Dragonfly Blessings, page 25
After a few minutes Rod motioned to her. “Rebecca, I have something special for you and Kyle over here by the fireplace.”
Rebecca followed him to the easel that held Michele’s gift.
“Oh, Rod, did Michele paint this for us?”
“She did. She painted a few for upcoming special occasions she was anticipating.”
“So she thought Kyle and I would eventually be engaged? That’s amazing, because we weren’t very far into our relationship when she passed.”
“Shelley was a perceptive woman, Rebecca. Beautiful painting, don’t you think?”
“It’s wonderful!”
“If you turn it over, I believe you’ll see she left a message on the back side.”
Rebecca lifted the painting and turned it over carefully. On the back, Michele had written the following: Rebecca and Kyle, All my love and best wishes on your engagement. Michele.
Rebecca looked up at Rod. “This makes me feel like she’s here with us tonight.”
“Pretty sure that’s what she had in mind.”
“Kyle,” Rebecca called across the room, “Look what Michele painted for our engagement!”
Kyle came across the room with Luke at his heels.
“Did Nana Shelley make that picture?” asked Luke.
“She did, son,” answered Kyle.
“You said Nana Shelley died.”
“That’s right, she did. And all of us are still sad about that. But before she died, she painted this as a present for Becca and me. She gave it to Pop-Pop to keep for this special occasion.”
“Okay, then,” Luke replied and happily ran back to the table for more snacks.
Everyone had settled into a comfortable chair when the door of Rebecca’s apartment flew open, followed by a terrible crash.
“What the hell?” shouted Rod as he ran toward the commotion.
“That bitch,” a woman’s voice screamed. “That bitch is trying to steal my son!”
“Oh, Lordy, Kyle’s ex-wife, who’s had a wee bit too much to drink, is lying out there on the floor,” cried a stunned Lucy. “Honey, I think you’ve come to the wrong house by mistake.”
“Hell I have,” shouted Stefanie as she pulled herself up off the floor and stumbled into the table. “Where is she, and where’s my baby boy? Kyle Saunders, you think you can just up and marry this Rebecca woman?” Stefanie lost her footing again and slammed into the wall. “’Cause you can’t, Kyle. You can’t.”
“Dad, can you keep Luke busy for a few minutes? I need to handle this,” Kyle said to Rod.
He took Rebecca by the hand, and together they went to the kitchen, where they found Emilie holding Stefanie by the arm.
“See here, Stefanie, you need to take your sorry behind down the road right away. You don’t belong here. Now, all these nice folks have planned an engagement party for your ex. And it might just surprise y’all to know that Luke helped with the planning too. Isn’t that right, Leah?”
“Absolutely,” answered Leah. “You’re going to need a ride home, Stefanie, so I’m going to call Donnie Johnston over at the sheriff’s office to help you on your way.”
“Thanks, everyone, but I’ll handle this. Stefanie, I want you out of here now,” Kyle growled.
Lucy stepped forward and gently took Stefanie’s face between her hands then. “You, darlin’, need to take yourself on home with Donnie from the sheriff’s office. Right away, hear?”
“Screw you, old lady,” Stefanie spat at Lucy. “You know nothin’ about me or my business.”
Lucy smiled sweetly. “Maybe not, but I knew when you married my son that it was going to be a major train wreck. See, I’m an old pro at train wreck marriages. I can spot one coming a mile away. There’s no way he could have stayed married to a drunk any more than his father was able to stay married to me. So you be a big girl. Cut your losses and head for home.”
“You old bit …,” began Stefanie.
“Don’t you dare, Stefanie.” Kyle’s voice had a dangerous tone to it.
“Kyle, let me.” Rebecca faced the drunken woman and touched her hand. “Stefanie, I know you’re upset. If you think back, you’ll remember I told you a long time ago that I wouldn’t take your boy away from you. But Kyle and I can’t help that we’ve fallen in love. And it’s not our fault that you continue to drink and can’t handle Luke.”
