by Judith Keim
First on the schedule, some photos of Bethany and Jason with their friends having breakfast. Bethany had requested a small meal served poolside for the four of them.
When Lulu arrived at the inn, it was quiet. One of the perks of coming to the Chandler Hill Inn was fabulous room service and good sleeping weather. It made for some late mornings.
She went into the kitchen to check with Liz who usually handled the early shift.
“How are you, Lulu? And how’s that precious fur baby of yours? I swear Dolly is as cute as my little guy, Oscar.”
Lulu laughed. After Cami received Sophie as a gift from Rafe, everyone at the inn had fallen in love with dachshunds. Now there were three in the “inn family”.
“Are we all set for the Welles-Sands breakfast?” Lulu asked.
“Yes. Just waiting for them to arrive. Go check the table. I think it looks adorable. Very fitting for the couple.”
Lulu grabbed a cup of coffee and wandered out to the pool. At the outer edges of the pool deck, a few tables had been set up for guests. In the far corner, away from the others, a table had been dressed. In the middle of the table covered with a pink-linen cloth, a single pink rose sat in a crystal vase. At each of the four place settings, a pink rose tied with a pink ribbon lay atop the white serving plate. Beside the plate, a white napkin had been folded into the shape of a flower. Simple but elegant, thought Lulu.
She’d just set aside her coffee cup when Bethany and Jason appeared with another couple. Interested as always in others, Lulu studied them. Stan Young was as tall and broad as Jason. Blue eyes sparkled in a face already reddened by being outdoors. Beside him, his wife, Caren, seemed petite. The round curve of her pregnant belly made her body appear thinner than it was. Her blond hair was pulled away from a face accented by an upturned nose and freckles.
Lulu thought the four of them together were adorable as they laughed and teased one another taking their seats. She took shots of them and then went over to introduce herself to the new couple.
“Hi, I’m ... Weezie, here to take photos for Bethany and Jason throughout your visit. Just ignore me. I’ll try to stay out of your way.”
Bethany said, “Thank you, Weezie. This is Caren Young, my best friend, and her husband, Stan.”
“My best friend,” said Jason. “They’ve agreed to be our only wedding attendants.”
“We wouldn’t miss it for the world.” Caren smiled sweetly. “I’m just happy they didn’t wait any longer. Our baby is due in another six weeks.”
“I’ve already promised to babysit,” said Bethany. “We can’t wait for this little girl to arrive.”
“You already know what sex it is?” Lulu said.
“Oh, yes,” Caren admitted. “I’m a planner and wanted to have everything ready for the baby when she arrives.”
“You wouldn’t believe all the stuff that now fills our apartment,” Stan added proudly.
Lulu forced a smile, but inside, pangs of disappointment pierced her, sharp reminders of what her existence might have been like for her. Earlier in her life she’d never given much thought to having a family of her own, but having come so close to it, she couldn’t let the idea go.
“Well, I’ll let you enjoy your breakfast for now,” said Lulu. “When would you like me to return?”
“The wedding is at four, so I’d say come to my room sometime after three so you can take pictures of me getting ready,” said Bethany. “As small as the wedding is, I want to have a few moments captured.” She gave Jason as broad smile. “I don’t intend to go through another wedding.”
Jason’s eyes lit with pleasure as he gazed at Bethany. “Me either.”
Lulu gave them a little wave, and left.
###
The Barn was just opening when Lulu walked inside. She said hello to Gwen and went over to the book section and picked up a sweet storybook about a little bear being loved.
“Please put this on my account,” Lulu told the clerk. “I’ll pay extra to have it wrapped.”
“Sure. Why don’t you look around while I take care of it,” the older woman said. “I’ll make it very nice. Blue, pink, or green bow?”
“Pink, thank you. Perhaps you can arrange to have it delivered to Room 204. I’ll write a note and give it to you.”
In Gwen’s office, Lulu wrote a short note on one of the special Chandler Hill Inn cards printed for such occasions, handed it to the clerk, and left, ready to face the day.
