Under a Summer Sky, page 25
Beryl nodded. “I made labels for the jars, and they have sunflowers on them too.”
“Perfect!” Laney said.
As she said this, Micah knelt down next to six-year-old Charlotte and whispered something in her ear. Charlotte looked shyly at Laney and then walked over, holding out the gift bag.
“What’s this?” Laney said, leaning down and putting her hands on her knees.
“It’s a present,” Charlotte said.
“Thank you,” Laney replied softly. “Do you want to help me open it?”
Charlotte nodded and reached into the bag. She pulled out a candle, and Laney looked at the label and pulled off the top to smell it. “Mmm . . . summer cotton,” she said, holding it out for Charlotte to smell too. Charlotte smiled and nodded approvingly and then looked up at Micah who motioned that there was more in the bag. Charlotte reached in again, pulled out two envelopes, and handed them to Laney.
Laney opened the bigger envelope first and slid out a gift certificate that had been made on a computer. It was decorated with paw prints and a silhouette of a boy playing tug-of-war with a puppy, and it said: Good for One Weekend of Boy and Dog Sitting! “What’s this for?” she asked with a puzzled expression.
“Keep going,” Micah said, nodding to the other envelope.
Obediently, Laney opened the other envelope. It was a note from Beryl and Micah, thanking her for hosting their wedding, and in a small blue envelope tucked inside, was a gift card for the Century House on Nantucket. “Oh, my goodness,” Laney said, looking up in surprise. She frowned. “You didn’t have to do that.”
“I know we didn’t have to,” Micah said. “We wanted to.”
Laney gave them hugs, and Beryl whispered, “We really can’t thank you enough.”
“You’re very welcome,” Laney said. “But you still didn’t have to. Thank you though. It’s very generous . . . too generous.” She eyed Noah. “Did you know about this?” she asked.
Noah just grinned and shrugged innocently.
58
A cold front had thundered across the Cape Friday night as they were running through a quick rehearsal of the following day’s events, forcing everyone inside, and although Saturday dawned to endless blue skies, the cool, crisp air whispered of September. “I am so not ready for fall,” Laney grumbled as she pulled on her old Bowdoin sweatshirt and went out with the dogs. When she came back in, she heard the comforting, cozy drip of the coffeepot, signaling that Noah was up, and smiled.
She surveyed the six golden peach cobblers lined up on the gleaming granite counter and was glad that her preparations for the wedding were behind her. She’d even stayed up late, ironing everyone’s shirts and slacks and gave a quick press to her dress, which she hoped would be warm enough. She’d probably have to plan on a shawl or light sweater too.
She heard footsteps on the stairs and looked up to see Noah, buttoning a flannel shirt, his hair still damp from the shower.
“That was quick,” she said.
“Mmm,” he said. “I hope the boys don’t mind if we don’t have pancakes this morning.”
“I’m sure they’ll get over it. We just had pancakes for Asher’s birthday.”
He filled a mug with coffee. “Okay, well, I think I’m going to run over to the church and make sure they’re ready for tomorrow.”
“Who’s giving the sermon?”
“Karl O’Connor.”
Laney smiled, picturing the kind old minister who’d retired several years earlier and moved from Boston to the Cape with his wife, but who still loved the opportunity to “stir the pot”—as he called it—whenever Noah needed a substitute. Mr. O’Connor also led the church’s lively, well-attended Bible study, which led Noah to call Karl his godsend.
“I’ll be back in a little while.”
“Well, don’t forget I’m meeting the girls at the salon.”
“Oh, yeah . . . what time is that?”
“Ten.”
“And what time will you be back?”
“I’m not sure. Hopefully in time for the wedding.”
Noah smiled. “What time is the wedding again?”
Laney rolled her eyes. “I guess when the minister decides to show up.”
He chuckled as he headed for the door, but then he stopped in his tracks. “Wait a sec . . . who’s going to be here for the caterer?”
“Micah, I hope.”
“And what time is that?”
“Early.”
Noah looked at the clock. It was seven thirty. “You’re leaving around nine forty-five,” he mused, “so just in case Micah forgets, I need to be back here by. . . .”
Laney watched the wheels spinning in her husband’s head.
“Nine thirty,” he said, finishing his calculation, “but give E or Gabe a heads-up in case I’m running late and Micah doesn’t show.”
“E and Gabe won’t be here. They’re going to Falmouth to pick up the race packets.”
Noah shook his head. “You know, we should’ve never signed up for the race, knowing it was the day after the wedding.”
“We didn’t know. We signed up in early May, before we—or at least I—knew about the wedding.”
Noah sighed. “All right, I’ll be back by nine thirty.”
Laney nodded, and as he went out the door, she poured a cup of coffee, picked up her Bible, and headed for the porch, and as soon as Mennie and Halle finished their breakfast, they joined her, plopping down at her feet and licking their lips and everything else within reach.
