Lily shouted from upstairs. “Tessa!”
Tessa handed Paul the passport and the torn envelope. “Keep these for me? I have to go before I’m in serious trouble. Make sure you and the guys are back here in half an hour.”
Paul saluted her. “Yes, ma’am. Can’t wait to see you in that dress.”
Tessa kissed him quickly and then hurried up the staircase.
A couple of hours later the ceremony was finished, and the live musicians had been replaced with a DJ. Tessa’s and Anna’s parents gathered around a high-boy table situated along the fence line. Tessa’s mama had been a combination of aghast and amazed to learn Tessa hadn’t backed down from her Honeysuckle Hollow challenge, but when Carolyn learned about Mystic Water’s support and love for her daughter, she couldn’t help but join the others in their cheering. Now Carolyn barely skipped a day without telling Tessa how proud she was of her sticking with her decision. No one could deny that Honeysuckle Hollow’s restoration was glorious to see.
Beneath the twinkling backyard lights, Tessa danced with Paul. Anna looked like a fairy princess in her elegant V-neck dress made of white chiffon. The A-line skirt flowed gracefully as Eli twirled her across the tiled dance floor. Lily and Jakob bounced to their own rhythm while their daughter, Rose, weaved in and out of their legs. Paul spun Tessa away from him, lifting their arms into an arch. When he spun her back toward him, she stumbled into his chest and laughed. She pressed her hand against his suit jacket and said, “You’re vibrating.”
“That’s your phone,” he said, reaching his hand into his inside coat pocket.
She didn’t recognize the number, but she excused herself and walked off the dance floor. “Hello?”
“This is Kate,” Crazy Kate said. “Meet me in the foyer.”
“You have a cell phone?” Tessa asked in shock, already walking across the patio and weaving through the wedding guests.
“Don’t be ridiculous. I borrowed it from my daughter.”
Tessa found Crazy Kate beneath the chandelier in the foyer with Trudy Steele, who stood in the open front doorway. “Mrs. Steele! I had no idea you were in town. Come in, come in.” Tessa motioned for Mrs. Steele to come inside, but the old woman didn’t budge. Tessa continued, “We’re right in the middle of a wedding reception. Paul and I were going to call you next week to ask when you and your family could visit. But I’m glad you’re here now.” Tessa spread her arms wide. “Come inside and look around. What do you think of the renovations? Does it look like you remember?”
Mrs. Steele didn’t move or speak. Tessa glanced at Crazy Kate with a searching expression.
Crazy Kate placed her hand on Mrs. Steele’s arm. “Trudy, come inside.”
Mrs. Steele’s eyes filled with tears as she placed her hand over Crazy Kate’s. “It—it was easier to hate this place when it was falling apart. But now—it looks—it looks just like it did when we were married, doesn’t it?”
“Remember when you walked down those stairs?” Crazy Kate asked, leading Mrs. Steele toward the staircase. “And Geoffrey wasn’t supposed to see you beforehand, but he rounded the corner, and there you were, and he was speechless. You were so beautiful that day. Like an angel.”
Mrs. Steele blinked at her tears and rested both hands on her cane. “It was the perfect day. Even with the rain. I was so happy—wewere so happy. I still miss him,” she said as her voice broke. She looked at Tessa. “You’ve done something I didn’t think was possible. You’ve brought Honeysuckle Hollow back to life.”
“I had a lot of help,” Tessa said. “Months of it, from the whole town actually.”
“Unbelievable,” Mrs. Steele said, not seeming to care about the tears on her cheeks. “It looks just like it did, back when we were all still here. When we were young and beautiful and happy and the house was full of laughter.” She looked at Crazy Kate. “It’s like being transported back through time.”
Tessa smiled. “I’m glad you approve.”
Mrs. Steele walked toward the dining room. “It’s an awful big home for one young woman.”
Tessa shook her head. “I won’t be living here alone.”
“Oh,” Mrs. Steele asked with raised eyebrows. “That man convinced you to marry him?”
Tessa hesitated. “No, not exactly. Notyet.”
Mrs. Steele pursed her lips. “Youdoknow that a proper Southern woman wouldneverlive with a man before she’s married, don’t you?”
Tessa snorted a laugh. “As if I’ve ever been proper.”
Mrs. Steele looked affronted, and then her face broke into a laugh. Crazy Kate joined her.
Tessa said, “What I meant was that I’m going to use Honeysuckle Hollow the same way Matthias did—to help those in need or to host beautiful weddings just like yours. I’ll live here, but I expect the house will always be full of guests.”
“Matthias would be proud of you,” Mrs. Steele said.
Crazy Kate looped her arm through Mrs. Steele’s. “Let me show you around, Trudy. Wait till you see the gardens.”
