Page 8 of Wisteria Winds (Wisteria Island #2)

Bennett moved to the table and picked up a pencil, turning over one of the sketches to its blank side.

“What if, instead of a temporary structure, we built something permanent? A gazebo overlooking the water that’s designed specifically for a wedding, but then will remain as an amenity for the island afterward. ”

He started simple sketching as he spoke, showing an elegant structure with open sides that could be enclosed with panels if there was inclement weather.

“So we could incorporate the elements of both visions: that open, airy feeling as long as weather allows, with the security and elegance you’re concerned about.”

Dorothy leaned forward. “You know, with the right lighting, that could be quite dramatic. Maybe we could wrap the columns with wisteria and fairy lights.”

“Well, it would need a proper floor,” Cecilia added, “so no one has to navigate sand in formal shoes.”

“Of course,” Bennett agreed. “We could even position it so the ocean will form a natural backdrop for the ceremony.”

Clara, who had been mostly quiet until now, spoke up. “From a musical perspective, a structure would also provide better acoustics than an open beach. The sound won’t dissipate as quickly.”

Morty clapped his hands excitedly. “Oh my gosh, I love it! The best of both worlds. I love it when a plan comes together. And then we would have a lasting reminder of their special day!”

Bennett watched as Cecilia studied his rough sketch.

“You know… it has potential,” she finally admitted. “Though the devil is in the details, Bennett. Materials, design, timeline…”

“All things we can work out,” Bennett reassured her. “The important thing is that we find a solution that honors what Danielle wants, while also addressing your very practical concerns.”

“You’re quite the diplomat, aren’t you?”

“I try,” he said, “especially when it comes to matters close to my heart.”

The tension in the room had finally dissipated, and everyone started discussing possibilities for the gazebo. Bennett stepped back and allowed them to work, pleased that Cecilia was actively engaging with Morty and Dorothy rather than dismissing their ideas.

Clara moved to stand beside him.

“Very nicely handled,” she said quietly. “You found a way to make everybody feel heard.”

“It’s what I do,” Bennett said, shrugging his shoulders. “I try to build bridges, literal and figurative.”

“And Danielle is very lucky to have you,” Clara said softly. “Robert was like that too, always finding harmony in the discord.”

“Thank you. That means a lot,” Bennett said.

He watched as the planning session continued with renewed enthusiasm, and then slipped out to find Danielle.

She should be the one making these decisions, after all.

The wedding was mostly for her. He hoped the gazebo sounded like a good idea to her, too, since it had been a spontaneous suggestion.

But the more he thought about it, the more it felt right to have the ocean as the backdrop to their special day.

* * *

D anielle hurried toward the community center with her medical bag slung over her shoulder. She had just received Bennett’s cryptic text that said, Come quick. Wedding summit in progress, while she finished Mamie’s blood pressure check.

I mean, what could possibly constitute a “wedding summit” that required her immediate attention? The thought of it filled her with equal parts dread and curiosity.

She approached the building and heard raised voices through the open windows.

She could pick out her mother’s crisp, authoritative tone flying through the air, just like it was yesterday, and she was a young child listening to her mother harp on her about grades.

It contrasted with Morty’s theatrical exclamations and the smoky drawl of Dorothy’s voice.

She also heard Bennett occasionally try to cut through with the voice of reason, but he wasn’t getting a word in edgewise.

Pausing in the doorway, she took in the scene.

Fabric swatches scattered across tables.

Flower catalogs splayed open. Sketches pinned on a makeshift display board.

Her mother, Morty, and Dorothy were clustered around Bennett, who was trying to draw something on a piece of paper, while Clara watched nearby.

None of them had noticed her yet, which gave her a minute to observe what was going on.

“The columns need to be substantial,” her mother said, gesturing with her elegant, manicured hands. “We don’t want anything rustic or flimsy. We want timeless elegance, not some beach shack.”

“We don’t want it to look like a Greek temple either,” Morty said. “It needs to be whimsical, romantic.”

“What it needs,” Dorothy interjected, finally removing her sunglasses for emphasis, “is dramatic sightlines. Every good director knows that framing is everything. When Danielle makes her grand entrance, all eyes should be drawn to her.”

Bennett nodded. “Okay, well, what if we position it here, on the slight rise overlooking the cove? And then the ocean will form a natural backdrop—but we’re elevated enough to avoid any issues with the tides or wet sand.”

“Well, that’s actually quite perfect,” Cecilia said. “And the structure itself?”

“An octagonal gazebo,” Bennett said. “Classic design, but, you know, clean modern lines. Large enough to accommodate the wedding party itself, and intimate enough to feel connected to the guests sitting on the lawn.”

Danielle felt her heart skip a beat. A gazebo on her favorite spot overlooking the cove. She could just picture it—standing there with Bennett as the sun set over the water, surrounded by all the people they loved.

