Page 60 of Must Love Lavender and Little Lies
Portia nodded. “Yes. Emmalyn wouldn’t stop nagging me. But I won’t put too much faith in it. I’m sure my work is amateur compared to the others.
“Portia, even when you’re not trying, your research performs miracles.”
At that, Portia chuckled lightly. “I just got lucky this time.”
From the side of the room near the refreshment stand, Primrose lifted a glass of the pink champagne just as Zarina returned with flutes for me, Portia, and herself.
“My dear friends,” Primrose called. “Thank you all for assisting in organizing this impromptu bridal shower for our dearest Juniper. Since the bride and groom have had us all panting to keep up with them, I hope you forgive the rushed nature of the party. But today, we have to pause just a moment to celebrate this treasured member of our community. To Juniper, may you be the happiest bride in all the world. Cheers!”
“Cheers!” everyone called, turning to me and raising their glasses.
As I looked across the room, my heart was filled with joy. Polly and Tansy, who must have come in shortly after me, stood at the back, cups raised. Poor Polly was still wearing her soiled apron.
I lifted my cup, toasting the others, and taking in the joy of the moment, seeing all the women of Moonshine Hollow there for me. And while my own mother was gone, my new family stood looking at me with warmth in their eyes.
Smiling, I tipped my cup toward Gree-Gree and all of Granik’s family, who returned the gesture.
My new family.
In that moment, my heart was overflowing with love. A new future awaited me, and I had all these wonderful women at my side, cheering me on. For that, I would forever be grateful.
CHAPTER 22
GRANIK
My brothers and I got to work that morning, getting everything ready for the wedding. I didn’t know how, but shipments started to arrive from all over Moonshine Hollow. There were chairs, wine, and meat, and Woodsman Jon arrived with a wagonload of firewood.
“I’ve brought the wood, and they’ve brought the meats,” he said, gesturing to the butcher’s cart arriving behind him. “Now you just need to point us to the pits and them to the icehouse.”
“Pits there,” I said, gesturing. “Icehouse there.”
“I’ll lend a hand,” Gruffton said, turning to Durrik. “Come on, you too. Enough trying to look busy. Come and actuallybebusy.”
Sometime in the midafternoon, Narrow arrived with a wagon filled with ale casks.
“Everyone is talking,” he told me. “I think you will have all of Moonshine Hollow here tomorrow. I hope I brought enough,” he said, slapping one of the kegs.
“If my nerves don’t calm, we may need another wagonload.”
“Nerves? For marrying Juniper?” he asked with a laugh. “You are the luckiest man in the hollow. Juniper is one of the prettiest and nicest women in a town full of pretty and nice women. You’re a lucky man.”
“All the same, I’ve never been a married man before.”
“That is true,” Narrow replied with a laugh, then he turned and looked at the preparations. “Looks pretty good. Everything is coming along. And how about you? Got a clean pair of overalls ready?”
“Oh, I…” I said, then paused, suddenly remembering I’d given my only tuxedo to the gargoyle Erasmus. Given that the jacket had been tailored to accommodate his wings, I had nothing to wear.
Narrow laughed. “Okay, let’s get this ale unloaded, then you can come with me.”
Narrow and I unloaded the ale, then Narrow took me back into town, driving to the clothing square where we stopped outside the men’s suit shop. Feeling woefully underprepared for everything that was happening, I headed inside.
“Well, I thought I might see you,” old Master VanTort called. The gnome grinned at me. “I’ve been setting aside orc-sized fabric all week, but I didn’t think we’d be having a wedding so soon.”
“Thank you, sir.”
“Ah, Narrow. Brought me an ale, have you?”
“I may have a few bottles the orcs missed. Care for a nip?”
