Under a Summer Sky (14 page)

“M
o-om,” Asher called from the bottom of the stairs. “I’m presentable!”

“Can you come up?” Laney called as she zipped the back of her dress. It had been Noah’s job to make sure the younger boys were dressed and presentable by wedding time, but she sometimes worried about Noah’s idea of presentable.

Asher appeared shyly in the doorway and looked at everyone all dressed up. “Wow,” he said softly when he saw Beryl.

“Thanks,” she said, smiling. “You look pretty sharp yourself.”

Laney eyed her youngest son. He was wearing stone-colored khakis and a light blue oxford shirt, and he’d had just gotten a haircut so he had a pale line of smooth skin framing his tan face. She straightened the white boutonniere on his shirt and smiled. “You look very handsome.”

Asher pushed his glasses up on his nose. “Dad says it’s time. Everyone’s already down at the beach.”

Meghan looked up in surprise. “I think I’m going to head down then,” she said, giving her aunt a hug. “Good luck!” she whispered, and as she pulled away, Beryl’s heart started to race.

Immediately, Rumer saw the alarm in her sister’s eyes and put her arm around her shoulders. “Everything’s going to be fine.”

“I know,” Beryl said softly, her eyes glistening. “It’s just I . . . I wish Mom was here.”

“She is here, Ber,” Rumer said softly. “She’s looking down from heaven, and she has a huge smile on her face.”

Isak nodded. “I had a feeling you might miss her more tonight, so I brought something I think she would want you to wear.” She held out her hand, revealing a sparkling sapphire ring.

“Oh,” Rumer exclaimed. “That’s perfect! Not only is it from Mom, but it’s old, borrowed . . . and blue!”

Beryl laughed tearfully, slipping the ring that had belonged to their mom on her finger. She held her hand, admiring it, and smiled through her tears—somehow it did make her mom feel near.

“No crying,” Isak warned. “Or your eyes’ll be red and puffy.”

Beryl nodded, showing Laney the ring.

“It’s beautiful,” Laney said.

“When we have more time, I’ll tell you the story.”

“I’d love to hear it,” Laney said.

After another round of hugs, they went carefully down the stairs and found E and Asa waiting in the kitchen. E knelt down, handed a small box to Asher, and looked him in the eye. “Can you make it down to the beach without losing this?”

Asher nodded solemnly.

Then E held a small basket of flower petals out to Charlotte. “Just sprinkle little handfuls along the path,” he reminded, and she nodded too.

The screen door squeaked open, and Rumer’s and Isak’s husbands, Will and Matt, came in carrying beer bottles. “You guys look maahvelous!” Matt said jovially, and seeing Beryl, added, “And
you
look gorgeous!”

“Thank you,” Beryl said, giving her brothers-in-law each a kiss.

“Umm . . . where are
our
drinks?” Isak teased, eyeing their beers.

“You guys were taking too long,” Matt said, offering his bottle to her.

She took a sip and handed it back to him. “Okay, I’m ready. Let’s get this party started!”

As they crossed the yard, Beryl noticed Gabe standing near the entrance to the path, and when he smiled at her, she wondered what he was up to. He stood stoically, watching and waiting until Asher, holding the little box as if his life depended on it, and Charlotte, sprinkling golden sunflower petals, passed by with Mennie and Halle—not to be left out—traipsing beside them. Then, as his grandfather offered Beryl his arm, Gabe lifted a brass trumpet to his lips and began to play the beginning notes of Vivaldi’s Trumpet Voluntary. Beryl’s heart swelled with joy at the unexpected surprise.

Hearing the regal sound, the gathering of friends and family waiting on the breezy beach grew quiet and looked up expectantly. A moment later, Charlotte appeared, wearing her white, cotton sundress and the angelic halo of baby’s breath the salon had made for her. But when she saw the crowd of people, she froze, and Asher almost bumped into her. “Char,” he whispered loudly. “Whadju stop for?” Still clutching the box, he guided his stage-struck cousin with his free hand toward his father—an act that made everyone chuckle. Next came Laney with her arm tucked into Elijah’s, followed by Rumer and Will, and then Isak and Matt, who had to stop to put his beer in the bushes before making their entrance.

Finally, with the majestic sound of the trumpet floating above the thundering surf, Beryl, escorted by her dashing father-in-law and looking absolutely stunning herself, walked across the beach toward the love of her life, and when she reached him, Asa lightly kissed her cheek and placed her hand in Micah’s.