“I love it,” she said, finally stepping into the room.

Everyone turned her way.

“Danielle, darling!” Morty exclaimed. “We were just brainstorming some ideas for your beautiful wedding.”

“I see that,” she said, looking at Bennett’s sketch. It was rough, and he was definitely not an artist, but it showed a beautiful octagonal structure with an elegant domed roof and had the most picturesque view behind it.

“It’s not just for the wedding,” Bennett explained. “I thought maybe we could build something permanent that everyone could enjoy for years to come.”

“That could be quite an undertaking,” Danielle said. “I mean, the construction, the cost…”

“Worth every penny,” he said, taking her hand. “And perfect timing. I’ve been wanting to add some gathering space for residents—you know, something for sunrise yoga or sunset concerts.”

Cecilia cleared her throat. “I must say the concept has potential. With the right materials and design, it could look quite sophisticated.”

“Wait, so you like the idea of an island wedding now?”

Cecilia looked at her daughter. “I told you I’d keep an open mind. And the gazebo concept is something that could address a lot of practical concerns, but honor your wish for a natural setting.”

“Translation: your mother’s brilliant design suggestions have elevated our humble beach wedding to something worthy of Architectural Digest, ” Morty whispered, earning a glare and half-smile from Cecilia.

Danielle walked closer and examined some of the materials and drawings. “So y’all have all been planning this without me? Together?”

“Well, we were going to present it to you when we had a concrete proposal,” Bennett said, apologizing. “I mean, it just sort of evolved this afternoon.”

“It started as a tent discussion and escalated a little bit quicker than we anticipated,” Clara added with a small smile. “Although your mother makes very compelling arguments about weather problems.”

Danielle couldn’t help but laugh. “Oh, I’m sure she does.”

She studied the sketch carefully and tried to imagine what the gazebo would look like on her wedding day. The idea of creating something that would last and remain part of Wisteria Island long after their wedding day felt good to her.

“So when could we start building?”

“Well, as soon as we finalize the design. I have contractors who work with us regularly. I’m sure they could begin soon.”

“You think so? So quickly?”

Cecilia looked surprised.

“Yeah, that’s one of the advantages of being the island’s owner. I can expedite certain projects when motivated,” Bennett said, smiling.

Dorothy clapped her hands decisively. “Well, then it’s settled. A gazebo it shall be. And we can now move on to the important matters like the color scheme. I’m thinking sea glass tones. You know, greens, soft blues, maybe a touch of frosted white.”

“With just a hint of blush,” Morty added, “for romance.”

As Dorothy and Morty launched into an animated discussion about fabric, Bennett pulled Danielle aside quietly.

“Are you really okay with all of this?” he asked. “It all happened so quickly, and I don’t want you to feel steamrolled.”

Danielle squeezed his hand. “It’s perfect, Bennett. Truly. I adore the idea of creating something that will last beyond our wedding day.”

“And your mom seems to be coming around,” he said, as he looked over at Cecilia, who was showing Clara some different flower arrangements she found in a magazine. “I’m actually in shock. I expected her to fight the island wedding idea tooth and nail.”

“You must be magic. What did you say to her?”

“Nothing special,” he said, shrugging. “I think she’s just seeing how the community cares about us, and it’s making an impression. She has excellent taste. And once she realized that she could contribute something, she became more invested.”

Danielle watched her mother speaking with Clara in such an animated way that she was surprised. It was a side of her mom she rarely saw, that creative, passionate woman beneath the cool, professional exterior she showed everyone.

“I think I might need to rescue Clara,” Danielle said with a small smile. “My mom can be quite overwhelming when she gets excited about a project.”

She moved to join the others and felt a wave of gratitude wash over her.

Just a few days ago, she’d been dreading her mother coming to visit Wisteria Island.

She believed there would be an inevitable conflict about wedding plans, but now Cecilia Wright was actually working with Morty and Dorothy on gazebo designs and color schemes.

Life was funny. Wisteria Island continued to always work its special magic on people, bringing together the most unlikely folks and creating connections where none seemed possible before.

“So, Mom,” Danielle said, walking over to the group, “tell me about this gazebo vision of yours.”

“Well, darling, I’m thinking classic white columns with just a touch of maybe some decorative latticework.

I’m not a big fan of lattice normally, but I could see it here.

Nothing too ornate, of course, but we want to make it a focal point.

The roof, of course, should have a graceful curve.

And the perfect dome would be too formal, but maybe a slight pitch would look unfinished. ”

She put her index finger on her chin as she looked up at the ceiling and thought about her plans.

Danielle caught Bennett’s eye from across the room. He winked at her before slipping out the door.

The gazebo, this permanent structure overlooking the beautiful ocean, would be more than a wedding venue. It would be a symbol of their life together. Built on a solid foundation, but open to the beauty around them and designed to weather any storms that might come their way.