Read Online Shadows on a Cape Cod Wedding by Lea Wait - Free Book Online

only two blocks from the church.”
    “The advantages to being in a small town,” said Maggie, as they headed toward the center of town.
    The center of Winslow was a lot busier than it had been earlier; almost every parking space on the street was filled, and Maggie noted quietly that it was handy Gussie could use the handicapped van spaces in the church parking lot.
    “Reverend Palmer doesn’t mind,” said Gussie. “Only four of us in town have vans with wheelchair lifts, and all of us attend his church, so he optimistically made sure there were plenty of spaces for us in the church parking lot. The chances we’ll all be downtown at the same time, other than for services, is pretty minimal. That leaves the other handicapped spaces in the area for visitors to town.”
    The church was, as Maggie assumed, handicapped-accessible, with a ramp from the parking lot to the front door so anyone who wished to or needed to could avoid the steps. Maggie pushed a button and the heavy doors opened in front of them.
    The sanctuary was classic New England: a center aisle lined by white pews, and high clear glass windows on each side. Small round stained glass windows picturing scenes of the sea set above the tall pillared windows were the only decorations. The pew cushions were dark blue, as was the carpet which led to the simple pine altar raised two steps at the front of the church. A gold cross above the altar was the only other ornament.
    “It’s beautiful, Gussie. Elegant. I hope your wedding day is sunny, like today.” The sun pouring in through the clear glass brightened the whole room.
    Gussie smiled at her. “I hope so, too. But the chandeliers,” she pointed at classic brass fixtures hanging from the ceiling, “are also lovely. And we’ll have candles and a flower arrangement on the altar. Come; I’ll show you.” She led Maggie down the aisle. “The ceremony will take place here on the floor, in front of the altar. You and Ellen will stand over here,” she pointed at her left side, “and Andy and Ben will be with Jim on the other side. All very traditional.”
    “Music?” Maggie asked.
    “The woman who plays the organ for services on Sundays is going to be here. We chose a Mozart piece we like, his Piano Sonata in A, for while people are coming in, and then we’ll have the traditional processional.” Gussie shrugged, almost in embarrassment. “Ben’s been humming ‘Here Comes the Bride’ since we announced we were getting married, and we didn’t want him to be disappointed.”
    “Makes sense to me,” said Maggie.
    “Now I need to find Reverend Palmer,” said Gussie, heading toward a door on the right side of the front of the church. She was about to knock, when a tall, good-looking man in jeans and an orange WINSLOW BASKETBALL sweatshirt opened it from the other side.
    “I thought I heard voices! Gussie, I’m glad to see you. I was going to call you later today.”
    “Then I’m glad I stopped in. This is my friend, Maggie Summer. She’ll be my maid of honor. Maggie, Reverend Palmer.”
    They nodded at each other.
    “I wanted to make sure everything was set. No last minute problems or such. But since you wanted to get in touch with me, I’m assuming something has come up.”
    “Well, actually, yes,” said the Reverend. “Shall we sit a moment?”
    “Of course.” They moved back and Maggie and the Reverend sat in the front pew.
    “I’m sorry to have to bother you with this, Gussie, but I thought you’d decided on a simple ceremony, with no decorations in the church except flowers on the altar.”
    “That’s right,” said Gussie. “The church is perfect, just the way it is.”
    “And you haven’t changed your mind? You can, you know. But I need to know ahead of time, so we can schedule time to decorate, and there are certain fire regulations that need to be followed.”
    “Fire regulations?” said Gussie.
    “And insurance stipulations.”
    Gussie sighed. “Let me make a wild