From the Heart (Sandy Cove Series Book 5) by Hines Rosemary

Author:Hines, Rosemary [Hines, Rosemary]
Language: eng
Format: azw3, epub
Published: 2014-11-20T16:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER FOURTEEN

The next few weeks were a flurry of events as wedding plans competed with Christmas shopping, gift wrapping, and decorating Sheila’s house. Joan knew Sheila had her hands full, and she hated to add to the demands on her daughter’s time, but she really wanted to do some Christmas shopping herself.

“Would you mind taking me out for a couple of hours this afternoon?” she asked one morning.

“Of course not, Mom. Where would you like to go?”

“To a few little shops in town. I want to look for some gifts.”

Sheila smiled at her. “You know you don’t need to buy any Christmas gifts, right? Just having you with us is a gift itself.”

“Nonsense. I have a little money put aside for this, and I’d order things through my catalogs, but I’m just not sure they would get here in time.”

“Okay. Well let’s make an afternoon of it. I’ve been wanting to discuss the wedding with you anyway. We could go out to lunch, and then run your errands.”

“Thanks, dear. That sounds great.” Joan’s spirits lifted as she thought about a lunch date with her daughter. And maybe planning a wedding would be just what she needed to get her mind off of Phil.

A new teahouse had opened in town, and it was decked out for Christmas with beautiful white lights, poinsettias, and a variety of small pine trees with old-fashioned ornaments and garlands. “This will be my treat,” Sheila told her as they took their seats in a cozy corner by the fireplace.

After ordering some pumpkin soup, tea sandwiches, and scones, they sat back and sipped their cinnamon-flavored brew. The sound of string instruments playing Christmas tunes in the background combined with the crackling fire to create a cozy atmosphere for their midday meal.

“This is lovely, Sheila. I’m glad you discovered this place,” she said to her daughter.

“I’m glad you like it. I’ve been wanting to give it a try since it opened last month,” she replied.

“So tell me about your wedding plans. Have you set a date?”

“Well, actually, yes. We have,” Sheila began. “You remember the message by Ben at Dad’s memorial service—about living life to the fullest don’t you?”

Joan nodded. Images of Phil raced into her mind as she recalled him also talking about that when he’d told her he didn’t want to spend the last few weeks or months of his life steeped in chemotherapy. Forcing her attention back to her daughter, she said, “Your father always felt that way, too.”

Sheila reached over and squeezed her hand as if realizing how difficult this time must be for her. “Ben’s message really impacted Rick and me, Mom. We want to get married soon, and we’ve decided New Year’s Eve would be a great anniversary to celebrate together each year.”

Joan tried to imagine what it must be like for her daughter to be so in love at this later stage of life. “I think that’s a wonderful idea, dear. I’m so very happy for you two.”

“We’re thinking a simple ceremony conducted by Ben at the Chapel by the Sea.

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