Laughing, she said, “That, little brother, is a long story, and some of it is not fit for your tender ears. I want you to tell me all about Canada. Let’s go find Cam.”
Leading her brother outside, she stopped in shock. There were people standing all around the yard.
“What the devil?”
Then she cried out, “Moira! Maggie! Oh, my God! It’s so great to see you both!” The girls ran over and gave Teal heartwarming hugs.
“What on Earth is going on? Where is Cam?”
“Oh, well…he’s…busy. Just give him a few minutes. Come show us your house,” Moira said, blushing.
Teal’s eyes narrowed as she studied Moira’s expression. Something was definitely up. As Moira and Maggie began dragging her back to the house, she gave her brother the evil eye. Brock laughed in delight.
CHAPTER 13
Wedded Surprises
“Is she out of sight yet?” Cam asked, dressed in navy coloured shorts, and a tropical aqua-green shirt. He’d been directing the group of people, handing out chores for them to do.
“Fast as you can, people. She’s a curious one, and the girls won’t be able to keep her busy for long.” Brock chuckled. He was the ring-leader, and stood back watching as the yard was transformed into a floral wonderland.
There were pink hibiscus flowers, white miniature roses, and lavender-coloured flowers, native to Jamaica. Satin ribbons were tied to the large wooden swing-bench, as well as more flowers.
“Are you prepared Reverend?” Cam asked.
“Yes sir. I’m more than ready, and delighted to be here.”
“Great. It looks like the troops are about done here. I’ll go start the parade.” Cam ran towards the house, nervous and shaky. He didn’t know if Teal would go for it, but he was ready, hook, line, and sinker!
***
“This is the bedroom. Pardon the mess, but I have been painting all day,” Teal said, anxious to get back outside.
Taking the painting as an excuse to keep Teal busy, Maggie cried out, “Oh, Teal. It’s adorable. What a wonderful painting. The lizard looks like it’s actually alive.”
Laughing, Teal said, “That creature is the reason your Dad and I are together. He scared me so bad that I jumped on your Dad’s lap.”
“That doesn’t sound too bad Teal.”
Well, you see…your Dad was in the bathtub outside…naked, at the time.”
“Oh!” Moira laughed. “Now that’s one way to get a man, though I’ve never heard of anyone else doing it.”
Maggie too was laughing. “I think I’m going to buy me a lizard! My fiancé, Shane, could use a little boost! He’s so…civilized! I would like to shock his pants off!”
“Maggie Brooke. I’m shocked at you. What would Mother think?” Moira said.
“Shane Drake, is the man of my dreams, but even Mother thinks he needs a kick in the seat in the romance department!” Maggie grinned, showing her dimples.
“Is he here with you?” Teal asked, trying to get them to go back outside. The girls didn’t seem inclined to leave the bedroom.
“Oh, yes he is, but we wanted some personal time with you, Teal. We have a gift for you.” Moira held out the gift-wrapped box to her.
“It isn’t even my birthday. Why would you buy me a gift?” Opening the box, she pulled out a simple white satin dress. It had two-inch wide shoulder straps and ended just below the knees. The simple design was loose, and cut low in the bossom and back.
“Girls it’s absolutely beautiful, but not practical for living out here.”
“Oh, please ,Teal, will you try it on for us? Please,” Maggie begged.
“Well, okay, Maggie. I’ll put it on. Just give me a couple of minutes, and I’ll be right out.”
The girls grinned and left the room, closing the door tight behind them.
Sighing, Teal slipped off her clothes and put her new dress on. It fit her perfectly. She looked in the full-length mirror. “It looks like a wedding dress, Jamaican style,” she murmured.
A knock at the door snapped her out of her musings.
“Come in,” she called.
Cam entered the room and stopped, holding his breath. Letting out a deep sigh, he said, “You are beautiful, Teal. You look like an angel.”
“Thank you, Cam. Please, tell me what is going on.”
“Oh, I will, love. But first, come with me.”
Taking her hand, he led her into the new addition. The room was completely finished, but bereft of furniture. The gleaming wood floor looked like a sheet of brown glass, it was so glossy. The walls were done in a powder-blue. One large window looked out into the forest.
“Cam, I’ve already seen the addition. What are you doing?”
Leading her to the center of the room, he stopped, turning her to face him.
“Teal, love. I never would have met you if it hadn’t been for this addition, so I thought that this was a good place to do it.” Getting down on one knee, he stared up at her, pulling a small blue velvet box from his pocket.
“Cam?” she exclaimed.
“Teal I want to spend the rest of my life with you. I love you. We were meant for each other. Now, I realize that I have a body that tends to slow me down a bit, and my career is just taking off, but all-in-all, I think I’m a pretty fair catch. Will you marry me?”
Teal’s mouth dropped open. She stared at him for a long moment, and then tears filled her eyes. Looking around her in a panic, she grabbed at her throat, her face turning an alarming shade of purple.
“Breathe, love. Here, sit down.” Grabbing a chair from the kitchen, he raced back and sat her down on it, pushing her head down between her knees.
