Gulf Coast Wedding by Maggie Miller
Chapter Twenty-five
Reverend Bartholomew lived in a small cottage in one of the older residential areas of town. Not far from where Sam and Levi’s new house was, which made Mia think about swinging by there on her way back. She still hadn’t seen the place and she was pretty curious.
She pulled into his driveway but stayed in her car for a moment, which still had the nicest smell lingering inside thanks to the flowers she’d just returned to Beach Blooms.
The house was white, with black trim, and the sort of wrought iron porch railing that felt very old fashioned. Most of the landscaping looked like it was a week away from being considered truly wild.
She was starting to wonder what kind of guy Reverend Bartholomew was. She knew he was retired, but shouldn’t that mean he had time on his hands to do things like gardening? Unless he was really old. She had no idea.
She’d stopped by Ludlow’s and picked up a container of cookies, gambling that those would be a good ice breaker. She grabbed the package off of the passenger seat, along with her folder of wedding information, and got out.
The front door opened as she walked toward the porch.
“Hello there, young lady. You must be Mia Carpenter.”
She nodded. “I am.”
Wearing khaki pants and a navy-blue sweater, Reverend Bartholomew looked very much like Albert Einstein. If he’d weighed fifty pounds more and been a man of the cloth.
He stuck his hand out. “So nice to meet you.”
She shifted the container of cookies to the other hand so she could shake his. It was gnarled, but warm. “Nice to meet you too.”
“And you brought cookies.” He pressed his hands together in front of his body. “Bless you, child. As it happens, I just made a fresh pot of coffee. Those will be perfect. Come in and let’s talk about this wedding you need me to officiate.”
She’d had a hunch the cookies would be a hit. “Sounds great.”
His cottage was somehow completely packed with stuff and yet not claustrophobia inducing as an excess of things usually was for her. Clutter was definitely not her style. And he had every nook and cranny packed. Bookshelves lined his living room walls and even more books stood in piles on his coffee table and on the floor next to his recliner.
The man clearly liked to read. Or maybe they were for study. She couldn’t tell.
But there were feminine touches through the place, too. Lace doilies on the backs of the furniture. Some floral throw pillows. And a smaller, upholstered chair opposite his in a soft pink chintz.
He must be married, but there was no sign of his wife. Which probably explained why there was some dust evident here and there, along with some lint on the carpet.
She followed him into the kitchen, where more of that female influence was apparent in the flowered wallpaper. The rich smell of coffee greeted her. There were dishes in the sink, too, waiting to be washed. One of the windows had a little cobweb that ran from corner to corner.
The inside of the house had a lot in common with the outside in that it was a couple days away from needing serious help. The condition of things made her feel for him. He certainly wasn’t a young man, and judging by his hands, he was no stranger to arthritis.
“I certainly appreciate you coming by.” He got cups, saucers, and small plates down out of one of the cabinets, taking his time and moving carefully.
“No problem.” She took a seat at the table, placing the container of cookies in the middle. Her folder of paperwork went next to her on the table. A few crumbs covered the top. She brushed them off while he was still turned around.
He came over and arranged the china at each place setting. The plates and cups were ivory with a small border of pink roses and green vines, the surfaces hazed with the fine cracks of age. “Cream and sugar?”
“Just cream, thanks.” She opened the clamshell container holding the cookies. They smelled really good, and she could already feel the pull of temptation. Although, she had run this morning. That had to equal one cookie, right?
He went to the fridge. “Tell me about this young couple getting married tomorrow. It’s awfully short notice, but I don’t mind. I realize sometimes these things need to happen more quickly than what’s standard.”
“This is definitely one of those.” Mia wondered how much she should tell him. She didn’t want to bring Lavinia into this, but if the woman showed up and attempted to stop the ceremony, it would be better for the reverend to be prepared. She took a breath. “Do you know who Lavinia Major is?”
He made a face accompanied by a little grunt of unhappiness. Then he sucked in a breath, shook his head, and looked skyward. “Forgive me.” He smiled at Mia. “Yes, I know who she is. Not personally, mind you, but I’ve heard plenty of stories since I retired here. She sounds like a troubled woman, in my opinion.”
“That’s a kind description if you ask me. But yes, I agree. She’s very troubled. And she may attempt to stop tomorrow’s proceedings.”
He collected the carafe and brought it to the table, filling Mia’s cup first, then his own, before sitting down. “Why would she do that?”
Mia launched into the full explanation, during which the reverend did a lot of head shaking, and knitting of his brows, along with the occasional sigh or “Oh my.”
