Happy Ever After tbq-4

by Nora Roberts

  “There’s nothing we like more than a satisfied referral.”

  She nearly missed a step as she caught a glimpse of Malcolm—where the hell did he come from?—leaning against the wall, talking to Jack.

  And watching her.

  He threw her off, she admitted as she ordered herself to tune back in to Larry for the remainder of the dance.That had to stop. But the bottom line was, at the moment, she couldn’t allow herself to be thrown off. She had a schedule to keep, an event to follow through to the end, and another to begin.

  When the music ended, she stepped back.

  “Thanks for indulging me.” Larry gave her hands a squeeze. “You and your partners put on a beautiful wedding.”

  “That’s exactly what we love to hear, and I have to get back to it.”

  She signaled the DJ to start the next segment—bouquet toss, garter toss, both of which she organized and supervised. She helped a guest locate a left shoe—a very nice Jimmy Choo—kicked off in the enthusiasm of a dance, and helped another with a quick repair on a hem.

  Since Laurel was busy helping the caterers serve cake and coffee, Emma and her team had sectional breakdowns and redressing already underway, and Mac would continue to rove and roam and document the reception, Parker grabbed Del.

  “We need to start transferring the gifts.”

  “Sure. Emma shanghaied Jack on flower detail. They’re doing something somewhere.”

  Parker knew precisely what and where. “They’re changing over the Solarium and the Grand Hall for the next event.”

  “Okay.”

  She jogged down the back stairs. “Where’s Malcolm?”

  “Somewhere.Why?”

  “I saw he was here, that’s all.”

  “Is that a problem?”

  “No.” She felt her shoulders tense, willfully relaxed them. “I just wasn’t expecting him. It’s a busy day.”

  “So put him to work.”

  What she did was put him out of her mind and she, Del, the valets, and the drivers began to transfer wedding gifts from the display tables to the bridal limo.

  By the time the task was completed, some of the early departures called for their cars. She guided some out, assisted those to whom the bride and groom had offered flowers.

  Keeping to the timetable, she dashed back up to give the DJ the nod for announcing the last dance.

  Laurel stepped up beside her.“I’ll do the sweep if you take the herding.You’re better at herding.”

  “Agreed.”

  “Take-away cake and desserts are all boxed up so I can give Emma a hand, at least until Mac and Carter are free, then I’ve got to hit my own stuff for the next event.”

  “She’s on her way to box whatever flowers the bride wants to take or give away from this point.”

  “I’ll stick with her until I have to move on. How’d you talk Mal into hauling flowers?”

  “What? I didn’t.” Parker’s eyes widened. “He is?”

  “I ran into him when he was carrying a small forest into the Grand Hall. From woodland violets to a rain forest of exotic orchids and whatever else is in there. Gotta say, Emma’s done the amazing again.”

  She didn’t know what to think about Malcolm and orchids, and didn’t have time in any case. Herding included making certain the guests worked their way out of the house instead of wandering through it, and giving the bride and groom her attention until they were safely in their limo and driving away.

  When they were gone, she let out one satisfied breath.

  “Nice job.”

  And whirled around to see Malcolm in the doorway holding a plate.

  “It was, but it’s only half the job today.”

  “So I’m told. Here.”

  She frowned at the plate he held out.“I don’t want that. I don’t have time for that.”

  “I’m just the messenger. Mrs. Grady sent it, and according to the rules of Mrs. G, as messenger I’m required to tell you to sit down for five minutes, eat. She made me promise to report back to her either way.” He cocked his head. “I don’t know about you, but I’m not bucking her.”

  “Fine.” She took the plate holding some sort of cold pasta and vegetable medley, sat on one of the portico benches, and ate.

  Malcolm pulled a small bottle of water out of his pocket, offered it.

  “Thanks.You picked a bad day to drop by and hook up with Del or Jack or Carter. Saturdays are routinely our busiest, and we’ve called all hands on deck.”

  “I didn’t come by to hook up.” He dropped onto the bench beside her. “I came to collect my hundred from Jack, and to see you.”

