Fools Rush in(106)



Then came the sale of Sam’s house, and despite his brave words, Sam’s heart had been a little broken. Three weeks after Danny went to Notre Dame, Sam left his home and moved to a little house near the salt pond. He’d wanted a place of his own, at least for Danny’s freshman year.

It was a smart move. It was good for him to live alone, as it had been good for me. We saw each other at least a few times a week and talked every day. Then one night a few months ago, after we’d eaten dinner at my house, we took a walk up to the lighthouse, and there, while the beacon swept across the ocean and the wind gusted and Digger frolicked, Sam slipped an engagement ring on my finger.

So here I was, sitting at a dressing table, looking at myself in the mirror, daydreaming. Curtis poked his head in. “Princess, are you ready?” Katie had temporarily abdicated her responsibilities as my maid of honor, saying that Curtis would do a much better job with hair and makeup. He looked at my not-quite-finished state and clucked. “The guests are here, everyone is downstairs, and look at you! I leave you alone for two minutes…” He came over and knelt next to me. “Are you nervous?”

“No.” I smiled at my buddy. “Have I thanked you and Mitch for my wedding?”

“Honey, if it were up to you two, you would probably have eloped, and we couldn’t have that. Here, don’t forget this.”

I let Curtis fasten a bracelet on my wrist. “Come on,” I whispered. “Let’s spy.” Snickering, we tiptoed into the hall and took a peek downstairs.

Garlands of roses twined around the railings of the staircase, and candles glowed warmly in the elegant salon. Everyone was there. Mitch, dashing in an Armani tuxedo stood with Katie, who was stunning in her simple, rose-colored sheath dress. They laughed and talked with Jill Doyle and her husband. My mom was elegant and beautiful, bustling about like any good mother of the bride. My dad had Dr. Whitaker cornered, no doubt fascinating the good man with tales from the septic world. Corey and Mikey scurried around, adorable in their tiny suits. Ethel, Sam’s partner, looked quite different out of uniform, actually female, though she seemed a bit on the murderous side, probably because the Pink Peacock was nonsmoking.

A few of Sam’s pals on the police department clustered around the bar. Janette, now pregnant, stood chatting with Zach. Several patients I’d become close with were also here. Not too many people, but everyone we cared about. I couldn’t see Sam, but I heard him laughing. There was my beloved nephew, giving my aunt a kiss and laughing at something she said. Today, in a tuxedo, Danny looked like an American prince. He was Sam’s best man.

There was one more guest, the only one who happened to turn and catch me peering over the banister. Joe Carpenter. He smiled and raised his beer bottle in a silent, affectionate toast. I waved at him fondly.

When Katie had asked me if she could bring him, I must admit I’d been a little stunned.

“As your date?” I’d asked.

“No,” she’d said dismissively, but her cheeks had turned the slightest bit pink. “Not really. Well, we’re just friends right now, okay? Can he come?”

Joe had changed in the past year or so. He’d become head carpenter for Habitat for Humanity on the Cape and had started teaching a woodworking class for the adult education program. Once in a while, our paths would cross at the senior center, where Tripod visited as a therapy dog. When I saw him at the Barnacle, Katie always seemed to be busting his chops in a casual, almost affectionate way. Then one day I’d stopped by and Joe was fixing something at her house, patiently showing Corey how to find a stud in the living-room wall. Who knew? Maybe someday soon, Katie would let a man into her life. If so, it seemed as if Joe would be waiting, because it was clear that he was smitten. They’d certainly have beautiful children.

I took another long look around, trying to press the beauty of this evening into my memory forever. With brimming eyes, I turned to Curtis.

“The Peacock looks beautiful.”

“Thanks. And speaking of beautiful, let’s hope this mascara is waterproof. We don’t want raccoon eyes on your wedding day, do we?”

“How did Sam look?” I asked, standing up and returning to the dressing table in my room. A final glancing at myself in the mirror assured me that the mascara was holding up.

“Nauseous and terrified. What do you think? He’s probably checking his watch every five seconds. Are you ready, honey? The photographer is here.”

Curtis turned me around and took a long look.

“Oh, Millie,” he sighed, his own eyes filling with tears. “You’re…”

“Don’t start,” I said, my throat instantly clamping shut with tears. We laughed shakily.

“I’ll go get Katie and your dad,” Curtis said, wiping his eyes on a monogrammed hankie. He left, and a second later, Katie came in.

“Hi!” I chirped. “I’m almost ready.”

“Yeah, great. Uh, listen, Millie…” Katie looked worried, not a reassuring expression to see on one’s maid of honor. “There’s someone here to see you,” Katie whispered, tucking a wisp of my hair behind my ear. “Scream if you need me.” She gave me a quick hug and hurried out, her dress swishing softly. Before I could wonder who my visitor was, there was a quiet knock, and the door opened again.

Trish.

I hadn’t seen her since she’d ordered me to drop Sam.

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