The Mills & Boon Ultimate Christmas Collection. Kate Hardy

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       Chapter Fifteen

      I gasped. Imelda was transformed, wearing a scarlet dress with a faux-fur wrap, and her shiny red heels. Her ash-gray hair had been set and fell in soft curls around her shoulders. Behind her, pushing the chair, Edgar was suited up, and this time I noted the hem of his pants covered his ankles.

      I rushed to greet them. “You both look very dashing,” I said. “Imelda, you’re sparkling like a movie star.”

      “A very old one.”

      I bent to kiss her, and stood to shake Edgar’s hand. He was cold, I noticed, his hand clammy. “I’ll get the fires stoked up a little more. It’s freezing out tonight.”

      “Thanks, dear. Now let us see the ballroom. I’ve heard it’s as pretty as a picture.”

      Edgar remained silent, but gave me a smile. Maybe he was nervous. The entire town had heard about the party, and each day the numbers increased. I worried the costs would jump too high, but they assured me it was fine. They wanted to have the time of their lives no matter what.

      The double doors of the ballroom were swung open, revealing the room in all its glory. Round tables were dressed with white tablecloths and adorned with candelabra and glittery white candles. Champagne flutes stood proud. The tulle ruffled slightly as we walked in, the gauzy material casting a shadowy hue over the room. Vases of bright, colorful blooms perfumed the air. The fire was crackling softly in the background, a nice soundtrack to the party.

      “Oh, my lord. It’s the most beautiful room ever. How on earth did you do this in such a short space of time, my dear? I was expecting… I don’t know, just the bare minimum, but this… it’s so elegant.”

      “I had a great team of people who helped every step of the way. Let me show you the photo wall.” I took the handles of the wheelchair so Edgar could see them up close too.

      Edgar shook his head, and took a handkerchief from his top pocket. “Remember that day, Mellie?” He pointed to a shot of the family sitting at the top of the Grand Canyon. “You thought we’d be able to climb down there, and got all uppity when that ranger told you off.”

      She laughed. “What was I thinking? Such a troublemaker back then.”

      When they came to their wedding photo, they clasped hands and remained silent, their eyes wandering slowly over it, taking in every detail.

      “You both looked so happy,” I said.

      “We were, gosh, we really were. It’s hard to believe it’s almost over,” Imelda said, her voice barely audible.

      “We haven’t even started yet,” I said. “We’ve got the whole night.” It struck me later she wasn’t referring to the party.

      ***

      The party was in full swing, music played from unseen speakers, and the tap of high heels could be heard all the way to the lobby. I’d got my wish: Cedarwood had been given the kiss of life once more, and I couldn’t wipe the smile from my face.

      I rushed back to the ballroom, champagne bottles clutched against my chest. Kai took the bottles from me, and stowed all but one behind the bar. He went around topping up glasses ready for the speeches. I motioned for Isla and Micah, who each grabbed another bottle and followed suit.

      With a wink at Edgar, a sign for him to get ready, I fiddled with the microphone, adjusting the height for him. I gave him a nod, and handed the microphone over, then tapped a champagne glass with a spoon in an effort to get everyone’s attention.

      Edgar stood tall and proud, and nodded to the guests. He cleared his throat, and said, “Bear with an old man tonight, folks… Allow me this moment. You know, not all of us are lucky in love. Some people find love but lose it, some only have an imitation of the real thing. Others search for it their whole lives, never quite catching it, but always believing it’s there if only you try hard enough. Me and Mellie were part of that exclusive club of lucky ones. We knew it from the moment we laid eyes on each other, what we’d found, and we cherished that these last fifty years, trying not to take it for granted. There were times where our love dimmed, those periods in a marriage where things get hard, and the only reason the light didn’t fade to black was because we worked on it. We worked hard on it, knowing that it was a rocky patch and that we could beat anything that tried to pull us apart. Our kids grew up, and moved out, and are a great source of pride to us – they’re good people with big hearts, and that’s all you can ask in a person. And then there’s you. Those who’ve been with us since our marriage, and those we’ve only just met…” He nodded to me, smiling. “You’ve enriched our lives, and added to our story, and СКАЧАТЬ