Page 59 of Must Love Lavender and Little Lies
We made our way down the path and into the inn.
Zarina’s mother Zora was talking with some guests when we entered, but she smiled and waved us to the restaurant section of the inn.
Zarina pushed open the double glass doors, and I was met with a resounding cheer of “Surprise!”
As I looked around, I realized that an impromptu bridal shower had commenced, and at the heart of it were all of my friends.
Everywhere I looked, I saw their handiwork. From trays of scones, cookies, and cupcakes to sparkling bloomberry champagne to the flowers on the table, everything was…
“Magical,” I said, looking around at the beautiful enchantment Primrose had woven, the whole room appearing like it was covered in blooming rose vines. Not only did the place look like a garden, but the rich smell of wild roses filled the room. “My dear friends, how did you…”
“Well,” Rosalyn said, her hands on her hips, “we hardly had time to do anything, but it was the best we could do.”
“It’s so beautiful.”
With that, the others ushered me into the room, seating me at the head of the table.
Rosalyn set a tiara on my head. “From one princess to another,” she told me with a wink. “Ladies! Let the champagne flow! We have exactly one hour to celebrate before we need to move this party to the farm to decorate for the wedding,” she added with a laugh.
“Oh, Rosalyn, but the cake and Primrose, all the preparations… This really is too much,” I protested.
“That’s enough from you, Juniper,” Winifred told me. “We’ve made our plans.”
There was a ruckus at the front of the inn, and a moment later, Annya, Gree-Gree, and all of Granik’s other female relatives entered.
“Ah! This is where the party is,” Gree-Gree said with a smile. “Now, someone get Grandma some champagne.”
At that, everyone laughed and began milling about.
I was so happy to see everyone there. Not only were my friends there, but all the people from Moonshine Hollow turnedout. From fellow vendors to elders to people who I’d given simple syrups for sore throats or salves for scraped knees, everyone stopped by, even just for a moment, to wish me well. And they’d brought gifts. A massive pile of presents sat heaped on a table on one side of the room.
I turned to Zarina. “The dress fitting?”
Zarina blew air through her lips. “That was a lie. My sister is a stitch witch. She has everything she needs. She’ll deliver your dress to your house tonight. Now, let me get us some drinks,” she said with a giggle, then wandered off.
A moment later, I felt a presence slip in beside me. “My mother is here. If she sees me, she’s going to make me come to her lady’s club after this,” Emmalyn whispered. “So, the two of you finally figured it out.”
“Apparently, we were late.”
“I wouldn’t say Portia and I made a bet, but…”
“I did not make a bet,” Portia chided her. “But I am happy for you all the same. And to think, I nearly bungled the whole thing with my research. My apologies for that.”
I smiled gently at her. “I think the finality of it was what pushed us over the edge,” I replied. “Your research was actually the impetus to speak the truth. That and the help of some shrieking goats.”
Portia and Emmalyn laughed lightly.
“I told Granik those goats were going to be nothing but trouble,” Emmalyn said.
“Emmalyn?” Petunia Thornberry called, looking around for her daughter. “Emmalyn, I heard your voice.”
“Oh, damn,” Emmalyn whispered. “Anyway, I’m so happy for you, my friend. See you tomorrow!”
And with that, Emmalyn disappeared—for real this time.
Portia chuckled. “Well, I’m glad my research was of some good after all.”
“Speaking of research, did you send in your submission for the symposium?”
