Page 68 of Jam and Jingle Bells
Love.
Chapter Eighteen
The night sky was a canvas of stars as I hurried up the path to the gazebo. I had to be sure all the decorations were in place and ready to go before I headed to the park pavilion where everyone was meeting. I was dying to see Mel in the dress again, but more than that, I was dying to see Holly. I was praying with all my might that she was in an okay mood for the ceremony.
I climbed the stairs to the gazebo and sighed. The romance was off the charts tonight. The twinkle lights outlined the ceiling, hanging down like snowflakes in the night. Garland and lights were wrapped around the railings while holly berries gleamed with their strong red glow. I fingered a set of berries and walked around the floor, taking note that the heaters were on and working. They made the gazebo easily twenty degrees warmer than the rest of the park. They were cleverly hidden near the speakers, which were also decorated with garland.
It was the ice luminaries that brought it all together, though. They were Ivy’s idea, so we left them up to her, and they were stunning. She had used ivy leaves and holly berries inside each luminary. They lined the stairs Mel would walk up to say her vows and change her life for the better. The whole scene, topped off by the tree of blue stretching into the sky, was so romantic my breath stuck in my chest.
“It’s magical,” a voice whispered behind me when his arms slid around my waist. “Breathtaking actually.”
“Those were the exact words running through my mind,” I agreed, wrapping my arms around his at my waist. “It’s all come together so well.”
“Because of you,” he said, kissing my cheek.
I laughed softly and leaned back against his chest carefully. “I only did my share. It was a group effort. I hope it’s a memory Mel and Mason never forget.”
He spun me toward him and stroked my cheek, the cuts from Wednesday night hidden under some artfully applied makeup. “I know it’s one I will never forget.”
“You’re not getting married tonight.”
His thumb continued to stroke my cheekbone as a smile danced across his face. “No, but I’m standing here staring into the eyes of a gorgeous woman who says she loves me. The lights are shining across her face making her skin glow a beautiful chestnut brown. I may not be getting married tonight, but this vision is one I’ll remember forever.”
His lips lowered to mine and I fell into the kiss. I pushed at his chest gently until he lifted his head. “Not in public, remember?” I hissed, glancing around us at the dark woods.
He took my arms and backed me up into the far corner of the gazebo where there was nothing but shadows and darkness. “Love over fear, remember?” he asked, lowering his lips to mine again.
I brought my arms up and wrapped them around his neck, moaning softly when his tongue stroked mine and his thumbs caressed the skin by my waist. Magical. Breathtaking. He was both of those things and I was a goner when it came to him.
“Ahem,” came a voice and we froze, his lips falling from mine the same time my arms fell from around his neck. He spun around and we faced our interrupter. “Sorry to break this up, but the women are looking for you,” Shep said, pointing behind him.
I chuckled and shook my head. “No problem, I was just heading to the pavilion.”
Shep’s head bobbed up and down. “It definitely looked like you were on your way.”
Ellis reached out and playfully punched Shep on the arm. “Can’t blame a guy for waylaying a beautiful woman.”
Shep held up his hands while he laughed. “Hey man, I’m guilty of the same more often than not. Maybe you could help me get some chairs set up?”
I grabbed Ellis’s elbow. “No heavy lifting. Doctor’s orders.”
Shep jumped in immediately. “Oh crap, I forgot. If I lay them out in rows can you set them up?”
Ellis rolled his eyes but nodded. “No problem. I can lift with my good arm, but Little Miss Taskmaster over here would have a stroke.”
I punched him playfully. “Hey! I’d prefer you didn’t pull stitches out. That would require an ER visit and you can be damn sure you’d be waiting until after the ceremony!” I was teasing, and he knew it, so he pecked me chastely on the lips and pushed me toward the stairs.
“Go, you’re needed by the womenfolk. Leave us to do the man’s work.”
I rolled my eyes as I trotted down the stairs. “Okay, you do that, let me know if you need any help organizing the chairs. You know, since that’s a woman’s work,” I called.
I heard raucous laughter and raced away toward the pavilion before one of them could catch me. I jogged up to the door, ready to head in and get changed for the event. It was more than time for these two wonderful people to become husband and wife. Maybe they wouldn’t get to do the adoption tonight, but the first step was better than no step at all.
I knocked on the door and called out. “It’s Addie, can I come in?”
Someone yelled yes from inside, so I pushed the door open and closed it behind me immediately. Mel stood in a robe, boots, and a winter coat, which was a sight to see in and of itself. Ivy was already wearing her red velvet long-sleeved dress. It was stunningly beautiful and I put my hand to my chest.
“Ivy, you’re glowing,” I sighed, taking stock of the dress which hung at an empire waist with a black ribbon the only accent.
