Monroe - A Lowcountry Wedding

T his being the fourth book in the Lowcountry series ( The Summer Girls, The Summer Wind, The Summers End ) I have journeyed not only with the characters for these several years, but also with so many people who have helped me create the books.

First and foremost, Im blessed with an extraordinary editor and publishing team. For their love, support, and brilliance, thank you to my stellar team at Gallery Books: Lauren McKenna, Louise Burke, Jennifer Bergstrom, Jennifer Long, Liz Psaltis, Jean Anne Rose, Elana Cohen, Kristin Dwyer, Diana Velasquez, Jennifer Robinson, Steven Henry Boldt. And to my equally grand team at Trident Media Group: Kimberly Whalen, Robert Gottlieb, Tara Carberry, Lauren Paverman, Sylvie Rosokoff. As well as to Joe Veltre at Gersh.

For arranging my tour schedules and speaking engagements and for writing such great articles, thank you Angela May, Kathie Bennett, and Susan Zurenda. Thank you to Lisa Minnick, Ruth Cryns, Charlotte Tarr, Linda Plunkett, Jeanette Turner, for more support than I can list.

Again, sincere thanks and appreciation to Dr. Pat Fair at NOAA and to the wonderful team at the Dolphin Research Center, Grassy Key, Florida, for my education and training with dolphins.

A heartfelt thanks goes to Amy Sottile, a longtime supporter and friend who, with the support of Wild Dunes, has graciously thrown me book launch parties at the resort that took my breath away.

The Lowcountry Wedding Giveaway involved so many wonderful companies and people who stepped up to proudly display a glimpse of the charm and unparalleled beauty of a lowcountry wedding. I remain humbled by your enthusiastic response. Thank you: Wild Dunes Resort and The Legare Waring House at Charlestown Landing. Firefly Distillery for creating the signature cocktails A Lowcountry Wedding and the Firefly Cannonball . Cannonborough, Kate McDonald Bridal; LulaKate; Brackish Bow Ties; Charleston Tuxedo; Wildflowers Inc.; Studio R; Stox & Co.; SalonSalon of Charleston; Cru Catering; Christy Loftin; Charleston Virtuosi and Kiral Productions; Squeeze Cocktail & Beverage Catering; Sweet Lulus Bakery on Wheels; Charming Inns (John Rutledge House); Carolinas Executive Limo Line; Riverland Studios; EventWorks; Ashley Rhodes Event Designs; Croghans Jewel Box.

And as always, my love and thanks to the man I marriedMarkus. I couldnt have finished this book without your love and support and meals! Come and grow old with me, for the best is yet to be!

AUTHOR PHOTOGRAPH BY BARBARA J. BERGWERF

MARY ALICE MONROE is the New York Times bestselling author of more than a dozen novels, including The Summer Girls, The Summer Wind, The Summers End, Last Light Over Carolina, Time Is a River, Sweetgrass, Skyward, The Beach House, Beach House Memories, Swimming Lessons, The Four Seasons, and The Book Club . Her books have received numerous awards, including the 2008 South Carolina Center for the Book Award for Writing, the 2014 South Carolina Award for Literary Excellence, the 2015 SW Florida Author of Distinction Award, the RT Lifetime Achievement Award, and the International Book Award for Green Fiction. An active conservationist, she lives in the lowcountry of South Carolina. Visit her at MaryAliceMonroe.com and at Facebook.com/MaryAliceMonroe.

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Also by Mary Alice Monroe

LOWCOUNTRY SUMMER SERIES

The Summer Girls

The Summer Wind

The Summers End

Beach House Memories

The Butterflys Daughter

Last Light over Carolina

Time Is a River

Legare Waring House

H arper felt as though she was in a dream as she rode in the white horse-drawn carriage down the long alley of ancient oaks. Moss dripped from the boughs like bridal lace. It was twilight and a hush fell over the lush, historic gardens of the Legare Waring House as though the earth held its breath for her wedding. She heard the clop clop clop of the hooves, was enveloped in the heady scent of jasmine, and everywhere she looked she saw signs of the lowcountry she had come to love and call home.

The sound of the hooves alerted the guests gathered under the drape of oaks. Everyone stood and turned toward her. Harper felt her heart flutter in her chest like a caged bird eager to take flight. Granny James and Mamaw came to her side, each dressed in beige lace. Linking arms, she felt their wisdom, strength, and love support her. The string quartet started to play, and with her grandmothers, she began her walk toward a small white tented pavilion decked with seasonal flowers. Hanging from ropes, mason jar lanterns lit her way. She smiled when she saw Carson and Dora standing side by side in long dresses of coral.

Then she saw Taylor, standing straight and tall in his Marine dress blues, her knight in shining armor. Their eyes met and with a gasp the trembling bird in her chest broke free to soar. As she walked, smiling, toward her husband, she heard the whispers of the past rise up to wish this lowcountry bride a loving present and a bright future.

Wild Dunes Grand Pavilion

Who is that woman? Carson wondered as she stared at her reflection. Her long dark hair was curled, braided, and looped around her head with pearl pins. Large teardrop pearls fell from her ears. With her hair done up and dressed in the vintage gown, Carson thought she could be looking at the portrait of her ancestor Claire, the founder of the Muirs of Charleston.

She smiled at the thought and felt the confidence she always did when she saw the Muir blue eyes that represented generations of southern women who called the lowcountry home. In these final moments as a single woman, Carson searched for talismans to help her transition to wife. Soon she would unite with Blake in the eyes of her family and her community.

The door to her room opened and Mamaw, Dora, and Harper rushed in, a blur of aqua blue dresses, singing out a chorus of oohs and ahhs at seeing her in her bridal attire. Harper and Mamaw attached the French lace veil to the back of her head. Dora handed her a bouquet of white roses and blue hydrangeas. Grasping it, Carson felt a shiver of anticipation laced with anxiety. It was time.

Mamaw took her hand and led her out of the townhouse, one of a row of quaint and colorful townhouses along the boardwalk at Wild Dunes. Her heart pounded in her chest and she felt the balmy air of the early evening envelope her as she made her way to the Grand Pavilion. She had always been afraid of commitment and here she was at the precipice of making the ultimate commitmentto love, honor, and cherish one man all the days of her life. She felt her footsteps falter. Mamaw clutched her hand tight.

Then she heard the call of the ocean. She followed her instincts and, picking up her hem, rushed down the remaining yards to the pavilion. The vista opened up to reveal the radiance of the sun sparkling on the blue ocean. She went directly to the gazebo railing to clutch it and stare out beyond the cluster of palms and shrubs. The long stretch of sandy beach and the ruffling white surf welcomed her. She sighed and felt her panic abate.