Blossom Street Bundle

“Thank you, Manuel. Nice to meet you, Colleen. Both of you, please call me Lillie.”

“This is my son Luis,” Hector said, gesturing toward the second young man.

Luis and Lillie exchanged a friendly greeting under Hector’s watchful eye—and Manuel’s.

“You made my father very happy by accepting his invitation,” Manuel told her when Luis had drifted off to talk to someone else.

“He made me happy by sending it to me.”

Manuel gave her a tentative smile.

Lillie smiled back. She hoped that in time the two of them could be friends.

“We’re all going to dinner after the party,” Hector said, leaning closer. “Can you join us?”

Lillie readily agreed.

“Allow me to introduce you to my friends,” Hector said and led her away. As they moved from one group to another, she became even more aware of how greatly he was respected and loved. His coworkers told story after story about Hector, embarrassing him since he was a modest man. Lillie enjoyed every word. If she needed confirmation that this man was everything she’d imagined, then she received it tonight, many times over.

The party started to break up at about eight-thirty. She’d remained at Hector’s side, either clasping his hand or with his arm about her waist. There could be no doubt that they were together.

At the Mexican restaurant a little later, Lillie met more members of his family. A brother and sister, nieces and nephews, various in-laws. The table seated at least thirty, and the names flew past her, although she made a determined effort to remember each one. She sat between Hector and Manuel.

Music and laughter filled the room. Children ducked under the table and raced around the chairs while their parents—Hector’s nieces and nephews—did their best to contain them. Although Hector introduced Lillie to everyone in his extended family, it seemed they already knew her. They accepted her without question and seemed genuinely pleased to make her acquaintance.

When the food arrived, it was served family style. Manuel passed Lillie the first dish, holding the heavy platter of rice while she helped herself. Next came chilaquites, which seemed to be some kind of tortilla casserole, followed by corn tamales, chili rellenos and another dish Lillie didn’t hear the name of.

“My father’s in love with you,” Manuel said quietly.

“I beg your pardon?”

“He showed me your letter. You love him, too, don’t you?”

Lillie could see no reason to deny it. “Very much.”

“He’s a man of strong feelings,” Manuel said. “His family is important to him.”

“I know.” That was the reason she’d decided to break off the relationship; she refused to place Hector in the impossible position of choosing between his family and her.

Manuel acknowledged her statement. “Yes. He was willing to give you up for our—my sake.”

“He already had.” She couldn’t resist asking, “Can you tell me what changed?”

Rita slapped her brother’s arm. “Hey, Manuel, what’s the holdup here? You’re supposed to be passing the food.”

“Sorry.” Manuel handed the dish to his sister.

“I’ve never seen my father this miserable,” Manuel informed Lillie. “Even when Mom was ill, the entire family counted on our father to keep up our spirits and he did. He nursed Mom, cared for her, held her when she breathed her last and loved her to the very end.”

“He still loves her.” Lillie blinked hard as tears welled up in her eyes. This was how she wanted to be loved.

“After Mom died it was Dad who held our family together. Don’t misunderstand me—he grieved for our mother. But her death was also a release from terrible pain. Dad understood that better than anyone. He was lonely and lost but he found ways to cope. Through work, family—and now you.”

Mesmerized by Manuel’s words, Lillie passed plate after plate without serving herself.

“After receiving your letter, my father wept.” Luis, who’d been listening avidly, spoke from across the table while Hector was busy talking to a nephew on his other side.

“He…did?”

Manuel frowned at him, but he acknowledged Luis’s words. “It’s true.” He paused to take a gulp of his Corona. “I knew then that you were no ordinary woman,” he resumed, “and that I’d made a mistake. If my father loves you, then I need to be willing to look past my own prejudices and give you a chance, as well.”

That did it. Tears spilled down her cheeks. “Thank you, Manuel.”

He nodded and passed her another dish.

Lillie wondered why Hector had waited so long to reach out to her. As if reading her thoughts, Manuel added, “Rather than repeat what happened with me, Dad decided he needed to let the family know. So he went to everyone and explained that he’d met someone very special.”

No wonder his family behaved as though they already knew her.

“My fear was that you’d break his heart,” Manuel murmured. “Unfortunately my attitude toward you was what did that. I hope you can look past our rather…difficult beginning and start again.”

