“Okay, I guess I wasn’t very nice either,” Julia said.
Another quick glance at Grace revealed his stepmother was trying not to laugh. Of course, who wouldn’t when he and Julia were squabbling like children?
“Anyway, we managed to put the past behind us, and we became friends,” Seth continued. “Then something more.”
Julia jumped in to add her own version of events. “Only I got scared and made him date Amy because I thought she’d make a better minister’s wife.”
“That was your doing?” Grace asked, not bothering to hide her amusement now. “I was very much afraid we were going to be stuck with that young woman as part of the family.”
Seth choked at the thought. “Not on your life.”
Julia chuckled at his quick-fire, gut response, and Seth glowered at her. After all, he’d gotten tangled up with Amy in the first place because of her. A rueful smile crept across her face, and then she mouthed a contrite, “sorry”.
Such cheekiness. “However I came to date Amy, she’s no longer in the picture.”
“I see,” Grace said.
Did she? Probably more than most. Grace had lost a spouse, and had her heart broken by Julia’s father. Now, she’d finally found love and contentment.
“I’m not proud of what happened with Amy,” Seth said. “I hurt her a great deal, but I needed to see if what I felt for Julia was more than a first response to a woman after—” His throat closed. Surely Grace understood.
Her knowing look said she did.
Grace turned to Julia as if awaiting her side of things.
Taking a deep, bracing breath, Julia started talking. “Grace, this is the weirdest thing I could have ever imagined. I’ve been fighting it because I was afraid of hurting everyone, but the thing is I don’t want to fight it anymore. Seth is the most amazing thing that could have happened to me. He looks at me and sees someone special, and for the first time I believe I might be.”
Grace studied Julia for a moment and then looked back at Seth. “I think maybe it’s time you moved back into your house.”
Surprised laughter bubbled up. “Definitely,” he said.
Tears filled Grace’s eyes. “I was wondering when the two of you would stop being so stubborn and admit how you feel.”
Julia’s mouth fell open. “What? You knew?”
“I thought we were pretty discreet,” Seth said.
“I’m not blind.” Grace laughed and wiped a hand across her cheek. “Do you think I couldn’t see the fireworks that threatened to erupt anytime you two were in a room together? Anyone who knew you well could see them.”
“So you don’t mind if I’m involved with Seth?” Julia asked, worry clouding her features as she sat forward.
Seth could see he’d have to go extra slow. Julia still didn’t fully understand how much Grace loved her.
Ever patient, Grace took Julia’s hand. “Honey, I know how much you need someone to love you unconditionally. I have no doubt Seth can do that.”
“I can, and I do,” he seconded.
“And, my dear, I hope you never have to watch someone you love lose a spouse,” Grace continued. “Seth may not be my son by blood, but I would have done anything to prevent his pain. You’ve made him smile again. Made him whole. How can I not give my blessing to that?”
Julia blinked and her eyes filled, too. “Thank you.”
The two women jumped up and held each other for a long moment. Then Grace pulled back and framed Julia’s face, seeming to search for something. Suddenly, Grace smiled.
“What?” Julia asked.
“I needed to see it,” Grace said, her smile widening.
“What?”
“Happiness. It suits you.”
“Yes, I think it does.”
Seth came around the table to hug his stepmother. “Thank you for giving us your blessing, Grace.”
Grace touched his cheek. “I want all my children to be happy, no matter how they came to be part of this family.” The gentle touch turned into a light tap. “I meant it about the living arrangements, though.”
“I’ll be out of your hair by the end of the week,” Seth said.
“Well, then, I think I’ve had all the excitement I can stand for one night,” Grace said. “Besides, I can’t wait to tell John. We had a friendly wager going.”
“Grace,” he and Julia said in unison.
A rueful shrug lifted her shoulders. “You really didn’t do a very good job of hiding your attraction.”
“Goodnight, Grace,” Seth said, giving her a kiss on the cheek.
