Tea and Primroses (37 page)

She closed her eyes, thinking of her mother as she brushed each of the stones that encircled her neck. What had her mother said?

But she hadn’t then known that life is a circle.

SIX MONTHS LATER,
three days before she was to open the doors of her bakery for the first time, Sutton stood with Declan and Patrick behind the counter. They each held a glass of champagne. “Congratulations, Baby,” said Declan, raising his glass. “Here’s to a thriving business. I know it’s going to be a huge success.”

“Cheers, sweetheart,” said Patrick. “Whatever happens next, you conquered your fears. I’m very proud of you.”

Her vision went slightly blurry as she clinked glasses with each of the men in her life. “Thank you. I couldn’t have done this without you.”

She ultimately had chosen Cannon Beach for the location of the bakery. They bought and renovated a building two blocks off the main street of town, behind a kite shop and day spa. As much as she wanted to open it in Legley Bay out of loyalty, the businesswoman in her knew the busy tourist destination was the better choice. They selected yellow paint for the exterior and a gray and white striped awning to hang over the windows facing the street. “Starry Night” was etched into the canvas. Inside, the décor was simple and rustic, inspired by Patrick’s cabin. The counter and tables were made of distressed wood where patrons could spend time munching on baked goods and chatting or working on their laptop computers. On the wall behind the counter, above the espresso machines and fifty types of tea, were cups hanging from hooks in a neat row and piles of white plates. The front glass cases were filled with pastries and loaves of bread. Sutton’s croissants with their layers of flaky, buttery perfection had their own shelf. Her father, after eating two in one sitting, had declared them indeed perfect and predicted with some conviction that they would make Sutton famous in the very near future.

Behind the front of the shop was the bakery, complete with industrial sized ovens and refrigerators and stacks of cooking sheets, mixers, and pastry makers. Sutton had spent the last several weeks hiring a staff for both the front and back of the shop. There was nothing left to do now but to open the doors and pray for patrons.

Now, the champagne was almost gone. She set her glass in the sink. “You guys ready for dinner?”

“I’m starved.” Patrick set his empty glass next to hers. “I’ll go get the car.”

Sutton turned to Declan after her father left. Her engagement ring sparkled in the overhead lights. “Thank you for helping me open this shop instead of planning a wedding.”

He smiled. “Yeah, speaking of which, when are you going to marry me?”

“Tonight?”

“Very funny.”

Just then the front doors of the shop opened and their friends entered: Aggie; Louise and her husband, Ben; Peter and his wife, Cleo. She was between filming, having secured a role in her second movie. Louise couldn’t stop talking about it, which made Sutton smile.

Gigi came in from the back. “We ready for a wedding, gang?” she asked, setting the box she carried on one of the tables.

Sutton took Declan’s hands. “What do you think, Dec? Want to get married tonight?”

He looked stunned. “What? Are you sure?”

“Yes. I have rose petals and we’ll have music. Just no white chairs. But everyone I love is here and that’s all that matters. And I don’t want to wait another minute to become your wife.” She raised her eyebrows and smiled at him. “How’s that for commitment?”

“That’s pretty good.” He grinned and pulled her into a tight embrace, swinging her in a circle. “Let’s do it.”

Patrick entered from the back, carrying strings of white lights in his hands. “Did he say yes, Sutton?”

“He did.”

Patrick slapped Declan on the shoulder. “I have your suit at one of the hotels down the street. Sutton picked it out for you. We’ll get you ready there and then come back so you can marry your bride.”

“But who’s going to perform the ceremony?” asked Declan, still looking somewhat stunned.

Aggie held up one of her scrawny arms. “Me. I got certified off the internet so I’ve got you covered.”

Patrick pulled Constance’s old blue rabbit’s foot out of his pocket and handed it to Sutton. “For good luck. It’s something borrowed and blue.”

“Thank you, Daddy. It’s perfect.” She rubbed the less worn side, thinking of her mother, as her father and Declan left out the back door.

Louise and Ben were stringing lights around the shop. Cleo started sprinkling the floor with pink rose petals. Peter pushed back tables to make a space for the bride and groom to exchange vows.

Jack came in holding bouquets of pink and white peonies and primroses for both Gigi and Sutton. He handed the bouquets to Gigi. “Hi, Gigi. I’m back.” His voice was soft.

“Hi, Jack. Welcome home.” Gigi flushed, her eyes narrowed slightly. “You look different.”

“Funny how five million dollars and a trip through Europe can change a guy.” He leaned close to Gigi, but Sutton could still hear him. “You gonna let me get you drunk tonight and take you home with me?”