“Of course,” she said and when the next dish was handed to her, she scooped up a huge helping of chili conqueso and placed it on Manuel’s plate before serving herself.

Manuel grinned and then winked at her.

After dinner, the music began, and Hector took Lillie’s hand and led her onto the dance floor. “You and Manuel seemed to be deeply involved in conversation,” he said as he turned her into his arms.

“Hmm.” She leaned her forehead against his and closed her eyes, grateful that this was a slow number.

“He apologized?”

“He said you loved me.”

Hector exhaled noisily. “I never expected to fall in love a second time and certainly not like this.”

“I didn’t, either. Blame the wishes if you want.”

“Your Twenty Wishes?”

“I wrote that I wanted to be loved by an honorable man.”

“You are loved, my Lillie. By me.”

“I love you back.”

His hold on her tightened briefly. “Manuel still has doubts that it’ll work out between you and me.”

“At least he’s agreed not to interfere.”

Hector nodded. “He said he’d be willing to wait and see—after he told me there’s no fool like an old fool.”

“Shall we be foolish together?”

Hector laughed. “I was hoping you’d say that.”

Lillie lifted her head. “Are we a pair of fools, Hector?”

“I can’t think of anyone I’d rather be foolish with than you, my Lillie.”

“Me, neither.”

With their eyes closed, they continued dancing until the music ended. When the last note faded, they reluctantly broke apart in order to applaud politely. To Lillie’s astonishment, the entire Silva family had formed a circle around them and started to clap.

Lillie blushed profusely and Hector laughed.

It was a relief when the musicians began again. This time, his family joined them on the dance floor. The mariachi music was lively, punctuated by slow, plaintive songs. Hector and Lillie danced every dance and stayed until the restaurant was ready to close.

Hector drove them back to the dealership, where Lillie had left her car. There, in the shadows, he kissed her. Lillie slipped her arms around him and leaned into his embrace, letting her actions tell him of all the love in her heart.

“How did you know I’d come to the party?” she asked.

“I prayed you would.”

“And if I hadn’t?”

“Then I would have come to you. Most men don’t find a love this good, this pure, once in a lifetime—let alone twice. I wasn’t letting you go, Lillie, not without a fight.”

“But you already had,” she reminded him.

“No,” he said swiftly. “I needed time to regroup and to reason with my son. You were always with me, always in my heart.” He took her hand and pressed her palm against his chest. “You inspired me, my Lillie.”

“I did?”

“Yes. I have my own list of Twenty Wishes now.”

“Really?”

“Oh, yes.” He paused to kiss her again. “And every one of those wishes is about you.”

Chapter 34

The small chapel adjacent to the Free Methodist Church off Blossom Street reverberated with the traditional wedding march as Brandon Roche escorted his sister down the center aisle.

Standing in a pew at the front of the chapel, with Ellen at her side, Anne Marie felt her heart swell with joy. When Melissa walked past her, she turned to look at Anne Marie and mouthed the words “Thank you.”

Robert would’ve been so proud of them, she thought, not for the first time. So proud and so delighted by the change in their relationship. For all the pain his betrayal with Rebecca had caused, it had a positive—if inadvertent—effect. It had brought Anne Marie and Melissa together.

Anne Marie gazed after her stepdaughter. The wedding was small, with only a maid of honor and best man. As promised, Ellen would serve wedding cake at the reception, a role to which she attached great importance.

Melissa looked lovely in her pale pink floor-length dress. A halo of flowers adorned her head, with flowing white ribbons cascading down her back, and she carried a small bouquet of white roses. The pregnancy was just starting to show.

Anne Marie’s one disappointment was Pamela. It would’ve meant so much to Melissa if her mother had relented enough to attend her wedding. Unfortunately, she remained upset and angry, and Anne Marie couldn’t help thinking she should have put her daughter’s needs ahead of her own feelings. But then, Pamela hadn’t come to Robert’s funeral, either, although her children could have used her support. Anne Marie hoped they’d eventually be able to resolve their differences.