“Take deep breaths love. It’s just a bit of anxiety. It will pass.”
Gasping for breath, Teal tried to talk to him.
“Cam…I…I’m too old…to get…married again.”
“Breathe, darlin’,” he murmured. “You are never too old to get married. I’m a few years older than you, and I want to marry you very much.”
“But…I’m not even…pr…pretty. I don’t…have a…job.”
“Teal. You don’t need to work. Between the two of us, we can live happily ever after, and then some.”
“But I...”
“Teal. Enough of the excuses! You either love me, and want to marry me, or you don’t.” Cam’s tone was only a little stern. He was still gentle, and sweet.
“I…I do—.”
“I’ll take that as a yes then!” Slipping the ring on her finger, he waited while she stared at it. It had an aquamarine stone, surrounded by diamonds.
“The stone matches your eyes, Teal. I figured you wouldn’t mind having a non-traditional engagement ring.” Lifting her chin, his lips caressed hers with a whisper of a kiss.
Staring into his eyes, Teal whispered, “You are sure you want this?”
Offering her a wide grin, he said, “More than anything. You are the light of my life Teal. I love you will all my heart.”
“Cam. I love you too. Yes, I’ll marry you!” She threw her arms around his neck and kissed him.”
“Ahem…we have a schedule to keep here! Can you save that for after the ceremony?” Brock grinned, leaning against the door-frame. He had on an identical shirt to Cam’s.
“Ceremony?” Teal asked, a little dazed.
“Well sure. The Reverend is outside, waiting for us,” Brock said, winking.
“Us?”
“Come on. Quit stalling, Sis. You always have to super-analyze things. Just go with the flow.”
Cam helped her stand, making sure she wasn’t dizzy from her panic attack. The two men led her out to the yard. She gasped, stopping in her tracks.
“It’s beautiful! How—.”
“Never mind how woman! Just follow the bouncing ball,” Brock teased.
Leading Teal to the swing-bench, where the reverend waited, Cam stood beside her, holding her hand tight in his.
When Brock and Moira took their place beside
them, she thought it was because they were standing up for them as Best Man and Maid of Honour. When the reverend began speaking, and she realized that Brock and Moira were getting married too, she gasped, and became dizzy. Cam put his arm around her, supporting her.
“Wait! Brock, Moira? You’re getting married too?” she asked.
The couple grinned, and Brock put his arm around Moira.
“You betcha. We are mad about each other. We’ve been living together since you left us in Toronto. Do you mind us getting married with you?”
“Mind?” Teal laughed, tears filling her eyes. “I’d like nothing better!”
The reverend cleared his throat, finally capturing their attention, and performed the ceremony. Teal’s head was spinning by the time they were done. The guests were a few of Moira’s and Brock’s friends from Toronto, Cam’s work crew as well as Poppy, Delon and Zola, who held the baby. Each of the guests had brought food from town for the dinner afterwards.
They feasted, they laughed, and they danced on the grass, long into the night. Teal sat down and stared at the group before her.
Poppy came and sat beside her.
“Ms. Teal. Are you happy?” she asked, knowing the answer by the expression on Teal’s face.
“Deliriously so. It’s like I’m on another planet. It doesn’t seem real to me—I’m married! Again!” she said in wonder.
“Life is too short to waste even a minute, Ms. Teal. Grab what happiness you can, and hold onto it.” Poppy said.
Turning to look at her friend, Teal smiled. “I never thought I’d feel this way again. It’s wonderful. I think we need to work on finding you a mate next, Poppy,” she teased.
Poppy became shy all of a sudden. “Well…I…um. Ms. Teal, there has been something I meant to tell you, but there never seemed a right time.”
“What is it Poppy?”
Searching the guests, Poppy pointed. “See that handsome Jamaican man over there? The one in the white t-shirt?”
“Yes. He is very handsome. That’s one of Cam’s workers.”
“Leon and I have been…seeing each other since they started building your addition.” Poppy looked extremely embarrassed.
“Why Poppy! That’s wonderful. I’m so happy for you.” Teal hugged her friend, holding her close for a long moment.
“Will wonders never cease,” Teal teased.
Leon made his way over to them.
Nodding, he smiled at them. “Ms. Teal. Poppy-girl, it’s time we were on our way. Are you ready to go?”
“Leon. I have to say that I’m thrilled that you and Poppy are together. She’s a wonderful lady. You take good care of her now. You hear me?” Teal said, sounding protective.
“Yes ma’am. I sure will. She’s the apple of my eye.” Grinning, Leon held out his hand, and Poppy took it.
“Oh, wait Leon. I have to clean up before we can go.”
Teal shook her head. “No you do not. You both go ahead. There are plenty of people to help clean up.”
Poppy appeared to be worried. “Are you sure?” she asked.
“Absolutely sure. Go on now. Get out of here,” Teal shooed them away, laughing.
While she watched them walk up to the cottage, Teal felt him come up behind her.
