Next came Fiona. “I absolutely loved readingSmall Things Like These. It took me back to Ireland ... and to my childhood. Bittersweet.” Her voice cracked with emotion. “It’s hard to explain how it moved me, but it made me want to be a better person, even in something as small as a kind word or a friendly smile. Things that could go unnoticed but turn out to be important. Especially at work.”
“That’s wonderful,” Windy told her. “I’d like to read that book.”
Fiona handed it to her. “It’s a quick read.”
“Thanks.” Now Windy held upThe Shell Seekers. “This was not a quick read, but it was really good and I hated for it to end. The best thing I got out of it was how we can create family from the people around us. After losing my husband, I missed that familyfeel.” She beamed at them. “But I feel I’ve found it here. Thank you, girls, for becoming my family.”
“Even if we’re somewhat dysfunctional?” Laurel teased.
“Aren’t all families dysfunctional?” Kitty asked wryly.
“Hey, we’re the kind of family that puts the ‘fun’ into dysfunctional,” Windy said, making them laugh.
“Okay, I guess I’m next.” Laurel held up her book. “I’ll admit I’ve never particularly cared for fiction, and my first impression of this book was that it would be a romance novel. But as I got into it, I could see it was more. Much, much more.” Laurel looked close to tears. “But the most important thing I discovered was that real love, unconditional love, is relentless. It never gives up. It’s like God’s love for us and the way we need to love others. But it’s not easy to do. It’s a lesson I’m still learning for myself.” She blinked back tears and smiled at Riva. “Thanks for making me read it.”
As Riva poured tea and shared scones, muffins, and éclairs she’d picked up at the bakery earlier, the women continued to chat about their various books, exchanging them with each other. When they were done, they all asked Riva to continue recommending books. She gladly agreed.
As the summer rolled on, Riva was pleased to see that Kitty was maintaining her sobriety. Besides regularly attending AA meetings with Danny, she’d started spending time out on his farm. While he was working at the tire store, she was doing farm chores and housecleaning. She seemed to have given up on finding hairdressing work and had recently expressed interest in doing some home improvements at Danny’s place. She began by asking Windy for some decor ideas and then, to everyone’s surprise, Laurel actually offered to go out there with her every day to help with some simple repairs and interior painting. Would wonders ever cease!
“It’s really kind of you to help fix up Danny’s place,” Fionatold Kitty one evening as they cleaned up after dinner. “Most generous.”
“It’s not as generous as it looks,” Kitty admitted. “Danny’s paid me some, which is the only reason I could afford rent this month.”
“Oh, I think there’s more than that going on,” Laurel teased her. “Unless I’m mistaken, you and Danny have been getting along pretty well.” She chuckled and turned to Fiona and Riva. “I caught the two of them sneaking a kiss out in the barn.”
“Oh, Laurel!” Kitty laughed. “We didn’t sneak anything. Don’t be such a prude.”
“I’m not a prude,” Laurel claimed. “I’m just not a floozy like some people I won’t name.” Just like that, the two of them were arguing. But it was a good-natured disagreement, one that left all five of them laughing hard.
Kitty seemed to be enjoying the quiet farm life—and her own sobriety—more than anyone had dreamed possible. It was obvious to Riva that Kitty and Danny were getting along just fine. By mid-August, Kitty came home from Danny’s place sporting a modest engagement ring. Soon she was happily informing her housemates that they’d set a wedding date!
“We thought about eloping, but we’ve made so many friends at AA, and there are you girls ... so we decided to have a small ceremony out on the farm,” Kitty told her housemates as they sat down to dinner on the patio one evening in August. “And no worries, no alcohol will be served.”
“How exciting,” Windy told her. “When’s the big day?”
“The last Saturday of the month. Danny wants to have it in the barn and then we’ll have music and dancing afterward.” She grinned at Fiona. “We already booked a local band.”
“So wear your dancing shoes,” Fiona told them.
“Miss Kitty getting married in a barn,” Laurel said. “Now I’ve heard everything.”
“As you know, it’s a very nice barn,” Kitty reminded her. “Doesn’t even smell too bad anymore. We’ll have a real hoedown wedding.I’m planning on wearing my red cowboy boots with my wedding dress.”
“I love it,” Windy said.
“What can we do to help?” Riva asked.
“I don’t know where to start. Danny and I are determined to keep costs down and make it a DIY wedding.”
Laurel pulled out a writing pad and pen. “Let’s make a to-do list and assign responsibilities. Let’s see, you’ll need food, flowers, decorations ... people to set up and clean up...”
Just like four mama hens, they were suddenly talking and planning with Laurel furiously taking notes. And by the end of the evening, they all had tasks to complete before the wedding, which was only two weeks out.
Riva thought Kitty and Danny’s wedding was one of the sweetest she’d ever seen. As they repeated their vows, there wasn’t a dry eye in the barn. And with strings of golden lights glowing on old wooden posts and beams, combined with the fragrant scent of hay, it was magical. Windy’s floral arrangements of humble field flowers and ferns in mason jars were the perfect touch, and the simple barbecue foods prepared by Riva and the housemates were just right. And, of course, the music was cheery.
“I guess it takes a village to raise a wedding,” Laurel whispered to Riva as they watched Danny and Kitty opening the dance floor.
“Kitty looks sweet in her lacy dress and cowboy boots,” Windy said wistfully. “They make such a cute couple.”
