Dawson chuckled. “Yeah, that was kind of weird.”
Without warning, Dixie turned to the crowd. “Okay, folks, I have something I need to say. We appreciate this party more than you will ever know. My new husband and I have been married for months, and we didn't need a big shindig like this. But I have the best friends and family in the world, and I'm so thankful for what you've done here today. However, I have to admit that I might have figured out what was going on ahead of time.”
Now Julie really was confused. Why was Dixie letting the cat out of the bag?
“I hate to ruin the surprise, but I have to because I actually have a different surprise in mind for today.”
“Dixie, what are you doing?” Julie whispered loudly.
“Well, you see, there are two people here at this party who need this altar and this Reverend more than we do. I'm talking about two people who are the glue of our group. Two people who adore each other and deserve a lifetime of happiness. So, Harry and I would like to give up this reception and this beautiful flower covered arbor to those two people if they would like to use it to get married right now.”
A hush fell over the crowd except for the occasional gasp and quiet murmuring. Julie looked around, as did Dawson. Then, they realized everyone was looking at them.
“What's going on?” Dawson stammered.
“I think you know what's going on,” Dixie said, winking at him. She and Harry walked over to Julie and Dawson.
“How did you know we were engaged?” Julie asked.
“Oh, I didn't. I just had a feeling that you two needed a little push, so I set this up. I bought you a cake, and the wedding march is ready to be played. Oh, and I have these rings.” She held up two simple gold wedding bands.
“We got engaged last night,” Julie said. “You don’t have to give up your reception for us. We’re going to get married anyway.”
“Then why wait?” Dixie asked, a big smile on her face.
“You're crazy. But we love you.”
“Then let's see some I do’s,” Dixie said, pointing at the altar.
“Do you want to?” Dawson asked.
“I do. Do you want to?” Julie asked, grinning.
“Absolutely!”
They walked over to the altar and stood in front of each other. It wasn't what Julie had ever imagined. She was standing there in a long floral maxi dress, and Dawson was wearing khaki pants and a polo shirt, but somehow it was perfect.
“Dearly beloved, we are gathered here to celebrate the marriage of Dawson and Julie…”
Julie didn't hear much of what the Reverend said as she stared up into Dawson's eyes. She’d never imagined her day would end like this, getting married to the man of her dreams. She scanned the crowd and found her mother and daughters sitting together. All of them were grinning, and SuAnn even gave her a thumbs up.
“Do the bride and groom have vows they would like to recite?”
“Well, seeing as how this was a total surprise, I don't have anything prepared but I'm willing to wing it,” Julie said, laughing. The crowd laughed right along with her.
“Very well then,” the Reverend said.
“Dawson, you came into my life at a time when I didn't know who I could trust. You were this wild card I didn't expect. I didn't even expect to live here, in this place I’d never heard of. And somehow, you were exactly what I needed. I now know that everything I've gone through in my life has led me here to you, and I couldn't be happier to be Mrs. Julie Lancaster.”
Dawson teared up and squeezed her hand.
“Julie, you were also the most unexpected gift. After the grief I've experienced in my life, I never expected to fall in love again, and certainly not with a woman who had only accidentally shown up on my doorstep. From the moment I met you, I knew that you were special. Thank you for agreeing to marry me, and I promise I will always protect you and do everything I can to make you happy.”
As the minister had them exchange rings, Julie couldn't believe it was happening. Her life was coming full circle, and there was nothing she could have ever imagined that would've been more perfect than this moment.
“I now pronounce you husband and wife. Dawson, you may kiss your bride!”
He grabbed her tightly, pressed his lips to hers and dipped her sideways until she was almost touching the ground. When they finally came up for air, he raised her hand into the air with his.
“We got hitched!” he yelled into the crowd as everybody laughed and clapped. She was Mrs. Lancaster, and everything was great in the world.
Epilogue
Julie reached into the refrigerator and pulled out the chilled watermelon. Setting it carefully on the counter, she retrieved a large knife from the drawer and handed it to Dawson.
“Have fun,” she said as he started cutting. She couldn’t believe that it was already Sunday dinner again. Now that they were married, everyone came to the inn for Sunday dinners, and it was always a fun time since guests often joined them. Of course, those were the Sundays they were all on their best behavior, hoping for repeat business.
“Need help with anything?” SuAnn asked as she walked into the kitchen.
“Nope. I think we’re good. Is Hen coming today?”
“No, she had to go to some rope cutting ceremony with that boring husband of hers,” SuAnn said, taking a piece of the watermelon before Julie could stop her.
“Mom, don’t say that.”
“She says it herself all the time!”
Everyone had been surprised at what fast friends Henrietta and SuAnn had become. After the whole pie contest debacle, Hen had graciously let everyone know that there was a discrepancy she found in the tally and then stepped down so SuAnn could have the limelight. From then on, the two had spent a lot of time together, always causing a ruckus about something in town. Julie had never seen two women more meant to be best friends than SuAnn and Hen.
“So, William, I hear that you’re getting a second boat?” Julie asked as she breezed into the dining room.
“Yep. We’re running at least one charter a day, so this could double my business pretty quickly.”
“My boyfriend is going to be a gazillionaire and buy me a yacht,” Janine joked as she leaned over and kissed his cheek.
“Calm down there, yogi. I think we’ll just stick with two fishing boats for awhile.”
“Well, I went on one of his charters last weekend, and it was amazing. Caught some huge redfish that day. Dixie grilled them up real nice,” Harry said.
“I sure did, and he ate so much he couldn’t button his pants!”
Julie walked to the kitchen window and opened it. “Dylan, come in for dinner!”
Dylan, whose adoption was in process, was always running around the property doing this or that. Dawson had taught him a lot about water safety, fishing and even started teaching him to surf. The Department of Children’s Services had allowed Dawson and Julie to foster Dylan while the adoption was processing, for which they were very thankful.
Dylan came running through the door, dirty as usual. “I saw a huge crab on the beach!”
“Go wash up, young man,” Julie said, rustling his hair. Dylan ran down the hallway to the bathroom.