A Touch of Romance
By
Kimberly Rae Jordan
Copyright ©2018
Kimberly Rae Jordan
ISBN-13: 978-1-988409-23-8
A man, a woman & their God.
Three Strand Press publishes Christian Romance stories
that intertwine love, faith and family.
Always clean. Always heartwarming. Always uplifting.
Cover designed by AMYGDALA DESIGN
All rights reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced by any means, graphic, electronic or mechanical without the written permission of the author except in the case of brief quotations being used in reviews or articles about the book.
This is a work of fiction. The situations, characters, names and places are products of the author’s imagination, or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to locales, events, actual persons (living or dead) is entirely coincidental.
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Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights are reserved.
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
CHAPTER ONE
CHAPTER TWO
CHAPTER THREE
CHAPTER FOUR
CHAPTER FIVE
CHAPTER SIX
CHAPTER SEVEN
CHAPTER EIGHT
CHAPTER NINE
CHAPTER TEN
CHAPTER ELEVEN
CHAPTER TWELVE
CHAPTER THIRTEEN
CHAPTER FOURTEEN
CHAPTER FIFTEEN
CHAPTER SIXTEEN
CHAPTER SEVENTEEN
CHAPTER EIGHTEEN
CHAPTER NINETEEN
CHAPTER TWENTY
CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE
CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO
CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE
CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR
CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE
CHAPTER TWENTY-SIX
CHAPTER TWENTY-SEVEN
CHAPTER TWENTY-EIGHT
CHAPTER TWENTY-NINE
CHAPTER THIRTY
CHAPTER THIRTY-ONE
CHAPTER THIRTY-TWO
CHAPTER THIRTY-THREE
EPILOGUE
Love suffers long and is kind; love does not envy;
Love does not parade itself, is not puffed up;
does not behave rudely, does not seek its own,
is not provoked, thinks no evil; does not rejoice in iniquity,
but rejoices in the truth; bears all things, believes all things,
hopes all things, endures all things.
Love never fails.
.I Corinthians 13:4-8a NKJV
CHAPTER ONE
Mitch Callaghan had always assumed that when he met with a wedding planner for the first time, he’d be doing it with his own fiancée. He certainly hadn’t planned for it to be with the woman his twin brother was engaged to marry.
“Why me?” Mitch asked with a frown. He adored Maya St. James and looked forward to the day she would become his sister-in-law, but this request was taking things a bit too far, in his opinion. “I’m sure there are any number of people who would be happy to go with you to your appointment with the wedding planner.”
“No one as perfect as you,” Maya insisted. “You know Gabe the best, and you know me. You’re perfect.”
“Nope.” Mitch held up his hands. “I am so far from perfect for this situation, it’s not even funny.”
Gabe laughed at that as their older brother, Kenton, walked into the room. “I really think it’s a great idea. And just think, this will help you know what to expect when your turn comes.”
If his turn came. Mitch was starting to feel like it might not.
“What’s going on?” Kenton asked as he prepared himself a cup of coffee.
“Maya wants me to go to the wedding planner with her on Monday,” Mitch said, not even trying to hide his grimace.
Kenton carried his mug to the table and sat down next to Mitch, facing Gabe and Maya. “And why’s that?”
“When I made arrangements to meet the wedding planner, I didn’t realize that Gabe had physical therapy at the same time,” Maya explained. “I need to keep my appointment, and Gabe says he can’t cancel his.”
When Gabe’s gaze dropped to the mug he had cupped between his hands, Mitch scowled. It as good as confirmed what he’d suspected ever since Maya had broached this subject when he’d joined her and Gabe at the table earlier.
“So why do you want Mitch to go with you?” Kenton asked. “Can’t you go on your own?”
“I want to have someone with me—just not my mom. I figured Mitch would be the best person. He knows Gabe well enough to give input into any of the things the planner might suggest.” Maya glanced back and forth between Gabe and Mitch. “It’s not like I’m asking them to switch places. I just need Mitch’s advice since Gabe can’t be there.”
“It sounds like you have an appointment on Monday, Mitchy.” Kenton grinned, making Mitch want to smack both of his brothers on the backs of their heads. “You’ve been engaged for a few months, why are you only now starting to plan?”
“I’ve been planning since the engagement, but Mom insists that I need a wedding planner, so I finally caved last month and agreed to meet with one.” Maya sighed as she leaned against Gabe. He quickly shifted to wrap his arm around her shoulders, pressing a kiss to her temple as he did. “Frankly, I’d just like to elope.”
“Your mom would kill us,” Gabe said with a conviction that Mitch didn’t doubt. “Her only daughter—only child—eloping? Yeah, that would not go over well at all.”
Maya sighed again. “I know, but at least I’m going to meet with the wedding planner on my own this time. Well, with Mitch. Mom is in New York with Dad until Tuesday, so I called and asked for an appointment while she’s gone. I’m hoping that if I can make sure that Belle understands what I want, even if Mom tries to pressure me, Belle will have my back.”
