Free Christmas Wedding by Ellen Elizabeth Hunter

She was the only one of the girls who could look Ray squarely in the eyes. And she did. A long, languid look.
    He can have any one of them, I thought, or all of them. Including Melanie. Just how far had this flirtation gone, I asked myself.
    I slipped away and into the reception hall. “Cam,” I called with fake cheer. “Let’s go into the parlor and check out the hors d’oeuvres. You, too, Nelda,” I added and didn’t have time to wonder if I had been discourteous.
    “ Let’s see what Elaine has prepared for us. And have you seen the grooms’ cake?”
    I steered them into the main parlor, chattering all the while. “Nelda, let me tell you about the mansion.”
    She gave me a snooty look which seemed to say, Must you?
    “ This mansion is a spectacular example of antebellum architecture -- a mixture of Greek Revival and Italianate styles. It was built in 1859 by Dr. John D. Bellamy, a wealthy planter. When Wilmington fell to Federal troops, the Union General Joseph Hawley commandeered the house as his headquarters. But then after the war ended, Hawley refused to return the house to Dr. Bellamy. So Bellamy went to Washington to personally petition President Andrew Johnson for the return of his house. And he got it back.”
    “ A charming, provincial tale, I’m sure,” Nelda said.
    “ It is fascinating, Mother,” Cam said, “to live with all of this history surrounding us. One of the reasons I feel in love with Wilmington. And of course you know the other reason. Where is she?” And he searched the parlor with his eyes.
    “ She’s probably out back with Elaine at Elaine’s catering van. You know how hands-on Melanie is. She doesn’t leave anything to chance.”
    But Nelda stayed on focus. “Now Cam, darling, there is nothing like living in Italy if one wishes to be surrounded by history.” She pressed a hand on his arm. And ignoring the fact that I was there and able to hear her every word, she asked, “Are you absolutely sure you want to stay here? Are you sure you don’t want to return to Italy with me? It isn’t too late to back out of this . . . this commitment?”
    Wow, this lady was nervy. I would have been totally outraged if it were not for the fact that Melanie was misbehaving herself.
    Nelda turned and looked toward the veranda. “From what I saw a moment ago, it doesn’t seem to me that your fiancé will be alone for long if you cancel this foolish wedding.”
    I gasped. Foolish wedding!
    Cam seemed to tune her out and only turned to look where Nelda pointed. But by that time, Melanie and Ray had disappeared from view leaving behind a group of beautiful but disappointed admirers.
    Oh, Melanie, when I get my hands on you I am going to wring your neck.
    I grabbed Nelda’s hand away from Cam’s arm. “Just look, Nelda, these are the original brass chandeliers, originally gas lights at one time. And don’t you just love the way they’ve carpeted the rooms with these colorful Victorian carpets? People think the Victorians went in for drab colors. Not so.”
    Nelda was now looking at me as if I had gone mad. And had I?
    “ Let’s get something to eat,” I said desperately. When all else fails, go for food.
    Scarlett came rushing by and she was crying. Now what?
    “ And just see the chocolate grooms’ cake. We’re going to toast the grooms later.” I was blabbing. Where had Melanie gone?
    This was our rehearsal dinner and supposed to be a fun event, a festive private party for the wedding party and the out-of-town guests, a relaxing evening before the big day. And was it? No, neither festive nor relaxing. Not with my sister up to her old tricks. Oh, wait till I get my hands on her.
    Then suddenly Jon was at my side and I felt much better. My love, my partner in life, someone to share my worries and my burdens.
    He wrapped an arm around my waist and said with a smile, “The rehearsal went well, don’t you think? I was so afraid I’d flub my lines, but I didn’t.” He grinned at