Stefanie began to cry. “But he’s my little boy.”
“Yes, he is. And I will always take the very best care of him for you.”
“Why you bein’ nice to me?” asked Stefanie.
“Because I understand you’re sad about your divorce, and you miss your little boy.”
Lucy peered out the window at a pair of headlights approaching in the dark. “Why, what perfect timing. Here’s old Donnie what’s-his-name now!”
Lucy opened the kitchen door with one hand and with the other under Stefanie’s elbow, helped her out onto the porch.
“But my little boy,” cried Stefanie.
“Becca promised she will take good care of him. So you do him a favor and stay away now, please.” With that Lucy turned on her sparkly mules and went back into the apartment, but not before shouting, “Thank you, Darlin’ Donnie” to the sheriff’s deputy.
“Well, there now. Let’s get back to our party!” Lucy said and smiled at her son.
Kyle Saunders shook his head with a small grin. His mother and Rebecca had averted a near disaster together.
Back in the great room, Kyle put his arm around Rebecca.
“What time is it, Kyle?”
“It’s almost twelve,” he answered.
“Let’s make a toast to our family and friends at midnight.”
“Consider it done, sweet girl. I’ll round up a couple of glasses of that punch.”
A few moments later, Kyle asked for everyone’s attention.
“I’d like to thank all of you for being here to help us celebrate our engagement. It wasn’t long ago that Becca and I had sworn off relationships for good. But then fate intervened, and here we all are tonight. We couldn’t be happier, including the little guy, who seems to have fallen asleep in the corner of the sofa. So enjoy yourselves and stay as late as you’d like because the suites are open for those who don’t want to drive. Cheers everybody!” He took a sip of champagne punch and held his glass up to the group.
Everyone raised their glasses when suddenly Emilie’s voice filled the room. “Five, four, three, two, one, Happy new year, y’all!”
Shouts of happy new year and congratulations echoed off the walls.
Kyle lifted his sleeping son up off the sofa and carried him over his shoulder toward the apartment at the other end of the house.
“Wait, Kyle!” Rebecca hurried toward them.
She whispered into the sleeping boy’s ear, “Happy new year, Luke.”
“Happy new year, Mommy Becca,” mumbled Luke.
“You’ve made me so happy, Kyle,” she whispered.
“I’ve just begun to make you happy, sweet girl. Don’t stray too far now. I’ll be looking for you after I get him settled,” he answered, his face filled with promise and the smile that had won her heart.
Twenty-six
June 2011, Hatteras Island, North Carolina
The morning of her wedding day, Rebecca woke early to dazzling sunshine and an equally impressive headache. Underlying the throbbing in her head was the distinct feeling that something just wasn’t right. She tried desperately to ignore it as she walked across the property toward the stand of live oaks, where banquet tables had been set up the night before. Emilie and Nicole were busy arranging place settings and floral arrangements for the lunch reception.
“Here comes the bride!” Emilie began to sing. “Hey, y’all want to hear some good news? Might not be appropriate to mention this, seein’ as it’s your wedding day and all, but I just talked to Mama, and it seems that nasty Reed Scott got himself convicted of assault, so he’s gone off to prison for a good long time. Guess he got himself wrapped up with somebody who has more guts than me.” When Rebecca didn’t comment, Emilie looked up.
“What’s the matter, Sug?” asked Emilie when she saw her cousin’s face.
“I’m not sure,” answered Rebecca. “I know we have everything under control, but I can’t shake the feeling that something’s not right.”
“Listen Sug, things have gone well for so long now that you’re afraid something might happen to ruin your day. Don’t worry. A few hours from now you’ll be Mrs. Kyle Saunders and officially ‘Mama Becca’ to Luke.”
“Em’s right. Take a couple of aspirin, Becca,” added Nicole. “Everything is going to be fine.”
Rebecca nodded. “I guess I’m just borrowing trouble. I’ll go take those aspirin right away. And thanks for everything, you two. The tables look great.”