When she went back to the inn, a couple was just checking in. Realizing it must be Bethany’s father and his wife, Lulu went over to them.
“You must be Mr. and Mrs. Welles. Welcome to the Chandler Hill Inn. I’m Weezie and will be taking candid shots of the wedding party throughout the day.”
“Nice. I’m Chester Welles, and this is my wife, JoAnn.”
They shook hands all around. As Chester registered at the desk, Lulu stood beside JoAnn, still stunned by his handsome looks. She turned to JoAnn, who was attractive in her own way, but no beauty.
“So how did the two of you meet?” Lulu asked, genuinely curious.
“We both work in the same law firm,” JoAnn said. She gave Chester a proud smile. “He’s brilliant at corporate law.”
“Is that what you do?”
JoAnn shook her head. “I’m in family law. We happened to work on the same case. A very long, complicated one.”
Chester returned to them and put a hand on JoAnn’s shoulder. “She’s my better half.”
The look of adoration on JoAnn’s face matched his own.
“Enjoy your time here. It’s a beautiful day.”
“Oh, yes. We will,” said JoAnn with enough determination that Lulu got the impression that even though JoAnn looked a lot like Jarinda, she wouldn’t let Jarinda walk all over her.
An interesting day ahead, thought Lulu.
###
With the morning free, Lulu headed back to The Barn. She wanted to check to see if some of the Christmas catalog gifts had arrived. They needed to be entered into the inventory and then shelved in a way that made it easy for the shipping staff to find. With online sales becoming the norm, their catalog business had grown. Lulu could foresee a time when they’d need to add to their shipping area, perhaps erect a separate building.
Gwen greeted her with a smile. “Wedding break?”
“Yes. Bethany is very particular about what photos she wants taken. I just met her father and stepmother, another interesting pair. Jason’s parents will arrive a little later this morning. Even though I’m not required to take photos of them, I thought I’d go over to the inn at the arrival time.”
“In the meantime, we’re glad to have you here. I need you to look at something I want to show Cami. Come with me.”
Gwen put an arm around Lulu’s shoulder and led her over to a table on which a number of interesting items sat. She lifted up a small, white metal basket. “I thought we could use these to put in the rooms of wedding parties, filled with a few treats and information about bridal gifts here at The Barn. What do you think?”
Lulu smiled at her. “I think she’ll like them. How much do they cost?”
“That’s it. Unless you buy a thousand of them, they’re on the expensive side.”
“A thousand? That’s putting trust in the future, but I don’t see it as a problem. If you like, I can take one over and show it to Cami now.”
“Would you? I can’t leave here, but if she likes them, I need to put in an order right away.”
Eager to help, Lulu picked up the basket and walked over to the inn. Instead of going through the front entrance, Lulu slipped through the garden entrance and knocked on Cami’s office door.
“Come in!” Cami called.
“Good morning. I’m here to see you at Gwen’s request,” Lulu said brightly, and stopped at the sight of Cami’s worried look. “What’s wrong?”
“Jarinda Baxter-Welles knows who you are and wants me to set up a meeting with you.”
L
ulu felt as if her stomach had dropped to her shoes. “Why? I don’t want anything to do with politics or publicity. That’s why I’m here.”
“I’m not sure what she wants, but if you’re uncomfortable about being with her, I suggest you bow out of taking photographs of the group. I don’t want you to get hurt.”
Lulu plopped down in one of the two chairs facing Cami’s desk. “You know, as much as I dislike being associated with my father, I am who I am, Cami. I can’t change that. I know you’ve given me my nickname Weezie, and I love you for it.”
“Then, let me go with you,” Cami said.
Lulu shook her head. “No, I’ll go alone.”
“All right. I know how stubborn you can be,” sighed Cami.
Instead of being offended, Lulu was delighted that they’d become true sisters and could speak frankly.
Lulu showed Cami the basket and got the approval for Gwen. Then, she called Jarinda’s room. She picked up right away.
“Hello?”
“Ms. Baxter-Welles, this is Louise Kingsley. My sister told me you wanted to see me. May I ask what this is about?”
