Page 31 of Savoring Christmas (Sugarville Grove #8)

MIA

M ia didn’t think it would be possible to put together a wedding in a few days, but, like everything that season, it all came together as if by magic. Max had offered to officiate, mostly as a joke, but Logan and Mia thought it was a perfect idea.

Fresh snow blanketed the ground outside Logan’s house, and—inside—the living room had been transformed by their friends and family.

Strings of white lights crisscrossed the ceiling beams, candles flickered on the mantle, and pine garlands ran along the windowsills, draped with red berries and tiny gold bells.

The Christmas tree stood in the corner, glowing proudly with the ornaments they’d picked out together just days ago.

As promised, Abby, Laney, and Charlie had all swept in to help Mia find a dress.

They’d gone to Burlington and made a day of it, with a girls’ lunch and shopping afterward.

Happily, they’d found the perfect dress at a vintage shop that seemed to have been made for Mia, although it had been sewn decades before she was even born.

Now, just moments before the ceremony was to begin, Mia was upstairs with Reese, who had volunteered to help with her hair and makeup. “From my years dancing, I know just how to make you look your absolute best,” she’d said when she asked if Mia would like help.

Mia stood in front of the full-length mirror in her vintage tea-length wedding dress, the soft sheen of matte satin catching the light.

The sleeveless bodice hugged her frame in clean, elegant lines, dipping into a subtle V at the neckline.

At her waist, a slender satin belt tied it all together with quiet grace.

The full A-line skirt flared gently as she moved, falling to mid-calf in a perfect 1950s twirl of fabric.

“You look like Audrey Hepburn,” Reese said.

“I do like how I look in it,” Mia said shyly. “I’ve never really had much reason to dress up, but I guess—on my wedding day—the chef can take off her apron.”

“You only get married once,” Reese said.

“That’s the plan,” Mia said.

A soft knock came at the door before it opened, and Thelma and Abby slipped inside, eyes bright with anticipation. Abby carried a small white box tied with a silver ribbon. Thelma held something carefully wrapped in tissue paper.

“Dear me, aren’t you a vision,” Thelma said.

“You really are,” Abby said. “But there are a few missing pieces. We’ve taken it upon ourselves to provide you with something borrowed, something blue, something new.”

Reese crossed to the dresser and picked up a slender velvet case that Mia hadn’t noticed before.

“For the borrowed.” Reese opened the lid to reveal a delicate silver tiara, its crystals catching the light. “I wore this when I danced Odette in Swan Lake . It was one of the most magical nights of my life. I want you to have a little of that magic with you today.”

Mia’s throat tightened. “It’s so pretty. I love it.” The tiara was more than just beautiful—it shimmered with history, with dreams fulfilled, with the courage it took to step into a spotlight. Mia let Reese settle it into her hair, which Reese had coaxed into a chignon at the base of her neck.

“You look like a princess. Or—better yet—like a queen,” Reese said admiringly.

“I’ve brought you something blue.” Thelma said next as she stepped forward, her smile tender as she unwrapped the tissue to reveal a neatly pressed handkerchief embroidered with tiny blue forget-me-nots.

“My mama made this for me on my wedding day. She told me blue meant loyalty, love, and truth. I carried it in my hand, just like you will now.”

Mia ran her fingertips over the embroidery, feeling the delicate stitches beneath her skin. It smelled faintly of lavender, as though Thelma’s mother had just folded it away in a drawer. “Thank you, Thelma,” Mia whispered, her eyes pricking with tears.

“I have something new for you,” Abby said as she handed Mia a small box. Inside nestled a silver charm bracelet. Three charms had been added: a book, a dog, and a pizza slice. “We each chose a charm for you, but, over the years, I’m sure Logan will add more.

“Let me guess,” Mia said. “Laney picked out the book. You chose the dog. And the pizza slice is from Charlie.”

“That’s right.” Abby laughed. “Not too hard to figure out. We wanted you to feel welcomed into the family by your new sisters. We’re going to have so many wonderful times together as a family.”

