From Boss to Bridegroom (24 page)

Epilogue

September 1882

“S
eventeen years ago today, I welcomed not one but two precious daughters into the world.” Standing behind a table where a scrumptious-looking cake and jars of tea and lemonade had been set up beneath the trees, Alice beamed at the crowd. Close friends and family had come out on this pleasant autumn afternoon to celebrate the twins' birthday. “Some people might assume a man would be disappointed at having two more girls added to our brood. Not your father. He fell in love the instant he set eyes on you. If he were here today, I know he'd be bursting with pride just as I am. Happy birthday, my dears.”

Whistles and hearty clapping echoed through the yard. On one side of Alice, Jane blushed. On the other side, Jessica smiled boldly, unfazed by the attention. Nicole studied the white dresses she'd designed for them during her weeks in Knoxville, satisfied with the results. Similar in material and outline, Jane's skirt sported a panel of royal blue beneath white eyelet lace, complemented with a ribbon about her slender waist. For Jessica's dress, she'd used forest green. They looked elegant and beautiful.

“Hard to believe they're seventeen.” Taking their seats once the noise quieted and Alice began slicing the cake, her older sister Juliana reached up to readjust the pins holding her heavy flame-colored hair. “They seem older than the last time I saw them. Mature young women.”

Nicole glanced around at the guests, noting the number of young men watching the girls with undisguised interest. “I have a feeling Mama won't have them at home for much longer.”

Juliana touched her hand, deep green eyes frank and approving. “Jane and Jessica aren't the only ones who've changed. I noticed something different about you as soon as we arrived. You're...”

“Less annoying than usual?” Amusement marked her words. “Not as self-absorbed?”

A wide smile softened Juliana's features. “I was going to say content. At peace with yourself.”

Conversation filtered around them as people found their seats at the handful of makeshift tables or on thick logs her cousins had dragged in for the occasion. Near the cake table, Kate comforted a sleepy Victoria while chatting with Rebecca, whose large tummy had seemed to drop in recent days.

“It took a while to get to this point.”

Too much of her life, she'd depended on others' opinions and treatment of her to dictate how she viewed herself. Now she knew the truth. What counted was how God, her Creator, saw her. According to the Scriptures, she was wonderfully and fearfully made. She was God's beloved child, with her own unique strengths and shortcomings—His prone-to-weakness vessel to be used for His glory.

“I like Quinn. Evan does, too. He's a perfect match for you.”

On the far side of the yard, Caleb, Lucian and Quinn lounged along the barn wall with Evan, Juliana's husband. Their son, James, a mini-version of dark-haired Evan, held tightly to his father's hand and sucked his thumb.

Of course, her attention was all for her fiancé. Watching his animated face, she said, “Quinn balances my serious side. He makes me laugh.”

“He makes you happy.”

“Yes.”

Quinn glanced in her direction and winked, lazy smile and waggling brows promising stolen kisses later. Her heart melted. She could hardly wait until she officially became Mrs. Quinn Darling. Fourteen more days.

“You make him happy, too,” Juliana mused, studying their interaction. “That much is obvious.”

“I try.”

“You don't have to try. You just have to be. Trust me on this. It's plain he adores you, little sis.”

“I wish you could move back here.”

Longing surged in her eyes even as her ginger brows creased. “Evan and I have discussed the subject. We're praying about it. I've made precious friends in Cades Cove, but it's not the same. I miss my family.”

Grateful she'd figured out how important family was before it was too late, Nicole squeezed her sister's hand. “I'll pray about the matter, as well.”

“At least we get to stay for your wedding.”

“The day can't get here soon enough.”

Jessica arrived, balancing three plates, and passed Nicole and Juliana pieces of cake before sitting across the table with her own. “I wish you'd let me at least peek at your wedding dress,” she complained before scooping up a bite.

Jane delivered lemonades and headed back for more, stopping briefly to thank well-wishers.

Nicole picked up her fork and repeated the answer she'd given over the past weeks. “You'll see it once I'm finished.”

Returning to her seat, Jane sipped her drink. “I've no doubt it will be the loveliest creation you've made to date.”