  “I’m too busy to be seen.”

  “I’m seeing you now.”

  “We appreciate you pitching in, but you don’t have to—”

  “No problem. I got food, beer, and some damn good cake out of it. Did you get any of that—the cake?”

  “No, I haven’t—”

  “Had time,” he finished and smiled at her. “I hear there’s a big fancy dinner and more cake on tap later. Hauling flowers and chairs and whatever around for that seems like a good trade.”

  She stabbed more pasta. She noted he’d shaved that morning and his jeans were free of holes and grease stains. Despite the chill, he wore only a black tee.

  “Your garage is open on Saturdays.Why aren’t you working?”

  “I worked till one.” He leaned back, closed his eyes. “Put in a long one last night.”

  “What’s a long one?”

  “Till about two. Kid banged up the grill, cracked a headlight on his daddy’s Jag, which I cleverly deduced he wasn’t supposed to drive while said daddy was away with his girlfriend.The kid was desperate to get it fixed before the old man got back and before the household staff noticed and narced on him. Paid me to expedite the parts and labor.”

  “That’s deceitful.”

  He opened his eyes.“He’s not my kid, so that’s not my business. If it were my business, I’d probably say if the old man paid as much attention to the kid as he does to the girlfriend, the kid wouldn’t have taken the Jag out in the first place. Hell of a ride, anyway.”

  “He may be an exceptional father just taking a couple of days for himself.”

  “The kid’s mother is on a year’s sojourn—that’s the word the kid used—in Tibet where she’s exploring her spiritual self or whatever the fuck, to revisit her truth after divorce three. So he’s dumped on the father who leaves him with a house full of paid staff while he pursues his work and his women. Being rich doesn’t make you a selfish bastard,” he added, “it just makes you a hell of a lot more comfortable when you already are.”

  Sympathy warmed her eyes, her voice. “You’re talking about Chad Warwick.”

  “Yeah, that’s the kid.You know him?”

  “I know the family, though that’s not an accurate term for the situation. I heard Bitsy was going to Tibet. Also heard that she’s spent the last couple of months on her spiritual sojourn on the Cфte d’Azur.”

  “Nice.”

  “No, it’s really not. Poor boy.” She rose, held out the plate. “You can report back to the general, and take proof that I followed orders.”

  He got to his feet, took the plate. Held her gaze as the light breeze ruffled his already ruffled hair. “I’ll be staying for the next round.”

  “That’s up to you.”

  Now he reached around, closed his hand over her ponytail. “I got my hundred, so the rest of it’s about seeing you.” He leaned down, took her mouth—hard, hot, fast. “So, I’ll be seeing you.”

  When he strolled out of sight, Parker told herself she could spare thirty seconds to sit down, to get her legs back under her.

  Since it took twice that, she had to sprint up the stairs to check on the suites, and stay on schedule.

  CHAPTER NINE

  AS EXPECTED, THE EVENING EVENT ENTAILED PROBLEMS, MINI crises, and personal conflicts Parker outmaneuvered, solved, or tamped down.

  She sol
ved the potential combat between the feuding MOB and GMOB by taking each on separate tours of the facilities while the other got her face time with the bride.

  And firmly played Switzerland when each woman listed the faults and failings of the other.

  She managed to keep the groom’s good friend occupied, and segregated from any areas his ex-wife, the bride’s sister, might pass through.

  While personalities and defusing human time bombs ate up most of her time and energies, she passed what she thought of as guard duty on to Mac or Laurel long enough to run personal checks on the setup.

  Step-by-step, she glimpsed Emma transforming forest and meadow into an elegant and elaborate feast for the eyes while Laurel added finishing touches on a five-layer cake as spectacular as a white diamond.

  In the Bride’s Suite, Mac documented another transformation—one of woman to bride, capturing the moment of pride and pleasure when their client stood in her glimmering white gown, sparkling with silver beads on the strapless bodice.

  Parker watched the bride sweep back her elaborate skirt so her mother—obviously too overcome to think of feuds—could fasten the icy fire of diamonds around her daughter’s neck.