“Don’t stay down here too long, all right?” Grace said, before gliding from the room
Seth longed to take Julia back in his arms, but he refrained for the moment. “I should probably let you go to bed. You’ve got the wedding tomorrow.”
“I don’t think I could sleep a wink.”
“Me neither.”
“Do you feel like going out?”
“What? Now?” he said in surprise.
A conspiratorial grin lit Julia’s face. “There’s someone else we should tell, and since her baby led us to this predicament, I think Sarah deserves to know before the whole town finds out. I almost dread telling her. I’m not looking forward to the big I-told-you-so.”
“Why? What does she know?”
“I had to keep her occupied while she was cooped up. So we talked.”
Julia had been discussing him? “About what?”
“I may have mentioned the kiss,” Julia said, cheeks matching her hair. “Both of them, actually. Plus, the Amy business, of course.”
Better and better. Seth grinned, even as he recognized the impulse to beat his chest could only be labeled immature. “You talked about me?”
“Male ego. Doesn’t matter what occupation.” She took his arm and turned him in the direction of the door. “Come on, Romeo, let’s go tell Sarah.”
“Wait. I want to know,” Seth said, following her outside. “Was this a comparative thing or—”
Chapter Thirty-Three
Today, Julia thought. After today the mayor’s entire family would be out of her hair forever. She’d be rejoicing if not for the terrifying notion that something might go wrong. Plus, she still had to work on making the transition from dedicated single woman to one-half of a functioning couple.
Rejoicing could happen later. Same with figuring out the relationship thing. Right now she had two hours to get ten impossibly spoiled wannabe debutantes dressed, coiffed, and transferred to Hadden Acres in time for the grand nuptials.
Sadly, the impossibly spoiled wannabe debs weren’t half as annoying their mothers. All of them seemed to be hovering like a bunch of ticked-off bears, and in the middle of it all was the Grand Poobah of angry bear-ness. Julia had spent more time catering to Mrs. Manning’s needs than the bride and all her attendants combined. Between fetching bottles of water to buying grapes for her mid-morning repast, Julia hadn’t stopped running all day. She envied Betsy and Amy because they got to spend the day at the plantation overseeing the setup on that end.
Julia shook her head, still amazed that her second assistant had shown up for duty. Right on time, too. She couldn’t help but be impressed. It took gumption to put on a brave face and pretend one hadn’t been dumped. Perhaps Julia had pegged Amy wrong after all.
“Julia, my Laurel needs crackers.”
Julia shifted her eyes toward Mrs. Manning as she worked to pin an errant curl back into submission on bridesmaid number six’s head.
“Excuse me?” Julia asked, eyeing the tray of crackers she’d brought over from her last trip to the store… fifteen minutes ago.
Catherine Manning didn’t even glance at the offering. “The gourmet crackers from Rice’s Emporium.”
So, clearly regular old crackers wouldn’t do for Princess Manning. Julia reached for her ever-present cell phone. “I can call over there and have someone bring—”
La Manning’s nostrils flared. Julia feared
the woman’s head might explode at any moment. Over crackers. No, gourmet crackers.
So, not getting around yet another trip to the store. “I’ll be right back.”
Grabbing her purse, Julia hurried out, but not before catching the flicker of triumph that flashed in the other woman’s eyes.
Julia fought the urge to stuff those gourmet crackers right up Queen Manning’s nose.
One hour and forty-five minutes later Laurel and all ten bridesmaids stood in their places, ready to go. A string quartet was playing. Guests had filled the impossibly elegant white chairs on the lawn. A white runner stretched from where the bridal party waited, to the arbor where the groom would be standing. A real, but temporary, hardwood floor had been put in place.
An ice sculpture of a swan about to take flight resided in a portable freezer, ready to be wheeled out in time for the reception. Three dozen round tables with the finest Egyptian tablecloths were waiting for hungry guests who would dine on their choice of prime rib, grilled salmon, or Cornish hens. Another table held the most incredible five-tiered wedding cake Julia had ever seen.