“Well there Mrs. Brooke. How are you feeling on this fine evening?”
“Well, Mr. Brooke. I feel like I have a whole new lease on life.”
“Hmmm…now that’s a good sign. How would you like to disappear with me? We have a honeymoon to get started.”
“Oh, Cam. I can’t tell you how much it means to me, that you did all this. I never even imagined that I would marry again.
“I noticed the day you put your wedding rings away, and realized that you were making a decision. You were letting them rest in peace, and moving on with your life. That is as it should be, Teal. I’m honoured that you would share your life with me.”
Holding her close to him, he kissed her neck. His hand ran circles over her back, sliding over the silky-white material of the dress.
“Ah, you two seem to do that a lot. Do you think you could break it up for a minute so we can say goodnight?” Brock teased. Moira chuckled beside him.
“Well, if it isn’t my sneaky brother, and my sneaky daughter-in-law…ah…sister-in-law? Uh…oh. What exactly do we call you Moira?” Teal asked, completely confused.
“Just call me ecstatically happy. I can skip the Mom part if you can. Let’s just be sisters-in-law, and when Da is around, I can be your daughter.”
“Now there is a plan!” Teal chuckled.
Maggie walked over to them with Shane in tow.
“Hi kids!” she teased. “Shane and I are ready to head to your house Da. I think Delon is taking us all. He rented a van, expecting to transport us everyone after the festivities ended.”
“It was a wonderful evening. Congratulations Teal and Cam. Oh, and you too, Brock and Moira. I doubt our wedding will have as many surprises as yours,” Shane said, grinning.
Everyone laughed.
“Don’t bet on it!” Maggie said, her grin wide. “This family is always full of surprises.”
“Geez. What am I getting myself in for?” Shane teased.
Cam stared down at Teal, and said, “Lots of love, son. Lots and lots of love.”
CHAPTER 14
The Captured Bride
Over the next two weeks, the newlyweds spent their time sightseeing with Maggie and Shane. They also included Poppy and Leon on their tours, who had announced their own plans to wed.
“It’s a freaking epidemic!” Maggie cried, shedding tears of mirth. “Is it the water? Tell me is it the drinking water? Everyone suddenly has to go and get married.”
Delon and Zola were sitting together on the swing-bench, while Cam Jr. was curled up on Delon’s chest.
With a snort, Zola said, “If it was the drinking water, I’d drink every ounce I could find. It sure isn’t doing me a lick of good!”
All heads turned to Zola then shifted to Delon.
Clearing his throat, Delon turned to look at her. “I…ah…I’ve been drinking the water too. I think Maggie is right. It’s the water.” He stared at Zola for a moment.
“Right. You’re still single, Delon. I don’t see you popping the question to anyone,” Zola muttered, her eyes downcast.
“Well I would if she’d look at me,” he said.
Poppy quickly took the baby from Delon. The others all stood silent, waiting for Zola to realize what Delon was saying.
“Ha! You wanna pop the—.” Her big brown eyes flew to meet his, her expression one of shock.
Delon held her eyes with his.
“Will you marry this old man, Zola?” His eyes held uncertainty, and fear of being turned down. Since the day she’d turned sixteen, he’d been trying to work up the courage to ask her to marry him. With an entire crowd watching, he asked.
“You want to marry me?” she whispered, unable to believe her ears.
“If you’ll have me. I have loved you from the minute I met you. But, if you think I’m too old for you, I’ll understand.”
“To old? Are you nuts? Delon, for months now I’ve tried to get close to you, but you never let me near. Why now?” she asked, her eyes filling with tears.
“Maybe because I’ve realized what an idiot I am, and that I can’t stand the thought of living without you for even a minute longer. Maybe because I love you, Zola.”
She stared at him open mouthed for a moment.
“That’s a whole lotta maybe, Delon. What about Cam Jr.?” she asked.
“I already feel like he’s my son. I want to help you raise him. Maybe we can give him some brothers and sisters?”
“Hell yes!” she shouted, throwing herself at him.
Delon caught her, pulling her close to his heart, and when she kissed him, he made sure that she enjoyed every minute.
“Well, I rest my case then.” Maggie said. All eyes were on her, while the couple kissed. “It’s the
bloody water!”
Laughter filled the air, ringing through the trees.
***
The day after some tearful farewells at the airport, Teal set up a schedule to get back in tune with the children at the school.
More supplies had come in while she was on honeymoon, and Teal was anxious to get them to the kids.
Delon was busy honeymooning with his wife and son. They’d had a quiet ceremony in Teal’s yard, and rented a cottage on the beach for a week. Delon didn’t feel comfortable staying away any longer than that.
Teal decided to drive herself to the school. She and Cam had given Delon and Zola a small used car as a wedding gift, so Teal’s car was free. She’d packed it full of supplies that morning.
The building crew and Cam had stopped building the schoolhouse temporarily, in order to build a large home for a foreigner. Since the school was volunteer work, the other house came first.
Tropical Balm Page 12
