Page 21 of Wisteria Winds (Wisteria Island #2)

“Mom, your blood pressure is still climbing. Don’t tell me it’s just because you’re annoyed with all of us. These numbers have been trending upwards for days.”

“I might have forgotten a dose or two,” Cecilia said reluctantly. “This planning has been rather all-consuming.”

Before Danielle could respond, Bennett arrived. He looked calm but concerned.

“Cecilia,” he said, sitting beside her on the bench, “I think we might need to make some adjustments to today’s schedule.”

“I’m perfectly capable,” she started.

“Of course you are,” Bennett interrupted. “That’s never been a question. But Danielle and I have been talking, and we realize we’ve been so unfair to you.”

She blinked in surprise. “What? Unfair? How?”

“Well, we’ve allowed you to shoulder so much of the wedding preparation burden. You’ve been working non-stop, and we’ve been so caught up in our own excitement that we haven’t properly acknowledged everything you’ve done.”

“Well, that’s what mothers do,” Cecilia said.

“Perhaps. But you deserve to enjoy the celebration too, and not just work yourself through it. So here’s what we propose.

Dorothy and Morty are going to take over the final coordination duties for today and tomorrow.

Of course, you’ll still be consulted on any major decisions, but all the hands-on work will be theirs and whoever they get to help them. ”

“Absolutely,” Dorothy agreed. “I’ve directed enough film sets to handle a wedding coordination.”

“And I’ve been taking meticulous notes of all your specifications,” Morty said. “Every ribbon placement, every floral arrangement, all according to your standards.”

Cecilia looked at all of them suspiciously. “You know, this feels like a conspiracy.”

“No, Mom, it’s us recognizing you,” Danielle said, “for how much you’ve done and how much we just want you to be able to enjoy the results of your hard work.” She took her mother’s hand. “Please, let us do this for you.”

Cecilia’s expression softened. Maybe she was just too exhausted to maintain her usual level of control.

“Well, I suppose I could use a bit of rest before tonight’s rehearsal dinner.”

“Great,” Bennett said, offering his hand to help her up. “I’m going to walk you back to your cottage. Danielle’s going to finish her morning appointments. Dorothy and Morty are eager to prove their coordinating capabilities.”

* * *

A s they walked slowly along the path leading to Cecilia’s cottage, she sighed. “This is about my blood pressure, isn’t it?”

“Well, it’s about wanting my future mother-in-law to be well enough to dance at our wedding,” Bennett said. “And yeah, Danielle is very concerned about your health. We both are.”

“I never wanted to cause anyone worry,” she said. “I just wanted everything to be perfect for Danielle. She deserves that.”

“She also deserves to have her mother healthy and present. Above all else,” he said gently. “Those details at the wedding matter far less than you do.”

They walked in silence for a moment before Cecilia spoke again.

“You know, I missed so many important moments in her life because of my career. I missed school plays, sports competitions, even her college graduation. There was always some conference or research deadline that took precedence.” She shook her head. “I don’t want to miss this, too.”

“You won’t. But you need to rest today, take your medication properly, and let everybody else handle the details.” He smiled. “I promise we won’t let Morty add sequins to the gazebo columns while you’re napping.”

That earned a small laugh. “Very well. I’ll be the perfect patient for the remainder of the day.”

As they reached her cottage, she looked at him. “You know, you’re good for her. I wasn’t entirely convinced at first, but I am now.”

“Thank you,” he said. “That means a great deal coming from you.”

“Take care of her,” she said, “even when she insists she doesn’t need it. She can be a bit like her mother.”

“I will,” he promised. “Now you go rest - nurse’s orders.”

As he watched Cecilia enter her cottage, he sent a quick text to Danielle:

Mission accomplished. Your mother has agreed to rest and let Dorothy and Morty handle the remaining details. Coming back to check on you.

The crisis had been averted for now, but he had no illusions that Cecilia was going to let other people control all the wedding preparations.

He just hoped this intervention would ensure she made it through the celebrations without a serious health incident.

Danielle always reminded him that the best medical treatment was prevention.

In this case, they were trying to prevent Cecilia Wright from working herself into collapse.

* * *

T he rehearsal dinner was in full swing at Esther’s Restaurant, which had been closed to the public for this private event, although most of the island was in attendance.

Long tables had been arranged on the deck overlooking the water, decorated with hurricane lamps and simple arrangements of beach roses and sea lavender.

Bennett stood at the head of one of the tables, looking at the scene with quiet satisfaction.

