“Well, nothing was more Penny than the summer she lived with me. I never would have made it through that first year after Bix’s death without her,” Toots said with tears in her eyes. Toots was big fun until she was big sad. She could pull off both moods with authenticity. The group fell silent. But then Toots brightened. “What am I thinking? Penny must have her wedding here! Of course!”

Sarah jumped up out of her seat and made a whooping noise. Abigail pulled her down, waiting for Alexa’s reaction.

“Oh, Toots. It’s over the holidays. We couldn’t put you out like that,” Alexa said automatically, although one tiny piece of her was sure that they could put her out like that, even over the holidays. La Mariposa was the answer to her prayers. A minute ago, the idea had never occurred to her. But now that the words had been spoken out loud, Alexa needed it to happen. This was a special, private spot with an authentic connection to Penny and her life here. It was grand but intimate and personal. Toots’s house made the estate of the former Baywatch star look like a tricked-out toolshed. Penny would be thrilled to become Mrs. Chase Blakeman in this historic home. Alexa felt like a maker of dreams.

“You wouldn’t be putting me out. I’m here all alone! The children go to Sun Valley for Christmas and New Year’s. They only come here in the summer now. Or when I’m out of town with you all,” Toots explained, mainly to Abigail. The rest of the Merry Widows knew that Toots had never had children herself, but she had stayed close to her stepdaughters and their families since her husband’s death. That said, the relationship had changed over the years to one of preference over obligation, with visits at off times of the year, not the major holidays. They still had their biological mother, with whom they were close, and the casual relationship served both sides. And, in this case, it served Alexa and Penny, as the house would be open over New Year’s.