Page 101 of Dear Henry, Love Edith
And for the first time in a long time, Edith knew exactly where that was.
EPILOGUE
THREE MONTHS LATER
Brilliant sunlight cascaded through the windows of the Westshire Christian Church’s family room. Edith ran her palms down the bodice of the ivory embroidered dress Mama Peace had given her in South Africa and met Julie’s gaze reflecting back at her from a floor-length mirror. “I made a mistake, didn’t I? And now there’s no going back.”
“Oh, honey...”
“I don’t know what came over me. Obviously I got caught up in the moment. And now here I am, once again, having to live with the weight of that decision forever.”
“I’d hardly say forever.” Julie fixed a loose pin in Edith’s hair, then turned Edith to face her. “Your bangs will grow out eventually.”
“I never should have set foot in that hair salon. When will I ever learn?” Edith blew out a large breath, fanning the offending strands away from her eyes. “But at least my dress looks nice, right?”
“Your dress looks gorgeous. And so does your hair. Face it, Edith. You’re gorgeous, bangs or no bangs.” Julie squeezed Edith’s hands. “Welts or no welts.”
“You told me they weren’t visible.” Edith spun to the mirror and examined her neck.
“Nooo. What I told you was to avoid the buffalo chicken wraps on the left. Especially since they’re for the reception.”
“I was starving. And I didn’t know if you meant my left or the refrigerator’s left.”
“That doesn’t even make sense.”
Edith scratched at her neck. “Just do me a favor, will you? Keep Gabby and her EpiPens away from me.”
“I will if you stop scratching.” Julie batted Edith’s hand away from her neck and smiled. “Have I told you how happy I am you and Henry are back?”
“Only about seventy-six times in the past twenty minutes.”
“I am so happy you two are back.”
“Make that seventy-seven.”
“I love that you’re working at the crisis house. I love that Henry has a new logo for his company. A stork with a bottle, is it?”
“A pelican with a hammer.”
“I just love everything.” Julie handed Edith her bouquet of orchids and lilies. “Thank you for humoring us by having another wedding by the way. I know you guys have been busy getting settled back in and all, but half this town wasready to riot when they heard you’d married in South Africa. The only reason the other half didn’t riot was because they were convinced it couldn’t possibly be legal, and you’d have to come back at some point to make it real, at which time they’d get their wedding cake. This town lives and breathes for wedding cake, you know.”
“Don’t we all,” Edith responded.
A knock sounded at the door. “They’re ready for you, Edith,” Kat said, poking her head inside, her eyes lighting up. “Yowza, you look gorgeous.”
“See?” Julie smacked Edith on the arm.
“Are you allergic to the flowers?” Kat pointed to Edith’s neck.
“See?” Edith smacked Julie on the arm.
In the next minute she stood at the back of the sanctuary, her itchy neck forgotten. Because up front, staring back at her with eyes bluer than the sky, stood her greatest adventure.And she couldn’t wait to walk down the aisle to him. Again.
Though Edith had been ready to come back to Illinois right away, Henry convinced her to stay a few months longer. Then Edith convinced Henry to stay. Neither had to work very hard at convincing each other to get married.
“Well? What is she waiting for?” Gladys said from her motorized wheelchair near the front of the sanctuary. “Let’s get this show on the road so we can get to the cake.”
“Quiet,” Peg shushed her. “Let her go at her own pace and take in the moment. Can’t you see she’s a happy girl?”
