Page 34 of A Breeze Over Rosewood Beach (Rosewood Beach #9)
CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE
Oscar took in his surroundings with a smile on his face.
Ocean Breeze Café had never looked so alive.
Lanterns hung from the rafters, twinkling with a soft golden light that mirrored the sunset that was just beginning to dip into the sea.
The scents of sweet berry pie and toasted Monte Cristo sandwiches filled the air, and everywhere were the sounds of laughter, tinkling dishes, and music.
Hazel and Jacob, both glowing with that unmistakable just-married happiness, sat beneath a garland of wildflowers at a table decorated in pale blue linen and seashells that had been brought out of one of the big glass jars that Sally used for decoration.
Oscar couldn’t be sure, but it seemed to him that all of Rosewood Beach was in attendance.
Children ran around the edges of the café as if they’d decided it was not a restaurant but a racetrack, older couples swayed slowly to the music from the string quartet, and groups of neighbors clinked lemonade glasses in celebration.
Every few minutes, someone would stop by Hazel and Jacob’s table to offer them a warm hug, a funny story, or words of encouragement.
He spotted Tom and Allison from The Lighthouse Grill near the food table, chatting with other longtime residents who had watched Hazel grow up.
It was clear that everyone who had been a part of Hazel’s life wanted to be here to celebrate this special moment.
Hazel looked radiant in a simple cream-colored dress with lace on the sleeves, her wavy, dark blonde hair pinned back with beautiful pearl and diamond clips that Oscar had a feeling Sally had leant her.
She laughed freely as she spoke to a group of women who were apparently retired teachers who had watched her grow up.
Jacob, looking entirely at ease in his rolled-up shirt sleeves and loosened light green tie, never let go of her hand.
Oscar sat on the side of the room, holding a plate piled with berry pie and vanilla ice cream and watching it all unfold.
A month ago, even a couple of weeks ago, he might have called this reception quaint.
Provincial, even. He had always been drawn to fast-paced cities, prestigious locations like modern art galleries or up-and-coming nightclubs, and polished, catered events that didn’t smell like cinnamon or involve mismatched chairs.
But now? Now, he saw things differently.
Now, he noticed the way Sally, radiant in a sea-glass green dress, moved through the crowd with a pitcher of lemonade, making sure everyone had enough to drink.
He saw the way people leaned into each other when they laughed, and the way children ran up to their parents, squirming with excitement.
He watched Hazel brush a strand of hair from Jacob’s forehead and felt something in his chest soften. It wasn’t fancy, but it was real.
He was seated at the table by himself, since the other guests who shared it were off in other places in the room—dancing in a corner or acting like the café was a racetrack. He didn’t mind the solitude, since it gave him ample opportunity to observe the joyful gathering around him.
His eyes roamed back to Sally, something they were getting very used to doing. He found that he loved watching her almost as much as he loved being beside her. The way she seemed to bring joy with her wherever she went had an almost magical quality to it, he thought.
He watched her as she sat down next to Vivian, and it was clear from the smile that the two best friends shared that they both felt as though their cups were overflowing.
Sally said something to Vivian that he couldn’t hear, and Vivian’s head tipped back as she laughed.
Sally chuckled too, leaning to the side a little in her mirth.
Oscar felt his heart stir, appreciating his girlfriend’s vivacity.
He felt incredibly proud of both of them for the evening they’d organized.
They’d had the help of Vivian and the rest of Hazel’s family, which had made everything run smoothly.
He’d loved planning the details of the evening with Sally.
It had showed him what a clear-headed, intelligent businesswoman she was, and it also revealed just how splendidly creative she was.
He himself had been able to bring skills to the table, of course, and he’d been in charge of all of the math and the supply ordering.
Now, all of their hard work was done, and they were able to see the fruits of it.
He felt a strange, kind of achy feeling in his chest when he saw how much happiness he and Sally had helped create.
He wasn’t used to doing so much good through his work.
It felt incredible, and he knew that he wanted to continue to do good in the lives of the people around him.
I never thought I’d say this , he thought, but I’m so glad everything happened the way it did. I thought I was living the dream, but I wasn’t. It took me losing that world for me to gain the world I really needed.
His attention was drawn back to Sally when she stood up and clinked her glass with a fork.
“Attention, everyone!” she sang out in a voice that was both commanding and companionable. “I’d like to make a speech, just briefly.”
Murmurs of affection flickered around the room. It was clear that everyone there was more than happy to give Sally their attention.
“I just want to say, Ocean Breeze Café is so honored to host this celebration,” Sally continued, her voice catching as she looked a bit misty-eyed. “We love Hazel and Jacob Dorsey very much, and we wish them all the best.”
Some people clapped and cheered, and one person even stamped the floor with their foot for emphasis.
“I feel so happy to be here, surrounded by all of your wonderful faces,” Sally said. “There’s more pie and cake in the back, so don’t be shy. Yup, I think that’s all I wanted to say.” She chuckled, and several other people laughed with her. “Let’s all raise a glass to the happy couple!”
Everyone raised their glasses and clinked them together.
