Page 18 of Bluebell Promises

Wren smiled wider. It was strange, but a small part of her brain had imagined what it might be like to see Ben again at the party. She’d imagined him grabbing a seat beside her. She’d imagined trying not to touch his leg with hers under the table.

And then, another swell of nausea came over her, and she scrambled off the veranda and back to the bathroom. Again, she prayed that Ivy, Celia, and Juliet hadn’t noticed.

When Wren returned to the veranda, she had her excuses ready. But just as soon as she opened the screen door, Landon said, “I can’t wait a second longer.”

Everyone turned to look as Landon dropped to one knee and reached for Celia’s hand. Celia’s jaw dropped with surprise. All the Harpers were quiet, waiting.

“Celia, the past few years have been some of the best of my life,” he said. “You’ve shown me a tenderness and beauty in life that I never thought I’d have. So I guess I have to ask you a question?”

Wren’s cheeks ached from smiling too much. Ivy had both of her hands over her mouth, while Juliet looked stoic and misty-eyed. Directly beside her, Celia’s daughter, Sophie, looked like she was going to start jumping up and down.

“Will you make me the happiest man in the world?” Landon asked. “Will you marry me?”

Celia didn’t hesitate. “Yes! Yes, I will!” She threw her arms around him and let her twirl her around and around. Everyone on the veranda laughed and shouted with joy.

“A toast!” Ivy called. “We need to make a toast!”

Juliet hurried away to fetch some champagne, which she filled into little flutes. Those who weren’t allowed or didn’t want to drink used their glasses of lemonade. Wren stuck with lemonade since her stomach was sloshing violently. But she raised her glass and said, “To Celia and Landon!” along with everyone else.

Ben looked thrilled for his brother. Wren realized that Landon had asked Ben to come to the family party for moral support, which was sweet. Even people who were wonderfully and deeply in love had anxieties about such a big question.

After their toast, Wren made her way over to her eldest sister. She hugged her, squeezing her eyes shut. Behind them, she hated that she saw Angelos, smiling at her from the darkness in her eyelids. “I love you, Celia,” Wren whispered. “You deserve all the happiness in the world.”

10

Long after Landon had asked Celia to marry him, after a first round of barbecue chicken and some salads, Landon pulled Ben off to the side, squeezed Ben’s shoulder, and said, “I’m so relieved it’s over. Thanks for being here, man. I needed your support.”

Ben laughed, clutching his beer. “You really thought she was going to say no?”

Landon looked flummoxed. “Not exactly? It was all just so anxiety-inducing. I wanted to wait till the sunset, maybe, after the barbecue, but I knew I wouldn’t make it long.”

“It’s over,” Ben assured him. “Now it’s time for all those wedding jitters, I guess?”

“No jitters here,” Landon said. “I could do it tomorrow. No fear. We’ll have to get us both tuxes, though.”

“I have one,” Ben said. He still had the one he’d worn to his own wedding, years ago. Rina had picked it out for him. He’d never spent so much money on an item of clothing before. He supposed he never would again.

“Naw,” Landon said. “We’ll have to get you something else. It’s a new era for us both!”

Ben’s eyes flickered over to Wren, who sat with Juliet and Sophie with the Frenchie Pierre on her lap. Although she was smiling, her complexion was faintly green, as though she were sick. Ben knew there had been a Graves’ disease diagnosis, but he wasn’t entirely sure of the symptoms involved. Maybe she felt sick about Celia’s engagement? Or maybe she felt ill around family. It was difficult to say.

But then, Wren’s eyes found his. Ben felt a rush of heat to his cheeks. He didn’t realize that Landon was talking to him, but almost immediately, Landon’s voice cut out, as though Landon saw the energy emanating between Ben and Wren. Unless Ben was imagining things?

“Oh,” Landon said quietly.

Ben turned to look at him. “What?”

Landon smiled in a way that annoyed Ben. It reminded him of their childhood, when Landon accused him of liking some girl at the playground.

“Nothing.” Landon shrugged.

“Yeah. It’s nothing,” Ben said.

“Sure,” Landon offered, poking Ben’s arm with his elbow.

Ben rolled his eyes. “But, man, I’m happy for you. Can’t wait for the wedding. Maybe I’ll throw you a bachelor party? Something epic.”

Landon laughed. “Way to change the subject.”