Gigi giggled. “That doesn’t sound like me.” She motioned to Sutton. “Come on, gorgeous, let’s get you into your dress.”

In Sutton’s new office at the back of the shop, she stepped into her gown. It was a simple silk sheath made by a tailor in town. “What’s going on with Jack?” she whispered as Gigi zipped up the back of her dress.

Gigi’s eyes lit up. “I’m not sure. He’s been gone for six months.” Jack had not gone back to his teaching position and instead had gone on an extended trip through Europe. “He called me yesterday just to say hello but I missed the call. So I don’t know.”

“Does he know you’re back for good?”

“I plan on telling him tonight.”

Sutton smiled. Maybe there would be another wedding in the near future. She turned toward the mirror Gigi had brought from home. Gigi placed a crown of primroses on her head. “You ready?”

“I’m ready.” She stood back from the mirror. “I wish Mom was here.”

“I know. Me too.” Gigi kissed her cheek. “But you’ve got all of us. We all love you.”

“And I love all of you.”

At dusk, as the sun dimmed to nothing, she walked into the room of sparkling lights with the rose petals at her feet, holding the sweet smelling primroses and holding onto the arm of her father, toward Declan. Their eyes locked.
In every crowded space I search for you
. She tightened her grip on Patrick’s arm. Declan wiped tears from his cheeks. And then, like someone had opened the door and let a strong wind into the room, the teacups hanging from their hooks rustled and made a tinkling sound as they rattled against one another.

Everyone turned toward the sound. But it was quiet now, the cups hanging benignly. Had they truly heard it?

But Patrick knew.

“That was your mother,” he whispered in her ear. “Giving her blessing.”

Thank you for coming, Mommy
, she thought silently.

Moments later, it was with a peaceful heart that she said an emphatic and sure
yes
to Declan Treadwell, both for their time on earth and for the hereafter, knowing that life was arranged in a circle. All that’s lost eventually returns.

Caramel and Magnolias

A former actress goes undercover to help a Seattle police detective expose an adoption fraud in this story of friendship, mended hearts, and new beginnings.

Riversong

Sometimes we must face our deepest fears to find hope again. A redemptive story of forgiveness and friendship.

Riverstar

A feisty Hollywood makeup artist bands together with the beloved River Valley characters to prove the innocence of the man she loves in this romantic and suspenseful tale.

Riverbend

A woman finds her life in danger when her abusive ex-boyfriend gets out on parole, leaving her no choice but to accept help from a cold and wealthy recluse hiding a dark history of his own.

Tumbleweed
by Heather Huffman
(Contemporary Romance) When a cruel twist of fate threatens her new life in the Ozark Mountains of Missouri, Hailey must choose between rebuilding and fighting for love, or continuing to drift through life like a tumbleweed. 

Blogger Girl
by Meredith Schorr
(Contemporary Romance)  Kimberly Long has two passions: her successful chick lit blog and Nicholas, her handsome colleague down the hall. But when her high school nemesis pops onto the chick lit scene with a hot new book and eyes for Nicholas, Kim has to make some quick revisions to her own life story.

Unsettled Spirits
by Sophie Weeks
(Contemporary Romance) As Sarah grapples with questions of faith, love, and identity, she must learn to embrace not just the spirits of the present, but the haunting pain of the past. Can she accept her past in order to let love in?

Grace Unexpected
by Gale Martin
(Contemporary Romance) When her longtime boyfriend dumps her instead of proposing, Grace avows the sexless Shaker ways. She appears to be on the fast track to a marriage proposal… until secrets revealed deliver a death rattle to the Shaker Plan.

Thank You For Flying Air Zoe
by Erik Atwell
(Contemporary Women’s Fiction) Realizing she needs to awaken her life’s tired refrains, Zoe vows to recapture the one chapter of her life that truly mattered—her days as drummer for an all-girl garage band. Will Zoe bring the band back together and give The Flip-Flops a second chance at stardom?

Dismantle the Sun
by Jim Snowden
(General Fiction) A novel of love and loss, betrayal and second chances. Diagnosed with cancer, Jodie struggles to help her husband Hal learn to live without her. As Hal prepares to say goodbye to his wife, he discovers the possibility of happiness—in the arms of one of his students.

The Old Cape House
by Barbara Eppich Struna
(Historical Fiction) A Cape Cod secret is discovered after being hidden for 300 years. Two women, centuries apart, weave this historical tale of mystery, love and adventure.

Discover more books and learn about our

new approach to publishing at
booktrope.com
.