  “Something old,” the mother murmured.

  Parker knew Mac would capture that iced fire, the lovely lines of the bride’s shoulders, the sweep of the dress—but the moment and the photo would also illuminate the emotion between mother and daughter as they smiled into each other’s damp eyes.

  “Baby, you look like something out of a dream.”

  “I feel . . . God, I—Mom. I didn’t expect to get all choked up.”

  Parker handed her a tissue.

  “You were right, Parker,” the bride added as she carefully dabbed the corners of her eyes. “About not wearing a veil.” She touched a hand to the simple band sparkling in her dark, upswept hair. “About keeping the headpiece understated.”

  “You couldn’t look more perfect, Alysa,” Parker told her. “Unless . . .”

  As Emma was still completing the Ballroom, Parker took the bridal bouquet from its box, offered it to the MOB. “One last lovely detail.”

  With the trail of silver-edged orchids accented by clear beads in her hand, the bride turned to the cheval glass once again. “Oh. Oh. Now I—I guess I feel like something out of a dream.”

  The MOB laid her hand on Parker’s arm, sighed.

  And that, Parker thought, was the best acknowledgment of a job—so far—well done.

  She heard the squeal—young, happy, not distressed—but hurried to the other side of the room as Mal, his arms full of flower girl, opened the door.

  “Excuse me, ladies, but I found this fairy princess. Is this the entrance to the castle?”

  “It certainly is.” Parker started to reach out for the girl when a woman called out, and headed toward them, the other two flower girls on each hip.

  “Leah! I’m sorry, so sorry. She got away from me, and I couldn’t catch up with her with the other two.”

  “No problem.”

  “They’re ready for pictures,” Parker said. “So you can take them right in to Mac. I’ll give you a hand.”

  She took the unrepentant Leah. “Thanks,” she said to Mal before carrying the little girl away.

  “Bye, Mal! Bye!” Leah called over her shoulder, and Parker’s lips twitched in amusement as the girl added noisy blown kisses to the farewell.

  When she came back, she found Mal helping himself to the cheese tray.

  “Good stuff,” he commented.

  “Protein helps keep the energy up.”

  “Okay.” He spread some Port Salut on a cracker. “Have some energy.”

  It couldn’t hurt, she decided, and accepted. “Where did you find Leah?”

  “The kid? Right out in the hall, dancing. Doing, you know. . .” He twirled a finger in the air. “She’s all about her getup. I’d just taken the—what is it, FOG?—or maybe it was the other, the FOB—a shot of Jack Black, so she couldn’t have been out there long.”

  “We appreciate the help.”

  He smiled. “Show me.”

  “I don’t have time for this. I have to—” She held up a hand. “Red Alert. Solarium.”

  “What are you, Captain Kirk?”

  But she was already streaking out of the room. “What’s the—Well, damn it,” she muttered into her headset. “I’m on my way.”

  “What’s the deal?”

  “One of the guests decided the B and G’s specific directive of no children under twelve didn’t apply to their four kids, who are now apparently wreaking havoc during the preceremony cocktails. Laurel’s the only one down there, helping the servers, and she’s about to blow.”

  “Do you often have to sprint through the acres of this house?”

  “Yes.”

  “Then why do you do it on stilts?”

  “These are exceptionally attractive Pradas, and I’m wearing them because I’m a professional.”

  She sure as hell could move in them, he thought. “It doesn’t have anything to do with vanity.”

  “By-product.”

  She slowed from sprint to brisk as they entered the Solarium.

  He heard the kids before he saw them. Easily enough, he mused, as they were yelling, squalling, crying at the top of their lungs. He saw, as he imagined Parker did, the varied reactions of the other guests who’d arrived early enough to enjoy a few belts and some fancy finger food before the I Dos. Amusement, annoyance, distress, disdain.

  A hell of a mix, he thought. And when he noted one of the uniformed caterers sweeping up broken glassware, a hell of a mess. As Parker wove through the crowd with the accuracy and focus of a heat-seeking missile, he noted the kids came by their manners naturally. Mama was shouting, too.

