Lucy was surprisingly un-stressed about planning.
"I planned a restaurant opening," she said when Rei expressed surprise. "A wedding is nothing compared to that."
March brought spring and the one-year anniversary of Margaret's opening.
The restaurant had been featured in three major publications. Reservations were booked two months out. Lucy had trained her staff so well that she only worked dinner service three nights a week.
"Look at you," Daniel said. "Actual work-life balance. I'm proud."
"Don't get used to it. Wedding planning is temporary."
"You're getting married in three months. I think it's permanent."
Jake's coaching academy had grown too. They'd run four clinics since August, with another scheduled for May. Coaches were coming from as far as Canada to train with Tommy and Jake.
"We should write a book," Tommy suggested one afternoon. "Coaching philosophy, strategy, all of it. Share what we've learned."
"A book? That's—that's huge."
"So? You're ready for huge. We both are."
On a Wednesday morning in late March, Jake and Lucy maintained their tradition.
8:17 AM at The Bread Basket. Six pork buns, two coffees, their corner table.
"Four years," Lucy said. "We've been doing this for four years."
"Best tradition we have."
"Remember when we barely talked? You'd just order and leave?"
"I was working up the courage to actually have a conversation."
"It took you three years."
"I'm a slow mover."
"And now we're getting married."
"Now we're getting married."
They sat in comfortable silence, watching Timber Falls wake up around them. Mr. Peterson came in for his bran muffin. Mrs. Henderson arrived with the Knitting Circle. Sarah waved from behind the counter.
This was home. These people, this town, this quiet Wednesday morning routine.
"Jake?" Lucy said.
"Yeah?"
"Thank you. For waiting for me. For being patient while I figured out what I wanted."
"Thank you for coming back. For choosing this life."
"I'll choose it every day for the rest of our lives."
"That's all I need."
June twenty-first arrived with perfect weather.
