Waterfront Weddings (70 page)

Children ran in wild circles while adults worked through the food line. Edward and Bonnie waited at the head of the line, welcoming everyone as if they stood in a receiving line at the wedding. The legacy of their lifetime together was clear from the simple touches and unspoken communication to the number of people who had come to the island to celebrate them.

That’s what he wanted. A life well lived in forty years. One lived with the woman on the bench next to him.

“What are you thinking?”

Her quiet words pulled him to her. Did he dare say? He took in her smooth skin, direct gaze, and the slight upturn of her lips. He’d never been more certain of anything in his life.

He might be certain, but when he opened his mouth, nothing escaped. It was like a block existed between his thoughts and his vocal cords.

“Must be serious.” She teased.

“Alanna, I want to spend the rest of my life with you.” The words came out in a rush, blurted from a full heart.

“Jonathan…” Caution replaced the teasing light.

“Listen. . . When you returned this summer, everything that existed between us erupted to life. I know it took a few weeks for me to sort through everything with Jaclyn, but I’ve never loved anyone like I love you, Alanna. You make my days complete. You make me complete, a better person than I ever was without you. I love you, Alanna. For always.” He stopped as she started biting her lower lip. Tears leaked from her eyes, and panic spiked through him. “Don’t cry, Alanna. This was supposed to make you happy.”

“I am.” The words were choked. Then a smile crested on her face, like the sun breaking through the clouds after the long Mackinac Island winter. “I love you, too, Jonathan.”

Four weeks later

A
lanna fidgeted in front of the mirror in her bedroom. The white gown was simple, its A-line design skimming her waist to balloon over her hips before it settled midcalf. She wore a hat rather than a veil. After everything they’d endured, she didn’t want anything coming between her and Jonathan.

They’d waited eleven long years to find each other and rediscover their love. Now that they had, she’d insisted on a quick wedding. She was ready to begin life as Mrs. Jonathan Covington.

Mom bustled into the room, Patience Matthews entering behind her. Mom stilled and placed a hand on her chest. “Alanna, you look beautiful.”

“Thanks, Mom.” The rising tide of excitement crested over her. It wouldn’t be much longer now. Soon. . .soon.

Patience extended the small bouquet she held. “I had quite the time finding lilacs but got them shipped in. Too bad you couldn’t get married during the lilac festival. That would have made things simpler.”

Alanna laughed, remembering how uncertain everything had been at the beginning of the season when the lilac festival had flooded the island with color. “These are perfect.” The heady aroma of lilacs, a mix of white and lavender blooms, was better than any perfume she could wear.

Everything was perfect. Trevor had settled back into life on Mackinac. He’d even offered art lessons on various Saturdays. So far the classes were small, but the idea seemed to catch on. By next summer, people would have to sign up in advance to get guidance from the great Trevor Stone. He’d started painting a couple days a week in front of the studio. It drew a crowd and pulled interested buyers into the store.

Dad was on the mend. He and Mom planned to move back to the island in time for the winter. Why they’d want to do that she wasn’t sure, but he insisted nothing could happen the medical center on the island couldn’t handle. Based on what she’d seen when Brendan shot Jonathan, he was right.

Her future wasn’t quite so settled. She’d returned to Grand Rapids long enough to move her things to storage and reclaim Midnight. The cat seemed to enjoy sitting on the porch and stalking birds, but Alanna needed more than that. Maybe she’d open a small practice or work with Jonathan, but for now she continued to run the studio while she prayed about what God wanted her to do.

“Come on, Alanna. Dad’s downstairs.”

Alanna nodded. Her future plans could wait. Right now she wanted to become Mrs. Covington as quickly as possible.

She took one more glance in the mirror, excitement meeting her gaze.

Patience and Mom each grabbed an arm and eased her toward the door. She took a last glance around the room. Tonight she’d move into Jonathan’s cabin next door. Even if it was small, that’s where they decided to begin their lives together. It would be a great place to start their married life together. When they reached the downstairs, Dad sat in his wheelchair. Trevor stood behind him wearing a suit, ready to push Dad.

The pastor and Jonathan already stood outside on the dock. A small group of close friends and family waited in chairs. In a twist, Jonathan had planned the event, pulling together the perfect ceremony from his web of contacts.

“Are you ready?” Dad smiled up at her.

“Yes. Yes I am.”

“Good. It’s time you married this man.”

“Dad!”

He chuckled, but a serious look settled in his gaze. “I have no doubt he’s the man for you. You’ll have a good life, though nobody guarantees easy.”

“Amen to that,” Mom stage-whispered.

Patience chuckled then scooted around the group. “I’m off to claim my seat.” She kissed Alanna. “Best wishes, dear.”

“Thank you.”

Mom kissed her cheek next. “I’ll let that anxious groom of yours know it’s almost time. Love you.”

“Love you, too.” Alanna loved the way God was rebuilding their relationship. He was so good to her.

Alanna sucked in a steadying breath as her daddy reached up. “Ready?”

“Yes, sir.”

Trevor slowly pushed the wheelchair down the temporary path workers had installed. Alanna stalled when her gaze collided with Jonathan’s. There might be rows of chairs between them, but at the arbor at the end of the dock, he was locked on her. She couldn’t tear her gaze from his even if she wanted to.

In that moment, she thanked God for bringing her home. For showing her it was time to stop running from the truth, and for saving this man for her.

She had all she wanted and more for a lifetime of love.

Annalisa Daughety, a graduate of FreedHardeman University, writes contemporary fiction set in historic locations.
A Wedding to Remember in Charleston, South Carolina
, is her seventh novel. Annalisa lives in Arkansas with two spoiled dogs and is hard at work on her next book. She loves to connect with her readers through social media sites like Facebook and Twitter. More information about Annalisa can be found at her website,
www.annalisadaughety.com
.

Cara C. Putman lives in Indiana with her husband and four children. She’s an attorney and a ministry leader and teacher at her church. She has loved reading and writing from a young age and now realizes it was all training for writing books. An honors graduate of the University of Nebraska and George Mason University School of Law, Cara loves bringing history to life. Learn more about Cara and her writing at
caraputman.com
and
facebook.com/cara.putman
.