be here, and you’ll be marrying Daniel.”

  She beamed with excitement. “I can hardly wait.”

  Anna knocked on the door and peeked into the room. “Oh, Vicki, you look absolutely stunning.”

  “Thanks.”

  As she strode toward me, Jillian came into the room as well, the baby on her hip. Linda Faith looked so cute with a white lace dress and pink head wrap.

  “Oh, sweetheart.” My mother joined the rest of us in the crowded room. “You are the most beautiful bride I’ve ever seen.”

  “Hey,” Jillian said, “I thought I was the most beautiful bride.”

  My mother rolled her eyes. “Oh, you know what I mean. You were the most beautiful bride on your wedding day, and so was Anna. All brides are beautiful. But today . . .” My mother held my face with both her hands. “Today, Vicki is the most beautiful bride in the world.”

  “Thanks, Mom.”

  Sighing, she brought her hands to her heart and looked at all four of us. “I can’t believe in a few months you’ll all be married. Everything is about to change.”

  I raised my hands above my head in victory. “No more Morgan Sister Spinsters’ Club.”

  “No more being pestered by our mother to get married and have babies,” Bianca said.

  My mother laughed. “I never pestered you.”

  All four of us cracked up. “Yeah, right.”

  My mother batted a dismissive hand. “Well, I ne
ver pestered you that much.”

  That just made us laugh even harder.

  There was another knock at the door. “Five minutes until showtime,” called my father.

  “I’ll be right there,” I called back.

  My mother sighed and smiled down at me. “Next time I see you, you’ll be a married woman.”

  “You’ll see her walk down the aisle,” Bianca teased. “She’ll still be single then.”

  My mother rolled her eyes. “Okay. Next time we talk, she’ll no longer be single.”

  Everyone nodded at that. I took a moment to look at each one of them—Anna, Jillian, Bianca, and my mother. Thank you, Lord, for filling my life with such wonderful women. I truly am blessed.

  “What? Do I have spit-up on my dress?” Jillian shifted the baby and examined herself.

  “No, you don’t,” I said. “I’m just so grateful for all of you.”

  Tears sprang to my mother’s eyes. With her big arms, she enveloped all four of us, plus the baby. When she released us, she looked up and blinked. “Okay, girls, let’s get this show on the road before the storm blows us away.”

  Anna, my mother, and my sisters headed for the door. Before Jillian could leave, I asked if she could stay behind for a second.

  “Yes,” she said, readjusting the baby. “Is everything okay?”

  I stood and nodded. “Everything is fine. I just need to ask a favor.”

  “Sure. Anything. What is it?”

  I wiped my palms on my dress before taking a step toward her. Cautiously, I reached out and touched Linda Faith’s leg. The baby smiled at me, giving me encouragement.

  “Do you think I could hold her before I walk down the aisle? For good luck?”

  If my question surprised Jillian, she didn’t say anything. Instead, she simply handed me the baby.

  As I took Linda Faith in my arms, I felt nervous and awkward. Then, it all came back, and I remembered how to position her so she’d relax into me. Pressing my cheek to the top of her head, I breathed in her dulcet baby scent.

  “She’s so beautiful,” I told my sister. “I’m sorry you didn’t think I liked her. It’s—” I blinked hard, not wanting my mascara to run. “It’s a long story.”

  “I’d love to hear it sometime.”

  “I’ll tell you about it someday after the wedding.”

  She nodded as I gave the baby a little bounce. Maybe I could have a baby with Seth. Maybe.

  The door creaked open. “Everyone is waiting,” Bianca said. “Are you coming or what?”

  A rumble of thunder shook the chapel. Linda Faith jerked in my arms before clinging to me with all her might. Laughing softly, I held her close until her little body relaxed in the safety of my arms.

  “Okay,” I said, kissing the top of her head. “I’m ready.”

  Jillian took the baby from me, and I glanced one last time in the mirror. Then, my heart full, I turned and headed out the door to marry Seth and live happily ever after.

  THE END

  Dear Reader,

  Thank you so much for reading Vicki’s Gift! I hope you’ve enjoyed getting to know the Morgan family. Although this is the end of the Rose Island series, I look forward to writing many more books.

  A lot of readers ask if Rose Island is a real place. While you won’t find Rose Island, Texas, on the map, my fictional island was inspired by two of my favorite beach towns: Coronado Island in California and Seaside, Florida. I love the ocean, and both of these beautiful places are bike and pedestrian friendly. Plus, they have cute cottages, quaint shops, and delicious food.

  Do you have a favorite beach town? Connecting with readers is the best part of being an author. You can join me on Facebook or contact me through my website. I do my best to answer every email I receive from readers.

  If you enjoyed Vicki’s Gift, or any of my other books, please consider leaving a review. The review doesn’t have to be long. Just one or two sentences giving your honest opinion really helps me out by allowing other readers to find me.

  If you’d like to receive a quick email when my next book releases, please sign up for my newsletter on my website at KristinNoel.com. I usually only email when I have a new release or important news to share.

  Again, thank you for reading my books!

  Love,

  Kristin

  Acknowledgments

  Thank you to everyone who helped me publish this book!

