All Is Bright by Colleen Coble Read Free Book Online Page B

Elin. If you hurry, you can change and wash your face. You’re my size. Take your pick from my closet.” She linked arms with Vanessa and turned her toward the house. “The wedding starts in fifteen minutes.”
    â€œYikes, I’ll hurry.” Vanessa mounted the steps with her.
    The door opened as they reached it, and Elin stepped onto the porch in a wash of bright light. Her maid of honor, Sara Kavanagh, was right behind her. Sara was engaged to Josh Holman, and they’d planned to get married earlier in the year. Sara’s forced smile made Delilah wonder if Josh was still having cold feet.
    â€œYou look gorgeous!” Delilah reached out to straighten Elin’s veil.
    Elin’s hair was in a sophisticated updo, and tiny jewels sparkled in the dark-red strands. Her eyes were as bright as she smiled back at her friends.
    Delilah gave a warning squeeze on Vanessa’s arm, but she didn’t have to worry. Elin was too focused on the wedding to notice as Vanessa went inside and left them on the porch together.
    â€œMarc is going to be bowled over.”
    Elin smoothed the mermaid skirt over her hips. “You think so?”
    â€œI know so. Let’s get you whisked off and ready for your entrance.” Delilah steadied Elin with her hand under her forearm as they walked the rough ground to the greenhouse. Sara hurried along behind them. As they neared, the strains from the keyboard playing “Remember When” filtered out the door.
    â€œIs he in there?” Elin’s voice was breathy.
    â€œHe’s right up front waiting.” Delilah patted her forearm, then waved over Vanessa who had just exited the house.
    Delilah pulled the veil over Elin’s face and adjusted it. A string floated at the side, so she pulled out the tiny nail clippers she’d stuck in her pocket for this very reason and snipped it off. “It’s showtime. Josie will drop the flowers, then you go, Sara. When Sara reaches the pastor, it will be time for you to enter.” “Don’t leave!” Elin grabbed her arm when Delilah reached for the door. “Can you wait with me?”
    â€œOf course.” She held open the door for Vanessa to slip inside as the wedding processional music started. Delilah’s eyes misted as she watched it all unfold. Was it even possible that marriage was in her future?

S EVEN
    T HERE WAS NO ONE HERE T OM DIDN ’ T TRUST, AND HE WAS beginning to relax. He sipped on his punch and balanced a plate of cake and nuts on his knees as he sat in a folding chair and eyed the rest of the guests. The more he thought about it, the more he doubted anyone would try to hurt Delilah in a public setting like this.
    Everyone had moved into the large tent for refreshments, and Delilah had strung tons of lights and greenery all around here too. The scent of pine made him eager for Christmas, only two days away. A dance floor occupied one end of the large space, but the music hadn’t started playing yet.
    Carrying a plate and a glass of punch, Vanessa came across the grass. She had changed into a different blouse, and her face was clean of soot, but her mouth was still pinched and worry lined her forehead.
    â€œDoing okay?” he asked as she settled on the chair next to him.
    â€œEverything is gone, Tom. All my clothes, my computer, my furniture. The fire department got there quickly, but that fire went so fast. I still can’t believe it. Who would do that?” Her voice trembled, and she lifted her cup to her lips for a sip of punch.
    â€œI wish I knew. Does Gage know?”
    She shook her head. “I called him after I got out, but he didn’t pick up. He’s in Richmond on business. I’m sure he’ll call when he can.”
    Her boyfriend sold pharmaceuticals and traveled several days a week. It was a heck of a time for him to be gone. He saw Libby’s anxious gaze sweep the large space. Her frown eased when she saw her