Even though he was sitting by himself, Oscar got his glass clinked by people at the table beside his, and even from a couple of people who were standing in the center of the room.
Everyone drank to the couple, and Hazel and Jacob shared an enthusiastic kiss.
“I would also like to make a speech,” Vivian said, standing up and smiling at the crowd.
“I just want to say that I’m so incredibly grateful to have all of you in our lives.
So many of you helped me raise Hazel, and I know that both Hazel and Jacob are so happy to be a part of this community.
Here in Rosewood Beach, we have other’s backs, and that’s something really special.
“I’m so proud of both of these young people, because I think they embody that spirit of generosity as well as anyone else in town.
Jacob’s helped many of you with your leaky sinks or broken windows, and Hazel’s made so many meals and baskets of baked goods for people who were facing tough times and needed help getting food on the table.
We’ve already seen that you all are more than willing to return that generosity and love to them.
We support each other here in Rosewood Beach, and I know that none of us will ever lose sight of what we are—kind people who look out for each other.
So, I’d like to toast to both the happy couple and to our town.
To Hazel and Jacob, and to Rosewood Beach. ”
Everyone cheered uproariously again, and this time, three people walked over to Oscar to clink glasses with him. After Vivian, Julia, Dean, and Jacob’s brother Stewart also made short speeches, telling funny stories about the couple that had their audience doubled over with laughter.
Oscar sipped his lemonade contentedly as he watched the joyful scene unfold. When the speeches were over, many people returned to the food and beverage tables, refilling their glasses and piling their plates high with Monte Cristo sandwiches and slices of warm pie.
This is so much fun , Oscar thought. We’re only talking and eating and drinking—and I guess some people are dancing—but it’s not like any party I’ve ever been to before. How can it be so enjoyable if I’m just sitting here like this? But it is.
He had been to plenty of parties with wonderful food and interesting people. But they hadn’t filled him with joy like this party did. It was lively and slightly chaotic in the best way, a celebration stitched together with heart and laughter rather than ceremony and polish.
After another minute or two had passed, Sally sat down quietly in the chair next to him, slipping her hand into his. “Hey, stranger,” she whispered. “Are you enjoying yourself?”
Oscar looked at her with a warm smile on his face. “Immensely,” he said without hesitation.
She grinned at him. “Really? I would have thought that it doesn’t quite measure up to New York celebrations.
I figured any wedding receptions that you went to out there in the Big Apple must have been extremely posh, with even better food—although I can’t believe I’m saying that.
I’m sure our quaint little party can’t measure up to something that spectacular. ”
Oscar laughed. “I wouldn’t want it to,” he said.
“This is better than anything I ever went to in New York. It’s real.
And fun. And full of people who actually care about each other.
I’m happy here, Sally. Not just at the party but in Rosewood Beach.
I think Vivian’s speech did a good job of summing it up.
This town is really something special, and I’m truly happy here. ”
Sally blinked, her eyes gleaming with tears of happiness. “I love to hear you say that, Oscar.” There was a stray strand of hair wisping out to the side, near her cheek, and he tucked it behind her ear. His hand lingered for a moment before dropping to his side.
“I’ve been thinking,” he continued, turning his chair to face her more fully. “I don’t want to just be a renter in Rosewood Beach anymore. I think it’s time I make my move permanent. I’m going to start looking for a house.”
She gasped eagerly. “That sounds splendid!” She squeezed his hand. “Can I help you look? There aren’t many houses available, but I bet some of the people who run Airbnbs or rentals through their cottages would be willing to sell to you. Luckily for you, I know all the right people to ask.”
“Wonderful.” He brought his face closer to hers so he could look right into her eyes. “I would love your help. Picking out a new house with the help of my girlfriend sounds like a fantastic time.”
“Girlfriend?” she echoed, blushing slightly.
“Well, of course.” His eyes traced over her face as he smiled. “That’s good with you, right?”
“Oh, definitely. Boyfriend.” She laughed breathlessly.
Oscar leaned in and kissed her, a kiss that felt as though it was filled with hope for the future. Around them, the music carried on, the laughter bubbled, and the twinkling lights glowed like stars. But for a moment, their worlds quieted.
When they broke apart, Oscar caught sight of something out of the corner of his eye. Vivian stood across the room, watching them. She gave him a sly wink and a firm nod, her smile speaking volumes. The message was clear: she approved.
Oscar felt his spirits lift up. Having Sally’s heart meant everything to him, but knowing he had Vivian’s blessing too? That made him feel more at home in Rosewood Beach than ever. He squeezed Sally’s hand and she squeezed back.
“Looks like you passed the final test,” she teased, nodding her head in Vivian’s direction.
He chuckled. “I’ll take it.”
They sat there together, savoring the quiet between them amid the joyful chaos. The future stretched out in front of them, not glittering and perfect like the New York skyline, but grounded, colorful and beautiful, like a well-tended garden of flowers.
And Oscar knew, without a doubt, that Rosewood Beach had given him more than a place to stay. It had given him love, and a home for his heart.