by Leigh Duncan
“I think we can do much better than a hallway.” Alicia’s features softened. Her brown eyes grew serious. “Let’s take a tour of the grounds before you make your final decision. Then, we’ll walk through the house. You might find something you like even more than the veranda.”
With Alicia pointing out the plusses and minuses of each location, they spent the next hour or so driving around in a sporty little golf cart. Jenny had to agree with her host—the weeping willow trees by a small creek made the perfect spot for stunning photographs. A wind-swept spot overlooking the ocean was even more amazing, and she imagined standing on the rocky crag in a flowing gown, her veil swirling around her in the breeze. She eyed the immense tents workers were erecting in an open field where, according to Alicia, up to four hundred guests would dance beneath the stars at an upcoming wedding. She gaped at the space that was as perfect a place to get married as she’d ever seen.
“Well, what do you think?” Alicia asked.
Pressing her hands over her heart, Jenny tamped down her enthusiasm. Even on her wedding day—okay, especially on her wedding day—a mega-star like Karolyn had to look perfect. She’d never risk having the sun, wind, or even rain spoil her hair and makeup. More than a little disappointed that they couldn’t use any of the spectacular sites Alicia had shown her, Jenny motioned toward the house. “If you don’t mind, I’d like to see everything before I decide.”
“We have so many lovely spots in the cottage itself. I’m sure we can find the right one for you.” Alicia beckoned her back to the golf cart. “Wait till you see some of the rooms. You’ll love them.”
Abandoning the cart near the rear entrance to the mansion, they spent another hour climbing up and down staircases and peeking into rooms that ranged from a ballroom for three hundred to one of several elegant suites reserved especially for brides and grooms. At the entrance to the library, Jenny lingered on the threshold. No matter what gown her cousin chose, the room’s dim lighting and dark paneling would make the perfect backdrop. Without a second’s hesitation, she chose it for the reception.
With the locations settled, Alicia stood at the base of the stairwell. “Normally, I’d say we’ve made enough decisions for one day. But since we’re working with such a tight schedule, and especially since you’ve had experience planning big events in your job, what say we tackle the table settings next? Are you up to it?”
At Jenny’s nod, Alicia steered them down the hall to a room she called the linen closet.
“This was once the butler’s pantry,” she explained, opening the door to a roomy space where floor-to-ceiling shelves lined the walls. “The family used to store linens and cutlery in the shelves and pull-outs. Now, we house our samples here. What colors have you chosen?”
“Rose-gold and gray.”
“I think we can work with that.” Alicia pulled table linens in a half-dozen shades from the drawers. “See anything you like?”
“Each one is prettier than the last,” Jenny answered, though she had a tough time tearing her gaze away from a mauve-and-blue floral print she spied in one of the other drawers. At length, she selected a pinkish fabric she thought Karolyn would adore. A pale gray napkin and matching drape complemented the metallic threads in the table covering, which Alicia expertly arranged on a stand in the center of the room. From there, they moved on to silver, china and crystal.
“Have you decided on a menu?” Her back turned, Alicia pulled several items from a built-in cabinet.
The question sent a shiver of apprehension through Jenny’s chest. Getting an appointment with a caterer had proved more difficult than she’d expected. She’d spent hours flipping from one website to another without finding one that could meet her timeline, much less provide the stellar food Karolyn would expect. She looked up from the glass stem she’d been twisting. From across the small room, Alicia stared at her with a quizzical expression.
“I haven’t exactly found a caterer,” she confessed.
“Why didn’t you say so? Hang on a sec.” Alicia held up one finger and whipped out her phone. “I know it’s last minute, Janet,” she said a moment later, “but I have a Heart’s Landing bride here who needs your help.” After the briefest of pauses, she smiled. “Yes, a small wedding. Fifty or so guests. Four weeks from Saturday. You can?” She lowered the phone from her face. “Are you available for an appointment this afternoon?”
“I’ll have to shift some things around, but yes, definitely.” The thick knot in Jenny’s stomach unfurled.
