Page 100 of Quiet Beautiful Things

Allie’s shoulders shake and laughter dances in her eyes. “Oh my gosh, she thinks the two of you are getting married.”

My face is so hot that not even a snowball could lower my temperature.

When Blake’s eyes meet mine, it’s apparent he doesn’t think it’s so funny. I’m familiar with the expression though. It’s the same one I saw when our eyes first connected months ago in Truman’s grocery. And the one that was on his face the first time he made love to me.

Two things happen simultaneously: a rush of emotion flows through me, and a bolt of terror.

I break our stare and look around at the four dumbstruck onlookers.

“Come on, Maisy,” I sign. “We will go watch.”

We step inside to where guests are being seated. I’m touched from behind a moment before Blake comes around the front of me. “Sorry about that,” he says. “Kids.” He rolls his eyes. “I’ll find you after. You and Maisy can sit in the second row, right behind my parents.” He thumbs to the hallway. “I have to go make sure Lucas is still chained to the desk where I left him.” He laughs at his joke and walks away.

As Maisy and I are escorted to the second row, I take in the event hall. I’ve only been in here once, the day I had a tour of the winery. It’s been transformed into a stunning wedding venue. A hundred padded wooden chairs have been draped with white chair sashes and decorated with greenery and flowers. The aisle is a beautiful lattice-patterned runner that must be thirty yards long, extending from the doors to the altar. And the altar… wow, it’s an archway made up of what must be thousands of flowers that complement the ones on the chairs. It’s a truly magical sight.

But what delights me the most—what has my chest tightening and my eyes misting—is not any of the decorations, it’s the person standing off to the side of the altar. It’s Hannah. Blake hired an interpreter.

Hannah waves and tells me I look pretty.

“How many deaf here?” I ask.

“Just you.”

Just me? He hired an interpreter forme? Well, for Maisy and me. But really, for me. A four-year-old wouldn’t get much out of a wedding ceremony. I’m not sure why this surprises me. This is Blake Montana we’re talking about. Despite his reputation, he’s got the kindest heart of anyone I’ve ever met. Of course he hired an interpreter.

My mind goes back to the way he was looking at me outside. I tell myself it’s a wedding. Weddings always make people emotional. It’s one of the reasons I probably shouldn’t havecome. People already have the wrong idea about what I am to Blake. And I’m not about to make the same mistakes as any one of Lucas’s long string of exes, who each had false hope of a happy ever after.

Putting those thoughts aside for now, I watch the string quartet in the far corner, imagining they’re playing some sort of love song. I just know Maisy is itching to run over and put her hand on one of the violins. She loves instruments of all kinds. Each one produces different vibrations. Feeling sounds has become one of her favorite things. She does it as obsessively as teenagers check their cell phones. Blake’s workout room has become home to a small set of drums, an electronic keyboard, a guitar, and Dallas’s old saxophone, which apparently he played in middle school. There are plenty of deaf musicians. Willshewant to be one?

I regard Maisy as she stares at the quartet, wondering just who and what she’ll be in twenty years. And a wave of sadness washes over me when I realize I might not ever know. No—not a wave. A tsunami.

Heads turn, so I look behind us to see Blake escorting one of his grandmothers to the front row. Dallas is behind him escorting the other. Their sole living grandfather follows. Blake winks at Maisy, then me, as he passes and circles back around to the rear.

Next, Allie and Sarah are escorted by Blake’s dad, and they all take the remaining empty seats in front of us.

The minister comes out of a side door and takes his place behind the flower altar. If I could hear, I’d bet there is a collective moment of breath-holding as people await Lucas to come from the same door and take his place. I find I’m holding my own breath when seconds pass without anyone coming through the door.

Seconds become minutes. People start whispering to each other.

Allie says something to her mom and when her mom turns slightly, I can see worried lines etched in her forehead.

I look behind me. I’m annoyed to see a few people laughing. I can only hope they’re doing it silently. A guy a few rows back hands money to the man sitting next to him.

I stare at the altar. Surely he’s going to show.

Blake’s dad stands and rushes to the door we all expected Lucas to emerge from. When the door is opened, I catch a glimpse of Blake and Dallas, who appear to be arguing.

Allie turns. “It’s not looking good,” she signs.

My shoulders slump.Poor Lissa.

The next few minutes are some of the longest, most uncomfortable minutes I’ve ever experienced. Is Lissa out front on her father’s arm waiting to be walked down the aisle? What must she be thinking? Is she thinking the day of her wedding just turned into a nightmare? Is Lucas dumping her as we sit here? Or did he simply disappear? Or maybe he’s just having cold feet and his brothers are talking sense into him.

The side door opens, and I feel a momentary sense of relief. But only one person comes through. Blake’s father. He walks to the minister and whispers something, then turns to the crowd.

“I apologize,” Hannah interprets. “It looks like there’s not going to be a wedding today.” Chris’s eyes grow dark with anger, making me think there was laughter or chatter at his declaration. “For any of you who think this is funny, please remember there is an amazing woman who thought this day was going to be the best day of her life. And for those of you wishing ill for my son, I hope you can find it in your heart to forgive him yet again. We all thought this one was going to be it. I offer no excuses except to say that… maybe he just hasn’t found his true soulmate. I’m sorry.” He motions to the opposite door. “I know this isn’t a dayof celebration, but I invite you to eat and drink and try to enjoy what’s left of the day as we try to find our son and console Lissa.”

Nobody moves for a good ten seconds. Then there is a parting of ways. Most of Lissa’s friends and family leave while most of Lucas’s go through the door to the reception hall. I guess they’re used to this.

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