The Wedding Circle by Ashton Lee

who had written it. Her parents would clearly see that both The Cherry Cola Book Club and the new library she had inspired were proof positive of the good works she was doing in Cherico, and furthermore, of how neatly their daughter blended into the fabric of this quirky little community. They would finally understand that their universe and hers might be worlds apart, but that there was nothing wrong with that. The two could coexist because father, mother, and daughter were truly a family. At long last.

    The sun was getting ready to slip beneath the Lake Cherico horizon just as everyone returned to the lodge from the catered dinner at The Twinkle.
    â€œOh, quick!” Cara Lynn shouted in front of one of the great room windows, pointing toward the water in the distance. “Let’s hurry out to the deck so I can see this for myself!” Then she grabbed Susan by the arm. “You come along with me, Miss Crafty Beads!”
    The others followed, and soon everyone was outside, mesmerized by the gaudy, swollen display that could not decide which among the shades of orange, pink, and gold it preferred. At any rate, the brilliance of all the colors was short-lived as the sun finally blinked out, signaling the end of another late-summer’s day in Cherico.
    â€œYou certainly didn’t exaggerate,” Cara Lynn said, turning to Connie. “That was like a scene from a movie.”
    Connie briefly gestured at the horizon. “Wasn’t it? And I never get tired of it. I feel I’m getting my money’s worth out of my retirement every time I see it.”
    â€œWell, now that the show’s over, does anyone have room for a nightcap?” Douglas asked, turning around and pointing to the great room. “I’m your bartender, if you’re interested.”
    Several people immediately took him up on his offer and headed back in, but Cara Lynn stayed behind, taking Susan aside at the last second. When everyone was well out of earshot, she said, “Please stay a moment with me. There’s something I’d like to talk to you about.”
    Susan gave her a quizzical glance but remained at the railing. “Is it about my catalogue? I could go bring one down right now if you’d like. I’m sure you’ll find something that suits you.”
    â€œYes, we must look it over together—if not tonight, then tomorrow. I adored Connie’s pendant. You are obviously quite talented.” Cara Lynn was looking out over the water now, as if searching for the right words. Finally, she turned to Susan and lowered her voice. “I don’t know how you feel about this lodge wedding that my daughter has cooked up, but William and I are not very happy about it. Maura Beth is our only child, and we want to give her a big wedding with all the trimmings down in South Louisiana. It will be part of the New Orleans social scene. I just don’t think having a ceremony on the deck of a fishing lodge is very proper, even if we staged it at sunset. Tell me, do you think we’re being unreasonable?”
    Susan looked decidedly uncomfortable, forcing a smile. “I can understand your position, Cara Lynn, but shouldn’t this be between you and your daughter? For what it’s worth, I can tell you that Jeremy is fine with whatever Maura Beth wants to do. I think most grooms are a bit intimidated by weddings. I know my Paul was. My mother and I just told him what to do, and he did it.”
    â€œThat may be, but I was hoping to talk her out of this idea of hers,” Cara Lynn continued. “Wouldn’t you and Paul like coming down to New Orleans for a traditional wedding? St. Andrew’s is such a beautiful old high church, and there’s nothing like a reception at The Three-Hundred Club. It’s just the grandest stage you could ever imagine—just dripping with tradition. I’ve been looking forward to this all my life, and I just don’t understand what