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  The guests buzzed happily among themselves and congratulated the newlyweds. Next to the shared wedding cake were wrapped Christmas gifts. After the cake was cut, Mac handed Brenda a small gift.

  “This is something that you should have.” His eyes twinkled, teasing her to open it.

  When she unwrapped the gift, she pulled out something wrapped in red tissue paper that felt hard. It was a police badge with her name on it. She looked up at Mac. “You win,” she said laughing.

  “You deserve to be on the police force and so you need an official badge.”

  “Remember that I’m not going to give up my position right here. But thank you. I will look quite official now.” She kissed Mac. “Now open yours.” She handed him one of her own.

  Mac picked up the narrow rectangular box and opened it. Inside were carving tools. On the handles was the engraved words, Pfeil Tools, Swiss Made. Brenda remembered how much he liked to whittle and now he could go further with his hobby. He thanked her and they kissed. Everyone applauded again and Chef Morgan and her helpers came out and set hot food on the buffet and down the middle of the table. Individual cake plates were filled and placed on the buffet for everyone to help themselves.

  Brenda had never been so happy in her life. She had the husband of her dreams and a town that had become her family. She looked across the room at her father, who beamed happily at her. The only thing missing was her mother, she thought. She felt for the pearl necklace at her throat and smiled. Her mother was there, too. Tim nodded in appreciation.

  Tim Sheffield found his way to his daughter and new son-in-law. They had a place next to them for him to sit down. Jenny joined them and Phyllis, William and Patrick sat across the table from them. Tim whispered to Brenda he had some news for her that he hoped would make her happy.

  Chapter Eleven

  More Surprises

  Most eyes followed father and daughter as they spoke. Mac noticed the confidential air between them.

  “No whispering at the table,” Mac teased.

  Tim looked at Brenda. She told him to let everyone hear it if he wanted to. He agreed and stood up.

  “I am happy for my daughter and for Mac.” He turned to Phyllis and congratulated her and William. “I have some news I’d like to share with all of you. My home in Michigan gets quite lonely at times. I’m a retired man now who tends to wander around looking for things to do. Since I’ve been in Sweetfern Harbor, I am astonished at how much goes on in this little town. If my daughter, and all of you, will have me, I’ve decided to make my home right here in this village. I want to become a greater part of her life and of yours.”

  Again everyone applauded and murmurs and shouts of welcome came from the guests. Brenda couldn’t keep her tears at bay this time. She stood up and hugged her father. “I love you, Dad. It is what I hoped for. You can stay right here for as long as you want to.”

  Tim shook his head. “I’ve found a small cottage that fits me well. You have your business here and I’ve been taking up one of your rooms meant for paying guests. Now you have a husband to think about. The two of you need your privacy without me hanging around. I’ll be just a few blocks from you. William has sold one of his rental properties to me.” He turned to William who smiled and told Tim welcome to Sweetfern Harbor. William winked at Brenda as if to apologize for keeping this small secret from her.

  Patrick stood up and toasted his sister and William. “This is one of the happiest days of my life,” he said. “I toast my loving sister and her husband William Pendleton. May you enjoy long and happy lives together.”

  Then he turned to Brenda and Mac. “Congratulations to the woman who saved my life and to the man she so deserves. I wish only the best for both of you.”

  Everyone clapped and cheered. Patrick received several pats on his back and many told him how happy they were that he was safe and sound.

  This was a night of celebrations. Brenda leaned toward Mac. “There can’t be anything else that happens on a night like this. What a perfect night.”

  “I think we’ve had all the surprises we can handle.” Mac leaned closer to Brenda.

  Someone gave a signal for silence. Brenda and Mac looked at each other and laughed. “I guess we may have been wrong,” he said.

  William and Phyllis stood up. She held a large envelope in her hand and beamed at her good friends.

  “Phyllis is holding something we wanted to give to you, Brenda, and, to Mac of course, now that you have made her an honest woman.” Everyone laughed and waited to see what was in the envelope.

  Phyllis handed it to Brenda. When she read the document she gasped and looked at the couple and back to the words.

  “They’ve paid off the Sheffield Bed and Breakfast mortgage,” she said.

  Mac took it and read it. “She’s right. It is legally documented right here.”

  Brenda pushed her chair back and grabbed Phyllis, tears in her eyes. “Thank you so much, Phyllis. I thank you, too, William. This means more than you can imagine. Uncle Randolph would be so happy that it is free and clear now to continue for him.”

  Tim Sheffield clapped the loudest and his face radiated with love for his daughter and gratefulness for her friends. “Randolph would be happy for sure, Brenda.”

  Once dinner was over and everyone had eaten enough cake and desserts to last them through Christmas, people began to mingle with one another in small groups. Brenda joined Phyllis and Patrick just as she handed him a Christmas card.

  “I don’t have your gift with me right now, but it’s, or rather, they’re waiting for you downtown.” Phyllis waited for him to read her card. He looked at her in surprise and curiosity.