With the maid of honor and the best man, both close friends, standing beside them, Melissa and Michael approached the young minister. Jordan Turner, Alix’s husband, would be performing the ceremony. He’d agreed as long as Melissa and Michael were willing to participate in marriage counseling classes. Even with all the busyness of college graduation, the couple had gone to every session, which boded well for their marriage, Anne Marie thought.

When the ceremony began, Ellen leaned forward, absorbing every word. This was her first wedding and she didn’t want to miss a single detail. Anne Marie had enjoyed watching Ellen line up her dolls and stuffed animals the night before and then carefully choose two—a Barbie and a panda—to march down the makeshift aisle. Later, Anne Marie had found her at the kitchen table writing furiously in a tablet.

“What are you doing?” she’d asked.

“I’m putting a new wish on my list,” Ellen explained. “I’m going to have a big wedding with lots of people and a dress with lace and pearls and a long veil.”

“What about your husband?”

Ellen chewed on the end of her pencil. “He’ll be handsome.”

“Is that important?”

The eight-year-old considered her response carefully. “I want to marry a man who’s handsome on the inside, too,” she’d said.

“And if he’s good-looking on the outside, that would be a bonus, right?”

“Right,” Ellen had said.

Now as Melissa and Michael exchanged their vows, Ellen studied them attentively, dreaming of her own wedding one day.

Anne Marie gazed protectively at this child who would legally become her daughter. The greatest desire of her life was to be a mother and that wish had been fulfilled—but not in the way she’d expected.

As the ceremony continued, Anne Marie felt Dolores Falk’s presence. The older woman had nurtured the child to the best of her ability. She’d given her love and security. In the end, Ellen’s grandmother had handed her over to Anne Marie.

Anne Marie believed Dolores had recognized that the two of them belonged together, that they needed each other. Once the bond between them was established, and Anne Marie had promised to keep Ellen if anything happened to her grandmother, Dolores had been able to die in peace, knowing Ellen would be loved and cared for by Anne Marie.

Anne Marie placed her hand lightly on Ellen’s shoulder. The child joined fervently in the applause when Jordan Turner pronounced Michael and Melissa husband and wife.

“This is so nice,” Ellen whispered as the music crescendoed. Then Melissa and Michael walked back down the aisle together, their arms linked and their faces bright with joy.

“It is lovely,” Anne Marie agreed, struggling to hold back tears. It wasn’t only Dolores Falk’s presence she felt, but Robert’s, too. She knew Melissa felt him there, as well.

“What happens next?” Ellen stared up at Anne Marie with wide, curious eyes.

“Now we go to the wedding reception.”

“Oh, goody! When do I serve the cake?”

“Not till later on.”

The reception was at a restaurant on Lake Washington. Lillie had secured the banquet room, and Melissa’s friends had decorated it and prepared everything for the small reception. Anne Marie had volunteered to help and Melissa was grateful but said she’d already done so much. Besides, her friends had everything under control.

When they arrived, Anne Marie could see that was true. The room, which was separate from the main part of the restaurant, had a sweeping view of Lake Washington. Sailboats with their multicolored spinnakers glided across the choppy waters. A lush green lawn sloped from the restaurant down to the waterfront, bordered by rows of blooming perennials. Double-wide French doors opened onto a stone patio.

Because the day was overcast, Melissa and Michael had decided to hold the reception indoors. Lillie had chosen the perfect location, Anne Marie thought gratefully.

The room itself was strung with white streamers, twisted from the center of the ceiling, where a large paper wedding bell hung. The streamers fanned out in every direction. White and silver balloons were tied behind each chair.

The cake, topped with the traditional bride and groom, sat on a table with an array of gifts surrounding it. Alix Turner had baked and decorated it herself. The restaurant had supplied an elegant buffet, for which Brandon, Anne Marie and Michael’s parents had split the expense.

Entering the room with her husband, Melissa looked radiantly happy.

“It’s hard to think of my little sister as married,” Brandon said, claiming the chair next to Anne Marie and Ellen. “Mom’s going to regret not flying over for the wedding.”

Anne Marie nodded. Pamela would have to accept that Melissa had her own path to follow. “In time I believe she will.”

“Who?” Ellen asked, then added, “Is this for adult ears or kids’ ears?”

Brandon laughed outright. “It’s for adult ears.”

“Okay.”

He grinned at Anne Marie.