By the time she was done, he’d eaten three cookies and refilled his coffee twice. “Well, that is quite a tale. I must say I am exceptionally glad that I voted for Mr. Taylor yesterday. It was so nice to see someone running against Lavinia. My Gracie would have thought so too. May she rest in peace.”
“Was she your wife?”
He nodded, his smile sweet but sad. “Yes. Gone almost six years now. I miss her every day. Although some days she’s closer to me than others.” He laughed. “That must sound strange to your young ears.”
“No, not at all. I’m pretty sure I can imagine exactly what you mean. And I think it’s very sweet.” Smiling, she glanced around the kitchen. “I can see her influence in your home and it’s very charming.”
“That’s kind of you. I’m glad she’s still visible here.”
“How long ago did you retire to Blackbird Beach?”
“Ten years now. This was Gracie’s mother’s home originally.”
“I see. Do you have any family in town then?”
“We did. A couple of nieces and nephews on her side, but they’re all grown and moved away in the last few years. I’m the only one here, now.”
The poor man. “I’m sorry to hear that. Well, I’m glad to get to know you. Beth Kingston recommended you highly.”
That made him smile. “We bought all of our cars from her father. Very nice man.”
“My mom just bought a car from him.”
The reverend took another cookie. “If Lavinia attempts to make a fuss, I am perfectly capable of continuing the ceremony while she’s being dealt with. As you kids say, this is not my first rodeo.”
Mia grinned. “That’s just the kind of attitude we need. Now I’m really glad you were available to do this on such short notice.”
He dunked his cookie in his coffee, laughing softly. “I love officiating weddings. And I have lots of time on my hands. Weddings remind me that hope and happiness still exist in this world, and that love remains eternal. And at my age, that’s a very good thing.”
She nodded. “No argument from me.”
He glanced at the folder next to her cup. “Have they written their own vows?”
“No, but they have approved these, along with this order of ceremony.” She took the paperwork out and passed it to him.
He put his reading glasses on, which had been hanging around his neck on a chain, and looked over what she’d given him. He read through it very intently, nodding a few times, then finally raised his head to speak to Mia again. “This all looks in good order. Pretty standard. Samantha and Levi.”
Mia nodded. “There’s no bridal party, but their son is acting as the ring bearer.”
“I see. How old is the boy?”
“Nine.” Once again, Mia was hesitant to overshare, but she thought the story of how Sam and Levi had recently gotten back together was such a part of who they were as a couple that it was worth sharing. “Levi only recently learned about him.”
The reverend’s bushy brows shot up. “Is that so? How is that possible?”
“Well, you see…” Mia kept talking, making sure her mouth was too busy to eat a cookie. When she was done, the reverend just blinked.
“That’s quite a story. Seems they were truly meant to be together. I love when God’s plan is greater than human scheming.”
“We’re all really happy for them as well. And I assure you, they’re both really wonderful people.”
“I am looking forward to marrying them even more.”
She smiled. “I’m so glad. Is there anything else you need from me?”
He glanced at the paperwork she’d given him. “Everything seems to be in order. I’d like to arrive an hour or so early to familiarize myself with the location, if that’s all right.”
“That would be just fine. We’re happy to have you whatever time you get there. And don’t forget, there’s dinner and cake afterwards.”
His smile widened. “I look forward to it.” He patted his stomach. “As you can tell, I never miss a good meal.”
“Are you sure we can’t pay you something for the ceremony?”
He gave a little shake of his head. “I’m happy to do this little ceremony in exchange for the meal and company.”
“It’s very kind of you.” She got up. “Thanks again. I’ll see you tomorrow.”
He used the edge of the table to push himself up. “Tomorrow.”
He walked out with her, waving as she got in her car.
She couldn’t stop seeing his overgrown landscaping, though, and thinking about his house in need of a little freshening up, and about him living by himself, missing his wife, and how weddings seemed to be his way of keeping connected with the world.
A new idea came to her. One that felt impulsive and yet, totally right. She’d have to wait to see just how he did during the ceremony, but she was sure he’d be fine. Beth was using him, after all.
Mia smiled as turned toward home and her idea took shape. Tomorrow night, after the wedding, she was going to ask Reverend Bartholomew to be the inn’s regular officiant. The one who came with the wedding packages.
She was also going to talk to Travis and Levi about helping the man out with his landscaping. After all, he’d agreed to perform the wedding in exchange for dinner.
Mia thought they could do a little better than that.