Alicia struck a thumbs up sign and resumed her phone call. “That’ll work. I’ll send her by this afternoon.” Once she’d disconnected, the event planner explained. “Janet is the executive chef at Food Fit For A Queen. They’re the best in town.” She scribbled an address on the back of a business card and handed it across.
A bit awed by how easily Alicia had averted a major wedding crisis, Jenny tucked the paper in her pocket while the coordinator continued sorting stemware as if nothing out of the ordinary had just happened. “Narrow or wide? Tapered or straight?” she asked, holding up a selection of glasses.
“Narrow,” Jenny answered based on Kay’s preferences. “That one will be perfect.” She pointed to an elegant crystal flute quite unlike one she’d choose for herself.
For the next little while, she forced herself to ignore the uncomplicated patterns she preferred in favor of the intricately designed glassware and utensils that would appeal most to her cousin. As she made each choice, Alicia built the place setting piece-by-piece so that, by the time Jenny picked a gold-rimmed plate over one with a floral design, the entire arrangement was on display. Jenny had just snapped a few pictures for Kay when the event coordinator declared they’d done enough for one day.
“I can’t thank you enough for all your help,” Jenny said as they returned to the dining room. “My head is so full of information and we’ve made so many decisions, I think I might explode.”
Alicia chuckled. “It’s easier if you can spread the planning out over several months. We don’t have that option in your case, though.” She stood, her hands on her ample hips at the door. “So, what’s on the agenda for this afternoon? A little downtime?”
As nice as that sounded, Jenny shook her head. “My schedule is jam-packed. From here, I go to Forget Me Knot Flowers. After that, Ideal Image said they could fit me in. If there’s time before I meet with Janet, I’ll swing by Moving Pictures to see if they can handle the videography.”
“Hmmm.” Alicia tapped her fingers on the door jamb. “JoJo and Roy at Ideal Image will do both video and stills, if you ask them.”
“Gosh, Alicia. I had no idea.” She’d scoured Ideal’s website without picking up that tidy tidbit of information.
“Tell them I sent you. I’m sure they’ll do their best for your wedding.” Concern tightened the corners of Alicia’s ever-present smile. “But don’t overdo. You don’t want to get too stressed out before your big day.”
“If the rest of the time goes like this morning, the next couple of weeks will be a breeze.” Alicia’s suggestions had doused the pesky heartburn that had plagued her last night. And learning she only had to hire one photography studio would save at least an hour this afternoon. She tugged on the end of her ponytail. She might have time to stop at the bakery after all.
She waved goodbye to the event coordinator, who already had her phone pressed to her ear, talking, no doubt, with another bride. Though she understood that part of Alicia’s job depended on her ability to soothe jittery nerves, Jenny thought they’d hit it off pretty well. She admired the other woman’s bubbling personality and drive. Plus, Alicia had helped her in totally unexpected ways. Under different circumstances, she’d like to think they could become good friends.
She stopped herself. Unfortunately, any friendship based on a lie was bound to fall apart as soon as the truth came out. And people would learn the truth about the
wedding the moment Karolyn and Chad stepped from their limo.
With that sobering thought, she slid behind the wheel of her rental car and headed for her next appointment. Traffic, which had been practically nonexistent earlier, had grown so heavy that, by the time she reached one of the town’s few signals, three cars waited for the light to change. Accustomed to driving at a snail’s pace on L.A.’s busy streets, she stifled a laugh when an impatient driver tapped his horn behind her. When the light finally did change, she moved through the intersection while she kept her eye out for a parking space.
Unlike her foray into town the day before, though, cars lined the streets and filled the public lot. She had nearly decided she’d have to leave her car at the B&B and walk when she spied a lone empty spot right in front of Forget Me Knot Flowers. Hardly believing her luck, Jenny pulled to the curb, gathered her portfolio and purse, and stepped from the car.