Rebecca swallowed the pills and sank into a wicker lounge chair on the back deck. She closed her eyes and let the warmth of the summer morning breeze caress her skin. A short time later the ringing of her cell phone woke her.
“Hi, sweet girl, I’m on my way to wash the truck. You ready to be Mrs. Saunders in a few hours?”
“Of course I’m ready, Kyle! Will I see you before the ceremony?”
“Probably not, but Luke and I will meet you at the end of that aisle at ten thirty. I just dropped him and his wedding clothes off at Leah’s. He’s so excited; he’s hopping up and down like a crazy man.”
“Well, it’s a big day for all of us. I can’t wait to see you, Kyle.”
“I can’t wait to see you, either.” He paused. “I wish your dad was well enough to be here today.”
“Me too, but I’m okay, Kyle.”
“Good. I’m glad. Love you, sweet girl.”
“Love you more,” she whispered as she ended the call.
After speaking to Kyle, Rebecca felt completely relieved. She walked to the slope where Michele’s memorial service had been held the summer before. Ed Lyons and several of his employees from the inn were setting up white chairs on the hillside. Nicole and Emilie followed along behind, placing daisies and beach grass tied with a blue chiffon bow to the back of each chair. Someone had set the two vases Rebecca created especially for her wedding on the white pedestals near the water. Fired in shimmering glazes of sea and summer sky and filled with an eclectic mix of white peonies, pink roses, daisies, and beach grass, they made a beautiful focal point for the ceremony.
Captain Rod Saunders arrived at that moment carrying a large, flat white package and a white easel, which he placed at the head of the aisle.
“Good morning, Rebecca,” he greeted her. “It’s a beautiful day for a wedding!”
“It is, Rod. What’s in the package?”
“This is Michele’s wedding gift for you and Kyle. Would you like to open it?”
“I was just going up to the house to get dressed. Why don’t you come with me, and we can open it there?”
Rod nodded agreeably and followed her to the apartment inside the main building of the Retreat.
He laid the package on the kitchen table, where Rebecca began to remove the layers of white wrapping paper. The painting that emerged was even more beautiful than the one Michele had painted for their engagement. Instead of creating a scene of Dragonfly Bay, Michele had chosen the ocean sunrise for her background. The sun seemed to rise from the sea into a sky filled with clouds kissed with tints of pink and gold. Two large dragonflies flew together beside a smaller dragonfly over the swaying beach grass that covered a dune in the center of the painting. On the back of the canvas Michele had written, “For Kyle and Rebecca, All of my love on your wedding day. And dragonfly blessings always, Michele”.
“Oh, Rod, this is amazing. She found a way to be here with us after all.”
“She wanted that more than anything, Rebecca.”
“It’s such a perfect gift! Could you place it on the easel for us, please?”
Rod nodded and took the painting out into the sunshine.
As he left, Emilie and Nicole came in the door and followed Rebecca to her room to dress for the ceremony.
“We’re all set outside, Sug. And it looks pretty good, if I may say so myself!”
“I can’t thank the two of you enough, not just for what you’ve done today, but for helping me find my way back to myself. I finally feel like I’m home.”
“We’re your family, Beck. It’s our job to stand by you, although I think we owe a little of the credit to Kyle, Luke, and Michele,” answered Nicole.
Rebecca smiled as her cousins helped her into the white tea-length gown she had chosen. Her new life was about to begin, and she couldn’t wait.
“You look amazing, Sug,” Emilie said as she pinned pink roses into Rebecca’s hair.
“Your dress is the perfect choice for an outdoor wedding,” added Nicole.
“Well, I think we all look great,” Rebecca said. Emilie and Nicole were dressed in sky blue gowns that coordinated with the pale blue oxford shirts and khakis the men were wearing. Every detail of the wedding reflected the laid-back life at the beach that she and Kyle loved so much.
When Emilie and Nicole left the apartment to greet the guests that were beginning to arrive, Rebecca spent a few quiet moments alone. As she left her bedroom, she heard the door open and close. Startled, she walked into the kitchen and came face to face with a short, steel-haired woman.