Salon 66—which Beryl’s sisters had arranged to be exclusively theirs for the day—was a lot of fun. Rumer and Isak brought champagne, a crudités platter, and tiny cream puffs. The salon had brought in their entire staff, and everyone—from Maddie and Beryl and her sisters to Isak’s daughter Meghan and especially Charlotte—enjoyed having their hair, nails, and makeup done. One of the staff members even wove two sprays of baby’s breath into wispy halos for Beryl and Charlotte, and although Charlotte adored hers, Beryl wasn’t so sure. But when Charlotte pointed to their reflection and whispered that they looked like twins, Beryl realized she had no choice.
A half hour later, Beryl’s Mini Cooper, Laney’s old Pilot, and Isak’s Suburban pulled up to the house and parked next to a large white van with the words “A Moveable Feast” painted on its side. They all climbed out, smiling and chatting like schoolgirls, and stopping to admire the table settings. Beryl went down to the beach to see if the caterer needed anything and found Lucy giving last-minute directions to her staff; when she finished, she gave Beryl a warm hug and grinned. “Nervous?” she asked.
“A little,” Beryl said with a smile.
“Don’t be,” Lucy reassured. “It’s going to be wonderful. And it’s going to go by very quickly, so enjoy every minute.” Then she turned to tend the fire she’d started in the fire pit. “The key to a traditional Cape Cod clambake,” she explained, “is to steam everything together on very hot rocks covered with seaweed.” She pointed to a nearby bucket of dark greens soaking in seawater. “We’ve already made up the individual packets of lobster tails, clams, mussels, shrimp, lemon, and potatoes, and we’ve got the charcoal grill ready for the filets and a big pot of water for the corn. Some people cook the corn in the packets too, but I prefer the corn to taste like sweet, buttery corn, not like seafood.”
Beryl nodded. “It sounds wonderful, Lucy.”
Just then, Micah snuck up behind them and covered Beryl’s eyes, but she smelled his cologne and knew it was him. “Hey, you’re not supposed to see me,” she admonished.
“I’m not supposed to see in you in your dress,” he corrected, looking at his watch, “which you better go put on because it’s getting late.”
She turned around and saw that he was still wearing shorts and a T-shirt. “And what about you?”
“This is what I’m wearing,” he teased, wrapping his arms around her. “I thought that’s why we were having a beach wedding.”
Lucy chuckled and disappeared up the path, leaving them alone next to the warm fire. Micah pulled her into a hug. “I am the luckiest boy in the world,” he whispered.
“And I’m the luckiest girl,” she murmured, finding his warm, sweet lips.
Just as they started to kiss, they heard a commotion behind them, and Ben and Seth emerged, carrying tiki torches, but when they saw their uncle and future aunt kissing, they snickered and teased, “Get a room, wouldja?” which prompted Micah to pull away from his new bride and chase his giggling nephews down the beach.
Beryl left Micah to help Ben and Seth set up the torches and arrived back at the house just in time to hold the door open for Asa who was carrying a large pot. “Is that your chowder, Dad?” she asked.
“It is . . . and it’s nice to hear you call me Dad,” he said with a smile.
“It’s nice to have someone to call Dad,” she said. “I’ve never had anyone before.”
“Well, I’m honored to be the one,” Asa said. “In fact . . .” He paused, trying to find the right words. “I know this may seem like an odd job for the groom’s dad, and I don’t even know if you already have someone in mind, but since I’ve never had the opportunity before, I was wondering if . . . what I mean is . . . I’d be honored if you’d let me give you away.”
“I didn’t plan on having anyone,” Beryl said in surprise, “but I’d absolutely love it if you would give me away.”
“Okay, well,” Asa said, still blushing. “I’m just dropping this off. Now I have to head back, shower, change, and pick up my real date.”
Beryl laughed. “Thanks, Dad,” she said, kissing his rosy cheek. “I’ll tell Laney you were here.”
“See you in a bit,” he said with a wink.
Beryl turned to hurry up the stairs and found all the women already bustling about, getting ready.
“Hurry up, Gabe,” Laney called, knocking on the bathroom door again.
“I have to shave,” he called back over the sound of the bathroom fan.
She shook her head. “You were supposed to be done up here by the time we got back.”
“I was setting up the sound system,” he called back.
Five minutes later, he opened the bathroom door, wearing only a towel, and realized the entire upstairs was full of women. He groaned, and when he walked down the hall, he was followed by the sound of wolf whistles.
“Be nice to him,” Beryl called. “He’s our DJ.”
“Can I make my request now?” Isak teased.
“Wow, Aunt Ber . . . he’s cute,” Meghan said after Gabe had ducked into his room.
Beryl’s eyes lit up at the sudden realization that Meghan and Gabe were the same age. “I’ll introduce you!” she said with a smile.
59
“Mo-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.
60
Just 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.