The buffet line formed, and after they’d filled their plates and sat down again, Michael’s parents, Jim and Paula Marshall, joined them.

“This turned out to be such a lovely wedding,” Paula said, watching her son with pride. “I wasn’t sure what to expect. What is it with children these days? So much happening at once. Michael graduated from college, married and a father-to-be. It’s enough to make my head spin.”

Anne Marie agreed. “I didn’t know what to knit first, a baby blanket or a garter for her wedding.”

“You knit?” Paula asked with real interest.

“I’m only just learning. I’ve been taking classes.”

“It was one of our wishes,” Ellen told her gravely.

Anne Marie explained and marveled anew at the changes in Ellen since the child had come to live with her. When they’d first met, only three months ago, the youngster had barely spoken a word. These days it was difficult to get her to stop.

“Have I introduced you to Ellen?” Anne Marie asked Jim and Paula and tucked her arm around the child’s waist. “This is my daughter, Ellen Falk.”

“I’m getting a new name soon,” Ellen said, looking at Anne Marie.

“A new name?” Paula repeated. “What do you mean?”

“I’m adopting Ellen,” Anne Marie said, “and when I do her last name will be Roche, the same as mine.”

“Congratulations to you both,” Jim said, sampling the lobster salad.

“Anne Marie’s going to be my new mother,” Ellen said amicably. “I have an old one, but my grandmother told me my real mom couldn’t take care of a little girl, which is why I get a new one. I’m glad my new mother is Anne Marie.”

The conversation moved on to pets when Ellen lovingly described Baxter, now “our” dog, and lauded his intelligence. The Marshalls contributed stories about their own badly behaved but much-loved dog, Willow. Everyone laughed a great deal, and Anne Marie was thrilled that Ellen responded so naturally and well to adult company.

Halfway through the reception, Lillie Higgins and Hector Silva came in. Anne Marie had met Lillie’s friend a couple of times previously. He was everything Lillie had promised and obviously adored her.

“I’m sorry we’re late,” Lillie began as she approached Anne Marie.

“It’s my fault,” Hector said. “My oldest grandson had a soccer game and wanted me there to see him play.”

“Can I play soccer, too?” Ellen asked.

Anne Marie nodded. “Once we’ve moved into the new house, we’ll see about signing you up for soccer.”

Ellen clasped her hands, her expression rapturous. “And I want to join Girl Scouts.”

“One thing at a time, Ellen,” Anne Marie said gently. She didn’t want to squelch the child’s enthusiasm, but didn’t want her overwhelmed by too many activities, either. She already took karate lessons and if she added soccer and Girl Scouts to that, there wouldn’t be enough time just to sit and read or knit or play imaginative games with her dolls.

“I got your message,” Lillie said. “You found a house?”

“Yes! We move August first.” The house was in a good neighborhood close to Woodrow Wilson Elementary, which meant Ellen wouldn’t need to change schools. With all the upheaval in the child’s life, Anne Marie had wanted to keep her there.

“I’ll have a real bedroom, too,” Ellen inserted.

“And a real bed,” Anne Marie said. Ellen hadn’t complained once about sleeping on the fold-down sofa in the tiny apartment. One of her first purchases would be a bedroom set for Ellen, with a matching dresser, bookcase and computer desk.

She looked forward to getting her own things out of storage. She’d delayed for a long time, preferring to live in the small apartment rather than move. Her fear was that the household goods that had belonged to her and Robert would trigger too many memories.

A few months ago, Anne Marie hadn’t felt strong enough to deal with the past. Her grief had been too raw, too close to the surface. She’d purposely kept the furniture in storage, convinced she’d never find the courage to sit at the table where she’d shared so many meals with her husband. Every item, everything she’d so carefully packed away, was linked to Robert.

But the memories of her life with him no longer tormented her. Even knowing of his betrayal, she continued to love him and always would.

Michael and Melissa ceremonially cut the first slice of cake, and Melissa beckoned to Ellen.

“Can I serve cake now?” Ellen asked, eyeing the slices Melissa’s friends were placing on colorful plates. “Is it time?”

“Looks like it,” Brandon said. They stood up and headed for the table, where the plates had been set out.

“Aren’t you going to throw the bouquet?” Alicia, the maid of honor, asked Melissa.