“I couldn’t love it more,” Mia said.

“And we’ve already told Logan he’s to get you a new charm every year for Christmas,” Abby said as she fastened the bracelet around Mia’s wrist. “Like all the Hayes boys, he knows it’s best to keep his wife happy.”

Mia blinked rapidly. “You’re all such dear friends. Thank you. You’re going to make me cry before I even get down the stairs.”“Don’t mess up your makeup,” Reese said, teasing.

“Now, come along,” Thelma said. “Your man awaits.”

Reese picked up the bouquet made of winter greenery and white roses, hand-tied with twine, and placed them in Mia’s hand. “Are you ready?”

“Is everyone here?”

“Yes. All Logan’s family and our cooking family. All here to celebrate you and Logan. It’s such a sweet day.” Reese clasped her hands, shaking her head. “And you just look perfect.”

Reese escorted her down the stairs and into the living room where everyone had gathered for the ceremony.

Instead of traditional seating, they’d asked their guests to stand around them during the vows.

The sight of their loved ones forming an intimate semi-circle around Logan brought a lump to her throat.

He stood before the fireplace with Max beside him, Cannoli pressed against his leg wearing a miniature floral wreath around her collar.

Everyone turned toward her as a string version of “I’ll Be Home for Christmas” played softly through the speakers.

She took it all in—the warm, happy faces of people who had become family—promising herself she would always remember this moment.

Remi stood off to one side in his usual formal attire, smiling like a proud father.

Patty was there with the kids, all of them scrubbed clean and beaming, while Abby and Luke stood nearby with their four children, the baby perched on his father’s hip.

Charlie held Bianca’s hand as they stood with Grace and Walter, all radiating joy.

Harold and Thelma stood together looking very much like the couple they’d become, while Kris and his wife watched with the fond expressions of proud parents.

Finally, there was Reese, lovely as always but with a wistful quality that tugged at Mia’s heart.

Please bring Reese her person, Mia thought.

On wobbly legs, she started to walk toward Logan, who looked impossibly handsome in a blue suit.

He watched her with his hand pressed against his chest, tears falling from his eyes.

When she reached him, he took her hands, kissing them in turn. “You look absolutely stunning.”

Cannoli barked twice, wagging her little tail but miraculously staying put.

Max cleared his throat. “Friends and family, thank you for being here today to witness the marriage of Logan and Mia. I know I speak for my family when I say how truly blessed we feel to welcome Mia into our clan. As Mom said last night, Mia’s an answer to all our prayers.”

Mia tried to keep it together but her lip trembled with the effort to keep from crying. “Thank you, Max.”

“Logan and Mia have written their own vows, thank goodness, because I’m not really qualified to marry anyone.” Max nodded at Mia. “You may go first.”

She turned to Logan, tears already brimming.

“The last thing I expected when I moved here with nothing—not even my pride intact—was to find love. Sugarville Grove was supposed to be temporary while I figured out how to restore my life. But it wasn’t until I fell in love with you that I understood why everything happened the way it did.

I was supposed to find you, Logan Hayes.

You’re my soulmate, my true love, the one I was waiting for without even knowing it.

I vow to be your best friend, to dance with you in our kitchen, and to show you how much I love you with every meal I make for the rest of our lives. ”

“He does love to eat,” Max said.

Laughter rolled through the room.

Logan nodded, swiping at the corners of his eyes with the back of his hand.

“Mia, I think I fell for you the first time I saw you at the food bank. I wanted to ask you out then, and for years after, but you seemed too good for me—too beautiful and talented for this grumpy Hayes brother. But somehow you fell in love with me anyway, and I swear I’m the most grateful man alive that you chose me.

I promise to look out for you, to be your biggest supporter, and to never ask you to compromise your dreams or what feeds your soul.

And I’ll never let you down when it comes to enjoying every single morsel you put in front of me. ”

Max shuffled his feet, looking uncertain. “And now, I think this is the part where you exchange rings. Right?” He darted a glance toward his wife. She nodded, smiling encouragingly at him. “Sorry, I’m nervous.”

