A Very Married Christmas: A Silver Bell Falls Holiday Novella(24)

Josiah cleared his throat as he walked into the kitchen where Melanie was looking out at the falling snow. She didn’t turn to look at him, but as he moved in close behind her and wrapped his arms around her, two things hit her at once. First, he smelled really good. He always did right after he came out of the shower and it was one of the things she loved about him.

The second was that he had his badge on.

She instantly stiffened in his arms.

“I’m going down to the station,” he said carefully, his voice low and a little gruff. “Jared’s mom slipped and fell on the ice this morning and he has no one to cover for him. So I’m going in.”

Everything in her wanted to rail and scream and beg him not to go.

Three days.

They had only three days until their wedding and all she wanted was for him to be safe.

Instead of making a scene, Melanie swallowed the lump of emotion in her throat and simply nodded.

Kissing the top of her head, Josiah said, “I’ll be home for dinner.”

She didn’t move until the front door closed behind him.

And even then it was only to reach for the chair behind her and slowly sit.

He must have planned his departure just right because before Melanie could even begin to agonize over his leaving, the doorbell rang.

And then it became utter chaos.

The first to arrive was Erika Jacobs—she owned the local bookstore and had become a very good friend. She walked in carrying a large box.

“Brace yourself, buttercup, I need you to sign about two dozen books,” she said, placing the box on Melanie’s coffee table.

“Um…what?”

Erika motioned to the box. “I’m donating books to a fundraiser in Albany and I promised them signed books. In all the holiday madness, I had forgotten about it. So…here I am!” Her smile was bright and infectious and it was exactly what Melanie needed.

She was about to sit down and start signing when the bell rang again.

This time it was Abby—Dean’s wife—along with Kathy from the dance studio.

“I know we should have called first,” Abby said as they walked in the door, “but it occurred to me that with all the last-minute wedding planning, we didn’t have time to throw you a shower or even a bachelorette party!”

While Melanie had thought about those things—briefly—they weren’t overly important to her—which is what she was about to say when she noticed about a dozen cars pulling up to the house.

“So we’re doing that now!” both Abby and Kathy said together.

“Um…what?” Melanie croaked, thankful she had showered earlier and wasn’t still in her pajamas.

“It’s true!” Kathy said excitedly. “We rounded up as many people as we could for an impromptu bachelorette shower!”

“Is that a thing?” Melanie asked nervously, even as she began greeting her guests.

If it wasn’t before, it certainly was now. In the blink of an eye, her entire living room and kitchen were filled up with so many familiar faces. All of these amazing people had given up part of their day to come be with her.

Melanie wasn’t stupid—she knew Josiah had to have done this. The timing was just too convenient. And yet in that moment, she knew he did it because he loved her and wanted her to be okay.

“Is every place in town closed today?” she asked after a minute, but her heart felt so full that she couldn’t believe this was happening. Bev and Ramona were here from the diner and carried in several trays of food. Donna and Rhonda from the ice cream place followed with what looked like a ton of frozen treats.

“We rearranged some classes today,” Abby said from beside her, “so Eileen, Kim, and Shannon could be here too.” She wrapped an arm around Melanie and smiled. “It may not be the most organized party, but I can tell you’re surprised!”

“More than you know!”

Monique and Jennifer from the antique store were setting up paper goods, Carolyn and Shawn—whose husbands owned the hardware store in town—were quickly hanging decorations. Lynn, Patty, Amanda, and Ciara who all owned the local cleaning business were moving things around to make room for more chairs. Her entire home was being turned upside down and she was too excited to care!

“Hey, Melanie!” Pam from the copy place said as she walked over. “I dropped off the place cards we printed for you over at Lisa’s on my way over.”

“Thank you!”

“And don’t forget your mani-pedi for tomorrow,” Shari said as she made her way by. “We’ve got the salon stocked with champagne and chocolates just for you!”

“Oh, my! That sounds wonderful!”

Dana—who owned the salon along with Shari and Kristy—added, “It will be! I wasn’t even supposed to work tomorrow, but I’ll be there!”

It didn’t look like anyone else could possibly fit, but the door opened and her friend Laura walked in carrying a large box.

“Don’t panic, everyone, I have cake!” Laura called out, and the room erupted in cheers of delight.

Abby ushered Melanie into the living room and into one of the oversized chairs that had been designated as the place of honor. Conversation flowed all around as people marveled at the house, the décor, and how she and Josiah had managed to plan a wedding in less than two months.