“I think it’s best if we talk face-to-face. I have an idea that might help us both.”
“All right, if you insist. Why don’t we meet in the lobby? I’m free at the moment.” Surely, Jarinda wouldn’t make a scene in public.
“That will be fine,” Jarinda said with a note of satisfaction. “Meet you there in a few minutes.”
Lulu walked to the front windows of the lobby area and gazed out at the rolling hills she’d come to love so much. She was lost in thought when she heard someone call her name. She turned to face Jarinda, a strong woman with an imposing presence. Lulu suddenly felt uncertain.
They shook hands.
“I guess you’re calling yourself Weezie now,” said Jarinda, not unkindly.
Embarrassed, Lulu nodded. “Sometimes.”
“Did you know I knew your father quite well?”
“He met you only a couple of times, but I knew he thought you were a shrewd politician.”
“He was a forward thinker. He was interested in a program I encouraged for migrant workers. I plan to run for the California State Legislature and would like to have you on board to help promote that program and, of course, me. We’re from different political parties and having you behind me would be a huge bonus—cooperation and all that, reaching across party lines.”
Lulu stifled a sigh. “Thank you for thinking of me, but I have no interest in politics anymore. My heart isn’t in it.”
Jarinda studied her. “That bad, huh?”
Lulu looked down at the floor and then lifted her face. “Yes. No matter what you say, it’s over for me.”
“I’m disappointed.” Jarinda rocked back on her heels. “Your father wasn’t all bad, you know. But like some men, men in power especially, he made some bad choices.”
Just then Chester Welles walked into the room.
“Don’t we all?” muttered Jarinda and rose. “Hello, Chester. You made it for the wedding.”
“Of course. She’s my only daughter. JoAnn and I wouldn’t miss it for the world. You and the Doc got here last night all right?”
“Yes, William and I had a lovely dinner with Bethany and Jason.” The frost in her voice was noticeable.
“Is there anything you need from the staff?” Lulu said, eager to escape.
Jarinda and Chester shook their heads and went their separate ways.
Lulu let out a sigh of relief. Poor Bethany, she thought. No wonder she wanted a small wedding.
CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE
As Lulu was preparing to leave, a couple arrived, looking bedraggled. She hurried over to them. “Welcome to the Chandler Hill Inn. May I help you?”
“Yes, please,” answered the woman, wearing baggy jeans and a weary expression. Her gray hair was tied in a pony tail behind a face with no makeup. “I never thought we’d arrive. We’re here for Jason Sands’ wedding.”
“Are you his parents?” Lulu asked, thinking the man with her looked a lot like Jason.
“Wilbur and Loretta Sands,” he answered. A bear of a man, his deep voice rattled in his chest. Observing the size and strength of him, Lulu guessed he must have been a college football player like his son. Bald and overweight now, he looked haggard.
“Did you catch a flight from Montana?” Lulu asked.
“No, Wilbur insisted on driving. Said we’d save money that way,” complained Loretta. “I tried to tell him it would be easier to fly, but you know how men are.”
“We’ll get you checked in and then hopefully you can have a restful afternoon.” Lulu said with sympathy. She turned as Cami and Becca hurried toward them. “Here comes help now. I’ll see you later.”
As Cami approached, Lulu raised her eyebrows to warn her about the unhappy guests and after introducing Cami and Becca to the Sands, she quickly left.
Headed back to The Barn, Lulu made a quick stop at Chandler Hall to see how preparation for the other wedding was going. The wedding party of seventy-five had already gathered in the garden. A wedding brunch was to follow.
Walking into the building, Lulu caught her breath. Following the color scheme of rose and pink, glittering crystal goblets and vases of fresh rose lilies and pink hydrangeas enhanced the round tables of six covered in pink linen.
Laurel bustled by. “Don’t miss the wedding. It’s about to take place.”