Then, under a summer sky streaked with orange and pink clouds, Beryl and Micah stood side by side and promised to love and honor each other forever. And as the stars grew brighter, and they slipped on the golden rings that Asher had been guarding with his life, Noah pronounced them husband and wife. Immediately, the crowd erupted into cheers, and in the flickering light of the torches, Micah gave his bride the long, sweet kiss she so deserved.

“Oh, man, get a room,” Seth whispered, elbowing his brother and grinning.

J
ust as Lucy had predicted, the evening flew by. Beryl and Micah felt as if they’d been swept up in a glittering dream filled with sparkling lights, clinking glasses, and swishing taffeta, and all with the sounds of Sinatra and Billie Holiday playing in the background. As soon as everyone reconvened under the sparkling lights of the tent, the bar opened and the catering staff began to pass trays of every hors d’oeuvre imaginable, from coconut shrimp to smoked salmon, and mini hot dogs to mozzarella sticks. A long, stationary table was also set up with platters of fresh tomato, mozzarella, and basil drizzled with balsamic vinegar, every variety of shish kebab—beef, chicken, and shrimp—fresh fruit, and an endless array of cheeses. Ben and Seth were overwhelmed by the selection and tried a little of everything, while Asher, intrigued by the fancy porta-potty, visited it at least three times in the first hour. “Did you know there are smelly candles in there?” he reported, tugging on Laney’s dress.

“Smelly candles in where?” she asked.

“In the porta-potty,” he said in an amazed voice.

She laughed. “You mean scented candles.”

Finally, Gabe took a sip of the beer E had slipped him, cleared his throat, and turned on his microphone. “Welcome, everyone,” he began. “I’m Gabe,” he said in the most professional voice he could muster, “and I’ll be your DJ for the evening. And just so you know, I
do
take requests.” With raised eyebrows, Laney looked across the tent at Noah. He grinned and mouthed, “He’s your son.” But she just shook her head and pointed back at him.

“I’d like to get this party started,” Gabe continued, “but first I’d like to introduce to you—for the first time—Mr. and Mrs. Micah Coleman!” Everyone cheered, and Beryl felt her face blush. But as Micah held out his hand and pulled her toward him, and the sultry sound of Etta James singing “At Last” drifted through the summer night, their surroundings slipped away and she felt as if they were all alone.

As the evening wore on, delicious smells wafted through the tent, but Beryl and Micah barely had time to eat. Instead, they chatted and thanked every friend and family member, only pausing long enough to kiss when the spoons chimed or dance when they were beckoned.

“It’s time,” Gabe announced later in the evening, eyeing his uncle, “for the special dances.” And Micah, taking his cue, reached for Maddie’s hand, and as Elvis Presley’s haunting song “Memories” started to play, Maddie looked into her son’s eyes and tried not to cry.

When the song finished, Gabe suddenly realized the blunder he’d made and frowned, but Asa quickly came to his rescue and whispered something in his ear. Gabe smiled and nodded as he looked through his CDs. A moment later, Frank Sinatra’s smooth, unmistakable voice crooned “I Wish You Love,” and Beryl—never expecting a father-daughter dance—followed Asa out onto the dance floor, where he swept her off her feet and showed everyone how it was done.

The clambake was a huge success. Asa’s chowder was rich and creamy and loaded with fresh clams, and to everyone’s surprise, he willingly shared the Coleman family secret of adding fresh thyme. Even Noah was surprised when he overheard his dad talking about it, but Asa just smiled and said he wasn’t going to live forever so he may as well share it.

After the first course, people chatted about the added flavor the seaweed gave the steamed seafood and potatoes; the corn was well-received too, with many guests commenting on how sweet it was; and the filet mignon, cooked whole and served with a warm merlot sauce, was moist, tender, and rare.

The real treat came, however, at the end of the evening when the catering staff brought out Laney’s peach cobblers. Even Gabe forgot to put on background music during dessert, so except for the scraping of forks on plates, and the cicadas singing in the trees, the tent was quiet, everyone savoring the sweetness of the peaches and the buttery flavor of the cobbler. Almost everyone came back for seconds, and although Lucy repeatedly explained that she wasn’t responsible for the chowder, the corn, or the cobbler, she ended up giving out all the business cards she’d brought with her.

After dessert, Micah and Beryl discreetly disappeared into the house. Ten minutes later, they reappeared, wearing fancy traveling clothes and carrying suitcases. Gabe looked up, realized they were getting ready to leave, and announced, “It’s hard to believe that this wonderful night is already drawing to a close. Our bride and groom,” he said, motioning to Micah and Beryl, “are ready to leave for their honeymoon, but I know they’re hoping everyone will join them for once last dance before they say good-bye.” He cued up a CD, and moments later, the haunting voice of Bobby Hatfield singing “Unchained Melody” filled the tent. Gabe looked for Meghan and saw her talking to Chloe and E. He walked over, and eyeing his brother, teased, “You don’t get
all
the pretty girls.”

