and white lights, had been removed from Maggie's house.
Instead, it was transformed into what reminded Maggie of a
fairy princess house, with delicate white roses, white candles,
and white organza ribbons trailing everywhere mixed with
the dark forest shades of evergreen and ivy. The transforma-
tion was nothing short of miraculous, and when Chloe
arrived at four, she oohed and awed over everything. Maggie
had invited Cherise to come and give the bride the full
beauty treatment (although it wasn't a part of her regular
business, Cherise was well known in Pine Mountain for
giving the best herbal facials, and now she was thrilled to
have the opportunity to participate in this exciting event).
Besides, thought Maggie, perhaps it would help keep her
mind off her own situation with Greg.
By seven o'clock the guests were all seated, and the cere-
mony began as planned shortly thereafter. To Maggie's relief,
both of Chloe's parents had shown up. Chloe's mother, now
seated in the front row, wore an expensive black gown,
which Maggie hoped wasn't a reflection on her attitude
toward this marriage. Cherise had tried to assure Maggie '1.
300Melody Carlson
that many people wore black to evening weddings these
days-sometimes even the bridesmaids! Sierra looked lovely
and grown up in a tea-length vintage gown of moss green as
she slowly came down the stairs, accompanied by her
brother Max in a dark brown suit. Scott stood next to
Michael (who also looked quite dapper in his neat black
suit). When Scott had told her that he planned to wear an
old tuxedo that had belonged to his grandfather during the
forties, she thought he'd been kidding. But now, seeing him
looking so handsome, albeit nervous, in a well-preserved
satin-trimmed suit, she knew it had been a perfect choice. All
these unique touches, combined with Chloe's wonderful
dress from the turn of the century, created a surprisingly ele-
gant and dramatic ambiance to the whole affair. Maggie sus-
pected that Chloe's parents were somewhat impressed with
what this young couple had managed to pull off so quickly
and with very little expense, all things considered. Now
everyone rose to their feet as Chloe and her father gracefully
proceeded down the stairs, a recording of Bach's Jesu, Joy of
Man's Desiring playing softly in the background. Chloe
looked absolutely radiant with her red curls heaped on top
of her head with a few loose tendrils curling delicately over
her shoulders.
All in all it was a beautiful wedding, and Maggie noticed
both of Chloe's parents daubing monogrammed handker-
chiefs to their aristocratic noses. Midway through the
touching ceremony, Maggie's eyes had met Jed's. He was
seated next to Leah and across the room from her, and he
looked unusually handsome in a dark tweed sports coat over