Lulu followed her out to the garden and stood off to one side. Cami had spent a lot of money on the landscaping, especially the garden, and it was lovely. The extended lawn area was discreetly divided into sections by lush plantings of shrubbery, low planting beds, and floral focus points, so weddings of various sizes had their own nooks. This wedding would be among the larger ones held at the inn and was taking place in the main garden.
White chair covers concealed the individual seats lined up in perfect rows on the grass. An aisle divided the seats into two sections and led to a simple altar of sorts—a plain, white wood table on which a brass cross now sat, flanked by two large, white candles in lovely, large, brass candle holders.
Lulu left before any of the wedding guests noticed her. She was in no mood to watch another couple who were madly in love make vows for their future together. Not when she didn’t see that happening for her.
Back at The Barn, she worked on catalog material and waited for her afternoon photo shoot with Bethany and Caren.
Later, as she snapped photos of the two women giddy with joy over the upcoming wedding, her feelings changed. Bethany was a beautiful bride who’d chosen a simple, white, sleeveless dress that fell in soft folds to her ankles, suitable for a social affair and perfect for this small, woodsy wedding. Caren’s peach-colored flowing dress couldn’t hide the baby bump that protruded.
“God! I look like an over-ripe peach,” she grumbled good-naturedly.
“No, you look adorable,” protested Bethany. “I can’t wait until Jason and I can start a family.”
“Your mother thinks women should be more interested in doing things for other women to gain ground in business, doing whatever they want to do, not raising families.”
“Don’t remind me! I used to hear my parents fighting about it. My father wanted more children. He told her he’d worked his ass off to get through law school and provide for her. But she wouldn’t listen. Now he has children with JoAnn and is very happy with her and my two half-brothers.”
“Bet that pisses your mother off,” said Caren.
Bethany grimaced. “If she didn’t have William, I don’t know what any of us would do. He’s steady as a rock and sweet as can be. We all love him.”
Listening to the women talk, Lulu snapped one photo after another and wondered how so many marriages could go wrong. Rafe and Lettie had never married, but their love was unending. That’s what she wanted.
“How do I look?” Bethany said, turning to Lulu with a smile.
“Wow! I’m telling you the truth when
I say you’re gorgeous. You have such beautiful skin, and right now, your cheeks are glowing with happiness.”
“Thanks,” said Bethany. “I admit I’m a little nervous. Jason’s mother doesn’t like me all that much.”
“They were a bit harried when they arrived,” admitted Lulu.
“The good thing is it’s a short ceremony with only one evening for all of us to celebrate, then everyone can go back to their own separate lives,” said Bethany.
“Okay. Let’s get this show on the road,” said Caren.
Lulu raced ahead to take photographs of Bethany descending the stairs. Her father was waiting for her at the bottom of the stairway gazing up at her with such pride, Lulu stopped and lifted her camera.
“Are the others in the woods already?” Lulu asked him.
He nodded. “All set.”
Lulu headed out the door and hurried to the edge of the landscaped area and into a wooded area that had been groomed and planted with flowers for such occasions as this.
When she stepped among the trees, Lulu felt as if she were entering a fairyland. Twinkling lights wound around the trunks of the smaller trees, and ferns and shade-loving flowers were carefully planted forming a colorful floral ring around a small, circular group of flagstones that created a stable place for people to stand.
Waiting for his bride, Jason was standing next to Stan beside a tall wooden table. The members of the wedding group formed a semi-circle along the edge of the flagstone.
Soft harp music played softly from speakers camouflaged among the foliage, filling the space with an ethereal sound. After taking a few photos of the setting, Lulu turned to take pictures of Caren, Bethany, and her father as they approached.
When she’d taken all the photos she wanted, Lulu stepped into the shadows and stood beside Laurel. Jason and Bethany had opted to have a simple ceremony with just the exchange of their vows—something else none of the parents liked.
Tears filled Lulu’s eyes as she listened to their vows of love for one another. Spoken from the heart, their words were inspiring. She noticed Jarinda’s eyes filling and observed Jason’s mother dabbing at her eyes with a tissue. For the moment, Bethany and Jason’s love had brought their families together.