E laughed. “I do if you’re not paying attention.”

Gabe turned to Meghan. “Would you like to dance?”

She smiled and nodded, and he took her hand.

As they walked away, Chloe looked up at E. “I’ve missed you these last few days.”

“I’ve missed you too,” he said, searching her eyes. “I’ve just been so busy helping . . .”

“I know . . . and it’s given me a lot of time to think.”

“About what?”

“About what your dad said at Jared’s funeral . . . and what you said at the beach that afternoon—about God not letting bad things happen. And about His promise to always be there for us no matter what.”

“I truly believe that,” E said with a half smile.

Chloe nodded. “Well, it’s starting to make sense.” She paused, searching his eyes. “I don’t want anything to come between us, E. I don’t want to lose you.”

“I don’t either, Chlo, but you can’t expect to find faith overnight. It’s something that grows stronger with time and, well, when I think of our future . . . I mean, if we were to ever have kids someday, I’m going to want them to believe in God and have a strong faith too. I think it’s the most important thing we can teach them, but if you don’t feel the same way”—he shook his head—“then I don’t know. . . .”

Chloe nodded. “E, I want to have a strong faith too, but like you said, it’s going to take time. You have to remember, I just lost my grandfather . . . and then a young boy dies for no reason . . . so I think it’s normal to have questions.”

E nodded. “Dance with me,” he said softly, pulling her onto the dance floor and wrapping his arms around her waist.

“Still love me?” she asked, searching his eyes.

“Always,” he said, pulling her closer.

On the other side of the dance floor, Asa swayed slowly with Maddie in his arms. He looked up at the sparkling Christmas lights, and then he looked around at his family: Noah and Laney; Micah and Beryl; his brother Isaac and his wife, Nina; their daughters—his nieces—two of whom were dancing with Beryl’s nephews, Tommy and Rand; his five grandsons; and one sweet granddaughter. Then he looked up at the brightly lit old Cape Cod house in the background—the house where he’d done so much of his growing up—where Noelle had offered him
her
sweet peach cobbler . . . and where Noah had been conceived. He shook his head slowly, trying to wrap his mind around the wonder of it all. Fifty years ago—when he was Gabe’s age—he would never have imagined how his life would unfold. And he would never have imagined this glorious night. He was truly blessed.

Moments later, Beryl and Micah climbed into a waiting limo, and as they pulled away, everyone lined up along the driveway, waving, cheering, and wishing them well.

Long after the last guest had said good night, carrying a jar of peach jam, Laney and Noah were still outside, picking up empty glasses and beer bottles. The catering staff had done a great job clearing tables, wrapping up leftovers, and bringing them into the house, but Lucy said there was still more to be done, and she promised they’d be back first thing in the morning to finish. As the catering van pulled away, Noah reached for Laney’s hand and smiled. “One more dance?”

She looked at him as if he’d just asked her to climb Mount Washington. “Don’t we have a race to run in the morning?”

“Just one,” he pressed.

“Okay,” she conceded. Wearily, she leaned against one of the tables while he searched the CDs, and as he walked back over to her, she heard the beginning notes and shook her head. “Are you trying to make me cry?”

“No,” he said softly, pulling her toward him.

Glen Campbell’s unmistakable voice started to sing about the lonely Wichita lineman and tears filled Laney’s eyes. “Gramp would’ve loved tonight,” she said, putting her arms around his neck. “He loved it when we all got together.”

Noah nodded, tucking her head under his chin.

“Why do the people we love have to go away?” she asked.

“It’s part of life,” he answered simply.

“I don’t like that part,” she murmured sadly.

“Me neither.”

Hearing music, Gabe looked out from the bathroom window. “Hey, check this out,” he said to his brothers who were all getting ready for bed too. They jostled for position, trying to see out the window all at once. They watched quietly, and as the song ended, they saw their dad lean down and kiss their mom.

Seth snickered and Gabe chuckled. “Okay, guys, on three,” E, Ben, Seth, and Asher all grinned and nodded. He counted softly, “One . . . two . . .” And on three they all shouted, “GET A ROOM!” Then they fell over, giggling and laughing.

Noah and Laney looked up at the window and shouted, “GO TO BED!”