Page 39 of Kiss the Bride

“Cookie, anyone?” Ryan asked. He lifted a domed lid and helped himself.

“Thanks. Don’t mind if I do.” Daniel snagged a couple. He offered one to Brianna.

“I’ll pass.” The bride-to-be patted her tummy. “I filled up on blueberry muffins this morning. Y’all grow the biggest berries up here.” She laughed. “Ours back home aren’t half that size.”

“There’s a U-Pick place just north of town,” Evelyn offered. “You and Daniel could go there Saturday.” Once the couple announced their selections, they’d have the rest of the day free to sightsee, shop, or take a trip to the beach.

“Maybe,” Brianna said, clearly interested.

They waited until Daniel brushed the last crumb from his hands before Ryan held the door open for the rest. Evelyn had no more than stepped foot in the store when a dynamo of a woman with short brown curls exclaimed, “You’re here! You’re here! Welcome!”

Smiling staffers wearing pink aprons clustered around the checkout counter. From a spot that must’ve given him excellent coverage of the entrance, Curtis snapped pictures. He lowered his camera to wave hello. Then, motioning Evelyn and Ryan aside, he retreated behind the lens while their hostess continued her greeting.

“Welcome to Eat, Drink and Be Married, where only the very best will do for your wedding! I’m Vi Gorman. My sister, Bev, had planned to be here today, but my nephew caught a cold. So you’re stuck with me!” Vi spread her arms wide, exclamation points peppering her sentences. “But don’t despair. Everything’s ready for you.” She stopped in the middle of a rushed monologue to take a breath. “You’re Daniel, of course! We met at the train station.” She spun to Brianna. “And this must be your lovely bride-to-be. I didn’t have a chance to introduce myself when you arrived. There were so many people! Congratulations on being chosen as this year’s Wedding-in-a-Week couple!”

Brianna’s eyes widened in a sure sign that she hadn’t expected the effusive chatter. Evelyn stepped forward to give the wary bride a chance to collect her thoughts. She stuck out her hand. “Vi, good to see you.”

“So happy to have you here, Evelyn.” Vi grasped her hand and gave it a firm pump. “Now, I know you have everything you could ever possibly need at the Captain’s Cottage, but if something in our store catches your eye, just let me know.” She turned to the fourth member of their party. “Ryan! So good to see you again!”

Evelyn watched in stunned silence as the woman surged forward to embrace Ryan in a hug that, in her opinion, lasted entirely too long. Even as the tiny hairs on the back of her neck bristled and her jaw tightened, she told herself she had no right to be jealous. She and Ryan were friends. Nothing else. The more time they spent together, the more she asked herself, “What if he’s the one?” but that was all it was—a question. She had no business poking her nose into his history with Vi.

Nevertheless, she moved to keep the visit on track. “Ahem. I’m sure Brianna and Daniel would love to see what you’ve selected for their wedding.”

“Right!” Vi finally relinquished her hold on Ryan. “Come right this way.”

Curtis’s camera whirred as they followed the owner past built-in wall units. Table linens in every imaginable color hung from velvet-covered hangers beneath the cabinets and shelves. Next came china patterns artfully arranged in individual cubbies, stacked one on top of the other from floor to ceiling. When green flames continued to flicker at the edge of her vision, Evelyn feigned a sudden interest in one of the displays and veered off from the group.

“Get a grip,” she muttered under her breath. She ran one finger along the rim of a china cup. “Ryan and I are friends. Just friends.” She repeated the phrase several times. At last, her heart stopped aching whenever she pictured him walking arm in arm down Bridal Carriage Way with someone else, and she hurried to catch up with the others.

“Here we are,” Vi said at last. In the far corner of the shop, comfy white chairs had been arranged in front of low tables that held an assortment of bridal magazines, snacks, and beverages.

“Nice.” Daniel plopped down on the first cushion. “I’m all set.” Ever hungry, he reached for a plate.

Brianna slid in beside him, her eyes glued to three free-standing screens that, according to Vi, hid Eat, Drink and Be Married’s suggestions for the Wedding-in-a-Week couple. “I’m so excited.” She bounced up and down, clapping her hands like a schoolgirl. “I can’t wait to see what you’ve chosen for us.”

Ryan and Evelyn took the remaining chairs. She stole a quick sidelong glance at Ryan, who watched Vi’s every move as the woman crossed to the first screen. A hard knot formed in her stomach. She shook her head, but she didn’t have any luck dousing the green flames this time.

“Focus,” she told herself and tore her gaze from him.

Up front, Vi said, “Every item in this first table setting was chosen to honor Daniel and Brianna’s commitment to his military service while celebrating this most important day in your lives. Ready?”

Vi rolled the curtain out of the way. Behind it sat a round table draped in pristine white. A satiny finish created the impression of movement in the cloth that brushed the floor in thick folds. Dark navy table runners crisscrossed at the center of the table. Light sparkled from the gold tips of silver flatware, white china, and elegant glassware. As a final touch, bright red napkins sprang from each plate.

“Oorah,” Daniel chuffed.

“Nice!” Brianna pronounced.

Vi beamed.

Impressed despite herself, Evelyn had to give the woman mad props for creating a setting that was both patriotic and elegant. She listened closely while their hostess launched into a thorough description of the pieces she and her sister had chosen for the table. When it was time to move on to the next option, she looked forward to seeing what lay behind the curtain almost as much as the bride, who drummed her fingers in anticipation.

“We’ve designed this look to reflect Brianna and Daniel’s love for their home state of Florida,” Vi announced.

Brianna’s smile widened when the woman rolled the curtain aside to reveal a row of oblong tables swathed in pale yellow. Bamboo chairs matched the decor and provided seating. On the tabletop, sleek, modern flatware surrounded square china plates adorned with tropical flowers, while olive-green napkins and placemats complemented the bright colors.

Evelyn smoothed the skirt of her shirtwaist. A Florida theme wasn’t exactly her style, but when the time came—if the time came—she wouldn’t mind incorporating some of Rhode Island’s best features in her wedding. A few blue violets in her bouquet. A menu built around clams and lobsters. No chickens, though. Even if they were the state bird. She smothered a laugh as Vi began to speak.

“Option Two incorporates a slightly more festive air.” The owner ran a hand over the surface. As she had with the previous entry, she provided a detailed description of each item in the setting. Almost finished, Vi picked up an enlarged postcard in a gilt frame from the spot where it leaned against a candelabra. “We’ve chosen vintage postcards to identify each table. Miniature versions would serve as place cards.”

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