Page 22 of Wisteria Winds (Wisteria Island #2)

T he night before her wedding, Danielle couldn’t sleep.

Her beautiful dress hung on the back of her bedroom door.

Her something blue bracelet sat in its velvet box on the dresser, and Bennett’s beautiful music box played softly from the nightstand.

Everything was ready, but sleep remained elusive.

Her mind was way too full of anticipation to shut off for the evening.

She finally gave up and slipped on a light robe before stepping out onto the deck of her cottage, sitting in a comfortable chair Bennett had built for her when he renovated the cottage after the hurricane.

The night was clear. Stars scattered across a velvet sky, their light reflecting on the calm surface of the water.

In the distance, she could just make out the silhouette of the gazebo, where tomorrow she would become Bennett’s wife.

The thought of this brought a grin to her lips.

After years of focusing on her career and protecting herself from vulnerability after her ex’s betrayal, she found love in the most unexpected place, a small retirement island that had become home in every sense of the word.

She had so many grandpas and grandmas on the island that it was hard to keep up with her new family tree.

A soft knock at the door interrupted her thoughts. She had no idea who would be visiting her at this late hour, but when she went to answer it, she found her mother standing on the porch.

“Mom, is everything okay?”

“Oh, of course,” Cecilia replied, smoothing her silk robe. “I just saw your light was on and thought, well, I remember the night before my wedding. I couldn’t sleep a wink. My mom came to sit with me.” She shrugged slightly. “Maybe it’s a silly tradition, but I thought…”

“Maybe I’d love some company?” Danielle said, stepping aside and allowing her mom to enter. “I was gonna make some chamomile tea. Would you like some?”

“Oh, that would be lovely.”

They settled on the deck with their steaming mugs of tea, the night air cool but not too uncomfortable. They sat in silence for a while, just watching the stars and listening to the waves.

“You know, your grandmother was terrified I’d back out,” Cecilia said. “That’s why she came to sit with me, just to make sure I didn’t flee in the night.” She smiled. “As if I would have. I loved your father from the moment he questioned my research methodology at that conference.”

Danielle laughed. “Only you would find criticism romantic, Mom.”

“Well, it wasn’t really criticism. He was trying to engage with me. It showed me that he took my work seriously, and at that time, a lot of men didn’t. Howard always took everything I cared about seriously, whether he shared the interest or not. I think that’s rare.”

“Yeah, Bennett’s that way, too,” Danielle said. “He listens. I mean, really listens, even when I’m just rambling on about a difficult patient or some crazy medical journal article.”

“That’s how I know he’s right for you,” Cecilia said. She sipped her tea. “I wasn’t sure at first, you know, not because of any failing on his part, but because this life…” She gestured toward the island. “I mean, it’s so different from what I envisioned for you.”

“I know.”

“But seeing you here and watching how you’ve just flourished…” She reached over and took Danielle’s hand. “Well, you were right to follow your heart. I’m sorry if I made that more difficult than it needed to be.”

Danielle squeezed her mother’s hand. “Thanks for saying that. And thank you for embracing and including yourself in our wedding plans to help make tomorrow so special.”

“It’s been my pleasure. However, I draw the line at Morty’s last-minute dove suggestion. Some things are simply a step too far.”

They both laughed. Danielle realized that this was perhaps one of the first times she and her mom had truly laughed together as adults, not just polite chuckles at a formal dinner. Another gift of Wisteria Island, she thought.

“You should try to get some sleep,” Cecilia said. “A bride needs rest, because you certainly don’t want dark circles under your eyes tomorrow.”

Danielle stood as well, hugging her mother. “Thank you for coming over. It means a lot to me.”

“I love you, Danielle,” she said quietly as she hugged her. “And I’m so proud of the woman you’ve become.”

As her mother left, Danielle returned to her bedroom, surprised to find herself feeling drowsy. She settled under the covers, played the music box again, and closed her eyes.

Tomorrow, she would marry Bennett. She would begin her life with the man of her dreams, surrounded by the unlikely band of misfits that was their Wisteria Island family. It would be the beginning of a new chapter.