Jessica swept her long ponytail behind her shoulder. Nicole had offered to arrange her hair, but she'd insisted on keeping it simple.

“Well, hurry up. You know I'm not the most patient person in the world.”

Juliana laughed outright. “Oh, we know.”

Across from her, Jane sighed and scanned the faces as if searching for someone specific. Her shoulders slumped in disappointment.

“What's the matter, Jane?” Nicole had a feeling she knew, but she asked, anyway.

Jessica rolled her eyes. “What do you think? She's pining away for her one true love.”

“Who's that?” Juliana swiped a napkin across her mouth.

“Tom Leighton,” Nicole said quietly. “He used to own the barbershop.”

“Oh. I remember now. Megan mentioned him in her letters.”

Silence descended, Tom's proposal to Megan hovering unspoken between them. While Megan had considered him a good friend, she hadn't loved him. Her heart belonged to Lucian. He sold his shop and left town after she turned down his proposal.

Setting aside her fork, Jane gave up all pretense of eating. Nicole's heart broke at the evidence of her sister's misery. Tom had been a friend to the entire family, but he'd had a soft spot for Jane.

“He hasn't written. Not one single letter to let us know he's safe. He knows how I worry!”

Jessica rubbed her twin's back. “I'm sure he's fine, sis.”

Jane touched a hand to her elegant, upswept hair. “I thought he'd come home for my birthday. Surprise me, you know? What a fool I've been.”

“He's been gone a long time,” Jessica said quietly. “Maybe it's time to move on.”

Tears glistening, Jane reluctantly nodded. “I think you're right. I've wasted enough time on Tom Leighton. It's time to forget him.”

Nicole wondered if Jane truly meant what she said and, if so, how long it would take to get over him.

* * *

Nicole's wedding day arrived crisp yet sunny, not a single cloud in the brilliant blue sky. Her cabin had been invaded by every last female in her family. Her mother and Aunt Mary were in the kitchen admiring the two-layer cake, a vanilla-and-cream confection that Jane had topped with chopped peppermints as a nod to the groom's candy obsession. Everyone else was upstairs with her. As if she needed eight people to help her prepare.

Seated at the dressing table, Megan carefully tucked flowers into Nicole's upswept curls, and lighthearted chatter and giggles enveloped her. In the mirror's reflection, Nicole watched Rebecca give her younger sister, Amy, a hug. Sophie and Kate admired the wedding dress hanging in the corner. Jane was trying to convince Jessica to let her fix her hair into something more formal than a ponytail, and Juliana stood quietly by, eyes shiny as she observed all her sisters.

Contentment eclipsed the beginnings of nervous jitters. She was incredibly fortunate to be in this place, in this moment, with people who loved her. And whom she loved in return.

A flurry at the stairs caught everyone's attention. A slender form with bright blond hair emerged from the opening in the floor.

“I'm so sorry I'm late!” Lillian strode across the spacious room, covering her mouth when she saw what Megan was doing to Nicole's hair. “Quinn is going to swallow his tongue when he gets a look at you.”

That startled a laugh out of Megan. “I certainly hope not.”

Nicole smiled. “You look gorgeous. Did you get that dress in New Orleans?”

Nodding, she twirled. “Megan picked it out.”

Patrick and Lillian had accompanied the couple on their yearly summer trip to New Orleans to visit Lucian's father. All these weeks later, Lillian was still talking about everything she'd seen and experienced. While Carl was in jail awaiting trial, their guardianship had been officially transferred to Lucian and Megan. Sheriff Timmons had assured them that they'd never have to go back to Carl. Their grandfather planned to visit around Thanksgiving, and both were eager to meet him.

“Pink
is
your favorite color,” Megan said, affection for the young girl sparkling in her eyes. “Good thing it complements your fair complexion.”

Nicole listened quietly as the two spoke of the fashionable shops they'd visited. In a different time, she would've been envious of those shop owners. Not now. She didn't equate giving up her shop to giving up a dream. Instead, she saw it as exchanging it for a new and better one.

