Page 101 of Banter & Blushes #1

ZAKI

A fter another apology from the girls to Flynn and Meggie, we returned to the party.

The girls’ fears about their friends being mad at them were erased when they all ran to give them hugs and told them how glad they were to see them unhurt.

Every one of those kids had something nice or encouraging to say, and within minutes, they were playing like it hadn’t happened.

We left the party earlier than we’d planned. The girls would need a full night’s sleep so that we could meet up with Molly at dawn to repaint the arch.

The girls and I snuck out Saturday morning so we wouldn’t disturb Arwyn before her already-too-early alarm.

When we arrived at the yard off the main lodge, JC was there, too, and the three of us made it an entertaining time for the girls, hoping to erase whatever bad feelings might remain in their little hearts.

After we sanded the wood, JC did his best impression of Bob Ross, exaggerating his paintbrush strokes and earning endless giggles from the girls.

My parents, having arrived late last night, brought in breakfast from the diner, and Alyce joined us as well.

JC’s parting words to the girls was that the burning arch fiasco would be remembered as a “happy accident.”

Later that afternoon, we took a shuttle from the resort to the church for the 5p.m. wedding ceremony.

The wedding arch, freshly painted and flowered, was set up on the church lawn, where the ceremony was to take place.

Meggie and Flynn’s woodsy rustic theme was a perfect fit for what I knew about her, featuring burlap table runners, lantern centerpieces, and a s’mores bar, which we’d made the twins promise to stay away from unless a grownup was there to help.

After the nuptials and bridal party introductions, guests mingled, enjoying the perfect weather.

While the band—Harbor Lights, a popular country pop group—took a break and the buffet dinner was being set up, Arwyn, the girls, and I headed toward our table to retrieve their sweaters.

The warm day was cooling off, and there was a bit of a chill in the air.

“Zaki Marsch!”

I turned and grinned. Daisy Mae Saunders—er, Meemaw —was headed straight for us. It was hard to believe she was over ninety years old from the way she moved.

“Well, well, look who’s here! My two favorite fire-starters!

That was exciting last night, wasn’t it?

” The girls’ eyes went wide, and Meemaw laughed.

“Oh, I’m just messing with you, sugarplums. Weddings need a little drama—it keeps things interesting.

Why, back in my day, a wedding wasn’t complete without a chicken running through the reception or a cousin fainting during the vows.

And good it happened at the rehearsal. Tonight should be perfect. ”

“I’m pretty sure you’ve caused your fair share of chaos at weddings too, Meemaw,” Arwyn quipped.

Meemaw clutched her heart, as if offended. “Me? Chaos? Never! I’m a perfect guest. It’s not my fault if my dance moves were so impressive they once knocked over a punch bowl or two.” She winked, and the girls giggled.

Arwyn turned to the girls. “Isla, Amelie, meet Daisy Mae Saunders. You can call her Meemaw.”

“I’m glad you two are laughing,” she told the twins. “Don’t trouble your hearts at all about what happened last night. When you’ve been to as many weddings as I have, you learn that it’s not about perfection—it’s about the stories you’ll tell later.”

I lightly patted my girls on the back. “See? Even Meemaw thinks a little chaos is part of the fun.”

Meggie and Flynn strolled over. She smiled warmly at all of us and addressed the girls. “For the record, I’m so glad you’re here. This wedding weekend—and this whole amazing week—wouldn’t have been the same without you.”

“Really?” Amelie said.

“Really,” Meggie confirmed.

Meemaw leaned in conspiratorially. “Now, who wants to help me sneak an extra slice of that cake after everyone’s been served? I’ve got a feeling this one is going to be better than last night’s replacement!”

Amelie twisted around to look at me. “Can we, Daddy?”

I laughed. “As long as you only take one slice each.”

Meemaw grinned. “Stick with me, and I’ll teach you how to snag cake and avoid getting caught.

First rule: Always smile and act innocent.

Second rule … I’ ll tell you that later.

How about you tell your parents to go dance and I’ll keep an eye on you for a bit?

Have you tried my deviled potatoes yet?”

“Deviled potatoes?” I asked.

“Tater skins stuffed with creamy Southern potato salad. Try a bite, and you’ll want the recipe, sure as I know these girls want to know my secret.”

“Daddy, Wynnie, please go!” Isla begged.

“I guess we’re out, Wynna-bun.”

Arwyn slipped her arm into mine and led me toward the dance floor. “Molly said she’s one hundred percent trustworthy, kind, and capable.”

“I believe that,” I said.