“Celeste?”
“Yes, it’s me, Rebecca. The door was unlocked. I hope you don’t mind that I let myself in.”
“Of course not,” she answered.
The older woman fidgeted nervously with the fabric of her dress. “I know my RSVP stated that I declined. But I’ve been doing a lot of thinking since Michele’s funeral. I made a lot of mistakes in my relationship with your mother, and I wouldn’t want to repeat those with you. Besides, I think having one’s grandmother at their wedding ceremony is important, don’t you?”
Rebecca leaned over to hug the tiny woman, who responded by kissing her cheek. “Family is more important to me than anything, Celeste, and I’m thrilled that you’re here. I just finished freshening up, and I’m waiting for Kyle and Luke to arrive.”
“Of course, dear, don’t let me interfere.” She reached into her handbag and produced a small box. “I have something you might like to carry today.”
Rebecca opened the little pink box and revealed a miniature gold ring engraved with a tiny “M.” “Oh,” Rebecca breathed, “how pretty!”
“It’s your mother’s baby ring, and I’d like you to have it. I hope we can spend some time getting to know each other in the near future.”
“I’d love that, Celeste. And thank you for the ring. Carrying something of Michele’s today means so much to me.”
The screen door of the apartment slammed as Luke ran into the kitchen, followed by Kyle. “Mommy Becca, I’m here now. Are you ready?”
Rebecca smiled up at Kyle, hugged Luke hard, tucked his little shirt back into his khakis, and smoothed his hair.
“I’m ready. But first, I have someone I’d like you to meet. Luke,” she said, “this is Great-Grandma Celeste. Shall we help her out to the ceremony site?”
Grinning, Luke took the elderly woman’s hand while his father offered her his arm.
“Okay!” the little boy shouted. “Let’s go get married!”
Epilogue
Summer 2012
A sweet and salty late August breeze blew across the Sound and over the grounds of the Retreat at Dragonfly Bay. Kyle and Rebecca Saunders stood comfortably together in the cool, shallow water next to shore. A few stray mosquitoes that had managed to escape the island’s weekly spraying program buzzed the couple as they watched their son playing at the edge of the water.
“Sunset’s coming before long. Think we ought to head home?”
“Let him play for a few more minutes,” Rebecca answered.
Luke waded toward his parents carrying a Mason jar with something dark inside. “Look!”
Rebecca smiled at the child. “What do you have there, sweetie? Oh, it’s a dragonfly!”
“I didn’t mean to hurt it or anything,” said five-year-old Luke. “It just landed in my jar, so I put the lid on. Maybe it’s lost.”
Kyle took the jar from his son. “Let me see what you have there, Luke. This dragonfly isn’t hurt, son. It’s just resting.”
“Should I let it go, Dad?”
Rebecca smiled as she gently placed her hand over the growing swell of her stomach. “Maybe in a few minutes his brothers and sisters will come looking for him. Do you think it’s possible, Kyle?”
“What? That we’re going to see a hatch?” He stood quietly for a moment watching the sleek green reeds that defined the shoreline. He pointed toward shore. “You never know, but if you watch the area at the edge of the water, maybe we’ll get lucky. Quick! Unscrew the lid, Luke, and let it find its family.”
He gently put an arm around the woman who was the love of his life. “Makes me think of Michele,” he said as they watched the dragonfly crawl out of the jar and fly into the air toward the bank of the Sound.
The vibrant oranges, magentas, and violets of sunset began to work their reflective magic on the water while the silky evening breeze embraced them. Quietly, the family watched the lone dragonfly flitting over the shoreline as the sun slipped into the darkening water. Then, suddenly, they witnessed the breathtaking event that Michele had so loved. Hundreds of tiny helicopter-like shapes rose out of the reeds in a shimmering cloud and made their way like blessings into the evening sky.
M. Claire Harley, Dragonfly Blessings
