Free That Lucky Old Sun (The Bella Novella Collection Book 4) by Janice Thompson

to the Pappas’s back porch, where they placed the rest of the potted plants. Afterwards, I signed off on their work and headed up to the house to change into my wedding attire. In just a couple of hours the guests would arrive and the ceremony would begin. I could hardly wait. 
    Even from my spot on the back deck I could smell the food. I could almost picture the folks inside the Pappas kitchen, cooking their hearts out. No caterers for this special night, now that everyone was working together.
    The bride and her team arrived just as I changed into my dress. Ling wore an amazing Asian gown, unlike anything I’d ever seen. Very colorful and traditional. Darian ushered her inside the Pappas home and loudly proclaimed that he had laid claim to her. From the expression on the bride’s face, she was lost in a state of near-marital bliss.
    Only, they weren’t officially married yet. We had to get these two formally hitched. But first, I had to help the bride out of one ceremonial dress and into another.
    I ushered her upstairs to change into her off the shoulder sweetheart wedding gown, crafted out of soft chiffon. The perfect dress for a summer beach wedding. Gabi had really outdone herself this time.
    Then Cassia helped Ling with a casual up-do, one that would last the duration of the evening and withstand the gulf breezes, and then Mrs. Nguyen pinned on the veil—that gorgeous, sentimental veil, once worn by Ling’s grandmother.
    Guests started arriving at 6:45. My parents arrived early, bringing all of my children. God bless them. What would I do without Mama and Papa?
    About that same time, Scarlet arrived with the cake. I gasped as I watched her set it onto the stand on the cake table. “Oh, Scarlet! You did it!”
    She fussed with it for a moment, then looked my way. “It took some doing, but I think I’ve crafted a four-tiered wonder that no one—Greek, Vietnamese or otherwise—will ever forget.”
    “Indeed.”
    I touched up my lipstick, then headed to the beach to make sure everything was falling into place for our incoming guests. They oohed and aahed over the setup, then I pointed out the water station, where many opted for bottles of water. Several of the ladies in heels took us up on our offer of wedding-themed flip-flops and many of the guys kicked their shoes off altogether.
    At exactly 7:15, just as the sky began to pink up, I walked back to the house to get the happy bride. I found her surrounded by the women in her life—her mother, future mother-in-law, and Cassia, her soon-to-be sister-in-law. They were praying together.
    Praying.
    Not fighting.
    Not bickering.
    Just praying. In a variety of languages, to boot.
    I stood back and took it all in, realizing that I was witnessing a true miracle. God, in his infinite wisdom, had merged hearts, lives and cultures, and nothing would ever be the same.
     
     

CHAPTER ELEVEN
    Fun, Fun, Fun
     
    The next two hours flew by. Ling and Darian’s wedding by the sea was breathtaking, from start to finish. And, with the exception of a few flies and mosquitoes, we saw no uninvited guests. Beach-goers kept their distance, giving the wedding party their privacy.
    My heart was so caught up in the lovely ceremony—especially the blessings by the various pastors—that it all seemed to fly by in a blink. By the time they said their I do’s , I’d pretty much slipped out of wedding coordinator mode and assumed the role of guest.
    Until Pastor Lindsey announced they were man and wife.
    At this point I kicked into gear once again, eventually directing the guests to the reception area at the back of the Pappas home.
    All of my concerns melted like butter as I watched the Pappas family serve up the evening meal. The combination of foods seemed to merge together in perfect union. In fact, most of the guests went back for seconds. And thirds.
    When the moment came to cut the cake, I wondered how Ling and Darian would manage. Turned out, they had the perfect plan. They