“Perfect. I’m ready.”Her heart skipped a beat as she glanced at the pavilion filled with friends and family.
The music started to play, and she walked down the sidewalk to the entryway to the pavilion. All the guests rose when they saw her, but she only had eyes for Barry, standing by the arbor, looking so handsome in a smart-looking suit. And if she didn’t know better, she’d swear there were hints of tears at the corners of his eyes.
Olivia slowly made her way down the aisle.
“Come on, I’m ready to give you away.”Evelyn grinned and took her arm.
Donna touched the silver sand dollar necklace draped around her neck then walked down the aisle on Evelyn’s arm until they reached the front of the pavilion. The majestic view of the harbor stretched out before them with the last of the day’s sunlight twinkling across the water like sparkling diamonds.
Barry reached out his hand and took hers, pulling her close to his side. He leaned close and whispered,“You look beautiful.”
Her heart swelled with joy as she smiled up at him. They said their vows and before she knew it, she was Donna Richmond.
Barry kissed her gently and whispered to her,“I love you so, Mrs. Richmond.”
“I love you, too,”she whispered back, sure there had never been a happier moment in her life.
They held hands and walked back down the aisle. Together. As husband and wife. Or as the Parker woman who married that Barry fellow. Or just as a very, very happy couple.
Chapter 31
Heather left Livy standing with Austin—honestly, they were thecutestcouple—and circled over to where Aunt Donna and Barry were sipping on glasses of champagne.“Hey, Donna. I don’t know if you saw her, but Grandmother was here. She was in the last row at the far end. I guess she didn’t want to miss her own daughter’s wedding.”
Donna scanned the crowd.“I don’t see her.”
“I don’t think she left.”At least she didn’tthinkshe had, but knowing her grandmother, who knows.“I could go find her if you’d like.”
“No, that’s okay. She’ll find me if she wants to.”Donna smiled up at Barry, and Heather grinned. Her aunt looked absolutely besotted. And that wasn’t such a bad thing.
Delbert, Cassandra, and her uncle walked up to them.“Lovely wedding, Donna.”Delbert kissed Donna’s cheek.
“It was magnificent. I was so pleased to see a wedding here at The Cabot again. I wish much happiness to both of you.”Ted Cabot shook Barry’s hand.
“You look lovely, Donna,”Cassandra added.
Heather looked across the crowd and leaned close to Donna.“Grandmother is headed this way.”
Donna looked up quickly, and Heather could feel her stiffen beside her. Patricia Beale glided up to them in the way only Patricia could.“Donna,”she said.
“Grandmother, I’m so glad you made it. And let me introduce you to Cassandra and Ted Cabot.”She stood staunchly at Donna’s side, uncertain if Patricia would say something…unexpected. But her grandmother wasn’t focused on Donna anymore.
Patricia’s face drained of color as she swiveled to see Ted and Cassandra.
“Oh.”Patricia wobbled a bit on her high heels.
“Patricia, so good to see you after all these years.”Ted’s eyebrows rose. He shifted his tie, then extended his hand toward her.
Patricia stared down at his hand but didn’t take it.
Strange.
Ted pulled his hand back, and his smile dimmed slightly.
Patricia seemed to recover her poise.“Well, I just wanted to say—congratulations—I really must go.”
“I’m glad you came, Mother.”
Patricia just nodded and then—if Heather didn’t know better because Patricia Beale never hurried more than her elegant gliding walk—shespedaway from them and disappeared into the crowd.