“Oh, my goodness, I almost forgot.” Melissa turned her back to her group of friends and hurled the bouquet over her shoulder.

Anne Marie hadn’t been part of that group. She didn’t mean to participate, but when the bouquet shot directly at her, she instinctively grabbed it.

“Anne Marie!” Melissa cried, laughing delightedly. “You caught the bouquet!”

Ellen squealed with excitement, a plate of cake in each hand.

“This means,” Melissa told her, “that Anne Marie will be the next one to get married.”

“I don’t think so.” Anne Marie tried to pass the bouquet to one of Melissa’s college friends, who refused to take it.

“Don’t be so sure,” Melissa chided good-naturedly. “You never know when love’s going to tap on the door.”

Frankly, Anne Marie wasn’t interested in falling in love again. She had everything she needed for happiness. Ellen was part of her life now, and she’d made peace with the past. She had Blossom Street Books. Her eyes fell on Lillie and Hector, and she immediately added dear friends to her list of blessings.

“Look,” Ellen said, tugging at her sleeve. She pointed at the French doors.

Music swirled in from the piano player in the nearby bar.

Anne Marie bent down. “What am I supposed to be looking at?”

“It’s raining.”

It was more of a mist than rain but Anne Marie didn’t point that out. “Yes?”

“Your wish,” Ellen reminded her.

What wish?

Then Anne Marie remembered.

Taking Ellen’s hand, she walked out to the small patio. With the music playing softly in the background, they removed their shoes and stepped onto the wet grass.

Ellen slipped one arm around Anne Marie’s waist and together they spun ’round and ’round.

“We’re dancing barefoot in the rain.” Ellen giggled.

Throwing back her head, Anne Marie giggled, too.

The music grew louder and their movements became more sweeping as the rain fell and people gathered at the open doors to watch them.

She saw Brandon giving them a thumbs-up and Michael and Melissa waving. Lillie and Hector smiled.

Anne Marie Roche had made Twenty Wishes and they’d brought her love.

Epilogue

November

The courtroom was crowded as Anne Marie and Ellen waited patiently for their turn to come and stand before the judge. When their names were called, Anne Marie stepped forward with Ellen beside her. Evelyn Boyle, Ellen’s social worker, moved to the front of the court.

Judge Harold Roper read over the paperwork, which included a home study and background check. This was actually a formality; Child Protective Services had already approved the adoption. The six months had passed quickly. They’d moved into their new home, and Ellen was a third-grader now, getting top marks in her classes.

“So, Ellen, you’re going to have a new mother,” Judge Roper said.

“Yes, Judge,” Ellen answered politely.

“Your Honor,” Anne Marie whispered.

“Your Honor,” Ellen repeated.

She placed her hand in Anne Marie’s and edged closer to her side.

“Congratulations,” the judge said and signed his name at the bottom of the document.

“That’s all there is?” Ellen asked in a whisper.

Anne Marie was surprised herself. “Apparently so.”

Anne Marie’s mother wept noisily at the back of the courtroom. The next name was called, and Anne Marie and Ellen hugged and left the room. Laura Bostwick continued to sob, dabbing at her eyes with a tissue as they walked out into the hallway. The heavy door closed behind them.

“Are you sure you can’t come to the party, Mom?” Anne Marie asked.

“I’ll come by later if that’s okay.”

“Of course. I want you to meet my friends.”

Catching her off guard, Laura awkwardly hugged Anne Marie. “You’re going to be a wonderful mother.”

“Thanks, Mom.”

“My name is Ellen Roche,” Ellen announced to a guard who strolled past.

“That’s a nice name,” the uniformed man told her.

“Ellen Dolores Roche,” she said. “Dolores was my grandmother’s name. She’s with Jesus now.”

The man smiled at Anne Marie and kept on walking.

“This is my new mother,” Ellen called after him. “She loves me a lot.”

“Ellen,” Anne Marie murmured. “He’s busy.”

“I just wanted to tell someone I have a new name,” she whispered, lowering her head.

“Would you like to tell Barbie and Mark?”

The girl nodded eagerly. “Lillie and Hector, too?”

“They’ll all be at the party.”

“What about Mrs. Beaumont and Lydia and Cody and all my friends from Blossom Street?”