The Letter(48)

She heard a car pull up to the carriage house and glanced out the window. Becky Lee climbed out of Jenny’s car. Both women were laughing as they walked up to the house. Their laughter made Bella smile even though she’d no idea what they were laughing about.

She walked to the door and threw it open wide. “So, what’s so funny?”

“Jenny was telling me about Clay’s bewilderment with all the fuss about planning a wedding.” Becky Lee handed Bella a tray of some kind of chocolatey goodness. “New recipe. Chocolate tea cakes.”

Bella looked at the tray. “They look great… so cute. Love the little icing ribbons on them.”

“I didn’t know what you made for tonight, but I figured chocolate goes with everything.”

“Thanks for bringing dessert.”

“You betcha. Love any excuse to bake.” Becky Lee crossed into the sunroom. Jenny gave Bella a quick hug. “I really appreciate the help with the planning.”

“How about we sit down to eat, then we’ll work on the plans. I have soup and homemade bread. Okay, so I got those from Syliva. But I made a salad to go with them.”

Bella relaxed while they ate dinner. Jenny regaled them with tales from her classroom, while Becky Lee caught them up on town news from things she’d heard at the cafe.

After dinner, they moved to the couch in the sunroom and Bella popped open her laptop. She showed Jenny the collage on her computer.

“I don’t know how you do it, Izzy. Every single picture on that collage is so me. Simple flowers. Simple decorations for the tables.”

“I’ve known you long enough, Jenny, to figure out what you want… even if you don’t know.” Bella smiled at her friend. “I will leave the food to Becky Lee, though. She’s the expert there.”

“You bet. I’ll plan or make all the food. Whatever you want.”

“Have you thought any more on where you’ll get married or hold the reception?” Bella picked up a notebook from the table, ready to start taking notes.

“I have no idea…”

“How about if you have it at Sylvia’s Place? That upstairs tea room at the restaurant would be about the right size. You could have the ceremony over by those big windows. That would be so pretty. Then there would be room for a handful of tables for the guests. Owen says that Sylvia is going to open that upstairs room for events. I could call her and see if it will be ready by summer.” Bella looked over at Jenny.

“That would work. The upstairs room, with the brick walls and big windows? It was always so bright and cheerful when you had your shop there. I think that would be wonderful,” Becky Lee agreed.

“Yes. I think that would work.”

“I’m going to call Sylvia right now and ask her.” Bella jumped up off the couch. “Oh, wait. Do you have a date?”

“I don’t know. Beginning of summer break?”

“Beginning of June it is. I’ll be right back. Let me call Sylvia.” Bella went into the kitchen and looked at the flyer she’d gotten from the grand opening of Sylvia’s Place. She looked up their number and called the restaurant. Sylvia answered the phone and Bella explained what she wanted. Sylvia was thrilled to have the wedding there and assured Bella that the upstairs event room would be ready by then.

Bella walked back into the sunroom and Jenny looked up expectantly. “Well?”

“It’s a go. First weekend in June.”

“It’s really going to happen. Clay and I are finally going to get married.” Jenny’s eyes sparkled with excitement.

“You bet you are. Sure took you two a long time to get there.” Becky Lee’s eyes shown with happiness for her friend. “I’ll talk to Sylvia and see if I can do the wedding cake. How does that sound? Maybe a white cake, oh and I could put magnolias around it.”

“That sounds wonderful.” Jenny got up and paced the floor. “There is so much left to do. Are we going to have enough time? I’m so busy during the school year. I don’t think I’ll do invitations, because really, we’re just having family and you guys. But I need a dress.” Jenny let out a big long sigh.

“Wait right there.” Bella left the room again and came back holding a vintage lace dress. “What do you think about this? I could alter it to fit you. It’s tea length.”

“It’s beautiful, Izzy.” Jenny crossed over and took the dress and held it up to her. “Oh, I love it. It is so me. Lacy but not fussy. Simple.”

“Go try it on.” Bella encouraged her friend.

Jenny came back a few minutes later with the lace dress on and huge smile. “It’s just perfect.”