And in three little cages behind the arbor, rested three dozen white doves. Yes, she’d found the doves. Or rather Amy had.
Everything looked perfect, but nothing could quell Julia’s fear. “I think I’m going to throw up.”
“Me too,” Amy seconded.
Without a word, Betsy produced two brown paper bags and handed them over.
Betsy’s resources were endless. “Why aren’t you running Marry Me?” Julia asked in amazement.
“Someday,” Betsy said, flashing a sly grin.
Meanwhile, Amy stared down into her paper bag as if she might actually be thinking about using it.
“It took a lot of guts for you to show up here today,” Julia said.
Amy looked up then, tears shimmering in her baby-blue eyes. “If you hurt him you’ll have me to answer to.”
Wow, Little Miss Perfect had just grown up, Julia thought. Who knew getting dumped would turn Amy Vining into a real human being?
“Thank you for helping me,” Julia said. “I don’t think I could have done any of this without you.”
“I didn’t do that much,” Amy said, crinkling the bag in her hands.
“That’s not true—” An alarm went off, and Julia jumped.
Betsy reached under her jacket and took out a tiny little device. “That’s the signal. I’ll get the groom and send the ushers back to escort the mothers.”
“Where did you get that?” Julia asked.
“Online,” Betsy said with a grin, and then hurried off to herd the men to their places.
“That girl is going to run the world someday,” Amy said.
“No doubt,” Julia said. “Okay, will you see to the mothers? I’ll track down the mayor and get the girls in place.”
For the first time all day, Amy grinned. “Are you trying to avoid Mrs. Manning?”
“Unless we want bloodstains all over this nice white runner, I think it’s best.”
They parted company. Getting all the girls ready to go down the aisle was like getting ten baby chicks to run in a straight line. She managed the task, though. Mayor Manning proved to be a docile sort, following along behind the group as if he were taking a Sunday stroll in the park. Julia wondered if some sort of medicinal enhancement allowed him to be so calm in the middle of the chaos. Not to mention the roiling storm cloud that was his wife.
Julia looked down the runway and saw that the mothers were seated. She caught sight of Grace and next to her Sarah, who’d managed to pry herself away from the baby to attend. Sarah waved hello.
Chuckling, Julia waggled her fingers in return and then got back to business. She signaled Betsy, who sent the groom and his entourage out. Seth appeared behind them, and as he took his place, he looked right at Julia and winked.
Julia forced herself to concentrate as the quartet began the processional. She nudged the first duckling to get her going.
Bridesmaid number two… number three… number four… five.
Finally, they were all on their way, and Julia turned toward Laurel to adjust her veil one last time. The girl let out a tremulous sigh.
“Everything okay?” Julia asked, not really expecting an answer.
“Yes, thank you.”
“You’re welcome.”
Laurel reached up and snagged Julia’s hand. “No really… thank you. I realize my mother is—” the young bride glanced at her father, who playfully covered his ears. “—a pain, and you’ve been great.”
Julia’s mouth dropped open.
Laurel laughed, and Mayor Manning chuckled, though he tried to hide it by coughing behind his hand. Julia about fainted, but managed to pull herself together long enough to send father and daughter down the aisle. The quartet reached its climax as Laurel reached her groom, and Betsy signaled a thumbs-up from her corner.
Relief nearly brought Julia to her knees. However, she’d barely released the breath when a strange hum erupted behind her. Then a spitting sound. Followed by… water.
Lots and lots of water.
Streaks of it arched across the lawn from what seemed like a hundred sprinklers. And not little water-your-daisies drops of water, either. Huge, cannon fire streams of it. Going right over the guests.
Screams erupted, and everyone started running for cover.
“Where did these sprinklers come from?” Julia asked, unable to move.
“I’ll go find the groundskeeper,” Amy shouted, and took off across the grass.
The comment shook Julia out of her stupor, and she sprinted for the plantation house. Surely someone there knew what to do.
The plantation manager, perhaps alerted by the screams, met her at the door. The woman froze, gazing in horror at the chaotic scene. “What in the world?”