The moment her door swung open, a woman who’d been tending to racks of fresh-cut blossoms outside the florist shop lowered her watering can. She turned toward Jenny, her lively blue eyes following her every move. The smile lines bracketing her mouth deepened. A dark green smock shifted over a well-padded figure as the woman glided forward with an easy grace, her hand extended.
“Hi! Welcome to Forget Me Knot. I’m Mildred Morrey, the owner. You must be Jenny Longley. How can I help you?”
Jenny barely had time to wonder why Mildred had been waiting outside for her before the owner took her hand. Work-toughened palms met her own as she explained, “I’m here to choose the arrangements for my wedding.”
“Of course, you are,” Mildred grinned. “Now, don’t you worry about a thing. We’ll take excellent care of you here at Forget Me Knot. Why don’t you come inside where it’s cooler? Can I get you a cup of coffee or a glass of tea?”
“I’m fine, thanks,” she said, waving the offer aside. She’d downed a bottle of water during her tour of the Captain’s Cottage, in addition to her morning coffee. Any more, and she’d start to feel like a camel.
“So, tell me about your venue. Give me a sense of your vision for the wedding.” Mildred steered her toward the back of the shop.
“Well, it’s a small wedding. I was thinking we’d keep the flowers down to a minimum.”
“No towering floral displays, then? I do love those so.” Breathless, Mildred clasped her hands together.
“You and me both, but in this case I think they’d be too much.” She hesitated when the shop owner’s forlorn expression tempted her to add one or two. But she had a plan and, resolved to stick to it, she explained, “We’re holding the ceremony on the veranda of the Captain’s Cottage. With the roses as a backdrop, I’ll need an arch at one end, floral swags on each row and, of course, boutonnieres and the bouquet.”
At each item, Mildred’s expression brightened. “And your reception?”
“It’ll be across the hall. In the library. There’ll be six tables, plus a head table. Everything should be understated and intimate—more like a dinner party for close friends than a formal wedding reception.”
“That sounds absolutely lovely,” Mildred said, her eyes brimming. “I’m sure we can come up with the perfect arrangements.” She cleared her throat. “Let’s go in back and see if there’s anything in particular you like.”
The brush of Mildred’s fingers at her forearm brought a smile to Jenny’s lips as she followed the shop owner down an aisle crowded with waxy green plants. An intoxicating blend of floral scents intensified when Mildred pushed open a set of swinging doors behind the sales counter. Stepping into the room, Jenny gasped. She’d visited numerous florists in L.A., but nothing there had prepared her for the sight and smell of so many different varieties of flowers crowding the two walls of glass-fronted coolers. Colors popped from arrangements in various stages of assembly on several long wooden work tables. Baskets overflowed with spools of green wire, clippers, ribbons, and bows, ranging from the deepest black to the palest of pastels. Vases in a multitude of shapes, hues, and sizes stood on shelves along the back wall.
“This,” Mildred said with a flick of her wrist, “is where the magic happens. You won’t need to worry about a thing. We’ll handle the delivery and setup so you can concentrate on more important things, like enjoying your special day with friends and family.” She smiled.
“This is quite impressive.” Jenny caught a fresh wave of her favorite scent when one of Mildred’s assistants hefted a large tub of white roses from one of the glass cases.
“She’s putting together the arrangements for a wedding tomorrow morning,” Mildred said with a nod toward the woman who’d pulled a handful of stems from the bucket. “Speaking of which, what did you have in mind for the ceremony?”
“Hmmm. My favorite color is…” Jenny clamped her lips shut before red rolled off her tongue. “Rose gold,” she finished. Pulling several sample swatches from her portfolio, she held them out. “Alicia helped me choose these table coverings and napkins for the reception. I’d like to use flowers that complement those colors.”
“Any particular kind?”
“White hydrangeas and pink roses, I think.” The flowers were two of Kay’s favorites.
Mildred snapped her fingers. “I think I have just the thing.” From the back wall, she selected a shallow golden vase, which she then filled with dense round blooms and a selection of pale buds. In seconds, she held up a stunning arrangement. “Something like this?”
