Read Online Bookplate Special by Lorna Barrett - Free Book Online Page B

Everett cleared his throat and focused on Tricia’s face. “Ms. Miles, you and Ginny are like family to me. That’s why we want you to be one of the first to know—”
    “We’re engaged,” Grace announced, and pulled the leather glove from her left hand, revealing a modest solitaire diamond. “And Tricia, I want you to be my maid of honor.”
    Tricia held Grace’s outstretched hand, admiring the stone. “I don’t know what to say.”
    “That you’d love to, would be an acceptable answer,” Mr. Everett prompted with a hopeful smile.
    Tricia beamed. “I’d be delighted! When’s the happy day?”
    “We haven’t set a firm date, but at our age we don’t see much point in waiting,” Grace said. “Either this Sunday or next.”
    “What are your plans for the ceremony?”
    “Something small and dignified. We have an appointment later this afternoon to talk to the head of catering at the Brookview Inn. That is, if you can spare dear William.”
    “Of course you can have the afternoon off,” Tricia told Mr. Everett. “And you must let me know what I can do for the wedding day. Can I provide the cake? The music? The flowers?”
    “That is so kind of you,” Grace said, “but I think we’ll have everything in hand.”
    “I’d really like to do something for you on your day.”
    “Just be there. That will be more than enough,” Mr. Everett said, and his eyes shone with unshed tears.
    Tricia smiled and threw her arms—gently—around the old man. “You better believe I’ll be there. I’ll close the store if I have to.”
    “We chose a Sunday morning so that none of our bookshop friends would have to miss the ceremony. We thought we’d have a brunch reception, and that way we’d also have plenty of time to take an afternoon flight to our wedding-night destination.” Grace actually blushed at this last announcement.
    Tricia felt a lump rise in her throat. Here these two dear people—who deserved decades of happiness together, and weren’t likely to receive it—were thinking more of accommodating their guests than of their own circumstances on their most joyous day. Surely no two finer people deserved an abundance of marital bliss.
    Tricia clasped Grace’s hand. “Do you have your dress? What are your colors? Where are you going on your honeymoon?”
    Grace actually giggled. “I haven’t given a thought to most of the details. I imagined we’d figure it all out this afternoon. After we get the wedding license, of course.” Another titter of laughter escaped her throat. “This is so much fun. I don’t remember when I’ve been this entertained.”
    Again, a wave of strong emotion passed through Tricia, threatening to engulf her as the memories of planning her own wedding—what she had always considered the happiest day of her life—gushed forth. “I wish you two many years of happiness.”
    “I’ll take what God gives me and hope I live it in relatively good health,” Mr. Everett said sensibly.
    “Don’t be such a pessimist,” Grace scolded. “I think we’ve both got many years left—especially if we take care of each other.” The fond look she gave her husband-to-be nearly brought Tricia to tears. Weddings—and all they entailed—had that effect on her.
    “Now, Tricia,” Grace said, “again, I hope it won’t inconvenience you too much if William has an hour or two off this afternoon.”
    “Take as much time as you need. You have my blessing,” Tricia said, and smiled.
    “I’m sorry I can’t give you more than a few days’ notice, but I will need a week off work for our honeymoon,” Mr. Everett added in all seriousness.
    “I think Ginny and I will be able to manage for a mere seven days,” Tricia said, and smiled. Then again, Ginny was already five minutes late.
    A customer came in, and Mr. Everett, who took his job very seriously, excused himself to help the man.
    “I was surprised to see you at the Food Shelf dedication yesterday,” Tricia told