Read Online The Wedding Promise by Thomas Kinkade - Free Book Online
Authors: Thomas Kinkade
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lawns.”
“Deal.”
Liza just smiled. Sometimes it was hard to remember that their friendship only went back a few months, not a few years. She was very lucky to have found such a warm, funny friend on the island. She knew Audrey was a special blessing in her new life.
Audrey got up to report to the clinic for her volunteer shift, and Liza headed into the General Store. The store was wide and low, and the very distinct smell of the place immediately transported her to the long-ago days when she spent summers on the island as a little girl. It was a unique mixture of fresh-brewed coffee, soap powders, fresh donuts, produce, and the wooden floorboards.
Marion Doyle, who ran the store with her husband, Walter, stood behind the counter, wearing a white apron over a short-sleeved red-and-white-checked blouse and baggy khaki pants.
Liza didn’t see Walter around. Marion was helping a customer send a package by parcel post, since she also doubled as the island’s postmistress. Liza could overhear their long discussion about the rates and the various dates the package could be delivered. By the time the transaction was complete, Marion had learned a lot about the sender, the receiver, the contents of the box, and various other facts about the customer’s life.
There was little that happened on the island that Marion did not know. She could have written a newspaper gossip column, she was so well informed. But there was no paper on the island, so most residents relied on chatting with Marion for their local news.
Liza browsed the two short grocery aisles and the small but well-stocked section of fresh vegetables. Claire had given her a list, and Liza found everything except for the turnip. She was wondering if she could bring back a big yam instead when Marion approached.
“Finding what you need, Liza?” she asked cheerfully.
“Just about. You don’t have any turnips today, do you?”
Marion shook her head, her lips pursed. “No, ma’am. We have been out of turnips for a few days. I expect to get more vegetables in tomorrow. There should be some artichokes. It’s the season.”
“I’ll tell Claire. I’m sure she can do wonders with an artichoke.”
“She can do wonders in the kitchen with anything cookable,” Marion agreed.
Knowing that was true, Liza decided to take the yam. She brought her items up to the register in a little wire basket, and Marion rang them up. “So, I hear there’s going to be a wedding soon at the inn,” she said cheerfully.
“Who told you that?” Liza asked, though she could already guess.
“The Bennet girl, Jennifer.” Marion’s tone was innocent. “She told me herself. Just yesterday. Stopped by for a cold drink and we got to talking.”
That goes without saying, Liza thought.
“I was admiring her ring. I hadn’t seen it yet, though I’d heard in church that she was engaged. I asked her if she had set the date and she told me not exactly, but they really wanted to get married this summer at the inn and she’d just come from talking with you.”
Liza nodded. She could see now how Marion had misinterpreted Jennifer’s vague but hopeful reply.
Marion just assumed Liza wouldn’t turn down the request—or the business. Liza wasn’t sure if she should bother clarifying the situation. It wasn’t any of Marion’s business. Yet, if she didn’t put her straight, the story would soon be all over the island and the town of Cape Light. Marion’s news had a way of going viral very quickly.
“Kyle is a nice boy,” the storekeeper went on. “I know they seem young, but those two have been going together since high school. They should know their minds by now.”
“They probably do. Jennifer seems very levelheaded,” Liza replied. “And she’s a lovely young woman. But nothing is definite about the wedding yet, Marion. The Bennets will probably look at a lot of places.”
“Oh, really?” Marion looked disappointed as Liza handed some bills across the counter.
“Deal.”
Liza just smiled. Sometimes it was hard to remember that their friendship only went back a few months, not a few years. She was very lucky to have found such a warm, funny friend on the island. She knew Audrey was a special blessing in her new life.
Audrey got up to report to the clinic for her volunteer shift, and Liza headed into the General Store. The store was wide and low, and the very distinct smell of the place immediately transported her to the long-ago days when she spent summers on the island as a little girl. It was a unique mixture of fresh-brewed coffee, soap powders, fresh donuts, produce, and the wooden floorboards.
Marion Doyle, who ran the store with her husband, Walter, stood behind the counter, wearing a white apron over a short-sleeved red-and-white-checked blouse and baggy khaki pants.
Liza didn’t see Walter around. Marion was helping a customer send a package by parcel post, since she also doubled as the island’s postmistress. Liza could overhear their long discussion about the rates and the various dates the package could be delivered. By the time the transaction was complete, Marion had learned a lot about the sender, the receiver, the contents of the box, and various other facts about the customer’s life.
There was little that happened on the island that Marion did not know. She could have written a newspaper gossip column, she was so well informed. But there was no paper on the island, so most residents relied on chatting with Marion for their local news.
Liza browsed the two short grocery aisles and the small but well-stocked section of fresh vegetables. Claire had given her a list, and Liza found everything except for the turnip. She was wondering if she could bring back a big yam instead when Marion approached.
“Finding what you need, Liza?” she asked cheerfully.
“Just about. You don’t have any turnips today, do you?”
Marion shook her head, her lips pursed. “No, ma’am. We have been out of turnips for a few days. I expect to get more vegetables in tomorrow. There should be some artichokes. It’s the season.”
“I’ll tell Claire. I’m sure she can do wonders with an artichoke.”
“She can do wonders in the kitchen with anything cookable,” Marion agreed.
Knowing that was true, Liza decided to take the yam. She brought her items up to the register in a little wire basket, and Marion rang them up. “So, I hear there’s going to be a wedding soon at the inn,” she said cheerfully.
“Who told you that?” Liza asked, though she could already guess.
“The Bennet girl, Jennifer.” Marion’s tone was innocent. “She told me herself. Just yesterday. Stopped by for a cold drink and we got to talking.”
That goes without saying, Liza thought.
“I was admiring her ring. I hadn’t seen it yet, though I’d heard in church that she was engaged. I asked her if she had set the date and she told me not exactly, but they really wanted to get married this summer at the inn and she’d just come from talking with you.”
Liza nodded. She could see now how Marion had misinterpreted Jennifer’s vague but hopeful reply.
Marion just assumed Liza wouldn’t turn down the request—or the business. Liza wasn’t sure if she should bother clarifying the situation. It wasn’t any of Marion’s business. Yet, if she didn’t put her straight, the story would soon be all over the island and the town of Cape Light. Marion’s news had a way of going viral very quickly.
“Kyle is a nice boy,” the storekeeper went on. “I know they seem young, but those two have been going together since high school. They should know their minds by now.”
“They probably do. Jennifer seems very levelheaded,” Liza replied. “And she’s a lovely young woman. But nothing is definite about the wedding yet, Marion. The Bennets will probably look at a lot of places.”
“Oh, really?” Marion looked disappointed as Liza handed some bills across the counter.
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