A Wedding on Lilac Lane by Hope Ramsay (best book clubs .txt) 📕

just as unhappy about Ella’s looming departure as Brenda was. Ella hadn’t said a word to her grandmother either.

Her silence had to be because she was hiding something unpleasant, like the fact that she was going back to that man.

When Momma let Ella go, her daughter’s eyes were bright too. She was going away. Brenda could read the truth right there in her face.  She had to stop this from happening.  She didn’t want to lose her daughter again.

“Honey,” Brenda said, turning toward her daughter, “I wasn’t going to mention this today. But…” She took a deep breath, willing her heart not to race. She wasn’t all that successful, but at least it seemed to be beating in a steady rhythm. “I know you’ve given your notice to Ashley Scott. But when were you going to tell me about it?”

“Mom, please, let’s not—”

“Look, I need to talk about this. I just hope you’re not going back to Cody Callaghan. I know you don’t need my opinion, but I don’t think he treated you well. But if you’re leaving for some other reason, well, I guess I’d like to know what I’ve done this time to make you want to leave.”

Ella’s eyes glistened with tears. “Mom, you haven’t done anything.”

“Then why are you leaving?”

“I have to go. I need to get my life in order. I need a real job, you know?”

“Oh. So where?”

Ella sniffled, and Momma handed her a tissue. “I’m not going back to Cody, okay? I thought about it for a week or two, you know, when Urban Armadillo was in town for their gig at Rafferty’s. But I decided that I’m a full-grown, mature woman, and going back to him was wrong for me. So my plan right now is to see if I can find a gig as a studio musician in Nashville.”

“Oh, thank God.” Brenda breathed out a sigh.

“And to be honest,” Ella continued, “I also had a chance to audition for the Myrtle Beach Symphony. Ashley arranged it. But that was a few weeks ago, and I haven’t heard back from them. And well, I didn’t want to get your hopes up or…”

“Have me push you in that direction?”

Ella shrugged. “It’s not happening. We both know I’m not cut out for that kind of music.”

Brenda didn’t know any such thing, but she kept her mouth shut and gave Ella a big hug. “I’m sure you’ll find work in Nashville. And it’s not that far away.”

“I’ll be home for Christmas. I promise. And I’m sorry I didn’t say anything. But I’ve been so confused about my next steps. First I thought I’d play fiddle for Cody, but then I realized what a mistake that would be. And then the audition happened. And well…” She shrugged. “I guess I ran out of time, and it seemed unfair to Ashley to walk away from her in the middle of the summer when she’s so busy. I needed to give her time to find someone. And I need a real job. So Nashville makes the most sense.”

“Oh honey, I wish you’d told me. I think Nashville is perfect for you.”

“You do?”

“You’ll be successful there, I’m certain. And I’m glad we had this talk. Now I don’t have to feel as if something terrible is about to happen.”

“No, Mom, things are fine,” Ella said, but the tremor in her voice contradicted her words. And right then, Brenda understood that she couldn’t tie her daughter down.  She had to let Ella go.

“Okay, y’all, we need to stop before we all mess up our mascara,” Momma said, ushering Ella out of the room. “Brenda, honey, you put on your wedding dress and stop thinking about anything other than getting married. Okay?”

“Yes, ma’am,” Brenda said as Momma shut the bathroom door. She slipped into the dress she’d bought in Charleston a few weeks ago, when Ella and Momma had taken her down there and made her spend Jim’s money. Constructed of ivory lace with a nipped-in waist and an A-line tulle skirt covered in lace appliqués, it had a retro vibe that Brenda loved.

She opened the door to find Ella looking utterly breathtaking in the coral chiffon dress they’d bought from the same Charleston wedding shop. Ella’s dress also had a lace top with a floaty skirt that was just perfect for her. The color brought out the blush in her cheeks and the fire in her hair.

Maybe she had always wanted Ella to play in a symphony, but if her daughter truly wanted to pursue a career in Nashville, Brenda would support her. On the other hand, if Ella was leaving because she felt that she was out of options, that was a whole different matter.

But now was not the time to have a deep family discussion about Ella’s future.  There would be time after the small reception. So she struck a pose in the bathroom door. “Do you think I look okay?” she asked.

“Oh, Mom. You’re beautiful,” Ella said. “Here, I’ve got your hat.” She held up the confection of fabric and netting that Momma had talked Brenda into during the shopping trip. Momma was of the view that every bride needed some kind of veil.

“It’s a fascinator,” Momma said with a giggle.

“Exactly, and when Jim sees it, he will be utterly fascinated.” Ella pinned the headpiece to Brenda’s fancy hairdo and then adjusted the birdcage veil.

Brenda laughed out loud. “Look at me. I look pretty.” She shook her head in astonishment. “I’m so glad y’all talked me into this dress and this silly hat.”

“It’s nothing, honey. We weren’t going to let you get married in sweatpants, which is exactly what you probably would have done without us,” Momma said with a big smile.

*  *  *

The boutonniere Dylan pinned to Dad’s lapel had a sprig of deeply fragrant lavender surrounded by some shiny green leaves.

“I hope this doesn’t make you sneeze at the wrong moment,” he said.

“Have you got the ring?” Dad responded in the tones of a nervous bride groom.

“I’ve got