Jenny eyed the elegant centerpiece. How Mildred had fashioned it with so little effort was beyond her, but the woman clearly had a gift. “That’s perfect,” she breathed.
“We’ll cover the arch with them, too. We’d be happy to move it into the reception area for photographs after the ceremony.”
Confident that her cousin’s wedding was in good hands, Jenny warmed to the task of ordering flowers for the rest of the wedding. An hour flew by as she and the shop owner discussed the merits of carrying a cascade, rather than a hand-tied bouquet. In the end, Jenny chose a stunning posy for the bride and a similar nosegay for Karolyn’s attendants. Once those decisions were made, the boutonnieres, wreaths for the aisles, and centerpieces for the tables quickly fell into place.
Happy with the results, Jenny tucked a hank of hair behind one ear. “Well, if that’s everything, I’m off to my next appointment.” She eyed Mildred as the shop owner ran one finger down the list of arrangements she’d ordered. Had they forgotten anything?
“This looks wonderful.” Mildred laid her pen on the table. Her blue eyes shining, she stared at Jenny. “You’re going to have the most beautiful wedding. The hydrangeas and roses are stunning together.”
“But simple,” Jenny cautioned. “Nothing too dramatic.”
“Don’t you worry.” Mildred gave her head an agreeable shake. “Everything will be exactly as you requested. Nothing but the best for our Heart’s Landing brides.” She straightened, smoothing the smock she wore over black slacks. “Where are you headed next?”
Jenny checked her watch. “I have a half hour before my appointment at Ideal Images.” She swallowed a frown. She could use a break, but thirty minutes wasn’t enough time to stop at the bakery for coffee and a cupcake.
“I’d be happy to call the photographer for you. I saw JoJo this morning. She was planning to handle some office jobs today. She’d probably be glad to talk to you instead.”
“Would you? Alicia was kind enough to get me an appointment with the caterer this afternoon, but that wasn’t on my schedule, so I’m in a bit of a rush.”
“Oh?” Mildred’s eyebrows rose. “Who did she recommend?”
“I’m supposed to see Janet at Food Fit For A Queen. I don’t know what I was thinking. In all the excitement of moving up the wedding date so we could get married here, I actually forgot about food for the reception. Alicia sorted it out with one phone call. That was pretty amazing.”
“I’m sure you hear this every day, but everyone—and I mean it, everyone—has been so kind and so helpful since I got here. I’ve always heard about the town’s marvelous reputation for creating perfect weddings, but honestly, I wasn’t sure I believed it until I saw it for myself.”
And how was she repaying the help she’d been given? By lying to everyone she met. The fresh realization sent tears to her eyes. She brushed them away with her fingertips.
From out of nowhere, a tissue appeared in Mildred’s hand. “There, there, now. Dry your eyes. You won’t be the first bride who’s been a little overwhelmed by the pressure and the planning. I’m sure you won’t be the last. But you can count on us.” She handed over the tissue while she sent a meaningful glance down the street. “All of us. We’ll help give you the wedding of your dreams, ’cause that’s what we do here in Heart’s Landing.”
Stepping out into the sunlight of the early afternoon a few minutes later, Jenny blinked. Mildred had meant well, but her pledge to provide the wedding of Jenny’s dreams only made her feel worse for hiding the truth from the very people who were being so helpful. She drew herself straighter while she swore that everything would turn out okay. Once the shop owners realized whose wedding she’d really been planning, they’d forgive her for lying to them. She hoped. Her fingers crossed, she headed to the photography studio.
The bell over the door in the front part of the bakery jangled. Lost in the task of stirring the final drops of vanilla into the icing for tomorrow’s special, Nick barely registered the sound.
“Denise? Nick? Is anyone here?”
The vaguely familiar voice reminded him that Denise had left early to take one of her last semester exams. Until Jimmy returned from a late afternoon delivery, Nick was holding down the fort alone. He gave the frosting another stir. “Just a sec,” he called. Setting the bowl aside, he dusted his hands.