Danielle sat beside him, radiant, wearing a simple pale blue dress and laughing at something Morty had said.

Cecilia was deep in conversation with Dr. Patel, probably something about viruses, while Dorothy regaled several mainland guests with what was undoubtedly one of her highly embellished Hollywood anecdotes.

Around the other tables, island residents mingled with a few of the off-island guests, Danielle’s former colleagues from New York, Bennett’s business associates who had become friends over the years, and Cecilia’s fellow researchers.

The blending of the worlds felt right and natural.

“Penny for your thoughts,” came a voice at his elbow.

Clara appeared beside him, elegant, wearing a silver-gray shimmery dress with the blue silk wrap he and Danielle had given her.

“I’m just standing here counting my blessings,” Bennett said. “You know, a year ago I never would have imagined all of this.”

She nodded. “Well, life has a way of surprising us, sometimes painfully and sometimes wonderfully.”

“And sometimes both at the same time,” Bennett said. “If Danielle hadn’t been hurt by her ex, she never would have come to the island.”

“And if I hadn’t lost Robert, I wouldn’t be here either,” she said. “Not that I wouldn’t trade all of this to have him back for even one day, but there’s a certain grace in finding meaning after loss.”

“There is,” Bennett agreed. “You know, my grandmother used to say that joy and sorrow are two sides of the same coin. You truly can’t appreciate one without ever having known the other.”

“Sounds like a very wise woman.”

“Oh, she was. I think she and Robert would have gotten along great.”

Clara smiled. “Probably just comparing notes on how to manage headstrong grandchildren and spouses.”

“Exactly,” Bennett laughed. “Speaking of headstrong, I should probably rescue Danielle from Morty’s last-minute wedding suggestions. I believe he’s now advocating for releasing butterflies during our vows.”

“Doves, actually,” Clara said, scrunching her nose. “The butterflies were deemed, quote, too unpredictable in their flight patterns.”

Bennett rolled his eyes. “Heaven forbid that we have unpredictable butterflies at our wedding.”

He walked back over to rejoin Danielle, and Eddie appeared at his side, looking uncharacteristically formal, wearing a pressed shirt and tie, although the tie was about five inches too short and his buttons were pulling as if any one of them would give at any moment.

“Hey, boss. A special delivery has arrived. It’s in your office, as you requested.”

“Perfect timing. Thanks, Eddie.”

Bennett made his way to Danielle, bending over to whisper in her ear. “Would you mind stepping away for a minute? I just have something I need to show you.”

Her eyebrows raised. “Now? In the middle of dinner?”

“Trust me,” he said, offering his hand.

They slipped away unnoticed because Morty had launched into a toast that promised to be both lengthy and extravagant. He captured everyone’s attention with his theatrical gestures as Bennett led Danielle out the door and along the moonlit path toward his office.

“Where are we going?” she asked, their fingers intertwined. “And why do you look so mysteriously pleased with yourself?”

“You need to have patience, Miss Wright,” he said. “All will be revealed.”

When they reached his office, Bennett paused with his hand on the doorknob.

“Now, close your eyes,” he said.

She raised an eyebrow but complied. He guided her inside and put her in the center of the room.

“Okay, open them.”

Danielle did and gasped.

Sitting on Bennett’s desk was a beautiful wooden music box, its polished surface inlaid with mother-of-pearl in an intricate pattern of wisteria blossoms.

“Oh, Bennett,” she said, “it’s beautiful.” She walked closer to examine it.

“Open it.”

She carefully lifted the lid. Inside, the small mechanism started to turn and the notes of Pachelbel’s Canon filled the room. The same music that would play tomorrow as she walked down the aisle toward him.

“I had it custom-made. Clara helped me with the musical arrangement.”

She traced the inlaid flowers with her fingertip. “It is absolutely incredible. I can’t believe you thought of this.”

“There’s more. Look inside the lid,” he said.

Danielle tilted the box to catch the light and saw an engraving:

For my Danielle,

Love is not found but built.

One day, one moment, one note at a time.

All my love, always,

Bennett

Tears welled up in her eyes. “Oh, Bennett.”

“I wanted to give you something that would remind you of our beginning. You know, something that captures what Wisteria Island means to us. Its beauty, the music, building something lasting together.”

She set the music box carefully on the desk and threw her arms around his neck.

“It’s perfect. And you’re perfect.”

She kissed him deeply, pouring all of her love into the embrace.

When they finally broke apart, he rested his forehead against hers.

“One more day. Tomorrow, you’ll be my wife.”

“I can’t wait,” Danielle whispered back.