“You’re doing great,” Mia said.

“All right then, let’s exchange those rings right now,” Max said.

Logan nodded and took Mia’s left hand, slipping the wedding band onto her finger. Then, she did the same to him.

“Okay, great, I know exactly what comes next,” Max said. “By the power vested in me by the great state of Vermont and the internet, I now pronounce you husband and wife. You may kiss the bride.”

Cheers rose up around the room as the bride and groom kissed as a married couple for the very first time.

“If that’s not meant to be, I don’t know what is,” Reese said, perhaps louder than she’d intended.

“Amen to that,” Thelma said.

Cannoli chose that moment to bark once, as if adding her own approval, which made everyone laugh.

“Even the dog agrees,” Harold said, wiping his eyes.

“And now, let’s eat,” Mia said, holding up her bouquet.

One more chorus of cheers filled the room before they all headed into the kitchen.

“Thank God for trivia night,” Mia said to Logan.

“And interfering brothers,” Logan said.

The kitchen was bursting with color, scent, and laughter.

The room smelled like every good memory she’d made in Sugarville Grove.

Remi had taken it upon himself to organize the potluck, transforming every available surface into a feast of long platters, steaming casseroles, and bowls brimming with salads and breads.

But it was the familiar dishes that nearly moved her to tears.

Her students had recreated the recipes she'd taught them in class.

Mia stopped short, blinking at the spread. “You all made the dishes?”

Abby beamed. “Yes, we each chose one to bring.”

“I made the pasta with lemon and butter,” Harold said. “And I think it turned out quite well.”

“I conquered that darn gnocchi,” Thelma said. “But it took me a few tries.”

Front and center was Harold’s Fresh Pasta with Lemon Butter White Wine Sauce, the ribbons of tagliatelle glistening under a dusting of Parmesan.

Next to it, Thelma’s Homemade Potato Gnocchi with Brown Butter Sage Sauce, the tender little pillows nestled in a golden pool of butter, flecked with crisp sage leaves.

“I did the risotto,” Reese said.

“I made the chicken, which was nearly impossible to rescue from my hungry husband,” Abby said.

“It was a great sacrifice,” Luke said.

“I appreciate it,” Mia said. “Kris, you must have made the cookies then?”

“That’s right. But I’ve been making the other dishes for the missus, here, isn’t that right, my love?” Kris asked, his arm around his wife, Maria.

“Mia, I can’t thank you enough,” Maria said. “He’s been spoiling me rotten.”

“It was time,” Kris said.

The sight—and the thought of each student working so hard on something they'd learned from her—made Mia's heart swell. These weren’t just dishes. They were proof of friendships, of lessons shared, of evenings filled with people truly sharing parts of themselves with the others.

Everyone lined up, plates in hand. Logan hovered beside her, piling a plate for her before even thinking about his own.

When she turned to thank him, she found Grace and Walter standing nearby. Grace’s eyes were bright, her hand clasped in Walter’s.

“We wanted a moment before the night gets away from us,” Grace said, stepping forward to kiss Mia’s cheek. “Welcome to the family, sweetheart. I’ve prayed for a woman with your kindness and strength for Logan. You’re an answer to every single one.”

Walter cleared his throat, his voice gruff but steady. “I second that. You’ve brought a light to him I’ve never seen. We’re proud to call you ours.”

Mia’s heart swelled, and she reached for their hands, giving them a squeeze. “Thank you. You’ve all made me feel like I’ve been a Hayes my whole life.”

Logan slid an arm around her waist, drawing her close. “That’s because you were meant to be part of our family. She’s my wife, Mom. Can you believe it?”

“Some things seem to be too good to be true but are anyway,” Grace said.

As snow fell softly outside and warmth surrounded her from the food and music and people who had become family, Mia finally understood. Home wasn't something discovered on a map. It was voices raised in laughter, hands reaching for seconds, and hearts open wide enough to let her in.