Read Online The Wedding Sisters by Jamie Brenner - Free Book Online

entertained Tippy with a long-winded but charmingly eccentric story of his trip to Germantown, Pennsylvania, to visit the birthplace of Louisa May Alcott. The building was apparently not far from the Campions’ house in Haverford, and Tippy realized that, come to think of it, that was where she’d bought one of their pianos. There was a plaque outside.
    â€œAnd wasn’t Louisa May Alcott’s father a teacher, too?” Tippy asked.
    â€œYes!” Hugh said, delighted.
    â€œI guess I do remember a few things from school!” said Tippy, equally delighted.
    Stowe and Andy found they shared an interest in the NHL, and debated the Rangers versus the Philadelphia Flyers. The only one who didn’t get into the spirit of things was Amy, who resisted contributing to the conversation no matter how often Meryl or Andy tried to engage her. Luckily a copious intake of wine had kept Meryl calm and smiling. They’d gone through three bottles at least. Still, she made a mental note to talk to Amy about this tomorrow. She couldn’t act out for the next eight months until the wedding. She would have to get over it.
    â€œOh, before I forget,” said Tippy. “And this is something Reed and I had planned to share with you together, but goodness knows when he’ll be available!” She laughed before continuing, “But I can’t possibly wait any longer: We’d like to throw an engagement party.”
    Meryl looked at her, stupefied. The bride’s parents were supposed to throw the engagement party, at least according to the small stack of books on modern wedding etiquette she’d bought. She wanted to do everything just right for Meg and had already marked key passages.
    Meg and Stowe, beaming at each other, were the first to speak.
    â€œMom, that’s really generous. Thanks,” Stowe said.
    â€œThat would be amazing,” said Meg.
    Amazing? Meryl looked at her daughter incredulously. Meg wasn’t typically prone to hyperbole.
    â€œSounds terrific,” said Hugh, refilling Tippy’s glass.
    Meryl shot him a glance, but he didn’t notice.
    What could she say? Thanks, but that’s not necessary? The truth was, she hadn’t thought about throwing an engagement party. It wasn’t essential, and it was a huge added expense. But if the Campions wanted to contribute in that way, fine. All it did was solidify her feeling that she absolutely didn’t want any more input from them—financial or otherwise.
    The only one who looked as unhappy as she felt was Amy. And as irritated as she was with her, she couldn’t help but feel a twinge at her middle child’s being so unhappy.
    â€œI think it’s time for dessert,” Meryl said, picking up her plate and Hugh’s. Meg stood and collected her own and Stowe’s.
    â€œLet me help,” Tippy said, making a polite, halfhearted attempt to rise from her seat.
    â€œNo, please—relax. We’ll be done in no time,” Meryl said, and waved her away.
    She couldn’t help but glance at Amy, who made no move to help clear the dishes.
    Andy did not fail to notice, however. “Why don’t we take a quick walk before dessert?” he said to her.
    Amy shrugged.
    â€œIt’s so lovely that you live right on the water like this,” said Tippy. “If I didn’t have to meet up with my husband, I’d suggest we all take a stroll.”
    Andy, not wanting to wait for Tippy to reconsider her stance on the matter, hustled a reluctant Amy out the door.
    Hugh, left with an audience of three, opened another bottle of wine.
    â€œI haven’t seen your father drink this much in a long time,” Meryl commented in the kitchen.
    â€œAt least everyone is enjoying themselves,” Meg said.
    â€œDid you know about this engagement party?” Meryl said.
    â€œNo—total surprise. But really nice of her, don’t you think?”
    â€œ Very nice.”
    Meg