Page 36 of All Because I Found You

“Raelyn, I’m so happy you could make it.” Jean Kelly, owner of the Book Nook, the local bookstore on Main Street approached and gave her a hug.

“I wouldn’t miss it. I’m just sorry I couldn’t give more of a helping hand.”

Jean straightened her stylish black-framed glasses then waved a hand at Raelyn. “Don’t be silly. You got thrown for a loop with that wedding and the venue flooding. Have you figured everything out?” Raelyn had told Jean and the rest of the book club about the whole ordeal one day at Calhoun’s while they were drinking their weight in margaritas instead of discussing their latest book.

“I think so. It’s going to be held at the old barn on Beaver Creek. I’m going with rustic chic.”

“That sounds really lovely. I also heard the mayor will be at this wedding. Looks like the perfect opportunity for you to showcase your skills and rub elbows with some potential big paying clients.”

“No pressure,” Raelyn joked, but on the inside, she was slipping into panic. Of course she knew the mayor would be at the wedding, but she tried to push that little tidbit to the back of her mind. Not like she didn’t know the man. She was friendly with his son, but still. He threw events all the time. He was the type of client she’d kill for.

“You’ll be just fine.” Jean squeezed her hand. Her attention drifted over to the entrance. “Oh that’s Maria. I need to get her basket fixed up. I’m sorry to cut this short.”

“Don’t worry. Go do what you got to do.”

“It’s a good one,” Jean said. “A gift certificate to her salon and all these great products. Make sure you put a ticket in for it.”

“I absolutely will.”

“Good.” Jean hurried off, and Raelyn looked around the large space before walking over to the tables that held all the giveaways. There was everything from gift certificates to big elaborate baskets to a custom Heineken beer bicycle and an oversized teddy bear that had to be at least eight feet long.

“Wow, this place looks exactly the same.” Cindy’s voice came from behind her, and Raelyn spun toward her best friend. Cindy waved, her dark hair cut into a stylish bob that sat in classic beach waves between her shoulders and chin. Her perfectly shaped eyebrow arched over big green eyes.

“Hey bitch.” Raelyn tossed her arms around Cindy and pulled her in tight. They talked all the time, but with Cindy living in Nassau County, they didn’t see each other as often as Raelyn would like.

“Hey.” Cindy squeezed her and rocked from side to side. “Sorry I’m late. Jolie was clinging to my leg and wouldn’t let go. Zane had to all but manhandle her away from me and then she started screaming bloody murder.”

“Poor thing.”

“She’ll be fine.”

“I’m not talking about her. I know she will be. I was talking about Zane.” Zane, Cindy’s husband, was the absolute sweetest, and Raelyn couldn’t think of a better match for her best friend.

Cindy rolled her eyes and swatted a hand. “Oh please. He can deal with it.” Her gaze drifted away, scanning the entire cafeteria. “Have you seen my sister? I know we’re all sitting together.”

“Not yet, but I actually only got here myself.”

Cindy rested a hand against her chest. “What? You weren’t here an hour early offering to help set up?”

“No.” Raelyn laughed because Cindy wasn’t wrong. If she didn’t have a million things on her plate, she would have volunteered and been a part of the planning committee. “The countdown for the wedding has begun, and I still have a million things left to do.”

“You haven’t called me to put favors together, so either you already took care of it or you’re that far behind.”

Raelyn bit her lip. “I haven’t had a chance yet.”

“Oh boy. Do I have to pull an all-nighter with you tonight to get them done?”

Raelyn shook her head. “No, you have to get to Zane before that beautiful man loses his mind.”

“Really? I’m with Juju all day every day while he’s at work. He can handle a night.”

The truth was, Raelyn had different plans for her night in mind, not that she was ready to share that with Cindy. “I’ll get them done. I always do.”

Cindy pointed a manicured finger at her. “If you call me the night before the wedding in a panic—”

“You’ll hop in your car and come to my rescue because you’re the bestest friend ever.”

Cindy shook her head. “I can’t with you.”

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