And with that peaceful thought, she drifted into sleep, dreaming of white gazebos, ocean breezes, and the handsome man who would soon become her husband.

* * *

T he morning of Danielle and Bennett’s wedding was clear and perfect, with the most beautiful blue sky. It was as if Wisteria Island itself was celebrating with them. A gentle breeze kept the humidity at bay, and there was not a hint of a cloud in the sky.

Clara woke up before sunrise, unable to keep a mixture of excitement and responsibility from breaking her slumber.

Today, her music would shape one of the most important moments in Danielle and Bennett’s lives.

It was a little bit intimidating, but very gratifying.

She dressed carefully in a simple but elegant navy dress, arranging her silver hair in a neat twist. The beautiful blue wrap they’d given her would complete the outfit for the ceremony.

She checked the clock and saw it was still quite early, just past seven.

The wedding wasn’t until four in the afternoon, but there was just so much to do before then.

She had scheduled a final rehearsal with the string quartet at nine, followed by a sound check at the gazebo.

She would serve as the musical director for the day, and she wanted everything to be perfect.

Not just technically perfect, although that mattered a lot, but emotionally resonant with everybody there.

Music had the power to elevate a ceremony from just being lovely to being transcendent.

She wanted to give Danielle and Bennett nothing less than her best.

A knock at the door interrupted her thoughts. She opened it and found Morty on her doorstep, already dressed in his wedding finery, even though it was way too early for that. He wore a lavender suit with a bow tie patterned in shades of seafoam green and purple.

“Good morning, maestro,” he greeted her with his typical enthusiasm. “I come bearing sustenance for the artist.” He held out a white basket with a thermos, muffins, and fruit.

“Oh, Morty, how thoughtful. Come in,” Clara said. She accepted the basket. “Though I must say, you’re beautifully dressed rather early. I mean, this ceremony isn’t for nine hours.”

He straightened his bow tie. “A fashion statement of this magnitude requires time to achieve its full impact,” he said, turning around in a circle. “Besides, there are a thousand details to oversee. No rest for the wedding planner extraordinaire,” he said, raising his arm in the air.

Clara laughed, pouring coffee from the thermos into two mugs. “How are Danielle and Bennett this morning? Have you seen them?”

“Oh, Bennett is as cool as a cucumber, as usual. Helping Eddie with some last-minute adjustments to the gazebo lighting. Danielle, on the other hand,” he said dramatically, “well, is experiencing what I believe professionals would call pre-wedding jitters.”

“Oh, dear, is it serious?”

“Oh, nothing that won’t be cured the moment she sees Bennett waiting at the gazebo,” he said. “Her mother’s with her now, which seems to be helping a bit. They’ve become quite close these past few weeks. It’s rather touching.”

Clara nodded. “And the gazebo decorations, all according to plan?”

“Absolute perfection,” Morty said. “The orchids are magnificent. Every bloom positioned precisely according to Dorothy’s standards. The fabric draping has never looked more elegant, and the ribbons add just the right touch of color.”

They continued chatting while finishing their coffee as Morty ran through his extensive checklist, and Clara continued to offer calm reassurance.

Even though Morty was very theatrical, Clara had come to appreciate his meticulous attention to detail and his earnest desire to make the day so special for the couple.

“You know, I should go check on the quartet,” Clara said. “They were supposed to get here early.”

“Oh, and I need to consult with Cecilia about the processional timing,” Morty said. “Oh, and I almost forgot.” He reached into an inner pocket of his suit and produced a small envelope. “Bennett asked me to give you this.”

Clara took it curiously, opening it after Morty walked away. Inside was a simple note written in Bennett’s precise handwriting.

Dear Clara,

I want to thank you for sharing your gift of music with us today.

It’s going to make our ceremony complete, and your friendship has meant more to Danielle and me than we can express.

The gazebo will remain on Wisteria Island long after today’s celebration, and it will be a permanent addition to the lives of the residents on the island.

We’ve decided to name it Whitman Gazebo in honor of you and Robert.

May it be a place where music and memory continue to bring joy to our community for years to come.

With our deepest gratitude,

Bennett