  Thank you especially to my readers who encouraged me to finish writing the Rose Island series. Without your support, I wouldn’t have this career that I love so much. Thank you especially for leaving such wonderful reviews on Goodreads, Amazon, or wherever you purchased my books. Reviews are incredibly helpful for writers. I can’t thank you enough for taking the time to tell others about me.

  A huge thanks to my husband who’s a constant source of encouragement, support, and tacos. Thank you for always believing in me and being such a great cook!

  Thank you to my children: Frankie, Joey, TJ, Ben, Beth, Sarah, and my new daughter-in-law, Alexis! I love you all so much and am proud of the adults you’ve become.

  Thanks to Jeanne and Phil Smith, my wonderful parents. You constantly amaze and inspire me!

  A super special thanks to my awesome editor, Chrissy Wolfe at EFC Services, LLC. Meeting you in person was such a blast! Not only are you the most brilliant editor, but you’re a lot of fun too!

  Thank you to Lyndsey Lewellen who created my beautiful cover and to Paul Salvette who formatted the book.

  Thanks to Sarah Beaudette and her Beta Readers at The Spun Yarn. Your feedback was incredibly helpful. I look forward to working with you again on future books.

  Because the Rose Island series is about sisters and sisters-in-law and the special bond they share, a heartfelt shout-out to my own sister and my eight sisters-in-law: Kendal, Kara, Judy, Felita, Marie, Barbara, Beth, Nancy, and Margo! Thanks for your love and friendship.

  Thanks to Best Page Forward for your help with the blurb, the hardest part about writing the book.

  Finally, thanks to my dear Zoomies: Mindy Miller, Angela Terry, and Kari Bovee. I love our author support group and would be lost without y’all. I’m so happy we were able to meet up in person this past year!

  Happy Reading!

  Love,

  Kristin

  Have you read my first book, A Mother’s Choice? Turn the page for a preview.

  A Mother’s Choice

  By Kristin Noel Fischer

  Chapter 1

  Seattle – 1961

  It was raining the day I fell in love with Jude Kingsley, and whenever it rains I can’t help but think about that February day in 1961, my junior year of high school.

  My best friend Ruby dashed across the parking lot as a light drizzle escalated to a downpour. I scrambled to keep up but found running impossible in the high heels I’d bought for the Valentine’s dance. I despised my freakishly large feet, so I was willing to sacrifice comfort for shoes that made me feel pretty and sophisticated.

  Ruby and I joined the other girls in the bathroom and crowded around a single foggy mirror, where we attempted to fix our hair and makeup before venturing out to the stuffy gymnasium. On the stage, a local band played an old Frank Sinatra song, but nobody danced. Rock ‘n’ roll had been outlawed at our little private school after the archbishop of Chicago had publicly condemned it. My parents, especially my ultraconservative father, agreed with the decision, insisting school dances should be kept innocent and pure.

  Ruby scanned the gym. She’d been distracted all week, and while I suspected it had to do with my seventeenth birthday, I didn’t know for sure.

  I tugged on her sleeve. “Why are you acting so strange?”

  She twirled around and gave me an innocent look. “I’m not.”

  One of our teachers passed by and wished me happy birthday. I thanked him, then placed a hand on my hip and grinned at Ruby. “And how did he know it was my birthday?”

  A sly smile played o
n her lips. “I don’t know. School records?”

  “Oh, school records,” I repeated, with a smile of my own that called her bluff. Ruby and I were close like that. We always knew what the other person was thinking, and we never kept secrets.

  All that changed after the accident, of course, but I’m getting ahead of myself.

  Ruby had befriended me in the second grade when I’d moved to Seattle from Texas. All the kids had made fun of my southern accent, especially pesky Tim O’Connor who always tried to imitate me. Ruby, however, had brought me into her fold, insisting she’d have her father arrest anyone who bothered me.

  “Okay,” Ruby said, threading her elbow through mine. “If you wouldn’t mind closing your eyes for a moment—”

  “Closing my eyes? What’s going on?”

  Ignoring my question, she covered my eyes with her hand. “Come on. You’ll find out soon enough.”

  She guided me across the gym where voices erupted with shouts of “Happy Birthday, Nadine!” I opened my eyes to see all our friends gathered around a table that held a small pink and white cake with seventeen candles.

  “For me?” I said, feigning surprise.

  Ruby hugged me. “You knew, didn’t you?”

  “No, of course not. This was completely unexpected.”

  We laughed at the absurdity that either one of us could keep a secret from the other. “Attached at the hip” was what people used to say about us.

  Annoying Tim O’Connor sidled up beside me. “How about a birthday kiss, sweetheart?” He waggled his thick brow and puckered his lips.

  I smacked him on the arm. “In your dreams.”

  Everyone laughed except Tim, who rubbed his arm, offended. Over the years, I’d grown fond of him. He was funny, although many people didn’t like him because he often went too far with his teasing. Nevertheless, he had a good heart and had become somewhat of a friend. Part of me even thought he was kind of cute with his curly red hair, bushy eyebrows, and ruddy Irish complexion.

  Ruby lit the birthday cake and led everyone in singing Happy Birthday. Before blowing out the candles, I looked around the room, taking it all in. Nobody had ever given me a surprise party before, and I was overwhelmed. Smiling, I blew out the candles, making a wish that every birthday would be just as memorable.