  “You are giving me dogs?” he said. Phyllis hesitated at first thinking he didn’t like the idea. “I’m just kidding with that tone, Phyllis. You don’t know how happy this makes me. I see you are following dad’s directive to get two dogs. I hope I can keep them in the apartment. I’m not sure William will approve pets there.”

  Phyllis looked smug. “Don’t worry. He doesn’t object. He has a few houses to show you after we get back from our honeymoon. That is, if you plan to stay around here and would like a home of your own.”

  “I plan to stay right here. The new lawyer coming to town has already offered me a job in the law office downstairs from the apartment. I have plans to complete a degree in law. If I’m getting dogs, maybe a house would be better. I could fence it in and they could have room to run.”

  Phyllis told him the two houses William had in mind were already fenced. Brenda stepped forward and told Patrick how happy she was that he planned to stay around town. She left them and continued around the room to greet everyone. She saw Molly Lindsey quietly drinking a cold drink by herself.

  “I want to thank you for everything you did for my wedding, Molly.”

  “You are more than welcome, Brenda. The ceremonies were beautiful.” Brenda waited knowing she wanted to say more. “I really miss Pete. I guess I mean I miss the Pete I thought he was. It was such a shock to me and I’m finding it hard to recover.”

  “I understand that, Molly. It will take time. In the meantime, you are always welcome to vent to me.”

  Molly smiled. “Here I am spoiling your happiest night.”

  Brenda patted her on the arm and assured her nothing could spoil this Christmas Eve. “Your mother was the first person to welcome me here. We’ve become very good friends, which means that you are my daughter, too.” Molly hugged her and told her thank you. Brenda knew that somehow everything would work out for Molly Lindsey.

  Carolers began to sing again. The high school choir had moved from the church to the bed and breakfast to continue singing for the couples. Mac whispered in the ear of the choir director. He nodded and instructed his choir.

  “This next song is specifically for the newlyweds.” He turned to his choir and they sang “I’ll Be Home for Christmas.”

  This time it was hard for anyone to hold back moisture from forming in thei
r eyes. Mac pulled Brenda closer. “We have a flight to catch tomorrow morning. Do you think we should head for the hotel in New York any time soon?”

  Brenda glanced at the crystal clock on the mantle as she swayed in his arms. It read eleven o’clock. “I think we should. I’ll get out of this wedding dress and be right back down.” Jenny was nearby. She gathered Hope, Allie and Molly and all went upstairs with Phyllis and Brenda.

  “Don’t worry about these gowns,” Jenny said as they helped Brenda out of her dress. “We’ll take care of everything.” She kissed Brenda and told her welcome to the family. Brenda hugged her back.

  Everyone stayed upstairs while Brenda went back down. Mac waited for her at the bottom of the stairs. Guests gathered around. Phyllis and the bridesmaids watched from the top of the stairs. Mac took Brenda’s hand and stopped her under the mistletoe at the front door. He kissed her and then helped her with her coat. Everyone cheered again and stood back for Phyllis and William to take their places under the mistletoe, too.

  Outside, Tim hugged his daughter. He pulled back with mist in his eyes. “These are tears of joy, Brenda. I love you.” She returned the sentiments before getting into the waiting limo. Jenny hugged her father and told him how happy she was for him and Brenda.

  “Have a great time in Italy,” she said. “Don’t forget to come back. We need both of you.”

  “We’ll be back, but I won’t give you a specific date. Just in case we get too caught up with the Italian way of life,” Mac joked.

  Molly and Patrick walked with Phyllis and William to their limo. Everyone hugged and Molly and Patrick welcomed William to their family. Phyllis and William were eager to head off to the airport to fly to sunny beaches and cobalt blue waters.

  Before the limos left, all four leaned out and wished everyone a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. The guests cheered from the porch of the bed and breakfast as they drove off. The driver asked them if they would like to listen to Christmas music. They opted for classical Christmas tunes with no words.

  It felt good to Brenda and Mac to have ten days ahead with each other, far away from business and crime-solving. There would be no thinking about upcoming trials for two men once thought to be pillars of Sweetfern Harbor, and good friends. The Italian landscapes waited for them to explore and free their minds.

  “I doubt I’ll ever be happier than I am right now,” Brenda said.

  “I’m hoping to take care of that and give you happier ones in our future together.”

  Brenda snuggled closer to Mac. Christmas lights glittered down Main Street. Shops were closed but animations in various windows caught their attention. It appeared they were leaving their own private fairyland.

  They took it all in as they listened to Tchaikovsky’s Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy send them off into the blissful peace of their waiting honeymoons.

  Dear Reader,

  Hi there. Thank you for reading.

  I hope you’ll leave a review and/or rating at the retail website where you purchased it, I appreciate you and your feedback.

  Thanks again,

  Wendy Meadows

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  About the Author

  Wendy Meadows is an emerging author of cozy mysteries. She lives in “The Granite State” with her husband, two sons, two cats and lovable Labradoodle.

  When she isn’t working on her stories she likes to tend to her flower garden, relax with adult coloring and play video games with her family.

  Get in Touch with Wendy

  www.wendymeadows.com

  [email protected]

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