  “Parker.” Laurel, who wore a white chef’s apron over her business suit, bared her teeth in what could only loosely be called a smile. “Mrs. Farrington.”

  “Parker Brown.” Parker stuck out a hand, grabbed Farrington’s before the woman could object, then kept hold of it. “So nice to meet you.Why don’t you and the children come with me? Is their father with you?”

  “He’s at the bar, and we don’t have any intention of going anywhere.”

  “Laurel, why don’t you locate Mr. Farrington and ask him to join us? You have very handsome children,” she told the woman. “I have to ask you to control them.”

  “Nobody tells me what to do with my own children.”

  Parker’s smile remained; it simply turned fierce. “As this is my home, my property, and your children were specifically not invited to today’s event, I’m doing just that.”

  “We’re here as a family.”

  Parker caught her breath as one of the boys fighting on the floor hurled a toy car at his brother. Malcolm caught it one-handed an inch before it collided with a glass cylinder filled with orchids.

  “And are you prepared to pay for damages? Today isn’t about you and your family,” she continued, and though her voice stayed low, the tone shifted to hard-nosed. “It’s about Alysa and Bo. The invitation clearly expressed their wishes for no children under twelve.”

  As the din stopped, she glanced down to see Malcolm hunkered with the four boys, all of them wide-eyed and blissfully quiet.

  “I think that’s selfish and inconsiderate.”

  “I’m sure you do,” Parker said equably. “But it remains their wish.”

  “I told her not to bring them.” Mr. Farrington walked up, a low-ball glass in one hand.“I told you not to drag them along, Nancy.”

  “And I told you that I expect my own cousin to have more tolerance and affection for my children than to bar them from his own wedding.”

  “Would you like to continue to argue about it here?” Parker smiled grimly.“In front of those children and the other guests? Tell me, Mrs. Farrington, did you RSVP for six?”

  The woman pressed her lips into a hard line, said nothing.

  “As I don’t believe you did so, w
e have no dining accommodations for your children, and as it’s a plated meal, no dinner. However, we’ll be happy to make arrangements for child care for them elsewhere in the house, with appropriate food and beverage during the wedding and reception. I can have two licensed child care providers here within twenty minutes, for a fee of fifty dollars an hour. Each.”

  “If you think I’m going to pay you to—”

  “You’ll either agree to the child care and the quoted fee, or you’ll have to arrange for your own off-site. My job is to carry out Alysa and Bo’s directives and wishes. And I’m going to do my job.”

  “Come on, Gary, we’re leaving. Get the boys.”

  “You go.” Gary shrugged. “Take the boys, or leave them and I’ll pay the fee. I’m staying for the wedding. Remember, Nancy, Bo is my cousin.”

  “We’re going. Boys,

  now! I said right now!”

  The crying, yelling, arguing revved up again as she grabbed, dragged, and hauled four angry kids away. Parker and Laurel exchanged glances. Laurel nodded and followed Nancy Farrington out.

  “I apologize,” Gary said.“We’ve been going around about this for weeks, but I thought we’d settled it.Then she had the boys in the car when I came outside. I shouldn’t have let it go. I suspect they broke that tray of glasses I saw one of the servers taking out. What do I owe you?”

  “Accidents happen, Mr. Farrington. I hope you enjoy the wedding. Malcolm, would you come with me?”

  “Sure.” He dropped the toy car he still held in Gary’s hand. “Classic,” he said, and strolled out after Parker.

  “What did you say to shut them off ?” she demanded.

  “I told them I was holding the ’Vette hostage. Really nice Matchbox edition of the ’66. And that if they didn’t knock it off, the lady talking to their mother was going to arrest them.”

  “Arrest them?”

  “It worked. Then when they shut up, we talked about cars. They’d been playing cars when their mother came in and told Esme, the nanny, to get them dressed in their suits. They hate the suits, by the way, and just wanted to play cars. Who could blame them?”