Page 4 of Kiss the Bride

“I’d love to, man. But the price tag on one of those babies is a bit steep.” And here he was with little more than two extra nickels to rub together. “Maybe later, once I have a few weddings under my belt.”

“Give me a holler if you change your mind.” Norman hefted his toolbox and headed for the door.

“Will do.” He flipped off the lights. “I’ll walk you out. Alicia Thorn called. She asked me to come see her at the Captain’s Cottage.”

“Oh?” His expression curious, Norman rubbed his chin. “What’s up with that?”

“No idea.”

“Maybe she double-booked a wedding and wants to send a bride your way.”

It was far more likely she’d discovered damage in one of the Cottage’s rooms and needed him to make the repairs. He was, after all, a carpenter at heart. Despite that, he mentally crossed his fingers.

“One can only hope.” He kept his voice light and teasing, all the while acknowledging that the odds of the best event coordinator in Heart’s Landing making that sort of mistake were practically nonexistent.

Chapter Two

Feeling a little bit like she’d been told to report to the principal, Evelyn made a beeline for Alicia’s office. Her heels tapped across the century-old wood floors. She trailed her fingers along the top of dark wainscoting that lined the wide corridor. On either side, doors opened into offices at regular intervals. The sameness of the rambling mansion that never changed despite a daily influx of brides and their wedding parties normally settled her. Today, it stirred an achy reminder of how monotonous her days had become. By taking on more responsibility while Jason was on his honeymoon, she’d hoped to change that, but taking prospective clients on tours of the grounds didn’t thrill her any more than adding columns of numbers or keeping track of the Cottage’s inventory. She was ready for a new purpose, a new direction. But what?

Reaching the first office on the left, she flung the door wide without bothering to knock. “You wanted to see me?”

She saw the back of Alicia’s head, with tight curls that held more salt than pepper, and then realized the event coordinator was on the phone.

Phooey. Evelyn beat a hasty retreat. She’d spent the entire morning projecting cool, calm professionalism, and here she’d gone and interrupted Alicia in the middle of a call. Would she never tame her impulsive side? She slumped against the wall, prepared to wait, but not more than thirty seconds passed before Alicia’s voice rang warmly through the hall.

“Evelyn?”

“Yes?” She straightened.

“Come on in and have a seat. I’ll be right with you.”

Aware of the woman’s busy schedule, Evelyn moved quickly.

“Let me get this down before I forget it.” Alicia pushed a pair of wire-rimmed glasses higher on her nose, squinting at the monitor while the pink tips of her fingernails flew over the keyboard.

“Take your time.” Evelyn settled onto one of the three guest chairs arranged in a semicircle before a sleek, modern desk. She marveled that even during the most hectic bridal season, when the Captain’s Cottage hosted more than a dozen weddings each week, Alicia’s workspace remained as pin-neat as the woman herself … unlike Evelyn’s own office, which even on a good day looked messy and disorganized. Self-conscious, she opened a notebook crammed full of Post-It notes and reminders. A slip of paper made a mad dash for freedom when the air-conditioner kicked on. She lunged for it and barely caught it in her fingertips.

“There.” Alicia turned away from the computer. “That was the Sutter bride. She wants to have a photo session under the willow tree between the ceremony and the reception. We’ll need to make sure the area is freshly raked and trimmed. Can’t have our bride snag her veil on a low branch now, can we?” Behind her glasses, a mix of humor and concern swirled in dark eyes.

The Sutter/Fox wedding. Six bridesmaids, an equal number of groomsmen. Plus the flower girl and ring bearer. The parents, possibly the grandparents, would all be in the photos. Add in a couple of close friends, and suddenly things were getting very crowded on the west lawn. Evelyn thumbed through her day planner, searching for her notes on a wedding three weeks in the future. By some miracle, she found them and rummaged for something to write with.

“Don’t bother.” Alicia offered a pen from a nearby caddy. “I made a note for the gardeners and sent you a confirmation email.”

“Thanks.” She sighed. Alicia was the absolute best. “What would we ever do without you?”

“You’ll find out one of these days. As soon as Jenny’s ready to take over, I’m going to retire.”

“You’re leaving us?” Evelyn squeaked. Alice had planned events at the Captain’s Cottage for as far back as she could remember. With an unflappable calm, she’d risen to meet every challenge, from wishy-washy brides to grooms who suddenly developed cold feet. She was the reason they’d never had a wedding fiasco. “Does Jason know?”

At Alicia’s nod, Evelyn fought down questions that rushed through her head like an incoming tide in Heart’s Cove. She shoved all but the most important concern aside. “You’re sure Jenny’s up to the challenge?”

“She’s doing great.” The laugh lines etched into Alicia’s cheeks deepened as their eyes met. “Remember the Smith wedding?”

“How could I forget?” Three hundred guests had filled the Green Room that night. Ships’ flags had hung from the rafters, blue-striped life preservers had adorned white chairs, and tiny sailboats had served as place cards for the nautical-themed wedding. The evening had led to Jason and Tara admitting their true feelings for each other.

Sitting in Alicia’s office, Evelyn sighed at the romantic notion of it all. One day, she’d like to discover her own true love. One day. Not now. Not when Jason was away on his honeymoon. And not when she was too busy to eat, she mentally added when her tummy growled.

“Jenny handled that wedding all by herself. She’s been taking on more and more responsibility ever since. You’ll see—by this time next year, you won’t even miss me.”

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