“Your water came from the lake, nearly a quarter mile away,” Margaret said. “You chopped wood for heat and for fuel to cook.”
I lifted my hands. “I get it. Furniture was made, not bought.”
“Many forms of currency were worthless to the natives. Commodities were bartered and traded.” Paula grinned. “Mr. Sherman once told my husband that he wanted to keep the cabin as a monument to those who had loved this land before life became complicated. Bruce told him the truth.”
“What is that?” I asked.
“Life is always complicated. What appears simple for one is difficult for others. The trick is to embrace the complication.”
Letting out a breath, I nodded. “That’s what I’m determined to do.”
“Like I said,” Paula went on, “complicated men need love too. And so do complicated women.”
I slowly spun around, looking anew at the one room. “I would love simple decorations. Whatever you think would be best. I trust you. And we don’t need a lot of food. Just enough to celebrate.”
“We can do that,” Margaret said. “Now, what about your dress?”
“Didn’t you say there were some boutiques in town?”
“I did. Do you want help?”
“I’ve asked too much of you.”
“You haven’t,” she said, “but I won’t intrude.”
“I think I want to pick out the dress myself.”
Both women nodded.
“I can’t thank you enough for your help.”
“Leave the cabin and celebration to us,” Margaret said. “You get your dress and concentrate on the most important part of a wedding, the bride and groom.”
The next morning, after breakfast, Albert drove me into Ashland. Convincing him to watch me from afar, I walked along the sidewalk on my way to a boutique I found online, one I hoped would have a dress. I was looking in store windows when my new phone rang. Stepping inside a coffee shop to get out of the cold, I checked the number.
Hurriedly, I answered. “Vicki.”
“I’m sorry it’s been so hard for me to return your call,” she said. “I can’t tell you how relieved I was to hear from you. Last week was bizarre.”
“That’s one word for it,” I said, lowering my voice as I peered around the almost-empty shop brimming with the magical aroma of coffee beans in all flavors.
After ordering a chocolate latte, I settled into a back booth, shaking off my coat, hat, and gloves. “You got my long text about Phillip?”
“I did. It’s crazy.”
“It is, but I’m not going to let it stop us. We’re really going to do it.”
“There are so many options on what you might do with that sexy man.”
“Get married,” I said with a grin.
“The two of you?”
I nodded, though she couldn’t see me. “Yes. Van and I applied for our license. We’re going to marry on Saturday.”
“Gah, Jules. I want to be there.”
“Ashland is only a seven-hour drive. Or we could send a plane.” I didn’t want to assume, but Van had said whatever I wanted.