Page 10 of Cottage on the Bay


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Susan poured two cups of coffee, her mind already spinning through logistics. “Christmas Eve is a beautiful time to get married, but it isn’t far away.”

“I know it sounds crazy.” Lynda wrapped her hands around the mug Susan handed her. “But we’ve both been married before, and we understand what matters. Neither of us wants months of planning or elaborate ceremonies. Just something simple with the people we care about.”

Susan sat across from her friend, studying Lynda’s face. She’d been there for her after her messy divorce from Ray, had watched Lynda rebuild her life piece by careful piece. And now she was looking at a woman transformed by love, literally glowing with happiness.

Susan was genuinely happy for her. She was thrilled to see her friend find a second chance at joy. But underneath the happiness lurked something darker. Something Susan was ashamed to acknowledge even to herself. She was jealous of her friends’ lives, of the love they’d found in Sapphire Bay.

“Susan?” Lynda’s voice pulled her back. “Are you okay? You look?—”

“I’m fine.” Susan forced brightness into her voice. “I’m just thinking about timing. Have you picked a venue?”

“Not yet. We talked about getting married in the barn at Paws of Hope or asking Pastor John about using the church.” Lynda’s excitement dimmed slightly. “This is where I need to ask you something, and please say no if it’s too much.”

Susan already knew what was coming.

“Would you handle the food?” Lynda rushed on before Susan could respond. “We don’t want anything elaborate. Just finger food and a simple cake. There will be thirty people at the most, probably fewer. I completely understand if you’d rather not. You moved here to escape from catering, but everyone’s been asking if you can help them.”

“It’s okay.” Susan reached across the table and grasped Lynda’s hands. “Of course I’ll do it.”

Relief flooded Lynda’s features. “You’re sure? I don’t want to take advantage?—”

“You’re not taking advantage of anything.” Susan squeezed her friend’s hands before releasing them. “This isn’t running a business. This is celebrating two people I care about. There’s a difference.”

“Thank you.” Lynda’s eyes glistened with tears. “I was nervous about asking if you could help.”

“Providing the catering for your wedding is a gift, not a burden.” Susan stood and found her notebook. “We need to figure out some basics soon, though. The venue will change everything. The number of guests affects quantities. And the timing of the food needs to coordinate with the ceremony.”

She plated some of the phyllo cups she’d made earlier and set them in front of Lynda. “Before we do anything else, try this and tell me what you think.”

Lynda’s eyes widened as she bit into it. “Oh, it’s delicious. Paul’s customers will love them.”

“That’s what I hope.” Susan settled back into her chair, grateful for the distraction of discussing food. They spent the next twenty minutes talking through Lynda’s vision for the wedding. As they talked, Susan jotted notes on a pad she kept by the phone, smiling as Lynda added a practical twist to her dream wedding.

Susan thought about her own marriage. After a few years, it had fallen apart under the weight of her husband’s expectations and her inability to be anything other than ambitious. He’d wanted a wife who’d support his career. She’d wanted a partner who’d support hers. Neither of them had been willing to compromise, and the marriage had ended with more relief than regret.

She’d told herself it was fine. That she didn’t need romance. That her business was enough.

But watching Lynda now, and seeing the joy radiating from her friend, Susan had to face an uncomfortable truth. She’d been lying to herself for decades.

She wanted someone to look at her the way Matt looked at Lynda, the way Frank looked at Isabel, and the way Patrick looked at Kathleen when he thought no one was watching.

She just didn’t think she deserved it.

“What about your dress?” Susan asked, forcing herself to focus on practical matters. “Have you started looking?”

Lynda shook her head. “I haven’t had time to think that far ahead. But it shouldn’t take too long to find something. What about the dress I wore to Isabel’s wedding? I don’t need anything special.”

“Lynda.” Susan set down her pen. “You’re getting married. You deserve something new that makes you feel beautiful, even if it’s simple.”

“I suppose you’re right.” Lynda looked uncertain, and Susan recognized her expression. Lynda’s ex-husband had spent years convincing her she wasn’t worth special things. “There’s just so much to do at the clinic, and we barely had time to process being engaged before deciding on this date.”

Another knock sounded at the door. Susan rose to answer it and found Isabel and Kathleen on the porch, both bundled against the cold.

“We saw Lynda’s car,” Isabel said, stamping snow from her boots, “and thought we’d stop by and see what’s happening.”

“Plus, I saw the phyllo cups on your counter through the window,” Kathleen added, stepping inside. “Are those available for sampling?”

“Help yourself.” Susan fetched more plates while her friends shed their coats and settled around the kitchen table. “Lynda has news.”