28. Ayla

Chapter 28

Ayla

TWO WEEKS LATER

B y now, everyone in town knew about Declan’s proposal. Every patient I had today asked questions about where we were going to have the wedding and whether the whole town was invited. We hadn’t even picked out a date yet, but I knew it’d be in the spring.

Planning a wedding involved a lot, and I was thankful I had my mother and Declan’s mother to help. Not to mention, all the women in town have been giving me ideas. When the whole thing was said and done, everyone was going to have a hand in the wedding. I liked the thought of that.

It was Thursday, the last day of the work week for me. I had to drive by the police department on my way home, and I happened to see Declan outside, dressed immaculately in his uniform. I couldn’t wait for him to get home so I could take it off him.

I pulled into the driveway and went inside to change out of my scrubs into shorts and a tank top, and start dinner. Since I worked a little late, it was going to be a tomato soup and grilled cheese night.

Before I could grab the cheese and butter from the refrigerator, the doorbell rang.

When I walked up to the front door, I could already tell whose silhouette it was standing on the other side.

“Well, hello, Sipsey,” I announced when I opened the door.

Linda shook her head and laughed, clutching a large white notebook to her chest. Like always, she was dressed in one of her flowery tops and red pants. The woman had a vibrant sense of fashion.

“Is it not evil to laugh about that?” she asked. “Sooner or later, someone’s going to ask why you call me Sipsey. All of my friends have seen Fried Green Tomatoes . ”

I waved her off. “No one has to know we’re referring to that specific Sipsey. Besides, Vincent was the evil one. He got lucky. If Declan had gotten to him first, he would’ve suffered a whole hell of a lot more. What you did was quick.”

Linda pursed her lips. “Then maybe it wasn’t a good thing I used the frying pan.”

I motioned for her to come inside. “No, it was. It saved Declan from going to a very dark place.”

She followed me into the kitchen and sighed. “Yeah, the boy was hanging on by a thread. If anything had happened to you, I really don’t want to know what he would’ve done.”

I didn’t want to know, either.

My focus landed on the white frilly notebook still clutched in Linda’s arms. “So, what brings you by this evening? You already made me a chocolate cake this week. Declan and I already ate it up.”

Linda still held onto the notebook, as if she were too afraid to let it go. This piqued my curiosity, and I really wanted to know what she was holding.

She glanced down at it and blew out a breath. “There’s something I want to show you.”

Linda held it out to me and squeezed her eyes shut when I took it. The cover had nothing on it, just lacy pieces of fabric like those on a wedding dress. Inside, however, were several pages, protected by plastic.

When I opened the notebook, my mouth dropped to the floor. The first page contained an exquisite drawing of a three-tiered wedding cake covered in multicolored flowers.

As I flipped through the pages, each one was just as beautiful as the ones before them.

“These are gorgeous,” I gushed. “I would love to have something like this for mine and Declan’s wedding cake.”

Linda gasped. “Really? You actually like the designs?”

I stared at her as if she’d lost her mind. “Are you kidding? I want them all. Where did you get the book?”

Linda’s eyes started to mist. “They’re mine. I drew all of them.”

I was frozen in shock and awe. “Linda, I didn’t know you could draw like that. What other talents have you been keeping from me?”

She winked. “Well, other than wielding a deadly frying pan, not much. I was hoping you’d let me make your wedding cake. Free of charge, of course. It would be my gift to you and Declan.”

Grabbing my chest, I couldn’t stop the tears from falling down my cheeks. If she only knew how much of an honor it was to have her make our wedding cake.

“Oh, Linda, I would be ecstatic if you did that for us. It’ll be the best-tasting wedding cake ever.”

Linda snorted. “You’re damn right, it will be.” She pointed at the book. “I designed all of those specifically for you and Declan. Take a look at them all and let me know which one you want. You can choose whatever flavors. We can make each tier something different. Maybe have one of them be Declan’s favorite coconut cake.”

Yep, it was going to be the best wedding cake in existence. I flung my arms around her, and more tears fell, soaking the back of her floral shirt.

“Now don’t you dare get snot on me, darling,” Linda said, chuckling. “I love you and all, but I draw the line on that.”

Leave it to Linda to say something like that. We both laughed and I let her go.

“Thank you, Linda.” I placed my hands on her shoulders. “At the wedding, I would love for you to sit with my family as an honorary grandmother. I wish we could let the whole world know how you saved my life.”

Linda patted my cheek. “ We know. That’s all that matters. And I would be honored to sit with your family. You and Declan mean the world to me.”

I walked her outside to her car just as Declan pulled in next door. A few seconds later, he appeared around the corner of our fence, still dressed in his uniform.

Linda glanced back and forth at us and smirked. “He sure is handsome.”

“That he is,” I agreed.

She grabbed my hand and squeezed. “Treasure him, sweet girl. Don’t take this time you have for granted. I look forward to the day I see my George again.”

I met her sad gaze and could only imagine what it felt like to be without the person you loved.

“I won’t take it for granted,” I said wholeheartedly. “I’ll treasure every single day.”

That was a promise.