A Winter’s Wedding (Christmas Cove #3)

Chapter 9

A maid of honor’s duty wasn’t something Carol had plans to shirk any time soon. In her whole life, no bride had ever offered her the opportunity until now. Her job, up until yesterday, had been mostly uneventful, but now she was on full duty. America and Leo wouldn’t be home in Christmas Cove for days. It was up to her to keep plans moving forward, and she was overjoyed to do the work… with a little help.

Carol could have just called Edwin, but she convinced herself to march right up to the front door of the man’s little lodge. She peered through an open window but there was no sign of Edwin. It was a mistake for her to think he would be around, and she doubted that he would even want to help her.

Seeing the folly in her ill-timed expression of wishful thinking, she turned and marched right back down the porch steps. The thick scent of fresh boiling hops perfumed the air as it floated across the front yard, and she fought the urge to seek out the source in the attached shed.

“Carol, is that you?” Edwin’s voice sounded from inside the shed. “I’m around back. You need somethin’?”

Indecision held her in place for longer than she liked. Carol hated to admit it, but there was something about this vexing man that she had always been drawn to. Despite her thoughts about running back to her home on Main Street, she entered the shed instead.

“I can smell your witch’s brew from down the road,” she teased. “What is it this time, rat’s bone and grass clippings?”

“You know very well I don’t use rat in my batches. It’s squirrel bones. And I expect you to show some respect to the dead next time you barge into my lair.”

Carol laughed at how ridiculous he sounded when he played with her. But this is how they were. Years of bitterness had begun to melt away last winter but only exposed an awkward unsaid truth between them. Pride had kept them apart for a long time, and the silly teasing threatened to unbind her steely heart. Perhaps her biggest mistake after spending all these years as rivals was hoping somehow, they could become something else.

Carol came around a copper vessel positioned in the center of the shed and crossed her arms in front of her chest. Standing near Edwin, she watched him wield a large wooden paddle and stir the contents. “I was only kidding about the rat’s bone. It smells divine. What is it really?”

“I’m trying a new recipe; figs and pecans. What do you think?” Edwin said.

“It could be interesting. When will it be ready to try?”

“Soon.” Edwin removed the paddle and tapped the liquid off using the edge of the pot. “It’s for the wedding. I wanted to surprise Leo. He’s the only person around here that likes my brews.”

“That’s not true. I like smelling them. But you know I don’t drink beer,” Carol said and wafted the rising steam towards her nose. She took a long whiff. “Definitely figs in there. Do you think he’ll like it?”

“I hope so. I’m making a large batch,” Edwin chuckled. “Do you know if they made it back alright? I didn’t see lights on in his trailer last night.”

“Does Leo know you spy on him like that?” Carol asked and walked around the space.

She couldn’t recall the last time she had been in the shed. Or in Edwin’s house for that matter. A work bench skirted the whole of the outer walls, leaving room in the center for the woodfired brewing equipment. Various containers, casks, and tools littered the workbench in what seemed like no particular order, though she was certain there was a method to his process. Being a military man, he knew the importance of structure, which was probably the reason he kept tabs on young Leo the way he did, and anyone else he cared for.

“I don’t spy exactly. But he parked that dang thing across the yard where I can see it from my bedroom window. It’s not my fault he hasn’t moved it in… when did he move back here?”

“Has it been ten years now?” Carol tried to remember but honestly felt like Leo had always been around. People in town say that she’s the glue the community needs, but Carol knew the real bonding force had been Leo for quite some time.

“Either way, I’m gonna miss seeing him come and go when he moves into that house with America next week.”

“Oh, right.” Carol snapped her fingers and set her eyes on Edwin’s face. “That’s why I’m here. America and Leo are road-tripping back from Vegas. She said there’s a winter storm heading this way, and since all the flights got canceled, they decided to drive back home instead of waiting until Friday for a rescheduled flight.”

“That’s a long drive.” Edwin plopped a solid wood lid on the pot and snuffed out the fire below. “When will they be back? In time for the wedding, I hope.”

“About that. I spoke to America yesterday and she asked if we could help with all the last-minute details, since she’s obviously not here. Plus, I thought it would be fun and figured you had nothing better to do with Leo being gone. Not to mention, Grant and Thandie have been holding things down at The Foundry for quite some time now, without much assistance. And the town is getting along just fine with all the new businesses and people moving into the area. And?—”

“Carol. Carol!” he yelled and stopped her rambling. “Of course, I will help with whatever you… whatever they need. You don’t need to convince me.”

She shouldn’t have been shocked, but she was. She had spent so many years being known as Scrooge McCarol and making the lives of her friends miserable, when in reality, it was she who was unhappy the whole time, that she still felt as though she must persuade everyone. But now, it was clear that all she need do was ask, and the people who cared for her would gladly lend a hand.

Edwin had taken her by the shoulders, though she hadn’t realized when exactly. Her eyes followed the line of his arm towards his chest and up to his face. He was older now than he was the first time she had stood before him so closely. His weathered skin framed the same caring look he had given her all those years ago at the winter formal dance. She liked the way his eyes drank her in now the same way they had that dreadful night before her life was irrevocably changed.

But what was, couldn’t be again, she hadn’t let herself think of such possibilities, and wasn’t about to start now. Carol backed away towards the shed’s double doors. “Tomorrow, we have a menu tasting with Alfonso at one-thirty.”

“Great. I’ll already be at The Foundry. I’m helping Grant with a special project.”

“You and your special projects. I— I’ll see you then,” Carol stuttered as Edwin closed the space between them, no doubt sensing what she was feeling. A tiny spark, a little ember of a life they both missed out on. She looked away and her body followed her out the door. “One-thirty. And don’t be covered with dirt or grease,” she yelled back at him.

“No promises!”