Julia grabbed the woman’s arm. “We’ve got a Noah’s Ark situation going on. How do we turn the sprinklers off?”
“The grounds crew,” the manager said.
A call was made. Several blessed minutes later the water went off, but not before the guests had been soaked. The bridesmaids were standing in a pathetic knot, hair sprayed up-dos now hanging down around their shoulders like dead animals. Make that wet dead animals.
Laurel huddled against her fiancé, her beautiful white gown covered with mud and grass stains. In the distance, Julia could see Devon and her crew frantically trying to save any food they could.
Amy ran up with Betsy hot on her heels.
“I found the groundskeeper,” Amy said.
“And I found the plantation manager,” Julia said. “How did this happen?”
Amy gazed around, her face pale and scared. “The timers.”
“What?”
“The sprinklers come on at the same time every day, unless the timer is switched off.”
Heart sinking, Julia glanced at Betsy. “Did we have sprinklers on the list?”
Betsy gave a jerky nod. “It was checked off, too.”
“But we didn’t double check today,” Amy said, keeping her voice low.
From somewhere to Julia’s right a voice rang out. An outraged voice. “I’ll sue! That incompetent fool ruined my baby’s wedding!”
Julia’s lungs threatened to collapse. “Okay, my mind has officially shut off. What do we do?”
For once even the unflappable Betsy seemed to be out of ideas, and she shrugged helplessly.
Taking a deep breath, Amy took charge. “Betsy, my car is unlocked. I’ve got some towels in the trunk. Go get them. I’ll try and head off Mrs. Manning. See if I can get her to calm down.”
“What should I do?” Julia asked, as Betsy took off for the parking lot.
“Stay as far away from Mrs. Manning as possible,” Amy said. “Hide if you have to.”
Oh, this was bad. Disaster movie of the week bad.
“Julia!”
Could this day get any worse? Julia stifled a groan as Grace and Sarah approached, with Meredith cl
ose behind them. How could Julia face her sister now?
“Sarah, I’m so sorry. The timer on the sprinkler system went off,” Julia said. “It was on our list of things to check, but I don’t know—”
Meredith touched Julia’s arm. “You couldn’t have known.”
“I should have, and now the wedding is ruined. I’m trying to stay out of sight until the mayor’s wife calms down, which might be sometime next century.”
Seth hurried up, grabbing Julia by the shoulders. “Hey, are you all right?”
With a strangled sob, Julia fell into his arms. “I’m hiding out from Mrs. Manning.”
“She’s not going to kill you over a little water,” he said.
“A little water?” she echoed in astonishment. “Did you see what happened? It was like dozens of Old Faithfuls going up all over the lawn. Everyone’s soaked. The wedding is washed out. Literally. The mayor’s wife is humiliated, and it’s my fault. I’ll be lucky if I don’t wind up in jail over this.”
Seth kissed her forehead. “No one is going to jail.”
“At the very least she’ll sue and bankrupt the business.”
There were no reassuring words from anyone to deny this claim.
“I never should have agreed to help,” Julia said. “I knew I’d screw up.”
“You didn’t screw up,” Sarah protested.
“Oh, yes, young lady, she most certainly did.”
Julia jumped. Shoot. Mrs. Manning. Amy trailed behind the charging bull so her efforts at keeping the woman at bay had obviously failed.
There was only one choice, and she couldn’t let some self-important, small-town tyrant cow her. Fighting the urge to turn and run, Julia instead stiffened her spine and prepared for battle.
Mrs. Manning never had a chance to do anything because someone else stepped in her way. “Grace, get out of my way,” Mrs. Manning said, eyes narrowed to slits.
In that moment, Grace grew about ten feet. “No. If this is to be discussed, it will be done without your rants and threats.”
Mrs. Manning looked as if she was about to have a stroke. Obviously she wasn’t used to being challenged. “Fine. We’ll discuss this professionally. My lawyer will be calling tomorrow.”
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