“Well, I hope it goes how you want it to,” Kenton said. “Maybe you can give Avery some pointers.”
Maya’s eyes went wide. “Ooooh. Are you proposing soon?”
“Not soon, I suppose, but at some point.”
“Are you sure she’s going to say yes?” Gabe asked.
Kenton rolled his eyes. “I wouldn’t ask her if I thought she’d say no.”
“Well, I, for one, hope she says yes whenever you do pop the question,” Mitch said. “She and Benjie would be a fun addition to the family, so don’t mess it up.”
Though Avery Walker had initially been in the Callaghan home only to help their mom with her rehabilitation, somehow Kenton had drawn her and her son, Benjie, into the family. It had been a surprise to many of his friends and family that the mighty Kenton “I live only for hockey” Callaghan had apparently found something—or rather someone—he loved more than the sport that he had lived and breathed for most of his life. Mitch just hoped that the months apart once Kenton returned to LA for the next hockey season wouldn’t cause the romance between the two to falter.
“Okay. So what time do you n
eed me tomorrow?” Mitch asked, resigning himself to the fact that he was committed to going to an appointment to plan a wedding that wasn’t his.
He heard the snicker from Gabe and sent him a scowl, vowing that payback would be coming. And he intended to inform him of that later when Maya wasn’t around. He knew that in some way she would show her appreciation to him for going with her, but given that he was sure that Gabe could have—with a little bit of effort—made adjustments to his schedule to allow him to go with Maya, his brother was going to pay in other ways.
Yes, depending on how bad the appointment ended up being, Gabe would most definitely pay.
Belle Jacobs climbed out of her car then headed around to the passenger side to pull her briefcase and purse from the front seat. A gust of wind whipped up, grabbing at the edges of her coat. Thankfully, the rain that had been forecast had held off, but from the look of the gray clouds hanging low in the sky to the west, she doubted that would be the case for long. The dark clouds seemed to perfectly fit the Monday that lay ahead of her.
As she walked into the bridal boutique, she spotted her younger sister sitting behind the circular reception desk at the front of the shop.
“Morning, sis,” Jasmine called out as Belle headed toward her.
“Morning,” Belle replied. She normally would have stopped to chat, but she had too much on her plate that day to engage in small talk. So instead, she headed for her office at the back of the boutique, asking as she walked past the desk, “Did you call Cora Milton to let her know that her dress is in?”
Anticipating a quick response, Belle stopped and backed up when Jasmine remained quiet. She leaned against the desk as she looked at her sister who sat with her head bent. “Well? Did you?”
“I couldn’t.” Jasmine took a deep breath, then looked up to meet Belle’s gaze. “I just…couldn’t.”
“We need to let her know the dress is here, so she can come in for a fitting. You know that time is of the essence here.” When Jasmine just shook her head, Belle let out a sigh. “What’s the problem?”
“She’s like the bridezilla of all bridezillas,” Jasmine said with a shudder. She pointed at her monitor where a file was open in the program they used to track customer details.
Belle noticed the red tag on the file and rolled her eyes. The details were coming back to her now. “Okay. Check my schedule and put her in for a fitting appointment. I’ll take care of her.”
Relief flooded Jasmine’s face. “Thank you. I’m sorry. I know it’s my responsibility, but I just can’t deal with her again.”
“I know, sweetie.” Belle gave her a smile to let Jasmine know that she wasn’t upset with her. “Just make sure that you mark the time you schedule her fitting for as busy on my calendar. I don’t want anything to mess that up.”
Jasmine nodded. “I’ll call her right away. And hopefully, leave a message.”
Her youngest sister split her time between manning the front desk and working with brides to find that perfect dress. She did an excellent job with most brides, finding dresses that made them want to say yes. Jasmine could handle wishy-washy brides, and brides who had a definite idea of what they wanted. She could even deal with the brides who weren’t able to stand up to the people they’d brought with them in order to make their own preferences known. But the one type of bride she couldn’t handle—and who would often reduce her to tears—were the demanding, demeaning brides.
Cora Milton had had them all talking when she’d come in several months earlier to find her dress. Though she had a slightly larger budget than the average bride they dealt with, her taste had still exceeded her budget. Jasmine had tried to bring her dresses in her price range, but Miss Milton had insisted on seeing the higher priced ones. That had led to her demanding discounts and concessions that Jasmine simply couldn’t make.
From what Belle had heard—she’d been out at appointments that day—Cora had seemed to actually relish the fact that she’d reduced Jasmine to tears. If Belle had been in that day, Miss Cora Milton would have been on her way to the next bridal shop. Jasmine feared losing customers, but Belle had no such fear when it came to brides who seemed to take delight in making miserable the lives of people who were trying to help them.
If Cora came in for her fitting with the assumption that she’d be dealing with gentle Jasmine again, she was going to be in for a rude awakening.
