Read Online Wedding at Wildwood by Lenora Worth - Free Book Online Page B

here?”
    Isabel shook her head. “But they could have had so much more. Remember the time Daddy wanted to buy Mama that house in town? They were so excited, so happy. I know they wanted to get away from this place. But nothing ever came of it. It’s as if they just gave up on all their dreams.”
    “Maybe that was more your dream than theirs, sugar,” Martha said gently. “You can’t misjudge Leonard and Miriam. They had the life they wanted—you see, they had each other.”
    Seeing the pain and disappointment in her grandmother’s eyes, Isabel quickly set her empty punch cup down. “Oh, Grammy, I meant no disrespect. I loved them dearly—you know that. I just didn’t always understand them.”
    Martha put a hand on Isabel’s shoulder. “My son was a kind, proud man. A hard worker, like his father. Maybe he was too softhearted, true. He let others dictate to him.” Her gaze shifted ever so slightly to Cynthia Murdock. “But he was content with life. He had a strong faith that everything would work out, with The Lord’s help.”
    “You want me to find that kind of faith, don’t you?” Isabel said.
    “Yes, I surely do,” Martha replied in a soft whisper. “And…I want you to find the kind of love your parents had, the kind of relationship I had with your dear grandfather. That, Isabel, is where you’ll find your treasures.”
    Isabel nodded, then looked out the wide window, over toward the dark shape of Wildwood. “Somewhere out there, I guess I’ll find some sort of peace one day.”
    “Might be closer than you think,” Martha said.
    Isabel shot her grandmother a look, but Martha was already clapping and admiring the next gift Susan had opened.
    Wondering what her grandmother had meant by that pointed observation, Isabel automatically busied herself with taking another picture of Susan. The gift wasn’t a kitchen item, however. It was a bath basket, complete with colorful pastel gels and soaps that smelled like a tropical paradise.
    “I know it’s not officially kitchenware,” Beatrice Webster said to her surprised daughter. “But I did get you a food processor. I just couldn’t resist throwing this in, too, honey. I got it for your honeymoon—you can take some of the lotions and soaps.”
    “Oh,” Susan said before placing the gift off to the side, her usually bright eyes going flat. “That’s so nice of you, Mama.” Then to everyone’s surprise, at just the moment Isabel snapped another shot of her, Susan blurted out, “There’s only one problem. We might not have a honeymoon. Actually, there might not even be a wedding!”
    With that, the woman burst into tears and ran to the kitchen, leaving the entire room in a shocked, awkward silence.
    “Oh, my,” Cynthia said, clearly embarrassed. After all, Murdocks didn’t show vulgar displays of emotion in public. Turning to Beatrice, she said, “Maybe I should go and talk to her.”
    “It’s my fault,” Beatrice wailed, her face as red as the ribbon curled around her pudgy fingers. “I shouldn’t have sneaked that gift in. I’ll go and see what’s wrong.”
    “Let me, Mrs. Webster,” Isabel said, stunning not only herself but everyone else in the room. “I mean, it might be better if Susan talks to someone who’s not so…involved in all of this.”
    “Good point,” Martha agreed, urging Isabel into the kitchen. “Now, ladies, let’s finish these cheese straws. I made them myself and I’ll be highly offended if we have any left. And let me see that beautiful tablecloth Irene Stratton sent over—Battenburg lace, isn’t it?”
    With the even flow of her grandmother’s calming voice echoing in her head, Isabel searched the long kitchen for her friend. She found Susan out on the patio, staring into the glistening waters of the kidney-shaped swimming pool.
    “Are you all right?” Isabel asked, hesitation making her whisper.
    Susan waved a hand, then wiped a couple of fingers under her tear-smudged eyes. “Just