Forbidden Falls (Virgin River #9)(109)

When she could catch her breath, she whispered to Vanni, “Oh my God, would you look at these men? You should have warned me!”

Vanni laughed. “Nice eye candy for the unattached female,” she said. “Know any?”

Ellie just smiled. But she had a fantastic time, honored to be a part of the wedding party and their afternoon of reunion and celebration. Those present were all included in the party following the rehearsal, but Shelby and Luke had decided on only one attendant each. Shelby’s matron of honor would be Vanessa, and Sean would stand up with Luke. Shelby’s uncle Walt would give her away and from what Ellie heard around the house that afternoon, the rest of the Riordan boys planned to drink just enough to keep from getting some famous ear twist from their feisty red-haired mother.

Late in the afternoon, Vanessa snagged her arm and said, “Come with me just one second.” She pulled Ellie to her bedroom and closed the door. “My timing might not be the best, but before this crowd descended on us, I had to do some cleaning and clearing. I went through the clothes that aren’t horribly out-of-date and put some aside for you. Keep what you want and give the overflow to Goodwill. There could be a pair of jeans or sweater in there you can use.”

“Oh, Vanni, you shouldn’t have. Really,” Ellie said.

“I should be sending your firstborn to college, for all the help you gave me. But keep this in perspective here—we’re talking hand-me-downs. I just hope I’m not insulting you. These things may not be what you like. By the way—you look gorgeous today.” She grinned. “Did I mention I can’t fit into that suit anymore? It’s yours.”

Ellie plucked at her borrowed slacks. “But you will again…”

“No, I won’t. I’m planning to get pregnant. Just give me a chance to potty train little Matt, the most obstinate of male children. I swear, he likes sitting in poop. But, I have to get down to one in diapers before I take another plunge.” She smiled. She beamed. “You have no idea how happy it makes Paul to think about actually fathering one of his own. Men, huh? How predictable are their egos? If they had to push ’em out, it would be a whole different…”

“Hannah looks so happy,” Ellie said.

Vanni’s voice softened and she smiled sweetly. “We’re doing fine, Ellie. Thank you. We should have our adoption final in a few months, but she’s already ours. We’re moving ahead.” Then she opened the door to her walk-in closet and there stood some packed suitcases. “The luggage is old and is going the way of Goodwill also, so I just put the clothes in them. Really, my feelings won’t be affected if you reject them all. I’m going to have a couple of the boys load the stuff in the back of your car for you.”

George had a hard time believing how beautiful the church had turned out, from the perfect white paint on the outside to the rich, shiny hardwood finish on the inside. Noah and George stood at the sanctuary entrance to take in the full view. Lucy sat patiently between them. “Have any of the town people seen the finished product, or are you making them all wait for the official unveiling?” he asked.

“Just about everyone in Virgin River has tromped through here at one time or another,” Noah said. “I learned it’s a favorite pastime around here—when Paul’s building a house, especially for someone local, whole families get in their cars, drive to the building site and do regular walk-throughs, commenting on the structure, choice of stone or wood, paint color. Mel Sheridan says it’s all part of being in each other’s affairs at all times. But—Ellie and I barely finished the final cleanup, so you’re among the first to see it like this.” Noah looked at his watch. “Where is she? I thought she’d be down here to say hello by now. And she’s helping with the music for the rehearsal.”

“How much help?” George asked dubiously.

Noah laughed. “Poor girl, she really wanted to play for them. Once the piano arrived and was tuned, she got right on it. But I guess Ellie’s been away from the piano a little longer than she thought—it was pretty rough. Not to mention the language this old church had to endure. We decided together that it wasn’t right that Shelby would have to stop walking down the aisle suddenly when the pianist hit a bad note and muttered ‘shit’ loud enough for an entire congregation to hear.”

George laughed loudly at that. His laughter echoed in the empty church.

“We’re going with some wedding CDs. Preacher loaned us a real nice stereo setup so the music is piped in—it’s fantastic. Once things slow down a little, I’ll get a unit up and running and find some speakers for the high corners in here,” he said, pointing around the sanctuary ceiling.

“It must feel good, Noah. You’ve worked hard. Did a fine job.”

“Ellie worked hard, too,” he said proudly.

“She must be so relieved,” George said. “Church is finished, kids safely back with her, crazy ex-husband gone.”

Noah looked at his watch again. “I haven’t even had time to talk to her since we got back from Eureka. She spent the afternoon out at Vanessa’s, being introduced to the bride and groom’s visiting families. They’re all so grateful to her for her help, not just with this wedding stuff, but to Vanni while she was overwhelmed with the little ones. Ellie…” He chuckled, shaking his head. “She can be so in your face one second and the next, utterly oblivious. She doesn’t even realize what a good neighbor she’s been to these people.”