Page 54 of A Wedding in the Bay

They started to walk toward their mother, and she noticed them approaching in the next few moments. She turned toward them with a smile, and hugged both of them when they reached her side.

“Oh, my girls,” she said warmly. “It’s so wonderful to see you both.”

“It’s good to see you too, Mom,” Josie said, feeling her eyes fill with tears. “I’m really glad you’re here.”

“I wouldn’t miss it,” her mother insisted. “It was such a beautiful wedding. It’s clear how much you two love each other. I’m so happy for you.”

Josie swallowed hard, feeling a surge of happiness fill her chest. She could sense a difference in her mother—she seemed more grounded and mature.

She seems more stable now, she thought. She’s calmer, and she seems kinder than she used to be.

The three of them went to sit together at a bench by a window, partially tucked away behind some potted plants. They spent some time catching up, updating each other about their lives.

“I wanted to apologize for asking Paige to steal from Josie,” their mom said after a short pause, taking a deep breath. “That was wrong of me. It was wrong to ask for it, and it was wrong of me to try to get out of rehab. I stuck with the program I was in, and it really helped me.”

“I’m glad to hear that, Mom,” Paige said, squeezing her hands.

“I’m still a work in progress,” their mother said, laughing a little, “but I’m putting in the work and putting my life back together.”

Josie listened to her mother’s words with a full heart. She strongly got the impression that what her mother was saying was true—she could see evidence in her mother’s demeanor that suggested she was changing for the better.

“Thank you again for coming, Mom,” Josie said. “It means the world to me that you’re here.”

Her mother nodded, smiling. “I love you girls.”

“We love you too,” Josie and Paige said at the same time, and the three of them wrapped their arms around each other in a group hug. Josie felt hopeful that the rift between them was beginning to heal, since their mom seemed to finally have taken control over her issues.

“Well, all these emotions are making me hungry,” her mother said, wiping away a tear. “I’m going to go get some hors d’oeuvres to munch on.”

“I’ll come with you,” Paige said, standing up. “You want to come too, Josie?”

“I’ll catch you both later,” Josie said, smiling warmly. “I’d better go find my husband and get back to greeting the rest of our guests.”

She smiled at her mother and sister as they walked over to the hors d’oeuvres table together. At that moment, Wesley stepped up to her.

“Hey,” she said, standing up and folding him into a hug.

“I didn’t want to interrupt,” he said, kissing her nose. “It looked like an important conversation you three were having.”

“It was,” she said, her voice thick with emotion. “Mom really seems to be doing better. I’m so happy about it.”

“I’m so happy for you,” he said, wrapping his arms around her again and holding her tightly. “That’s incredible news. I’m excited to get to talk to her later.”

She nodded, taking a deep breath. She felt so happy, she didn’t quite know what to do with herself.

“Well, my husband,” she said playfully. “Would you like to finish greeting all of our guests?”

“I would love to, my wife,” he said, lacing his fingers with hers.

They shared a sweet kiss, and then started back toward the reception tables, holding hands.

CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR

Johanna’s heart felt full as she gazed around the beautiful reception room at Josie and Wesley’s wedding. She was standing in front of the bar area, waiting for a glass of wine.

My goodness, this has been such a lovely day, she thought.

It had been an exceptionally beautiful wedding, and she’d felt so happy to be invited to it. It made her feel that she was a part of the town, and that meant a great deal to her.

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