“Oh, the couple who called for the appointment today is waiting upstairs,” Jasmine said as Belle turned away from the desk.
Right. The wedding her mom had warned her must be perfect since her husband was close friends with the bride’s father. Belle wasn’t sure why they were back again so soon, but she hadn’t questioned the bride when she’d phoned on Friday asking if she could meet with her early this week.
“I’m just going to put my things away,” Belle told her. “Let them know I’ll be right there and be sure to offer them something to drink.”
“I have,” Jasmine said as she got up. “But I’ll let them know you’re on your way.”
In her office—finally!—Belle hung up her coat, then smoothed her hands over her clothes to make sure nothing was wrinkled. She opened her briefcase and pulled out her tablet and a notepad. After a quick pause to collect her thoughts, she gathered up her things and left her office, hoping that Jasmine might have made her a cup of coffee.
Belle had barely left her office when her cell rang. She glanced at it and thought about not answering, but in the end, she decided she couldn’t ignore it. Hopefully, the fact that she had a meeting with her mom’s important client recommendation would keep her mom from chatting too long.
“Hi Mom,” Belle said as she pressed the phone to her ear, walking back out to the front of the shop and the curving staircase that would take her to the second floor. “How is Paris?”
“It’s absolutely stunning. You need to come visit.”
“That would be nice, but unfortunately, someone has to keep the business running,” Belle reminded her. After all, there wasn’t anyone else to do it. Her mom had handed off the business to Belle when her own personal fairy tale—the one she’d been waiting for her whole life—had finally come true.
She didn’t begrudge her mom the happiness she’d found, even if it did come at the expense of Belle having a personal life. But then, Belle didn’t really want a personal life. Plus, if she and her mom had continued working together, their relationship would have taken a decided turn for the worse.
“Well, you could come to Paris in the off-season when the business would be easier to handle from a distance.”
Belle wasn’t about to argue with her mom about it. This year, in particular, there would be no off-season. Her mom seemed to have forgotten that they needed to move the business at some point in the next six months. So far, Belle had had a hard time finding a space that would meet their requirements, and the clock was ticking.
“I’m calling because Patrick has a friend of a friend who might have a space available for you to look at.” So, it appeared her mom hadn’t forgotten about the move after all. “I’ve given him your number to pass on, so be expecting the call.”
“Okay, Mom. Thanks.” Jasmine held out a mug for her as she passed the front desk. With a grateful look, Belle took it and headed for the stairs. “Listen, I have a meeting with Maya St. James right now, so I can’t chat, or I’ll be late.”
Belle was surprised at how quickly that got her mom off the phone. Often the mention of a meeting would shorten a conversation, but not usually quite that much.
She paused outside the frosted glass doors that led into the room where Maya and her groom waited and inhaled for a five count then exhaled for the same. Not even ten o’clock in the morning and Belle was already feeling frazzled. However, she needed to be considerably less frazzled—at least outwardly—before meeting with their most influential client to date.
Pushing through the door, Belle pasted on a smile when she spotted Maya and her man seated at the
table near the large glass windows that looked out over Portage Avenue in downtown Winnipeg. She set her things down on the table as she greeted the two of them.
“I didn’t expect to see you again so soon.” Belle sank into the soft leather chair across from Maya. “Is everything okay?”
The woman smiled at her. “Everything is fine. It’s just that my mom is in New York for a few days, and I wanted to have the chance to meet with you without her here. She means well, but I think her ideas for the wedding are a bit loftier than mine.”
Belle had gotten that feeling from Maya’s mother at their initial consultation. “That’s understandable. I know my mom will definitely have an opinion—or several, in fact—whenever any of us girls finally get married.”
Well, when any of her sisters got married, anyway. That ship had sailed for Belle. What she’d once longed for was no longer something she hoped for in her future. But she understood what it could be like, having dealt with quite a few mothers who treated their daughter’s wedding as if it were theirs, apparently forgetting that they’d already had their own wedding.
“It’s not that I don’t appreciate my mom’s ideas, but we need to scale them back a bit, I think,” Maya said. “I’m not looking for the wedding of the century here. My mom knows that we can’t invite half the people she wants to. For security reasons, my dad kept my relationship to him under wraps for my whole life, and while my mom might feel that it’s time to change that, he and I don’t. That means the wedding will be much more intimate than Mom has plans for.”
With a glance at the groom, who was much quieter this time than last, Belle pulled out a pen and her pad of paper. “Okay, let’s start at the beginning again.”
Belle immediately noticed the difference in the bride as they covered areas they’d gone over during their previous meeting. While she didn’t want to change everything they’d already discussed, Maya was definitely scaling things back, and she didn’t hesitate to share her ideas.
What surprised Belle, however, was how different the groom was at this meeting. She glanced at her tablet to confirm his name. Gabe. At the last meeting, he’d definitely voiced his opinions. More so even than Maya. He and his mother-in-law-to-be had had a difference of opinion more than once during their meeting.
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