As the sun set over the church grounds, its rays cast the dance floor in a golden glow. The music slowed, and couples began swaying together.

I pulled Arwyn into my arms and lowered my head so that we were cheek to cheek.

“I could dance like this all night,” I sighed.

“Me too.”

I closed my eyes, and we melted into each other, swaying to several songs and forgetting about everything—and everyone—else.

“Daddy!” Isla tugged at my suit jacket, and her lips fell into a disapproving frown, like a teacher who’d suffered through one of my schoolboy pranks. “Meemaw says to tell you you’re not married yet and you should leave room for the Holy Spirit.”

“What does that mean?” Amelie asked.

I barked a laugh. “I’ll tell you when you’re older. Right now, it means you two get to dance with us. May we have this dance, princesses?”

“Both of us at the same time? And Wynnie, too?” Isla tapped her chin.

“Of course. My arms are big enough to hold all three of you. Each of you girls stand on one of my feet and hold on to my waist, and Wynnie will stand behind you. Like a sandwich.”

The girls giggled as they climbed onto my feet and tried to balance.

Once they were secure, Arwyn positioned herself, and I hugged all three of them to me, leaving a little bit of space for the girls to breathe.

Being the little wigglers they were, they quickly decided the family dance wasn’t for them and asked if they could go dance with their friends, who, from the looks of it, were doing some kind of dance-off by the stage.

The music stopped, and the band took the stage again. Apparently, they were from Crane’s Cove and good friends with all of the locals here.

“Macy! Sing ‘Meant to Be’!” JC shouted from the other side of the dance floor. He’d sung a duet with her earlier and wowed the crowd.

Show-off.

The lead singer smiled out on the crowd. “I was going to start with something more upbeat. What do you think, friends? Should I take JC’s request?”

The guests cheered. I wasn’t familiar with the song, but right now, anything slow meant more time holding Arwyn .

“It’s our song,” Taz said, squeezing Maddie to his side. “Right, babe?”

Maddie blushed and nodded, then turned her face into his chest like she’d rather be anywhere else.

They reminded me of a couple I knew very well.

I kissed the top of Arwyn’s head, sure that she could sympathize with Maddie.

“All right, then,” Macy decided with a conciliatory smile.

“As some of you know, this song is very personal to me. I wrote it as I was coming out of a hard time. I hope it inspires you that no matter how challenging life can be, there’s happiness waiting on the other side. You just have to claim it and take it.”

“Good advice,” Arwyn whispered. “May I have this dance?”

“I’m supposed to ask that,” I teased. “Do you plan to steal my dance moves, too?”

“Nope, just your heart,” she replied.

“No can do.” I shook my head.

“No?”

“You already have it.”

“And you have mine.” She tilted her chin up, and I met her lips with a slow kiss. Then I tightened my arms around her and focused on the words of the song.

I’d become steady like the shoreline, safe and sure

You were wild like the waves, crashing through my world

Never thought our paths would cross this way

But God had a plan, and He made us stay

I didn’t see it coming, but now I understand

Love works in ways that we don’t have to pla n

You’re the fire, I’m the calm

You’re the storm, I’m the dawn

Somehow, we fit like a melody

You make me brave, I hold you close

With faith, we found the way to go

It’s crazy, but it’s pure and clear like a morning daisy

You and me were meant to be

From the moment of my darkness, you took my hand

We didn’t know forever was part of God’s plan

Now with two little hearts running at our side

Love looks a lot like faith in real life

I didn’t see it coming, but now I understand

Love works in ways that we don’t have to plan

As she repeated the chorus, some of the guests started to sing along.

Through the bonfires, through the rain

Through the laughter, through the flames

We were never lost, no, we were found

God was writing love all around

She sang the chorus again and I tried to commit every word to memory. Then the last two lines came, and I almost lost my composure.

I was steady like the shoreline, safe and sure

You were wild like the waves… and I love you more.

Wow.

Those lyrics could have been written for Arwyn and me.

I was the wild waves upon her shore, and she provided a loving home for the girls and I when we were the most lost. And the morning daisy bit?

How had I never heard this song before? Daisies had become our thing.

I tipped Arwyn’s chin up so I could look into her eyes. A silent promise passed between us.

For the billionth time, I thanked God for sending her to us.

Meemaw sniffed behind us, breaking the moment. “Oh, I’m not crying. There’s just too much love in the air, and it got in my eyes.”

Molly was with her, and she grinned. “Sure, Meemaw. Want me to grab you another blueberry sweet tea to help with that?”

Meemaw winked at her. “Make it a double.”