Here Comes Trouble (18 page)

At the rear of the yard, numerous tables had
been covered in green and yellow linen, and they
sported both a gaiety of flowers along with the
bounteous supply of food catered by the Little
Mouth Diner.

A huge white wedding cake teetered on a table
by itself. In addition to the traditional bride and
groom perched on the top tier, a small figurine of
a dog had been added as well.

Several punch bowls were filled with frothy
concoctions and crystal cups were stacked and
ready. Another table was covered with champagne
flutes and uncorked bottles of the beverage.

It looked as if the whole town of Littlemouth
had turned up to wish Stella and Quin happy. Even
The Gargoyle had come with a perky smile on her
face.

Everything was perfect.

All except one thing, that is.

The Troublemakers, huddled together upon the
front row, were sobbing their hearts out. Loudly.

"It's so romantic," sniffled Miss Tipplemouse.

"Oh, it is," cried Cait, wailing loudest of them
all. Her normally steel-like bosom quaked with
each of her indrawn breaths.

"They're going to be so happy," sobbed Janice
sentimentally.

Prissy sighed. "Our plan came off perfectly,
didn't it?"

Debby, without a high-protein smoothie in her
hands for once, was so emotional she couldn't
speak at all. Her son wouldn't be going away
again. What more could a mother ask for, especially on Mother's Day?

A hush came over everyone as the music
changed beat. Tramp exited the house, his collar
and leash decorated with a rope of flowers, led by
Ian Andrews. The dog carried a straw basket of
rose petals in his mouth. As Ian led him along the
yellow carpeting which had been laid down as a
path to the canopy, rose petals were haphazardly
strewn all over the yard.

Everyone began to clap in delight at Tramp's
cheerful participation. Yanking against his lead, he
dashed all-out for Quin, dragging Ian behind him.

Next Anne emerged, dressed in emerald silk, and looking as lovely as any flower in Stella's glorious garden.

"I was so afraid," said Prissy, as Anne joined
Quin in awaiting Stella, "that the wedding would
have to be postponed."

"Postponed?" cried Cait in a shocked voice.

Prissy nodded. "Wait until you see it. Stella insisted upon making her own gown. It took hours
to sew."

"She couldn't find anything at the wedding shop
in Wichita?"

"They had some gorgeous gowns, but none of
them would do." Prissy's brow furrowed.

"Well, I'll be," declared Debby.

"Bridal nerves." Miss Tipplemouse nodded reassuringly. "Affects most brides, I've read. No
telling how a young woman will react when it
comes her time to unite with her one true love."

The musicians began to play the wedding
march. Everyone rose from their seats to get a
glimpse of the bride. Quin's father was bestman,
and Stella was led down the aisle by her father.

Anyone who hadn't known otherwise, would
have sworn her wedding dress had been fashioned
by a designer. Beading and lace covered the bodice, while the skirt was tapered with flowing
flounces trimmed with matching lace and beads.

On her head she wore a tiara, and flowers and
beads had been woven throughout her hair, which she wore down in a soft cloud around her shoulders.

Quin had never seen a more beautiful woman.
Their eyes met, locked. The nearer she came, the
larger his smile became, until she was there,
having her hand placed in his by her father.

Laughing, they both turned toward the minister,
but then turned back to the guests when a series
of cheers and applause went up. Quin held up his
hand, joined with Stella's, in a victory salute.

It didn't quiet everyone down though, until
Stella pulled white roses from the bouquet she carried. Cait had made the arrangement, centered
around a white gingerbread birdhouse. She hadn't
been aware of Stella's inclusion of five perfect
white roses, though.

Quin and Stella walked together to Prissy's side.
After Stella handed her a white rose, they each
bent to give her a kiss. Next, they gave a rose to
Debby, who subsided in a series of elated sniffles.
Then they gave a rose and kisses to each of the
other members of the outrageous readers group.

Finally, they turned and rejoined the Mayor,
Anne, Ian, Tramp, and the minister to receive their
wedding vows.

Tears of happiness coursed down Stella's glowing face and Quin had to bite his lip to keep from
doing the same.

The Troublemakers hugged each other as the couple recited the words that would bond them
together in a lifetime of happiness.

"We do good work, don't we?" said Prissy.

"Oh yes," sighed Miss Tipplemouse. "Our plan
was a resounding success. Each of our goals was
met right on deadline."

As Stella and Quin kissed to celebrate their
union, Janice's gaze wandered, then fixed on Brendan and Cait's unmarried daughter, Anne. She
murmured, "Maybe we should consider playing
cupid again?"

"I'm so happy," Stella said, joy erupting inside
her. Everything she'd ever wanted was coming
true. The man of her dreams and her heart had at
last come home to stay.

"You're going to be happier still," replied Quin
as he kissed the tip of her nose. "Tonight you get
to play Jane to my Tarzan. Our tree house awaits."