Chapter 53

Elle

The wedding plans progressed at full speed and within a few days of picking out her dress, Elle found herself dialing Kelly’s phone number back in Stone Peak.

“Elle, is that you?” Kelly said, her voice breaking with emotion.

“It’s me, sweetie.”

“Oh, Elle, it’s so good to hear your voice.”

“Why, has something happened?”

“No, not at all, it’s just, I miss you, you know?”

“I know,” Elle said sympathetically.

“Things just haven’t been the same around here without you and Forrester. You came into our lives and filled everything with so much sunshine. And now you’re gone.”

“Oh, you were the one who filled my life with sunshine, Kelly. Do you remember how lost I was when you met me? I didn’t even have enough money to put gas in my car. I was destitute. And you helped me. You gave me a job, found me an apartment, you gave me a home, Kelly. And this might sound strange given how short of a time I spent there, but Stone Peak was the first real home I ever had in my life.”

Kelly started crying.

“Oh sweetie, don’t cry,” Elle said. “I’m calling with good news.”

“What is it?”

“Do you think you and Grace could shut down the diner for a few days?”

“Why?”

“So that you can come here for my wedding, silly.”

“Really?” Kelly said, her voice starting to perk up.

“Yes. Really. And Kelly, you’re going to love it here. It’s so beautiful, and everyone’s so nice, and there’s even the perfect man for you here.”

“Grady?” Kelly said, and Elle could clearly detect the sense of longing in Kelly’s voice.

She’d told Kelly all about Grady, and even sent her some photos. Kelly was smitten, but needless to say, Grady had no idea of the whole thing.

By the time Elle hung up the phone, Kelly sounded a lot happier than she had. Elle had even promised her that she, Faith and Lacey would take her dress shopping for something to wear. Kelly said she’d never been to a fancy dress store in her life. Elle also made certain that Kelly brought her kid brother, Lucas, to the wedding too.

The drive back to Stone Peak, later that day, was a strange experience for Elle. She was in one of Forrester’s luxury cars, a black SUV, and she felt very rich and taken care of. It was something she was slowly getting used to. She’d gone straight from being Cinderella to being a princess. Forrester drove with his hand holding hers, and it only added to her feeling of being looked after.

Pulling into the lot of Gracie’s diner was the strangest part of all. She’d been in such a tight position when she’d arrived there for the first time. Now she didn’t have a worry in the world.

Entering the diner, she breathed in the familiar smells of the kitchen. She smiled at the faces of the customers she knew.

“Elle,” Kelly screamed, and ran across the diner to give her a big hug.

She was a little more reserved with Forrester and they merely shook hands.

When Grace emerged from the kitchen, she had tears in her eyes.

“I don’t think I have to tell you how proud we all are of you,” Grace said.

Elle felt so much love for the woman in that moment.

“Elle,” Grace said.

There was a tone in Grace’s voice that told Elle she was about to say something serious. “You’re like a daughter to me. I know we worked together for quite a short time, but during that time, you showed yourself to be a true and loyal friend. I want you to know that.”

“Thank you, Gracie,” Elle said.

Grace continued. “That’s why it’s so hard for me to tell you that I won’t be able to attend your wedding.”

“What? I so wanted you to be there.”

“I know you did sweetheart, and I’m grateful to you for caring so much, but I haven’t left this diner unattended in twenty years and I just don’t think I can do it now. Not on such short notice. Some people are just better suited to their one place in the world. You girls go and have fun for me.”

Elle was disappointed but she understood what Grace was saying. Grace lived and breathed for her diner, and shutting the place just wasn’t something she could do.

“I understand,” she said to Grace.

Grace nodded sagely and took a small box from her pocket. “This is for you,” she said.

Elle looked at the box. It was small and black and lined with velvet, like a box from an expensive jeweler.

“Can I open it now?” she said.

“Of course you can, angel,” Grace said.

Elle looked into Grace’s eyes. She’d never felt so cared for by an older woman in her life.

“Thank you, Grace,” she said as she opened the little box.

Inside was something sparkly. Elle’s breath caught in her throat. It was a diamond bracelet, the kind that movie stars used to wear when they played tennis. It was stunning.

“Grace,” she gasped.

Grace just nodded. “It was something my mother owned, and her mother before her. Since I never had a daughter, I wanted to give it to you for your wedding day.”

“You can’t,” Elle said, but Grace just shook her head.

“It’s yours sweetie.”

Elle shut the box. She didn’t know what to say. She hugged and kissed Grace and thanked her profusely, but she felt uncomfortable accepting the gift. Surely it should have gone to Kelly, not her. Kelly had practically been raised by Grace, and she needed it more. She had nothing. Elle was getting everything.

Once back in the car with Kelly, Elle swore to herself that she would figure out a way to help Kelly with her life. Everything good that was happening to her started with Kelly’s deciding to help her out. She owed so much to Kelly, and she wasn’t going to forget her now that she was getting married to the man of her dreams.

It would take time. You can’t help a person overnight. It takes patience and consistency. Elle knew that she wouldn’t be able to snap her fingers and make Kelly’s life as happy as hers was. But she did know that after her wedding, when things quietened down, she would work on being the best possible friend she could possibly be to Kelly, even though they would be living in different states. After all, as Elle was fast learning, there are few things in life as beautiful as bringing happiness to a person you loved.