fly, I decide, “You should move to Spartan, too. Think of how much fun it will be being able to see each other all the time.”
Claire insists, “What would I ever do for work in a town this small?”
“You and I talked the other day about our hosting more events here at the lodge. You could be our event coordinator,” Ruby volunteers.
“Really?” Claire brightens considerably,
“Really.” Well how about that? I’ve gone from no girlfriends in Spartan to two in the time frame of one meal.
After dinner, I stand up and get everyone’s attention. I lift my glass and say, “I just want to thank Ruby, James, and Billy for making me and Mom feel so welcome. I’m amazed by how quickly life can change. And while change is often scary and hard, it can also be liberating.” Raising my glass higher, I add, “To the Cavanaughs.”
Then I turn to face Rachel and Claire and add, “To new beginnings.” I’m positively filled with possibilities for all of our futures.
After we’re done with dessert—Henry did a killer job on the pies—James and I say goodnight to everyone. We walk hand in hand to the parking lot.
I can say beyond a shadow of a doubt, I am exactly where I’m supposed to be.
Chapter Fifty-Two
Ruby
Waving frenetically across the lobby, Chris calls, “Hurry!”
“What's going on with you?” Ruby asks, still in a haze of joy over how well yesterday went for James and Tara.
Looking around nervously, Chris leans in and whispers, “Romaine Choate called off the wedding. He and Cash and their contingent left at five o’clock this morning.”
“What? How? Why?” Ruby wants to know.
“He said they decided to get married someplace else and that we should let their guests know there won’t be a wedding today.”
“I’m not letting his guests know anything,” Ruby declares hotly. Then she picks up the phone and calls Claire’s room.
“Hello?” the groom’s sister answers immediately.
“It’s Ruby. What in the world is going on?”
Claire sighs before telling her, “Cash called it off. She said she doesn’t want to get married anywhere near Tara. I’ve already left messages for our families. I’m guessing they’ll get right back on the next plane home once they land. I’ll collect all of the gift baskets I’ve left in rooms and I’ll let the few guests who checked in yesterday know.”
“What are we supposed to do with all the food we have ready for the wedding?”
“Charge everything to Romaine’s credit card. I told him not to expect a refund on anything.”
“That’s going to cost him a fortune and he won’t have anything to show for it,” Ruby says. While she’s not particularly disappointed not to have a wedding there today, she’s still a little miffed to be left with cleaning up the mess.
“I need to go,” Claire says, “but I’ll come down and see you when I’m done. I have a great idea how we can use this fiasco to everyone’s benefit.”
James
“Hey, Mom, what’s up?” I’m surprised by the early morning call.
“Honey, we’re going to have a party tonight.”
“I’m sorry, what?” I squint my eyes at the sunbeam shooting through the bedroom window.
“We’re having a party,” she repeats.
“I thought we were going to a wedding.” Is that what she’s talking about?
“Romaine and Cash have left. They’re going to get married someplace else.” She releases a squeal of joy.
“What? Why?” I feel like I’ve woken up in the twilight zone.
“I don’t think Cash liked the idea of sharing her day with Tara.”
“Is that why we’re having a party?” I throw the covers off, and for some reason go to the door to look across the hall for confirmation that the rock star is gone.
My mom explains, “We have a ballroom already decorated for an event and we have all the food. All we need now are guests.”
There’s an envelope taped to my door with my name on it. I pull it down but don’t open it yet. Instead, I ask my mom, “Who do you want to invite?”
“I thought we’d invite people from town and introduce them to Tara. That way they can get to know she’s just a regular person.”
“That’s a fantastic idea,! I’ll call Tara and tell her.”
“What do you mean you’ll call her? Isn’t she there?”
I look at the clock before answering, “At six in the morning?”
“You’re not a very fast worker, are you, honey?”
“Mom, this is none of your business and I have no intention of discussing this part of my life with you.”
“You were waiting for tonight, huh?”
“Mother,” I say in