A life with the man she loved was what she truly desired, a life made rich with relationships. Quinn had surprised her with plans for an addition to the mercantile. Once they got settled in their new home, he was going to transform the store's private quarters into her very own seamstress shop. He'd also offered to help her design an advertisement for surrounding communities so that she could receive and ship orders and not rely solely on the people of Gatlinburg for business. It was the perfect solution.

“Nicole, are you listening?”

“Oh, sorry. My mind was wandering. What did you say?”

Megan's smile was knowing. “We're returning to New Orleans at the end of this week. I'm not sure how long we'll be gone. Would you mind checking in on Patrick? He decided to stay here and continue helping Quinn at the store.”

“You were just there. Why so soon?”

Hope burned in her sister's eyes. “Lucian and I plan to revisit some of the orphanages. We prayed about it and feel God is leading us to go back. We'd appreciate your prayers.”

Twisting in her seat, Nicole squeezed her hand. “You have them, sis.”

Their mother's voice carried up the stairs. “We have to leave in twenty minutes, girls!”

A flurry of excitement engulfed the room. Nicole was urged into her dress, her sisters fussing over the delicate buttons marching up her back.

“Quinn is not going to like this feature,” Juliana chuckled.

She wondered what he was doing right that moment, what his thoughts were, if he was nervous.

Her flaring skirts were fluffed and straightened and a wildflower bouquet was pressed into her hands. And then they were making their way to the awaiting wagon.

Caleb's jaw dropped. Coming around to the front steps, he braced his hands on his hips. “This can't be my little Nicki.”

Nerves and anticipation zipping through her, she shot him a mock glare. “Don't start with me, Caleb O'Malley. It isn't nice to tease the bride-to-be.”

Taking her hand, he helped her down the stairs and lifted her onto the seat. “You're right. Besides, you don't look like Nicki today.” He waved a hand to indicate her dress. “Quinn is going to have trouble speaking his vows.”

“Have you seen him this morning?”

He grinned. “I have.”

She gripped the flowers. “And?”

“He seemed calm and focused. And eager to hitch himself to you.”

Smiling in relief, she closed her eyes and anticipated seeing her groom while Caleb helped the girls into the wagon bed, where hay squares had been set up and covered with quilts for makeshift seating.

Quinn was thrilled to have his parents and siblings in town. Her nervousness over meeting them had proved pointless. While Edward Darling was a tad intimidating, with his booming voice and authoritative manner, he possessed a kind heart, and Edith Darling had treated Nicole with warmth and affection from the moment of their arrival. Quinn had apparently written glowing letters to his mother, and she was thrilled her eldest son had found love at last. Eighteen-year-old Trevor was even more outrageous than Quinn. Jessica had taken one look at the brash, handsome young man and become instantly smitten. And Tilly was a sweetheart, if a tad superior in her outlook. Nicole couldn't really blame her. Not considering her lavish upbringing and well-to-do friends. Having two protective, doting brothers probably hadn't helped matters.

Lucian and Megan had generously allowed the Darlings to stay with them. The past several weeks, Nicole had been given a glimpse into Quinn's previous life. Much to his dismay, Edith had regaled her with all sorts of stories from his childhood. She was looking forward to visiting his Boston home at Christmastime.

The ride to the church passed quickly. Soon she was being ushered up the stairs and through the doors. The interior was packed, but all that mattered was Quinn.

The piano music swelled. Clasping her uncle Sam's outstretched arm, she took her first step toward her future, toward the man God had brought into her life at just the right time. The moment their eyes met, Quinn's went wide and his lips parted. Frank admiration replaced the initial shock. His honeyed eyes warmed with pride and love, and his mouth curved in a smile that made her feel as light as an air balloon.

When she'd reached the front and Sam joined his wife on the pew, Quinn took her hands in his and, in a swift and unexpected move, placed a quick but searing kiss on her lips.

Everyone in attendance laughed, including Reverend Monroe. “Try to have some patience, young man. We haven't gotten to that part yet.”

“My apologies.” The twinkle in his eyes belied his words.

Happiness bubbling up, Nicole's smile stretched from ear to ear. With her hands tucked safely in her groom's, they exchanged the sacred vows committing themselves to each other for the rest of their lives. When the reverend pronounced them husband and wife, he said, “
Now
you have leave to kiss your bride.”